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Day 1: Confusion/Fancy (2023)
Sorata was a good cat. In fact, he would argue he was the very best cat in the whole world. He was quick and smart and he only scratched the furniture sometimes. Best of all, he regularly brought his human gifts. Of course, his human - Saga Masamune - never seemed to react to these gifts quite right, but Sorata figured it was a weird human thing. The cat didn't let Saga's less than ideal reactions discourage him from continuing to leave gifts.
Sorata wanted to show his love and appreciation, after all! He wanted to pay the lovely human back for taking him in when no one else would. What better way to do that than leaving animals that Sorata had personally taken the time and energy to hunt for? The only issue was that Sorata hadn't seemed to find the right kind of prey that Saga would like. He was sure that was the only issue.
Saga didn't seem to like it when Sorata got out either, always trying to block his path or catch him, but he was only successful half of the time. The other half of the time Sorata managed to escape and Saga left a window open for Sorata to jump back into the house when he returned. Sorata knew he was disobeying by escaping, but it was worth it to bring Saga a gift! Plus, he was a cat. Disobedience was in his blood, no matter how good of a cat he was.
Sorata was slipping back into the Saga household now, having darted out of the house this morning when his owner left. Sorata wasn't sure where Saga went almost every morning, but recently when he came back he'd return with a friend. Sorata liked this new friend that Saga referred to as 'Ritsu'. At first Sorata hadn't been too sure about him, sensing his anxious energy, but Ritsu was a nice person. Plus, Saga seemed happier whenever he was around Ritsu, so Sorata couldn't help but to warm up to him quickly.
Sorata trotted up to Saga's room with his latest prize, wondering if he was back yet from wherever he went during the day. He saw that Saga's bedroom door was slightly ajar so he pawed at it until it opened enough for Sorata to go inside. Sorata spotted the two humans sitting together on the floor with their faces pressed together, but the one called Ritsu jumped away from Saga when the door creaked.
Saga looked toward the door, his face shifting into a subtle expression of annoyance. Sorata recognized that look from whenever he would get up on Saga's desk and plop himself on whatever papers Saga was trying to focus on.
"Oh, it's just So-" Saga was relieved to see the cat was safely back home before he noticed the dead animal in Sorata's mouth. "No! No, out, out, take it out." Saga scolded, trying to shoo him away.
"I-Is that a bird?" Ritsu asked, his previously red face becoming devoid of all color.
Sorata let out a 'prrmp', chirping happily at Ritsu acknowledging his hard work before he dropped the bird on to the floor.
"No!" Saga scolded again and Sorata mewed pathetically, confused at his owner's harsh reaction. Why was he so upset? He didn't like the mouse, didn't like the chipmunk, and now he doesn't like the bird either? What is Sorata doing wrong? Does Saga want bigger animals? Sorata isn't sure if he can manage, but he'll do his best...
Sorata found himself being kicked out of the room, his present going in the trash along with his other presents. He thought he might have heard Ritsu murmur something along the lines of 'I think I'm going to be sick', but he ignored that.
Sorata supposed there was nothing to do but try again!