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Just me and my tooka
Tech had been exploring the lower levels of Pabu.
Those ones which were only accessible at low tide. And so finally having the opportunity to do some investigating of his own of the various caves in the bowls of the mountain. Tech, on a much waited excursion of these caves.
“Fascinating.”
Tech was talking to himself while running both scanner and holo-imager constantly.
“Algae… that is good to know.”
As it was, if push came to shove and these caves would become a temporary housing for the Pabuers during a moment of danger, they would be good with food and drink while in there. The freshwater spring Tech had already found earlier, suppling the clean water. Meaning they could all stay inside the mountain for a lengthy period if needed.
The cave-system was extensive to say the least and it would take days to search them all thoroughly, that much Tech found out already. But at least Tech had now learnt how to access them for one and what to expect, once inside.
“Interesting indeed.” He muttered to himself.
The beep in his wrist indicated his time to leave.
“Guess, my time is up for now.”
Tech was just about to head back, tracing down the same path he had arrived on, when he heard it.
“Meow?”
It was faint, but Tech heard it just the same. Loud and clear.
“A tooka? In here?” He was surprised.
“Meow!”
The sound grew stronger, louder and more demanding suddenly.
Tech immediately scanned the vicinity, spotting the life-sign soon enough.
Tech then quickly moved towards the sound, which a clear tooka was making. The feline starting to sound perhaps a tad distressed in the process.
“It is alright kitten, I am right here.” Tech tried to assure the animal.
Tech could soon see the feline behind some driftwood. Honing into the tooka with his scanner beeping in his hand. Getting visual confirmation, showing the tooka trapped in there.
Tech reached the feline in no time, quickly assessing the situation so he could help the distressed animal staring right back at him wide eyed.
“Hey there kitten, it is okay. I am here to help you.” Tech spoke in a low register, trying to calm the animal.
The tooka’s leg was trapped under the driftwood. Tech carefully reaching for it as he tried to untangle the cat from beneath it.
Tech knew he needed to act fast as he needed to get moving from under the tide. But, Tech also needed to make sure there were no injuries for the tooka, while getting the animal freed.
“Well, kitten. Looks like nothing is broken, thankfully. Try not to get trapped again, little one.”
Tech was relived to see the tooka jumping out on his own, disappearing from view as soon was it was freed. Tech then made his way onto the path and headed out from the caves, when he heard it again. The now familiar sound.
“Meow?”
“Oh, you were following me out? Wise move, little one.”
Tech smiled knowing the tooka was safe as he headed out himself, with the tooka hot on his tail.
As soon as Tech was out and safe, he took a seat on the rocks on the outside while taking a few scans again.
The tooka too, was making its way to where Tech was seated at.
“So, you decided this was a good spot as well.”
The two sat there in silence, observing the waters coming in surrounding the entrance completely. No way in and out unless one wanted to take a dip in there.
Tech decided on having a snack before heading back up. As he did, the tooka started at him, expectantly. Tech, scratched the feline, and then, sharing his rations with the feline whom gingerly ate it all up.
“Guess you were hungry too.” Tech patted the tooka’s head gently, then getting up on his feet. “Okay, time to go little one. Just remember - not to wander off in there any more okay.”
“Meow!”
It looked like the tooka saluted him, Tech smiling at the animal, seeing how clever the feline really seemed to be. Then, it was time to head back home.
“Well, that was certainly interesting.” Tech decided, thinking of the new friend he had just made.
Later in the evening, after family dinner, Tech was seated on the patio while the others had gone for a walk. Tech, naturally, having told everyone of his excursion and his new friend he had saved.
Just then Omega, having decided to stay home as well, arrived with drinks for the two of them and a surprise in tow!
“Tech, I think, this is for you.”
Moving aside, Tech spotted the small tooka there, right behind Omega.
“Meow.” It greeted Tech like an old friend they totally were now.
“Well hello there!”
“Meow!”
The tooka walked right to Tech and without any qualms, hopping onto his lap.
“Guess, your new friend decided to move in.” Omega joked then.
“Omega, we already have so many pets!” Tech warned her.
“Still, it’s kinda cute.”
“It is.” Tech was scratching the tooka behind its ears.
“So?”
“Yes, well I did kind of save its life, so there is that.”
“Guess the old adage is true then?” Omega simply stated. “The one about owning a saved life.”
Tech was contemplating for a spell, the feline clearly having taken to Tech. True, they had pets the house full, but… Well…this one having imprinted on Tech. And so, the decision was made.
“Well then, we better make some room for you in here, don’t we little one.” Tech cooed the kitten.
“Meow!”
The tooka then took its place on Tech’s lap, the kitten never moving until it was time to go to bed, only purring there contently. And as soon as it was time to retire, the tooka followed Tech to his room.
Guess it was true what the old adage said after all - that of a saved life belonging to the one saving it.