Operation Cute Kitten 2

Writers: Francesca, Jane, Kaysea, Paula, Vix
Date Posted: 16th October 2007

Characters: Chalzie, Swift, Avia, Hantala, Masenda, Rena, Dreydri
Description: The apprentices take the kitten to the kitchens to get food and a home.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 25 of Turn 4

Chalzie held the kitten close to her for the short trip to the kitchens.
She hoped a journeyman wouldn't stop her, that the kitten wasn't diseased, that someone in the kitchens would take it in, that...her thoughts were interrupted by the little feline making an especially forceful effort to get out of her arms. "Shhhhh" she told it soothingly. "We're almost there."

Avia walked beside Chalzie in silence, still unsure whether they were doing the right thing or not, but prepared to support her friend, regardless.
-----

Rena took a sniff of the redfruit pastry that a drudge had just taken from the oven. She then quickly waved the worker away. Many of the dolphineers and support staff were finishing up their evening meal, and those pastries were disappearing quickly. At the appearance of three apprentices at the door, she briefly wondered what they needed. Then, at the sight of the kitten, her eyebrows rose. "Felines aren't allowed in the kitchen. They get their fur in everything," she said brusquely.

"Oh," Chalzie replied softly, dismayed. "I-We were just wondering if you, or anyone here knows where it came from? Or, wants it?"

"There's plenty of felines wondering around the area, any of them could had litter," an elderly cook named Dreydri remarked. She was making more dough for the pastries.

Tala tore her glance from the pastries, a growl of her stomach reminding her that the discovery of the kitten had halted their progress to the dining hall and that none of them had yet eaten. "It was all by itself. It's cold and wet. . . and hungry."

"Hmmmph." Rena crossed her arms, looking at the girls. She had plenty to worry about without apprentices and a wet kitten being included. She heaved a sigh as she thought of how best to resolve the problem and get the four of them out of the kitchen. "You're free to look through the leftovers and get some food for it," she finally said, pointing to a large pot. "But don't let it get near to any of the food in here. Felines shed everywhere."

Swift picked up an almost empty pitcher and crossed to where the apprentices were. "You could try him on a little milk. Some of them like that."

"Are you sure it's alright?" Tala was having second thoughts about helping the kitten. "We don't know where it came from and it could be sick, couldn't it?"

"It's likely a kitten from one of the half-wild felines that live outside. They're all right as pets if you get them early enough." "Half-wild?" Tala asked Swift, picturing one of the larger felines. "Do you think this one is young enough?"

"Probably. He's not attacking you, at least."

"Don't give herdbeast milk to a feline. It will upset it's stomach," the cook warned, and started to roll the dough.

"It's been very friendly; just doesn't really like to be held." Chalzie said, careful not to let the struggling kitten escape from her. "It's old enough to survive, right?"

Avia stood silently by, watching the men and women of the kitchens preparing their meal. The smells caused her stomach to growl reminding her they were missing their own meal. "Why can't we give it herdbeast milk? We always did at home." she puzzled over the woman's words, "And if not this milk, what?"

"It can make some felines sick - sick at the back end, I mean," Swift said, "but some are just fine on it. Here, try some and take some small scraps of meat. Not too much if it's been hungry. If it will eat solid food it will be fine away from its mother."

"And if it won't?" asked Tala.

"Then you'll either have to feed it by hand or put it out of its misery." Avia wasn't the only one to register her shock at the casually dismissive way the kitten's life was being decided. "Surely there's something else we could feed it, if the milk and scraps don't work?" she asked, hurriedly.

"Swift is right, some animals are just allergic to something in the herdbeast milk. My husband is beastcrafter so I know. He uses ovine-milk. Less likely to upset the stomach. And if it doesn't eat solid food, it have to be bottle fed or you need to found a nursing mother-feline who will adopt it," the cook, Dreydri said.

"Do you have any ovine milk so that we can try that?" was Tala's reaction. She was still wary of touching the bedraggled looking kitten but she certainly did not want it to be killed.

"There's some in cold store. It's meant for making cheese, but the little thing would take much, wouldn't it? As long as the headwoman doesn't find out," Dreydri said with guilty glance around her.

Chalzie was beginning to regret their decision to bring the kitten to the kitchens, or even help it at all. Now, if it wound up dead, it would be partially her fault. **Please please please be able to eat solid foods,** she willed the kitten.

"Here." Rena handed the girl a small bowl into which she had cut tiny pieces of meat. "Let's see how it does with this." Chalzie carefully placed the bowl on the floor and the kitten next to it. Another cook put down another bowl, partially filled with herdbeast milk. The kitten turned first towards the milk, hesitated, then began lapping at it. Chalzie heaved a sigh of relief. Now, all it had to do was be able to eat the meat.

"Well, that seems to be all right," Swift commented as the little creature gobbled the meat scraps. "Just keep them small and don't let him choke."

Chalzie watched the kitten voraciously finish the milk, then turn back to the meat. It seemed to have a bit of trouble getting the pieces down, but was making a valiant effort of chewing and eventually swallowing. **He'll be fine,** she thought to herself. She looked up and smiled at everyone. "I don't think he'll stay this skinny for long."

"Doesn't look like it," Swift said. "But who are you going to get to look after him?" He looked around at the group, checking, and they were indeed all apprentices.

"I which I could, but..." Chalzie let her voice trail off, hoping one of the kitchen workers would volunteer to take care of it. Rena gave a little snort and began washing dishes. She had no need of a kitten, and no desire to take care of one who could barely eat solid food.

"I can take it with me." The voice came from a young woman, barely in her teens, who was washing dishes nearby.

"Senda, you can't do that," Tala responded quickly. "You're supposed to be looking around and choosing your own craft." Her voice became quieter. "And Da would be furious."

"He'd get over it," was the younger girl's reply. "And it would only be until we could find a more permanent home. Unless someone else wants it?" She looked around at the assembled group.

**Problem solved,** Chalzie thought to herself. Then, out loud, "That's a great idea, Senda! And, I'd be happy to help you out if you ever need it."

Swift rather thought that promises were easy in such a situation but time would tell if anything came of the apprentice's assurances. "But for the time being I think it should probably find somewhere else to play - out of the kitchen and out of harm's way."

"I could. . ." Senda started, but glanced around at the dishes, the pile growing as other workers brought more plates from the dining room. "I should get back to work, but I'll take care of the kitten later."

"Great," muttered Tala, then smiled at her fellow apprentices. "It looks as if it's no food for us until we find some bedding and . . . other needs for this guy."

"Ask my husband, Stablemaster Jewald. He'll be able to tell you what the kitten needs," Dreydri suggested. She would have offered to take the kitten, but their household was already filled with her husband's pets.

Avia was relieved that care of the kitten had been passed on, and no longer Chalzie's responsibility, but she could see the concern in Tala's face, what would the Apprentice Master think if - or should that be when, he discovered his daughters deed? A rumbling stomach dragged her attention back to the present, "Shards, if we don't hurry, we'll miss the meal!"

"I'll find Stablemaster Jewald and you can go eat," Chalzie replied, just glad the kitten seemed it would survive. "I'll meet up with you as soon as I can. Save me some food!"

The kitten gave a little meow of protest as the girl picked it up. "We've found you a home," Chalzie whispered to it as they left the kitchen.

Last updated on the October 21st 2007

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Operation Cute Kitten 2