#earthrunes

In the garden, three leaves fall.. and transform into Zara, earl, and a feline

Earl groans "Okay, you're not supposed to be a be to flicker flash from deep to near... that's.. supposed to be ..impossible" Memories are a wash but he feels vaguely jealous

Zara closes her eyes, fiercely trying to hold on to memories!

She knows there should be four, but there are three, were there three before or.. argh!

"There was.. a cyclops? Suprisingly friendly and I need to check my pack" Earl is muttering

"Aye, aye..." She scribbles a note to herself, pinning the three down before they fade.

Pack searched.. "Guess we got at least a little of what we wanted"

"Aye!"

"Mew" a more confident mew

"And...something we did not" Earl says

"Hello, darling!" Kitty!

"Well, I'm sure someone here will take it in" Call it a an it. Don't ask what sex, and for goodness sake, don't name it. Naming cats backfires He warns himself

"Oh, aye, aye..." She pets the little tabby - it has splotches of white to break up the stripes.

"Good, because we don't need a cat. I gave up Yorrik to Doyle, almost broke my heart bu the cat liked him better. I don't need that again" Firm nod

Oooo arch back into the pets..yesssz the little tabby loves

Earl notices the silence. ... "You're still petting the cat"

"Oui."

Purrring

"She's a friendly little thing."

Oh crap. I know the gender. Just don't name it. The name's the thing. Name it, and you risk felines "Yup. " A thought "Can't take her to home...she might eat your brother's rat"

"Oh, Frisby is clever."

She rolls and shoots adorable eyes at Earl

(Frisby is the rat!)

"I wonder which pun you are? Catcall? Caterwaul? Catacomb?"

"Yes well, still cats are quick"

"With our luck she's the one curiosity is destined to kill" He says dryly

"Well, satisfaction brought it back."

"Art thou satisfied, Curiosity?"

Pleased purr

"oh Zara, you named her" Earl says mildly aghast

"Did I?"

And Zara realizes she is exactly right. This cat is tied to curiosity. SHe will explore every nook, every cranny. She probably peeked into the wall's hole.

And that's how she got caught. Rude of them to do that.

"Oh, it does suit, doesn't it? Clever Earl."

"Bonjour, Curiosity."

"I am not taking the blame for the name.." He crosses his arms. His manly command attempts have failed... perhaps boyish sulk will win

"Nay - credit!"

Curiosity climbs up Earl and settles in his lap to take a nap.

"You've got to be kidding me" HE looks down

It's his own fault for sitting down to get stuff out of his backpack

"She likes thee."

"She probably just realizes her fur will stand out against these slacks"

"Pfft."

Earl's hand starts to reach down to stroke then he catches himself.

"Fine. Welcome to Earth Runes, Curiosity. " He says resigned. "Just don't make me get attached" Firm warning 'Cause it wont' work. I've been burned before by cat loss. Won't be fooled again":

Sleepy cat is adorable

Zara settles down to sit at Earl's side - obviously he's not going anywhere for a while.

"So it goes, hm?"

"So it goes" He kisses her lightly, and yes, finally pets the sleeping cat

Zara has her prize....Earl has Zara... and Curiosity has them both.