song_princess | AU Pet Person~

"Worry not. There hasn't been a rat around here for weeks." He brightens, trying to assure her.

"You would feed any strays, would you not? I'm surprised you have chosen this route and we haven't met." He said with a grin.

With that offer, he now sees his opportunity for a meal if only just for tonight. It's been a while since he last offered food. To make his impression, he makes a bow.

"It's late at night. I'll happily escort you to your home." He took a few moments to fetch his violin and its accompanying bow, which is clearly well-used, thrown away, and beaten up with one string broken.

"I'll play a song for you as payment in return." He knew humans usually give food for free and there's a currency exchange, but it's all he could offer as payment having no money on him.

She visibly relaxes at his assurance before giving him a confused look. "There hasn't? I am glad to hear that." Otherwise, she will not hesitate to jump into a man's arms at the sight of one.

"Yes, I would, whenever I have food." A small giggle as she brightens. "There are so many cute ones that it's hard to resist!" And heavily implied that along with food, Leanne gave affection to them as well. "It is surprising considering, I wonder if it is because I tend to focus and not look around when heading home."

It was the only thing she can think of before giggling at the sight of the bow. "Then I guess that I shall happily accept your offer of escort."

The sight of the violin made her blink a little. If this stray had such a talent, why didn't he have a home yet? "I would love that.... If... If it hasn't stopped raining by the time you are done eating, you could stay at least until morning so you can stay dry."

He chuckles. "I'm a skilled hunter. It's a must to know around here because I'm a street cat." He said matter-of-factly. "If a cat can't hone their claws, then it's a matter of life and death out here." Which is true, without claws to fight or hunt, it's a matter of starvation or death from the competition. So far, from his point of view, he hasn't lost to either yet.

Affection and a company of a lovely human. That would make the dinner all the more delicious. His stomach is practically gnawing and he considered tonight as a stroke of good luck.

"Then it's settled." He picked up his coat, which is a tattered office gentleman's suit and carried his violin and fiddlestick in one hand. He comes a little closer with the intent of following her on her heels. "I'll accompany you on the way."

She blinks at his confession. "So it's because of you there are no rats? Then I am truly thankful for that." She giggles at that before nodding slowly. She knew what the implications were as to why he needed to keep up his skills. It was something she has seen among the strays, their injuries and scars.

A warm smile as yes, if allowed once he is done eating she will be giving him a lot of affection. It was a little surprising that no other has officially claimed her as their human yet.

"Yes, it is. Just don't mind how small it is compared to what you are used to." She eyes his coat and frowns a little. "I can also patch up your clothes if you like." It was a small offer as she proceeds to lead the way.

A walk which took around ten more minutes before arriving at the apartment complex. Just a few more minutes of walking until they reach her apartment on the ground floor and she opens the door. It was a small studio which she dumps the bags of various clothing she was carrying on the couch.

"You can wait in here or use the bathroom if you wish, I will just need to heat up the cat food a little." And with that, she heads outside to the balcony where she stored the catfood and other pantry items.

"True, and fewer rats and mice for the abodes that people live in." Which he is very curious as to how they live in such tall buildings with windows full of lights.

He has no intention of becoming claimed. He only follows if there's a free meal and companionship although short and temporary which is small talk but overall he kept his distance not trusting humans entirely being used to his life as a feral and fighting as a wild cat for so long since he was young. He'll be gone and return to his alley when the sun rises.

"You don't have to go out of your way for that. But I wouldn't mind." Suddenly he's self-conscious and aware as to how old and tattered his suit is, considering he takes whatever human male discarded and thrown away after it's no longer needed.

He followed her at her heels. His steps and stride were light and quick in cadence, his legs is used to running around chasing rats and other cats away, and occasionally dogs twice his strength and size.

He peers at the apartment complex in wonder and awe when they arrived, and he peers in shyly from the door until he finally enters her home and she turned the lights on.

"It's been a while." He said, as the warmth and dryness of a well-cleaned human home he has last visited. He was quite taken aback as to how comfy her home feels too. "I haven't eaten since yesterday." But he's not going to get used to it since he'll be gone tomorrow morning.

"Thank you." He nods, taking that offer. He knows his paws and face is a little dirty, his hair and patches of his fur is pathetically grimy, so to match the cleanliness of her place, he washes his face and hands vigorously perhaps to look presentable and pleasing to her.

"So you are quite the hero of this area." It was a small praise as she was truly grateful.

She just smiles and shakes her head. "It is a side-job of mine plus, you have been taking care of the mice and rats. It would be the least I can do."

As much as she wants to keep just about all the stray cats, she knows her apartment isn't nearly as big to make one happy. Plus, taking care of strays was rewarding as well.

The black cat that was following her, she is somewhat glad that she met him while there was light due just how light and quiet his footsteps were.

She smiles as he enters her apartment and moves to tie up her hair up, opening the door to her balcony. "Then you will have to eat your fill and then some."

And while he was cleaning up, she was heating up cat food, putting it in a plate and setting it on the table in the living room. And any extra cat food was set out on a plate outside for any other stray cat to come and eat.

"Premium cat food, nice and warm for your belly." She beams at him when he finished cleaning. "I probably have some spare clothing for you to have somewhere... My main job likes to give me clothes as one form of payment."

"Hero? Not so much." He said wryly. "Strays are hardly heroes. We were seen as unwanted by most people everywhere."

Once he's all washed up and looks almost nice, he does look a bit handsome for a black cat as he can be. His eyes light up when seeing the food. He can't be picky as to what kind since it's only offered and his mouth nearly waters seeing meat, real fresh meat.

Mind his table manners as he dips his head and eats the food from the plate. As he eats, he can't help but take a deep rumble of a soft purr sound of delight as he eats it up, the food filling his empty stomach with warm. "It's good." He murmured.

"Even so... for someone like me, you are one." Rats and mice scare her. A small frown before she risks reaching over to pet the top of his head. "No, at least to me you are not unwanted."

She goes to admire him as daaang, he looks really good after a little bit of washing. Though he becomes cute looking at the sight of him nearly drooling.

And oh lordy, he is purring! He was making it so hard not to start petting and giving him affection. "I am glad. Now you know where I live, if you are ever hungry and I am home, just swing by and I can at least get you a plate. Can't give much more than that, I am afraid."

After he chews and swallowed down several bites, he licks his lips, and eats every morsel. "Lots of strays try to be good, but the most desperate cheat and steal. If they get caught by the kennel, I do hope they find a home."

He paused when she pets him. There's a natural reaction for him to freeze and wanting to flee, but he tries his best to be still after he finished his meal.

"You're too kind and generous, but I don't think I could stay with you. Most people fed me and then I leave in the morning. They can't keep a cat like me."

She sighs a little before looking away. "I always pity them and that is one of the reasons why I feed them or put blankets outside so they could rest and fill their bellies."

The petting doesn't last long as she could tell that the petting was very unwanted. Though at his words, she blinks before shaking her head.

"And I couldn't ask you to stay with me. It wouldn't be fair to you to ask you to stay in such a small place, silly." She couldnt help but to giggle before idly looking towards her balcony where there was another stray eating from the plate outside. "But I will still offer you food if you ever come by."

Her neighbors didn't like the fact that strays often come to her apartment.

"While you are here, let me take care of you. Even for one night."

"Humans have their reasons for not keeping them. They had families or they were so occupied with money. I always thought it's good to be a stray because I'm free. I only have to worry about the rain and the snow."

It's not unwanted. He just let it happen. He wasn't used to human touch, let alone a human wanting to touch his ears. He even flees from the children who either want to pet his ears or find it fun to scare him and threaten. She find his ears very soft, but because of his health, perhaps a little malnourished, the fur might be sticking to her fingers.

"You'll let me stay? I can stay for one night. I wanted to stay." He looks out the window. "By the looks of it, it's going to rain, so I'll just find a place to curl up and sleep."

"And I am thankful for the strays, for someone like me, they can make it feel like I have a pet, even for a moment or two." She sighs out. "I would never dare to ask one to give up their freedom, especially you since you seemed happy where you live."

And hnnng, she wants to pet him again... Okay, she will give him another pet, frowning slightly about his fur sticking to her fingers before ending the petting session by giving under his chin a small rub, knowing how much cats usually enjoy that spot being rubbed.

"Yes I will and you can sleep on the couch. It has a pull out bed, let me fetch you some blankets and a pillow." And with that, she heads to the front hall closet to start pulling out the items. "The only place you can't go into is my room, otherwise, while you are here feel free to treat it as your home."

The pets are comforting. What frigid guard he has slowly thawed and melted, but she'll find bits of his fur sticking to her fingers. "I...I must confess I wasn't happy." He said plainly with a pained expression. "It just that nobody offered. So I don't expect any news or interest of being kept." Slowly, emotions in his chest wanted to express himself.

"I did what I can. When I play the violin, I earned so little. It doesn't play any good because one of the strings was loose." He showed her his violin, and it was a beaten-up instrument, one string was broken and loose while the remaining is in good condition. "It was in good condition, but thrown away because of one string was broken."

With a nod, "You're too kind. I'll accept it. It's raining and it's bad getting wet."

Her frown deepens a little as he opens up to her and feeling of fur sticking to her fingers. That pained expression on his face, why did it hurt to see it? She moves to give him a hug and just hold him in her arms. ".... let me... think about it. Especially if you do not mind such a small space."

She lets go of him so he can show her the violin and the frown doesn't leave her face. ".... it... it looks like it is still in good condition."

She finally smiles and sets the blankets and the pillow down in the living room. "Good and... You are such a good boy." A small praise which is accented by more pets. "If you want to take a bath, you are free to do so. You will feel even more better after one, I promise."

Little black hair of fur sticking to her fingers is a sure sign of malnourishment and perhaps a skin-related problem, but most strays don't seek help from vets.

He started to feel a little sleepy when he freeze again, and then slowly melted being held and gives a small hug back. His feline instincts felt skittish, but his sense of smell picks her scent which is a nice floral scent with a hint of perfume she wears.

He doesn't raise his hope up. He set his instrument aside and sat on the couch. He chuckled softly. "I'm not sure if I'm any good. But this is fine." Meaning his makeshift bedding. "It's comfortable. It's okay, I can handle a little water, but not much."

If she were to keep him, the first order of business would be to take him to the vet. The state of his fur was concerning.

She feels him freezing before finally he relaxes enough to huh her back. She smiles up at him and nods her head.

"Yes, you are a good boy." Poor thing is in need of medical help. "I will help pull out the bed for you. Even if it is fine, you are under my care I want to pamper you a little."

And with that, she moves to fold out the bed from under the couch cushions.

"Then, just handle what you can. I won't let anything hurt you."

Hopefully she has enough money to cover the cost of a visit! He wouldn't want her to go that far for him. Lucifer doesn't like getting wet. Too much exposure to rain and snow in the first year. He can't recall when he last have a shower.

"You're too kind. Too kind." He murmured sleepily enough. It's very comfortable after he settle in. His eyes dropped, feeling his own energy heavy.

"Thank you." he purred as he curled up in the corner of the couch, propping an elbow on the armrest and sleeping on his hand. "I'll repay you somehow tomorrow."

She will find a way somehow! Even if she has to dig into her savings! She will have to find a way to give him either a bath or shower. But that is for a future time.... Or she will let a groomer try and handle it.

Leanne just smiles as he speaks and slowly falls asleep. Her hand moves back to softly pet him as he purrs, trying to give more comfort as he drifts off to sleep.

"No thanks is needed. Getting a good sleep and enjoying yourself is repayment enough." She speaks as softly and warmly as possible before leaning down to give his forehead a soft, gentle kiss.

"Goodnight and sleep peacefully, good boy."

And with that, she goes to head to her room and closes the door behind her. Tomorrow, she will have to make a good hearty breakfast for him before going to work.

A trip to the groomer sound like fun. He had never been to such a shop before. In fact, he never enters in a shop. Strays are not welcome in most places. Last time he enters a store, he tries to steal a fish from the fish store out of sheer desperation and hunger.

It feels nice. He didn't back away and those black ears of his are flexible when she pets him as he purrs and then drifts off to sleep, a dreamless kitty sleep.

The next morning, he wake up to see the light of the day streaming through the window. Perhaps a little disoriented that he's in a human home and he picked up her scent. He was used to seeing the familiar brick walls of the alleyway and the sounds of the city become lively in the morning rush.

"Morning." He mumbled as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen when she make that promising hearty breakfast. His short black hair is in disarray and could use a good combing for the tangles.

"I have to repay you back for the meal somehow." He said.

A trip to the groomer would be in order once they are more used to each other. It would break her heart to hear about the last time he went into a store.

The smile never leaves her nor does the petting stops when he purrs and drifts off to sleep. She will give him this much of pampering.

The next morning was slightly busy as not only does she have to get ready for her modeling gig but also, make that promised hearty breakfast for her guest.

"Good morning, did you sleep well?" She calls back as she was wearing an apron over her current outfit, putting the finishing touches to the breakfast. "It isn't much and it should all be easily eaten by hand."

A small shake of her head as she moves the breakfast to the table before trying to guide him to sit down and eat. "You don't have to. Seeing you eat and have a full belly is repayment enough."

And also so getting a comb to attempt to comb out the tangles as he eats. He was such a handsome stray and it was a shame that he didn't have a warm home to go back to.

"Also, you can stay as long as you like."

He would have told her all about it, but being a cat, he is still cautious of trusting humans, but he could tell that she's a very nice human.

She looks very busy and in a rush. As much he didn't want to eat, out of fear he has to repay her, but he knew he must.

"I did." He said quietly, still sleepy, and joins her at the table. "I have to eat." He plans to earn some income with his violin to pay her back, but he needs the energy. Being a cat, he can sleep for much of the day. "It would be nice to go back to sleep." But he can't.

As he helps himself to the hearty breakfast, he didn't hiss or put up a fight. He didn't resist at all. Eventually all of that combing and his hair look nice and he looks better.

"I would like to, but I don't want to impose upon you." He misunderstood and thought that she didn't want to adopt him anyway. Just feeding him free food.

She smiles down at him as he speaks quietly and sighs softly. "Then if you want to go back to sleep, you can after eating."

The combing was relaxing for her as she finally got his hair to look nice. He doesn't need to earn some income to pay her back. "There, you are looking better already."

And she was feeling proud of herself, that is until he seemed to have misunderstood her and moves to pet him.

"You are not imposing on me... I fear it is me who is imposing on you, especially since I cannot offer you much if you wanted to stay."

He shook his head. "I cannot. Now I really have to repay you." He said with a bit of stubbornness and pride. Since the breakfast is now all gone and he ate everything. His hair and fur are smoothen out.

"I would like to stay but that means getting a collar for me and I must agree to the rules and laws of being a pet." He said. "I'm a bad cat. I used to steal, break the rules, but because there's no way to survive in the alleyway."

Looking very defeated, "Besides, I'm ill-bred. I'm a black cat. I'm not sure if you want to keep me. People think black cats are evil and bad luck."

She giggles at his stubbornness and couldn't help but to kiss the top of his head. "You really don't have to repay me."

She goes to listen to his objections before sighing a little. "The only rule I would ask of you besides the collar is to at least spend a little time here in the apartment when I am home."

And screw it, she is gonna lean against him. "Black cats bring bad luck? How is something like that your fault? You can't help how you are born. Besides you do look cute and handsome, how could I not want to keep you? I just worry if this apartment is too small of a space for you to live in."

Taking a deep breath and a nervous huff. "No, your home is comfty and warm. Better than sleeping in a box when it rains. Very well. It would be nice to stay for another night or two. I feel more exhausted than usual." He didn't know naturally cats sleep for much of the day. All of those plans to get him groomed and cleaned up, so he can be a glamorous black cat fit for a home seem to be on course.

His body feels warm to cuddle with. "I could do that. Guarding your home while you're away. I heard dogs have similar duties, so I expect as much."

With a nod, "It's a superstition that makes them hard to adopt. But if you want to keep me, I can stay." And get a proper shower at last because the smell of the alleyway is still on him.

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