I wake up, it's 6 am, the rain has finally subsided. I took in a big breath of fresh air, it was permeating my small wooden home. There's a strong smell of mud and grass. It sure is revitalizing, filling me with a strange feeling of satisfaction and energy. I go through my morning routine, caring for my animals and, unlike yesterday, go water and check on my crops. It rains quite a bit during fall, so I don't have to worry as much. But I do spend an extra hour plucking weeds from my field. I also fed Mutt and played with him a little. He works hard for me, so he deserves some tender love and care.
By the time I finish my chores, it's already noon. I don't like sitting at the table to eat if I can help it. I prefer taking my lunch to my fishing spot. I set up a little sitting area there with a spare stool and coffee table Ken gave me for my birthday, I like to rest my lunch on the little coffee table as I fish. Even if I eat slowly that way, It's still productive in that I usually catch a few fish and I usually feel very well after looking onto the water. Naturally, there is a second stool and coffee table next to mine. Sometimes Ken comes to fish with me but he prefers carving little wood somethings instead. Some days, I spend more time cleaning up the wood shavings than I would by eating and relaxing by the river. Still, Ken doesn't come over often since he keeps so busy. I feel a tug on the line and snap out of my daze. Too bad it's just a boot. "...Does this mean I have bad luck, today?" I mumble as I set aside my fishing rod and quickly finish my last steamed bun.
I stretch and decide to go check the mountain for that cat. Chet was right the other day. There aren't any domestic cats being kept by anyone in town, and being a white cat meant that it would not blend in very well in the forest. Oh- I suppose it also glows gold so that might not help it sneak up on a snack. I go over to my fish hole and grab myself a small fish to offer. I'm glad most gents don't go hiking in the mountains, generally. I wouldn't know what to make of it if I saw the lone wolf of the village carrying a single fish down the backroads and up the mountain. Or- am I making that out to be more strange than it is? I shake my head and start to climb the reasonable slope of land. I should have at least brought my net, it looks like today there are a lot of things to forage, I'll have to return later tonight. Noting a few spots in my head, my pace is steady and fast. I make it to the hot spring in no time. That being said, I do need a minute to lower my heart rate. I look around.
After a little deliberation I start calling it quietly. "Kitty. Kittyyy." I looked around the hotspring with no success. Maybe I should call out a little louder… I feel a little rush in my cheeks but push through. "Kitty! Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!" I hold out the fish and start crouching near the edge of the thicket. "I brought you food, please come out…" I plead to what I picture is an increasingly troubled cat. I guess I was doing variations of that for at least twenty minutes straight before I hear something behind me.
"Pfft." The voice was deep enough, I couldn't imagine it was a woman's… I think. It has character to it, though. Not deep like the men on the radio, something a little lighter but a little rougher. I know it. Ofcourse I know it, though, how could I not be acquainted with everyone in town well enough to recognize them when they speak? There are only a dozen of us or so. That being said- I still couldn't put my finger on who it was. Then it made sense, I turn to face the single person I actively avoid, in this place. It's Cain. "Pete, what are you doing?"
I quickly reply. "Trying to feed a stray cat."
"Oh that's not right, you'll just scare it off." He says, drawing closer to me. "Set it on the ground near the hot spring and then keep a distance from it." He gestures to a spot on the ground and I oblige. We move closer to the stumps in the near distance. We wait for a few moments, still no success. I rock back and forth a little, feeling uncomfortable. I peek at Cain's face, he seems completely serene and unfazed, still waiting to see if the cat will emerge from the forested mountain. He even has a small smile on his face.
"How do you know about cats, Cain?" I ask hesitantly. I don't necessarily feel comfortable talking to him, I don't even know what to expect. He's always seemed strange to me and I never had any interest in touching bases with him. But I am even more uncomfortable standing in silence for longer than thirty minutes.
"Oh, before I took up my position as priest, here, I lived in a much larger town. We kept more domestic animals, of course. There were a lot of cats. I really do enjoy them." He says. "However, Pete, I haven't seen a cat, here." There's still a consistent pleasant expression on his face as he turns his head to face me in reply.
I'm still feeling a little uncomfortable, I'm not sure if his smile is genuine, it almost seems unnatural to be so outwardly content for so long. "Oh I see. Well I've also never seen a cat in these parts… But yesterday I saw a very strange cat. I was afraid it would starve if I left it."
Cain nods his head very gently, gazes back at the fish quickly and then returns his gaze to me. "A lot can be said of a man who cares for all living creatures." the wind catches his hair a little and it covers part of his face. Finally his peaceful expression changes for a second as his eyes close shut reflectively. But his smile does become wider as he wipes his hair from his face. "Ah, I can't bring myself to cut this long hair despite its inconvenience." His laugh is quiet but cheerful. I take a moment to look at his hair more closely than before. I could never sport such long hair, it feels wrong trying to imagine growing out my hair. I can't help but think it looks great on him, though. It gives him an alien appearance, but it has a sublime quality. "I don't think I enjoy the bangs." Oops.
"Haha!" He lifts his bangs messily with his hand. "I'll tell you something else. When I was much younger, studying under the church of the goddess, I was very shy! I would hide behind my hair but when I was finishing my studies, I couldn't give sermon. I couldn't see and be seen by the people of the church, so I cut myself some bangs. I kept the bangs as low as possible without covering my eyes as to remain as shielded as possible." He lets them fall onto his face, again.
"I wasn't expecting something like that." I say, feeling a bit more understanding of Cain.
"Oh? I thought it would be obvious. I figured you would already suspect I was a little socially anxious seeing as you avoid forcing conversation on me quite a bit." He says very softly, it almost sounds like he is thankful.
"Ah that- Yeah, I try to leave you alone generally." It is for a different reason but I suppose it's all the same to him. Cain places his hand on my shoulder gently and briefly, as he lowers it soon after. He sighs and his shoulders relax a little, I think.
"Thank you, Pete. You seem very intuitive, you were right about me. The other villagers, they are very kind and their faith is very strong, it's my job to help them and guide them. But I have my limits even after practicing for so long. I noticed you spoke very little to me but you were always present, I saw you very often. I believed you had a feeling I was worn out."
"You give me too much credit, I just didn't know how to read you." I give a weak laugh. He reacts with an amused expression. Looks like he has an oddly good opinion of me.
"Maybe it's hard to read me past my bangs! Haha." He says jokingly, his cheeks a little rosier. I have to admit, it is endearing and I can't help but relax a little. I casually turn my head to check on the fish. It's gone.
"Ah- The fish. I don't even know if the cat ate it... " I'm a little concerned. Cain shakes his head.
"Not to worry, Pete, cats are resourceful and tricky. I'm certain it was it that ate the fish as we distracted ourselves." He reassures me. With that, I guess there was no longer a reason to stay, here. I straighten myself up and nod.
"Alright! With that, my job here is done. Too bad I couldn't catch it, though." I look back again and then to Cain.
"You can't catch a cat, in any case. It needs to come to you." Cain lifts his finger. "They are very fickle. It's better to slowly lure them somewhere with food from a distance." Why do people own cats if they're so difficult?
"Ah… That's very inconvenient."
"All good things are inconvenient, aren't they?" Cain straightens himself out, as well. He removes his cassock and folds it as he stands. He walks over to the hotspring and sets the cassock down. He does the same with his cuffed clergy shirt. Now shirtless, he takes off his black dress boots.
"Ah- Cain?" I interrupt. I've wondered about calling him Father outside of church.
"Pete, would you like to bathe in the hotspring with me? It's good for the soul, don't you think?" He has a calm expression as he looks at the water.
"I…" I feel like I've shed a lot of light on Cain, today. I feel I misjudged him but I still don't feel comfortable going in the hot spring with him. "I'm sorry, Cain, I think I'd be more comfortable going home for today."
"Oh, in that case. Safe journey, Pete." He shows me a little saddened expression as he turns around and continues to undress. I quickly reply with a "You, too!" And then realize he isn't journeying at all and that's the wrong response. I stumble a little and just add "Until next time!" as I hurry down the mountain.