Chapter Seven: Cats are for life, not just for murder.
Sansa had to admit that the cat had a certain…charm. "What's its name?" she asked the volunteer.
"Hmm, just a sec…according to his paperwork, this little guy's name is BNW."
Her eyes widened in disbelief, "You mean…he's an acronym?"
"Apparently, the previous owners decided to name him based on his color scheme: black 'n' white. They must have shortened it."
And even though she knew what the answer would be, she felt compelled to ask, "What reason did they give for surrendering him to the shelter?"
"Well, he's quite the little mischief maker, always looking for trouble he is, and he has an affinity for knocking things off of high places. They couldn't break him of the habit."
"So, I probably won't be able to either?"
"He's a bit old for retraining now, but positive reinforcement always helps."
"And this will just be for a trial period, right? If things don't work out between us I…I can bring him back?" Gods, she felt like dragon offal for even saying it out loud.
"We understand that you may not be his forever home, so we allow a two week trial period for pet and human to get to know one another, although cats can take a bit longer to settle. Your first week together may be difficult, but try to stick it out."
Sansa looked at the cat in the cage, and he gazed back at her with steady eyes. "You know what, BNW, we might just be perfect for each other, but we'll never know if I don't give this a shot."
She glanced back at the volunteer,"Where do I sign?"
...
The volunteer had not exaggerated when he'd said that BNW would take time to settle. They'd been living together for about a week, and Sansa felt like she was engaged in a series of battles against guerrilla forces.
The cat loved to hide under furniture and swipe at her feet as she passed. Several times, she had almost tripped over him after he darted in front of her. Meal times, though strictly regulated, were standoffish affairs, and the two combatants would eye each other from opposite sides of her small kitchen.
And yet, for all the trouble he caused, the vase remained intact.
She'd given BNW every opportunity to deliver the thing its death blow, but to no avail. So, the vase continued on in its existence, blissfully unaware of the attempts that should have been made on its life. However, this left the problem of the cat.
"That thing is still in one piece? I thought you would be well rid of it by now and that the cat would be back in the shelter!"
"His name is BNW," Sansa said defensively.
"You named the vase? Gods, I was afraid that this might happen. You've finally succumbed to its hypnotic allure and are a slave to its will!"
"Don't be such an idiot. The cat's name is BNW."
"You made him an acronym?"
"His previous owners did. I think it's cute."
"Oh no."
"What?"
"It's too late, isn't it? You're attached."
"No I'm not! I'm just giving it time. He's perfectly capa—"
BNW chose that moment to come barreling into the room at breakneck speed, but he couldn't get a grip on the slippery tile. A brief slide, punctuated by a cabinet, was the result.
Arya raised a critical eyebrow at the whole maneuver. "What was that you were saying Something about 'perfect' and 'capable,' was it?"
"Shut up, I'm not taking him back. We've bonded."
"And who am I to deny the marriage of two like minds?"
Sansa laughed, "You're my favorite bitchy sister."
"I'm your only sister. That goes without saying. Have you told Petyr yet?"
"Fuck."
"Thought not. What are you going to tell him?"
"That it was your idea."
"Well fuck you very much. And what about the vase?"
"I think our hate has been making it stronger. We should give up for now and wait for an opportunity to present itself."
"Probably for the best, but look how smug it is! You should have let me take a bat to it."
"Give me some time and I might."
