The persistent meowing leaking out of Regina's office was starting to become a nuisance. The Mayor growled and rubbed her temples in frustration as she struggled to concentrate on her latest project: Generally making Emma Swan's life as miserable as possible in this ridiculous, sleepy little town.
This obnoxious feline, however, was serving only to increase her agitation.
"Sydney!" she shrieked down the fall, her voice ringing with impatience. The attentive little man came rushing down the hall faster than she had ever seen him move, a particularly eager look set on his face.
"What can I do you for, Madam Mayor?" he asked, a rather giddy lilt to his voice. She glowered at him, crystalline eyes narrowing with annoyance.
"I do believe your cat has gotten out of your office again, Sydney." She purred, ice crackling in her voice. "And has decided to instead take up residence in mine."
Sidney's face paled. "My little joy?" he asked, voice quivering. Regina rolled her eyes. "Apparently so. Have you not heard the insistent noise coming from my office today, Sydney? My, what little attention you pay to the things you care about." She hissed out the final words and watch the man pale, then flush with embarrassment.
Sydney coughed and examined the floor for a moment before rushing awkwardly into the Mayor's office. He clasped his hands together as he frantically searched the corners of the room.
"Here kitty, kitty!" He cooed. "Here Regina!"
The Mayor started. She slowly turned and held the man's timid gaze. "Excuse me?" her voice quivered as she attempted to control her ever-growing anger.
Sydney gazed back at her and seemed surprised to see the object of his adoration so thoroughly distressed.
"My cat, Madam Mayor." His cheeks were tinted the palest shade of pink. "I named her Regina, after you."
Words refused to come from the Mayor's lips as he returned to his search. Glass turned and simply shrugged at her hapless expression before continuing his rampage through her office. Cries of "Here Regina, my queen!" made themselves heard to all who passed in front of the Mayor's door, causing her own complexion to turn a particular shade of purple.
Suddenly, a gray and black ball of fur skirted across the Mayor's legs, and she let out a shriek of surprise. "Regina!" Sidney's head shot up from beneath her desk. Both the Mayor and the cat turned to look at him.
Glass cried out with joy and scooped up his fluffy feline to cuddle her in his arms.
"My silly queen, don't ever leave daddy's office again." He crooned, caressing the creature's head like a favorite child. The feline struggled in his grasp, annoyance clear on her little face. The Mayor blanched as Glass continued to pour affection onto the clearly uninterested creature.
"Please remove yourself from my office, Sidney." She told him, annoyance and exhaustion threaded neatly in her voice. He looked up from his kitten, something akin to worship in his eyes.
"Absolutely, Madam Mayor." He gave a short little bow before turning for the door. "Thank you so much for helping me find Regina!"
The Mayor scoffed and made her way back into her office. A moment later, she appeared back in the doorway. "Actually, Sidney, wait."
Sidney froze mid-step and turned, hope making his eyes bright with excitement. "Yes, Madam Mayor?"
The woman moved closer to the startled man and peered down at his charcoal and coal kitten. The feline stared back at her, intelligent orange eyes sparkling, and let out a single 'mrow!' of annoyance.
The Mayor scratched the little kitten behind its ears before straightening to meet Glass's eye. He was breathing rather rapidly, she noticed, either from being so close to her or from the pursuit of his feline.
"Such an adorable creature." The Mayor purred, watching Glass positively melt beneath the sound. "Do keep her safe, Sidney."
"Of course, Madam Mayor." He replied eagerly. "She is the second most important creature in my life, you know." He stared meaningfully at her before exiting her office.
Regina collapsed into her leather bound chair and cradled her head in her hands, feeling another headache coming to plague her. Glass's obsession with her had proven useful in the past, but this. Had he really named a cat after her?
That was disturbing, even to her.
