Chapter Three
Decorating one's Abode
True to my word I allowed all my friends to read the notes, excepting Misto, I was far to embarrassed to let a tom read them even if it was my lifelong friend. Perhaps you wouldn't know it by looking at him; but Misto was a good year older then all the other new queens and me.
Now that the contents were out in the open I wanted to put my letters somewhere I could see them, hang them on the oven wall or something. The trouble with that was I didn't want to risk damaging the notes.
That's how Misto came to know about them, I asked him over on the pretense of needing a hand moving some junk. When he arrived to find me lounging in front of my home reading and re-reading a few folded pieces of paper he looked at me quizzically.
"Vici?" I started at the sound of his voice and sprang up guiltily.
"H-h-hi Misto." He raised an eyebrow,
"I thought you needed some help moving junk…" he spared a glance for the papers now behind my back, "Is this a bad time?"
"Oh no, I just… Well I wanted you to help me hang these up." I showed him the letters sheepishly,
"You need my help to hang some…" he squinted at them in the bright sunlight, "Songs or poems?" I turned scarlet under the steady gaze,
"Well, I was hoping you'd use magic because I didn't want to wreck my…letters." His expression softened to a smile,
"Ah."
He did hang them and when I asked how to get them down he just reached up and peeled one off the wall as though it were held there by static electricity. He told me that the binding spell was along the whole side of the interior, so if I wanted to hang anymore I could just put them against the wall and they would stay.
"Thanks a lot." I murmured, absently running a paw along the securely hung letters.
"Anything for you, Vici. Now are you going to tell me what this is all about or am I going to have to read your mind? I can do that you know, it's not a problem." He glanced at me with sparkling eyes; I giggled.
"Some-cat has been sending me these anonymously… They're very beautiful poems and this drawing…" I trailed off as his eyes followed my finger tracing the lines of the rose. "Is there anyone in the tribe really into poetry?" he shook his head,
"Not that I know of… Alonzo fancies himself an artist but that isn't his style…or the sort of thing he'd draw." Misto turned back to me from the rose with a sort of compassion in his eyes; "Do you want me to help you find out who it is?"
"I don't know…" it was a tempting offer considering if Misto wanted to, he could hear the thoughts of any cat whenever he pleased.
"No magic I promise." He held out his hands in the immortal salute to the Everlasting Cat playfully smirking at me.
"Sometimes I think you can read my mind without magic." I hugged him and planted a kiss on his white cheek, "Thanks, you're the best." He blushed a little mumbling about how it was nothing; his notorious modesty often made me laugh myself to tears.
"I should go before your neighbors start to wonder." He kissed my paw politely and made for the door,
"Misto?" he paused, turning back to me, "Don't ever change." He shot me a lopsided grin then disappeared.
Walking to my favorite sunning spot and the far rim of the tire, I noticed something peculiar. The hole on the side facing away from the clearing that I always used to climb up had a piece of paper in it.
Pulling it out I found it was my mystery tom again, the ink was midnight blue this time and the rose was slightly more wilted while the jeweled human-bracelet, perfect for a small cat's neck; had gotten more colourful. Black, gold and blue actually.
My admirer obviously liked intricate patterns.
Victoria,
One day you'll be greeted with choice,
To meet me or to hear my voice.
Silly, you say?
But one day,
I promise you sweet,
That is the choice
You'll meet.
I'd forgotten how I loved your coat,
You see I saw you today
As you lay bathing in morning's rays.
My eyes beheld you in all your glory,
As the flower, your colour was beyond the pale.
I lack in my analogy,
For you are for more like a rose.
Like the red rose, seeped with passion,
Like it's petals, your skin is silk.
My heart burns when I see the fire in your eyes,
But I am alone.
It is not me you regard.
Like the yellow rose, glorious friendship,
Like it's colour you are vibrant.
How my mind yearns to reach out to yours,
But I cannot.
I am not loved.
Like the white rose, unsoilt purity,
Like it's softness is your smile.
How I wish you smiled for me,
And I made you laugh.
It was not to be.
You are also like the moon,
Your eyes brighter than any stars.
I will let you near me soon,
Make your choice, thus far.
Yours Ever and Only.
M. T.
"Oh lovely." I breathed, clutching the note.