Episode Eighty
Part One
Lucille bounded onto Gwen's lap gracefully, purring contentedly as her mistress stroked her ears. She gazed up at Gwen knowing full well that although her mistress was happy, something was troubling her.
She wasn't sleeping at night. She was sighing far too often. She looked distracted again.
Lucille was no expert on such things, but she thought a little genuine affection might help. She wasn't wrong. Cats have great instincts.
As she purred in blissful pleasure Gwen's trouble eased. Animals could do that for you. They could love you unconditionally and take your attention away from worry. They could devote themselves fully as most humans never could.
Lucille had been with Gwen since the girl's ninth birthday, closing on ten years. They had bonded instantly, forming a relationship beyond that of a pet and its owner. They were friends and over the years they'd become almost like sisters.
They didn't share a common language, but they didn't need words to understand each other. They both knew that they were familiars, spirits sent to care for and watch over one another. So far they had not failed to do that.
Lucille nuzzled her head into Gwen's belly, tickling her and causing a chain reaction of giggles and heavier petting. Lucille loved it when they played like this, rolling around laughing. It was sweet and innocent, like the play of children and brought them closer to that wide-eyed wonder they were both fearful of losing.
Too much grieving, too much loss threatened to take that euphoric world view and wipe it completely from their minds. Of course Gwen believed it needed to be tempered with realism - the world was not a happy-go-lucky place of wonder. But Lucille thought that you could still stand in awe of terrible things, it was a part of life's process not to be ignored.
Agree or disagree as they might, they still wanted to maintain that child inside. They had both aged and matured since their first meeting and found that responsibility often carried with it a joy defying sobriety.
But Lucille couldn't be bothered to think about that while shivering delightedly under her mistress' fingers. She was even pleased enough to let Graves touch her during his usual nighttime visit that evening.
She had not been really friendly with him at first. Although she was generally a universally affectionate creature she shied away from him. He was too quiet, his mood dark and somber. Even though Gwen trusted him, Lucille wanted to test him out for herself.
He seemed genuine enough, but there was something very dark inside of him, something he fought with constantly. If Lucille could overlook that she could see the good, loving person Graves was when he was around Gwen. She hadn't failed to notice that they brought out the best in each other.
Starting now, she was going to give him that chance to get closer.
Part Two
Gwen looked at Graves thoughtfully. Lucille was actually purring in his lap while he idly stroked her back.
She hadn't liked him at first, Gwen remembered. Every time he would try to pet her the cat would back off, black hair standing on end. She simply didn't want to be close to him, which was odd since Lucille liked everyone.
And now the cat had done a complete turn-around and was making nice with the man Gwen was falling back in love with...
But was she falling in love with him?
He was leaving tingly trails up and down her arms when he gave her back rubs. He made her giggle when she least expected. And he was growing more snuggly by the day.
They spent most evenings cuddled on her bed, chatting about the day's events. His very touch was comforting.
She hadn't realized it, but she was more mature around him. Harry brought out a youthful exuberance, but Graves grounded her, helped her to see things clearly through adult eyes. She had been good for him too. He had lightened up some; he had hope. His hope had renewed her own.
