Sapphire sat on the couch, still in tears from her guilt over yelling at Ruby. Pearl approached Sapphire, holding Cat Steven at arm's length and eyeing the kitten uneasily.
"Look, Sapphire, I found your little friend!"
Pearl placed Cat Steven in Sapphire's lap, because that seemed to be a common thing to do with pet cats. Sapphire moved her bangs away from her face, and her one blue eye met the kitten's one blue eye.
Ruby had taken a shine to this kitten because of the animal's one blue eye reminded her of Sapphire. Sapphire had liked the kitten for the same reason. She was somewhat vainer than she liked to let on.
Cat Steven didn't seem to mind being in Sapphire's lap, and she happily curled up there. Sapphire gently stroked the kitten. Steven had said the best way to pet a cat was from the head to the tail, so that's what Sapphire did.
"Are you feeling better yet?" Pearl asked. "I know lonely older humans seem to find comfort in cats." Pearl didn't really know why, considering that cats had unhygienic habits such as coughing up their own fur and bringing dead animals into their owners' homes. Lion did those things sometimes.
"I feel a little better," Sapphire said softly. "Would you like to pet her?"
Pearl cautiously placed her hand on the cat's back, feeling the vibrations of the animal's purring. It was a soothing sensation, and now Pearl better understood a cat's comforting powers.
