On seeing the cat coming, Carina jumped for joy and started searching for a toy for the new guest to play with. Meanwhile, Henry carefully reached his hand with an attempt to pat the cat on the back.
-Well, at least it's not a monkey- Jack commented and then trembled violently, reliving his last confrontation with that creature.
-Hello, little guy, what brings you here?- Henry cooed, moving his fingers through little creature's fur. Moss didn't seem that pleased- all pale on the face, he pressed his back against the wall and goggled his eyes out at the cat.
-What's wrong?- Carina asked, observing his reaction.
-I've had some unforgetabble experiences with cats, far from pleasant, to put it mildly- Moss murmured, still pressing his back against the wall as if inteding to melt into it.
-Nonsense.. what possible harm could a cat do to you?-Carina said. –Hey,since he's here, we need to entertain him. A string and a mangled piece of paper will do.
The cat walked slowly towards Salazar, looked him in the eyes, let out an oblong: „Meow!" and brushed against his elbow. Salazar looked puzzled but didn't move aside and let the cat fawn all over him.
„Well, well, well" Carina commented. „Who would have thought. Hey, cat! Do you know who're you messing with? A fearsome el Matador du Mar! I wouldn't come too close if I were you."
„DEL Mar, not DU Mar, Miss Smartypants" Salazar muttered, giving Carina his characteristic, gloomy look.
„Relax, Moss" Lesaro said and patted Moss on the back. „This one is really harmless."
„What exactly happened?" Carina wanted to know.
„None of your business" Moss snapped, rubbing his arms nervously and glared at the cat, which stopped for a while to wash its fur and paws.
„Oh, okay.. as you wish. I will find out anyway" Carina shrugged her arms. „ Since a piece of string is nowhere to be found, let him simply play with those pawns. Cats fancy chacing small, colorful stuff. Let us say that the game is over for now and I have won. Will you excuse me, Henry"..
Carina took Henry's ring pawn and rolled it on the floor. The cat immediately jumped after it and grabbed it in its paws, stopping by the door.
„Are you nuts, it's small enough for him to swallow it!"Salazar protested as he saw the cat touching the ring with its mouth. He got up the floor and marched towards the cat.
„No tocar, no tocar, mi amigo, no se permite" he muttered, concern ringing in his voice. He took the pawn from the floor and placed it on the sofa.
„Here, I've got it! I've got the piece of string!" Jack announced and presented to everyone a piece of a brown, worn string, he had just gotten out from his pocket.
„Great. Now, all we need is a piece of paper. Hang on.." Carina walked towards the drawer, opened it and took a peek . „You never know what interesting things you may find here.."she muttered as she groped inside. „A pencil, a rubber, a couple of ciggaretes, a plum… Oh, there's a piece of paper.. and old test. C plus. Jessica Taylor. Hmm..
She paused for a while and curiously glanced over the test.
„Oh my GOD, how on Earth could she not answer that question! It's bleeding obvious! Any brain donor would know that!" she exclaimed.
Lesaro and Salazar exchanged meaningul looks and both smirked.
„Anyway, the test was written two years ago, so it's my understanding that no one will need it anymore".
Carina crumpled up the test into a tight ball, tied it to the string and stood up.
The cat was full of energy and chased after the paper ball wherever it landed. Lesaro saw Moss's lips trembling in convulsion, so he leaned over his friend, embraced his arm and whispered both harshly and joyfully:
„Come on now, Moss, get a grip."
„Overcome your fear, Moss, that's an order" Salazar said with a strict, strong voice, without taking his eyes off of the cat.
Moss immediately sat up straight, put up a brave face and exclaimed:
„Si, capitán".
After ten minutes of intense chasing, the cat stopped and sat, panting slightly.
„I think he has enough for now" Henry commented. „Let's give him a break".
Five minutes later, the group carried on with the game, with the cat curled up on Salazar's knees, sleeping soundly. Salazar was very careful while playing, so as not to wake it up. Moss still kept throwing vigilant looks at the cat, however, he seemed relatively calm and accustomed to its presence. The rain was growing weaker and weaker, and at around four a clock a glimpse of sunray emerged from behind the clouds.
„Sunlight!" Carina exclaimed, and hurried towards the window. „Four hours. We made it somehow!"
Jack let out a relieved sigh and stretched his arms.
„Rrright, fancy some volleyball? Lesaro, I will beat your butt this time!" Carina said, eyeing Lesaro with a challenging look.
Lesaro didn't say anything just let out a loud, sarcastic laugh. Meanwhile Henry picked up all the pawns from the floor and put it in the green sack.
„You're coming with us, matey? Sure you are" Carina said with a big grin. Then she leaned over the cat and scratched him gently behind the ear.
