Chapter Two: A Job Offer

There is a very special place, where objects with souls, also known as Creations, can go, to find refuge from the outside world. It's a safe haven that, although connected to the world we know, is still separate.

Over the centuries, only a handful of Creations had ever been made, and only a select few of those had ever successfully made it to the Refuge. Specifically, only two now resided within its protective walls. One, a stone crow, sat on a tall pedestal, fooling untrained eyes into believing that he was nothing more than a well-crafted statue.

The other one, a doll, kept his vigil next to the window, half-watching a yellow butterfly dance across the pavilion. It was almost like watching a fish, performing a water ballet. Every movement seemed so accidental, and yet so intentional.

'This is what I've been reduced to. Contemplating the movements of a butterfly,' the doll thought sadly, wishing that the boring monotony of his days would be broken soon.

It had been years since he had done anything of import, and his Bureau hadn't had a client in nearly as long. Sure, he'd probably get more clients if he went public with it, but such a move wouldn't be wise. He and his dear friend would just be fought over, like having a soul wasn't enough for them to own themselves without having to fight everyone off for the right.

If he wasn't in his wooden state, he would have sighed with depression over his unique situation.

Suddenly, the butterfly's waltz was interrupted as a spot of blue light appeared at the base of the crow's pillar, growing in size. The butterfly escaped into the sky as the blue light stopped growing. The smartly dressed doll watched with interest as a brown cat hopped through the light as it disappeared behind him. The new feline stood on his hind paws and held a sealed scroll to his chest, looking around the place with foolish delight.

"My, so this is what the Creation Refuge looks like. Hmm, I wonder which house is the Cat Bureau," the cat said in a distinctly toady voice

'A client!' The orange and cream half-cat could hardly contain his excitement. Deciding that he was overdue for a little showing off, the cat doll called on the lights reflected in all the windows of the refuge. They brightened in their intensity as they passed by the confused brown cat, and pointed at the Refuge.

'Good thing Muta isn't here to talk about how cheesy this is.'

Dramatically, the light lessened, and the figure shifted into his flesh form in order to stand behind his double doors, while they opened dramatically to reveal him.

The brown cat stared at him as the cat doll came forward, and tipped his hat politely.

"Good evening, and welcome to the Cat Bureau."

"That was quite an impressive display, Mr. Gikkingen," the brown cat said before slipping the scroll under one arm so he could applaud enthusiastically, grinning like an idiot.

The Cat Creation nodded his head politely at the compliment.

"Thank you, but I prefer 'Baron'. I didn't catch your name?"

"Natoru," the cat supplied, bowing down a little.

Baron nodded politely.

"I see. Do you require my assistance?"

The brown cat blinked twice, and then shook his head bashfully.

"Oh no, not me. I'm here on behalf of his majesty, the Cat King." The brown cat handed the scroll to the orange one. "I better just let you read the scroll, so I don't mess up again."

Baron nodded again while breaking the crowned fish seal, and rolling the document open. He scanned the contents seriously.

"This appears to be a job offer."

Natoru nodded enthusiastically.

"The original request had been gathering dust for a while, and the king came across it again a few hours ago. There's also a bit of trouble in the Cat Kingdom, which is why the king had a fresh copy made."

"The document doesn't mention any trouble," Baron said as he rolled up the scroll.

"His majesty had the document copied directly. There are some..." The cat stopped himself, and started rubbing one paw behind his head in an embarrassed manner. "Well, I've been scolded too much to try explaining the situation myself. Will you come to the Kingdom, to hear for yourself?"

Baron nodded, looking up at the stone crow.

"If I need help later, I'll call for it, Toto."

"Call for what?"

The orange cat turned around, to see a familiar fat white cat with a brown ear coming through the entrance of the Refuge, and look through the mailbox.

"We've got a job offer from the Cat Kingdom, Muta," he informed the newcomer, who snorted.

"Have a nice trip, hope you make it back some day."

"You're coming with me."

The large cat growled, settling himself into the patio chair next to the doors of the Cat Bureau to start reading the paper.

"I'll pass, but thanks for thinking of me." The fat white cat held the newspaper pointedly in front of his face, as though the discussion was over.

The crow gargoyle shifted into his form of flesh.

"Aww, the fat old puddy tat is too afwaid to go," the dark bird said, not bothering to cover his smirk.

The feline in question hissed angrily at the bird, just managing to dodge it when it sailed down from its perch to sweep down close. The newspaper fell to the ground as the two started fighting, an activity that the two seldom took a break from.

"Watch it, Bird Brain!"

Natoru noted the large white cat, confused.

"There's nothing wrong with the kingdom, and I'm sure the cooks could accommodate your stomach."

"No one can conquer my stomach!" Muta snorted, taking another swipe at Toto.

"I don't know. Our chefs can satisfy any appetite," the brown said confidently. Muta growled again and stormed up to him.

"Fine, I'll come, but only to prove you wrong."

Baron chuckled warmly and looked up at the crow.

"What about you, Toto? Not even Muta can eat you."

"One of us should stay here, just in case another client comes."

Baron sighed and turned to the messenger.

"Then it will just be me and Muta."

"So you'll come?!" Natoru said excitedly, like a human schoolboy.

"Yes," Baron answered.

"For honest and for true?"

"Yes, they'll go," Toto said patiently.

"Are you absolutely sure-"

"Just take us to the Cat Kingdom already!" Muta yelled, showing the cat his claws. Natoru cowered, holding his paws over his head.

"Sorry. I've gotten into a lot of trouble over this kind of thing, and just wanted to make sure." The messenger looked at the base of the pedestal again as the blue light made an encore appearance.

"Follow me, please."