This is the Cirno News Network with a breaking news story! Some type of metallic vessel was recently spotted over the heights of Youkai Mountain, circling about as if waiting for something. Greatly alarmed at the appearance of this Flying Unidentified Non-Tengu, forces were scrambled to intercept said vessel and force it out of tengu airspace. However, before crow/wolf forces could arrive, the vessel was destroyed after flying over the mountaintop shrine. Once past our boundaries, the cadre was disbanded. Apparently, whatever it was does not seem to be strong against holy forces.

Thank you, and enjoy the show. This has been THE STRONGEST! Now back to your irregularly scheduled fic.

Feliform Being that Watches Lethe's Flow

Amusing balls of fluff that are out here. Quite amusing to watch them scurry to and fro under the claws of their superior. At least they are finally beginning to learn. It has been a long, hard education for them, but they leave my body and mind at peace, for once.

Now to take advantage of this tree branch in the sun. No boughs to diffuse the light from hitting me; instead, the full weight of Sol's influence may cascade down my back. It is a good thing indeed. No rapscallions to be bothering me now; not even in the slightest. Too bad that I do not have a servant here to attend to me, but sadly those who beg cannot be allowed the privilege that is choice.

But what's this? A gaggle of women traipsing towards me? I do believe that it is. Hard to tell from this distance, I do say. Mine eyes are truly not the greatest when the sun is out. Of course, this might not be helped by my advanced senectude. Truly, I sometimes ponder whether my pet is blessed or cursed by that magic that ensnarls her.

However, I do believe that I shall leaving my philosophical musing to another time. I have those that I can bewitch my roguish charms. They always are weak to one, although I have always pondered to the why. In their own kind, they disdain on messiness and adiposity, but for some reason they find it charming in mine. Not to say that I suffer from those same maladies, indeed. I am the very peak of health, especially for my advanced age.

Although, I seem to be developing some senility. At the very least, it does not do one very well to be speaking to their own self, assuming that they'll respond. Unless one is of two minds about something, it is quite unlikely that they shall commit such a folly. And I am not of two minds about this.

So, I shall, alas, take a break from my continued relaxation in on this tree, and proceed lower so that I may be complimented on my good looks and charming grin. Not merely complemented, I shall be instead complimented. I do wish that one would take note in the difference between the two words. The ruffians that I encounter so much these days are quite fond of using whichever they please, without paying the slightest bit of attention to what the word is defined as.

Savages, I say.

Oh, so it is not simply female of any old sort coming my way. One appears to be a youkai of some sort, while the other appears to be enshrined in some buckler. I would have initially thought that she was a shield of some sort, but then her bronzed body moved. How quaint. Then again, what isn't possible in this land? It is why we arrived here in the first place. Even if my pet doesn't remember the trip.

Hrmph. Even I have trouble at times. But at least my neurons do succumb to the decay that is old age. Oh well, enough lambasting myself; I have others to attend to. Now, just to give them a well and decent surprise to startle them. Once they get over their shock, they will have no choice but to admire me. Now, on the count of jump…

Huzzah! Perhaps a bit of overacting on my part. Still, they do seem to appreciate my mewing. Naturally, it does help if it is all that they can hear from me. Pitiful. One of these days, I shall have to see about educating those that can walk on two feet the superior language of those that walk on four. Perhaps then, my pet will start listening to me, and stop acting like some sort of animal.

Still, this is strange. The one in the hat is staring at me oddly. The bronzed one seemed interested, but the one in the maid uniform… Wait, what is it that she is carrying? A dead body? What a dreadful thing! Such a horrible stench. Perhaps I should have let them pass me by, and I could merely wait on my branch.

Free scratches, however, are worth it in any case. The one in bronze looks scary enough to accidentally tear of my fur if I were to approach, so how am I to do this. Perhaps the one in the hat might be interested in petting me? Truly, it would be an honor, one not surpassed by any other in this land.

Why is it that she is so repulsed by me? Is my stench not sweeter than that of the carcass next to her? I suppose I am not lowering myself enough to please her. She should be honored to have her affections accepted by me. No? Nothing? She seems to find me in distaste. Oh well. I suppose I should try one of the other targets, and see if I am rebuffed by them as well. Cursed beasts.

What's that? There is another here? Another voice… I can't quite place it. Male or female? Bah, what difference. As long as they are willing to submit themselves to my whims, I do not care. I went through this much effort, and I shall have what is rightfully mine, even if the one that I speak of is a boorish oaf.

What is that? A response? How frightfully odd. Is there another of my kind here? I speak in generalities when I say that, for there are none such as I. Others with a comparable mind to myself are bound to those ghastly forms, walking about upright like some loathsome ape, flinging their very poo about.

Ah, I believe I can spy the target of my inquiries. A veritable spirit floating about, matching the carcass being toted around by the maid. Such lowly work that she is reduced to. One should educate her in the finer pleasures in life than carrying corpses. I suppose that cat that works in the hellish fires underground might disagree, but that is none of her business, as far as I care.

Wait, you've understood every word that I've spoken? How unique. So that means that every word of my monologue, all of my soliloquizing has been understood by a ghost? None of the others know what I was speaking of, correct? How delightful, indeed. I must endure the stubborn eyes of one, while the females shall complain about my actions.

Wrong again? Are you being particularly obtuse, spirit? Or do you take great amusement in acting in such a terrific fashion? No need to answer that, I suppose. Every line on your face shows me that you will attempt to repugn my actions. How quaint. Shouldn't you understand the travesties that ones who are practically royalty go through to have their basic needs met?

At least you are deigning to stay silent in my presence. Indeed, recognition of my position in the hierarchy of life should put those of your station to shame, quieting their tongues. Not that it always works. Far too often, they go along the path of allowing an effluence poor from their mouths. Whether it consists of verbiage or refuse always depends on the speaker.

I believe introductions would be appropriate right now, spirit. Then, you will see what it is that I am. Unless you are a spirit lacking the gift that truly is sight, though, you should already be well aware. I am Sokrates, and I am true royalty, for I am a cat.

No, there is not much more to it than that. I am no grand youkai, as the many beasts that inhabit this land are. I am not suffering from the same curse that forces them to walk with a human gait, nor speak with a human tongue. Instead, I am able to live out my unnatural life without succumbing to such burdens.

Oh, trust me spirit, I am still quite unnatural, even for a cat. I would tell you to ask my pet, but she is quite the forgetful girl. Surprised to hear that a cat can have a pet of its own? Why, I'm quite surprised it took you that long to surmise that, spirit. If humans and youkai can indeed have animals under their possession, why is it not possible for a cat to have animals under theirs?

Odd question, youkai, but I am quite unable to read her mind. It is a good thing that there is surely so little in it that I would not need to fall to the necessary travails of interpreting her thoughts. No matter, she is quite the lovely pet. Always doing her best to entertain and keep me in comfort. Although she does have her more… whimsical moments.

A great number of eclectic behaviors are what I mean by my choice of words. She is a free-spirited girl, as you might can imagine. And she does have quite the fondness for using me as a cuddling toy… The inanity of it! I am a noble creature, not some plush stuffed animal that is only able to smile.

Yes, yes, I get it; you are being quite the witty twit. Of course you've never seen a cat with a grin. Cats don't grin. Why should we? If we wish to express any positive notion at the action a lesser being takes towards us, we may simply purr. Quite a good enough reaction, if I do say so myself.

Should I be calling you Alice, then? You will most certainly not be seeing a grin without the cat. Botherances… One similarity between two distinct concepts, and they think they have something that is particularly hilarious. Well, I'll have you know that I find it not amusing in the slightest. Not one wit!

As I see as I'm not getting any positive reaction from those that could scratch behind my ears, I believe I shall call this a failure and admit defeat. Truly, there must be one other that admits what my place is in society. Pity that your companions are not one of them.

Very well, I suppose that since you are quite capable of speaking the tongue, I shall answer your question. Oho, I see now. The bouncing heads that must work tediously to make their way over the gravel that is their paths, and into their saxatilian homes? Why should I bother myself so greatly as to give them a reprieve?

You should know this easily, spirit. I am quite higher than them. Two legs are lower than four legs, and as for no legs… I shudder to think of what could have created the fabaceous rupestrians. They must learn their proper place. Not to mention the terrific looks on their faces. It brings quite a deep purr to this old tomcat's heart.

You speak as if I am some great unwieldy cat beast. However, I believe I shall assent to your demands. Even if the lowly creatures do deserve any misfortune that I might visit upon them. Besides, I must be returning to my pet soon enough. It is that time of year, after all.

Interested in hearing that story, are you? Very well, but it shall cost you my passage. My bones are getting old, and the even the cartilage feels positively steal at times. I should leap at the chance to be transported by someone, after all. So, are you willing to make such a deal?

Perfect. Now, as I am sure you want the story first… Well, spirit, what do you know of the condition of sentients? You might think of it as the condition of humanity, but there are those of us, some of which are indeed better, I assure you, who must also be forced to bother with such things.

After all, what makes a human a human, for example? Is it some innate quality that cannot be removed from their souls? Is it the experiences that they go through, being shaped day-by-day, month-by-month, and century-by-century? Perhaps I am becoming confused with the length of time that a human is allow to spend on the terraneous land, but I've no doubt that it is something of reasonable magnitude.

My kind does, after all, have eight more lives than yours.

Which brings me to the point of my pet. If you are no doubt as sharp as I would hoped you are, although I doubt it considering the age and stench emanating from your lovely little corpse. But I am rambling off topic once more. I wish to speak more of my pet.

As I said, she is a rather superb specimen, as pets go. She attends to me when she can, although a unwelcome portion of her time is spent tarrying over her potions and running that little magic shop of hers. Know of her? I do not believe that it is the case. We live deep in the hundreds of acres of woods, in the forest of magic. Far deeper than the other two magicians live.

Naturally, that means that we have less than a plethora of visitors darkening our doorstep. The occasional youkai with an aversion to the lunarians, the even rarer human, outsider or not, that managed to survive deep in the darkness. Those are the only ones that occur regularly enough to even be worth speaking of.

So, why am I here, instead of with my pet? You see, it is a test of her. One that I commit twice a year. The first time in the year, it is a practice run. The second time is the true exam. And every year… Every single year, she has failed.

No, it is not some test on whether she can find me. This is not some elaborate game of hide and seek, spirit. If that were the case, she'd be able to easily find me. During the trial runs I have commenced, she easily does locate me. Not to mention how she scolds me afterwards. The words I can easily shrug off. The lack of tuna is slightly harder to do the same.

There is no doubt that my pet loves her master, though. Do not imply otherwise, spirit. Or I shall see how well you fare against my claws. Even in death, can you be protected? Maybe I am self-aggrandizing, but I will not take you insulting my pet in such a fashion.

However, to get back to the point, and to prevent myself from branching off into further recriminations of otherwise mentally lacking spirits, she has one rather severe condition. Once a year, she sinks into oblivescence. Everything that she knows, and everything that she has worked on and desired, is cast into the murky realm.

It is as if the very waters of Lethe flow through her body. All of her magic, all of her memories, they are all washed away. She begins once more every year, a brand new slate. A new canvas, so that she may work on a new masterpiece.

Yet, the previous one is never completed. It isn't even given the dignity of being cast aside, put away with a cloth to cover it. It is simply erased as the oils lose cohesion and drip off, revealing pure white once more.

Why did you think I refer to her as whimsical? She is left bereft of any new experiences. Only those of a child remain in her mind. If it wasn't for her ingrained need to study magic, my pet wouldn't a reason to continue existing in this world. She is but an outlier, a relic from a time past. So am I.

Yes, that is what this land is for. A reserve for those not strong enough to make it on their own, in the outside. Why else do you believe that we came here? My pet would not be able to assimilate into the society on the outside. We would be found one day if we had remained, make no doubts about. The two-legged creatures may be brutes of some kind, but they are inventive enough to discover what they shouldn't know.

True, my pet isn't any different from your kind, save for our lives. For centuries, it has been this for us. Her waking up the same day, every year, and not remembering anything that happened. And so, once again, she began her toil, not knowing truly that she had already discovered what she sought.

Such is the trial of a magician of love, I suppose. She toils for years on end, discovering new magics. Oh, the horrible naming sense she has. Who would respect anything with such a childish name as "fluffy" magic, or "comfy" magic, or "soft" magic? I could go on, listing the many fields she has practically created out of a whole cloth.

Don't even think about confusing her with that ruffian! Truly, she is an oaf among oafs, that Kirisame. She might be able to use the power of love, but it certainly isn't in any manner that she should possess. Using it to annihilate those opposed to you? That is what claws and teeth are for, not the emotions in one's heart.

Bah, it looks like Ellen is rubbing off on me. I should have known that too many centuries would pierce even my defenses. Hrm? Oh, that? Yes, it is her name. Although, I quite prefer my hypocorism for her. Even though it is not quite what the word means, I quite prefer to refer to her as my pet, for that is what she is. Even if she does take on human tendencies at times, and pretends that I am her pet, instead.

So, are we to complete the bargain? I'd absolutely hate it if you went back on your word; after all, there is still that promise I'd intend to keep. Hrmpf, fine, I shall complete what I was speaking of. Still wondering why I am waiting out here, instead of taking care of her? Well, this is not a trial at the moment; it is the test. I simply leave the day before she loses it, and I come back soon after. Hoping that she still remembers whom her master is.

Even after all this time, she does not.

As I said, it is a dreadful pity. I must not be performing my job as a master well enough for it to carry over. Bother. Still, if I return this year, I shall try, once more. Then perhaps my pet will recognize me, once I return. At least, if she does not recognize me on the way back.

Enough. As for the one that shall be granted the honor of carrying my glorious body, I choose the one in the blue dress. Now, hold your hands out, and I shall settle inside. Ah, yes, this is good. Petting is optional, but encouraged.

Odd thing, though. I do not remember the maid wearing a hat.

Sokrates has deemed the human and said human's companions worthy enough of escorting him back to his pet.

A/N Welp, I'm back again already. Hope the break wasn't too long. And this time, I'm bringing in a certain feline. And our very first male to be featured in this series! I believe this shall call for a celebration. I shall finish uncorking the wine shortly, and the caviar is available on the reception desk.

Joking aside, Sokrates was fun. Both for being the first one with a male mindset I could write, but also for being an actual cat, and not a youkai. As such, I tried to make him especially catlike. I can't count the number of times I've been busy, and my own cat came up to me and demanded me to put her, now. Of course, she sometimes emphasized her demands by sleeping on my face while I was asleep, so she certainly discovered how to get my attention.

My own tales aside, Sokrates was fun to write, especially as it allowed me to be a tad verbose. With a name like that, how could I not? That aside, a more important subject is how I'm introducing one of the saddest characters in the games. We'll be seeing her later, as we don't want to keep Sokrates around before he wears out his welcome. Unless he already has, that is.

As to last chapter… Yes, Mr. Muss, it was. But I left it deliberately vague so that you could fit in your own definition. That was the mental image I worked with, though

On other news, finally got the cover up. I considered it nonessential to getting the story started, so I didn't bother getting it up at the beginning. Hope that it is halfway acceptable.

Anywho, enough of my yakking. As always, thanks for reading. Please read and review as always, and until next time!

}\ Playback Log; Section 44 specified. Fast-forwarding until after departure.

}} Master raised a valuable point after our meeting with Sokrates. (Classification: Cat) While this unit, along with Kikuri and Koishi, were unable to understand him, Master was able to converse with the feline. Although, Master did make the point afterwards that he was able to understand the satori and the shield, even if they spoke Ancient Japanese and Lunarian, respectively. Perhaps there is something greater at work. Master instructed this unit to keep an eye open, in case the reason might be revealed.

}} Further playback on request. Quitting out…

}\ Session ended