Prompt: Parlour Games. Create a work with an animal, vegetable, or a mineral in it. Bonus point if there's a party/parlour game in it like charades or musical chairs or the like. Another bonus point if you include an animal, vegetable, and a mineral.
The animal should be obvious. A web search can't decide if the oil should be vegetable or mineral (or animal).
"Hello, little one."
Bright green eyes stared from unmoving shadow, then the adorable ball of fluff let out the tiniest "mew" she had ever heard. Slight adjustment leaned just far enough to see inside the kitchen, but wide eyes looked up at her as if expecting to be turned away.
He might have been, if he had asked two doors down, but Mrs. Hudson was not her neighbor. Slow movements threw away the bundle of trash, set the bin in its place, and opened the door for the black kitten still peeking around the corner.
"Well, come on."
The creature perked up. A long look apparently checked for a trap, but another few seconds' invitation received the thanks of a bouncing run straight for the warm stove. She could not resist a chuckle.
"Don't burn yourself, little one."
A high-pitched rumble answered the admonishment. Needle-like claws rhythmically punctured a rug before it turned three circles and curled into a ball. Only one cracked eye ruined the appearance of sleep.
She pretended not to notice, instead retrieving a bit of meat and a shallow dish from their cupboard. By the time the icebox closed, the kitten had given up all pretense of sleep to weave between her feet, and a tentative paw tested the milk before nose, whiskers, and both cheeks dove into the bowl. She released another quiet laugh.
"Go slowly," she admonished, keeping the words low to avoid scaring the animal. "It will not disappear."
That sounded like a milk bubble "mrrp," but she simply shook her head. Of all the guests to have today, of course she got an impish kitten.
"Holmes!"
Though so far, an impish kitten had proven far less destructive than an impish detective. The doctor's irritation carried through the ceiling loudly enough to distract the kitten from its meal. It looked up as light footsteps darted across the upstairs sitting room, followed by barking laughter.
"Holmes, stay out of my room!"
Tiny paws stalked toward the stairs, nose in the air as if curiosity and a keen sense of smell would keep the animal safe from the noise. She grinned and moved to where she could hear. This would be fun.
"And leave my desk alone! I thought I told you that books and manuscripts were off limits!"
"I did not touch your manuscript."
"Then how did most of the pages end up atop your bookshelf? Bad enough your misshapen prank exploded a pillow, but now you cannot contain your curiosity long enough to stay away from what I told you to avoid. Forget acting like a cat. You're worse than a cat! I—" Something redirected the rant mid thought. "And why in the world did you leave a bottle of oil above the fireplace?"
Still silence answered him.
"You forgot it there, didn't you?" he continued eventually, annoyance clear in the question. "Do I need to worry about a slippery puddle somewhere?"
"Of course not!"
That sounded something like a low hum, but whether suspicion or acceptance she could not decide. While she doubted her more eccentric tenant would do anything to risk true injury, he did not always think through the possible consequences of his various pranks. Long strides retreated to his room as the doctor stepped out to the landing, probably to request either tea or an update on luncheon. The call halted before it fully formed, however. Unintelligible murmuring suggested he had found the kitten.
And that he now staged his own prank. A limping gait crept to Mr. Holmes' other door, backed up, and took the long way through the sitting room. Something light crinkled against the floor a moment later.
"What—Watson! Get this creature off me!"
Hearty laughter nearly drowned out the small protests of a human cat tree. Many pointed claws undoubtedly skittered directly up Mr. Holmes' jacket.
"Watson!"
"Don't scare him, Holmes. It's hardly the kitten's fault that you weren't watching for a black shadow."
Grumbling announced his opinion on that, but he did not yell again. When conversation resumed at a more normal level, she finally returned to preparing luncheon. If she knew her boys, they would have a guest only until one of the Irregulars dropped by to give a report.
If only a certain detective knew how to live with another cat. She would have liked to keep the animal.
Hope you enjoyed this bit of fluff :) and thank you to those who reviewed last chapter!