A/N: This is the first of four chapters in a mini series about the things rangers get up to throughout the seasons. Since it's just turned september and technically autumn, I thought what a better way to start then writing about our favourite commandment, Crowley. Please review and requests are welcome!
Autumn was grim for most people, the cold weather started to kick in and the vibrant green leaves that made summer so enjoyable, started to decay and take on a rusty brown colour. The ranger commandment watched one of said leaves through his study window , staring as it eventually fell from the tree, catching on the wind and flying about before it floated to the ground. He glanced at the pile of paperwork on his cluttered desk, most of which to him were unimportant but the regular citizens of Araluen might not think that. With a deep sigh full of the wonderful thoughts that could be discovered if one simple let there mind wonder, Crowley started making his way through the pile. The paper on top was someone submitting a complaint, one of the shop owners had overcharged them and being a poor single mother, she couldn't afford to pay the extra charge therefore was demanding her money back. "I'm not a judge," he mumbled and set the paper aside to the left of him, there was nothing he could really do apart from intimidate the guy which, although sounded fun and he had to admit that Crowley missed the action that came with active duty, it was not and never would be the way rangers worked. Well maybe the way Halt worked.
Just as he was around halfway through the pile when a soft clattering on the cobbles outside snapped him out of the work trance he had settled into. He tilted his chair back so he was balancing on the back two legs and peered into the courtyard below where a small rider in a green and grey mottled cloak was dismounting his barrel chested horse and making his way up the stairs leading to the section of Castle Araluen that Crowley's office was situated in. Weird, as far as the commandment remembered he didn't have any scheduled meetings with any of the other rangers, then again that had never stopped them from barging into his office before so it probably wouldn't now.
Speak of the devil, Crowley rose from his chair to answer a knock at his study door. 'Can't be Halt then,' he mused. 'Halt would never knock.' He swung the door back on its hinges to be faced with a mop of curly brown hair and the warm brown eyes of his best friend's former apprentice, Will. "Hello Crowley," he greeted and the commandment stepped aside to let him in, frowning when he spotted the small box he was holding, covered with a blanket.
"Whatcha got there Will?" he asked and immediately regretted it when he saw the mischievous smile that spread across the younger rangers face. He set the box on the chair opposite Crowley's desk and flipped the blanket off dramatically.
"It's," he began puzzled. "A box with holes." he laughed. "You wouldn't be very good in the entrepreneur business would you?" Will glared at him, then smiled.
"It's what's in the box, it's my gift, to you." he stepped aside and Crowley skeptically opened the flaps on the box, picking up the item inside. He looked at Will who was barely containing his laughter. The commandment sighed as he looked at the 'present' he had gotten him. Small and fluffy, the ginger kitten actually reminded Crowley a lot of himself, the green eyes locked with his hazel ones, as he held it up to look at it.
"It's a she," he began and then burst out laughing as Crowley held in in his arms.
"You got me a kitten," he said, still more than a little confused by the whole situation.
"I got you a kitten," he confirmed, now having composed himself. "Anyway, I should really get back to Redmont and Halt and Alyss and friends and bandits..." he said rambling and walking out the door at the same time. "Bye Crowley!" he waved over his shoulder and sniggered as he descended the stairs. He stared at where Will had been and then back to the kitten in his hands.
"Well I guess I'm stuck with you now," he mused and smiled as the kitten meowed back at him, staring with her big, innocent eyes. "What should we name you?" he thought for a while, holding the pet up at different angles so he could inspect her properly. But a name failed to come to him so he sat her down on his lap and began to work through the papers again. He reached out for the cold mug of coffee on his left, scowling at the report in front of him. Suddenly, the kitten jumped from his lap onto a clear space on the desk and started padding her way across it to where his mug had been and a jar of honey lay. Crowley watched with mild interest as she dipped her paw experimentally into the jar and held her paw up to her nose to sniff the peculiar substance. She licked it and meowed happily when she found it had a sweet, soothing taste. Crowley laughed and reached out to pet her softly. He never cared for honey in his coffee but he was aware that some of his rangers do therefore, sent for a new pot of coffee and honey before Will came knocking at his door. "You like that do you?" he spoke gently, like one would talking to a child. "Honey," he said matter-a-factly. "I believe that's quite a fitting name, don't you think?" And whether it was because he was still fondling the soft fur on her head or if she really was agreeing with him, she purred softly, Crowley smiled.