To Get A Cat (Part 1)

When morning came, the bird would be back and would peck at Kiana’s head. <You have texts on your phone from the mate.>

“Fuck off.” Kiana growled, clutching her pillow to her head.

The bird started singing, flying around the room. <But you know you liiiiiiiiiiike him!>

“I liked him on Tinder, that’s different.” Kiana snapped. “Go away!”

<You can learn to like someone in person.> The bird pointed out and landed on Kiana’s dresser. <Why are you so against it?>

“That's different from fucking them. Go away.” Kiana retrieved her phone and started looking at cats up for adoption.

<Evil! You look up cats when you have my music!> The bird landed on the phone, little claws tapping at the top of it.

There was also a message from Skorn, apologizing about last night.

Kiana ignored the bird. “What are you apologizing for?” She asked. She had gotten so drunk last night things were hazy. She was pretty sure that they had not done anything last night, she woke up in the same clothes she went out in.

Skorn’s Reply: “I feel I should have stuck around.”

<He liiiiiikes you!> The bird chirped and flew off to check on her eggs.

“Didn’t I tell you to go?” Kiana had a foggy memory of closing the door after Skorn and locking it.

“Only after I offered.” Skorn replied.

“Well I approved of the idea. I’m fine.” Kiana said.

“You sure you don’t want to try a date?” He asked.

“Very.” Kiana said. “You met my brother. Even saw him naked. Too much of a relationship has been built here.”

“And you won’t give me a single chance? Harsh. Guess I’ll have to try harder then.” Skorn answered.

“Don’t push me.” Kiana said and hung up the call.

<Rude.> The bird was back.

“He was starting to harass me.” Kiana said, going back to the rescue cats. She liked a gray male cat with white paws.

<Flirting is not harassment. You just don’t want to give him a chance because you’re a biotch.> The bird said and hopped around on Kiana’s dresser.

Kiana messaged the shelter that she was interested in adopting Whiskers. She hoped he liked birds.

The bird narrowed her eyes at Kiana and felt bad for Skorn. He liked a mean one.

The shelter messaged Kiana back almost instantly. They were eager to get the adult cat adopted and were not going to be picky about screening or adoption fees.

The bird flapped her wings and tilted her head. <You’re adopting that creature, aren’t you?>

There was a knock at the front door.

“Damn right. This apartment allows cats.” Kiana said and looked out the peephole.

It was just someone delivering a package, looking bored as ever, even yawning.

The bird flew over and sat on Kiana’s shoulder. <Just some dumb delivery guy.> She reported in a bored tone, blinding. <I’m Nelly, by the way.>

“I don't care.” Kiana frowned at the delivery guy. “I'm not expecting any packages.”

The delivery guy looked down at the package. “Sorley Milward?” He asked, looking over Kiana. “You are obviously not a Sorley…” The guy was plain, someone who could easily blend into a crowd and seemed very bored by this interaction.

The bird pecked at Kiana’s ear before flying off.

“Fucking bird.” Kiana muttered, then turned to shout. “Sorley! You got a package!”

When Sorley showed up, the guy held out the package to him and a paper to sign. “Just to prove I delivered it, dude…” He said sullenly.

Sorley had not been expecting a package either, but he signed the paper and accepted the package.

Taking the paper, the guy waves as he left. The package was just a bunch of socks…

Sorley frowned. Why was he getting socks? He had not ordered them.

There was a letter at the bottom from Gelf:

I found these in my storage and had them sent to you ASAP. You guys look like you could use them! - Gelf

Sorley smiled and hugged the socks to his chest. He was already falling in love with Gelf.

Kiana grimaced. She did not need to know about her brother’s fetish. She got dressed to go adopt that cat.