El Conejo Timido

Ch.2: Gato

Alvino was very nervous for he had heard that cats seemed to be very, jumpy, pouncing on things here and there. To get his mind off of it the Lady of the house had him make ‘his’ bed. Apparently he now had his own room. Needless to say that took his mind of the cat for quite a while. He made sure that the bed was almost perfect, and not because he was told to do so, he wanted it that way. He finally had something to call his own and he was going to take good care of it. Again, the color of the sheets were green, apparently his new master fancied the color.

Just as he was bending over to smooth out the sheets, something attacked him from behind, making him fall on the bed face first. Quickly Alvino turned under the weight of the person who jumped him only to have his eyes widen at the sight of the cat: His ears, tail, and the hair on his head were a dark brown. The color only seemed to enhance his bright golden eyes. A toothy grin smeared his face, his tail swishing back and forth in a playful manner as the cat looked down at the white rabbit.

“So you are the Rabbit that Celia was talking about.” The cat, Felix stated.

Alvino blinked a couple of times before asking, “Uh, who is Celia?”

The cat shifted his head to the side in a confused manor, “Celia is the woman who took you in? Did she not tell you her name?”

Alvino only shook his head no. The cat was still on top of him, did Felix not notice how scared he was? “C-could you get off of me, please?” The white rabbit whimpered.

“I could,” Said the Cat, leaning down so his face was closer to the rabbits, as if inspecting him, “What’s your name?”

“My name is Alvino.” The rabbit whispered as the cat sniffed at his neck making the teen shiver in slight fear that Felix might bite him.

“That’s an interesting name.” Felix stated as he sat up on the rabbits lap, “Why don’t you come down stairs and meet my master, Evan.”

“Sure. I’d love to, b-but you are still sitting on me.”

Felix looked down at his lap and back up with a sheepish grin, “Oops, sorry.”

The cat got up off of Alvino and helped him off of the bed. Standing next to the cat, Alvino realized that he was indeed shorter than the teen. His head only came up to the cat’s shoulders. The brown cat wore a blue tunic that seemed almost identical to his own green one. While Alvino was busy inspecting Felix, the cat took his hand and pulled him out of the room. Alvino let out a small squeak at the sharp tug of his arm.

Alvino had trouble trying to keep up with the tall cat as he ran down the stairs, but luckily he didn’t fall. They made their way past the foyer and kitchen and into the sitting room where Celia and Evan sat talking quietly to each other. Suddenly Felix pulled Alvino into an embrace, the white rabbits face colliding with the teen’s chest.

“Ms. Celia, your Alvino is just too cute!” The cat said excitedly before running his hand through Alvino’s white hair. The rabbit blushed at the odd act.

“Felix, calm down and let the boy go.” Said Evan in a parenting like tone.

Felix let go of Alvino and ran over to his Master, who began to pet the Cat’s head gently. Alvino turned his gaze over to his Master, Celia, who gestured to the cushion next to her. Did she want him to sit by her? Alvino made his way shyly to Celia and took his seat.

“You got him for free?” Asked Evan in awe. “How did you accomplish that?”

Alvino looked up at Celia as she answered her brother, “As I have told you already, I had not planned on buying the Rabbit.”

Felix interrupted her, “His name is Alvino.”

For a moment Alvino froze. The cat just spoke out of turn, was he not going to be punished?! To his surprise that was just the case, and Celia didn’t punish the cat for his interruption.

“Right, Alvino. I didn’t plan on buying him. The Sales Man was Marco, the man that tried to swindle us before. So he felt like he owed me something when, Alvino, accidentally bumped into me at the Market.”

Evan let out a sharp laugh, “Really?! I guess it was just your lucky day!”

Celia nodded, “I suppose so. This house is to big for one person anyways.”

“Or two for that matter.” Stated Felix.

Celia looked up at Evan as if waiting for something. Her brother smiled sheepishly, “Could we stay for awhile?”

“Why?” She asked as she folder her arms over her chest.

“My place is getting renovated. It will only be for three days.” Evan seemed to beg.

Celia frowned, “Three days, no more or less.”

Evan grinned, “Thanks! We will get our things and be back later this evening.”

Evan got up and kissed his sister politely on the cheek before departing. Once they were gone, Celia seemed to relax a little more, leaning back against the couch instead of sitting stiff as a board.

“Um…” Started Alvino, not sure how to address his new Master.

Celia turned to Alvino, “You may call me Ms. Celia.”

Alvino nodded before quickly saying, “Yes ma’am.” He took in a breath trying to calm down his nervously beating heart, “Why didn’t you punish Felix when he spoke out just now?”

Celia’s icy blue eyes continued to stare at him and it sent a shiver down his spine. He could never speak out of turn with her. “Felix is not mine to punish.” Was all she said before standing and walking to the kitchen.

Alvino followed her automatically. In the kitchen Celia began to set up pots and pans as well as taking out various food items. “You will help me with dinner and set the table. It was hard enough having those two over when I was alone.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Alvino responded as Celia handed him a stack of plates to put on the table.

“Felix will be staying in your room, if you don’t mind.” She said as she began to slice some vegetables.
“I don’t mine, Ma’am.” Alvino responded, even though he really did care. His first room that was his, and his alone, and he would have to share it for three days with someone else.