Word Game

An unfamiliar sensation awakens me. Opening my eyes, I am looking into the face of a tiny gray, tabby cat which promptly licks my nose again and closes her luminescent green eyes contentedly as she begins to knead my pillow. I yawn slightly and then survey the room. I am all alone within its walls, but I know I did not bring the cat in here. Concern washes over me that cats may not be allowed, so I swing my legs off of the bed and grab yesterday's jeans from the floor to slide them on under my nightshirt.

I am almost to the door after hurriedly running my fingers through my hair when a knock sounds. I jump, startled by the sound. The sound is repeated as the cat jumps off of my bed and begins winding about my ankles with a fervent desire for attention. Half-tripping, I make my way to the door and pull it open a crack. I peer out into the hallway apprehensively, not knowing what to expect at any moment, even in this place...especially in this place. Peeking back at me through the crack is one of Leda's dark hazel eyes. The green hues seem darker than on our previous meeting. Even that one eye seems to look through me and bring my secrets to light.

I pull the door open and invite her in. She steps into the room and instantly bends over to pick up the kitten, "Oh, how adorable. When did you get him? What's his name?"

"I just found him in my room this morning," I reply, adopting the gender Leda has attributed to the cat, "I don't even know how he got here or if I can keep him."

Leda hmms softly as she continues to scratch the kitten's chin. She surveys the room as the kitten stretches out in her arms, looking quite content to simply be scratched. Her eyes fall to rest on my desk and she quickly closes the distance between herself and it. She picks up an envelope with my name emblazoned across it in a flowery script like those seen at the beginnings of ancient texts.

"Well, Bella, looks like someone may have left you an explanatory note," she says, turning to hand the envelope to me.

I handle it gently, amazed by the apparent quality of the paper as well as the impressive script. It has even been sealed with a blob of red sealing wax. The indentation appears to have been made with a signet ring, pressing the shape of a shield into the soft wax. I gently break the seal and pull out a single sheet of parchment. The scent of moss and wet leaves washes over me as I read the hastily scrawled yet perfectly formed letters of the following:

Bellabooo,

Sorry I shuttled you away so abruptly yesterday in the library, but as I said, I am not too much fun to hang out with and I was in the middle of some important research. Just in case, you ever feel lonely and want some good company though, I found you a friend. She's a little ferocious, but she'll be loyal and sympathetic when you need it most. I leave it up to you to name her and care for her.

Ever yours,

Big Ogre

Leda watches me expectantly, waiting for me to enlighten her about the contents of the note. I struggle through some of the longer words before responding with what I am certain of.

I giggle happily, "Ah, Big Ogre got her for me."

Leda smiles at me as I pull the kitten from her arms into my own, burying my face in her soft fur. Surprised but apparently pleased, the kitten's purring seems to become more intense.

"I guess you get to name her then," Leda replies.

"Yeah," I reply thoughtfully.

"You could call her Little Ogre," Leda says with a warm smile.

I giggle, but it just doesn't seem like the right name for the soft little ball of fur in my arms. We continue to bounce names back and forth for a while with neither of us coming up with something we can both agree on. At last we give up, and Leda pulls a small pad out of the bag she is carrying with her.

"What's that?" I ask.

"It's a game called Mad Libs. I thought maybe you'd want to play," she replies.

"What kind of game is that?"

"It's a word game..." Leda begins.

The kitten wiggles in my arms at this, meowing softly. I giggle to myself. Then I look up at Leda who is looking at the kitten with a speculative look.

"I do believe she has picked a name," she says.

"Would seem so. My little Word Game," I say with a giggle.

Word Game rubs her head against my shoulder, purring contentedly. Thus begins another friendship to help keep me from Decay.