I got rather depressed again, having just crushed my new Parents with the Knowledge that their familial bond is most likely the cause of Jenson’s issues, and wanted a furry companion to snuggle with. “I really want a kitten right now!” I closed my eyes and felt my desire for a Kitten take on an intensity that perplexed me. Before I could attempt to puzzle through this sensation, I heard gasping from everyone, and my eyes popped open. In front of my eyes was an intricate sigil. Glowing light flared, and even the Castle servants walking by startled and stared at the sight, as twenty kittens of various breeds and colors manifested within the center of the Sigil.

  Each one is freshly weaned and ready for solid foods. My Heart melted instantly, and I reached out, snagging up what was clearly a Bangle Tom. “What shall we call you, huh, little guy? With that Golden Fur, I think maybe you’re a Midas, what do you think?” The adorable fluff gave a happy Meow, both Alian and Jeanette seemed to feel it in their bones, that this little thing had just claimed us.

  “Jane, are these what you called Cats?!” I nodded happily. “But they’re so small!” Exclaimed Jeanette.

  I laughed, startling my new Master. “They’re babies, barely old enough to leave their mothers. The thing is, I think I summoned them just now. Is Summoning Magic even a Thing here, cause that’s the only explanation I can come up with.”

  Both Alian and Jeanette shook their heads, as they too started petting and loving on Kittens, though none truly called to us like Midas did. However, the Rabbit-eared Maid wasn’t in the same boat. “Milady, I can’t help myself, it’s like this little is calling to me. What even are these?”

  She picked up a Grey Tabby with obvious maternal affection. “That is a Grey Tabby Cat, a Female too, and clearly, she owns you, same as Midas owns us. They’re predators, so any meat is good, but they’re still kittens, so it needs to be minced for them. Back in my old Country, we have pet foods specifically for cats, and even kittens specifically, available in shops all the time. Here, though, we’re going to have to do a little work.”

  Gabby was petting on one particular Kitten also. A little Russian Blue female. Though she clearly liked all of them, and Midas was already precious to her, this little one clearly wanted her. “Gabby, be careful with naming her Cats must be named after authority figures, real or imagined. If you name her something silly like shadow, or snowball, she’ll be very upset, and likely pee your bed, with you in it.”

  Gabby looked at me in surprise. “I get to name her?!”

  I nodded. “She owns you, and as her slave, it is your duty to disclose her illustrious name to the masses.”

  She giggled, but nevertheless took the job seriously. “In that case, I think Van, after the Queen, and because it looks like she can vanish whenever she wants.” Van gave her own happy Meow of contentment, and started kneading Gabby’s arm.

  Alian cooed in total cute overload. “We need shallow boxes, about two inches deep, maybe three, maybe two feet wide by three feet long for every person who takes a Kitten, well, for every Kitten actually. Then, dry clay dust to fill the boxes halfway. Then little food, and water dishes for every kitten, they don’t share, like EVER!”

  The Maid nodded, but paused. “I understand the food and water dishes, but what are the boxes and clay dust for?” I smiled. “Well, when you need to relieve yourself, you go to the Privy, right? A Cat can’t typically do that, the boxes are their version of a Privy. Usually, they instinctively want to bury their mess. Although they are Predators themselves, they are also on the small side, and thus must hide from larger threats. That’s one way they go about it.”

  The Maid went off with her new feline overlord to acquire the requirements for the Kittens. Another servant had clearly run to tell the King and Queen about this seeming Miracle, and they had sent Darnel to investigate. “What new amazement have you come up with now, Sister Mine?” He asked jovially. Then his whole body tensed in surprise at the overwhelming attack of four-legged cuteness.

  Two Kittens demanded his attention, though clearly one was being even more imperious, as if it could smell its' people on him, and wanted to leave NOW. “I think you'd best do as that one says, and take him to the King and Queen, and the other is demanding you specifically, so you’ll have to name her. An Authority figure mind, she owns you, better get used to it. The Rabbit-eared Maid, who I still haven’t gotten the name of, is collecting what they’ll need. I’m sure their supplies will be delivered to your, well, their chambers.”

  I told him affectionately. “I do believe this will be good for them,…and me. How did these creatures come to be, and what even are they? Clearly, they’re related to the Cat Clan, but I have no clue how.”

  “Well Cat Clan are named that because they have Cat-like features, while these in fact ARE Cats.”

  “Does this mean Tigers are animals as well?” I nodded my head. He grinned and knelt down to accept his precious burdens. “Well, my Lord, and my Lady, let us be off to see the King and Queen.”

  It took all of fifteen minutes for every Kitten to claim its Slaves, and about ten more before everyone had their items. “By the way, I never got your name.”

  “Oh, well, it’s actually Bunny. I tend not to say it, my Parents were quite the Pranksters. My children are Haley and Holy if you were wondering.”

  “Um, well, Bunny, it would be best to place several more of those boxes wherever you think the little overlords might roam indoors. They’ll run everywhere, and get into everything looking for vermin to hunt and kill. I’ll get some toys made up for them, so people can get some of their boundless energy out.”

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Yes, Jane, I’ll see to it.” Bunny left, with a very contented ball of Fluff curled in her Apron Pocket, snoozing.

  “Why didn’t you try to summon a Tiger?” I looked Shocked at Jeanette, who had asked.

  “Because as cool and beautiful as Tigers are, they don’t stay small enough to carry, they get big enough to carry you in their Jaws. Not Pets, true Predators, same with Wolves, Lions, Pumas, Jaguars, Hyenas, and many others. There’s a Certain level of threat at which they stop being eligible as Pets, and Tigers are WAY above that level.” Jeanette looked a little disappointed. “If we build a Zoo Enclosure for it, and the King approves of it, then MAYBE I’ll try and Summon a Tiger Cub or two. So people can see the Animal form that the Nobility resembles. That’s a BIG IF, though.”

  Apparently, the new Kitten was sufficient of a shock and source of joy to bring the King, Queen, and their new owner out to hear some details. “My dear, you are just full of surprises! Would you care to enlighten us as to how this came to be? Also, why do you say this one owns us?”

  I smiled hugely. “Are you daring to deny that you have been taken as slaves then? I doubt he will be very pleased if so. As to how they got here, I think I somehow used summoning magic. Which, according to both Alian and Jeanette, doesn’t exist. Who, or whatever, brought me here has done something to allow me to perform Magic at will. I don’t even know Magic, as it either didn’t exist back home, or else wasn’t known, so couldn’t be taught.”

  “Well, now you mention it, I do feel like I’m owned, not that I can complain. My Heart just adores him even now. It’s like he’s the second Son I was meant to have. Which is why,…we called him Jen.”

  Vanessa answered with a tear in her eyes. “As Alian has stated, Summoning Magic doesn’t exist, so having that power is beyond curious. Do you intend to summon anything else?” Asked Donican with a raised brow, while his eyes glistened.

  “I don’t, Your Majesty, though Alian has asked about the idea of getting a couple of Tiger Cubs, which would require an enclosure to house them. They’re not pets, and they are dangerous.”

  Eyes large, the King pondered the idea. “If the cubs could be sent back, I could see it immediately, but as you say, we can’t let them run free. I’ll have to think about it, and perhaps later you’d describe the required enclosure so I can have a more detailed understanding of the decision as a whole. Though even if I do decide to ask for it, it won’t be for many months, if not years into the Future. With those Chip Seal roads, and the Plumbing, and Sewer projects to fund, we can’t justify the expense of building such an enclosure. Earth Mages are fast, but very costly to employ, while standard methods, though cheaper by quite a decent margin, take quite a while.”

  I thought for a Moment. “If the location was selected, I could try the Earth Magic myself. Perhaps it will work for me in the same way, would be a decent test, and even if you decide that Tigers aren’t a good idea, there’s nothing saying the structure couldn’t serve another purpose, or else I just remove it again. I’d rather not try a Magic in a crisis, and find out it won’t work after all. It might mean I can offer even more help with the Waterworks projects. Manipulating the Earth to form the structures that are needed, while leaving the correct spaces for the equipment.”

  Donican nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, there is wisdom in that. Very well, I’ll see about a location for such an enclosure to be created.”

  “Why not try something simple? Maybe something for the Kittens use, just to see if it’s something you can work with. Then it’s a matter of the power, rather than the attribute.”

  I felt like a total idiot, and Jeanette’s very rational suggestion hit like a thunderclap. After picking a good location, and closing my eyes, I envisioned a network of Cat Trees and ledges. Willing it into being, I opened my eyes to see the Earthen creations rising out of the dirt and walls. This was different from the soundproofing, as it was creating material, instead of altering it. For all I knew, the walls were being altered by wind or water instead of the Stone, but this is purely Earth. “Well, that confirms Earth Magic works for me. I thought maybe that’s what I did with the walls, but wasn’t sure.”

  Vanessa raised her brow. “Walls?”

  “Ah, I altered the interior structure of Alian’s walls to reduce how much sound can penetrate. It’s called soundproofing, just a unique structure that breaks up the sound so it can’t be heard as easily, if at all. A proper scream would still get through, but even an argument is likely to be unheard.”

  “You must perform that trick on my Study, as well as the Council Chambers, if you please. Sensitive matters get discussed in both locations after all.” I nodded at the King.

  “I’ll take care of that,…UGH!”

  “Jane!!!” Alian and Jeanette worriedly shouted out after my pain-filled cry.

  “You know how I said you’d need to help me for THAT time,…I’d swear I skipped that, and went right past nine months! UGH! Am I, really, going to have to deal with this every month?!”

  They looked at each other, then Jeanette asked me to do something odd. “Can you pinch your arm till you match the pain, and then do the same to my arm?”

  I did as I was asked, and Jeanette almost laughed out loud. “Oh, Love, if that’s all you’re dealing with, you’re lucky.”

  I looked dumbfounded. “Seriously, it’s worse for you?!”

  She nodded, now seemingly envious of me. Alian held her arm out, and I demonstrated for her as well. “Better than mine too, Love.”

  Now curious, the Queen got in on the situation. “Oh dear, you’re quite lucky if that’s the actual level of pain you’re dealing with.” “Hmm, you know, there’s a Water Magic that dulls pain, you haven’t tried using any Water Magic, have you?”

  I grasped at that potential lifeline and focused my will on relieving or eliminating pain. I sighed with relief. “Thank GOD that worked!!!”

  “You’ll have to tend to me later then, Love.” Stated Alian.

  “Me too, not going to pass on pain relief for that.” Echoed Jeanette.

  “Yes dear, I expect every woman will be pestering you for that, I do hope you’ll at least help me, though,” Vanessa commented.

  I laughed, going from agonizing pain to getting begged for pain relief myself is great, but odd. “I’ll do my best. Also, as I was saying, I’ll do the soundproofing later today. Though first, how do I deal with,…”

  I looked down rather than say it aloud, and the girl’s eyes widened. “Oh yes, come with us!” This was super awkward. Not only was the problem completely alien to me, but the solutions weren’t what was customary in my old life. Scraps of Rabbit Pelt, or moss, were typical; apparently, we had tufts of an absorbent cat-tail-like plant’s white seed to use. Until they weren’t available for the season at least, then we had to use rags, and clean them.

  The Maids said they’d tend to that for me, but I declined, surprising Alian, and to a lesser degree Jeanette. “I should tend to that myself, if I don’t know how to deal with that, and I’m stuck on an adventure, then what am I supposed to do. Every Woman should deal with their own body's issues.”