"Cat Noir" in honor of International Cat Day!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thanks to Janotjones for the reminder that today is International Cat Day.

This story was originally posted for a PicFic quite a few years ago..

The weather was bleak, the trees void of their leaves that were now covering the ground,  being blown into little vortexes by a chill wind. The dreariness told the tale that winter would soon be upon us in New York City.

As I walked through Central Park on my way to meet my partner, I saw it sitting on a set of steps, a black blot of ink staring at me with a pair of golden eyes. Except for the eye color, the cat somehow reminded me of that partner of mine... deep, mysterious and unreadable.

As it took some tentative steps towards me, it’s movement reminded me of the cat-like grace Illya often displayed, especially when darting across girders, or on rooftops.

I liked my partner but I wasn’t keen on felines, or event dogs for that matter. I walked past the shadowy cat and it let out a loud meow, drawing my attention back to it.

“What’s the matter Puss?” I asked as it rubbed against my leg, butting me with it’s head.

I recalled Illya once telling me that was one of the ways a cat marked its territory through facial pheromones located near its whiskers. When a cat rubbed its face on an object, it was releasing pheromones. 

“Oh great, thanks cat... now I have to have my pants dry cleaned,” I said out loud.” Scat, go away cat...go on!’

Though I tried shooing it away, the animal persisted in following me as I headed for the appointed spot where Illya was supposed to be meeting me at a particular park bench. The cat jumped up there looking intently in my direction as it sat, making itself comfortable, gracefully moving its tail to and fro.

There was no sign of Illya, and I stood in place, doing a slow 360 degree turn, but still not seeing him at all.  When my eyes returned to the bench, he was there. Sitting with his arm draped casually across the back of it, turning his hand as if he was keeping time with some unheard melody. Illya was right in front of me as if he’d suddenly materialized, but now there was no sign of the cat.

“How... where...?”

The bleak cloud cover above opened unexpectedly and a bright beam of sunlight cascaded directly down on Illya, changing the bleakness that surrounded him, and shining a golden light on his face. Strangely a sparkle of the same hue appeared in his intense eyes, just for a split second.

“You are on time for once,” Kuryakin seemed to purr, speaking rather softly.

I quirked my head to one side, thinking just for a second...”No, no way.” Though I still had the thought in the back of my mind that Illya was like a cat...”Hmmm?”  I watched as he rose gracefully from the park bench, lifting his arms above his head in a long stretch.

“Is this not a purrrrfectly wonderful day?” He asked.

I did a double-take. “What did you just say?”

“I asked if it was not a perfectly wonderful day...Napoleon, what is wrong with you? You are looking rather oddly at me. Is there something wrong...is my fly open?”

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Nice one, with the setting done well. And that's the way Illya would do it, too.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your purrr-fect comment. I just posted the prequel to this story (called On the prowl) that explains why IK turned into a cat.

Scratches to Samantha!

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

A scratchy back to each of your three. Especially to Luna, who seems to have been the inspiration.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I've read this a few times now, and I still love it. IK can be exceptionally cat-like :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, he's def. cat-like! I have other cat related stories but this and "On the prowl" are 2 of my favorites.

[gevr.livejournal.com]

wonderful story !!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!! The prompt for this story was a big hit when it was first posted a few years ago.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Purrrrr!

[duckys-lady.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reposting this favorite!

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. It's one of my favorites too. Glad Jantojones reminded us it was International Cat Day. Purr!