Détente

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

This story was originally posted for a PicFic prompt, the black cat you see on the steps.




One of them would give in.  The Russian was determined that it wouldn’t be him.  The cat was equally intent on having the last long look at this blue-eyed adversary.

“What, exactly, is the point of continuing to sit here and stare at that cat?”

Napoleon couldn’t understand the mindset of either of the protagonists.  His partner, the blond, had decided to outlast the black cat with the gold eyes that now occupied the Russian’s chosen spot for impromptu lunches in the park.  When Illya took a notion to eat outside on a pleasant day, this step was his place to sit and enjoy the experience.

Today was different.  Today the black feline had made a decision to not yield to this intruder who rudely demanded his departure.  The cat liked this spot and had been here longer, endured more and established a territory that others understood and respected.

Illya stood resolutely opposite the serene animal, his every attempt at intimidation failing miserably.  The cat seemed immune to charm as well.

“Krasivyy chernaya koshka s zolotistymi glazami, I will share my lunch with you perhaps, but only if you move."

The cat did not comply, regardless of the compliments being paid to the shiny black coat and glimmering gold eyes.

Illya was frustrated but not yet angry.  The cat had some right to this step, that was indisputable.  In a properly socialist context, the spot belonged to the one with the greatest need, and should be willingly relinquished, without privilege or entitlements getting in the way.

This was not a properly socialist situation, however.  The cat was ... a cat.  And, Illya was hungry and he wanted to eat his lunch; the wonderful lunch he had purchased hot from the deli on the corner, and which was now cooling off at a rate proportionate to the amount of time it was taking to persuade the black cat to move.

"Kitty, I have paid you compliments, offered you part of my lunch and been altogether too forgiving of your impertinence.  I demand now that you move."

"Why don't you just pick him up and ..."

Both Illya and the cat turned to look at Napoleon, eyes wide with disbelief at the barbaric nature of his comment.  The cat dismissed the man, instinct telling him that this one was not yet ready to deal with his species in an intelligent and civilized manner.  The other one, the blond ... he at least respected the cat's rights concerning the step.

"Napoleon, I am not going to pick up the cat.  I merely want him to move ... just a little will do.  I ... I like it there, where he is."

The Blond Russian and the Black Cat finally reached an agreement.

Napoleon thought they were both out of their minds and found the entire scene comical, as though the cat understood his friend’s intentions.

The beautiful black cat with the golden eyes understood everything.

Illya ate his lunch on the next step.

Comments

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

LOL. This is hilariously adorable. As is the cat! I love Illya's understanding of the cat and wanting to come to an agreement, instead of just physically moving the cat away.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

Illya lost his argument as do all of us that 'own' cats that allow us into their homes.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

The cat will win every single time.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

This was one of my favorite prompts. Glad you posted this one. I realized I have a lot of cat stories so am posting a few of them.

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of my bed, Twilight has whatever space she wants and I can have the rest.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Excellent. And quite right, too.

Love the cat's claiming socialist rights.

Mind you, I think Napoeon could be easily trained to being a good cat person. Illya's working on it.