To Meet a Demon PET Finished

Christmas 2020

OUTFIT moodboard ❖ inspiration

WC: 784/400

HEX CODES
#075e64 — Anja
#577f94 — Mother
#004000 — Shopkeeper

Anja's mother had deemed it high time for her to get a pet. Anja herself had fiercely protested against such advances — she didn't want yet another thing to care for. However, her mother had given her that commanding, steely look, and whisked her off to Diagon Alley. The Magical Menagerie's sign was now looming ominously up in their steady path down the street, and Anja shifted uncomfortably, hearing the many galleons jangling in the purse hanging at her mother's wrist. Her mother put her hand on her shoulder, commanding, steering her towards the door of the shop.

The little bell on door tinkled as she entered, and Anja was immediately struck with the smell of animal. It wasn't necessarily bad as such, but it was outside Anja's usual comfort zone. She looked around the shop. Lots of owls — of course. Cats — everyone thought they were cute, didn't they? She was only slightly surprised to see a few lizards hanging around amongst the toads. A flash of something caught her eye — was that a snake? And rats. Lots of rats.

"You don't want an owl," Anja and forgotten about her mother in her marvelling over the shop. "They require far too much care and give none of it back." Her mother's gaze slid over to the amphibians and reptiles. "None of those either," she said, wrinkling her nose. "Definitely not a rat. Darling, what about a cat?" Her other hand landed on Anja's shoulder, and she peered over beside Anja's head, looking into her eyes. Anja nodded mutely, then walked swiftly over to where the cats prowled. She cast a cursory glance over all of them. None really caught her eye, but as she swept her eyes back up, she glimpsed a flash of grey at the back of one of the cages. She stepped forward, towards it, and reached her hand out. A sharp hiss from the cat and a responding hiss from Anja followed her action. She pulled her hand back, staring at the scratch on the back of her hand. She looked back up at the cat, narrowing her eyes. The cat tilted its head back up to meet her eyes, and cocked its head. It had deep amber eyes that stood out, stark against it's dark grey fur. It was kitten, really, but Anja refused to refer to it that way. It was not just some cute little plaything for a small girl. This was a cat, and it deserved respect.

This time, when she reached out her hands, the cat didn't lash out. It allowed itself to be picked up, and Anja held it out before her, then tentatively pulled it towards her shoulder. Its fur was very soft, and it leaned its head into her neck. She could feels its breath warm behind her ear, and smiled slightly.

"I'm surprised you even got her to let you touch her," said a friendly voice behind her. Anja turned around, startled, and felt the cat pick its head up. it didn't move, though, as if it felt safe. The woman in front of her had a kindly look to her, and she was almost the same height as Anja.

Anja had a vague idea of what the shopkeeper meant, but replied, "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean."

The old woman chuckled and said, "I mean that we've had trouble selling that kitten—"

"Cat."

The shopkeeper smiled before continuing, "We've had trouble selling that cat. She's rather unruly, and seems to place herself on a very high pedestal. Nobody's been able to go near her without being scratched until now. Very unusual for a chartreux cat. They're normally quite docile and kind, but if seems you've tamed her."

Anja couldn't help but warm to the woman at her words, so she asked, "May I take her, then?"

"Of course!" the woman exclaimed, clearly relieved someone had finally come to take the little blighter off their hands. "If I may ask, what will you call her?"

Anja thought a moment, then answered, "Rusalka." Rusalka, after the Scandinavian demon. Perfect.

With the cat still slung over her shoulder, Anja was marched out of the shop by her mother, with just enough time to quickly spew out the cursory 'goodbye' speech her manners demanded she say. The old woman waved, and when Anja looked back, she saw that the woman had been joined by a man of about the same age, and he had his arm slung around her. They looked happy, and so was the once-reluctant Anja. She and her new companion would figure out their mutual respect. She was sure they would work it all out perfectly.

What animal do you wish to purchase? Chartreux cat
What do you want to name it? Rusalka
Is this a boy or a girl? Girl
What is your pet's date of birth? 14th of November, 2020

Christmas 2020

OUTFIT moodboard ❖ inspiration

WC: 784/400