For Marigold, the small village of Bath has always been the quiet place. It's not like that uncomfortable kind that feels pressing against one's hearing and seems to demand any attention, but rather, it was a gentle sort of peaceful silence that settled too naturally over the paths of smooth cobblestones and the ivy-covered houses. It was the quiteness that Mari had used to and had grown up with, and she liked it very much. The afternoon sun was beginning to set, covering their sky with a blanket of light that resembled golden ink spilling across the entire countryside. It was the typical sunset vibes that always bathe her every day life.
Holding her new book that is tucked beneath her arm, she had wandered beyond the fence of their own house and headed down to the hill, her shoes brushing against the patches of grass at each step that she took. The moment she reached uphill, she sat down under the oak tree and lay by the grassy earthen ground, the back of her head leaning against the tree roots, her eyes immediately darting towards the clouds adrift in the sky. Solitude. It is a familiar company that she have since her younger days. She had adored and loved her family much but it's not that they are always with her at all time since they still need to work and they stay almost all day at their workplaces. And while the other kids find themselves playing at parks with games and peals of laughter among other peers, she had always found herself completely opposite... either going towards libraries, her garden, or the quiet corner of their house where her thoughts can stretch without any distractions or interruptions from noises and other things. For Mari, it was easy, in a way, because the world felt easier to understand when it wasn't speaking all at once.
As her mind began to wander about random things, it immediately barreled back to reality when she heard a sudden sound.
"Mrrrrow..."
What was that? Blinking her eyes, she immediately sat up and looked around. There's only grass and bushes and that stone wall partially hidden beneath the thick ivy vines, making her feel like she just imagined that sound. But it felt so vivid despite the sound being faint. Just as she was about to lay back down, she heard it again.
"Mrrrrow..."
With her eyebrows furrowing, she stood up with her book tucked back into her arm, patting her jumper clean and immediately followed the sound. She carefully approached the wall with a curiosity that won over any preservation or cautiousness. As her hand slowly pushed aside a curtain of the ivy vines, a soft gasped escaped her lips as she was met by a pair of silver-gray eyes that was staring right back at her. "Oh..." she blinked at the slit eye of the creature who blinked back at her.
A cat. A small one... she doesn't know if it could be considered a kitten with how small it was. Its coat was a beautiful mix of silvery-white fur added with charcoal stripes — a mixed pattern that she had never seen before... well not when it's just always orange tabby ones. The fur was slightly puffed around its thin frame, and despite the cautiousness that Mari can sense based from the way it flickers its own tail, the cat doesn't seem to be frightened of her presence. Only... lonely? The thought that cross her mind was unexpected, but maybe it's because she recognize the feeling of being one. She didn't move as the cat continued to watch her... well, none of them moved and is seemingly having this silent contest of patience for almost an entire minute. The thought amused her before she carefully moved and slowly extended her hand, not touching the cat but at least letting it get used to her presence and smell. "Hello... do you live around the area?" she asked gently to the cat.
She watched how its ears twitch for a short while, as if it had understand her words and answered her question in its own peculiar way. By the time that Mari blinked thrice, the cat had already approached her slowly and sniff her fingers, its whiskers nearly tickling her skin before it finally rubbed its head against her hand. The action that the cat made immediately caused a smile to form over her face. "Mh? You're being friendly now..." she spoke quietly, voice soft and gentle as to not startle the cat. The cat responded with a chirp-like meow, as if replying back to her words, before promptly slouching down and curling on her shoe as if that was where the cat belonged there for long even if they just met today. And as she watched, she couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her lips. "Well," she spoke gently as she slouched and pet the cat's head. "That's one way to introduce yourself."
For the next few hours, the two of them ventured back up under the oak tree, with Mari sitting back on the earthen ground while the cat alternated in between investigating fallen leaves and curling up beside her. She read passages occasionally from the book aloud, checking the cat from time to time. Seeing it seemingly listening to her voice, she tilted her head. Can the cat really understand what she was saying? Or perhaps it just like the sound of a voice? As she pondered the question over her head, she subtly shrugged. Well, at least it stayed with her.
When the golden shade turned amber as evening finally approached, Mari finally realized something as the cat jumped and curled over her lap. Solitude was something she had embraced since long, however heavy it felt from time to time. But right at the moment, as she stared at the purring feline over her lap, the loneliness in her chest seemed lighter than usual. Not really gone but just... quiet. When hazel eyes met back with silver gray, her lips curled into a gentle smile. Two quiet creatures... two solitary souls. "No one owns you, right?" she asked softly to the cat. "Would you like to come home with me?"
She was answered with a soft purr and the cat's curling against her lap. Her lips curved wider as she took that as an agreeable answer. "Come on... walk with me then..." she gently placed the cat aside as she stood up and picked up her book. Walking down back towards their cottage house where her mother and father still hadn't arrived from work, she turned and saw the cat trotting faithfully by her side. Just as she continued her path home, the cat suddenly jumped on her and clung its way to her shoulder which she was startled at but immediately supported in case it fell and end up scratching her in the process.
Somehow, it didn't felt quite as empty as it once had whenever she walk back home. For the first time, this silence around her isn't loneliness... but rather, a companionship. A new chapter among the pages of unwritten stories... one with paws, and perhaps a little less solitude than before.
