The Picture of Dorian Gray Pet

permission to godmod from @Gem Stuart

The day was finally here. The day Gem and Catriona had been waiting for nearly all year. Weeks of squirreling away money from wherever they could and biding their time. Now all of that would finally pay off.

Catriona would have been more nervous (she was picking out a livelong companion after all) if Gem wasn't there. She still managed to knock into him on their way into the Magical Menagerie, something that sent them into peals of excited laughter. Her nerves began to fade once she saw the sheer amount of animals held in such a small space. They were all so different, and Catriona felt a little bit overwhelmed. When she squinted, all she could see was a mottled blend of silvers, browns, and oranges, spreading out in front of her as far as she could see. Catriona began to drift away from Gem after a while, both caught up in the plethora of choices spread out in front of them.

She was beginning to loose hope that she would ever find a cat when she spotted a kennel with a couple cats inside. "Hello there," she whispered, moving in closer to them so she could get a better look. "You're really quite beautiful," she said, spotting a fluffy white one. One of the other kittens, a beautiful silver one, hissed at her and Catriona found herself laughing a little. "Oh don't worry, you're beautiful too." Leaning closer, Catriona reached out a hand to the silver one. He looked up at her, blue eyes narrowed as if he was contemplating scratching her. he didn't, thankfully, instead opting to watch her warily as he sniffed her fingers. "Are you going to scratch me?" she said, frowning at the cat. He stared at her, and then blinked once before nudging her fingers with his head, evidently wanting affection. She obliged, running her fingers along the cat's soft head and back. He purred softly, eyes closing.

"He's a sweet one. A bit self-absorbed, though," said a voice behind her. Catriona's fingers stopped abruptly and the cat meowed as if telling her to keep going.

"I don't mind," Catriona said, turning to face the speaker. It was one of the shopkeepers. He was tall, practically towering over her like a friendly giant. She found herself liking him immediately.

"Want me to get 'em out for you?" He smiled at her, nodding his head towards the kennel.

"That would be lovely, thank you." Catriona got to her feet, brushing off her skirt as she did.

He unlocked the kennel, lifting the (only slightly protesting) kitten out and handed him to her.

Catriona lifted him gingerly, as if he would jump out of her hands and scratch her face. He looked equally wary to be picked up, but that was easily settled with a bit of petting. Soon he was curled in her arms purring softly.

"He likes you," the man said, smiling kindly at her.

"I like him too," Catriona murmured. "Could I take him, please?"

He nodded, motioning her to the counter. She spotted Gem a little ways away carrying an adorable ball of orange fluff. She grinned at him, excitement threatening to burst out of her.

In just a few moments, she'd handed over the galleons required for the cat. She made her way over to the door where Gem stood with his cat.

"I think I'll name you Dorian," she said to the cat. "Dorian Gray."

WC | 576
Species | Silver Mackerel Tabby
Name | Dorian Gray
Gender | Boy
Date of Birth | March 2, 2019 (3/2/19)