Oddom Akumoddom looked up from his bed as the nurse entered with a pale of water held against her beard. A cat trailed in behind her, rubbing up against her legs and almost tripping her. He smiled to see his adorable Kivish Tenshedbomrek being so playful.
She set the bucket on the floor and ladled some water to his lips, and watched him stroke Kivish for a bit before she said. "Some of the cats are becoming a nuisance, Oddom."
He glared at her. "They're just being playful. It's not like I can do anything about it." He laid his head back on the pillow and imagined his seven precious felines and two dogs all gathered around him, to drift off to sleep or at least try to. He was comforted by his pet.
The nurse stood and walked out with a sigh. It wasn't long before his old friend the mayor entered his small room with a quiet little knock. The mayor sat where the nurse was and shot a glance to the cat on his lap. There were two more on the floor around the bed now. "I've been hearing what the doctors have said about your spine, Oddom. They're not very optimistic."
"I know," he said.
"What do you think.."
"I've been thinking about it for years now. I'm a warrior Mosus, not a layabout. And I don't know anyone I talk to anymore. You're the only one left from the first crew. All these new faces..."
"Yeah..."
He continued, beginning to lose himself in his thoughts, "I can tell the new recruits don't respect me or what I've done, even though it's engraved all over the dining room - I'd wager anything that seventy-five is still a sight more kills than any of these other soldiers calling themselves 'champions'"
"well--"
"All I have are my pets, Mosus, and you visiting me, and the nursedwarfs. It's not the life of a warrior."
"You've earned your place at the great warrior's table, Oddom," the mayor said, glancing to the trapdoor on the floor. He thought about the lever just outside the room, marked with a purple exclamation point.
"Yeah, I know. I think I'm ready for it. I-in a few days. Lemme say my goodbyes, what scant few I have."
Mosus gave a curt nod, not one for emotional displays, and began to get up. As he turned, Oddom called his name. "Yes?"
"Will you take care of my cats?"
The mayor's throat caught. He began to open his mouth, then closed it, then finally, "Oddom..." he said, "the---the cats are going with you."