Glacier Archan"I'd rather you didn't touch that, if you please."
You start, and drop the book. You bend hastily to pick it up, but the damage is already done. From within the folds of a large grey wingback chair streaks a grey cat - fluffy, with small ears, and wearing a big blue scarf.
He circles the book, before leaning over it. He tuts, then looks up at you with deep amber eyes drawn together unhappily.
"Well now you've done it. Bent the spine. Pick it up, then."
You're a little startled to be ordered around by someone who barely comes up to your shin, but there's something in his voice you don't want to question. You replace the book on the shelf, cautiously. He nods with satisfaction.
"Very nice. Your handling, I mean. Good support of the spine. What is your name?"
You tell him.
"Very nice," he repeats. "You enjoy books, then?"
You nod an affirmative.
"Perfect. Follow me," he says, and you cross the room. He jumps back onto his seat, snuggling backwards so that his scarf rides up and covers his mouth and nose, his whiskers bending out over the top of it. You perch a tad awkwardly on the seat opposite his. You cast your eyes over the small table in between the two chairs, mindful not to send anything else clattering to the floor. On the table are a small stack of books, a pair of tiny cat-sized reading glasses, a drained mug - you can smell the faint aromatic whiff of tea in the air - and a small crossstiched bookmark of a pretty snow scene, not unlike the one outside right now.
His eyes rest fondly on the bookmark for a moment, clouding over to a soft peachy colour. But soon they snap back up, and meet with yours.
"I require some help categorising and documenting the contents of my library. I need a helping hand to do so as I find it difficult to reach the top shelves. You will help me, yes? Pay will be in tea and biscuits, obviously." His voice is a little muffled from the scarf, but you can understand him well enough.
You look around the antique, warm little room and down at the strange, fascinating little cat.
You smile, and nod.
~*~
Snugtom is a (somewhat grumpy) grey cat who lives in a little cottage in the Arctic Frost. He lives there with his best friend, Mollycuddle, from whom he is inseparable. He likes fine tea (loose, never bagged) and good books.
~*~
to mollycuddle
You truly are amazing. You do wonderful things every day, from baking those delicous brownies you do, or sewing me these delightful bookmarks. I fear that I'll never find the words to tell you how I truly feel. But please know - I would do anything for you, Molly. Absolutely anything.
~*~
Click on the record for Snugtom's mixtape!
~*~
wood stock by ftourini at deviantart
