Information

Muff
Legacy Name: Muff

The Sweetheart Kumos
Owner: Faber

Age: 4 years, 10 months, 1 week

Born: June 13th, 2019

Adopted: 4 years, 10 months, 1 week ago

Adopted: June 13th, 2019

Statistics

• Level: 5
   
• Strength: 14
   
• Defense: 10
   
• Speed: 10
   
• Health: 10
   
• HP: 10/10
   
• Intelligence: 62
   
• Books Read: 60
• Food Eaten: 0
• Job: Candy Maker

It was a good day for a San Francisco party. Everyone said so. Then again, everyone in the room was the sort who would say it was a good day for a party even when it wasn't. Everyone, except for one.

Muff eased herself around the room. Her eyes were only for the one person here she didn't recognize, but if she didn't greet everyone she risked hurt feelings, and nothing was more toxic than gossip caused by hurt feelings. Finally, she reached the table where the young woman was sipping a cocktail and looking around shyly.

"They won't bite, you know," Muff said to the woman by way of greeting.

"Sorry?" she asked, looking so genuinely confused but curious. Exactly Muff's type.

"The hors d'oeuvres. I saw you eying them earlier. Everyone else here is too stuck up to be seen eating in public, but you really should indulge yourself, they're quite delicious." Muff grabbed a small pastry off a nearby tray and popped the whole thing in her mouth, being sure to lick the last crumbs of sweetness from her lips.

The woman smiled and bowed her head. "I guess I just didn't want to draw attention to myself."

"Of course not, it would not be proper for a demure young lady such as yourself. I, however, do not have such qualms." Muff grabbed another pastry and offered it to the woman. "I'm Margaret Pettingell, but my friends call me Muffy. Or just Muff, by my female friends."

"My name is Bao," the woman offered in the return, and gingerly took the snack from Muff's hand, "I'm afraid I don't fit in very well at these things."

"I don't see how that's a bad thing. Most of these people are old money and so, so boring. But you, you're not." Muff leaned back and looked Bao up and down. "Let me guess, your father came over here from Bombay or some such faraway place and made a fortune in the railroad business when it boomed. He recently sent for you from across the sea and now you find yourself in a strange land full of strange people and you're not quite sure what to do with your newfound life. Am I close?"

Bao laughed, a soft, polite laugh, but a genuine one, but her smile quickly faded. "You're not far off, but for one detail. My father did make his money in the railroad business, and he did send for me, but he was killed in an accident at work while I was in route across the ocean. I arrived here after a long and grueling passage, only to find myself and my brother orphans."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear it." Muff placed a hand on Bao's forearm and lightly squeezed. "Do you have accommodations, while you're here in the States?"

"I'm staying with a friend of my father's at the moment. At least until I can find something more permanent. I was going to stay with my brother, but he has fallen in with a bad crowd, I'm afraid."

"Happens to the best of us," Muff said with a wave of her hand. "Why don't you come stay with me for a while? I can help you find something suitable for your permanent residence, and it would be a delight to have a female companion around."

"You would invite me into your home? But we've only just met!" Bao looked a little scandalized, but not so much that she would say no. Muff had a sixth sense about these sorts of things.

"Of course! You are a young lady in need of some guidance in the ways of San Francisco, and I am a bored socialite who lives in a house that's much too big for just myself. Consider it a mutual benefit."

Bao bent herself low in thanks. "I don't know what to say, except thank you. I would be honored."

"The honor is all mine. Just leave your address with my driver and I'll send him for your things. It's a beautiful day and we have lots to discuss. Shall we walk?"

Bao nodded. "A walk would be most welcome."

---

Two hours later Muff's coach driver was pulling up with Bao's things.

"I still can't believe this is happening. These past few weeks have been filled with nothing short of imagination come to life," Bao mused as they watched the driver begin unloading the packages and small pieces of furniture.

"Believe it, my dear," Muff assured her with a smile. "Come, let's get you settled in the tea room. The driver will take your things to the guest room closest to mine." She took Bao by the arm and led her down the corridor and into an airy sitting room set with a low table and cushions on the floor. "I had it designed in the Chinese style, do you like it?"

Bao knelt on one of the cushions. "Very much, yes."

"I also have an impressive collection of Chinese teas to choose from if you'd like. Or Champagne, if you'd rather?"

"Tea, I think. Wine is not overly fond of me."

"Of course. I'll put on the kettle. I'll return shortly, feel free to make yourself at home."

Muff went to make the tea, and soon returned carrying a tray with the pot and two cups and saucers. She had also added a few more of the sweets she was so fond of. Bao was staring out the window with an unreadable expression on her face.

"You can see the bay from here," Bao said, awe in her voice.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Muff remarked, though she only had eyes for Bao. "Tea is ready, if you'd join me?"

Bao knelt on one of the cushions and Muff sat across the table on another. "Do you own this whole place?" she asked.

"Yes," Muff replied. She poured the tea and passed a cup to Bao. "I inherited it when my father passed years ago. Still not sure what to do with it all."

"Must be lonely," Bao said.

Muff quirked an eyebrow. "Good thing I've found company then, hm?"

Bao smiled politely into her tea cup.

"I find ways to pass the time, of course. There's a room for painting, another for reading, others for parties, and there are horses you can ride out back. And of course, city life is never boring. There is no end to the gossip, and some of it quite juicy. Tell me, have you heard anything exciting in your time here?"

Bao set her cup down. "I haven't really had much chance to gossip. All my father's friends talk about is smoking and government and the railroads. Some of it is interesting, but nothing I would call juicy."

"How about your brother, you said he had interesting friends?"

Bao looked scandalized. It was a look Muff much enjoyed. "I believe I said he's fallen in with a bad crowd."

Muff waved her hand. "Bad, interesting, same thing."

"They are not the same thing," Bao smiled at Muff like she'd said something very naughty. "Though I can see how you can't tell the difference."

Muff threw her head back and laughed. "You are funny. I knew you would be. I can always tell."

"Is that so?" Bao asked, a challenge playing on her lips.

"It is so. I'm very good at reading people. You'll get used to it." Muff set her cup down and leaned back. "I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership, you and I."

Bao bowed her head in acknowledgement. "Yes, I believe you're right."

---

Muff gave Bao space to situate herself in the house that afternoon. "Supper is at 8 o'clock," she told her before excusing herself for an afternoon nap, "Don't be late."

"Would not dream of it, Miss Pettingell," Bao replied.

"Please, call me Muff, darling. I adore you, we must be on close terms."

"Muff," Bao said, trying to name out in her mouth, "The name is not familiar to me, but I shall try."

Muff winked at her. "Few are, darling. But I hope it soon becomes natural to you. See you at supper!"

Supper was roasted Cornish hens with corn on the cob and buttered green beans. The dining hall was way too large for just two people, so Muff insisted they eat in the sitting room where they had had they tea earlier.

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