Panting, I hurry along across the stone floors of the villa. All kinds of dust here. Not because this beast taming family needs housekeeping lessons, but because the villa is old. Ancient. Cracks in the stone. That weathered look that screams historical site. An old smell. Comfortably old.
Kaline hurries on ahead of me, always in motion as only a preteen girl can be. The only thing more energetic is a preteen boy.
I shouldn't be struggling to keep up, but I'm used to walking on two feet, not four. I'm used not to have to think about walking on two feet, or where my tail is. Oh yes, I have a tail. A tail that is fun and amazing, but that I can trip over and that can get caught in doors or in just about anything else.
Maybe i shouldn't overthink. I had to overthink in law school. It's great for teaching logic and critical thinking, not so great for leaning into my animal instincts.
I do a stats check with the game interface.
[Name: [Blaze]
[Class: [Novice]
[Race: [Common Tiger]
[Level: 1/10 [XP 10/100 STATUS: Full
[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100
[Strength: 2
[Defense: 4
[Magic: 2
[Resistance: 1
[Speed: 2
[Charisma: 5
[Luck: 1
[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Telepathy(Skill Not Yet Acquired])
Interesting that when I remembered playing the game, somehow the interface updated my skills to include one that I don't possess yet. What would it take?
[Telepathy Unlocked at Level 3 and Above.]
Okay. Fair enough. I need to level up in order to unlock the telepathy skill, unless I get an unexpected event or cheat in the game. I try to think about all the game cheats. because I really want to start communicating with Kaline on a (dare I say it) human level. Well, close enough, anyway. Growls and purrs and body language and "mrrrps" aren't doing the job.
So, how do I unlock Telepathy?
While I trot along, ruminatiing, Kaline stops to chat with one of the villa's servants that she knows, a tall, cheerful man in his mid-twenties.
"What a magnificent beast you have," he praises, glancing at me. "I'm sure you are making the House of Riddlehoeven proud."
Riddlehoeven? Now that either sounds like a dwarf or a German dish. Or a Harry Potter character. Voldemort was named Tom Riddle originally. I glance around for any creepy dark wizards lurking in the shadows. I didn't see any in the game as far as I got last weekend, but they might be out there. Maybe the storyline didn't progress far enough.
This is a story-driven RPG in many ways. It's not a matching game or a Hidden Objects game or a first-person shooter or combat game. Damon and I got as far as the arena before I needed to resume studying. If I'd had any premonition, I would have done some things differently.
1) Spent the weekend with my kid brother.
2) Either worked things out or broken things off with my fiancee.
3) Gone to see a cardiologist.
4) Told my parents I love them one last time.
5) Figured out if I really wanted to be a lawyer or was just doing it to please my parents.
Now Kaline doesn't seem to have any doubt about being a beast tamer. And the thing is, she's good at it, especially given her age. She has a natural talent for it. For the last two nights, she's slept with me, completely content. Fed me. Cuddled me. Given me medicine. Sang to me. Read me stories from this world.
Other family members dropped in from time to time.
When Vedette visited, I feigned sleep. I'm still working out what her deal is, and i haven't forgiven her for accidentally poisoning me. She lectured Kaline in that big sister way, giving her all kinds of unsolicited advice. Although Kaline listened patiently and piped up, "I know, I know," I could tell she wanted Vedette's support. Or maybe this is just their relationship.
The dad, whom I've learned is called Lamant, also visited, expressing concern. I stayed awake and alert for that one, mostly to give him the stinkeye for his A+ parenting. He never explained himself, although he did say, "Kaline, I think the situation with Vedette got a little out of hand."
Thanks, Captain Obvious.
Kaline didn't say much in response as she busied herself with brushing my fur after a bath.
Although cats hate baths, I needed one. I shivered a lot more than I would have as a human. All that wet fur, you know. Kaline even had a blowdryer, a magic one. She gave me a blast from it, but stopped just when I began to warm up. A "mrrrow" in a questioning tone indicated my feelings. Apologetic, she explained that she didn't want to burn me with the heat.
Naturally, I didn't burn. I was too busy melting. How can any kid be this sweet?
That's why I gave her father the stink-eye. In my mind, he's responsible for me getting sick. So yes, the situation got more than a little out of hand. Slow clap. What's the answer? What is the plan here? He didn't offer much in the way of solutions. He just told her to look after me.
The servant that Kaline has stopped to talk to seems more with it, but no surprise there. Servants and staff always know what's really going on. In the course of the conversation, I learn that his name is Tomas Willems, and he's the underbutler.
Kaline picks me up, cuddling me in her arms. Awww. That feels good.
"He's wonderful, Tomas. He's going to help me become a superior beast tamer in no time."
Tomas winks. "Before the big competition, eh?"
What's this? Big competition? Like some kind of beast taming dog show?
"Yes," Kaline declares. "The Beast Taming Elimination Tournament! I have three months to train Blaze to be the best beast in all of Tanglewood!"
GULP. No pressure there!