The Stray Cat's Family

Hmm? Aldo? Did you just hear a voice?

A voice? No... What kind of voice?

...Meow!

Wah! A cat! It's a little kitty!

Ah! Such a fluffy coat! Those cute eyes! She's sooo cute! Ah, this is the life!

Mariel, you really like cats, huh?

Yes! I looove cats! Whenever I see them I just want to pet them! Cats aren't allowed in the temple, so I have to make do with looking at pictures.

Oh, really? It just looks like a normal cat to me.

I don't know the ins and outs of it, but I've heard the real cat fanciers pay big bucks for this kind of cat.

How strange, to put a value on a life...

Aw...kitty... She left...

H-Hey! You guys! Have you seen a cat around here? She's teeny, and pure white!

There was a white cat here just a moment ago. She went that way.

Really?! Thank you so much! I'll check over there!

That child... Do you suppose she's the owner of the cat?

Looks like it. But you know, there are monsters around here...

Aldo! We should help her look for her kitty!

Right. There might be a reason why we came across that cat.

Yes! All cats deserve to be happy! Okay, let's find that kid, Aldo!

...Don't be silly! How many times will I have to tell you!

B-But, Mother... Milky's my bestest friend... I can't just let her go...

We all have to move to the next town over for your father's work! We don't have time to worry about a runaway cat at a time like this!

N-Now now, dear. Let's just wait a little longer. This cat is the only thing connecting my child to her deceased mother...

You always spoil her! If you keep up like this then she'll never grow out of it!

...Ah. Looks like we came at a bad time.

Erm... Excuse me! If you don't mind, we're here to help you look for your cat.

Oh. Aren't you the people I saw earlier?

Huh? Who are you? This is a family issue, I'd kindly ask you not get involved.

H-Hey, no need to be so rude. I'm sorry, Mariel.

Huh? How do you know my name... Ah!

Wait, are you the man who comes to the temple so often?!

What? Mariel, do you know him?

Yes! Ever since I was little, this man has been bringing goods to the temple.

So you remember me too? Thank you, Mariel. I heard about you from your mother. I didn't expect you to ever leave the temple.

I see, that sounds nice. And I'm sure your mother will understand, as well.

My mother...

Your father was very worried about you. There's nothing he wouldn't do for his only daughter. I have business up at the temple later. If you want I could give your parents a message.

Okay, you can let them know that I'm safe, and doing well.

Dear! How long are you going to be talking with those people! Just hurry up, will you?

O-Oh. Of course. I'm sorry, dear. Let's go.

...Your wife?

Yes. My first wife passed away, I only just got remarried a month ago. She's a little more...forward...than I thought. She likes to take charge.

Dear?! What are you whispering about?!

...! Sorry, sweetie! Let's go to the temple!

Ah! Actually, we should go look for the kitty!

Really? You're going to help me look for Milky?

Of course! Just leave it with us! We'll find Milky, for sure!

Th-Thank you. Milky's special...

She's so small and white!

Okay, shall we check out the center of Unigan?

Meow!

Ah! A cat! It's so cuuute! Come heeere, kitty!

Ahahah. You're really popular with cats.

Yeah, but too bad. This isn't Milky, is it?

Milky's all white, isn't she? Let's go look somewhere else.

Milky! If you're here, come out and play!

Mrrrow!

Ah! A kitty! Come heeere, little kitty!

It's a black cat... Sorry, you're not the one we're looking for.

Hmm, that's a shame. Sorry, kitty. Let's do this again later.

We've been going at this for a while now, Mariel, aren't you tired?

I'm fine! I need to carry on until Milky gets back home!

Aldo, over there!

A white cat! Could it be...

Meow, meow!

What do you think, Mariel?

Erm...well, she's definitely white, but not quite as small as I expected. Maybe not the one we're looking for?

I see. *sigh* Then Milky might have gone even further than we thought.

That's definitely possible. Hmm. Should we go back for a bit? We should find out some more about Milky from her owner.

Right. She might know where Milky would run away to.

Oh! It's you! Have you found Milky already?

Oh, no. I'm sorry. We still haven't found her.

Hmph! Idiots! You offered to help look for her, and now you're just giving up? We're very busy right now. As soon as my husband's done with his errands we're moving out.

Okay. We'll make sure to find Milky before you leave.

Hmm... Well, Milky was actually a present from my mother. She's my closest and dearest friend. Milky's like family to me. I usually let her come and go as she pleases, and until now she's always come back.

Does she have any favorite haunts? Any weird quirks?

Oh, yes! My father told me earlier that "Milky's very special." He said that she's very rare and valuable, and a lot of people would do anything to get her.

What?! What is that?! He never told me that!

Why wouldn't he tell me how much that cat was worth?! I need to go to the swamp!

Mother? Where are you going?

I just remembered, there's something I need to do! You just head on to the inn and wait for your father!

What could she be in such a hurry for? Moving sure seems like a big hassle.

...What was she mumbling about? Did she say something about a swamp? Mariel, let's follow her. I have a hunch.

Huh? But where did she go?

I heard her say something about a swamp. She must have gone to the Karek Swampland!

You! What are you doing here?!

We could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?

Gah! Nothing! Now mind your own business, will you?!

I think you just found out how much the cat is worth and have come here to find her.

What? Aldo, what are you saying?

I'm saying Milky didn't run away. I think she brought her here to dispose of her. That's why Milky can't find her way home, she doesn't know where she is.

Guh... Okay, you're right! I tried to get rid of that cat! I hate cats! That's why I got rid of her! I hoped that the monsters in these parts would take care of her for me.

But I had no idea that she was worth so much money! Find her!

What?! That's all you're...

...MEEEOWWW?!

Ah! Aldo, over there!

Th-This is bad! That's my property! You lot! Do something!

Even now, that's all you care about?!

Don't dawdle! Give me back my cat!

No! I won't! Milky deserves to go home!

Just give me the cat already! It's my rightful property!

...That's enough!

Dear! What are you doing here?!

I just heard the whole story. You're one terrifying woman.

I-It's not like that! You got it all wrong! I'm just...

Silence! I've had enough! I'm done with you! I can't believe you were going to take my daughter's family away from her! This is the last straw! I want a divorce!

Wh-What! Y-You're going to end this all for a little cat?! What is going on?! Well, I won't let you call this off. I'm leaving you!

I'm so sorry. We've caused so much trouble for you.

Don't worry about it. Besides, we're just glad your daughter has her friend back.

Meow meow meow!

Oh, Milky! You're safe. Thank you so much for finding her. Oh, right. I have a letter for you, Mariel, from your father.

What?! A letter?!

I'm staying at the Unigan Inn. Come and get the letter any time that works for you.

A letter...I'm so intrigued!

But then what if he wants me to come back to the shrine...

I wonder. But you can't just not read it, can you?

I guess not. I have to prepare myself though...

Oh, Mariel. I'm so sorry about all that before. And...my daughter wants to thank you as well.

Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you! Milky's so glad to be back home!

Eheheh, don't mention it. I'm just glad she's safe.

I have to thank you as well. Oh, and here's the letter I told you about.

Th-This is... *gulp*

......

Mariel, what's wrong? Won't you read the letter?

I...I ran away from the temple without telling anyone where I was going. This might be him telling me off. But...

You don't have to read it if you don't want. I can just tell him that I never found you.

Thank you for your concern, but it's okay...

See ya later!

Okay, Mariel, deep breaths...

...And time to read it!

"To my dearest Mariel," "I've heard of your ventures from the merchant. I've missed you lots, but I'm glad to hear how you're doing." "However, your mother is very cross. I don't know what she'd do if you ever came back." "I was so glad when I heard about you, she got a little mad at me..."

Poor father... What should I do? Because of me he's been fighting with my mother. I'm too scared to carry on reading!

Mariel, you decided to leave the temple on your own, didn't you? What's done is done. You owe it to your parents to finish reading.

But...

Yes...you're right. I can't run any longer!

He wants me to carry on with my travels...

Yes! I'm so proud of my father! ...Ah! But...because of my father, I can't follow my mother's commands!

Commands? Wait, you mean the head priest and deputy head priest are your parents?

That's right. But my father...the deputy head priest... In this situation...

Didn't he put himself in this situation?

What?

Aldo... That's exactly it!

Thank you, Father...