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The larger than life pet shop grew in the distance as large and wide as her growing heart. Work had stolen most of her time since arriving in Lhavit and she had embraced the distraction with every fibre of her being. She had found and lost her love again, found and lost companionship in Sizzle and since then had been on her own. Having arrived in Lhavit nearly a season ago she had developed no friendships beyond some passing acquaintances. She missed feeling a part of something larger than herself, as she had in Avanthal.
Inside, Una could hear the gentle purrs, mrows, woofs and bays of dogs and cats begging to be fed from the back yard. The gentle twittering of birds created a constant cacophony in the background and Una chuckled to herself wondering what their neighbors thought of the constant smell and noise.
Una wandered through the empty halls of the store peering into the large bedded rooms that housed a variety of pooches, cats and birds. She was surprised by the vacancy of the kennel and wondered why others weren't gathered, purchasing their own pets.
Wandering into the main building Una ran her fingers over the grooming supplies and stared up the long stairway. The walls were a pale enigmatic blue making the room appear larger than usual. Smaller cages lined the walls housing mice, guinea pigs, and exotic birds.
Roaming the long shelves Una peered at the bags of dry dog and cat food made from mulched grains and dried meats. Bird seed littered the length of one aisle slowly being swept by the bobbing red head of the shop keeper.
Coughing quietly to draw her attention the pert squinty face peeked around the broom and grinned at her broadly.
"Sorry about the mess! Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked cordially as she set aside the broom, leaning it against the long wall of supplies.
"Thanks. Yes, I am looking to purchase a companion. A dog or a cat to be precise." Una had never owned a cat but after being torn from Sizzle she wondered how difficult it would be to care for another dog.
"Of course. Why don't you browse our kennels there," She gestured to where Una had just come from, "They are examples of all the breeds we have in stock and there is an information card on the side to give you some information on the breed. I'll be right along as soon as this is swept up." She smiled warmly and though Una may have been annoyed at not being served immediately by another inn keeper the woman before her was so enigmatic and young she simply nodded, grinning herself and turned to look more closely at the cages.
Along the top row rested the smaller cages in which several kittens and cats were housed together. Along the bottom were pictures of each cat, their breed, and a description as the woman had indicated.
The Alheas Lion She read to herself and glanced between the picture and the cats scouting for the creature. A large full grown cat was curled in one corner eyes delicately closed and her paws crossed over each other in a regal manner.
Unas eyes widened and she quickly moved on to the other kittens. She certainly didn't want a pet that reminded her of Avanthal, she wanted to be as far emotionally and physically from the place that had run her out of her own home.
Several Squash cats of varying ages tumbled about one another batting at each others ears and snorting as they dragged air through their pressed in noses. Looking like they had been punched, or run into the glass too hard Una could hardly hold back her laughter. These could certainly be the friend she was looking for. Browsing the labels she found the tag of information.
Una squished her lips together in a tiny irritable frown. Once again Avanthals letters graced its description making her stomach roll. Moving on quickly to the next label she grinned as she read.
"Bobcats are great pets. If you have a lot of patience, that is." The soft voice behind her startled her making her finger skip across the label. Turning to smile at the shop keeper whose head rose only slightly above hers Una nodded as she gazed at the separated Bobcat. His long curling black ears were perfectly symmetrical and his broad heavily furred body was a tinge of several colours.
"How many do you have in stock?" Una queried.
"Three at the moment. They were brought in from a females den who had died, caught in a hunters trap. He's the only male, the others are both female. They're in the back if you would like to see them?" She offered, a constant sweet smile decorating her pale lips.
"What does it mean they aren't quite domesticated?"
"Well...animals that are domesticated are unable to live in the wild. These live primarily in the wild and while they can be friendly when raised among humans they still exhibit strong wild behavior including hunting, spraying, etc."
"Do they do well on their own? I spend much of my time at work and I'd like a pet that doesn't need a lot of attention."
"They are very solitary creatures so they would probably be fine but less time spent with you will turn them more and more feral. So they will need some daily attention. They are very fond of brushing." She added smiling, "That and food is how I usually make my way into their hearts."
"I would love to see the others. Perhaps the dogs as well?"
Nodding Fai gestured toward the back and Una followed. A large yard opened up before her with three buildings on the edges of each corner. Water bowls decorated the lawn some empty, some half filled.
"It's almost feeding time so they'll be quite rowdy. You can stay and watch them being fed if you want to spend some time with them before making your choice." She offered making Una smile. The woman obviously cared deeply for the animals and wanted her to make an informed decision.
xInside, Una could hear the gentle purrs, mrows, woofs and bays of dogs and cats begging to be fed from the back yard. The gentle twittering of birds created a constant cacophony in the background and Una chuckled to herself wondering what their neighbors thought of the constant smell and noise.
Una wandered through the empty halls of the store peering into the large bedded rooms that housed a variety of pooches, cats and birds. She was surprised by the vacancy of the kennel and wondered why others weren't gathered, purchasing their own pets.
Wandering into the main building Una ran her fingers over the grooming supplies and stared up the long stairway. The walls were a pale enigmatic blue making the room appear larger than usual. Smaller cages lined the walls housing mice, guinea pigs, and exotic birds.
Roaming the long shelves Una peered at the bags of dry dog and cat food made from mulched grains and dried meats. Bird seed littered the length of one aisle slowly being swept by the bobbing red head of the shop keeper.
Coughing quietly to draw her attention the pert squinty face peeked around the broom and grinned at her broadly.
"Sorry about the mess! Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked cordially as she set aside the broom, leaning it against the long wall of supplies.
"Thanks. Yes, I am looking to purchase a companion. A dog or a cat to be precise." Una had never owned a cat but after being torn from Sizzle she wondered how difficult it would be to care for another dog.
"Of course. Why don't you browse our kennels there," She gestured to where Una had just come from, "They are examples of all the breeds we have in stock and there is an information card on the side to give you some information on the breed. I'll be right along as soon as this is swept up." She smiled warmly and though Una may have been annoyed at not being served immediately by another inn keeper the woman before her was so enigmatic and young she simply nodded, grinning herself and turned to look more closely at the cages.
Along the top row rested the smaller cages in which several kittens and cats were housed together. Along the bottom were pictures of each cat, their breed, and a description as the woman had indicated.
The Alheas Lion She read to herself and glanced between the picture and the cats scouting for the creature. A large full grown cat was curled in one corner eyes delicately closed and her paws crossed over each other in a regal manner.
This beautiful cat began as an indigenous species to the Misty Peaks. One of the most fascinating aspects of the breed is their ever-changing eyes, reflecting mood in the same way of the Vantha - through exposure to high levels of wild djed. They live in the forests of Alheas Park and are considered a sacred animal. (from the Piramba Shop Write-up)
Unas eyes widened and she quickly moved on to the other kittens. She certainly didn't want a pet that reminded her of Avanthal, she wanted to be as far emotionally and physically from the place that had run her out of her own home.
Several Squash cats of varying ages tumbled about one another batting at each others ears and snorting as they dragged air through their pressed in noses. Looking like they had been punched, or run into the glass too hard Una could hardly hold back her laughter. These could certainly be the friend she was looking for. Browsing the labels she found the tag of information.
The Squash Cat is known for its "squashed" appearance. It bears a rotund little body, lantern eyes and an expression of perpetual discontent. It first became popular as a pet when discovered on incoming trade ships from Avanthal and has been valued as both a mouser and a friend. The folds in its cheeks require routine cleaning.(From the Piramba Shop Write-up)
Una squished her lips together in a tiny irritable frown. Once again Avanthals letters graced its description making her stomach roll. Moving on quickly to the next label she grinned as she read.
The Bobcat is considered an exotic pet, these in particular having been captured and tamed at an early age. While not entirely domestic, the Bobcat makes a great solitary companion and is the preferred pet for many single females in Lhavit.(From the Piramba Shop Write-up)
"Bobcats are great pets. If you have a lot of patience, that is." The soft voice behind her startled her making her finger skip across the label. Turning to smile at the shop keeper whose head rose only slightly above hers Una nodded as she gazed at the separated Bobcat. His long curling black ears were perfectly symmetrical and his broad heavily furred body was a tinge of several colours.
"How many do you have in stock?" Una queried.
"Three at the moment. They were brought in from a females den who had died, caught in a hunters trap. He's the only male, the others are both female. They're in the back if you would like to see them?" She offered, a constant sweet smile decorating her pale lips.
"What does it mean they aren't quite domesticated?"
"Well...animals that are domesticated are unable to live in the wild. These live primarily in the wild and while they can be friendly when raised among humans they still exhibit strong wild behavior including hunting, spraying, etc."
"Do they do well on their own? I spend much of my time at work and I'd like a pet that doesn't need a lot of attention."
"They are very solitary creatures so they would probably be fine but less time spent with you will turn them more and more feral. So they will need some daily attention. They are very fond of brushing." She added smiling, "That and food is how I usually make my way into their hearts."
"I would love to see the others. Perhaps the dogs as well?"
Nodding Fai gestured toward the back and Una followed. A large yard opened up before her with three buildings on the edges of each corner. Water bowls decorated the lawn some empty, some half filled.
"It's almost feeding time so they'll be quite rowdy. You can stay and watch them being fed if you want to spend some time with them before making your choice." She offered making Una smile. The woman obviously cared deeply for the animals and wanted her to make an informed decision.
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