say anything else [Cat <3]

[Catherine Novella]

Cat smiled as Niko appeared in thought about the angels crying. She thought she should clarify something for him. “Even though the angels are crying it is a good thing, They are crying for joy, at least that is what I believe. I am not an authority on such things but I do believe this.” She was glad that he took her explanation. When he bowed at her giggling she had to suppress a laugh. “ And what is the fair knight laughing at? Has he never been bowed to before?” Cat smiled to show she was not scolding him but was joking. Frankly Hammel needed a bit of fun she thought. It needed something a little out of the ordinary. Cat was happy to provide that for Niko. She found it fun.

Cat watched silently as Niko started to talk about what he did for fun. When he mentioned a dog Cat smiled. “I my self have a Cat back home. Unfortunately Hammel does not allow pets. They told me I could not bring her. I was really bummed at first but then I figured that my grandmother would need her more then I would.” Cat smiled as he continued to explain what he did for fun. “ Ah sports I am afraid that sports are some thing that I, as a scholar am not good at. I much prefer reading to sports. But as I have stated I am a scholar, not a knight.”

Cat smiled when Niko started taking about the reward. “ Generally yes, the reward is amazing, especially if you come back with the pirates flag. They just might give you extra if you do.” Cat smiled. Hey pirates were around then. And they were now. Especially in this universe she and Niko had created. “ When you take a pirates flag they lose their honor as pirates. So if a knight, such as thee, came back from a quest with a pirates flag then that would mean you had won the honor of the seas, and also of the land since you would have slayed the evil monster which had stolen the treasure in the first place. At least all treasures must be guarded by something. I am assuming it s a monster. You would not put a puppy in front of the treasure to guard it now would thee valiant knight Niko?”

Of course Cat noticed the slight blush that had accompanied her young companions face. Yet instead of pointing it out and embarrassing the young knight further she decided it would be best to skillfully let him go along as if he was not blushing anymore. Maybe that would make him feel more comfortable. “What you have done is very admirable young Knight Niko. Many people would not be able to change the weather to make someone else happy. That is a very unique power to have and I commend you for using it to make others happy.”

Cat really did appreciate the offer that Niko had put but she really did highly doubt that Niko’s father was able to find out who she was. Or more like what had happened to her mother. And frankly she kind of did not want to know. She and her grandmother had built up a happy life. It never occurred to her that Niko should have been in class. It really did not. “ I do appreciate the offer though fair knight.”

Cat watched with mirth as Niko began to contemplate whether his dad was truly a wizard or not. She wanted desperately for him to believe in the powers of magic and imagination. She felt it was very important to him. Cat could tell that Niko looked up to his dad. She was happy that she could help along the idea, that yes, he really was a wizard.

Cat smiled at the affirmation of the idea. “ I see. Maybe he was suggesting that Hammel was Hogwarts to tell you, secretly, that he was a wizard? To give you an inkling?” Cat was so happy that Niko might agree with her. He seemed to contemplate this fact as she considered it herself. “ Maybe he did. Maybe he keeps his wizardness a secret for a reason. Either way this knight shall have to ask him if he wants his own answers.” Cat smiled as the younger boy was comparing his father. As he started talking about “mean wizards” Cat had to chuckle. “ First off a mean wizard is called a warlock. There is not such thing as a mean Wizard. I am sure he would be liked well enough if he was wizard as he is liked well enough as a meta now.”

[Nikolai Campbell]

"No, never,"Niko giggled in reply. Of course no one bowed. Or, at least not in his memory (it seemed entirely likely that a silly teen, like that crazy Vincent Verax, could have bowed after a stupid stunt, but rest assured; Niko couldn't remember any)

A cat? Maybe it'd make her feel better if she visited Milo. Niko smiled knowingly.

"If you want, I can ask my dad if I can bring my kitty to visit. Sometimes Milo can come to Hammel. Not to live, but just... Sometimes kids need to train with the animals."Niko offered. Chase might not like that offer much- bringing Milo was a lot of extra effort to the day for Chase. Maybe he'd see what James said, if he'd let the kitty visit him during Niko's classes.

"Well, I'm not good with books, so,"Niko tried to assure her. Reading wasn't engaging enough unless someone else was reading to him- then it was magic.

"Then I will bring back the pirate flag! I'd hang it in my room if the king let me keep it. A pirate flag in my room! That'd be soo cool! Or, on the door. Then everyone'd stay out of my room."Niko enthused. His mind was already formulating a way to draw one on paper- it couldn't be too hard. If he couldn't really be a knight and find one, he'd make his own.

"Put her in front of the treasure... She'd get hurt, wouldn't she? What can protect us, Cat?"Niko groaned. This new thought that maybe putting his dog in the line of fire against any enemy was dangerous. That's what she was supposed to do! What if he'd gotten her hurt like James' had been hurt? Niko took in a sharp breath, trying to remind himself that she wasn't serious, and that she didn't even know what he was talking about. She was talking about treasure. What was more valuable than family? He was just referring to the most valued treasure of all. That didn't stop him from murmuring, "Never mind. I'd use another monster."

"Maybe he did. He is pretty good at secrets and helping me figure things out by myself."Niko agreed. "He knows how to do everything perfectly, but he still lets me help- like when we cook." Niko had to grin at that. James was very patient with him and his ability.

"He is not a warlock, then."Niko repeated with a nod. Now that he knew this bit of information, he was going to stay away from the word warlock all together. Using magic for their own evil intent was terrible, just like using his power for evil would have been bad.

[Catherine Novella]

Cat smiled when Niko started giggling at her. “ We will have to change that wont we?” Cat smiled a ood natured smile and made sure to bow again to show her seriousness in this matter. Hammel needed more fun, more laughter. In her eye Cat thought that Hammel was more then a bit tense. Sure it could be fun at times but the overall feeling of Hammel was in words, tense. Another word that could describe it would be daunting. Especially to a little kid.

Cat smiled as Niko offered to bring his cat along to the school before they went on break.She smiled as Niko justified the bringing of the cat with the fact that the cat was going to be used for people with animal related abilities to help train. Cat just had to smile. It was such a pure and innocent idea that only a little kid could think of. “ That’s sweet Niko, but I am going to have to decline in this matter. I don’t want to cause any trouble. In fact that’s the last thing I want to do.” Cat smiled at Niko. “It is all good fair knight.” With that she bowed again hoping to earn a few more chuckles from the younger boy.

When Niko started talking about how he was not good with books and reading Cat shushed him with an easy smile. “Nonsense, anyone can read and enjoy reading. You just haven’t found something interesting to you yet. Reading is what keeps the Magic of the mind running and it brings to life the Realities of imagination.”

Cat watched happily as Niko elaborated on what he would do if he had a pirate flag. Cat smiled as she was enticed into the possibilities he was presenting. “I’m sure that we can get the wizard to conjure up a pirate flag if we ask politely.” Cat laughed as Niko started saying things about how a pirate flag would keep people out of his room. “ It really depends on the type of flag you have to make people stay out of your room. “

Cat smiled at Niko when he audibly groaned at the thought of nothing protecting them. “ See that is why we are searching for the wizard. With all of his spells and enchantments he will be able to protect us all from any danger for sure!” Cat turned to Niko when his normal smiling face turned into a frown. Was everything ok? She hadn’t said something had she? Was it her fault he wasn't smiley Niko anymore? Chad to fix this as soon as possible. “ Fair knight Niko,” Cat got a mischievous look in her eye and hugged him, “Whatever is troubling you?” Cat kneeled down to his level. “Have I offended you in any way?”

Cat smiled as Niko agreed with her yet again. Cat had to smile b the apparent love shown by Nko for his dad. He could not stop singing his praises and Cat was happy for him. “ I am terrible in the kitchen. I have been banned from it when I am home…” Cat smiled looking at Niko. “ He must love you very much.”

Cat nodded diligently as Niko reinforced the idea that his father was not a warlock. “ That is very good. Warlocks are bad. Very bad.” Cat smiled at the young Niko. “Are we anywhere near the math classrooms Fair knight? I am afraid I have not been paying that much attention to where we were going.” Really she hadn’t Cat was the most Directionally challenged person she knew.

[Nikolai Campbell]

"Okay..."Niko nodded when she refused his offer of bringing Milo. It wouldn't be too much trouble, but he didn't really want Milo to get hurt. Hammel wasn't really safe for a kitty, was it? It wasn't safe for him, and he was taller and stronger than Milo was.

Niko nodded in acknowledgement, but it didn't do much to change his opinion. He preferred anything physically challenging to sitting down and reading quietly. In fact, the only real way to get him to be patient enough was to let him listen to music while he read (so at least it wasn't totally silent). The only time reading was fun was when James or Chase read to him, even if they were reading something boring like the newspaper or sports statistics, or even words on the television screen. They always moved too fast.

"Yeah, I guess we could."Niko nodded. James had a part in decorating his room before, so why wouldn't he be able to get him a pirate flag? Conjure probably wasn't what he'd do. He'd probably just go to the store to pick it up for him when he had time, given Niko really did bother to request it. Once the idea that he was a knight wore off, he wasn't so sure a pirate flag really would do much good.

"No, Cat. I'm sorry."Niko quickly shook his head. He hadn't meant to make her think it was her he was getting upset because of. "It's just... Why do people have guard dogs, then? Won't they get hurt?" The whole idea suddenly seemed foolish. Maybe that's why M.S.A.D. had the dogs in the first place, maybe they didn't care if they were hurt. He did care and he wouldn't allow anything to happen to his dog.

The idea of Cat struggling in the kitchen reminded him of Chase. He definitely knew what that was like. In fact, he also knew how essential it was to ban such people. If she really was anything like Chase, then she must be a magnet for injury within the kitchen. When she went on to say James must love him, Niko nodded.

"I think he does. Sometimes he's a little odd, and he has a lot of silly rules, but he..."Niko paused, biting his lip nervously. Chase was easy to understand, but James? Not quite as much. Still, no matter what anyone else said about James, Niko knew he was very brave. With that gun so close and the twins so angry James still cared whether or not Niko was okay. That left no question as to if James did care about him or not. "He definitely does."

Between the hugs and pauses in the hallway, Niko'd have to admit he wasn't paying much attention, either. But now that the question was out there he looked around the hallway. By some miracle (and probably because getting there required, mostly, going forward through the other hallways) Niko was able to smile and nod.

"Yeah- it's that hall."Niko gestured toward the corridor to their left. "Math classrooms ahoy." Honestly, he wasn't totally clear what 'ahoy' meant, but people often said 'land ahoy' in movies and t.v. shows so it at least sounded like something he should have said.

[Catherine Novella]

As Niko reluctantly agreed with her she smiled down at him. “ Its not that I don’t appreciate the offer Niko, it is honestly very sweet of an idea. After all Hammel is very big, and your kitty cat might just get lost. Sort of like this Cat did.” Cat smiled. “ She might not have a fair knight to help her like I do. We wouldn’t want that to happen would we.”

Cat knew that for most little kids hey did not understand or even like reading. It was a daunting topic if one looked at it from their own view.All o the words with different sounds and pronuciations. With things like verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and nouns, it is no wonder that most kids did not like reading. Plus most of them were so full of energy and excitedness that they couldn’t sit still long enough to get into the story. “ You’ll understand soon enough Niko.”

Cat smiled at Niko. “ If he doesn’t want to conjure one up we can make one ourselves. I may not be a whiz in the kitchen, but I am pretty handy with construction paper and glue.” Smiling she looked at Niko again. Even if he got over the idea of being a knight she thought he might still enjoy a good old pirate flag, After all Pirate flags were awesome.

Cat sighed in relief when he denied that she had done something. Looking him in the eye she listened intently to what he was saying. “ You have nothing to be sorry for hun. Its perfectly normal to get a little sad sometimes. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t the cause of it.” Cat looked at Niko when he asked her about the dogs and why people had guard dogs. She was not sure exactly how to go about this. There must have been a underlying cause but Cat was not concerned with what it was only on how to make him feel better. “ Some people think that to have a guard dog is to protect something. Something they treasure.” Cat looked down. “ I can not speak for other people Knight Niko. Each person has their own reason for having a guard dog. I the dog gets hurt then that is their own fault for not protecting their pets. Some people are just cruel Niko.” Cat looked at him. How in the world could she cheer him up? Looking over at him she stood up and smiled. “ Is that the duty of this Knight? To prevent the cruel overlords from harming animals?” She hoped that going back onto the topic of the Knights and pirates she would be able to cheer him up.

Cat grinned as Niko contemplated how bad she was in the kitchen. I was honestly pretty bad. “ Hey its not my fault they didn’t tell me that I was not supposed to put the chicken in without the box.” Yes Cat just admitted that to Niko. Who was he going to tell? Not to mention the time she almost cut off her finger and left the pan on the hot stove. Yeah she wasn’t allowed in the kitchen for a reason.

Cat smiled at Niko when he confirmed that his father loved him. “ Sometimes silly rules are there to protect us. Even if we don’t understand them it is a good thing that they are in place if they protect us.” Smiling at Niko she looked at him. “ There you see you have your answer. All you needed to do was think about it. That is what made those thoughts apparent.”

Cat smiled as Niko knew where they were. “Shall we go then Fair knight Niko?” she had to chuckle when he got into the spirit of the pirates and used their terminology. “ Good use of vocabulary theirs Fair knight Niko. And so I shall respond with the due and appropriate words, Aye Matey!” Cat smiled. As she looped her arm through his and walked down the hallway she knew that he knew where he was going and that made her happy. She honestly did not have a clue where they were so Niko knowing was a great thing to Cat.

As they approached the classrooms Cat eyes the door. It appears her math teacher was out. Sighing she turned to Niko and smiled. "Where to now Fair Knight? The Wizard of Mathness is apparently out on an errand or to go eat. My schedule is now clear. Is there any place you need to go? Or would like to? It would be a good thing if we did continue out search for the Wizard, the Wizards that you are looking for of course.”

[Nikolai Campbell]

"Really? Make our own?"Niko echoed. Now she had his full attention and he was considerably happier. "That'd be a lot of fun! We could make a super cool one!" Yes, because the present statement certainly had to be amended with 'super cool'. It couldn't very well just be a regular flag, could it?

"No, you're not. I'll be happy."Niko assured her. When she went on to explain that he had the right idea for a guard dog, he was sort of relieved until she said it'd be his fault and cruel if she got hurt. It seemed to him now that the dog was just something else he had to figure out how to protect. But he didn't mind that.

"Yeah, that's definitely one of my knightly duties."Niko nodded in agreement, a smile at his lips once again.

Niko giggled at the idea of Cat putting a box into the oven. That probably wasn't the ideal meal.

When Cat tried to assure him that James' rules were just there to protect him, he didn't bother explaining that they weren't those kind of rules. From what he told her it was a logical conclusion. The truth was, Niko liked rules, he just didn't like adhering to James' little rules, like keeping the house perfect. Or, at least he said he didn't. There was part of him that sort of liked it a little. He even tried to model the behavior by standing in the living room and searching his surrioundings for something out of place. He couldn't do it as well as James, but if he did notice something that perhaps the dog had run by and messed up, it was sort of exciting to be the one to fix it instead of James. It made him sort of like James, didn't it? He hoped so.

Clasas was still in session. If it wasn't, more kids would be in the hallway. This meant that if there was one thing he coudn't do now, it was go find the 'Wizard'. The 'Wizard' probably wouldn't be kind and obliging when he knew Niko skipped a class without a good reason- without any reason at all, really. And while he knew it wouldn't go away, he was trying to convince himself that if he just hid out for a little while, maybe no one would know he never went.

"Uhm, you're good with books. Can we research wizards first? I mean... Learn about the wizard. So that when we do meet him, we know what he'll do?" The library seemed like the perfect place to stall. Niko spent very little time there- it was too quiet, and a bit lonely if he was by himself. "I know how to get there from here. We won't get lost. Please?"

[Catherine Novella]

Cat watched as Niko listened to her and her words on how they could make their own flags Nodding she smiled and looked over at him. “Yes really. Now we just have to figure out what type of flag you want.” Cat laughed only slightly as Niko exclaimed how much fun this would be. “It will be fun won’t it.”

Cat smiled over at the younger boy. “ Then I hereby entrust that very important duty to you.” Cat said with a glorious smile looking over at the boy.

Cat smiled as Niko giggled at her story of trying to cook. She really was horrendous in the kitchen and it showed in her stories. At least he was getting pleasure out of it.

Cat watched as the boy in front of her thought about what he wanted to do. Her face broke into a smile as she watched him stumble through the words about something to do. Smiling she nodded. What a good idea. “ That I am good with book, and I think it is an excellent idea to go searching for information on wizards. There may be different types of wizards or there may be certain habits and traits we are just not accompanied to right now. “ Cat smiled. “Researching the wizard is an excellent idea. “

Cat smiled down at the other boy as he asked to go to the library. “ As long as you know the way I shall follow fair knight.”


((OOC: short and way overdue. Sorries! ^.^" ))