New Roommate

MOTE Prompt Response

Image generated by me using Midjourney

Kyrie frowned, staring over her coffee cup. Every morning, she found a new dish out of the cupboard and placed with deliberate care, overturned atop the teakettle. What the hell was going on? As far as she knew, there were no brownies living in this house. No pixies, no house elves, no small, mischievous fae creatures whatsoever.

So, who or what was constantly messing around in her cupboards and why didn’t she hear anything at night? More importantly, why hadn’t Rival, her Belgian Malinois ever alerted if someone was moving things around in the middle of the night?

Taking a long sip of coffee, Kyrie stepped to the side, peering at the saucer balanced on top of the electric kettle. Was someone trying to make a point about drinking tea? Kyrie always drank coffee in the mornings – at least three cups, which some people might find excessive; Kyrie found it necessary – but she usually had a cup of tea in the afternoons as a pick-me-up. Right now, she found the whole thing too puzzling to deal with. She plucked the saucer off the kettle and put it back in its appropriate spot in the cupboard. Kyrie then unplugged the tea kettle and put it back on the shelf in the lower cupboard where it was supposed to live anyway. Maybe that would stop the traveling dishware. Kyrie shrugged. She’d probably find out tomorrow morning.

The next morning, she did find out… the tea kettle was back on the counter, plugged in, and sporting a dinner plate balanced on top. Sighing she put the dinner plate back in its spot and unplugged the tea kettle.

“Okay. Whoever you are, I know you’re lurking somewhere in the kitchen. What exactly do you want, and why are you balancing dishes on top of my electric kettle?”

Silence.

Kyrie sipped her coffee, not moving, and listening very hard.

Very quiet rustling came from behind the pantry door.

“It’s okay. I don’t mind, but I’m just not understanding whatever message you’re trying to give me,” Kyrie said quietly.

The kitchen remained quiet.

That night before going to bed, Kyrie put water in the kettle, pulled out several types and flavors of tea, and left a small cup and saucer next to the plugged-in kettle. She figured it was worth a shot. Maybe whoever was hiding in the pantry just wanted a cup of tea. She set up her coffee pot and timer for six-thirty in the morning, as she did every night.

The next morning, Kyrie made her way downstairs to the kitchen and stared at the counter where her coffee pot stood. Bright morning light streamed through the window over the sink, illuminating the small bit of counter she called her “coffee corner.” The cup and saucer she’d left there overnight were gone, and the wrapping from one of the tea bags lay open and empty on the counter.

“Okay. So, you just wanted a cup of tea in the mornings. A note would have been faster, but at least we figured it out. And maybe you can’t hold a pen,” Kyrie mused.

Kyrie filled her own mug with coffee and sat down at the breakfast bar with her coffee. She pulled the little notebook and pen she kept on the counter toward her, intending to outline her projects for the day, when quiet rustling in the pantry caught her attention. She decided to pretend she hadn’t heard anything for the moment, hoping whoever it was would show themselves. She sat quietly and continued to plan her day as was her habit.

A few minutes later, Kyrie was nearing the end of her morning planning session when the pantry door cracked open about an inch.

Without looking up from her notebook, Kyrie spoke softly. “Hi. I’m Kyrie. Will you come out and introduce yourself?”

She could feel the hesitation in the pantry. “It’s okay. I’m not mad, and I’d love to meet you.”

The pantry door opened a little wider. After another long moment a small furry, black head, adorned with velvety ears poked out. It gave a small meow which was accompanied by a tiny gout of flame.

“Oh! A dragon kitten! Where did you come from?” Kyrie asked, still keeping her voice calm and quiet.

The tiny dragon kitten, for that’s exactly what it was, hesitantly stepped out from the pantry. Little black wings unfolded from midnight black fur. Green eyes gazed up at Kyrie and gave her a slow blink. Kyrie returned the blink and apparently opened a flood gate.

The little form launched itself into the air and directly into Kyrie’s arms. Startled, she barely managed to clutch the tiny creature to her chest and prevent it falling onto the counter. The fuzzy black head shoved into the spot directly under her chin and she felt and heard loud purring.

Rival wandered over and gave a loud sniff. The little dragon kitten gave Rival’s nose a playful swat. Apparently satisfied this was the same dragon kitten he knew, the big dog returned to his comfy spot on the sofa.

Kyrie smiled. “So you two are already acquainted. Well, that’s good.” She glanced down at the creature snuggled up against her neck. “Oh, sweetie. You’re adorable. How long have you been in the pantry… wait. I know this. At least three weeks if the dishes on the tea kettle are anything to go by. The dragon kitten’s purrs increased almost exponentially in volume, and it shoved its head under her chin again.

“Okay, okay!” Kyrie laughed. “You can stay. Like there was any question, anyway. Guess I’m going shopping for supplies today. And, we’ll have to come up with a name for you.”

The dragon kitten pulled back and stared at Kyrie. It gave one more slow blink before snuggling under her chin once again. Rival gave a soft woof.

“Welcome home, little one,” Kyrie whispered, running a soothing hand down its back.

******

Once again, I forgot to send in a prompt challenge so I picked up a spare: Every morning, she found a new dish out of the cupboard and placed with deliberate care, overturned atop the teakettle. There are many more challenges and responses to distract you from those things you want to be distracted from, over at More Odds Than Ends. Mosey on over and get distracted!