Familiar's Calling - The Bond
Chapter 9 - Morning Discussions

Krista and Jinx

Krista’s House

7:00 A.M.

When Krista rolled over in bed and opened her eyes, it was to see Jinx passed out beside her, mouth hanging partially open. She stifled a giggle and levitated a corner of the sheet off the bed to tickle the tip of his pink nose. After twitching his nose in annoyance a couple of times, he sneezed and opened his eyes wide in alarm. Krista burst out laughing at the shock on his face and quickly slapped her hand across her mouth in an attempt to stifle it.

After recovering he rolled onto his front and glared at Krista, his annoyance clearly visible on his face. Oh, ha ha. Very funny, he responded.

Krista suddenly felt bad, eyeing his expression. “Aww, Jinxy, I’m sorry! It was just a bit of fun.” She scratched behind his ears making him roll his head backwards into her hand and purr.I hate when you do that... And yet I love it! Jinx pouted, looking up at her with lazy, contentment filled eyes.

Krista giggled. “I know you do.”

He rolled back onto his front and stood up, stretching. What did you want to do today? He yawned thankful thought-speak did not muddle the words too incoherently.

Krista bit her lip and twisted her mouth to the side thinking for a moment. Jinx could sense she had an idea but was holding it back.

What is it? What do you want to do? he asked, a tilt to his head that perfectly mimicked her usual tic.

“Can we… go to the Hall of Records and talk to the Dozhan?” she asked, a child-like curiosity in her eyes.

He smiled mentally and rubbed against her, his tail in the air. I think that is a wonderful idea. We ought to reserve our strength for tomorrow’s meeting, so an information gathering trip sounds like a wonderful plan.Krista smiled brightly. “Oh goodie! I’ve not really been inside many Liminal spaces aside from the council chambers.”

Smiling again, Jinx laughed, Well, shall we go out and explore the world? Krista jumped off the bed. “Yes! Let’s do it!”

With that she hurriedly picked out an outfit to wear. Jinx watched with interest as she tried to pick what she called the ‘perfect’ outfit for a day of exploration and learning. Finally after about twenty minutes she was dressed. Breaking from her traditional ‘uniform’, she had chosen to wear a pleated, denim cargo skirt and a red tank top underneath a jean jacket. As a last minute thing as the pair made to leave the room, she grabbed a green scrunchie and pulled her long, medium-blonde hair back into a high ponytail.

As they entered the kitchen her father looked up, took in her outfit and remarked, “You look like you’re dressed to go somewhere. Where are you two off to; if I might ask?”

Krista smiled and poured herself some cereal. “We’re going to go to the Hall of Records to see the Dozhan today.”

Julius smiled. “Ah! Interesting. Going to go start learning about your destiny, are you?”

Krista nodded even as Jinx sat down, following her example for breakfast. “Yes. I feel we will likely have to go back after we meet Chase and Sylas, but we need to reserve our strength for tomorrow,” he explained.

Julius nodded. “If your theories about the four of you are correct, and the rumours I must add, that is highly likely.” He took a sip of his coffee.

“Can we go right after breakfast, Jinx? Can we?” Krista asked excitedly, her spoon hovering over the bowl, midway to her mouth.

Jinx smiled. “I don’t see why not. I will have to transform back however,” he replied.

Krista bounced excitedly in her chair and scooped spoonfuls of cereal into her mouth at top speed. Julius chuckled at his daughter.

“Slow down, my girl! Slow down, or you’ll choke!”

Krista slowed down, looking up at him. “Wha-?” she asked, as milk dripped off her upper lip.

The occupants of the small kitchen burst out laughing as she wiped her mouth and glared. “You don’t have to be mean!” She pouted angrily, extending her lower lip out as far as she could.

Julius leaned forward and flicked her lip with his finger. “Push it out much farther and it’ll stay that way.”

She shifted her eyes back and forth thinking about this for a moment before slowly pulling her lip back in. She looked down at her nearly empty bowl. “Well, I’m done now anyways. Can we go?” She looked up, grinning innocently.

Her father rolled his eyes. “I think Jinx would like to finish eating, don’t you?” He gestured at Jinx, who had just raised his spoon to his mouth.

Krista looked over. “Oh, yeah. I suppose so.” She fidgeted in her seat.

Julius chuckled at his daughter’s anxiousness to leave. “Excited, Krista?”

She nodded. “I want to see it! I haven’t had the opportunity to see many of these places. You know that, Pa!” she said, attempting to stop fidgeting and only managing to make it less noticeable. Instead, she started to twist her hands up under the table.

Soon enough, Jinx had put his spoon down with a clatter and announced. “Alright, I’m done. We can go now if you like.”

Krista jumped up from the table so fast that she fell to the floor and exclaimed, “Ouch!”

Jinx winced and unconsciously rubbed his right elbow where Krista now had a bruise blossoming.

Julius noticed Jinx’s wince as he got up to help his daughter up. ”Are you alright, Jinx?”He nodded. “Yes, but Krista’s not.” He pointed at her elbow.

Julius’ eyebrows knitted together in confusion, then relaxed. “Ah, right. Empathy.”

He nodded. “It goes both ways as well.”

Julius nodded in understanding. “Interesting…” he mused, slowly investigating Krista’s elbow. “Well, you be careful, little miss,” he told his daughter sternly but with fatherly gentleness.

Krista nodded, rubbing her elbow. “I do try, Pa. I swear,” she replied.

“I can see that,” Julius remarked. “You’re fine. It will heal.”

Krista twisted her arm around trying to look at her own elbow for a moment before dropping her arm and looking at Jinx.

“Ready to go?” Jinx chuckled. “Yes, of course.”

Krista bounced on her toes. “Goody!”

In no time at all, she and Jinx were heading out the door, Jinx back in cat form with a new collar on playing the part of the family pet.