章 53: Chapter 53: Fellowship

Your friend is your needs answered. - Kahlil Gibran

When the front door to Vlad's living quarters opens, Morph leaps off the couch, stretching his long, lean body.

He yawns, then makes a chirping sound that draws out and distorts his voice. Slinking up to me, he stands on his hind legs. His front paws knead my hip and side, and then he curls his paws around my right forearm, pulling my hand down.

Nipping and suckling the side of my thumb, he purrs. The noise vibrates faster and louder. His chirps are rapid. They slur together into a continuous warble.

"What is he doing?" Vlad takes several steps back, keeping a watchful eye on Morph. 'Why is he making that noise?'

"He's purring because he's happy to see me." I stroke under his chin. 'Haven't you ever heard a cat purr before?'

"Yes, but never like that. He sounds like a chugging motor about to take flight."