Tiger and Kitten (Loki) - Cabin in the Swamp

She led the tiger to the bedroom, where a ragdoll kitten was sleeping on the bed.

"This is Masha.

The large tiger went right up to the kitten and sniffed at it carefully.

Smells funny.

Masha woke up with a big yawn, looking at the tiger. Not actually afraid, just looking at him. Bethy looked confused.

Why smell funny?

Loki snuffed a little, ruffling the kitten's fur.

Different kind of cub. Not my kind of cub.

The kitten batted at the tiger's face, no claws. Wanting to play.

She is not of your people, no.

The tiger chuffed, almost sounding like a laugh. The kitten was cute. Even the big cat had to admit that. His head moved to give the little creature a target to bat at.

Tiny cub. Very tiny cub.

The kitten was having fun, and then leapt to the spot between the tiger's ears. And nibbled, growling playfully. Bethy giggled happily, reaching out to pet the tiger's fur.

Yes. But all mine.

Loki was busy trying to figure out just how to get his mouth somewhere near the kitten. Which was on top of his head. So it wasn't working. But he was trying.

Tricksy cub.

She giggled loudly and hugged the tiger around the neck.

The tiger barely seemed to notice the two-legs hugging him. He was currently preoccupied with trying to catch the kitten on his head.

TRICKSY!!!

Which came out as a growl, but since Elizabeth and kitten could both understand him, it was even more funny.

The kitten started to fall off the tiger's head as he moved around. She wasn't very stable, and she didn't want to hurt the big guy with her claws.

The kitten started to fall. That meant that Loki moved faster than any normal creature should have a right to (that's right, he's got Celerity), and caught the kitten between his massive jaws. Which was really more that the kitten rested against the much larger cat's tongue and his jaws were open wide, looking quite ridiculous, but Loki? Not big on hurting anyone. Unless, of course, they threatened Alexandria. And he was pretty sure the tricksy little cub couldn't manage it.

She laughed, and Masha struggled.

"Such a nice big kitty."

Loki lifted his head so that he could deposit the kitten off of his tongue back onto the bed. Then he licked Masha, probably knocking the much smaller kitten over in the process.

Tricksy, sweet cub.

Bethy hugged the tiger around the neck while Masha put her paws up on the tigers nose.

You big.

The tiger eyed the kitten suspiciously.

And you are not.

The kitten was purring.

You could kill gator.

The tiger rumbled but seemed a little suspicious.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Alligators were things that he didn't normally truck with. It's a water-proximity thing.

The kitten looked sad.

So no exploring with me?

She purred.


You run faster. Can get away from Gator.

Why yes. Yes, he could.

I can run very fast.

Bethy giggled.

I knew I was right to have you meet.

Loki turned his head to butt it against Elizabeth.

Why? Because I run fast and do not hurt small cub?

She nodded.

Masha needs a good friend.