When the girl and the kitten stepped out the front door of the shop, Anwyn took a quick look around. Then, feeling satisfied that nobody was paying any attention to her (as usual back home), she sat down on the front step and watched as Mairead very delicately made a few scratchings in the dirt under a small shrub. Sound reached Anwyn's ears -- a pitter-patter like that of raindrops hitting the ground. Then there was a flurry of flying soil as Mairead covered over her little excavation.
Happy with having done her business, Mairead then looked over to see what Anwyn was doing. Feeling a little bit confused, she wondered if she was expected to be babysitting this human-kitten who seemed in some way to belong to Mommy-human. It was difficult to properly communicate with a young one who spoke only in body language and the strange tongue of the humans. But it wasn't impossible.
She meowed for Anwyn to follow her, as she wandered a bit farther in search of food. The girl followed curiously at first, then somewhat cautiously as the kitten wandered behind what appeared to be a small food stall. One of the trashcans had been tipped over, and something rustled amongst the trash. Mairead's eyes shone with delight as she eagerly pounced. There was a swueek, then a THUMP. And when the little black kitten emerged, she was happily licking her lips. Anwyn snickered when Mairead paused long enough to wipe off her claws on a patch of grass. But then, when the kitten then walked over and started climbing up her leg, she was VERY VERY glad NOT to have anything's blood being tracked on her.
Carefully, Anwyn cupped her hands around the small black form and lifted Mairead up to her shoulder. The kitten's little claws dug firly into the fabric as she settled herself comfortably. *Perhaps now would be a good time to go back and see what's happening*, Anwyn thought to herself. She headed back along the street to Leaves, and the kitten made no complaint.
When they returned, they found an empty shop, an empty workroom and an empty kitchen. That was odd. Why had everyone left so quickly ? Anwyn didn't want to call out, because she might wake up Kay. So, instead she quietly tip-toed upstairs.
Mestru Merrick wasn't on the second floor either. There was just Kay fast asleep, and the little hawk cuddled up with her. Hmmm ... so either he was up in the attic, or he'd gone out. Anwyn decided to go check. Even more quitely then before, she tiptoed up the attic stairs, and softly called "Hello ? Mestru Merrick ? Are you up here ?". A doubt wandered across her mind. Maybe she shouldn't be here. Mestru Merrick hadn't looked too well either.