Can’t Talk

John did his best to speak, “MREEOOOOW”! His message didn’t seem to get across to Elizabeth. Her faced seemed to drop even more than it was already. “Oh please please please tell me you still have your human mind. John if you can understand me shake your head up and down”. John began vigorously shaking his head causing Elizabeth to breath a sigh of relief. “Oh thank god, at least your still there. Alright John I need you to stay right there, don’t go anywhere. I’m going to go check what went wrong”. Elizabeth quickly got up and rushed over to the ingredients, checking every one of them.

Meanwhile John still stood in place, nearly at the point of freaking out. Not only was he a cat, but he couldn’t even talk. His ruminating was interrupted by an unfamiliar giggle. “Well at least ya turned out pretty ya poor sod”. He looked around searching for the origin of the voice when he looked behind himself to see Sybil wearing a grin like the Cheshire Cat. “Did you just speak to me?” Sybil looked even more amused. “Well ya don’t see anyone else talking do ya. Before ya ask, yes I can speak to Elizabeth cause I’m her familiar and I can speak ta you as well cause yer a cat. In other words, yes I can translate for the two of ya if needed”. John was a little bewildered at the flurry of answered questions he didn’t even get to ask yet. Yet he was also relieved that at least some communication was now possible. “Thanks Sybil I appreciate it”. She flicked her tail, “ah no problem lad ya bring a lot of treats so it’s the least I can do”. Their conversation was soon ended as Elizabeth returned.

“John did you give me this Bloodmeal?” she asked as she held up a vial. He nodded yes. “John that’s the wrong ingredient. Why didn’t you ask me?” John meowed at Elizabeth and Sybil answered for him. “He said that ya didn’t specify which one so he figured it didn’t matter. Guess ya learned the hard way this stuffs complicated huh”? Elizabeth looked at Sybil, “wait you can understand him Sybil”? “Ya I can understand him, just don’t expect me to be a 24/7 interpreter alright lass”. Elizabeth sighed a sigh of belief before turning to John. “John I didn’t know there was two vials up there. I figured though if there was you would have asked.” She sighed a bit dejectedly as she sat in front of the feline pair.

The trio sat for a minute in in silence. John eventually asked Sybil to interpret for him. “John wants ta know how long it’ll take to change em back, well ya wanna tell em”? John glanced at at Sybil for a moment wondering what she meant. Elizabeth answered his question rather delicately. “John potions are complicated, I’ve never made a potion to turn someone into a full cat. I could make a counter potion but it might just make things worse.” John meowed loudly, Elizabeth didn’t need translation to understand his question. “I’m not saying it’s a permanent thing, there’s usually a counter potion to these things, I just don’t know it. For all we know though the potion might wear off in 24 hours. If not…” worry touched her face for a moment “then I’ll read some tomes or find a more experienced witch. Whatever it takes I promise to help you and in the meantime make this experience as easy as possible”. She reached out to him and rubbed the top of his head. He felt a little patronized, but it felt good and found himself purring. Elizabeth noticed and smiled.

“Well while we wait I suppose we should figure out what to do until then” she stood now “and at least Sybil can help keep you company in your situation”. Sibyl glanced at Elizabeth “I didn’t promise to be his guide cat love”. “I know but if you help out some extra I’ll buy you treats”. “Deal” Sybil quickly answered. Elizabeth looked at John “well what do you want to do right now John”?