>>58804936>The cat meowed again and head-butted your paw affectionately. It then moved around you, rubbing its head against your legs.>You carried on petting the attention-seeking red-white-and-brown cat. This continued for some time.>«Looks like I'm not the only high-ranking officer who's taken a liking to you,» you heard a familiar voice call out from behind you.>Your ears autonomously perked up and moved backwards, then your head followed.>A lanky man with short blonde hair and a freshly lit cigarette in his mouth stood before you. His uniform's right collar featured a badge with a single, wide, horizontal bar — a major!>You stood up and saluted the officer with a big smile. The whip on your right arm was swinging all over the place because of the momentum. The cat focused intently on the movement."Christophe, it's been a while!" you greeted your old friend.
>Christophe took a long drag of his cigarette.>«*Repos, mon ami.* You don't need to be formal around me,» he said, casually blowing out the smoke and returning the salute. He made sure to blow the smoke away from your sensitive nose.>You lowered your arm. The cat followed your every hand movement, its eyes narrowed to slits.>Christophe's emerald green eyes mustered you from head to claw, before he gave you a big, brotherly hug.>«It so good to see you again, Etienne! How have you been?», he asked you, patting you on the back. It felt somewhat awkward, since you were now two heads shorter than him.You patted him on his left shoulder and replied, "Good, considering the circumstances."
>«Glad to hear that!» The officer said and let you free. He then looked down to the little fur ball to your side. It was preparing to pounce on its prey. 