Mythlands: THE HEIST

Convention of Cats 5: Styrr's Interrogation

Styrr's Interrogation

Styrr looked around the room, his eyes full of fear and confusion.

'Styrr the Troll, you stand before the Convention of Cats. What do you have to say?' demanded Felis.

'Pussy!'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Pussy cats,' Styrr repeated. 'Lots and lots of pussies!'

The Glass Cat stamped his right paw on the ground and Cosmo grasped the troll's chin, turning his head towards Bungle.

'Yes we are cats of many hues, but please forgo a hue and cry or we will be here all of the night, instead of ... Chesh, the time?'

'Nearing 4am, my lord,' returned the Cheshire Cat, who was on very casual terms with Bungle, indeed, but preferred to put on a show.

'Instead of half the night,' The Glass Cat finished. 'Now tell me, back in your fjords and caves, what do you know of cats?'

Styrr considered. 'Good eating, but some be stringy.'

The room erupted into a cacophony of hisses and roars. The troll's tiny brain half formed the realization that he might have said the wrong thing. 'Um ... also good to pet. Kittys are cute.'

This answer was also not well received and the hisses continued unabated.

The Glass Cat held a paw up and the room fell silent. 'Jólakötturinn, you wish to speak?'

From the doorway the gigantic Yule Cat made a rumbling reply. 'I do. Since the time of the great transference when many of us found ourselves removed from our original places to these realms, I have dwelt in as close an approximation of my long lost Iceland as I could find. The Asgardian sphere in fact.'

'So you are familiar with the ways of this creature's kin?

'I am. Ask him of gods ... nay, tell him of the god-like among our number.'

Styrr had a sudden shake of panic but Atom and Cosmo held him tight. 'Gods are here? No Vali? Vali be cross Styrr no find golden apple ... it no Styrr's fault. Apple run away!!'

The Glass Cat said nothing for a moment. 'So you confirm the God that brought you here was Vali? Vali Lokison?'

'Uhhhh?'

'Vali's father is the trickster, Loki, yes? Answer promptly when a cat addresses you!'

But Styrr was regaining his composure. 'You small. Small and shiny. Styrr no answer to kitties!'

'No? Don't you know Styrr, that cats are beloved of the gods ... some of us are even descendants of powerful deities. Griffin, tell him of your heritage and then announce the great cat god that stands behind you.'

Griffin glanced around and being a clever cat and quick on the uptake, he drew himself to his full height and proudly declared. 'I am Griffin J Cat and the blood of the Egyptian cat gods flows through me.'

Styrr was impressed. Though the kitty was small and cute, he spoke well and good speakers knew head knowing things. Everyone knew that. He had even heard tell of these Gyptchuns who came from a warm land of desert and sun just like this one ... like this one! Suddenly Styrr was trembling. Was this the land of the Gyptchun gods and were these kitties masters of this land!

Griffen threw back his left paw and in his loudest, most booming voice he shouted. 'Behold the Great sun cat god Chesh'ir Ra!!!'

Instantly The Cheshire Cat pulled his most impressive party trick; his body disappeared into nothingness while his head grew so massive that it almost reached the ceiling. Several of the cats in the front rows on either side sprang back to avoid being squashed.

Chesh grinned mightily and at the same time The Glass Cat gave a nod to the two supercats, who relaxed their grips, causing Styrr to fall forward on his knees, wailing incoherently at the great head before him.

The Glass Cat padded forward until he was level with the troll's head, as Styrr prostrated himself upon the ground, lost in a paradoxum of superstitious fear.

In a low voice, the leader of the cats spoke. 'I speak for the great cat god. Displeasing me is ill advised as this displeases the mighty one.' He raised his voice. 'Does it not oh mighty Chesh'ir Ra?'

The Cheshire Cat, safe in the knowledge that Styrr's eyes were fixed to the carpet, was having trouble stifling a fit of giggles. 'Oh yes lord Glass Cat, oh yes. You speak with my voice in all things.'

'Tell me of Vali,' hissed Bungle. 'Confirm he is the son of Loki?' At a nod, Cosmo lifted Styrr's head by yanking his hair upwards.

'Yes. Vali is son of Loki! Please shiny kitty cat god ... tell big face cat god not hurt Styrr. Styrr be good troll.'

The Glass Cat nodded. 'Vali must have given you a device with which to communicate with him.'

'Talking box?'

'Yes. You will activate it and hand it over.'

'Styrr will do as mighty glass kitty order. Styrr is good minion. You tell Vali Styrr good?'

'I will. See you remain that way. Chesh, resume your normal form and join me. Gentle cats and Lady cats, a few minutes if you please. Be at ease and enjoy the buffet, for I must away. Bring him.'

This last was to Cosmo and Atom the Cat.

The Yule Cat stood aside as four of his compatriots and Styrr exited. Behind them a conversation arose around the room as the convention discussed the events they had witnessed. Everyone was as curious as a cat could be ... except one. The Hungry Tiger was too busy grabbing a plate and making a beeline towards the buffet table!

In the corridor, Atom held the Asgardian device in front of The Glass Cat while Styrr gingerly activated it. The tiny hologrammatic form of Vali materialised.

'Styrr!! Thou hast dragged me from mine slumbers! This had better be ... what in Od's name? Who art thou!!!??'

Bungle smiled. 'I am The Glass Cat and I wish to talk to your father. Kindly connect me with Loki.'