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Elijah’s home was quiet. The sounds of candles flickering and rain pattering against his patio, soothing him. As he sat next to the windowsill in his bedroom, a cat as dark as the night sky walked in. He turned his head and smiled, “Echo, how are you doing this fine evening?” He asked before Echo hopped into his lap, then started licking her paw.
His book disregarded on the desk in front of him. He raised his hand slightly above the pets head, and waited for her to lean into his hand. Once she did, he began petting her and she let out purrs of approval. He smiled again, then he looked out of the window, remembering the day he adopted her.
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It was an unusually rainy day in September. He was in Washington on business, nothing too important. He continued walking down the street when he turned and saw a black cat walking beside him, he questioned if it’d just came out of the alley as it was barely wet in the pouring rain. “Why hello there” Elijah commented smilingly, before continuing his walk to his destination.
The cat continued following him, he pretended not to notice. But once the rain intensified, he lowered himself and held his umbrella high as he petted the strange cat. “I don’t want to leave you in the rain, but I have business to complete within the hour.” The cat leaned into his touch and purred in acknowledgment.
He stood up and began walking, motioning for the cat to walk with him, the cat obliged. Although the cat wasn’t the cleanest, he soon picked the cat up and continued walking, once he made it to his destination people commented on the animal but all he would respond with was
“I find cats delightful.”
Before he left the state, he went to the local pet shop and started picking out toys, collars, leashes etc.
As her turned into the aisle, cat in his harms ( now clean thanks to Elijah ) he noticed all of the collars were brightly colored. He started picking up collars, he started with red, she didn’t like it. Neither did she like blue, pink, orange, teal or light purple. “You’re certainly picky” Elijah said playfully, getting a meow in return. He picked up a black one, she certainly liked it and pawed at it.
“This will do, it appears you and I have similar taste.” Elijah noted, before turning onto the toy isle. As she did previously, she disliked anything bright. Picking out a gray mouse, fish and scratch post. The original smiled and the cat pawed at his face, he let out a chuckle before continuing getting the rest of the items.
“You’re like a miniature version of me” the cat snuggled into Elijah’s lap, his legs cris crossed. His jacket delicately laid on the hooks near the door. “I’m going to name you Echo.” The cats eyes shot open, “You like the name, Echo?” The cat meowed in approval and the rest is history.
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He didn’t formally introduce Echo to his siblings, but they were introduced. Rebekah and Klaus walked into his house, stepping into the kitchen and was immediately alarmed when there was a cat, stretching while on top of the kitchen island. Rebekah turned and whispered “There’s a cat” Klaus whisperd back “There is a cat” Echo started walking towards the edge of the island, before hopping off. The two backed up, the cat walked toward again. “Eli!” Rebekah called “ELIJAH” Klaus yelled. “Here I come, what seems to be the problem” Elijah asked walking in while buttoning the wrist of the collard shirt he had on.
“There’s a-“ Rebekah was cut off by Klaus who said just a decidable below a yell “THERES A CAT.” Echo seemingly on cue, hopped back up onto the kitchen counter. Tail swaying slowly. “Oh so you’ve met Echo.” Elijah calmly remarked, scratching the cat on her head. “You named it?” Klaus asked looking between the cat and Elijah. “Yes, it’s my pet.” The cat yawned and stretched before curling into itself and likely attempting to sleep.
“Klaus and Rebekah Mikaelson, meet Echo Mikaelson, my animal companion.” Rebekah stepped forward and cautiously placed her hand above the cats head, Echo then lifted her head and placed it inside her hand. Rebekah looked up at Elijah, his smile undeniable. “Come on Niklaus, don’t be afraid.” Klaus shook his head, “I’m not afraid this is self preservation” Elijah walked out and came back with something moving in his hand. “What is that” Klaus asked “A live mouse.” Rebekah walked back, and shot a concerned look Elijah’s way.
Elijah placed the mouse on the opposite side of the island and in the blink of an eye, Echo was sinking its teeth into the rodent. Elijah looked up and Klaus looked impressed, while Rebekah looked concerned.
Klaus stepped forward and petted the cat on the head. “This cat is officially family.” He smiled before petting the cat, ignoring the mouse hanging from the felines mouth.
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As the rain slowed outside, he smiled down at the cat. Maybe life was worth living and not something that he was forced to endure.