A Series of Unfortunate Events!

There were just a couple of things that could have made Dobri moan in distress.

One of them was before him.

"I don't get it," Gildana began, as she eyed the gnome so, as if he still owed her money, even though he had paid all his fees and given her back her oxen. "How did you survive?"

"What sort of a question is that supposed to be?" Dobri asked, more than a little insulted. "I survived because I didn't give up, of course!"

Morty let out a meow of confirmation, now dressed in his new suit.

He didn't like the fact that Dobri had survived any more than he liked three-day-old cat food, but he had to admit that this was just the new norm for him.

"Now, I would like for you to teleport me and my wagon back to Big Capybara, please. That is included in my insurance!"

Dobri was many things. Some could say that he was an idealist. Others would say that he was just a hopeless dreamer.

But the important thing was that he knew his worth. And he was ready to get all that was due to him.

"You made me a contract. Now I just want you to uphold your contract!" Dobri said, knowing that the witch would not be able to quote him the terms and conditions this time.

"Fine," Gildana said as she picked one hat from Dobri's stash, a hat made from Morty's ginger fur and placed it on her hair.

"But I'm keeping this," the witch told him, as she smiled at the kitten.

Morty began to hiss, immediately connecting to the Cat Distribution System!

Unfortunately for him, he got connected to the Sales Department. A department that dealt with Maine Coons only when the wronged cat in question was willing to give up one of their 9 lives.

Morty closed the chat and curled up in a ball.

The Maine Coon was still not coming.

The kitten was slowly losing faith in the powers above.

****

If Morty had to be honest, he didn't want Dobri as a permanent owner. Not only was the gnome a bit on the scamming side, but he was also someone who abused his rights as an owner and stole Morty's fur.

That was to say, Morty didn't like him one bit.

But when Dobri stood before him, in his entire height of 50 centimeters, a food bowl in his hand full of mincemeat, Morty was willing to give him a chance.

Before proceeding with accidenting him the next day.

"Look," Dobri said, as Morty began to eat his food. "I know that I am not the best person there is. I know that you might be expecting more of me," all right points, Morty had to agree. At least Dobri was seeing the things his way. "But if you make me rich, then I swear I will keep on feeding and washing you!"

Was that supposed to be a bribe, Morty asked himself. Was that really supposed to be the end of all their problems?

"And, you know what?" Dobri asked, as he patted Morty on the head. "We made enough so I can buy you an entire sack of dry cat food, and I can still have a bit left over for some stuff for me!"

Morty began to purr despite himself. Being put as the first priority was something he liked.

"I'll buy you from the premium brand cat food. The one I am not very sure about whether it has catnip in it or not," Morty approved even more.

As a small kitten, he had heard about the cat food the elves made, but he had never so much as sniffed its scent.

It was a premium cat food, if there was ever any.

"And, if you allow it," Dobri said, as he took out a piece of beef jerky and then placed it in Morty's bowl. The kitten needed something to use to keep its fangs sharp.

It was important for its health.

"I would really like to start my mornings with you cuddled by me on the bed!"

Morty narrowed his eyes. He knew that these words were sweet but weren't what he could expect from Dobri.

After all, Dobri was a gnome. An opportunistic gnome who only knew how to sell stuff.

Morty knew that his fate was sealed.

But if he could get mincemeat, with still plenty of blood in it, and maybe even that premium cat food, then he was ready to give Dobri a chance.

A small one, but a chance, nevertheless.

Morty began to purr.

Dobri went back to his room.

****

"Well, Reggy," Brat, Dobri's shoulder demon, said, as he tried not to feel too impressed. "Bribing the fur supply was really something."

"I wasn't bribing him," Reggy said, as Dobri began to prepare himself to go to bed. "I was promising him a good and easy life!"

"Yes," Dobri said, who finally tucked himself under the covers. "You were promising him a life worth living. But as soon as I end up without money again, he is going on a complete bread diet. And I… maybe not even that."

The shoulder angel and shoulder demon kept their silence. Sure, Dobri had gotten some good wares he could trade in the village, but the problem was that he didn't know how much each was worth.

"We will think of something," Reggy said, ever the optimist. "You have a roof over your head. A couple of things you can sell. Your cat is going to come by and help you go to sleep."

Dobri nodded. It was all true.

"But, if you want to at least keep the cat's love," Brat said, as he yawned. Dobri always went to bed early, much like all gnomes.

He just hoped that the gnome would not start to sleep 24 hours at a time.

For when the gnomes reached that much sleep time they died soon after.

"You can keep its fur!"

Dobri chuckled, Reggy sighed, and Brat clapped himself on the shoulder.

And if Morty came by after ten minutes to curl up with Dobri, then, well, it was just a sign that things were looking up.