A Little Bit of Catnip (Part III)

**Revised for size change

Colfax checked out the room from the middle of the open space between the furniture. His first place to investigate was the dresser, a towering structure with numerous visible handholds should he decide to climb it. Colfax knelt to look under it, his tail sweeping back and forth. It was a bit too short for him to climb under, and there were some cobwebs way towards the back. With a dismissive flick of the tail Colfax stood and went towards the closet door instead. He stared up at it before looking over at Sawyer. "Where's this go?"

"That's the closet," Sawyer explained. "And you're not going in there." In any other case Sawyer might worry that the assertion would only make Colfax do so, thanks to the little guy's ornery disposition. Since Colfax had no way of even opening the doors, however, Sawyer figured he could keep to that statement. "It's a mess, you'd get hurt." Half the closet could probably fall on top of the little cat if he tugged on the wrong thing.

Colfax frowned and his tail flicked in annoyance. Of course he wouldn't take being told somewhere is off limits without some attitude. He crouched low by the door and laid his cheek on the floor, trying to peer under the door gap. He reached underneath briefly, but of course couldn't hope to open the door or reach anything beyond it. He huffed in frustration and stood again, looking across at the bed, deciding if he wanted to climb up to it.

Sawyer smirked. Colfax had tried to be contrary anyways, as expected, but this time he was really too small to do anything. Sawyer had won that round, though he doubted that was going to be the end of it. Seeing that Colfax was still exploring Sawyer sat in the doorway and pulled out his phone again. To no surprise he had a lot of notifications from Facebook, from friends telling him how cute Colfax was and asking to come over. He replied to a couple of them, mostly telling people that this weekend would be a good time. It wouldn’t do to overwhelm poor little Colfax on his first day living in the apartment.

Colfax made his way across the room, ignoring Sawyer on his phone for now. His tail was in the air as he made his way, determined to see the huge bed. He paused at the foot of it, and found that he'd hardly have to stoop to go under it. Sawyer could probably still see him there. Colfax glanced back at the human before taking a few cautious steps under the bed, and then pausing.

Sawyer glanced up and frowned to see Colfax under the bed. “Colfax, no,” he said sternly, knowing his voice would get the little cat’s attention. He gestured for Colfax to come back out. “I told you not to go under the furniture.” It was true that he could still see Colfax, but that was only half of it; the other half was that Sawyer didn’t feel like reaching under to pull him out for the second time that day just because the cat decided he liked it under there. At this rate Colfax really would need a bath.

Colfax flinched from the voice and turned around. His attempt to bolt failed a little as he toppled himself over but he quickly stood back up and ran out from under the bed. He made it about halfway across the floor before he stopped, ears pinned back and tail as agitated as it had ever been. He looked more surprised than mad, however. "I did nothing wrong," he insisted.

Sawyer very nearly laughed but kept it at an almost pitying smile. He hadn’t quite expected such an abrupt, and innocent, reaction. Poor little Colfax had actually fallen over trying to run back out from under the bed, and it was decidedly endearing. Sawyer snickered at the assertion, however, and nodded slightly. “Okay, alright,” he agreed. “Just stay out from under the furniture, okay?” The urge to scoop him up right then and there was strong, but he himself had promised Colfax that he could explore. There would be plenty of time to cuddle with the cute little cat later.

Colfax flicked his tail but didn't otherwise reply. He relaxed and looked around the room again. Since he was close, he returned to the closet door, his tail swishing again. He crouched next to it and peeked under one more time before giving the tall door a disapproving look and wandering back closer to Sawyer. "What are you doing?" he asked, his eyes on the phone.

“Checking Facebook,” Sawyer replied. Smiling he turned the phone around so that Colfax could see- it was still on the post with their photos, and all the excited comments underneath. Reaching over he nuzzled the top of Colfax’s head fondly. “People think you’re super cute.” ‘People’ including him, of course. The little cat was pretty adorable even without smiling for the camera. Though at the moment Sawyer didn’t think even that could beat the wide-eyed, innocent stare he’d gotten a few minutes ago.

Colfax allowed the contact for a moment while he looked over the phone screen. He frowned at the likeness of himself, wondering what about it people found endearing. He was just a cat. When he was done inspecting the phone, he ducked away from Sawyer's hand and made to walk around him back to the hall. If he couldn't explore the closet or the bed, he was wasting his time in the bedroom.

Sawyer watched Colfax for a few moments, but as soon as he realized the little cat was planning on walking all the way around him he ditched his phone on the floor next to him. Reaching forward he scooped up Colfax and set him down in the hall, slightly too impatient to watch the little guy take his time wandering all the way around the human’s legs. Picking up his phone he slid it back into his pocket, opting instead to watch Colfax explore some more.

Colfax hardly had time to squirm before he was on the ground again. His ears folded back for a few seconds in an annoyed look, and he made sure to twitch his tail in irritation as well. But, he soon grew more interested in wandering down the hall, occasionally pausing to pick at a loose fiber in the carpet. Back in the living room, he paused to consider his options. Despite himself, he looked back to see if the human was going to follow him again.

Sawyer was already going to follow Colfax, seeing him wander into the living room, but as the cat glanced back he returned it with a smile. So he was getting used to Sawyer. The human couldn’t be happier. Standing up Sawyer padded over behind Colfax, assuming the little cat would run off again now that he was following. From up here Colfax looked even smaller, and Sawyer had a flash of wonder that such a delicate creature was actually his.

Colfax blinked up at Sawyer. Sometimes he forgot how big humans could get. His last one definitely wasn't as tall as Sawyer was. With a short sigh, Colfax surveyed the living room again. Since Sawyer followed him, he couldn't dart off under the furniture like he still wanted to. He meandered to the center of the floor between the couch and the TV stand, shifting his feet on the carpet for a few seconds. He sat down right where he was, stretching his legs out in front of him. With the novelty of a new place already wearing off for the moment, Colfax sat and looked around wondering how long he'd be here.

Sawyer took the sitting down to mean that Colfax had finished exploring; and really the little guy had managed to see pretty much the entirety of the small apartment. Smiling Sawyer sat down next to Colfax. Reaching out he pet the little cat softly on the head, even scratching gently behind the tiny ears. “You were very good when exploring, thank you,” Sawyer said quietly. “Do you want some catnip now?” It had been promised, after all, and to be honest Sawyer was a bit curious as to the effect it would even have.

Colfax's ears twitched once or twice, but he couldn't say he was displeased with the scratching. That always felt nice, regardless of the mood he was in. He perked up a little at the mention of the catnip, equally eager if not more so to see what it was about. He just remembered a tantalizing smell from before. "Yes, I do," he answered, his tail even lifting hopefully.

Sawyer smiled, pleased that for once Colfax hadn’t reacted negatively to his touch. “Alright then,” the human said, the hand that had been petting Colfax’s head wrapping around the little cat and scooping him up into Sawyer’s arms once more. “Let’s go.” He carried Colfax into the kitchen and set him down on the tiled floor, before turning to the counter and rummaging through the grocery bag. Finding the tie bag and unwrapping it he wondered how much he was supposed to give Colfax. Deciding that just a large pinch was probably fine to start he took out that much and sat down on the floor himself, holding it out between two fingers.

Colfax walked over towards Sawyer's hand without any hesitation. As he got closer, the smell of the herb struck him like a wave and his eyes widened a little. Colfax's ears were straight and still, aimed forward, and his tail had gone somewhat rigid. He needed that stuff, and he needed it immediately. Colfax reached for it with both hands, ready to grab it away from the human's pinch grip.

“Whoa there,” Sawyer said at the last minute, holding it up out of reach. The intensity of Colfax’s reaction had taken him by surprise, and he was wondering just what exactly this stuff was. “Is it really that strong?” Sawyer looked at the pinch of herb appraisingly before looking back down at Colfax. “Maybe I should give you less…” After all, he didn’t believe that Kara would have given him anything that would be harmful to the little cat, but he didn’t exactly know what an appropriate portion would be either.

Colfax didn't answer right away. He looked up at the catnip, driven to get it somehow. It was his and he wanted it, had to have it. He only tore his gaze away to turn this way and that looking for something he could use as a stool to reach it. Seeing nothing he turned back and reached as high as he could, up on the tips of his toes. "Sawyer, you have to give that to me," Colfax insisted. "You said you would."

Though the small cat’s determination was still a bit odd it was amusing, and Sawyer couldn’t help but chuckle at the useless attempts to reach all the way up to his hand. Colfax was decidedly driven. Since Sawyer was already assured the catnip wouldn’t hurt Colfax, because Kara had given it to him, he acquiesced. “Okay, okay,” he laughed, lowering his hand and loosening his fingers slightly so that Colfax could get to it. “There you go.”

Colfax eagerly took the pinch in his hands, drawing it all closer to himself. He had it balled up in both hands, and the closer he held the stuff the lighter he felt. A light, blissful feeling overtook the ornery cat, and Colfax began to purr quietly. He pressed his closed hands to his cheek as if cradling the simple herbs, and plopped down so he sat with his legs stretched out in front of him. His tail, active as always, seemed to double in size from bushing out so much. "I like it," he announced matter-of-factly.

“Good,” Sawyer said laughingly. The effect of the catnip on the little cat was hilarious and adorable, and way beyond whatever Sawyer had expected. The little guy was actually purring in contentment. Standing up again Sawyer washed his own hands of the excess and tied up the little bag again, after some deliberation putting it up in a cabinet. It wouldn’t do to have Colfax trying to get to it on the counter. With that done the human sat back down, still watching Colfax with no small degree of amusement.

The purring didn't let up. Colfax was basically ignoring the human now. The stuff in his hands was far more imperative. He crushed his hands flat around it and rubbed them together slowly. It not only drew out more of that scent that drove him crazy, but it sprinkled catnip on the floor in front of him. Colfax slapped his hands down over the small pile, his ears twitching.

Sawyer actually laughed aloud at the cat’s antics; they were so different from his usual reserved, ornery personality that it was doubly entertaining. He wasn’t even sure what Colfax thought he was doing with all that, but it was hilarious regardless. “You sure do like that stuff, huh?” Sawyer said cheerfully. Colfax wasn’t even eating it, he was just playing with it. Sawyer had to assume it was the smell that he liked. The human reached out and stroked the little cat’s head and back, twirling the bushy little tail around his hand once. He wondered if Colfax might not react negatively to that this time thanks to the catnip.

Colfax ignored the words, instead continuing to purr. He had no idea how this simple scent had such an effect on him, but it felt amazing so he didn't question it. He used his hands to scoop the catnip all together while Sawyer messed with his tail. It twitched noncommittally but he didn't otherwise bother with it. He made sure the catnip was in a neat pile before shifting to lie on his front, his prize right in front of him. His tail, still bushy, swished erratically back and forth.

Sawyer was somewhat amazed that Colfax didn’t even seem to notice him twirling around his tail, and grinned as the cat flopped to his front, a neat pile of catnip before him. This was all just too funny. Teasingly Sawyer nudged the pile of catnip with his fingers, pushing it back into disorganization, before moving to nuzzle the top of Colfax’s head. His little tail was still flicking around, all bushed up, and Sawyer couldn’t help but smile.

Colfax turned a glare up at Sawyer for daring to mess with his catnip after he so carefully arranged it. His ears went flat when the human nuzzled his head, but other than a non-committal noise in his throat Colfax didn't waste time on the human. He rested his head on one arm while the other swept the catnip back into a pile, before he pressed all of it into the table. It was fun to push it around, and he had no idea why. He closed his eyes in actual contentment for a moment before opening them again to bat at the catnip and scatter it in front of himself.

“Oh my god,” Sawyer muttered aloud. The sheer amount of happiness in Colfax’s actions was adorable beyond belief. He was just so pleased, playing with the catnip like a toddler with some play dough. “You are too cute.” Pulling out his phone Sawyer set it up to take video, recording Colfax’s antics as the little cat batted around the catnip. The human grinned, thinking this was one of the best ideas he’d ever had.

Colfax pushed the catnip around before gathering it all back up again. At one point his tail thumped against the table and he looked over his shoulder abruptly. Sitting up he grabbed the poofy tail and tried to groom it, but as soon as his hand was out of the way the fur would stand straight out again. He scowled at his poor results before flopping over on his side, facing the catnip again. His purring adopted a less excited cadence as he idly sorted out the various pieces into separate piles.

Sawyer snorted with laughter at the tiny pile making, though the movement sent some of the smaller pieces of catnip flying into Colfax’s face. “Sorry, sorry,” Sawyer laughed. He stopped the recording and set his phone down next to him, reaching over to gently brush the pieces out of the kitty’s fur. He was still amazed at just how soft Colfax was, especially the fur on his triangular ears. Not only that but Colfax had been purring so much, and the little rumbles were beyond adorable.

Colfax grumbled and swiped at his own hair and face to get the tiny pieces of dried herb off. But even with that annoyance the purring returned almost unbidden. He felt floaty. He lay back down on his side, resuming his sorting while his ears twitched from Sawyer's contact. Drowsiness began to settle in, strangely enough.

Sawyer kept petting him, amazed at how docile Colfax was being. The purring just kept going, he didn’t complain once about Sawyer touching his head, and he almost seemed to be getting lazier in sorting out his little piles. “Are you getting sleepy, kitty?” Sawyer quietly cooed, scratching behind Colfax’s tiny, fuzzy ears. He was just so cute; he always was, and the sharp sass was entertaining, but this was something else entirely.

Colfax flicked one ear in response. "Of course not," he mumbled as if the very notion were ridiculous. And yet, his voice carried with it a clear sign of relaxation. He hadn't felt this unwound in a while. Colfax was often very high strung about any given thing, but at the moment he simply couldn't be bothered. His tail swept back and forth lazily while he arranged the catnip. His eyes blinked a little more slowly each time.

Sawyer smiled. “I think you are,” he disputed quietly. Little Colfax wasn’t fooling anybody- he seemed less tense than Sawyer had ever seen him, though granted the day had probably been pretty stressful on the poor cat. Sawyer was glad that, even though a lot of it was likely the catnip, Colfax was learning to relax in his new home and around his new human. Sawyer kept stroking the cat soothingly, occasionally smoothing the fur on his swishing tail or scratching behind his ears.

"Well you're wrong. I'm just relaxing," Colfax insisted. Even as he spoke, he found that he'd arranged the catnip satisfactorily and nodded to himself. The initial burst of bright energy had definitely faded, though he wouldn't call it sleepiness. Colfax determined that he was simply content with a job well done. The best part was that he'd earned that damn catnip. Victory was victory.

The temptation to mess up Colfax’s oh-so-carefully arranged piles was strong but Sawyer barely refrained. He thought it might make the cat actually upset, and that was the one thing he didn’t want to do. Especially not since Colfax had legitimately admitted he was relaxed. The little guy looked almost proud of himself and Sawyer couldn’t stop the amused smile that covered his face. “C’mere,” he said gently as he scooped Colfax into his lap, still petting the kitty softly and scratching him behind the ears. He held the soft little cat close, hoping that the sudden burst of sleepy docility prompted by the catnip wouldn’t wear off as soon as Colfax was removed from it.

Colfax squirmed around half-heartedly, but with the blissful loopy feeling still settled over him like a blanket, he couldn't be bothered that much. The purring didn't even let up for the moment, and he blinked owlishly while Sawyer petted his head. It did feel rather nice, even if the feeling usually also annoyed him. Colfax's tail swept back and forth before curling around himself while he settled more comfortably in Sawyer's lap. "This is acceptable," he decided.

The spoken statement made Sawyer smile, and the human was both amused and pleased by Colfax’s decision. The cat’s purring vibrated gently through Sawyer as the human held him, still petting the soft fur on his head and ears and occasionally softly running down his curled back. Sawyer looked down at Colfax, thinking the former stray was likely the cutest thing he’d ever seen. Curled up in his lap like that he seemed even smaller, softer, more fragile. Sawyer was happier than ever that he had picked him up and taken him home.

Colfax's ears twitched and he reached up to smooth the fur on them after so much attention. He really was a mess after being pet so much on his head, so he attempted to duck out of the way to fix it.  He looked up at Sawyer pointedly. "You messed up my fur."

Sawyer chuckled, though he stopped petting Colfax so that the particular little cat could fix his fur. “Yes, I did,” he said, not sounding repentant in the least. He didn’t put Colfax down either, keeping the kitty held close even as he arranged himself. “That’s because it’s soft.” It was too pleasing to pet Colfax that he couldn’t just not do it, especially not when the cat had been so sleepy and content.

Colfax couldn't argue with that point even if he was inclined to. Thanks to him being so particular about keeping himself clean (dust or not, Sawyer might come to realize), his fur stayed quite soft. His tail was no different. Once he was done with his ears Colfax started smoothing down the fur on his tail too, though the effects of the catnip lingered and made his hands sluggish.

Moving Colfax into his arms Sawyer stood up, intending to relocate to the couch where it was more comfortable. Halfway there the doorbell rang. Sawyer paused, looking over with some surprise, before leaning down and depositing Colfax on the floor. “Stay,” he instructed firmly, bopping the little cat lightly on the head for emphasis. He stood back up and walked over to the door, wondering who it could possibly be.

Colfax scowled, for being commanded and for being bopped over something he hadn't even done. His ears pinned back and he stood up, immediately determined not to do what Sawyer told him. He followed behind the human as he went towards the door. His small cat footsteps would be completely missed by the tall human, and Colfax was curious about what was waiting beyond the door anyway. If it was someone come to visit Sawyer, he could always just bolt down the hall.

Sawyer opened the door, revealing a young man (it looked like another college student) holding out a package. “Package for you,” the student said, handing the parcel to Sawyer, who looked it over with some curiosity. He then held out an iPad, which was turned onto a screen with a thin line, and requested, “Sign your name please.” The young man sounded bored, and Sawyer expected he was running on autopilot.

“Why do I have to sign?” Sawyer asked, though he reached out to make a signature with his finger anyways. Usually he didn’t have to sign anything just to get mail.

The student just shrugged, turning the iPad off and stowing it away in his messenger bag once Sawyer had signed. “Dunno. It’s University Mail, it’s got all sorts of weird rules. Anyways, have a good day.” Sawyer returned the sentiment and, still looking curiously at the package, stepped back inside and closed the door.