Gramophone Turtle

A Little Grey Cat

Summary

It's Father's Day. So Father makes a litle grey cat for himself.

Or so he thinks. When was the last time Father's Day would end up as he expected?

Posted on: 2024-09-02

Characters

Father, Chisa

Also Found On

A Little Grey Cat

He adored the little grey cat he introduced his family to and so he figured it would make a good project to get back into doll making. Since Chisa disliked cats, which was very unfortunate, it meant he didn't have to worry about making the cat perfect. It made a wonderful starter project that he enjoyed before he delved into Chisa's actual present.

He tossed his tools into his sunny branded messenger bag lying on the bench next to him and he inspected the finished amigurumi. He was a little rusty from when he used to fiddle with dolls but he was satisfied with the result. Sure the ears weren't aligned but they were from his own handmade modifications from a simple pattern he found but it worked out. All in all, it resembled a gray cat, is cute, and, well, complete!

He also didn't cheat, which meant the finished doll actually turned out as a proper and complete doll.

He squished the head and body. It could use some more stuffing but it seemed decent enough. it could be a good stress kitty.

"Father?"

He whips his head up to see Chisa standing next to him and looking back him. He ignored the unsettling feeling that he never sensed her approach and fought the urge to hide the cat since it was very clearly in his hands. He lets himself relax, aligning himself vibes of the peaceful, sunny afternoon in the park.

Besides, he offered making her a doll in the first place, so why hide his practice project? Perhaps they could both figure out more about what kind of doll she wants.

"Hello Chisa," he greets warmly. "Didn't expect to see you down here."

"Hello..." her voice already trailing off as her eyes land on the cotton kitty in his hands. Her brown eyes widened briefly before narrowing slightly.

"It's a test doll," he explains before her thoughts jump to who knows what conclusions. "Wanted to make something I would be at least interested in before starting yours. Something quick, nothing fancy."

"You made this?" She blinks a few times. "...By hand?"

"Yep. Test it out." She takes the doll from his outstretched hands and then he pulls up his bag and reaches inside.

She turns it over, fingers running alone the stitches. "No cheating?"

"Nooope!" He pulls out the crochet hook and some of the yarn he used. Her eyes flicker to the yarn and hook briefly before returning back to her doll inspection. He won't go into the details of how he obtained the items, but the construction of the amigurumi itself was made without any special powers. Therefore, 'not cheating'. He puts the yarn and hook back into his bag. "Definitely places to improve and could use some more stuffing. But, all-in-all, it's a complete kitty doll."

"I'm surprised." She says quietly. She gives the head a little squish and a small smile tugs on her mouth as the kitty's facial features squish with it. She sits down beside him, gently poking and squishing the body. She doesn't vocalize the rest of her thought, but given the special powers they have, and for how long he's had his and used it for simple things, she must have thought he wouldn't have resisted in some fashion.

Her hands run around the triangular ears and then she gives the head a stronger squish with the palm of her hand. It's absent minded, with no intention to see the tension of the stitches, to seek any sign of stuffing peaking through. Maybe he could make her something small to squish as well. Something better to fidget with instead of her hands or a poorly thought out gift. Then she could test out materials, sizes, the amount of stuffing her doll should have and the like.

Yeah, that could work.

"Anyways," he reaches a hand out to take the cat doll from her, "I'll make a few sample head shapes with some other types of yarn I picked up so you can see what you'd like. Put different amounts of stuffing in them too so you test for desired squishiness."

His hand remains empty as she continues to hold the cat doll very carefully in her hands. It's almost as if she's afraid she might break it. He made the doll well. She's not a young child so he knows she won't wear it down that quickly, but he did make sure it would hold together for a long, long time at the very least. That should have been obvious from the squishing.

"Chisa?" He prods lightly.

She looks at him finally and then to his open hand. She blinks a few times before she gasps. "Oh! Do you need this back?"

Well, he doesn't need the cat back but...

"It was a test," he says carefully, "I didn't intend to... give it to anyone, really."

"...Right." She says quietly and he catches a hint of sadness in it.

He takes, not really a risk per say, but, the worst result is he would confirm he's right.

"Is there anything wrong with it?"

"No..." she answers slowly, her eyes returning to the cat. She squishes the tail. "It's...cute."

"For a cat?"

"Um... yeah." She agrees, but then she adds, "It's...really cute. And...warm."

"Warm?" He voices his confusion.

She hums. "It's like... I can feel like your love of cats put into it. And I can't wait to... to see what my doll will be like." She nerviously smiles. "It feels nice."

Of course. He slowly lowers his outstretched hand. Given their heightened senses, she would pick up on the emotions put into the doll. However, it wasn't just his affection towards cats that was poured into that doll. It was for Chisa too. Even though it wasn't for her, what he practiced then would be for her, so that's more of what she's picking it from it.

He knows what that feels like. He remembers when Joshua custom ordered a handmade Mr. Mew cushion. While he didn't make the item itself, the care from the crafter and Joshua's intent was felt in the cushion itself. A warmth that stays and is something you don't want to give up.

He swallows as not only does he understand why she doesn't want to give it up, but also that today is Father's Day. The same day he recieved that cushion from Joshua. He doesn't expect Chisa to keep track of holidays, he doesn't really either, but it still hits him hard in the heart.

"Well," he says the best he can past the sudden lump in his throat. "The kitty is yours."

"Really?!" She stares at him in shock. "But - I thought - Are you - ?" She stumbles over each thought she tries to voice all at once.

"Yeah," he smiles strongly and says with more confidence at how well received the idea is. "You like it. And I'm...happy to see that."

He wishes he could have ended that better but her smile and teary eyes tells him it's enough. It's a gift on it's own.

"Thank you!" She leans over and hugs him and he wraps his arms around her in return. Her joy radiates through to him. "I'll treasure this kitty! And only this kitty."

He chuckles, running a hand up and down her back. "At least there's one kind of cat that you can tolerate."

She giggles. "Well, it's squishy."

Fair enough, he supposes. Fair enough. He'll take it.