Bright and Early
It was barely dawn when Babbette awoke to a damp paw in her face and the sound of snoring. The crew her daughter had put together – the Professional Beachcombers, they called themselves – had only been at sea for a couple days. Their big voyage hadn’t begun, yet, but Samphire had suggested they get the feel for the “pirate life” before they set sail for real. To be honest, Babb wasn’t sure if she’d ever “get the feel” for the cramped quarters they called a ship.
Her back creaked as she hefted herself upright, but her own discomfort was soon forgotten as she spotted Noor a little way away, leaning over the back of the boat. ‘Oh no, not another one!’ Babb thought to herself. As quickly as she could without stepping on anyone, she tiptoed ungracefully to the back of the boat.
Once she arrived, she placed a hefty paw on the young mothcat’s shoulder, “Good morning, dear. Are you alright? I can get you some of the ginger candies I brought along for Haru’s seasickness.”
Noor shook their head, “No, it’s not that. I’m fine.”
Upon further inspection, Babb noticed Noor’s expression was more pensive than ill. Her concern deepened. “Don’t give me that nonsense about being fine,” she scolded gently, “When has that ever worked on me?”
“Never,” Noor cracked a small smile, but it quickly faded, “It’s just… today is the first day of the Month of Fasting. Y’know how some mothcats spend a month fasting and paying extra attention to their relationship with Falena? But here I am on a boat.”
Babb gasped, “Oh no! The fasting starts today? Why didn’t you tell me! I should have made breakfast for you before dawn, and now it’s too late! Did you get something to eat? I’m sure Falena will forgive a late breakfast under these circumstances.”
“No, no, it’s not that,” Noor assured her, “I don’t have to fast if I’m traveling. I can eat with the rest of you. It’s just lonely, I guess. Usually I spend the month with the other mothcats who’re fasting. We break fast together and pray to Falena together almost every night, but no one else on the crew even observes the Month of Fasting. Besides, the boat is too crowded for me to even pray properly. I have to imagine the movements instead of actually doing them. It’s not a big deal, it’s just… lonely.”
“Oh, dearie!” Babb engulfed the youngster in a gelatinous hug, “Is there anything we can do? Do you want to stay home for the rest of the voyages? We can’t just leave you feeling miserable all month!”
“Babb, it’s okay! Really,” Noor said, wiping a couple tears from their eyes, “I’m glad I’m here with you. I want to find Hawthorn as much as the rest of you. It’s hard, but I’ll deal with it.”
Babb frowned into Noor’s pied mane, but didn’t press the issue. Instead, she sat up straight and gave the young mothcat a couple firm pats on the head, “You’re being very mature about this, dearie. My babies are lucky to know you.” After a thoughtful moment, she added, “Will you at least tell me what times you need to pray? I know there’s a schedule. I can send the other dears off swimming or treasure-hunting so you have enough floor space to pray properly.”
Noor smiled, “That would mean a lot to me. Thanks, Babb.”
“Of course!” said the motherly mothcat, “And one more thing. What’s your favorite comfort food? I’ll be sure to bring some along on our next voyage.”
“Masala chai is my favorite, but we already know how well tea on a boat works out,” Noor replied with a chuckle, “Could we bring along some dates, though?”
Babb clapped her bearlike paws together, “Dates are a perfect travel snack! I’ll be sure to bring along plenty. Now… why don’t you help me make some breakfast since we’re both up bright and early? Those boxed meals are lovely, but nothing compares to home-cooked.”