His application to the landlord approved, James now had one more hurdle to pass -- an interview with Grandmaster Jed, Supreme Overlord of All Things Catnip, before he is allowed to move into the castle where the Grandmaster makes his lair.
James' interview was set for today. He arrived early, and I met him outside the castle for last-minute preparation. James seems nervous, but I assured him I'll be right there as his translator. I opened the door to the castle, the scent of EVO Chicken and Turkey wafting through the air. James was undeterred. He got this. He took a seat at a chair specially prepared for him while we wait for Jed to receive him. We made small talk in the meantime.
Ten minutes later, Jed saunters out from his chambers. He saw me first. I greeted him with a slow blink. He blinked back. Then he took a few graceful steps forward, in full view of James. He sized James up, who sat perfectly still. Jed took a few tentative steps towards him.
"He's curious about you. See his tail? It's in the shape of a question mark," I translated to James, who nodded thoughtfully.
Jed stopped two feet away from James. He began making a dramatic gesture of sniffing the air, his nose pointed forward.
"You have a new scent. He's registering that scent into his mind." I offered.
"Like a computer?"
"Yes, like a computer."
"Is it because I smell funny?"
"No, you just smell "new". He's used to the different smells in this house, but you, you are new."
A whole minute passed and Jed did not move. He stared at James, but his ears were swiveling slightly. I pointed that out to James.
"See his ears? He's in alert mode. He's curious, but he doesn't know quite yet what to make of you."
At that point, James shifted in his seat slightly, and Jed visibly jerked slightly backwards. James noticed it.
"Oops. Sorry."
"As I said, he's in alert mode. Since it was so quiet in here, that probably startled him a little. But he hasn't run away, so it's no big deal. Just no sudden movements."
James asked, "Can I pet him?"
"You'll have to ask his permission. Extend your hand with your fist closed."
As soon as James did that, Jed perked up and moved towards his fist. He then spent a few long seconds sniffing and running his nose all over James' hand. We both waited with bated breath. This is it -- the moment of judgment.
After what felt like a long time, Jed rubbed his head decisively against James' outstretched hand. He started purring as James broke into a wide grin and scratched his chin.
"Congratulations. Welcome aboard," I said with the same grin on my face.
James' interview was set for today. He arrived early, and I met him outside the castle for last-minute preparation. James seems nervous, but I assured him I'll be right there as his translator. I opened the door to the castle, the scent of EVO Chicken and Turkey wafting through the air. James was undeterred. He got this. He took a seat at a chair specially prepared for him while we wait for Jed to receive him. We made small talk in the meantime.
Ten minutes later, Jed saunters out from his chambers. He saw me first. I greeted him with a slow blink. He blinked back. Then he took a few graceful steps forward, in full view of James. He sized James up, who sat perfectly still. Jed took a few tentative steps towards him.
"He's curious about you. See his tail? It's in the shape of a question mark," I translated to James, who nodded thoughtfully.
Jed stopped two feet away from James. He began making a dramatic gesture of sniffing the air, his nose pointed forward.
"You have a new scent. He's registering that scent into his mind." I offered.
"Like a computer?"
"Yes, like a computer."
"Is it because I smell funny?"
"No, you just smell "new". He's used to the different smells in this house, but you, you are new."
A whole minute passed and Jed did not move. He stared at James, but his ears were swiveling slightly. I pointed that out to James.
"See his ears? He's in alert mode. He's curious, but he doesn't know quite yet what to make of you."
At that point, James shifted in his seat slightly, and Jed visibly jerked slightly backwards. James noticed it.
"Oops. Sorry."
"As I said, he's in alert mode. Since it was so quiet in here, that probably startled him a little. But he hasn't run away, so it's no big deal. Just no sudden movements."
James asked, "Can I pet him?"
"You'll have to ask his permission. Extend your hand with your fist closed."
As soon as James did that, Jed perked up and moved towards his fist. He then spent a few long seconds sniffing and running his nose all over James' hand. We both waited with bated breath. This is it -- the moment of judgment.
After what felt like a long time, Jed rubbed his head decisively against James' outstretched hand. He started purring as James broke into a wide grin and scratched his chin.
"Congratulations. Welcome aboard," I said with the same grin on my face.
"Oh, great and all powerful Jed, will you do me the honour of letting me stay. .."
Congratulations to James for passing the "sniff test"!
Have you ever thought of writing a book? I bet it'd be great...and your cats are bound to give you plenty of inspiration 
