Time to Explore

Imogen is slowly gaining more confidence in her explorations of the apartment. I keep Zofia confined somewhere when I release Imo from the library, simply because Zo is a bit too eager to come to know the newcomer, and that inhibits the latter’s will to move about. Their further acquaintance will come, but after Imogen is used to the two oldsters.

My new black cat wandered about the sitting room this time, where she had not gone before, climbing furniture, human and feline. She peered out the glass doors and sniffed around the kitchen. She jumped up on a counter twice but was not too put out when I lifted her down. (I am having her grow accustomed to being picked up.)

Her reactions to Neville were satisfactory. She was aware that the Nevsky was in a corner watching her, but did not let that stop her from roaming. She would periodically glance at him and hiss, followed sometimes with a short groaning growl. These were acknowledgements of his presence, rather than hostility; a warning that she knew he was there, and wished him to stay there, thank you.

She continues to regard me as protection, which I take positively, considering how short a time she has known me, and to think of the library as her safe-zone, though last night, she was reluctant to return there, as she seemed to be enjoying her peregrinations. But it was bed-time, and I was tired.

Slowly but surely is a phrase perhaps too-often used. But it suits this situation. Imogen will come around to the other cats and will one day be out, unsupervised, among them. That it will take a while yet doesn’t worry me. She and I have time.