Jess settled on the couch with the tray of vials, Mary nowhere to be seen. She'd adapted a cat's uncanny ability to hide herself as she contemplated her friend's decisions.
After a few minutes, Jess heard the tell-tale jingling and Mary sashayed into the room, a sour expression on her furry face.
"Can you either take this off or tighten it?" Mary had obviously tried to wiggle free of the collar, now tight around her neck and shoulder.
"Sure, hop up," Jess pushed the tray back and sat up. Mary sprang forward, up to her friend's lap. With a few quick motions, the fabric was tight against her small neck, a finger's width of give for her.
"Thank you," Mary unconsciously leaned in and brushed her check against her friend's.
Jess began to stroke the plush fur of Mary's back, long movements. Her hands, pulling her fur in rhythmic, soothing pulses - Mary wanted more and pushed a wet nose against Jess.
The petting worked away the anger and unhappiness at her friend. All she could remember wanting was for Jess to love her, to pet her, to rub her stomach. When Jess began following her back to her tail, running a cupped hand down it, a vibrating purr sent Mary to a warm faint sleep on Jess's lap.
Mary didn't know how long she'd slept a top her friend, but woke when Jess moved.
"Sorry, Mare. You can lounge and sleep away the day, but I have to make dinner," Jess gave a last pet of Mary's head and headed to the kitchen. A flick of her tail, definitely her favorite new appendage, and Mary followed. "See, already more fun to be a cat."
Jess pulled boxes from the kitchen cabinets, a can or two of tuna from the back. Mary hopped on the counter to investigate.
"For mmmme?" she murmurred, following it up with a meow. Words seemed like so much effort.
"Tuna salad for me, tuna for you."
"Mmmmm," Mary licked her lips and nosed toward the cans.
"No!" Jess shoved her off the counter. Shocked, Mary proved that cats always landed on their feet. In fact, on all four feet. Moving on all four seemed much easier but for her half-human hands.
Her body might have changed and some of the instincts were there, but Mary smarted at her friend's easy transition to owner. She wandered the kitchen without speaking to Jess. Not that she felt much inclination to speak in general. What she did feel was the urge to follow a smell seeping in from behind the kitchen door. Outside.
She twitched her nose. Out. She wanted out.