Chapter 3. Meeting

The two cats went on their journey. For several months, they climbed through winding mountains, hopped from tree to tree, crossed running rivers, lived in numerous villages, and finally, after all of that, they arrived at the foot of the Windy Mountain.
 
High up on the mountain they found a humble wooden hut. This was where the Pirate Dog lived. Laughing Cat could smell the familiar aroma of fresh earth and growing things. Behind the hut, in the mango forest, is the Pirate Dog standing next to a pile of mangos. He is a dog who has managed to find peace with himself. He is hard as stone, but very wise.

​Laughing Cat signaled Lulu Cat to come with her as she went up to Pirate Dog. “Do you remember that you still own me a favor?”
 
The Pirate Dog nodded.
 
“Now I know what this favor will be,” demanded Laughing Cat with a smile. “I love this Lulu Cat very much. I never want to be separated from her. Please put a spell on her so that no one can take her away from me.”
 
Pirate Dog looked at Lulu Cat. She was cute. She might be the cutest cat that he had ever seen, in this land or any other that he had ever travelled. Her wide eyes were pathways to her curious soul. Pirate Dog could see why Laughing Cat loved her so much. But apart from this, he could also sense something else in this little cat, something special, something he couldn’t exactly put a name to.

So he hesitated. He had a promise to fulfill for Laughing Cat, a favor that he must carry out. But he could also see that the Lulu Cat didn’t want to be trapped with Laughing Cat for all time. Her heart was looking to get back to something else. Once upon a time, Pirate Dog had been evil. He didn’t care what he did or who he did it to. But now he knew better. Now it was against his beliefs to force another being against their free will.
 
Pirate Dog thought about this. “Both Laughing Cat and Lulu Cat are from the same species, and yet they are so different. What force has brought these two creatures together, and what has brought them to me?” Lost in his thoughts, he gazed into the vast mango trees that surrounded them. After a long while, he had an idea. Looking back at the two cats, he said, “Yes, I will put the spell on Lulu Cat for you.  But, the spell cannot be put in one day. It will take time. I will need this little cat to stay here until the spell is done." ​​
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