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All that was on Puss' mind, was that his crobat was too itchy.
And it was not even just his crobat, his whole outfit just felt wrong. His fur near his ears were slicked back and his whiskers were trimmed, to the point that his face was well kempt and dressed, only for to be hidden underneath a newly fashioned hat, with no feather. He put some eyeliner on to make his gorgeous eyes pop (not going to lie, he started to like the lined look. It suited his face very well.) His fine red blood waistcoat well suited his black coat on top with gold lining with a red carnation pinned onto it. He looked like a butterfly. A prancing, show pony at best.
Fancy suits and decors were not much of Puss' style whatsoever, but if he needed more information, he needed to fit in. Change of appearance was critical, but so was identity, so now, it was up to His Grace, Jose Antonio de Banderas y Dominguez to discover what might be Governor Del Mar's plan.
Puss walked up to the steps as a he handed a guards man his "invitation" (there was nothing in there, but who was going to check?) From the inside, it was a sea of guests, all decked out in their finest attire of reds, golds, and black where ambassadors mingled with other ambassadors, noblemen bragging about their recent expeditions to the "America's" and even someone declaring himself to be the illegitimate son of the King of Spain.
Yup, what a class of characters, such fine people of the Spanish Noble Class. He thought, as he sipped a glass of agave tequila, to which his eyes budged wider and spit it out, trading it with a glass of Leche, taking it all in one gulp, erasing the memory of the pure alcohol. Out of the corner, came out the governor, all in his finest wig, trading it for something larger and poofier and he seemed to abandon the color scheme and was decked out in purple suit and golden rings, blinged with rubies and sapphires, on every possible finger as they wrapped around his golden cane. You can't show up to your own party and not be in the proper attire.
"Ah Don Governor! Good evening" Puss said, his voice booming loud enough so that the tall man could face down towards the orange tabby. "My name is Jose Antonio de Banderas y Dominguez."
Governor Del Mar eyes looked up and down this cat and smiled, "Ah, such a delightful greeting. Much appreciated señor."
Puss gave a small chershire grin, showing all his teeth. "Why of course," He said, with the tone of a grace. "It is only the best and finest greetings we give in Far Far Away, especially at King Arthur's Court."
"King Arthur's court you said?" The Governor said, bringing a thumb to his chin, where a rhinestone glimmered towards Puss and in another, drank the agave tequila that Puss had so much despised. "Yes, the one who was recently coronated!! Ah, such misfortune when King Herald died. Such sadness. My condolences. And what do you do in this new court señor? What brings you to my mansion tonight?"
"Ahhh err, well you see, I handle court finances. You know, we have to make grand gestures to our visitors, while keeping it to a minimum. Especially how the Dowager Queen likes it." He said. That was a complete lie. He wasn't really a math person. He couldn't even keep the number of lives he has left straight. "I came back to Spain to inspect the inheritance that my dear mamá left me behind. I wanted to make sure that the orphanage in San Ricardo was up to date and to my mama's standards. Her heart would break if she saw her hard work in ruin. When I heard Del Mar is having a ball tonight, I decided to present myself as an unofficial ambassador of Far Far Away. Our official one is off in Portugal on behalf of His Majesty."
The Governor's eyes narrowed slightly as Puss stood there stoicly, hastily sipping on some leche. Inside he knew his story was slightly shakey. Finance? Really? And why did he had to bring up his mama's orphanage? Yes, it was far away, but the Governor's would know people.
His cover might be over.
"I see then. Well Don Antonio, can I call you that?"
He nodded, "I don't see why we can ditch formality for this once, señor. You seem to be a charming man, beloved by the people who you govern. Surely, you are to win the next election." He winked, hoping charm could smooth things out and maybe forget his story.
"Ayyyy stop it." The Governor waved his hand, basking into the compliments, his cheeks turning pink. He turned around a seemed to make a motion gesture.
"Don Antonio, I would like for you to meet a recent member of my counsil. She had also visited Far Far Away and maybe you have met her. I'd like to present Señorita Katalina de Hayek y Pinault, Duchess of Alba. She was the one who presented the idea of having a ball."
Puss looked over and gasped at a feminine feline with striking sapphire eyes staring back at him. Her eyes shining brighter than the simple diamond necklace that graced her collarbone. Her tuxedo black fur coloring contrasted her poofy sleeved, gown ensemble of emerald green silk and silver lace topped her skirts and top part of her bodice, giving her figure a nice hug, curving it in the right places. She didn't look like a Duchess at all. Her beauty and mannerism could mistake her to be the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire.
He knew she was no Duchess of Alba.
"Your grace," Puss whispered as he took one of her paws and noted how remarkably soft they were and kissed the top part. He's held these paws before. "A pleasure seeing you... again. It seems that I have missed you at out last meeting in Far Far Away. "
"On the contrary, Don Antonio. I left around the same time as you. Seems like we were off on our own activities, it seems." She replied hastily, as she smoothed out her smile.
"Well, it's seems like you do know each other!" The Governor laughed heartily, putting his hand to his chest. "Come! Let us come to my personal table to eat! Enjoy the fiesta!"
Politics... It just had to be politics, Puss thought as he swirled his shot glass of Leche around and around, creating a little whirlpool. The table was set in a circular motion, with 13 seats were set around for 10 Don's, The Governor, The Duchess of Alba, and of course, Puss. He was placed at the bottom of the table, next to the Don who was speaking about which ever topic they were on, and to the Duchess, who was in the conversation
"... and the territory of California is now under Mexican rule. That is not permissible. " said... ugh, he can't even get any names of these Don's down.
"No Don Alfredo," the Duchess of Alba said. "If Spain lost the territory, then it should be the Mexicans right to rule. We also had the culpability to not listen to what Mexico needed. Now, California wants independence from Mexico and they may join the United States or be part of a trade deal. Either way, Mexico looses California."
"Your Grace," Don Alfredo... was it him? Ugh, they all looked the same with big wigs and cigars in hand. "Spain did the best that we can. Of course, His Majesty never made any attempts to reach out to..."
"Don Antonio, what do you think?"
12 sets of eyes began to look at the end of the table, as Puss' eyes went from his leche whirlpool to a daunting question, that he had no knowledge about.
"Well, this is more of a child's war," Puss started, choosing words closely. Whispers came from the table quickly and furiously. The Duchess was the only one who didn't mention anything, bit stared at the tabby curiously.
"I mean. They have their own protectors if California and Mexico were to go to war. They have Zorro. Like we have Puss in Boots."
"Puss in Boots?" Governor Del Mar said, his voice tampered with distain. "He... a hero? He's broken into my mansion, destroyed valuable heirlooms from my predecessors, and trashed the whole place. I had to push this fiesta two weeks back in order for my staff to clean the place. I can hardly call him a hero." He drawled.
The Don's barked out in laugher, their guffaws were irritating. Puss held in a laugh, but knew he couldn't hold it entirely in. The Duchess gave him a look of Quieto Gato.
"I don't think Don Antonio means that. I think what be is trying to say is that, we have interpretations on what this "heroism" is. And that outlaw's perspective is.... interesting. Of course, Puss in Boots is a character," the Duchess said. "If we can even call him that."
The entire table erupted into laughter again as Puss glared at the she cat, but all she gave was a wink and smirk. It only threatened Puss' ego as his whiskers were now tinted pink and his eyes narrowed at her. Ooh she was bad, but he never thought she would stoop this low.
"Enough of all this political stuff. We are supposed to be enjoying ourselves. Oye muchacho!" The Govenor yelled, snapping his fingers at a young servant boy, who rushed hastily to the master's side. "Bring us the wine! The good one too!"
The table erupted into tipsy jeers as Puss looked around. He noticed that music came from the center of court, where the dancers danced in eccentric steps and shouts of joy and laughter could be heard in every corner of the mansion. The pizzicato from the violins and other string instruments made the dancers steps light, dainty and bouncy. The eighth notes aligned with their twirls and dips.
"Excuse me for a moment, señores." The Duchess said, smoothing out her skirts as she stood up. "I need a moment to catch my breath. I will be back for a glass or two."
"Ahh don't worry Doñita Katalina," said the Governor, generously filling the silver glass to the brim with its red stained liquid. "There's always some left. I will leave a glass."
"I will accompany you, doñita," Puss said, standing up as well. "After all, it is a party. A fine woman such as yourself should never be left unattended. "
"I think I can lead myself outside, Don Antonio." She said, but paused for a moment. "But if you insist, it's alright if you tag along. I'm sure that the alcohol might be too strong for your taste."
Both excused themselves at the table and walked through the crowd of dancers, and party goers, the poor Duchess' dress being stepped on by clumsy dancers, bustles of pver the top dresses, and cigar smoke fogging up the walkway, until the both of them reached a small balcony outside near the Governor's quarters. The moon shone bright in the night as the twinkling stars would say their hellos down upon the duo below.
As they were out of sight from public view, Puss began to grab the Duchess by the waist as she began to curse and giggle, squirming around. They were just lovers who found time for small moments for tokens of affection. She tried to escape, but it was no use. She was under his mercy, no matter how many times she would protest or that she could find away out, he had an upper hand.
"Hahaha! That was perfect! I cant believe you pulled it off! I honestly thought you were going to mess up somehow." Kitty laughed, as she was twirled around, but Puss had a different idea in mind for what she had said, insulting his name. He put her back towards him and forced her body into his, where she was almost locked with him. She gave a small gasp, realizing this move, but gave a dark chuckle.
"So, mi duqueza," Puss whispered, as a paw traced along her her stomach, where her corset is. "This Puss in Boots is quite a character, if you can call him that. Do those words sound familiar, Kitty?"
"No, not at all." Kitty said, her nobility persona gone, pretending like she had been hurt over these false accusations. "I am offended that you have accused me of this."With a quick swift of her paw, Kitty reached for his hat and placed it on her own head, giving a taunting grin towards the Ginger tabby. "However, whomever said it must be right. To top it all off, you look like a butterfly too."
"Hey, at least I'm not in a dress. Seriously, how many layers are underneath that thing, my god! So many layers. How the hell do you breath in that corset. I can easily rip that off you."
"Hmmph," Kitty scoffed as her appearance was semi mocked. She would hate to admit it, but she kinda did like the proof and grandeur of the dress. It kinda did make her fit into with the nobility than a common thief. "You wished you were in this dress. Imagine how many things you can hide here. You can probably hide it there."
Puss scowled, but regardless, gave a kiss towards the felines cheek. With the looseness between them, Kitty was able to move and face him, admiring his goofy and dumbfounded expression.
"Pendejo," Both began to laugh as Puss pulled her into a twirl and dipped her low, her graceful steps lighter than a swan's feather. It radiated off a warmth that was not felt at their "introductions", but was certainly present now.
"This is a party isn't it?" Puss said as he retrieved his hat back, but only in exchange for the carnation from his suit jacket, that was now tucked between Kitty's right ear. His paws rested on her lower back and supported her head, like the most treasured rose in all of Spain. He knew Kitty was not delicate, and she was no flower personality wise, but to him, she was something he would spend his life with. "Why don't we take our time before we raid Del Mar's drawers. Enjoy the food, dance for a little bit."
"Then you should treat your lady right, your grace." Kitty purred. "Like you mentioned, a lady can't be alone. We can take our fun somewhere else."
The moon dimmed, but to the both of them, it felt like time had stopped as they held this position for a while, not wanting to let go as they embraced their togetherness. Two silhouettes, that merged as one, were the only thing visible to the outside world, but to them, it was a private affair, that only they held the key to.