Cherry Milkshake

Noiz had always been spoiled. She was everyone�s darling little princess. Japan or England, she was well-loved. The kitty knew that too well. But she kept it in her head. After all, no one liked a bragger.

Noiz was realizing that little fact while lost in her thoughts when she felt someone playing with her hair. The kitty sat up smiling.

�Oh Rob!� she chirped happily. �You�re finally up!� The mouse kept playing with her hair.

�Morning, my little kitty!� he replied in her short black hair. He then lightly moved some of her hair from her neck. Once the area was clear, Rob lightly kissed Noiz on the neck. Once the area was clear, Rob lightly kissed Noiz on the neck. The kitty shut her eyes happily.

�Did you enjoy sleeping in London last night?� she asked him.

�Sort of.� the mouse replied. The pets were in London for the weekend. England was Noizchild�s sweet getaway. Until recently, it was a solo trip. But recently, her mousey started coming with her. He still wasn�t used to England at all. The mouse preferred Japan still.

Noiz smiled at his response. �That�s different from what you normally say.� she said cheerfully. Rob raised an eyebrow at her statement.

�What do you mean?� he asked. The kitty turned to him smiling.

�You usually say, �Not so much.� What�s the deal?� she replied. Rob looked at her innocently.

�Don�t know,� he answered. �London�s growing on me, I guess.� The cat smiled at him and kissed him on the nose. He chuckled a bit. But then, something caught his eye about her.

�Noiz,� he said.

�Yes mousey?� she asked causally. Rob looked at her for a long while.

�Your clothes�� he managed to say. Noiz looked down at her duds. Today, the kitty had on a silk white blouse, dark navy skirt to her knees, matching jacket, white pantyhose, and a black neck tie. The only �normal� thing she had on was the black chopsticks in her hair. Her tail lightly swayed back and forth as she kept looking.

�And?� she asked sweetly. Rob kept staring at her.

�It�s not�� he said. ��Asian!� The kitty smiled at him kindly at him. This was the first time he saw her in American clothes. She leaned in close to his face.

�Don�t be so surprised!� she whispered to him. �I dress like this from time to time.� The kitty kissed him on the forehead. �I just didn�t feel like wearing a kimono today,� she went on. �Okay?� Then, Noiz lightly kissed him on the lips. The mouse kissed her back.

�Okay.� Rob replied. His kitty just smiled. She lightly backed up.

�Well,� the kitty said. �Come on, we�ve got a busy day today.� Rob looked at her lost.

�What do you mean?� he asked. Noiz turned to him smiling.

�You didn�t think we would spend the day in the flat, did you?� she asked. Rob looked at her blankly. He didn�t know what to say. The mouse didn�t like the flat. It was much smaller than their house in Japan. Sure it looked Asian, but it just wasn�t the same. Mind you, this was no cheap little flat. Oh hell no! This flat cost money that Rob had never seen before he met Noiz. This flat even had a nice-sized office next to the bedroom.

The mouse nodded. The kitty just smiled at him. She kissed him right on the nose. Rob lightly blushed. Noiz kept smiling at him.

�Why would I trap you behind these four walls for?� she asked. �Hm?� Mousey just shrugged. Noiz kissed him on the lips softly.

�Well,� she replied. �I�m not that mean!� Then the kitty backed away. �Now,� she went on. �We�re going out to the theater first, then lunch, next a little walk, and straight home. Okay?� Mousey stared at her confused. The kitty was mostly a homebody. She never went out unless she needed to. Something had to be special today.

Rob nodded his head up and down slowly at him cheerfully.

�Great!� she called to him. �Now get dressed. We�ll pick up breakfast on the way.� Then she smacked him on the tush and headed to the front door. The mouse just stared at her tail swaying from side to side. He wanted to grab it and play with it like he did with her hair too often. Well, maybe a day out wouldn�t be so bad.

�Hurry up now!� the kitty yelled out. �They�re expecting us at the theater in thirty minutes, move it or lose it!� Rob nodded quickly.

�Okay!� he called back. �Coming!� Then he headed to their bedroom to get dressed.

In five minutes, Noiz and Rob were out the door and on their way. The mouse was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. His sandals added to his charm. The kitty couldn�t help, but smile at him in enamored. She remembered the first time he came to London. He stow away in her suitcase. The cat was really surprised. But, she let him stay and bought him some clothes for his stay. He�s been coming with her ever since. Noiz smiled at his appearance sweetly. Mousey just smiled back.

�What?� he asked innocently. The kitty just shook her head as she smiled.

�Nothing,� she replied harmlessly. �Just nothing.� Mousey just smiled and lightly nuzzled her on the cheek. His kitty just giggled. Then, they began their walk hand in hand. London in the morning was just like any other city. Busy and loud. Rob stayed close to Noiz at all times. He didn�t want to get lost at all. Sure, this was his tenth trip, but he still didn�t know his way around too well. Noiz was his guide here. She went to school here for four years after all. The pairings came to a small caf�. Noiz led the way inside as usual. Both sat down at the nearest table. The kitty eyed him kindly.

�Shall I order breakfast or will you?� she asked. Rob smiled at her richly.

�You!� he chirped out happily. The cat just smiled.

�How did I guess?� she asked joshing with him. The mouse just smiled and shrugged. Noiz smiled back at him. Within seconds, a waitress showed up to them. Noiz ordered black pudding and fried bread. Rob looked uneasy about what she was ordering. He still wasn�t used to English cuisine. He of course was looking a little squeamish. Noiz lightly stroked his hand.

�There, there,� her eyes seemed to be telling him. �I�ll finish yours if you don�t want it.� Rob began to feel better again.

�So why are we going to the theater today?� he asked. Noiz chirped up happily.

�I have to review a play before it opens,� she answered. �Opening is in three days.�

�Wow!� the mouse said. �What�s it called?�

�Apple Bomb,� she replied. �It�s a romance-comedy-drama.�

�What�s it about?� Rob asked. Noiz just shrugged.

�A middle-aged married father in a mid-life crisis falls for a younger sexy single stay-at-home mom,� she replied. �They�ve been working on it for weeks now.�

�Ah,� Mousey said. �I see.� Noiz just nodded. Then breakfast came. They both ate in content. Rob actually finished his breakfast for once. He didn�t feel guilty for not finishing his meal. Noiz looked so proud of him. The mouse smiled back at her. His little kitty paid for both of their meals and left the caf�.

The pairing made it to Mars Theater at ten o�clock in the morning. This was a new theater. Apple Bomb was going to be the first play here in three days. This theater was state of the art. Expensive air was all over the lobby. A fountain was flowing at the entry. Play posters were placed on the walls. A menu chart was up next to the doors. It was blank at the moment. Rob looked all around amazement.

�They serve food here?� he asked.

�Yep!� the kitty replied. �You can eat and watch plays here.�

�I like that!� Rob said aloud. �I knew you would,� Noiz replied. �You haven�t seen the best part!� The mouse looked up at her.

�Really?� he asked. Noiz nodded.

�Follow me!� she ordered in cheer. Then the kitty walked straight into the auditorium. Rob followed behind merrily.

Inside was like heaven! Red and gold was everywhere. Small black tables were in front of the chairs. A balcony was up above. A top-rate sound system was in place. The stage was the best part. It was just like Shakespeare�s Globe. No stage in the world could compare to Mars�.

�They even use real animals here.� Noiz told Rob.

�Are you serious?� he asked in shock. The kitty nodded.

�Noiz!� someone called to her. The cat and her mouse quickly looked up. An actor dressed like a middle-aged man walked towards him. He looked very brightly.

�Sam!� Noiz chirped to him. �How good to see you!� they hugged each other like old friends. Then they turned to Rob.

�Rob,� Noiz said aloud. �This is Sam Cartwright. Sam, this is Rob Benson.� Both gents shook hands. Noiz turned to the mouse.

�Sam is playing the main character in Apple Bomb.� she explained.

�Oh!� the mouse said aloud. Noiz turned back to Sam.

�You ready for the show?� she asked him.

�Yes ma�am!� the actor replied. The kitty smiled cheerfully.

�Great!� she called. �Let�s get it on!�

�Cheers, mate!� Sam called. Then everyone took their places. The play went rather nicely. Everyone knew their parts perfectly. The play was highly convincing. Rob and Noiz got lost into the entire show. Apple Bomb was a rich field of colors indeed. Noiz and Rob applauded when the actors took a bow.

�So?� Sam asked in enthusiasm. �What do you think?� Kitty turned to mousey.

�What do you think?� she asked him. Rob shrugged at first.

�It�s good, I guess�� he answered with pressure. Noiz lightly pet him on the shoulder.

�It�s okay,� she whispered. Rob slowly relaxed. The pressure slowly went away. Noiz turned back to the actors.

�It�s great!� she said truly. �Your play will be a success!� The actors rejoiced at the verdict. Noiz turned to Rob smiling.

�My work here is done!� she said aloud. �Feeling hungry?� Her mouse nodded. The cat smiled.

�Good!� she said. �Let�s go!� Both quietly slipped out of the theater. The afternoon was high and bright. The city was full of life. Mousey kept by her the whole time. He still didn�t know his way around the city. He did not want to be lost in the crowd. Tokyo wasn�t a problem compared to this city. But Noiz didn�t mind. She was just glad to be holding his hand.

Noiz and Rob came to a pub for lunch. The place was packed, but the kitty managed to find her and her mouse a seat. She ordered Shepherd�s pie and fish and chips for her and Rob, respectively. The mouse actually ate his lunch this time. Noiz was really surprised. The mouse noticed the look on her face.

�What?� he asked innocently. Noiz shook her head quickly.

�Nothing� she said in a rush. Then she bit into her Shepherd�s pie. The mouse just shrugged and had a chip. He knew what she was thinking. The mousey just smiled to himself. Noiz just kept eating her lunch. �He�s adjusting to London cuisine too well.� she thought in shock. They kept eating in silence.

After lunch, Noiz and Rob walked around the city together. The afternoon was nice for the city. Rob still stayed close to the cat at all times. Noiz held his hand so not to lose him in the crowd. Rob got lost in his thoughts. One question kept popping up in his mind over and over again. Why did they go out today? He thought about asking her, but thought that would lead to nowhere. So, he did what he normally did with her�go with the flow.

Noiz led him to the park. She stopped dead in her tracks. Rob looked at her confused.

�Noiz,� he spoke up. �Why did you stop? Why are here?� The kitty didn�t turn, but smiled to herself.

�Do you know what the date is today?� she asked. Rob thought about that for a moment.

�No, why?� he asked. Noiz turned to her mouse smiling.

�This is the same day last year that you first came to London!� she chirped. Rob smiled cheerfully.

�Oh that�s right!� he called. Noizchild rushed forward and embraced him tightly. Rob hugged her as well. The kitty leaned into his ear.

�Happy anniversary, Koibito!� she whispered happily. Then she kissed him on the ear lightly.

�Thank you, Noiz.� Rob whispered back. The kitty just smiled on his shoulder. London or Tokyo, he was always going to be by her side no matter what. She just happily accepted that.

London Love