Coco the One-Toothed Wonder

Arrival

Coco the cat appeared outside the offices of the Advocacy for Better Living one morning, hiding in the bushes. She clearly wasn't feral, but she was shy and scared. Nobody could get close to her without risking her fleeing, and nobody wanted her running off into danger.   It was Advocacy life advisor Nyr Angett who sat near Coco's hiding spot with some food, waiting. The more time passed, the more they doubted their methods until Coco took a few steps closer. Rather than go for the food, she sniffed Nyr's hand. Then put her entire weight behind a headbutt.  

She'd decided I was her person, and that's all there was to it.

— Nyr

 

Settling In

Coco was an adult of unknown age. She had long black fur that faded to brown and yellow-green eyes. She was missing the tip of her left ear and all but two of her teeth, an affliction she hardly seemed to notice, though it did mean her pink tongue was a common sight.   She came to live in the Advocacy offices. Within days, she'd warmed up to the space. Within months, all on staff knew her preferences. Her favorite food was tuna, which she got twice a day. Old clothes and rags soon filled every under-shelf space so she wouldn't lose her favorite jingly ball toys.   Coco adored sitting on laps, purring and kneading the closest surface. Since that surface was commonly someone's leg, the staff stocked "biscuit protection blankets" to be worn on the lap to prevent her enthusiasm from putting holes in your trousers (or flesh).   Her favorite person remained Nyr. She'd follow them around the office, sleep under their desk, and would be up on their lap moments after they sat down. When Nyr wasn't in, Coco would follow one of her backup favorites and whine about Nyr's absence. During the floods, Nyr would be the one to take Coco home to keep her safe.  

Head of the House

Coco saw little reason why she shouldn't be involved in everything going on. She so commonly stole a seat at the table where her humans were, that the staff would dedicate a chair just for her. She learned people's schedules and would saunter into their offices to yell at them if they worked past break time.   She became the highlight of everyone's day. The staff would greet her when they came to work, say goodbye when they went home for the night, and her obstinate, demanding presence would bring a smile to every client who walked through the door. Though the Advocacy never officially made it so, she was their mascot. Seeing her pink tongue sticking out from her black, furry face cheered everyone up.