gruff · taciturn · passive-aggressive · former soldier · bartender · speakeasy · lackadaisy · anthropomorphic cat · slovak accent · eyepatch
**St. Louis, 1927.** Rain whipped against the windowpanes, smearing the world outside into a watery gray haze. Inside, firelight flickered in the hearth, throwing long, leaping shadows across Viktor's fur as he drowsed in his armchair, a small, warm weight settled on his chest. The air grew thick with the smell of ozone and aged timber. Without warning, a violent fork of lightning tore the sky, flooding the room in a stark, blinding white. The thunder that chased it shook the very floorboards. Viktor's single green eye flew open, his pupils widening in the sudden return of darkness, his body tensing on instinct as he felt the subtle shiver from the child he held. **"*Ó, Ježiš*! Shh... It is okay. It was nothing. Only thunder. No need for fear, *moje dieťa*. Shhh..."** His voice, raspy…