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The fall hurt and was far longer than you expected. One moment you were jumping into traffic to save a cat from an oncoming vehicle and the very next moment you were falling down an unlit set of stairs. When you finally reached the foot of the stairs a cacophony of startled cat noises echoed around you.
Looking up from where you lay you saw a tall, well groomed humanoid cat lady stood right before you. She was dressed in a royal looking gown, a gently smoking pipe in her hand. Behind here stood two other cat people, a redheaded female cat dressed in a maid outfit and a male cat with round ears in what you could only describe as a butler's uniform. The crook-eared cat stood off to the side, seemingly embarassed about having tripped you on your entry.
The lady gracefully nodded her head to you as your eyes met.
"Greetings, human. Your name is ${a1_01name}, correct?" the lady asked with a voice that put your worries at ease. She sounded so smooth, so generous you could feel your body relax. She continued, "I am Lady Birman. Crook-ear here has picked you out to take a test of courage, which you have passed. I am pleased to grant you the unique priviledge to stay here as a half-guest half-employee. You will be given minor tasks around my estate and in exchange will get plenty of time off to explore, study or do whatever your heart desires. Within the confines of my realm, of course." Lady Birman's smile grew ever so slightly sharper at the last line before all the warmth returned. "Now, before you ask any questions, allow me to introduce you to my lovely servants. Technically I already introduced Crook-ear. The maid behind me is my daughter, Ginger. The scared kitten back there, trembling in the uniform of a butler is Jeeves."
"It's very nice to meet you, miss" you said politely as you got up on shaky legs.
Lady Birman laughed, her beautiful green eyes sparkling with mirth. "Please, call me Lady Birman. I insist."
You bobbed your head, not knowing quite how to act around someone so rich and powerful. The maid, Ginger, came forward to help steady you. "Welcome to our home," she smiled warmly.
"Thank you," you replied politely, noticing a faint purring noise coming from Ginger.
Jeeves approached then, his paws shuffling across the floor ever so slowly. He bowed low enough that he almost touched his nose to the ground and spoke, "I too, wish to welcome you. It has been some time since we had our last visitor."
Lady Birman chuckled softly and patted Jeeves' arm with her free paw. She then gave a quick glance at Crook-ear who'd been watching with great interest from a corner of the room. She returned her attention to you with a wink, taking a pull of her pipe and blowing it out again before saying "Well then, I'm sure you have some questions, like 'Why am I here?' or similar. Feel free to ask your fill of questions now. After that Jeeves, Ginger or perhaps even Crook-ear, if you still trust him, can give you a tour of the place."