Hearing a liquidy commotion from inside the tavern, Ebbie takes long strides to the back door. Little does anyone know that she is a frequent visitor to the scene and in fact, long ago took it upon herself to keep a stock of cuttlefish and clams on hand to keep the squid happy and well fed. Humph. It always amazes her that anyone might think that a squid can go for a year without eating.

She reaches into the murky pool and fishes out several lumpy green objects: a brat terrier and four cats. They are bedraggled and angry but well enough for all that. The Brat goes off running across the floor but the cats take to cleaning and preening. With the other hand, Eb grabs a handful of assorted shellfish and tosses them to the waiting and eager tentacles.

Then Ebbie does a double take. FOUR cats?. One of the cats is distinctly different from the others- in fact, it appears it may not be a cat at all.

Ebbie shouts: Anyone lose this thing?