After the New World Pictures logo, the first line of text appeared on the screen: [This animation is entirely fictional. Please do not imitate it. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.]
The text lingered for several seconds before fading. Then another line appeared:
[No Ratfolk were harmed in this film.]
"What does that mean?" the Ratfolk Elder asked, staring at Annan.
"To stop impressionable children from copying it."
"Copying it?"
A sudden burst of music drew the Ratfolk Elder's attention back to the screen. As the opening ended, a cat chasing a mouse appeared.
Their movements landed precisely on the beat—or perhaps the music followed the rhythm of the cat and mouse.
The Ratfolk Elder watched, her expression growing brighter. At least, Annan thought it was.
Yesterday's screening for the children had been a huge success.
Not one child could resist Cat and Mouse. They had stopped playing King's Game and hide-and-seek. Instead, they were copying the show by tying up their friends, swinging axes at them, and hitting them with rocks...
So Annan had urgently added two lines of text.
"What is this?"
But contrary to Annan's expectations, the Ratfolk Elder sounded angry.
"How dare you portray the Holy Race as so weak!"
Annan felt wronged. "But Jerry's the good guy."
"That ridiculous, mouse-like appearance!"
"But Jerry's the good guy."
"One cat is enough to make him—"
"But Jerry's the good guy."
No matter what the Ratfolk Elder said, Annan gave the same answer. Finally, she glared at him, breathing hard.
"If you don't like it, I'll have to change Jerry back into a treacherous, cunning, greedy character..."
"Are you threatening us?" the Ratfolk Elder said, each word deliberate.
Annan did not flinch. He looked straight at the two scarlet points beneath her hood. "Elder, we don't