The Admiral Appeared Out of the Dark, and Only His Eyes Showed
Two bright yellow eyes glow from the shadows, and the rest of the black cat nearly dissolves into the dark background. Only the whiskers and the glossy edge of his fur give him away. His admiral's coat is deep navy velvet with gold leaves stitched down the front, a row of round gold buttons, and a heavy braided epaulette on the shoulder. A faint amber haze behind him looks like a ship's lantern on a night watch.
Painters in the baroque era loved this kind of challenge: a dark subject against a dark ground, with just enough light to shape the face. Here the gold braid does the sparkling, while the cat's calm stare does the commanding.
Black cats are often wrapped up in old superstitions, but in a home they are simply cats, with the same range of personalities as any other color. Shelter workers often say that black cats can wait longer for adoption, so it is a kind thing to consider them. They can be hard to photograph, since their features blend into shadow, but that glossy coat usually shines when it is well fed and groomed. As with any cat, regular vet checkups and a few good hiding and perching spots keep them content.
Whatever course this admiral sets, the crew will follow quietly and hope there is a treat at the end.
