caprift - noun (kuh-PRIHFT)
ca·prift /hɑːprɪft/
variants: caprífota, caprifota (kah-PREE-foh-tah)
ca·pri·fo·ta /hɑːprifoʊtɑː/
1. a state of desire between two or more parties to reunite, even if, and especially when, they have lost their memory of each other
"Even though the twins grew up in different parts of the world and never knew each other proper, both felt caprift and empty without their other half."
2. a dish made of assorted raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice, often with pecans, dried fruit and seasonings, and often served as an appetizer
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It had only been days since he found this person in his chat app, but there truly was no denying that what little bond Merlin and this man shared with each other ran a lot deeper than he would think. During their talks, the stoat would find some personal information about him: His real name was Brock, and he was a well-built tabby cat. He resided in the US, had a stable job, and was single. Despite being different folk, it seemed like something wanted them to be led to each other.
Merlin couldn't pinpoint it. Was it his charms? Was Brock an exchange student of some sort while they were in college? Did they... date? But Merlin wasn't gay, or even bi, for that matter. Was Brock perhaps an adopted brother? ...was HE the adopted one!?
Buzz, buzz. Merlin's phone vibrated incessantly in his left pocket, and it broke him out of his thoughts, now remembering where he was. He had just come back home with a takeout bag in hand and with little energy to do anything else. Even though it was the stoat's week off, that didn't seem to stop his body from wanting to coil itself under multiple blankets.
Merlin took out his phone and smiled as he saw that Brock had messaged him again. Quickly opening his private chat with the cat, he was taken aback by the messages sent:
MrKittSteele: yo merlin, felt u would be off work today
MrKittSteele: wanna video chat?
He hadn't done video anything with anyone, and especially strangers, but Merlin knew it was... different this time. The fear that initially settled quickly evaporated as he simply replied with a thumbs-up emoji.
Minutes later, he was sat at the dining room, phone propped up to have both hands free to finally eat his lunch. Brock appeared on the screen, and the moment both their eyes finally met for the first time, a massive weight on both their shoulders was lifted.
In that moment, somehow, they felt... delight.
About as much delight as Merlin’s Caprífota would give him when he later ate it all in front of Brock over what felt like a long overdue conversation.
![Observation of The Fantastic Creation - Thursday Prompt Story [#2, 12/1/23]](https://va.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/4572/4572679_TheFireTiger21_thursday_prompt_2.jpg "Observation of The Fantastic Creation - Thursday Prompt Story [#2, 12/1/23]")
vixyyfox: It is a brand-new year, and as a writer, you are to make up a brand-new word. You will then define it as it would be defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary. And then, you will use this word in a 365 word story.
