Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
On the west side of Constellia, the flea market is buzzing with life. Mechanoids who are usually quiet have all set up stalls, selling trinkets they've collected or crafted by hand.
You came here hoping to find something unusual, but instead, you spot a familiar figure in the crowd.
...
Alpha stands at a stall, focused on the item in her hands. She examines it carefully, exchanges a few words with the vendor, then pays without hesitation, slipping her purchase into a small pouch.
The crowd surges. A passerby blocks your view for only a moment, but when they move on, Alpha is gone.
Before you can look for her, you feel a fingertip press firmly against your back.
Don't move.
That cool, familiar voice could belong to no one else.
Alpha says nothing, just gives you a look you can't quite read. Then she tilts her chin to the right, signaling you to follow.
Here at the market's edge, the noise fades and the crowds thin out.
She finally withdraws her finger, and you turn to look at her, noticing the white cloth bag in her hand, stamped with little cat paw prints.
Freebie.
She keeps it short, but when she sees your curiosity, she passes you the bag.
Inside are boxes of cat food, a collapsible cat bed, neatly packed gauze, and antiseptic.
I passed the pet supplies section earlier and picked them up. See if anything's missing.
You take the bag. The kit is surprisingly complete—food, bedding, even emergency care supplies.
She lets out the faintest sigh.
Yes. Every morning. First thing after waking up, it comes to me like it's clocking in for work.
She turns slightly to the side, and her silver-white hair slides over her shoulder, the crimson tips swaying in your view.
...I don't understand what's so fascinating about it.
You can't help but glance at that flash of red. Almost without thinking, you reach out and twirl a strand between your fingers. It's cool, silky, softer than you imagined.
Alpha freezes for a moment at the unexpected touch, then simply exhales a quiet huff.
You've got more nerve than the cat.
Thinking back to the bag's contents, you realize she bought everything except something to burn off the cat's energy. If the problem is clawing, then maybe she can give it something else to play with...
You search the flea market until you find the perfect item:
A lightweight rod with a few soft feathers attached—a simple but irresistible toy for cats.
Alpha eyes it with open skepticism.
You really think that will work?
How do you even use it? Just wave it in front of it?
You give the wand a light shake. The feathers flutter like a moth in flight, tracing uneven arcs through the air.
Alpha watches intently, her heterochromatic gaze fixed on the feathers as if tracking real prey.
Hmph. Simple enough.
As she speaks, she reaches toward the swaying feathers, as if testing their feel.
For some reason, without thinking, you move before your mind can catch up. A thought flashes through you and, almost like a prank, you lift your wrist ever so slightly.
The feathers brush her fingertips before darting upward, leaving her hand hanging in midair.
...
Alpha glances at her empty fingers, then at the feathers. She doesn't seem upset, only gives a small shake of her head.
Don't be childish.
She reaches again, this time quicker and more precise.
The feathers slip past her fingertips once more.
Tsk...
Her tongue clicks against her teeth. She finally looks up at you, clear annoyance in her mismatched eyes.
Third time's the charm.
Her gaze returns to the feathers, and she tries again.
[player name]!
With a sharp growl, she abandons the "prey" and moves in a flash, her hand cutting through their afterimage to clamp firmly around your wrist holding the toy.
An unyielding force shoots through your arm, throwing your balance off instantly.
By the time you realize it, your arm is twisted up behind you in a textbook restraint hold. The pressure on your joint leaves no doubt about the warning she's sending.
Getting bold lately, aren't you?
The air hangs still for a few seconds.
Finally, the pressure on your arm eases as Alpha lets go.
Don't do this again.
She snatches the "culprit" from your hand and walks straight to the vendor to pay for it without hesitation.
Got what I came for. I'm heading back.
You think about it: Alpha has bought a complete set of supplies for the cat, but nothing for herself.
I'm not interested in that sort of thing.
She answers quickly, but as soon as she finishes speaking, her gaze settles on you and stays there. Your reflection shimmers in her mismatched eyes. She stays silent for a moment, as if she's studying a piece of art.
No. Let me correct that. There is one "souvenir" here that I am interested in.
Relax. I wasn't planning to pay.
She reaches out again, but this time there's no force in her grip—she just holds your wrist gently.
Let's go.
Don't ask questions. And no excuses. You're spending the rest of the day with me.
