Story Reader / Event Story / Stellar Narratives / Story
Got it! The last one.
Meow... Meooww!
I'm catching a food thief.
Sophia lifts the white cat by the scruff of its neck and holds it up toward you.
Meooww!
No disruptions to business are allowed. That's the rule in Akdilek.
Yep. Stealing.
Oh, and [player name], I could use your help with something.
You follow Sophia to a park a short distance from the event venue.
You're Number Three. Go stand with Number One and Number Two.
Meow...
Meow... Meow!
The white cat wriggles free from Sophia's grip and scampers over to the other two hiding in the shade. They huddle together and start meowing, as if venting to one another.
Some vendors complained that stray cats were stealing from their stalls... so I started rounding them up. Now I need to figure out what to do with them.
Well... that's exactly why I brought you here, [player name].
They only steal because they're hungry. And they're hungry because they don't have food. If they want food, they need to work for it.
More or less. Go ahead and take a seat.
I'm going to train them now. Can you give them a score based on how well they do?
Thank you.
You'll see soon enough... The street performers say this line makes for the perfect introduction.
Before we begin, let me introduce the staff. This tabby is Number One, the yellow one is Number Two, and the white one I just caught is Number Three.
The cats look a bit put out as Sophia holds them up to show you, but surprisingly, none of them run away. In fact, they've been unusually calm this whole time.
Noticing the puzzled look on your face, Sophia adds an explanation.
I already fed them. Animals, just like humans, get a lot more obedient once their needs are met.
First task. Cats, stand up and dance.
Meow?
Everyone present is stunned, except Sophia, who seems perfectly serious. Her unreadable gaze remains locked on the cats.
Maybe it has realized there's no escape. Number Two, the yellow one, walks up to a tree trunk, stands on its hind legs, and stretches its front paws as high as it can.
For a moment, it really does look like it's standing upright.
Meow... Meow...
That seems like the best it can do. Numbers One and Three look toward Sophia, but she doesn't look satisfied.
And the dancing?
Is that really enough? But that's only halfway done...
...But I saw some cats standing on the train.
She looks genuinely disappointed after hearing your explanation, and her voice sounds a little down.
Fine. They can't dance, but since you gave them full marks, we'll call it a pass. Numbers One, Two, and Three, you should thank [player name].
All three cats turn to look at you, their eyes full of admiration.
Next task... If you can't sing or dance, then it's time to rely on raw instincts.
She pulls something out of her toolkit, a mechanical pufferfish bristling with spikes and looking ready to fight.
Cats, take care of it.
This is basically a death match! You quickly try to put a stop to it... The cats already look terrified, their eyes practically rolling back.
...But the cats on the train could take on one or two adults, no problem.
After you explain everything thoroughly, Sophia finally gives up on the cat talent show idea.
Then what? If they don't have talents, they won't be able to earn food...
A cat cafe... I think I've read about those. They let cats roam around freely, and customers just interact with them at random...
But would a lazy customer-service model like that really work? We didn't have that on the train.
Seems like she's not convinced a cafe where customers entertain themselves is viable.
...You've been to a cat cafe before, [player name]?
Then could you take me next time? I want to see how they actually run it.
Thanks. If I can copy the business model... whether it's on the train or here, Numbers One, Two, and Three will be able to support themselves through their own work.
Meow!
Maybe they somehow understands what's happening, because the three cats look very happy. Then—
They pounce on you.
You just got tackled, [player name]...
Mm...
She doesn't respond. Instead, Sophia gently moves the kitten rubbing against your uniform and clears a space. Then...
She pounces on you too.
Cat Cafe Simulation.
Three kittens pin down your arms, and now your body is trapped under a certain white-haired cat girl. You can't move.
Sunlight filters lazily through the leaves, casting a soft glow on their fur. After all the excitement this morning, they seem worn out. Soon, the cats curled up on top of you start purring contentedly.
Since you can't get up anyway, might as well join them for a nap.
Sweet dreams, [player name].
