Chapter 26: Friends Alone

MIKA

Mika watched as Iro vanished into the crowd, a warm smile spreading across her face.

She knew he should probably stick around, but she also knew he was eager to see that Alethria dryad woman again. Given his current state, she doubted she could stop him, so she let him go.

With a soft sigh, Mika turned back to find Beck, Iro’s human buddy.

Mika found Beck attractive enough to not cramp her style, and she was sure the human had a treasure trove of embarrassing stories about Iro, considering how long they’d been living together.

The kind of dirt Mika could use to make Iro cover for her when she snuck into Zeltaria’s liquor cabinet or swiped leftovers from Skalla.

The usual mischief she got into that Zeltaria would sometimes punish her for, and sometimes let slide.

Mika figured Zel did it that way to keep her guessing if she’d end up over Zeltaria’s knee the next time, but it never stopped her from stealing a bottle or a box of food here and there.

Spotting Beck in the crowd wasn’t too hard as the human hadn’t strayed far. Sliding up next to Beck, Mika looped her left arm through Beck’s right and snuggled up to the human.

“Enjoying the carnival?” she asked, noticing Beck’s eyes wide with fascination and joy. Seeing so many different species and their unique ways of celebrating was definitely a culture shock for most.

Beck nodded and leaned toward Mika so she could hear her better. Not that Mika needed the help.

Her cat ears were great at picking up sounds, but she didn’t mind Beck leaning into her. All things considered, the human was pretty soft and squishy. Might make for good cuddles.

“Yeah! It’s amazing. I’ve never seen so many extra-species in one place. They’re all so beautiful!” Beck said, her eyes darting from a tall, muscular minotaur here to a slender, sleek merfolk there.

Each one was a testament to evolutionary necessity, but each one was beautiful and unique in their own way.

“Glad you like us. You know, you fit in here,” Mika said, starting to pull Beck along. “If you think about it, you’re just an extra-species without fur. Or claws…or a tail…”

Beck giggled as Mika made the, admittedly fair, observation that humans and “extra-species” weren’t so different at the core. It was then she noticed their group was one member short.

“Hey…where’s Iro?” she asked, looking around for her white canine friend.

Mika just shrugged slightly, her arm rubbing along Beck’s side and inner arm, and kept walking. “He said he had someone to see. I told him to text when he was done.”

Beck deflated slightly for a moment before shrugging herself. “Whatever. I know where he sleeps. I can get him back later for ditching us.”

Mika grinned, sharp cat teeth on display. “I knew I liked you. C’mon, you’ve got to see how the catfolk celebrate. We have yarn.”

Beck opened her mouth, about to comment, when Mika started laughing, clutching her stomach and bending over slightly.

“Hee, you should see your face!” she managed to squeak out between laughs. Only then did Beck realize the cat was actually joking. “C’mon, human. You’ll have to learn that cats love a good joke more than anything.”

Beck finally let out a partially embarrassed laugh before hugging Mika’s arm, keeping the two girls close together. “More than anything?” she teased, her voice playful.

Mika looked at Beck with a slyly suspicious look and grinned. “Oh, I do like you…”

Beck and Mika walked into a cluttered but cozy café, tables scattered haphazardly and chairs of all shapes and sizes. Species of all shapes filled those same chairs in matching sizes.

Colorful streamers lined the entrance to the café, and the two visible café workers wore unusually vibrant, almost garish, outfits. They were both also felines.

Mika guided Beck to a table and sat across from her, flagging down a waitress before turning her attention to Beck. “Thought you could use a break. Didn’t think the ’nip would hit you so hard.”

Beck giggled, still a little dazed from trying what Mika described as a “relaxant” which turned out to really only be relaxing for felines.

Beck waved shakily and shook her head. “I-I’m fine. I’m coming down pretty quick. Now I see why those catnip videos online are so…funny…”

Mika chuckled softly and let one hand rest in the center of the table as she turned in her chair to look for the waitress when the feline in question appeared beside them.

“Mika!” The female feline cheered as she arrived at the table and threw her arms around Mika.

Mika, partially pinned, was only able to get one hand up in an embrace and nodded as the waitress rubbed her face against Mika’s, whiskers and fur coming away much frizzier than they had been before.

“Heya, sis. Sorry I haven’t been around for a couple weeks.”

The bubbly waitress turned her attention to Beck while still clutching Mika’s neck. Beck was now waking up slightly more at the new arrival. “And is this why you’ve been busy? She’s a cutie!”

Mika’s cheek fur ruffled evenly on both sides, and she shot her gaze up at her sibling. “No, I’ve had work. This is one of my coworker’s friends. The dog.”

The waitress remained perky and excited but with a new conspiratorial attitude as she stood upright. “Oh, a secret meeting between you and your coworker’s friend, while he’s none the wiser.”

Mika pressed a finger to her lips, her grin wide. “I promise, not a word. I’ll get your usual. What can I get for her?”

Mika’s fur bristled, her neck puffing up in response to her sister’s teasing. She muttered, “Water and something fizzy and light. She had some bad ’nip.”

The waitress chuckled and nodded, disappearing into the bustling café and into the kitchen.

Mika slumped onto the table, letting out a frustrated groan. Beck, finally regaining her senses, reached out and began to scratch Mika’s head. “Not a fan of being teased?”

Mika didn’t stop Beck from petting her, but she looked up with a disgruntled expression. “I don’t like when my family makes ~stupid remarks and suggestions~!”

She ended with a loud shout aimed at the kitchen before resting her chin back on the table, allowing Beck to continue petting her.

“That’s just Suyi. My little sister. Eight years younger. Still…still maturing. In my family, the kids always leave home to see where life takes them, and she’s about to do the same.

“She’s next in line to go out and do…odd things…”

Beck tilted her head. “Is being a maid at a mansion considered ~odd~?”

Mika’s eyes met Beck’s before shifting away, a hint of embarrassment in her gaze. “S-sometimes…”

Suyi returned with a small tray holding two glasses—one with water and the other with a fizzy golden liquid—and a pink mug with tiny cat ears on one side and a handle shaped like a cat tail.

“Got your favorite mug,” she said, winking as she slid the pink mug over to Mika, who accepted it with a grumble.

“~Thanks~, Suyi. That’s all.”

Suyi glanced between the two girls and snickered. “I’m ~certain~ that’s ~all~.”

She walked away, her tail swishing back and forth before she disappeared into the kitchen again, only to peek out and watch Beck and Mika.

“Sorry…she can be a handful,” Mika said, sliding the mug over and resting her lips on the edge between the two ceramic cat ears.

Beck just laughed before taking a long sip of the water and sighing in relief. “That’s family for you. If I told you about all the times Iro would ~shake himself dry~ or try to groom himself in the common rooms, we’d be here all day!”

Mika chuckled softly, picturing Iro denying such a story before she felt Beck’s hand back on her head, scratching through her fur again.

This time, strangely, it sent shivers down her spine and made her fur stand on end.

“Besides, ~I~ don’t think being a maid is all that strange.”

Mika looked up and stared at Beck for what felt like an eternity, until Suyi passed by and slid a small piece of paper onto the table as she moved to serve another group.

Mika grabbed the piece of paper and hissed softly before shouting at Suyi, “We do ~not~ need a wedding photographer!”

Beck and a few others in the café burst into laughter, Suyi laughing the hardest, but before Mika could chase after her sister, both her and Beck’s phones buzzed.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, still glaring at Suyi, Mika saw the message was from Iro.

Beck read her message out loud. “I’m done here for now. Where can I meet you two?”

Mika didn’t bother to read her message and just huffed as she sat back down, finishing her drink.

“Looks like we need to go find a lost puppy,” she said, her face scrunched up in a scowl. The cat wouldn’t admit it, but she was more upset about having to cut short her alone time with Beck than anything to do with Iro.

Beck stood, taking Mika’s hand in hers. “Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep him waiting. Can I pay for any of this or—”

Suyi appeared behind Beck, resting her chin on the shorter human’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Family and ~soon-to-be family~ eat free!”

“Suyi!” Mika yelled, chasing after the retreating feline waitress, leaving Beck to laugh at the amusing scene.