| フワー |
The Cat takes one big yawn before continuing her slumber on the side of the bed closest to the window, curled up like a ball under the sheets she nests her head comfortable into the pillow. As she silently snoozes, on the opposite side of the bed is Ran loudly huffing & puffing as she sluggishly pulls herself out of bed
Ran: *yawns* "What a dream"
She says, yawning once more as she makes a long Y shape with her out stretching arms. This loosens her shoulder joints enough to relax before the start of another stressful day, said relaxation recalls the major event of the night. However, instead of being remembered as fact, she treats this memory as no more than a whimsical dream as she twists her torso, allowing her legs to dangle from the side of her bed. "There's no way Neko is really a Catgirl, I was just making that stuff up…" she thinks to herself before this gets interrupted by what feels like a piece of fluff brushing against her hip, "hang on" her tired brain jolts & focuses on that sensation. That fluff brushes her again causing her now widened eyes to turn along with her head, gradually angling until a pink haired maiden enters her periphery. The shoulders of this sleeping beauty periodically rising & falling like a slow pump indicating her mesmeric state of sleep, "I don't want to wake her" she keeps in mind as she slides out of bed at a snail's pace only to be met with another thought. "I can't leave her without saying…"
Ran: "Neko-chan"
She calls her friend with a sweet voice, beckoning her to awaken but the cat remains stuck in slumber
Neko: "Nyun"
Neko gently hums, making the same sound a person mimicking a cat would make. This is accompanied by a tiny flicker of her eyebrows & twitch of her equally pink lips but still fast asleep
Ran: "Neko-chan"
She makes another attempt, this time increasing the decibels of her voice & putting more weight into her fingers as she taps Neko's shoulders. Despite this, the cat remains asleep. "She's such a deep sleeper, for realsies"
Ran: "Neko-chan"
She says a bit louder, this time rocking her shoulder back & forth continuously until she sees any sign of life. This sign eventually comes in the form of a soft wail
Neko: "Kuryausu"
Ran pauses & brings her ear closer to listen again, "did she say kuryau?" she asks herself, looking for Neko to repeat this word she rocks the Catgirl's shoulder again
Neko: "Kuryausu"
She wailed the same word, but this time tosses & turns herself cluing Ran into what must be going on & crucially the word coming from Neko's mouth, "She's saying Klaus!" That's the boy she's crushing onto that realisation she leans away & pulls her arm back. "She must be dreaming about him" she figures but after recalling the angst in Neko's voice, this puts her on edge as she intends on waking this Catgirl up with the news of Ran's planned departure to school however that would have to take a backseat if her friend is truly having a nightmare.
Nevertheless, it is vital that she gets Neko out of this nightmare
Ran: "Neko-chan"
She says but louder & starts rocking her with both hands gripped to Neko's shoulder, the force of this movement finally wakes the Catgirl up
Neko: "Nyah?"
Neko slurs, slowly opening her eyes & sluggishly raising her head from the white pillow with pink hair covering half her face
Neko: "What hyappened nya?"
She asks, bringing her forearm up to wipe the drool off her lips & cheek
Ran: "Neko-chan, are you ok?"
She drops her past intentions to take greater concern in her friend's wellbeing; by leaning in she bridges the gap between them as she sincerely inquires on Neko's feelings. However, the Catgirl is reluctant to open herself to Ran's care
Neko: "Rannyan. I'm fine nyah"
She turns her head to answer almost passive aggressively before curling back into bed, this only adds to Ran's concern however time does not accommodate her kindness & she knows it.
She smoothly makes her way out of bed & stretches out her arms as her legs reach the floor, her extra low-cut socks match the white of the fluffy carpet she stands on. The comfort transmits positivity into her soul, this causes a brief smile which carries on as she steps out towards the wardrobe. The very wardrobe adorned with the ceramic cat sculpture & fake plants
Ran: *sighs*
The trace amounts of positivity don't change the fact that the weight of tiredness is perched on her shoulders & anchors her to the Earth, this tiredness only grows the further she gets from the bed however she marches on. "Missing a day of school is not an option, I must keep moving. For realsies" she tells herself while slapping her cheeks with both hands to snap her out of this weary state, this works in clearing her mind momentarily as she faces the wardrobe with a transparent plan of action. "I need to get my uniform on & quick" She feels the urgency stepping in as time marches on towards 08:20, seeing this only prompts her to pull the cupboard doors open to grab her uniform which consists of a simple white button shirt, red tie & black blazer matching the skirt. This is where she attempts to covertly change out of her pyjamas & into her uniform while Neko rests on her bed, hoping to be as quiet as a mouse when she pulls her skirt up & wraps the shirt around her bare body.
No reaction from Neko, the Catgirl remains in bed with her face concealed by her pink hair. Her pointy cat ears however stick up & twitch like some radio dish indicating to Ran that she's conscious & aware of her surroundings
Ran: "Neko-chan, I must get going now"
Neko: "Thank you, Rannyan"
The static Catgirl responds to her with shrugged shoulders & a still tone, "Neko is really going through something difficult, I can see. For realsies" she reassures herself of this however she cannot help the feeling that her Feline friend is acting quite distant this morning, "I can't just wait for a willing response, I must go"
???: "Ran-chan! You're going to be late"
She hears her name called from beyond her closed door, maybe even coming from downstairs due to how faint that call was
Ran: "Coming mother!"
In an instant, she faces the door to answer with a loud call of her own. The time she could spent to help her friend is over & just like the arms on a clock Ran must advance but before she does so she swiftly pulls herself towards the bed to close the gap between her & Neko
Ran: "Both my parents will be working today so if you're hungry, my stash of snacks is in the bottom drawer near the refrigerator"
This information causes Neko's ears to sharply twitch, she sees this indication of the cat's attention & forms a petite grin on her lips. "Typical cat, she is" she thinks to herself before relaying the next nugget of crucial information
Ran: "Mother leaves at around 9:40 so you can come down after that"
She continues
Ran: "Message me on Jinx if you have any concern, I'll read the messages at 12:00 on my break"
Her tone becomes slightly higher as she speaks
Ran: "I must get going, bye"
The speed in which her speech exists her mouth increases until she grabs the rounded doorknob & twists it to open the door, after a swift wave of her hand she exits like a gust of wind before promptly closing the hatch behind her. This leaves Neko all alone to wait until the house becomes empty before she can make her escape
--
| コロコロ |
A narrow stream of water flows down a large trench lined in mossy cobblestone, a thin path wetted runs along this tiny river. A dreary place where Neko finds herself stepping onward as if lost & confused, "nyah this looks like the path I took to reach Ranyan's house last night" she ponders with caution. She runs her fingers up to clear her view from obstructing pink hair only to discover, "I am in Hyuman form" she deduces this by the feel of her head & its lack of large pointy cat ears
| トボトボ |
Taking several abated steps with her bare feet on this slim trail in the same direction the muddied water flows, Neko's pink eyes chase the ripples as if each miniature wave beckons her to follow
| コロコロ |
The slushing sound of this current intensifies just as the cold damp sensation under her feet only just gets felt by her twitching toes, this causes her entire body to tense up & arms to retreat into a cross with her hands hiding under her armpits. "I'm glad I still hyave my jyacket" she realises once her pink sleeves come into view however the checkered pattern so familiar to her appears distorted as she stares, the tiny white lines & pink shaded channels seem curly like hills on a distant horizon with a darkening rouge sky as a backdrop.
While all this contrasts flare contrasts the gloomy pebble greys & moss greens of her surroundings, Neko only has one thought in mind as she traverses this aisle.
"This must be syome kind of dream"
| ザーザー |
Suddenly, she is met by an immense amount of rain unwavering in its fervour. This abrupt downpour completely drenches Neko's clothing, her jacket becomes heavy like chainmail while her sleeves tighten as if snakes have trapped her into a death wrap & that's not mentioning the cold
| ゾクゾク |
Neko shivers, her shoulders begin to rattle as her arms collapse into her body, she holds herself for warmth. However, there was no heat to be found in this dark muggy aisle. This complete lack of warmth shows itself in the random jitters in her head & the now constant tapping of her teeth making a sound not dissimilar to a light hailstorm, the moss-grown surface of the cobblestone path plushie to the touch sends a biting cold sensation along the bottom of her feet.
She maintained her post by digging her heals into the sludgy green moss but when those patches begin to recede the further she moves the path becomes more stone than moss, an almost smooth road with a brisk upper layer. It's here Neko's concerns are heightened, ordinarily her cat tail would shrivel & hug her legs like a scared child but in Human form it's as if she is the scared child with no one to huddle to for protection
| ツルツル |
The moment she angled herself too much to the left where the river flows, her left foot slips on the smooth round stone. Her foot is sent flying causing her to loss foothold & begin a descent into the bleak water
| バシャン |
A mighty splash erupts once her body lands into the water like a rock & just like a heavy boulder she continues to sink. The Catgirl in her Human form struggles to grasp for air, she tries to keep her airways restricted however that's met with a painful feeling in her throat along with expanding cheeks. The agony gets magnified when her head begins to ache, going from a slight soreness then gradually pounding so intense she could see it unlike the light around her which fades away very quickly. "Nyah I kyan't bare this anymore, I need help!" Are the only words she's capable of forming in her head as the dread becomes unavoidable, bit by bit she sinks while lashing her arms & legs in hopes of altering her fate. However, there is no chance she could get out of this alone. "Kuryausu…"
The name of that German Gentleman who spirals through her mind was uttered; this brings to her a subtle warmth to sooth her aching soul. Slowly but surely the frigid wet water warms up & the chaotic slashing of ripples fade as the hail ceases.
In this calm state she notices a slight pressure on her right wrist, without seeing she could feel it wrap around like a snake before tugging. "Syomething is trying to pull me out" she concludes, however in her now mellow mood she doesn't think twice before allowing this entity to carry her to a better place. "Nyah I hope somewhere dryer"
| バシャッ |
The surface of the water is punctuated by Neko's forearm as it's hastily towed out, the cold air contacting her wet hand causes her fingers to contract. Despite that, she welcomes this development with a cordial grin once her head pokes out from the river, she gently widens her eyes. Though light is at a minimum, she could still make out the details in the surrounding area with her Feline night vision, the walled trench she found herself in before falling is gone, in its place is a clear space draped with tall trees dotted with thick missile toe bushes on the branches & plants blooming with delicate flowers in the distance. She sees now that she must have drifted into a park, perhaps the Omagi Park as it must still be strong in her memory along with the trench from before. But at the centre of this landscape is the one that pulled her from this bitter stream
Klaus: "Neko I've gott you"
It's Klaus! Wearing a beige button shirt & grey jeans now drenched in cold water, he continues to pull her out. This sight awakened the Catgirl who's renewed optimism becomes energised, allowing the adrenaline from seeing Klaus's handsome face & suave haircut gave her the boost to leap out of the chilling water like a mermaid to engulf him with her wet arms
Klaus: "I've got you now"
He voices calmly but with a tinge of excitement at the sight of her burrowing into his chest like a kitten, even with her pointy cat ears relaxed & directed to him. "Wait, kyat ears?" She steadily turned her head to look past her right shoulder only to enlarge her vertical slit eyes at the sight of a pink tail drenched in cold water weighing it down as it awkwardly flaps around. "When did I change into my Kyat form nya?" This shocking phenomenon puzzles the now Catgirl who clings to Klaus for comfort, tensing her fingers onto his shirt as she uses his presence as an anchor securely docking her to some sense of relief in this gloomy World.
However, that relief subsidies somewhat as Klaus's firm grip on her body loosens leading her eyes to open & her head to shift. She perks her gaze up at her hero's head but what she sees brings dread, the Catgirl's fingers harden except not around Klaus. Before even getting at close look at his reaction to her cat ears Neko's heart sinks once she sees his wide blue eyes & distaste in his tense bottom lip, he starts to pull away. "No no Kuryausu!"
Neko: "Kuryausu…it's me"
She begs, catching her voice while tears form in her eye lids. She stares at him only to receive a repulsed scowl
Klaus: "You look like a freak"
Neko: "Nya?"
His hateful whisper sends Neko into a black hole of panic, her frozen arms slip off his smooth shirt like butter sliding across a pan. Unable to react due to her shock, Neko remains locked in place with her watery eyes on the man she put all her hope into, the one she went through the pain of acquiring a dodgy potion for. Now that man stands up & looks down on her the way someone would a pest, "Why is he kyacting like this nya?" she asks herself
Neko: "But…I'm still the same"
She mutters to up, longing to change his mind with her appeal to the compassion she thought he had. "Kuryausu-kyun please listen tyo me nyah!"
Neko: "Kuryausu-kyun"
She calls his name, bowing her head as she grabs his ankles, she assumes this submissive pose by presenting her silky pink hair to be caressed but his hands become clenched fists. He watches this grovelling Feline poke her head up & stare with tearful eyes
Neko: "But Kuryausu"
His hands lunge for her shoulders & with one ferocious push the cat goes flying
Neko: "Nyaaaaahhh!!"
She screams as she falls back into the water with her arms outstretched, this level of betrayal shakes her heart as is her heart has been ripped out & strangled. The further she falls the more her body becomes engulfed by freezing water, this sharp change into a familiar situation takes a couple of seconds to register in her mind as she grieves all while the man, she thought could save her turns away & vanishes into the dark backdrop
"I want to go home"
--
Neko: "Hyah"
Her eyes spring open, filling her vision with so much light her vertical pupils shrink until they're as thin as a pole, this contrasts the darkness she had experienced a moment ago. At such a shocking change in scenery, the immediately pulls herself up & looks around the room with her hands clenching the white covers. Sounding her is a quant room with modest décor & cozy atmosphere, this causes her jittering fingers to stall. "Wait, it was all a dream?" She asks herself with a confused tone in her inner voice & a hesitant silence from her outer one all while gaze longingly at the foot of the bed.
As her vision gradually gets dewy, she senses a slight tingle on her cheeks. She brings her right hand up only for her fingers to feel something wet has streaked down from her eyes
Neko: "Tears nyah"
She confirms to herself with this dull statement as she brings her hand down, two of her fingers & her thumb are slightly coated by the warm residue of these tears of sorrow. A single straggling tear makes it passed her cheek & toward her upper lip so it's not long before she can even taste piquant zesty flavour, it's here she rubs the trails off her face & begins to question her next moves.
"Is it even worth it for me to pursue this nya?" She asks herself when that sash Klaus gifted her appears in her head, now that the Potion she acquired by giving away the sash has been exposed to be a deadly poison Neko knows not to mess with such a fiendish clowder like that. Every bone in her body tells her it's too dangerous to go out there looking for them however, as usual her heart has the loudest voice as it calls out Klaus' name & paints the image of him in her mind only in a mellow mood with his right arm outstretched contrasting the prejudicial one concocted in her dream. "This is the Kuryausu I did all that for, I want to be with him nyah"
Neko: "Nyaa"
She moans in frustration, the unpleasant circumstance she finds herself in doesn't leave her many options. "Syo if I dyon't go looking for them…I lose the sash" she concludes, were she to return home without any Masking Potion she would face the wrath of the Oni homeowner who might be made aware by last night's confrontation if Hoshi came clean & told her. It would be the easier choice for Neko to just go home & confront that raging Oni…or. "I kyould take matters into my own hyands & find some pyotion myself" this sudden thought jolts her mind like an injection of adrenaline as it forces her to conjure a plan, "I just hyave to find syome real pyotion then nyabbing it would be easy!" she determines
Neko: "It kyould work"
She whispers to herself while twirling her hair, this plan alleviates her troubles enough for her to form a grin & forget that traumatic nightmare. "Nyah I'm gyoing to do it!" She finishes on that thought as she gets out of the bed & searches for her tights, skirt & jacket which all should be dry by now
--
Upon finding her clothes she notices that despite being dry they still smell like a river, "Nyo myatter, nothing a quick spray kyan't fix" she theorises while checking drawers for spray to use.
Once that was done & the clothes were on, Neko frees her mind up to chart a course for the next crucial leg of her journey
| ゴロゴロ |
Getting food.
She gently turns the doorknob & gently pushes the doorframe to create minimal sound when opening, her Feline eyes are set like a panther on the staircase on the other side of this perpendicular hallway. As she pokes her head out with ears out like radars, she recalls what Ran said before leaving in the morning:
(Ran: "Mother leaves at around 9:40 so you can come down after that")
Now entering the kitchen, Neko bolts toward the designated snack drawer with the speed of a cheetah. The intensity of those Gangsters is as solid as the compassion on Klaus' face in the mind of this Catgirl as she opens the drawer. This suggests an idea, "heow would I defend myself against them nya?"
Her rummaging of the snack draw lessens as her head slowly rotates to the right as she changes her direction of focus to the long top drawer at the corner of the kitchen counter, "knyife". Her mind conceives of a sharp blade to counter the Gangsters' O Tanto sword.
With a pack of chips & two Bringles cylinders in hand, she pivots to the drawer where she suspects the utensils are. She sets the snacks onto the counter before opening to see if the knives are there, taking her hand out to grab the handle & pull Neko gazes at the contents inside. The set up consists of mixed cooking tools to the right & a small selection of chopsticks to the left, "So nyot here nyah" disappointed she rolls her Feline eyes only for a small flash of light to bounce from the middle of the stash. This grabs Neko's attention at lightning speed, her hand hovers over the position of this flash before digging her fingers into the cluttered pile only for her soft skin to stroke something smooth & cold like ice.
She steadily trails her fingers down this long metallic object until reaching a warmer surface, "this must be the large cooking knyife" she investigates further by wrapping her fingers around what she would guess is the handle. "I've gyot it!!" her eye lids
She steadily grabs the knife by the handle & brings it out for inspection, a sharp flicker of light flashes from the blade's clean surface causing the Catgirl to shield her eyes briefly.
As she resumes her examination that very flicker morphs into a crescent-like shape that glides along the seamless metal before ending on the sharp edge, this clean blade mesmerises this Catgirl & poises her to keep a firm on the handle. With that comes her determination to persist, this stubborn Catgirl brings the knife closer to her person & takes a deep breath to quell any jitters. "I wyon't let those Gyangsters win"
Neko: *sudden exhale*
Neko lets out all the air she held in that breath as she shuts the drawer & turns away from the counter, marching with deep assurance & fire in her pink iris
--
| ブロロ |
The subtle noise of the bus's motor runs in the background as Ran sits on a seat beside the window, with all the houses streaming past at a steady pace the youthful highschooler keeps her face buried in her phone. Scrolling through pictures on Jinx at a comparable rate to the landmarks passing the bus, "Would I see Neko at home when I arrive?"
The plain & inoffensive content travelling passed her screen don't compare to the thrilling thoughts engaging her brain, "she must be starving if she didn't go out to catch something" she thinks with the anxiety of a pet-owner. This prompts her to cease the mindless scrolling through the app & to hit the off button but before the screen goes black, she sees a notification ping coming from her DMs. The white rectangular display suddenly shuts off & turns to darkness leaving her youthful face being reflected onto her, she taps the side button to awaken the device & after punching in her code Jinx was up & running once more allowing this highschooler to reach into her DMs to see that it was indeed a message from Neko:
Nyaplus23: [Nya~hoo Ranyan! I'm dyoing better neow, the snyacks were good. I wish I kyould stay more but I hyave to gyo syadly. Thank you for everything]
Ran bares on her youthful face a charming smile before responding
Ranari18: [That's good, for realsies. I'm glad you feel better, come by again please]
After sending that reply she couldn't help but feel something was missing from it, with the shocking discovery of Neko's true self still fresh in her mind she tries to come up with something related to Cats to bring her friend back. "I've got it! For realsies"
Ranari18: [I'll get you Tuna next time]
This message caused her to giggle as she hit send, she turns her phone off & puts it down all while her other hand cups her lips to conceal the miniature chunks of laughter upon conceiving of other comical lines she could now use on her Feline friend. "I'm sure we can work around this, Humans shouldn't be so judgmental these days" she considered as she looks toward the window on her left, "we'll be alright…for realsies"