Selena nodded slowly, her fingers resuming their gentle strokes on the cat's fur. "Thank you," she said softly. "You've given me a lot to think about."
The cat purred in response, its eyes closing as it nestled against her. "You're welcome, master," it murmured.
Selena didn't correct it this time. For now, she was content to let the cat believe what it wanted. It was a connection to the old Selena, a guide to the mysteries of her new life. And if she was going to survive in this world, she'd need all the help she could get.
Selena shifted on the bed, her gaze steady as she regarded the black cat curled comfortably in her lap. She hesitated for a moment before asking gently, "Can you help me with anything else?"
The cat blinked up at her, its golden eyes glinting with a spark of mischief. "Of course," it said smoothly, stretching its slender body and arching its back. "I wasn't created to lounge around, you know. I was made with an intended purpose."
Selena tilted her head, intrigued. "What kind of purpose?"
The cat settled back onto its haunches, its tail curling around its paws with an air of practiced elegance. "Several, actually," it began, its tone carrying a note of pride. "For starters, I can track anyone or anything you wish to find. It doesn't matter where they are or how well they think they're hidden—I'll find them for you."
Selena's brows rose. "That's... impressive."
The cat purred, clearly pleased by her reaction. "That's just the beginning, master," it said. "I can also transform into shadows, making me the perfect tool for gathering information. No one notices a shadow, after all. I can slip into places unseen, listen to conversations not meant for prying ears, and bring back all the secrets you need."
Selena's lips parted in surprise. The idea of having such a capable ally at her disposal was both thrilling and a little overwhelming. "That's incredibly useful," she admitted, her mind already racing with possibilities.
The cat's tail flicked with satisfaction. "It is," it agreed. "But there's more. I may be a shadowy spy, but I'm also a loyal companion—a cute one, at that." It tilted its head playfully, as if daring her to deny its charm.
Selena couldn't help but smile, a soft laugh escaping her. "Cute and trustworthy, huh? Quite the combination."
"Absolutely," the cat said, its voice dripping with confidence. "I'm your confidant, your scout, and, if need be, your protector. No one would suspect a little black cat, and that's precisely why I'm so effective."
Selena's amusement gave way to genuine curiosity. "If you were created for all of this, then your purpose must have been important to the old Selena," she said thoughtfully. "Why would she need someone—or something—with those abilities?"
The cat's playful demeanour faltered for a moment, its golden eyes darkening. "Master never shared all her reasons with me," it admitted quietly. "But I know she didn't trust easily. She needed someone who would never betray her, someone who could act where others couldn't. That's why I exist."
The cat explained that she would collect information on others to make sure she was not being plotted against.
Selena nodded slowly, her fingers idly stroking the cat's sleek fur. "I see," she murmured. "Well, I don't know what the old Selena had planned for you, but I could certainly use your help now."
The cat purred, its golden eyes glinting with renewed mischief. "Then we have an agreement, master," it said. "Wherever you go, I'll be by your side. Together, we'll uncover whatever mysteries this world throws at us."
For the first time since her arrival in this strange new life, Selena felt a flicker of hope.
Selena leaned back on her bed, eyeing the black cat perched on her lap. For all its elegant demeanour and sharp tongue, she couldn't ignore the awkwardness of continuously referring to it as "cat" or "it." It just felt... Impersonal.
She sighed softly, brushing her fingers absentmindedly through the cat's sleek fur. "You know," she paused for a second before continuing, "I don't know your name yet."
The feline tilted its head, its golden eyes glinting with curiosity.
"I mean," Selena continued, "if you're going to stick around—and it sounds like you will—then you need a proper name."
The cat purred softly, a sound that almost resembled a chuckle. "My former master never gave me one," it said smoothly, its voice tinged with amusement. "So, if you wish, you can have the honour of naming me."
Selena blinked at the unexpected response. The honour? It wasn't something she'd thought of as such a big deal. Still, the idea of giving it a name felt right.
"Okay, let me think..." She muttered, pressing her lips together. Her eyes wandered over the cat's lithe form, its glossy black fur gleaming faintly in the candlelight. Names swirled in her mind, but none of them stuck.
Then, without much deliberation, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "Heihei."
The cat tilted its head further, its ears flicking slightly as it processed the name. For a moment, its golden eyes seemed to blink in slow deliberation.
Selena hesitated, unsure if the reaction was positive or not. She quickly waved her hand, dismissing the idea. "Never mind. It's dumb. Forget I said anything—"
"No!" the cat interrupted, its voice filled with unexpected fervour. "I like it."
Selena blinked in surprise. "You... Do?"
The cat nodded, its golden eyes shimmering with sincerity. "I do. It's simple, yet it has a charm to it. Heihei." It rolled the name over its tongue, testing it out, before looking back up at Selena with a soft expression. "I will cherish this name, master."
Selena didn't know how to respond. She had thrown out the name without a second thought, and now here was this magical, shadowy creature practically glowing with happiness over it.
As if to emphasise its newfound attachment, the cat—no, Heihei—leaned forward and began rubbing its head affectionately against her hand. Its purring grew louder, a sound that was both soothing and oddly gratifying.
"Thank you," Heihei murmured between purrs.