maowwww

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

It has Richarlyson's name, along with all of photos tasks. Xe hopes photo is home soon. Xir chest twists and clenches just thinking about it. Hopefully Pac or Felps will be able to get Richas home, they're the ones who have figured out what they're doing.

Cellbit clears his throat. "So, this name right here is your kid. The Federation calls them all eggs, but they're controlling pieces of shit. This list right here is your list of tasks. These need to be done in order to keep your kid alive- or, at least, keep them here with us instead of back inside the Federation. We already had to save some of them once, and I'd prefer to not have to break in there again."

"Your... your kid." Cellbit looks at Niki, who looks terrified. Her fur is puffed up, her tail is lashing from side to side, her ears are flat. When Cellbit looks at her eyes, her pupils are thin as the edge of a razor.

Fuck.

"No, no one told me about any kids! I don't- I don't have any kids, you must have the wrong person."

This is quite possibly the hardest Cellbit has fumbled since coming back from the Federation. Well, no, the whole thing with Pac and Starbobby was pretty bad. And the conversation with Mike. But this has to be top three.

"So, the Federation," Cellbit begins, carefully watching Niki's movements, "is the organization that controls the island. They are who trapped you. They trapped all of us here.

"When we first arrived, they gave us all these kids to take care of. They call them eggs, but they're kids. It's an attempt to keep us more docile, I think. More difficult to escape when you have a child to take care of every day."

Xe keeps an eye on the sharp claws that Niki keeps anxiously flexing. Cellbit knows well that fear is much more dangerous than rage, and Niki looks full to bursting with fear and uncertainty.

"Everyone from Brasil, we got our son, Richarlyson." Slowly, making every movement obvious, Cellbit switches to his camera roll. He shows Niki a picture, Richarlyson standing proudly next to a canvas. Tricks grin is wide and toothy, chest puffed out, paintbrush a blur as trick waves it through the air.

She switches her train of thought practically as soon as it is on the tracks. If Niki is supposed to be given a kid, then why are they not with her?

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

It has Richarlyson's name, along with all of photos tasks. Xe hopes photo is home soon. Xir chest twists and clenches just thinking about it. Hopefully Pac or Felps will be able to get Richas home, they're the ones who have figured out what they're doing.

Cellbit clears his throat. "So, this name right here is your kid. The Federation calls them all eggs, but they're controlling pieces of shit. This list right here is your list of tasks. These need to be done in order to keep your kid alive- or, at least, keep them here with us instead of back inside the Federation. We already had to save some of them once, and I'd prefer to not have to break in there again."

"Your... your kid." Cellbit looks at Niki, who looks terrified. Her fur is puffed up, her tail is lashing from side to side, her ears are flat. When Cellbit looks at her eyes, her pupils are thin as the edge of a razor.

Fuck.

"No, no one told me about any kids! I don't- I don't have any kids, you must have the wrong person."

This is quite possibly the hardest Cellbit has fumbled since coming back from the Federation. Well, no, the whole thing with Pac and Starbobby was pretty bad. And the conversation with Mike. But this has to be top three.

"So, the Federation," Cellbit begins, carefully watching Niki's movements, "is the organization that controls the island. They are who trapped you. They trapped all of us here.

"When we first arrived, they gave us all these kids to take care of. They call them eggs, but they're kids. It's an attempt to keep us more docile, I think. More difficult to escape when you have a child to take care of every day."

Xe keeps an eye on the sharp claws that Niki keeps anxiously flexing. Cellbit knows well that fear is much more dangerous than rage, and Niki looks full to bursting with fear and uncertainty.

"Everyone from Brasil, we got our son, Richarlyson." Slowly, making every movement obvious, Cellbit switches to his camera roll. He shows Niki a picture, Richarlyson standing proudly next to a canvas. Tricks grin is wide and toothy, chest puffed out, paintbrush a blur as trick waves it through the air.

She switches her train of thought practically as soon as it is on the tracks. If Niki is supposed to be given a kid, then why are they not with her?

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

It has Richarlyson's name, along with all of photos tasks. Xe hopes photo is home soon. Xir chest twists and clenches just thinking about it. Hopefully Pac or Felps will be able to get Richas home, they're the ones who have figured out what they're doing.

Cellbit clears his throat. "So, this name right here is your kid. The Federation calls them all eggs, but they're controlling pieces of shit. This list right here is your list of tasks. These need to be done in order to keep your kid alive- or, at least, keep them here with us instead of back inside the Federation. We already had to save some of them once, and I'd prefer to not have to break in there again."

"Your... your kid." Cellbit looks at Niki, who looks terrified. Her fur is puffed up, her tail is lashing from side to side, her ears are flat. When Cellbit looks at her eyes, her pupils are thin as the edge of a razor.

Fuck.

"No, no one told me about any kids! I don't- I don't have any kids, you must have the wrong person."

This is quite possibly the hardest Cellbit has fumbled since coming back from the Federation. Well, no, the whole thing with Pac and Starbobby was pretty bad. And the conversation with Mike. But this has to be top three.

"So, the Federation," Cellbit begins, carefully watching Niki's movements, "is the organization that controls the island. They are who trapped you. They trapped all of us here.

"When we first arrived, they gave us all these kids to take care of. They call them eggs, but they're kids. It's an attempt to keep us more docile, I think. More difficult to escape when you have a child to take care of every day."

Xe keeps an eye on the sharp claws that Niki keeps anxiously flexing. Cellbit knows well that fear is much more dangerous than rage, and Niki looks full to bursting with fear and uncertainty.

"Everyone from Brasil, we got our son, Richarlyson." Slowly, making every movement obvious, Cellbit switches to his camera roll. He shows Niki a picture, Richarlyson standing proudly next to a canvas. Tricks grin is wide and toothy, chest puffed out, paintbrush a blur as trick waves it through the air.

She switches her train of thought practically as soon as it is on the tracks. If Niki is supposed to be given a kid, then why are they not with her?

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

It has Richarlyson's name, along with all of photos tasks. Xe hopes photo is home soon. Xir chest twists and clenches just thinking about it. Hopefully Pac or Felps will be able to get Richas home, they're the ones who have figured out what they're doing.

Cellbit clears his throat. "So, this name right here is your kid. The Federation calls them all eggs, but they're controlling pieces of shit. This list right here is your list of tasks. These need to be done in order to keep your kid alive- or, at least, keep them here with us instead of back inside the Federation. We already had to save some of them once, and I'd prefer to not have to break in there again."

"Your... your kid." Cellbit looks at Niki, who looks terrified. Her fur is puffed up, her tail is lashing from side to side, her ears are flat. When Cellbit looks at her eyes, her pupils are thin as the edge of a razor.

Fuck.

"No, no one told me about any kids! I don't- I don't have any kids, you must have the wrong person."

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

It has Richarlyson's name, along with all of photos tasks. Xe hopes photo is home soon. Xir chest twists and clenches just thinking about it. Hopefully Pac or Felps will be able to get Richas home, they're the ones who have figured out what they're doing.

Cellbit clears his throat. "So, this name right here is your kid. The Federation calls them all eggs, but they're controlling pieces of shit. This list right here is your list of tasks. These need to be done in order to keep your kid alive- or, at least, keep them here with us instead of back inside the Federation. We already had to save some of them once, and I'd prefer to not have to break in there again."

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Xe steps inside, offering a hand to this other cat-person. Her fur is much lighter than xirs, outside of the tips of her ears and tail. It looks fluffier, too. She is shorter than xem by a good few inches. Her eyes seem just as sharp, though.

"I'm Niki, it's nice to meet you."

There is something almost unsettling about the way this guy looks at her. His eyes flick quickly over Niki's face, her frame, and their shared surroundings. It feels alarmingly like an interrogation, even though all he has done is introduced himself. Niki shifts, trying to force herself to feel more comfortable in her skin.

At least this is someone who has been here for a while, so maybe xe can explain what is happening with the notification? If this is an interrogation, then Niki plans on making it mutual.

That's why xe has to do this. It's to protect Richarlyson, to protect all the kids. Cellbit has to buckle down and get to work before something fucking happens to xir baby.

Xe isn't sure where the new residents have all ended up. Cellbit decides to just wander, starting at Spawn and spiraling out from there. It seems like the quickest and easiest way to find everyone and their bases, assuming they've all stuck nearby.

The first new base that Cellbit happens upon is only semi-built. Pinks and blacks sit near a river. Cellbit's ears flick at the sound of muttering and more planks being places from inside. He tries not to walk too quietly in an attempt to avoid spooking the resident inside.

She hasn't mingled much yet. Niki might've seen this guy around, but she can't really remember. There are too many people here for her to remember everyone easily.

It offers a smile as it tries to calm the beating of its heart. "Hi! Sorry, you startled me. I didn't hear you come in."

Moving through the underbrush and thick grass, tail swaying lethargically behind it, Niki feels the most at-home that it has since waking up in that prison. It didn't shift at all while in those cold walls. That's a danger, who knows what they could have done to it then?

Finally being able to shift again feels like standing and stretching, her body finally free to move. Niki alternates between dashing through the dirt and meandering through the trees. This is an exploration. She wants to try to kind of figure out the layout of the island, and she has her base's coordinates marked on her comm if she needs them.

After a while of thoughtlessly wandering, Niki hears shuffling. Her ears perk up, swivel to pick up more of the sound, and she crouches low enough for her belly to brush the ground (it will be horrible later, when she has to try cleaning clumps of dirt out of her fur). The grass is thick, yes, but it can only do so much to conceal her. Quickly, quietly, efficiently, Niki creeps closer to the sound to determine the source. She takes a moment to steel her nerves, then pokes her head up to see above the grass.

In front of it is a child, hunched over the dirt. Niki calms. It takes another step closer and, after checking to make sure no one else is around, lets out a quiet meow.

There were lots of creatures in the grass, she found. Either the simulations had never bothered to create them, or perhaps she had simply never noticed, but the grass was teeming with life. Bugs, she thinks they’re called.

Bright red and black ones scuttle about. Long, flying ones hover above, darting from place to place. Big, shelled ones slowly scoot across the ground.

Her favourites are the marching ones, though. They’re pretty small, but there’s so many of them it’s impossible to count. All of them follow the exact same, invisible pathway, one after another. Em sits, crouched in the grass, transfixed as she watches them trek across the dirt.

There’s a strange sound all of a sudden, coming from somewhere to the right of her. She jolts, grabbing her plushie, Crêpe, and holding her close.

Across the field, emerging from the bushes, is a strange beast. It has long whiskers, an even longer tail, and pointy ears. It’s pupils are slits, it’s form lithe and agile as it makes its way tentatively towards her.

Niki takes a few more steps, twitching her nose, whiskers, ears, and tail in turn. She tilts her head quizzically and softly meows again.

Em doesn’t know much about cats, but this one seems nice. Probably. Hopefully. Is it saying hello, with those little sounds it makes?

Niki's tail sways behind it as it sits, watching the yound child. How old is she, five? Six? Seven? Admittedly, Niki is kind of bad at recognizing ages, but this kid is tiny. Probably no taller than its hip when it shifts, and Niki isn't exactly tall.

Crêpe clutched under one arm, Em move closer and closer, careful to watch for any distress from the cat. Eventually, she’s within reach, the cat looking up at her with big, pretty eyes.

Em practically tunnel visions, her hand a little shaky as she reaches towards the cat and gently pets between its ears.

She's glad the girl isn't frightened of her. She seems sweet, and Niki would never want to scare a child.

Claws carefully retracted, Niki raises her paw and sets it on the child's leg. It is as gentle as she can make it. She keeps her eyes closed, letting the girl keep petting her.

Empanada beams, giggling with joy as she keeps petting the kitty. It’s fur is so soft, like down feathers. It’s little paw is resting on her leg and she squeals with glee.

It occurs to her, as she pets and pets the cat, that maybe it’s owner is somewhere around here. Cats are usually pets, right? Em glances around but, curiously, no one is to be found. This cat seems far too friendly to be wild, though. Maybe it was just out for a stroll?

Well, actually, maybe it would've been smarter to pretend like she is her own cat. Er- that she is Human Niki's cat. But then maybe this girl would ask to play with the cat, and then where would she be?

Whatever. Too late. Niki made its decision. And it isn't going to bolt now, not when this girl is so excited. Now that she's getting more bold with her petting, Niki decides it's time for the ultimate honor.

With all the grace it can muster, Niki climbs into the girls lap, giving her chest a nice head bump. She's warm, but not so warm that Niki overheats. It purrs louder. This is surely THE comfiest spot on the island, no doubt.

This is… this is amazing!!!

Empanada can hardly contain herself, her head shaking back and forth and her hands balled up into fists as happiness explodes out of her chest. The kitty likes her!!! It really likes her!!!!!

Laughing gleefully, Em wraps her arms around the cat and holds it close, nudging her face into it as her own chest starts rumbling, too. Her tail sweeps across the grass, back and forth. Her hands brush through the cat’s fur in long smooth strokes as they purr together.

Gosh, if only Pepito and Sunny could meet this kitty!

This kid really is sweet. Her glee is infectious, spreading through Niki from nose to tail. Its sandpaper tongue flicks out and brushes against a finger, the most affection Niki can really give like this.

She wishes she could follow the kitty home, wherever it lives. Or, maybe, the kitty could come with her and meet her groupmates!

It probably can’t though, she thinks sadly. It probably has places to be. She doesn’t know what kind of things cats do, but it’s probably got stuff to do.

It’s getting dark. The kitty is booping her with its nose like a little kiss and then curling up in her lap, but it’s getting dark. The sky is smeared with auburn hues, Empanada’s heart sinking despite the beautiful sight. Gently, she lifts the kitty up and hugs it one last time before setting it on its paws in the grass.

“I’m sorry, kitty… Ms. Tubbo said I have to be back at his house before the monsters come out…”

The cat looks up at her with wide eyes and she hopes it understands. She hopes she’ll see it again. She wishes she could take it with her.

“I-I’ll see you later, maybe? I hope so,” she says, stroking the kitty’s head one more time before turning away. “Be safe, okay? It’s, um, it’s dangerous when it’s nighttime outside. Um… byebye!”

Em walks away quickly, squinting her eyes shut as she tries to ignore the burning of tears welling up. She’ll see the kitty again, surely.

Moving through the underbrush and thick grass, tail swaying lethargically behind it, Niki feels the most at-home that it has since waking up in that prison. It didn't shift at all while in those cold walls. That's a danger, who knows what they could have done to it then?

Finally being able to shift again feels like standing and stretching, her body finally free to move. Niki alternates between dashing through the dirt and meandering through the trees. This is an exploration. She wants to try to kind of figure out the layout of the island, and she has her base's coordinates marked on her comm if she needs them.

After a while of thoughtlessly wandering, Niki hears shuffling. Her ears perk up, swivel to pick up more of the sound, and she crouches low enough for her belly to brush the ground (it will be horrible later, when she has to try cleaning clumps of dirt out of her fur). The grass is thick, yes, but it can only do so much to conceal her. Quickly, quietly, efficiently, Niki creeps closer to the sound to determine the source. She takes a moment to steel her nerves, then pokes her head up to see above the grass.

In front of it is a child, hunched over the dirt. Niki calms. It takes another step closer and, after checking to make sure no one else is around, lets out a quiet meow.

There were lots of creatures in the grass, she found. Either the simulations had never bothered to create them, or perhaps she had simply never noticed, but the grass was teeming with life. Bugs, she thinks they’re called.

Bright red and black ones scuttle about. Long, flying ones hover above, darting from place to place. Big, shelled ones slowly scoot across the ground.

Her favourites are the marching ones, though. They’re pretty small, but there’s so many of them it’s impossible to count. All of them follow the exact same, invisible pathway, one after another. Em sits, crouched in the grass, transfixed as she watches them trek across the dirt.

There’s a strange sound all of a sudden, coming from somewhere to the right of her. She jolts, grabbing her plushie, Crêpe, and holding her close.

Across the field, emerging from the bushes, is a strange beast. It has long whiskers, an even longer tail, and pointy ears. It’s pupils are slits, it’s form lithe and agile as it makes its way tentatively towards her.

Niki takes a few more steps, twitching her nose, whiskers, ears, and tail in turn. She tilts her head quizzically and softly meows again.

Em doesn’t know much about cats, but this one seems nice. Probably. Hopefully. Is it saying hello, with those little sounds it makes?

Niki's tail sways behind it as it sits, watching the yound child. How old is she, five? Six? Seven? Admittedly, Niki is kind of bad at recognizing ages, but this kid is tiny. Probably no taller than its hip when it shifts, and Niki isn't exactly tall.

Crêpe clutched under one arm, Em move closer and closer, careful to watch for any distress from the cat. Eventually, she’s within reach, the cat looking up at her with big, pretty eyes.

Em practically tunnel visions, her hand a little shaky as she reaches towards the cat and gently pets between its ears.

She's glad the girl isn't frightened of her. She seems sweet, and Niki would never want to scare a child.

Claws carefully retracted, Niki raises her paw and sets it on the child's leg. It is as gentle as she can make it. She keeps her eyes closed, letting the girl keep petting her.

Empanada beams, giggling with joy as she keeps petting the kitty. It’s fur is so soft, like down feathers. It’s little paw is resting on her leg and she squeals with glee.

It occurs to her, as she pets and pets the cat, that maybe it’s owner is somewhere around here. Cats are usually pets, right? Em glances around but, curiously, no one is to be found. This cat seems far too friendly to be wild, though. Maybe it was just out for a stroll?

Well, actually, maybe it would've been smarter to pretend like she is her own cat. Er- that she is Human Niki's cat. But then maybe this girl would ask to play with the cat, and then where would she be?

Whatever. Too late. Niki made its decision. And it isn't going to bolt now, not when this girl is so excited. Now that she's getting more bold with her petting, Niki decides it's time for the ultimate honor.

With all the grace it can muster, Niki climbs into the girls lap, giving her chest a nice head bump. She's warm, but not so warm that Niki overheats. It purrs louder. This is surely THE comfiest spot on the island, no doubt.

This is… this is amazing!!!

Empanada can hardly contain herself, her head shaking back and forth and her hands balled up into fists as happiness explodes out of her chest. The kitty likes her!!! It really likes her!!!!!

Laughing gleefully, Em wraps her arms around the cat and holds it close, nudging her face into it as her own chest starts rumbling, too. Her tail sweeps across the grass, back and forth. Her hands brush through the cat’s fur in long smooth strokes as they purr together.

Gosh, if only Pepito and Sunny could meet this kitty!

This kid really is sweet. Her glee is infectious, spreading through Niki from nose to tail. Its sandpaper tongue flicks out and brushes against a finger, the most affection Niki can really give like this.

She wishes she could follow the kitty home, wherever it lives. Or, maybe, the kitty could come with her and meet her groupmates!

It probably can’t though, she thinks sadly. It probably has places to be. She doesn’t know what kind of things cats do, but it’s probably got stuff to do.