Drake tilted his head up once more, drinking in the scene like a fine wine. The towering castle, the warm golden sun, the buzzing magic in the air, the lively streets…
His heart swelled with something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Wonder.
Could this world get any better?
GRRRRRWWWWLLLL!
His stomach answered with a demonic growl that sounded like a banshee mid-exorcism.
"…Okay, maybe a snack would make it perfect," he muttered, patting his belly with a wince.
Elsa chuckled beside him. "Come on. Let's find something to eat. You'll love the roasted honeyfruit skewers here."
Drake's eyes lit up like he'd just won the lottery. "My grand adventure officially begins with magical street food? I couldn't ask for a better start!"
---
They arrived at a cozy mana-grill tavern that looked like someone had crossed a fantasy bistro with a bustling street-side eatery. The sign above the door read "The Purring Flame," etched in silver runes and framed with tiny enchanted lanterns that flickered like captured starlight.
They pushed through the wooden door.
DING-LING!
A cheerful bell chimed overhead as they stepped inside. The tavern was absolutely packed—grizzled adventurers swapping tall tales over foaming tankards, mages in velvet robes delicately nibbling on glowing pastries, and even a few posh nobles sipping cocktails that sparkled with suspended magic.
Every pair of eyes in the place slowly turned toward the doorway.
Drake froze mid-step. "Uh… Elsa, this place is kinda packed. And why is everyone staring like I just walked in naked?"
"Relax, Lorenzo," Elsa whispered, her smile never wavering. "Pay them no mind."
"If you say so…" he mumbled, suddenly very aware of how his simple traveling clothes stood out among all the fine silks and enchanted armor.
They wove through the crowd toward the counter, Drake trying not to trip over a wizard's staff or accidentally bump into anyone's sword hilt. Elsa tapped a silver bell sitting beside a menu scroll that glowed with soft, pulsing light.
DING!
From somewhere in the back kitchen came a distinctly non-human sound.
"Com-meow~!"
Drake blinked hard. "Was that… did someone just meow at us?"
The back curtain suddenly flung open with dramatic flair—and out bounced the most stunning catgirl Drake had ever seen. Not that he'd seen any catgirls before, but this one definitely set a high bar.
She wore a frilly black-and-white maid outfit complete with a heart-shaped apron that struggled valiantly against her generous curves. Twin bells tied to her fluffy snow-white ears jingled with every bounce of her step. Her long, elegant tail swished behind her playfully, and her emerald eyes sparkled like polished gems.
And her chest… well, let's just say she could go toe-to-toe with Elsa in a battle of assets and come out victorious. The ruffles of her outfit seemed to be waging a losing war against the bouncy rebellion of her magnificent endowments.
"Nyaa~! Welcome to The Purring Flame! How can I serve you today, nya?" she purred with a wink that could probably stop traffic.
Drake's jaw hit the floor so hard it left a crater.
*Holy mother of all that's magical… are all women in this world just naturally blessed by the gods? Because if so, I'm never going home.*
Elsa beamed brightly. "Annie! It's me!"
The catgirl gasped, her ears perking up so high they nearly launched the bells into orbit. "Meeooowww?! Lady Elsa! Is it really you?!"
She pounced forward, mouth opening to shout, but Elsa quickly clamped a hand over her lips.
"Shh! Don't announce it to the whole tavern. I don't want anyone knowing I'm back just yet, alright? Keep it down."
Annie gave an enthusiastic muffled nod, and Elsa slowly removed her hand.
"Lady Elsa… welcome back!" Annie meowed, her voice practically vibrating with joy. "You've been gone so long, I thought you'd completely abandoned us, nya!"
Without warning, she launched herself into Elsa's arms, wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug. "Since you left, Big Mama's been working me to the bones, nya! You owe me so many snuggles!"
BOING! BOING!
Their chests collided in what could only be described as a spectacular riot of bouncy chaos. Drake's pupils dilated to dangerous proportions as he watched two sets of magical mountains perform what appeared to be a synchronized squish-and-jiggle performance.
*This… this is art. This is poetry in motion. If this is how people greet each other in this world, I'm definitely staying.*
Annie shamelessly rubbed her enormous assets against Elsa's with zero embarrassment. "Elsaaa~ you have to help meee~!"
Elsa's face turned three shades of red. "A-Annie! Personal space! A little personal space, please!"
Drake almost wept when Elsa pushed her away. *Why would you end such a masterpiece performance like that? That was better than theater!*
"Anyway," Elsa cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure, "where's Big Mama?"
"She's in the kitchen, nya. Why?"
Elsa reached back, grabbing Drake by the sleeve and dragging him forward like a reluctant prize. "My friend here is absolutely starving, and I was hoping Big Mama could whip up her famous honeyfruit skewers for us. He's new to the kingdom, and I'm showing him around."
Drake managed a polite bow despite his brain still processing the earlier bouncing spectacle. "Hi! Drake Lorenzo. Very nice to meet you!"
*I can't believe I'm actually talking to a real catgirl. And an incredibly hot one at that. If this is all some elaborate dream, please don't let me wake up.*
Annie stared at his face for a long moment, her fluffy tail twitching erratically. Her pupils dilated. Her cheeks slowly flushed a delicate pink.
"I-I'm… A-Annie, nya," she meowed, her usually confident voice cracking like dry kindling.
Elsa gave her a puzzled look. "You okay? Why are you suddenly so red all of a sudden?"
Annie motioned Elsa closer and whispered conspiratorially, "Hey… Elsa. You didn't tell me you had such a gorgeous boyfriend, nya~!"
Elsa's face exploded into crimson. "He's not my boyfriend! He's just a friend! Why does literally everyone keep saying that?!"
Annie's grin turned absolutely wicked. "Oh come on~ Don't be shy about it, nya."
"For the last time—it's not like that!" Elsa huffed, steam practically rising from her ears.
Annie's emerald eyes sparkled with pure mischief. "Okay then. If he's not your boyfriend… can I have him?"
"Wha—?! NO!" Elsa shouted so loudly half the tavern turned to stare. "You just met him five seconds ago!"
"But why not, nya~? You said he's not yours. I wanna act fast before some other girl snatches him up!" Annie smirked, her tail swishing with predatory intent.
Elsa stammered, her eye twitching dangerously. "B-because… because he's a tree-climbing pervert! He'll use you for your… your naughty parts!"
ACHOO!
Drake sneezed nearby. "Weird… I feel like someone's talking serious trash about me somewhere…"
Annie licked her lips like a cat eyeing cream. "Ooh~ really? Naughty, huh?"
"Yeah! So don't get involved with—"
"I don't mind," Annie purred, her voice turning absolutely sultry. "He's hot. And hot guys can get away with pretty much anything~" Her voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried. "Besides… I wouldn't mind him fondling my boobs with those big, strong, manly hands of his, nya~…"
Elsa's eyes bugged out comically. "HUUUH?! Annie!"
"What? I'm totally serious!" Annie giggled, pressing her hands to her chest and giving it a little bounce for emphasis. "It's a small price to pay to keep a hottie like that wrapped around my tail. Just imagine all the wonderfully naughty things we could do together under the counter, nya~…"
Drake, who had been innocently examining the menu, suddenly felt his face burst into flames.
Elsa yanked him away from the counter like he was on fire. "Okay, enough of that conversation! Go tell Big Mama what I said. We'll wait outside."
"But I don't wanna~ I wanna stare at him just a little bit longer, nyaaa~!" Annie pouted, batting her eyelashes at Drake.
"Move your fluffy tail or I'm telling Big Mama you're slacking on the job."
Annie jolted like she'd been struck by lightning. "Fine, fine! No need to be such a meanie, nya!" She vanished behind the curtain with an exaggerated swish of her hips and one final sultry wink at Drake.
♥♥♥
Outside, the bustling sounds of Sidonia softened into a peaceful afternoon hum. Birds chirped melodically, carriages rolled by with the gentle clip-clop of hooves, and the air carried the mouth-watering scent of sweet fruit and sizzling meat from various food stalls.
They found a small round table under a flowering tree whose blossoms glowed faintly with their own inner light. Drake peeked over at Elsa.
She was beet red and staring determinedly at her hands.
"What?" she asked, still avoiding his gaze.
"What were you two whispering about back there?" he asked, narrowing his eyes with playful suspicion.
Elsa jolted like she'd been caught stealing cookies. "N-Nothing! Absolutely nothing important!"
"Then why are you redder than a tomato? Was it about me?" he teased, leaning forward with interest.
Elsa's mind immediately flashed back to Annie's sultry voice echoing in her head:
*"I wouldn't mind him fondling my boobs with those big, strong, manly hands…"*
*"Just imagine all the wonderfully naughty things we could do together…"*
She smacked her burning cheeks with both hands. "Nope! Not telling!"
Drake leaned forward with a mischievous smile that could melt glaciers. "Come on, spill it. I promise I won't judge."
"I said it was nothing, you absolute pervert!" she squeaked, pushing his face back with her palm.
"Fine, be like that. You big meanie," he grumbled, puffing his cheeks out in an adorable pout.
Elsa couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. "Aww, you're so cute when you pout like that—"
Drake froze completely. "Wait. Hold up. Did you just call me cute?"
Elsa blinked, realizing what she'd just said. "What? No, I said—uh—I said you're a big pervert! Yeah, that's what I said!"
Drake's smile turned absolutely triumphant. "Nuh-uh! I heard it clear as day. You definitely said I'm cute."
"Nope. Must be the hunger making you hear things."
GRRRRWWWWLLL!
Drake's stomach roared its agreement, causing several nearby birds to take flight in alarm.
"See?" Elsa teased, pointing at his rebellious stomach. "You're clearly hallucinating from starvation. Now sit quietly and wait for the food."
"Hmph. I still heard what I heard…" he muttered, his lips drooping in genuine disappointment.
Elsa watched his crestfallen expression and felt something twist in her chest. *Wait… is he actually sad about this? But why would he…?*
Then he looked up—those warm blue eyes locking directly with hers—and her heart performed what could only be described as an Olympic-level gymnastics routine.
*What's happening to me? Every time I look at him, my brain just completely shuts off and goes into screensaver mode… Am I—oh gods, am I actually falling in love?!*
She peeked at him again.
He caught her looking and peeked back.
Their eyes met for the third time in ten seconds.
*Oh no, oh no, why is he so devastatingly handsome when he stares at me like that? This is not fair to my poor heart!*
Meanwhile, Drake was replaying those magical words in his mind on an endless loop: *"You're so cute when you pout…"*
His face went red as a sunset. *She called me cute. I'm not dreaming, right? Because if I am, I'm staying asleep forever and no one can make me wake up.*
He smiled to himself, that warm feeling in his chest growing stronger.
*Nice and slow, Drake. You've got all the time in the world to figure this out. But first…*
*Time to eat some magical street food and continue the best day of my entire life.*