Sighing and getting off the couch, I leave Lumi behind as I walk out the shop, making my way down to the outer ring of the city.

  Lumi’s talking to her own friend within the inner ring, so we have more bases covered. Some… singer. she said.

  I know I can’t find her by myself, this city is far too large and busy. It’s like a needle in a haystack. But… if I’m lucky, someone I knew did.

  ‘Or… if I’m unlucky, the Queen found her and noticed Oraxia. And while I doubt she’d be stupid enough to show her off, I also don’t doubt her missing a camera and letting her be seen on one. That’s enough in itself.’

  Flexing my claws out of my hands, before letting them hide back in, I turn the corner. ‘It doesn’t matter either way. One way or another, I’ll find her.’

  ‘... I’ve gotta.’

  Entering the small ramen shop, I greet the owner with a calm wave. “Hey, Terry.”

  Terry, a tall older man with a red hat and broad build, waves back. “Hey, do I know ya?”

  Smirking, I lean in close and give him a dangerous tone. “Do I know ya? Hmph. And do ya make the best damned ramen in the city? You bet you don’t.”

  He stares down at me, before laughing and patting my shoulder. “Sal! My girl! Where ya been?”

  Smiling back despite the bags under my eyes, I shrug. “Yknow, getting fixed up, making new friends, losing everyone I ever cared about, and I even got a girlfriend now. So, y'know, gotta take the good with the bad.”

  Staring at me, he sighs and shakes his head. “Sit, let’s talk over some food, you look like you could need it.”

  …

  The shop’s closed, while we’re sitting at the counter and eating some ramen next to each other. The warm and heavy meal does help a little, with the sinking feeling in my chest.

  “Thanks. I needed this more than I thought.”

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  Nodding, he looks over at me, minding my new tail and ears. “I could tell, I don’t think I’ve seen you that sad since your first job. Now, what’s happened?”

  Sighing, I twirl some noodles around my chopsticks. “...it’s a long story. But to put it short, Reta died, after my family home was burnt with everyone inside. I met some of Reta’s family, or well, close enough to be family. They helped me recover, and now one of the girls there is my link.”

  Taking a breath, he sips on his soup for a while.

  I do the same, fine with the silence. I’m sure he needs to process that bombshell dropped on him, anyhow. Last I saw him was… a few weeks before Reta died.

  Slurping down some noodles, I hear him finally speak. “That’s one hell of a story… and I’d say you’re holding up rather well, despite it. I mean, you’re here speaking to me right now. I’d prolly have jumped off a bridge already.”

  With a dismal chuckle, I nod. “Yeah, well… I won’t say it didn’t cross my mind a few dozen times. I only held back so I could protect these people who saved me and knew Reta.”

  “So… what’s the deal with visiting me then? Just to catch up? Because that ain’t like you.”

  Sighing, my tail wilts as I put my chopsticks down. “No, no that ain’t all. It’s because I need some help, finding someone.”

  “Huh? I already told ya, I ain’t helping you with your work.”

  Raising my hand, a picture appears on a holo-display. An upgrade I could only afford after saving up for years. “No, it’s one of the girls. She’s missing, and I need to find her before she gets hurt.”

  As he looks at the photo of Yuna, he stares, before laughing and giving me a grin. “Oh, that’s all? Well of course I’ll keep an eye out for ya link!”

  “She’s not my-” Putting a hand on my shoulder, he grins. “And tell ya what, when you do find them, you bring ‘em here and I’ll even give you cats a free fish bowl each, on the house!”

  Rubbing my head from the oncoming headache, I don’t even bother to correct him. “Sure sure, fine. Her name’s Yuna, and she’s got a friend called Oraxia with her. Just tell her I was searching for her, and offer to give Oraxia something new she hasn’t eaten yet. That should keep her here.”

  “Haha, alright sure. Now then, scram, I need to close up shop and actually get some sleep tonight. I’m sure you’ve got places to be.”

  Nodding, I stand and head for the door. “Oh, and Sal?”

  Turning to face him, he has a grim expression. “Don’t blame yourself. I know how you get, and trust me, you’re already doing good.”

  Pushing open the door, I just speak back to him quietly. “Yeah? Well… she’s not home yet, is she?”

  On that note, I walk out, leaving him alone.

  ‘Yuna… I swear, survive out there. Or I’ll never forgive myself.’

  ___

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