1.18 – Is it a Date? No! Really!

In the days following the rave, both Quinn and Goonie had been continually nagging Leona to call Sarah and ask if she wanted to hang out. Even though they had exchanged contact details—and though Leona really wanted to call the kitty—it took her a good while to pull the trigger because she was just too shy.

“Ooooh—your first date—how cute!” Quinn teased, her grin practically dripping with mischief as she drove them to the meetup location. The car they rode in was Quinn’s newest pride and joy: a used convertible she’d purchased with her hard-earned savings from gigs like . That last rave had been the final push, enough to afford her brand new pink flamingo-colored car. Although she didn’t love the paint job, her plans to customize it were already in motion.

“Don’t call it that! We’re both girls! Anyway… we can’t assume she actually likes girls! Maybe we just misread things. What if I end up scaring her away? This is JUST hanging out, got it?!” Leona yelled, her face already flushing.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. This, from a little miss whose face turns beet red whenever the subject of Sarah comes up. Uh-huh. At least I’ve got you pegged.” Quinn laughed, her eyes twinkling as she took a lazy turn.

“Quiet, you!” Leona yelped, curling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them like a shield, her face indeed blooming into that deep crimson hue. “I can’t let her see me blush like this… I don’t know… it was probably those cute ears. I’m sure it’ll pass.”

“Are you telling me that you like guys?” Quinn shot her a sideways glance, her voice dripping with faux innocence. “You want to find a hubbo?”

“Noooo!” Leona groaned, burying her face into her knees. “I haven’t thought about anything like that! Relationships are weird, scary, and way too much for me right now.” She gnawed at her lower lip.

“Okay, okay,” Quinn drawled, clearly enjoying herself. “Take Jason, for example. Tends bar, babysits us when I’m out tearing up a rave, and is a boy. What’s not to like? Did you think he was interesting?”

“Not at all!” Leona grumbled. “He was friendly but kind of a jerk. I didn’t—”

“How about Frank? Or Dave?” Quinn pressed, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips.

Leona blinked, momentarily puzzled. “Wait—who’s Dave again?”

Quinn smirked. “See? That’s my point. But Frank—you remember him. He introduced you to Sarah, right? Or, should I say, set you up?”

Leona winced. “No! He just… I mean, he helped! But I—ugh!”

“O-ho! It’s definite then,” Quinn cackled. “You remember every detail about Sarah, but when you looked at her, ka-pow, your face turned redder than a ketchup bottle. You can’t tell me you weren’t having some strange thoughts.”

Leona squirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Fine… maybe… those ears were just so fuzzy.”

Quinn’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Oh, is that all? What have we here? A fetish for nekomimi? You’re quite the oddball, aren’t you?”

“This, coming from the oddball-iest person I know,” Leona shot back, narrowing her eyes at her sister’s now olive-green hair. “Really? Olive green? What’s next, tomato red? Speaking of which, it’d just take a tiny red cap to pull off the whole olive impersonation thing you’re totally going for! Anyway, I’m not dyeing my hair that color, no matter how much you beg.”

Quinn snorted. “Tch, you’re dodging. What about her butt? Or her skin? Nice boobs?”

Leona recoiled, scandalized. “I DID NOT STARE AT HER BUTT!”

Quinn howled with laughter. “Oh, but you did. Your eyes were glued to her the whole time. You were looking at everything, Sarah Namias. You’re a million years too early to get anything past me, kiddo.”

“Damn it…” Leona’s voice cracked, her face somehow growing even redder. “I—a—am—”

“Yup!” Quinn grinned triumphantly. “Now let’s see where things go!”

A short while later, they pulled up to The Cobbles, an open-air mall near the ferry on San Isidro’s north side. It was polished, pristine, and packed with tourists. Across the bay, the skyline of Seaside City sparkled, a stark contrast to the grittier San Isidro, where crime had been surging in recent months.

Leona leaned forward, taking in the view as Quinn eased the car into a parking spot. “It’s so quiet here.”

“Yeah, unlike the rest of the city,” Quinn muttered. “No thanks to Cheshire. Remember her? Haven’t seen her in forever.”

The name sent a jolt through Leona. “Cheshire? The heroine?”

“Yeah,” Quinn said with a shrug. “She was good. Not super-powered, but tough. Problem is, word got out she was keeping some of the goods she ‘recovered.’ She vanished after that.”

Leona’s gaze drifted to the distant skyline. “Think she’ll come back?”

Quinn smirked. “Dunno. But you’ve got more important things to think about—like Sarah.”

Leona bit her lip, heart thudding. “Yeah…”

Speaking of the online forums, Leona remained an avid fan of heroes and all the news surrounding them. It was big news to hear about the ultimate downfall of Black Angel and the near-collapse of her favorite heroine, Mistral, somewhere up in the Rockies that night. The coverage painted Mistral in a flattering, sympathetic light, reporting the defeat of the S+ rank threat, once and for all. Yet, according to some whispers, things could have gone very differently, the outcome far closer to a tragic loss than the media dared to admit.

Leona’s thoughts drifted back to the present just as Quinn smoothly pulled into a parking spot, the convertible purring to a halt. Without bothering to open the door, Quinn vaulted out in one graceful motion. Leona couldn’t help but smile at her wild older sister’s antics, mimicking her with a leap of her own. She landed cleanly on the door frame before hopping down to the pavement, the thud of her feet solid and confident. Parkour lessons and practicing it gave Leona some natural gymnastic skills.

Quinn clapped, her expression warm. “Bravo, gymnast extraordinaire.” She dashed around to Leona’s side with a grin. “Now, c’mon—let’s go meet your totally-not-a-girlfriend.”

Leona growled, swatting at her sister’s arm. “Don’t say stuff like that in front of her! I swear, if you embarrass me, I’ll ban you from my life.” She glared, smoothing her carefully styled hair.

Quinn chuckled and ruffled it anyway. “Relax. Pinky promise, I won’t.”

Leona scowled, using the side mirror to fix the tousled strands, muttering curses under her breath. Satisfied, she spun to face Quinn, who merely grinned knowingly. They made their way into the bustling open-air mall. After a short wait at the food court, Quinn seized Leona’s arm. “Stop stressing. Let’s grab a nibble—on me.”

She guided Leona to a hibachi stand, where they each loaded up on steaming teriyaki beef over rice. Sweet tea sloshed in their oversized cups and the ice cubes rattled against the plastic cups as they settled at a nearby table. Leona unconsciously chose the side bathed in sunlight, and soon beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She wiped it away, cheeks pink from more than just the heat.

Quinn tsked and patted the shaded seat beside her. “Careful, bum. You’ll melt into a puddle like that. Come over here before you pass out.” It was a surprisingly hot day today, though they were at the beach.

Grateful, Leona slid around the table, plopping down beside her. The shade was blissful relief, and she realized with a smile that she now had a better view of the shimmering bay and the sleek skyscrapers of Seaside City beyond from her new seat. She sighed wistfully. “Sometimes I wish we could go over there.”

Quinn leaned back, sipping her tea. “Phaw. Not like it’s Canada over there. Gotta go around 800 miles north just to reach the border. Now that might make for a hellaciously good road trip! Anyway, too bad we’re all too busy for that right now. Maybe someday. Goonie’s got us all tied up right now, doesn’t she?”

They ate in companionable silence until a familiar pair of neon fuzzy ears poked up through the crowd. Leona shot to her feet, hitting herself on her table’s parasol. Nonetheless she waved frantically, playing it cool. “Sarah!!!”

Quinn chuckled, looking amused and far too pleased with herself. “Mission complete.” She winked at Leona. “I’ll leave you lovebirds alone. Wouldn’t want to spoil any juicy moments with my big mouth.” Her grin turned mischievous. “But I’ll be watching… from the shadows.” She wriggled her fingers like a villain, the act so convincing that Leona felt her cheeks blaze with embarrassment.

“Hmph! Go away already!” Leona grumbled, hiding her face behind her hands as Quinn sauntered off, taking her trash with her.

Sarah arrived at the table, her expression puzzled. “Why’d your sister leave so fast? Is she busy?”

“Uh, yeah! Super busy. Saving the world, or something,” Leona stammered, voice pitching higher than she intended. “Anyway, um… what kind of things do you like?”

Sarah blinked, then barked a laugh. “We already talked about this at the rave! But okay, I’ll humor you. I like anime and—catgirls! They’re the cutest things in existence!” Her sudden squeal made Leona jump.

“W-wait—what? You didn’t mention that before. You… like girls?” Leona’s voice cracked, her pulse spiking, a nervous tremor running through her. She wasn’t sure why the words came out like that—blunt and almost too hopeful.

Sarah blinked, then tilted her head, confused. “Girls?” She bit her lip for a second, then laughed, a bright, airy sound. “Oh, no, no! I mean, I like catgirls. The cute ears, tails, paws—all that! Not, uh… girls girls.” She paused, noticing the way Leona’s breath hitched. “N-not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s just… not my thing.” She scratched the back of her head, clearly embarrassed.

Leona’s face flushed, heat rising to her cheeks in an overwhelming wave of awkwardness. “Right! Of course! That’s what I meant too!” she said hastily, trying to backpedal, her voice a pitch too high. “Totally. Who doesn’t love catgirls, right?”

Sarah’s playful grin returned, easing the tension. “Exactly! Imagine having ears that twitch when you’re excited or a tail that shows how you feel.” She curled her hands into mock paws again, letting out a playful, exaggerated “Nyaaa!” before giggling uncontrollably.

Leona stared at her, wide-eyed, before finally bursting into laughter—sharp, breathless, and full of relief. “Oh my god, you’re ridiculous!” she managed between fits of giggles.

Sarah, emboldened by Leona’s reaction, twirled in place, making a grand show of it. “Ridiculous? Please. I’m adorable!” She lifted an imaginary tail behind her, wagging it. “And once I get my fish sticks, I’ll be the happiest kitty in the world. You’ll see!”

Leona doubled over, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. “Ahahaha! You can get all the fishies you want at the seafood kiosk over there,” she said through breathless giggles, wiping tears from her eyes. The earlier tension melted away, replaced by a warm, easy joy. And yet, it wasn’t just laughter—it was the way Sarah said it, the playful light in her eyes, that nearly turned Leona’s heart into a sticky, molten puddle.

“Yay! Saved!” Sarah clapped her hands together, bouncing slightly. “I see you’ve already eaten! I’ll go get my tasty fish, and I’ll make sure my tail sticks straight up so they’ll know how happy I am!” She gave a little hop, as if testing her imaginary tail’s perkiness.

Leona laughed again, the sound light and carefree. “I’ll come with you. Anyway, what were you doing at that rave? Someone like you doesn’t seem like the type—I mean, neither of us is Quinn.” She gave a teasing grin as they strolled toward the food stands.

Sarah tilted her head thoughtfully. “Hmmmm—I was there because some friends I met in a MOBA invited me. They’re the type, it seems—and they thought my ‘nya-ny’ vibe was cute, so they said they had to meet me. I think I was too weird for them in the end, though, so they kinda ditched me.” She pouted, looking adorably indignant.

“More like too innocent and sweet,” Leona said, her smile softening.

“Yush! That’s me.” Sarah nodded enthusiastically, laughing. “I’m a really boring person, I know. Too dull. There’s nothing really interesting about me.” She let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “We’re religious—and people kinda think that’s boring if they can’t relate. I mean, we’re a really, really normal family—nothing special about us except our exceptional faith, though Dad has a great job. We go to church every Sunday, and we were all baptized. I think Mama even does the ‘tongues’ thing, though I never got it.”

“Your family sounds really devout when you put it that way.” Leona smiled, curious about what Sarah meant by “tongues,” but she decided not to ask.

“Yeah—it’s a tradition. Ever since way back, we’ve been religious. I think my great-grandfather was a preacher.” Sarah blushed faintly. “But I’m kind of the black sheep.”

“More like a ‘black cat,’” Leona teased, giggling. “Why? You seem totally normal to me.”

The corner of Sarah’s lips quirked up. “Because I want a little more from life than just what the Bible teaches us. That’s why I went to the rave. Not that the Bible’s against them specifically or anything. The Bible doesn’t have much to say about raves, actually.” She cast a glance around, as though still unsure why she was even here. “My parents don’t know where I went.”

“I see.” Leona nodded. “You’re brave to do what you want, even if you know your parents might get angry. So, you said some so-called friends invited you, right? What game did you and those ditching jerks play? Maybe I know it.”

“Oh—Banners of the Bold! And I don’t just like MOBAs. I’m also crazy about MMORPGs! There’s this one called Realms of Valor that’s absolutely amazing. It makes me feel like a genuine hero!” Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling. “Even though half the time I’m delivering cheese to some random NPC or picking up rat tails for some weird quest giver. But if you don’t count the menial labor bits, I feel like a real warrior!” She glowed with enthusiasm. “And I love rhythm games too, music, regular RPGs—the kind you play alone, and—”

Leona’s soft laughter spilled out as she watched Sarah light up, her excitement practically glowing. Her hands fluttered with every word, animated in a rhythm all their own, painting vivid pictures in the air. “So there I was,” Sarah said, her voice rising with enthusiasm, “armed to the teeth, ready to slay this massive dragon—like the biggest one I’ve ever seen—but instead of fighting, the NPC I was supposed to protect was just standing there, asking for cheese.” She giggled, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I had to run halfway across the map to find it. Can you believe that?”

Leona’s lips curled into a grin. “Let me guess… you delivered the cheese, didn’t you?”

Sarah placed a hand on her chest in mock indignation. “Of course I did! Although the quest made no sense, at all, I couldn't not do it. I have to see things through, no matter how silly.” Her eyes sparkled, her voice full of a warmth that pulled Leona in, like a cozy campfire on a cool evening.

Leona leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand, entirely captivated by the whirlwind of energy Sarah radiated. “You’re a warrior,” she teased, eyes glinting with mischief. “A cheese-delivering warrior.”

Sarah laughed, her head tilting back, her light-brown hair catching the sunlight in near golden waves. “Hey, someone’s got to keep the fictional dairy industry alive.” Her voice was rich with humor, like a melody, the sound tugging at something deep in Leona’s chest. “But don’t get me started on the rhythm games.”

“Oh no, now I have to know,” Leona said, feigning dread but eager for more.

“Well,” Sarah began, leaning forward conspiratorially, her voice lowering as if sharing a great secret, “there’s this one where you get to be a pop star—sparkly outfits, big stages, everything. I’m awful at it, but it makes me feel like I’m shining.” She tapped her fingers against the table in time with an imaginary beat. “When I’m playing, it’s like I’m on top of the world, even if I miss half the notes.”

Leona found herself smiling, unable to look away. The rest of the world seemed to blur and fade into the background. The bustling mall became a distant hum, the scent of saltwater and sizzling hibachi mixing in the air, but all she noticed was Sarah—the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, the way her hands danced in the air, the way she made everything sound like an adventure worth having.

“You’re kind of amazing, you know that?” Leona said softly, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

Sarah blinked, her laughter pausing as a blush spread across her cheeks. “Me? Nah, I’m just a regular catgirl wannabe.” She tried to wave it off, but there was a softness in her voice, a quiet vulnerability that made Leona’s chest ache.

“No,” Leona insisted, leaning in just a little closer, her voice steady. “You’re more than that.”

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the space between them filled with the unspoken—something fragile, something new. Neither moved to break it, content in the quiet understanding that this, whatever it was, was enough.

How had she been so lucky? It wasn’t a question she needed an answer to—not now. Sitting here, soaking in Sarah’s enthusiasm, was enough. Leona could feel the warmth spreading in her chest, a quiet, unfamiliar joy taking root. It was effortless to get lost in this small, vibrant world Sarah seemed to carry with her.

“Fish sticks!” Sarah suddenly squealed, breaking Leona’s reverie. She pointed toward the seafood kiosk with the fervor of someone spotting buried treasure. Without a second thought, she bounded off toward it, leaving Leona chuckling as she followed.

“You really like fish that much?” Leona teased as she caught up, watching Sarah bounce on her heels, practically vibrating with excitement.

Sarah shot her a mischievous grin over her shoulder. “It’s not just about the fish, Leona! It’s about committing to the role. Catgirls love fish, remember? I’m living the dream!” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “It’s called dedication.”

When the order arrived, Sarah seized the paper tray filled with golden, crispy fish sticks like it was a treasure trove. She held them up dramatically, inhaling deeply with her eyes shut in mock reverence. “Mmmm, the scent of happiness,” she declared, biting into one with exaggerated relish.

Leona giggled, unable to hide her amusement. “You’re really playing this up.”

As Sarah chewed, she closed her eyes and let out a soft sound—not quite a hum, not quite a sigh. Then, startlingly, she purred. The sound was so real, so convincing, that Leona’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Are… are you actually purring?” Leona asked, incredulous but delighted.

Sarah opened one eye, mischief twinkling in her gaze. “Of course,” she said smugly. “What kind of catgirl would I be if I couldn’t purr on command?” She held another fish stick to her lips and added with a playful tilt of her head, “I’d be a disgrace to my kind.”

Leona doubled over with laughter, clutching her stomach as her giggles shook her. “You’re unreal.”

Sarah gave a mock bow, still clutching her fish sticks. “Thank you, thank you. The dedication is real, nya~.”

Leona wiped tears of laughter from her eyes, still grinning as she tried to catch her breath. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed like this, so freely, so genuinely. “You’re unbelievable,” she said, shaking her head.

Sarah took another slow bite, chewing thoughtfully, her expression one of pure bliss. “Meow,” she responded with a wink, her voice soft and playful. “If I had whiskers, they’d be twitching.”

Leona chuckled again, leaning on the table as the sun warmed their little spot. “You know, you could’ve just told me you liked fish instead of going full catgirl mode.”

“But where’s the fun in that?” Sarah replied, licking her lips and miming a paw swipe at the air. “Besides, I have to stay true to my brand.”

Leona rolled her eyes, though the smile never left her face. “Your brand, huh?”

“Exactly.” Sarah took another bite and then leaned forward, as if sharing a great secret. “Honestly? It’s less about the fish and more about making people smile. I like making people laugh.”

Leona paused, watching her closely. There was something genuine in the way Sarah spoke, something soft beneath the playful exterior. “Well,” she said, her voice a little quieter, “you’re really good at it.”

Sarah blinked, momentarily surprised, then grinned wide. “Thanks. It’s nice to know my silly antics aren’t just me being weird.” She finished the last of her fish and dusted her hands off. “Okay, now it’s your turn. What’s something silly you’ve done?”

Leona wrinkled her nose, thinking. “I don’t know if I can top your catgirl dedication.”

“Try me,” Sarah challenged, eyes gleaming.

Leona leaned back, pretending to be deep in thought before smirking. “Okay. Once, Quinn dared me to wear a full mascot costume—head, paws, tail, the whole thing—and order ice cream at the mall. I got through the whole line without saying a word, just making bear noises.”

Sarah’s jaw dropped, then she burst out laughing. “Oh my God! No way! Did they actually serve you?”

“They did,” Leona said, grinning. “But the guy at the counter tried so hard not to laugh. I think I saw him bite his tongue.”

Sarah wiped her eyes, her laughter bright and clear. “I wish I’d seen that! You’re sneakier than you look, Leona.”

Leona shrugged, pretending to be casual. “What can I say? I have layers.”

“Like an onion?” Sarah teased.

“More like a parfait,” Leona shot back, and they both dissolved into giggles, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow over their shared moment of joy.

As the laughter faded into a comfortable silence, Sarah leaned back, her fingers idly cradling the now-empty tray of fish sticks. Her playful grin softened, and she gazed out toward the ocean’s shimmering horizon. “You know,” she began, her voice quieter, more thoughtful, “today’s been kind of special.”

Leona tilted her head, curious. “Yeah? Why’s that?”

Sarah toyed with the corner of the tray, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. “I haven’t really made any friends since I moved here. Honestly, you’re the first person I’ve really hung out with.” She glanced up, meeting Leona’s gaze, her eyes shimmering with something both vulnerable and sincere. “It’s… nice.”

Leona blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, really? No friends at all?”

Sarah shrugged, laughing softly. “I’m not exactly a social butterfly. I came from Montana—lonely old Montana—and it was, well… different. Quiet. Cold. A little bit isolated. California’s been such a huge change. So much noise, color, and people.” She let out a sigh that was half contentment, half wonder. “But I don’t mind. I’m happy to be here. I just… hadn’t found my people yet.”

Leona felt a warmth bloom in her chest, a strange mixture of pride and tenderness. “You moved all the way from Montana? That must’ve been huge.”

“Yeah,” Sarah said, stretching her arms above her head. “I was nervous at first. Big cities sure are intimidating. Back home, the nearest mall was like an hour away, and it wasn’t anything like this.” She gestured around at the vibrant open-air mall, the crowds bustling past them, the sound of the ocean in the distance. “But it’s exciting too. I hoped for a change, and I got one when my father moved us here.”

“Well, for what it’s worth,” Leona said, smiling softly, “I’m glad you moved here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you.”

Sarah’s cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink, and she ducked her head, looking shy for the first time all day. “You mean that?”

“Yeah,” Leona replied, her voice steady, sincere. “Today’s been really great.”

Sarah exhaled, her smile growing wider. “It really has, hasn’t it? And to think, it all started because I got ditched at a rave.” She laughed, the sound lighter now, less weighted.

Leona grinned, nudging her playfully. “Their loss. Seriously.”

Sarah nodded, her gaze lingering on Leona a moment longer than necessary. “Thanks, Leona. For making me feel… not so alone today.”

“You’re welcome,” Leona said softly, and for a few moments, neither of them spoke. The world around them kept moving, but they stayed still, wrapped in the quiet comfort of a new, tentative friendship that already felt like something more.