Elara and Kael both sigh and head deeper into the shop, walking up to where she's sprawled on the ground.

Apparently they must know her, and apparently this kind of behavior is not unusual for her.

Maybe it's normal for all cat owners, actually. I've never had one, but I've heard of cats walking on and sitting on people in awkward ways. The expression on Arin's face makes me think otherwise, though.

"Hey there Meera." Elara greets her. Her voice is just shy of being exasperated.

So.

Definitely something she's seen before.

"My name is Aisha." The woman mumbles to the ground, followed by a series of...unintelligible whispers.

I think...

That she might be pretending to chant something?

I don't know. Her voice doesn't sound like I'd imagine serious chanting to sound, at any rate. Regardless, I can't understand a single word of her mumbled refrain, face still pressed into the ground like that.

"Your name is actually Meera, though." Kael sighs, rolling his eyes. His voice is absolutely exasperated.

I haven't the slightest idea what is going on.

I'm pretty sure that I do not want to.

The woman smacks her own face a few times, without even lifting her head - just slapping her own cheeks while her face is smushed into the ground. "Moving on!"

She gives a short little 'hup', then, and she drags herself to her feet with a little more grace than I'd expected from someone who'd just gotten face slammed into the ground by their own cat.

Although, to be fair, it's more about all of the rest of her awkwardness than just the cat thing.

"Right, right!" The woman - Meera, apparently, looks around her. Then directly at me. "You brought someone new! So you're officially a party, huh?"

She grumbles, then. "I could have been your fourth, you know. I did offer!"

Elara pats her shoulder gently. "You wouldn't want to abandon your shop and little Miss Meowkins, would you? I know how much you love it here!"

Meera stares at Elara for a moment. As if she's trying to decide if Elara is tricking her, perhaps.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I don't know.

I've never been any good at reading expressions. I play hardcore games about killing monsters, not games about studying intricate facial expressions and guessing what they mean.

My primary social outlet in my past life was talking into a lifeless camera and reading the text on the screen that popped up in response.

After an extended moment of awkward silence, Meera eventually smiles and nods. "You're right, of course. I wouldn't want to leave my beloved cats! Especially not little Miss Meowkins!"

Cats?

There's more than one?

I didn't see any others in here...

I glance around again, but can't see anything. The place isn't that big, but I don't see any signs of any other cats.

To Miss Meowkins' credit - assuming that's the cat I saw previously - I don't see her around, either, so I may just be bad at spotting cats.

--I'm getting distracted.

This place is so bizarre I'm getting distracted counting cats instead of getting equipment.

In my defense, in a normal shop, I wouldn't be exposed to a whole carnival side-show before I'd get to pick what to buy.

Meera tilts her head to the side and peers at me for a moment, before she smiles again and speaks in a more chipper, professional voice.

"Hi there. Welcome to my little shop! What kind of adventuring goods are you looking for? I've got potions, materials, weapons, tools, even some crafting stuff, so if you've got something on your mind, say it!"

I haven't really thought about it.

Choosing a build is usually pretty important. But, apparently I'll automatically master any weapon I use anyway, so it doesn't matter much.

"...A sword, I guess." I shrug. "I just need something that'll do more than one point damage to the demon king."

Elara steps between me and Meera and speaks louder, talking right over me. "He's a new adventurer and we're going on a long quest, we need the whole kit up!"

"...This guy's a newbie?" Meera squints at me.

I say nothing.

I can't deny it, so I say nothing.

Kael shakes his head and steps closer. "He's new here but he's...probably actually competent enough. He's just. Bereft of any survival equipment."

Meera claps her hands together. "Well~! I can offer my special!!" She jabs a finger at me. "30% off everything if you let me tag along on your adventure! I haven't been able to leave the shop in a month."

"What."

That's not me. That's Elara.

"Didn't you just say you can't leave your cats...?" Kael sighs.

"I said I wouldn't want to!" She huffs. "But I must!"

Why.

Why???

Why would I let this random strange woman accompany us on my journey??

What have I even done to encourage this?!

Elara takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. "Listen, Meera, this journey will be long and dangerous. You're going to miss out on a lot of sales!"

"I-I...!" Meera sputters. "The. The voice. Of the stars! Say I have to!"

...What?

What is she saying.

"What." I finally break my silence, mostly because I don't see Elara and Kael willing to say anything about this absurdity.

Meera shushes me with a wave of her hand, her fingers twitching anxiously as she speaks. "I heard a voice! Telling me that the fate of the world is at stake, and I have to be a part of it. It was really really clear, you know?!"

Arin and I exchange a look.

Kael and Elara glare at one another.

"Meera." Elara sighs. "I know he looks hot, but he's actually a big jerk."

"The hell did I do?!" I snap.

"He's one of those gruff loner types." Kael offers.

"Kael!" Elara hisses, as if to silence him.

Once again.

What the hell am I witnessing?

Meera sniffs and crosses her arms, looking away. "Well. Those are the voices of the stars. I can't serve you if you deny them!"

Elara groans. "Fine. But if you change your mind, we're not escorting you back."

She bounces in place. "Alright!~"

...Now wait a minute.

Why did I get absolutely no say in my own party?

At least give me the illusion of choice, dammit!