Slimantha walked along a red brick road. She was back in Bleakfyre. Samuel and Rose walked beside her, warm sunlight falling upon the trio. Unlit red brick lampposts lined the road. A gentle breeze blew as the trio continued down the road.

“I see you’re back,” a voice said. A pair of women, Mimi and Black, stepped up to Slimantha’s group. The voice belonged to Mimi the Mimic. Mimi’s golden eyes met Slimantha’s brown eyes, and a smile came to Mimi’s lips. Mimi’s outfit, a short-sleeved shirt and mid-skirt, matched her golden skin. Even her shoes were golden in hue. “Any luck finding that magic sword?” Mimi’s golden eyes momentarily shifted to Samuel before going back to Slimantha. Mimi’s golden hair swayed gently in the breeze.

Black stood beside Mimi, a strawberry milkshake in the petite cat woman’s hands. Black wore her usual black witch hat. Her black mini-skirt showed off the cream skin of her legs. A cute pink short-sleeved shirt clad her top, and black shoes clad her feet. Other than that cute shirt of hers, her outfit was simply black. Her black tail swayed behind her, and she raised the paper cup in her hands to her lips. Her lips latched down on the straw, and she took a drink of strawberry milkshake. Then she lowered the cup and smiled. Her brown eyes were on Slimantha’s face.

“We didn’t find Samuel’s sword,” Slimantha said, her brown eyes going from the golden-haired Mimi to the black-haired Black.

“That’s too bad,” Black said. She took another drink of strawberry milkshake. “Was the info bad then?”

Slimantha smiled. “Don’t worry. Your info was good,” she said. Black smiled back at her. “We were just too late. Looked like the birds had already moved on. Looked like some kind of battle broke out before we got there actually.”

Black giggled before taking another drink of strawberry milkshake. “I see,” she said. Her brown eyes then went to Samuel, and she smiled. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Black the Witch.” Her tail swished. “Are you the hero with the missing magic sword?” Her tail swished again.

“Yes,” Samuel said, his blue eyes meeting Black’s brown eyes. “I am that hero who lost his magic sword. My name is Samuel.” He held out his right hand.

Black glanced at Samuel’s outstretched hand. She shifted her milkshake to her left hand only and then reached out with her right hand. Her right hand met Samuel’s right hand, and she shared a handshake with him. “Nice to meet you,” she said. She withdrew her right hand and then took another drink of her strawberry milkshake.

“So, Mr. Hero,” Rose stepped up to Samuel and fluttered her beautiful pink eyes at him, “I think I will head to my garden. Want to come with?” She pressed a tad closer to Samuel. “The flowers there are beautiful.” She fluttered her eyes again.

“N-No thanks,” Samuel said, backing up slightly. “I’m good.”

Rose pouted at the response she got but then recomposed herself. Her pink eyes scanned over the rest of the group. “Well, I’m off,” she said. “Bye.” After a quick wave, she headed off to Rose’s Garden.

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“You guys want to head to the park?” Black said, her eyes on Slimantha and Samuel. “That is where we were headed.” Black’s brown eyes met Samuel’s blue eyes, and she smiled at him.

Slimantha and Samuel glanced at one another. Then they both looked at Black. “Sure,” they both said. A moment later, the sound of soft footfalls started up as Samuel and the three women began walking down the red brick road.

Black glanced at Samuel as the group continued toward Spider-Lily Park. She brought her strawberry milkshake to her lips, taking yet another drink. Samuel did not meet her gaze. She smiled and stepped up to Samuel’s left. Her right shoulder lightly brushed him, drawing his attention. Their eyes met. She took another drink of her strawberry milkshake.

“C-Can I help you?” Samuel said, his eyes still on Black.

“I don’t know. Can you?” Black said and then gave a bit of a giggle. She took another drink of strawberry milkshake. “Relax.” Her tail swished. “I just want to talk a bit. So you’re a hero?” Her tail swished. “Rescued any damsels yet?”

“Is that really a serious question?”

Black giggled and then took another drink of strawberry milkshake. “So you prefer to be rescued by the damsels then?” Her tail swished again, momentarily drawing Samuel’s eyes.

“Can we seriously stop with the damsel questions already?”

Black’s tail swished playfully as she laughed. Her brown eyes went back to Samuel’s face, and then she cocked her right eyebrow. “You know I can see you checking out my tail, right?”

A drop of sweat rolled down Samuel’s right cheek. “S-Sorry about that.” Somehow, he couldn’t help but glance at Black’s tail again. Another drop of sweat rolled down his right cheek.

“Want to see my ears?” Black’s right hand went to the rim of her black witch hat. “I can take it off. Want to see them?” She smiled and then removed her hat. She continued walking at Samuel’s left, her hat in her right hand and her milkshake in her left hand. “So what do you think?” Her black cat ears twitched cutely.

Samuel’s blue eyes went to the black-haired cat woman’s ears. “They are really cute.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Black’s cheeks started to burn from Samuel’s gaze. She put her black witch hat back on, her cheeks still tinged in pink. “I’d think you’d never seen a cat woman before.” She brought her strawberry milkshake back to her lips and took a quick sip. She swallowed.

“Actually,” Samuel turned his gaze back to Black’s face, “you are the first real cat woman I have seen.”

“The first?” Black brought her milkshake to her lips and took a big gulp of it. “So I’m the first cat woman you’ve met?”

“That’s correct.” Samuel smiled. “I hope that isn’t a problem.”

“Not at all. I just wasn’t expecting to be the first cat woman you’ve met.” Black’s brown eyes then went to Slimantha. “Hey, Slimantha!” Black headed over to the other woman. “Guess what. I’m the first cat woman Samuel has met. Can you believe that?” Black’s tail swayed playfully.

Slimantha continued to walk down the red brick road. Now Black walked at her left. “I see,” Slimantha said. “Congrats on being the first.” Slimantha brought her right hand to her lips and giggled. Then the two women smiled at one another. Slimantha and Black, along with Samuel and Mimi, continued to walk toward Spider-Lily Park.