Missy wasn't afraid of anyone finding out things like when she shared with Jezel. She was afraid of anything that would link her to who and what she was when she was imprisoned. The things she shared with Jezel weren't even things her captors knew about. They actually knew very little about her, perhaps that was part of the problem. They feared the unknown, and in their fear, they had turned against her, locking her away without truly understanding what they sought to contain.

As she walked with Aspen into the large, imposing room where the city council meeting was held, Missy found herself lost in thought. Her mind replayed the events of the last few days like a vivid tapestry— the Ortus, the fierce battles with skeletal creatures that seemed to emerge from nowhere, and her deepening feelings of attachment to Jezel and the others. She knew she was walking a dangerous line, trying to build a life for herself in this new world while keeping her true nature hidden from those around her. The weight of her secrets pressed heavily on her shoulders.

The meeting started, voices droning on about city matters, but Missy was too distracted to pay attention. Her thoughts churned like a stormy sea, memories and worries crashing against each other. Aspen, sensing Missy's distraction, left her alone, choosing instead to mingle with the other attendees to gather information and keep an ear to the ground for any useful tidbits.

It wasn't until the meeting had concluded and the room began to empty, chairs scraping against the floor and voices fading, that Missy's internal musings were interrupted. She felt a presence approaching, a familiar aura. She turned to find Rinale standing before her, a look of curious intensity in her piercing eyes.

"I'm surprised you showed up," Rinale said, her voice cutting through Missy's jumble of thoughts. "I thought you'd try to avoid me after our last encounter."

Missy tilted her head, noting the suspicion in Rinale's gaze. But there was something else there too, a flicker of something that reminded her of how Jezel looked at her when they were together. Missy had noticed several people looking at her that way lately, and while she wasn't entirely sure what it meant, she had her suspicions. A small, mischievous smile touched her lips as an idea began to form in her mind.

"I don't think I have a reason to run and hide," Missy said, her tone light and playful. "I don't plan on doing anything that would cause you problems. After all, I'm just trying to find my place in this city, like everyone else."

Rinale crossed her arms, raising a skeptical eyebrow. Her posture was defensive, but there was a hint of curiosity in her expression. "We'll see about that. Your sudden appearance and the recent disturbances are too coincidental for my liking."

Missy's tails swayed enthusiastically as she continued, her smile growing wider. "I have an idea, though. You don't know me very well, and I understand why you're suspicious of me. It's only natural, given your position. How about we go on a date? That way, we can get to know each other better, and you can see for yourself that I'm not a threat. Plus, it might be fun!"

Rinale blinked, clearly taken aback. Her composed expression faltered for a moment as she processed what Missy had just said. A mix of emotions flashed across her face – confusion, surprise, and something that looked suspiciously like intrigue. "Why on earth would I do that?" she asked, her voice sharp with confusion, but there was a note of surprise that softened her usual commanding tone.

Missy's smile didn't falter. If anything, it grew. "The way you look at me... it's similar to how someone else I know looks at me. I thought it might mean you're interested in me. I'm sorry if I was wrong. After all, what better way to understand someone than to spend time with them?"

Rinale's cheeks flushed with color, and for a brief moment, her carefully maintained composure cracked like thin ice. She spluttered, a blush creeping up her ears, neck, and cheeks, turning her usually pale skin a vibrant shade of pink. She rubbed her eyes with her thumb and forefinger, clearly struggling to regain her poise in the face of Missy's unexpected proposition.

"Alright," Rinale muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat, trying to inject some authority back into her tone. "But I'm only agreeing to this in order to assess how much of a threat you are. This is purely a matter of city security."

By the time she finished speaking, Rinale had managed to regain some of her commanding demeanor, though the blush on her face still lingered, betraying her inner turmoil. Missy, noticing the shift in Rinale's tone and the forced formality, felt her own excitement dim slightly. Her ears and tails drooped, the enthusiasm in her eyes fading like a dimming star.

"Oh... okay," Missy replied, her voice tinged with disappointment. She had hoped for a more positive response, but she understood Rinale's caution.

Rinale, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden shift in Missy's mood, faltered for a second. A flicker of guilt passed over her face, quickly masked by her usual stoic expression. "I—uh, I'll pick the time and place," she said, her voice softer than before. "I'll contact you with the details once I've reviewed my schedule."

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Missy's spirits lifted again, though not entirely. A small spark of hope reignited in her chest. "I wanted to plan it, but okay. I'll plan the next one once you feel safer around me. I promise it'll be fun."

Rinale opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything further, Aspen reappeared, her presence instantly drawing Rinale's attention. The councilor gave Aspen a polite nod, excusing herself quickly, though Missy didn't miss the faint blush still lingering on her face as she hurried away.

Once Rinale was out of earshot, Aspen turned to Missy, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Her eyes twinkled with a mixture of curiosity and mischief. "What was that all about?" she asked, her voice low and teasing. "I leave you alone for a few minutes, and you're already stirring up trouble with the council head?"

Missy hesitated for a moment before explaining the conversation she'd just had with Rinale. She recounted the exchange, from Rinale's initial suspicion to her flustered agreement to the date. By the time she finished, Aspen was chuckling, clearly trying to suppress her laughter.

"I shouldn't be surprised," Aspen said, shaking her head with a grin that threatened to split her face. "You always seem to find a way to get yourself into trouble when I'm not around. It's like you have a magnetic attraction to complicated situations."

Missy's brow furrowed in confusion, her tails swishing nervously behind her. "Trouble? I don't think it's that bad. I mean, it's just a date? What's so troublesome about that?"

Aspen's grin widened, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I hope Jezel doesn't get too upset when she finds out. You might have some explaining to do."

Missy's confusion deepened, her ears flattening against her head. "Why would Jezel be upset? I don't understand. Isn't it good to make new friends people?"

Aspen began walking toward the exit, motioning for Missy to follow. The click of her hooves against the polished floor echoed in the now-empty council chamber. "Come on, I'll explain on the way home. And I'll tell you what I found out at the meeting.

The cool night air wrapped around Missy and Aspen as they stepped onto the sidewalk, leaving the imposing council building behind. The streets were quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere inside the building. Streetlights cast long, eerie shadows across the pavement, and the distant hum of traffic provided a subtle backdrop to their conversation. Missy walked beside Aspen, her mind turning over the conversation they'd just had, still trying to make sense of everything. Her tail swished nervously behind her, betraying her inner turmoil.

Aspen broke the silence first, her hooves clicking softly against the concrete. "When it comes to dating, it's not uncommon for people to become... jealous, especially when the person they're interested in starts spending time and showing interest in someone else. I personally think it's good for you to get more experience, but I warn you, Jezel might not take it well. She can be quite passionate."

Missy nodded, digesting the information. Her ears twitched as she contemplated the complexities of mortal relationships. Missy had experienced jealousy concerning other types of things. But jealousy in romantic relationships was new territory for her. She didn't want to hurt anyone, especially Jezel, but she also wasn't sure what to do with the fact that Rinale seemed to be interested in her as well—or at least suspiciously intrigued. The former goddess's piercing gaze during their interactions lingered in Missy's memory.

"I will talk to her," Missy said, her voice soft but resolute. She had no intention of hiding anything from Jezel, and if it caused problems, she would handle them as they came. Her determination was evident in the set of her shoulders and the firm nod of her head.

They walked in silence for a few moments, passing by closed storefronts and dimly lit alleyways. The city seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the dangers lurking beneath its surface. Missy could sense that Aspen had more to say, and soon enough, she spoke again, her voice cutting through the night air.

"There are a couple of things I learned at the meeting that I should tell you," Aspen began, her tone more serious. She adjusted her glasses, a habit Missy had noticed she did when discussing important matters. "Razuroc is still making occasional appearances, but each time, he disappears quickly. The council believes he's testing the city's defenses, biding his time. He'll likely do something major soon. We're all on high alert."

Missy's ears perked up at the mention of Razuroc, her fur standing on end. The last time they had faced him, Jezel had been hurt. She still remembered the weight of Jezel's unconscious form in her arms, the feeling of helplessness that had washed over her. The thought of another confrontation with the behemoth made her uneasy, causing a knot to form in her stomach. She had managed to fight him off before, but what if he came back stronger? What if next time, someone she cared about didn't survive? The possibilities haunted her.

"And then there's Qil," Aspen continued, snapping Missy out of her thoughts. "The Qilin Lich. She's been attacking city infrastructure. The attack you witnessed the other night wasn't the first. Her actions seem to be growing bolder and more frequent. Also, there's been a steady stream of attacks by the strange white serpents since the first sighting. Each time they appear, they're larger and more dangerous, as if they're evolving or growing stronger. The council's been able to easily subdue them so far. Needless to say, the council was stretched pretty thin. The mounting crises were taking their toll, and resources were being pushed to their limits. "I guess it's true what they say: when it rains, it pours," Aspen sighed, her brow furrowed with concern. Missy wasn't sure who had said that or what exactly it meant, but she decided it probably wasn't important right now.

"What should we do?" Missy asked uncertainly, feeling a mix of worry and helplessness in the face of such daunting challenges. Aspen shrugged, her expression a blend of resignation and cautious hope. "Honestly, other than be careful, there isn't much we can do right now except hope the council can handle it. They've got the expertise and the resources, even if they're spread thin," she explained, trying to sound reassuring despite her own doubts.

They finished walking home in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air between them.