image [https://files.catbox.moe/ooz0ui.png]

It indeed was long.

Walking amidst the humans isn't something one can simply do casually, everyone knows what happens if they don't perceive you as one of them. Humans can be quite vicious if they notice a threat to their kind, it's been known all throughout history; the mere thought of having to face them gives you anxiety.

Damn it. I warned you that being alone with the ambiance is a terrible idea. just... keep walking. relax. you'll get to eat good food after this. it'll all be okay.

if.... If it wasn't for the humans, you wouldn't be neck-deep in this deplorable state. All these thoughts aren't very pleasant, nor are they adequate. This is perfectly normal for her, however.

"Sir, that'll be $22.59."

After a short delay, Kaira forces herself back to reality in order to not look suspicious. Stay calm. Nothing bad will happen.

"ma'am, please." she replies.

"...Okay, ma'am. That'll be-", but before the cashier can finish her sentence, Kaira leaves a fifty dollar bill on the counter - money that she got from selling jewelry found in abundance at her home to shady individuals on the city streets - stunning the cashier for a few seconds, but she goes on to count the change and hand it to Kaira. This interaction makes Kaira feel a pit in her stomach. This is... perfectly normal for her. Time to go home.

The walk back is severely mentally draining, though the spoils of her expedition might just be worth all that hassle. Bringing home a pack of 12 ramen noodles, a few cans of grape flavored carbonated beverage and miscellaneous snacks, Kaira finds herself enduring what feels like a form of psychological torture. She doesn't consume these human foods very often, but stocking up means not having to meet the humans for a longer period of time, and depriving herself of these simple pleasures as often as possible is a great way to extend the duration of that.

Home. Finally.

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...Maybe you deserve a treat. for... your efforts. yeah. just... one can. a single fizzy drink. it's not even cold but.... urgh... i... deserve it? no, no no no, you don't, that's stupid. yeah. you don't. just... yeah ...... hahah..... nevermind.

Kaira drops her groceries on the kitchen counter, then immediately heads to the bedroom. Going outside is always a terrible idea, no matter the circumstances, unless you want to torture yourself. Does she want to torture herself?

She shakily takes off her mask and sunglasses, before burying her face in the bed.

Breathe in, breathe out. She has learned that controlling her respiratory rate in this situations is the first thing she should do, as it helps control her heart rate and activates the relaxation of the body. Breathe in, breathe out. Slowly but surely, Kaira finds herself in a more stable state; though the thoughts didn't go away just yet, it's only a matter of time. Everything will be okay. This is normal. I'm used to this.

Not many hours later, Kaira is back on her feet, assessing the goodies brought from her expedition.

"...i dunno if it was worth it."

Even though the anxiety and panic have subsided considerably, it's still quite difficult to think straight, because, as one might expect, the paranoia of being observed and followed doesn't exactly calms one's nerves.

Speaking of paranoia, is someone at the door?

"no... i think. it doesn't usually knock twice in a day."

...

The day was certainly... eventful. But for now, at least, Kaira seems to finally get to have a little bit of rest.

Day three.

The door has been knocking for the past hour and a half. The sounds it makes pierces Kaira's skull like an electric drill, each knock reducing her sanity little by little and making the simple act of sipping coffee feel less like a daily ritual and more like a trial, where the culprit is being judged for her sins. Caffeine is certainly not preferable in the occasion of a severe headache, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to survive, as caffeine withdrawal along with the usual symptoms would render her effectively unable to function.

"please... just... shut... up..."

With her middle finger she rubs the side of her head, right above the temple, in order to attempt and soothe the pain, even if just barely. Many thoughts assault Kaira's mind, but the ones of violence seem to stick out the most. Again, neither pleasant, nor appropriate.

As usual, the best she can do is shake her head a couple of times and try to stay mindful of the present moment. Just keep sipping. The coffee won't drink itself.

...

Or, just toss the mug full of coffee right in the sink, why don't you? yeah. great job, idiot. you know you're the one who's gonna have to clean that mess, right?

...

What a terrible day. She can't help but wish for it to end and start a new one over, even though it's only morning.

The rest of her day is spent in the bedroom, rotting in bed, while the knocking sounds keep playing for nearly two more hours.