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Title: Of Cats and Magic

Chapter: 12

Author: Riko Gonzalez

"They won the fight. That plant thing is dead."

Flash Fire sat atop a ruined building, overlooking the battlefield, cracks

riddling the building's surface. Pressed to the redhead's ear was her phone.

"Another message? Fine... I'll deliver it. Just make sure the payment goes

through."

With a sigh, the red-haired magical girl hung up her phone. What a strange

client this was? She was fairly certain the woman knew she was an assassin, yet

the tasks she was being given were odd considering her profession. What did this

woman actually need an assassin for? Regardless, as long as she paid, it wasn't

a problem, and this client paid quite well. In any case, it looked like she was

now being paid to extend an invitation.

***

"Well, that thing had quite a bit of fight in it," Riko spoke in reference to

the monstrosity they had defeated just moments ago. Its remains still continued

to burn, the horrendous smell of the creature finally starting to dissipate.

"Any idea where this thing came from?" she queried her blonde friend.

Ruko merely glanced up for a moment, and then shook her head, indicating that

she did not. Turning her attention back to the creature's remains, she proceeded

to prod them a few times. Though the creature appeared to be quite dead, she

wanted to verify that it actually was. After all, it would be quite troublesome

if it suddenly started moving again. As expected, though, it stayed looking

quite dead.

Satisfied, the blonde catgirl looked to her cyan-haired friend.

"We should head back," she spoke.

"A moment please," a voice drew their attention, halting their withdrawal before

it even began. It was the same redhead who had previously caused them to rush to

town to fight that plant-like thing.

"Just a moment! Who exactly are you? What's your connection to that thing?"

Riko was pointing her staff at the red-headed woman, demanding answers.

"My name is Flash Fire," the woman responded, a dangerous look in her eyes. "I'm

a magical girl and an assassin. Don't worry, though. I'm not here to kill you...

this time."

Riko continued to gaze at Flash Fire suspiciously, looking ready to fight if it

came to that. Flash Fire really wasn't surprised by this. There really wasn't

much reason for them to actually trust her after all. In short, Riko's behavior

was expected. Ruko's, though, threw her for a loop.

Unlike Riko, Ruko was not glaring at her suspiciously. It wasn't that the blonde

wasn't watching her. No, she was clearly observing her. It was just that she

couldn't detect a hint of emotion in the woman's face. It was a perfect poker

face. In truth, the taciturn expression on the blonde was quite unnerving to

Flash Fire. She could tell that the amethyst-eyed magical girl would be a

dangerous opponent. Perhaps it was a good thing the client only wanted her to

deliver a message this time.

Trying to hide her unease, Flash Fire continued, "I'm just a middlewoman for

this incident. Plant a seed. Deliver a message. I've been given another task

now, though. Another message. An invitation."

As the redhead spoke, she withdrew a folded paper.

"On this you will find a time and place. Seems the client wants to meet you."

Riko relaxed a bit --- just a bit --- as she was handed the folded paper. While

she didn't quite trust the assassin, she didn't think the redhead meant them

harm at this time.

"With that, I'll take my leave," Flash Fire said once Riko had possession of the

paper.

***

"The one behind that thing the two of you fought claims to want to meet you?"

A paper lay on the floor in front of Timothy. As the blue cat spoke, he looked

over the contents of the paper, a time and place. Across from Timothy, on the

other side of the paper, was Riko and Ruko. The three of them were in their

apartment.

"That's what that assassin said. Seems suspicious, doesn't it?" Riko commented,

answering the winged cat's question.

"I concur. I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be a trap."

Riko watched Timothy expectantly as he spoke. Ruko watched him with her usual

taciturn expression.

"However, I don't think we can ignore this. Whoever or whatever is behind this

already put the town in danger once. Ladies, it looks like we have a date to

keep."

Timothy turned his golden eyes back to the foreboding paper, stretching his

feathery wings restlessly. He didn't like this --- not one bit. He didn't want

to risk the town's safety, though.

The paper laying before him specified the place of Veil Lake and the time of

midnight.

***

Elsewhere, a figure sat cloaked in shadow. Although obscured by the shade, she

sported a joyful grin as she sipped a cup of tea.

"Will they come? Will they come? Will they come?" she sang happily.

"Of course they'll come."

Her red eyes took on a mischievous look as the last statement flowed from her

shapely lips. Casually, she took another sip from her teacup.

She wasn't used to being denied. No, to her humans, catgirls, and catboys were

just playthings for her enjoyment --- toys if you will. As such, they would

dance to her tune as she saw fit.

"Just a matter of time," she continued in a beautiful singsong voice.

***

Riko shivered. For some reason, a rather foreboding sensation had suddenly

descended upon her.

"You alright?" Timothy asked. "You're looking rather pale."

"I'm good. Just suddenly got a rather bad feeling about this."

"I know what you mean. Seems way to risky to ignore this, though."

Ruko watched her two friends converse for a moment. This meeting did have the

potential to be a trap, but Timothy was right. They were being called out, and

ignoring it was too dangerous.

"I'm going to shower," the blonde interjected into the conversation, turning to

leave the living room afterwards.

Riko and Timothy momentarily glanced to the blonde magical girl upon hearing her

voice.

"Should I make dinner?" Riko said, turning back to Timothy.

"Don't worry about it. I'll make dinner today."