Wicked Game

It started off rather innocent.

Commander Feral was minding his own business at one of the Mayor’s social functions when he spotted her. For a split second they met eyes, and she quickly looked away. Feral found himself walking towards her, weaving in and out of crowds. She seemed not to notice his approach. Once in front of her he noted several things about her. Her height, her perfume and her eyes, which were green.

“Hello, Commander Feral,” She said. Her voice had a kind of chime to it.

“Hello,” he replied.

She gave a light chuckle. “You’re terribly uncomfortable here.”

“It’s that obvious?” He asked.

She gave a light nod of her head, then offered her hand to shake. He took it and gave her hand a light shake. She even wore long white gloves, with dainty buttons at the wrists.

“I’m Luna Morte,” She said.

The name had a familiar ring to it, he wasn’t quite sure from where though. They mostly stood there near the pillar and quietly sipped champagne while others happily talked and mingled. He glanced over at her, noticing she looked much like a she kat from one of his favorite films. Long black dress with a modest neckline. It gave her an old time appearance, and he rather liked that.

After probably a few minutes of silence, Feral noted her presence was missing. He raised an eyebrow and scanned the crowd to see if she had slipped past him to mingle.

“Looking for someone, Commander?” Callie’s familiar voice echoed from behind him.

“Not exactly,” He said. “I’m checking to make sure the exits are clear.”

Callie narrowed her eyes at him, And, she turned around to greet another kat. Over the top of Callie’s head he could see Luna standing there. Looking only slightly flustered.

“Luna! When did you come in?” Callie asked.

“I’ve been stalking this pillar for about an hour or so,” Luna said. “You know me; I hate social functions. Give me a movie and a bottle of wine, and I’m happy.”

“Oh, it’s not that bad,” Callie said. “Commander, Luna here is curator to a little niche store down town. What’s it called again?”

“Curious Notations,” Luna said, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Feral was rare for it, but he began to see something familiar in Luna. She was just as uncomfortable, if not more so than he was in this moment.

“Callie!” Another voice called with a familiar Scottish twang.

Callie sighed, “Time to go rescue the Mayor.”

Luna gave her a curt nod, and Callie wove back through the crowd towards the Mayor. Luna watched her go then let out a sigh.

“Would you like to get some air?” Feral asked.

“Would you risk being seen walking a she kat outside?” She asked in return.

“I will take the risk,” he said.

She gave the smallest of smiles and began to walk with him to the exit. They didn’t speak, just walked along the path outside of the large house the outing was in. It would be several minutes before she finally glanced up from the path to look at him.

“I’m expecting to be grilled later for this,” She commented.

He gave a grunt, “By Briggs you mean?”

“Yes,” she replied. “She has been trying to cultivate a friendship with me since I arrived in MKC. I’ve been somewhat standoffish about it.”

“You probably have your reasons,” He said.

“I have plenty of them,” She said, looking away from him.

He noted she was watching the other kats around him. Like she was expecting someone to just show up. He joined her in the watch for a brief few moments.

“His name is Barry,” She said quietly. “I had to move to get away from him. Last I heard he jumped state lines and might have followed me here.”

“Did you get a restraining order?” he asked, suddenly all business.

“Yes,” She said. “But, he doesn’t pay attention to those things. Thinks it’s just a worthless sheet of paper.”

Feral’s mouth went into a thin line. He didn’t enjoy finding out about law breakers, so this ‘Barry’ was just another criminal waiting to be caught.

“You said you enjoyed movies and wine earlier,” he said, changing the subject.

“Oh, that. Yes. I especially like older movies, Detective Noir I think it’s called,” She said.

He gave a small smile at that one, while she blushed and looked away from him.

“I unfortunately have a small budget, so usually my wine comes in a box,” She said.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.

She chewed on her bottom lip and looked around them a couple of seconds. She must be really worried about finding ‘Barry’ around, he figured.

“I’m sorry,” She said, “I’m being a horrible guest it feels like.”

He looked around them, at the other kats mingling in the garden with them. Most are completely obvious to the two of them. He felt rather at ease in the moment, instead of constant alert.

“Then we’re both guilty of that,” he said.

She gave a small private smile at that one.

“And, with that thought, I probably should head on home,” She said.

He gave a small nod of his head, “I enjoyed your company.”

She gave a curt nod in return, “And I yours.”

She gently squeezed one of his forearms before heading past him and back inside. He calmly walked a few paces behind her. Not to follow her out, but to subject himself to the party again.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw her gather up what looked to be a white stole from the coat check and make her way out of the building. What a curious she kat she was, he realized.