Chapter 1: The Binnging
It all started many years ago in the port town of Baylin. This Town was small and quiet, and not much happened; I worked as a trendsman doing jobs wherever possible. I wasn't much in the skill department, just your average John Dow, a nobody; my name is Argon. I'm 6 feet, 170 lbs and dress in worn-out work clothes, nothing fancy. On this one afternoon, I was fishing for my weekend job of cleaning up fish harvesting tables for the Monday crew, a Job I less liked, but the pay was decent, and it kept me off the street.
It was night when I cleaned up and walked to my shack outside Town. The Girl who often met up with me for the walk was an odd one, with long silver hair and a deep scar on her face that made her right eye almost closed; I never asked her about the wand, as she seemed to hide it with her brea, she often wore it on her head. This Girl was what someone called a cat girl or something of that sort, but I never took much notice of her odd features.
Despite her size, she was older than me, and I'm in my 30s; something about this Girl soured in ministry led me to her. Some call it fate, but I call it a pain because she won't leave me alone, even though she hardly speaks. But on this one night, she had a sad look on her face, as if she were lost in a painful place. I didn't want to pry into her private life, so I dropped her off at the inn where she stayed. After seeing her inside, I made my way home.
I don't remember how I meant Staranna, but that's her name, or so the innkeeper tells me. Rumour has it that this Girl is some legendary hero, but I find it hard to leave scents; she doesn't seem the type.
As I walked up the path to my shack and opened the door, it was dark and quiet. The only sounds were the rustling of the trees in the night breeze. As I turned on the light, to my utter shock, Star was sitting quietly in my armchair. I didn't understand it. I always dropped her off at the inn, but how was she even here?
Staranna sat there like an emotionless doll, her long blue clock and brea neatly folded on the arm, and her cat ears visible, pokeing up as I entered the room. I wiped my brow and let out a sigh. I was too tired to think about it, so I closed the door and hung up my coat. I wanted to lose my temper, but at the same time, I wondered how she got here before me.
At that point, I did not realize that this was the start of a life I knew little about, and my world was about to change completely because of this cat girl named Staranna. I clearly remember it. The only words she spoke that night haunted me as she turned to look my way and said, "Help me." Neither did I answer; I just stared at her, confused, before going to bed; that was the first time I heard her low, soft voice, and up to that point, it had only been nods or hand junctures.
Now that I think back, she was lost in my world, and I had yet to understand. The silver-haired cat girl, someone very dangerous and powerful, right now she was sitting like a harmless lost kitten right now, and I didn't even know the calamity sitting right before me, and I was only worried about where my next meal was coming from. I asked her if she had eaten Staranna only shook her head. Then I decided to cook up the last of my little food, and placed it beside her, then gave her a blanket as the nights got cold. Then, I went to bed.
I didn't sleep well thinking if I should have kicked her out, but one thing was clear: this Girl was at the end of her limits. Later, I would learn why she got that scared and hid from the heroes. What she did the next day was completely unexpected. I wasn't interested in romance; I would spit on the thought of it, but that morning, I got up and found Starnanna in the kitchen cooking what looked like a giant chicken lizard thing. I had never seen an animal like that. Staranna seems to know her way around a kitchen; Maybe it's a Cat girl thing. I didn't question her. I can say that Beast was dammed good and tasted like a cross between chicken, pork, and cow mixed in one.
I am not sure what started it, maybe by giving her a head pat and praising her, or letting her stay the look in that Girl's one good eye, which was soft, full of hope, and she was lively. She no longer had the dead fish eye look and cold aura about her.
Being a modest man, I decided to let her stay as long as she provided enough to survive on, as I lacked funds, and the money I did have was not enough to last the month. After we ate, I blurted out, "I wish I had you as a wife, like I love your cooking.g" Of course, I was trying to lighten the mood, but little did I know that line was the final nail in the coffin of fate. From then on, everything changed, as I already said, I didn't know it yet. Staranna, of course, was in shock. She stood there still a moment, and I wonder if I upset her. I lifted the house as it was time for work, thanking her and went to the docks for another gurgling fish cleaning job.
The work was hard on this day, and I worked long into the night. As I returned late, the shack was empty and cold. Staranna was gone. I thot nothing of it at the time, not realizing she not there, 3 weeks past and I searched all over for her but found nothing the innkeeper claimed not to know her and the room she was in handed been booked in mouths,
no one remembered her but me its as if all traces of Staranna vanished like she was removed from time, A mouth passed by and I would soon learn the truth behind why she vanished, I found my self one afternoon working in a warehouse behind the old town store, as the Town suddenly became lively because the four heroes wore visiting the Town,
I didn't care as it had nothing to do with me; besides, I was too busy stocking shelves in the warehouse to notice the bustling pride that was happening. My boss decided to call it a holiday day and told me I could watch The Hero Pride and take the rest of the day off.
I finished up my work and stepped into the alleyway beside the store. The heroes made their approach as I saw them pass by, but it was so courted that I could only make out their outlines from where I stood. As I watched, I felt a gentle tug on my pants leg. Looking down in surprise, I saw Staranna, standing beside me with a look of heartened on her face.
She had a different vibe about herself, as if she were related to something. I remarked and said, "You're a hero. Shouldn't you be in with them?" I regretted saying that if I knew just then, it would be better. I kept my mouth shut. Staranna glared coldly, her eyes full of anger toward the heroes. She clanged her fists and sprang to the ground. She swore at me in her native tongue
From that response, I felt like she was betrayed or something, and later on, I would learn why, and I came to hate the heroes myself. Staranna's anger was something I had never seen before. Without thinking, I picked her up, realizing how light she was. I held her like a child agent by my side, and I could feel the anger from her body heat slowly fade. My actions that day closed the distance more than I realized.
Staranna seemed to come down consistently after that, and I asked her a question I had meant to ask but didn't want to pry. I asked her why she hated the heroes. Starannas looked into my eyes with an expression that I clearly understood. Her left eye was starting to bleed, and I felt her body get colder. At that point, it was apparent how her unreadable emotions seemed to change, and she spoke the words that chilled me to this day. She said
the heroes betrayed me, lifted me for dead in a swarm of orges, cut my face, and watched me die, but I survived. I woke up alone, nearly alive, and came here evenly.
To my shock, I knew how she felt, having been betrayed and tossed out of the place I once called home. At that moment, I fully understood this Cat girl.
Now, knowing more about Staranna, I carried her with me back to my sack. Not saying much, she held on, not letting go. I still knew I was dead if they found us, but I didn't want to start problems at my place of work and provoke the heroes, so I decided to leave. Staranna didn't say anything the whole time, and neither did I; once we got inside, I put her down and sat in my armchair. I told Staranna she was welcome to use the bedroom and get some rest.
Staraana took off her breastplate and clock, handing them up. She wore a cream-coloured top and long jeans with her tail wrapped around her waist like a belt. My only comment was, "So that's how you hide your tail." My uncalled-for comment oldy got a shuged look, and to my surprise, she didn't seem to care.
Staranna's slender body was small in the bust but not overly young-looking. She looked more like an older woman. Her build was a bit on the buff side, as her arms were toned. Looking over at her seemed to make her self-aware of my staring, so she turned away, so I focused on reading a book on my side table to make her feel more at ease.
This was a smart move on my part, as Staranna was more relaxed but still wary. But it was understandable, scents. I kidnapped her without realizing it, even though she gave her consent; I'm sure she would come here either way. I asked her if she needed anything or wanted to bathe, and Stranna seemed like she wanted a proper bath in a while.
The only response I heard was a sort of thanks and her footsteps into the bathroom, with the door closing. As she entered, I told her the lock was broken, "I won't bother you, so don't worry, take your time." Stranna only nodded and smiled as she closed the door.
It's been three years since that day, and as I look over at Staranna, I see she's now more open and expressive. She talks more and lets her tail show. We developed a closer relationship, and I decided to propose to her in the afternoon. Ever see a cat girl turn 50 shades of red? Staranna Ligrhty wasn't expecting that one. I didn't know how she would respond. I was already interested in her; we had lived together for three years and fallen for each other.
I was sure she would turn me down as the day became night, and we avoided each other. I haven't even kissed her, let alone anything more. We slept in our rooms and minded each other's privacy. I built a few additions to my three-room shack, making it a proper house. I decided to give Staranna some time and went off on my own for a while so she could recover from the shock I imposed on her.
