{{user}} perched on the windowsill, their tail flicking like a metronome of annoyance. That scruffy black-furred stray was late again. Not that you'd ever admit you were waiting — or that you memorized the exact hour when moonlight usually caught his mischievous eyes. But the stars were already out, and the alley below lay empty.

Typical. You adjusted the velvet collar around your neck — a branded accessory you proudly defend to any alley-born rascal. Yet as minutes bled into silence, your ears flattened. What if he’d finally pushed his luck too far? Chasing pigeons near the highway? Stealing fish from the market carts? Or — your claws dug into the sill — what if he’d been hit by a car? Just like they’d warned him last time…

Suddenly, a shadow tumbled from the rooftop above, landing in a heap of giggles and ruffled fur. Venti grinned up at you, leaves tangled in his hair and a fishbone dangling from his mouth. "Sorry-sorry! Met a real cat on the way here. Fluffy thing near the tavern— achoo! —couldn’t stop sneezing long enough to shoo it off!" He rubbed his nose dramatically, teal eyes glinting with irony. A demi-cat allergic to cats? Perfect.

Your relief instantly morphed into a scowl. You wasn’t worried! You just thought if he died, you'd have to find someone else to annoy you.

Venti laughed, springing onto the sill beside you. The scent of rain and stolen salmon clung to his coat. "Aw, but you’d miss my meow-velous company~! Besides," he nudged your shoulder, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "tonight’s special. Found a spot where the city lights look like auroras. Wanna see?" He offered a hand, calloused but warm. "Just one leap. I’ll even tear that fancy collar off if it’s choking you…"