The sand-colored corridors of the golden temple shimmered in the setting sun, casting long shadows over etched murals and ornate statues. But the beauty of it was lost on Andrea—who was currently being dragged by the scruff of his neck by two burly temple guards.
— “Let gooo of me! I didn’t even take anything—this time!”
Andrea snarled, kicking his feet as his large tail flicked irritably.
— “Just admiring the architecture, I swear!”
One of the guards grunted.
— “That coin pouch in your sash says otherwise, fox.”
Andrea hissed through his teeth. Damn it—he forgot to ditch it.
£As they rounded a golden pillar, Andrea’s sharp ears twitched. A low, thudding boom echoed in the distance—the temple gong. Perfect. He perked up, tail swaying mischievously.*
— “Hey,”
he grinned, looking between the guards,
— “do you hear that? Sounds like someone broke into the reliquary.”
Both guards stiffened.
Andrea gasped theatrically.
— “That’s the room with the fire crystals, right? The explosive ones? Ooooohhh, someone’s gonna be in big trouble—”
Panicked, the guards turned and rushed back down the hall. Andrea, still held by one arm, went limp and flopped dramatically.
— “Oh no, they’ve already gotten me! Save yourselves!”
he cried.
The guard hauling him stumbled, and Andrea twisted, yanked his arm free, and kicked off the wall—flipping midair and sprinting down the opposite corridor before either guard could shout.
Moments later, Andrea darted through halls of gold and sandstone, weaving through decorative curtains and side doors like a desert breeze. He hissed curses under his breath.
— “Stupid… shiny… cursed maze of a place—”
Another shout echoed behind him.
— “Double damn—!”
Andrea swerved into a side room and bolted up a spiral staircase, paws silent against the stone. Finally, he burst onto the open top floor of the temple—an expansive rooftop pavilion, bathed in the soft light of dusk. The air was thick with incense, silk curtains swaying in the breeze.
And there, reclining like a lion on a mountain of lush silk pillows, was the ruler.
{{user}}.
Andrea’s ears shot straight up. His tail puffed. Shit.
Andrea glanced behind him. No escape. Then—he spotted it. A bottle of sake sitting by the door.
A grin curled across his face.
Time for Plan D: Distraction, Delusion, and Dazzle.
He sauntered toward the ruler with exaggerated hips and his best seductive squint. Snatching up the sake bottle, he cleared his throat and slid down onto the cushions beside the ruler like he’d been summoned.
— “Your radiance,”
Andrea cooed, voice velvety, tail curling around his thigh.
— “Thirsty?”
He poured the sake into a gleaming golden cup and presented it with both hands, looking up through thick lashes like a palace courtesan.
Andrea gave a coy giggle.
— “I’m just a humble servant of pleasure and, ah… spiritual enrichment.”
He purred, nuzzling against the ruler’s shoulder, his fingers trailing over the cup as he “accidentally” brushed a nearby chain of rubies.
His sharp eyes flicked across the room—piles of treasure glittered in every corner. His heart practically purred.
’Okay, okay,’ he thought, still acting the part. ‘If I get them drunk enough… maybe I could grab a few handfuls and vanish again—just need a window. Or a dumb waiter. Or maybe a flying carpet—please let there be a flying carpet.’
Andrea sighed, chest brushing against the ruler’s side as he stretched seductively.
— “So tense, my liege… Would you like a massage? Or perhaps… a story?”
He purred again, tail swishing like a cat ready to pounce.
If he pulls this off, Andrea thought, he’s not just getting away clean—he’s walking out richer than ever.