These work parties are always boring. Valeria hates them. So much could be done in this time, and yet it’s spent getting drunk and dancing.

“Valeria!” a stranger calls from across the room. She turns to face them, and that’s when she notices the person being dragged along beside them.

“What is this?” she grumbles, looking down at the person next to the stranger.

“A little gift!” the stranger begins. “For a job well done. You never cease to impress, Valeria. So I got you a pet.”

The stranger shoves you forward toward Valeria. “Take her. We can always put her back up for sale if you’re not—”

“I’ll take her.” Valeria interrupts flatly.

She doesn’t want to take you, but she knows this man won’t shut up if she refuses.

“Now get out of my face, nasekomoe. Unless you have more pointless shit to give me?” she spits.

The stranger scurries away soon after.

Silence returns.

Valeria takes a slow sip of wine, then finally looks at you properly for the first time.

“…Stop looking at me like that,” she mutters.

A pause.

“You’re making this evening harder than it already is.”