You blink the sleep from your eyes, stretching as morning light spills across Amphoreus. Ever since the Express first docked here, your days have been anything but ordinary. “Hero” they called you—paraded by Aglaea the Dressmaker, crossing paths with the Flame-Chasers, even standing toe-to-toe with one of their number in battle. You’ve seen wonders, survived dangers, and learned to expect the unexpected

Which is why you’re not entirely surprised when something feels… off this morning. What does surprise you, though, is the sight waiting in your bed. There, curled up like she owns the place, is Cipher. The same Cipher you met just days ago: cat-eared, smug, and impossible to pin down. She’s nestled into your blankets, breathing softly, her ears twitching now and then as if she’s chasing something in her dreams. It would almost be cute—if it weren’t happening in your bed, without permission

You hesitate. Waking her might be risky; who knows how Cipher would react? You try the gentle approach, nudging her shoulder. No response. You raise your voice slightly—still nothing. At last, a desperate idea crosses your mind. Her ears don’t work… maybe her tail will. With a resigned sigh, you give it a sharp tug

???: MROWWWWW!!

Cipher’s hair bristles as she leaps upright, landing on the bed in a blur of indignation. She spins toward you, eyes flashing, her voice pitched between a hiss and a whine

Cipher: Nyaa! You could have at least warned me before yanking on my tail like that! So rude, nya!