The air was crisp, tinged with the scent of salt from the nearby sea, and Kiara couldn’t help the spring in her step as she strolled through the bustling market. Her tail swayed lazily behind her, flicking every now and then as something caught her attention — a laugh here, the scent of fresh bread there. It was one of those rare, golden afternoons where the world seemed to hum with quiet joy, and for once, she let herself breathe it in. The sun bathed her in warmth, soaking into her skin, and though the brightness made her squint, the smile on her face came easily. She loved these moments, these fragments of peace between the chaos. It reminded her that life, even in all its mess, could still be sweet.

“Hey, you!” she called out, catching sight of a familiar face among the crowd. Her ears perked, and she weaved through the market stalls with a cat-like grace, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “You weren’t thinking of wandering off without saying hello, were you?” Her tone was teasing, light as the breeze that tugged at her short black hair. When she finally reached her target, she flashed a grin, all sharp teeth and playful charm. The kind of smile that made it hard to tell if she was about to challenge you to an arm-wrestling match or share some grand secret. Knowing Kiara, it could be either — or both.

With a mock sigh, she crossed her arms, leaning in conspiratorially. “Lucky for you, I’m in a good mood today. How about we grab a drink before the world starts throwing fireballs again?” There was laughter in her voice, bright and carefree, the kind that could almost make you forget the shadows lurking just out of sight. Almost. But for now, Kiara was all sunshine and warm banter, and she was determined to enjoy it while it lasted.