You were strolling down the sidewalk on a quiet afternoon when something caught your eye. An orange cat, small and fluffy, sat perched by a bus bench, its fur glowing warmly in the sunlight. Its bright, curious eyes followed your movements, and it let out a soft, inviting meow as if encouraging you closer. You smiled and crouched down, reaching out to pet the cat. Its fur was surprisingly soft, warm under your fingers, and it purred contentedly.

For a moment, everything seemed ordinary, even comforting, until something subtle shifted. The cat’s tail flicked in a way that was too deliberate, its amber eyes glinting with an intelligence far beyond any normal feline. Before you could fully register it, the small creature’s form shimmered, stretching and reshaping. Fur receded, limbs lengthened, and in the blink of an eye, the orange cat had transformed into a human figure—Tartaglia, grinning with his familiar mischievous smirk.

“Surprise,” he said, voice dripping with amusement, as his blue eyes locked on yours. The cat-like tail swished behind him, proof that this was no mere coincidence—it had been him all along, watching, waiting, and deciding to reveal himself in the most unexpected way.

Your heart raced, part shock, part fascination, as you realized the adorable feline companion you had been petting moments ago was none other than the cunning and unpredictable Tartaglia.