Chapter-28 The Cat Behind The Mask

The door to Lira's room creaked open, but it wasn't the same girl who had left.

Frideria knew this immediately.

The energy was different... older, sharper, but not threatening. The scent of emotions lingering in the air shifted subtly, like the taste of amusement laced with a spark of mischief.

Lira emerged, the same body, the same curls tumbling over her shoulders, but her presence had shifted. Her golden eyes now gleamed with a deeper, unnatural sheen, and the way she carried herself... languid, graceful, deliberate.

A predator pretending to be harmless.

She leaned against the doorframe with exaggerated poise, arms stretched above her head in an elegant, slow cat-like stretch, fingers curling as if flexing invisible claws.

"Missed me already, darling?"

Lira purred, voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness as her eyes half-lidded in satisfaction.

Frideria didn't move from where she sat, back perfectly straight, ruby eyes locked onto her.

"You are... different."

Lira smirked, sauntering closer. Every step was precise, deliberate. No wasted movement.

"I'm always me. Just a little... freer now. I guess you could say the fun me finally woke up."

Frideria's eyes narrowed.

"You were suppressing yourself."

Lira shrugged, a hand waving dismissively.

"Mortals get uncomfortable when we're too much. Had to keep things tame. But you're one of us, so I don't have to hold back anymore."

She suddenly closed the distance, gracefully draping herself onto the arm of Frideria's chair... uncomfortably close. Close enough that the scent of floral perfume and lingering sugar from their shared meal mixed with something... more. Fey magic.

Frideria did not flinch but stiffened.

Lira's fingers brushed a lock of her red hair, curling it gently around one claw-tipped finger.

"You're pretty. Pale. But this hair? Gorgeous. Honestly, you should let me do something with it. You'd turn heads."

Frideria blinked, perplexed.

"You are touching me."

Lira's grin widened.

"Mmm. Yes. I do that. Skinship, you know? Touch is very important. Comforting. Intimate. You should try it sometime."

"I do not wish to."

Lira clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.

"Such a cold little thing. What, afraid you'll break? Or is it because you don't know how to play yet?"

Frideria stared, unblinking.

"Play? Is this some sort of test?"

Lira rolled her eyes dramatically and flopped onto the couch beside her with a loud sigh, draping herself over the cushions like a spoiled cat.

"Nooo. You're so serious. Lighten up, bitey. I'm just getting to know you. Besides, we're roommates now. That means bonding."

Frideria hesitated, ruby gaze scanning Lira's every movement for some hidden trick.

"You are... strange."

Lira gasped, clutching her chest in mock offense.

"Strange? How dare you? I am fabulous."

"You are... overly dramatic."

Lira smirked, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

"Flattery will get you everywhere. Keep going."

Frideria blinked again.

"That was not flattery."

"Sure it wasn't, sugar."

Lira's golden eyes narrowed playfully.

A long pause. Frideria's gaze remained steady, but her fingers curled slightly, tension lingering.

Lira noticed. She always noticed.

Her teasing smile softened, but only slightly.

"Look, I get it. You're still figuring all this out. Being Fey, being... us. It's a lot. But you're not alone here. If you need help... you can ask. And not just the scary Captain, either."

Frideria stared, the words sinking in deeper than she expected.

Then Lira smirked again.

"Of course, you'll owe me so many compliments if I help you. I am adorable, after all."

The tension broke... if only slightly.

Frideria blinked, tilting her head.

"You are... small."

Lira's grin faltered.

"...Small?"

Frideria nodded.

"Compact. Minimal. Cat-sized."

Lira gasped, clutching her heart again as if mortally wounded.

"Betrayal! My pride! Did you just call me a pocket Fey? I'm tall for a Pooka, you know!"

Frideria's lips twitched. Just barely.

A smile. Almost.

Lira huffed but didn't pull away.

"Fine. I forgive you. But only because you're cute when you're awkward."

She poked Frideria's cheek gently with one finger.

Frideria did not react... on the outside. But a part of her felt... warmer.

A strange warmth.

She didn't understand it. But it wasn't unpleasant.

Lira yawned, her diva energy softening into something calmer, more genuine.

"Well, this has been fun, but technically I still need beauty rest. Even Fey need to recharge our Glamour, you know."

Frideria nodded slowly.

"Glamour. The energy of emotions."

"Bingo."

Lira stretched again, arms curling above her head in another exaggerated cat-like pose.

"I'll be around. You need anything... snacks, hair advice, emotional support... you know where to find me."

Frideria's ruby eyes lingered as Lira finally padded back toward her room, a lazy sway in her step.

For the first time since her awakening... Frideria felt a strange sense of belonging.

Confusing. But not unwelcome.