The convention floor unfolded like a storybook mid-spell — towers of merchandise, spirals of banners, and fans in sparkling, surreal costumes everywhere she looked. Celeste had to pause just inside the entrance, blinking to let her eyes adjust. The light here shimmered off sequin capes and holographic armor, pulsing with the bassy hum of music drifting from the main stage.

She scanned the crowd, her paw shielding her eyes from a flickering LED display above the Crystal Hall of Fandoms. She was looking for someone—a familiar-unfamiliar shape.

Leif, the lynx from her MythoSoc class. They’d never met in person; their connection had started months ago when she accidentally sent him her essay draft instead of the professor. He’d read it, responded with three pages of annotated commentary, and somehow a friendship had bloomed from there—half academic banter, half meme exchanges. They’d talked ever since, discussing magical theory, fandom tropes, and the role of media in hybrid representation. He said he’d be cosplaying as a genderbent Sir Vireon from Stormbond Saga. She had no idea what that would look like exactly, but she was sure she’d recognize his energy when she saw it.

Next to her, Lumina was silent, clutching the handle of her sparkling heart-shaped purse. Her boots clicked against the polished floor in nervous little steps.

“Do you remember,” Celeste began, a soft smile tugging at her lips, “when we pretended the couch cushions were cloud islands? You’d make us leap between them or be banished to the lava pits.”

Lumina blinked, humming faltering.

“You even had a wand made from a curtain rod,” Celeste added warmly. “Princess Pyra, wasn’t it, sweetheart?”

There was a pause.

“I’m sorry,” Lumina said gently, not meeting her eyes. “I know you're trying. But it’s just... not there. I don’t remember that. And it kind of hurts trying to.”

Celeste’s ears drooped, her smile faltering.

“Oh—oh, of course. I’m sorry, love. I shouldn’t have—”

They stood there for a moment, the pulse of con-goers flowing around them like a river around two stones.

Then—BOOM.

“Guess whooo~!”

A weight hit Celeste’s shoulders, and she shrieked, leaping nearly a foot off the ground.

Whipping around, her eyes wide and fluffed tail a full banner behind her, she came face-to-face with a grinning tabby cat in a mesh hoodie and cargo boots. A glittery badge labeled her Melody, with the tagline: Chaotic Neutral, Mostly Harmless.

“Melody!” Celeste hissed, trying to compose herself. “You can’t just ambush people like that! Honestly, some of us have fragile constitutions.”

Melody tilted her head, unfazed. “Fragile constitutions? Cel, you dress like a gemstone exploded. If you want to be incognito, maybe ditch the tiara.”

Celeste straightened, hands on her hips, trying to recover her poise. “I’ll have you know, this is a highly accurate recreation of Elira's Gala Ascension Outfit. And—”

Before Celeste could retort, Melody’s eyes flicked to the other girl beside her.

“Who’s your sparkle twin?”

Celeste’s voice dropped to a whisper as she leaned in close. “That’s Lumina. She’s kind of important. Just, um… be gentle? She’s had some memory loss—car accident a while back.”

“I can hear you,” Lumina cut in, blinking up at her.

Celeste froze, caught mid-stage whisper, cheeks coloring beneath her fur. “Oh no—I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” Lumina added softly, not quite smiling. “You were just trying to help.”

“What are you even supposed to be?” Melody interrupted, smirking. “Cosplaying as a discount fairy trio from a cereal commercial?”

Celeste flushed beneath her fur.

“We are the Magi Girls 3,” she declared with as much dignity as she could muster. “From Starlight Covenant: Season Five. I’m Elira, Lumina is Solenne, and we’re... well, the third one is a plush keychain in my bag because we couldn’t convince anyone else to join us.”

Melody snorted. “Ohhh right. The season where they all become space princesses with feelings and shoot glitter lasers at metaphorical trauma. Deep stuff.”

“We like it,” Lumina piped up, voice firm but tiny. She puffed her cheeks for emphasis.

Celeste looked at her, surprised—and weirdly touched.

Melody rolled her eyes, raising her paws in surrender. “Alright, alright. Don’t vaporize me with your emotional catharsis beams.”

Then, more casually: “Anyway, I saw a tall lynx guy by the vendors talking someone’s ear off about magical resonance crystals. Might be your mystery penpal.”

Celeste’s heart skipped.

Without thinking, she grabbed Lumina’s paw and started weaving through the crowd. “Come on, sweetheart. If he’s here, I want to say hi—before I lose my nerve.”

Behind them, Melody called out, “Don’t trip over your cape, Magi Girl Prime!”

Celeste didn’t reply.

Only to collide shoulder-first with someone — and somehow, it was graceful.

“Oh!” she gasped, stumbling back.

The figure she’d bumped into turned smoothly, regarding her with calm, amused turquoise eyes. He was tall—strikingly so—and dressed in a deep violet jacket, sharp and perfectly tailored, every button in place. A crisp white cravat lay tucked at his collar, giving him an air of scholarly drama. His thick white Maine Coon fur shimmered faintly in the overhead lights.

“My fault entirely,” he said, voice rich and dry. “Though I’ll admit, this is the most charming ambush I’ve suffered all morning.”

Celeste blinked. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to—”

He held up a paw elegantly. “No need to apologise. If anything, you’ve made my morning more interesting.” His eyes twinkled. “Your Magi Girl Prime is exquisite — the stars themselves would send petitions for such tailoring.”

Celeste giggled, flustered. “Thank you, Charming. Yours is… incredible, too. Who are you cosplaying?”

His eyes brightened with theatrical pride. “Dr. Witchwood, naturally. Dragons of Termina 2, re-release edition. They finally restored his collar enchantment in the remaster — a crime it was missing in the first place.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh! That’s perfect! You really nailed the vibe.”

He gave a small, pleased bow. “Naturally. One must commit to excellence or not bother at all.”

He stepped aside gracefully, letting the crowd flow around them again. “If you're hunting for rare merch, there’s a vendor down the next aisle selling enchanted replicas. I’d hurry before the truly tasteless grab the last of the good stock.”

“Oh—thanks!” Celeste smiled, caught off-guard by the encounter.

He gave her a two-fingered salute and turned, already blending back into the stream of con-goers. “Good luck, Magi Girl. May your crystals resonate and your eyeliner remain sharp.”

And just like that, he was gone.

Lumina leaned in. “Who was that?”

“I… no idea,” Celeste murmured. “But I kind of want his backstory.”