Stepping outside for a brief moment, the young adult resisted the urge to run back to his own abode. He swears, everyone is going to be up his rump even more now, aren't they? Can he move out of this joint and live in a tent at the park? Yeah, right, like Pira would ever let him do that. Better head back inside before he gets more questions tossed at him.

Duck steak nibbled on, the young adult wondered. A name, what's something he could call something he can call this kitty? He's black and tiny, and looks like he could use a bowtie or seven, maybe. Hmm, Tux? Mr. Tux? Ah, no, that's a ridiculous name! This critter will probably call him even worse names if he gave him that.

"Ya doin' aight now?" Varg asked. "S'rry we know we're asking ya allota questions an' such."

[I'm fine. Can I please finish my dinner and go back home? I have work in the morning, you know.] An electronic voice said through the smartwatch.

"Siorc, you know, if I were you, I'd probably take off work tomorrow," Coiote said between bites. "You should get your little critter here parts for a cat house and bed to sleep on! Don't you have some vacation days left?"

[It's not like I ever take off work. Do I look like I can afford that?! I have bills to pay, you know!] An electronic voice said through the smartwatch.

"I know, I know, but you got to take care of your companion, you know!" Coiote shouted between bites. "Oh, I know, you should join a SoulCritters Support Group while you're getting the hang of all this!"

Support group brought to his attention, the chimera almost dropped his fork. Is she really suggesting that right now? He doesn't believe he asked for her opinion right about now. But, they're probably going to bite his ear off until he agrees, aren't they? Sigh, of course they are, what else is new? Why did he move into this apartment complex again?

Chatter going on and on about joining a support group, the fixer upper nibbled on his bread. Blah, blah, blah, he could use some tips from others! Count him out. What's next, he could use some friends! As if. Will those pay the bills? Of course they won't. Don't make him laugh. There's no way in a million years he's going to join one of those things! Finishing his meal, he cleaned his plate. Quit talking his ear off already!

Dragging himself back to his apartment, the young adult flipped on the television. News about flying saucers spotted, the chimera laughed. Can aliens abduct all the older brothers and sisters in the world? That would be amazing right about now! Tch, like aliens are actually real. It was probably a stupid drone shaped like one or something.

Flopping around on the couch, the hyena tried to think. Alright, a name, what's a good name for this guy? He probably should think of one, right? Ugh, why is the only thing he can seem to think of Mr. Tux? There's no way this little fella is going to approve of that! Agh, forget it, like he's going to think of anything else. He may as well not even waste his time!

"Mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow!" the little black cat cried.

[Yawn, oh, hi again, zzz, it's me, the SoulCritter Translator! Back here again fresh off the presses! What is this not yet named little black cat asking, you say? Well, he said, "Where's my castle?!" Okay, SoulCritter Translator signing off!]

Castle brought to his attention, the young adult rolled up into a ball on his couch. Looks like he's going to have to go shopping tomorrow, again! He swears, he doesn't have time for this! Better text his boss and say he can't come into work tomorrow, tap, tap, tap, and send. He is so getting a cut out of his salary for this. Yawn, forget this, he's going to bed.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.

Smartphone alarm ringing off the walls, the fixer upper groaned. It's morning already? Yes, yes, he knows, any second now and someone is going to come stomping towards his door, don't remind him. Little black cat, excuse him, Mr. Tux, ugh, there it goes, the name already stuck in his memory, claiming the pillow next to him as his own, he sighed. He should probably go to the SoulCritter department store and get this fella a bed to sleep on. Kitty's eyes shooting open, his pajamas were soon tugged.

"Mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow, mrow!" the little black cat, excuse him, Mr. Tux, shouted.

[Yawn, good morning, it's me again, your friendly, totally not cranky at six in the morning SoulCritter Translator. I never get any time off, I tell ya! What did our friend Mr. Tux say just now? He said, "Peasant, I demand you get me a castle right now!" Okay, yawn, back to sleep for me, buh bye!]

Cries coming his way again, the young adult buried his hands in his face. Yeah, yeah, he heard him the first few times. He'll go to the store today and get him one if he can find one! Sigh. Can he go back in time and make it so he never, ever found this box in the first place? No? Of course he can't, whatever. Better just get him something to call his own.

[Alright, alright, I'll be going to the store and get you some things, alright, Mr. Tux? Now, please, stop asking about it!] A page from his communication log cried.

"Mrow, mrow, mrow?" Mr. Tux asked.

[Hi, hi, yawn, your lovely SoulCritter translator here! What did Mr. Tux ask? Well, he asked, "That's my name?" Okay! Your pal is signing off here, buh bye!]

[Yes, that's your name! Sorry if it isn't good enough for you, your royal highness!] A page from his communication log exclaimed.

Flipping on the television, the chimera sighed. Looks like it's going to rain this evening. He'd better get shopping earlier today before the downpour can show up and ruin everything. Maybe he should have gone to work after all. Tch, too late for that now, he already took the next few days off! Whatever. Knock soon eating his door, he stepped towards the door. Let him guess, the food was here, whoopee.

"Morning, kiddo, the cat food's here, I'll put it in a basket for you," Pira greeted. "Do you want me to drive you to Natalie's boutique?"

[I'll walk, thanks.] A page from his communication log responded.

"You sure? You'll probably be coming home with a lot of stuff." His voice was stern.

[I'll get a ride back, alright? Don't worry about me, I'm an adult now, you know. And, besides, don't you have to, I don't know, look after the apartment complex like you're supposed to?] A page from his communication log asked.

"Well, alright, kiddo, but make sure you call me if you change your mind," Pira responded. "I'll pick you up right away."

[No need. Can you please just put the food in a basket and go? I want to get ready.] A page from his communication log said.

Cans of food plopped into a basket, the young adult slammed the door shut. He swears, he's going to be seen as the baby of the family for the rest of his life! Whatever, not like anything is ever going to change in that regard. Sigh, better fill up a bowl with this stuff. Cranking the manual can opener, the brown chunk of meat mix plopped itself into the metal bowl. Plopping it on the kitchen table, he yawned. Better hurry up and get ready for the day.

Doing a quick spritzing, the cat tailed individual wondered. What else should he buy besides a cat castle? Well, maybe he should get a small bed, too? Some toys? Probably. Will he have enough for that? How much spending money does he have left this month? Who knows? His bank account's looking like it's about to hit single digits soon, he bets. Sigh.

Light purple black cat dress slipped on, the chimera reached for two scrunchies. Hair pulled up into two heart shaped buns, the black cat hairpins and earrings had been clicked into place. Maybe he should buy some more clothes for himself while he's at it. Ha ha, like he'd ever have enough for that. He hardly had any fun money to his name at this stage. Ha, as if he ever would.

Wolfing down a meaty bowl of oatmeal, the chimera yawned. What time is it? It's only seven thirty. Can he maybe go back to sleep for the next decade? Not happening in this lifetime. If only he could catch some zzes for the rest of his life. Ha, whatever, may as well play a good old game of Flower Chess Battles until the SoulCritter Emporium opens, yawn.

[Current Location: Enig, Sweden at the Sweet Spot Apartment Complex at around nine twenty in the morning.]

Stepping out the door, the fixer upper tried to recall, where is Natalie's boutique again? Oh, right, in the western shopping block straight in the middle sector between the human, chimera and demon sectors, he almost forgot. He should probably get going now before a crowd swallows up the entire world. Should he bring Mr. Tux with him? No, probably not. Isn't it too early to be carrying him around like a trophy? Slipping a note underneath Varg's door, he cracked his knuckles. Well, he'd better get going.

Spotting cat eared kids on the opposite side of the street giggling with their pals, the young adult sighed. Alright, maybe he should have brought Mr. Tux along with him. Too late for that now, he guessed. Whatever, next time, he guessed. Crossing at the corner, he let out another yawn. How much longer until he reaches that shopping center? Not too long from now, probably. Better speed up a bit.

Human kids at the park across from him playing frisbee with their critters, the young adult wondered. Should he buy something like that for Mr. Tux? Ugh, no way. He'd probably ask for something much more luxurious, or something. Probably. Who knows? Sigh. Is he going to survive until next week? Nope. He's going to have to get used to not having any cash to spare for breakfast for awhile, oh well. His fault, he guessed.

Reaching the parking lot, the fixer upper tried to recall. What was the name of Natalie's shop again? Oh, right, Miss Opalene's Favorites. How could he forget that annoying moniker? He swore, ever since Natalie blossomed from womanhood with a little bit of secret sauce every single day of her life, Opalene was her little princess. Whatever, in he goes. Please, don't be head cutting with activity!

Oh, it was head cutting with activity, alright.

Customers and their soulcritters littered everywhere, the hyena almost wanted to turn around. Why are there so many people here already? They only just opened! He may as well just kiss a bowtie or seven for Mr. Tux goodbye! Well, that settles it, he's going back home, forever. So long, Natalie, he wasn't even in here.

Aisles looking about ready to fill up, the young adult turned his head off towards the SoulCritter Clothes section. Section flooding, the hyena's tail drooped. Great, there's no way he's going to be able to get over there now, he may as well just wave the white flag and turn around! Can he just order everything online and call it a life? Yeah, right, like that's going to happen. If Natalie found out about all that, she'd inspect the quality of everything he purchased and have it sent back. Groan.

"Wan, wan, wan, wan!" Opalene barked, hopping up and down.

[Hi, hi! It's me again, your lovely dovely SoulCritter Translator here to report on what Opalene was saying just now. She said, "Your brother's here, your brother's here!" Okay, I'm out! See ya, peace!]

"Opalene, darling, can you point him out to me?" Natalie asked, rubbing a nail filer over the tip of their nails. "We're pretty swamped you know!"

Hop.

"Wan, wan, wan, wan!" Opalane barked, hopping!"

[Hello, hello, hello, your friendly SoulCritter Translator here! What did Opalene say just now? Well, you really don't need me to tell you that, do you? She said, "Over here, over here!" Okay, see ya!]

Dress wearing poodle hopping next to him, eyes were glued to him. Haha, did he look weird in this dress or something? He really should have just, he doesn't know, shopped online! Ha, too late for that now, his hands are tied. Great, now the entire world is going to know he's the owners sibling! Can he rot now? That's be lovely.

"Siorc, dearie, come to the counter," Natalie said. "I've got a few things for you to choose from."

[But what about the line?] A loud electronic voice screeched through his smartwatch.

"Oh, don't worry about that, just come behind the counter!" They curled their fingers.

Heading behind the counter, the young adult's eyes wandered. Oh, lovely, look at that, everyone's eyes are glued to him. Blah, blah, blah, why does he get to cut the line? Sorry, he's not even here right now! Leave a message after the beep. Beep, oops, sorry, mailbox full! Never call this number again, bye!

 

A whole ton of kitty clothes laid out in front of him, the cat tailed individual studied them for a brief moment. Multitude of little bowties locking eyes with him, he wondered. Which one screamed Mr. Tux the best? Light purple one practically shining, his eyes shimmered. This is the one! It's gotta be this one! Slipping it into his hands, he gazed at everything else for a second.

Little shirts, and tiny little tuxes, the young adult shrugged. He supposed he'll get about seven of those for now. Sigh, there goes his fun money for the rest of the month. No, scratch that, the rest of his life. Sigh. When does he have to pay the next set of bills? Next week, if he recalls correctly. Groan, well, better take out his bank card and hope for the best. Sigh. But, a hand had soon been placed over his wallet.

"Ah, don't worry about paying, dearie, I already swiped," Natalie said, plopping everything into a bag. "There you go, all bagged for you." She then paused for a moment. "By the way, Coiote's going to take you to the support group tomorrow morning, okay?"

[I don't need a SoulCritters support group, Natalie!] A page from his communication log shouted.

"Nonsense, dearie, you should meet some new people, don't you think?" A giggle.

[I can take care of Mr. Tux myself, thank you very much! Thanks for the cat clothes, I'm going now!] A page from his communication log shouted.

"Coiote will be at your door by eight tomorrow, see you later!" A wave.

Moving through the streets, the chimera groaned. He swears, everyone thinks they can make his schedule for him! He should have just gone back to work tomorrow. Too late for that now, he supposed! Sigh. Forget this, it's about time he goes to the SoulCritter Emporium. Dragging himself through the streets, the large, intimidating store soon waited for him. Well, here goes nothing.