Reese drummed the table with her fingers nervously, hiding her anxiety that it was the first time in years she was sharing a meal with another woman.

“I’m surprised you didn’t know about the Mao Café,” Reese remarked, using the question to distract her overactive mind. “It was pretty famous in town when it first opened.”

“Oh, really?” Marina raised her thin aqua eyebrows as she was astonished by the news. “I’m actually from Tsukang.”

Reese’s amber eyes widened. “From the city? What brought you to here to this town? Hinayu is a pretty dead in comparison.”

“I got accepted into Hinayu College of Arts and Sciences. Then I met Abbi… and stayed with her after I graduated...”

“Ah.” A screech from Reese’s chair echoed as she pushed her seat a little back while silence filled the atmosphere.

Marina broke the quietness with a small smile. “But I like Hinayu anyway and would still stay if I never met Abbi. There aren’t as much stores or public transportation, but the town is cleaner and peaceful. I love how I can feel safe at night taking walks alone under the moonlight. I’m still amazed how I can see so many stars at night.”

Marina’s words made Reese smile. Her teal green eyes wistfully filled with passion as if the stars themselves were shining inside, lighting a lovely world as she recalled the twinkling night sky.

“Have you been to Kosinga?” Reese contemplated curiously. “You can see the Milky Way all across the countryside.”

Marina shook her head sadly with disappointment. “No, I would love to someday.”

“I’ve been there once UF—”

UFO hunting. Wait, I can’t tell Marina such an embarrassing thing! What if she thinks less of me? 

Reese cleared her throat, laughing nervously. “Stargazing I mean,” the dark red-haired woman continued. A half lie since Reese was mostly focused on looking for signs of alien life on that night. “It’s something you have to see once in your lifetime. Maybe we can go to Kosinga together someday.”

Marina’s teal green eyes lit up. “I look forward to it!”

A smirk spread across Reese’s face, an instinctive reaction to Marina’s contagious smile. Butterflies fluttered about her stomach, flying so high that Reese could almost disappear contently from this world.

“I’m back~”

Lacie hummed cheerfully, placing down their orders from an elegant silver platter.

Two strawberry pieces perked up as cat ears sat on top of a creamy vanilla frosted donut sandwiched between a layer of whipped cream and thinly sliced strawberries. Chocolate glazed dotted eyes and a mouth smiled sweetly at Marina as it peered back at her from the ceramic plate.

“This is so cute!” Marina squealed, poking the strawberry ear with her fork.

Lacie giggled as a grin spread wider across Reese’s face.

“A strawberry shortcake kitty donut and a glass of water for you.”

The glass of cold water beside the cat-shaped donut almost ruined the presentation of the cute donut.

I wish I ordered a cup of tea instead,  Marina mused regretting her decision. Tea would go well with a fancy donut. Who knew a donut could be so cute?

Marina’s fork poked the creamy frosting. “Is this really free of eggs and milk?” She wanted to be reassured that she was not going to break out into hundreds of hives for eating such a pretty little donut.

“Ask the pastry chef yourself,” Lacie replied, nudging Marina toward the keen amber-eyed woman sitting across from her.

“You—You made this!?” Marina exclaimed, staring at Reese with astonishment.

Reese blushed, chuckling as she placed a hand behind her head. “Yeah, I sell my donuts to the cat café. The strawberry shortcake flavor is allergy free and vegan.”

Lacie laughed. “Reese’s donuts are one of our top selling desserts.”

Marina’s cheeks grew red as the strawberries as she played with the decorations. “I don’t think I can eat this…”

Reese’s face crumpled into dismay. “Why—Why not?”

“Your donut is too pretty to eat,” Marina exclaimed. “I’ll feel bad about eating your creation.”

Reese laughed, shaking her head at her silly notion. “You better learn how to eat my donuts! You’ll be working for me tomorrow.”

“I guess that leaves me with no choice…” Marina mumbled. She gingerly cut a piece of donut with her fork.

Everything was too painful for Reese to watch as Marina took a slow time putting a piece of the donut into her mouth. She leaned forward eagerly, watching Marina take a bite of the donut as if she was watching the most suspenseful part of a film.

Marina’s eyes brightened as the creamy donut soaked her tongue with a rich delicate strawberry flavor. Usually strawberry-flavored desserts tasted artificial, but the donut tasted like fresh sweet strawberries picked from a bountiful field. It was tangy and sweet, rich with flavor, through each bite.

“This is the most delicious donut I ever had!” Marina exclaimed. She took another bite although she wanted to devour it up in an unladylike manner.

Reese was grinning so wide like a happy child. She felt like she had an accomplished a very important task. It was the best compliment a pastry chef worked hard for.

“I’m happy you like my donut,” Reese replied, extremely pleased by Marina’s reaction. “You might change your mind tomorrow when you try my other donuts.”

Marina beamed, swallowing her bite. “I can't wait to try them.”

Lacie chuckled. She was very happy to see Marina enjoy her dessert. “Reese, don’t forget about your food,” she remarked, noticing her neglected meal.

“Oh right.” I almost forgot about my food. Reese glanced at her three pieces of crispy golden crescent-shaped curry puffs next to her cup of kitty latte. A creamy white cat smiled back at Reese while it floated on top of the coffee in a wide porcelain cat-shaped teacup resting on a saucer.

Reese took a sip of the latte. Her face scrunched into disappointment. “Aww man, it’s not hot anymore.”

“That’s what you get for watching Marina eat instead of paying attention to your own food,” Lacie retorted.

Amber eyes rolled at Lacie. “We’ll let you know when Marina is ready for her fortune kibbles.”

“Meow!” A gigantic black tuxedo leaped on top of the table, almost knocking off Marina’s strawberry shortcake donut.

Marina and Reese almost died inside as Marina caught the plate in her hand.

“Pepper!” Lacie scolded harshly, picking up the plump cat. “Don’t climb on top of the tables!”

“Mrow!” Pepper squirmed disappointingly in Lacie’s arms, but she held him firmly to her chest.

“I’m sorry,” Lacie began apologetically. “He must be curious about the donut since he loves strawberries. Enjoy your meal!” Lacie walked away carrying the unhappy black cat attempting to escape from her arms.

Marina and Reese both looked at each other, laughing with relief.

Reese grabbed a bottle of sriracha, squeezing the bright red sauce all over her curry puffs until they were like nachos sitting in a pool of cheese.

Teal green eyes widened as Marina watched Reese take an unaffected bite from the spicy curry puffs.

Reese must have a high spicy tolerance, Marina mused curiously as she sipped her water. I wouldn’t last eating curry with sriracha.

The dark red-haired woman took large bites, occasionally taking sips of her kitty latte. Reese met Marina’s eyes, noticing she was staring at her.

Marina quickly looked down at her almost finished donut, blushes stinging her cheeks.

“Wanna bite?” Reese asked, shoving her bloody battered curry puff in front of Marina’s face.

Marina flinched back, her face exploding red. “Uh—no!” Marina stammered. I’ll die if I ate that!

Reese finished her last curry puff and nearly drank all her kitty latte. She wiped her mouth with a napkin, sighing with content at her happy stomach.

She eats pretty fast.  Marina had just finished her donut when she had started eating ahead.

“I think I’m ready to get my fortune told…” Marina murmured shyly.

Reese pushed her chair back, standing up excitedly. “Let’s go!”

Marina followed Reese to the unusual purple tent in the back of the room where the calico cat had disappeared to.

Reese waved her hand at Lacie by the counter. The blonde smiled, her fingers forming the OK sign.

Marina bent down on her knees, peering curiously inside the vast tent. The long-haired calico cat was resting on top of a satin purple tasseled cushion in the center. A mini black table in front of the cat held two LED candles dimly illuminating the tent.

Marina tilted her head with curiosity.

It looks just like a fortune-telling tent except with a cat.

The calico cat stirred awake, her golden and blue eyes capturing Marina’s attention.

Marina gasped at her eyes. “Your eyes are so beautiful.”

“Kika is an odd-eyed cat,” Lacie’s voice began, startling Marina.

Marina crawled inside the tent, scooting over for Lacie to sit next to her. There was just enough room for two humans to sit inside with the cat.

Lacie placed an elegant crystal bowl covered with a purple velvet cloth on top of the table between the candles. She zipped the tent closed to indicate a reading session was taking place.

“Is Kika the psychic cat?” Marina asked.

Lacie nodded with a smile. “She’s a very talented feline.”

The blonde gazed at sleepy Kika, rubbing her forehead. “Good morning, Kika. This is Marina. She would like you to tell her fortune.”

Marina held out her hand, allowing Kika to sniff it. She felt a bit silly having her fortune told by a cat.

I wonder how legit this is… then again if cats like Tiamet exist anything is possible.

Kika yawned, revealing her sharp white canines as she stretched out her paws. She stood up, arching her back into a long big stretch.

Lacie uncovered the crystal bowl, revealing a fresh layer of star-shaped brown kibbles.

“Now we wait for the magic to happen,” Lacie announced cheerfully.

Marina watched the calico cat nibble the kibbles slowly in silence for five minutes. Compared to Tiamet, Kika ate much slower in a gracious manner as if she was a princess eating at a royal banquet.

Kika took her last bite, receding from the crystal bowl as she licked her paws clean.

“What do you see?” Lacie asked.

Marina’s teal green eyes gazed at the scattered star-shaped kibble pattern. The kibbles formed a centered S-shape wave.

“I see a… snake?” Marina answered hesitantly.

“Ah, the snake is a harbinger of bad omen,” Lacie remarked, furrowing her pale eyebrows troublingly.

Color disappeared from Marina’s cheeks. “A—a bad omen?” Marina stuttered worryingly.

Lacie placed a finger to her chin. “Usually, but it seems you’ll need to be careful in your near future. The snake represents something that will cause disturbances in your life, so it can be anything negative. If you’re lucky, it might not be too serious.”

Now that I’m a Water Priestess, I guess that would make sense,  Marina pondered. I’ll need to ask Tiamet how dangerous things will be.

“Thank you for the reading, Kika,” Lacie began, bowing her head.

“Yes, thank you, Kika…” Marina murmured.

Round golden and blue eyes stared at Lacie and Marina. The calico cat laid back down on the cushion, her tail gently flicking left to right.

Lacie unzipped the tent, crawling out back to the café floor. Marina followed after her.

“Marina,” a soft feminine voice purred. “Be wary of the viper’s mark.”

Huh? Marina twisted around, meeting Kika’s profound gaze.

Golden and blue eyes blinked back at her.

“Marina?” Reese called out. “It’s almost time to go!”

The aqua-haired woman turned to the direction of Reese’s voice. “I’m coming!” I thought I heard something.  Marina took one last look at the calico cat before leaving the tent.

Reese took Marina’s hand, lifting her up back to her feet. “How did it go?”

Marina shrugged. “It was OK.”

“OK?” the dark red-haired woman asked disappointingly, raising her eyebrows. A deep frown embedded Marina’s face.

Sounds like she got a bad reading.

Marina remained quiet as they walked to the counter. In the corner of her eye, a small gray cat darted across the sidewalk outside the window. The cat looked rather familiar.

Is that… Tiamet? Marina blinked hard.

The cat was gone.