Chapter 8
It was the morning after Anna’s awakening and the talk concerning Elizabeth.
Anne and Cathy had eaten a tense breakfast with Catalina. But all three had to admit that it could have gone much worse. (Anne and Catalina could both admit to themselves that the only reason they weren’t arguing was solely because Cathy was present)
After the breakfast, Cathy and Anne talked peacefully as they made their way to the tube. They got on the crowded train, Cathy blocking out the chaotic and too loud noise with her headphones and phone. Anne was also busying herself with her own phone.
They reached the station that led to Anne’s house and got off, making their way towards the home.
As they walked, Cathy noticed that Anne was clearly irritated and overwhelmed by something (the writer never noticed the loud cheering from a group of people nearby). One hand was tugging at her choker, two fingers seemed to be scratching at her scar, her other hand was at her mouth, the end of Anne’s thumb being bitten between her teeth.
Cathy had noticed before now that Anne’s nails were basically nonexistent, and the ends of her fingers were definitely bitten before.
After observing the scene of distress for a moment, Cathy carefully slipped her soundproof headphones off. Then, as they walked, she carefully managed to slip the headphones over Anne’s ears. The noise from the subway was lowered to a more manageable level by now, and this area had less people.
Anne adjusted the headphones, turning to stare at Cathy. In response, Cathy simply held out her fidget cube.
It was something she had never done before. She had never let anyone hold her fidget toys. She never trusted anyone enough.
Anne blinked wide eyed for a moment before quickly taking the cube. Just like Cathy, she was quickly calmed by the object, focus captured.
Her mission accomplished, Cathy nodded happily to herself. She began to rub her soft sleeve instead. And it worked well enough.
They were quiet after that. They continued on until reaching Anne and Kat’s home. At the door, Anne gave Cathy a smile as she (hesitantly) returned the headphones and cube, which were slipped into Cathy’s bag.
“Thanks, Somnolente… I don’t really know what happened.”
“No need to apologize. We have each other’s backs.” Cathy repeated the phrase. Anne beamed at that and Cathy forced her own lips up into a small smile.
With that, they made their way inside.
Anna came down the stairs, Morgana next to her. “Morning, you two! Morgana wanted to talk very quick. I told Kat we’d join her in a minute.”
Anne furrowed her brows. “Is this a good idea? Kat could hear and I’d for sure rather not leave her alone.”
Morgana shook his head. “This won’t take but a moment.” At everyone’s attentive stares he continued. “I know we’re all eager to infiltrate the Palace. But there’s some business we need to do first.”
“Business?” Anna asked, raising an eyebrow.
“We need medicine and weapons.” Morgana spoke up.
Cathy perked up, remembering Catalina’s mention of there being a doctor down the street from their place. “I know of a possible place for medicine.”
“And hey, we need model weapons, right?” Anne spoke up. At Morgana’s nod she continued. “Well there’s a shop for those nearby here. Cathy and I passed it on our way from the station actually.”
“Then it’s simple enough, on my way home I’ll stop by the weapons shop and the doctors. I assume everyone will want the same weapon type as before.” Cathy asked, glancing at everyone.
“Yep!”
“Correct!”
“That’s right, Bücherwurm.”
Cathy glanced to Anna. “Bücherwurm?”
Anna chuckled at the slight mispronunciation. “It means bookworm. Is that alright?”
“Perfectly fine.” Cathy replied with a nod. Anna smiled at the acceptance.
“I call her Somnolente!” Anne gave Anna a smirk. “Now I’ll have to find you a nickname…”
“I look forward to it, Verrücktes Mädchen.” Anna said simply. She laughed at Anne’s very curious expression. “Crazy girl.”
Anne frowned for a second before it twitched up to a smirk. “That’s fair enough! I like it!”
Both of them knew that if it was anyone else, Anne would have rejected it immediately, seeing it as an insult. Anne seemed fairly irritable towards comments about her energy and anger levels. But Anne genuinely seemed to appreciate the nickname after her moment of irritation faded.
“Hey…” Anna spoke up, a little nervously. “I don’t have all of the memories yet, but I’m remembering everything. And I just wanted to ask if you two are okay.”
Cathy and Anne both watched her for a moment. “I think…” It was Cathy who spoke. “We’re doing as well as we can.”
Anne nodded. “With everything going on with Mannox… we agreed to talk about it after everything.”
Anna watched both of them carefully. “Alright… but if you two need anything, I’ll be here.”
Cathy tilted her head. “The same goes for you. I don’t think any of us are without trauma from that life…” Even if none of them wanted to speak about it. But still, they knew they would have to at some point.
Morgana sighed. “I still think this whole reincarnation thing is bizarre… but I’ll go along with it.” Before the queens could respond, Morgana hopped back up a few of the stairs. “Why don’t we all go back to Kat?” Morgana asked. “We’ve left her alone longer than necessary.”
That was all the teens needed to be spurred back into the pink teen’s room. Said girl perked up upon seeing all of them again.
Anna and Morgana moved to sit with Kat on the bed. Anne and Cathy moved to the desk, Cathy taking the chair and Anne sitting on the desk itself.
For a while, the conversation was peaceful. The tension from the past few days draining away. Kat still looked a little anxious and even scared, but was relaxing the more the conversation continued. Still… there was something in her posture and expression that betrayed just how calm and happy she seemed.
Kat also seemed to adore Morgana. The cat practically melted under her touch, something that amused every single person in the room. He may insist on not being a cat but it seemed he had the mannerisms.
“She’s really nice!” Morgana would go on to comment.
But soon, the conversation took another turn. Honestly, Cathy was very caught off guard by it. Somehow, it went to Henry.
“You know what’s funny, most of us have dated Henry.” Anna smirked.
“... Henry Tudor…?” Cathy whispered.
“Yeah…” Kat’s gaze shifted to the floor, the life seemed to drain from her eyes a bit as she was dragged back into memories.
Cathy didn’t notice as she looked urgently to Anne. “Anne.”
The girl‘s gaze glanced from her cousin to Cathy. She paused at both expressions, one traumatized and the other panicked. A nod from Anna, who stayed by Kat’s side with Morgana, led Anne to Cathy’s side. “What’s the matter, Somnolente?”
“Henry was my boyfriend’s friend. The one who…” Cathy mumbled, pausing slightly. Anna and Morgana listened with interest. “The one who forced me to date him and got me arrested…”
Anne’s eyes widened with realization. She suddenly recalled some of that conversation. “Holy fucking shit! That was him?!”
The other two straightened. “Forced to date?!” Morgana questioned in a bit of shock. Anna and Kat looked just as stunned, the latter jolted out of her memories by the volume and kept in the present by the revelation.
“He was the one who cheated on Catherine and spread the rumors about me!” Anne ignored the other presences in the room.
Cathy felt like she wanted to lash out. For fucks sake, this asshole followed her and the others from life to life… she was sick of him!
Cathy rose a fist to punch the desk. Anne was quickly reaching forward to grab Cathy’s arm. Cathy simply began hitting at her own leg with her free hand. Anne twisted so she had a grasp on both of Cathy’s hands.
“Woah, woah… I know, you really want to lash out at anything right now. But I don't want you to hurt yourself, okay? Just breath.” Anne managed to soothe. In reality, she wanted to lash out at something just like Cathy. She was trying to ground the both of them.
Faintly, Cathy could hear Anne explain everything to Anna, Kat, and Morgana. Cathy was glad for it. It meant she didn’t have to relieve the memories more than she was right now.
“Hey, Cathy. I’m sorry that bastard hurt you too…” Anna gave her a sad smile. “He met me online and after meeting in person, decided I was ugly and began throwing around rumors to his buddies.”
Cathy stared at her. For one, wasn’t that something similar to what Henry did in their past lives? Another thing, Henry hurt Anna too...
“I… we were dating when Mannox started…” Kat choked a bit on her breath. Everyone’s eyes widened a little bit in panic.
“Hey, Kätzchen, Mannox is gonna get what’s coming to him, I promise you.” Anna murmured. Making sure Kat could see her and what she was doing, the German gently pulled Kat into a warm embrace.
“How?” Kat mumbled into Anna’s shoulder. “I don’t… I can’t…”
Cathy made her way over and knelt in front of both of them. She gently tapped Kat’s knee before pulling away and making sure to avoid touch. Kat angled her head so she could see Cathy. Tears had begun falling and her breathing had picked up.
“Try to breathe slowly…” Cathy said simply. The other teen began inhaling and exhaling shaky breaths. But it was progress.
Cathy hummed sadly. “You’ve kept this hidden away for so long… haven’t you?”
Kat shakily nodded. “Few months… I thought… I didn’t have a way out… I just… I just gave up and let him have me…”
Cathy took a deep breath. “Now… you have a way out. I promise you, Mannox won’t get away with this.”
“How…” Kat sniffed, her body shaking. “How do you know that?”
Cathy’s fists tightened until her knuckles were white. “I don’t know.” She said bluntly. “But what I do know? You have people who care about you. Your cousin, your best friend… and hopefully you’ll consider me as well. You were one of the few who didn’t treat me like a freak or a criminal for my habits and past. You were kind to me, and now, I want to help you as well. I wouldn’t wish your situation on anyone, especially not someone so caring like you clearly are… I want to help, and I know for a fact that these two do as well.”
For a moment, Kat tried to meet Cathy’s eyes. But she clearly noticed that Cathy didn’t want to and disliked it, stopping herself. Cathy felt her appreciation and protection rise further. Hardly anyone had ever given up on eye contact. If it wasn’t finally forced and they did give up, it was usually followed by what Cathy had come to recognize as their show of irritation. The people in this room along with a handful of others were the only ones who never seemed annoyed or insistent.
Kat suddenly lurched forwards, out of Anna’s arms to pull Cathy into an embrace. The girl tensed at the sudden contact but relaxed. Cathy shifted slightly so her own clothing prevented Kat’s from touching Cathy’s skin (Kat’s clothing felt itchy and irritating to the touch and honestly Cathy didn’t know how Kat was wearing it, she supposed it just another weird trait of her own. Some clothing always felt that way to Cathy).
“Is this okay?” Cathy asked gently, arms wrapping around Kat’s waist. She felt a nod pressed into her shoulder and heard a shaky sigh.
“Thank you… thank you…” Kat murmured. A sob accompanied it. “I don’t… I don’t know what to do.”
“That’s fine… we’ll all be here with you.” Cathy hummed. “For now? Let’s just rest… here where it’s safe…”
“I’m sorry…” Cathy was about to tell Kat that there was no need to apologize, but Kat continued. “That your arrest happened… that you were hurt…”
Oh. That was not what Cathy expected.
Seeing that Cathy was too stunned to reply, Anna did. “Let’s heal together… all four of us. Mannox, Henry, and all the others who hurt us can go fuck themselves.” The red queen declared. “And Mannox? Mannox will get what’s coming to him.”
“I’m not letting you get hurt like that again. That’s a promise.” Anne’s eyes stayed stuck onto Kat. “And that goes for all of you.”
As Kat’s face was pressed into Cathy’s shoulder’s the thieves all glanced at each other, three out of four meeting eyes. They knew what they needed to do before this. But this scene just reaffirmed that decision.
“Why don’t we change the topic?” Anne offered carefully. “Or we can bake something! Do we have anything in the kitchen?”
So they did. Throughout the rest of the day, Kat perked up bit by bit, comforted by the group’s protection. But there was a constantly present look in her eyes.
A glaze of fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and doubt that caused everyone’s hearts to clench and their Personas to rage and fume deep in their hearts.
~~||~~||~~
It was time for Cathy to leave, and another question had popped up.
“So what do we do with Morgana?” Anne asked, glancing at the cat.
Kat winced. “Our family… they wouldn’t let us keep him.” She smiled sadly at Morgana, scratching behind his ears. “Shame too…”
“Some of my family is allergic.” Anna shook her head apologetically. “What about you, Bücherwurm?”
“Come on! You won’t let me stay outside like some kind of stray, will you?” Morgana pleaded.
Cathy didn’t even have to think about it. “We can try. It should work out. If I have to sneak you in then so be it.”
Morgana purred happily. “Perfect! In exchange I’ll teach you how to make thief tools! We’ll need those after all.” Cathy looked very interested by the deal but didn’t have time (and also couldn’t due to Kat) to ask more.
Kat laughed. “He’s rather chatty, isn’t he?”
“Yep, Morgana’s been like that since we found him.” Anne agreed with a small laugh. The furred thief scowled at her, clearly seeing it as her making fun of him.
“I should get going… I have some stops to make and I do want to make it home before Catalina gets worried.” Cathy told them.
“How are you gonna take the tube with Morgana?” Anna asked, arms crossed and a thoughtful look on her face.
For a moment, Cathy looked from her bag to the cat.
“Think he can fit?”
It took a few minutes to convince Morgana to get in the bag. Kat found the entire thing of Morgana looking as if he was arguing hilarious. But eventually, they got the cat into Cathy’s bag (at some point Anne got frustrated and almost shoved him in, but the others managed to stop her), although not without Morgana grumbling.
“I’ll see you all soon.” Cathy gave Kat a small glance, tilting her head. “I hope things get better, Kat.”
Kat took a deep breath, but sounded appreciative. “Thank you, Cathy…”
Cathy nodded and then left out the door, their goodbyes following behind her.
Morgana poked his head out of the bag. “Come on, we need to go check out that shop and then the clinic!”
So that’s what they did. They made their way towards the station, noticing the airsoft shop titled ‘Untouchable.’
“This must be the place.” Cathy murmured, Morgana quickly vanishing back into the bag.
The shop was small and rather dark. Weapons and equipment for airsoft filled the shelves, walls, and other displays. The man Cathy assumed to be the owner sat behind the cash register, a magazine in hand.
He was dressed in dark clothing, a black shirt with a long grey coat worn over it. A light grey cap was on his head, yellow ear defenders over that. He had grey hair with a faint stubble on his chin. A tattoo of a gecko was on his neck and the stick of a lollipop was sticking out of his mouth.
He glanced up at Cathy and surveyed her before letting out a small grunt and turning back to his magazine.
Cathy simply headed over to the shelves. It was all beginner and medium level items. The higher level models must have been hidden in the back. But Cathy figured that was very understandable.
She quickly picked out beginner level model weapons. Although, they did seem to be stronger than their original weapons they gained during their awakening. That accomplished, she made her way over to the cash register.
Cathy put the weapons down on the counter. The shop owner glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
“You getting all of those for yourself?”
“Some are gifts for friends.” Cathy explained simply.
The man nodded before continuing, voice gruff. “Fair enough. Keep these hidden okay? They’re models but they look pretty damn real. So don’t go pointing them at people and keep them in their bags or even your own bag. Oh, and keep the fuzz out of it. I don’t need them coming around my shop. Got that?”
“Yes sir.” Cathy agreed. “Thank you for the warning. And personally, I’m not a big fan of the cops either.”
Well, after being arrested for something she didn’t even do, it wasn’t a lie. She didn’t hate the cops, but she was far more wary around them.
“Well how about that, I’m not either.” The man crossed his arms. “You can tell these are models if you look close enough, the stuff I'm giving you now is just beginner's items. Maybe someday I can show you the real good stuff… only if you have the guts for it though.”
Cathy perked up, a bit interested by the offer. “Perhaps one day, sir. Thank you for your time.”
The man nodded, pleased with the response. He took a seat again and went back to his magazine. Seeing that the conversation was over, Cathy left the shop. On her way out, she couldn’t help her intrigue about the man’s offer.
Maybe it would be useful…
~~||~~||~~
From there, Cathy took the subway back to her house. But she walked past. Instead, she headed to the small doctor’s office hidden away around the corner.
Honestly, Cathy had been needing to go somewhere like this anyways. She was running low on her medication for her autism. Her godparents hadn’t offered to help her and they were hardly there to ask anyways. So Cathy decided she would refill the prescription herself.
It just happened the thieves needed supplies as well.
The waiting area was small and void of patients. Behind the counter seemed to be the doctor. She had on the signature white coat. But she also seemed to have a punk attire. Her dark blue or black hair was short. A studded choker and necklace was around her neck, a short black dress with a red belt around her waist.
Her name tag read ‘Takemi.’
The small television in the corner was on the news. “The recent car crashes and attacks have increased and it has been discovered that they are linked. Just today, a man attacked a waiter in a restaurant and rampaged down the street before police could catch him. The public is now referring to these incidents as psychotic breakdowns. Apparently, the victim remembers nothing of what happened during the event. Police are still investigating.”
Takemi’s gaze flicked up as Cathy walked in, the bell chiming. “Can I help you?”
Cathy‘s gaze settled on the doctor. “Yes, I was hoping I could get checked out?” She quickly came up with a reason. “I’ve been getting headaches lately, and I’m in need of a refill on a medicine.” Half lie. She did require one of those two things.
Takemi hummed. “Alright then, let's head on back. I’ll check you out and you can tell me what you need refilled.”
They went back into the examination room. It didn’t take long at all, just questions and the basic check over.
Takemi glanced between her clipboard and Cathy. “Looks like it could just be stress. Hmmm, I’ll prescribe you some painkillers… ah, wait… I need to restock those.” She pondered for a moment before shrugging. “I’ll prescribe you some sleep medication instead. You do have signs of lack of sleep… and well, sleep is the best medicine I suppose.”
Damn, sleep pills wouldn’t help the team…
“I want the painkillers.” Cathy told Takemi.
Takemi’s brow raised as she observed Cathy for a moment. “Oh, and I suppose you should simply get them anytime you want?”
“Not at all.” Cathy replied. “I simply think the painkillers would help more than the sleeping pills.”
In her bag, Morgana remained silent but tense. Would Cathy pull it off?
“Well kid, you aren’t the doctor here. And you definitely look like you need more sleep anyways.” Takemi observed with a snort. “I’m guessing you're just here about the rumors? To see if they’re true?” At Cathy’s blank stare, Takemi elaborated. “My crappy exams, homemade medicines, ‘the Plague?’”
Well, Cathy wasn’t aware of that at all. “Actually… I meant what I said… I’ve had headaches and I need a new place that could help me refill my medication. Plus, I think the exam just went rather well.”
Takemi blinked, a little taken aback by the response. The teen was telling the truth?
“Alright… you seem like a good kid.” Takemi said after a moment, surveying Cathy closely. “I’ll prescribe you the painkillers.”
Cathy blinked, perking up. “Really?”
“Really.” Takemi huffed a laugh.
As Takemi began writing something down, Cathy glanced around the room. “So you’re the only one working here?”
“That’s right.” Takemi admitted easily. “This is my own clinic. All the medicines here are my own too. I have a license to make my own formulas. Several are even used in hospitals. So anyways, if you need anything else health-wise, my clinic will be right here.”
Cathy gave her a nod. “I’ll keep it in mind, promise.”
Takemi actually seemed a little pleased and possibly relieved by Cathy’s agreement. She couldn’t help herself form mumbling. “You’re a bit of a strange kid… wonder what you’ll use that medicine for.” She sat back up in her chair. “Well, as long as you don’t pull me into any trouble, I guess it isn’t really my problem. Now for your refill, I actually have some of that in stock. Rare cases, but I try to keep it on hand, just in case.”
Cathy blinked gratefully. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“Hey, it’s part of my job.” Takemi chuckled. “Head out front, I’ll get what you need.”
Cathy stepped out the door back to the lobby. Only to be met by a man in a suit. Before Cathy could move or say anything, the man simply pushed past her into the exam room.
Faintly, Cathy could hear the conversation.
“What’s the reason for your visit?” Takemi’s voice was cold, possibly even more frigid than when she asked about Cathy coming only for the rumors. “Whatever it is, you’ll have to take a number.”
“That’s enough!”
Cathy paused at the volume. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but she could admit her curiosity was piqued.
“You’re the only one who could have developed that type of medicine!” The stranger snapped.
“I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you play dumb with me… the rumors say it’s a drug so potent, it can give you unlimited power.”
Cathy straightened a bit at that. Unlimited power? That sounded both dangerous and useful...
“Really? That’s some news to me.”
“Developing experimental drugs and medicines like you are doing violates all health regulations!” The man’s voice was accusing. “What, are you trying to make a super-stimulant?! That kind of drug will only cause problems!”
Takemi’s voice sounded tired, like she had done this too many times. “You’re a rather persistent person. I’m just a quack…”
The man scoffed. “The police may not act… but the media soon will. You’re just trying to ruin my reputation again, Takemi! You’re a disgrace to the medial community… don’t look at me like that! It was your mistake in the first place! Now dispose of that damn drug and resign!”
Then, the man came barging out. Cathy only had a split second to sit down and look like she was simply waiting.
The man’s head swiveled towards her. Takemi poked her head out the door.
“I’ll get what you needed. Meet me at the counter.” Takemi told Cathy before vanishing again. She reemerged behind the desk, looking through her shelves.
The man’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And just what are you here for? Her drugs are dangerous, you know.”
Cathy stared back at his jaw, unfazed. “I don’t think that is your business, sir. And I’d rather see for myself before I trust rumors.”
The man gaped at her for a moment, flustered. Then, he clenched his jaw and walked out.
Cathy met Takemi at the counter, putting the medicine into her bag and making the payment.
Takemi observed her carefully. “You really are a strange kid…”
Cathy tilted her head. “I simply dislike rumors. I know personally the damage they can do.”
Takemi nodded her understanding and agreement, a chuckle escaping her lips. “Have a good day, kid.”
“You too, Doctor Takemi.” Cathy gave her a sure nod before heading home.
As they walked out, Morgana spoke up. “We should definitely try to figure out more about that drug!”
“Fully agreed.”
~~||~~||~~
“So this is where you live, huh?” Morgana asked. He stepped out of the bag as Cathy laid it on her bed.
“Mhmm. It’s my godfamily’s home.” Cathy explained.
Morgana hummed, gaze flicking around the room. “Well, this room is rather bland.”
Cathy shrugged, sitting on the bed next to him. “I only moved in a few days ago. And I’ll be leaving in a year anyways…”
Oh, that brought some less than fun thoughts. What about the thieves? What about the friends she had just made? It was a new experience that Cathy found herself appreciating and treasuring more and more.
The Palace exploration was a release. Something for her to channel her loud and overwhelming thoughts and emotions into. In fact, she really could use a release right now… her writing was always good for that as well, she’d have to do some writing tonight.
And friends… no one had ever really wanted to be her friend in her hometown. They all wanted out the second they learned what she was really like. How weird and quiet she is.
It was the same way in her past life too… Everyone just wanted to push themselves up in the world. And they were willing to use her reputation to do it.
A paw on her leg drew Cathy’s attention to Morgana. She had been rocking herself, lost in her thoughts and feelings.
“Do you really think they’ll let you stop being their friend that easily? And what about Phantom Thievery? You’re not getting out of it that easily! We’ve got a year, after all.” It seemed he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Cathy took a deep breath. Her fists unclenches. Drops of blood and marks remained where her nails dug into her palms. “Thank you, Morgana.”
“Of course! And besides, your room is better than that damned cage Mannox had locked me in!”
“Ah, that’s right… he didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Morgana huffed before explaining. “Nothing more than a kick into the cage! They mostly left me alone in there.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Morgana.”
“It’s fine! And now I can make him pay for it, yes?” Morgana gained a confident grin.
“We’re making him pay for everything he has done.” Cathy assures with a nod. “Now, you mentioned something about infiltration tools?”
“That’s right!” Morgana had perked up. “So, in exchange for letting me stay with you, I’ll teach you how to make infiltration tools. Like, lockpicks, smoke bombs, the works.”
Cathy hummed with intrigue. “Then we have a deal, Morgana. It sounds useful.”
Morgana gave her a happy nod. “Great! And that power you used in the palace yesterday was absolutely awesome! The stronger you can make that power, the more reliable of a trump card we’ll have.”
Then, Morgana seemed to reach an agreement with himself. “I’ll stay by your side wherever you go from here on out. Personas are the strength born from one's heart. Depending on life experience, I’m sure that will help your power as well! And if you become acquainted with capable people, perhaps that will help you learn some valuable skills too… this is all part of our deal, you got that?”
Cathy felt her head jolt up at part of Morgana’s little speech. Morgana was talking about Confidants. He was talking about stuff she had learned from Igor in the Velvet Room… He was almost repeating exactly what they told her to do.
Perhaps it was a coincidence...
“And I’ll do my best to honor that deal.” Cathy managed to reply, agreeing with her thoughts of it being a coincidence.
“I’m expecting great things from you!” Morgana gave her a proud smirk.
Cathy didn’t give him a response other than a hum. They both sat there for several minutes. Morgana was observing the room. Cathy was organizing everything in her thoughts.
Then, a thought hit Cathy. She was quickly standing up and going over to the desk, opening the drawer. Morgana watched all of this in confusion.
Cathy dug through the drawer for a moment before pulling out one of her spare, unused notebooks. She grabbed her pen and made her way back over to Morgana.
“What’s that for?” Morgana asked as Cathy sat next to him again, a childlike curiosity was in his eyes.
“I’m going to start writing strategies and things I need to do for the Phantom Thieves and other activities here. I’m a bit afraid that I’ll forget if I don’t.” Cathy admitted.
She began sectioning off the notebook. There were parts for daily life, she labeled it ‘Confidants’ after the Velvet Room and Morgana’s words. There was a strategy section (including her friend’s capabilities and powers) and also a section on everything known about the Metaverse and even the Velvet Room. Cathy also made a section on Personas she was capable of using in the back. She paused for a moment before putting a spot in the back for reincarnation.
Morgana began helping her fill in all of the details. It was everything they already knew and had been told.
“I think it would be easier if I explain as we go through the Metaverse, yes? So you can fill it in as we go as well.” Morgana explained when Cathy asked for more information.
Cathy pondered his words. “That’s fair enough.”
They continued for several more long minutes. But it felt fulfilling to get everything down on paper where Cathy couldn’t possibly forget any of it. It also, more importantly, helped her organize her thoughts.
Finally, Cathy put the notebook away in her bag, keeping it safe and around for whenever she needed to include something. From there, her and Morgana chatted for several minutes.
“I thought I heard a cat.”
Cathy and Morgana both froze, turning to look at the door. Catalina stood there, arms crossed. Morgana immediately went on the defensive, staring back at Catalina almost challengingly.
“I want to keep him.” Cathy said, straight to the point.
“Keep me? Like some sort of pet?!” Cathy ignored Morgana’s yowl.
“Cathy, mother and father would never let you keep him.”
“Then why do they need to know?”
Catalina blinked in surprise. This was one of Cathy’s more vocal moments. And Catalina had for sure never seen the girl argue like this since she arrived a few days ago.
“Cathy, hermana… that’s not how this works.”
“Why can’t it work that way?” Cathy tilted her head. “They’re never here anyways. You told me so yourself.”
Catalina paused. Well… it was a fair enough point. One that stung a still open wound, but it was the truth.
Catalina observed the cat for a moment. Morgana stared right back silently.
“He has a collar…”
“I got it for him from a shop.” Cathy managed to lie smoothly. “He’s going to help me.”
Catalina took a deep breath. So Cathy was already attached. “And what will he do to help you?”
“Emotional support animal.” Cathy said quickly.
Catalina ran through her options. Perhaps a cat would bring Cathy comfort that she herself or Cathy’s friends couldn’t do. And the cat was rather cute…
Catalina shook her head. “Alright, I’m fine with it. But if mother and father find out, I never knew about this.”
Cathy and Morgana both perked up.
Catalina smiled and moved to sit next to them. “Now, tell me about our new little roommate. Does he have a name?”
“His name is Morgana.” Cathy said simply. She chuckled as Morgana purred when Catalina scratched his head. Ah, so he definitely still had the mannerisms of a cat.
“Hmm, wonderful name. We’ll probably have to get some supplies. And also a possible vet visit…” Morgana noticeably tensed. “But I suppose mother and father would be more likely to figure out if we did a vet visit. And he does look healthy.” Morgana relaxed again.
The conversation went on for a while longer. The three seemed comfortable together, Morgana’s suspicions fading. He made small comments to Cathy, leading to Catalina mentioning how talkative the cat was.
“He’ll have to be quiet when Mother and Father are home.”
“I’m sure he can manage.”
Eventually, after making sure Cathy ate something resembling a meal and drank something other than coffee (“Come to think of it… I never got hungry back in the Palace.” Morgana had made the observation), Catalina left back to her room. Cathy’s phone began buzzing after a moment.
BeetlejuiceReboot: sup u and mona get home safe?
NeedsSleep: Yes.
NeedsSleep: Beetlejuice reboot?
BeetlejuiceReboot: hes a green ghost, imma green ghost!
HellHound: ya know hes a demon, yeah?
BeetlejuiceReboot: eh, still wrks
BeetlejuiceReboot: i did good with ur names too
BeetlejuiceReboot: plus, ive been lsitening to the soundtrack with Kat
BeetlejuiceReboot: i vibe wth whole being dead thing
HellHound: great to hear that but back to Cathy and Mona?
NeedsSleep: We’re home safe. Catalina’s friendly with Mona.
NeedsSleep: But she says it’s my responsibility if my godparents catch Mona.
HellHound: as if they’ll even catch that cat!
HellHound: he’s a phantom thief
BeetlejuiceReboot: he dosn like being called cat
HellHound: shit right
HellHound: ill remember
BeetlejuiceReboot: im workin on it too anna
BeetlejuiceReboot: weell get it
NeedsSleep: We got the medicine and weapons too.
NeedsSleep: Palace tomorrow?
BeetlejuiceReboot: should be good
BeetlejuiceReboot: feel bad abt leaving Kat tho
HellHound: we’ll still spend time with her
HellHound: some days palace
HellHound: some days we’ll hang with Kat
NeedsSleep: She’s right.
NeedsSleep: We’re leaving her out of the palace, not our lives. Especially not after everything she’s been through.
BeetlejuiceReboot: thnx for being there for ehr
HellHound: no need to thank me
HellHound: no way in hell am I letting her be alone
HellHound: shes been there for me since middle school
HellHound: i couldn’t help her in our past life im gonna help her now
NeedsSleep: She doesn’t deserve what happened. She’s helped me and hasn’t labeled me.
NeedsSleep: I want to be her friend and be there for her.
BeetlejuiceReboot: u rlly are a good person cathy
BeetlejuiceReboot: never forget that
BeetlejuiceReboot: nd that goes for anna too
NeedsSleep: ok
HellHound: i think you broek her
HellHound: she lost her grammar
BeetlejuiceReboot: well im just saying the truth!
NeedsSleep: Thank you. I’ll see you both tomorrow?
HellHound: of course!
BeetlejuiceReboot: see ya cathy!
BeeltejuiceReboot: hey anna
BeetlejuiceReboot: how much do u bet I can chug an enitre pack of soda wtihout thrwing up
NeedsSleep: Please do not.
HellHound: holy shit
HellHound: im calling Kat
BeetlejuiceReboot: 2 watch or stop
HellHound: can it not be both
Cathy chuckled as she made her way over to her desk, placing her phone off to the side and pulling out her writing notebook from her bag. She was glad her friends (it was just now hitting her that she had never been able to call someone that…) could find some fun in the current darkness, even if it could cause them to throw up.
Just like she has done millions of times before, Cathy began to write. Her fidget cube clicked in one hand and the pen scratched paper in the other. Morgana wandered around the room and simply watched her.
It lasted until around the range of ten-thirty to eleven at night.
“Don’t you think it’s time to go to bed?” Morgana asked. It had taken several calls to drag Cathy’s attention away from the notebook. “It’s getting late!”
“It’s not too late… I always do this.” Cathy blinked at Morgana. “I write for a few hours. I don’t have enough time during the day sometimes… and it’s more productive than sleeping, yes?”
Morgana gaped at her. “You’ve gotta be kidding—!” His face sealed with determination. “You’re getting in bed right now! I refuse to have our combat leader sleep deprived when doing her job!”
The cat leapt up to her shoulder and perched there. Cathy frowned, keeping her gaze on her notebook. “But I—.”
“No buts! We start exploring the palace to our full capabilities tomorrow!” Morgana insisted. “As long as I’m around, you’ll be getting a functioning sleep schedule!”
From there, no argument Cathy tried to make could dissuade the cat. Cathy felt annoyed the entire time, almost to the point of breaking down at the irritation surging through her body. But eventually, Morgana managed to herd her to bed.
And Cathy fell asleep within minutes.
Later, Catalina would poke her head back in the room. She was prepared to do exactly what Morgana did. She blinked in surprise upon seeing Cathy, fast asleep in bed. Morgana was curled up on Cathy’s chest. He raised his head and hissed at her, as if telling her to go away before she woke the sleeping teen.
Catalina raised an eyebrow. “If you got her to sleep then I think we’ll get along just fine.”
As she left the room, she swore the cat nodded. But perhaps she was just tired herself.