They sat in a manarail, speeding through the gray city at an impressive pace.
The cabin they were in was empty, and it looked somewhat different. The usual metal seats were now covered with a cushion, the floor had a red carpet, and even the windows had drapes.
Cyril observed the lavish decorations around with helpless eyes.
I agreed to ride in the luxurious part after all...
"Ophelia is right. Even if you don't mind it, Tigris and Morpho deserve the very best. They should ride in the VIP section."
The red butterfly freely flew around the empty cabin, sometimes landing on a tray standing nearby with sugar water and other snacks on it.
A black cat, Melaina, was curled up on Cyril's knees, slowly being petted by his increasingly skillful hands.
Ophelia sat on a cushioned seat to his side, with Tigris on her knees, who completely melted in her already professional hands.
After a short but pleasant ride, the manarail slowed down.
Cyril and Ophelia exchanged felines and stepped outside into the shopping district.
Today, despite being a Tuesday, there were still plenty of people around.
"Follow me."
With a red butterfly on his right shoulder and a white tiger on his other, Cyril calmly walked towards the shop he had already been in.
Ophelia followed after him, keeping a consistent distance of a few steps behind. Her black eyes vigilantly scanned their surroundings.
Together they looked just like a noble young master going out into the world, attracting some attention.
Tigris's blue eyes looked around with enthusiasm at first, but as more and more people stared at them, he turned his cat head into Cyril's neck and hid.
"...?"
"Tigris, these humans are way beneath you, so don't be afraid of them!"
"..."
Listening to the voice in his head, Cyril walked through the door of the shop.
Inside was a worker he had seen before, and that worker immediately recognized the red butterfly on his shoulder.
"Sir, how can I help you today?"
They stood in front of him with a servile expression, glancing at the maid behind him, as well as at the two cats.
Cyril grabbed Tigris and held him up.
The tiger awkwardly hung in the air, his paws limp.
"I'll browse a few things on my own. Thank you."
"Very well, if there is anything I can do, please call me. Enjoy the shopping with your gorgeous cat."
Cyril's mouth curled just a little bit up as he nodded.
"He is a tiger."
The shop employee's polite smile twitched.
...
"Alright, Tigris. Choose what you want."
In a suitable lookout area, Cyril raised the cat high and let him observe everything around.
Tigris's confused blue eyes went across the whole shop.
There was furniture in one section, random snacks in another, a toy section, clothes, and most other things one might need.
Morpho flew in the air, observing the selection as well.
A few seconds passed. Tigris's tail swung back and forth, while the rest of his body refused to move.
"Tigris?"
"Meow."
The white tiger refused to choose anything and slowly shook his head.
See? He doesn't need anything.
Cyril calmly put him back on his shoulder.
"Let me think..."
Rhamn pinched her chin and began walking around.
Cyril shook his head and looked at Ophelia.
She was currently talking with the shop employee, already a bag in her hands.
At her feet Melaina was now wearing a brown collar with a shiny metal piece. It depicted a sword entwined with a flower.
Cyril walked up to Ophelia as Morpho landed back on his shoulder, also failing to choose anything for herself.
"What did you get?" He asked as the employee left with a big smile on his face.
Ophelia opened the bag, showing him the variety of things inside.
"Master, I have bought a special brush for the fur, a cat nail cutter, a leash, and healthy cat food. I also ordered a special feeder that needs to be recharged with mana. It will automatically disperse food at certain times. Very suitable for me."
Her face was as expressionless as ever while her black eyes hurriedly went through every purchase.
"I see."
That's a lot. More care products than what we ever bought as well...
He took a step back, observing the butterfly and the tiger.
At this moment, Rhamn came right in front of his face, finger raised high.
"I got it!"
"Sorry, Tigris, Morpho. We took you to a pet shop even though you are not pets. I can't believe I did this!"
Rhamn shook her head, as both the butterfly and the tiger consoled her in their own ways.
That's true, we should've gone elsewhere. I habitually went here because that's where we bought Morpho's terrarium...
"Anyways, in Ailanthus, I heard students gossip about a mall in this district. Apparently it's a pretty good place to buy things for humans."
"We'll go there then."
"Master?"
Ophelia looked at him, confusion barely visible in her black eyes.
Cyril shook his head and turned around.
"We are going to a mall."
Without any other questions, Ophelia followed him after picking Melaina up.
The shop employee waved them goodbye with a wider smile than before.
Outside, after walking for some more and having a quick snack prompted by Tigris, they've finally reached what looked like a mall.
Inside, the number of people was even bigger than outside.
Everyone around was busily walking in and out of the many shops of this multi-storied building.
"Tsk."
A quiet tsk came from Ophelia as the two walked, her eyes observing the abundance of humans around.
Trying to ignore it, Cyril slowly walked while looking at what was available, finding the experience somewhat novel.
Here, even Tigris's blue eyes lit up with curiosity.
Morpho flew up in the air, exploring on her own as Cyril and Ophelia began checking one shop after another.
In no time at all their hands were quickly filled with bags.
While Tigris still remained indecisive, Rhamn took the lead herself.
"We need a bed for certain. Although he likes to sleep on yours, it would do him good to have one anyways, then-"
They busily spend this time spending as much money as possible.
...
At the end of it, they sat in one of the cafes of the mall, digesting their gains.
Cyril sat by a table, drinking a cup of coffee, while Ophelia chose to stand at the side, holding Melaina in her arms.
Morpho sat on the table as well, sipping on sugar water. She ended up choosing a few things of her own.
"Not bad. What do you think, Tigris?"
Rhamn nodded with satisfaction at their bags of goods and looked at the majestic tiger.
The poor Tigris was plastered on the table, his face turned away from her. Around him was an atmosphere of annoyance and reluctance.
While curious at the beginning, it was soon replaced by indifference as he was taken to shop after shop.
"Really? Come on, Tigris, we buy these things for you. You can have anything you want!" Rhamn deflated a little, her back lowering.
The tiger, however, continued to mercilessly ignore her.
Tigris never wanted to come here in the first place, I told you.
"I thought he would come around... I'm sorry, Tigris."
The white cat only flicked his tail in her direction.
"..." Rhamn blankly looked at the capricious feline and sighed.
As you said, he's still young. Perhaps later.
At this moment the red butterfly hopped closer to the tiger and menacingly fluttered her wings.
Tigris flinched, then suddenly turned around to face Rhamn, his cat eyes widened.
"Meow." He bowed his head in apology, though it rang somewhat hollow.
"...Hahaha. Oh, thank you for protecting me, Morpho, but there is no need. It's fine."
"Come on, Tigris. Cheer up."
Cyril calmly petted the tiger, making him relax on the table.
Suddenly, as he was doing that, a few voices nearby caught his attention.
"Hey, it's Cyril."
"Oh! This could be..."
"I know, let me go invite him."
"Wait, are you sure? That's Thorne-"
Two familiar voices, one male, optimistic to the point of annoyance, while the other female, somewhat quieter.
There was also the third one, unfamiliar.
Cyril looked in their direction, finding Cedric walking over with a big smile on his face.
"Hello, Cyril! What a coincidence! Maybe it's fate, haha."
"If this is our fate, then we shall fight against it! Tell them to get lost!"
Cyril calmly nodded to Cedric's greeting, getting a peculiar feeling of déjà vu.