Alley Cat Part 5/End

“W-what?!” Mahannana and Selena screamed in unison. The idea that the young, spicy catgirl in front of them could be from their world was the furthest thing from their minds! Mahannana racked her brain, trying to recall if there had been any indication that Bisky wasn’t from this world. ’

“You’re not just talking smack again, are you Bisky?” Mahannana asked, still unable to believe it. "I’m serious! I’m from Japan and got sent here through that game!” Bisky insisted. “One of the older boys at the orphanage would let me play his videogames sometimes if I begged and annoyed him enough. He’d spent a week saying no, but he finally cracked and said I could play this random one he won from a drawing that he didn’t care about if it would shut me up. It was the first time I ever played it and... well you know.” She shrugged. “Bright light. *Boom*, pavement in the town center and that asshole’s face in the sky.”

Mahannana was too disgusted to speak. She hadn’t even thought about the possibility of literal children being trapped in Nyxphiria! But it started with a video game and,if an elderly couple and a mother and her teenage daughter could get sucked in... "Wow, that guy really was an asshole!” She exclaimed. “He just used anyone for his experiment and didn’t think there’d be any consequences for treating people like animals!”

“Ma-Chan!” Selena scolded, though her heart wasn’t in it. She was just as angry as her daughter. ‘Not just a child, but an orphan? How low can you get? And it wasn’t even her game in the first place! They just gave it to someone who lived in an orphanage and didn’t care who ended up actually playing it.’ A thought occurred to her. “How old are you, Sweetie?” Bisky looked over at the wolf.

“Oh, ‘cause we ended up as our characters! I’m eight. The same age that I made my character. I’m a cat beastman and classed as a brawler. At least, that’s what I chose when creating my character and I assume it carried over, but I don’t know. I normally played fighting games to kill my boredom and have no idea how role-playing games work. Though this is it's own thing." She looked from the wolf standing by her side to the young woman sitting to her right.

“So, you two really are a mother and daughter, then? It’s hard to believe but I guess that’s stupid since we’re in the same situation.” Selena gave a low growl. “We’re more shocked that you’re like us! Besides, what other reaction would someone have to two people of completely different species claiming they’re relatives?”

Bisky felt even more nosey. How much older was Ma-Chan, really? “Hey, Ma-Chan, who were you back in Japan?” Mahannana smiled awkwardly. “Well, Mama did tell you that my name used to be Madoka Suzuki, right? But I prefer living in Nyxphiria and wanted to start over. My character’s name in the game was Mahannana and that’s the name I choose to go by.” “Ooohhhh!” Bisky smiled. “Makes sense! How old are you?” “Fifteen. I know I look older, but I’m taller and stuff in this body.”

“You feel like I do! Well, except for the name. I called my character ‘Bisky-Chan’ ‘cause I ldidn’t know what else to put. But I’d been living in an orphanage since I was born. I basically got shoved around because I was younger and none of the older kids wanted to play with me. School was stupid, too. I’m happier here. Yeah, I have to grind to stay alive, but I’m free! I have Pip now, too.”

“Is Pip from our world?” Mahannana inquired, not wanting to make a wrong assumption twice. “Nope, he’s from Nyxphiria! But he’s waayyy older! He’s a Tanuki beastman, so he ages slower than humans. He’s the equivalent of a seven-year-old in Tanuki years, but he’s been alive for seventy years. I’m guessing it’s the same deal as your dwarf friend who didn’t look much older than me.”

“Hey, Bisky, would you like to stay with us?” Selena asked. “Your friend, too, if he wants.” “Nope, not gonna happen!” Bisky shot back immediately. Regaining her appetite, she pulled her plate towards her and began digging into the cold curry. “But it’s not safe out on the street! How do you know where and if you’re going to be able to eat? What if you or your friend gets sick or injured? And pick pocketing is dangerous! What happens if you mess with the wrong person?” Selena worried.

The wolf could feel her fur standing up. It was probably unsightly and weird to be so protective of someone she’d just met, but she couldn’t just let a parentless child run around the streets and live in squalor, particularly given their shared situation of being trapped in another world indefinitely!

“No offense, since you all have been so nice to me after I robbed him-,” Bisky pointed her head at Aqua. “-But, aside from getting regular meals, living like a normal person has no appeal for me. I know me and Pip are taking risks, but I’m happy and comfortable with the way I’m living. And even if he’s a bossy little mouse, he’s still seventy years old and I’m safe with him.”

Mahannana couldn’t comprehend the idea of wanting to live on the street, but she could understand the desire to be free. Scruffy as the two kids had looked, they didn’t seem like they were suffering, and the abandoned house was secure and safe. She caught her mother’s gaze, causing Selena to shut her mouth instead of going off on another lecture. ‘Even if we don’t completely understand, we can still support her and look after her and Pip without making her move in with us. Maybe she’ll want to someday, but she doesn’t trust us yet and we can’t force her. What she really needs is for us to be her friends and be there for her if she needs anything.’ She willed her mother to understand her. After a moment Selena sighed.

“Well, I guess we can’t force you, but we’re here if you need anything.” “Or want anything.” Mahannana added. “I’m just saying, we won’t ask questions or complain if you show up for dinner sometimes. And I’m about to start learning some defensive combat magic and I wouldn’t mind having a sparring partner.”

‘Okay, now this is too good to be true and has to be a joke!’ Bisky froze with her spoon in her open mouth. It’s not like she didn’t want to have friends who supported her ability to do whatever she wanted, but they seriously were just accepting it? ‘Ma-Chan, what are you doing? I’ll admit that you’re a genuinely nice and empathetic person and not a liar but inviting a street brat to hang around is a bit much.’ She looked over at the teen, who simply smiled and giggled as she rested her head on her hand and watched the child’s brain melt. Bisky bit down on her spoon and looked away coyly.

“W-well, I guess I’m not opposed to that idea, particularly if you’re offering me free food...” She turned beat red. ‘Aw, I think she might actually like us!’ Mahannana leaned over and ruffed her hair. “Where’s all your energy and fire now, Bisky-Chan?” “Hey!” The girl pouted and smacked the mage's hand. She sat up straight and continued eating, trying to act as stoic as possible.

“I’m not saying I trust you weirdos or anything! You’d have to be a fucking moron to not take free food! Especially if it’s homemade!” Selena sighed while Mahannana and Aqua laughed hysterically.