Dear Risa,

  So! I’m going to see you soon! Maki has convinced us to go on an adventure!

  …I might need to write you an actual letter asking if we can crash at your place a night or two…

  We will be leaving in three hours, at one in the morning. I’m wasting time so I don’t try to repack again.

  Do you have any idea of how much all my hair and fur products weigh? It’s pretty crazy. I’m not giving up the essentials, like the bar for ears, or the tail powder, but most other things are staying here. I’m going to steal your stuff when I get to your place, and I’m not repentant about it. Given how many times you’ve used my perfume, we’ll call it even.

  I forgot to pack my perfume… And there’s no space left… I wonder if Maki could be convinced to carry it for me.

  Update: He cannot be convinced to carry it for me. He just laughed in my face and shut the door. Rude.

  Anyhow, we went to the diner Cali’s mom owns for dinner. So we were able to talk with her about it, and she was extremely willing to go. If we’d asked her to leave right that instant, without even packing, she would have come. Luke came in to pick up food, and he was slightly harder to convince.

  He actually, like, wanted to talk to his parents about it. Weird. But I guess it’s good someone knows we weren’t, y’no, kidnapped. Again.

  …I told you about that, right? When you asked why I wore a tracking necklace. How someone tried to kidnap us when we were little, but we were rescued by someone with lightning magic that we mistook for divine magic. Dad was really, really scared for a while, but we’re fine.

  I should ask Cali if she still wears the necklace. If she does, it might explain how Wisp found us so easy.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  I now realize that us leaving without any kind of note saying we’re fine might bring up bad memories for our parents, and I should write something.

  Yeah, I’ll go do that.

  Quickest Regards,

  Maeve Zee

  .

  *****

  .

  Luke looked up as his dad knocked on his open door.

  “Hey, your mom is making muffins for your trip, and requests I ask if you have enough clean underwear,” the older neko said, smiling faintly.

  Luke looked at his backpack. “I do,” he said. “And if I didn’t, I’d lie.”

  His father smiled, then stepped in and held out a book. “I’d like you to take this.”

  Luke took the book of runes, staring. “Are you sure? I’m going to the city, I can get a new one.”

  “This one has… extra notes.”

  “Oh. Oh.” Luke realized what they were, and stuffed the book deep into his backpack. “I’ll keep it safe. Are- Are you sure you trust me with them?”

  “I do,” his dad said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I'm proud of you, and I trust you. Inside is a letter I wrote for you when you were twelve, after… Read it when you’re alone.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  “When you get away from here, she might contact you. Don't- Don't think she cares about you. She cares about how entertaining you might be.”

  Luke nodded. “I know.”

  “Good. And, in general, be careful.”

  “I will.”

  There was an awkward pause, then Luke leaned in for a quick hug.

  His mom apparently sensed that there was a display of affection happening, and appeared in the doorway.

  “Out of the way, Calvin, I need a hug, too,” she said, pulling Luke into a tight hug.

  Luke flailed dramatically. “Ak- Dad- Help-”

  “Hush,” his mom ordered.

  Luke obediently hushed, and hugged his mom back.