Into the world

After finishing his food, Keith and Ava exit the apartment together, and Keith gets his first look at the world he’s found himself in. In truth, it’s a bit of an anticlimax. Outside, everything looks just…normal. There’s no one out and about at the moment, just as Ava predicted, but otherwise it just looks like the sort of neighborhood you’d expect to see in a college town. Judging by the trees and temperature, Keith guesses that it’s late summer, as the two of them start to walk down the sidewalk.

Ava looks up at him with a small smile. “So, this is the world. Not too scary, right?”

Keith chuckles. “I’ll admit, I expected something dramatic. Nope, seems pretty normal, other than the cute slime girl by my side.”

Ava giggles softly, a slight blush on her cheeks. “You’re too kind, Keith! But seriously, based on what I know, everything here should be roughly equivalent to your reality. So it shouldn’t be too much of a shock. Think of it like visiting a new country.”

Keith looks around as they walk. “That does make it simpler. Though the locals are more exotic than expected!”

Ava nods. “Yes. But remember, technically we’re all human. Just…modified.”

Keith raises an eyebrow, looking down at the semi-transparent blue woman walking beside him. “That’s one way to put it. I suppose I’m the exotic one here. I guess I’m glad it’s quiet, I wouldn’t want to be mobbed by curious people.”

Ava shakes her head. “Outside of the city, that’s unlikely. While you’re certainly a rare sight, especially in public, baseline humans are occasionally summoned like you were.”

She blushes slightly again. “Although, it’s usually for more…scientific reasons.”

Keith laughs. “Ava, are you saying that you had ulterior motives for summoning me?”

Ava stammers slightly, clearly flustered. But before she can give an answer, there’s another voice which interrupts her.

“Oh. My. God. Look who got out into the daylight! It’s the little bookworm!”

Ava stiffens at the sound of that voice. Slowly, she turns, as does Keith. The speaker is emerging from a nearby building,

It’s immediately apparent that she’s a catgirl. Grey cat ears twitch atop her head, and a black striped grey tail swings behind her as she approaches. There’s a smug smile on her tanned face as she approaches, her yellow, catlike eyes focused on Ava. She’s undeniably attractive, with short grey hair and a slim, athletic figure, though it’s somewhat hidden by the sweater she’s wearing. Her long, toned legs are plainly visible in her short skirt, however. She moves with confidence, striding over to stand in front of Ava with her hands on her hips.

“What brings you out into the world, girl? And who is this delicious hunk of meat?”

She turns and looks Keith up and down, a playful grin on her face. After a moment, however, her eyes widen slightly. “Wait! Like, for real?”

She reaches out and places a hand on Keith’s chest. Nearly as tall as him, she looks into his eyes. “A human, hmm?”

Her voice gets sultry as she leans closer. “Wanna ditch the nerdy girl and have some real fun, big man?”

Ava interrupts, her anger obvious. “Take your hands off him. Lauren! H-he’s new here, I summoned him! Besides, aren’t you seeing someone already?”

Lauren laughs, but steps back. “Who Aiden? That big idiot? Whatever. He’s just a fling.”

She looks at Keith, feigning disdain, though her eyes put the lie to it. “Ugh, whatever. I’m done with you. I have to get to practice.”

Without another word, she walks between Keith and Ava, casting one more smoldering look towards Keith. She huffs, and walks away. Ava watches her go, fists clenched. As soon as the catgirl is out of earshot, Ava sighs.

“I’m sorry about that, Kevin. That was Lauren, swim team captain and resident mean girl. She’s always like that.”

Keith shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it, Ava. Some people are just like that.”

Ava nods. “I know. She’s another person I’ve known for years. For some reason, she’s changed since coming to college. She was a sweetheart until she got here, and now…now she’s just a bitch.”

Keith is a bit surprised to hear Ava talk like that, and gently touches her shoulder. Ava tenses momentarily, then relaxes, smiling. He smiles in return. “Don’t let it get to you. Should we get back to our walk?

She nods, seemingly calmed down. “Yes. Let’s do that.”

On impulse, Keith takes her hand. Ava audibly gasps, but doesn’t pull away. They start walking again, and when Keith glances at Ava, he sees a smile on her face once again.