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The small-boned Somali slipped out the front doors of the University, being cautious and quiet with his footfalls. He kept his fluffy tail close to his body as he trotted along, a grin growing on his face as he headed in the direction of the park. Emily didn't seem to be around, today -- and he didn't like the company of his other siblings as much, they were a little too...bold for his tastes, although Vik seemed to enjoy their time -- and he was bored. Maybe he'd find a new friend... Or maybe he'd see Nikki again. The thought of those fine chocolates filled his mind and in the background, Vik snorted, but Novi kept walking.

Soon the park came into sight. He found a metal swingset and hoisted himself up on the seat, skinny legs dangling. He was just a slip of a kid with almost feminine features -- but he hoped he'd come off as someone who just wanted to have some fun. Innocent fun, of course.

Novi pumped his legs as he swung, the swing rising higher and higher. His tail fanned out behind him, though he curled it into his lap, and his large ears pricked forwards as a new scent overcame him. A girl? He slowed and hopped off the swing, padding forwards, spying the black and white cat with a chunk of ear missing. What had happened? Was she a fighter-cat? He'd heard of them...but she still wore her collar... "H-Hello!" he broke out, beaming at her as he drew near. "Why does your ear look like that?"

Novi blinked at her, feeling her fear and his ears pulled back in worry. Worry that he was annoying her. "S-Sorry... That sounds horrible..." He looked down at his hands, shifting his weight. Then he beamed at her, an innocent smile. "I'm Novik, but you can call me Novi. Everyone else does!" He offered a hand to her, to shake, even though she looked quite nervous. "I was worried with that ear-chomped, you were gonna be a fighter." Fighters terrified him, to be honest. The idea of fighting was violent and something Vik liked, but not Novi.

Novi smiled at her, tail flicking back and forth, looking quite like a fox's without the white tip. "Keiko... I like it. I'll call you Kei..." He shook her hand vigorously, then clapped his hands together twice. The smile never left his face. "My humans called me Kota... But Momma named me Novi. And my humans left so... So that's what I go by!"

He tilted his head, curious. "You're afraid of fights, too? For the most part, my territory is peaceful...but there's a place that tests on cats that Tempo and JiYong fight against! But I won't fight... Momma says I'm too young, anyways."

Novi giggled at her as she said her name over and over. Keiko... Strange girl! "Thanks," he said with the slightest of blushes warming his pale cheeks. She would warm up. It just might take a bit... He could still feel her nerves reverberating off of her like waves.

His ears pulled back as she spoke of getting lost, and then burst into tears. Novi stepped forwards, uncertain, and placed a hand on her shoulder, patting it gently. "I-It's okay. I could...I could help you find your home if you remember what it looks like?" His ears perked again.

He smiled encouragingly (or what he hoped to be so) at her and patted her shoulder again, ears flicking back for a moment. "Sure! Why not? We could find your family, even if it takes us a week..." Although, Momma would come looking for him, surely, if he were gone that long. He didn't tell her this, though, in fear that she'd be jealous of Momma.

"Mmm... Well maybe we should head to the streets and look around? Will you recognize the smells if we get close? Oh, that's not good. What if that cat doesn't really let you back?" His tone was uncertain now -- he didn't need a fight.

Novi smiled. "Good! Then we'll start looking, yeah?" His head tilted to one side, dark hair falling into gold eyes. He giggled at her, offering his hand again, palm up, fingers splayed. And he kept grinning. His tail flicked to and fro as he waited for her okay, and they would be off.

"Huh... Maybe if you talked to him, he'd let you back in with your human? We could try it! Maybe I could talk to him..." He nibbled on his lower lip. "He might listen to me? Since I'm a boy? Maybe he just doesn't like girls?"

Novi giggled and beamed at her, tugging her into following him as he took off at a quick trot. His feet moved across the grass soundlessly, tail flicking behind him, his hand tightening around hers. They would find out where Kei lived and then? Then she would be home! He grinned at the thought of a happy ending. As they reached the city, he slowed. "Okay! Nose to the ground! Let's start looking!"