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Cherie didn't know what she was doing. She was walking, and despite Theodore Nathan's consistent grumbling she refused to walk back home. Not yet. She never walked outside, not unless it was at some odd time where no one would be around. Right now it was daytime, and despite how the sky seemed grey and rain threatened it was still a bright morning. A morning where, if she was unlucky, someone could see her form.

She kept to the alleys, as usual. She kept from the people who seemed to find their way into the alleys, grimacing whenever Theodore Nathan growled or hissed. He was throwing a fit today, and it was getting on her nerves. Sure, she loved him, but he obviously was having a mood swing....

A noise. And a movement. Her ear flicked and head snapped up as she heard a faint jingle, freezing. Theodore Nathan let out a savage growl as the two started to crouch, prepared for a fight.

Cherie had finally decided to round the corner. She didn't want to go backwards, mostly because she had entered the alleys when the streets were empty and she knew by now it must be lunch time, meaning people. Forwards would lead her to the abandoned lot she liked if she kept going.... She didn't want to have to deal with people. Yet, whoever was ringing bells was a person, right?

Or it could be animal that found a bell or was in the trash. That was also a possibility. She could be worrying for no reason, and that was likely. Cherie was known for being a paranoid brat.... So, with this in mind she let out a confident whimper and head around the corner.

"Mmm!" Cherie would have squeaked if her mouth was allowed to. Instead, she pressed backwards and as far as possible into the wall, eyes wide and locked onto the strangely dressed male. His claws looked ferocious, but his scarf interested her. Theodore Nathan let out a violent growl as he lashed about, warning the cat-noodle before Cherie to not try anything. Cherie's ears flipped back as an apologetic whimper rang in her throat, body lowering closer to the ground to show she wasn't a threat.

Theodore, however, had many other ideas except being humble and submissive. He lashed, snarled, and generally caused a loud ruckus. He wasn't about to play nice like Cherie.

Cherie watched the male, cringing further when the claws were lifted. A feral excitement shivered through her spine, mostly due to Theodore Nathan's own emotions. She wanted to shush him, or force him to stop, but Theodore Nathan wasn't controllable. Sadly. She just grimaced, covered eyes narrowing as she whipped her head around to view her tail friend.

"Mrm!" She grunted at her tail in an attempt to shush him up. An ear flicked when Cheshire spoke, head jerking to view him through her hair. He seemed tired, and he said something about hungry and cold. She stared at him, head twitching. His claws had lowered and he seemed spent. Was he laying in trash? He wasn't, wasn't he? Cherie stared at him, curious at this point. Welp....

She narrowed her eyes at him, despite his inability to see, and pondered. Sharply turning, the woman didn't say not even one word as she suddenly left the alley, heading straight for home.

She didn't know why she had returned. She didn't even know why she had a blanket in her hands and was holding a doggy bag. All she knew was that he was waiting for her, or rather he was probably sleeping. Still, she had comfort and food, what more could he want? The man needed it, and she felt sorry for him. He had looked so sad, so tired, and now she had the things he needed. Maybe she wanted to be a hero..... Maybe this was all a selfish way to make herself feel good. She wasn't sure. What she did know was that she was doing a good thing.

She almost got lost as she turned the corner. It was dark, her stitches glowed brightly against the dark covering. Theodore Nathan was tiredly growling and trying to lay down each time she paused. It was clear he wasn't amused by her kindness tonight... Each time one of her earrings clicked or her necklace banged against her collar he'd twitch and growl weakly before lolling his tongue out and returning to his attempt to sleep. It almost was cute..... if he wasn't such a vicious fellow.

By the time she reached the alley she had left the weird man in Theodore Nathan was fast asleep, having curled around her as best as he could. Cherie tilted her head as she approached the sleeping man, cautiously lowering to the ground. He really was sleeping in trash! Gently, she left the food between his hands, flinching when the male didn't move. She was so nervous he'd suddenly jump up! Quietly, she rested the blanket on top of him with a smile. Well, good deed done.... She could go home. And that is what she was about to go do.

Cheshire couldn't fathom where the hell all the food was coming from.

At first, he thought that maybe it was the Will of the Abysses' doing. Maybe she was encouraging him? As days went on he realized that perhaps this was a stupid idea. In the Abyss food wasn't truly needed. Not for them, at least. What would she know of such a thing? When Cheshire had spent his first few months in the normal world he himself had been shocked when his stomach rumbled and pain shot through. Also, wouldn't she take him home then? If she knew he was here she would take him, he knew it. He was her cat. He was her bodyguard. He was hers. He doubted she'd ever just turn around and leave.

So who was it? The world didn't just give free food! He was tired of just letting someone come and go without accepting a single word of "thank you". Even Cheshire had such manners....Sort of. No, it wasn't manners. He wanted to know who it was, and maybe get information from them. That, and ask them what to do with this pounding pain in his head and horrible sensation in his stomach.

He was pretending to sleep.

He had decided that he wanted to see his helpers face as close as possible, and to do that he'd need to pretend to be asleep. By the time he heard a figure nearby he had found his way into a tight ball and froze, waiting. Footsteps approached and Cheshire stayed still, not risking letting his bells move and give him away. A grunt followed, a familiar one, and he could smell the scent of another coming closer. It smelled of metal and vanilla, a strange combination. Deciding now was better than never, the cat-like Noodle opened his eyes and stared right at the other, eyes glowing within the darkness as the other turned to view him.

Both froze. It was the girl. The strange one. Her stitches glowed vibrantly and tail violently lashed. Before she could run Cheshire's hand snatched her arm up to prevent escape, eyes locking on her covered face.

"Who are you?" He questioned firmly, hand tightening around her arm, though he was careful to avoid using his claws on the girl.

Cheshire was alarmed. Instincts kicked in and he practically flung her away when her hand came flying to his face. He watched as she rolled away and began to crouch, his own limbs tensing as he bared his teeth at her. No, he didn't want a fight! He didn't mean for one, either! He was afraid! A coward at heart, the male was about to test his strength and attempt to teleport back to his dimension when his lungs shivered and forced him to cough. His form jerked forward, arms wrapping around his stomach as he coughed once more.

What was this? Was this truly what illness was? Why did this happen? He wasn't like them! He wasn't built like them, so why?! Was this world toxic? Was he not suited for this horrid world? Why was he subjected to this gross torment, anyway? He didn't have time for fiery, angry little glowing girls and horrible pains! He needed to fi-

Huh.

Now the strange girl was holding out a bag to him. Her whines were soft and apologetic. She seemed sorry? Hadn't she just tried to hurt him? Yet.... Yet maybe she was like him? Defensive when touched. Untrusting. And yet she was brave. She was trying to hand him food even after all those issues... If it was him he would have run. Maybe that was what made him step forward and cautiously accept the food. Maybe he admired her. Or maybe he was just so damn hungry he couldn't protest.

His hand snatched the bag and he leapt away, crouching. He stared at her, clearing his throat and poking through the bag with mild interest before returning to view her again. Dammit, this time he would get an answer.

"Who are you?" He growled as he grabbed a bun and popped it into his mouth, maintaining eye contact.