The stupid girl opened a very important meeting by mocking a disability. His disability! Stupid little brat.

Already acquainted with this female and her general appearance, Crookshanks saw little reason to gawk. Though the feline did spare the bird, a single, hungry glance. Finding the morsel not tender enough, he curled up on the rug. Beneath the table, his eyes narrowed at his ward’s legs. If she embarrassed him, he’d remind her why stripes were always in fashion.

His limp carried him to the sectionHarper had pictured a thousand different things waiting for this meeting. One of those fancy ladies with the big dresses and parasol. Maybe a real princess with pearls and bling. This woman, though, fell into a third category. 

Harper was reminded of those old black-and-white movies she’d sometimes catch through the windows. A person with a big hat and colorful, snakelike lips that belonged on a predator. That or a—yuck--jinx. But it was cool! Like a super ninja geisha lady!

“Uh, I don’t think I’m slouching—” Harper began with a perplexed expression. This is how she always walked! Though, wanting to impress the geisha-Fatale, the girl tried to straighten her shoulders. Her feet spread slightly farther apart as she did so. All this did was remind her how much she hated shoes. Especially these pinchy ones. The ones now rubbing against the welts Daddy just gave her ankle.

The woman’s other words were listened to with an almost feline expression. Her head tilted to one side. “Um, why is it an excuse though? I am late because he’s slow. I didn't know where we were meeting." An angry yowl came from under the table. “It ain't like I try to miss stuff.” She just didn’t really have a watch. And phones were still super-duper new to her.

“It’s nice to meetcha, Miss Mei.” Her head bobbed in a nod. “That’s right! I’m Harper, though I’m not really a Mann.” Not sure what to do with her hands-but knowing her gesticulations were not ladylike—the thief locked them behind her back. “Papa just thought I needed a synonym. A fake name, yanno?” Why did that word feel wrong? Oh well!

The lady knew what she meant!

Mei Liu
The young woman gave her feline companion one final stare before turning her total attention to Mei. “I’ll keep that in mind, Miss Mei.” Her hand flicked from the large ornate clock in one corner to her own wrist. “Maybe I can get a watch. Not all of them are for old men.” Though the ones she could actually sell tended to be. Cute stuff usually didn’t hold its value. Humans were weird like that. Probably just the patriarchy at work or whatever.


Some part of her was glad she was scrawny. It made getting in and out of places easier. And it stopped crazy old witches from eating her. Which she knew was ridiculous, but Hansel and Gretel had been her only book growing up. “You think so?” The girl chirped, rocking back on her shoes. No one had ever called her pretty before. Cute, definitely. Scrawny and in need of feeding, sure. But never a word like that. “What kind of flower do you think I am?” The cat under the table made a coughing noise. His golden eyes glowed with mean-hearted mirth. “I ain’t a weed, Poppa. Take that back.”


Judging by his return to grooming, the feline had no intention of rescinding the sentiment. It would not do for this kit to get a full head. There was little room for self-esteem and bravado amongst all the clouds.


The lady’s other question was met with an inward sucking of air. Harper reached into her jacket, pulling out her phone. “This man has a certain stone in his possession that the scientists need.” On the screen was a rather rotund man with a pinched nose and almost frog-like face. “He’s apparently showing it off at some stupid party and Daddy—” Her eyes moved to the cat. “Wants me to take the opportunity to grab it.” But, for some reason, she had to be a guest this time. Or some hired help, at least.


And, if she did this right, no one would know it was missing until it was gone. She had the decoy. The escape plan was in place. She just needed an in.