Tixo padded quietly through the bustling market, his keen eyes scanning the crowds. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm orange glow over the stalls and the lively chatter of vendors and customers. He flicked his tail thoughtfully, his whiskers twitching in anticipation. He had a plan today, one that involved a certain mute Avian Siren who had captured his attention for months.
After a few minutes of searching, Tixo spotted Wei sitting on a bench near the edge of the market, his wings folded neatly behind him, and his taloned feet crossed at the ankles. As usual, Wei was engrossed in a book, his eyes flicking across the pages with an intense concentration. Tixo couldn't help but smile. Wei’s passion for reading was one of the many things he admired about him.
Tixo approached quietly, his pawsteps nearly silent on the cobblestones. He stopped in front of Wei and waited for a moment. When Wei didn't look up, he cleared his throat gently.
Wei's eyes snapped up, and a smile spread across his face when he saw Tixo. He closed the book carefully, marking his place with a feather that had slipped from his wing.
"Hello, Wei," Tixo said, his voice smooth and playful. "Enjoying your book?"
Wei nodded, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. He tilted his head slightly, a gesture Tixo had come to recognize as an invitation to continue.
"I was thinking," Tixo began, sitting down next to Wei, "we've been talking about games and challenges for a while. How about a little competition today?"
Wei raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. He gestured for Tixo to explain.
Tixo pulled a couple of leather belts from his bag, holding them up with a mischievous grin. "I propose a challenge. We tie each other's wrists with these belts. The goal is to see who can untie themselves the fastest. What do you say?"
Wei's eyes widened, and for a moment, Tixo thought he might have gone too far. But then Wei's expression shifted to one of amusement, and he nodded enthusiastically. He held out his wrists, ready for the challenge.
"Great!" Tixo said, feeling a surge of excitement. "I'll go first."
He took Wei's wrists gently and began to tie the belts around them, creating a series of complex knots. He took his time, making sure each knot was secure but not too tight. When he was satisfied, he sat back and gestured for Wei to begin.
Wei examined the knots for a moment, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. Then, with a quick and practiced motion, he began to work on the knots. Tixo watched in amazement as Wei's fingers moved with incredible speed and precision. Within moments, the belts fell away, and Wei held up his free wrists with a triumphant smile.
Tixo blinked, impressed. "Wow, that was fast! Where did you learn to do that?"
Wei reached into his bag and pulled out his book, holding it up for Tixo to see. The cover depicted a steamy romance, the kind that often involved intricate knot-tying scenes. Tixo's eyes widened in realization, and he laughed.
"I see! You've had plenty of practice from your books." He shook his head, still smiling. "Alright, your turn to tie me up."
Wei's smile widened, and he took the belts from Tixo. With a flourish, he began to tie Tixo's wrists, his movements confident and precise. When he finished, he sat back and gestured for Tixo to try.
Tixo struggled with the knots, finding them far more difficult to untie than he had expected. Wei watched with amusement, his eyes twinkling with mischief. After several minutes of futile effort, Tixo finally managed to free himself, but not without considerable difficulty.
"Well," Tixo said, rubbing his wrists, "I guess I have a lot to learn."
Wei's smile was warm and encouraging. He reached out and patted Tixo's shoulder, then held up the book again, as if to say, "There's always room for improvement."
Tixo chuckled. "Maybe you can lend me that book sometime. I could use some practice."
Wei nodded, his eyes full of laughter. He took Tixo's hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
As the sun set and the market began to quiet down, Tixo and Wei sat together, enjoying each other's company. The game of knots had brought them closer, and Tixo knew that this was just the beginning of their adventures together.
