Click, I've Caught You

Arc 2: (Frame)(Needs Editing) Chapter 7

"This is ridiculous..." Lyna grumbled. "Does she even like this?"

Chika glanced at the lynx. She looked exactly the same except they changed her lotion and soap. They got a scented version and forced Lyna to try it out. Currently the agitated lynx was using every excuse under the sun to be difficult. Chika reminded herself though of the past week that had been her and James' plans getting her injured in some way.

They both felt she had the right to be difficult with them.

"That's what we're going to find out." James reminded her.

Lyna swallowed nervously as they approached Jewels' house. They were supposed to be just coming over to casually hang out, but Lyna was sure there was going to be awkwardness simmering sometime.

'Please don't manage to be weird.' She thought to herself. She took several calming breaths as Amelia let them in, the red panda giving them all a warm happy grin.

After talking to her for several minutes they went upstairs.

Jewels smiled in greeting and opened her mouth to happily talk before being distracted by the smell.

"...hm?" She said in confusion. "Is one of you wearing perfume?" Her eyes lingered on James as if she was asking 'again.' Lyna wanted to know what that boy did in his spare time that Jewels assumed that the smell was him. After all, she currently smelt like warm vanilla and the smell of whatever 'A Thousand Wishes' was.

"It's me. Body wash." Lyna said sheepishly. 'Yup, there's the awkward moment.' she thought to to herself. She sniffed herself in worry. "Why, is it too much?" She asked with concern in an attempt to be more chill.

"No, no, it's fine." The serval reassured. She glanced up and Lyna caught her eyes long enough to see that her pupils had dilated. "...I like it actually."

Lyna tried to play off the way her breath caught when Jewels took a seat next to her.

James grinned like no one's business and flashed a thumbs up to Chika who smiled.

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"That's why our plans kept failing," Chika remarked as they walked home an hour later. "We forgot that Jewels is more likely to respond to subtle stuff."

James nodded in sheepish agreement.

"Sorry Lyna," he apologized. "We got caught up in excitement totally forgot that Jewels wouldn't appreciate a big display."

"No worries," Lyna dismissed as they crossed the street. "I should have remembered too."

"Besides," she added. "I now know all of the general knowledge of her. Favorite color, animal, music, food, book, and game. I can also recite when they became her favorite. Thanks Chika." The girl in question beamed broadly in happiness, glad to have been of use.

"I've been meaning to ask," James began. "If your parents still aren't here yet, where do you stay?"

"The apartment they bought for us." Lyna informed. "They said it was in need of a check up but I haven't found any problems."

"Are you going to be okay?" Chika asked in concern.

Lyna waved her off.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." she informed. "Like I said I haven't found anything wrong with the place yet, so I'll be alright."

The three of them split up waving each other goodbye at the corner where they split off.

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