Chapter 20: Conflagration

Liki pulled herself out of the tub, water cascading down her sleek body as she reached for a towel. She carefully dried herself, her skin still tingling from the Jacuzzi’s water jets. Glancing toward the bedroom, she saw Dave’s silhouette lying motionless in the bed, his soft snores confirming he was still asleep. A mischievous smile crept across her face.

She padded into the room, still dripping slightly, and stood by the bed. “Dave?” she whispered softly, leaning down to brush his cheek with her fingertips. He didn’t stir. Her smile turned into a pout. He’s missing seeing me. Whenever she had her clothes off, she could sense how much he liked to look at her. She let out a small sigh. “I’m about to get dressed. It's your last chance!” she announced loudly.

Dave remained still, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Liki sighed again, her shoulders slumping in disappointment. She grabbed his oversized shirt from the floor and slipped it over her head, the fabric swallowing her. She climbed into the bed, the soft mattress barely dipping under her weight. The cool sheets felt soothing against her skin as she curled up beside Dave, her hand resting lightly on his chest.

Liki nestled deeper into the bed, her eyelids fluttering as sleep began to overtake her. In the quiet of the room, she softly hummed the song Dave taught her, her voice barely audible. Slowly, the humming turned into words, her melodic voice filling the space. “Put the Chungo’s in your mouth,” she sang softly, the sleepiness creeping into her tone. “Taste the Chungo’s. It tastes good...” Her fingers twitched slightly against Dave’s chest as she continued, her voice growing fainter. “Chew the Chungo’s with your teeth. Here at Chungo’s, we... sell... food...” Her singing trailed off into a sleepy murmur. Dave remained motionless beside her, his steady breathing undisturbed by her serenade. Liki’s hand slipped gently from his chest as she finally succumbed to sleep. The room fell silent once more, save for the soft rhythm of their breathing.

*

Dave stirred awake, his stomach growling loudly. He blinked, disoriented, and sat up, rubbing his eyes. The shadows danced about the room, the glow of the city seeping through the curtains. He glanced around and spotted a tray of food on the table by the door. Dinner must’ve been delivered while he was asleep.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching his stiff muscles. The aroma of the food hit him, and his stomach rumbled again. He walked over to the tray, lifting the lid to reveal a plate of pasta and garlic bread, barely warm after having sat for so long. He grabbed a fork and took a bite. It was still tasty despite being almost cold.

As he ate, he glanced at Liki, who was still curled up in bed. “Hey, sleepyhead,” he called softly. “Did you eat any dinner?”

Liki stirred, but her eyes remained closed. She squeezed her pillow a bit and said, "I ate some pellets," her voice groggy and slow. “The food man came… but he doesn’t know Mia. I don't think he's a bad guy.”

Dave paused, fork halfway to his mouth, and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

She yawned, stretching her arms above her head. “He was afraid I would beat him… at using the toilet.”

Dave burst out laughing, nearly choking on his food. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Opening her eyes, Liki propped herself up on her elbows, a sleepy smirk on her face. “He looked scared when I walked out of the bathroom. He's probably a bad toilet user, but he's not a bad guy. I'm one of the...” She trailed off, seemingly forgetting what else she was going to say.

Dave shook his head, grinning. “Sometimes, I wish I could connect to your brain and listen to all the things you think about.”

Liki’s smirk widened, and she flopped back onto the pillow, her hair fanning out around her. “I also took a bath,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of pride.

“Yeah? How was it?”

Her eyes sparkled as she turned to him. “I sat on the water shooter… and it made lights explode in my head.”

Dave froze, fork suspended in midair. “Wait, what?”

She nodded, her expression completely serious. “It was just like when you licked me between the legs… or when you rubbed my insides with your fingers. But my favorite time…” She paused, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Was when I sat on the hard stick in your pants and bounced on it until my head exploded.”

Dave’s face burned, and he nearly dropped his fork. “Liki! You can’t just say stuff like that!”

She giggled, rolling onto her side to face him. “Why not? It’s true.”

Dave shook his head, his cheeks still flushed. “You’re unbelievable.”

Liki’s giggle turned into a soft purr, and she closed her eyes, her breathing slowing as she drifted back to sleep. Dave watched her for a moment, a mix of amusement and affection washing over him. He finished his meal in silence, his thoughts wandering.

He set the empty plate aside, grabbed the remote and turned on the TV in the corner of the room. He kept the volume low so as not to wake Liki. The screen flickered to life, showing a news anchor standing in front of the smoldering ruins of a building. Dave’s heart sank as he recognized the rest of the apartment complex in the background. It was his building.

“A massive fire broke out earlier this evening at the Pine Heights Apartments,” the anchor reported. “Authorities are still investigating the cause, but initial reports suggest it may have been arson. No casualties have been reported, but the building has been declared a total loss.”

Dave’s hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. They burned it down. They’re trying to erase any evidence. His stomach churned, and he felt a cold sweat break out on his skin. How far will they go to get to us?

He turned off the TV, the room plunging back into silence. His mind raced, panic clawing at the edges of his thoughts. He glanced at Liki, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him. She’s the key to all of this. Why are they after her? What did she—or whoever made her like this—do?

Dave stood and walked to the window, pulling back the curtain to peer outside. The city buzzed with life, cars and pedestrians moving about as if nothing was wrong. He felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, the ground crumbling beneath his feet.

Sighing, he let the curtain fall back into place and turned toward the bed. Liki’s soft breathing filled the room, and he found himself drawn to her. He climbed into bed beside her, lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. She shifted in her sleep, curling closer against him, her touch a comfort he hadn’t realized he needed.

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We’ll figure this out,” he whispered, more to himself than to her. We have to.

But as he closed his eyes, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

Chapter 21: Obsolescence

Dave woke to the soft light filtering through the curtains, the city outside already alive with activity. He turned his head to find Liki still curled against him, her breathing slow and steady. She was pressed into his side, one arm draped over his chest as if she were clinging to him even in sleep. He smiled as he carefully crawled out of her grasp so he could sit up, but something felt off. She didn’t stir as he touched her, her usual responsiveness absent.

“Liki,” he murmured, shaking her gently. “We gotta get up now.”

She blinked slowly, her green eyes flecked with gold, focusing on him. Her lips curved into a sleepy smile, and she stretched, her body arching like a cat’s. “Good morning, Dave,” she said, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“Do you feel okay?” he said.

She yawned, stretching again before settling back against him. “Yeah. Just… sleepy.” She pushed her face into his lap as she wrapped her arms around him again.

Dave frowned, the events of the past few days flooding back. “You're sure? You don't feel sick or anything?”

Liki lifted her head, considering his question. “No. Just sleepy.” She paused, her gaze sharpening. “What about you? You smell like you're worrying.”

He sighed, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. “I’m just thinking about those men who broke into the apartment. Who they were. What they wanted.”

Liki sat up too, her expression suddenly serious. “I don’t know who they are either. But they’re dangerous.”

“Yeah, definitely,” he muttered. “But why? Are they after me or are they after you? Liki, think really hard... do you remember anything before I opened your box and woke you up? Do you remember anyone telling you to do things? Telling you to kill people? Telling you to kill... me?"

"I don't remember anything... I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"Do you have any idea what those people want?" Dave asked.

Liki’s brow furrowed, her lips pursed in thought. After a moment, she looked at him, narrowing her eyes. "Maybe they want your credits like that man who tried to shoot you when we went to the park?" she suggested.

"No, I think these people are after more than money," Dave replied.

“Maybe they want your hard stick.”

Dave blinked, caught off guard. “My… what?”

“Your hard stick,” she repeated, her tone matter-of-fact. She reached out, her small hand resting on his thigh. “You know… this.” She grasped him through the front of his boxers, and Dave felt a jolt of heat rush through him. "Well, it's not hard right now, but I know how to make it hard. Watch..." she said, beginning to demonstrate.

He grasped Liki's hands and laughed, though it came out more like a nervous cough. “Hmm yeah... I don’t think that’s what they’re after.”

“Why not?” she asked, tilting her head. “It’s nice. I like it. Also, it’s mine now and I won’t let anyone else have it.”

Dave coughed, caught off guard again. His body was still responding to her touches from moments before, despite the absurdity of the conversation. “Well, first of all, it's called a penis, but I don’t think—”

“If they try to take you, I’ll kill them,” she interrupted, her voice firm. There was a fierceness in her eyes that startled him, a protective possessiveness he hadn’t seen before. “All of them. I won't let them have you or hurt you, Dave.”

Dave stared at her, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned. “I won't let them get you either,” he managed, his voice strained.

Liki’s expression softened, and she looked thoughtful. “But maybe…” she whispered, her big green eyes glancing down, “it might be okay if Mia wanted to have your penis. Just once.”

Dave pulled back, staring at her in disbelief. “Mia? The delivery girl?”

Liki nodded, her lips curving into a sly smile. “She’s nice. And she likes you too.”

“How do you know that?” Dave asked, his voice rising slightly.

“I can smell it,” Liki said simply. Her nose twitched as if to prove her point. “She likes you. Like I do.”

Dave shook his head, a laugh bubbling up despite himself. “This is… this is…”

“Exciting?” Liki offered, her smile widening.

“Well, I was going to say weird,” he admitted, running a hand over his face.

"Oh, you smell excited," she said, looking a little confused. "Am I weird?"

Dave laughed and hugged Liki, scooping her up in his arms. "You're very weird, but so is everyone else. I'm weird, Mia's weird... Everyone's weird in a different way. The way that you're weird is what makes you special," he explained.

Liki giggled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. Dave squeezed her and she shrieked, "You're so weird, Dave!"

Dave couldn’t help smiling. “Come on. Let’s get up. We need to figure out what to do next.”

As he stood, he glanced down at their clothes—wrinkled, stained, and torn from when they’d fled his apartment. “First thing’s first,” he said, gesturing to their outfits. “We need to go shopping for new clothes. We can’t keep walking around looking like we just survived a disaster.”

Liki tilted her head, looking down at Dave's work shirt that she was still wearing as a huge, baggy dress. “But, I like this dress.”

“You do look cute in it,” Dave said gently. “But we need to blend in, not stand out.”

She frowned, but nodded. “Okay. Shopping.” She perked up, her eyes sparkling. “Can we get something pretty?”

Dave chuckled. “Sure. Something pretty.” He grabbed his e-wallet, pressing his thumb to the panel that displayed his balance. “Let’s hope I have enough credits for this.”

Liki bounced off the bed, her energy suddenly restored. “Let’s go!” She skipped to the door, turning to look at him with an impish grin. “But when we come back, can we do the thing where I bounce on your hard stick... I mean penis, again?”

Oh my god, this girl. I love her.

Dave grabbed a fresh towel from the closet and turned to Liki. “Hold on, first I’m going to take a quick shower. I feel gross and need to get clean before we head out.”

Liki tilted her head, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “Do you need me to help wash you?”

Dave chuckled, shaking his head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll be quick. Just wait a moment.”

She pouted slightly, then her expression brightened again. “The shower has a water shooter, you know. In the tub. I can show you how they work and the right way to sit on them to make your head explode.”

Dave smiled, though his face warmed at the thought. “Maybe later. Let’s save that for another time, okay? Right now, I just need to rinse off. Just... just watch the TV while I’m in the shower. I won’t be long, okay?”

Her green eyes sparkled as she nodded, though a hint of disappointment lingered. “Ok,” she said, hopping onto the bed and grabbing the remote. “But if you take too long, I’m coming in to get you.” Dave laughed, shaking his head.

As the door clicked shut, Liki flopped onto the bed, flipping through channels on the large screen mounted on the wall. She stopped on a dramatic sci-fi show set in a retro-futuristic city, watching intently as characters argued in silver, neon-lit spacesuits.

After a few minutes of intense melodrama, a commercial interrupted the show. The serious narrator’s voice boomed, “Perfect in every way... intelligence, loyalty, beauty. Eris Nishimoto presents the F-8." As the narrator spoke, the camera panned over the shadowy, reclining bodies of Wimils in black and white, interspersed with color shots of a Wimil dancing gracefully, wearing a flowing red dress. "Refinement. Grace. Style," the narrator continued, "The F-8 sets a new standard in bio-pals. Winner of 2069's Excellence in Biotainment Award. No other biotainment product even comes close. The F-8 series Wimil, available February 2070. Full Size available August 2070."

The screen showed an elegant Wimil beckoning toward the viewer. Then it showed a clearly upset human woman sitting down as a Wimil approached her from behind and hugged her. She pulled the Wimil closer and smiled. The shot switched to a man lying on a beach as a tall, full-sized Wimil wearing a black bikini and sarong handed him a fancy cocktail.

"5-year limited warranty included. Visit your local Wimil retailer for details. Financing available on approved credit.” The final shot was just the face of a smiling Wimil as the camera slowly zoomed in. Liki’s eyes widened as she leaned closer to the screen, her ears perking up. Wait… is that… me? She tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing as she studied the creature on the screen. It looked just like her, it had the same face, the same color hair, everything. Her chest tightened, and she felt a strange, unfamiliar pang in her stomach.

Anyone can go to a store and buy another Wimil just like me? She glanced down at herself, then back at the TV. The TV said those are F-8 Wimils. I'm an F-7 Wimil. Are F-8s better than F-7s? What if Dave buys an F-8 Wimil someday and he likes her better than me? If I'm just a thing he bought, would he get rid of me if he bought a new Wimil? she thought, her chest tightening. Her mind raced, the questions tumbling over one another. He doesn't seem like he thinks about me like that now, but what about when he was buying me? He bought me to become his friend, but if anyone can buy a new Wimil at the store, what happens to their old Wimils? Am I something to be used up and thrown away? Her hands trembled as she stared at the screen.

The Wimil in the commercial looked so happy, so perfect, but Liki couldn’t shake the sinking feeling in her chest. She didn’t feel like a product. What if Dave decided to get the new F-8 Wimil? What if he just… forgets about me? A tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, her ears flattening against her head.

I can’t let him see me like this, she thought, forcing a deep breath. I have to be strong. I have to be okay. She clenched her fists, trying to push the thoughts aside, but they lingered, gnawing at the edges of her mind. The room felt suffocating, the dramatic music of the commercial and the narrator's calm, serious voice now grating on her nerves. She turned off the TV, the silence only amplifying the turmoil in her head.

When Dave stepped out of the bathroom a few minutes later, towel slung around his waist, Liki was sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap. She looked up, and seeing him honestly made her feel a little better.

“Hi, Dave!” she chirped, her voice slightly higher than usual. “You took so long that I almost came to make sure you didn't leave.” Dave chuckled, drying his damp hair with a hand towel.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting. Did you find something good to watch?” Liki shook her head, her tail flicking nervously behind her.

“No. Just boring stuff."

He grinned, clearly amused. “Well, let’s get dressed so we can head out. Ready to find you something pretty?” She nodded, her smile faltering for just a moment before she forced it back into place.

“Yeah, let’s go!” she said, hopping off the bed. Inside, though, her stomach churned. What if he’s just buying me clothes to keep me happy until he can buy a new, better Wimil? She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to her, stubborn and relentless. Dave put on his shirt, oblivious to the storm brewing in Liki’s mind.

“You know,” he said, pulling on his pants, “we should probably get you a jacket or something too. It’s getting colder out.” Liki nodded again, her throat tight.

“Yeah, you're right...” she said, her voice soft. She felt small, insignificant, like a possession rather than a person. But she couldn’t let him see that. She couldn’t let him know how much it hurt.

Dave smiled, grabbing his wallet and gesturing for her to follow. “Let’s go then. We’ve got a lot of stuff to do today.”

Liki hesitated for just a moment before forcing herself to move. She followed him to the door, her tail swaying faintly behind her as she tried to push down the fear gnawing at her heart. I’ll be okay, she told herself. As long as he’s here, I’ll be okay. I don’t know for sure how he feels, but I know how I feel. I'm going to protect him because he's my human, and that's all that matters. He's my human, and I'm his Wimil.

But deep down, she couldn’t shake the feeling that one day, he might decide she wasn’t worth keeping anymore. And that thought terrified her more than anything.

Chapter 22: Procurement

Big Shop loomed ahead, its neon sign flickering against the gray sky of the city. Dave glanced down at Liki, who was clinging to his hand, her eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. “Alright,” he said, squeezing her hand gently. “Let’s get this done quickly. We need to blend in.”

They stepped inside, the automatic doors hissing shut behind them. The store was massive, with aisles stretching endlessly in every direction, filled with everything from household gadgets to clothing. Dave scanned the area, his eyes landing on the shoe section. “First things first,” he muttered, leading the barefoot Liki over.

Liki’s ears perked up as she stared at the rows of colorful shoes. She pointed to a pair of bright pink sneakers, her tail wagging slightly. “Those!” she whispered excitedly.

Dave chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe something more discreet,” he said, picking out a pair of simple black sneakers for her. Liki seemed a little disappointed, but she didn't complain. He grabbed a pair for himself as well, along with two plain jackets. A large, brown one for him and a small, tan jacket for her. “Let’s get these on. We’ll pay for them now.”

He tapped his wallet against the payment terminal, the credits deducted instantly. Liki watched in fascination as the items registered under Dave’s name on the screen. She slipped on the sneakers and jacket, grinning up at him. “I look like a human now, right?” she asked, her voice playful.

Dave smirked, ruffling her hair. “Yeah, a little human with a tail. Now, let’s get the rest.”

They moved through the store, Dave picking out a t-shirt with Tendo, the main character from the anime “DaiKill Buster Gaiden” emblazoned on the front, along with a pair of jeans.

Dave tapped his wallet against the payment terminal, and said “Alright, let me put these on real quick.”

He led her to the changing rooms, the small, enclosed spaces giving them some privacy. He thought for a moment about telling Liki to wait for him outside, but when she was curious she never listened to him anyway. Liki followed him inside, her tail swishing as she watched him unfold the t-shirt and remove the tags. Dave hesitated for a moment, then shrugged and began peeling off his old, stained shirt. Liki’s eyes followed his every movement like a predator, and Dave felt almost self-conscious for a moment.

He pulled the new shirt over his head, the bold design of Tendo now proudly displayed across his chest. Liki tilted her head, inspecting him. He slid off his old pants and stepped into the new jeans. Liki watched with fascination, her tail twitching as he zipped them up. “Why do humans wear so many clothes?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Dave smirked and squeezed her shoulder fondly. “It’s called modesty. You’ll understand someday.” He adjusted the jeans, feeling the unfamiliar but comfortable fit. “Alright, that’s better. Now, let’s get the rest of what we need.”

Liki poked his new shirt, her finger tracing the outline of the anime character. “Do you like this guy?” she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

Dave nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, he’s from my favorite show. His name is Tendo. He’s strong, but he’s also got a good heart. Kinda like someone I know.” He glanced at her, his expression softening.

"You know a guy like the one on your shirt?" she asked.

"I meant you, silly!" he said, "You were stronger than that big guy who tried to rob us... He was huge and he had a frikkin' gun! You weren't scared at all and you took him down like nothing."

"I was a little scared," said Liki, looking down, "I was scared that he might hurt you."

Dave laughed, grabbing his old clothes and stuffing them into a nearby trash bin outside the changing room. "See? That's proof you're strong AND you've got a good heart."

“My heart?” Liki murmured, putting her palm on her chest. They left the changing room, ready to continue their shopping.

Liki’s eyes wandered as they made their way to the children’s clothing section, her curiosity getting the better of her.

That’s when she saw it—another Wimil.

The Wimil was slightly shorter than Liki, with short black hair and a light yellow sleeveless top paired with pink shorts. Her movements were calm and measured, a stark contrast to Liki’s more animated demeanor. She was standing next to a man and a woman who were browsing through household cleaners.

Liki’s tail twitched with excitement. Without thinking, she darted over, her sneakers squeaking against the tile floor. “Hi!” she chirped, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

The Wimil turned to her, her expression neutral but not unfriendly. She smiled faintly, her eyes meeting Liki’s. The man and woman looked up, their surprise evident. “Oh!” the woman exclaimed, her voice warm. “Look at you! You’re too cute!”

The man chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Look at her blue hair! Did she just talk? Can they talk now?”

Liki beamed, her tail swishing behind her. “What’s her name?” she asked, pointing to the Wimil.

“This is Yuna,” the man replied, his voice gentle. “She’s an F-4.”

Liki’s eyes lit up. “Hi, Yuna! I'm Liki,” she said, leaning in closer.

Dave approached, smiling at the sight of Liki bonding with another Wimil. “Sorry, she's really friendly,” he said, his voice casual.

Liki’s tail swished with excitement as she leaned in closer to Yuna, her voice a mix of curiosity and enthusiasm. “I'm from this city too! I used to be in a box, but now I live with my human. I like to cuddle him, and watch his TV, and... and...” She paused, realizing she was rambling, and giggled. “What about you? Do you like your humans?”

Yuna tilted her head slightly, her calm expression softening as she listened. Though she couldn’t respond with words, her faint smile and attentive gaze spoke volumes. She nodded slowly, her tail twitching in acknowledgment.

“Oh!” Liki exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “That’s so cool! Do you ever get to do fun things? We're on the run from bad guys!"

Dave’s heart skipped a beat, his blood running cold. His eyes darted over to the man and woman, who were still smiling warmly, seemingly unfazed by Liki’s words. He forced a chuckle.

The woman laughed. "She’s adorable!"

The man nodded, his expression still relaxed. “Yeah, it’s cute. Almost like they’re having a real conversation.”

Dave forced another chuckle, his mind racing. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? he thought, panic simmering beneath the surface. This is why Wimils can’t talk. If they could, they’d blurt out stuff like this all the time... embarrassing secrets, overheard conversations, owner kinks... I’ve been so focused on keeping her safe, I didn’t even consider how dangerous it is that she can talk at all. He prayed to all that was holy that Liki didn't mention the time that she "bounced" on him until her head "exploded"... He knew he should drag her away from the conversation but he couldn't do that to her, not while she was making a new friend.

Yuna listened, her expression curious. "Oh, and we went to the park! It was so pretty. And I played with mini humans there. Do you like going outside?”

Yuna nodded again, her faint smile growing a little wider. She reached out and gently patted Liki’s arm. Liki beamed, her heart swelling with happiness. “You’re so nice,” she said, her voice warm. “I’m really glad I met you. Your humans seem really nice too. Do you want to be friends?”

Yuna tilted her head, her smile bright. She reached out, her movements slow and deliberate, as she wrapped her arms around Liki in a soft hug.

Liki was briefly speechless, and she hugged Yuna back, her tail curling around the other Wimil’s waist. The woman let out a delighted gasp. “Oh my goodness! They're hugging! Honey, look! She almost never hugs.”

The man nodded, his expression softening. “She must really like you, Little Blue.”

The woman turned to Dave, her eyes sparkling. “Your Wimil is just the sweetest thing! Yuna hardly ever interacts with anyone, but she liked your Wimil almost immediately.”

Dave chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, she’s got that effect on people.”

The man extended his hand. “I’m Mark, and this is my wife, Cubie.”

Before Dave could introduce himself, Liki interjected. "This is Dave, he's my human. He's so weird!" she explained, smiling proudly.

“Dave. Nice to meet you," he said, trying not to laugh. Mark chuckled.

Liki turned back to Yuna, her earlier excitement bubbling up again. “Look at my new shoes!” she said, lifting her foot to show off the black sneakers. “And this jacket, isn’t it cool?” She spun around, the jacket flaring slightly.

Yuna tilted her head, visually inspecting the jacket as she reached out to touch the tan fabric. She nodded slightly, rubbing the smooth fabric in approval. Liki beamed, her tail wagging.

Cubie chuckled, rummaging through her purse. “Yuna has something she loves too,” she said, pulling out a well-worn Wimil cube. The small, colorful cube had obviously seen plenty of use, its faces slightly scuffed from countless hours of play.

Yuna took the cube from Cubie, holding it out to Liki with a gentle, deliberate motion. Liki’s eyes lit up. “Oh! I love these!” she exclaimed, taking the cube. “I have some at home!”

"Oh my goodness, look! Yuna's giving it to her," Cubie exclaimed, grabbing Mark's sleeve.

Yuna smiled faintly, her tail twitching as she watched Liki examine the cube. Liki turned it over in her hands, its soft texture and bright colors activating her genetically programmed instincts. “Can we play with it?” she asked, looking up at Yuna.

Yuna nodded, her movements slow but full of gentle enthusiasm. She stepped back slightly, extending her hands as if ready to catch. Liki grinned, tossing the cube gently toward her. Yuna caught it with ease, her reflexes quick despite her calm demeanor. She tossed it back, and Liki caught it, giggling as the cube bounced lightly in her hands.

They continued playing catch, their tails swishing in unison as they laughed softly together. Cubie and Mark watched with smiles, their eyes warm as they observed the two Wimils bonding. “It’s so cute to see Yuna like this,” Cubie said, her voice tinged with emotion. “She usually doesn't get to play with anyone.”

Mark nodded, crossing his arms. “Yeah, it's wild how she just instantly became friends with your Little Blue.”

Liki glanced over at Dave, who was watching the scene with a soft expression. She felt a flicker of pride, her chest swelling with happiness. For a moment, the thought of Dave throwing her away for a newer F-8 was replaced by the joy of connecting with another Wimil. She tossed the cube back to Yuna, her smile wide and genuine.

“Thank you for sharing your cube with me, Yuna,” Liki said, her voice warm. Yuna nodded, holding the cube to her chest as if it were a precious treasure.

Cubie clapped her hands together, her excitement palpable. “It's so cute the way she just talks like a person. Is she an F-8? Did F-8s come out already?”

Dave hesitated, glancing down at Liki, who was still chatting animatedly to Yuna, even though the F-4 couldn’t respond. “No, she’s just an F-7. I got her last week.”

Liki’s ears twitched at the words. Just an F-7. Her heart sank, but she forced a smile, continuing to talk to Yuna as if nothing had happened. Inside, though, a knot of fear tightened in her chest. Just an F-7. To Dave, was she replaceable? Would he one day decide she wasn’t worth keeping because he could buy a better Wimil?

Cubie smiled, her expression thoughtful. “Well, she’s certainly special. Do you think maybe Liki could come over to play with Yuna sometime? Yuna seems so happy around her.”

Dave nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. “Yeah, that sounds nice. But, uh, I lost my phone recently, so I don’t have any way to contact you right now.”

Mark reached into his pocket, pulling out a business card. “Here,” he said, handing it to Dave. “Shoot us a message when you get a new one. We’d love to arrange something.”

Dave took the card, slipping it into his wallet. “Will do. Thanks.”

Liki gave Yuna one last hug, her tail swishing gently. “Bye, Yuna!” she said, her voice cheerful despite the turmoil inside her.

Yuna smiled faintly, her eyes following Liki as she stepped back to Dave’s side. Cubie crouched down, meeting Liki’s gaze. “You take care of yourself, okay? And come visit soon!”

Liki nodded, her tail swaying. “I will!”

As they walked away, the weight of Dave’s words lingered in the air. Liki kept her smile in place, but her mind was racing. Just an F-7. She glanced up at Dave, her heart aching. She wanted to ask him, to beg him to tell her she was more than that. But she couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

They continued shopping in silence, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. Liki’s tail drooped slightly as they moved through the aisles, her earlier excitement dampened. She tried to focus on the task at hand, picking out clothes that would help them blend in, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Dave’s words.

They made their way to the children's clothing section, and Dave crouched down to her level. “Ok, let's get two regular outfits,” he said, his voice gentle. “And one pretty one. Whatever you want.” Liki’s ears perked up, her tail twitching with curiosity. She glanced at the rows of clothes, her eyes scanning the options. After a moment of hesitation, she grabbed a simple white shirt with grey sleeves and a pair of black jeans for the first outfit. For the second, she chose a gray hoodie and matching sweatpants. Finally, she paused at a neon green dress with a sheer midriff, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric. “This one,” she said softly, holding it up to Dave.

He smiled, nodding. “Good choices. Let’s try them on.” They headed back to the changing room, and Liki stepped inside with her new outfits. She looked at Dave slightly confused when he didn't follow her into the changing room. "Aren't you going to watch me take my clothes off?" she asked.

Dave stifled a laugh and looked around, embarrassed. "No, we only do that at home, okay?" he whispered.

Liki closed the door looking slightly disappointed. She started with the white shirt and black jeans, slipping them on and stepping out to show Dave. “What do you think?” she asked, her voice tentative.

Dave nodded, his expression approving. “Nice. Very nondescript.”

"This shirt is a little tight in the chest," she said, cupping her breasts, "and the pants don't have a hole for my tail." The clothes were children's clothes, so the fit wasn't ideal for a Wimil, but it would have to do.

"Don't worry, we'll get real Wimil clothes for you when we get out of this whole mess," said Dave, rubbing her shoulder reassuringly.

Next, she tried on the gray hoodie and sweatpants, twirling around to show him. “It's soft,” she declared, her tail swishing.

“Perfect,” Dave agreed, chuckling. Finally, she put on the neon green dress, smoothing it down as she stepped out. The dress was made for a human child, but Liki’s breasts made the soft fabric hug her figure, and she felt a flicker of self-consciousness.

“Is it… okay?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Dave’s eyes softened, and he crouched down to her level again.

“Liki, you look absolutely beautiful,” he said, his voice steady. “I mean it.” Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, her tail curling slightly.

“Thank you,” she murmured. For a moment, the worries that had been gnawing at her seemed to fade.