Heracles turned down the rocky path etched out of the ground beneath him. A lone boy contrasted against the pastel countryside.

He sauntered over the dust carpeted earth. The serene hush of the countryside magnified the patter of his little sandals over the packed dirt.

His feet were on auto-pilot, as his mind whirred with all the strange things happening his morning. He neared his favorite play spot. It was a secluded pond. Normally, Heracles would go there to rest and nap, today he just wanted to remove him self from Persia's crooked grin and his mother's fiery eyes.

The entrance to the grove was marked by a patch of tall grass. Heracles wiggled past the fanning blades and stumbled into the clearing.

Yet another strange occurrence presented itself.

A girl was playing by the waterside. (Sorry, male readers) She was murmuring something to a black ball of fuzz curled up in her lap. Her back was turned to Heracles, allowing in to walk up quietly and tap her on the shoulder.

"Eek!" The girl squealed and leaped into the air.

Heracles staggered back. He didn't know what else to say next or if he should say anything at all. Eventually, he broke the silence.

"S-sorry. I'm not very good with new people..."

The girl's face was lit up with a smile.

"That's okay! Who are you?"

"Gre- Heracles" 

"Nice to meet you, Heracles. I'm (Y/n) and this is Gata."

The black ball of fluff shivered at the sound of this own name. Two green eyes shone out from the furry shadow.  The animal made the most peculiar sound.

Mew!

Heracles took a step back from the unknown animal.

"What's wrong? It's just a cat."

Heracles tilted his head inquisitively. 

"Well... They have pointy ears, soft fur, and are super cute." (Y/n) said with a large grin tagging along.  "Like this!"

(Y/n) untied the pendant from her neck and showed it to Heracles. It was the black outlined silhouette of a cats face. 

Heracles fell unto his butt and almost dropped the necklace as a slender soft body rubbed against his leg. Gata nuzzled his cheek.

"He likes you!" (Y/n) giggled.

Heracles spared one of his rare barely visible smiles. He was starting to like this girl.