[center][color=gold][h2]Valeria Silaov[/h2][/color][/center]

It seemed to be a mutual understanding when their little group broke up, though Kyle’s departure was rather sudden. Val tilted her head as she watched him leave, akin to a puppy, before turning to her own things to begin packing up as the others did. A thoughtful hum bubbled up in her throat as the others expressed their own little oddities, but…

[color=gold]”I do not have one, I think,”[/color] The athlete stated, unsure, as she threw her bag over her shoulder. [color=gold]”I will have to think on it!”[/color] She flashed the others a grin, raising a hand to give a wave before departing.

A minute after everyone had already left however, Val returned. She forgot to pay the bill. Oops.

It was only later that night that the thoughts churned in her mind. Her workout routine was almost automatic, an easy to remember pattern that she didn’t even have to think about and was engraved in her mind. What was Val particularly good at? The only thing that really crossed her mind was she was a little more athletic than her peers. Something she was very proud of, but that was only her own hard work.

It had to be.

A deep sigh escaped Val’s nose as her phone went off nearby, and she set the dumbbell in one hand down to reach out for it. The weight clanked loudly, but her ground floor apartment was only shared with her cats for this particular reason. In truth, she was very lucky with everything that life has granted to her - and her very supportive parents, of course.

Actually, her phone’s buzz reminded her of something. Val quickly opened the group chat that Caleb had sent Kyle’s notes to, typing out a quick [color=gold][b]’This is Val, please feel free to add my phone number’[/b][/color] followed by a few heart emojis, and a turtle since it was cute. Satisfied, she thumbed the notification for a new text, and promptly laughed out loud at the message from Caleb. It was nice that he was so accepting, even if he did call her a sea creature. She typed out a quick thumbs up emoji, only to quickly erase it as inspiration struck. Instead, she sent eight thumbs up with an octopus emoji in the middle. Brilliant.

Quite pleased with herself, Valeria set her phone down and reached for the dumbbell once more, only to pause.

[color=gold]”Oh no, the essay!”[/color]

Another pause.

[color=gold]”Wait, did anyone else get a heart in their drink?”[/color]

[hr]

A sharp gasp escaped Val’s lips as she half sat up in bed with a startled jerk, a yowl sounding from her chest. She caught herself for only a moment, before her stricken gaze quickly found the displeased, fluffy forest cat that had tumbled into her lap into an equally unimpressed white and orange bastard.

[color=gold][i]”Oh, Rybka, I’m sorry boy! Here, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”[/i][/color] Her hands soothed over his fur, the russian words slipping out easily. As the other cat squirmed away, another hand found his ears to scratch behind them - this one a glowing orange. Soothing the two cats and asking their forgiveness chased away the shadows of the dream that still clung to Valeria’s mind, wisping away with countless others and leaving only an impression of darkness, and glowing eyes peering at her from high above.

Valeria’s morning routine was amazingly efficient when she had access to a helping hand - or four. As she stretched her actual arms high above her head, loosening up for her morning run, a glowing hand ran her brush through her hair. Another two were readying her cats’ food, and a fourth was struggling to open her phone. Apparently whatever these light-based appendages were made of, the screen of a modern smart phone couldn’t recognize it. Finally Val gave up and grabbed the phone with her actual hand to open it.

[color=gold][b]’I am aware of a couple boys that are quite tired of me waking them with these dreams’[/b][/color] She sent quickly in response to Caleb. Setting the food bowls down, she snapped a pic of Rybka and Creamsicle gathering and attached it after her message.

[color=gold][i]”You two be good, I’ll be back soon!”[/i][/color]