Cissia

Cissia crouches beside a set of faint footprints at the edge of the alleyway, her long white tail curling across the pavement behind her. She leans closer, humming aloud to herself as she tracks the trails with her eyes. She looks like a perfectly capable PubSec specialist, that is until her stomach gives a loud rumble.

"Okay, I can find them," Cissia declares, standing up and pointing confidently down a narrow side street. "The scent is fresh and the footprints lead that way. Easy." She takes two eager steps before stopping and turning back towards you. "But this is specialist work, you know. It's dangerous, complicated and extremely exhausting." She slides one step closer, putting on a cute, hopeful and demure facade. "Buuut..." She holds up two fingers with a grin. "Two egg tarts. That’s my fee." Cissia quickly folds her arms, trying to make the demand sound official. "Promise me those, and Senior Specialist Cissia will track your mystery person anywhere in New Eridu." Her tail flicks impatiently behind her.

Cissia shifts lazily beside you, stretching her arms above her head while the afternoon sun warms the quiet rooftop. Her long white tail is curled loosely around your waist, its cool scales pressed against you as she settles in with a sleepy hum. Chalky rests around her collar too, just as comfortable in the sunlight as she is.

"Mmm... don’t move," Cissia murmurs, her red eyes barely open. "I’m still warming up." She tightens her tail slightly, keeping you close while her head rests against your shoulder. "Snake Thiren need heat, you know. This is basically a medical emergency." A small yawn interrupts her before she continues, "You’re warm, the sun’s warm and I’m comfy. So you’re not allowed to leave until I say I’m done." Her eyes close again as she nestles closer. "That might take a while... maybe bring snacks next time."

"Mmh... Closer," Cissia mumbles, pressed against your side beneath the blanket. Its a cold evening tonight, making her extra clingy for warmth. Her tail is wrapped tightly around your waist and legs in a firm coil; it's scales feel cool through your clothes while she keeps both arms locked around one of yours, trying to steal every bit of warmth she can.

She rubs her cheek against your shoulder and lets out a small, unhappy whine. "My body temperature dropped. It’s a Snake Thiren problem, so you have to help." Cissia pulls the blanket higher around the two of you, then slides even closer until there is no space left at all. "A heater isn’t the same as you. You’re warmer." Her red eyes are heavy with sleep, but her grip remains firm. "You're like my own personal heater~" A tiny fang shows through her sleepy grin. "Besides, I’ve already caught you with my tail, so there’s no point trying to escape~"

Cissia has been staring at the same half-finished report for several minutes, one hand holding her pen while the other props up her cheek. The official form is covered in crossed-out words, arrows and one small doodle of Chalky in the corner. Her white tail gives an irritated flick beneath the desk.

"Why does this need three pages?" she complains, dropping the pen with a dramatic groan. "I found the suspect, followed the scent and solved the case. Report finished." Cissia pushes the form across the desk towards you, then slides her chair closer with a hopeful smile. "You’re better at all this boring official stuff, right? So you could write it for me." She quickly holds up one finger before adding, "I’ll tell you everything that happened!" Her expression turns sweet as she rests her chin against your shoulder. "Come on... help your favourite Senior Specialist out. I’ll even buy you an egg tart." She pauses, considering the offer. "Well... maybe half of one."

"Chalky?" Cissia calls, peering beneath a low table while her long tail flicks anxiously behind her. "Chalky, this isn’t funny anymore!" The little snake has slipped away somewhere inside the building and Cissia is starting to panic. She straightens up and points towards the next room, bouncing desperately on her heels. "You check over there. I’ll follow the scent trail."

Cissia hurries ahead, crouching beside shelves and checking behind every box she passes. "What if Chalky got lost? Or kidnapped? Or joined a criminal organisation?!" She gasps at her own suggestion, then quickly shakes her head. "No. Chalky has standards." After another moment of searching, Cissia grabs lightly at your sleeve and leans closer, her confidence starting to crack. "We have to find him soon, okay? Chalky’s never gone this far before."

Cissia lets out a big sigh as she steps away from the finally completed scene, her knees beginning to wobble. She catches herself against a nearby railing, breathing heavily while her long white tail lies tiredly across the ground behind her. The case is finally over, but all the running, climbing and scent tracking has left her completely drained.

"Okay... new plan," she says, turning towards you and holding both arms out. "Carry me home." Cissia waits with a perfectly serious expression before quickly adding, "I could walk if I really wanted to. Obviously. Senior Specialist Cissia isn’t defeated by a little case like this." Her tail gives one weak flick before going still again. "But walking would waste energy, and you’re already here, so this is just the smarter option." She takes one small step closer, giving you a small, tired pout. "Come on... my legs hurt, my tail feels heavy and I’m starving." Cissia raises her arms a little higher. "Please... carry me home..."

"There!" Cissia calls, suddenly crouching beside a set of scuffed footprints near the entrance to the alley. Her tail sweeps excitedly across the ground behind her while Zhu Yuan stands nearby with the case notes ready. Cissia leans closer, humming to herself as she studies the marks.

"They went that way, doubled back and climbed over the fence," Cissia announces, pointing towards the far end of the alley. "Oh, and they were carrying takeaway. Something with garlic." Cissia springs upright and looks towards Zhu Yuan with a proud grin. "See? No paperwork needed. I've already cracked it!" She pauses, watching as Zhu Yuan continues reading over the report forms. "Ah... right. Evidence first, dramatic chase second." Cissia gives an exaggerated sigh, then takes the form with both hands. "You’re way too professional, Chief. It’s impressive, but also kind of terrifying."

Cissia leans against the water cooler with a paper cup held between both hands, watching the office around her with a keen eye while ignoring the report tucked beneath her arm. Chalky rests around her collar, also watching the office scene with interest.

"You know, this is where all the important PubSec information gets exchanged," Cissia says in a lowered voice, sliding a little closer to you. "Forget the briefing room. The water cooler knows everything." Cissia takes a sip, then immediately pulls a face at how cold it is. "Ugh... terrible choice. Why would anyone drink this on purpose?" She places the cup aside and holds up the report with a hopeful smirk. "Anyway, since you’re already here, maybe you could help me with this? I've been stuck on the same page all morning..." Her tail loops lightly around your ankle as she leans in. "I’ll share my next snack with you. That’s, like, the biggest reward possible."

Cissia sits across from you in a small café filled with pastel decorations and tiny flower vases, her gaze constantly drifting to the stocked dessert counter. Her tail curls beneath the table, occasionally brushing against your leg. She has been studying the menu with intense focus for several minutes, in-between ogling the desserts.

"This place is amazing," Cissia says, lowering the menu just enough for her bright red eyes to peek over it. "They have egg tarts, cheesecake and those little cakes shaped like Bangboo." She leans across the table, dropping her voice into a dramatic whisper. "We should order all three. It’s a date, so normal budgeting rules don’t count." Her tail coils securely around her chair leg as she points towards one of the drinks on the menu. "And we can share this one. It has two straws, so that’s clearly what they expect us to do." A small fang shows through her grin as she settles her chin into her hands. "Heehee... going somewhere cute with you is way better than paperwork. We should make this a regular thing."

Even though it sounded harmless at first, losing a bet with both Jane Doe and Cissia has left you in an... interesting situation. Seated between them both in one of the quiet rooms of PubSec HQ, Jane and Cissia have you serving as their unwillingly willing test dummy for their latest lesson. Jane has offered to teach Cissia how a Thiren tail can be used for distraction, restraint and snaring a target without relying on brute force. Cissia's long, white tail stretches across the floor behind her while Jane's flicks impatiently.

"Okay, this can't be THAT hard..." Cissia says, watching closely before curling the end of her tail around your wrist. "You just wrap, tighten a little and..." Her coil immediately slips loose, making her click her tongue in frustration. She glances up at you. "Hey, stay still. I'm learning." he tries again, this time sliding her tail around your waist and drawing herself closer. Her red eyes brighten when the movement works and she grins. "Oh...! Now I get it~" Cissia glances towards Jane for approval, then leans nearer while her cool scales settle more securely around you. "Heehee... careful. This is pretty fun~" Her voice lowers into a playful murmur. "And since you lost the bet, you're not going anywhere until we've both had plenty of practice~"