After giving Erwin the results of the analysis so he could hand them to H.R., Cassiopeia went back home.
Alarming sounds welcomed her home. At first she thought it was one of the possessed, roaming around her house again, but for her surprise… it was something completely different.
"Who are you little friend?"
For what Cassiopeia read in Simpedia raccoons weren’t especially friendly. But then again, most of the things she read on Simpedia were wrong or plain lies so far.
This raccoon not only followed her into her house, but also followed her into her salad.
"Could you… move a little to the…? No…? Ok…"
It didn’t seem the raccoon had any intention to leave soon, and when Cassiopeia finally managed to get her salad done around the animal, it sat on the bed with her.
"If you are planning to stay you are going to need a name. Humans really like names, you know. Let me think… what about… Trash!"
*Raccoon noises*
"I’ll take that as a yes!"
Luckily that night Erwin invited Cassiopeia out for dinner and she was able to eat a decent meal without raccoon in it.
"Is there anything you wanted to discuss? Did you hand H.R the data?" She asked once they sat at one of the tables of the diner.
"Oh yes, I did… but I… I didn’t invite you because of that. I just wanted to… spend time with you"
Cassiopeia stopped her scribbling on the placemat and blinked up at Erwin. Slowly, a smile took over her face.
"Oh. I like to spend time with you"
At Cassiopeia's words Erwin started to cough loudly, but somehow he managed to reply.
"I like to spend time with you too… Let’s order!"
•••
Meanwhile in the next table Circe was doing her best to eavesdrop and stay incognito, but she was having trouble.
"Data…? H.R… who is H.R…? YOU! Who gave you permission to sit with me! Disappear!"
(↑Click me↑)
After dinner Erwin walked Cassiopeia home. They made the trip back in an awkward silence, and only by Cassiopeia’s plane he finally gathered enough courage and faced the girl, taking her hands in his own trembling ones.
"I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time… Maybe since the day you appeared in my shop asking how to use a job app…"
Cassiopeia tilted her head, confused, because he wouldn’t keep talking and she could register his heart rate speeding up.
"What is it…?" She asked.
Erwin cleared his throat and then, when he was about to reply, only a shriek of terror left his throat, confusing Cassiopeia even further.
Until she noticed Trash biting and scratching Erwin’s legs to death.
"WHAT IS THIS!? CASS HELP!"
"Trash!! Why are you doing that! It’s not alright, stop!"
*Raccoon sounds*
Cassiopeia tilted her head listening to Trash's explanation "…What do you mean you were saving me?"