Vicky walked up to the pile of tires. Laying on several slept Avera. She had curled herself up into a small ball, her arms wrapped around her bent legs. Drool leaked from her open mouth. Vicky took one step closer. Avera’s left eye snapped open and located Vicky. “I always knew you were no mere mortal… but I had no idea that you were a cat,” Vicky said. Avera uncurled herself, rolled up onto her knees and palms before arching…
The noise started off quiet, unheard over the din of the shoppers as they milled in and out of shops, down vast arcade halls with a multitude of stalls, and marveled at the displays. In moments the sound became a low guttural grumble as the massive steam fed engines cranked out of idle. A small handful of people turned their heads towards the growing noise but continued their business. As the engines thundered to life, the rumbling pitched itself into…