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Alyx's story spoiler



— Get up, you have to go to university soon anyway, and this way, we'll have time for a walk.
She loved walking, loved seeing how the world had changed since her last visit, what had become of people. Surely, she saw something in it, something more than Leo could perceive. But that was beyond his reach.
He was simply starting to enjoy the company of his new companion, even though she treated him with her particular brand of teenage disdain. Who was he to judge her at just twenty?
After rummaging through the fridge and finding nothing better than a bun and some coffee, he quickly finished his modest breakfast. He went through his morning routine and was ready to head to university.
It was still too early. He wasn’t sure why he was rushing—perhaps he just wanted to please his companion.
She had been watching him the entire time with a sarcastic expression on her face. She was clearly bored, as she couldn't stray far from her host, and there was nothing to do in his small apartment, especially since she couldn’t interact with objects.
— Do you ever sleep at all? — Leo asked.
— No, but I can watch your dreams or even take part in them, like on our first night together, — at these words, she struck an overly suggestive pose, clearly mocking him.
— Tonight, you had nightmares. I saw them. But that’s normal for people like you. I’m afraid it’s forever.
— But that’s terrible! That means you’re stuck in one place for years!
— Not that many, — she smirked. — You’re stuck with yourself forever. Tell me, have you ever felt like you were sick of yourself, but there was nowhere to escape?
She nodded when she saw understanding in his eyes.
— I, at least, can change hosts.
— What happens if you switch to another host while the current one is still alive?
— Nothing. You’ll be left alone and defenseless. Most likely, a demon will take my place again, and you’ll try to kill yourself once more. But this time, there won’t be anyone to fight it off for you. I doubt you'd be lucky a third time.
— Come on, let’s go for a walk, — she stretched her back in a classic feline posture, once again as if loosening up her body.
***
They walked along the now-familiar path, the same one they had taken yesterday to the store, leading toward the metro station.
— You’ll need to change your wardrobe, — she remarked, looking him over.
— Why? — he asked, surprised. He didn’t like it when she gave him advice where he hadn’t asked for it.
She chuckled. — You’ll find out. Unless, of course, you want to end up naked in the middle of the city.
— And what exactly do you think I should wear?
— Something simpler and looser. I’ll help you pick something out when we get to one of your stores.
She had lived among humans for a long time—many generations, across different eras—and nothing about modern conveniences or electronics was unfamiliar to her. The only gaps in her knowledge came from brief periods when she was searching for a new host or when her host happened to be a recluse in some remote village, where the most advanced piece of technology was a tractor and a cow.
Leo hesitated before mumbling, — I don’t have that much money.
— Have you ever thought about finding a better way to make money? — she exclaimed with irritated surprise.
— Like what?
— Oh-ho-ho, my friend, — she drawled mischievously. — Have you ever heard of furries?
— Suppose I have… — he muttered, blushing slightly.
— ONLYFANS! — she threw up her hands with a grin.
— WHAT?! — Leo shouted.
— OnlyFans, — Alyx repeated in a mock-teacherly tone. — I could continue your transformation. Bet you'd be in high demand.
— Not a chance!
— Suit yourself. If you prefer painting fences for pennies… — she shrugged.
Near the metro station stood a large shopping mall.
This was the first time they had walked through a crowded place together. Leo had expected Alyx to simply glide through people like a ghost, but instead, she skillfully maneuvered around everyone walking past or toward them, never once bumping into anyone. Even her massive tail didn’t seem to be a problem.
They moved through the long hallways and corridors lined with shops. Alyx was carefully scanning the storefronts, looking for something in particular.
— I hope we’re not looking for a lingerie store? — Leo tried to joke in her usual style.
She simply shot him a disdainful look and continued her search with a proud stride. Finally, she stopped in front of a store specializing in street fashion.
— Go in, — she commanded with authority.
Skeptically, Leo stepped inside, refusing the consultant's help and quickly hid behind the clothing racks. Alyx instructed him to pull out various items and show them to her, and they went through almost the entire store.
It was difficult to follow her commands while pretending that no one was nearby, trying not to look crazy.
Eventually, she settled on a pair of loose, wide pants, a loose-fitting black hoodie that barely reached his waist—she said it was exactly what he needed, promising that he would understand later—and a simple white oversized t-shirt. The only item he actually liked, since he was a fan of oversized t-shirts.
With a heavy heart, they paid for everything and left, packing all the new clothes into his backpack.
— Now you’ll have to wear only this kind of clothes. If one set isn’t enough, you’ll have to buy the same one or something as similar as possible, — she instructed him in a commanding tone.
— What if I don’t?
— You talk a lot for someone who knows so little. Still haven’t figured it out?
He shot her an offended, questioning look.
— To fight demons, we need to become one. That means you’ll accept my form, and I’ll control our body to fight them.
Although subconsciously he had suspected such an answer after what she had done to his legs and arms, the news still shocked him. Now he realized that all the new clothes were for her tail and her height of just over two meters.
***
They reached the university courtyard.
His friends were already standing at the main gates that enclosed the campus grounds.
Some students, who couldn’t afford to rent housing or were newcomers, lived in university dormitories. Right now, there were especially many of them on the lawn in front of the main building of the institute.

— How are you? — Emily asked, clearly worried that he hadn’t done anything reckless overnight.
Leo blushed slightly, remembering the tip of Alyx’s tail. Of course, he wasn’t going to tell them about it—that would be too childish. But Alyx noticed and smirked slightly.
— I’m fine, — he muttered. — We went shopping this morning.
Seeing the unspoken question in his friends' eyes, he quickly added, — I’ll tell you later.