Chapter 6

Magana’s sharp green feline eyes scanned the crowds on the Dragon Con floor from her perch. The black armor of her companion’s shoulder was surprisingly comfortable, and the vantage point was perfect for spotting friends in the sea of costumed attendees. She had met him—an earnest human with a deep voice and a surprisingly gentle touch—when they were both heading toward the Star Trek panel. He had offered his help when he saw her struggling to navigate the dense crowd, and she had accepted with a purr.

Her furry tail swished with excitement as she spotted a familiar pair of ears bobbing through the masses. Below her, Rosanna walked beside a tall, imposing woman dressed as Xena, Warrior Princess, complete with leather armor and a mock sword at her hip.

“Rosanna! Over here!” Magana called out, waving to catch her friend’s attention.

The squirrel-eared woman spotted them and steered her companion through the crowd. “Magana! I was hoping I’d find you.”

“It’s too crowded out here,” Magana said, her voice carrying over the convention noise. “Let’s find somewhere quieter.”

The man in the Darth Vader costume shifted slightly. “There’s a bar not far from here. We could grab drinks?”

“Perfect,” Rosanna agreed.

They navigated through the throngs of people until they reached the convention hotel bar, which was nearly as crowded as the main floor. Only two seats remained at the counter. The bikini-clad women exchanged knowing looks before Magana spoke.

“Darling, would you mind if I used your lap instead?” she asked, turning to her Vader companion.

“Of course, Mistress,” he replied, his voice muffled by the helmet.

Rosanna similarly arranged herself on her Xena companion’s lap, and they ordered drinks. As they casually sat perched on their humans, the bartender served their beverages.