Welcome to Heat Street: C2 - Smile behind the teeth
Imported from SF2 with no description.
Elliot knocked twice on the door to apartment 3B, then stepped back exactly one meter. The tray in his hands was neatly wrapped in parchment, with a small card tucked beneath the twine: Welcome to The Perch — High-protein, low-sugar, carnivore-friendly. Shelf-stable. His handwriting was precise, two font sizes smaller than average.
Footsteps approached — heavy, deliberate. Not rushed.
The door opened.
The crocodile Beastborn who filled the frame didn't look surprised to see him. She looked like she was deciding whether to eat him or invite him in first. Green-scaled. Tall. Broad-shouldered. A heavy tail visible behind her hip. She wore a sleeveless hoodie that had seen better days, and her canvas pants were dusted with what looked like concrete powder. Her copper eyes swept over him without hesitation.
“Hi there," Elliot said. “I live next door. I wanted to welcome you. These are high-protein, low-sugar bars. Suitable for most omnivore and carnivore diets."
Her gaze dropped to the tray. Then back up to his face.
“You're the human."
“I'm not sure if I'm the human," Elliot said. “But I am a human." He offered the tray.
“Huh." She stepped back and swung the door wider with one hand, motioning him in with the other. “Well. You brought food. That gets you ten minutes."
Elliot nodded. “That seems fair."
Inside, the lights were dim. The furniture was big, heavy, and clearly reinforced to match her frame. The air smelled like oiled leather, clean soap, and something warm with spice to it. The walls were mostly bare, save for a coat rack with a security vest hanging from one hook and a worn punching bag still gently swaying in the corner.
“I'm Vetra," she said, taking the tray. “Night security. Spillover Bar. South Flats."
“Elliot Grayson," he answered. “Data analyst. Day cycle."
She smirked, peeled back the parchment, and inspected the bars. “You make these?"
“Yes," Elliot said. “I thought they might be useful."
She picked one up and bit into the edge without ceremony, chewing thoughtfully as she continued to watch him.
“Not bad," she said. “Kinda dense. In a good way."
“They're meant to last. I didn't know your dietary needs, but I saw you returning to your unit early a few times. Night work, I assumed. The bars should help with recovery."
That earned a soft huff. “You always size people up this fast?"
“Only when I'm bringing a gift."
That made her grin. She leaned one hip into the counter, watching him now with a little more interest — tail dragging slow behind her like a hook in still water.
“Alright, softskin," she said. “That's a good answer."
“I didn't realize there was a test."
“There usually is. Most don't know they're taking it."
Elliot stood calmly, posture relaxed, unaware that she was studying his shoulders more than the tray now. Vetra finished chewing the last bite and didn't move — but her tail gave a slow, deliberate flick across the floor.
“You're not what I expected," she said.
“I get that sometimes."
“Most males flinch when I look at them too long."
“Seems like an overreaction."
That pulled another low sound from her — somewhere between amusement and something darker, more aware. “You really are something."
“I haven't done anything unusual."
“That's the unusual part."
She finally pushed off the counter, nodding toward the door. “Alright. Ten minutes is up."
Elliot didn't argue. He turned without delay and headed toward the door. Vetra followed, her tone lighter now.
“Thanks for the bars."
“You're welcome," he said, stepping past the frame.
She leaned against the door as he passed, adding with a smirk, “I like a good chase, by the way."
Elliot paused. “Are you training for something?"
She gave him a look. Half-lidded. Sharp around the edges. “If you keep standing like that, I just might start."
He nodded, entirely sincere. “Then I hope it goes well."
The door shut behind him. Vetra stood there a moment longer, then let out a soft laugh.
“Stars help me," she muttered. “I'm gonna have fun with this one."
Back in 3C, Kaari looked up from the couch as Elliot entered. Her ears twitched, tail curled tight beside one leg. She'd heard the knock earlier — and the low, smooth thrum of a new voice through the wall. Female. Confident. Amused. The kind of tone Kaari didn't like coming from next door. Elliot walked in empty-handed, his expression neutral.
“She liked the bars," he said. Like that was the entire summary.
Kaari arched a brow. “Did she let you in?"
“Yes. Ten-minute exchange. I think it went well."
“You were gone twelve."
“She didn't enforce the time strictly."
Kaari sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing just slightly. “Did she say anything weird? Lean in close? Laugh for no reason?"
Elliot blinked. “She said I'm not what she expected, then watched me for a while. And she mentioned liking a good chase." Kaari froze. Elliot nodded slightly, still thoughtful. “She might be training for something. Though she looks plenty strong already."
Her mouth opened, then closed again. She made a low sound in her throat, somewhere between a sigh and a growl.
“You are... so lucky you're like this."
“Like what?"
“Never mind." She flopped backward onto the cushions.
Elliot stood there a moment longer. Then turned toward his room. Kaari watched him go, tail twitching.
“Dense little data brick," she muttered. “Nobody's catching you... and somehow you're the one everyone wants to chase."
In his room, Elliot pulled out his notebook, flipped to the next blank line, and began writing without looking up.
Neighbor 3B (Vetra) – Initial Interaction:
Accepted food offering without hesitation.
Allowed entry (approx. 12 mins total).
Commented on bars: "dense, in a good way."
No signs of territorial discomfort.
Comfortable posture, relaxed shoulders.
Slightly amused expression noted multiple times.
Observed: extended eye contact. Possibly social curiosity?
Mentioned enjoying a “good chase." Ambiguous. Possible reference to exercise or conflict instinct.
Roommate reaction (Kaari):
Initially passive.
Became agitated following summary.
Dismissive tone.
Verbal restraint.
Possible concern regarding neighbor dynamics.
No direct hostility.
Conclusion: Interaction successful. Relations between units 3B and 3C stable. Further contact likely.
He capped the pen and set the notepad down with care before walking out to eat breakfast. Behind him, Kaari groaned and dragged a pillow over her face.