The following is my submission for the Book Club panel at DVS.

This is not connected to the main storyline for Rickie/Terrafang, and should be viewed as a one-off "filler episode" or pilot. This is also my first foray into writing something in the Korps universe.

Enjoy!

CW: Intentional misgendering, referencing & alluding to Christianity, minor pro wrestling references, sarcasm, & crude humor

Ah, yes. Sunday morning. While the pious few gather in their circle jerk cathedrals, the rest of us sane folx have better things to do. Like taking your new friend to visit your favorite café you used to come to religiously every week to write.

...Funny.

The walk here from my car was short, though it's nice seeing all these houses in this little section of Axeford. Each one had their own unique charm and style to them. This area isn't busy either, despite the other shops and elementary school that were past the café. Even the railroad crossing and the long stretch of tracks running right next to the café never get much action. Makes the atmosphere in this little area quiet and peaceful.

The old building had a rustic charm to it, compared to all the modern buildings and houses you'd find around town. As I told Casey on our walk, Lakefront is a converted house that's said to be 100 years old! Sure, the outside paint was a bit chipped despite restoration efforts, but the rest of it looked solid.

I led my blue and cream-colored husky friend to the main entrance of the café, tucked along the side of the building. Here, we passed by several metal tables and chairs arranged on the lawn right outside, along with a few bikes propped up against the trees. Like the good gentle-tiger I am, I held open the aged, wooden and glass door for her, letting her fluffy tail brush against me. As soon as we stepped in, the wooden floor creaked against our footsteps, but it still felt solid.

The barista behind the small register booth gave me a frightened look as soon as we stepped inside. To be fair, I did look like I was in a biker gang with my getup: black and magenta lucha mask, fitted jeans that accented my hips, thighs, and ass, and my leather jacket with the winged Korps logo stitched on the back. If I looked strange to them now, they should see me in my leotard! It shouldn't surprise me, though, considering Casey felt iffy by my appearance at first too. But after I explained to her on our way here, she became more inquisitive.

Meanwhile, Casey dressed like how I used to back in college: a pair of basketball shorts, a dorky t-shirt of a chibi cat astronaut, fanny pack, and her blue hair tied up in a messy bun. You know, classic tomboy look.

Despite the looks the other customers and staff gave us, the inside of the café felt cozy, rustic, and inviting, as any good café should.

There were many themed decorations scattered throughout the café, ranging from the canoe hung up on the wall near the ceiling, to the four decorative oars lined up along one wall, and to the many paintings, photos, and other wall decorations scattered about. Around the corner from us that led to another section of the café, one would pass by their two, gender-neutral bathrooms, each having that same, cozy vibe. There was a small stage tucked away in the farthest corner from us, reserved for the many local musicians the café hosted in the evenings. This was also near a set of glass double doors that lead out to the back patio. Situated in the middle of the café were a set of stairs that lead down into a cozy basement area.

I always liked the idea of converting an old building into something else, yet keeping its original aesthetic. It can give it that fresh, yet genuine feeling you don't see too often nowadays.

I tried to be as gentle and friendly as possible when ordering our drinks, even if the young mallard behind the booth stiffened up. After paying and taking a numbered table tent, we set off to find a seat. Unfortunately, there weren't many seating options available when we got here. Taking a quick survey, I saw a table along the far wall perpendicular from us that was available. I took the seat facing away from the wall, giving me a good vantage point, off-chance something happens.

Which I really, really hope nothing happens! Nope!

We chatted for a bit after taking our seats. I let her air out her grievances with her dead-end factory job until another barista, a shrew, gave us our drinks. Casey then began asking me questions about the Korps, though I made sure to be careful with such sensitive information. As we talked, the little blips and small text in the left corner of my lens indicated Rose created a basic profile on the husky, linking it to my own.

So far, the morning's been like any other time I used to come here, aside from the obvious. Nothing weird or crazy, nothing sensual or sexual, just good, calm vibes.

...At least, I hope it stays that way.

I guess it's a good thing Lakefront isn't anywhere near the Korps base, nor is it near the Crusader League's base. Less likelihood of an unnecessary encounter.

"...So, yeah, that's basically what the Korps is all about," I finished up, leaning back in my chair. I had my leg outstretched off to one side, with one arm resting over the back of the chair. Very ladylike. "Any more questions you have?"

I didn't spill too much, did I, Rose?

Not at all, dear, chimed the built-in AI of my RCGs known as ROSE (or Rose if you wanted to be more casual). She seems trustworthy. It still amazes me how we can communicate by thoughts alone! Sure it freaked me out at first, but once I got used to it, I liked the privacy it provided.

"Um...no, I don't think so," Casey replied, taking another delicate sip of her foamy hot chocolate. "It all sounds amazing!"

"Well, if you'd like, and if I can get security clearance, I could show you around the base sometime. That is, if visitors are allowed, anyway."

"Yeah! That sounds like it'd be fun!" Casey yipped as her bushy husky tail wagged behind her, fanning the little bits of dust and dirt on the floor.

That's a hard 'no,' sadly. Unless she was a rescue, captive, or arrived by accident, your date is not allowed a casual visit.

Was worth a shot. And this isn't a date... Thank the gods this mask hides my face well. I sat up straighter and took a sip of my latte to try and focus my mind again.

Keep telling yourself that, tiger.

I chuckled, staring down at my latte for a moment, then back up at her. I'm sure she found it weird to look me in the eyes, as she'd be looking into the rose colored lenses that obscured them. It's better off that way for good reason; she'd freak if she saw what my eyes look like now after...after what he did to me. Yet when I looked back up from my foamy, lukewarm latte, my fur stood on end under my clothing and my tail stiffened.

"Woah, hey now!" The husky gal backed up, scooting her chair in the process. "Why the sudden aggression? I thought you–"

"Sorry, it's not you, Casey," I reassured her while trying to calm down. "It's nothing you need to worry about, okay?"

She looked at me puzzled, raising a brow and turned around to glance behind her. She chuckled a bit, then turned back to me. "That other cat in the purple and white bodysuit looks more suspicious than you, Rickie."

"Just another hero from the Crusader League," I replied as I kept myself alert.

Why is he here in the first place? I heard Rose scanning the black cat for a profile on him. Lines of text scrolled into view on the left side of my vision.

Name: Kevin Alexander Sapienti

Alias: Psycat

Age: Early 20s

Pronouns: He/Him

Organization: Crusader League

Power(s): Telekinesis

No other information at this time.

He looks new, I commented. This "Psycat" didn't look familiar back when I was part of the Crusader League...

He must be. I haven't collected a lot of data on him yet, she replied.

"What's the Crusader League?" I heard Casey ask.

I began to explain what I knew about them. I didn't want to tell her too much, though, especially not about my past tenure with them. Not that I had much of a chance to anyway, as we were rudely interrupted by that stupid, black cat.

"Well, well, well," he said with a sassy, feminine tone, "I never expected you to be here, of all places."

I glared right at him, showing only a little bit of my teeth. "And I never expected you to be here, Psycat."

"Mmm, I've heard about you, Geocat," he quipped back, using my former hero name. "You were quite the troublemaker, from what I've heard."

I kept glaring at him. A little more teeth came into view. I started sizing him up and, well, he didn't look like he'd be much of a fight.

He then turned to Casey. "And who might this lovely canine be?" He flirted, placing a finger under her chin. She snapped her jaws at him and scurried out of her seat to get away from him. I shot up out of my seat, almost knocking the table over, ready to kill him.

The whole café went dead quiet; all eyes on us.

"Keep your paws off her!" I yelled, jamming a finger right at him.

He lowered his arm and gave me such a shit-eating grin. "What? Is she your girlfriend or something?"

"She's not my girlfriend!" I growled as my claws came out, fur and tail standing up on end and frizzed out even more now.

Terra! Calm down!

"Alright you two! Take it outside!" I heard the same tiny shrew barista yell at us, cutting off our bickering, "Before I call the cops on both your asses!"

"Ma'am, I can handle this brute just fine," the scrawny black cat reassured her while holding up a paw. He then stood tall and proud in front of the tiny shrew, fist over his chest, and to anyone who would bother to look. "I am Psycat! The newest soldier of the Crusader League! Protectors of the innocent and conquerors of all that is evil!" Oh gods...he's giving her that stupid speech we had to memorize when introducing ourselves to civilians. So embarrassing...

I tuned out what Psycat was saying to the poor barista. C'mon, you think she gets paid enough to deal with your pompous ass?

I suggest leaving before things escalate, Rose chimed in again. That was a close call back there.

Agreed. I then held out my paw to Casey, who stood frozen, back tight against the wall, terrified, confused. "Let's go, okay?" I ask her in as gentle of a tone as I could.

I knew right away she trusted me with how fast she took my paw, even snuggling up close to me as if I was her protector. I kept the husky girl close and escorted us out the other way, hoping Psycat wouldn't noti–

"And where do you think you're going?"

I froze in my tracks, claws digging into the floor boards to not lose balance as I felt an invisible force pull on my tail. I turned around and snatched it from that invisible grip, holding and petting it for a moment. If there was one thing to piss me off instantly, it was that.

"You do know our little spat is just between us, right?" He teased with a smug-ass grin, showing his much smaller fangs. "Why don't you let your little girlfriend stay inside and we both handle this like men, hmmm?"

Hold up! Does he know I'm trans?

I heard a few blips from Rose as she tried to scan Psycat's mind, but she indicated an error. Hmmm, can't seem to detect anything currently. But if you can get him to use his telekinetic powers often enough, that should open up a channel for me to poke around.

Good. Because I'm ready to punch his face in. My heart raced in anticipation, blood pumping through my veins, adrenaline rising, I could sense the earth beneath the foundation and creaky floorboards of the café. Rose knew right away what my intentions were, as I could tell she began to speak to me in a gentle but firm tone.

Don't kill him, please. I'm detecting quite a lot of insecurity from him. We may be able to help him instead.

"Well?" Psycat yelled at me with his purple-clad arms crossed, "I'm waiting!"

Geeze, attitude, much? Guess I must've been staring off into space while chatting with Rose.

"Okay, fine," I replied, being as snarky as possible, "We'll settle this outside like 'men'!" I squeezed both my au naturel C cup boobs to make a point before heading out the other door, making damn sure he saw my wide hips as I made my exit. I might be one of the few Korps agents who opted out of any augmentations offered to me; the exception was the artificial ovary installation. That made me less male than bottom surgery alone did; I felt like a more natural woman thanks to that. If there was one thing I didn't miss about the Crusader League, it's their silent misogyny and bigotry. They'll tolerate you if you prove your worth, but won't put in much effort to make you feel welcomed if you're queer.

And then there's this noob who I'm rearing to slam headfirst into the pavement.

I sighed as I looked around outside. I'd rather have our battlefield be in the financial district, Eklund Park, at the abandoned docks near my arena, anywhere but this cute, little neighborhood.

Not fighting him is also an option, dear.

I nodded in agreement. I'll play it by ear.

I stood on the end of the road closest to the school, leather-covered arms crossed over my busty chest, waiting for Psycat to join me. Not too long after I stepped out onto the street, I heard sirens in the distance getting louder and louder. My seismic sense told me there seemed to be two, three, possibly four squad cars heading this way. So long as they don't get in the way or start drawing their guns on me, I'll have minimal issues with them. But as soon as one of those hotheads fires a shot at me...

Try not to destroy too much civilian property, please, I heard Rose chime in, sounding more annoyed with me. She had every right to; I do tend to go overboard when fighting.

Can't make any promises, I replied as I stood out in the middle of the street facing the café. I zipped up my leather jacket as I waited; no sense letting this flap around. My seismic sense detected Casey hiding inside the café. Good. She'll be safer there...I hope.

As soon as Psycat stepped out into the summer sun, he was dripping with egotism. His gait onto the street, his upright, pompous posture, how he waved to the few onlookers and cops nearby. The dude was just reveling in a victory he has yet to achieve. I hate to admit, he'd make an excellent jobber for sure.

"So, kitten," he teased as he tried to intimidate me with his piercing yellow eyes. Yeeeeah, your flamboyant voice is really selling that, bud. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Oooo, cracking your knuckles while you glare at me. Oh, I'm so scared! I rolled my eyes as I saw him do that.

Surprised I got a chuckle out of Rose; rarely did she do so at my sarcasm.

"How about we do this my way, hmm?" I snapped back.

"And what might that be, kitten?"

I put my paws in my small jean pockets, then kicked at the ground like I was casually kicking a soccer ball. A small column of asphalt and hard soil suddenly shot up right into Psycat's crotch. I could hear the resounding "oooo"s of the onlookers on top of Psycat's mewls as we all watched him writhe about on the ground protecting his nethers.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! You fucking brute! Hrrrk!" His belt tightened around his waist on its own for a second, then relaxed.

Something I didn't miss about the Crusader League: those damn belts we had to wear. Anytime we stepped out of line, they would automatically constrict as a reminder to behave. This can range from swearing, to murder, theft, having dirty thoughts, the list goes on. The intensity and length of constrictions varied based on the infraction. Mine constricted around me so often it broke. Twice.

I grinned as I watched him write around, paws still in my pockets and my tail rising and swaying behind me. "What's the matter, KITTEN!? Can't take a shot to your tiny balls!?"

Psycat struggled to stand back up, though did so with such dramatics as if he was trying to sell it. The fur of his tail stood on end as it shot straight out as his adorable face "tried" to stare daggers into me. "Guess we're doing this the hard way!"

With that, he looked this way and that, then tossed a car at me without moving his body except his arm and head.

"Shit." I snapped to my fighting stance and whipped my arms up as if blocking a punch, commanding another chunk of the ground to block the car.

My car...

My car!!

"C'mon, really!"

That stupid cat went back to his cocky attitude as he grinned at me. "Oh I'm just getting started!" Similar as before, he uprooted a whole tree with no effort and tossed it my way, not once moving from where he stood. I jumped and rolled out of the way, letting it crash into what appeared to be a vacant auto shop. Then he tossed a few of the tables and chairs outside the café at me; most I could dodge but some nicked me here and there.

Good! Good! Keep getting him to use his powers! I've gotten a lot off of him already!

I hope it's worth it.

Rose snickered. Funny. Seems he has similar issues to you, Terra.

"Where's that aggression now, kitten!?" He jeered, throwing more random objects at me, be it bits of branches, a part of a fence, another tree, anything he could get his paws on. Er...mind, I guess. It didn't matter. I'm still nimble and enduring, dodging and blocking most of his attacks. Plus his aim sucks.

I then noticed the imposing railroad crossing signals nearby. Thinking fast, I stomped down to shoot a bit of the ground upwards, launching myself atop the nearest crossing signal, using all four of my paws and cat-like nimbleness to keep balance. I then immediately sprung off towards this jobber hero, going for a diving double axe handle to his head.

**BOOM**

"You missed, kitten."

"No shit, Sherlock!" I went to charge at him out of the little impact crater I made but felt that same, weird sensation from earlier, stop me dead in my tracks. I tried to wiggle out of Psycat's invisible grip as he raised me off the ground, but stopped once I realized how futile that was.

He let out a little snicker upon seeing my predicament. "The little house cat has overpowered the big, tough, tiger. And with such ease too!"

Oh this little shit's gonna get it when I get out of this.

"God be praised! The Crusader League will reward me handsomely for capturing and returning one of their former soldiers. And by His wisdom, we'll fix that little, ugh, 'gender issue' you have." His little monologue and toothy grin made me wonder who the real villain is in this situation. I tuned out the rest of his stupid monologue (something about the Korps being a bunch of sexual deviants or whatever) while he kept me in this stasis. Meanwhile, Rose continued extracting whatever information she could.

Okay! I should have all the information on him I need for now!

Great! Now can I beat him up?

ONLY enough to knock him out, please. She spoke in her stern, motherly tone again. I didn't mind it, though. This little black kitten is lost, confused, and needs better help than whatever the Crusader League is poisoning him with.

K.O. only. Got it!

Meanwhile, Psycat got lost in his monologue while Rose and I were having our little chat. "Hey!" I yelled, growing impatient and wanting to get this dumb fight over with.

"Excuse me! You're interrupting!"

"Are you done yet so I can kick your ass?" I noticed he must've loosened his grip when I asked him, finding I was able to move a little now.

Perfect.

"Uh, no. Clearly you need to understand whose side you're really on and why leaving the Crusa–HEY!! Ngggh!!"

I was able to restrain his whole body in a cone-shaped bit of earth tight around him. Little did he know, my connection with the earth below me remained even if I'm hovering above the ground. Once his telekinetic grip released me, I dropped back on the ground with ease, clapping his head between my paws as the rocky casing crumbled. Grabbing the top of his head, I dragged him back towards the street. He, of course, tried to throw more objects at me as I did so, but anything he attempted to throw was either small, didn't make it far, or must've been too "heavy" for him.

Good.

I tossed him to the ground like the trash hero he was. "C'mon! That all you got? Throwing stuff around with your mind!?"

Psycat didn't want to get up, but a little kick right on that stupid symbol on his belt must've encouraged him. I thought I kicked him too hard when he mewled and held his core, but I remembered how...tight that belt could constrict around the wearer. I felt bad for him; he looks so small and scrawny.

Then I got an idea.

"Hey! How good are you at using your fists?" I asked, towering over him, paws resting on my hips.

He gave me an irritated growl as he got up, panting hard. "That's for barbarian degenerates like you!"

"I'll take that as a compliment." I put my fists up and threw a fast 1-2 to his face, knocking him out and making him ragdoll onto the ground. I relaxed my arms and sighed, feeling disappointed in such a piss-poor fight.

**BANG BANG BANG**

"Shit!" I threw up a rocky wall right as I heard the gunshots, forming a shell surrounding us. I threw a short punch towards the ground, forcing the earth below us to open up into a small hole. With Psycat in a fireman's carry, I jumped in and burrowed my way underground far enough to get us to safety.

Terra! What about your girlfriend!?

"SHE'S NOT MY......AGH! Forget it!"