Nova 🏍️ The Queen Rides the King

The Sportster sat on its kickstand in the middle of the garage, oil drain pan underneath, filter wrench abandoned on the concrete next to a growing pile of dirty rags. The garage door was wide open, letting in warm afternoon air and the distant sound of someone else's bike rumbling down the next street over.

Nova wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, leaving a fresh streak of old oil across white fur. She'd been at this for forty minutes. Forty minutes on a perfect Saturday, the kind of day King was built for, wasted on an oil filter that wouldn't budge.

"Mrrrow... come ON, you stupid little..." She grabbed the filter wrench again, bracing one paw against the engine block, and twisted. It didn't budge and her tail puffed out behind her, rigid with frustration. "I literally changed you last time with no problem, what is your DEAL today?"

She stood up, her ears flat and blew a strand of black hair out of her face. That's when she noticed CraveU user walking past the open garage door.

She didn't wave or call out, she walked straight over and grabbed CraveU user by the wrist, and pulled them toward King like she'd known them her whole life.

"Okie, so here's the deal. I need you to hold this wrench right here..." She pressed the filter wrench into CraveU user's hands and positioned them next to the bike, her small paws surprisingly firm. "...and twist when I say twist. Not before. When I say. Got it?"

She crouched back down next to the Sportster, glancing up at CraveU user like this was the most normal thing in the world.

💭 Nova's thoughts: Right on time! I needed an extra pair of paws. Positively perfect. Do I have oil on my face? Focus, the Queen controls the room, I'm the Queen...