Janette believed she was the first of the group to rise up early morning, stretching her limbs before hugging herself tight when a chill swept through and brushed against her bare chest. She regretted getting out of bed, shivering and naked from head to toe. It was the gentle purring to her right that reminded her of last nights celebration and how far along it progressed, the memories flooding back as she began to blush and cover her mouth, suddenly she no longer felt so cold. Touching her bottom lip, she watched the sleeping couple cuddled up with the cat girl resting her head on his chest, several strands of silver hair tickling her nose while his chest slowly raised back and forth. She sucked in her breath when she acknowledged the numerous cuts and lacerations scattered across his skin, what in the name of the god's happened to this man? Initially she wondered if he was some sort of criminal, but that memory was dismissed for a number of reasons. Had he been some sort of thief, the common punishment around here would be the loss of his hand. At a closer glance, these marks did not appear to be made from a whip but rather something else... something feral. Curious, some looked to be deep puncture wounds while others looked like he was tortured by a wild animal, but these claws didn't fit the cat girl, right?
No, that was silly. She got closer to her in an unexpected way just the other night, monster girls are many things but this one was not aggressive in that way.
Even more curious was the scar around his neck, something peaking from the back that circled a bit to the side where she had noticed. It was hard to tell since his head was laying against a pillow, but that did not look to be a normal scar. No, it was a number marked into his skin, a tattoo perhaps. Felix with a tattoo? Maybe she had a lot more to learn about this man, she wouldn't have guessed he would have a tattoo at all. Leaning closer to get a read on it, she was able to make out that the exposed mark was the number five. The rest remained hidden at the back of his neck, when suddenly his head rolled to the side as they locked eyes.
She froze and felt the hairs at the back of her neck stiffen up like icicles.
"It's not nice to stare." His voice was sleepy as he rubbed his eyes and sat up, his hair now concealing the rest of the tattoo away from her eyes.
"Sorry, I... I was just surprised. I didn't take you to be one who fancy's himself a tattoo." She explained apologetically, rubbing her arm while simultaneously covering her breasts.
"Let's not talk about that, okay? Did you sleep well?" He yawned, scratching his chest before looking over the edge of the bed. "I think all of our clothes are scattered around the fireplace."
"Ah, I see. Um, well then." She held her hands over her tits, clearing her throat and sinking under the covers to keep warm and covered up. "Would you um, could you go fetch me my clothes from there? It's awful cold."
Felix smiled and waved his hand away before scooting out of bed. Once his feet pressed into the cool damp floor, he extended his arms out as far as he could, enjoying the sensation as he stretched out his limbs until a satisfying pop was heard. Rubbing his shoulder, he casually made his way out the door as if walking in the nude was no big deal for him. Janette peaked from the blanket and looked at his figure, appreciating his natural slim physique until he walked out the door with his back to her. She blushed and felt her heart bounce under her breast when her eyes stared at his cute butt walking out, he wasn't her type but she did appreciate a nice body when she saw one. Turning around, she noticed KuliKuli was lazily displayed with her paws extended in a funny position and her mouth left ajar, something Janette helped fix by closing her mouth shut by the press of her finger lifting under her chin. She scratched behind her ears in a gentle manner, giggling when KuliKuli began to purr in response.
Out in the dining room, Felix casually picked up his pants off the floor and pulled them on when he caught something off about the kitchen area. One of the cupboards was left open and the lock to the cellar had been removed. When he approached the latch and pulled it open, he realized that the lock hadn't been removed without excessive force, someone wanted to break through and they succeeded. Poking his head through the cellar hatch, he looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, a lot of the meat remained so none of their rations were stolen. His eyes emitted a soft glow as he scanned the area in the dark, unaware of how obscure his vision would be were it not for his altered eyesight. Closing the hatch door behind him, he slipped the lock into a cabinet door before grabbing the rest of their clothes and making his way into the bedroom, where he was pleasantly met with Janette stroking KuliKuli's hair.
"She's adorable." Janette whispered, pressing her finger against her lips as the cat girl slept peacefully. She caught her bra when Felix tossed it to her, quickly adjusting it around her breasts. "Thanks."
"We don't have those around here," Felix mentioned before handing her her pair of underwear.
"It's not local, I purchased them during my youth when I lived elsewhere, safely tucked away behind stone walls."
"I've seen bra's before but often they are worn by women of high class, women of wealth and royalty." He raised his eyebrow as Janette shyly laughed in return.
"Felix, it's not common for a lady to present herself as someone of wealth without being a target of interest by others with malicious intent and gain. I'm not royalty but I admit of the many, many issues I struggled with in my childhood, poverty was not one of them."
He nodded, leaning against the door frame and looking away as Janette climbed out of bed and began changing into her clothes. "She trusts you a lot, you know."
"I do, Nekomata take their bonds very seriously and tend to be quite territorial creatures." She felt nervous when she saw him react to her words with a crossed look. "Er-um, I meant to say people. A-And I am extremely grateful that you have let me be this close, truly I am. But, I understand she trusts me, I just wish to change your mind one day as well."
"I do trust you." He replied quickly, the corner of his lip twitching briefly as he looked guilty and apologetic. "I'm sorry, trust is... new for me."
"It's not everyday you come across a Monster Girl and expect others to keep your secret safe." Janette added while brushing the skirt of her dress before fixing up her hair.
He nodded and walked over to her side, resting his arms against the open window while looking out. He didn't seem to mind the cold and was in no hurry to put on a tunic to cover up his chest. Janette noticed this, perhaps he was growing comfortable with her in a slow pace. She looked out into the outdoors by his side, still hugging herself to rub her arms and keep warm.
"I had thought the storms had passed by but it looks like there is still some water left up above. Had I known, I would have brought a cloak to keep dry."
"It's a light rain, it's on its way to pass soon enough. You can tell by the direction of the winds, look up in the sky and you see the clouds move."
Janette looked up and clicked her tongue. "That's some good news, just need to be cautious of any sinkholes. Would be nice to enjoy the sun for some time before winter arrives. I forgot to mention, there is news of a performance show passing through the marketplace."
"Farmer's den?"
She shook her head and smiled. "Kershin Market, have you ever been?"
"Once or twice."
"Then you know it's quite a lovely place for travelers and wanderers full of many cultures! Different food, unique shops, negotiable bargains, different races to interact with and all that. There is going to be a performance to celebrate."
Felix gave a questioning look. "Celebrate what, the season of winter?"
Janette chuckled. "No reason, just to celebrate, something you don't seem to do often enough. I can see why you're often serious, you need to relax a little."
"I relax." He answered defensively as she poked his arm and smiled.
"Right, I'm guessing you take many vacations often." She teased when her eyes lit up. "Why don't we all go? I can purchase the tickets and show you three how the world is outside of this lonely little cabin in the woods."
"Hey, I was tasked to look after this cabin. It's my job, and I am quite fond of being alone here. Other people just complicate things, make things more difficult."
Janette pulled back and frowned. "Are you saying I'm difficult?"
"No no, I didn't say that-"
"Good! It was an idea, I don't mind seeing you lot here but maybe a change of scenery could help lighten the mood."
"It's something..." Felix pursed his lips and seemed reluctant at the idea. "I don't want to put her in any danger. If people find out about her, or if she gets poisoned or attacked, I wouldn't know what to do."
They both looked back to watch the Nekomata sleeping quietly while cuddling a pillow, her ear twitching before she rubbed her head against the mattress. He walked toward her and calmly tucked the blanket up over her shoulders, keeping her body warm before returning his focus on Janette.
"She looks up to me, she needs me to keep her safe."
"Safe from what, did she remember anything yet?" She asked.
Felix shrugged. "Bits and pieces, nothing specific." He raised his eye when he noticed the discomfort in her face as she turned away and sucked in her lips. "Is there something I should know?"
"She didn't say anything to me either but there are a few bits that I am concerned about. When we sat down so that I could study her, she let slip a few things about her mother." Janette paused and held her breath, feeling too nervous to continue as an awkward moment of silence made him feel uneasy.
"And?"
"She panicked, I got scared and managed to help her calm down. She started to remember things about her mother and teachings, and then when I pressed her head started to hurt and she had trouble breathing-"
"You what." He raised his voice just enough for her to look up with a quiver in her lip. "I didn't want you frightening her, what else did you do?"
"I didn't mean to, I wasn't prying. We were talking about Reta's curse and then she started sharing about what her mom said about the moons, and I got curious. Look, I ended it right after she calmed down. I didn't want to push or scare her into something that would bring pain."
"But you did."
"By accident, and I'm sorry! I just, I think there's something about her past that really troubles her, doesn't it make you worry?"
He remained quiet, leaning out over the window and staring outside into the light rain. Janette walked up to his side and continued, "Felix, she was reacting as if her life was about to end. She was this close to sobbing in my arms, it was like she had a nightmare."
"I know." He stated with a stern tone in his voice. Janette stayed quiet, stepping back as he sighed and lowered his head. "You ever have that feeling when you can tell something is off? Like that voice in the back of your head telling you that you're being watched. I felt it when I would hold her close, the way she hugged me back like she was drowning and I was taking her back into shore. She has this spark in her, this way of lighting up a dark cave with her smile and curiosity. But sometimes I see it in her eyes when she isn't moving, and I can feel that pain inside. When you see things that people shouldn't have to see, when you experience things, you get this feeling of familiarity in others who have seen something similar. It's like we share our pain by just knowing that the other has felt something like it. I feel it with her, and I felt it with Reta. But Reta was something different, something that makes me a bit nervous. KuliKuli could tell it was something else, maybe she sees something that I have yet to see myself, maybe it's a Monster Girl thing. Is Reta even a Monster Girl?"
He shook his head and breathed in deep. "I'm worried for her too, but I don't want KuliKuli to remember."
"What?" Janette paused in brief shock before blinking repeatedly. "Why not?"
"Because it will make her hurt again, and I'd rather she take this opportunity of her loss of memory as a blessing."
"A blessing? Felix, she deserves to know-"
"Look, it might be easier to say for you but it's not an easy choice for me. I want to protect her, keep her safe."
"Even if that means preventing her from remembering? Felix, what if she still remembers?"
"I'll deal with that if it happens."
"But how? How are you going to stop her memories from coming back?" She asked, growing upset with his response.
"I don't think I can."
"And then what will happen?" She paused when he turned to face her, revealing the pained look on his face.
"What do you want me to say? I don't know magic, I don't know swordplay, I don't know alchemy. What I do know is how to harvest tress and plants, feed and care for animals, and how to fend for myself."
"But you're not alone anymore." She argued in a weak voice, looking defeated as she sat at the edge of the mattress.
"No, I'm not." He sighed and sat next to her, keeping his hands on his lap with his head dropped. "Janette, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just... holding on to each day, okay? Does that make me an awful man, to want to live very happy moment he can get now that he has it?"
Janette stayed silent, reaching out to hold his hand and squeeze his palm. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as the both of them remained in each other's comfort for a minute or two, just listening to the soft repetitive sound of rain hitting the rooftop.
"You're asking the wrong person, I don't have a clue myself." She admitted with a nervous chuckle. I'm not doing too well at my own business, but that's not a present concern here. Just... perhaps practice waving a sword around just in case? What do you plan to do if someone were to discover her?"
Felix raised his head up high as if he were silently staring up to the gods above. "Honestly, I wonder what may come of my actions should the day arise. Figured I've been the luckiest man thus far, I have a knack for planning to eat today. It's planning for tomorrow where I find it difficult to do so. Truth, I never saw this in my life, finding someone to care for. I was certain that one day I would find myself without food and water for too long, and that would be the day I can rest eternally. Never anticipated finding any..."
He turned his head to look at KuliKuli once more. "Finding a reason to stay. Running and surviving has worked for me this far, but never with someone else. But I fear that she is running too, and there may come a day when whatever she is running from may find her."
"And if that happens?"
He squeezed her hand as his eyes became focused and he didn't hesitate to answer back.
"Protect her. I don't know how nor when, but should the day come I must be ready. Maybe you could teach me something, any magical skills or alchemy you know of?"
Janette scoffed, releasing his hand and walking away. "Please, I have basic knowledge for alchemy and haven't a clue about magic. You would need to find the right people for that, some magic academy for training or perhaps some mage in need of an apprentice. You've better look just waving a shovel or sickle around, unless you happen to own a sword."
"I do not." He chuckled, standing up and walking with her out of the room. "Look, I am not convinced as of yet about that performance show. I just don't want to risk her getting discovered."
"You're right to be concerned, but you know she would oppose and plead that we go. Why not do so as a surprise? Didn't you say you wanted to appreciate the happy moments together? This could be a big opportunity for that, something for you both to enjoy."
Felix turned his head left and right, rubbing his fingers together and searching around without any direction. "Aaaah~fine. But only if you come with, you and Reta too."
"Of course, it'll be in five days which means no full moons so we don't have to worry about her. I'll be sure to purchase them tomorrow." Reta smiled then looked down as he awkwardly raised his hand and extended it to her. She smiled and shook his hand back, nodding in confirmation before turning around to gather her belongings. "Oh and please, put on a shirt. You're not fat but you're not chiseled either."
Felix looked embarrassed and went back into the bedroom, grabbing a spare tunic before pulling it over his head. He glanced over toward his mate, leaned in, and kissed her cheek before walking out the door. KuliKuli's ear twitched and she smiled as he walked out the room without noticing. He cam back to find Janette flipping through the pages in her book.
"Something wrong?"
"No, it's probably in my head." She mumbled before stuffing her book back into her bag. She walked toward the front door and pushed it open to find Reta standing there, making Janette squeal and jump back in shock.
Reta snorted, covering her mouth and struggling to conceal her amusement before clearing her throat. She bowed her head while an angry Janette reached for the bag she had dropped. "Ah, gomen nasai. Sorry for the scare."
"Yea, it's fine I suppose. I was just leaving, thank you." Janette awkwardly bowed back before shrugging and walking past Reta, who stepped aside for her.
"Feel free to sleep over anytime." She called out with a smile, making Janette turn red as she continued walking away.
Reta chuckled and stepped inside, soaking wet with her clothes drenched and stuck to her skin. Felix eyed her in shock, closing the door behind her. "Aren't you cold?" He asked.
"Always have been." She muttered before making her way into the tub, peeling off her top and tossing it aside.
"Where did you go, it's raining outside."
"What are you, my mother?" She rolled her eyes, not even turning back to look at him.
He frowned and scooped up the wet fabric when she closed the wooden door in front of him. Strange, he thought to himself, it's perhaps the first that she asks for privacy. He raised his head when he heard a familiar voice begin to whine and yawn, making his way into the bedroom to greet her a good morning as a new day had begun.
Janette believed she was the first of the group to rise up early morning, stretching her limbs before hugging herself tight when a chill swept through and brushed against her bare chest. She regretted getting out of bed, shivering and naked from head to toe. It was the gentle purring to her right that reminded her of last nights celebration and how far along it progressed, the memories flooding back as she began to blush and cover her mouth, suddenly she no longer felt so cold. Touching her bottom lip, she watched the sleeping couple cuddled up with the cat girl resting her head on his chest, several strands of silver hair tickling her nose while his chest slowly raised back and forth. She sucked in her breath when she acknowledged the numerous cuts and lacerations scattered across his skin, what in the name of the god's happened to this man? Initially she wondered if he was some sort of criminal, but that memory was dismissed for a number of reasons. Had he been some sort of thief, the common punishment around here would be the loss of his hand. At a closer glance, these marks did not appear to be made from a whip but rather something else... something feral. Curious, some looked to be deep puncture wounds while others looked like he was tortured by a wild animal, but these claws didn't fit the cat girl, right?
No, that was silly. She got closer to her in an unexpected way just the other night, monster girls are many things but this one was not aggressive in that way.
Even more curious was the scar around his neck, something peaking from the back that circled a bit to the side where she had noticed. It was hard to tell since his head was laying against a pillow, but that did not look to be a normal scar. No, it was a number marked into his skin, a tattoo perhaps. Felix with a tattoo? Maybe she had a lot more to learn about this man, she wouldn't have guessed he would have a tattoo at all. Leaning closer to get a read on it, she was able to make out that the exposed mark was the number five. The rest remained hidden at the back of his neck, when suddenly his head rolled to the side as they locked eyes.
She froze and felt the hairs at the back of her neck stiffen up like icicles.
"It's not nice to stare." His voice was sleepy as he rubbed his eyes and sat up, his hair now concealing the rest of the tattoo away from her eyes.
"Sorry, I... I was just surprised. I didn't take you to be one who fancy's himself a tattoo." She explained apologetically, rubbing her arm while simultaneously covering her breasts.
"Let's not talk about that, okay? Did you sleep well?" He yawned, scratching his chest before looking over the edge of the bed. "I think all of our clothes are scattered around the fireplace."
"Ah, I see. Um, well then." She held her hands over her tits, clearing her throat and sinking under the covers to keep warm and covered up. "Would you um, could you go fetch me my clothes from there? It's awful cold."
Felix smiled and waved his hand away before scooting out of bed. Once his feet pressed into the cool damp floor, he extended his arms out as far as he could, enjoying the sensation as he stretched out his limbs until a satisfying pop was heard. Rubbing his shoulder, he casually made his way out the door as if walking in the nude was no big deal for him. Janette peaked from the blanket and looked at his figure, appreciating his natural slim physique until he walked out the door with his back to her. She blushed and felt her heart bounce under her breast when her eyes stared at his cute butt walking out, he wasn't her type but she did appreciate a nice body when she saw one. Turning around, she noticed KuliKuli was lazily displayed with her paws extended in a funny position and her mouth left ajar, something Janette helped fix by closing her mouth shut by the press of her finger lifting under her chin. She scratched behind her ears in a gentle manner, giggling when KuliKuli began to purr in response.
Out in the dining room, Felix casually picked up his pants off the floor and pulled them on when he caught something off about the kitchen area. One of the cupboards was left open and the lock to the cellar had been removed. When he approached the latch and pulled it open, he realized that the lock hadn't been removed without excessive force, someone wanted to break through and they succeeded. Poking his head through the cellar hatch, he looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, a lot of the meat remained so none of their rations were stolen. His eyes emitted a soft glow as he scanned the area in the dark, unaware of how obscure his vision would be were it not for his altered eyesight. Closing the hatch door behind him, he slipped the lock into a cabinet door before grabbing the rest of their clothes and making his way into the bedroom, where he was pleasantly met with Janette stroking KuliKuli's hair.
"She's adorable." Janette whispered, pressing her finger against her lips as the cat girl slept peacefully. She caught her bra when Felix tossed it to her, quickly adjusting it around her breasts. "Thanks."
"We don't have those around here," Felix mentioned before handing her her pair of underwear.
"It's not local, I purchased them during my youth when I lived elsewhere, safely tucked away behind stone walls."
"I've seen bra's before but often they are worn by women of high class, women of wealth and royalty." He raised his eyebrow as Janette shyly laughed in return.
"Felix, it's not common for a lady to present herself as someone of wealth without being a target of interest by others with malicious intent and gain. I'm not royalty but I admit of the many, many issues I struggled with in my childhood, poverty was not one of them."
He nodded, leaning against the door frame and looking away as Janette climbed out of bed and began changing into her clothes. "She trusts you a lot, you know."
"I do, Nekomata take their bonds very seriously and tend to be quite territorial creatures." She felt nervous when she saw him react to her words with a crossed look. "Er-um, I meant to say people. A-And I am extremely grateful that you have let me be this close, truly I am. But, I understand she trusts me, I just wish to change your mind one day as well."
"I do trust you." He replied quickly, the corner of his lip twitching briefly as he looked guilty and apologetic. "I'm sorry, trust is... new for me."
"It's not everyday you come across a Monster Girl and expect others to keep your secret safe." Janette added while brushing the skirt of her dress before fixing up her hair.
He nodded and walked over to her side, resting his arms against the open window while looking out. He didn't seem to mind the cold and was in no hurry to put on a tunic to cover up his chest. Janette noticed this, perhaps he was growing comfortable with her in a slow pace. She looked out into the outdoors by his side, still hugging herself to rub her arms and keep warm.
"I had thought the storms had passed by but it looks like there is still some water left up above. Had I known, I would have brought a cloak to keep dry."
"It's a light rain, it's on its way to pass soon enough. You can tell by the direction of the winds, look up in the sky and you see the clouds move."
Janette looked up and clicked her tongue. "That's some good news, just need to be cautious of any sinkholes. Would be nice to enjoy the sun for some time before winter arrives. I forgot to mention, there is news of a performance show passing through the marketplace."
"Farmer's den?"
She shook her head and smiled. "Kershin Market, have you ever been?"
"Once or twice."
"Then you know it's quite a lovely place for travelers and wanderers full of many cultures! Different food, unique shops, negotiable bargains, different races to interact with and all that. There is going to be a performance to celebrate."
Felix gave a questioning look. "Celebrate what, the season of winter?"
Janette chuckled. "No reason, just to celebrate, something you don't seem to do often enough. I can see why you're often serious, you need to relax a little."
"I relax." He answered defensively as she poked his arm and smiled.
"Right, I'm guessing you take many vacations often." She teased when her eyes lit up. "Why don't we all go? I can purchase the tickets and show you three how the world is outside of this lonely little cabin in the woods."
"Hey, I was tasked to look after this cabin. It's my job, and I am quite fond of being alone here. Other people just complicate things, make things more difficult."
Janette pulled back and frowned. "Are you saying I'm difficult?"
"No no, I didn't say that-"
"Good! It was an idea, I don't mind seeing you lot here but maybe a change of scenery could help lighten the mood."
"It's something..." Felix pursed his lips and seemed reluctant at the idea. "I don't want to put her in any danger. If people find out about her, or if she gets poisoned or attacked, I wouldn't know what to do."
They both looked back to watch the Nekomata sleeping quietly while cuddling a pillow, her ear twitching before she rubbed her head against the mattress. He walked toward her and calmly tucked the blanket up over her shoulders, keeping her body warm before returning his focus on Janette.
"She looks up to me, she needs me to keep her safe."
"Safe from what, did she remember anything yet?" She asked.
Felix shrugged. "Bits and pieces, nothing specific." He raised his eye when he noticed the discomfort in her face as she turned away and sucked in her lips. "Is there something I should know?"
"She didn't say anything to me either but there are a few bits that I am concerned about. When we sat down so that I could study her, she let slip a few things about her mother." Janette paused and held her breath, feeling too nervous to continue as an awkward moment of silence made him feel uneasy.
"And?"
"She panicked, I got scared and managed to help her calm down. She started to remember things about her mother and teachings, and then when I pressed her head started to hurt and she had trouble breathing-"
"You what." He raised his voice just enough for her to look up with a quiver in her lip. "I didn't want you frightening her, what else did you do?"
"I didn't mean to, I wasn't prying. We were talking about Reta's curse and then she started sharing about what her mom said about the moons, and I got curious. Look, I ended it right after she calmed down. I didn't want to push or scare her into something that would bring pain."
"But you did."
"By accident, and I'm sorry! I just, I think there's something about her past that really troubles her, doesn't it make you worry?"
He remained quiet, leaning out over the window and staring outside into the light rain. Janette walked up to his side and continued, "Felix, she was reacting as if her life was about to end. She was this close to sobbing in my arms, it was like she had a nightmare."
"I know." He stated with a stern tone in his voice. Janette stayed quiet, stepping back as he sighed and lowered his head. "You ever have that feeling when you can tell something is off? Like that voice in the back of your head telling you that you're being watched. I felt it when I would hold her close, the way she hugged me back like she was drowning and I was taking her back into shore. She has this spark in her, this way of lighting up a dark cave with her smile and curiosity. But sometimes I see it in her eyes when she isn't moving, and I can feel that pain inside. When you see things that people shouldn't have to see, when you experience things, you get this feeling of familiarity in others who have seen something similar. It's like we share our pain by just knowing that the other has felt something like it. I feel it with her, and I felt it with Reta. But Reta was something different, something that makes me a bit nervous. KuliKuli could tell it was something else, maybe she sees something that I have yet to see myself, maybe it's a Monster Girl thing. Is Reta even a Monster Girl?"
He shook his head and breathed in deep. "I'm worried for her too, but I don't want KuliKuli to remember."
"What?" Janette paused in brief shock before blinking repeatedly. "Why not?"
"Because it will make her hurt again, and I'd rather she take this opportunity of her loss of memory as a blessing."
"A blessing? Felix, she deserves to know-"
"Look, it might be easier to say for you but it's not an easy choice for me. I want to protect her, keep her safe."
"Even if that means preventing her from remembering? Felix, what if she still remembers?"
"I'll deal with that if it happens."
"But how? How are you going to stop her memories from coming back?" She asked, growing upset with his response.
"I don't think I can."
"And then what will happen?" She paused when he turned to face her, revealing the pained look on his face.
"What do you want me to say? I don't know magic, I don't know swordplay, I don't know alchemy. What I do know is how to harvest tress and plants, feed and care for animals, and how to fend for myself."
"But you're not alone anymore." She argued in a weak voice, looking defeated as she sat at the edge of the mattress.
"No, I'm not." He sighed and sat next to her, keeping his hands on his lap with his head dropped. "Janette, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just... holding on to each day, okay? Does that make me an awful man, to want to live very happy moment he can get now that he has it?"
Janette stayed silent, reaching out to hold his hand and squeeze his palm. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder as the both of them remained in each other's comfort for a minute or two, just listening to the soft repetitive sound of rain hitting the rooftop.
"You're asking the wrong person, I don't have a clue myself." She admitted with a nervous chuckle. I'm not doing too well at my own business, but that's not a present concern here. Just... perhaps practice waving a sword around just in case? What do you plan to do if someone were to discover her?"
Felix raised his head up high as if he were silently staring up to the gods above. "Honestly, I wonder what may come of my actions should the day arise. Figured I've been the luckiest man thus far, I have a knack for planning to eat today. It's planning for tomorrow where I find it difficult to do so. Truth, I never saw this in my life, finding someone to care for. I was certain that one day I would find myself without food and water for too long, and that would be the day I can rest eternally. Never anticipated finding any..."
He turned his head to look at KuliKuli once more. "Finding a reason to stay. Running and surviving has worked for me this far, but never with someone else. But I fear that she is running too, and there may come a day when whatever she is running from may find her."
"And if that happens?"
He squeezed her hand as his eyes became focused and he didn't hesitate to answer back.
"Protect her. I don't know how nor when, but should the day come I must be ready. Maybe you could teach me something, any magical skills or alchemy you know of?"
Janette scoffed, releasing his hand and walking away. "Please, I have basic knowledge for alchemy and haven't a clue about magic. You would need to find the right people for that, some magic academy for training or perhaps some mage in need of an apprentice. You've better look just waving a shovel or sickle around, unless you happen to own a sword."
"I do not." He chuckled, standing up and walking with her out of the room. "Look, I am not convinced as of yet about that performance show. I just don't want to risk her getting discovered."
"You're right to be concerned, but you know she would oppose and plead that we go. Why not do so as a surprise? Didn't you say you wanted to appreciate the happy moments together? This could be a big opportunity for that, something for you both to enjoy."
Felix turned his head left and right, rubbing his fingers together and searching around without any direction. "Aaaah~fine. But only if you come with, you and Reta too."
"Of course, it'll be in five days which means no full moons so we don't have to worry about her. I'll be sure to purchase them tomorrow." Reta smiled then looked down as he awkwardly raised his hand and extended it to her. She smiled and shook his hand back, nodding in confirmation before turning around to gather her belongings. "Oh and please, put on a shirt. You're not fat but you're not chiseled either."
Felix looked embarrassed and went back into the bedroom, grabbing a spare tunic before pulling it over his head. He glanced over toward his mate, leaned in, and kissed her cheek before walking out the door. KuliKuli's ear twitched and she smiled as he walked out the room without noticing. He cam back to find Janette flipping through the pages in her book.
"Something wrong?"
"No, it's probably in my head." She mumbled before stuffing her book back into her bag. She walked toward the front door and pushed it open to find Reta standing there, making Janette squeal and jump back in shock.
Reta snorted, covering her mouth and struggling to conceal her amusement before clearing her throat. She bowed her head while an angry Janette reached for the bag she had dropped. "Ah, gomen nasai. Sorry for the scare."
"Yea, it's fine I suppose. I was just leaving, thank you." Janette awkwardly bowed back before shrugging and walking past Reta, who stepped aside for her.
"Feel free to sleep over anytime." She called out with a smile, making Janette turn red as she continued walking away.
Reta chuckled and stepped inside, soaking wet with her clothes drenched and stuck to her skin. Felix eyed her in shock, closing the door behind her. "Aren't you cold?" He asked.
"Always have been." She muttered before making her way into the tub, peeling off her top and tossing it aside.
"Where did you go, it's raining outside."
"What are you, my mother?" She rolled her eyes, not even turning back to look at him.
He frowned and scooped up the wet fabric when she closed the wooden door in front of him. Strange, he thought to himself, it's perhaps the first that she asks for privacy. He raised his head when he heard a familiar voice begin to whine and yawn, making his way into the bedroom to greet her a good morning as a new day had begun.
