"This is... big." KuliKuli muttered with wide eyes looking ahead.
"I suppose it should be expected, she did say she owns a marketing thing, or something of that sort." Felix agreed. The pair had traveled in Janette's carriage when she pulled in to their cabin and invited them to her home. It had been three days since they escaped from the ambush at Kershin Market, and neither of them have ever approached that subject since that night. He made a glance at KuliKuli to see how impressed she was, pressing her head against the window from inside the carriage while her cat ears flickered and twitched with excitement. He was reluctant to have her stay hidden inside while they travelled, fearing that she would find it controlling of him. Those words of hers repeated in his mind when he reached to open the door, but to his surprise KuliKuli stepped in voluntarily and explained what he had in mind, saying it would be safer this way to avoid any witnesses.
It would seem the night at the circus left a painful reminder to her that Monster Girls are wanted for malicious reasons, be it to be killed or worse.
Those words Arcaye said served as a warning for her. Ever since their encounter, she could not help but wonder what he meant. Someone was looking for her, but whom and for what purpose? It made her fearful when she thought about small bits of memory that resurfaced, such as the sound of her voice screaming in pain while she was unable to move. She closed her eyes and swallowed her fears away, pressing her paw against her chest and holding still. It was the Felix's touch as he held his hand on her thigh for comfort, offering a low smile without a need for words which brought her a bit of comfort and control. She returned his warmth with a weak yet hopeful smile, until the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
Janette stepped down and opened the door for them. "We're here."
Felix stepped out first, holding KuliKuli's paw as she followed behind. The pair were greeted by a pair of large double wooden doors with a frontal archway pattern, the front entrance to this mountainous building. It looked nothing like the houses Felix was familiar with, the architect and design was more blocky and square but when he ran his hand against the wall, it didn't feel like any material he was familiar with.
"What is this made of?" He whispered to himself, accidentally announcing his thoughts to the others.
Janette smiled and looked away. "Oh, wood, clay and ceramic mostly. It holds well against any storm."
"Where is the wood?" He asked, glancing further up. "Why so many floors?"
"It's three floors, I don't know. I'm not the one who built this place, some other group did. This is my parent's home, they hired some architects from our country to work on this." She explained, twirling her hair while she began to blush in embarrassment.
"Oh, your parents are from a country? What's that like, are you from a country too?" KuliKuli asked with a curious glimmer in her eye.
Janette shook her head. "Yea we're not from here, but I fail to see the relevance of this topic to our current issue."
Felix raised his hand to shield the sun from his eyes, stepping back and peering at the top. "It's lovely."
Janette looked to him with pause, anticipating some witty insult or follow up only for him to catch her eyes and smile.
"Your house, it looks great Jay. It's really nice."
"Ohh." She looked away and smiled as her hands played with her hair, blushing in return. "Thanks. I was worried that you guys would think differently about me."
"It's the same you, right?" KuliKuli asked, surprising her with a hug from behind. "It's humungous!"
"Thanks, you two." Janette closed her eyes and breathed in, enjoying this moment.
"Can I be your mate instead?"
Her eyes snapped wide open as she turned red, the Nekomata giggling into her ear when Janette broke free and playfully pushed her away.
"It was just a tease, I'm sure." Felix explained, his smile fading when he eyed KuliKuli with suspicion. "Right?"
She chuckled and pushed his arm. "Yes of course, silly! Let's go inside now, I bet the two grumps are getting more moody each second."
"Right." Janette agreed, digging out her house key and opening the doors. She pushed them wide open for her new guests to walk inside as they were immediately greeted with a statue facing them.
"Aah, ignore that. It's not important." She stuttered and hurried off inside. Felix and KuliKuli approached the statue and scanned it from head to toe, or rather from veil to sandals.
Whatever this is, it depicted a beautiful women with angelic wings that flowed behind her graciously like a cape of royalty. It blended in well with the robe she wore, a shawl or peplos, while she cradled a baby in her arm with the tiny baby hand holding her finger.
"Aww, look at that cute little humie." KuliKuli blushed and leaned over the baby. "It's so precious and adorable. Just imagine, a little bundle of joy produced from the love of its mother and father."
She purred and eyed Felix as her tails playfully brushed his thigh. "Maybe we can have one of our own, hmm?"
Felix turned bright red and felt like he himself was transforming into a statue as well with how his body went stiff. It brought her to a fit of giggles as she skipped ahead and followed in the direction that Janette went. He rubbed his chest and wiggled his arms and legs, dancing away the tingles that crawled over his skin then. Never before had she teased him in that manner, and the idea of having a child never occurred to him until now. Still, much like Janette had said before, it wasn't the reason why they were there. He found comfort in this but it was brief.
Janette was waiting in the next room, decorated with portraits along the walls and curtains tucked above a large window on the opposite side. A rectangular dining table sat in the center with fancy wooden chairs that had plus red cushions scooted in with enough room for twelve to eat. She was walking around the dining table, collecting the plates and stacking them into the kitchen cabinet while Reta and Umeko sat in waiting. Reta was leaning her head on her palm while Umeko drummed her fingers against the table, both of them looked up once Felix and KuliKuli entered and grabbed a seat. They remained quiet until Janette returned and took her seat as well, clearing her throat as a sign for them to begin.
"So, what happens now?" KuliKuli asked in a soft voice, lowering her head on the table with her eyes dancing between Reta and Umeko. She held her breath and waited for their response.
Reta looked to Umeko with a nod, allowing Umeko to scoot her chair in and be the first to reply. "I would like to begin by expressing my sincerest gratitude for you rescuing me, for rescuing us. As you know, Norowa Reta and I share the same home and we have been discussing over that matter for a time."
"I'm not going." Reta stated abruptly.
KuliKuli raised her head as her cat ears shot up in surprise. "You're not?"
"No, not unless you want to be rid of me too." She hissed with a scornful look. "I have made my peace with your rescue, but that is where our matter is concluded."
"What about you, you're not going back home?" Felix asked.
"Wherever that is." Janette mumbled.
Umeko sighed. "I do not need much of your assistance, your friend has offered one of her fastest horses who wields great endurance. It is a long journey but I know my way back from here. With enough food and water to survive the trip, I have enough to manage my return."
Felix silently nodded, leaning back into his chair.
KuliKuli did not seem as satisfied, looking toward her friend for answers.
"So does that mean you're not going with her, isn't that your home too?"
Reta squeezed her eyes shut and looked away. "I am a wolf without a home, that is the burden I carry with me. Were I to return, they would reward my appearance by taking my head."
"Mizuki has history with the others, they would not wish to be met with her appearance. We are discouraged from associating with Gaijin, you most of all." Umeko mentioned, directing her glance at KuliKuli. "You are a monster like her, your kind nature and warm expression would not dissuade their attempts from executing you on sight."
"You guys seem more appealing the more I learn about you." Janette commented.
Umeko grumbled and gave her a look. "As a show of respect and gratitude for what you did for me, I will hold my tongue and refrain."
"So your name is Mizuki, or is it Reta?" Felix asked as he turned his focus to Reta.
"Yea what's the deal there, do you have three names?" KuliKuli leaned in, eyeing her suspiciously. "Oh oh! Is it three first names, do you have any middle or last names too? That would be neat."
Reta pushed her chair back, the sound of wood scraping against the tile floor silencing everyone. "I am pleased to learn that you find humor in this, cat. I would believe that Umeko's departure would be enough to satisfy you both. But I would much rather be absent if you choose to celebrate by making a mockery of me!"
"Wait, I was just I didn't mean it, I'm sorry!" KuliKuli reached out with her paw, sinking with a saddened look as Reta left the room. She buried her face into her paws and stayed quiet, her shoulders shaking up and down. Felix reached out to her, rubbing her back slowly until she raised her head. "I don't understand, was it something I said? I thought she would want to go home."
"You were expecting her to leave?" Janette asked with a look of surprise.
"No." Felix corrected her. "It's not that."
"I wanted her to stay, but I was so certain she would want to go home with you instead," KuliKuli explained while glaring at Umeko. "What the heck did you guys do to make her so bitter about home? Did you hurt her, is that it?"
"Kuli-"
"No!" She pulled away from Felix, demanding an answer as she shot up to her feet. "She's been unpleasant since we saw her, and even Reta isn't being herself. I want to know, what did you do?"
Felix cautiously approached her, while Janette sat awkwardly in her chair. Umeko locked eyes with the Nekomata, glaring back until she looked away with a groan. "It is not my place to share her burdens with you, but she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders. It's enough for me to understand why. When I return, I have agreed to lie on her behalf and inform the others of her passing."
"What?" Felix cried out only for Umeko to face him.
"It is what she desires, I will make my leave at sunrise. And to answer your question, she is Norowa Reta now but she was Mizuki when I cared for her."
"You care for her?" Janette exclaimed with a puzzled expression. "You don't look older than her."
"We are close of age, I was her superior . I was the captain, charged with the oversight of training my own warriors. Mizuki was amongst them."
Umeko pushed her chair back and stood on her feet, looking down at her stomach and rubbing it gently for comfort. "You are , if you came across our tribe you would be warned to leave now or die. Most of you anyway, the monster would have no warning. But Mizuki is banished from our tribe, she refused an order and failed to restore her family name's dignity and honor. She is all that is left of her name, and it is her desire to bury that name as well."
She turned and calmly stepped out of the room, pausing briefly at the stairs. "I thank you for your assistance, were I to be truthful I do not believe I would have done the same if I were in your place. You are... different, from a certain point of view. I have never conversed with Gaijin before, your culture and race intrigues me. The Nekomata as well, it is unexpected to come across one who chooses not to disguise herself like the others. I have come to know that you leave an impact on Mizuki. Care for her, do what I failed to do. That is my advice."
With that, the others sat back in silence as they heard Umeko walk up the stairs, with KuliKuli and Felix sharing a look of concern.
"This is... big." KuliKuli muttered with wide eyes looking ahead.
"I suppose it should be expected, she did say she owns a marketing thing, or something of that sort." Felix agreed. The pair had traveled in Janette's carriage when she pulled in to their cabin and invited them to her home. It had been three days since they escaped from the ambush at Kershin Market, and neither of them have ever approached that subject since that night. He made a glance at KuliKuli to see how impressed she was, pressing her head against the window from inside the carriage while her cat ears flickered and twitched with excitement. He was reluctant to have her stay hidden inside while they travelled, fearing that she would find it controlling of him. Those words of hers repeated in his mind when he reached to open the door, but to his surprise KuliKuli stepped in voluntarily and explained what he had in mind, saying it would be safer this way to avoid any witnesses.
It would seem the night at the circus left a painful reminder to her that Monster Girls are wanted for malicious reasons, be it to be killed or worse.
Those words Arcaye said served as a warning for her. Ever since their encounter, she could not help but wonder what he meant. Someone was looking for her, but whom and for what purpose? It made her fearful when she thought about small bits of memory that resurfaced, such as the sound of her voice screaming in pain while she was unable to move. She closed her eyes and swallowed her fears away, pressing her paw against her chest and holding still. It was the Felix's touch as he held his hand on her thigh for comfort, offering a low smile without a need for words which brought her a bit of comfort and control. She returned his warmth with a weak yet hopeful smile, until the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
Janette stepped down and opened the door for them. "We're here."
Felix stepped out first, holding KuliKuli's paw as she followed behind. The pair were greeted by a pair of large double wooden doors with a frontal archway pattern, the front entrance to this mountainous building. It looked nothing like the houses Felix was familiar with, the architect and design was more blocky and square but when he ran his hand against the wall, it didn't feel like any material he was familiar with.
"What is this made of?" He whispered to himself, accidentally announcing his thoughts to the others.
Janette smiled and looked away. "Oh, wood, clay and ceramic mostly. It holds well against any storm."
"Where is the wood?" He asked, glancing further up. "Why so many floors?"
"It's three floors, I don't know. I'm not the one who built this place, some other group did. This is my parent's home, they hired some architects from our country to work on this." She explained, twirling her hair while she began to blush in embarrassment.
"Oh, your parents are from a country? What's that like, are you from a country too?" KuliKuli asked with a curious glimmer in her eye.
Janette shook her head. "Yea we're not from here, but I fail to see the relevance of this topic to our current issue."
Felix raised his hand to shield the sun from his eyes, stepping back and peering at the top. "It's lovely."
Janette looked to him with pause, anticipating some witty insult or follow up only for him to catch her eyes and smile.
"Your house, it looks great Jay. It's really nice."
"Ohh." She looked away and smiled as her hands played with her hair, blushing in return. "Thanks. I was worried that you guys would think differently about me."
"It's the same you, right?" KuliKuli asked, surprising her with a hug from behind. "It's humungous!"
"Thanks, you two." Janette closed her eyes and breathed in, enjoying this moment.
"Can I be your mate instead?"
Her eyes snapped wide open as she turned red, the Nekomata giggling into her ear when Janette broke free and playfully pushed her away.
"It was just a tease, I'm sure." Felix explained, his smile fading when he eyed KuliKuli with suspicion. "Right?"
She chuckled and pushed his arm. "Yes of course, silly! Let's go inside now, I bet the two grumps are getting more moody each second."
"Right." Janette agreed, digging out her house key and opening the doors. She pushed them wide open for her new guests to walk inside as they were immediately greeted with a statue facing them.
"Aah, ignore that. It's not important." She stuttered and hurried off inside. Felix and KuliKuli approached the statue and scanned it from head to toe, or rather from veil to sandals.
Whatever this is, it depicted a beautiful women with angelic wings that flowed behind her graciously like a cape of royalty. It blended in well with the robe she wore, a shawl or peplos, while she cradled a baby in her arm with the tiny baby hand holding her finger.
"Aww, look at that cute little humie." KuliKuli blushed and leaned over the baby. "It's so precious and adorable. Just imagine, a little bundle of joy produced from the love of its mother and father."
She purred and eyed Felix as her tails playfully brushed his thigh. "Maybe we can have one of our own, hmm?"
Felix turned bright red and felt like he himself was transforming into a statue as well with how his body went stiff. It brought her to a fit of giggles as she skipped ahead and followed in the direction that Janette went. He rubbed his chest and wiggled his arms and legs, dancing away the tingles that crawled over his skin then. Never before had she teased him in that manner, and the idea of having a child never occurred to him until now. Still, much like Janette had said before, it wasn't the reason why they were there. He found comfort in this but it was brief.
Janette was waiting in the next room, decorated with portraits along the walls and curtains tucked above a large window on the opposite side. A rectangular dining table sat in the center with fancy wooden chairs that had plus red cushions scooted in with enough room for twelve to eat. She was walking around the dining table, collecting the plates and stacking them into the kitchen cabinet while Reta and Umeko sat in waiting. Reta was leaning her head on her palm while Umeko drummed her fingers against the table, both of them looked up once Felix and KuliKuli entered and grabbed a seat. They remained quiet until Janette returned and took her seat as well, clearing her throat as a sign for them to begin.
"So, what happens now?" KuliKuli asked in a soft voice, lowering her head on the table with her eyes dancing between Reta and Umeko. She held her breath and waited for their response.
Reta looked to Umeko with a nod, allowing Umeko to scoot her chair in and be the first to reply. "I would like to begin by expressing my sincerest gratitude for you rescuing me, for rescuing us. As you know, Norowa Reta and I share the same home and we have been discussing over that matter for a time."
"I'm not going." Reta stated abruptly.
KuliKuli raised her head as her cat ears shot up in surprise. "You're not?"
"No, not unless you want to be rid of me too." She hissed with a scornful look. "I have made my peace with your rescue, but that is where our matter is concluded."
"What about you, you're not going back home?" Felix asked.
"Wherever that is." Janette mumbled.
Umeko sighed. "I do not need much of your assistance, your friend has offered one of her fastest horses who wields great endurance. It is a long journey but I know my way back from here. With enough food and water to survive the trip, I have enough to manage my return."
Felix silently nodded, leaning back into his chair.
KuliKuli did not seem as satisfied, looking toward her friend for answers.
"So does that mean you're not going with her, isn't that your home too?"
Reta squeezed her eyes shut and looked away. "I am a wolf without a home, that is the burden I carry with me. Were I to return, they would reward my appearance by taking my head."
"Mizuki has history with the others, they would not wish to be met with her appearance. We are discouraged from associating with Gaijin, you most of all." Umeko mentioned, directing her glance at KuliKuli. "You are a monster like her, your kind nature and warm expression would not dissuade their attempts from executing you on sight."
"You guys seem more appealing the more I learn about you." Janette commented.
Umeko grumbled and gave her a look. "As a show of respect and gratitude for what you did for me, I will hold my tongue and refrain."
"So your name is Mizuki, or is it Reta?" Felix asked as he turned his focus to Reta.
"Yea what's the deal there, do you have three names?" KuliKuli leaned in, eyeing her suspiciously. "Oh oh! Is it three first names, do you have any middle or last names too? That would be neat."
Reta pushed her chair back, the sound of wood scraping against the tile floor silencing everyone. "I am pleased to learn that you find humor in this, cat. I would believe that Umeko's departure would be enough to satisfy you both. But I would much rather be absent if you choose to celebrate by making a mockery of me!"
"Wait, I was just I didn't mean it, I'm sorry!" KuliKuli reached out with her paw, sinking with a saddened look as Reta left the room. She buried her face into her paws and stayed quiet, her shoulders shaking up and down. Felix reached out to her, rubbing her back slowly until she raised her head. "I don't understand, was it something I said? I thought she would want to go home."
"You were expecting her to leave?" Janette asked with a look of surprise.
"No." Felix corrected her. "It's not that."
"I wanted her to stay, but I was so certain she would want to go home with you instead," KuliKuli explained while glaring at Umeko. "What the heck did you guys do to make her so bitter about home? Did you hurt her, is that it?"
"Kuli-"
"No!" She pulled away from Felix, demanding an answer as she shot up to her feet. "She's been unpleasant since we saw her, and even Reta isn't being herself. I want to know, what did you do?"
Felix cautiously approached her, while Janette sat awkwardly in her chair. Umeko locked eyes with the Nekomata, glaring back until she looked away with a groan. "It is not my place to share her burdens with you, but she carries a heavy burden on her shoulders. It's enough for me to understand why. When I return, I have agreed to lie on her behalf and inform the others of her passing."
"What?" Felix cried out only for Umeko to face him.
"It is what she desires, I will make my leave at sunrise. And to answer your question, she is Norowa Reta now but she was Mizuki when I cared for her."
"You care for her?" Janette exclaimed with a puzzled expression. "You don't look older than her."
"We are close of age, I was her superior . I was the captain, charged with the oversight of training my own warriors. Mizuki was amongst them."
Umeko pushed her chair back and stood on her feet, looking down at her stomach and rubbing it gently for comfort. "You are , if you came across our tribe you would be warned to leave now or die. Most of you anyway, the monster would have no warning. But Mizuki is banished from our tribe, she refused an order and failed to restore her family name's dignity and honor. She is all that is left of her name, and it is her desire to bury that name as well."
She turned and calmly stepped out of the room, pausing briefly at the stairs. "I thank you for your assistance, were I to be truthful I do not believe I would have done the same if I were in your place. You are... different, from a certain point of view. I have never conversed with Gaijin before, your culture and race intrigues me. The Nekomata as well, it is unexpected to come across one who chooses not to disguise herself like the others. I have come to know that you leave an impact on Mizuki. Care for her, do what I failed to do. That is my advice."
With that, the others sat back in silence as they heard Umeko walk up the stairs, with KuliKuli and Felix sharing a look of concern.
