ℳ𝒾𝓉𝒾𝑔𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓁𝓈 ~ 【ʙʟᴏᴏʙʟᴀɴᴋᴇᴛ & ᴋɪᴛᴛᴇɴ】🅽🆂🅵🆆

[Kitten]

For Zara, she found it extremely hard to keep this attitude up. Sure, she wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine, but she wasn’t the type to keep acting callous. As some silence simmered in after her sarcastic words, the guilt began to eat at her. Sighing, she’d turn her head to apologize, but Aodh gripped her shoulder just as she turned to look at him. Their eyes finally met for the first time since last night, but there was something about his expression that caused her heart to throb in concern.

What came next from his mouth was something she didn’t anticipate at all whatsoever. To say he had no recollection of their intimate moments hours before? To call her a child over a serious topic? Zara was well aware that she could’ve acted more mature, but she didn’t think her approach was all that bad. At least she talked to him briefly instead of just disregarding him entirely. It especially hurt her when he said he wouldn’t waste his time with her if she didn’t straighten up.

It grinded her gears to know that he was quick to get discourteous about how she was behaving, instead of asking what’s wrong… but instead he decided to casually talk and ignore the elephant in the room. Zara has never once seen this side of him or was offered any hints that he could get this way over a small outburst. If she acted this mild around him, how would he act if she were more bitter? Aodh could tell that she was taken back by his response, her eyes widening while furrowing her brows in confusion.

Was it the effects of what he put in his mouth last night that made him this way? Something was altering him. It couldn’t be him doing this on his own.​

Her lips started to part, to clarify what he was misunderstanding, and to remind him of everything that went down hours before. Not even a sliver of sound exited her mouth before he continued with his criticisms, but this time his words literally pierced through her heart like a sharpened arrow, and they were not Cupid's arrows.

…How could he say that the marks he had given her was unsightly?! He was the sole reason for them, yet blamed her as if she done that to herself?! If he forgot about last night, then why wasn’t he even concerned as to how she received them? As each second ticked, his words soaked into her like a sponge, cutting her up more than seconds before.

Oh, she was infuriated to the core, but it didn’t hold a candle to her overwhelming sorrow. As he shut the door behind him, she could feel her eyes burn with hot tears, caressing down her cheeks to dribble down her chin and onto her exposed lap. It felt as if there was a lump in her throat as it tensed up from trying to subdue her tears, but no matter how hard she tried they still skated against her reddened skin. Using the back of her hand, she’d wipe her salty tears away, sniffling sporadically to rid of any sign of her misfortune.

She’d bite the inside of her cheek as she closed her eyes and took in deep breaths to simmer down, not wanting her emotions to get the best of her. Zara would let him know how she felt and make sure he’d feel it too. In that moment, she was uncaring on how he’d react once her plan was commencing. He was about to earn a severe wakeup call, but she’d hold off on her pettiness for now and do as complied.

It didn’t take too long for the rest of the clothes to finish washing and drying, Zara heaving up the laundry basket to march upstairs and put everything away and make her bed. As she mindlessly folded her clothes, she’d continue to think back on his nasty words, causing her to clutch onto the fabric within her grasp severely. Zara would bite her lower lip so harshly in agitation that striations would be left in the inside of her mouth. Once realizing she was getting too invested on the past, she’d sigh out and dress herself after making her bed, wearing her apprentice clothing to meet up with Aodh despite not wanting anything to do with him for right now.

On top of her stand, she’d grip the petite marionette, inspecting it within her palm while the sudden urge to brutally throw it against the wall struck her. Tapping her boot on the ground beneath her, she’d distract herself from the violent thought she had and started to walk out of the home. She wasn’t going to let him phase her and act as if nothing had happened, but she wouldn’t talk much unless prompted to answer anything.

No sass. No attitude. Just learning.
​

Zara had the slightest idea as to why she still ventured out here to be with him. It probably was the guilt she felt when he said he wouldn’t waste his time with her if she continued acting how she did, knowing that he went through all of that trouble to even get her in the first place.

In the distance, her eyes would focus in on Aodh as he toyed around with a vibrant flame, her hands involuntarily clenching at her sides with the marionette in one of them. Letting out one final elongated puff of air, she’d stand several feet away from him before holding up the motionless doll, signifying she brought what he requested. She tried her hardest to not let any significant emotions to surface on her, instead displaying a relaxed expression as if nothing has ever happened.

 

[Strange Days]

Aodh would lift his eyes up as he felt a familiar presence approaching and stopping right in front of him. Judging by the amount of Mana it released, and the way it seemed to be unable to contain all of it, he was certain it was none other than Zara. And surely, there she was, holding the doll in front of him, featureless as ever. If one wasn't aware of its' status as a magical object, people may as well have thought it to be a petite mannequin like those shown off in the city's shop windows. Only, this was completely devoid of any items of clothing or decoration. Just smooth and levigated to the touch, a blank slate for any who came into possession of it.

"Good, I see you have brought it as requested. Let's start." Neither of them was in the mood to talk much, a noticeable difference from the chatter they exchanged over the previous days. Now, it was all about memorizing notions. He hadn't told her what they were about to do, however, leaving the process a complete mystery. As he kneeled down, she could see him cleaning the ground at her feet with his hand, swiping away pebbles, moss and dead leaves until nothing more than the bare soil was left.

Then, with one slick motion, he would start tracing a large circle, followed by a smaller one in the middle, and progressively smaller ones in its' inner part. He added some runes as well, each at every corner of a square that would serve as the shape's "core". It was impressive to see just how precise the lines he traced were, the entire process almost mesmerizing to look at despite being rather mundane in its' execution. Her Master knew what he was doing when dealing with Spellcraft, and this was no exception, rather, a simple, everyday process. She had seen a similar representation in one of his books.

The Catfolk would remain silent for the rest of the process, his hand darting from one spot to the other, fangs biting into his lower lip as he traced and weaved yet more magical conduits in that intricate display of magical prowess. The end result was one that likely would have earned him a compiment from his apprentice, if she was not preoccupied with repressing the searing pain gathered in her chest. With one final imposition of the Magus's hands as he got done with this lenghty process, the lines of chalk that made up the magic circle would light up in a warm blue glow, runes dancing in the corners of the innermost square, making up words she could barely understand. Two were, however, clearly visible to Zara if she payed even the slightest bit of attention to the runes before her. She could actually...read some of them despite never having received any sort of former training in decyphering them.

ᛗᚨᚾᛁᛈᚢᛚᚨᛏᛁᛟᚾ

- Manipulation -

ᛖᚾᚺᚨᛜᚲᛖᛗᛖᚾᛏ

- Enhancement -

ᛖᛚᛖᛗᛖᚾᛏ

ᛋᚢᛈᛈᛟᚱᛏ
​

She recognized the blue one as being the same color as the Runes Aodh had first used to introduce himself to her and spell out his name. Before he had broken her heart, that is. Even remembering that much was quite painful for her, since it only served as yet another reason to not open herself up to anyone else, ever again. She had been hurt enough up to this point, and it had proven to be too much to bear in the end.

He would get up, and hesitate for a moment before placing a hand on her shoulder. He hadn't changed, his touch was just as delicate as usual, and his eyes earnest. If he hadn't used such cruel words, he may even have deserved some of her respect. After what seemed to be an interval of time that protracted itself for minutes on end, perhaps due to the otherworldly nature of the flower itself, the man spoke up again. "Zara, please put the doll in the middle of the Pact Circle. I will instruct you further once you have done that. It may be easier if you get down on your knees, as well." Then, his hand left her body yet again. Just like that, the warmth of Aodh's body was gone yet again. She had been deprived of it, if only for a short while.

Nothing was left but to obey him. With all the preparations out of the way, he'd point down at the doll and then at the young woman. "Today, you will earn your very own Familiar. A Magus may have several, but as they are quite hard to acquire, they can be rather secretive about being in their possession." Did that mean he had several? She hadn't exactly seen any odd animals around, or objects which could be made into a companion like the "gift" she had been given as an introduction to that brand new world.

"First, open your circuits and place your hand on those purple and orange Runes. Once you have relaxed enough...I want you to think of at least three words. They will determine what kind of looks or personality your future Familiar may have, and redoing the process requires a lot of complex procedures...but I am sure that as talented of an apprentice as you are, you will have no problems with picking terms that complement your own personality. You know, for an easier and more productive partnership." Without any sort of indication left, Aodh would give a faint, encouraging smile to the upset girl and stand by her as she underwent this peculiar ritual. What was she going to do now?

The choices were nigh infinite.​

 

[Kitten]

It felt very strange to look at his face after everything that happened not long ago, Aodh obviously moving on from the small incident they faced without a care in the world. It irritated her to no end, causing her blood to boil significantly. Perhaps her rage could make her mana’s presence very strong, despite her facial expression bland and emotionless. Zara did clench her teeth together momentarily, moving her jaw to the right before releasing her compressed teeth. Nothing pissed her off more than being ignored or having something serious be thought of as no big deal. She would nod once at him when he announced that they would now begin their session, watching him as he started to clean the area around her.

Being left in the dark, she wasn’t too certain on what was actually going on, or what they were going to do today asides from the hinting of using her lifeless doll. Intricately Aodh would paint the beautiful display before her, each rounded shape perfectly sculpted, as well as the abundance of lines seemingly perfect with no signs of unintended zigzags. If someone else were to do this, it would’ve taken them a huge chunk of time, but it was obvious that Aodh was very well experienced and knew what he was doing.

If it weren’t for her sour attitude, she’d compliment him and admire his brilliant work, but instead she continued to stand there, looking over his masterpiece icily with no response. It killed her to act like this, but she couldn’t subside her roaring emotions. She hoped soon she could conquer her emotions and act normal.

The patterns began to light up with a cyan glow, the image reflecting in her eyes. Obviously invested in this change, she’d squint her eyes to look deeper into these unique symbols and alien-like words, only being able to decipher two out of the four. Manipulation and Enhancement. The blue looked familiar, bringing back thoughts of their first encounter. A throb penetrated itself in her chest, the aftershock being felt throughout her entire body. Taking a small deepened breath, she’d attempt to soothe herself from the memories.

The tone he used was just the same as before; sweet and sincere, kind and generous. Zara knew that the Aodh she adored was in there, but that didn’t sway her enough to make amends with what he did. To add a cherry on top, his hand casually placed itself on her left shoulder, catching the Catfolk off guard. His hand hadn’t rested on her body for a full three seconds before she shrugged her shoulders and took a step backwards, causing his hand to retreat off from her. Without using words, her actions would definitely speak for her, portraying her despondency to his touches. Zara was unfeeling if it caused his chest to ache; that’s if he even found her actions insulting or insensitive. Still, she showed no expression to him, yet she was dying on the inside.

Perhaps acting would be a better suited profession for her after realizing how good of a poker face she displayed.

Still, the instructions were given, and she would follow through with them without chiming in with questions or small talk. Leaning down, she’d balance herself in order to sit on her knees comfortably, placing the petite figure in the middle of the Pact Circle, waiting for further instructions. Her furry brown ears twitched as he spoke, nodding her head slowly to show she understood his orders, not noticing the smile he radiated due to not looking at him.

How did he expect her to relax after the events of today? Zara let out a final peeved sigh before focusing on the task at hand and clearing her thoughts. Extending her hands outwards, she’d sprawl her fingers apart as each palm found their spot on their very own colored Rune. In concentration, the lids of her eyes fluttered closed as her breathing pattern shifted to be more gentle and less exasperated. Opening those unseen circuits inside of her body, she’d feel that familiar warmth spew out from her palms and fingertips. “Three words, huh?” She’d ponder to herself, attempting to think of how she envisioned her Familiar. After some deep thought, she came to an agreement with herself on those three words.

Compassionate

Reliable

Perseverance​

Feeling confident in her choice of words, she’d open her eyes, catching glimpse of if anything would change before her or if anything did while she had her eyes closed.

 

[Strange Days]

Aodh's mood soured noticeably when Zara stepped back from his tentative, affectionate gesture, his lower lip curling in a scowl as he'd bite into it almost to the point of drawing blood. He had been so stupid, so needlessly cruel to her. Yet even when he had tried to make amends, she had almost...rejected him. Her sigh marked yet another painful ache in his heart as he'd feel all of his guilt about to erupt out of him. Instead, only a snappy remark would follow her annoyance. "Yeah, I could be making technological breakthroughs while holed up in my laboratory, instead I have chosen to spend the day with my Apprentice. Foolish, don't you think? You are so talented and independent after all, you must have no need of someone to guide you in learning this."

With their fiery eyes locked onto one another, it was only a matter of time before the tension was broken by the doll beginning to rattle from side to side, then jerking upwards. Gradually, the words she had spoken had materialized in purple Runes, the color of her Mana. Swirling in a circle around the tiny creature, they imprinted themselves on various parts of its' body : the right thigh, left arm, and upper chest area. It would then fall back down as if its' wires had been suddenly cut. Much like a motionless marionette, it looked at her...before its' eyes would glow and take on a lavender hue and its' body change accordingly.

Sandy brown locks sprouted from its' hairless head and formed a bob cut of sorts, golden strings appeared out of nowhere to weave a stylish coat, boots and pantaloons around its' little body. It really looked like a pocket-sized Human...if one didn't take account the grooves, bolts and gradually waning lavender glow from its' eyes. It would stand up, rubbing its' temple.

"Que? W-Where-"
​

The puppet looked around himself curiously, giving a shriek as he saw the (in his eyes) giant, cat-eared woman blinking at him in confusion and amazement, skidding back by using his little legs and arms...only to hit against Aodh's boot with a - thud - and looking up, his mouth opening in a terrified scream as he got up and rushed back to Zara while frantically repeating a phrase.

"L-LE CHAT DÉMONIAQUE! S-SAVE MEEEE!"
​

Only to latch onto her thigh and not let go. It was odd to witness someone who was... scared by Aodh. Judging by the look of utter terror the Familiar gave Zara bedore cowering against her leg once more was one she wouldn't have forgotten so easily.

"Oh, right...must have forgotten to wipe his memory after all. This is going to be more awkward than needed." He'd tilt his head as he looked at a stunted Zara trying to process what had just occurred. She wasn't even sure how exactly this thing could move, without her needing to move those fancy wires that were wrapped around her slim fingers.

"Do you want to keep it?" She was asked by Aodh as he would bend forward on his knees and try to reach for the puppet, only for him to climb across her chest and wrap his arm around her neck to "hide" from the Magus. "The ritual can be undone, but I will have to redo the circle and take a day or so to erase essentially everything that makes this Familiar yours. Learning how to adapt is essential to work in sync as Magus and Familiar, you know? Puppets happen to be the easiest to control, but also the most... varied in terms of personality." Aodh had, once again, started to lecture her without being requested to, but her learning even more than what little she already knew was essentially the best thing to be done.

"N-Non, S'Il-vous plaît...not my memories! I'm not getting taken apart again." Once again, the little creature spoke in that weird accent of his again, something which would have taken some getting used to. Now, it was really up to the Catfolk whether to get on with it and see how this "partner" would have operated, or handing it over to Aodh so that it could be stripped of its' past.

"Don't listen to him, I only unscrewed his head, took his arms and leg off, opened his torso to insert a special crystal...well, maybe I should have at the very least apologized, but he tried to stab me when I assembled him back together! I couldn't risk getting cut up, could I?" The young man would say with a faint pout.

 

[Kitten]

Taking her palms to press against the earthy ground below her, she’d shove outwards to heave herself aloft to steadily stand back resolutely on her feet. Her figure immediately whisked around, her long brown tresses flinging around her backside to accommodate to the aggressive turn. If looks could kill, Aodh would be limply lying by her feet. Those gilded hues, so vibrant like the sun above, transformed to display a rancorous mien. No words left her lips as her head persisted to relive the dreadful words that flowed like venom from his once affectionate lips. Why was he acting so heartless? So cruel? Zara fully submitted her mind, body, and soul to him hours before, affirming a lifelong commitment to him… only for him to treat her like a nemesis because her feelings got the best of her. Her lips began to part to reply back to his merciless statement but before any sound exited, the randomized shuffling of the lifeless doll broke her anger and instead replaced it with genuine curiosity.

Ignoring the Catfolk before her she’d twist her head to look over her shoulder before fully turning around to watch the magnificence unfold. The same shade of her Mana consumed the marionette, something obviously causing it to act accordingly in response to her spell. As quickly as it started it ceased, the doll no longer moving, but Zara held her breath in suspense as she was certain this wasn’t the end of it. Those glazed eyes glowed lavender before a chain reaction ignited more to spontaneously happen, including clothing and hair. It was apparent that Zara was very amazed yet shocked in the same breath, unaware that her magic could do something like this, despite Aodh painting the foundation before her portion was needed.

…but then it talked! With enlarged eyes, the Catfolk would take a few steps backwards, giving the now living doll room since it looked just as surprised as she was. Zara wasn’t anticipating the Aepean language to pour out from it, but she appreciated its individuality. Luckily, she could speak some basic
Aepean, already comprehending what it was mumbling on about. The poor thing was frightened when it caught glimpse of her towering over it, but it grew more terrified after seeing Aodh which caused Zara’s brows to raise in misunderstanding. Asides from it being fearful of her moments before, it now coiled itself around her for dear life, cowering as it wanted nothing to do with him. Unsure how to react to everything, Zara stood there motionless, peering down at her leg to keep a close eye on it.

The way it imbedded itself within her chest to hide away from him caused her to frown vaguely before cautiously taking her arms to move towards her chest, having her hands lay against its back to add additional coverage as she attempted to soothe it with tender touches. It made sense now as to why the Familiar feared Aodh, and she couldn’t blame him. If she caught glimpse of someone that manipulated her, for good or bad, she’d be frightened too. Hearing Aodh talk about taking him away from her after everything that had happened made her glance up at him, then back at the pleading doll, then back at Aodh. Zara didn’t appreciate his sarcasm, if that’s what he was trying to display, but no matter how he acted she tried to quibble it after his unwarranted vindictiveness.

“No.” Was all she said, letting the air stay still to leave a dramatic pause before continuing to speak. The Familiar sighed in relief to hear the Catfolk decline the option he had given her, hugging onto her a bit tighter in gratitude. “Not only do I want to avoid taking any more of your precious time to make technological breakthroughs if you fix him, but I’m more than happy to welcome him into my life, and I will do what is needed to care for him.” Zara could only wonder what was going through his head after retorting back to his previous malice words, wanting to do everything she could to make him ache just as he did to her… hell, maybe even more.

“That being said, I apologize for acting foolish to think I am deserving of your time.” Her throat started to tighten, a sign that tears were quickly approaching, but she’d swallow down harshly to drink down her sadness… but it was hard to hide the pain in her voice with every word, apparent that it disturbed her to act like this to someone she admired and cared deeply for. “If it will make your life easier, I will gather what little I have and return to the Adventurer’s Agency. I’d hate to be more of a burden.”

Motionless the Familiar rested against her chest, but not being it was no longer living, but it could comprehend the emotions behind every word, hugging her a little bit tighter. “I will be in my room if you choose that route, so please inform me and I will act accordingly to make your wishes a reality.” Before he had a chance to reply or register everything, her body pivoted around to have her backside face him, beginning to pace away from him. Zara used up all of the courage she could to stay by him during this lesson, uncaring if there were additional steps needed for today. Her heart just couldn’t take anything anymore. Turning her head around to give him one last glance, she’d depart with one last sentence…

“I’m sorry for giving you something so fragile only for you to drop it.” Referring to her giving herself to him only for him to treat it as if it meant nothing. Returning her gaze back ahead of her, she continued her regretful walk back to the house, the tears that she was holding back finally escaping now that her face was no longer looking at him.

“Je suis désolé… I didn’t want you to already see an embarrassing side of me so soon.” Zara’s voice trembled as she apologized to the Familiar as tears rolled down her heated cheeks. Her hands still stayed in place over him, the doll shifting around to each step she took. She could feel it lean backwards to get a better view of her face yet still held onto her.

“Mademoiselle, please do not say sorry for your emotions.” The marionette attempted to comfort and reassure her to the best of its abilities with what little it knew from the living world. “He’s mean anyways! Connard!” Already the naïve puppet elicited Zara to laugh softly from his vulgar choice of words.

“That’s not very nice… but I will let it slide for right now.” She’d giggle while giving the Familiar a light pat on the back as she entered back into the home, heading back up into her room. She wondered if the Familiar would dispel after a certain amount of time, but she didn’t want to ask Aodh for anything right now.

 

[Strange Days]

Aodh would take a step back as she stared at him with what could only be described as sheer sorrow and disappointment in her eyes, clutching the marionette to her chest. Before he could even do so much as responding to her heartbreak-induced words, to throw himself at her feet and explain the situation, she had gathered what little remained of her integrity and made a break for the house. Her Master simply stood there, an arm extended to have her wait, to make her stop in her tracks.

But it was far too late to hope she'd listen to his reasons. Now he was left to his own thoughts. And those of the beings he had formed a pact with. A male voice echoed from the back of his head and shook him as tears started streaming down his cheeks and he'd sob into his arm to try and not let Zara see him in case she turned back.

"Boy, why do you always push those who care about you away? Why would you rather save your own reputation instead of telling her how you really feel?"
​

"Spare me the advice. I've made my mind up, so go back where you should be until you are actually needed." His eyes stinging and skin almost burning due to the tears that still seeped into it, Aodh would follow after his apprentice as the sun began to set for the day and with it, his own mood had become a grave one. He wouldn't have blamed Zara if she wished to go back to the Agency after he had made it seem like she was nothing but a passtime to discard once he was tired of her.

A few hours passed since she had gotten to the house, when Aodh came knocking at her door, a folded set of clothes in his hands. He had managed to sew her training outfit back together, and make it look brand new. The man gave her a faint smile as he handed her the clothes and looked around the room. "There are some leftovers on the table, but I am not really hungry, so...you can have them. Zara, I...I shouldn't have behaved that way, I shouldn't have treated you the way I promised not to indulge in when we met. Once your trial's over, you may go back to the Agency and I honestly wouldn't blame you. You can have him-" He'd say nodding at the Familiar who now sat on her nightstand, dispelled due to her Mana having dwindled. "And the clothes as well." With that said, the Magus would take a few steps back, his eyes still red and swollen with the aftermath of his silent crying in the wood wetting his cheeks.

"I'll leave my door open if you plan on talking to me anytime. Goodbye." As he had promised to the Catfolk, she'd see him enter his room and leave the wooden door slightly agape to show just a bit of the interior.

Aodh would toss his mantle and overcoat away, letting himself fall on top of the bed and covering his eyes up with his forearm, letting out a long sigh.

"Master...what should I do?" He'd whisper as he drifted off into a tormented slumber.

 

[Kitten]

NSFW links attached​

Being greeted by her closed bedroom door, she’d stop and stare at it, almost not wanting to go in. An odd feeling washed over her, yet it was familiar all in the same breath. She felt this long ago before she ran away from home, but the feelings attached to that was the ache of nonexistent parental love… this? This was a distinctive type of throb, one that felt as if her embroidered heart from years of mishandling was finally slackening up once more. Realizing that her lover, someone that she chose out of her own free will, disowned her for no rhyme or reason. Everything was consensual… was it all just a dream? But those marks that decorated her skin proved it was indeed real. The desire to run and never look back left her standing there, fighting with her conscious on how to continue on with her life.

“Ça va?” The nameless doll inquired her emotions, Zara still staring at her door as she pondered in thought, taking a moment to recollect herself to also console the doll.

“It’s nothing… just lost in thought. I’ll be fine, I just have to simmer down. How about you, how are you feeling?” She’d respond, but nothing was reciprocated. Raising a curious brow, she’d look down at her chest to give the marionette a concerned look, only to see the faint purple in its eyes fading as its body grew limp. Now that she thought of it, she was rather exhausted from overusing her mana, connecting the pieces together that he probably dispelled until she regained her strength. Sighing out, alone once more, she’d turn the knob to grant her access before quietly shutting it behind her as if not wanting to disturb anyone.

Sluggishly she paced to her nightstand, gingerly setting her Familiar down into a comfortable position on its back before sitting down on the edge of her neatly made bed, feeling the mattress sink from her weight. Letting out a frustrated groan that was tinged with sorrow, she’d fling her body backwards, resting on her back with her head lying on a pillow. Her eyes searched the white ceiling, as if it had the answers she desperately needed right now.

It was useless to shed anymore tears despite her eyes burning and aching to let the salty liquid cascade down her face. Instead, she’d close her eyes to think about something else, something happier… but the only things that immediately popped in her head were of Aodh. Exhaustedly she’d try to redirect her train of thought, unaware of just how exhausted she truly was. The last vision bestowed upon her as she drifted away was his vibrant, pleasant, and compassionate smile.

Knock... knock...

Instantly a knot of dread punched her in the gut, even in her sleeping state, once she heard those knocks ring in her room. In the same manner one would do when they realized they overslept, Zara would promptly sit upwards, her eyes tremendously blurry and her head in a stupor as she hadn’t “rebooted” properly. Although her vision was distorted, she could still tell that it was Aodh who stood at her doorway. She’d give him a menacing glance as he approached her, but her heart pounded so fearsomely that she thought she’d kill over dead from it. Caught off guard, he’d hand her the clothing he vowed to tend to, Zara gracelessly taking it within her palms, still unspoken as he apologized for the way he acted.

The sweet Aodh she’d come to know and love was still in there, hearing the melancholy in his voice as he tried to make things right to some degree. Her cruel expression eased up, feeling guilty on her behalf for making him feel that way… but then again, he’s the one that rejected her, not her. Her blood boiled once more, the good and the bad within Zara battling it out on how to take his words. Finding it hard, she’d lift her head up to have her sunny hues look into his face, noticing a hue of redness that one would get after crying. Something within her wanted to reach out to him, to comfort him despite all of his wrongdoings to her and to forgive him right then and there, willing to sweep this big misunderstanding under the rug if it meant she could be in his life.

Stupidly, she’d sit there, staring at him with nothing to say or add on, yet as soon as he bid her goodnight and ventured off into his own room was when she yearned to finally reach out to him and speak up… another chance that fled away. It wasn’t too late to catch up with him, though, but the reoccurring thought of what he said hours before drastically changed her mind. Zara hated being tormented by her bipolar thoughts, unknowing what to do or how to feel. She wanted to rip her beautiful almond locks of hair right out of her scalp, screaming at herself as she loathed her very existence… but instead she just sat there, staring at a tiny portion of his room’s wall since she could barely see the inside of it due to the awkward angles.

That’s when she decided she thirsted for revenge, not wanting to accept his worthless excuse of an apology…

It was excruciating, waiting for the boiling ball of gas in the sky to sink down to allow its counterpart the chance to shine for the night. Her feline ears twitched and concentrated on the sounds around her, hearing the shallow ins and outs of Aodh’s breathing as he slept from his own emotional exhaustion. Zara felt wide awake, butterflies chaotically fluttering with nowhere to go in her stomach as she doubted her petty vengeance scheme. Was the fear beginning to eat her up, forcing her to back down into submission? Biting her lower lip with her right canine she’d force herself to stand on her feet, feeling a tad better after completing the first obstacle.

Another obstacle needed to be confronted, Zara taking her delicate hands to help guide her shorts and tank top off from her slender figure, watching as they fell onto the floor. White and lacelike lingerie was now on full display, being the only two pieces of clothing hugging up against her body. Her hands would tremble at her sides, her body failing her already and wanting to back off. No. Zara clenched her hands tightly, feeling them strain as her knuckles turned pale from the exerted force. Taking in a single deep breath through her nose and letting it out through her lips, she’d begin to tiptoe out of her bedroom, making her way out into the hallway where she was beginning to get closer to Aodh’s room. He still sounded asleep, but it still didn’t calm her enough to stop her heart from fluttering.

Holding her breath, she would finally stand besides the opened entryway to his room, slowly peeking her head over the corner to see the Catfolk asleep on his back, the slow rise and fall of his chest being noted with her keen night-vision eyes. Those golden orbs looked menacing if one were to look at her peeking from the shadows, but they would be correct… at least for tonight. After she finally gained the courage to see him, the fear in her seemed to drip away, giving her an unforeseen boost of confidence. Tiptoeing furthermore, she’d make her way into his room for the first time but didn’t look around to inspect his personal space. Zara was far too fixated on the unconscious man before her, and she hated the way her lips curled up into a mischievous smile, her adrenaline now spiking.

Now that she was standing at the foot of his bed, her eyes squinted as she looked at him, soaking in his innocent and naïve state before she’d corrupt it. First her hands would place her palms on the foot of the mattress, feeling her weight slightly shift underneath the duo. Not waiting, she lifted herself up, crawling like her ancestors on all fours, her knees dragging along the comforter he rested on top of. By now, he had to of noticed the unusual shifting of his bed, alongside feeling light grazes of soft skin against his own. If he stirred his eyes open, she’d quickly lean inwards so their faces were inches apart, her hair cascading over her shoulders as a playful grin painted itself upon her beautiful face.

“I don’t appreciate what you’ve done to me today, Aodh.” Sternly she spoke, yet at the end of her sentence she let out a subtle purr, giving him all types of mixed signals. “To act as if I’m only useful when you deem it so… to use my body only to reject me the next morning? I expected better from you!” Before he had the chance to respond back, she’d instantly push her lips up to his to melt away any words that wanted to spew from his mouth, taking him by surprise as she talked so bitterly yet acted so fondly. The fiery passion could be felt… her pain, her arousal, her yearning, her sorrow… it was up to him to decide what everything she was giving off to him meant.

As their lips continued to smack against one another, be it him wanting it to happen or not, her left hand would slither down his abdomen, wasting no time to seek his sex hidden underneath his pants. Once she got her hand to dig down into his pants, she’d feel his pelvic bone and the base of his cock, trailing her hand dangerously lower to grab ahold of the flaccid member. Pulling her lips away after giving them a light lick, she’d use her other hand to pull her bra down enough to expose her malleable orbs, forcing her right one on to rest on his face so her nipple was grazing against his lips, her hand beginning to softly stroke him in hopes his body would betray him and give into her temptations.

 

[Strange Days]

As Aodh slept, he would be completely unaware of what Zara planned to do to him when he least expected it. There were tales of Apprentices tying their Master up as they slept only to rob them of their most prized possessions before running off...but Zara had no way of knowing the value of the Relics he dealt with on a regular basis, or how to safely retrieve them without suffering any sort of adverse effects. It wouldn't have been long before she left, he assumed. She had every single reason in the world to do so seen as how he had treated her over the course of the day and hadn't done so much as explaining himself to the young woman.

But such worrying thoughts only sparsely ebbed and flowed in his mind, clouded by sleep, his conflicting emotions, and the reluctance he had in facing a furious Zara head on and without so much as her understanding to (hopefully) prevent the girl from doing anything stupid and which she may have regretted in the heat of the moment. But as he slipped further and further into his own thoughts to wash the tension away...he saw it. Spurred on by his last, fleeting call before he drifted away into the embrace of sleep.

A vision.

Xx--------------------------------xX

Magic Age , 42X

"Uh...sniffle...uwaaah...I-I want my Mom!!!" A little, weeping cat-eared boy wiped the large, bitter tears streaming down his cheeks, his lavender tresses ruffled and face sullied in dirt. The same could be said for this hands, covered in what seemed to be light burns.
His despair, however, was quick to limit itself to a faint sob as someone approached his position. He'd lift his eyes up, a taller frame than his obscuring the pale sun, hidden among the thick clouds that blanketed the skies. He knew he couldn't afford to cry in front of such an important person.

The magenta-haired woman, clad in pirate captain garb, would look down at him with an almost amused, gleeful smile crossing her scarred face. She's speak up to him softly, though her words hid a clear teasing intent behind them. "What's wrong, Squeaks? Crying again like the little boy you are? Maybe you want me to bring you a blankie?"

The boy would bite down on his lip, still on the verge of tears, though this time, he would growl and make a small jump backwards, extending his hands towards the pirate and letting his blind rage guide him instead of a clear, rational mind.

"Don't treat me...like a kid!" However, the prodigious flames he wanted to create through his Mana...did not come out, small embers sputtering out of his fingertips before he'd slump over, breathing heavily as tears began falling down onto the ground once more. Upon seeing him like that, the woman would rush at his side, and place a hand on his back. Looking at the Catfolk with her bright aquamarine eyes, she'd address him in a much more empathetic tone.

"See what happens when you strain yourself too much? You really are a dummy. Climbing all the way up this mountain by yourself, and training for three days without food, water or sleep...what were you planning on doing?"

But instead of replying, he'd go back to his weeping. "I-I just...it's too tough, Master. And you've been so kind to me that *sniffle* I felt like if I came here by myself to show you how much I had improved after that time..." More unintelligible words poured out of his mouth before he was shushed up by the woman, who'd help him get up before stepping to the edge of abyss they stood on.

"Listen, I can't make up for your parents. I am, admittedly, awful with kids. But that doesn't mean I view you as a failure in any sort of way. And a Master's role...is to stick by their Apprentice, no matter what, and show them the way." She'd then scratch her stitched cheek before continuing, the pirate's stomach breaking the solemn silence with a loud growl.

"That said...I'm hungry, and want to get drunk. Shall we head back the ship, Aodh?" Following her Apprentice's silent nod as he lowered his head in shame, she'd give him a loving headpat before heading together down the path that she had came from.

Xx--------------------------------xX
​

"I need to speak with Zara." His eyes would open wide and he would get up from his bed...only to be immediately pushed down by something plush pressing against his torso, followed by a sultry voice and laugh he recognized all to well, matched by a pair of golden hues that were fixated on the Magus.

Before he could speak up against the intruder, his lips were sealed through a kiss, and his tongue lead in a messy exchange, his senses dulling as he felt just how determined his Apprentice was to make him pay for breaking her heart, as she put it. And though he was about to share insight into his behavior, the feeling of his bare skin being exposed, and her hand gripping around his manhood, he was left with nothing but a hesitanting glare at Zara. "I can explain, please let me go so that I can-" but once again, he was silenced by something else that filled out his mouth.

This time, he was suckling on one of the Catfolk's supple breasts as he felt the air in his lungs leaving his body for good, a glazed look of bliss was what she received instead of the long sought-after apology she had unknowingly cut off...in favor of a much more arousing punishment. And his reaction didn't take long to manifest itself, his cock now hard, hot and curving to the strokes her hand gave him at an unbearable pace.

He really was like those people he despised so much, if he couldn't even fight off the allure of his pupil or withstand so little. The fact she had prevented him a fair discussion was, perhaps, not the wisest decision in hindsight since for all she knew, he was being allowed to derive pleasure from her body yet again and discard her for real once he was done enjoying the pleasure.

 

[Kitten]

A small yet boisterous giggle left her cerise lips, gawking at the Catfolk beneath her as his expression twisted considerably in such a short amount of time. It didn’t take long for the member within her palm to harden, taking notice of each vein beginning to bulge and pulsate from the growing desire in the pit of his stomach. “Oh? You can explain?” She’d murmur as a smile sprouted, her stroking hand beginning to steadily glide upwards and downwards, feeling the skin of his shaft move with her. “You had all day to explain, Aodh.” Formidably she spoke, almost wanting him to cower at her unusual behavior and tone of voice. He didn’t seem to put up a fight with her overbearing advances, Zara savoring the fact that he was putty within her grasp.

“You’re only wanting to explain now because I’m finishing what you started.” Her eyes never left him, her pace quickening as she continued to rest her pliable breast on his face. Zara would suddenly stop her rubbing as she tugged upwards to have her thumb roll over the tip of his cock, feeling a generous amount of precum coat the head. “Do you have any idea as to how you made me feel today?” She’d casually ask as if this wasn’t as big of a deal as it truly was, her stroking commencing once more at a quickened pace. Lifting her chest upwards slightly she’d allow her bosom to retreat from his lips, allowing him the opportunity to talk but cut him off if he started to speak immediately after being freed.

“You left me on edge all day as I was anxiously hoping for a happy ending for our misinterpretation situation.” She’d begin to explain a portion of her side of the story, still not easing up on her impressive tugs on his cock that were beyond heavenly for the Catfolk. She hoped he was beginning to feel the familiar euphoric rush that begged for release, Zara’s own golden irises flooding with desire and retribution as Aodh’s reflection danced in those glistening orbs. Her face leaned inwards, her plush lips grazing against the softness of his fuzzy ear as she muttered temptingly into it. “C’mon.. I know it must feel so unbelievably good to feel my hand tending to you…” Her breathing began to spike in rhythm, her breath hot and heavy as Aodh was able to feel those tingling sensations against his outer ear. “Tell me how badly you want to release and when you’re getting close, yeah? Be a good boy for your Apprentice.”

If he was nearing close to his climax due to her relentless rubbing and dirty talking, she’d be able to feel his sex begin to quiver within her palm even if he didn’t state his dangerously approaching orgasm. Although she wasn’t considered sexually experienced asides from Aodh the other night, she’d simply follow her instincts on how to read his lustful body language and how to move her in order to grant him delight. Just as Zara felt the Catfolk ready to erupt at any moment, she’d immediately take her hand off from his sex and recoil her hand out from his pants. “Awe… what’s wrong?” She’d sarcastically inquire as she leaned downwards to dip her index fingers into his pants and undergarments to tug them downhill, revealing the throbbing cock before her as it curved upwards once freed from its confines, slapping against his pelvic bone.

 

[Strange Days]

"I-I would have explained, I'm just not used to dealing with someone who happens to like me, much less my apprentice! Please, Zara, this is not how we are supposed to talk!" He was referring to the fact she had assaulted him wearing nothing but a revealing set of lingerie of course, and overtaken by her own pettiness. In his eyes, he was the one that the Catfolk was currently victimizing. But a sadistic Zara never would have heard him out, not until he apologized...which would have proved hard since she was currently toying with her Master's cock and didn't plan on stopping in the slightest, especially as he tried to snake his way out of her grasp again.

Aodh, on the other hand, was in complete bliss, panting and even holding in a few strained moans as she tortured his cock through his pants, the member growing hotter and harder thanks to her teasing. If one thing could be said about her hidden talents...was that she seemed to be quite good at finding the cat-eared Magus's weakness and exploiting them fully to her own twisted advantage. And though he did his best to shake her off, and turn his head away from the soft, heavy breasts that tempted him with their seductive sway and hardened nipples, finding himself welcoming them between his lips time and time again, he found himself unable to resist her. "N-No, I'm honest, I swear, Zara, don't try and making me look like some kind of pervert! I get that you were very hurt and shocked by my behavior but this is not-!?"

He squeaked as she kept tugging on him, his own hips having given up and now bucking into her small, soft hand to achieve the release she would have inevitably deny him, the only thing that would have made her lewd punishment completely ineffective. His mind tormented by nothing but the buxom figure that pinned him to his bed, Aodh would confess in the hopes that upon seeing him for what he truly was, she would have taken pity in him and forgiven her Master so that they could have started over. "Ah-Oh! It feels amazing, I don't deserve it! But I didn't make love to you because I planned on discarding you, but rather due to the fact I was afraid the other Grandmasters would have proven to be way more charming than me and tried taking you away with their twisted ways. I don't want to lose you Zara, so please stay by my side forever!" The last part of his confession seemed to completely let any sense of decency slip by the Catfolk. The soft whispers in his furry ear would prove to be the final straw for the young man.

"I want to let it all out, I want to make a mess of your hand, to see my Apprentice's sadistic smile as she drains me!" But his ecstatic begging was cut short by a terrified glare at his lower regions as the apprentice slowly unveiled his throbbing cock, a string of precum trickling down his navel as he was denied any sort of release, squirming in her grasp...the Magus was hoping she would have changed her mind after his confession. He'd lower his eyes away from those glowing golden hues, small tears forming in the corners of his.

"I'm truly sorry and can't apologize enough. We've been together for only a short amount of time, yet I feel like we have known each other for far longer. I don't think I could ever feel that way about anyone else but you so...if this is my punishment, I am going to endure it for your sake. I am supposed to give a good example to my Apprentice after all, right? How could I be a good Master if that wasn't the case? If I did things solely out of selfishsness?"

He'd slowly blink at her to see if his apologies had any effect on Zara, those red irises she couldn't get enough of scanning her thoughts about what he had said. There was no malice in his words, that much she could tell...and he had tried to act out of kindness. The Grandmasters he had mentioned did sound like awful company to be around and thus, he didn't want to expose her to it, much less deal with them.

 

[Kitten]

Zara would attentively listen to his words despite it seeming like she was only engrossed on teasing him, her chest beginning to tighten and ache worse than before from hearing his declarations and genuine words. It made her ponder on what she should do next, the kindness in her heart telling her to let it go and be civilized here on out… but the nagging voice in her head egged her to continue this game, wanting to make him feel every ounce of sadness she suffered the entire day. She failed to take into consideration that he may have been just as miserable as her, only fixated on the bitter words he spilled at her.

Now that she had her hand away from his cock -- giving him a chance to cool down from the release she blocked him from – she would peer into his burgundy eyes… those adorable, guiltless, and naïve burgundy eyes. The way they glinted as hot tears formed in his sclera caused her to pause and stiffen, unaware that she would provoke him to cry before her. Zara had never witness real-time tears on him, her own eyes beginning to tremble with the liquids of sorrow, the girl feeling culpable and ashamed.

Instantly, she’d lean forward as her arms encased themselves around the nape of his neck as she drew him closer to her, Zara’s body moving to sit on top of his pelvic bone as his member rested against her voluptuous rear, her bosoms pressing against his chest. Her head would lean over his shoulder and bury into the pillow he was resting on, holding onto him as if her life depended on it. Gradually her body began to quiver as she allowed her overpowering emotions win her over despite trying to act strong.

“Aodh, you idiot.” Her voice was unsteady from attempting to talk normal and not allowing her weeping to take over. “Why are you so worried about your Grandmasters? Isn’t my happiness when I’m with you enough to prove that you’re not like the others?” She’d lean her head away from her current positioning as she raised it enough to gaze into his soaked eyes. Taking her right hand away from holding onto his neck, she’d use her thumb to wipe away the warm and salty tears underneath his left eye, her eyes adoringly looking into his own.

“I’m not going to be charmed by anyone else out of my own free will. I told you last night that I belonged to you.” Her forehead would rest atop of his own, the tips of their noses brushing up against one another as she closed her eyes, feeling her own two teardrops cascade down her warm cheeks. “I don’t say that lightly, Aodh. I meant every word. That is why it hurt so much to be treated so callously today.” Shifting her hands she’d cup his face, her eyes slowly opening back up to look at his face once more as her head pulled back from his forehead.

Pausing for a moment, she’d continue on, “I want to be by your side forever, too. Please, Aodh, don’t do that to me ever again. Just talk to me and don’t be afraid… and don’t be worried about being viewed as a pervert because that is not how I see you.” Tilting her head downwards she would press her lips onto his, intimately kissing him as softly as she could instead of the ravenous kiss she gave him moments before. “I give you full permission to do as you please to me, be it sexually or just being your Apprentice. So please, don’t think you’re like one of them. Okay?” She’d mouth the words against his lips, Aodh being able to feel her talk against them.

 

[Strange Days]

Zara's comforting change in attitude made sure her Master would calm down as well, the man returning the embrace by clasping her back, and stroking through the Catfolk's long chestnut brown hair. "I know I'm an idiot. I'm the biggest idiot among all idiots. But I know those people, and I know what tools they have at their disposal. Not all of them are like that, mind you, there are some I do trust." Instinctively, his thoughts went to the three other Grandmasters he spoke about, though one was more weary about associating himself with his colleagues. Still, he knew they had one another's back. Much like Aodh, they were relatively new members of the Council, though he felt their position was much more deserved than his.

"So if anything happens to me, I know they will protect you for a fact. But pray, Zara...let us forget about all of this? And don't cloud those wonderful eyes of yours with tears for someone who hurt you so." He'd nod and take her hand into his, wiping her tears off of her long eyelashes as she'd lower herself to remind him of how she belonged to him, and he belonged to her. "W-Well, I think we were intoxicated yesterday so don't mark my words as absolute but...I was speaking the truth, from the bottom of my heart. That is indeed right, we're two halves of a whole. I don't have any experience with matters of the heart...but I will do my best. And you won't be hurt by my words again, I promise you that." As the mood seemed to have become much lighter than before, and their mood to have improved, he'd welcome her kiss as a way of making things up.

Now sitting upright, she felt his hardness against her rear, sitting in his lap in nothing but the revealing nightwear she had picked out for him personally. Aodh talked back to her, letting her finish the sentence. "Then, since that is not the case, allow me to make it up to you, Zara. We both have much to learn when it comes to dealing with one's lust, and nearly not enough time as we'd like to dedicate to it." As he spoke, his hands would go over her curves, sampling her breasts as he usually did, then roaming off to her hips, and the plush behind he had only ever caught a glimpse of through her training clothes.

"Where did you find these clothes?" He'd ask, their tongues momentarily separating and leaving behind only their labored breaths. Without waiting her reply, he was quick to drop her onto the matress, and part her thighs as he looked into her amber hues. She had forgotten that he had such strength in him, though there wasn't a lot of difference in height between the two of them...Aodh was still bigger than her, though on the slimmer side and not as resilient as Zara.

"Well, it doesn't matter. You can tell me all about it later, once I am done with this." He gave the feline temptress a smile as he raised her legs to take off the thin panties that had dampened with her arousal, then looked at her bared womanhood in anticipation, laying there in wait for him. The Magus made sure his lover could see his head lowering between her supple thighs, and his lips parting to tease her lower lips with a gust of surprisingly cool air, no doubt the result of his Wind Magic. Once he had gotten the teasing out of the way, he'd gift her with a kiss, then a light brush of his tongue onto the sensitive spot that never failed to arouse her, having gazed upon it the previous day, through the mist that arranged his thoughts so that his mind couldn't operate properly. Yet he had learned some valuable information on her body.

Slowly, and with her half being handled by him, Zara would be treated to new heights of pleasure as he began to brush her with his slightly raspy tongue, each lick corresponding to a small jolt, tiny sparks that would build to the same release she had denied him previously out of her selfish, albeit misunderstood, aims.

 

[Kitten]

As Aodh rested upright, Zara would help reposition herself to make it more comfortable for the both of them. It seemed as if their emotional discussion didn’t affect his erection, the Catfolk feeling it grind against her supple rear. Now that her vengeful demeanor dissipated, her cheeks would flush in a soft shade of red to be in this sort of position with him now.

Hearing him out, she’d nod silently, agreeing to the fact that they have so much to learn about one another when it comes to lust and romantic emotions and how to deal with them. Lifting her right hand, she would cup the left side of his jawline and use her thumb to delicately graze his skin as she pressed her forehead up against his. It brought a smile to her lips, as well as an aroused exhale, as she felt him trekking her body with his fingertips -- as if it were an uncharted realm for him and only him to venture to.

His inquire about her risqué set of apparel caused her fuzzy ears to twitch, unsure on how to respond to his embarrassing curiosity. Luckily for her, she wouldn’t have to worry about answering him – but she had a new obstacle to overcome. Letting out a startled squeal that was tinged with endless glee, she’d find herself laying against the mattress, her lengthened chestnut locks cascading all around her head. Her heart started to skip beats as his fingers dug into her flesh to part her thick thighs, the girl curving her lips upwards into an enthusiastic grin. Zara’s irises followed with Aodh’s burgundy ones, searching them as if they held all the answers to everything within the universe.

Excitedly, her upper teeth would nibble down at her lower lip with lustful anticipation, her legs moving on their own to help Aodh as she shimmied out of her sodden panties. Her hands almost wanted to dart downwards to conceal her bare sex in embarrassment as he gawked at it, instinctively making her slightly self-conscious that perhaps it wasn’t good enough. He’d prove her wrong as she watched him sink downwards, Zara sucking in a breath of air and holding it compulsorily. Once the squall of air caressed the lips between her hips, she’d finally exhale the breath she held in. The arousal that coated her slit grew cold, the feeling almost resembling that of the after effect of a mint lingering in ones mouth.

It didn’t take much at all to excite the Catfolk before him, the simple lap of his flattened tongue grazing the exceedingly delicate bundle of nerves causing the small of her back to arch. Light and stifled moans already spilled from her slightly parted lips, exhaling hot and saturated air as her head could no longer raise on its own – gingerly falling to rest against the mattress as her eyes looked up at the ceiling. Now that she couldn’t see him, Zara was unaware of what he was planning on doing to her. It also would add a more intense feeling since she had no idea regarding his desired route. Almost immediately after feeling the pressure of his tongue brush against her once more, her legs started to close in on themselves, her thighs pressing against each side of his face, albeit very gently. Once realizing what she had instinctively done, she quickly caused her legs to part back to what they used to be, but that didn’t stop them from trembling and yearning to do it again.

Each exhale was twisted with a moan, the girl still not used to feeling this sensation against her sex. It was unique and extremely powerful, Zara ill-equipped that the tongue alone could make her feel this way down there. Taking her hands, she’d twist them around towards her back as she arched it once more – both in pleasure and to assist her – to fumble around and unclasp her bra. Uncaringly she’d drop it off the edge of the bed before taking both palms to caress her large yet perky breasts, her head turning to the left to bite down on her shoulder from the bliss.

Aodh grazed a spot that felt just right, Zara’s right hand promptly bolting downwards to grip at his lilac tresses as her left stayed on her breast, wanting to show him just how well he was tending to her. A sense of guilt started to rear its ugly head at her, the Catfolk reaching down now with both hands before pulling his head upwards by his cheeks gently to have his wettened lips recoil off from her tingling flesh. Raising her head and upper body, she’d shake her head in shame. “I don’t deserve a release after what I have done to you, Aodh.” She admitted with a remorseful tone to her words. “Please, let me be the one now to make it up to you. I’ll give you what I denied you from earlier.” Lovingly she’d smile at him, her thighs still trembling somewhat as she felt the phantom sensations of his tongue still against her slit.

“Tell me what you want. I’ll do anything for you.”​

 

[Strange Days]

Zara may have been incredibly self-conscious of the way her body reacted to pleasure, each quiver and droplet of sweat and arousal causing her to only anticipate the quick, darting motions of Aodh's tongue across her lower lips. Yet he only found it out to be one more reason to lavish her in attentions, to dispense her with even more of the increasingly hot sensation that rose up from her very core. Not once did he give any sort of hint of discomfort to the Catfolk's reaction, even making it so her legs would actually stay in place, close to the sides of his head as he brought more of her nectar to his lips and rewarded each moan with a rapid peck on the tiny bundle of nerves that peaked on top of her womanhood.

She saw him looking right back at her, lips curved in a sly grin as his confidence came back to embolden him, and raise the amount of care and attention he put into his foreplay. Zara felt him focus on her clit as their eyes locked, just so that she'd have no choice but to throw her head back in delight. When that was done, and she was left with the shivers brought about by the velvety muscle, Aodh had opted to kiss his way up her belly slowly only to then give her yet another deep kiss, his tongue teasing her depths, stroking her walls only to then...stop as she demanded he asked for her services. To that end, he had let go of her legs, wiped his chin clean, and crossed his arms, shaking his head side to side with a sigh.

"No can do, Zara. This is your punishment. But I did appreciate your offer, so I can offer you some sort of reward." Before she could manifest interest in his proposal, he had very rapidly placed his hands on her voluptuous behind, and raised her hips up so that only her upper back rested on the bed, his arms locking in place around her thighs as he looked at the amber-eyed girl. "Have a look." He simply stated, before he would sink back between her legs to give her arousal-coated slit a passionate, slow kiss that made sure she clung to him, a groan of appreciation that resembled a purr sending more pleasurable vibrations down her loins. When he was sure to have gotten her for good, he took her pliable breasts in his hand, teasing the nipples just like he was doing with the rest of her heated body.

Aodh would stop just there. He gave her even more, stopping to rub her with the tip of his nose, nibbling down slightly on her labia, or even placing kisses on her inner thigh while giving her a half-lidded look that only showed part of his desire for the woman that laid on the bed, panting because of him and only egging him to bring her closer and closer to the climax he himself had been denied in the first place. The latest addition would prove to be the most anticipated. Still losing no chance to lap up her intoxicating arousal, he had begun to tease her with her fingers, too, exploring her warm interiors with just the first knuckle, only to go deeper and curve slightly to find her "secret switch".

As much as he loathed some of his colleagues...the more lascivious of tomes he had sometimes attempted to read in private did hold a wealth of information on anatomy, and given how similar Humans and Catfolk were from a biological standpoint...it was not an arduous task to draw his own. conclusions and act accordingly to make sure Zara was satisfied by his rudimentary lovemaking techniques.

 

[Kitten]

With a bewildered expression, Zara would raise her right brow after he declined her offer to allow him his well-deserved climax – instead wanting to reward her for offering him his sweet release yet punishing her at the same time. She wondered what he truly meant when he said that, but he didn’t allow her a chance to inquire the meaning behind his words. Letting out a small gasp in surprise, she’d feel his hands mold into her ass as he heaved upwards to have her pelvis even-out to level up against his famished lips. The warmth of his arms coiled around her thick thighs, Zara giving him a worried face when he told her to look. She wasn’t worried in a sense of being terrified, but because she had no idea what he was going to do to her yet had a good idea once his soft and plush lips kissed the lips between her inner thighs.

As if she were just punched in the stomach, she’d let out an elongated gasp as her back arched, yet her hips stayed in place from his hold on her. Her head turned to the right as her hands involuntarily lashed outwards to clutch onto his lavender tresses and head, wanting to show him just how irresistible he was to her. Letting her body move on its own she would grant her thighs access to clench together around his face – being sure to not cause harm or pain to him. Her mouth parted as a sheen coat of saliva still lingered on her lips, panting out like a feral animal in heat finally getting its primal desires tamed. “A-Aodh…!” Breathlessly she’d call out to him, her hips instinctively beginning to grind up against his greedy lips.

Her hardened nipple could be felt against his palm as he kneaded her breast with love and care, giving every inch of her body pleasure to ignite her arousal furthermore. “S-s-stop, I’m not going to l-last long!” She’d warn him as she begged out – yet truthfully didn’t want him to cease his lovemaking – as her thighs began to quiver against his head from the waves of pleasure surging through her clit. Once he plummeted a digit into her cunt, she’d tense up and cry out in delight, feeling his finger wriggle around in search for something she wasn’t aware about. Zara felt guilty slightly for not being as sexually educated as Aodh, the female Catfolk being aware that he had some form of knowledge despite not knowing where he got it from. She was his first, so how did he know what to do? As his finger curled upwards – like a hook – she would feel his fingertip brush up against the rough patch of flesh that seemed to rest underneath her pelvic bone.

Without meaning to, she instantly strained up and ended her squirming, never feeling that part of her body being touched before – or feeling that amount of euphoria from something such as this. He continued to prod at it gently yet applied enough pressure to make her hit all of the right notes her aroused vocal cords could muster. Her hands stayed on his head, holding him in place as she felt a wave stronger than the rest against her clit pulsate – signifying her climax was here. Zara’s head leaned backwards as her toes curled in response to her body beginning to tense all by itself, those golden eyes rolling into the back of her skull so harshly that she wondered if she would be able to pull them back once everything was said and done.

“Mmmpphh!~” In breathless anticipation the feline would moan out boisterously as she shuddered compulsorily from Aodh continuing to egg on her raining orgasm, Zara beginning to grow overly sensitive now that her high was beginning to drown out after the tension she held in was released. “H-how did you know to d-do that?” Zara questioned him as his mouth was still full of her sex, the hands on his head starting to gingerly try and push him away as she started to squirm from the sensitivity.

 

[Strange Days]

"Mmph!" Despite his best efforts to escape the pillowy prison that were her thighs pressed against his head, Aodh had fallen prey to his own greed, Zara keeping him in place so that she could ride off the high that her orgasm brought her. He didn't fight against it of course, eyes closed as he felt her arousal trickle down his tongue and fill his mouth. She felt him moving his head around for a while before he would settle into her using him as a convenient tool to lap up after the mess he had caused in the first place. Then, his hands would part her legs, and let the female Catfolk rest as they limply fell back on the matress. Her own question was ignored as he wiped his mouth clean, and looked at his fingers, still wet with her juices. He smelled them, and decided he had enough of her taste for today, wiping them on his leg and turning towards her.

"Oh, I found some interesting passages in books that I thought would be helpful one day. And it seemed like they were right. You did make noises I had never thought were possible for humanoids to produce. Especially when I started rubbing you." He explained his points very matter-of-factly, as he got back on top of her once more, his throbbing shaft weighing down on her belly as he stroked through her hair and her lips, as well. "Look at us, we ended up doing the exact same thing as yesterday, didn't we? I don't think pheromones are to blame this time, though, Zara. We can't ignore our feelings, and that is fine. But please try keeping up the Apprentice front when we are in public, alright?" The night wasn't over, however, as he'd briefly kiss her neck only to then move to the side.

"I've also heard oral sex is pretty popular among the species that roam the world. Do you think...you could return the favor, Zara?" As he asked so, she'd be treated to the sight of it, the erect cock she had been bullying after sneaking into her Master's chambers. The very same one that she had felt inside of her for the first time. It seemed to have swelled up slightly from its' original size, and would have thus been a little more of a challenge to calm down compared to the previous day. It was, however, close to release if her touch hadn't betrayed her. If Aodh's words hadn't stopped Zara, he would have made a mess of the Catfolk, her attire, and perhaps even the room.

"I didn't want to worry you, but it has been painful to remain like this after your visit. So while we can stop here, I'd rather not deal with the stinging for the rest of the night." He'd huff slightly and fall into a sitting position rather than remaining on his knees, legs spread to give her access if she really wished to please him...and maybe have a little payback like she planned to? The Catfolk seemed the type who liked pleasing others, but had trouble when it came to letting her know that she had to get to work in order to take care of his own body as he feared to sound selfish. Though when she looked at those desperate burgundy hues, there was little else that could tug at her poor hearstrings that way, and that fast especially.

The more he looked at her, his pain grew to be almost unbearable. Especially her eyes. There was something with the way she looked at Aodh that had triggered in him the need to seek out her approval first and foremost. Unless she expressed her comfort with what they were doing, he wouldn't have gone even a step further to rope her into it.

"Pretty please?~" He'd ask in a low voice.​

 

[Kitten]

NSFW links attached​

As a temporary exhaustion swept over her, she’d breathe unevenly as she watched the Catfolk begin to sit upwards and crawl atop of her, her lower half resting back down onto the mattress. A soft yet soothing purr emanated from her throat, her eyes glazed over with adoration and love as she was met once more with his gorgeous burgundy hues. As Zara continued to gulp at the steamy air around them, she would attentively listen to him and nod her head in understanding, feeling his soft fingertips glide against her tresses and skin. It was amazing how a book could help him perform that way, especially since this was truly his first time putting his research into action. “I promise to keep the Apprentice front whenever we’re out in public… but you can’t blame me if I steal a kiss here and there when we’re finally by ourselves for a moment.” A gleeful grin yanked at her lips before kissing his forehead as he urged his plush lips against her neck, delivering shivers down her spine.

She was aware of his pulsating shaft laying against her belly as they spoke, but once he brought oral sex to her attention, that was when she grew more conscious to the way his cock felt against her skin. Slowly, her right hand snuck in between their bodies as she aimed her sprawled fingers to grip at the throbbing member against her. Just before she was able to touch him, he shifted to sit on the side of the bed, Zara quick to push herself upwards to rest on her knees on the bed. A tilted frown adorned her face as he mentioned stopping here. Leaning into his back, her large breasts smooshed against his back as her arms coiled around to hold onto his chest to draw him in closer to her. A delicate kiss peppered itself onto his left shoulder, Zara rising to bring her lips up against his left ear. “Of course, I will return the favor, Aodh…” She’d murmur as her left hand proceeded to linger downwards to grip at his cock from the base softly. “Please, never be afraid to tell me if you’re craving something… and I’m talking about sexually. If you want me to do something to you, or try out something new, I’m all ears, babe…” A teasing lick against the outside of his ear would taunt him before retracting away from him.

“How sweet of you to save me a seat.” Zara would playfully tease him as she noticed he had already spread his legs for her to get into position if she chose to, the Catfolk swiftly departing from the bed to nestle in the middle of his parted limbs. “I promise to make you feel good… and if something feels extra good? I want to know so I can always do that.” She’d instruct him as her right hand rested against his lap as she clutched onto his cock, her eyes feasting upon the delicious sight before her. Eagerly, her hand would move towards the middle of his cock as she aimed the bulbous tip towards her lips so she could plant a delicate kiss onto it. With closed eyes, she concentrated on him and him alone, making it her goal to give him the best pleasure he’d receive so far. Slowly, she’d rise from her knees to lift slightly, her mouth opening to warmly welcome the tip of his member into her hungry mouth. Her tongue would swirl around the mushroom-tipped head, ensuring that the flat of her tongue would reach all the underside of the distinctly molded tip. Satisfied with herself, she’d wrap her lips around his girthy prick, gradually lowering her head to force her to take more of his cock into her mouth, and soon her throat.

Zara’s eyes would now open, fixated onto his facial features to read him and his reaction towards her movements. Both of her hands wrapped around each thigh of his, using them as leverage as she nearly kissed the base of his cock before rising back up. It would appear as if she were about to remove herself off from his cock entirely, but just when it seemed she was about to depart she would lower back down onto his cock, beginning her up-and-down motions to pleasure him with her mouth. As she bobbed her head lewdly, her tongue would twirl around his shaft to give him more pleasure than just her constricting throat. Zara could feel the ridges of his pulsing veins against her tongue, carefully licking his rod like a melting ice cream on a scorching summers day, ensuring to lap up every fleeing droplet of deliciousness.

 

[Strange Days]

NSFW links attached​

Her grip would bring soft whimpers to leave his lips, the Catfolk's cock twitching against Zara's slim fingers. A few hours prior, she had allowed it entry in her body, and now, it was about to happen again, albeit in a vastly different context. Specifically, one where she was in control. Aodh shook his head as he reclined slightly, secretly very excited to see what she had in store from him. "Z-Zara, please, I can't take something like that. Or else, it would be over sooner than you could blink." He completed his sentence with a soft chuckle and made some more room for the woman as she kneeled between his legs.

"Eh? Seat?" His puzzled expression would change into a surprised, wide-eyed one as his Apprentice kissed the tip of his cock, her tongue scooping up a few, clear droplets of his pre-cum that tasted as good as she had hoped, if even more delicious. Then came the sight of the Catfolk wrapping her lips around his glans, and starting to tease him like she knew how to. "A-Ah, that- that feels really good already!" He'd say in a half-dazed tone, his hands gripping the bedsheets as he threw his head back, whimpering and begging her to go slower. Not like she could hear him in her dazed state, and he couldn't tell her to stop like this, either. Not when he he was so close to reaching the peak.

She felt him fumbling around in the dark room, only to clasp a handful of her chestnut locks, the cumbersome strands of hair that got in the way of her Master's pleasure finally being swept away. Aodh really was liking her technique, so much so that he pushed her head down, closing in on the base of his shaft as he poked the back of her mouth and entered her throat. The second he felt the different, softer texture, he sighed and shuddered, his thighs trembling in her hands as he looked down at her, the Catfolk's sharp canines biting down on his cerise lips, burgundy eyes glazed over as a he let out a puff of hot hair before muttering an apology.

"S-Sorry!" Before the girl could even question what he was apologizing for, the answer became quite clear as Aodh took his remaining hand to the back of her head, rose from the bed, and began to thrust himself in her mouth, his precum causing her tongue to become slick and the already hard shaft throbbing even more against her pursed lips.

His balls, hot and heavy from all the teasing she had subjected him to, taunted her tongue as they brushed right past it, hitting her chin with a soft smacking sound that coupled with the ones she unintentionally made thanks to the rather rough and unexpected facefucking, contributed to the mood of the room becoming radically different from what it once had been.

Then, after what seemed like mere moments of it happening, the Magus would arch his back and let out a long groan, his hands still keeping Zara firmly pressed against his base as he came in her mouth, the first thick, hot spurt of his seed sliding down her throat like it was the most delectable treat she had tasted so far. Despite it smelling quite strongly, it was the same she had taken in her depths the days before, just less concentrated due to how much time she had spent toying with the man this time.

 

[Kitten]

The room was filling rapidly with cute little whimpers from the Catfolk, Zara finding it hard to stifle her giggle, knowing she had complete control over him. Her throat vibrated as a lighthearted chuckle erupted, allowing him to relish in another odd yet unique sensation against his sensitive prick that was abused prior to this. She couldn’t tell if he was trying his darndest to suppress his orgasm from arriving too soon, or savoring the warmth of her mouth and tongue worked their magic on him so lovingly.

As quickly as it started - that ever so sweet and tender atmosphere of her oral - was beginning to churn into something more possessive and insatiable. A soft hand that fumbled in the midnight’s darkness caressed those chocolatey locks of hair, eliciting a purr to echo in her throat. “How adorable…” Zara mused to herself as her eyes closed in concentration, but that attentiveness was disrupted by a harsh push to her skull, forcing her petite mouth to open up widely to accommodate the rushing prick eager to dive into the depths of her throat. In surprise, her eyes opened widely, staring down at his pubic bone as her throat spasmed in suspense.

Instead of fighting with him, she’d idly lay there, feeling the pressure of his palm hold her down and securely keep her in place. “I… never expected him to have so much strength?” Zara pondered to herself, Aodh not really the muscular type when it came to visual physique, but it turned her on in ways she never knew existed.

“S-Sorry!”​

Her brow raised questionably as he apologized yet continued to hold her down. Her lungs were beginning to ache from the lack of oxygen running its course within them, but instead of showing signs she’d instead grip onto his thighs tighter to pay attention to something other than her oxygen-deprived lungs. Once he withdrew a bit from her throat, she’d take that and every other opportunity to swallow down any gulp of air she was allowed before having his cock slam down into her gullet for more pleasure. Saliva continued to form in her mouth, having nowhere to go due to her throat being too occupied. Droplets of her spit started to glide down the corners of her lips, dripping from her chin as her head was ruthlessly abused.

Taking her nails, she’d dig the crescent-like patterns on his bare flesh as she gripped ahold of him tightly, the remnants of saliva and precum giving her throat a peculiar sound as his dick continued to shift around in her esophagus. The constant and uneven sounds of Aodh’s balls slapping against her chin vibrated in her ears, the impacted skin beginning to redden. A glob of saliva smeared onto his sac, making a lewd wet, yet sticky sound each time the orbs met and departed from her chin.

With a few more chaotic thrusts from his hips, he finally reached the near end of his wicked high. Zara could feel his cock spasm within her throat, his veins pulsating so rapidly that she wondered if they were going to rupture from the building pressure of blood flow. A final gyrate of his hips to her mouth allowed her to prepare for the moment as best as she could, closing her eyes tightly as she began to feel the scorching rush of cum flow from his aching prick. She tried her best to swallow the load that was already submerged within her throat, Aodh being able to feel her gullet contracting and relaxing with each gulp. Zara found it extremely difficult to swallow, let alone trying to not choke on the fat load he had so graciously given her. It tasted slightly salty, but it was just the right amount that she would learn to crave from here on out. It warmed her soul oddly enough, causing butterflies to flutter within her stomach as she finished gulping down the contents of his sac.

Using some force for the first time since her skullfucking began, she’d pry herself off from his relaxed cock and immediately gasp for air, her chest rising and falling vigorously as she began to replenish her dying lungs. A copious amount of saliva fell onto her chest, making her entire mouth and bosoms glossy with spit, the liquid cooling her skin as the room’s air consumed it. “I… wasn’t… expecting… that..!” Breathlessly she expressed her surprise, a cough here and there resounding as she tried desperately to catch her breath. “I’m… fine… just… winded…” It was hard to talk, her throat a bit raspy from the abuse it just endured. Her arm lifted and began to drag across her lips and chin, wanting to remove some of the saliva that lathered her flesh messily.

“I’m guessing this means we’re on good terms again, yeah?” Finally she spoke normally, a sweet laugh accompanying her inquiry as she rose from in between his thighs. “I’m covered in spit, I’m going to wash up… do you mind if I sleep with you tonight? Your warmth is contagious, but I understand if you'd like some alone time after tonight.”

 

[Strange Days]

"T-Timeout, timeout!" Though he tried to spare Zara any more discomfort due to the way he had taken over the situation, his hands would remain firmly locked on her shoulder and head. It was only after she'd deemed to have gotten her fill by taking all of his load down her throat that he could take a sigh of relief, her lips slowly trailing off his still sensitive shaft as the Catfolk let out one last whimper. The once-pristine bed was a complete mess, as was their appearance. How things could have escalated to such an...interesting outcome was only the result of their previous argument. Aodh's ears folded as the woman brought her inquiry forward with a tone in stark contrast to that of the temptress that had him begging for release.

"Well, I would be fine with that. No, what am I saying-" He'd sit upright, the burgundy hues she'd fallen for regaining the same sharp glint now that he could focus on something else other than the pleasure Zara had overloaded his senses with. "It'd be my pleasure. Just let me clean the room before we lay down, though. I'll be waiting for you!" Then, a more curious look would appear on his face. Contagious? No one had ever used such a term to refer to him. But her question was met with a nod. "We're more than that, by this point. Maybe I shall have to consider misbehaving far more often to receive such attentions, yes?" He was kidding of course, though he didn't want to push his luck with Zara too far.

As his apprentice left the darkened room, with a handy towel Aodh had provided her with, the Magus gathered his thoughts while doing as he promised, folding up the crumpled sheets and opening up the window slightly so that the thick smell of their arousal would be filtered out...as much as possible, that is. Only a couple minutes after that, and a few deep breaths to truly regain his cool and put an end to the rapid panting he was coming off of, and the air in his bedroom seemed to become much lighter.

As the woman's silhouette appeared right around the corner, he'd tuck himself in and welcome her in the bed, this time in a warm, loving embrace. He'd look down at Zara before planting a soft kiss on her chestnut looks, then slowly, his consciousness began to fade as they fell into a deep slumber, both made aware of the other's true feelings. Somehow, it felt as if their divergences had been solved, and Aodh hoped for it to be the case.

---

- A Few Days Later -
​

Zara's training had continued much like the previous days. After a simple breakfast and a short trek to the nearby forest, Aodh showed more of the basics that came with her newly-awakened powers. Her senses, too, had began to adapt to the odd locale. Now, as she stepped past the ruins, she could've sworn someone was calling to her. Yet, her Master didn't seem to notice her stopping when such an occurrence manifested, carrying on with his intensive lectures.

On the fourth day since her nightly invasion, a pretty loud noise echoed from downstairs. Aodh was sitting at the table, going through a pile of letters that didn't seem all that important to the Magus. All but one, which he clutched with shaky hands and widened eyes. An unfamiliar seal kept it protected, one that he knew all too well. It was that woman's. Why had she chosen such an unfortunate time to contact him? Though, if she knew where his home was...the lillac-haired man shuddered. No, he wasn't a child anymore, and a drun, good-for-nothing pirate that had too much free time and money at her disposal didn't scare him anymore.

Or did it?​

"Zara! Would you be so kind as to bring your Master his herbal essences? Either that, or call a Cleric. I believe I'm going to faint." That was it, the moment of truth. He took a deep breath, slowly cut the envelope open, and began reading through the message his mother had sent him. If anything, he could have made it past the greetings and begging to bring a nice, talented lass home for her to deem proper to "put a ring on my little Squeaks". It was as if she could see her right there, sitting with him at the dining table.

 

[Kitten]

“Mmmmm hmmm… hmmm hmmm hmm… mmmm…” Exuberant hums resonated from within her throat as Zara’s delicate hands folded her clothes neatly, piling them on top of her bed in categories to better assist when it came to putting them away afterwards. Butterflies still echoed in her stomach from the previous nights, wondering how she got so lucky to find herself in the loving arms of Aodh. Out of all the fates she should’ve been introduced to, it was him who saved her from them all…

BAM​

“...Hmm- what the hell was that?” Involuntarily her silky ears perked up to the alarming noise that came from down stairs, the feline tip-toeing her way out from her bedroom to venture off into the kitchen. “Master, was that you?”

"Zara! Would you be so kind as to bring your Master his herbal essences? Either that, or call a Cleric. I believe I'm going to faint."​

Blinking vacantly as she tried to comprehend such an immediate request, her head would shake vigorously from side-to-side before bolting down the stairs, even skipping some steps along the way to rush to the need of her Master. He didn’t sound short winded - like he was about to pass out - but the anxiety that was soaked within his request caused her to worry about what was going on.

The chilled hardwood flooring was met with the warm sole of each foot, the pitter-pattering noises of her jogging feet sounding off as she gazed at the sight of Aodh sitting down at the kitchen table with a letter in hand. His hands were a shade duller, those long fingers trembling as his eyes skimmed through the blackened text as if he were trying to decode a time-sensitive puzzle. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?” Was he playing a joke on her? He appeared to be fine, but the parchment within his grasp seemed to be the root of his dismay. So badly she wanted to peer over his shoulder to take a gander at this mysterious letter, but at the same time she wanted to respect him and allow him the opportunity to showcase it to her on his own.

Standing close by him but distant enough to not be able to read the note, she’d await his answer, her own anxiety beginning to build as the silence was deafening.

 

[Strange Days]

"..." Aodh's hands began to shake uncontrollably as his eyes reached the very last line of the fine-printed document he held. Could it be that once again, that woman had sent someone to spy on him? Perhaps it was the old owner of the grocery store he shopped at, or maybe the mailman himself? No, it was one of the many things always left unexplained.

For all his attempts at becoming independent and distancing himself from the peculiar upbringing he had, he'd never, ever escape the iron grip of the King Of Pirates herself, the Scourge Of The Southern Seas. And most importantly, lest someone forget that fact-

He couldn't hide from his mother.

"Just take a look, please. You'll realize just how serious the situation is in a moment." He handed out the scroll to Zara, slumping over in his chair before taking a sip of tea from the cup he'd almost knocked over.

The letter in the assistant's hold was written in a very elegant manner, not unlike Aodh's own handwriting. What was quite surprising was the fact that as her amber hues took in the text word by word, a distant voice echoed in her mind. It was that of a woman, deeper than hers but just as soft. It was clear she'd poured her heart into the message, which read:

---

Dear Aodh.

It's been so long since we last spoke, let alone seen each other. Is everything well at work? Have the other Grandmasters bothered you since I showed up? Despite the things they may have told you, I trust all is well and that Talon and Inez have kept an eye out for you in the Council. Although, I'd be there in a flash if you needed me...

The voice switched to a more playful tone.

A-ny-ways! Your old mom's heard her little Squeaks has gotten himself a pretty assistant! I can't wait to meet her and tell her about all~ the fun times we had back on the ship. I've heard she's also quite talented, so treat her well, alright? I'd hate for my boy to come home empty-handed. I'm old so I'd like to at least meet my future daughter-in-law at least once before I wither away.

An over-dramatic sob at the very end was followed by the same soft disposition from before.

Well, that's that, the crew needs me now. We're setting sail for the Twilight Isles next, we'll see how the new turbines hold up. I've taken the liberty of sending you a little on a little errand at the Council's explicit request, but you don't mind, yeah? While you're at it, you could take your girl out on a fancy date and enjoy yourselves...if you catch my drift.

Hope to see you soon.

- Mom.

---

'Mom' wasn't the actual last word contained within. Zara saw what looked like unintelligible jargon at first laid out at the very bottom of it...only for her eyes to widen in surprise when the symbols began to make sense and turned into a frantic, intimidating rant.

---

[ Scared you, didn't I? I'll have you know that my Aodh is a very kind, very sweet and incredibly sought-after young man. And if you happen to hurt him in any way - which I doubt will happen, based on what my loyal P.I.'s told me...I will end you, young Miss. So don't push your luck. ]

[ But we don't need to go that far, right? I trust you're as smart as he says and that things will work out just fine between you lovebirds. ]

Signed, Captain Apulia Van Halen

---

"You just read the last part too, right?" Aodh asked, noticing her startled expression and how she seemed to almost toss the scroll away back in his direction.

"She talks big, but she was probably drunk...that woman's got the morals of some depraved old man...talk about such incredible powers wasted on someone that doesn't deserve them in the slightest." He stood up and showed Zara another letter, though this one seemed to be much more formality-oriented based on the seal that held it shut and the higher-quality envelope the sender had preserved it in.

"We'll have breakfast first, then I'll tell you about what our next assignment entails. I know your training has only started, but you are more than prepared for this, Zara." He placed his hand on her shoulder, nodding as if to convince himself too. In truth, he didn't want any harm to befall his Apprentice in the slightest, but at the same time, the experience would've helped more than his methods could have hoped to achieve.

"Unless you'd rather look after the house?" He asked, knowing that a slight challenge was all she needed to motivate her. The Catfolk could be very driven when faced with a significant hurdle to overcome.

 

[Kitten]

Concerned hues scanned Aodh as she detected a quiver to his hands, his pupils dilated as if he had just witnessed the presence of a ghost in the vicinity. "Aodh, your silence is worrying me." Wandering eyes connected on the lone letter that was chaotically gripped by his trembling digits, causing the paper to crimple from the sheer force. Finally the man announced what was troubling him as he ushered her to read the fine print he had just consumed, causing her worry to be replaced by a growing fright. "What is so bad about this that caused Master to scream?" Zara briefly pondered to herself before her chestnut irises scanned through every written letter on the scroll, growing invested with each word that soaked inside of her orbs.

As if the paper had some sort of ick to it, she flung it away after ensuring all of it was thoroughly read, now understanding why Aodh reacted the way he did. "I don't even know this woman yet I find myself growing terrified by the thought of standing before her." Sweaty palms would rub up against the fabric of her jeans as if to wash away the crud from her skin. "You mean to tell me she was drunk while she wrote that? Oh my." Taking a seat she'd fix herself a cup of tea to sip away the stresses that were beginning to consume her, the air practically saturated with this negative aura after reading that letter.

A peculiar brow raised to the mention of a task that gave off the vibe that it would be difficult due to her beginner status, Zara curious as to what this assignment entailed. "I'd like to go with you, but I'd also like to get a rough idea of what I'm getting dragged into." Of course she wasn't going to idly stay at home while Aodh went on an assignment, Zara wanting to soak in all of the knowledge that was at her disposal. "Does this mean we're going somewhere other than the backyard?" Come to think of it, this would be the first time she left her new home with Aodh beside her. It wasn't like he was hiding her away in a tower, Zara simply had no need or reason to go out and about, being content with staying in the home or venturing as far as the backyard.

 

[Strange Days]

"It's worrisome enough that she knows you exist, not to mention the fact she hasn't put down the bottle despite me requesting it." Aodh thought about how he could sum up his mother's personality without taking up the better part of the day. His eyes lit up as he finally was able to do so, turning to Zara and tilting back his chair slightly as he thought of a reply.

"I wouldn't say Mother is a bad person, or rather, she's not out to intentionally hurt her loved ones. She's the current strongest Maga on this side of the continent, and perhaps all over the entire world. That said, she's also quite undisciplined, vain and has a hard time going about her duties without needing some sort of encouragement. In her case, that's a pint or four by the early afternoon." When he thought about it, Apulia never truly seemed drunk, not even when she and her crewmates dried up the ship's cellar overnight.

"But I can't be mad at her. So, I hope that when the time comes, you'll accept her for who she is and appreciate her efforts." His tone softened as he grew more distant. It seemed that despite the woman being a tough customer, Aodh still deeply cared for her the way her own flesh and blood would have. She'd clearly done a great job in raising him as her child.

"Oh, that! Apologies, it...eluded me." He picked up the other envelop, the much more professional-looking one, and gave it a once-over. "You're right in assuming this'll take us over to a place other than the backyard. I'll spare you the useless formalities and just give you a very concise explanation to save us trouble. Ahem-"

Aodh cleared his throat and furrowed his brow, intending to give the lecture some kind of urgency. "We are to travel West, near a big city known as Elessea, and meet up with the client. The Council's also using this job as a means to evaluate your skills on the field, and determine whether or not you will be able to achieve the Initiate Rank and thus progress in your studies under me. I wasn't exactly meant to inform you of this, but it felt like the right thing to do." With that, the more serious, formal Aodh gave way to the usual calm demeanor he normally displayed.

"And that's really it. We won't have to take a carriage to Elessea, but rather travel by train on the railway connecting the city to our destination. It shouldn't take more than a few hours but this'll probably be a new experience for you, right Zara?" He asked, smiling before his mother's words came back to haunt him one last time, as if things weren't stressful enough...

[ While you're at it, you could take your girl out on a fancy date and enjoy yourselves...if you catch my drift. ]​

"Oh, that...was...not really part of the job. What my mother said, I mean. But we could go sight-seeing afterwards if you'd like. Free time's going to be a precious commodity in the coming months, with your studies." The Catfolk added, a faint blush on his cheeks. The memories of what they'd gotten themselves into over the past weeks- they were still quite fresh in the Magus's mind and all over his body, as well.

 

[Kitten]

"From what little I do know about her, she does seem to possess a lively soul... but I'm curious Aodh." Setting the cup of hot tea down onto the detailed ceramic beverage napkin holder, Zara shifted her delicate hands and folded them to rest underneath her chin, her elbows now relaxing on the table as her eyes scrutinized his facial expressions in an attempt to read his emotions carefully. "You haven't mentioned your mother to me at all in the past, yet you seem to be very fond of her despite her bad habits. Why is that?" Perhaps the bad outweighed the good, making this topic about his mother more difficult to bring up than he cared to admit. Regardless, Zara respected his decision - plus she had no room to talk. Her own parents and upbringing was never brought up, but not much was to be said in that regard. Still, if he had ever asked she'd tell him anything and everything he wanted to hear.

Pressing her palms against the edge of the table she'd promptly scoot herself backwards, the legs of the chair almost causing the furniture to tip backwards by her excitement, her eyes practically sparkling from the news. "I would love nothing more than to go on this adventure with you, both attending to your matters and sight-seeing afterwards." Hurriedly Zara leapt upstairs without another word to change into something more fitting for the special occasion. Her heart raced with delight, animated as images filled her head of what the day may possibly bring to the couple.

Aodh wasn't keeping her locked away within her tower and sealing her away from the public like a forbidden princess, the girl truly not having much of an interest to leave her new home, but something about today made her want to explore with him - even though it was mostly work on his part. Rummaging through her closet in a frenzy, her fingertips brushed up against a soft fabric that grasped her attention. Pulling the hanging piece of apparel out from the depths of clothes, she'd twirl the dangling dress as she gave it a look over. "Mhm... it's very beautiful." Softly she spoke under her breath as she talked to herself, confirming that this would be the piece she'd adorn with a single pink flower intertwined within her chocolate tresses to make the color pop out more. Hastily she assembled herself within the elegant outfit, unsure about how much time was left before they had to leave all while looking presentable.

"How do I look? Is it too much?" Zara coyly asked Aodh as she descended from the stairs and back into the kitchen, giving him a twirl on the heels of her white boots to properly showcase her outfit to him as her elongated hair whirled with her body's movements. "This is a special occasion, to me anyways, and I wanted to make sure I looked orderly for the event." Depending on his answer, she'd either change into something new or keep what she had on before the duo left their abode to travel out into the world.

Radiating down the sun cascaded its warmth to all that lingered below, Zara soaking in the rays as it felt otherworldly to her as a gentle breeze caressed her skin to make the heat more bearable. "It's beautiful outside, we picked a good day." The smile that decorated her face was beaming more than the fiery star hovering above in the grand sky ever could, hoping that Aodh held the same excitement within him as butterflies fluttered around in her tummy. The train station transmitted a calming aura as the colorful leaves in the distant swayed to the gusts of wind that randomly brushed by, Zara and Aodh making their way up towards the station to purchase their tickets before walking to the deck that would grant them access within their method of transportation. "It's been a while since I went on a train, is this how you travel often?" Zara asked as her fingers combed through her chestnut locks as they took their seat on the train, her eyes looking down at her lap as she felt strangely shy to the man that sat alongside her. "If today goes well, do you think we could do this more often? I just like spending time with you and going on new adventures." She prayed that everything would go by smoothly so her dream would sprout into a reality, wanting Aodh to have the same thoughts so it wasn't one-sided.