Mixed Emotions

"Remind me again how long you have been here for?"

Zimi slid her paws along the cell wall, feeling every bump, crack, and loose pebble along every inch of surface she had available to her. For a while Reta kept watch as this Nekomata felt around, touching and tapping the rocky exterior. Reta leaned against the door, partially banging the back of her head just to pass the time. It helped deal with the headache as well.

"It has nothing to do with the fact that you're acting like a snake more than a cat. Just curious." She scoffed, spitting to the side.

Zimi paused and stood eerily still, capturing her mates attention.

"What, found something?"

"Yes, an impatient woman. Tell me, why do you desire to make yourself so undesirable? You curse, you scoff, hack and spit and throw your strength around for intimidation but you are not unattractive, cursed one. Was it a broken heart, fractured dreams maybe?"

Reta frowned and crossed her arms. "Keep digging, you won't be hitting gold anytime soon."

"Gold isn't the kind of treasure I am looking for. You never told me your name."

"You never told me your plan."

Zimi clicked her tongue, composing herself as she stood up and patted herself down. Her nude figure was in full display for Reta's eyes to see, aside from the satchel she carried around she had nothing else of clothing or accessories. She didn't mean to stare but, well perhaps the claustrophobic situation left her more appealing.

"The plan is to extract freedom at the appropriate time. I've been here for days but don't ask me for an exact number. Now listen and listen well, at some point they will introduce several guards to this section before inspecting our room. While doing so, one or two guards are to carry me out for bathroom breaks and feeding. That would be your best bet for an attack and a chance of escape. However, the predicament remains of my family's enslavement."

Zimi looked down, closing her eyes and sucking in her breath. With the information revealed, Reta processed her thoughts and shrugged.

"So a simple solution of breaking free when they walk in, that works. I could do it myself, really."

"As would I, but one issue remains. The gears." Zimi mentioned. "This temple isn't ordinary, how did you get here?"

"Well, went down a few areas and then we stood on this large wheel."

Zimi nodded. "That wheel took us down, but I don't know how to pull us up. On top of that well, the doors."

"What about?" Reta asked, to which Zimi raised her paws.

"Knobs, and no hands. He made sure of that since last time."

"You've broken out before?"

Zimi smiled and shook her head. "I told you I've been here for days. Escaping isn't too hard when it's all you can think about, it's escaping him that's the problem. You can't, not with that hunter of his."

"The hunter." Reta repeated, sitting down. "He's got a few things going on as well. Ended up gutted last I saw."

"Gutted, he was stabbed? By whom?"

"This little brat we call KuliKuli. She was doing fine until that hunter came along, but you said the other guy was the problem?"

Zimi nodded. "Perdilius, once he sets his eyes on you that's it. Sometimes it feels better being in a cage, because at least you know you can sleep now without worrying about being caught. I just hope we have time to figure something before he arrives."

"What happens if he does?" Reta asked.

Zimi breathed in, combing her hair back. "When Perdilius arrives, he takes someone with him. We used to be fifteen total when I first got here, now it's just me. That man isn't right, he does something to them then says its for the world's best interest. Honestly, I'm relieved you're here. Buys me time in case he might pick you first."

"Pfff, good to know. What's he do when he gets you?"

"That's it. No screams, no scares, just panic and confusion until you hear those gears clanking. Just say your goodbyes. Of course, it gets worse every time. I've had to say goodbye to too much," Her claws extended just then, surprising herself before she hid her paws behind her. "Sorry."

"Forget about it. Why is he doing this?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

Zimi shook her head before looking up to lock eyes with her. "Whatever it is, it's evil. You can't negotiate with him, he hates us. Not just us cats either, all of us. Anything Monster he is after for who knows. And we can't escape him."

"So then why are you still trying?" She asked.

Zimi didn't hesitate to reply. "So I can save my daughter."

---

"That's your idea?" Dimyri asked as her sister nodded back.

"Does it sound bad?"

"Not quite, just simple really. One main problem though, the Demon's Eye. It's at the main entrance, which I guess is to stop any of us from leaving. So long as that stays there, we're stuck." Dimyri looked around, catching puzzled looks. "You don't remember the stone?"

"What stone?" Syri asked.

"Damn, that complicates things. But then why am I able to resist it?" She wondered, which brought her to another interesting question. "Mom, what did Dad do to me?"

All eyes went to Emyri. "What?"

"There is this stone called the Demon's Eye, it's effects seem to hypnotize you guys when you stare into it. But it doesn't work on me, I have to know what he did to me."

"Heavens, I can't say dear. Your guess is as good as mine." This wasn't the response she had hoped for, leaving Dimyri wondering around their cramped cell. Leaning onto the stone wall, she felt a sharp pattern before recognizing three long marks embedded into the surface.

"We need to get out of here fast."

KuliKuli rubbed her arm with Syri's ears dropping low. Suddenly she held her stomach and grunted, slumping down and falling on her butt. Emyri reached down to hold her. "What's wrong dear, that time again?"

"No, it feels weird. It hurts inside." She whimpered, her tails curling up in a manner that looked painful. Her jaws began to clench as her feet began kicking at air. "Ooooowww!"

Emyri's heart sank as she began to realize what this meant, holding her youngest tight and kissing her head. "There there sweetie, it'll pass. Mommy's got you, Mommy's here."

"Uhh, Mom! It's embarrassing." She grumbled, flinching yet accepting her Mother's hold.

Dimyri leaned back onto the wall wondering what that was about, before looking down to see Na'Vi on the ground. KuliKuli was looking after her, brushing her tummy and keeping sure she was with them still. It brought back the last memory Dimyri held with Na'Vi, fighting in the dark outside the big house over a secret they kept. Somehow, Dad snuck up on her and took her in.

She recalled waiting under his capture in the days leading up to her rescue.

Leone had reentered the room to check up on her, leaving her plenty of food. That mark on her skin prevented her from changing, she remembered what he said to her then. My apologies, but I do intend to ensure my prey stays captured. Nothing personal.

It had to be personal to some extent. Why would he do this, before she figured it prevented her from changing but... now she was uncertain.

Dad, you went from a distant overseer to a sudden pursuer.