Special Soiree

Janette took her first step inside her new home, her palm sliding along the side rail as she climbed the stairs and looked around from room to room, opening and closing each door. A few loose screws, some bent nails, and one door seemed marked with numerous little scratches at the bottom. Perhaps some of the girls believed she wouldn't notice, she's not a cat after all. Perhaps she doesn't have a cats eye for details. But unfortunately for them, Janette had a knack for the smaller things even before she began to inherit some of their traits, and in her mind she took note of every claw mark, every chipped wooden beam, torn carpet, loose door hinges, and clumsy wall paint in the interior of her home.

Alma walked with Janette acting as both a guide and an inspector. She participated in helping with the construction to some level, but she had little experience with hands on construction herself. She leaned forward and caught a glimpse of Janette's facial expression, it was a look that said she was second guessing herself, perhaps bargaining with her interal voice wondering if this proved satisfactory or was in need of another remodelling attempt again. Alma pressed her lips together and stood up straight, expecting the answer she herself would give if it were her own home.

"I'll take it." Janette said with a soft shrug. Alma seemed taken by surprise but it was brief, with a nod she quickly made her way back downstairs to the front door. Janette looked around and sat on the floor with a look of exhaustion and relief. It wasn't great, but with the amount of coin she had saved, she figured she could find professionals that can finish the job for them. She deeply appreciated the assistance from everyone that helped her reach this accomplishment, regardless of how well done the finished project looked or lacked.

Back outside, Alma exited the two large wooden doors and was met with an impatient mob of cat girls waiting for an answer. She smiled and bowed, which led to the first Nekomata to gasp and break out in a cheer.

"It's done! It's done! It's done!" One of the Nekomata girls cried out as she bounced around with joy. Several more cat girls raised their heads and smiled, some even joining in their little dance around, skipping, hopping, and laughing. At last, they can put an end to their daily tasks and begin to enjoy their new community.

Kuli pushed the door open just wide enough to poke her head through, the morning sun light shining down as it complimented her silver hair with a gentle breeze of wind to make it sway in waves. Turning her head left and right like a morning bird searching for its worm, she pushed the door all the way as she took a few steps around wondering where they were hiding. Her cat ears twitched when she heard the sound of grunting and feet dragging along the ankle-high grass, it was coming from the opposite side. Making her approach to the back of the house, she was shocked to she met with Felix falling on his back with a heavy thud, his face met with dry green stains and his clothes a battered mess with torn edges and claw marks around his thigh and waist. He wiped his face with the back of his sleeve when someone stood in front of him, her two black tails waving behind her while she crossed her arms and looked rather unimpressed.

"Five months of training and you're still too soft. When are you going to quit pulling your punches?" Na'Vi hissed, not hesitating to pull his foot with her tail when he tried picking himself up, causing him to fall back once more. "I know you can do better, human! Or was that just luck that took out the mad priest?"

Kuli bit her tongue and held her breath, resisting the urge to say something, the instinct to jump between them and put an end to this. She had been scolded before the last time, Felix reassured her that this was what he wanted. Whatever deal they agreed on before approaching her about them training, she was growing uncomfortable with it whenever she sees her mate being thrown around often. Even when she stayed inside and tried to distract herself with chores, her ears would pick up every huff, gasp, and painful groan from him just several yards away.

He clambered hurriedly so that he stood on his feet facing her. Na'Vi didn't hesitate, hunching forward just before kicking the dirt beneath her paws as she charged forward, spinning around and grabbing his head with her tails before flipping him down to kiss the ground. Rolling back to her original posture, she twirled her tail around waiting for him to regain his stance. Felix flexed his hands, balling his fingers into fists before letting go. Turning his head around in a circular motion around his neck from shoulder to shoulder, he nodded for her to resume.

Na'Vi followed his gaze and clicked her tongue. "If you stay fixated on my tails, I'll attack with my paws or use my body instead. Stop focusing on one aspect and look at the whole picture."

"I know."

"No, you don't. You've been eating dirt for two hours of daylight, either you take pleasure in receiving this kind of treatment or you're too slow to comprehend how to properly fight." She noticed that last statement hurt judging by the twitch in his eye. Good, maybe pain could be a decent substitute for motovation. Let's try something more personal. "How are you going to protect your family if you can't handle one person?"

Felix felt his brows come together when he heard that. "I don't want to hurt you."

"That's not stopping me from hurting you, and what makes you think it will stop someone, anyone else? What if the next person has a weapon? What if it's a group of thieves trying to rob you and take Kuli away? How will you protect them if they are in trouble?"

"Hey, I can defend myself!" Kuli snapped from several feet away with a stomp of her leg.

Na'Vi spun around to meet her glare. "Not right now you can't, not when you're pregnant. I know you can fight, but I've yet to know he can."

"It's okay Kuli, I can handle this." Felix rubbing his nose, picking out a blade of grass stuck on his hair.

Na'Vi looked at him with a scowl before running on all fours. He placed his feet apart and held his stance, waiting for her when she changed into a small black cat and slipped between his legs. Turning around, he was met with two strong legs kicking his stomach, knocking him back once more. Felix rolled around, coughing as Kuli approached him and offered to help. He politely refused, shaking his head and getting up.

"Take this serious! We can't always be there to protect her, and then what will happen?" Na'Vi gritted her teeth, closing the distance between them once Kuli backed away to a safe distance. Felix grabbed her wrist, raised her arm and tried reaching for her other wrist when she spun around and kicked him behind his knee. He fell on one knee and she was freed, now spinning to launch another blow at his face. He ducked in time, feeling a gust of wind blow over his hair as he reached and successfully grabbed her thigh, pushing her upwards. She flipped in the air, his **** causing her a circular sideways handspring with her paw on the ground and her legs and arm extended. When she landed back on her feet, she pulled back as Felix met her, slipped around her, then hooked his arms below her armpits. She tried breaking free, throwing her body left and right but he held strong, until one of her tails snaked their way behind him and wrapped around his neck to pull him back. He softened his grip momentarily, allowing her to free one arm only to be met by a reaffirmed grip on her left paw. He pulled her back and folded her arm behind her, being careful not to injure her in the process before kicking her ankle out so that she fell. He pressed his weight on top, pinning her down as she struggled and growled, her face partially planted on the grass.

"I'm not trying to hurt anyone." Felix said in a tired voice. Na'Vi huffed and she closed her eyes, shrinking and turning back into a black cat to slip away from him. He fell on all fours, not bothering to look up as she spun around, quickly changing back ino her Nekomata form. Na'Vi raised her tails behind her, hunched over, legs ready to pounce and attack once more. She froze when he didn't bother looking up, he simply sat on his knees before falling back on his butt, panting for air. She softened up and followed his example, her nerves no longer tense as she sat down as well, catching her breath. Both of them were a mess, the fabric of his clothes were both torn and stained, and her fur and hair was messy with grass sticking to her.

"I know what you're trying to do, but I can't get angry. It doesn't work like that, I'm feeling a lot of emotions but angry isn't one of them." He licked his lips, gasping and enjoying the contrast of the cold breeze on his heated skin. "You're leaving too, right? That's what you're saying, that's what this is for?"

Kuli raised a paw to her mouth and looked at Na'Vi. She looked away, seemingly annoyed when he asked her for confirmation. Her silence said enough for them, and Kuli felt a wave of emotions rising up inside her. Unable to contain them, she quietly made her way back inside as Na'Vi shook her head.

"Why did you say that? I didn't want her to know yet."

Felix nodded. "Sorry, but why are you leaving with them?"

"You really need to ask?" She replied back with a tone in her voice. "Everytime I'm around you two, I see you two holding each other, walking side by side, or her rubbing her stomach and you beaming with joy. So happy and everyone else congratulating you two, and you being the big hero who helped save us. How do you think I feel about all of this? I was looking for someone I loved, and instead of rescuing her I found her in love with someone else and forgetting who I am. She didn't remember who her family was, and then everything else happened so fast that I didn't have time to sit and try to understand what just happened."

"I'm sorry-"

"For what? For taking care of her, falling in love, taking us in and helping us out? I hate this-this that I am feeling now. I can't hate you because you did nothing wrong, you helped everyone in need. We did it, we're safe, everyone wins. Except I didn't win, I didn't get a happy ending. I went into that portal and was given the chance, the chance! At getting a second opportunity with her. I had to let her go for you. And nobody, nobody is asking how I feel! Nobody knows what I did, even though Perdilius is gone we're still moving so fast and now she's pregnant and we're settling nearby? And now I'm just supposed to-to smile and be happy, pat you on the back and give you my blessing? I lost my mother because she was taken away by a human, and I had to let my best friend go because she had fallen in love with a human, a human I hope will do what's best for her when she's in need. I can't be here, Felix. I'm distraught, I'm happy, I'm feeling a lot of things and I can't stop feeling angry all this time. I did not want to make her upset, but I can't be here anymore. I need to..."

She paused, falling back on her butt and shaking her head, her eyes fixated on the ground. "I just need to move on. I don't know where I'm going, but I know I can't stay anymore. I need you to stop holding back, Felix. Stop pulling back, stop trying to be nice and gentle. You should know better, this place is unforgiving. People pray on weakness, they take advantage. What if his followers are still around and want to come back? What if he has friends, or what if someone else comes in causing trouble?"

Felix kept silent but nodded in return.

"I know you can handle the pain, that's admirable. But you two are entering a new stage that no one is prepared for. Do right by them. Not everyone is as lucky as you are, enjoy it." Na'Vi picked herself up, patting herself down and brushing her paws and hair.

"You're done?"

"There's nothing left to teach you." She replied back. "You know how to fight, I can't teach you how to win. Even I struggle with that. Take care of her Felix, take care of them. I'm going for a wash." Na'Vi sniffed under her arm and recoiled, calmly walking away. Felix sat there watching her, feeling the breeze brush his hair to one side with several strands blowing over his eyes. He was ashamed to admit he had forgotten her own part in their journey, that was unfair. There was weight in her words, and he felt odd about them. He felt hurt, upset, confused and at a loss for words. But for a moment, they shared a feeling of clarity. It was as if they understood each other for one second, and it was enough to satisfy what she was looking for. Was that the point of their training? No, he did feel stronger, bruised too. His muscles ached and his cheek felt sore, but he couldn't say he didn't learn anything from her. Maybe there was more he could learn, but perhaps not from her anymore. Na'Vi was right, he has his place to call home, his own ending was here. Her ending was still out there waiting to be found, and as he pushed himself back on his feet he silently wished her the best. As he entered the cabin, he hoped she would find whatever she was looking for in her journey. They'll be seeing each other still, for just a bit longer.

Little did he know that later that day, Janette's house was finally finished.

It was one week later when Janette had decided to celebrate her new house to share her gratitude for their help as well as giving Alma and her group a farewell send off. After much discussion it was decided that the celebration would occur in Janette's house, however, the children would be monitored and weren't allowed to access the second floor so as to avoid any mess with the bedrooms and carpeting. The cellar would be off limits to the children as well, naturally, in fact some of Alma's group members volunteered to distribute and pour the beverages at the party. Many cat girls had offered their services as well but Janette preferred receiving help which including hands and didn't shed any fur on the new furniture she had purchased.

In the first week, Janette had spent purchasing and moving in new furniture to bring in the comfort of her home as well as begin the preparations. On the second week, lots of food and beverages were produced with the desserts being finished just before the big day. Despite the size of her new mansion, most of the party was being enjoyed outdoors with many little cat girls chasing around some of the boys and girls from Alma's group, playing tag or hiding behind their parents with smiles and laughter. Nukka playfully gave a fake roar as she began marching from one side of the field to the other with several kids sat on her back screaming with glee pleading her to go faster. She turned her head to see Zimi shaking her head, reminding her of the last time. The crowd made way when a wagon arrived, pulled by two stallions with a fierce puff from their snouts and a scrape of their hoof on the ground. Nyitzcha hopped out from on top, pulling away the heavy white blanket that covered the top of the exposed crates she had brought.

"Got de goods!" She beamed, raising two exceptionally large dark green bottles and giving them a quick shake.

Janette stepped out from the double doors wearing a comfortable velvet red dress that hugged her waistline, a simple ribbon to keep her hair tied into a soft bun, and deep red lipstick to complement her look. She picked up the bottom of her dress as she carefully walked down the stairs to welcome in her last guest.

"Nyitzcha, you arrived rather early! I was expecting you to be much later than at this time of the day." She smiled as the dwarf scoffed back.

"And miss out de good stuff? Lass, dis 'ere will make yer gatherin' 'nto a proper celebration!" She bellowed as she waved the bottles over her head with infectious glee.

Janette looked a bit concerned, glancing left to right before leaning in close and whispering, "You know the cat girls aren't experienced drinkers, right?"

"Aye, das part'a da fun." She nodded in return.

Janette paused for a brief moment before shrugging. "Alright, but if anyone gets sick, you take the blame."

"As usual." She snorted, passing by her and placing the beverages into the kitchen. For this momentous occasion, Janette had managed to hire a traveling band she had found through connections at the Kershin Marketplace, and by connections she secretly meant she had asked Nyitzcha if she could lend her the musicians she would sometimes hire at her own tavern for entertainment.

She turned her gaze toward Janette when she noticed her fanning herself with her hand. "Didn't pin ya fer bein' nervous."

Janette smiled nervously, adjusting herself as best as she could while smoothening the waistline of her dress. "I guess so."

They entered the living room which due to it's wide open size seemed more accustomed to that of a large ballroom to entertain a large celebration under the warm glow of a hanging chandelier, with a few lanterns decorating the walls to illuminate even the darkest shadows which fancied a hiding spot at each corner. Against the walls sat most of the older couples and villagers from Alma's group, many old men sitting around with their backs against the walls, a drink in one hand and their foot tapping along with the rhythm of the tambourine instrument. Some women were clapping along, some urged and insisted on a dance by pulling the hands of blushing men before approaching the center of the room to join many others in the dance.

Janette strolled by, waving and greeting anyone she passed by before finding herself in the kitchen to oversee the incoming snacks still under preparation. Any Nekomata girls who were by the kitchen quickly made way for her to pass by, some of them wrinkling their noses and others giggling behind her. Tonight was a special night of both celebration and a departure of friends, and for this night she had insisted that none of them volunteer to help her maintain the party for this single night. She may have lost her home once upon a time, but her nature of trade investments and her determination to replant her field once again gave rise to a new well of coins, both silver and gold, as this time she had decided not to rely on just a valley of apple trees. Thanks to her many cat friends, she was able to plant quite a rainbow to harvest for future seasons, including watermelons, potatoes, oranges and peaches. She had fancied to get her hands on bananas, but unfortunately it was more difficult to find and she settled for what she could find as it was. Janette's Fruits of Labor would find itself back in business once the season arrives and her fruits grow ripe and well for harvesting.

"Can I drink this?" Kuli asked, raising a mug with a suspicious caramel liquid coated with frothy foam on top. Felix quickly jumped in and removed the beverage from his mates paws, leaving her pouting before she spun around and cupped a different mug instead. "Dis one?"

She asked with an innocent tone in her voice, it pained him to shake his head no and watch her cheerful expression drop as she placed the brown mug back on the table behind her. Alma passed by the two, this time dressed in a lovely skin-tight green dress that left a soft V line of exposure to her chest. It was rather modest as it settled just above her breasts, and there was a fine line of sparkling jewels decorating the front and back like a beautiful emerald piece of art. Her long flowing red hair was tied back into an elegant braided pony tail that hung behind her, with a nice silver head brace around her forehead peaking out between her front bangs. She looked like an elven woman of royalty, capturing the attention of many men and women who both admired and fancied her for a dance or two.

Noticing the dispute between the couple, Alma reached forward and settled her own mug between Kuli's paws, waiting until the Nekomata held it well before letting go with a smile. "Drink this, it's sweet and addicting."

Kuli nodded, pressing the glass against her lips and tilting her head back. Felix felt Alma pull him close to whisper in his ear due to the loud music and many voices surrounding them. "It's apple juice, healthy for the child and safe to drink in pregnancy."

He nodded with a grin when Kuli pulled back with a satisfied sigh, smacking her lips and smiling from ear to ear. "More please!"

"Oye! Oye! Oye! Oye!" The crowd chanted as string instruments began tuning in with intensity and building at a fast pace. People backed away and some were left with their jaws wide open as a tiny woman began furiously kicking her legs away, heels clacking with the rhythm of the music and her plaided dress waving and flowing through her movement. Her hair was soon becoming a mess due to her frantic twirling and skipping, and many people around her were banging their glass mugs together with a cheery laugh and a hoarse cry.

Alma chuckled and crossed her arms as Kuli sat on her mates lap with a refilled cup, modestly licking up more apple juice with quick strides from her tongue. Felix leaned back and joined the laughter in the room, running his hand across his hair to keep it away from his eyes. "I don't think I've ever seen Nyitzcha dance before!"

"This makes for entertainment." Alma smirked, amused by the shorter woman's moves. Her smile dropped as soon as Nyitzcha reached into the crowd and pulled away a shy yet slender man, old enough to drink and yet he was blushing like mad so much that his pointed ears turned a bright red shade like a tomato.

"Whoa!" Felix laughed nervously as it looked like Spi'Reto was unsure about being in the center of the crowd. Nyitzcha flicked her hair back, catching her breath for a moment as she faced the young elf. The music hadn't stopped but it looked like he was telling her something, it must have not been serious as she smiled and shook her head, grabbed his hands then moved her left foot forward. Spi'Reto looked down and copied her action, and step by step she began teaching him as the music carried on, and eventually she had him spin her around before the two began dancing and giving everyone else a show. Some women were laughing like crazy, it seemed nearly absurd to see an elf dancing with a dwarf who was inches taller from being half his size, but it was real. Of course, it became clear that Spi'Reto struggled with his footing and wasn't as sporadic with his body movement, but Nyitzcha didn't seem to mind. In fact, it seemed like she found it hilarous as she continued dancing with the young man and pressing her body against his.

Alma scoffed and seemed rather embarrassed herself, or was it shock? Felix couldn't tell, but he did poke her arm to grab her attention. "You okay?"

She didn't say anything back, just simply close her eyes and nod. It was a party after all, but she figured perhaps a change in scenery was best for her. Looking back at her son, she found herself smiling and enjoying the sight before moving to the party out the back door. The backyard was where a personal garden was planted surrounding the back porch, with small stems that carried promising roses which have yet to properly grow and blossom. Outside was where most of the children ran around, some playing hide and seek as was apparent when a few guests checked under their table and saw a young boy pressing his finger to his lips before pointing at a cat girl who was several feet away moving her head left to right.

Janette approached a group of Nekomata women to ask if they were doing okay or if they would like any snacks or something to drink. One cat girl spun around and wrinkled her nose before blushing. "We-we are fine!"

"Are you sure?" Asked Janette with a raised eyebrow.

"Yea yea, yea!" She furiously nodded before turning red and running off, and it was then that Janette noticed the the rest of the group had disappeared as well. She seemed concerned, tilted her head and sniffing under her arm just in case. She frowned before turning around and spotting Zimi who was looking after a small clutter of girls herself. She waved at her before hurrying up to join her, bumping into another Nekomata while on her way.

"Oh sorry!" She excused herself before running along. The nekomata nodded and remained quiet, brushing her dark hair and finding the celebration to be a bit too exciting for her comfort. She felt out of place, everyone had a group or a partner to spend time with and she was alone.

"Ori'chi!" A familiar voice cried out. The Nekomata looked up and found her group of friends waving at her from the rooftop of the mansion, inviting her to join them. Ori'chi felt herself begin to smile before glancing left and right and slowly stepping away. When she felt that no one was looking, she turned into her black cat form and hurriedly climbed her way up to the top before joining her friends as she turned back into her Nekomata form. Her friends waved and greeted her before returning to their usual nighttime gossip while Ori'chi leaned back and sat in silence, basking under the warm white glow of the full moonlight. She didn't mind not being so vocal or even being in the foreground of her group, it was just the familiarity of seeing her friends smile and talk amongst each other while being a part of them, that was enough for her to be happy.

"So Ori'chi, is it true you got to kiss that human Felix?" One of her friends teased her while the others entertained a mutual giggle. Ori'chi felt herself turn red, shrinking and smiling with closed eyes. Good to know that they still teased her as always, just like before.