Finally!

"First, my name is Nala. And we've met many times before, though we first spoke last night."

You try to ferret out her riddle for a little while but with everything that's been happening to you it isn't hard for your mind to draw the absurd conclusion her name suggests.

"Like, the cat from my neighborhood? And the one who warned us about the truck?"

She nods and Dani adds, "Well, I know her as Ms. Opal. She's the one we were supposed to go see and who apparently has been keeping things from me."

She takes a long sip of her drink and stares daggers at Nala who only laughs.

"It's the nature of my job. I did what I could to watch over you, Rebecca. Last night drained me significantly. So, since you can't remember, I'll start at the beginning. Last night, as you travelled through the woods, you were attacked by a creature posing as a human being. This creature feeds on sexual domination, humiliation, and fear. I did battle with it and would have lost had you not timely returned and kicked it squarely in the crotch."

Your eyes widen while Dani nearly bursts into excited laughter and hugs you.

"Atta girl!"

Nala chuckles tiredly and nods, "It was very brave. But I still could not defeat the creature, only sever some of its power before it retreated. I am what's called a justicar, a..."

Dani's eyes go wide as she continues, "A witch who fights the forces of darkness! Holy shit, you're real!"

"Um, more or less, yes. And could you please keep it down?"

"Oh, sorry."

Dani sits back in her chair and finishes the last of her soda.

"But there was a problem. I could not contain the power for long. Once I explained that I could not hold it myself you offered yourself as it's vessel. Had you not, the power would have returned to its original owner within days or even hours."

"And that made me grow a...?" you possibly not downward.

She nods, "A sort of side-effect. You've also no doubt been feeling especially aroused lately?"

"Yeah she has!"

"Shut up, Dani!"

She smiles and wolfs down fries.

"I didn't have time to explain everything last night," Nala continues. "And when you saw what the power did to you, you ran off. I followed and saw you trying to drink away your sorrows. And all day today I've been tailing you for your protection and to see how you've been coping. Considering that you did not recall what happened you've been astonishingly resilient."

You aren't sure if you agree with that sentiment given that you fucked a stranger in a bathroom.

"So, why can't I remember last night? And why was I naked this morning?"

Dani gives a cat call to your last statement. You shove her but you're smiling.

"The memory loss is nothing magical. Simply a combination of trauma and ****, I should think. As for your lack of clothing this morning...You were very 'tense' when you got home last night and I helped to..."

You wave your hands and say, "I get the picture! So, how do we fix this?"

Nala frowns, "We don't. The creature is contained for now but it's power must remain sealed. I cannot take this burden from you or else I would. And no magic, save removing the power, would reverse the effects. I'm sorry."

There's a long silence before you just blurt out, "Oh..."

Somehow, despite not knowing what the fuck was going on, you always assumed this would all end with you getting back to normal. Hearing straight from the horse's mouth that it's not gonna happen hits you hard.

"Could you give it to me?"

You and Nala both whirl on Dani.

"Dani, no!" you say sternly. "You don't know what this is like!"

"She's right," says Nala. "Rebecca has proven to have excellent self control but if you slipped up for even a single instant you could do something you would regret for the rest of your life."

"But it's magic!" Dani exclaims. "I understand this stuff more than you do, Rebecca. And getting involved in this sort of thing is my dream! Okay, so maybe the penis part wasn't included originally but I can deal with it."

Nala looks down at her hands for a long while then turns to you and said, "The law is clear. The decision is yours. Think carefully about what you are doing. Should you keep this power within you, you will never have a normal life. It will be a constant struggle, every day. But I will teach you, both of you, what I can."

Dani's eyes light up at her inclusion.

"I believe you've both shown to be level headed and earnest people," says Nala. "Leaving your old lives behind, your family and friends, I could train you in the Art. It will be difficult, and possibly deadly, but I think better training will help ease your burden. Of course, Rebecca, you could choose to allow Dani, a willing friend, to become the new vessel and go back to your old life. I will pass no judgement upon you. The choice is yours."