Black Cat's Claws and Holographic War
"......"
The familiar ceiling stares back at me. Well, after holing up here for nearly a week, it's no surprise.
I open my eyes with the clearest head I've had in ages and start by checking my body for any issues.
Wiggle, wiggle.
Fingers and toes move just fine. No tremors in my limbs. Mind's sharp as a tack. Aside from a slight ache in my lower back and some swelling around my dick, I'm in peak condition today.
Feels like I've dropped back into a world without those goddamn horned bastards.
Snore... snore...
A ticklish sound makes me turn my head. There's Siron, using my thick forearm as a pillow, plastered to my side in her sleep. I sneak my other hand over and press my thumb against her small, cute lips.
"Mm... lick..."
Her little lips part slightly, and a red, naughty tongue slips out to diligently lap at my thumb.
Even in her sleep, she's like this now. Safe to say it's fully imprinted on her body.
Ever since that trip to the merchant guild, we've been alternating between my room and hers, fucking like rabbits in every way imaginable. Not just mindless pounding, though—we set ejaculation limits like the first day: three loads. Day two: four. Yesterday, day three, I went all out, emptying my balls with six soul-sucking blasts.
Of course, I held back my own releases as much as possible, maximizing her pleasure. She climaxed big and small twice as many times as me, always crashing first from exhaustion.
In the process, a minor side effect cropped up—or "side effect" if you wanna call it that. The biggest change? Siron now grants any request I make.
Not anything serious, just her getting a bit more seductive. When I ask for something tough or embarrassing, she goes, "Oppa..." in that pitiful whine, melting my resolve like butter.
Still, when we're alone, she's obedient enough to masturbate right in front of me. Can't complain.
I savor the sight of her now sucking on my thumb with wet pops.
"Kernax should be on her way by now, huh."
Gazing at the soft sunlight filtering through the window, I think of her.
Today's the territorial war. She told me over lunch yesterday she'd head out at dawn with her second daughter, Lenia, to Philax Plain.
Wanted to see her off properly, but something about... "Smith, if you show up, it'll mess with the soldiers' morale or whatever. Rina begged me not to let you come."
Dunno the details, but if it'd cause issues with the troops, better safe. So here I am, cuddling Siron in bed instead.
Just, when they return victorious, Rina wants me to pour them drinks. If they come back safe, hell yeah—a round's the least I can do.
Kernax said not to worry, it'll be fine, but as an outsider to their internal politics, I can't help it.
All I can do is hope my Night Fairy stockings protect them all.
Thinking of Kernax and the soldiers makes my morning wood wilt respectfully. Good boy—finally learned some tact.
I decide to kill time until breakfast wrapped around Siron.
"......Giena?"
"Yes, Smith."
Heading down to the dining hall with Siron for breakfast, I spot Giena already waiting and can't help but ask.
"You didn't... steal her, did you?"
The black-furred cat in her arms mewls cutely: "Nyaa~"
Giena blinks at my question, then shakes her head.
"I found her."
"...That one?"
"Yes. This one."
No matter how blind I am, that's definitely the cat from the merchant guild.
She's lying through her teeth, but I just nod.
Reading my mind, Giena pouts slightly and offers the cat to me.
"I thought about letting her go, but you seemed to like her, so I brought her. Unnecessary?"
The cat mewls again: "Nyaa~"
Lately, I've noticed Giena—who was bow-obsessed—paying me way more attention. Proof? Her stoic face now shows subtle expressions like this.
"No, you did great."
Heading to the merchant guild anyway, I'll return her then. I take the black fluffball from Giena.
Nyaang~♥
She immediately rubs her head against my chest.
"......"
"......"
Sudden prickling from both sides. I look up to see Siron and Giena glaring at the cat with eerie expressions.
Déjà vu. Just like when Siron eyes drakes.
"Uh, let's eat breakfast first."
Everyone sits. Siron on my right, Giena left.
The maids serve us politely despite the lord's absence, with their usual heartfelt spread.
Habit now, Siron piles meat I like onto her plate, cuts it to perfect bites.
"Here—"
Clang!!
Her fork veers sideways. Our eyes drop.
Lick, lick.
The black cat sits calmly in my lap, grooming her paw.
"This little shit...?"
Siron's fork and knife bend like taffy in her grip.
"S-Siron, calm down. It's just an animal. Accidents happen."
"Haa..."
She was about to skull-crack it with a charged knuckle-rapping, but exhales deeply in seething rage, unclenching her fists.
A maid swaps out the mangled silverware.
"Smith."
"Yeah?"
Giena offers a fork skewered with fresh greens.
I love meat, but I'm not picky, so I open wide gratefully.
Clang—!!
Her hand jerks aside like Siron's.
"......"
No words, but her murderous glare says it all.
Dunno why the cat swatted them, but if this continues, we'll have a mess before the guild. Emergency measure: hand the cat to a maid till we're done.
Hiss—!!
Tail straight up in clear refusal.
Nyaa—!!
The maid grabs its scruff emotionlessly before it reacts, hoisting it limp like wet laundry.
Siron and Giena look satisfied. Breakfast proceeds peacefully.
**
A bit past lunch, we arrive at the merchant guild with escort soldiers.
"Whoa, can we even get in?"
A line of variously dressed folks snakes at the main gate.
"Idiot. Side door."
"Oh, right."
Siron's pet name for me softened from "dumbass" to "idiot." Slips back sometimes with tough requests, but both are affectionate, so whatever.
We bypass the endless main line, duck into last time's alley.
"Still people there?"
"They'll make way if they're smart."
Ten or so at the side door guarded last time. Siron doesn't care, drags my interlocked hand forward boldly.
The front guy flinches at our soldier entourage but doesn't budge. Bedecked in rings and necklace, looks rich or visiting noble.
I worry about him mouthing off to Siron or troops, but woman and man stay silent.
Meantime, a guard spots us, dashes inside.
"We've been waiting."
Soon returns with the suited woman from before.
She spots the black cat in my arms, pauses.
"This way, please."
Averts eyes like she saw nothing, bows naturally.
What? Why so subservient suddenly?
Last time was polite enough; now it's overly deferential.
Anyway, we follow her in; guards lock up quick.
In the quiet hall, she addresses me cautiously.
"Our branch chief wishes to meet you. If it's not too much trouble, could you spare a moment...?"
"Branch chief—the pureblood black cat tribe lady?"
"Yes. A pureblood black cat tribe woman."
That explain the attitude? Why grovel to me?
I've been curious since hearing of her. Nice to get the invite.
"Sure."
"Thank you. To the branch chief's office, then."
Up modestly decorated stairs to the top floor. Plush carpeted hall to the end door; she stops.
"Enter with your party."
Guards step aside at her glance. I open with Siron and Giena.
Expected luxury for a chief's office; instead, spartan. Wide space, but just comfy sofa, table, a few pots, bookshelf, desk, chair. No ostentation.
Which draws my eyes straight to the woman by the sofa.
Eastern-style garb I've never seen here. Deep night-black hair suits the solid color embroidered with white floral threads.
Design exposes her ample cleavage naturally.
But even those pale tits don't fully snag my gaze.
Flutter, flutter.
A pair of beast ears atop her head!!
Specifically, cat ears like the black fluff in my arms grab first.
Sway, sway.
Then the fluffy tail peeking behind—second.
Not full beastman; human beauty with just ears and tail. Prime kemonomimi.
Impulse to dash over and verify if real surges.
Won't act rash, though.
She smiles softly with heterochromic blue-green eyes.
"Thank you for accepting the invitation."
Bows deeply, politely.
"Please, have a seat."
Steps aside, gestures to sofa. I grab Siron's slightly miffed hand, sit with Giena.
"Allow a formal introduction. I am Nyaho, branch chief of the Black Thread Merchant Company in Bazelan."
Bows again.
"I arranged this not for any special business, but because I regretted missing the chance to apologize personally for the unfortunate incident last time. I hope you understand."
She smiles faintly, reaches for the octagonal, hole-riddled glass on the table.
Vmmm—
Her touch ignites soft blue light; beams shoot from holes upward.
"Oh...?"
I gawk purely at what forms.
The beams spread into a holographic projection. Like Earth's holos—spot on.
"Prepared to atone for Vincent's blunder. Hope it pleases."
"Ah, yeah."
Too awed for words, I just nod.
Didn't expect this. Small scale aside, hyper-realistic, lifelike motion fools the eye.
How much for one? Better not ask—might flip like last time.
"Showing Bastia Namjak's camp now, but near war start, it'll switch to Viscount Biorin's forces."
"Got it."
Too small for faces, but all armored under unfamiliar flags—Kernax's foes, huh.
"Plenty of time till kickoff. I'll have light refreshments sent up; please relax and chat."
"Thanks."
"And, if you'll permit, may I join to watch the war from here?"
Her room—why ask me? And those cute "nya" slips—imagination?
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Nyaho smiles softly, slight bow.
"Then, if I may..."
"Wait."
She pauses her quiet retreat.
I hold out the black cat.
"Ended up with her somehow. Yours, right?"
"......Yes."
Glanced at Giena? Nah.
"Thank you for finding her."
"Haha, no prob."
I awkwardly proffer the cat. Nyaho reaches carefully.
Smack—!!
A crisp slap echoes.
"......"
"......"
Room falls silent.
Lick.
Only the tiny black cat grooming her paw.
"Ha, haha... this girl."
Nyaho steels herself, reaches again.
Thwack! Smack! Pat-pat-pat—!!
Red paw prints multiply on her pale hand.
Her lip quivers like angry waves.
"Excuse me a moment."
"Huh?"
Something black flashes by; my arms lighten suddenly.
Waaah—!!
Glancing, I barely catch Nyaho's hidden tail coiling the cat's neck, retreating behind her.
Tail tucked, she smiles at me.
"Ho ho ho. See you shortly."
She backs out soundlessly, fleeing.