Cat

 

21:03 - Bad Rat - [ i’s guessin’ by the state a things, my plan went off without a hitch~? ]

21:04 - Cat Kitten - [ I don’t know what you’re talking about ]

21:04 - Cat Kitten - [ That was all me <3 ]

 

Thank the Goddess Geppette made this new arm compatible with touch screens, among a few other things she’d told me about, such as being fireproof, a detail that will save me from embarrassing myself next time I need to turn up the heat.

“Oh, woe I would be were that to come to fruition~”

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I look back up at the thoroughly stuffed cast of characters sitting around the table, making ourselves comfortable at Reed’s and soaking up the holiday spirit. Tuning back into the conversation at paw, I repeat everything I wasn’t listening to in my head before leaning back and following the ever dramatic Niamh, followed by a confused Fox.

“You’re glad Sue-Zee didn’t make it in time to rescue Cat?”

“Oh, no no no no nooo, darling~” the serpent retorts, tail swishing as she props her head up on her hands, held up by her elbows on the table. “I’m all too happy that there was a backup plan, but coming in to save the day at the very last second? Why darling, that’s my thing~!”

Fox and I groan, Sue-Zee at least amused enough to chuckle at the snake.

“Niamh is probably right–”

“As is always the case~”

“--considering the lengths we’d go to free you from the time loop,” Sue continues after being so rudely interrupted by a smug smiling snake. “We’d have probably thrown ourselves into the portal with Janus, Azathoth or not.”

“Ooohhh, please don’t say things like that,” I whine, rubbing my temples. “Don’t even think it! I’m sure we’d all be much happier if no one in the polycule had to sacrifice themselves.”

“We could have made Azzy spit them out if it came to that,” Violet adds from Fox’s tail, promptly going back to chew on the bone Fox holds out for her.

“Azzy?” I ask with a tilt of my head. “That’s an awfully lot more affectionate than I would’ve expected for something that you gave your tail up to get rid of at first.”

A quiet smile crosses Fox’s face, her scarf glowing and manifesting a green zipper in the air, pulling it down to reveal the Radiant World and the massive dark beast zooming towards us.

“OH GOD FOX WHAT ARE YOU–”

The vixen shushes me before tossing Violet’s bone into the portal, Azathoth leaping up and catching it before sliding right up to the edge of the portal and wagging its tail something fierce, Violet’s maw shifting to a hand to pet the dog with.

“Turns out this Old One can learn a few New Tricks,” Fox says, Violet turning back into a maw to give the beast a kiss on the head before closing the portal back up. “I think it was really happy to meet someone like it in Violet.”

“Huh,” the table collectively emotes aside from Fox and Violet.

“Regardless of such trivial matters, we should be looking to the future,” Violet orders, everyone including Fox looking at her curiously. “What are we going to do about tomorrow? Miss Kitten here is not allowed to push herself any further for a time, so our guiding light cannot join the crusade.”

Ugh…as loathe as I am to admit it, I shouldn’t be going out tomorrow.

“Thankfully…” Fox starts, smirking, kicking her legs up onto the table, “You’ve been blessed with plus two party members!”

Despite the concern painted over my face, I smile, then sigh.

“That’s a huge plus, but also it’s not a fight you have to take part in. I’m the one Liz contracted, and the one who wants to put all of this madness to an end personally.”

Yet still, her confidence shines through, Violet’s maw resting on her shoulder while she spins a fork between her claws.

“Who’s to say this isn’t personal for us too? I’m definitely not the type to do good for good’s sake, but I promised Violet I’d fight for her future, which this definitely counts towards.”

“And I have a point to prove to the world,” Violet adds, “I intend to gouge the heart of hatred from its limp corpse. And to find it, I must delve deeper.”

“Jeez, you never lighten up do you,” I jeer, earning me a snarl from the dark tail maw, to which I blow a raspberry. “For real, though, thank you, even if you’re not doing this directly for me–”

“Though we are!”

“I’m not.”

“--I appreciate being able to lean on you when I need rest.”

I idly pull out my phone, spinning it on the table with a paw.

“And as for babysitting the rat. Sorry ‘bout that.”

Both Fox and Violet grimace, getting the whole table to chuckle at their annoying misfortune before Sue-Zee waves their hand flippantly.

“She’s not…that…bad…” Sue struggles to say, a struggle that makes Niamh snicker more. “She’s not! You just have to, like, not talk to her. Won’t stop her from talking herself, but…”

“I’ll shut her yap if it doesn’t.”

“We’d appreciate keeping the infighting to a minimum, please!”

Violet groans and Fox joins in the laughter, leaning back and tapping her fork against the table to the beat of the bar’s band.

“Besides,” Zee begins, giving Violet a big smile, “we’ll be there to keep you sane!”

“Eh?”

Fox and I look at one another, then back at Sue-Zee, who doesn’t seem to understand our concern.

“Babe, how many time loops were you forced through again?”

“Ehhh, don’t worry about it!”

 

Ugghhh. Zee snickers at my groaning only to wave their hand again, looking a bit more serious.

“Really, though. We…have to be there for the next mission. We have a particular reason to meet with Rivers Robotics.”

…Wait.

“...Sue-Zee Rivers…Rivers Robotics…?”

My vacant thinking gaze turns from the surface of the table to a sheepishly smiling Sue-Zee, waving at me.

“Okay. Alright. Explain. Please.”

The duo takes a deep breath and sighs it out, clearly expecting to need to unravel their own mystery at least somewhat.

“His name is Hal Rivers. We’re not…actually related. Sue and I are adopted, actually. Hal’s grandkids took us in, which is a lot less of a coincidence than you might think, but coincidence or not…he gave us even more reason to go after him when he took their lives.”

“Oh, babes…”

Placing a paw on their shoulder, I attempt to console them, though they shake their head.

“We’ve become pretty numb to it by now. Kind of had to considering how futile trying to stop it became.”

I pull my paw back, holding my chin and leaning against the table with a contemplative hum.

“Still, wouldn’t it be a bad idea for you to get involved if we’re to try reasoning with him first? If we can avoid fighting then–”

“Hal CAN’T be allowed to live,” Sue interjects, drawing my attention to the electric fury in their eyes. “This isn’t just about what he’s done to us on a personal level. Honestly, if it were just that, we would completely agree with you. But that…monster…”

The duo grit their teeth before sighing, looking more…despondent than angry.

“He’s gonna ruin this world. If we don’t stop him now, everything we’ve been through will have been for naught. All the deaths we’ve witnessed, everything we had to abandon to get where we are now–”

“Okay.”

Sue-Zee turns back to me as I interrupt them, as does the rest of the table.

“Huh?”

“Okay! You can go,” I declare, perhaps a bit boisterously. I think I understand their story, but even if I didn’t…

“...I’ve seen the conviction you’re touting before. And I know it’s one I can trust. That you two are people I can trust. You don’t have to keep reliving your past. As a certain wolf said…”

“We should be looking to the future,” Violet adds, completing and extending my point. “Our future. Together. One we will raise you up to so you may be unburdened by the past.”

Sue-Zee stares at us, taking a deep breath and sighing shakily, reaching over to take both our hands and squeeze them for comfort, to which we squeeze back, keeping the duo steady.

“I guess we can’t relive the past in more ways than one now. Thank you…”

“Well, I do my best, darling~”

I roll my eyes as Niamh grabs our vacant hands and completes the circles, injecting herself in…though, I suppose it’s not exactly unwanted. It’s smiles all around the table, even if we know there’s more struggles to come, we know we have each other, and maybe that’s all we need. Even the little yellow rat in my mind joins in, resting on my paw and Sue-Zee’s hand.

“...Is that a rat?”

Oh. Oh they can see it too.

“Aha, remember how we ended up countering Janus’ memory manipulation…?”

“Squeak!”

The duo chuckles, scooping the rat up and petting it gently.

“So the whole polycule is plural then, huh?”

“Fuck, does this really count as a headmate?!”

Much to my chagrin, the whole table, including my own rat, yucks it up as I plant my face on its surface. Goddess above…

 

The night goes on, Fox, Zee, and Niamh all carrying on the conversation into odder and odder topics, and at some point I pull out my phone to check for texts, only to notice just how late it’s getting.

And remembering the promise I’d made just the other day, one that had been waiting for this time.

Taking a deep breath, I stand up, the rest of the table looking up at me curiously.

“Alrighty, gang. I promised someone I’d see them tonight, and with how little of the night there is remaining, I think it’s high time I kicked my butt into gear.”

Niamh seems unmoved by the explanation, whereas Fox tilts her head in further confusion. Meanwhile, Sue-Zee look at me rather knowingly, closing their eyes and nodding, taking a stand as well and stretching loudly.

“It is getting real late. If we’re determined to keep up with everyone tomorrow, it might be a good idea to rest as early as we can.”

Fox whines, falling forward onto the table as a show of her displeasure, only for Violet’s tail claw to pick her up by the collar of her vest and shove her away from her seat.

“Man, I was hoping we’d have more time to celebrate upon returning…”

My ears twitch, suddenly remembering something I’d forgotten to do in the gay haze back at our house.

“Well, in that case…” I begin, building up anticipation as I reach into my pockets, “Let’s celebrate for just a moment longer. Hold out your hands, ny’all.”

Sue-Zee and Fox look at one another, Violet tilting her head behind her before they all do as they’re told, at which point I drop a golden button with little triangular cat ears sticking out the top into their palms one after the other.

“I ended up giving Geppette a lot more hair than she needed to help out with my arm, so I asked her to use the energy to make a few trinkets. I don’t think they’re magical or anything, so it ain’t much, but…I figured presents were in order on today of all days, and that the birthday girl deserved something special.”

Fox’s face goes all red, just as planned, ears pinned back as her tail starts to wag.

“Oh my Goddess, I forgot today was my birthday. Fuck, I forgot today was my birthday!”

“You were born on Christmas Day???”

The reddening girl only gets more embarrassed as Sue-Zee swoops in and gives her a massive hug, and a big ol’ kiss to boot.

“That is ADORABLE. I LOVE YOU.”

Niamh and I laugh at the scene of Fox being hauled off her little feet paws, the duo eventually putting down an incredibly flustered vixen. Then, without warning, they spin to face me and pull me down into another kiss, and I reel back in a daze once they let go, taking off their hat and pinning the button to it.

“Like…jeez. I don’t think we’ve had an honest to Goddess Christmas in years! Thank you so much, y’all.”

Once Fox and I have recovered, we give the duo some smiles, closing in and kissing their cheeks simultaneously, at which point I’m convinced I can hear a train whistle blowing from the glow on their face.

“Wowie…”

Fox and I chuckle at the cute duo, the vixen taking her button and pinning it to her scarf, pulling it tighter around her and burrowing her muzzle into it for a moment, looking content as all hell.

“You say it isn’t much, but you literally gave us a part of yourself. I’m gonna cherish this thing all the way to hell.”

“Well, we did fly to heaven and face the voice of god. I guess walking backwards into hell is the only logical next step,” I say, Fox giving me a big happy grin, only for my attention to be torn away by a snooty little ahem.

“And where is my gift, dear Queer Purrtonic Purrtner~?”

Ugh, Goddess.

“I owe you a dance, however you wanna interpret that,” I tell her, turning my back and swishing my tail as I wave dismissively, ignoring the snake whistling. “You all get some goddamn rest. Tomorrows in your paws.”

“You got it, ma’am!”

“We’ll make you proud, promise!”

Jeez…The stupid smile on my face just won’t leave as I walk away, hearing Fox and Sue-Zee call out to me. I’m a bit afraid I’ve used up all my luck ending up with these two. Then again, Fox probably has enough for this entire bar…So I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end.

In the meanwhile…

 

Out of the bar and into the streets, empty, peacefully at rest while the world shines on in each house, these roads not devoid of life, but blanketing it in a gentle comfort and quiet. Didn’t I used to loath coming out here? Maybe I’ve got a new lease on life or something stupid like that. Invigorated by the lovely winter wind at my back, I bundle myself up in my coat and jog my way over to Coyotl’s place, skidding to a stop in front of it and looking up at the house that looks just the same as the rest, and yet it feels like a looming fortress where I stand, compared to the gentle stillness of the world around it. Up the steps, I give the door a knock, and wait, hearing the sound of a frantic descent growing closer and closer until the lock on the door clicks undone, the chimera swinging the door open and straightening themselves out upon seeing their guest.

“C-Cat…! Right, tonight we…”

“Only if you’re ready.”

Coyotl nods, looking back into their gloomy den and sighing, stepping out and closing the door behind them.

“This is not the place for this. Could we perhaps…speak in another solitary space…?”

Poor thing. I nod, stepping back and gesturing for them to follow, making our way to the woods, the chimera following behind slowly, prompting me to ease my pace.

The jaunt there is tense, Coyotl avoiding stepping too out in the open until they’re immersed in the veil of nature, relaxing somewhat until we’re back out the other end. Apprehension mires the air around the chimera as we walk up to the snowy lake, exposed to the open world, a silent flurry falling onto our shoulders from above, the sky as empty as the horizon. It’s just us out here. Staring up, trying to make out the stars from the snow, biding our time until the silence of night is broken.

“...Snow…is an inherently magical part of this world.”

As Coyotl pipes up, I turn to face them, tilting my head.

“...N-not literally, no. Rather…it is a very mortal magic. To our eyes.”

Listening on, I take a seat on the snow laden ice, gazing up at that which the chimera speaks of.

“It is as natural a part of the world as rain, as grass, as the wind which carries it, and yet…nothing shapes the world the way snow does. A winter wonderland, some call it…”

They pause, taking a deep, staticy breath, holding their claw in the other to steady themselves.

“I had always been fascinated by it. The magic I was taught was otherworldly, fantastical, unlike anything the world may ever know. And yet, it was snow I wished to know.”

The cloaked one looks down from the sky, and I hear their hood being pulled away at last.

“This town…has shown me snow. Its magic. Its power. But snow…must melt away to reveal the world for what it is underneath.”

Looking back, I see them. Where a head should be, an analog TV sits, one antennae bent, broadcasting a sharp static that takes the shape of hair and the colour of emeralds. On that fuzzy screen, two glowing green eyes stare down at me, the jagged waves they overlay vibrating as they speak.

“I…I am Waywright Inkton. I am…the one who…tried to kill you…time…and time…again…”

Deep breath. Memories flash in the front of my mind, memories of the witch who summoned Azathoth, who sicced an army on my helpless, sleeping partner, who nearly drained the life from her in the name of some righteous order. Deep breaths, Cat.

“I…deceived you. This whole town. Tricked it into believing I was one of them. I was never–”

“Coyotl.”

They stop, giving me pause so I may stand up and look at them face to face.

“...I…I am…sorry…” they sputter, voice shaky and crackling. “It was all me…You have every right to smite me where I stand…to end the violence, the lies, to put an end to the Inkton–”

“Coyotl!”

The chimera inhales sharply, fists curled painfully tight, their whole body shaking and trembling. A pained, broken person stands before me, and memories of…Coyotl surface. Coyotl, beaten and battered. Coyotl, rising to protect me in the depths of a starry sea. Coyotl, clinging to me, sobbing for the family they thought they’d never know. Waywright and Coyotl…these are the same person. But one is more honest than the other…so I take them by the shoulders.

“Coyotl…the only lies you’ve ever told me are the ones you just spoke. You didn’t trick anyone into believing you’re something you’re not. You are one of us.”

“I-I can’t be!” they cry, static tears seeping out of the seam of their screen. “You are all…good and honest people…people I thought I was so right in trying to destroy…!”

“People you’ve been helping to protect! You’re not defined by pain you were taught was good for the world…not when you’ve been working so hard to undo that pain.”

Coyotl sniffles, shaking their head frantically.

“But you…I have wronged you in ways I could never atone for…It is only right that you kill me in return…!”

“And what would that accomplish?” I ask firmly, the chimera looking up at me, sobbing and shaking. “If I killed you here, there would be nothing to gain. We would only lose. You would lose the chance to right your wrongs. You would lose everything you’ve already worked so hard to rebuild!”

They huff and sputter, looking down and away at the snow piling up around us.

“Perhaps it is what I deserve for–”

“I would lose a friend.”

Their words come to a halt, tensing up, freezing over, looking back up at me with astonished disbelief.

“I would lose my sister.”

“N-no…”

“I would lose a future where I get to see them grow, and stand tall beside them.”

“No…!”

The chimera crumples forward onto me, where I catch and hold them, arms wrapped around the sobbing mess, feeling their claws dig into my back.

“I’m so…sorry, Cat…”

A gentle shush fills the winter night, my paws running down the chimera’s back, pulling them closer, keeping them warm and secure.

“There are places where the snow never melts, Coyo. Places you can call home.”

Their sobbing grows quieter, relaxing their claws and leaning on me more.

“I…I would like to…see them with you…”

I close my eyes, and nod.

“Let’s go home, then. I’ve got all tomorrow to show you around.”