by Kyle Olson
The cub turned to Yf, eyes sparkling., “Mrow!”
Yf giggled.
Then the doorbell rang.
She may have been interested to know who had come calling, but that’d have involved getting up. Besides, the den was close enough to the door she could puzzle it out from the conversation, if needed.
“Hoh! It’s been an age. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Tarkit’s voice echoed from the front door.
“Been wandering around, thought I’d drop by,” said a throaty voice Yf immediately recognized.
The cub retreated from the new voice, vanishing into its tiny portal, which snapped shut behind it. Memory urged her to change back to how she was, given her… history with the voice’s owner.
“Well come on in! Here, let me take your jacket… Hah! Brave of you to wear a fancy dress like that here, you must be cold!”
“Now where are you looking?”
“You wound me! I just know you dislike the cold. C’mon, let’s say hello, Yf and Sophia are here…”
Before Yf could make up her mind about which form to choose, the choice had been made for her.
“Thought I smelled a cat,” said Tess as she followed behind Tarkit, pausing to appraise the sprawled out, lounging goddess on the sofa, “So this is where you’ve been hanging out? What’s with the new look?” She added, looking Yf up and down, or rather, side to side, “Gotta say, I preferred you before.”
“Well, you know. I’d been in that form for so long, I thought some change was in order.”
“…But that?” Tess said, one eyebrow arched, “You’re just a cute little thing, aren’t you? I bet Tarkit likes it,” She added, elbowing the bearded man in the ribs playfully.
“I prefer a little more… eh, you know,” he said, making an outline of an hourglass with his hands, “Figure.”
“Well, good thing I showed up, hmmm?”
“Hah!” Tarkit laughed, beaming so much the sun shining through the windows gleamed off his teeth, “You haven’t changed at all! How’re things? Ma hasn’t mentioned you much lately.”
“Yeah, strange for you to pop up out of nowhere,” Yf said, stretching out. The stairs leading down into the den creaked with weight.
Tarkit sat down, motioning for Tess to do the same.
“Things have been—” Tess began, but cut herself short, whirling to face the newcomer to the conversation. Sophia padded in, sporting the latest in homemade quadruped fashion.
“Tess! I thought I heard your voice. What’re you doing here?”
Tess stared for a good, long second. When she turned back round, she did so slow and methodical, whole body coming to point at Yf and Tarkit. She asked, no, demanded with her posture and expression: Explain.
Yf’s restrained joy at Tess’ arrival was doused by the chill of uncertainty.
So Sejit never told her, Yf thought, Interesting…
“About that,” Tarkit said, struggling to find the right words to say.
Eventually, the words did come out, along with additions by Sophia and Yf. Yf had hoped to keep attention off herself by filling in a few details here and there, primarily around the actual resurrection process.
Yf’s plan was not going well. It seemed for every word she didn’t say, it drew that much more attention from Tess. For her part, Tess said precious little, content to listen. This was, perhaps, what unsettled Yf the most.
Once they’d arrived at the present, Tess said, without any particular hint of excitement, “Ain’t that some shit.”
“Yeah,” Sophia said, picking herself up from the floor and stretching out just like a cat—complete with back arch, “Hey, do you know how to control this whole transformation thing?”
“You’re probably thinking too hard about it,” Tess said, “You don’t think when you walk, you just do, right?”
“Ha ha ha Howisthisthesame?!”
“You said yourself you were walking around fine after you woke up. So, you’re thinking about it too much. That aside,” Tess said, ruby glare falling upon Yf, “I have some questions for you.”
Tarkit got the hint, heaving himself up from his chair, “Just as well, I still have a few things I need to take care of today.”
Sophia attempted to linger, but Tess shooed her away with threats that she’d never bedded a little sphinx girl before. That got her out in a hurry.
She doesn’t waste time, does she? Yf thought, preparing for what was to come by setting her pipe down. Even sat upright.
“Never thought she’d be so desperate,” Tess said as she examined her freshly-painted fingernails.
So much for that little secret. Leave it to Tess to ferret out the truth. Real question is, will she tell Sophia?
“She needs answers. So happens, there was an option close by. Can’t say I agree with it, but who am I to say no to her?”
Tess’ features clouded over, softened, “Well, at least it all makes sense now. Thought it was a strange move to take her in. But hey, you’re right, who are we to say no to the mighty Sejit?”
“…What happened between you two? I’d assumed she told you. Normally I wouldn’t bother, but this feels like it’s brewing up into some serious shit I don’t want any part of.”
“To be fair, I suppose it’s a little bit my fault. But, in the same sense, maybe I was little too eager, a little too willing,” Tess went on, “A little too… Don’t worry, I don’t intend to involve you—unless you involve yourself.”
Tess launched to her feet, any hints of clouds chased away by her devilish grin.
However, Yf remained unimpressed. More worried, in actuality.
A fight? No… Those two argue like two cats in a sack, but they’re still friends. Or were. Whatever it is, it’s obvious they’re keeping secrets from each other. Has their goal for the world fallen apart?
“Though, for right now,” Tess sauntered towards Yf, golden bangles jangling, “I feel like involving myself with you.”
Yf put her train of thought on hold, forcing herself to the now. And smirked. “Even though I’m like this?”
“Let’s say because you’re like that…”
Tess ventured into Sophia’s room, wherein she found the sphinx loafed up on her bed, paws tucked under her body and using a box to bring her laptop to an appropriate level. The girl’s rounded, tufted lion ears wiggled and swiveled, homing in on the intruder.
“Oh, hey Tess,” said Sophia, not bothering to take her eyes off the screen.
“Knew it was me without even looking? Impressive.”
“I’m already used to how everyone else sounds when they walk around, so…”
“Interesting,” replied Tess, taking in the whole of the room, such as it was. Despite having been there for a while now, Sophia still hadn’t done a whole lot to make it hers.
“So, what’s up?”
“Thought we could have a chat.”
“What about?”
Tess sat down on the bed, one leg folded over the over with her back to the girl. “You know, this and that. Like, say, Sejit.”
“…What about her?” said Sophia, pulling herself away from the screen.
“She’s been acting strange, don’t you think? Now, I admit we don’t gossip and chatter like housewives, but we still… communicate.”
Sophia shifted on the bed, bringing her full attention to bear.
Tess continued, bouncing her foot, “But lately, she hasn’t said a word to me about some rather important things. Almost like she’s lost her trust in me. I can’t help but think why that might be. Maybe like someone may have told her something they shouldn’t have.”
Everything in the room went still, silent. Save for Tess, who gazed upon some passing clouds with her foot tapping away in the air.
“I, uh,” Sophia paused to clear her throat, then again, but no matter how much she stalled, she couldn’t coax the cowering words out from under the bed.
So, she did tell her. I should’ve known to wrap up this loose end. Ah, but then w
e wouldn’t be here, would we? The long gamble paid off. How unlike her to reach for the odds.
“To think my favorite protege would betray me,” Tess said, feigning hurt, “And I did say I’d kill you, didn’t I?”
A terrified squeaking noise accompanied the rustling of blankets caused by a sphinx bouncing to her feet, “Come on! I tried to resist, but you know how she is!”
Tess rolled her head back, looking over her shoulder, “And how did she know you had something to hide to begin with?”
A myriad of conflicting thoughts raged across Sophia’s countenance, and her hands, for lack of anything else to do, wrung themselves mercilessly. “Well, you know…”
“Hmph. No matter. I’m curious about your new look. Tell me, what do you know?”
“Er, know?”
Tess unwound herself and stood, hands on her hips. She leaned forward, bringing her face so close to Sophia’s, she could feel her breath, “Don’t play coy with me.”
“Wellll,” Sophia drawled out, eyes making a journey like the sun rising and setting, “Not much. It’s… I’ve figured out some things I shouldn’t know. Or that I think I shouldn’t know. It’s hard! Sometimes I’ll ask myself a question and not get anything, other times I ask it and then boom,” She gestured, fists exploding, “A whole stack of pictures and snippets, I look over them quick, and then I know.”
Tess nodded and hummed.
Not surprising. Oh, Sejit. Are you so afraid of me, now? Hah. I’d be afraid of me, too.
“…What are you smiling about?” Sophia asked.
“What? Oh. Just thinking, Anyways, like I told you before, your problem is you’re over-thinking shit too much.”
“You realize that doesn’t help me at all, right?” Sophia groused, crossing her arms. Her forepaws followed along. “It’s like someone is learning how to, I don’t know, shoot a gun, they can’t hit anything, and then you tell them they just need to get good or something stupid.”
“Well if they got good they wouldn’t miss so much! Now, now, you little fusspot, don’t give me that look.”
Seconds ago she was terrified, now she openly challenges me. Never had much sense, but now? Gakaka! Who’d have thought it’d come out so much? Coming here was a good idea, after all. Maybe I can see this through to the end after all. Assuming I can coax out what I need before Sejit beckons.
“So, your transformation. What’s it like when you’re in your human form?”
“Like trying to hold in a sneeze and cough at the same time. While trying not to laugh.”
“Oh, I see, I see,” Tess nodded, “Try it now.”
“But I just got my sheet the way I like it! Almost looks like a real dress now.”
Tess insisted, by way of slightly raised eyebrows.
“…Fiiiine…”
Sophia cracked her neck this way and that, shook out her fingertips, and concentrated. First, the tail sank into her lion body until nothing remained, then her hindquarters pulled into nothing, like a telescoping eyeglass. At the same time, forepaws morphed to human legs, fur retracting until only bare skin showed. When the last toenail emerged complete, so too was her lion-half gone.
It’d taken just a handful of seconds.
She kept her breathing calm, even, and moved with a certain stiffness, slowness.
“Oookay, what now?”
Tess snapped her fingers, keeping her thumb stuck up—and from the tip, a small flame appeared. “There. Now, focus on the fire.”
“…I don’t like where this is going, but okay.”
“I’m going to tell you a little story, but I don’t want you to say a word. Never take your eyes off the prize. Got it?”
Sophia opened her mouth, but thought better of it and nodded.
“Good. Now then, I’m sure Yf has told you by now you’re descended from Lorithyl. He didn’t have many kids, far as I know, but still, who can say how many generations ago that was?”
As Tess spoke, the red and orange flame grew. When it’d first flicked into existence, it was the size of a grape dancing above her thumb. Now it was on par with a plum.
“Something Yf doesn’t know, I bet, is that for a time we were lovers. And yes, our union was fruitful. Not bountiful, mind you, but we had a few in our short time together. So hey, there’s a chance I’m your super-great-grandmother. How’s that for interesting? Hey! Lips closed. Focus.”
Sophia was battling herself, squirming like she was enduring some torture that was more uncomfortable than painful.
“Which reminds me about a fun fact: He preferred to do it as a sphinx, rather than human. Think about that one for a while, gakaka…”
One sort of agony replaced another in Sophia, complete with a rising screech she kept in her throat. Which had the effect of making her sound like a wounded puppy.
“Focus,” Tess said with the crack of a stern instructor, but faded into an unusually girlish sigh, “Our little tryst wasn’t to last. Love is fleeting and all. Yf probably told you he died some time ago, yes?”
The flame had continued to grow, lapping and twisting and stretching until it was the size of Tess’ hand. Heat washed across Tess’ skin, and doubtless, against Sophia’s.
“But she doesn’t know how, or why. Maybe even that he just disappeared. He was the reclusive type, preferred to watch from afar. Made it hard to get close to him. It was understandable when you knew that he knew things, and everyone knew that. Everyone would seek him out, asking about this and that. Mainly how to fuck each other over. Gods and mortals—people—included. So he kept his distance. Took me forever to worm my way in, gain his trust. While our time together was short, his seclusion meant he was more than happy to finally talk. And talk he did! The shit I learned, let me tell you…”
By now the flame was so tall it threatened to lap at the ceiling and Sophia had backed off as much as she could—and still her face had broken out in a sweat.
“See, knowledge is power only if you have the real power to back it up. Otherwise, it’s just shit you know. Which makes you vulnerable. By that time, I was rather alone. No allies, quite a few enemies, so many children to safeguard… So I had to do what I could to protect myself.”
Tess’ teeth emerged as her lips pulled back in something that could, if one stretched the definition, be called a smile. The blazing light outshone the sun pouring into the room, etching deep shadows across her features. Perhaps it wasn’t the heat alone making Sophia sweat. But, she had precious little trouble keeping her eye on the ball, so to speak.
“So, one night, after a good and proper fuck, when he laid down to hold me, I killed him,” Tess said, hissing out the last three words through clenched teeth.
Sophia flinched, eyes darting between the fire and the goddess.
“After all, if I could, anyone could. I couldn’t have him spilling the details. My details. The details of our children. Sophia. What do you know?” The goddess began to laugh, open-mouthed until her teeth snapped shut with an audible tick.
Sophia screamed, screeched, and pleaded all at once, assaulted not only by the goddess of fire and death but by a barrage of brilliant, blinding imagery: “I don’t know anything! Don’t kill me! I swear!”
The dull reds of the massive flame burst into blues and whites, threatening to leap to the walls and ceiling, to consume the room in a blazing inferno. The girl scrabbled away, backing herself into a corner on the floor. Tess stood, the flame engulfing her hand. She wound up like she was about to unleash a pitch—Sophia clenched her eyes shut and stuck out her hands for all the good it’d do.
And then, nothing.
Tess watched the girl feel out in front of her, crack one eye open, then the other.
“See?” Tess said, cocking her head, “You’re still all human.”
A strand of sweat-slick hair clung to Sophia’s face. She gushed out a breath like it’d been held for years. To be sure, touched her legs. Amazement crossed her features just ahead of indignant anger.
“What the
fuck was that? I was sure you were going to kill me!”
“Good way to take your mind off the small things. See, if you’re startled out of it you lose it, but if you gradually focus on something else…” Tess said, sprawling out onto the bed.
“So, what, you just made that story up?”
“Who knows?”
She could hear Sophia’s deep breaths until they finally tapered off. Sophia finally got up out of the corner, began to walk—and in a second, the thud of four paws replaced two feet.
“Fuck it all!”
A long gamble, indeed, Tess mused to herself.
“You started over-thinking again.”
“The hells I was! I’m over here terrified and pissed, wondering if your stupid face will be the last thing I see before I die! Again! I shouldn’t have to say again! People don’t die again!”
Tess rolled over onto her stomach, getting a good look at the girl, “If it makes you feel better, you’re safe until I get a few things out of you. Ah, but first we need to figure out how to get you to that point, don’t we?”
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Sejit rapped away at her phone’s screen, bringing up the message Yf had just sent. To her surprise, she still got reception in the concrete cube of a room.
Tess is here. She knows, but I don’t think she’s told Sophia yet. What do you want to do?
Well. How about that? Goes dark for almost three weeks and then reappears with my son and Sophia. Perhaps I was mistaken about her intentions, but then, I still do not know if Ifon’s plan was successful. Regardless, I would much rather have her with me. It would be nice to have…
She caught herself. When was the last time she’d ever thought to use that word?
…An ally, she corrected.
She wasn’t quite lying to herself, but reshaping the truth into another truth, just maybe one that wasn’t wholly accurate. As Tess protected herself, so too did Sejit. Regardless of what Sejit may have called her, she still needed her.
First things first: She responded to Yf and told him there was no need to do anything, at least for the time being.
Second was something far more difficult. Having lived so long, and lived so long above the world at large, Sejit was a goddess of many talents. Few things were capable of slowing her down or giving her pause. Unfortunately, she had to do one of those few things. With her resolve steeled, she commanded her fingers to move. Her fingers, the insubordinate digits they were, protested with all their might. But she was stronger, if only barely.