DoubleBlind
patreon
Everyone's a Catgirl! Ch. 259: Clogs of Oak
🕑 Added 2024-04-04 04:17:09 +0000 UTCRavyn rubbed the bridge of her nose and stood when the dance was at last over.
Emberlynn’s thin fingers grazed the table as she rose from her seat, coughing into her fist. “You have given me much to think about, and I would like to believe that Cailu made the right choice in delegating you as his mouthpiece.”
Cailu. Mouthpiece. That fuck.
“I will offer you my vote in Zhuli’s name to forward your plans,” Emberlynn continued.
Ravyn balled her hands into fists and clenched her teeth. And yet you said your vote means nothing.
“Do not forget that Melody will require much more than just my agreement to press forward.”
Yes. We heard you the first time. “Thank you for the help, Mother.” Ravyn turned and rounded the table to leave. Bally flew over from the nearby window and landed on her shoulder when Emberlynn raised her hand.
“Hold,” she said. “Considering everything that has transpired today, I believe it would be prudent if one who spoke in my name were to accompany you.”
Tristan nodded. “I understand. I think it would be best if your words came from someone you trust.”
“Excellent. I know just the person to send with you. She is a talented [Myrmidon] and has served me for nearly ten years.” She looked at Ravyn. “Ravyn is familiar with her.”
Who is she talking about?
“Rely on her.”
Tristan blinked. “Thank you. That is most kind of you.”
“Certainly,” Emberlynn nodded. “If you require anything else, please let one of my handmaidens know.”
Tristan smiled. “I will.”
Emberlynn nodded. “I will speak with my [Myrmidon] immediately and have her introduce herself this afternoon. I’m sure you would like to relax in the meantime.”
Ravyn forced a smile. “Thank you, Mother. We’ll be downstairs.”
Emberlynn formed her lips into a thin line and hummed before gliding across the hall and into the room beyond. After she shut the doors, Ravyn sighed and ushered Tristan outside.
“So, what do you think?” Tristan asked.
“I think this is all a load of roachshit, is what I think,” Ravyn grumbled, slamming the door to the dining hall shut. “Come on, let’s get a drink. I need it after this fucking dance.” Tristan’s expression darkened. “Tea. Let’s get tea.”
“That’s a good idea. We could use a break,” Tristan said easily.
Ravyn was reaching her boiling point. Her mother was just as manipulative as she remembered. It was never so simple as speaking straight to one another. No, everything had to be a duel, a conversation, an equation, and an in-depth fucking analysis. She rocked her lower jaw from side to side and grumbled as they descended the staircase.
I never wanted to come back here. Ravyn listened to the sound of their footsteps squeaking on the wood beneath them.
“Thank you, by the way. For everything,” Tristan said after a time.
Ravyn kept her hand on the banister as she walked, glancing at him over her shoulder. “The cunt threw his baggage onto you. I’m not about to let him get away with that.”
“Is that really all this is to you? A way to get back at him?”
Ravyn stopped and turned around when they reached the bottom. “If you want to say something, say it. I’m tired of walking on eggshells.”
Tristan didn’t smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s none of my business, but,” he shrugged, “your actions don’t reflect revenge.”
“That asshole impregnated my mother and forced a sister onto me. What’s not to hate about that?” She directed her attention back to the hall ahead and stomped her way forward.
“What is it you hate about Cailu so much, anyway?” Tristan asked, following closely behind her.
“Where do I start? The way he treats catgirls and throws them to the wind? The fake persona he puts up whenever he talks to us? His overbearing need to tell everyone how the fuck to live and work? How about the shitty way he treats Matt?” She pointed to a hall on their right. “Tea. Now.”
Ravyn threw open the doors. Three of the attendants within were sitting at a table but quickly rose to their feet at her approach.
“Our apologies!” one girl said, bowing at the waist and coming back up. She put her hands in her lap and fiddled with her thumbs. “How can we assist?”
Ravyn drummed her fingers at the edge of the doorframe, the thought of burning liquor lingering at the back of her mind and throat. “Tea. I don’t care which, just none of that fluttery, weak garbage.”
“U-understood,” the girl stammered. She turned around and gestured for the others to move. Their practiced hands and careful steps suggested years of experience as they quickly cleared the way for Ravyn and Tristan to sit.
Ravyn chose a chair at one end of the round table and crossed her legs. Bally hopped onto the table, tilting his head up at his master.
“And snacks for Bally, too,” Ravyn said.
“Yes!”
Tristan took the seat across from Ravyn and perched his chin on his palm. “I’m worried about Destiny,” he admitted.
Honestly, she was, too. Emberlynn had that kind of effect on people. But if Ravyn had swapped places with Destiny, she wouldn’t want Matt to see her like that. “Lara’s with her. I’d give them a minute.”
“Hm. Alright.” He drummed his fingers along the table’s surface. “So, where do we want to go from here?”
Ravyn mirrored Tristan, drumming her fingers across her face. “Just…let’s not make any big decisions just yet. I need the silence right now. I can’t think.”
Tristan hummed in understanding, and the silence passed them by. Minutes later, a girl—one with long black hair tied into an intricate braid in the back and eyes of green so dark they almost appeared black—came to the table with two saucers, each with a tall cup on top. She set one saucer each in front of Ravyn and Tristan, then riffled through her pockets for a stack of nuts for Bally and set them on a silver tray on the table. Ball set to crunching his hoard as the girl offered a curt nod before turning tail and exiting through a room to the side.
Ravyn took her cup into both hands and brushed the lip with her middle finger.
What are you doing right now, Matt? She furrowed her brow. Have you met the queen yet? I hope you’re safe. Try not to be too hard on yourself. She drew a deep breath and rolled her head back, staring up at the ceiling.
“I know you said you value your silence,” Tristan said before taking a sip of his tea, “but you seem to have more on your mind than just this meeting.”
She directed her gaze toward him, her chin still held high. “I get what you’re trying to do, but I have enough shit going on without someone trying to crack me open.”
“Your call.” Tristan continued to sip his tea. “Let’s change the subject, then. I don’t mean to be a pest, but how much do you know about [Wizard]?”
Ravyn was relieved to change the subject. She relaxed her neck and blinked. “Many [Wizard]s live on San Island. It’s where most catgirls learn to become one.” She cursed the words that were moments away from leaving her mouth. “Mou ii… My mother may be able to hurry along your Class Change.”
“That’d be great if she could. As much as I want to keep working on San Island, I do want to make sure that I’m prepared for anything that comes our way.”
“I’ll talk to Mother about it. She’s employed several [Wizard]s over the years.”
“Thank you, Ravyn.” Tristan nursed his tea, brushing his thumbs against the cup’s exterior. He made a number of quiet noises with his lips before motioning one of the handmaidens over. A catgirl with short white hair approached. “Excuse me, is it okay if I take this to another room?”
“Of course! You may take the drink wherever you prefer. You are an honored guest here.”
And here I thought we got the hell away from the whole Service, Grace, Urgency sham.
“Thank you. I won’t spill it,” Tristan said with an easy smile. He rose from the table with his cup, flicking his head toward the door they came through. “Alright. I’m going to look for Destiny and Lara. Are you going to stay here?”
Ravyn leveled her gaze and frowned. “I’m not a kitten.”
Tristan blinked. “I didn’t mean to treat you like a kid. It’s just if you’re going to—”
“Just go find your maids. I’ll be here,” she groaned.
“Alright. I’ll be right back.” Tristan nodded, then quickly left the room. Ravyn took a sip of her tea, then set the cup down, peering into the liquid. It was a pale green, and a small, dark fleck of tea leaf floated to the surface, hovering vertically. A San Island custom said that such an event was a sign of good luck.
What a fucking joke.
Having finished his nutty hill, Bally hopped over to his master and nuzzled his face against her forearm. She smiled and scratched him behind his head. As miserable as the experience was, now she had a sister. A real sister who could take on the family business when she was older.
Is Mother going to live long enough to train her for that?
The thought of managing the business made her sick to her stomach. She could play the game, but she hated it. The Bells, the constant feigning of partnerships, the manipulation. That was not the life for her.
But Sophia needs me. If Mother passes away even a year from now, then…
No, it wasn’t going to do any good thinking about it right now. Tristan had other more pressing matters, and she needed to be a part of it. Besides, this was a temporary measure until she was back in Matt’s Party.
Ravyn’s mind continued to wander the possibilities, and soon, she desperately craved the easy company that Tristan had offered earlier. If she couldn’t rely on a stiff drink to get out of her own head, then she could at least alleviate the issue with conversation. She slammed her hands on the table in frustration, frightening one of the handmaidens.
“Sorry,” Ravyn said.
“D-do you need anything?” the timid girl asked.
“No. I—”
As the words left her mouth, the door beside her opened and in walked Tristan, Destiny, and Lara. Destiny’s face was puffy and red, Lara’s expression one of concern. Lara and Tristan flanked Destiny, a gentle hand on each shoulder.
What happened to her? The conversation had been tense, but not to that extent. “Destiny?”
“I just need to sit down. I’m fine, really,” Destiny insisted.
Lara nodded. “Okay. But please talk to me if you need anything?”
Destiny’s smile was so obviously forced. “I will. I promise.”
“What happened?” Ravyn asked, her brow furrowed.
“I think Destiny needs a minute to relax,” Tristan said. “She’s just overwhelmed.”
No surprise there. This place’ll do that to you.
Ravyn resumed her seat while Destiny and Lara took spots next to her. As Tristan moved to sit, the door behind him opened, and he turned around.
“Excuse me,” the woman with black hair from earlier said, “you are Tristan, is that right?” She was garbed differently from before. Instead of the attire that many of the other handmaidens wore, she was dressed in a white half-robe with bright pink trims. Her legs were bare from halfway up her thigh, displaying her smooth, alabaster skin. She wore a pair of split-toe white socks and wooden sandals. Her dark green gaze was like that of a snake’s. Piercing, analyzing, and eerily patient.
“Y-yes, that’s me. Can I help you?”
The woman bowed slowly at the waist. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Yanni. I am to be Emberlynn’s ambassador in your Party.”
