I darted around the alleyways, quickly escaping my two pursuers. Giggling, I hid behind some rubbish and waited for them to pass me by. As they did, I followed with an exaggerated tiptoe.

“Any idea which way she went?” Sara asked.

“Well, she seemed eager to visit the thicket. We can just find her at that young master’s place,” Lisa said.

“I just know she's going to cause trouble!”

I followed them for a few blocks, but quickly got bored with the game. It was much more fun when they did the chasing.

I snuck as close to their backs as I could before letting out my loudest “Meow!”

They paused for a moment before slowly turning around, heads tilted. As their eyes widened, I wiggled my eyes with a silly grin before making my escape once more.

The shenanigan repeated twice before they started ignoring my antics and made their way to the Necime’s grove, intent on meeting at the destination. Since they spoiled my fun, I treated the journey as a race and sprinted ahead of them.

The Necime family was one of the most well known within the entire city. One of their ancestors was a founder of the city, and they had a firm presence in the clergy. They expanded their territory several times throughout history. Each extension added a ring of fencing and thick brambles.

I perched on the buttress of a cathedral and surveyed the grove. My swaying tail drooped; the prey could be anywhere..

As I considered my plight, a young couple briskly walking through the streets caught my eye. It took just a glance for me to recognize the man, despite being the first I've seen of him. Many rumors of Avery of the Necime family circulated throughout the city. His fame came from the circumstances of his birth, but lately gossip has spread because of his reputation as a philanderer.

Seeing what must have been his latest escapade following at his heels, I chuckled a bit. The woman predominantly had traits of a flower. No doubt Avery’s parentage edged many of the young shrublings to flock to him.

Looking closer at the woman, she was a real beauty. It wasn’t until they passed through the gates to the outer courtyard that I took my eyes off of her. I must have seen her somewhere before; she seemed familiar, but not enough to jog my memory.

After seeing them enter a nearby tower, I followed behind them. I hoped that I could ask the woman where I might have recognized her, maybe even make a new friend. I needed to find someone to talk to about my trip to the Twisted Thicket anyway, and Avery might point me in the right direction.

Nearing the tower, I found the door open a crack and took it as an invitation to let myself in.

It’s not trespassing if they leave the door open for you, right?

I crept up the stairs that lead to a door at the top of the tower. I felt strange seeing it was also ajar. Deciding it best to maintain a modicum of courtesy, I took a breath to announce myself when fragments of their conversation reached my ear. I couldn’t resist the urge to eavesdrop.

“I finally felt the first rays of sunshine after enduring the frigid frost of winter,” the flower said, “the look on his face when his own spell backfired… that was the fertilizer on topsoil.”

As I peeked into the room, I had an unobstructed view of two figures sharing a bath; the woman’s rhythmic bouncing was ample proof that cleaning wasn’t the primary goal.

“And when you threw that vial of acid back into his face,” she shuddered, “it sends a droplet down my stem.”

The woman’s swaying form held me captive and almost unconsciously, I lowered my hand between my legs. A mix of invigorating thrill and dirty taboo combined to edge me on. I bit down on my lip to muffle my panting. As I processed their conversation, I felt mortified only for a moment before the macabre topic and tantalizing view amplified my arousal.

“We should have killed that rotten leach,” she sneered, “why did you keep him alive?”

“It's simple.” Avery replied, his head tilted back, “You have done much for him and for that he owes you. If he dies now, how will we collect on his balance?”

“You need an alchemist?”

“Hardly,” he scoffed, “He’s a third rate even by the standards of this city. I have no use for his meager ability.”

“Then what?” she raised a brow.

“He has a knack for growing alchemical herbs, which I won’t have time for. Besides, he’s a schemer; those are the most fun to play with. They always surprise you with reasons to tor–punish them.”

She snickered and hastened her ministrations. “I wonder if the gardener will still praise himself as a poet.”

As her sultry words turned into moans, I struggled to restrain myself from joining her. My legs went limp; I swayed, catching myself against the wall with a thump as my panting escaped.

“Hellen,” Avery stage whispered, “Our breakfast guest has been loitering in the doorway for quite some time, why don’t you help me play host.”

“Are you going to join us now?” Hellen said sultrily, “Or are you out of sap?”

Cheeks flushed, I slowly peeked my head to see she was staring right at me with an eyebrow raised. I smiled awkwardly before giving a small wave.

“Well, don’t be shy now. Come and join us,” she winked.

I shifted on my feet for a moment before shuffling forward. I felt like a kid caught stealing from the cookie jar. As I approached the tub, a slow smirk twitched itself onto my face. Climbing on top of the tub, I placed my knees on the railing, positioning myself directly over Avery’s face.

I’m not nearly as interested in men as I am in women, but when a comfy seat provides a perfect view, I can’t help but climb on. It helps that his looks weren't overly masculine.

Once my massage chair started its work, I was shifting about for entirely different reasons. My thighs squirmed, threatening to clench shut and strangle him for his efforts.

When everything was over, I slid down and leaned my back against him. I was sleepy and just wanted to curl up in a ball.

“You’ve got guts, using him as a loveseat like that,” Hellen teased, “Then again, I guess you didn’t see what I did today.”

“What h–happened today?” I groaned.

“Just a slug falling into a pit of salt,” she waved it away, “Avery mentioned an interesting guest, but I wasn’t expecting someone so daring.”

I smiled at the praise, my face further flushed from exertion. I was having trouble thinking straight, but wanted to keep her talking. Her voice matched her beauty and I couldn’t hear enough.

“Have we met before?” I asked.

“If I recall correctly, you were peeking on me while I slept last night.” she said, pointing towards the window.

A potted plant sat on the windowsill, illuminated by rays of sunlight. I instantly recognized it from my late night exertion.

As she resumed her rhythmic bouncing, my eyes followed the circular motion of her chest that matched the soft splashing of water. Once she started her pleasured moans, I couldn’t stop myself from sinking deeper into my seat as I reached a climax of my own.

Once satisfied, I slid down his chest and leaned against it while catching my breath.

“So,” Avery began, “can I take it you have accepted my offer?”

“What–yawn–offer?” I asked, my eyes growing heavy.

“For courting.”

“Oh–that was you? That’s good, would have been pretty awkward otherwise. I nearly lost my adventure,” I said sleepily.

“Why did you come here then?” Avery asked, brow quirked.

“To see Hellen and ask you which young master to visit.”

Seeing the struggle in my eyes, Hellen crooked her finger in a come hither gesture.

I crawled over and snuggled against her before falling asleep like a napping kitten.