Knocking on Salka’s door, I wait quietly, my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for her answer. ‘Why… I mean I think I get it, removing parts of yourself could be disastrous. But… she uses spells all the time. And who’s that Mirja she mentioned? I just…’

  …

  Suddenly, her door opens, Salka standing there in a towel with her hair down and wet. “Lumi. What is it?”

  That coldness hurts, reminding me of when we first met. Like when she first woke up and sounded dead.

  Is that just how she gets when upset?

  Lowering my head, I speak. “...I wanted to… apologize. For… being so pushy earlier, I should’ve trusted you to know more about that soul stuff than me.”

  Sighing, she steps into the room and sits on the bed, patting for me to sit next to her. So I do. “It’s… not your fault. I get it. I… I used to think the same, for a long time.”

  Her coldness fades a bit, and I look up at her confused. “What do you mean?”

  “...I did it, once. Gave parts of my soul away, so I didn’t have to feel them anymore. My sadness… depression… fear… anger… frustration… I gave it all away.”

  “...but why? What caused all of that so… so much?”

  Smiling down at me, with some tears in her eyes, she speaks with a tremble in her tone. “My parents first… and my brother, to be his rock and not cry in front of him… then all the pain and strain in my training under the Queen… it was…”

  Hugging her side, I nod a bit. “Your whole life… but how? The arcane is… is… hidden… how did you find it as a kid?”

  “The arcane is hidden… when you know the rules they don’t follow. When you know none of your own rules… the other worlds just seem like your world. Strange becomes normal. And… when a kid makes an imaginary friend… it’s suddenly not imaginary… but they’re happy.” With tears rolling down her face, she wipes them away.

  “...she was your imaginary friend? And she… took the pain away?”

  “...yes, she did. She’s gone now… that’s a story for another time… but… that pain would’ve prevented a lot more of it. Might’ve protected Reta. Might’ve…”

  Letting that linger, I know what she was gonna say next.

  Hugging her tighter, I feel her tail wrap around me. “No. You might’ve not met us, but might’ves and would’ves and could’ves don’t mean anything. Who knows if you didn’t save Reta’s life while working with her, huh?”

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  “...” She’s silent, but she hugs me close with an arm, in silent thought.

  ‘Not that I mind it… she needs time to think… and so do I. She went… her whole life, hiding her emotions- no, without them, I guess. No wonder she struggles to vent, or cry. She doesn’t know how to… makes Ruby feel not nearly as bad in comparison.’

  Wiping my tears on her towel, I fight the thought of her out of my head, and focus more on the cat in front of me who needs attention. “Sorry for the bad memories, Sal.”

  “No, no… it’s fine, talking about it… helps, I think.”

  Nuzzling her side again, I let go and stand, offering her my hand. “Well… why don’t we go drink some hot cocoa and relax on the couch? Would that help you feel better?”

  “...sure. Um, could I get dressed first, though?”

  Blushing a bit, I decide to try and be a bit assertive. “...that outfit works too, would dirty less clothes to wash.”

  ‘D-did I really just ask that?! She was just mad at me and I suggest-’

  Smiling slightly with a surprised swaying tail, she nods a bit and just drops the towel, standing and hugging me into her soft chest. “That sounds nice. L… love you.”

  Hugging back and nuzzling into her with purrs to help her relax as well, I force out a little “love you too”. It’s weird that cats do that to comfort others, and to show comfort.

  …it’s like yawning, huh.

  Eventually, I get control of myself and head to the kitchen, putting hot cocoa to make… feeling Sal’s gaze on my ass through my shorts. “You want me to be naked too?”

  I feel heat rise up my cheeks as she pauses, and I worry I pushed a bit too much-

  “...y-yeah.”

  Blushing a bit, I go to my room as the hot cocoa finishes. “Wait for me in the living room!”

  Stripping into my birthday suit, I head out to the living room, seeing the TV on with a random movie, and Sal sitting on the couch waiting. And as she looks at me, she instantly blushes. “H-hey.”

  Walking over, I sit on her lap, her body firm and solid beneath me… except her chest, of course, which is always soft. I’d speak… but I don’t even know what to say. Especially since being like this makes it hard to focus on much else besides her warmth and heartbeat.

  So instead, I just watch the random movie she put on as I sip my cocoa, relaxing back into her. “...thanks, for not staying mad at me.”

  Her voice is much warmer now, having escaped the coldness it had. “...no, I can’t. I was just… frustrated. Can’t help but yell when I get like that… my voice won’t come out otherwise.”

  Sipping on our cocoa and relaxing into each other's warmth for a bit longer, I simply enjoy myself.

  “...This is pretty nice, Lumi.”

  “...thanks. I wasn’t sure it would be. Was… sorta a random idea of mine. Glad you were okay with it.” Looking away in embarrassment, I feel her hug me from behind. “No, I needed it. It… helps me warm up, do this more when I get upset or stressed, please.”

  “Course. Any time.”

  Being hugged into her chest and hearing her purrs, I can’t help but relax and purr in sync, fully melting.

  ‘This is… great…’

  ___

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