KuliKuli pulled back with a look of surprise. "How is it everyone seems to know who I am?"

  Nihja grew a devilish grin, leaning over the table. "How could we not? A lot happens in Kershin Market but it's not every day you hear of a group of cat girls giving the city guards a good wallop!"

  "I believe it's called a clutter of cats, not a group of cats." Janette corrected her.

  "I believe ah don't give a fuck." Nyitzcha belched, smming her mug down. "Your rum is shit. Oh, an' I be needin' another pint."

  Nihja rolled her eyes and raised her hand, calling over the same busty waitress to refill Nyitzcha's mug. She kept her eyes focused on KuliKuli, looking her up and down as the Nekomata began to shrink in her chair.

  "Can you not look at me like that?" KuliKuli compined, tugging at her hood to hide more of her face.

  Nihja chuckled and leaned back, her bck fingernails drumming over the wooden table. "I apologize, but getting to meet another monster girl is always a treat!"

  "Another?"

  "Where are you friends? We heard that there was four or maybe five cat girls running around the red district." Nihja paused, noticing her new friend's timidness. "Heh, there's no need to be secretive. You are among friends now, you can drop the hood and be yourself."

  KuliKuli turned to Janette as her friend nodded back in agreement. "It's true. This here is the bck district, home to the-"

  "I can do my own introductions, Jay." Nihja teased, clearing her throat. "You're in the bck district of Kershin Market, home to the town's worst and ugliest. Orcs, Drows, Kobolds, any race that doesn't fit your beautiful human, elf or dwarf face are sent to live here."

  Janette hung her head. "Yea, I mentioned before that this town experience a popution increase that spanned over several decades. Not everyone is welcomed with wide arms unless they have some coin in their breeches."

  "When you can't fit in their group, make your own." Nihja winked. "Night Dwellers Hub offers a safe haven for us beasts and monsters. Nyitzcha passed a few of her connections to help me set things up with the help of some coin thanks to Jay here. Speaking of, I hope your presence means you'll be coming back?"

  Janette smiled and shook her head. "Nope, just visiting."

  "That's unfortunate. I'm so sorry about what happened before, I had my suspicions about Theresa but... well, that's in the past. You know you're always welcomed here." Her friend said, reaching out to hold her hand to comfort her.

  "Thanks, it is good to see you again. I just wish it was under better circumstances." Janette chuckled nervously.

  Nihja nodded back, turning her eyes back on KuliKuli. "Yes of course, we have our guest of honor here. How can I be of service to you?"

  "Um." KuliKuli bit her tongue, slowly exposing her cat ears as she pulled her hood back. Looking around nervously, she froze upon seeing the waitress return to serve a few drinks on their table.

  "Here ya go, oh! Love the ears, babe." She winked, swinging her hips from side to side as she stepped over to the next table.

  KuliKuli was left red and speechless, turning to the others with a look of confusion.

  "You're so adorable, that's just Cindy. She's a natural flirt." Nihja giggled, leaning in close and lowering her voice down to a whisper. "Be honest, did she get you a bit excited between your legs?"

  "Don't answer that." Janette grumbled with a facepalm.

  "Like you didn't enjoy the attention." Nihja pouted, leaning back.

  "She has a mate."

  "Oh!" Nihja looked shocked, turning to KuliKuli with an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry miss, I'll be more respectful. Who's this lucky man? Or is it a woman?"

  "He is actually the reason we are here." Janette mentioned.

  KuliKuli frowned, turning to her friend. "Let me expin this, please?"

  Janette raised her head, mouth open as she considered responding. Instead, she held her silence and nodded politely, gesturing by the wave of her hand for her friend to take the lead.

  KuliKuli smiled back, turning her attention on the red headed singer. "My name is KuliKuli, there are people after me. They took my mate Felix and my friend Norowa Reta. We tried to free them this morning, but things didn't go as we hoped."

  "Hmm, I hope you're not asking me to help you free your friends. I don't have that kind of power here."

  "Not at all." Nyitzcha swooped in with an empty mug in her hand, licking the alcohol off her lips. "We were hopin' ye heard where dey be takin' dem?'

  "The people after her belong to this religious cult led by this bald priest in white robes." Janette crified.

  Nihja nodded and swung her foot to rest over the table. "I know of that group, the priest named Perdilius, yea?"

  KuliKuli swallowed heavily and nodded, feeling her skin crawl at the mention of that name.

  Nihja leaned back and sighed. "Well, about four weeks ago there was a circus that passed by. I didn't catch the show but it must have been a killer because it caught on fire that night. Whole thing was set abze, a lot of animals were let loose in the streets, gave us a lot to gossip for the next few weeks. Maybe you've heard of them? Some circus show led by Arcaye, some big-name wizard from several states down."

  "Uh no, never heard of him." Janette stuttered in her response with KuliKuli keeping nervously silent.

  "After the fire, he just picked up and left the town to clean up his mess. We assisted, turns out that circus kept a lot of monster girls trapped for a dispy to make a bit of coin." Nihja frowned, dropping her feet and leaning in close as her expression turned to a more prideful look. "All the city guards were kept busy for the next five nights, left a lot of pces unattended or ill-guarded for the right pickings. Made quite a profit that week."

  "Yes but weren't you scared about some of the um, monsters?" Janette whispered nervously. "She was um, well by the way people describe her she sounds rather huge and scary."

  "I wouldn't fret, I my friends and I helped her escape." Nihja beamed, watching Nyitzcha choke and sputter on her drink.

  "You fookin' what!?" The dwarf wheezed, beating a fist into her chest as she coughed.

  "Don't act so shocked, you know I'm always willing to lend a helping hand to my girls." Nihja chuckled, her eyes settling on KuliKuli with a raised brow. "Oh you didn't tell her about me?"

  KuliKuli gasped, nearly falling out of her stool as Nihja's eyes glimmered in a purple light. "What are you?"

  "That's a bit rude but I'll let that pass." Nihja teased. "I'm a succubus."

  "A what?"

  "She's good at sex." Nyitzcha crudely expined.

  "Technically a lesser succubus." Janette added with a raised finger.

  "Why am I friends with you two." Nihja huffed, crossing her arms.

  KuliKuli climbed over the table, leaning in close so that her face was inches away from hers. She wiggled her nose and looked deeply into her blue eyes.

  "Careful hun, any closer and I'll have to charge you."

  KuliKuli slowly pulled away, settling back on her stool while her eyes never left her. "I've never seen a monster girl like you, I couldn't even tell by your scent!"

  "I'll take that as a compliment. It's in my nature to blend in, gives me the benefits of both worlds. I can be accepted by the humanoids above and have a pce to call home right here with my friends."

  "How did you help Szy'Rya?" She asked.

  Nihja turned her head with a look of interest. "I don't remember sharing her name."

  She waited as Janette and KuliKuli shared an uneasy look, her curiosity changing into a knowing smile. She smmed her fist on the table and roared with ughter, leaving Nyitzcha looking lost. "So it was you who did that! That is priceless, now I definitely regret missing that show!"

  "Wah?" Nyitzcha looked around.

  Janette waved her hand to dismiss the topic. "Never mind that, tell us what happened next."

  "Gdly. Most of the other girls took a night or two before we helped them escape but as you would know, a snake of that size is more difficult to pass through unnoticed. Fortunately, I'm in good retions with the Kobolds at the ravine. They helped her escape through some of their tunnels in exchange that she wouldn't eat them or their children. Took another week before the city guards settled down and gave up on their search."

  "Interesting, these tunnels. Are they difficult to access?" Janette questioned her.

  KuliKuli tugged at her friends' sleeve. "What about the carriage?"

  "We need an alternate pn in case the bridge gets sealed off. I don't want a repeat of what happened at Farmer's Den." She expined. "Now, can you tell us what you know about Perdilius?"

  "I know he came here two weeks after the circus fire. I know that he brought his followers along with them." Nihja mentioned, raising her eyebrow at KuliKuli. "I hear that he's on some pursuit of a group of monster girls, likely reted to you and your friends."

  KuliKuli nodded slowly. "Do you know where they are taking them?"

  "Not to a church." Nihja snorted, adjusting in her stool. "When I heard that the rear was caved in from an explosion, I believed the details were vastly exaggerated. Should have suspected a sneaky dwarf of a dwarf would be behind that."

  "Watch yer tongue ss, wouldn't want your clients to miss it."

  "My lips are forever sealed, you know that." Nihja giggled in response. "But I think it is only fair that you answer some of my questions in return."

  "Can they wait for ter? We don't have much time to reminisce or gossip here." Janette whined.

  Nihja clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Give a little, get a little. You two brought a Nekomata to me, how could I not jump at the opportunity to ask a few things, one monster to another?"

  KuliKuli scooted in with a determined look. "Fine, ask me anything."

  "What's sex with your mate like?" Nihja asked in a forward manner, causing Janette to slip and hit the ground. "Tell me about him, how did you meet? How did you get along? When did you know he was the right one for you?"

  "Oh, er... that's a lot of questions to ask." KuliKuli adjusted her posture, feeling a drop of sweat on her head. "Well, his name is Felix. We ah, we we met at his farm, well his cabin, cabin! We met there, he took me in... is all of this really necessary?"

  Nihja waved her hand and ughed. "I'm sorry, I suppose just the st question would suffice. Tell me what's it like to be in love?"

  "Why does this matter?" Janette frowned.

  The succubus scoffed and gave her a look. "I'm shocked that you felt the need to ask. I'm a lesser succubus, we rely on sexual energy to keep us healthy and satisfied. Sex is quite fun, but pin sex can become more of a chore."

  She turned her focus on the Nekomata, her eyes open wide with interest. "I want to know what it's like to be in love. I've read countless novels, heard plenty of tales and sung many songs about love, but the topic itself has always been a mystery to me. The idea about choosing someone to share the rest of your life with, it's so... scary. Intimidating, really. How can one be so sure that this person is the one for them? The experience I've heard about sounds so magical! Do you know what sex is called when there is romance involved? Making love! It sounds so beautiful, like a dream come true. Now here you are, sat across from me asking for help to rescue your own beloved. I want to know how he was the one for you, the right person to choose to share your life with? How can you be so sure that he would share that love in return and not... not take advantage of your feelings and trust one day?"

  KuliKuli kept silent, her cat ears dropping slightly as she considered the question in mind. Her gaze fell short and she hung her head down, lips pursed and her tails twitching behind her in sporadic movements. Nyitzcha gave her a side eye before tipping her head back and downing another mug of ale down her throat. Janette wiggled in her seat, fidgeting with her robe before offering a shrug to her friend.

  "I mean... it's a good question all in all." Janette sheepishly added. "But you don't need to answer if you don't want to-"

  "I want to." KuliKuli answered shortly to her shock. Her cat eyes locked onto the lesser succubus sitting across from her. She took a moment to breathe in, licking her lips before responding. "I... don't actually know that he's the one."

  Nihja blinked and snickered in disbelief. "Ye don't? You're here trying to rescue him and your friend, that's a lot of commitment for someone who's just a friend."

  "What would you consider I do then?" The Nekomata asked. "Would you prefer I run away and leave the man who took care of me when I was lost and alone?"

  "Lost?" Nihja repeated, leaning back.

  "I had no one, no home and no memory. He took care of me, taught me how to take care of myself, and kept me safe. I owe him s-so much..." Her voice cracked as her breathing began to rise. "And when Reta attacked me, he stepped in front of me to stop her. We let her stay with us and she's been... the most loyal and protective person I've come to know. I only wish she loved herself as much as we love her."

  She lifted her head with a more determined in her expression. "I cannot say for certain that Felix and I will be in love forever, I don't know what forever holds for us. But I could not imagine my life without him. Saving him is the least I can do."

  "To repay him?" Nihja asked.

  "To show my love and to care for him." KuliKuli expined, "He's been through so much. When I found him, he lived a lonesome life. I don't want him to return to that, not after everything we've been through."

  "I guess he makes a good lover too?" Nihja leaned in, cking the pyful expression as she seemed more sincere.

  "It's not all about the sex, it's the emotions, the feelings, and how well we know each other. I am his and he is mine. They took my mate from me, I don't care who or what I need to endure but I will have him back!" She shouted, smming her paws over the table.

  Janette and Nyitzcha watched with wide eyes in pause. Nihja interrupted the silence by building up from a chuckle to a hard cackling ugh. Her reaction left the others in an awkward moment as the surrounding tenants of the tavern would nudge arms and gossip while staring at them.

  "That is... what can I say?" She sighed, wiping a tear from her eye.

  "You think it's funny?"

  "I think it's ridiculous, and I love it." She reached out, hovering her hand over KuliKulis's paw. "I can't say I can rete, but I do sympathize. It's adorable in a way, this is the stuff I indulge in through romantic literature and poetry."

  Janette jumped in her stool with wide eyes staring behind her furry friend, as KuliKuli's ears twitched at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching her from behind. The cat girl froze in pce, her eyes turning from side to side hoping to catch this towering figure creeping up on her. She was met with a muscur green arm pressing down on the table behind her, followed by a second arm to her right, and soon she felt the shadow of this mysterious figure hovering over her head. She paused when a heavy bosom rested atop her head.

  "This girl who spook Dubois?" A deep, feminine voice spoke out from above.

  Nihja nodded and scooted back in her stool. "Zena, this is our guest KuliKuli. She's a friend of ours, treat her nice and try not to snap her in two."

  KuliKuli was spun around and lifted up, her vision turning dark as she was submerged into the bosom of a tall orc woman trapping her in a bear hug, her deep voice booming with cheerful ughter as she spun her new ally around. "Friend of Nihja is friend of Zena!"

  "Ack! Down girl, d-down!" KuliKuli gasped as soon as she was released, gently feeling her feet touch the ground before receiving a pat on the head. Staring ahead she was met with an exposed dispy of green abs that demonstrated extreme fitness and physical strength, and as her eyes trailed upwards, she discovered a pair of green melons bounded by a bck cloth wrapped around this orcs bosom to hide her modesty. This woman's biceps matched the size of the Nekomata's head!

  Zena looked down and met her with a clean toothy smile beneath the tusks protruding from her bottom lip. She had a soft face for her size, kept clean with several cuts on her cheek and hazel-colored eyes. Her dark hair was tied back into a ponytail with the sides cut short, and her lips were a peach color which popped out from her dark green tone. The only unsettling detail that KuliKuli instantly noticed which just a quick smell was the sweaty odor from her armpits.

  Zena leaned her arms over the table, lifting the poor thing as their mugs began to slide toward her. "Jay, Nyitzcha, good to see faces!"

  "Your English is improving!" Janette remarked with a smile, while Nyitzcha raised her mug in acknowledgement.

  "Zena, I've a favor to ask." Nihja mentioned, looking at KuliKuli with a grin. "Our host is in search of a lost love that's been kidnapped by the city guards. What have you heard from the gnomes?"

  Zena snorted and stood upright, crossing her arms. "Beedo say guards take man and woman to big ring."

  "Oh dear." Nihja shifted in her expression, looking worried.

  "What, what is it?" KuliKuli asked.

  "Your friends, they might be in bigger trouble then we thought. It sounds like they're being taken to a public stage for execution."

  "Execution!" KuliKuli shouted, standing up as her cws dug onto the table.

  "Wh-wh-what about trial, no trial?" Janette asked.

  Nihja turned to Zena who shook her head in return. "Haaa, afraid not. It's no surprise though, assuming this the Council's doing. Kershin Market has strict policies against Monster Girls and those who aid them. I'm sorry."

  "Where can I find them?"

  "It's easier to guide you there, but I'd like to propose a new deal." Nihja excimed, "Your story is quite touching, it moves me. Not to downpy what you're going through, I mean to do the opposite. I can help, we can help you."

  "Help us how?" Janette asked.

  Nihja shot up, kicking her stool away and spreading her arms wide apart. "Look around you, you're in the Night Dweller's Hub! Any one of us wouldn't miss an opportunity to get back at the councilmen. If we can help the monster girls escape, I fail to see how this is different."

  KuliKuli bit her lip, her eyes staring down as she gave it some thought. "I don't want you or your people hurt. We do this, we escape. I want these men to come after me only."

  "Fair enough, a simple in and out job. I can help with that, but the thing with your cult may be asking too much."

  "That's fine. Just this favor, please."

  "Good. I'm gd we could agree to that." Nihja turned to her orc friend with a smile. "Zena?"

  "Ay?"

  "Would you be a sweetheart and be their guide? I'll get to rounding up some friends."

  Nyitzcha leaned in and belched. "May need to round up yer furry friends an' bring 'em here."

  "I'll do it." Janette volunteered, getting up.

  "Not without me!" KuliKuli joined her. "The sooner we move, the better."

  "Splendid! This is fun." Nihja cpped her hands together, watching the pair hurry back toward the exit.

  AnnouncementHello everyone! I wanted to begin by thanking all of you for following the story this far! You guys are the best and I can't even begin to say how grateful I am to know that I'm able to entertain you all with this silly story of mine!

  I would also like to apologize. I've been rather inconsistent in following to my schedule as of te, missing due dates and all. There are several reasons as to why, the first being that as the story continues, each new chapter contains more to it. More content, more story, more worldbuilding, and more character development and progression. It's easier to write for a chapter that contains three characters as opposed to a chapter that contains eight or nine characters. Because of this, writing each chapter is taking up more of my free time. This isn't a problem; I love writing these stories for you guys, but it makes it harder for me to keep to my schedule.

  Because of this, I've decided to change my schedule so that the story gains three chapters weekly instead of four. I might be getting a new job opportunity full-time so this schedule may change in the future. For now, the new schedule will be a new chapter on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday between 20:00 and 22:00, or 8pm-10pm Pacific Time!