"Mn…" The young woman groaned softly, as she woke, slowly shifting and propping herself up on one arm. Things were fading, the scent of smoke, a voice calling out to her… but anything that she had dreamt was slipping away already, and all too quickly. There was something… that dark-haired young woman with fox ears came to mind, and Lynx lay back, sighing, drawing a slow breath and thinking. No, I'm too tired to think…
A few minutes later, she shuffled out of the bathroom and toward the coffee machine, eyes half closed, tail flicking around lazily behind her. Peering down at the coffee machine for a moment, and understanding the simple interface, Lynx shuffled with what Aerendyl had left her, beginning to brew a pot of coffee, thinking. Most pressingly, the day before. What happened with Alice… was that a mistake, or a blessing? Lynx sighed, yawning and arching her back, pushing a hand through her snarly, tangled hair and realizing that she really, really needed a hairbrush.
"Too much to think about… cycles I have to end and succubus kissing me and snow and fire and ugh… I'm literally just a girl…" She exhaled slowly, sighing. Curious, she peeked into her refrigerator.
"Aerendyl, you're the best…" Reaching in, she pulled out a bottle of vanilla creamer, with a note taped to it, reading; "I noticed you loved the coffee I made you, and it had this kind of cream in it. French vanilla- basic but everybody loves it." With that, a little shoddily-drawn smile emoji, and Lynx snorted softly, rolling her eyes, uncapping it and breaking the seal. Just as she was stirring the coffee, moments later, Lynx winced- the alarm on her phone had begun to buzz, alerting her to get up and get ready for lessons. Walking over, she flicked the alarm away and sat down in bed, opening up the phone, sipping her coffee slowly.
For a moment, she stared at the screen, having forgotten what she was going to do, and then, shaking her head, she opened the internet browser and searched up 'the court'
A handful of articles came up about lawsuits recently, suspected cultist members, suspected planned terrorist… Lynx bit her lip and retyped her search; 'the court spirits death'
"Ugh…" Cultists accused of selling false tickets that guarantee your spirit ill become an angel in court… Court date announced for false spirit guides… spirit assassination attempt on political figure using hellfire to burn away the body in broad daylight in the southern hemisphere leaves locals shaking… "None of this sounds like it's anything I'm looking for," She sighed, finishing up her coffee and slowly standing, shuffling off to the kitchen again. I wonder, if there's food at school…
-
Maybe an hour later, Lynx tucked her head against the wind and pushed into the academy building properly, looking around. Same old linoleum halls, but as she walked in, the walls rippled and changed- a few other students standing around looked about in wonder as what had been, a moment before, flat tile, now changed to red brick in an arch over her head, making the hall feel eerily like some sort of catacomb. Before she could be questioned, Lynx shook her head and made her way forward- she had not really gotten a schedule or map, or anything of the sort, due to the chaos yesterday, but she needed the office- and Lynx gasped, almost running smack into a brick wall that threw itself together in front of her. Confused, she stepped back- the hall way open to her left.
"H-Hey! My class is this way!!" A muffled voice from behind the wall, a dull thud as somebody pounded into the wall. There were a few students looking at Lynx and shuffling abut awkwardly, now, so she sighed and walked to the left- her only way forward. A few more paces, and she found a door marked; 'administration', pushing in. The office inside was fairly standard, with a door in the back, and in the majority of the room, a desk, filing cabinets, a few chairs, and a prim young blonde woman behind the desk.
"Hello? How can I help you?" she, the woman, looked up. "The school is behaving strangely again- I just received a text message from the Director- are you alright?"
"Yes, I am- I'm just hoping to find out where I'm supposed to be. Supposedly, my lessons start today." She thought for a moment, about whether to mention that the school had almost delivered her to the office, and then shook her head, swallowing. Water dripped from her tail as snow melted in the fur, and she shook her head, sighing- the cold, there, it felt so unpleasant, but there wasn't the numbness that typically came with cold fingers, or toes. Her tail, she was getting used to it- flexible, agile. Part of her wondered if she could drink coffee with it…
No, though. Won't do any good to mention that the school keeps reacting to me- just another damn headache I'll have to figure out somehow… it doesn't make any sense. Nothing's extra magical about me, I'm not throwing fireballs or reading minds…
"Of course, let me get you pulled up. You're a new student, I understand- your name?" The woman asked with a serene smile that felt all too automatic and false.
"Lynx. I have no idea what my last name would be in the system- I don't remember it-"
"That's alright, we only have one Lynx on file," She smiled, and Lynx noticed, uncomfortably, that the secretary kept speaking without typing anything up at all. "You're being put in lecture hall 1-A for now, do you need me to show you where it's at?"
"Um, no, thank you, only one hallway for the lecture halls, I remember that…" Lynx mumbled, turning and moving toward the door. "Thank you."
"Of course. Have a great first day," the secretary called out, her voice more icy now, and Lynx, confused, pushed her way back out into the hallway- it looked completely normal, again. Linoleum floors, cheap tiled walls and a plaster ceiling, with no trace of the bricks from before whatsoever. Shaking her head, Lynx sighed and walked forward, tightening her coat around herself and headed for class.
The lecture… Lynx wasn't sure what she'd expected, exactly. Maybe… how to throw a fireball- man she REALLY wanted to fling a fireball. Or, something else, anything exciting. What she did not expect was an hour-long lecture on the laws surrounding demons and angels among the Contracted Arms crossing borders. There was a schedule on the teacher's board; foreign policy among contracted arms… maths… language arts… huh, it really was, school… already, her head was spinning, but Lynx tried to pay attention, sitting forward slowly.
The teacher himself was a normal man; middle aged with gray strands creeping into his hair- but he was passionate, and Lynx found herself drawn in.
"Now as you know," The teacher continued, "-relations among humans, angels, and demons have been strained in recent years and there have been many efforts made recently to better this, including peace rallies, festivals, and parades, as well as the demon-human medical units working to save lives in wake of the recent cult attacks. Should things boil to a head it is unknown what action the people in charge of our fine nation will take, so I cannot advise- but it seems realistic to assume that things will not reach such a horrific climax as peace efforts have been completely successful insofar."
"Teacher," Lynx sat forward, raising a hand, looking down the tiered room to the speaker's dais. He, the teacher, raised an eyebrow, pausing.
"You are… new, I take it? Miss… Lynx?"
"Yeah, I'm Lynx." She nodded, pushing hair out of her face, tail flicking, hair rising on the back of her neck as she felt most of the class turn to look at her.
"I see. My name is Wexford- and what is your question, Lynx?"
"The cult attacks- what's been going on with that? Can you explain, please? Sorry to go off the topic you planned but I just wonder-"
"Miss, Lynx, while I understand that my lectures on foreign and internal policy during times of crisis may not be the most entertaining to you, there is no reason to act as if cult activity hasn't been the only thing on the news for months."
"I uh, I understand, and I'm sorry, I get it." Lynx nodded, sitting back a bit, rolling her shoulders and crossing her legs. "I mean the bratty new kid who looks like she hasn't brushed her hair in weeks doesn't want to listen, go figure, right? The truth is Mr. Wexford I lost my memory- got into an accident. My life started three days ago- I think? I don't know anything about the cult. I don't know anything about Ravenwood, either."
"Well, well, well." Wexford paused, thinking, and slowly looked up at Lynx again. "I see. I apologize- I was not aware of your condition. Now Lynx, please, just call me Wexford- we are all adults here, respect is earned and I only met you today. See me after class, and I will give you some articles to read, educate yourself after hours. For now, do your best to follow along, and so too shall I do my best to tolerate questions as you see fit to ask them."
"Thanks. Wexford." Lynx nodded, thinking to herself that he talked too much and sitting back, trying to ignore the attention of the entire class on her, now.
-
"Hey! Lynx, right?" As she was walking away, a woman with tanned skin and long, gingery hair threw an arm around her shoulders, grinning wickedly, and Lynx stiffened, resisting the urge to shove this woman off, swallowing slowly.
"I am, yes. You, are?"
"My name is Aurelia, what's up?? I heard you say something about how your life only started a few days ago, you good?? You wanna talk about that?"
"Not really-? Thank you very much for offering but-"
"Hey no need to be so formal!!" Aurelia grinned wider. "I can take the hint, don't worry!!" She added, stepping back and raising her hands in a mockery of surrender, her smile turning lopsided. There was a forked tail, tipped with a heart, dancing about behind her, but Lynx's eyes widened as she noticed, more impressively, that this woman possessed two long, shimmery wings, ridged and flaring out again toward the bottom like an odd cross between the wings of a bird and a dragonfly. They shone, in the fluorescent ceiling lights, in several different hues of pink and green and blue- with a green eye and a blue, fiery hair and deeply tanned skin she was, in a word, beautiful.
"Damn, cat, no need to stare at me that hard," Aurelia smirked, winking. "I know I'm hot, but don't feel bad," She added as Lynx looked away, swallowing and shaking her head as if to throw the questionable thoughts surfacing out.
"Sorry-"
"No, don't be sorry. I'm half succubus half fairy, that's the closest thing to making sense without going off the deep end of blah blah blah, shit you don't care about. It's something magical- you get used to it don't worry!! Let me show you where lunch is at, I'll buy your first meal girlypop," She added, laughing and continuing on.
"A-Ah, thank you?" Lynx blinked rapidly, following Aurelia, covering her mouth as a yawn tore out of her. Students were eyeing her funny, but she did her best to ignore the odd stares.
"Is that a statement or a question princess cat? I'm chill with buying it for you so don't worry, let's get some food in that anorexic belly- sorry no that was totally rude of me. You look like you need food!!" Aurelia hastened with something like shame in her eyes. Lynx took a long moment to answer, unsure how she ought even to respond, and her ears flicked, neck snapping around, side stepping just before somebody could ram into her side.
"Yo cat!!" A playful young man with dark hair tried to nudge her again, having missed his first pass, and Aurelia shook her head, grabbing Lynx's coat and tugging her, the cat girl, into her side.
"Nuh UH, Alex, back off. You do NOT get to hit on EVERY new girl to walk into this building, damn it!!"
"I-I understand, yeah, no I just wanted to welcome her to the school!!" The young man stepped back nervously, and Aurelia kept walking with Lynx tucked into her side.
"Right, and you wanted to invite her to dinner and show her around your dorm in particular, we know your game!!" She rolled her eyes and then whispered more softly to Lynx. "Do, not, touch, him. He's probably got every disease known to man the way he preys on new girls."
"Thanks, for looking out for me?" Lynx looked up, slowly detangling herself from Aurelia, faintly queasy at all the touch- but the fairy- succubus-? Did smell good, at least.
"Another question, you're not very sure of yourself huh? Well, that'll come with time I'd bet- but oh my goodness girl your HAIR, we have to do something about it." Aurelia nodded sagely, ushering Lynx into a large, wide-open room with a buffet along one wall, the rest of the room flooded with nice tables. Around the middle of the room, a fountain cheerfully babbled, and above their heads, long glass windows let sunlight fill the warm room. Surprisingly warm…
"Feels so cold, most of the time here- but what's with the school being so warm?" Lynx angled her head, curious.
"Magic! It's in the walls." Aurelia nodded.
"No I get that but- I mean yes it's a corrupted space but I was asking why it's warm specifically."
"Ohhhhh. Yeah. So there's heaters in the walls, powered by Ichorum, it's insanely strong but it's not like, a fan? It just fills the space without having to worry about stuff like, what's it called, air flow? Yeah, all that."
"I see," Lynx muttered, thinking that she understood- the power system was behind the walls…? Didn't matter, not right now. Odd, though, that the living building had angel blood in its walls, she thought privately. With no time to think, Lynx found herself at the buffet table and being handed a plate by aurelia as she slapped her medallion into a small scanner twice, then flung the small bronze disc back into her pocket.
"Already paid for you, so don't feel bad, fill that plate kitty," Aurelia hummed playfully, wiggling her eyebrows. "I don't want you going hungry."
"Th-Thanks," She mumbled, looking down at the array of food. It was extensive- pastas and meats, a few smaller pizzas, what seemed to be oatmeal, fish, sandwiches- a surprising array, but if Contracted Arms was viewed so highly, then it made sense, she supposed, for a lot of money to be poured into their schooling. A memory itched at the back of her mind- hadn't somebody mentioned that demons and angels were feared, and so keeping them happy was high on the list of priorities? That would mean that there were plenty of human students too, though, right? To be honest, Lynx thought, looking around- not all of the people did look abnormal at all. Maybe I just need to get better at paying attention.
"So," Aurelia hummed, once they'd taken food and led Lynx to a table without touching her, her slim tail flicking about and leading the way, smacking a seat beside her as she sat down. Lynx, unsure about this young woman, sat down, looking down at her plate- vegetables, a fish sandwich, nothing special but it looked tasty, at the very least. Picking up the sandwich, sinking her teeth in, Lynx groaned, tail reflexively flicking about- it was- it was perfect-
"Mn… sorry what did you say?" She asked a few moments later, chewing and swallowing, wiping her chin.
"I was wondering if you were really listening to me," Aurelia laughed, rolling her eyes. "I just asked if you need to get anything off your chest. I mean I know it can be scary, the kind of accident that starts your life from nothing- was wondering if you need somebody to talk to. I mean you don't know me, but y'know, sometimes people just got to bitch and moan, you know?"
"I appreciate it, I really do," Lynx muttered, taking another bite, chewing, swallowing, shaking her head. "Thing is that I'm not sure what there is to vent about. I mean nothing to get off my chest, you know? Can't remember anything in the first place," She added, sighing slowly, eating.
"Understandable- well, do you want my phone number? I don't mind if you need to reach out for help or just a chat, a guide, anything."
"Mn, I actually don't have a working phone, I'm about as broke as they come," Lynx shrugged tiredly. "I'm gonna need to figure out how to start earning money- you know anywhere I could earn some quick change?"
"Uh, well I work the night shift for security at a local hospital, I could put in a good word for you if you'd like? There's a part time position open."
"Eh?" Lynx raised an eyebrow, tail flicking about lazily. "What's that like? Feels cheap for somebody to just hand me a job. Money, though."
"Eh, people are kind of scared of angels, and demons, so most places around here need employees badly," Aurelia shrugged. "You'd have plenty of places to apply to, but the hospital has good benefits and solid pay because of the odd hours. I think the part time position is four days a week from midnight to five in the morning, but I'd need to talk to my boss and check- let me find you on the dorms later and talk about it?" She asked, leaning back a bit and slamming a fry into her cheek, denting it from the inside.
"Sure, yeah, thanks," Lynx nodded, looking away and blinking. "Well, I'm about done," She added, shoveling away the greens on her plate and wincing, realizing that they'd gone cold and the taste was now fairly gross. Her nose wrinkling, she swallowed and ate faster, trying to get it over with.
"Huh, a student here eating right? That's rare," Aurelia added, laughing softly. "Either way, yeah, let me talk to my boss and I'll uh, come chat you up on the dorms sometime soon, mhm. I'm gonna get back to class- see you a bit later," She added, standing up, headed for the door. "Bye for now Lynx! By the way, you never grabbed a drink, don't forget to go and get one if you want." Just like that, she walked off, tail thrashing slowly around, and left Lynx behind to think, breathing slowly.
"Hm… a drink, huh…" Eyes sliding back to the buffet.
-
Dumping her coffee cup into a trash can in passing, Lynx left the lecture hall, and then the building, starting to make her way back toward the dormitories- but she hadn't made it far when somebody gently grabbed her arm, pulling at her sleeve. Alice, she recognized the scent of vanilla and raspberries even before she looked down.
"A-Alice-"
"Hey, I couldn't find you, I think we had lunch at different times," Alice mumbled, softly, stepping closer. "Can I um, can I walk back with you, please?"
"Y-Yeah, I wanted to ask about last night," Lynx nodded, deciding to get straight to the point- well, not really deciding, the words flew from her lips before she could think at all.
"Me too, I wanted to apologize," Alice nodded, looking sideways, away. The grounds were… well, they were nothing special to look at, what with the snow blanketing the ground, and nothing of note o this side of the building.
"Apologize. Why?" Lynx yawned, as they walked off the grounds, into streets that were relatively deserted, only the occasional car going past.
"Well, I mean, I didn't want you to feel disrespected or anything," Alice smiled up at her, as porcelain-doll as ever, and Lynx nodded, eyes softening, but before she could reply, the succubus continued. "I… I hadn't had such a nice day in a long time, and it made me happy."
"What do you mean?" Lynx prompted softly when Alice trailed off, smiling softly down. In answer, the snow-haired girl hugged her arm, hesitating and then slowly leaning her cheek on Lynx's shoulder. For her part, Lynx swallowed, thinking about it for a moment and ultimately forcing herself to relax, not wanting to make Alice cry, again. Something in her gut turned over, unpleasantly, but… this is fine, I can do this…
"Well, the truth is that I am faking my smile," Alice smiled anyway, up at Lynx as they walked. "I don't want to say why, not really- but the issue is that normally when people realize there's something I'm not sharing, they get uncomfortable and weirded out, and I never see them again!! I, felt really happy that you called me out on my crap immediately, and then… we had a nice day together anyway. Then, the library- something scary, a good reason for you to get away from me, and never look back- but, still, you stayed, and I guess, I just feel so grateful, that I kind of, lost my head…?" She blinked, smiling and looking away again. "I'm sorry, for what I did, but, at least, please believe me, it wasn't about your body."
"Really? No makeup, sweaty and with hair that looks like a rat's nest? It wasn't for how incredibly homeless I look?" Lynx asked lightly, playfully, and somewhat uncomfortably draped her arm around Alice's waist, breathing deeply.
"No, it's just rare to see somebody, who, doesn't mind the fact that sometimes, secrets need to be kept," Alice exhaled quietly.
"I see," Lynx muttered, looking down. "Somebody looks the other way so you have to sink your teeth in and not let them go?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.
"No," Alice hastened, her smile faltering, eyes closing almost comically. "No, no, no no no I didn't mean that," She spoke almost pleadingly as they turned a corner, round a colorful flower shop. "I didn't mean it like that, I swear-"
"Okay. Then, what did you mean?" Lynx asked coldly, narrowing her eyes and gently disentangling, pushing Alice carefully off of her. The white haired girl stumbled, a bit, eyes suddenly round, wet, her smile still there but forced, alien in the rest of her expression, almost unsettling.
"Are you angry?"
"I haven't decided yet. Why did you kiss me? No lying. I want the truth."
"What if the truth m-makes you hate me??" Alice mumbled, fat tears rolling down her cheeks and onto her bottom lip, due to her splitting grin.
"Then I'll hate you, and I'll tell you as much and we walk away, I guess? Things will only be worse if you lie and I find out I can't trust you later, though," Lynx rolled her eyes, turning and starting to walk again, tail thrashing about angrily.
"Wait, I'll, be honest, please?" Alice cried out weakly, and Lynx looked back, lip curling.
"What the hell are you so torn up for? You met me yesterday. You're a succubus, making friends isn't hard for you, right?"
"Please, please I'll be honest, don't walk away now," Alice begged nonsensically, smiling, staggering forward and gripping the front of Lynx's coat. Stomach turning, she tried to step back, and Alice let go, tears falling faster. "Lynx please let me explain,"
"I'm listening, damn it, so get your head out of your ass and go ahead, explain," Lynx growled out in annoyance. "What, you felt safe for five minutes and began to see me as an object? Or maybe you're just desperate, is that it?"
"Lynx, you're being mean, please, let me talk," Alice exhaled, her voice small and lost, almost hopeless- instantly, something in Lynx cracked, and she fell silent, but Alice seemed to be waiting for permission to speak.
"You're right. I'm assuming the worst," Lynx sighed quietly, nodding and stopping her steps fully, leaning sideways into the brick, unable to feel the cold through her coat. "I apologize."
"It's fine!" Alice nodded, taking a deep breath, grinning, and Lynx hesitated, then spoke again.
"No, Alice, it's not fine. I'm being cruel, assuming the worst and trying to stress you out too much to hide anything or make up lies."
"W-What?" She blinked, faltering, but still smiling.
"I said I'm being a manipulative bitch, Alice." Lynx spoke cooly, looking away. "I assumed the worst and I figured that if I stressed you out, you'd be too out of it to lie, and I'd get the truth. I didn't mean to do that- rather, my mouth was moving faster than my head. I don't know if it was an old reflex, or what- it was manipulative and I'm sorry. My need to get an answer immediately got in the way of my being fair to you at all, and I am being a bitch." Frowning, Lynx forced herself to make eye contact. "Don't you dare say it's fine, Alice- you said it yourself that the smile is fake as can be. No reason for me to throw your feelings in the snow and step on them, and I apologize." God, this feels awful to say, can we move on already?! Alice come on, talk, say it's fine, please-
"The truth, Lynx," Alice sighed, smiling quietly. "I didn't feel the need to… sink my claws in, or something like that. I guess a part of me found you hot, but having the ability to look into the unknown, into what could be ugly or beautiful, scary or welcoming, and to confidently reach out, is rare, and I felt, I felt like, I," Alice groaned, shaking her head even as that pearly smile stayed strong. "It's not something so shallow and stupid like, I love you now Lynx, I just felt safe, with you, for a moment. As myself."
"Safety, huh?" Lynx sighed, relaxing slowly, and so drastically that it felt a knot had been worked out of her shoulders on the spot. "I get it. Emotion doesn't have to be rationalized. You're trying to make it make sense- but it was feeling, it was on the spot, right?"
"Right."
"I am still, so sorry, for being a bitch," Lynx mumbled, glancing away again, tail flicking faster. "Don't tell me it's fine, again- it wasn't cool."
"Then, I forgive you," Alice mumbled and timidly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Lynx and, even as Lynx's instincts screamed to back away, pulling her in, hiding her face in Lynx's shoulder.
I don't think she realizes I hate being touched… but…
Sighing softly, Lynx hugged the succubus back, patting her head stiffly. "There there…"
"I won't kiss you again, but can I," Alice mumbled, hiding her face harder in Lynx's shoulder, sighing. "Can I please be your friend, and see where things go? I'd like to, at the very least, be here as you try and figure out who you are. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to help…"
"Y-Yeah, Alice," Lynx sighed quietly, too, closing her eyes. "I won't push you away, okay? I… promise I'll do my best. For now, though," She added, wrinkling her nose. "It's very cold, can we keep walking, and get inside?"
"Of course," Alice nodded, and slowly released the cat girl, reaching up and brushing snow off of her ears- it had begun to fall harder, now, and in the evening light, Lynx glanced away, drawing a deep breath.
"Alice, I don't much, like being touched."
"Oh? Okay, that's fine, maybe you'll warm up to me in time- but I promise not to get hotheaded and act without thinking again," Alice hummed, smiling softly up at Lynx. "I promise. So let me try and help you with your memories if a chance arises, okay? I want to say thank you, for this kind of safety," She added playfully, her grin turning lopsided. Huh, when she gets all lopsided, it feels real… Lynx shook her head, clearing the thoughts away, and nodded as they finally reached the dorms. Hauling the heavy door open, she stepped inside with Alice and sighed comfortably at the blast of warm air.
"Lynx?" Alice asked softly, and the cat girl looked down and back at her succubus companion who, quite cat-like herself, was wagging her tail softly. "I'm going to go and be alone tonight. Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams Alice," Lynx sighed, walking over toward a couch and slowly sinking down. "Sorry, again, for earlier."
"It's okay… what was it you said…? Sometimes feelings don't have to be rational," Alice smiled, winked, and walked away toward the stairs as Lynx rested there, for a long moment, looking around. The lounge was alive with noise- a few young men playing pool against a wall, and a handful of students around a TV across the room, playing some sort of fighting game in the style of a comic book.
"Hey!" Aurelia grinned wickedly, coming from seemingly nowhere, and Lynx shuddered, sitting up.
"I didn't hear you coming-"
"Yeah, the wings help with that," Aurelia snorted softly. "They're silent- I know you wouldn't guess it, but my soul must have thought I was one sneaky bitch, huh? I talked to my boss- I was right, there is an open position, so let me know once you get paperwork figured out. You know- bank account, ID, all that fun stuff."
"Thanks Aurelia… I'll try to put my head to getting that figured out tomorrow, or at least getting the right idea on where to go…" Lynx stood up slowly, yawning and starting to shuffle off. "I appreciate you, and I owe you for lunch. I think I'm gonna crash…"
"Enjoy your cat nap, queen!!" Aurelia shouted, giggling madly, and Lynx looked back, snorting and rolling her eyes.
"Screw you, fairy slut," She shot back with a wink.
"Atta girl, now you get it!!" Aurelia laughed harder, bending over the back of the couch. "Night, Lynx~"
"Good night," She hummed, making for the stairs.
"Hey new girl, wanna play?? Yo toss her the sticks!!" Somebody called out, and Lynx laughed, looking at the group of about eight men, two women.
"I appreciate it, but I need to sleep- tomorrow, tomorrow~" She answered gently, edging toward the stairs.
"Aye no worry sleep well Lynx- YO NAH IT'S MY TURN NOW YOU MOTHER-" Another man spoke, and chaos ensued, several of them starting to shout. Wincing in pain at the assault on her ears and laughing softly at once, Lynx hurried off, up the stairs and toward her room.
Not long after, she sat on the floor of the bathtub, the shower's spray raining down over her, holding her tail carefully in her lap and marveling at how flexible it felt, how it seemed to almost want out of her hands of its own accord. So tired… surely it's fine if I just rest my head back…? The tile was wet, but warm, magically heated like everything else in this dorm, and Lynx sat there quietly, enjoying the spray of water along her breasts, her stomach, her bent knees. Well, this isn't very catlike of me, is it… shouldn't I hate… the water…
"Eh?" Lynx blinked, confused- still naked, but no longer in the shower. Instead, glittering stones sparkled underfoot, and water lapped at her ankles- she stood in the forest, again, the one she'd dreamt of before. As before, the scent of smoke reached her nose, and her ears perked, tail flicking as she spotted Nara on the opposite bank. The fox girl wasn't unconscious, now, or anywhere near it- ribs visible through her skin, underfed, grimy, filthy, she paced back and forth along the stones, eyes burning orange as if lit from within by lantern fire. After a moment, those eyes flicked to Lynx, narrowing.
"It's you," Nara whispered sagely, and Lynx angled her head, confused.
"You know, would it be so wrong for me to be clothed in a dream? Does my soul think I'm a prostitute, too?" A pause, she shook her head and tried to refocus. "I'm dreaming again, right? What do you mean, it's me? Lynx?"
"No, it's you," Nara groaned, turning again, resuming her pacing. Behind her, a ratty tail matted with blood, twigs and leaves flicked, anxious, or maybe angry. "Half of my head feels like it's missing… the soul isn't here…"
"What?" Lynx asked quietly, stepping forward now.
"It's you," Nara repeated under her breath. "Where are you?"
"I'm here with you, aren't I?"
"No, where are you, Lynx?"
"I- in the shower? At my school? Or, the dormitories, I mean."
"Dormitories. School. Pempa?"
"Pempa? What, no, what is that?"
"Mir?"
"No-"
"Starria?"
"No- hold on, fox-"
"My name is Nara, and, it's, you, I can feel it."
"Something about you is different, than the last time, it seems like you're healing and that's great, but you're making me nervous," Lynx spoke slowly, levelly, stepping back, her stomach churning uncomfortably.
"Ravenwood?"
"Ravenwood- I'm told that's the- wait, why do you want to know where I am so badly?"
"Are you stupid?" Nara snarled, turning to face Lynx properly now and stepping forward, lip curling. Before Lynx could react, Nara had grabbed a handful of her hair with one hand, the other stabbing a finger into Lynx's chest. "It's you. The piece I'm missing."
"You mean- I'm- the other half of your soul? That doesn't make any sense- let go of me-??" Lynx twisted, and as quickly as Nara had grabbed her, so too did the fox girl push her away, Lynx staggering back.
"Ravenwood. School. Demon- Contracted Arms?" Her eyes narrowed, when Lynx remained silent, and Nara nodded. "Understood."
"Is there something that, I can do? What are you saying, if not that I'm the piece you're missing?"
"Maybe…" Nara sighed, snarling softly, lip curling angrily. "Think you got some of the good in me- I want to rip you apart- hard to, stay, calm. Want to tear you, shred you- ugh," She paused, gripping her head, shaking it. "I don't understand… try to do this without scaring you…"
Still sitting, Lynx shuddered, decidedly something close to scared, or at the very least, incredibly uncomfortable.
"Try to do what, Nara?"
"You aren't it, you have it," Nara grumbled, snarling again, hand twitching. "It's inside you- whatever I'm missing. I remember that I was told to find you- something, something I have to help you do- but, I can't find you- the piece I'm missing, it wants to come back- it's tying us together…" Groaning, she snarled in earnest, backing away from Lynx, beginning to pace again. "The bastard who runs the court… he ripped me apart… and to make sure I reached you… I think, what I'm missing, is inside of you… too much magic coming out of you, makes me sick… soul, more than one… you're not a god…"
"A god…? Hold on- somebody runs the court? I thought it was just where we wait, like purgatory."
"All part of the plan- have to take it back- too much, have to find you," Nara huffed, angry. "I'll leave soon. Very. It's you, it's you- you have it-"
"I have… half your soul?" Lynx blinked, thinking. The way that the school uncharacteristically listened to her came to mind- walls forming to guide her, that book floating through the air, and she nodded. "That would, make sense… part of the… soul, or magic in me doesn't belong, so it's leaking out, affecting the world around me maybe…?"
"I…" Nara huffed, gritting her teeth and shaking her head, lips curling back. "That bastard wants me to reach you, I'll have to- I have to get it back-"
"How can you get your soul back, once you reach me? Where are you?"
"I don't know- underground," Nara snarled again, nose wrinkling in disgust, animalistic, in a way. "I'll get out, I'll pull it out of you-"
"What-??" Lynx shuffled back, a bit, eyes widening, and Nara glared down with contempt, disgust, borderline hate.
"I'll take it back- it will want to return; it should not kill you. I have, to get it back, it's missing, it's gone, it's missing," She groaned, shaking her head. "Lynx, Lynx, Lynx, Ravenwood, Contracted Arms… I have to take it back I have to find you I will find you. Now," She snarled, and turned to face Lynx, blood pouring down her shoulder and left arm, body absolutely filthy. As soon as that nightmarish visage locked eyes with Lynx… Nara vanished, leaving Lynx sitting alone on that pebbly stream bed, disoriented, confused, nauseous, stomach in knots.