The Bat & the Cat, Ch. 13 by VerbMyNoun < Submission | Inkbunny, the Furry Art Community

Keywords male 1200774, female 1092714, wolf 194135, canine 191866, dog 173275, feline 152290, hybrid 69759, horse 59618, herm 44135, lion 43375, bat 36879, equine 36475, woman 29099, m 29069, reptile 28461, f 24742, mare 19707, man 19138, hermaphrodite 18757, red panda 14969, lioness 11758, music 8741, crocodile 8695, giraffe 3181, college 1838, slice of life 1784, salamander 1662, komodo dragon 885, martial arts 713, crossbreed 603, plot development 562, h 460, relationships 403, parenting 278, date night 132, tundra lion 123, rock and roll 96, rejection 87, throuple 47, indian flying fox 45, rock band 42, giant fruit bat 42, tundra lioness 34, italian greyhound 25, grade horse 19, hibachi 10, cane corso 9, relationship drama 2, krav maga 2, hokkaido dog 2, wolf/cane corso 1, no sexual content 1

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The Bat & the Cat
Chapter 13: Sex is Not the Enemy
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March 6, 2014
The Bedroom of Ross Goldmane
Megan lay in her fiancée’s queen-sized bed, the Lioness she loved and adored more than anything wrapped tightly up in her wings. The sun was beginning to set, the pale light of dusk streaming in through Ross’s westward-facing window. The casts were finally off, the wires finally removed from her jaw. She’d still need a walking boot for a few more weeks, but she was finally out of the damned wheelchair. Things were almost back to… No, that wasn’t right. What used to be normal was gone for good. It was time to find a new normal. The feline woman snuggled in closer to Megan’s body and let out a soft purr.
“Can I tell -”
“Ross, I need-”
They both laughed, but their tones were completely different from each other. Ross sounded amused, perhaps even curious? Megan cursed inwardly at the awkward and uncertain way she sounded. She assumed her facial expression was even less reassuring.
“You go first,” the feline said as she extracted herself from the embrace and sat up, the happy expression rapidly fading from her face. Megan cursed herself a second time.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she began, “My whole existence has been flipped upside down, and over the past couple months I’ve had a lot of time spent with nothing to keep me company but my thoughts. You were in school, Mom was at work. Jessie and Melissa were home, but Jessie works remotely and Melissa takes online classes. I had nothing else to do but think. I’ve thought about this conversation time and time again, thinking about what I want to tell you and how I’m going to say it, and all that’s flown out the window. But I have things I need to tell you, I just don’t know how…”
Her fiancée reached out and took the Bat’s paws into her own. “Megs, whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m here for you, whatever it is, and nothing is ever going to change that.”
With a slight nod, Megan continued. “I love you, I really do, and I can’t even begin to imagine what the past couple of months would have been like without you by my side. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’ve fallen even more in love with you, and nothing would make me happier than marrying you. When you proposed I was the happiest person on Earth… But, after… everything that happened… I’m not exactly the same person you fell in love with… I still can’t imagine saying anything other than ’yes’ to your proposal, but I shouldn’t have… Not yet. Not until you know the new me. Hell, not until I know the new me.”
Ross gripped her paws more firmly. “Then, tell me something about this new you so I can fall in love with you all over again.”
The Bat gave a slight smile and kissed the back of Ross’ left paw. “For one… I’m not ashamed anymore of what I am. Of who I am. I want to openly identify as a herm now. I want to use shi/hir pronouns. I want to be a voice to advocate for other hermaphrodites living in fear and shame…”
The young Lioness pulled the Bat into an urgent hug, clutching hir tightly. “Megan… I love you, and I’m so proud of you, I want you to be the herm you want to be, too,” she said softly into Megan’s large ear. “But you’re going to put a huge bullseye on your back… What if they come after you again?”
Megan returned the embrace, hir massive wings swallowing hir fiancée entirely. “Then let them. I’m not afraid of them anymore. They can’t hurt me worse than they already did without killing me. I’m not scared of death. I don’t fear physical pain… What terrifies me the most is the thought of losing myself and everything I am by pretending to be something that I’m not for the rest of my life.” Shi kissed Ross gently on the forehead. “I hope you can see where I’m coming from.”
“Maybe they can’t hurt you,” Ross spoke softly into Megan’s shoulder. “But seeing them try is going to hurt the people closest to you. If they attack you again, it will kill me. If they beat you to death, I will literally die a thousand times over. And I’m pretty sure the same goes for your mom, Jessie, Melissa, and all our friends.”
“Don’t forget I’m going to sign up for those Krav Maga lessons. If I get attacked again, you’d better believe I’m taking my pound of flesh, with interest,” Megan said, hir voice alternating between reassuring and fierce, then back. “And the odds are good that if I have more than three cubs, one of them is going to be a herm like me. I’m not going to let them grow up in the same world I did, hated for something they can’t control.” The Bat moved hir paw up to tenderly stroke Ross’ hair. “If I live in fear, I’m already dead, Ross… I understand if you think it will be too much, if the risk of seeing me get hurt is too much, if you need to walk away, but I have to do this. For me, and for hermaphrodites everywhere.”
Ross shoved herself away, breaking the hug. Thrusting her right index finger into the Bat’s face, she exclaimed, “Megan Rochelle Conroy, you shut your damn mouth! I’m not going anywhere! I love you! I love everything about you! And I’m not going to let you do this alone. I just want you to think about the people who care about you, who’ll get hurt if something happens to you. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. If you have to do this, be smart about it. Pick and choose your battles, and pick the ones you can win. Your successes will inspire others. And soon you’ll have an army at your back. And I’ll be on the front lines with you.”
After the initial shock of being pushed away wore off, Megan gave a playful smirk before leaning in and giving the Lioness’ finger a teasing nip. “You’re amazing. Do you know that?”
“I know,” hir fiancée said with a grin, “but I’ll never get tired hearing you say it.”
“There’s something else, though,” the Bat said softly. “I hope it doesn’t ruin things for you in bed, but I… I don’t think I can submit anymore. To anyone. At least, not for now, and probably not again for a long time, if ever… When I was in that alleyway, I felt so small, so helpless… And it’s not that I don’t trust you! I do, with all my heart and soul, God help me I do. I just… I think about not being in control of my own body and it… it pisses me off, to be honest…”
The pair sat quietly in the dimly lit bedroom, the setting sun painting Ross’s bedroom in hues of pink, red and orange. After a small eternity, Ross spoke up softly, “If you need someone to take that anger out on, you can use me.”
“What?! Ross, I-”
“No, it’s okay,” the feline girl said confidently. “When you used to submit to me, it helped me to get over my mother sending me to live here. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy and grateful that she did, but it was a decision made without my input. I was powerless. I think, to a lesser extent, I understand how you feel. I trust you to not hurt me, and if it’s something that will help you, then I’ll gladly do it.”
“I don’t know. Maybe? I’ve never really thought of myself as being dominant before… I mean, Maykere and I…” The Bat blushed as shi realized what shi’d said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring her up, really. It was just relevant to the topic at paw and slipped out.”
“Megs, it’s okay. You and I weren’t together when all that happened. I’m not mad.” She rolled her eyes and blew out a puff of air as she tried to move a few stray hairs that had fallen out of place. “I’m a little jealous, yes. Okay, definitely a lot jealous, but I’m partly to blame for pushing you into that situation. So go ahead. Say what you wanted to say. No secrets between us, okay? I know you didn’t do it to hurt me. Besides, the idea of you taking charge kind of turns me on a little. I want to hear more.”
Feeling slightly emboldened, Megan continued, “Maykere can be very submissive now and then. She and I… Well, I didn’t tie her up or anything, but she let me take the lead. Set the pace, choose the positions, things like that. I think that maybe one day, if things had progressed, we could have gotten to that point where she’d have let me bind her. I enjoyed being in control, but the comfort and trust just wasn’t there with us yet, like it is with you and me.” Shi looked up into Ross’s blue eyes. “And the idea of tying you up does excite me a little, maybe using a riding crop or some nipple clamps… I just don’t know that I’d be any good at it, and I don’t want to ruin it for you.”
“You could never ruin sex for me, Megs. Ever. Intimate moments spent with you are the most magical times I can think of.” Ross tilted her head down to rub their noses together. “I can tell you the things I want to try, you tell me what you’re interested in, and we’ll give it a shot. If something’s not working, we’ll try switching things up a bit, but if it doesn’t do anything for either of us, it’s not the end of the world. How’s that sound?”
“That sounds good,” the Bat replied a bit more confidently. “That sounds more like how things are supposed to go in that kind of relationship.”
“It wasn’t that way with Kristin, I take it?”
Looking down with a slight frown, Megan answered, “Never.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” the feline teen remarked, cupping her fiancée’s face in her paw to raise it back up. “Can I ask you a question about her?”
“Of course.”
Ross tilted her head to mirror the angle of the Bat’s face in her palm and looked into those beautiful amethyst eyes. “After everything she did to you, how were you able to forgive Kristin so easily?”
“You don’t know the shit she went through before she ended up in the foster system, Ross. Hell, I don’t even think I know all of it,” Megan explained. Hir face was a mask of sorrow as shi laid out the details of hir former friend and lover’s tragic past. “I know her dad molested her, and shot her mom in the back of the head, while Kristin and her sister were in the house. I mean, I know mine wasn’t exactly father of the year material, but he was a fucking saint compared to Kristin’s. Her mom was an alcoholic and a junkie, and both of her parents abused her.” Shi used the back of hir paw to wipe away tears that had started to gather at the corners of hir eyes. “She’s fucked up in the head, sure, but that’s not all her fault. No, that doesn’t excuse anything she’s done, but there’s another reason. The entire time I knew her, she never cried. Not once. And while she may be a manipulator, or might have been - I really do hope those days are behind her - either way, I know I’ve told you, and I mean it: she never lies. She said she was sorry, and I believe her.”
“Fuck. Maybe she needed that hug you gave her, after all,” Ross muttered softly. She lay back down on the bed, pulling the Bat down with her and taking hir into her arms. They snuggled there in the dark for a while, enjoying each other’s softness and warmth, before Ross broke the silence. “There was one other thing I wanted to ask you about…”
“Of course!” the Bat replied in earnest. “Anything.”
“It’s about Maykere,” Ross began. “And I want you to think long, hard, and carefully before you answer me, okay?”
Megan nodded warily, the smile on hir face quickly transitioning to a look of concern.
“I see the way you two look at each other. I see the hesitant smiles. I see the sparks of happiness when you’re near each other. I see the awkward hugs between the two of you, like you both want to hold each other tightly and never want to let go, but you shouldn’t,” the Lioness explained. “That woman is positively smitten with you. I get it, I do; I feel the same way! God, while we were apart it took every fiber of my being to keep away from you at school. But do you love her back? Do you really want nothing but friendship from her, or were you just lying to yourself to keep from getting hurt again? Be truthful. Not to me. I already know the answer. Be truthful to your heart.”
After a minute or so of silence, tears welled in the Bat herm’s eyes, then began to fall. “I do. I love her. I’m in love with her! Ross… I’m sorry! I’m so, so, so sorry! I never meant for it to happen, I swear!”
The feline leaned over and took Megan into a reassuring hug, speaking softly. “I know, Megs, I know. And it’s okay. I’m not mad.”
“You’re not?”
“I’m not, I promise,” Ross said soothingly as she wiped away the tracks from under Megan’s eyes. “I already knew. Maykere knows it now, too.”
The Bat’s eyes widened in a mixture of shock and panic. “What? How? When?”
“Megan, calm down!” the teen feline urged before explaining. “At your apartment, that weekend before you went back to school. You and Ethan and Claire were all talking about something and it looked like you wouldn’t need me for a little bit so I sat down next to her and we spoke for a while. She’s a very sweet woman. Beautiful too. I can see why you’d be attracted to her. I like her. If I was single I might’ve considered pursuing her myself.”
Megan sat there, dumbstruck, staring at Ross for a moment. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that she and I are going to start hanging out and getting to know each other. Just the two of us. We both share your heart, but only one of us is getting your affection, and I can see that it’s hurting you both, which hurts me. I think she and I could, at the very least, be friends, but I’d like to see if the potential is there for something more…” The seconds ticked away into what felt like eternity while she considered her next words. “What I’m trying to say is… I won’t share you with her, Megan; I refuse to be a cuckquean. But if it’s possible for all three of us to share each other - together and equally… Well, I think that’s worth looking into to avoid breaking your heart or hers.”
Cautiously optimistic, the herm Bat asked, “So… if we do bring Maykere into our relationship, what does that mean for us? Are we still going to get married?”
“You bet your sweet ass we are! We’re going to have our wedding, for us. That’s the one thing I’d ask from Maykere, if we go that way,” Ross said excitedly. “We can both have commitment ceremonies with her afterwards, if that’s what you and she want, since the United States doesn’t allow polygamy. You can even hyphenate your last name and add hers on. but I’ve dreamt of our wedding day ever since our trip to visit my family in North Carolina, Megs, and I am not going to throw away my chance to marry you.”

~~~~~

March 8, 2014
Vivy’s Garage

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“Father of mine
Tell me where have you been
You know I just closed my eyes
My whole world disappeared

Father of mine
Take me back to the day
Yeah when I was still your little girl
Back before you went away

I remember the blue skies
Walking the block
I loved it when you held me high
I loved to hear you talk

You would take me to the movie
You would take me to the beach
Take me to a place inside that is so hard to reach

Father of mine
Tell me where did you go
Yeah you had the world inside your paw
But you did not seem to know

Father of mine
Tell me what do you see
When you look back at your wasted life
And you don’t see me

I was ten years old
Doing all that I could
Wasn’t easy for me to be a scared little girl in a poor neighborhood

Sometimes you would send me a birthday card with a five dollar bill
Yeah I never understood you then
And I guess I never will

Daddy gave me a name
My dad he gave me a name
Then he walked away
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My dad he gave me a name

Father of mine
Tell me where have you been
Yeah I just closed my eyes
And the world disappeared

Father of mine
Tell me how do you sleep
With the children you abandoned
And the wife I saw you beat

I will never be safe
I will never be sane
I will always be weird inside
I will always be lame

Now I’m a woman
With children of my own
And I swear I’m not going to let them know
All the pain I have known

Then he walked away
Daddy gave me a name
Then he walked away
My dad he gave me a name
Then he walked away”

“Jesus. Megan, are you sure you’re okay?” Vivy asked as the hum from Jack’s guitar died away. Tears streaked the fur of the Bat’s cheeks and speckled the concrete floor of the garage. The Giraffe girl swiped a clean towel from her father’s workbench and gently dabbed her friend’s face dry. “Listen, if it’s too soon, that’s okay. Jack and I can-”
“That felt so good!” Megan exclaimed as shi opened hir eyes. Placing a paw over Vivy’s, shi continued, “I’m fine. I’m better than fine! I’m great! Oh my God, you guys! After having my mouth wired shut for six weeks, unable to sing, barely able to talk… it felt good to get all that frustration out!”
Hir friends gathered around and pulled hir in for a group hug. “We’re glad to have you back!” Jack said as his strong arms wrapped around them. “Practice hasn’t been the same without your vocals.”
“What’s up with the song choice?” the Giraffe girl asked as they broke free from the embrace.
“I found out while I was still in the hospital that my Dad died,” Megan explained as shi finished drying the tears from hir eyes and fur. “Not that I knew him to miss him, but the chance to address him directly is gone forever. Ross’s Dad isn’t much better, either. He never beat his wife, at least as far as I know, and she still loves him, but he’s never around.”
“I noticed you changed some of the words. ‘Children of my own’ instead of ‘child?’ You got another one out there we haven’t heard about yet?” Vivy questioned.
With a barking laugh, Megan answered, “No, no, just the one for now. But I do want to have more someday. I changed the lyrics as a promise not just to the one, but to all of them.”
“Speaking of, when do you finally get to meet the kid?” the reptilian boy asked.
“Tomorrow,” the teen Bat replied. “I’ve been texting with the mother, learning little things here and there about my son -”
“It’s a boy?!” Vivy interrupted.
“And she and I agreed that it would probably be for the best to wait until the casts came off and the wires were removed so I could hold him and speak to him properly. Ross also told me that she knows who the mom is, and has known since the Winter Formal.”
“Yikes! Are you two, you know, okay? You guys just got back together,” Jack said.
“As she was telling me, she explained that the mother asked her to keep it a secret because it could ruin her life. In the interest of protecting my son, she agreed to stay silent at least for a time. She was going to wait until after I graduated, but that doesn’t matter now. Like, part of me is mad, but I’m mostly angry at Kristin for creating the situation. I can’t be angry with Ross for trying to look out for her future stepson.”
“No, I suppose not,” Vivy agreed.
“Hey, speaking of Ross, would you guys mind doing me a favor?” Megan asked awkwardly. “It’s a little something for her.”
“Girl, of course we don’t mind,” Vivy replied, while Jack nodded his agreement. “You’re both family! What do you need for us to do?”
The Bat smiled at hir friends’ enthusiasm and willingness to help. “While I was laid up in bed, I wrote some lyrics for a song. I need you guys to help me record the track.”
“But we don’t have access to a recording studio,” the reptilian boy pointed out. “How would that even work?”
“Actually, we do!” Megan said. “Ross’s cousin, Jordan, has her own recording studio in their basement, soundproofed and all! She has all the equipment we could need, and she’s offered to mix the track for us! We’d just need to work out a day and time when Ross won’t be at home.”
“Rich people problems,” the Giraffe muttered.
“Says the girl living in a three-quarter million dollar house,” Jack remarked.
“My parents’ money, not mine,” Vivy retorted as she put her drumsticks away. “Trust me, they’ve made it perfectly clear that my odds of making a successful career out of drumming are slim to none, and they’re pushing me to consider other options.”
“What about your job at Guitar Center?” Megan asked.
“Retail is also a less-than-viable career option.”
“So what’s your plan?” Jack asked.
“The only other thing I can think of is studying to become a radiographer,” the Giraffe girl answered. Seeing the reptile’s confused look, she clarified, “An X-Ray tech. I picked up some info packs for Marblecliff Community College.”
“Have you heard anything yet from Berklee?” Jack asked, looking at Megan.
“Not yet,” the Bat replied. “I should hear something soon, but I’m not getting my hopes up. I got accepted into UMass Boston, figure if Ross is going to go to Boston College I should find something up that way, also.”
“UMass is a pretty decent school,” Vivy remarked. “What are you planning on majoring in?”
“I don’t really know,” the Bat said with a shrug of hir shoulders. “Maybe communications? I dunno, nothing really pulls at me like Berklee does, I just feel like anything other than singing would just be settling.”
“We’ll have to get together on weekends and do some local gigs,” the reptilian male suggested. “Some fancy music school isn’t the only road to a record deal.”
“That’s true,” Megan replied. “We’ll just have to keep at the grind until some big shot record exec notices us. And if you guys are interested… we’ve been invited to perform at my school again, for prom.”
“Fuck yes!” Vivy exclaimed as she turned and gave Jack a fist bump.
“Awesome,” the Bat grinned. “I’ll let Headmistress Gaithers know. But we need to keep the anarchy to a minimum this time.”
Suddenly, Megan’s large ear twitched, just as someone nearby fiercely attacked the strings of an electric guitar, each chord echoing through the air with the power of a thunderstorm.
“What the Hell?” shi asked, looking at hir friends with eyes wide with shock.
“Yeah” the Giraffe girl said. “Started a few weeks ago. I guess one of those Dark Riders kids knows how to play. Jack and our mystery musician got into a guitar duel over ‘Free Bird.’ It was fucking nuts.”
“A guitar duel?” Megan’s ears perked up with interest. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“It was pretty epic,” Jack admitted, a hint of pride in his voice. “Though I have to say, whoever they are, they’ve got some serious chops.”
The mysterious guitarist continued to shred, the notes soaring through the air with an intensity that made the fur on the back of Megan’s neck stand up.
“You know,” Vivy mused, her tail swishing thoughtfully, “maybe we should try to recruit them. If they’re that good, they could really add something to our sound.”
“Are you kidding?” Megan gasped. “Us getting any more involved with that house is going to catch Roman’s attention, which is something we need to avoid until after the rally.”
“Fine,” Vivy conceded. “But once the rally’s over, I say we try and recruit them.”
“Agreed.” Jack and Megan said in unison.

~~~~~

March 9, 2014
Cormen Bistro, Marblecliff
Megan swallowed nervously as shi climbed out of Ross’s Honda Civic. Hir mouth was bone dry, so really there was nothing to swallow, but hir palms were positively soaked with sweat. This is it, shi thought to hirself, I’m finally going to meet my son. As shi stood in the parking lot staring at the bistro where they were supposed to meet the mystery woman shi had gotten pregnant, hir mind was flooded with anxiety. What if he hates me? What if the mother and I don’t get along? What will I do if this is the only chance I ever get to see him? To hold him? What if -
Shi was brought back to hir senses by a strong arm wrapping comfortingly around hir shoulder. “Hey,” Ross murmured into hir ear, “everything’s going to be fine. You’re going to make an excellent father, and your Mom and I will be there to help. You’ve got this.”
Hir mother’s Nissan Altima pulled into the space beside theirs and a moment later the elder Bat emerged. As Lucinda approached, Megan felt a wave of warmth and reassurance wash over hir. The three of them shared a tender group hug, drawing strength from each other’s presence.
“I can’t believe I’m about to become a grandmother,” hir mother chuckled as she cupped Megan’s cheek in her paw. “You look lovely today, Dear.”
“Jessie and Melissa didn’t come?” The teen Bat asked.
“Let’s worry about introducing them after the baby and his mother feel comfortable around us,” hir mother explained. “The situation is bound to be overwhelming enough already without throwing more people into the mix.”
“You’re right. So, are we ready to do this?” With a deep breath, Megan squared hir shoulders and took Ross’s paw. Together, they walked towards the bistro entrance, hearts pounding in unison. Just as they reached the door, Megan spotted a familiar woman coloring a children’s menu with a young boy. Though he looked so much like his mother, with very prominent Greyhound features, the wing arms and purple eyes left no doubt that he was hir son. Megan and Isabela’s eyes met, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still.
Ms. D’Amato’s face softened into a welcoming smile, and she nodded slightly, beckoning them inside. Megan’s legs felt like jelly as shi approached the table, Ross’s steady presence at hir side anchoring hir to reality. The little boy looked up, his eyes widening with curiosity as he took in the newcomers.
“Hello, Ms. D’Amato,” Megan managed, hir voice barely above a whisper. “And... and hello to you too, little one.”
“Megan, per favore, I think that outside of school we are a little past that now, no?” The Greyhound woman stood up to give Megan a comforting embrace. “Call me Isabela. I insist.”
The hybrid child tilted his head, studying Megan with his mother intently, his eyes sparkling and alert. “I like your wings,” he said, his voice soft and sweet. “They look like mine. What are those?” He reached up with one small paw and grasped one of the hoops adorning Megan’s membranes.
“They’re like earrings, but for my wings,” the teen Bat answered as shi knelt down for the boy to get a closer look. “See? I have more up here in my ears,” shi pointed out as shi brushed hir hair back to give him a better look.
Isabela gently ruffled the cub’s hair. “This is Megan, Cucciolo. Remember how we talked about meeting someone special today?” The young boy’s eyes grew wide and he nodded, clearly understanding that something important was about to occur. “Megan, this is our son, Matteo. Matteo, this is tuo padre.”
The boy nodded solemnly before confusion spread across his face.
“You look like a girl.”

~~~~~

“So,” Lucinda asked Isabela from across the table, speaking in low tones. Megan’s keen ears would probably still pick up what she said, but she didn’t want the entire restaurant overhearing. “How is it that my daughter’s ninth-grade Latin teacher ended up sleeping with one of her students and getting herself pregnant?” A few tables away, Megan and hir fiancée sat with Matteo, talking animatedly and coloring pictures.
“I was invited to a sex party by a man I was casually dating,” the Greyhound woman explained. “ID’s were checked at the door, STD tests were verified. Everything seemed safe. Legitimate.”
“So how did a fourteen year old hermaphrodite get in, and why didn’t anyone say anything?” The Bat matron questioned.
“I’m sure you know about Megan’s former amante, Kristin,” Isabela said more than asked. “She had her hooks in the guy I was seeing. She was il organizzatore: the organizer, the planner.”
“This is my fault,” the older Bat woman lamented. “I should have known that girl was no good for my daughter, but I was too busy getting drunk to care. Honestly, I was thankful for all the time that Ferret girl kept Megan out of the house so she wouldn’t see me like that.”
“Everything was completely anonymous. Blindfolds were used, so we couldn’t tell who our partners were,” the Italian woman continued. “It was exhilarating at the time. The tests were mostly to prevent the spread of STDs orally, and condoms were used for rapporti.”
Lucinda’s eyes narrowed as she processed this information. “But clearly, something went wrong with the protection.”
Isabela nodded, her ears drooping slightly. “Sì. I do not know if the condom broke or if it was tampered with. But a few weeks later, the symptoms started.”
Lucinda’s expression softened slightly. “And you didn’t know who the father was.”
“No,” Isabela confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. “When Matteo was born, I saw the resemblance to Megan, so I thought perhaps an uncle or cousin, but her student records didn’t list any family other than you. And then Kristin went and exposed Megan’s secret to the school, and I knew.”
The Bat woman sighed heavily. “And how did you handle that revelation?”
“I was shocked, terrified,” Isabela admitted in a whisper. “I’d slept with one of my students! A minor, at that! If word ever got out, I could go to prison! At best, I’d just lose my teacher’s license. And then…”
“Then?”
“Kristin must have figured out that I knew Megan was Matteo’s father,” the Greyhound woman continued. “She approached me and threatened to expose what I’d done if I breathed a word of it to anyone. Particolare Megan.”
Lucinda’s face contorted with a mix of anger and sympathy. “So you kept it a secret all this time?”
Isabela nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I... I didn’t know what else to do. I loved Matteo from the moment I saw him, but I was terrified of le conseguenze. I told myself it was better this way, that Megan was too young to be a parent anyway.”
“And now?” Lucinda pressed, her voice softening slightly.
“Now?” Isabela let out a shaky breath. “Now I realize how egoista I’ve been. Selfish. Matteo deserves to know his other parent, and Megan... she deserved to know about her child. I’ve robbed them both of so much time together. Even if it costs him his mother.” Her voice trailed off, her eyes downcast.
Lucinda watched her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. “You’re right,” she finally said, her tone firm but not unkind. “You have robbed them both, and myself as well. But dwelling on past mistakes won’t change anything now. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

~~~~~

Megan set down the crayon shi was using and leaned forward low over the table to look at hir son as he colored his kids’ menu. Matteo’s tongue poked out of the corner of his mouth in concentration as he carefully filled in the outline of a cartoon dinosaur with green crayon. He was only three, so it was no surprise that he was having minimal success staying within the lines, but in hir opinion he was doing remarkably well for his age. His ears - so much like Isabela’s - twitched slightly as he worked.
“That’s really good, buddy,” shi said encouragingly. “You’re staying in the lines so well. Your Mommy tells me you like dinosaurs.”
The boy beamed up at hir, his amethyst eyes sparkling with excitement. “Dinoswars!”
“What’s your favorite dinosaur?” Ross asked as she leaned in on Matteo’s other side.
Matteo twisted in his seat to face Ross, his little face lighting up with unbridled enthusiasm. “Ankle-sores! They have big spikes and heavy tails to smash things!” He balled his little paw up into a fist and brought it down on the table dramatically.
“Ankylosaurus is pretty awesome,” Ross agreed with a warm smile. “All those spikes look cool.”
Megan watched the interaction, a complicated mixture of emotions swirling inside hir chest. Every moment with Matteo felt both precious and painful - like finding a treasure shi never knew existed, but one that had been kept from hir for years. Each new discovery about him - his dinosaur obsession, the way he scrunched his nose when concentrating, how his ears twitched just like Isabela’s - was both a joy and a reminder of what shi had missed.
“Megs?” Ross's voice pulled hir from hir thoughts. “You okay, Babe?”
“Yeah,” shi replied, forcing a smile. “Hey, Matteo, Miss Ross and I have a present for you.”
The cub’s eyes widened, his coloring momentarily forgotten. “Present?” His tail began to swish excitedly behind him, thumping against the back of the restaurant booth.
“That’s right,” Ross said, reaching into her bag. “We wanted to bring you something special for our first time meeting you.”
Megan watched as Matteo bounced in his seat, his unbridled joy so pure it made hir chest ache. This should have been a scene from years ago - first words, first steps, first everything. Instead, shi was a stranger bearing gifts, trying to bridge a gap that felt as vast as the universe.
Ross produced a small package wrapped in paper covered with cartoon dinosaurs. Megan had spent nearly an hour at the store, deliberating over what to buy, wanting everything to be perfect.
“This is from your Dad and me,” Ross explained as she handed the gift-wrapped box over to the Bat.
Megan’s heart clenched at the word ‘Dad.’ It still felt strange on hir ears, this title shi’d been denied for three years. With hir free paw, shi reached out and gently brushed a lock of hair from Matteo’s forehead, marveling at how it curled exactly the way hirs naturally did. Shi smiled tenderly as shi handed the gift to hir son.
Matteo clutched the present with reverent paws as he looked up at Megan, eyes wide with wonder and a hint of shyness. “Can I open it now?” he whispered, glancing between Megan and Ross.
The Tundra Lioness nodded. “Go ahead, Sweetie.”
The cub’s claws made quick work of the dinosaur wrapping paper, though he took care not to tear through the illustrations, folding back each piece with surprising gentleness. When he finally opened the box, he gasped.
“A Tries-air-tops!” He removed the plush animal from the shoe box they had packed it in and held it up for his mother to see. “Mamma, guarda! Tries-air-tops!”
“I see, Caro,” the Greyhound woman called back. “Molto bello.”
“That was my favorite dinosaur when I was your age,” Megan explained.
The little hybrid wrapped his wing-arms around hir waist and said, “Grazie, Papà.”

~~~~~

Later that night…
Maykere’s Apartment
The Mare read over the message for what felt like the millionth time.
Megan: Thursday 7:52 PM [We’re going out Sunday night. Wear something nice. See you at eight.]
The message had been short and to the point, offering no additional information or pleasantries. It left Maykere feeling conflicted; on one paw, she was curious about where they were going and what they’d be doing, but on the other, she couldn’t help but worry about how the removal of Megan’s casts and wires went. The fact that they were going out tonight was a good sign that things went well, but she would have expected the text to include an update on the Bat’s recovery. Moreso, she would have liked to hear the warm, full-bodied timbre of her ex-lover’s voice again. Even still, she couldn’t deny that the dominant tone of the message and the mystery had turned her on.
As the evening approached, Maykere’s excitement and anxiety grew as she prepared for her night out with Megan. She’d left Mischa in charge of the piercing parlor to take the day to fully prepare for their special night, and spent the morning at the spa getting a mani-pedi, making sure her nails and hooves were freshly coated with her ex-lover’s favorite shade of purple hoof armor. The afternoon was spent doing yoga and meditating to ease her anxiety, but as the hour drew closer for Megan’s arrival, all of her efforts seemed futile as her nerves bubbled to the surface once again.
Now, the beautiful Mare stood in front of her full-length mirror in her bedroom, clad only in a sexy black and pink bra and panty set. She held two tops in her paws, deliberating between a dark green dress shirt with billowy sleeves or a hot pink, loose-fitting top with a tantalizing keyhole cutout. She tried on each one multiple times, desperate to make the perfect choice for her evening with Megan… and possibly Ross.
And that’s what’s really making you nervous, isn’t it? she asked herself.
Despite the Lioness’ suggestion that they spend more time together, Maykere couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Her heart raced as she imagined spending an intimate evening with Megan while her gorgeous fiancée looked on, imagining that the younger woman was somehow setting her up for heartbreak and humiliation. But despite these insecurities, Maykere couldn’t deny the strong love she felt for Megan and truly believed that it was reciprocated by the teen Bat hermaphrodite.
Megan: Just now [Be there in twenty minutes.]
Panic flashed through Maykere just as quickly as the message flashed across her screen. Her hooves clattered on the hardwood floor as she rushed to her vanity, nearly knocking over a vase of Amaryllis in her haste. She fumbled with her makeup brushes, cursing under her breath as she tried to steady her trembling paws. The Mare’s mind raced as she applied a smoky eyeshadow, accentuating her large, expressive eyes. “Breathe, girl,” she whispered to herself, inhaling deeply as she reached for her favorite eyeliner. “You’re just going blind into a situation that could either make you deliriously happy or leave you shattered. Nothing to worry about.”
With only minutes to spare, the Mare made a split-second decision, opting for the hot pink top with the keyhole cutout. She slipped it on, adjusting it to highlight her assets in just the right way. A pair of form-fitting black slacks complemented the shirt, highlighting the curves of her ass and hips and flaring out at the hems to show off the feathering around her ankles. If she was going to get her heart stepped on tonight, she was going to look damned good doing it.
She shrugged her sherpa-lined leather coat on and locked the door to her apartment just as Ross’s Honda Civic rounded the corner onto her street. So the Lioness would be joining them tonight. Maykere’s heart skipped a beat as the car pulled up to the curb. She took a deep breath, steeling herself as she walked towards the small sedan. As she approached, she could see Megan situated in the back seat, where there was sufficient space to accommodate her wings, her face illuminated by the glow of her phone. The Bat looked up as Maykere neared, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Hey,” Megan said sweetly as Maykere opened the passenger door and slid into the seat.
“Hi,” Maykere replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Get it together! She glanced at Ross in the driver’s seat, nodding politely, trying not to let her nerves show. The next words out of her mouth were at a normal volume, thankfully. “Hello, Ross.”
The Lioness smiled warmly at her as the Mare fastened her seatbelt. “Good evening, Maykere. You look lovely.”
Maykere felt a blush creep up her neck at the compliment. “Thank you,” she said softly, her eyes darting between her companions. “You both look beautiful tonight, also.” The tension in the car was palpable, and she found herself fidgeting with the hem of her coat.
Megan leaned forward, her wings rustling softly in the confined space. “You really do look amazing,” the Bat said, her voice low and husky. The Mare felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound.
Ross cleared her throat and put the car into drive. “So, are we ready for a night out on the town?” she asked, her tone light and casual.
As they pulled away from the curb, Maykere couldn’t help but notice the meaningful glance that passed between the Bat and Lioness. Something is definitely up. Her stomach twisted with a mixture of anticipation and dread.
“Where exactly are we going?” Maykere asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Megan and Ross exchanged another cryptic look before the Bat spoke up. “It’s a surprise,” she said with a mischievous grin. “But I think you’ll like it.”
Maykere’s heart fluttered at Megan’s playful tone. She felt more optimistic that this was going to be a very good night, and couldn’t help but smile despite her nerves. “A surprise, huh? Should I be worried?”
The Lioness chuckled from the driver’s seat. “Only if you’re afraid of a good time,” she said, sparing a second to take her eyes off the road to give the Mare a playful wink.
As they drove through the city, Maykere tried to relax, but her mind was racing with possibilities. What did these two have planned, and why all the secrecy? Megan was trying to keep a calm and cool expression, but the corners of her mouth were straining from the effort of not smiling. Ross, meanwhile, had been cordial the last time they spoke, but she’d never commented on her appearance. As they drove down Chapel Street approaching State, Maykere began to suspect where they were heading.
Her suspicions were confirmed a moment later as Ross made a left on State Street and almost immediately turned right into the parking lot of a familiar establishment. She’d discussed this particular Japanese steakhouse with Megan once, mentioning how she had never eaten there before but had heard wonderful things about it from others who had. The tension in her shoulders began to ease as she realized they were just going out for a nice dinner. She chided herself for letting her imagination get the best of her.
“Tanuki! You remembered,” Maykere said with a glance back over her shoulder at the Bat in the rear.
“Happy belated birthday,” her friend and ex-lover - after all, that’s all they were, right? - said warmly, as the smile she’d been fighting spread out into a broad grin. “I’m sorry it’s like three weeks overdue, but with my injuries and all…”
“No! You don’t need to apologize, Megan,” the Mare said as she reached out and took the Bat’s paw into her own. “That wasn’t your fault. It’s sweet that you remembered, and that you both put the thought and effort into taking me out tonight. Thank you. This is perfect.”
As they exited the car, Ross came around to Megan’s side, offering her arm to help the Bat out. Maykere couldn’t help but notice the teal satin off-the-shoulder mini dress Megan was wearing beneath her black leather motorcycle jacket, which almost perfectly complemented the Mare’s hair. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Maykere felt herself gasp; somehow, the younger Bat looked more beautiful than she remembered.
“You like?” Megan asked as she made a slow, awkward twirl, showing off her firm little butt and slender legs. “I’m supposed to wear a boot for another few weeks, but I don’t think I would have gotten the same reaction with it on.”
Not one to be outdone, Ross looked just as radiant in a royal blue knee-length skirt, a cream-colored cowl neck sweater, and pair of calf-high black leather heeled boots. A light blue peacoat topped off her ensemble. If not for the fact that her lungs were reminding her of the essentialness of breathing, she could have stared at these girls forever.
As they walked towards the restaurant, Maykere felt a sudden warmth on either side of her. Megan had slipped her arm through the Mare’s left while Ross had done the same on her right. The gesture was both comforting and thrilling, sending a tingle of excitement through her body.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Megan said, her breath warm against Maykere’s ear. “I’ve heard the portions here are generous.”
Ross chuckled. “And the show is quite impressive too. I hope you’re ready for some flying shrimp and flaming onion volcanoes.”
“You’ve eaten here before?” The Mare asked.
“My aunt and uncle brought me here for dinner not long after I moved to Marblecliff. It’s one of the nicer hibachis I’ve been to.”
As they entered the restaurant, the rich aroma of grilling meats and vegetables filled the air. A Red Panda girl greeted them at the hostess stand with a warm smile and led them to a private teppanyaki table in a secluded corner of the restaurant. As they settled into their seats, Maykere found herself sandwiched between Megan and Ross, their bodies close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from them both.
Oh, they’re definitely up to something…
“I hope you don’t mind,” Ross said softly, leaning in close to Maykere’s ear. “We thought you might enjoy a more... intimate setting.”
Maykere’s breath caught in her throat at the Lioness’s words, her mind reeling at the implications. She glanced between Megan and Ross, searching their faces for any hint of their intentions. Both women wore matching expressions of warmth and anticipation, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I... I don’t mind at all,” Maykere managed to stammer out, her heart racing. She took a sip of water, trying to calm her nerves.
As the hostess returned back to her post, Megan leaned in close, her wing brushing against Maykere’s arm. “Relax,” she whispered, her breath hot against the Mare’s ear. “We’re here to have fun and celebrate you. No pressure, okay?”
Maykere nodded, feeling some of the tension leave her body at Megan’s reassuring words. She allowed herself to relax into the moment, savoring the warmth and closeness of the two women beside her. Whatever shenanigans they’re up to, I trust Megan. A Salamander approached their table, menus in paw, to take their order.
“Good evening, Ladies. My name is Craig and I will be your server for the evening. Can I start you off with any beverages while you look over the menu?”
“Pepsi Zero for me, please,” Ross answered first.
“Cherry Pepsi for me,” Megan followed, before adding, “And some plum wine for our friend here. We’re celebrating her birthday.”
Maykere felt a flutter in her stomach at Megan’s words. She hadn’t expected the Bat to know about her fondness for plum wine. She must have seen the bottle in my kitchen. Keen memory. “That sounds lovely, thank you,” she said with a shy smile, though she felt herself get more than a little aroused by the Bat taking charge and ordering for her.
Craig jotted down their drink orders, did a quick ID check on Maykere, and replied, “Fantastic. I’ll be back in a moment with your soups and salads.” As the Salamander walked away, Maykere turned her attention to the menu. The array of options was overwhelming, but her eyes kept drifting back to the seafood combinations.
“See anything you like?” Megan asked, her wing brushing against Maykere’s arm again. The touch sent a shiver down the Mare’s spine.
“I think I’ll go with the Kitsune meal,” the Equine woman answered, her voice slightly breathy. “Eight shrimp and a lobster tail. Nine tails, Kitsune? I love it. How about you two?”
“I’m leaning towards the Tantan Kororin.”
“Crickets and persimmons?” Ross asked aloud. “What would that even taste like?”
“Aren’t you a vegetarian?” Maykere asked at that same moment.
“Probably like orange cashew chicken, minus the chicken,” Megan replied, before explaining to the Mare. “I need protein to help my injuries continue to heal, and unevolved insects aren’t sentient, so I don’t have the same moral objections to it.”
“Cool. I think I'll have the Geisha combo,” Ross responded. “Steak and shrimp sounds pretty good right now.”
When Craig returned with their drinks and appetizers, they placed their orders, with Megan once again ordering for the Mare. “Wait, don’t they usually fill the table before starting service? Aren’t we going to wait for other guests to sit with us?” Maykere asked.
“We paid ahead of time and reserved a table specifically for just the three of us,” Ross explained.
The chef arrived with a flourish, led by Craig pounding a Japanese Tsutsumi drum as he pushed his cart to their table. Their chef, a Hokkaido dog, introduced himself as he performed the ritual of preparing the grill. “Welcome to Tanuki! My name is Keiji. We don’t get very many bookings for private dinners; I hear it’s someone’s birthday?” As he spoke his skilled paws worked the grill with impressive speed and showmanship, punctuated by dramatic flips and flourishes of his knives.
“Our friend here,” Megan answered as she wrapped a wing around the Mare’s shoulder. “We’re a little late, but she deserves the spotlight.”
Maykere felt her cheeks flush at Megan’s words and the warm pressure of her wing. “Oh, it’s not a big deal,” she said softly, but couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
Keiji grinned, his tail wagging slightly. “Well then, we must make this extra special!” He began his performance with renewed vigor, his knives flashing in the light as he chopped and diced vegetables with lightning speed. The sizzle and pop of the grill filled the air, along with the enticing aroma of cooking meats and seafood. He sliced one of the onions then proceeded to stack the rings one on top of the other to form a small volcano. After squeezing some oil into the opening at the top, he took a match and set it ablaze, a geyser of flame erupting forth.
As the chef worked his magic, Maykere found herself relaxing more and more. The warmth of Megan’s wing around her shoulders and the occasional brush of Ross’s leg against hers sent pleasant tingles through her body. She sipped her plum wine, savoring the sweet, fruity flavor as it danced across her tongue. The combination of good company, delicious food, and the theatrical cooking display was intoxicating.
As Keiji continued his culinary performance, tossing shrimp tails into his tall chef’s hat and juggling eggs on his spatula, Maykere felt herself truly enjoying the moment. She laughed along with Megan and Ross at the chef’s jokes and gasped in delight at his impressive knife skills.
When the food was finally ready, Keiji served their plates with a flourish. “Enjoy your meal, ladies. And happy birthday once again!” he said with a bow before wheeling his cart away.
“This is delicious,” Maykere said, savoring a bite of perfectly grilled lobster. “Thank you both so much for this. It really means a lot to me.”
Megan smiled warmly. “You deserve it. We wanted to do something special for you.”
Ross nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. And... there’s actually something else we wanted to talk to you about…”
Maykere felt her heart skip a beat. Here it comes…
“…but we’ll get into that after we eat.”
As they ate their meals, they discussed everything from Megan’s recovery to meeting her son earlier that afternoon, Megan’s new stance on being seen as a hermaphrodite rather than female, Ross’s family and how she came to live with her aunt and uncle in Marblecliff, how business at Piercology was going, Maykere’s past, Megan and Ross’s plans for college, and so much more. Honestly, if not for the glances Megan and Ross kept sharing between them, Maykere wouldn’t have had any idea that an hour and a half had passed while they talked. Whatever they had planned, it both excited and unnerved her.
The young couple exchanged another meaningful look before the Bat spoke up. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the little herm’s room.”
As Megan disappeared around the corner, Maykere spoke up, “Ross. I hope you know how much Megan means to me. I would never do anything to hurt hir, or hir relationship with you.”
Ross nodded, her cerulean eyes radiating warmth and earnest sincerity. “I can see that,” she said softly, her voice carrying a gentle conviction. “And I want you to know that I don’t see you as a threat or a rival. In fact, I’ve come to realize just how essential you are to Megan… and how much you could come to mean to me as well.”
The Mare’s breath caught in her throat as the weight of Ross’s words washed over her. “What do you mean?” she whispered, her voice trembling, afraid to discover she had misheard.
Leaning in with an air of intimacy, Ross lowered her voice and explained, “Megan and I have been sharing our thoughts about our relationship, about our desires and needs. And in our most recent discussion we’ve decided that there might be space for… more.” Her words, laced with both hope and uncertainty, hung in the air, thick with anticipation.
Maykere’s heart pounded fiercely, each beat echoing the rapid surge of emotions within her. She struggled to grasp the full meaning of Ross’s insinuation. “More?” she repeated softly, her tone barely audible. “I- what exactly do you mean by that?”
With a tender squeeze of Maykere’s paw, Ross clarified, “I mean that Megan and I have discussed the possibility of opening up our relationship. And you, Maykere, have been the catalyst for those discussions.” Her eyes shone with emotion.
Maykere’s eyes widened, her breath catching as the implications of the conversation enveloped her. “Are you saying… what I think you’re saying?” she asked hesitantly.
Ross nodded slowly, a small, gentle smile playing at the corners of her lips. “We’re proposing a polyamorous relationship. Megan loves you, Maykere. I care about you, and I believe that with time, I could come to love you pretty deeply as well. We want to explore the possibility of us - all three of us - being together.” Her words, spoken with painstaking care, drowned out the bustle of the rest of the restaurant.
In that moment, the room seemed to tilt as Maykere struggled to reconcile her jumbled thoughts. She had visualized countless scenarios for this evening, yet none had prepared her for such raw vulnerability from Ross. Her heart raced, and every nerve in her body yearned to understand more.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Maykere stammered, her eyes instinctively searching Ross’s face for any hint of deception or second thoughts. Instead, she found only warmth and sincerity.
Ross’s smile deepened gently. “You don’t have to respond immediately,” she assured softly. “We wanted to lay this out before you at least - to share our feelings and what we’re considering. We completely understand if you need time to process it all.” Her voice was a soothing balm amidst the rising tide of emotions.
Just then, Megan reappeared at the table, her eyes flitting between Ross and Maykere with a mixture of nervous anticipation and tender care. “So… I take it Ross has already filled you in?” shi asked, a trace of anxiety in hir voice.
Maykere nodded, still enveloped in a daze. “She did. I… I’m honestly a bit overwhelmed,” she admitted, her voice soft and fragile. “You two are engaged. What would that mean for me?”
Sliding back into her seat with slow, deliberate grace, Megan let hir wing gently brush against Maykere’s arm. “I understand,” shi said softly, hir tone imbued with empathy. “It’s a lot to take in. But we needed you to know exactly how we feel. Ross and I are going to get married. It’s something we both still really want, no matter what. However, regardless of what it says on paper, it wouldn't make you ‘less than’. Yes, Ross and I will still be engaged, but even once we’re married, you, she and I will still be equals in the relationship. We’d go on dates together, all three of us, just like now, and hopefully eventually get a place together and share a bed big enough for all of us. And if things work out, we can both have a commitment ceremony with you, if that’s something you’d be interested in.”
Maykere’s amethyst eyes moved between the two women, her heart pounding inside of her chest. “I… I care about you both so much,” she began, her voice quivering, “but I never imagined this could ever be a possibility. Are you truly sure this is what you both want?” Her question, laden with hope and trepidation, hung heavy amidst the background bustle.
Ross reached out to take Maykere’s other paw, her touch gentle and reassuring. “We’ve discussed this at length,” she explained, her soft voice steady and soothing. “We both care for you, and we believe that together, we could forge something truly special.”
Megan leaned in closer, hir tone dropping to a tender whisper. “We’re not asking for an immediate answer, ’Kere. We know it's a lot to take in right now. We just wanted to share that our hearts are open to you, if you’re interested in exploring this path together.”
Overcome with a torrent of emotions - hope, exhilaration, and fear - Maykere fought to steady herself. She drew in a deep, deliberate breath, trying to calm the whirlwind inside her.
“I… I’m honestly still not sure what to say,” the Mare confessed, her voice almost lost in the quiet intensity of the moment. “This is more than I ever could have hoped for, but what if it doesn’t work out?”
Ross’s gentle squeeze of her paw offered reassurance. “That’s a very valid concern, Maykere,” she said softly. “We’ve asked that ourselves, too. We know that it won’t always be easy, but we believe that the potential joy and connection make it worth exploring.”
Megan offered a nod, hir purple eyes showing only sincerity. “We can, and should, take it slow. Navigating something new like this will take a lot of patience and care. Open, honest communication will be key. Pretty sure the last thing any of us wants is for someone to get hurt.”
A lump rose in Maykere’s throat as she absorbed the earnest words from both Megan and Ross, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of both joy and apprehension. She looked between them, gathering the courage that sparked within her. “I… I think I’d like that,” she whispered, her voice gentle yet resolute. “I’d like to try, if you’re both sure.”
The smiles that bloomed across Megan and Ross’s faces were radiant and full of promise. The teen Bat leaned in, pressing a soft, affectionate kiss against Maykere’s cheek. “We’re absolutely sure,” shi affirmed, hir tone imbued with tenderness.
Ross’s often icy blue eyes held a deep, soft warmth. “Absolutely sure,” she echoed, her words providing a comfort that resonated deep within Equine woman’s soul.
A tentative spark blossomed within Maykere. Clasping both of their paws, she allowed herself to hope. “Okay,” she breathed softly. “Okay, let’s do this.”
In an instant, the tension around the table melted away, replaced by a giddy, almost palpable energy. Megan released a soft, joyful laugh as shi pressed hir forehead against the Mare’s, murmuring, “I can’t believe this is really happening.”
Ross smiled, a rare expression that made Maykere’s heart flutter with delight. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” she said gently. “No pressure, no expectations. Just us, figuring things out. Together.”
Maykere nodded, her inner storm subsided and replaced by exhilaration. “This has got to be the best birthday ever!”

~~~~~

March 10, 2014
Pinevale, NH - The Valor Vault
Megan stood outside of the dojo, situated near the end of a busy strip mall. Ross waited in the car, watching, as shi approached the double doors, only to stop as a towering male emerged from a back room. He was huge, but shi couldn’t place the breed as he easily stood half a foot over her 5’7” height with a body that reminded hir of the various muscle magazines shi’d seen in stores. It was clear he was setting out various mats for the next class, his black upper body reflecting the light while a gray patch in the center of his torso drew hir eye.
It took more than a moment to realize he must shave his fur, letting the gray undercoat show through in the shape of three upward pointing arrows and some sort of blotches underneath, all surrounded in a strange design that reminded her of some type of military insignia. His lower body was attired only in a pair of blue baggy pants with the words KRAV on one leg and MAGA on the other in red with a white border.
Shi stood there for several seconds, unable to move with hir legs trembling, and a cold sensation clutching at hir heart - this man could do much worse than the guys who attacked me, all by himself - until shi remembered Ross was behind hir in the car. Turning to look at hir fiancée, shi offered a small smile and a wave, as if to tell her everything was fine, before finally making hir way inside.
One of the doors opened with an audible hiss, causing the tall male’s pointed ears to swivel in hir direction. He never stopped what he was doing, setting out a mat, and moving it with a bare footpaw before finally speaking. “One second, please. I’ll be right with you.” His voice was a deep rich baritone that served to fill Megan with more trepidation.
He had yet to do anything and already shi wanted to head back to the car, get in, and say “nope” to this entire thing. Even though shi claimed to forgive Kristin, and despite hir assertions that shi believed the Ferret girl was truly remorseful, part of hir couldn’t help but wonder if this was yet another way to hurt hir for being with Ross. She seemed sincere when she told me about this place, said the owner was scary to look at, but protective of those he could help. Maybe -
“Please come in. We have water and juice if you need something to drink.” He still hadn’t turned to look in hir direction, but his head motioned to one side. When shi looked to where he indicated, there was indeed a small fridge with a glass front, and inside were several bottles of juice and water. A cardboard sign on the top read *Free to all active and potential students.* A small smile spread across hir lips. “That certainly helps, thank you.” Walking over, shi pulled out a Pomegranate and Acai blend, shook it a little and cracked the bottle open. Shi took a sip, inhaled deeply, and closed hir eyes, counting down from ten before exhaling slowly.

~~~~~

Ross watched Megan walk toward the front doors of the Krav Maga studio, her eyes practically glued to her fiancé’s posterior until said bat butt disappeared behind a door. It took all of twenty seconds for her to start getting bored, her mind wandering to all that had happened in the span of a few months. Reaching up, she slid her claws through her hair and set about scanning the area.
Strip mall.
Parking lot.
Trees.
Mountains in the distance.
Yup. Bored now.
Her eyes danced across the various shops and stores randomly, a small distraction so she didn’t pick up a random book and start reading. CVS. Hometown Buffet. Wilco farm and tractor. Valentine’s Day Spa. Subway. Dollar - Hold on a second. Her eyes went back to the red illuminated sign bordered in white set into what looked like a Roman or Greek pantheon styled facade. Pulling up her phone, she decided to check online to see if there was one in Marblecliff.
After a few seconds she blinked. There is, but it’s built out of an old Blockbuster Video store… She saw a few pictures, oil and lotions for sale, spa chairs, women in robes, a foot in water, and finally the owner - a woman with dazzling red hair and pink eyes standing next to a male white tiger.
Possibilities flashed through her mind involving a certain Bat and a certain Mare.

~~~~~

With hir nerves slightly calmed Megan opened hir eyes and turned to see the massive canine’s forest green eyes roam over hir slight build, as if sizing hir up. “Hello, I’m -” shi started to say only to have him interrupt.
“You must be Megan.” His voice was slightly softer from the first time shi heard it, but no less deep. What really raised hir hackles was his intentionally taking away hir introduction.
"Yes,” shi answered, hir tone going cold, “I was -”
“Kristin called me a few days ago, and asked -”
Tossing the bottle of juice onto the ground might have been effective enough at stopping him on its own, even if Megan hadn’t blurted out, “You can just stop that right now!”
“What?” he asked, maintaining eye contact.
Shi stepped forward, glaring at him, and pushed hir index finger into his face. “Interrupting me! I am sick and FUCKING tired of people doing that! Of not being heard, asshole! Now either you stop, or I will turn around and head back to Marblecliff!”
Seconds ticked by before he cocked his head to the side a little and offered a smile. “Good. You passed the test.”
“Test?”
He nodded “Yes, but before I explain, you’re right. I should listen to you instead of interrupting, and I apologize for doing so, but that was my way of finding out how to train you - whether I needed to use kid gloves or if you could handle a bit more anxiety.”
“I don’t need to be tested!” shi grumbled.
“Perhaps not, but I needed to be aware of your emotional and mental state.” He dropped down to one knee and picked up hir juice, handing the closed bottle back to the Bat as he stood. “Most people who come in here are kids that their parents want to protect themselves, but I also get abused and terrified folks, too, who need almost as much coddling.”
“Did Kristin tell you what happened to me?”
“Not in full detail, but I did hear about the Bat that was beaten up in Marblecliff from a couple of cops that I’m good friends with, so when Kristin called - I put two and two together.”
Crossing hir arms under hir supple bosom, Megan narrowed hir eyes “And how, pray tell, did I do in your little test?”
Shi heard him chuckle, closing his eyes. “You called me out faster than anyone else I’ve ever met.” He then made a motion for hir to enter an office on hir right. “Would you mind if we did that introduction all over again, without the interruptions?”
The smaller Bat shook hir head with a chuckle. “My name is Megan Conroy, Megs to my friends.”
“I look forward to earning the right to call you that,” he commented as he offered his paw. “The name is Amarache DuBois, but please call me Rache.”
“A pleasure,” shi replied, taking his larger paw as it gripped hirs cordially, but not tightly. “You’re aware of why I’m here, then?”
“I know a bit, but I would rather hear the entire story from you.” The pair entered the office, with Rache sitting behind the desk. It took Megan a few more seconds to settle into a small seat, noting the quartet of awards on the man’s shelf, flanking what looked like a sword on a placard with a black and brass sheath underneath. On the sword’s blade, the words ‘United States Marine Corps’ with a six pointed star and some sort of design caused her to blink at the saber.
Under the weapon, a wedge shaped box with a folded American flag drew her attention. “That was my best friend’s.” Shi turned to look at him, and saw the haunted look in his eyes. “He had no family. I was the closest thing he had to a brother - so when he died, they gave the flag to me.”
“How-?” shi started to choke on hir words.
“Afghanistan. We were part of a forward unit - there was a firefight and I was injured, but he took the brunt of the attack.” He closed his eyes. “He saved my life at the cost of his own.”
“Wow… I… I‘m sorry you had to go through that, Rache,” shi said softly. “I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have been like.”
Rache gave a simple nod, his clenched fists releasing. “It was a long time ago, in another life, but I’m more interested in hearing about how I can help you.” He then motioned with his right paw. “If you would be so kind.”
“Not much to tell, honestly,” the Bat explained. “Some friends invited me to a rave down in the warehouse district. While I was there, I stepped out to take a call. Some guys followed me outside. I don’t know if they had their eyes on me specifically or if it was just because I was the first ‘girl’ to step outside, but while I was on the phone…” Hir voice cracked as the fear and pain of that night came flooding back to hir mind. Shi wiped the tears from the corners of hir purple eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. “I can still feel the explosion of pain from where they jumped me from behind. Of someone’s - some stranger’s - paws rolling me onto my back and unfastening my belt. There were at least four of them, I couldn’t get a good look with the dim light and I was dazed from being sucker punched. They wanted to rape me, until…”
Shi looked at Rache, who held out a paw, offering his own strength to her. Trepidation gnawed at hir, but at that moment shi needed the physical contact to ground hirself in the present, so shi took his paw, gripping it hard. “You’re safe here, Megan,” he said. “Nobody here will hurt you.” Shi shivered, thinking about that night, and he offered, “Here, you are in control, so if you need time, or if you want to stop, we can.” His soothing voice and words had the desired effect, and Megan managed to take a few breaths and let go of his paw before continuing.
“...until they saw I was a hermaphrodite. Suddenly, I’m getting kicked. From all directions. The side of my head, my stomach, my crotch, until I couldn’t distinguish one blow from the next. My whole body was just engulfed in agony. I have no idea how long I was on the ground before I lost consciousness, but some good samaritans working late heard what was going on and chased them off, then got me to the hospital. If they hadn’t been around, I’d probably be dead. So to ensure it never happens again, Kristin suggested I learn self-defense, specifically Krav Maga.”
Something about all of this seemed off to Megan, so shi took the opportunity to ask, “Rache, I’m sorry if this is a bit too forward, but how do you know Kristin? You’re not exactly in Marblecliff city limits, and you’re a bit old to be hanging out around high schoolers.” A terrifying concept caused her to pause before asking, “Have you ever been to one of her... parties?”
“Kristin and I have the same counselor, and I met her when she was leaving the office. I have PTSD from my time in the Marines.” He turned slightly to look at the collection on the wall. “She looked lost, for lack of a better word, and I asked if she was alright. She tried playing it off as no big deal, but I told her that I knew trauma when I saw it, and she lashed out.” He leaned back in his chair. “After that, I would only say ‘Hello’ to be cordial, and give her the opportunity to talk if she wanted. She always shook her head and said ‘No’ but I knew someone looking for direction - so I asked if she was willing to listen, and I told her about my time in the service.”
“Oh...” Megan muttered at the explanation, but didn’t comment further until Rache was done.
“I would get to my appointments an hour early just for time to talk with her, to give her someone to listen to without judgement and would show her the same. I even offered to have her learn Krav Maga, but she refused - then one day she was a mess. She said everything fell apart - she didn’t know what to do, and she vented. It was the first time she showed real pain in front of me, and I just held her, letting her cry.” His eyes took on a disappointed look. “Ruined my best shirt too. A month later she approached me, asking about those Krav Maga lessons I offered, and if they were still on the table. I said yes, she asked for the number to the dojo. A few days ago, she gave me a call talking about you.”
“I’m glad it’s something innocent.”
“So, what’s this about... parties?”
“It’d be better to hear about them directly from her, I think. As you know, she’s been through a lot. Lost, traumatized, lashing out at the world. Honestly, I think those days are behind her now. For her sake, I hope so. But yeah, if you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’d just leave it alone unless she starts falling into old patterns of behavior.”
“I would rather encourage good patterns of behavior - health in body, mind, spirit, and soul, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for those with the potential to backslide.” He smiled hopefully. “Right now, I think she’s exactly where she needs to be to move forward with a healthier and happier life, and if I can help in any respect - I will.”
Megan offered a sincere smile. “You’re a good person, Rache. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Giving hir his full attention, he continued, “In the fairness of full disclosure, I will warn you that against multiple opponents, and in that same situation, you may wind up holding your own against one or two, but against four -”
“I don’t have any delusions about taking on three or more pieces of trash and winning. I just want to be able to give as good as I get and make them think twice before they try it again.” Megan’s eyes burned with an inner fire that caused the larger male to lean back a few inches. “But if I can scare one or two of them out of the fight, perhaps incapacitate one, maybe I’ll have a chance.”
His smile widened, showing perfect teeth. “It worked on me just now. Now, if you’re still interested, we can start right now. I see you’re still wearing a boot - how much longer until that comes off?”
“Probably another three weeks or so,” shi answered. “But my fiancée’s waiting for me out front. Mind if I shoot her a text real quick?”
“Go right ahead,” the large male replied. As shi messaged Ross, he continued, “Obviously, we’re going to avoid any leg exercises until you’re one hundred percent, but that doesn’t mean we can’t focus on the upper body.”
While she was texting Ross about her first hour of training, she happened to glance up at the much larger male. “I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but what kind of canine are you? Because you seem to be a hybrid of at least two breeds - one wolf, but the other I can’t put my finger on. Bullmastiff, maybe?”
“Good eye.” Rache slid back, pulling out a framed picture from the drawer in his desk. “But my father was actually a Cane Corso. He met my mother, a German wolfess l, when he was stationed as an Army communications repair officer on Sembach Air Base when he took part in an Oktoberfest off base.” Handing over the picture, she could see a male canine in an Army dress uniform standing next to a pretty wolf who was easily a foot shorter than the male. “They’re still happily married, and living in Oregon.”

~~~~~

Later That Day
The Conroy Residence
Megan wearily stumbled into the apartment shi shared with hir mother, half-sister, and hir sister's mother - who also happened to be hir mother's girlfriend. Everyone else had gone out to dinner since shi grabbed a bite while shi was out with Ross. Hir muscles ached; after two months of inactivity, still working around the boot, and considering the fact that shi hadn't been particularly active prior to the attack, the mild workout Rache had given hir felt more like basic training. But shi felt encouraged by the events of the day. Shi really needed to work on hir strength and endurance, especially if shi was going to have to keep up with two women in the bedroom now.
Shi hung hir purple hooded puffer vest in the entryway closet, set hir keys in their customary place in a decorative dish on a small hallway table, and walked to the kitchen to check hir mail. As shi sifted through the pile of assorted bills and solicitations, one envelope shi’d been eagerly anticipating caught hir eye. Its crisp, white surface stood out among the jumble of mundane, dull envelopes. Hir apprehension had been building for weeks, yet after an exhausting workout that left hir muscles aching and mind fatigued, shi had nearly forgotten about it.
The weight of hir weariness seemed to lift momentarily as shi clutched the envelope, its promise rekindling hir excitement. Home alone, shi hurried to hir bedroom and shut the door behind hir. Hir fingers struggled somewhat to open the correspondence, hir paws were shaking so badly, but after ten seconds or so, shi managed to rip the top open and withdraw the letter inside. This is it, my fate, right here in my paws…

Dear Ms. Conroy,

The Admissions Committee has completed its review of your application. I am very sorry to tell you that you were not admitted to the Berklee College of Music Class 2014 freshman class.
Please understand that this is in no way a judgment of you as a student or as a person, since our decision has more to do with the applicant pool than anything else - many of our applicants are not offered admission simply because we don't have enough space in our entering class. This year we had over 5,000 freshman candidates for fewer than 1,500 offers of admission.
With that being said, we loved what we saw in your application video; we just wish it had been longer. We strongly encourage you to continue honing your vocal and instrumental skills, build a larger, more varied body of work, and get involved more within your community. We would love to see you reapply next year with a stronger portfolio.
We truly appreciate your interest in Berklee, and wish you the best in all of your future endeavors. Hopefully, we will see you in 2015!

Sincerely,
Valentina Ramos
Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services

The letter fell from hir paws as shi sank onto hir bed, a wave of disappointment crashing over hir. The words “not admitted” echoed in hir mind like a cruel taunt. Despite having told hirself repeatedly not to expect anything, shi had secretly harbored that flicker of hope - that maybe, just maybe, this would be hir chance.
“Stupid,” shi muttered, pressing the heels of hir paws against hir eyes to hold back tears. “So stupid to think I had a shot.”
Shi rolled onto hir side, curling up against hir pillows. The rational part of hir brain had always known the odds were slim - over 5,000 applicants for just 1,500 spots. But the irrational part, the dreamer in hir, had pictured walking through those hallowed halls, finally belonging somewhere that valued what shi did best.
“They liked my video,” shi whispered, leaning forward to pick up the letter again. The words ‘We loved your application video’ stared back at hir. Not just ‘liked’ but ‘loved.’ And they wanted hir to reapply, with ‘a stronger and more varied body of work.’ They want more. That had to count for something, right?
Still, the rejection stung. All those hours of practice, the careful selection of songs, the multiple takes to get the perfect performance - all of it had led to this moment, this crushing disappointment. Shi reached for hir phone, needing to share the news with someone. Ross would understand. Or maybe Maykere, or Leo? They’d all been so supportive of hir music, and were certain to have words of encouragement to help bring hir out of this funk…
Speaking of the Devil, as shi stared at hir screen, a text came through from the Wolf shi’d affectionately dubbed ‘Little Brother.’*

LB: Just now [Hey! Not sure if you have any plans, or if you’re even staying in town now that you can get around normally, but if you’re down, I’d love to bother you at least once this week.]

Down? Shi let out a snort. That’s one way to put it.

Me: Just now
LB: Just now [Yeah, all good, just finished up dinner with Holly’s fam. She’s chatting with her dad, so I’m just chilling for the moment. Going back to work already?]
Me: Just now [Already? It’s been months. I need the cash, and honestly, I kinda miss the place.]
LB: Just now [Fair enough xD. It’s at the mall right? I’ll drop in on your lunch one day. Maybe Thursday?]
~~~~~

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Inkbunny

The Bat & the Cat, Ch. 13

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