Waif and Stray - 12. Release, and Lack Thereof

The scents of the rest of the Tribe's general good mood overcame the shame in the end; she just didn't want to be left out. They were done eating, by the smell of things, and a fire had been lit... all of these led to a shaky catgirl struggling to her feet, cringing at the rustling noise her disposable diaper made. Oh, she'd love to tear it off, she was more than capable, but the twinges from her abdomen still hadn't completely stopped and she'd been caught unawares by unpleasantness down there a few times today already. No, it needed to stay for now. The stink of her own distress hung in the air; it was the worst part about being ill. The smell lingered for days, always did, a constant reminder that she wasn't well. Ghost had reeked of it when he first arrived, but it was even worse when it was your own musk.

As she quietly slipped into the living room, Ghost was already waiting by the door. She guiltily rubbed her hand into his fluffy white hair, deciding some pleasures came at too high a price. Char greeted her warmly, asking if she was feeling any better, to which Jinx gave a shrug and wandered over for a hug. She was in no mood to put her usual independent act on at the moment, and just cringed with embarrassment at the noise the diaper made as Charlotte lifted her onto her lap. Finn was making her vaguely nauseous, stinking like he did of arousal - it was a sickly sweet sensation she could do without frankly. She didn't begrudge the feeling Finn must be enjoying, but he had to learn to stop shouting about it.

Jinx still looked an absolute state to Charlotte. Her skin was clammy with cold sweat, making her usually porcelain complexion a ghastly white. Fine black hair hung in lank clumps, distant blue diamond eyes doing nothing to alleviate the way her monochromatic visage screamed out for colour. Like a portrait of motherly love half-inked, warm freckled arms enveloped her, reddish auburn hair falling across the neko like a protective curtain as Charlotte kissed the top of her head and murmured protective promises. It was as if it were just the two of them again. Jinx felt selfish at the realisation she would miss that sometimes, especially at times she craved Char's care. She'd never truly resent anyone else, but knowing Charlotte's feelings were undiminished by the inclusion of Ghost and Finn was reassuring.

"So, umm... how do I explain the neko stuff to Zack? Should I just stop, 'cos I don't really want to lie to him."

Charlotte frowned thoughtfully. "Up to you really. Long term, if you're wanting to share who you are with him, that means all of it. Keeping bits back isn't fair on either of you. That said, it is very new for you both. Might be best to get to know him better before spilling your every secret."

"He said something similar." Finn admitted.

"Well then, that sounds like a pretty clear way forward. Whether you play neko until then is up to you, but I don't think poor Jinx here will be all that interested in you tonight sorry. In fact, spending some quality time with Ghost might be best. Jinx being sick has him spooked."

Finn nodded. Curling up with Ghost in front of the fire was hardly a chore, but not as straightforward as it could have been. The catboy was getting a touch more boisterous where play with Finn was involved, and decided a brief wrestle was appropriate, which turned into riding about on the human's back before they settled down. It was still wonderful to be able to treat Ghost a touch more vigorously without fear of hurting him, Finn reflected, not realising for a moment that the tiny neko was trying to distract him from the longing in his scent and cane marks on his rear.

~☆~

Jinx slowly blinked herself awake. Char's radio had come on as an alarm clock but was only just starting the long, arduous task of convincing the young woman to rouse herself while the catgirl got her bearings quite quickly, all things considered. She actually had to reach back with a hand to convince herself she hadn't soiled the diaper, even without the smell. Well, she was done with this thing. Jinx slid to her feet, removing the nappy with a few swipes of her claws, comfortably sure she was out of any further danger of betrayal by her rear end. She padded to the dressing table. Her hair was awful; it was greasy with sweat even in this light so she deftly tied it in bunches decorated with blue ribbons from her Midwinter presents. It would do to distract for now.

Slinking out of Charlotte's bedroom, she allowed the door to gently close behind her, closing off the Indignities she had suffered with it. Chin rose, shoulders pushed back. She was back, in control, and it should be as if she had never left. Her Imperial Majesty almost-Queen Jinx, first of her name, slowly descended the stairs of her domain. The young Prince was awake, showering her with the scents of his joy at her recovery as he rubbed his head against her thigh, resplendent pearly locks looking so deliciously soft in the gentle light. Her fool still slept, a sniff in his direction confirming he was unsoiled, just drooling on the sofa. She alighted Charlotte's usual armchair, throne of the entire house as far as the undiminished, radiant catprincess was concerned. Her mind focused on reestablishing a sense of quiet, controlled tranquility. Dawn gathered, the sun rising directly behind her and giving the look of a brilliant halo as Finn slowly woke.

It was the third and last day of his suspension following the caning, but there'd be no Zack today as his parents would be getting home soon. He stayed face down on the sofa as Charlotte headed off to the library, watching his catgirl mistress for an indication of her mood. She had just removed Ghost's diaper and raised an eyebrow at him. Finn crawled over, blushing, to be released from his own after squeezing down his pyjama bottoms. He took off the top off as well, donning the ears and slipping happily into the neko mindset as Jinx decided to play on her console game while her kittens wrestled about. Finn's rump needed some healing, she observed; the boy did seem to get himself in a lot of trouble, but someone out there was doing far too much damage to her kittens' bottoms for her liking.

Even more irritating to Jinx was the constant smell of desire and arousal from Finn. Slowly she became aware of the boy making fumbling scent communication, seemingly feeling what he was saying was more Dignified without words. It wasn't. She frowned at his query, trying for vague disapproval on her face instead of hilarity, and gave a little dismissive wave and nod. She meant to say she really didn't care if the boy wanted Nice Feelings, it had nothing to do with her, but he seemed to misunderstand, taking it as permission granted - a permission he'd probably seek again. Jinx opened her mouth to stop him and explain, but the sudden reek of shame gave her pause. The boy kitten liked shame for some reason, probably why he was so very naughty. If it made him happy...

Finn slinked into the playroom, burning with humiliation to the roots of his hair. He hadn't said a word, had half hoped the catgirl wouldn't grasp his meaning, or just ignore him even... but she'd heard loud and clear. The demeaning, lightly disgusted and patronising glance had made him physically squirm. Then she'd granted permission. He had permission to jerk off. It was so crippling - she knew exactly what he was going off to do. She always would, since he'd established he needs approval. Then there was the implication that Jinx might sometimes say no. What would he do then? Obey because it paradoxically turned him on? How can he be so messed up that the idea of being forbidden to pleasure himself made him want to do it? He was closing the playroom door before he realised that he was going to do exactly as he had been told. The human teen dressed like a neko had to do little in the way of encouraging his erection; it was insistent immediately. Finn rested on his knees, keeping his still aching butt off the ground and wasted no more time in purging two weeks of built up tension; a stunning accomplishment of self restraint at his age. It didn't take long, given the embarrassing circumstances.

Going back into the living room, meeting the eyes of two neko who knew precisely what he'd done, now that was exquisitely shameful. Neither mocked him or treated him any differently, but they knew.