Christmas...On Sheep Cloning Day?
This was started before Christmas 2011. Then we thought, New Year's, then Valentine's Day for sure! It was actually finished in time for the utterly appropriate for the PPC...Sheep Cloning Day, 2012. And I am just now getting it posted here more than two years later, which is a shame, because I think this may be the best one we've ever done. There is backstory, Christmas presents, flirting, and more!
Disclaimer: The PPC was created by Jay and Acacia, the original assassins. We just have Permission to contribute.
Betas: doctorlit
Special Thanks go to VM for help with language
Miah's A/N: This is the fluffiest, funniest, best thing we ever wrote. Seriously, Caddy was utterly awesome in this Interlude.
Caddy’s A/N: This was amazingly fun to write. It took a little bit to take off, but after I got to the Luxury parts, things came together nicely. A HUGE, HUGE thank you goes to doctorlit for beta reading this and helping improve it, and to VM for making sure it isn’t Insult Soup.
Previous Appearance: Fourteenth Mission: Unfinished, Maria & Cali ATLA mission (blank link)
Christmas...On Sheep Cloning Day?
“Easy... easy... just hold it still, Maria.” Cadmar leaned forward and grabbed hold of the top of the large pine tree, and pushed as hard as she can. “Rggh! Damn, we didn’t cut it short enough! It’s stuck!”
“What!? But we just spent forever cutting it!” Maria complained loudly.
“I know!”
“And YOU had the tape measurer!”
“I know! Just... just move us closer and I’ll try and wedge it in.”
“ Fine just... don’t move around too much.” Maria tightened her grip slightly. “We’re awfully high up...”
Cadmar strained to push the tree until it was flat against the ceiling. “Damn! Move me a bit closer.”
Maria made a face. “I... I don’t like the pricklies...”
“Maria. Move me closer, or I am going to tempt fate by pushing on the twenty foot, prickley-filled Christmas tree and hoping it doesn’t fall and we get impaled..” Cadmar looked to Maria with as serious a face as she could muster.
“A-all right...” Maria sighed and pouted.
As Cadmar got closer, she lost more of her patience, and just gave the top a punch. Said punch actually caused the tree to pop into place. “Succe-Yah, ye gods my knuckles!”
“Yay!” Maria smiled widely. “Now we just have to finish the rest of the decorations!”
Just then, Mark walked up, dragging a large cardboard box with him. “I have found the rest of the lights... you are both levitating... and you aren’t wearing your coat...” Mark trailed off uncertainly.
Maria looked away in embarrassment. “Well, I can sorta levitate... ” She lowered herself and Cadmar slowly to the floor.
“I see,” Mark said slowly. “And you have never mentioned or used it before now because...?”
Maria unwrapped her arms from around Cadmar’s waist. “There are a lot of vampire things I can do! Just... I kinda forget about them most of the time, seeing as I never have to use them...”
“Yeah.” Cadmar smiled and walked over to the box and began pulling bundles of lights out. “I had to remind her she could do that because I refused to use a ladder.” She gave a shudder and returned to Maria with her arms full of lights. “At least she won’t let me fall, I really hate falling...”
“I’m sure this has nothing to do with her holding you,” Mark commented, receiving a stuck-out tongue. “Now, for a more pressing concern... Maria, you seem to have paws.”
“I do? I never noticed!” Maria said with fake wonder, causing Cadmar to snort. “Yeah, I’m a catgirl, so the whole anthro-paws thing is a given. Really helps having thumbs, let me tell you,” she added in relief.
“I see. Well, I am glad that you trust us enough now to show us.” Mark began digging in the box and pulled out some ornaments, most of which were birds and cats.
Cadmar gave a small smirk as Maria wrapped her arms around her again and they rose up. “Well, you’re just figuring out now. I’ve known since Hea... since that Harry Potter mission.”
“Oh?” Mark asked curiously, walking around the tree and placing the ornaments.
Cadmar nodded as she unwrapped the lighting and started placing it on the tree, laying it out as Maria levitated them slowly around the tree. “Yep, some perks come with my position.”
“You mean chief food supply?”
Cadmar sputtered while Maria giggled. “Yep, it’s a lot easier to feed if there isn’t any suit in the way, and it’s a lot easier to comfort when someone can see you.”
Cadmar smiled fondly. “Yeah... They also make a nice fuzzy seatbelt.”
Mark twitched as Maria’s feet brushed along the top of his head. “Please watch where you are flying...”
* * *
Maria sat down next to Mark and Cadmar on the couch. “Phew! We finally finished the tree!”
“Yep!” Cadmar leaned back and sighed. “Man, it took like, forever.”
“It is a twenty foot pine tree,” Mark pointed out. “It only took two hours.”
Cadmar smiled. “It looks great! So... glowy and... festive, I guess.”
The tree was indeed glowy and festive. Standing at twenty feet tall and very wide, it was a good example of a Narnian pine tree. The tip had been cut off flat, along with the bottom so it could be wedged in-between the ceiling and floor. Two hundred feet of lights were wound around the tree from top to bottom. And there were hundreds of ornaments placed upon it. The bottom was mainly cats and birds, while from the midsection up was a mishmash of anything shiny Maria or Cadmar could get to stick in the tree. The final product was a tree that illuminated a great portion of the RC with multi-coloured lights and twinkles.
Maria nodded and curled up on the couch. “Yeah. I’m glad we were able to find a good one in Narnia without being caught. The White Queen is way too nasty for my tastes.”
Mark grunted. “Yes, well, if you had chosen a safer locale to take a tree from... and you are surprisingly okay with the RC being so well lit. I can actually see some of the things you have accumulated here.”
Maria shrugged. “It’s Christmas, what better time than now?”
Mark paused. “I suppose.”
The agents fell into a comfortable silence, only interrupted by Maria purring as Cadmar began scratching behind one of her ears.
After several minutes of silence, Mark grew bored and looked over to Cadmar, who was now playing with both of Maria’s ears. Maria’s eyes were half closed, and she had a relaxed smile on her face as she was gently pressing into Cadmar’s hands. “I wonder... If I were to film this, what people would possibly think?”
Maria made a disgruntled noise. “What do you mean...?” she asked while moving slightly. Cadmar shot Mark a dirty look and scowled fiercely.
“Oh, nothing,” Mark said, feigning an innocent tone. “Just making an observation.”
Maria frowned and slowly got up, causing Cadmar to look at Mark murderously. “Ah well, it was good while the mood lasted... I almost got a nap in too. So, seeing as this is our first Christmas together, how about we tell stories?”
“What, not another Truth or Dare?” Mark asked, shifting on the couch to sit against one of the arms.
“Nah, getting too samey. We’ll use another party game next time. Besides, everyone else is probably busy celebrating with their partners.”
Cadmar huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Story time sounds fun, I guess... Not it for going first!”
“Not it!” Mark shouted, a split second before Maria.
“Damn! Oh well...” Maria sat up on the back of the couch and spread her arms wide. “Gather around my fledgelings, for I am about to tell you a story of one of my favorite Christmases ever!”
Cadmar straightened and waved an arm in the air. “Oh Oh Oh! Will it take long?”
Maria wilted dramatically. “Yeah, I guess, so...?”
Cadmar got up and walked off. “I’m going to get snacks then!”
* * *
Maria was frowning slightly and tapping her fingers together, the claws extending and retracting.
“Alright, I’ve got a bunch of pop, milk, chips, and other stuff,” Cadmar said, dropping a large pile of snacks and drinks on the couch between her and Mark.
Maria hit Cadmar with her tail. “Now, if you’re done raiding the fridge, I’m gonna start.”
Cadmar nodded happily with a piece of beef jerky in her mouth. Mark nodded as well, opening a carton of milk.
“Good. So, this all takes place when I was 18, my first Christmas in the PPC...” Maria began, with a slight air of wonder in her voice.
“Oooooh! So you were still human, er, just a regular catgirl?” Cadmar asked, leaning toward her slightly.
Maria’s ears twitched in annoyance. “Yes, and I was still a newbie... sorta. I was still getting into the flow of things, and was having a hard time adjusting to being around a lot of people. Anyway, it all started when...”
Maria was pacing back and forth inside the RC of her partners, silently awaiting and dreading their return. After only a few minutes, the door opened and two agents walked in looking pleased with themselves.
“So... you guys finished doing your secret business?” Maria asked the pair shyly.
The male nodded, and re-adjusted his crimson, wide brimmed hat. “Indeed we did! It was a most fulfilling trip!”
Maria smiled faintly at the man’s usual enthusiasm toward... everything. “So, are you going to tell me what it is?”
The female smiled, and shook her head. “Now, now, dear, it’s a surprise,” she said in a much softer tone then her partner.
Maria pouted a bit. “Well that’s no fun...”
The female smiled softly and stroked Maria’s hair with a black tendril. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll love i-
“Whoa, whoa, hold the phone!” Cadmar interrupted. “Who are those two?”
“A real description would be nice...” Mark said.
Maria bapped both of her partners on the head. “I am trying to open up here!”
“Ow!” Cadmar rubbed her head and pouted.
“Now, those two are the agents who rescued me. So be quiet and I’ll describe them! Now, where was I... Right!”
-t.”
Maria nodded while purring. “Okay.”
Countess Isabella Nightingale smiled down at Maria. “It is Christmas after all.” Isabella stood at five and a half feet tall, slightly shorter then Maria, though her presence made her seem much taller. The black tendril retracted back into her robes, where it wrapped around where her arms would go if she had any. She closed her only visible eye, the other covered by some wrapped bandages,and laughed softly. “Now, is there anything you were wanting to tell us?” she asked knowingly.
“Hold up! No arms? One eye? I think we’re missing some details her-” Cadmar was cutoff by Maria covering her mouth.
“You asked me to describe them, so I am!”
“Yes, but it is only raising more questions now,” Mark pointed out.
Maria sighed. “She never really liked to talk about it much. She came from a Hellsing fic, and was a fledgeling vampire to the Sue, who ‘betrayed’ her and was killed. She was saved by the agents, but lost her arms and an eye.”
Cadmar nodded. “She sounds pretty badass. If she is as nice as you say after all that.”
Maria smiled. “Thanks, she really is the best...”
“Curious that she shares the same last name with you,” Mark commented.
Maria smirked. “Well, if you’ll let me finish, I’ll get to that. Anyway...”
Maria fidgeted nervously. “Um... no. Nothing at all!” she said with a quiet nervous laugh.
The male scratched his chin, which may or may not have had a beard, as his lower face was covered by a red cloth wrapped over it. “Is that so, now? But you seem nervous...” The male made a fist and held it out in front of him, pointing upwards, and used his other arm to make his red cape billow in a non-existent wind. “Could it be that you think that you can deceive me, Faustis the Red Mage!?”
Maria giggled, and another giggle was heard from the closet.
“Now, you know you can tell us anything, dear,” Isabella said, while idly walking around the RC, heading slowly toward the closet.
“Y-yeah...” Maria fiddled with her tail. “H-hey, don’t you guys have ah, something to go do...?”
Faustis laughed boisterously. “Silly Maria! We have completed all of our holiday preparations, and are ready for a quiet evening of festiveness!”
Isabella smiled wryly at her partner’s ‘indoor’ voice. “Yes, quiet.”
Maria looked on the verge of a miniature panic attack. “W-well.. umm...”
Isabella opened the closet and looked inside curiously. “Hmmm, I could have sworn I heard someone inside,” she said in an obviously faux confused voice. “Strange, the closest thing to a person is a Luxury-shaped lamp...”
Said lamp giggled in response.
“Strange indeed,” Faustis folded his arms behind his back. “Could it be you were hiding a lamp you made us? Or perhaps you’ve...” He gasped and pointed at Maria in mock accusation. “You’ve turned evil and turned our comrade Luxury into a statue?! J’accuse!”
Maria snorted and started giggling, forgetting her earlier panicking. The ‘lamp’ began laughing too, causing Isabella to smirk. “Well, well, well, let’s see who’s under this lampshade.” Using the same tendril, she lifted the lampshade. “Why, it’s Luxury! How unexpected!”
Luxury smiled and came out of the closet. “You found me!”
“Yes, we did. And it was such a clever disguise too.” Isabella smiled gently back, and tilted her head slightly. “Now, would you mind explaining why you were hiding in there?”
“Maaaaaybe.”
Isabella made a thoughtful noise. “Maria dear, would you happen to know why Luxury was in our closet?”
“I am curious as well, though I believe the answer is fairly obvious,” Mark said.
Maria moaned. “Not you TOO, Mark! Why is everyone interrupting me?”
“No idea, because that’s how story telling goes?” Cadmar said with a shrug. “I remember you telling us about how you and Luxury had a thing, though I wish you would have elaborated more...”
“Oh, I’m sure you did,” Maria replied with a teasing grin. “Anyway...”
“W-well... I might have invited her in...” Maria said while scuffing her feet.
“And this was the first time?”
Maria looked to the ground. “N-no... I’ve been hanging around with her for a couple months now...”
Isabella smiled. “It’s nice that you are finally telling us, I could smell her all over you from the beginning.” She grinned at Maria’s shocked expression. “We just thought it better to let you have your secrets for a while. But enough about that. Seeing as you are already here, why don’t you join us for Christmas, Luxury?”
Luxury smiled widely. “Really? Yay! I’d-
“I’d love to!” Luxury shouted, jumping up suddenly from behind the couch and hugging Maria. This caused Maria to scream in fright and fall on Cadmar, and get hit in the face with Mark’s sprayed milk, while Cadmar ended up tumbling off of the couch altogether.
Luxury blinked at the grumbling agents. “Geez, I can’t believe you guys never noticed me come in,” she giggled.
“Yes, strange indeed. The door itself usually informs us of visitors.” Mark shot the door a scathing look, while wiping milk from his scarf.
“So, now that I’m spending Christmas night here, what did I miss?” Luxury asked as she vaulted over the couch and bounced lightly on the cushion.
“Oh not much...” Cadmar said while shaking herself and sitting back on the couch. “Just-” Cadmar was cut off by Luxury who gasped loudly.
“So it IS true! You ARE a girl now!” Luxury rose, pulling Cadmar along with her.
“Wah! Luxury!” Cadmar tried to move away but Luxury began circling her, checking her out in various spots.
“You make a pretty tall girl, Cadmar,” Luxury observed, and moved to her back side. “Your butt’s kinda big too!” she announced with glee, giving said posterior a good smack.
Cadmar gasped and grabbed her butt. “My butt is NOT big! My butt isn’t big, right Maria?”
Maria looked away and began inspecting the battleship anchor on the far side of the room. It looked a lot nicer with stockings all over it... “Um... Maaaaaybe.”
Cadmar’s mouth fell agape and she looked to Mark who simply nodded. “Buh... buh... Why didn’t anyone tell me!?”
Luxury returned to standing in front of Cadmar. “Well, people usually don’t talk about it. Something about it being rude, I think.” She eyed Cadmar up and down for a moment. “Nice figure too, you don’t look lanky at all!.”
“Well, I chalk it up to Heather being hot, but-” Cadmar yelped as Luxury quickly grabbed her chest and squeezed.
“Hmm, nice and firm, and a good size too! And a sports bra is a good choice for you. You got a pretty good deal!”
Cadmar smacked Luxury’s hands away and was sputtering. “I.. I di... If you call being unable to look at yourself nude ‘lucky’!” she shot back while a furious blush grew on her cheeks.
Luxury smiled deviantly, her eyes lighting up with lust. “Awwww, are you having body issues? I could always... help you through them. I could probably get you naked pretty quick.” She began lightly rubbing circles on Cadmar’s stomach. “And maybe work in a shower too?” She asked in a husky voice.
Cadmar was, by now, incapable of forming a coherent thought, and was melting under Luxury’s presence. Maria, despite her laughing fit, decided to help the poor girl out before she ended up agreeing to anything. “L-Luxury... Hahaha! Luxury, leave her alone, I think she’s broken.”
Luxury pouted but complied, moving to sit on the couch. “Aww, that’s no fun. And here I was hoping to get her opinion on who has the better orgasm, a guy or a girl.”
“I’m sure she’d be willing to answer any questions... preferably later on. And in private.” Maria went over to Cadmar and led the flustered girl to the couch, on the opposite side from Luxury. “There, there, Cadmar. You just had your first bout of Luxury contact as a girl.” Cadmar nodded vacantly, and Maria saw a strange look on her face. Somewhere between dismay and... enjoyment?
“I believe you should continue the story, before Luxury simply decides to strip on spot,” Mark said, as Luxury was suggestively playing with his scarf.
“Yeah, let’s just get back to the story.”
“Ooh! Ooh! Can I finish the story?” Luxury asked excitedly. “Please, please, please!”
Maria and Mark looked at her warily, while Cadmar simply shivered. “I... I guess...” Maria said finally.
“Yay!” Luxury smiled widely. “So...”
“... love to!” Luxury happily replied, bouncing a bit. She pulled a Santa cap out of her pants and put it on. “I usually spend it in a Christmas present waiting for someone to open it up. It’s nice to be a bit more active!”
Faustis furrowed his eyebrows, looking ten times sexier when baffled. ”Then we will have to make it a Christmas you will never forget!” he cried as he raised his arm, pointing to the sky. Luxury smiled at all the thoughts of how he could make the night unforgettable. Especially with that fin-
“Wow! Wow! Nuh-uh, Luxury! I don’t feel comfortable with you talking about any... perverse thoughts about them.” Maria made a slightly disgusted face and wrung her tail a bit. “I think I’ll just tell it my self.”
Luxury pouted. “Awww! No fair!”
Maria hopped up onto the top of the couch and pushed Luxury onto the seats, beside a still-flustered Cadmar.
“Now, where was I-” Maria was cut off, much to her chagrin, by the door opening.
“MEERRRRRRY CHRISTMAS!” Miah shouted. She had a red sack full of presents slung over her shoulder.
Cali came in behind, looking slightly embarrassed at Miah’s exuberance.
Maria sighed heavily and rested her chin on a hand. “I suppose I can’t be angry if it’s friends...”
Mark waved Miah and Cali over. “Greetings! It is good you have stopped in.” He shot a secretive look to where Luxury was playing with Cadmar’s hair and talking about ways to make it flow better. Cadmar was failing at looking disinterested. “Very good indeed.”
Cali made for the couch without really looking at who was sitting there. When he finally noticed Luxury and the look on Cadmar’s face, he froze, clearly not sure how to react.
Maria idly noted Cali’s expression as she wagged her tail back and forth. “Hmmm.”
Mark got off of the couch and walked up to Miah. “Would you like some help setting those?” he offered.
“Umm, uhh, L-Luxury. Cadmar.” Cali looked rather lost, but then took one of his super-hero poses, and said in his falsely deep voice, “What is going on here?” His expression didn’t quite match the attempt at a tough guy act, though.
Cadmar was the first to react, looking almost boredly over to whoever spoke, and then blinking upon seeing it was Cali. “Hey Cali! Come and sit!” Cadmar started moving over on the couch, also pushing Luxury over as well.
Luxury smiled widely at Cali. “Hiya Cali! It’s great to see you again!” She tilted her head a bit. “But what brings you here?” Her previous questioning tone turned devious. “Is it to save the damsel in distress from the clutches of the evil Cadmar?”
“No--” Cali’s voice cracked. “No. C-Cadmar...?”
Cadmar tilted her head and looked at Cali oddly. “No... what?” She frowned slightly at Cali’s apparent nervousness.
Maria narrowed her eyes as everyone was ignoring her, and hear tail flicked about in agitation. “Hmmmm.”
“I’m n-n-not here to save Luxury?” Cali stammered out before blushing red to the tips of his ears and plopping on the couch, not quite touching Cadmar.
Cadmar internally cringed and punched herself for probably scaring Cali. On the outside, she grinned and wrapped an arm over Luxury’s shoulder and pulled her over, wrapping the other hand around her waist. “You haven’t come to save this young maiden? Then I guess I shall have to EAT HER! MWAHAHAHA!” She then began tickling Luxury.
Luxury squealed in delight and mock fright. “Oh, please save me! This monster disguised as a woman wants to eat me!”
“But I was going to save you...” Cali said to Cadmar and hid his face in the couch pillow.
“... Eh?” Cadmar said intelligently.
Cali’s voice was muffled by the pillow. “With the hair and the rubbing and supposed to be The Guy and, and...I’m an idiot.”
Cadmar took a moment to decipher what Cali said, and then got a Serious Business look on her face. She gently moved Luxury off of her lap, and then yanked Cali from his hiding spot, and placed herself on his lap facing him. “... Cali.”
It was Cali’s turn to give an intelligent sounding, “...Eh?”
Miah leaned over to Maria, “What’s going on?”
Maria looked to Miah lazily. “They’re working out who wears the pants in the relationship, or something.”
Cadmar leaned forward until her forehead was pressed against Cali’s, and she was looking at the reflection of her eyes in his sunglasses. “Alright Cali, forget about worrying who is ‘The Guy’, because I believe I’ve already claimed that title.” She added a slight glare at the end.
Cali smiled one of his genuine, non-superhero smiles, and said, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“I think he’s been waiting for that from the start,” Miah whispered loudly to Maria.
“He wants someone to top him verbally? ... Kinky,” Maria commented.
Cadmar ignored Miah and Maria by pressing a bit harder on Cali’s forehead. “And further more, if you wanna touch my hair so bad, you can ask... unless you want Luxury to touch your hair, though I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” Her intended seriousness was ruined by the slight lameness she had near the end.
Cali grinned mischievously at Luxury, then back at Cadmar and said, “May I touch your hair?”
Maria, thoroughly annoyed at the interruptions, and hoping to avoid any stains on her nice couch, clapped her hands loudly together. “Okay! Break it up! Story time isn’t over!”
Cali guiltily straightened up and put his hands at his side. Luxury giggled and sidled over to his side, which allowed Miah and Mark to cram into the remaining space on the couch.
Isabella closed the closet and turned back to Luxury, who had moved over to Maria and was huggling her. “Now, I hope you haven’t been corrupting Maria. She is ever so...”
“Fresh? Naive? Virginal?” Luxury offered.
Isabella nodded with a slight eye-roll. “Yes.”
“Hey! Your hands are paws!” Miah said suddenly.
Maria made her hands shoot out and flexed them, claws shooting out in agitation. “Yep! They sure are!” Maria smiled a bit too widely. “So, to skip anymore... distractions... I’ll skip the next several hours in the story, mostly just sitting around talking, a few uh... nothing really important.”
Luxury butted in, “She means us making out a couple times!”
“ Hey! I wanna hear about those!” Cadmar protested, not actually looking angry.
“Really?” Cali asked, nudging Cadmar’s elbow.
“Why not? May learn something!” Cadmar said and beamed.
Mark rolled his eyes. “I am sure.”
“Sure, if you want,” Cali said, smiling.
“If their clothes start coming off, I’m leaving,” Miah said in an aside to Mark.
Maria scowled. “No! You’ll just have to use your imagination!”
Cadmar nodded and closed her eyes. “Ooooooh Maria, I didn’t know your tail could do that!”
“Ha! Yeah, you’re into that?” Miah said, winking at Mark.
“What?” Cali asked from behind Cadmar.
Luxury made a dreamy noise. “Yeah, her tail is good, but her paws are the best.”
Maria jerked violently, then deflated and slumped down onto the couch, laying on Miah and Luxury’s lap. “Waaaaah! No one listens to meeeeee!” she falsetto sobbed.
“Ah man, I’m sorry, Maria. We’re being jerks. I’ll be quiet now. Finish your story?” Miah said.
Maria pouted and dragged herself back on top of the couch. “Okay, so, skipping ahead for the few hours...”
Isabella was smiling as she chewed on the small amount of food she was eating. Being a vampire meant she didn’t have any real need for food, however in lieu of the festive spirit around the table they had set up in the room, she decided that puking it up later was a small price.
The table was set up with fine china (stolen from a Potter Mansion) and some Elven cutlery to go with it (stolen from Rivendell. Whether or not they were canon wasn’t really of consequence to the agents). Even the table itself was stolen (The Death Star did not have wooden tables). There was a half-eaten turkey in the middle, and the bowl of potatoes was almost empty. The gravy boat WAS completely empty, and had lines running down it from countless spills. The stuffing was spilled and mashed (looking suspiciously like Luxury’s behind) over the table in-between Maria and Luxury.
“She sat in the stuffing?” Miah spluttered.
Luxury smiled fondly. “Yeah, me and Maria were playing footsies, and I got a little bored of that.”
Maria giggled and didn’t look too upset at the interruption this time. “Yeah, but I was looking forward to that stuffing!”
“Oh, I think you enjoyed the alternative,” Luxury said with a knowing look.
Maria just nodded. “I sure did. So...”
Faustis sighed contentedly and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach contentedly. “Ah! A fine meal! You are, as always, a truly magnificent chef, Isabella!”
“Yeah!” Luxury chimed in, “I love home cooked meals! They always taste better with that personal touch, ya know?”
Maria nodded vigorously, and swallowed a mouth full of food. “Yeah! She’s the best!”
Isabella smiled at the compliments. “Thank you, all of you! I would not be a good countess or a host If I could not entertain friends and family, now would I?”
“She sure sounds nice, Maria,” Cali said, peeking out from behind Cadmar.
Cadmar peered back at Cali. “You sure like behinds, don’t you? Cause you’ve been back there a while.”
Cali blushed and pulled the pillow between him and Cadmar, so he could hide behind it.
Maria made a very disgruntled noise and kicked Cadmar lightly in the side of the head. “Come on, later, story now!”
Faustis pushed back from the table and stood. “I believe it is time?” he asked Isabella.
Isabella nodded, and a black tendril slithered out from her cloak, and deposited a piece of paper in front of Maria. “Merry Christmas, dear.”
Maria blinked, and looked down at the piece of paper, Luxury doing the same. “Legal stuff, legal stuff, legal stuff, Maria Night... Maria Nightingale?” Maria gasped and looked over at Isabella.
“That paper means the Legal Department has finally caught up to our family,” she said, smiling at the catgirl.
Maria blinked a few time, her eyes misting. “T-that means....”
Faustis struck a pose. “Maria, we have watched you grow from a small, scared, and quiet recruit, to a lively woman who has overcome her fears of openly showing affection to her girlfriend. You always have, and always will be our daughter.”
Isabella was slightly taken aback by Faustis, but only for a second. “Yes. After all, do you think I would let anyone cuddle up to me after having a nightmare?”
Maria was now sniffling, and jump across the table and onto Isabella, hugging her fiercely. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”
Isabella chuckled and wrapped the tendril around Maria. “Anything for you, dear.”
Faustis joined in the hug as well, followed by Luxury. “Yaaaay! I like group hugs!”
“D’aawwww. That is so sweet, Maria,” Miah said. Then she elbowed Mark when he looked like he wasn’t going to comment.
Mark looked extremely put on the spot. “Um... yes. It was a very heart-warming story. I am glad you told us.”
“You’f got nife paretff!” Cali said with his face still pressed into the pillow.’
Cadmar rolled her eyes and yanked the pillow away from him. “Sounds like you had a lot of fun with them. Also, the image of you cuddling with your mom is adorable.”
Maria smiled and moved her tail around happily. “Thank you! All of you! Annnnd, that’s the whole story.”
Luxury pouted. “Hey, you forgot my present!”
Maria patted Luxury on the head. “I’m sure they can all guess what you got me.” She slid down the couch and onto Miah’s lap.
“Was it pretty?” Cali asked, now hugging Cadmar.
Everyone was silent for a few seconds before they burst out laughing, except Cali. “Wahahahahahah! Good one Cali!” Cadmar said boisterously as she hugged him back.
Cali froze in surprise for a second, then a goofy looking grin appeared on his face. “You’re wearing a bra now, Cadmar.”
“All right, all right. Presents! It’s definitely time for opening presents!” Miah said, jumping up from the couch.
Maria made a disgruntled noise as she was flung to the floor by Miah rising. She of course, landed on her hands and feet. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”
Mark simply reclined on the couch. “We only just placed them down...”
Cadmar nodded. “I’m too comfy to move.”
Maria frowned and grabbed the couch. “Fine, but this is because of your laziness!” She began pulling the couch easily behind her, leaving it in front of the sizeable stack in front of the large tree.
Cadmar was pressed back against Cali by the motion. He apparently had no objections. Miah rolled her eyes and chucked a present at Cali’s head.
“Hey, what was that for?” Cali asked, rubbing his head.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” Miah said, passing presents to the rest of the agents.
Cadmar suddenly produced her cleaver and used it an as impromptu hand for Miah to put the present on. “Oooooh, thank you!”
Mark took his much more silently, and nodded in thanks, while Maria took hers gleefully, shaking it slightly. This of course left Luxury, who sat bouncing on spot happily, looking at Miah expectantly... or lustfully. One could never really tell.
“Ummm, oh yeah, here’s one with your name on it, Lux. Interesting... shape... it better not---Oh man!” Miah tossed the present up and juggled it around like in the game hot potato, until Luxury stood on the couch and grabbed it. Cadmar and Cali both used the opportunity to sneak a peek up her skirt.
Cali looked up, then chuckled and blushed.
Cadmar chuckled too, and grinned. “You owe me ten bucks Cali, she DOES have panties on!” she whispered to the blushing agent beside her, who was looking without shame along with her.
Cali blushed more in response and hid his face against Cadmar’s back.
Miah rattled her present loudly and said, “Aaaaannnd open!”
The sound of shredding paper and flinging box lids filled the air for a whole of two seconds, and then a few seconds in embarrassed silence as they waited for the paper to stop flying everywhere.
Maria was the first to announce her gift. “Ooooooh, a plant! And... and it smells so goooooood.” She sniffed it a couple of times. “Mmmmmm Mmmiah, what kinda plant is this?”
“Catnip. You like it? Cali painted the pot.”
Maria inspected the little bats painted all over the pot. “I love it! Thank you!”
“Yes Miah, thank you,” Mark said in a slightly more enthusiastic voice then usual. “A copy of Dr. Watson’s journal on Sherlock Holmes,” he announced as he raised it to show the others. “And... a replica scarf of the Doctor’s... Slightly elongated, I see” He chuckled after tying the scarf on, or, more specifically, the first five feet. “Thank you both!” He then went back to wrapping the rest of the seventeen foot scarf around himself.
Cali quit hiding and beamed at them. “Glad you like them! What about you, Cadmar?”
Cadmar made a noise of approval, as she was looking through a large binder of DVDs. “Hmm. I can’t tell what we should watch first, Cali, the Horror of Dracula, or Dracula: Prince of Darkness.”
“Dracula: Dead and Loving It?” Cali said hopefully. “Did you see the books? Those are from me!”
Cadmar slowly tore her eyes from the DVDs and looked at the small pile of books. “Lesse... Haru Wo Daiterita?” Cadmar scrunched up her face and flipped through the pages of the first one. “What’s it all... ohhh.... Oh!” She blushed faintly. “Niiiiiiice.”
“Maaayyybe we could read them later?” Cali asked from right next to Cadmar’s ear.
“Yeah.” Cadmar flipped a few more pages.
Luxury smiled from where she was reading a comic book version of the Kama Sutra. “Miiiiiiahhhhh! Thank you! Wanna practise some of these? They require partners.”
“Ummm, no thanks. Maybe Cali and Cadmar could help you out,” she said and stuck her tongue out at Cali when he looked shocked.
Maria very reluctantly dragged her face away from the plant and stood up, wobbling mightily. “Well, it’s time for us to give our gifts...” She attempted to walk over to the tree, but ended up falling flat on her face. Instead of shouting, she giggled.
Cadmar got up with some difficulty, moving the books around and walked over to Maria. “C’mon Maria, let’s just bring you to the couch...” she said as she picked up the catgirl and carried her over to the couch, placing her beside Cali.
“You okay, Maria?” Cali asked
Maria giggled and purred in response, flipping onto her back and rubbing at her face with her hands. “Mmmm, my hands feel so goooooood.”
Cadmar shook her head and smiled. “Cali, just un... tickle her or something to keep her occupied and on the couch.” She walked off to the tree and began picking up packages.
“Um, maybe...?” Cali said. He hesitantly patted Maria’s belly. This caused Maria to purr much louder and paw at his hands lightly. Luxury giggled from her place on the couch and tickled Maria’s belly too.
“She’s so cute like this,” Luxury said with a smile.
“I-I didn’t know that catnip would make her that high,” Miah mumbled.
Mark glanced over from the top of his new book. “Hmm. I believe we shall have to use that on her more often.”
“All right! I’m back!” Cadmar announced as she stomped back, carrying a hefty pile of gifts. She unceremoniously dumped them on the couch and picked the top one up. “Looks like... Miah is up first!” She tossed the package to Miah.
Miah cautiously opened the present. It was an extremely huggable looking large stuffed frog. Miah squeezed it and squealed in surprise when it hugged her back. She looked over at Cadmar curiously.
Cadmar smiled shyly. “You said your greatest fear is dying alone, right? So, we decided to get you something so that you would never be alone. We did a couple of enchantments on it so it hugs you back, and I think It can say a few things...” By the end of her explanation Cadmar was fidgeting and looking slightly over Miah’s shoulder.
Miah stared at Cadmar for a long moment, then, looking more than a little misty eyed, she hugged Cadmar, squishing the frog between them. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you--all of you.”
Maria mumbled something incoherently, but smiled at Miah. Mark nodded and somehow gave off the impression he was smiling too, despite the two scarves he was wearing. Cadmar hugged Miah back, glad no one could see her relieved face. “You’re welcome.”
“That’s-- Wow. I wish I had thought of that,” Cali said
When Miah withdrew from the hug, Cadmar took the opportunity to move back to the gifts and grabs the next one. “Next up is... Cali.” She grinned, and grabbed Cali’s hand and hoisted him up quickly. “C’mon Cali, yours needs a little room,” she said as she pulled him a few feet from the couch.
“Should I be worried?” he asked as he carefully un-did the tape.
Cadmar gave a shark-like grin, which she was VERY good at. “Not at all, Cali!”
“Now I’m worried.” He peeked into the package. “This isn’t underwear, is it?” he whispered when he saw the green silky-looking material.
Cadmar simply winked back at him.
Cali pulled the material up with a flourish. It was a bright green cape, with ‘Don of Daylight’ embroidered on the back of it. “You remembered! No one ever remembers! This. Is. Awesome!”
Cadmar smiled, pleased that Cali liked his gift. “Of course I remembered. You’re my Superman after all, and every Superman needs a cape, right?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Cadmar snorted and leaned down and kissed Cali, pulling him closer. Cali relaxed into the kiss, until Cadmar was practically supporting him.
Mark, still engrossed in his book, leaned closer to Miah. “Cadmar and Maria spent a while making the cape. It was amusing to see Cadmar so frustrated at being unable to do something,” he said as he flipped a page.
“Looks like she thinks it was worth it now,” Miah said, still hugging the frog.
“Awww, that’s so sweet!” Luxury cooed from where she had occupied Cali’s previous spot, while playing with Maria’s ears. “And I was right, Cadmar is a Seme!” she said in a self-satisfied way.
“Whose are those?” Miah asked, pointing at the remaining presents under the tree.
Luxury smiled. “Those are mine! I made sure to get you guys good ones!
Cadmar finally broke the kiss with Cali, both breathing hard. “I-I’m not sure how you got those in here, but we got something for you first.”Cadmar made sure Cali wouldn’t fall over, a slightly hard task with the heavily dazed teen, and picked up the last package on the couch and handed it to Luxury. “Picked it up in a crossover mission with no plot.”
Luxury opened it giddily and clapped her hands in delight at what she saw.”Arousing Gel? A Tickling Feather?” She quickly read the instructions. “Oooooh, I like the sound of that! And... a shape changing dildo?!” Luxury got up and hugged Cadmar, while still carrying said items, which gave Cadmar some mild embarrassment.
“Y-you’re welcome Luxury, You know I like helping friends... but could you please stop rubbing the dildo on me?” Cadmar asked, now blushing. Cali added his opinion on the matter by sneezing mightily over Cadmar’s shoulder from the feather tickling his nose.
Luxury withdrew, but not before whispering a few choice words in Cadmar’s ear, who froze with a deer-in-headlights expression. “Alright, first up is my gift for Miah! It’s too bad we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but I think you might enjoy this!”
Miah opened the box cautiously.
“What’d you get, Miah?” Cali asked.
Miah held up a box of XXL condoms with a note attached which read in large print, “Enjoy”. She did something Cali had never seen her do before. She blushed.
Cadmar began laughing uproariously, while Mark simply snorted. Maria giggled, though whether this was because of the gift or her being high was anyone’s guess.
Luxury smiled. “I’m glad you like them! Next up is Cadmar!” This caused Cadmar to stop laughing.
“Yay...” she said in a very good imitation of Fluttershy, as Luxury pressed a medium size box into her hands. She took in a deep breath, and tore open the paper. She peeked inside and blanched at what was inside. This caused Luxury to smile wider then before.
“When I heard rumours about you being a girl, I thought you might appreciate this! You know, make it so you can feel more... Natural!”
Cali ducked and covered. The tips of his ears were red, but he was chuckling quietly. Miah was still trying to find a way to hide the box of condoms. Giving up on being able to hide the things, she decided to go on the offensive.
“Here you go Cadmar, the two of you could combine the two gifts for some good, ‘clean’ fun. What do you say?”
Cali appeared to be trying to will himself into falling through the floor, while Cadmar glowered, but still took the condoms and stuffed it in the box, beside her gift. “... Tch...”
Luxury nodded to herself. “And now for Maria’s!” Luxury took a look at the giggling catgirl, who was playing with her tail. “Well, I guess I’ll help you out...” Luxury opened a slightly smaller package than Cadmar’s and pulled a complete maid’s outfit. A rather skimpy maid’s outfit, at that. This caused Mark to sputter, and Cadmar to grin eagerly.
“Rrrorow,” Miah said looking at the outfit. Cali was still hiding his face in Cadmar’s back and didn’t see it.
Mark got up and waved an arm. “No, I am sorry, but I simply cannot in good conscience allow you to strip my partner.”
Luxury pouted. “Alright... I’ll just tie the bells to her tail.” Doing so proved slightly harder then expected, as it twitched heavily whenever it brushed against something. “Hmm, this may take a bit. Cali, come get your gift!”
“M-m-my gift?” Cali said, not moving. Cadmar gave him a look and grabbed him.
“C’mon Cali, you saw what I got,” she said as she pulled him to the couch.
Cali had a goofy grin on his face as he said, “Yeah, I saw it.”
“Uh huh, now we get to see yours!”
Cali looked at the book, titled Your First Time, and then looked at Luxury. “How did you know?”
Cadmar tried to get a peek, but Cali hid the book. “Hmm?”
“It’s, uh, it’s nothing. Just something to read later,” Cali said and beamed one of his superhero smiles at Cadmar.
Cadmar looked at him searchingly for a moment before shrugging. “Eh, s’cool.”
Miah, seeing that most of the attention in the RC was on Cali and Cadmar, decided to use the chance to sneak onto the couch beside Mark.
“Ooooohhhh Maaaarrk!” Luxury called in a sing-song voice. “Look’s like it is only you left!”
Mark gulped and handed Miah his book, while grabbing the final present like it was full of pythons. He opened it slowly. Meticulously, even. Eventually, he ran out of paper and opened the box, and pulled out what appeared to be a transparent diving suit. “What... what is this?”
Luxury grinned. “Well, I know about your little skin problem, so I figured, it isn’t a problem if you don’t touch right? So, a see-through latex suit!” At his continued bewilderment, she continued. “I figured you looked the type for something kinky like that.”
Miah opened and closed her mouth a few times, before abandoning the couch in favor of standing next to the stocking bedecked anchor. Cali was busy trying to not get caught reading his book, so he was not paying full attention to Mark’s gift.
Maria paused her purring and sat up, swaying. “Ungh, my head... I think I may have over done it on the catnip...” She shook her head to clear it. “Phew, that is some powerful stuff! I’m all psyched up for some reason!” Her tail began bobbing around wildly. “Alright, let’s go caroling!”
Cali smiled at Cadmar. “Singing. Sounds like fun. Wanna go to the SO’s office first?”
Mark was quick to put the...thing back in the box and jump up. “YES! An excellent idea!”
A knock at the door drew their attention, it opened, revealing a slightly intimidated looking intern.
Miah practically ran to the distraction, uh, door. The intern handed her a note that read simply:
No. Just No.
The SO
“Well, I guess that settles that...” Maria bounced around. “But I’m so hyper!”
Cadmar shrugged and yanwed. “I’m kinda tired, myself. We did a lot of stuff today. Getting the tree and fixing it up took forever...”
“Four hours to get the tree, and two to set up,” Mark said, rubbing his eyes a bit.
Cali put his book away, and motioned for Cadmar to sit in front of him Cadmar walked over and motioned for him to move over. Cali looked as if he was going to protest, then he smiled one of his small genuine smiles and moved over.
Cadmar sat down beside Cali and leaned over. “So, what was that book about...?”
Cali smiled again. Then yawned.
* * *
Luxury returned from a rather long bathroom break, only to find everyone else asleep on the couch. Maria was curled up on the laps of Miah and Mark, who were both using Mark’s second scarf as a pillow. The other half of the couch was taken up by Cadmar and Cali, who were both laying down horizontally. Cadmar was snoring somewhat loudly with her mouth open, while Cali was asleep, laying on top of her. Luxury rolled her eyes at the pillow Cadmar had on her chest. Some people were so silly and prudish about sleeping...
“Well, isn’t this just a picture perfect moment,” Luxury said to herself. She grabbed a few blankets from a shelf and laid them over the sleeping occupants, before looking at them all slightly longingly.
“Hmmm.” She smirked deviously, and, ninja-like, crawled in with Cadmar and Cali. She snuggled in, and fixed the blanket.
“Grrmm, Luxury?” Cadmar asked groggily.
“Yeah?” Luxury asked innocently.
“Stop groping Cali in his sleep, it isn’t polite.”
“Awww, ‘kay.”
“...That doesn’t mean you can grope me.”
“Fiiiine. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Next Appearance: Mission 15: Re-Run
Disclaimer: The PPC was created by Jay and Acacia, the original assassins. We just have Permission to contribute.
Betas: doctorlit
Special Thanks go to VM for help with language
Miah's A/N: This is the fluffiest, funniest, best thing we ever wrote. Seriously, Caddy was utterly awesome in this Interlude.
Caddy’s A/N: This was amazingly fun to write. It took a little bit to take off, but after I got to the Luxury parts, things came together nicely. A HUGE, HUGE thank you goes to doctorlit for beta reading this and helping improve it, and to VM for making sure it isn’t Insult Soup.
Previous Appearance: Fourteenth Mission: Unfinished, Maria & Cali ATLA mission (blank link)
Christmas...On Sheep Cloning Day?
“Easy... easy... just hold it still, Maria.” Cadmar leaned forward and grabbed hold of the top of the large pine tree, and pushed as hard as she can. “Rggh! Damn, we didn’t cut it short enough! It’s stuck!”
“What!? But we just spent forever cutting it!” Maria complained loudly.
“I know!”
“And YOU had the tape measurer!”
“I know! Just... just move us closer and I’ll try and wedge it in.”
“ Fine just... don’t move around too much.” Maria tightened her grip slightly. “We’re awfully high up...”
Cadmar strained to push the tree until it was flat against the ceiling. “Damn! Move me a bit closer.”
Maria made a face. “I... I don’t like the pricklies...”
“Maria. Move me closer, or I am going to tempt fate by pushing on the twenty foot, prickley-filled Christmas tree and hoping it doesn’t fall and we get impaled..” Cadmar looked to Maria with as serious a face as she could muster.
“A-all right...” Maria sighed and pouted.
As Cadmar got closer, she lost more of her patience, and just gave the top a punch. Said punch actually caused the tree to pop into place. “Succe-Yah, ye gods my knuckles!”
“Yay!” Maria smiled widely. “Now we just have to finish the rest of the decorations!”
Just then, Mark walked up, dragging a large cardboard box with him. “I have found the rest of the lights... you are both levitating... and you aren’t wearing your coat...” Mark trailed off uncertainly.
Maria looked away in embarrassment. “Well, I can sorta levitate... ” She lowered herself and Cadmar slowly to the floor.
“I see,” Mark said slowly. “And you have never mentioned or used it before now because...?”
Maria unwrapped her arms from around Cadmar’s waist. “There are a lot of vampire things I can do! Just... I kinda forget about them most of the time, seeing as I never have to use them...”
“Yeah.” Cadmar smiled and walked over to the box and began pulling bundles of lights out. “I had to remind her she could do that because I refused to use a ladder.” She gave a shudder and returned to Maria with her arms full of lights. “At least she won’t let me fall, I really hate falling...”
“I’m sure this has nothing to do with her holding you,” Mark commented, receiving a stuck-out tongue. “Now, for a more pressing concern... Maria, you seem to have paws.”
“I do? I never noticed!” Maria said with fake wonder, causing Cadmar to snort. “Yeah, I’m a catgirl, so the whole anthro-paws thing is a given. Really helps having thumbs, let me tell you,” she added in relief.
“I see. Well, I am glad that you trust us enough now to show us.” Mark began digging in the box and pulled out some ornaments, most of which were birds and cats.
Cadmar gave a small smirk as Maria wrapped her arms around her again and they rose up. “Well, you’re just figuring out now. I’ve known since Hea... since that Harry Potter mission.”
“Oh?” Mark asked curiously, walking around the tree and placing the ornaments.
Cadmar nodded as she unwrapped the lighting and started placing it on the tree, laying it out as Maria levitated them slowly around the tree. “Yep, some perks come with my position.”
“You mean chief food supply?”
Cadmar sputtered while Maria giggled. “Yep, it’s a lot easier to feed if there isn’t any suit in the way, and it’s a lot easier to comfort when someone can see you.”
Cadmar smiled fondly. “Yeah... They also make a nice fuzzy seatbelt.”
Mark twitched as Maria’s feet brushed along the top of his head. “Please watch where you are flying...”
* * *
Maria sat down next to Mark and Cadmar on the couch. “Phew! We finally finished the tree!”
“Yep!” Cadmar leaned back and sighed. “Man, it took like, forever.”
“It is a twenty foot pine tree,” Mark pointed out. “It only took two hours.”
Cadmar smiled. “It looks great! So... glowy and... festive, I guess.”
The tree was indeed glowy and festive. Standing at twenty feet tall and very wide, it was a good example of a Narnian pine tree. The tip had been cut off flat, along with the bottom so it could be wedged in-between the ceiling and floor. Two hundred feet of lights were wound around the tree from top to bottom. And there were hundreds of ornaments placed upon it. The bottom was mainly cats and birds, while from the midsection up was a mishmash of anything shiny Maria or Cadmar could get to stick in the tree. The final product was a tree that illuminated a great portion of the RC with multi-coloured lights and twinkles.
Maria nodded and curled up on the couch. “Yeah. I’m glad we were able to find a good one in Narnia without being caught. The White Queen is way too nasty for my tastes.”
Mark grunted. “Yes, well, if you had chosen a safer locale to take a tree from... and you are surprisingly okay with the RC being so well lit. I can actually see some of the things you have accumulated here.”
Maria shrugged. “It’s Christmas, what better time than now?”
Mark paused. “I suppose.”
The agents fell into a comfortable silence, only interrupted by Maria purring as Cadmar began scratching behind one of her ears.
After several minutes of silence, Mark grew bored and looked over to Cadmar, who was now playing with both of Maria’s ears. Maria’s eyes were half closed, and she had a relaxed smile on her face as she was gently pressing into Cadmar’s hands. “I wonder... If I were to film this, what people would possibly think?”
Maria made a disgruntled noise. “What do you mean...?” she asked while moving slightly. Cadmar shot Mark a dirty look and scowled fiercely.
“Oh, nothing,” Mark said, feigning an innocent tone. “Just making an observation.”
Maria frowned and slowly got up, causing Cadmar to look at Mark murderously. “Ah well, it was good while the mood lasted... I almost got a nap in too. So, seeing as this is our first Christmas together, how about we tell stories?”
“What, not another Truth or Dare?” Mark asked, shifting on the couch to sit against one of the arms.
“Nah, getting too samey. We’ll use another party game next time. Besides, everyone else is probably busy celebrating with their partners.”
Cadmar huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Story time sounds fun, I guess... Not it for going first!”
“Not it!” Mark shouted, a split second before Maria.
“Damn! Oh well...” Maria sat up on the back of the couch and spread her arms wide. “Gather around my fledgelings, for I am about to tell you a story of one of my favorite Christmases ever!”
Cadmar straightened and waved an arm in the air. “Oh Oh Oh! Will it take long?”
Maria wilted dramatically. “Yeah, I guess, so...?”
Cadmar got up and walked off. “I’m going to get snacks then!”
* * *
Maria was frowning slightly and tapping her fingers together, the claws extending and retracting.
“Alright, I’ve got a bunch of pop, milk, chips, and other stuff,” Cadmar said, dropping a large pile of snacks and drinks on the couch between her and Mark.
Maria hit Cadmar with her tail. “Now, if you’re done raiding the fridge, I’m gonna start.”
Cadmar nodded happily with a piece of beef jerky in her mouth. Mark nodded as well, opening a carton of milk.
“Good. So, this all takes place when I was 18, my first Christmas in the PPC...” Maria began, with a slight air of wonder in her voice.
“Oooooh! So you were still human, er, just a regular catgirl?” Cadmar asked, leaning toward her slightly.
Maria’s ears twitched in annoyance. “Yes, and I was still a newbie... sorta. I was still getting into the flow of things, and was having a hard time adjusting to being around a lot of people. Anyway, it all started when...”
Maria was pacing back and forth inside the RC of her partners, silently awaiting and dreading their return. After only a few minutes, the door opened and two agents walked in looking pleased with themselves.
“So... you guys finished doing your secret business?” Maria asked the pair shyly.
The male nodded, and re-adjusted his crimson, wide brimmed hat. “Indeed we did! It was a most fulfilling trip!”
Maria smiled faintly at the man’s usual enthusiasm toward... everything. “So, are you going to tell me what it is?”
The female smiled, and shook her head. “Now, now, dear, it’s a surprise,” she said in a much softer tone then her partner.
Maria pouted a bit. “Well that’s no fun...”
The female smiled softly and stroked Maria’s hair with a black tendril. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll love i-
“Whoa, whoa, hold the phone!” Cadmar interrupted. “Who are those two?”
“A real description would be nice...” Mark said.
Maria bapped both of her partners on the head. “I am trying to open up here!”
“Ow!” Cadmar rubbed her head and pouted.
“Now, those two are the agents who rescued me. So be quiet and I’ll describe them! Now, where was I... Right!”
-t.”
Maria nodded while purring. “Okay.”
Countess Isabella Nightingale smiled down at Maria. “It is Christmas after all.” Isabella stood at five and a half feet tall, slightly shorter then Maria, though her presence made her seem much taller. The black tendril retracted back into her robes, where it wrapped around where her arms would go if she had any. She closed her only visible eye, the other covered by some wrapped bandages,and laughed softly. “Now, is there anything you were wanting to tell us?” she asked knowingly.
“Hold up! No arms? One eye? I think we’re missing some details her-” Cadmar was cutoff by Maria covering her mouth.
“You asked me to describe them, so I am!”
“Yes, but it is only raising more questions now,” Mark pointed out.
Maria sighed. “She never really liked to talk about it much. She came from a Hellsing fic, and was a fledgeling vampire to the Sue, who ‘betrayed’ her and was killed. She was saved by the agents, but lost her arms and an eye.”
Cadmar nodded. “She sounds pretty badass. If she is as nice as you say after all that.”
Maria smiled. “Thanks, she really is the best...”
“Curious that she shares the same last name with you,” Mark commented.
Maria smirked. “Well, if you’ll let me finish, I’ll get to that. Anyway...”
Maria fidgeted nervously. “Um... no. Nothing at all!” she said with a quiet nervous laugh.
The male scratched his chin, which may or may not have had a beard, as his lower face was covered by a red cloth wrapped over it. “Is that so, now? But you seem nervous...” The male made a fist and held it out in front of him, pointing upwards, and used his other arm to make his red cape billow in a non-existent wind. “Could it be that you think that you can deceive me, Faustis the Red Mage!?”
Maria giggled, and another giggle was heard from the closet.
“Now, you know you can tell us anything, dear,” Isabella said, while idly walking around the RC, heading slowly toward the closet.
“Y-yeah...” Maria fiddled with her tail. “H-hey, don’t you guys have ah, something to go do...?”
Faustis laughed boisterously. “Silly Maria! We have completed all of our holiday preparations, and are ready for a quiet evening of festiveness!”
Isabella smiled wryly at her partner’s ‘indoor’ voice. “Yes, quiet.”
Maria looked on the verge of a miniature panic attack. “W-well.. umm...”
Isabella opened the closet and looked inside curiously. “Hmmm, I could have sworn I heard someone inside,” she said in an obviously faux confused voice. “Strange, the closest thing to a person is a Luxury-shaped lamp...”
Said lamp giggled in response.
“Strange indeed,” Faustis folded his arms behind his back. “Could it be you were hiding a lamp you made us? Or perhaps you’ve...” He gasped and pointed at Maria in mock accusation. “You’ve turned evil and turned our comrade Luxury into a statue?! J’accuse!”
Maria snorted and started giggling, forgetting her earlier panicking. The ‘lamp’ began laughing too, causing Isabella to smirk. “Well, well, well, let’s see who’s under this lampshade.” Using the same tendril, she lifted the lampshade. “Why, it’s Luxury! How unexpected!”
Luxury smiled and came out of the closet. “You found me!”
“Yes, we did. And it was such a clever disguise too.” Isabella smiled gently back, and tilted her head slightly. “Now, would you mind explaining why you were hiding in there?”
“Maaaaaybe.”
Isabella made a thoughtful noise. “Maria dear, would you happen to know why Luxury was in our closet?”
“I am curious as well, though I believe the answer is fairly obvious,” Mark said.
Maria moaned. “Not you TOO, Mark! Why is everyone interrupting me?”
“No idea, because that’s how story telling goes?” Cadmar said with a shrug. “I remember you telling us about how you and Luxury had a thing, though I wish you would have elaborated more...”
“Oh, I’m sure you did,” Maria replied with a teasing grin. “Anyway...”
“W-well... I might have invited her in...” Maria said while scuffing her feet.
“And this was the first time?”
Maria looked to the ground. “N-no... I’ve been hanging around with her for a couple months now...”
Isabella smiled. “It’s nice that you are finally telling us, I could smell her all over you from the beginning.” She grinned at Maria’s shocked expression. “We just thought it better to let you have your secrets for a while. But enough about that. Seeing as you are already here, why don’t you join us for Christmas, Luxury?”
Luxury smiled widely. “Really? Yay! I’d-
“I’d love to!” Luxury shouted, jumping up suddenly from behind the couch and hugging Maria. This caused Maria to scream in fright and fall on Cadmar, and get hit in the face with Mark’s sprayed milk, while Cadmar ended up tumbling off of the couch altogether.
Luxury blinked at the grumbling agents. “Geez, I can’t believe you guys never noticed me come in,” she giggled.
“Yes, strange indeed. The door itself usually informs us of visitors.” Mark shot the door a scathing look, while wiping milk from his scarf.
“So, now that I’m spending Christmas night here, what did I miss?” Luxury asked as she vaulted over the couch and bounced lightly on the cushion.
“Oh not much...” Cadmar said while shaking herself and sitting back on the couch. “Just-” Cadmar was cut off by Luxury who gasped loudly.
“So it IS true! You ARE a girl now!” Luxury rose, pulling Cadmar along with her.
“Wah! Luxury!” Cadmar tried to move away but Luxury began circling her, checking her out in various spots.
“You make a pretty tall girl, Cadmar,” Luxury observed, and moved to her back side. “Your butt’s kinda big too!” she announced with glee, giving said posterior a good smack.
Cadmar gasped and grabbed her butt. “My butt is NOT big! My butt isn’t big, right Maria?”
Maria looked away and began inspecting the battleship anchor on the far side of the room. It looked a lot nicer with stockings all over it... “Um... Maaaaaybe.”
Cadmar’s mouth fell agape and she looked to Mark who simply nodded. “Buh... buh... Why didn’t anyone tell me!?”
Luxury returned to standing in front of Cadmar. “Well, people usually don’t talk about it. Something about it being rude, I think.” She eyed Cadmar up and down for a moment. “Nice figure too, you don’t look lanky at all!.”
“Well, I chalk it up to Heather being hot, but-” Cadmar yelped as Luxury quickly grabbed her chest and squeezed.
“Hmm, nice and firm, and a good size too! And a sports bra is a good choice for you. You got a pretty good deal!”
Cadmar smacked Luxury’s hands away and was sputtering. “I.. I di... If you call being unable to look at yourself nude ‘lucky’!” she shot back while a furious blush grew on her cheeks.
Luxury smiled deviantly, her eyes lighting up with lust. “Awwww, are you having body issues? I could always... help you through them. I could probably get you naked pretty quick.” She began lightly rubbing circles on Cadmar’s stomach. “And maybe work in a shower too?” She asked in a husky voice.
Cadmar was, by now, incapable of forming a coherent thought, and was melting under Luxury’s presence. Maria, despite her laughing fit, decided to help the poor girl out before she ended up agreeing to anything. “L-Luxury... Hahaha! Luxury, leave her alone, I think she’s broken.”
Luxury pouted but complied, moving to sit on the couch. “Aww, that’s no fun. And here I was hoping to get her opinion on who has the better orgasm, a guy or a girl.”
“I’m sure she’d be willing to answer any questions... preferably later on. And in private.” Maria went over to Cadmar and led the flustered girl to the couch, on the opposite side from Luxury. “There, there, Cadmar. You just had your first bout of Luxury contact as a girl.” Cadmar nodded vacantly, and Maria saw a strange look on her face. Somewhere between dismay and... enjoyment?
“I believe you should continue the story, before Luxury simply decides to strip on spot,” Mark said, as Luxury was suggestively playing with his scarf.
“Yeah, let’s just get back to the story.”
“Ooh! Ooh! Can I finish the story?” Luxury asked excitedly. “Please, please, please!”
Maria and Mark looked at her warily, while Cadmar simply shivered. “I... I guess...” Maria said finally.
“Yay!” Luxury smiled widely. “So...”
“... love to!” Luxury happily replied, bouncing a bit. She pulled a Santa cap out of her pants and put it on. “I usually spend it in a Christmas present waiting for someone to open it up. It’s nice to be a bit more active!”
Faustis furrowed his eyebrows, looking ten times sexier when baffled. ”Then we will have to make it a Christmas you will never forget!” he cried as he raised his arm, pointing to the sky. Luxury smiled at all the thoughts of how he could make the night unforgettable. Especially with that fin-
“Wow! Wow! Nuh-uh, Luxury! I don’t feel comfortable with you talking about any... perverse thoughts about them.” Maria made a slightly disgusted face and wrung her tail a bit. “I think I’ll just tell it my self.”
Luxury pouted. “Awww! No fair!”
Maria hopped up onto the top of the couch and pushed Luxury onto the seats, beside a still-flustered Cadmar.
“Now, where was I-” Maria was cut off, much to her chagrin, by the door opening.
“MEERRRRRRY CHRISTMAS!” Miah shouted. She had a red sack full of presents slung over her shoulder.
Cali came in behind, looking slightly embarrassed at Miah’s exuberance.
Maria sighed heavily and rested her chin on a hand. “I suppose I can’t be angry if it’s friends...”
Mark waved Miah and Cali over. “Greetings! It is good you have stopped in.” He shot a secretive look to where Luxury was playing with Cadmar’s hair and talking about ways to make it flow better. Cadmar was failing at looking disinterested. “Very good indeed.”
Cali made for the couch without really looking at who was sitting there. When he finally noticed Luxury and the look on Cadmar’s face, he froze, clearly not sure how to react.
Maria idly noted Cali’s expression as she wagged her tail back and forth. “Hmmm.”
Mark got off of the couch and walked up to Miah. “Would you like some help setting those?” he offered.
“Umm, uhh, L-Luxury. Cadmar.” Cali looked rather lost, but then took one of his super-hero poses, and said in his falsely deep voice, “What is going on here?” His expression didn’t quite match the attempt at a tough guy act, though.
Cadmar was the first to react, looking almost boredly over to whoever spoke, and then blinking upon seeing it was Cali. “Hey Cali! Come and sit!” Cadmar started moving over on the couch, also pushing Luxury over as well.
Luxury smiled widely at Cali. “Hiya Cali! It’s great to see you again!” She tilted her head a bit. “But what brings you here?” Her previous questioning tone turned devious. “Is it to save the damsel in distress from the clutches of the evil Cadmar?”
“No--” Cali’s voice cracked. “No. C-Cadmar...?”
Cadmar tilted her head and looked at Cali oddly. “No... what?” She frowned slightly at Cali’s apparent nervousness.
Maria narrowed her eyes as everyone was ignoring her, and hear tail flicked about in agitation. “Hmmmm.”
“I’m n-n-not here to save Luxury?” Cali stammered out before blushing red to the tips of his ears and plopping on the couch, not quite touching Cadmar.
Cadmar internally cringed and punched herself for probably scaring Cali. On the outside, she grinned and wrapped an arm over Luxury’s shoulder and pulled her over, wrapping the other hand around her waist. “You haven’t come to save this young maiden? Then I guess I shall have to EAT HER! MWAHAHAHA!” She then began tickling Luxury.
Luxury squealed in delight and mock fright. “Oh, please save me! This monster disguised as a woman wants to eat me!”
“But I was going to save you...” Cali said to Cadmar and hid his face in the couch pillow.
“... Eh?” Cadmar said intelligently.
Cali’s voice was muffled by the pillow. “With the hair and the rubbing and supposed to be The Guy and, and...I’m an idiot.”
Cadmar took a moment to decipher what Cali said, and then got a Serious Business look on her face. She gently moved Luxury off of her lap, and then yanked Cali from his hiding spot, and placed herself on his lap facing him. “... Cali.”
It was Cali’s turn to give an intelligent sounding, “...Eh?”
Miah leaned over to Maria, “What’s going on?”
Maria looked to Miah lazily. “They’re working out who wears the pants in the relationship, or something.”
Cadmar leaned forward until her forehead was pressed against Cali’s, and she was looking at the reflection of her eyes in his sunglasses. “Alright Cali, forget about worrying who is ‘The Guy’, because I believe I’ve already claimed that title.” She added a slight glare at the end.
Cali smiled one of his genuine, non-superhero smiles, and said, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“I think he’s been waiting for that from the start,” Miah whispered loudly to Maria.
“He wants someone to top him verbally? ... Kinky,” Maria commented.
Cadmar ignored Miah and Maria by pressing a bit harder on Cali’s forehead. “And further more, if you wanna touch my hair so bad, you can ask... unless you want Luxury to touch your hair, though I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” Her intended seriousness was ruined by the slight lameness she had near the end.
Cali grinned mischievously at Luxury, then back at Cadmar and said, “May I touch your hair?”
Maria, thoroughly annoyed at the interruptions, and hoping to avoid any stains on her nice couch, clapped her hands loudly together. “Okay! Break it up! Story time isn’t over!”
Cali guiltily straightened up and put his hands at his side. Luxury giggled and sidled over to his side, which allowed Miah and Mark to cram into the remaining space on the couch.
Isabella closed the closet and turned back to Luxury, who had moved over to Maria and was huggling her. “Now, I hope you haven’t been corrupting Maria. She is ever so...”
“Fresh? Naive? Virginal?” Luxury offered.
Isabella nodded with a slight eye-roll. “Yes.”
“Hey! Your hands are paws!” Miah said suddenly.
Maria made her hands shoot out and flexed them, claws shooting out in agitation. “Yep! They sure are!” Maria smiled a bit too widely. “So, to skip anymore... distractions... I’ll skip the next several hours in the story, mostly just sitting around talking, a few uh... nothing really important.”
Luxury butted in, “She means us making out a couple times!”
“ Hey! I wanna hear about those!” Cadmar protested, not actually looking angry.
“Really?” Cali asked, nudging Cadmar’s elbow.
“Why not? May learn something!” Cadmar said and beamed.
Mark rolled his eyes. “I am sure.”
“Sure, if you want,” Cali said, smiling.
“If their clothes start coming off, I’m leaving,” Miah said in an aside to Mark.
Maria scowled. “No! You’ll just have to use your imagination!”
Cadmar nodded and closed her eyes. “Ooooooh Maria, I didn’t know your tail could do that!”
“Ha! Yeah, you’re into that?” Miah said, winking at Mark.
“What?” Cali asked from behind Cadmar.
Luxury made a dreamy noise. “Yeah, her tail is good, but her paws are the best.”
Maria jerked violently, then deflated and slumped down onto the couch, laying on Miah and Luxury’s lap. “Waaaaah! No one listens to meeeeee!” she falsetto sobbed.
“Ah man, I’m sorry, Maria. We’re being jerks. I’ll be quiet now. Finish your story?” Miah said.
Maria pouted and dragged herself back on top of the couch. “Okay, so, skipping ahead for the few hours...”
Isabella was smiling as she chewed on the small amount of food she was eating. Being a vampire meant she didn’t have any real need for food, however in lieu of the festive spirit around the table they had set up in the room, she decided that puking it up later was a small price.
The table was set up with fine china (stolen from a Potter Mansion) and some Elven cutlery to go with it (stolen from Rivendell. Whether or not they were canon wasn’t really of consequence to the agents). Even the table itself was stolen (The Death Star did not have wooden tables). There was a half-eaten turkey in the middle, and the bowl of potatoes was almost empty. The gravy boat WAS completely empty, and had lines running down it from countless spills. The stuffing was spilled and mashed (looking suspiciously like Luxury’s behind) over the table in-between Maria and Luxury.
“She sat in the stuffing?” Miah spluttered.
Luxury smiled fondly. “Yeah, me and Maria were playing footsies, and I got a little bored of that.”
Maria giggled and didn’t look too upset at the interruption this time. “Yeah, but I was looking forward to that stuffing!”
“Oh, I think you enjoyed the alternative,” Luxury said with a knowing look.
Maria just nodded. “I sure did. So...”
Faustis sighed contentedly and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his stomach contentedly. “Ah! A fine meal! You are, as always, a truly magnificent chef, Isabella!”
“Yeah!” Luxury chimed in, “I love home cooked meals! They always taste better with that personal touch, ya know?”
Maria nodded vigorously, and swallowed a mouth full of food. “Yeah! She’s the best!”
Isabella smiled at the compliments. “Thank you, all of you! I would not be a good countess or a host If I could not entertain friends and family, now would I?”
“She sure sounds nice, Maria,” Cali said, peeking out from behind Cadmar.
Cadmar peered back at Cali. “You sure like behinds, don’t you? Cause you’ve been back there a while.”
Cali blushed and pulled the pillow between him and Cadmar, so he could hide behind it.
Maria made a very disgruntled noise and kicked Cadmar lightly in the side of the head. “Come on, later, story now!”
Faustis pushed back from the table and stood. “I believe it is time?” he asked Isabella.
Isabella nodded, and a black tendril slithered out from her cloak, and deposited a piece of paper in front of Maria. “Merry Christmas, dear.”
Maria blinked, and looked down at the piece of paper, Luxury doing the same. “Legal stuff, legal stuff, legal stuff, Maria Night... Maria Nightingale?” Maria gasped and looked over at Isabella.
“That paper means the Legal Department has finally caught up to our family,” she said, smiling at the catgirl.
Maria blinked a few time, her eyes misting. “T-that means....”
Faustis struck a pose. “Maria, we have watched you grow from a small, scared, and quiet recruit, to a lively woman who has overcome her fears of openly showing affection to her girlfriend. You always have, and always will be our daughter.”
Isabella was slightly taken aback by Faustis, but only for a second. “Yes. After all, do you think I would let anyone cuddle up to me after having a nightmare?”
Maria was now sniffling, and jump across the table and onto Isabella, hugging her fiercely. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”
Isabella chuckled and wrapped the tendril around Maria. “Anything for you, dear.”
Faustis joined in the hug as well, followed by Luxury. “Yaaaay! I like group hugs!”
“D’aawwww. That is so sweet, Maria,” Miah said. Then she elbowed Mark when he looked like he wasn’t going to comment.
Mark looked extremely put on the spot. “Um... yes. It was a very heart-warming story. I am glad you told us.”
“You’f got nife paretff!” Cali said with his face still pressed into the pillow.’
Cadmar rolled her eyes and yanked the pillow away from him. “Sounds like you had a lot of fun with them. Also, the image of you cuddling with your mom is adorable.”
Maria smiled and moved her tail around happily. “Thank you! All of you! Annnnd, that’s the whole story.”
Luxury pouted. “Hey, you forgot my present!”
Maria patted Luxury on the head. “I’m sure they can all guess what you got me.” She slid down the couch and onto Miah’s lap.
“Was it pretty?” Cali asked, now hugging Cadmar.
Everyone was silent for a few seconds before they burst out laughing, except Cali. “Wahahahahahah! Good one Cali!” Cadmar said boisterously as she hugged him back.
Cali froze in surprise for a second, then a goofy looking grin appeared on his face. “You’re wearing a bra now, Cadmar.”
“All right, all right. Presents! It’s definitely time for opening presents!” Miah said, jumping up from the couch.
Maria made a disgruntled noise as she was flung to the floor by Miah rising. She of course, landed on her hands and feet. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”
Mark simply reclined on the couch. “We only just placed them down...”
Cadmar nodded. “I’m too comfy to move.”
Maria frowned and grabbed the couch. “Fine, but this is because of your laziness!” She began pulling the couch easily behind her, leaving it in front of the sizeable stack in front of the large tree.
Cadmar was pressed back against Cali by the motion. He apparently had no objections. Miah rolled her eyes and chucked a present at Cali’s head.
“Hey, what was that for?” Cali asked, rubbing his head.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,” Miah said, passing presents to the rest of the agents.
Cadmar suddenly produced her cleaver and used it an as impromptu hand for Miah to put the present on. “Oooooh, thank you!”
Mark took his much more silently, and nodded in thanks, while Maria took hers gleefully, shaking it slightly. This of course left Luxury, who sat bouncing on spot happily, looking at Miah expectantly... or lustfully. One could never really tell.
“Ummm, oh yeah, here’s one with your name on it, Lux. Interesting... shape... it better not---Oh man!” Miah tossed the present up and juggled it around like in the game hot potato, until Luxury stood on the couch and grabbed it. Cadmar and Cali both used the opportunity to sneak a peek up her skirt.
Cali looked up, then chuckled and blushed.
Cadmar chuckled too, and grinned. “You owe me ten bucks Cali, she DOES have panties on!” she whispered to the blushing agent beside her, who was looking without shame along with her.
Cali blushed more in response and hid his face against Cadmar’s back.
Miah rattled her present loudly and said, “Aaaaannnd open!”
The sound of shredding paper and flinging box lids filled the air for a whole of two seconds, and then a few seconds in embarrassed silence as they waited for the paper to stop flying everywhere.
Maria was the first to announce her gift. “Ooooooh, a plant! And... and it smells so goooooood.” She sniffed it a couple of times. “Mmmmmm Mmmiah, what kinda plant is this?”
“Catnip. You like it? Cali painted the pot.”
Maria inspected the little bats painted all over the pot. “I love it! Thank you!”
“Yes Miah, thank you,” Mark said in a slightly more enthusiastic voice then usual. “A copy of Dr. Watson’s journal on Sherlock Holmes,” he announced as he raised it to show the others. “And... a replica scarf of the Doctor’s... Slightly elongated, I see” He chuckled after tying the scarf on, or, more specifically, the first five feet. “Thank you both!” He then went back to wrapping the rest of the seventeen foot scarf around himself.
Cali quit hiding and beamed at them. “Glad you like them! What about you, Cadmar?”
Cadmar made a noise of approval, as she was looking through a large binder of DVDs. “Hmm. I can’t tell what we should watch first, Cali, the Horror of Dracula, or Dracula: Prince of Darkness.”
“Dracula: Dead and Loving It?” Cali said hopefully. “Did you see the books? Those are from me!”
Cadmar slowly tore her eyes from the DVDs and looked at the small pile of books. “Lesse... Haru Wo Daiterita?” Cadmar scrunched up her face and flipped through the pages of the first one. “What’s it all... ohhh.... Oh!” She blushed faintly. “Niiiiiiice.”
“Maaayyybe we could read them later?” Cali asked from right next to Cadmar’s ear.
“Yeah.” Cadmar flipped a few more pages.
Luxury smiled from where she was reading a comic book version of the Kama Sutra. “Miiiiiiahhhhh! Thank you! Wanna practise some of these? They require partners.”
“Ummm, no thanks. Maybe Cali and Cadmar could help you out,” she said and stuck her tongue out at Cali when he looked shocked.
Maria very reluctantly dragged her face away from the plant and stood up, wobbling mightily. “Well, it’s time for us to give our gifts...” She attempted to walk over to the tree, but ended up falling flat on her face. Instead of shouting, she giggled.
Cadmar got up with some difficulty, moving the books around and walked over to Maria. “C’mon Maria, let’s just bring you to the couch...” she said as she picked up the catgirl and carried her over to the couch, placing her beside Cali.
“You okay, Maria?” Cali asked
Maria giggled and purred in response, flipping onto her back and rubbing at her face with her hands. “Mmmm, my hands feel so goooooood.”
Cadmar shook her head and smiled. “Cali, just un... tickle her or something to keep her occupied and on the couch.” She walked off to the tree and began picking up packages.
“Um, maybe...?” Cali said. He hesitantly patted Maria’s belly. This caused Maria to purr much louder and paw at his hands lightly. Luxury giggled from her place on the couch and tickled Maria’s belly too.
“She’s so cute like this,” Luxury said with a smile.
“I-I didn’t know that catnip would make her that high,” Miah mumbled.
Mark glanced over from the top of his new book. “Hmm. I believe we shall have to use that on her more often.”
“All right! I’m back!” Cadmar announced as she stomped back, carrying a hefty pile of gifts. She unceremoniously dumped them on the couch and picked the top one up. “Looks like... Miah is up first!” She tossed the package to Miah.
Miah cautiously opened the present. It was an extremely huggable looking large stuffed frog. Miah squeezed it and squealed in surprise when it hugged her back. She looked over at Cadmar curiously.
Cadmar smiled shyly. “You said your greatest fear is dying alone, right? So, we decided to get you something so that you would never be alone. We did a couple of enchantments on it so it hugs you back, and I think It can say a few things...” By the end of her explanation Cadmar was fidgeting and looking slightly over Miah’s shoulder.
Miah stared at Cadmar for a long moment, then, looking more than a little misty eyed, she hugged Cadmar, squishing the frog between them. “This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you--all of you.”
Maria mumbled something incoherently, but smiled at Miah. Mark nodded and somehow gave off the impression he was smiling too, despite the two scarves he was wearing. Cadmar hugged Miah back, glad no one could see her relieved face. “You’re welcome.”
“That’s-- Wow. I wish I had thought of that,” Cali said
When Miah withdrew from the hug, Cadmar took the opportunity to move back to the gifts and grabs the next one. “Next up is... Cali.” She grinned, and grabbed Cali’s hand and hoisted him up quickly. “C’mon Cali, yours needs a little room,” she said as she pulled him a few feet from the couch.
“Should I be worried?” he asked as he carefully un-did the tape.
Cadmar gave a shark-like grin, which she was VERY good at. “Not at all, Cali!”
“Now I’m worried.” He peeked into the package. “This isn’t underwear, is it?” he whispered when he saw the green silky-looking material.
Cadmar simply winked back at him.
Cali pulled the material up with a flourish. It was a bright green cape, with ‘Don of Daylight’ embroidered on the back of it. “You remembered! No one ever remembers! This. Is. Awesome!”
Cadmar smiled, pleased that Cali liked his gift. “Of course I remembered. You’re my Superman after all, and every Superman needs a cape, right?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Cadmar snorted and leaned down and kissed Cali, pulling him closer. Cali relaxed into the kiss, until Cadmar was practically supporting him.
Mark, still engrossed in his book, leaned closer to Miah. “Cadmar and Maria spent a while making the cape. It was amusing to see Cadmar so frustrated at being unable to do something,” he said as he flipped a page.
“Looks like she thinks it was worth it now,” Miah said, still hugging the frog.
“Awww, that’s so sweet!” Luxury cooed from where she had occupied Cali’s previous spot, while playing with Maria’s ears. “And I was right, Cadmar is a Seme!” she said in a self-satisfied way.
“Whose are those?” Miah asked, pointing at the remaining presents under the tree.
Luxury smiled. “Those are mine! I made sure to get you guys good ones!
Cadmar finally broke the kiss with Cali, both breathing hard. “I-I’m not sure how you got those in here, but we got something for you first.”Cadmar made sure Cali wouldn’t fall over, a slightly hard task with the heavily dazed teen, and picked up the last package on the couch and handed it to Luxury. “Picked it up in a crossover mission with no plot.”
Luxury opened it giddily and clapped her hands in delight at what she saw.”Arousing Gel? A Tickling Feather?” She quickly read the instructions. “Oooooh, I like the sound of that! And... a shape changing dildo?!” Luxury got up and hugged Cadmar, while still carrying said items, which gave Cadmar some mild embarrassment.
“Y-you’re welcome Luxury, You know I like helping friends... but could you please stop rubbing the dildo on me?” Cadmar asked, now blushing. Cali added his opinion on the matter by sneezing mightily over Cadmar’s shoulder from the feather tickling his nose.
Luxury withdrew, but not before whispering a few choice words in Cadmar’s ear, who froze with a deer-in-headlights expression. “Alright, first up is my gift for Miah! It’s too bad we haven’t spent a lot of time together, but I think you might enjoy this!”
Miah opened the box cautiously.
“What’d you get, Miah?” Cali asked.
Miah held up a box of XXL condoms with a note attached which read in large print, “Enjoy”. She did something Cali had never seen her do before. She blushed.
Cadmar began laughing uproariously, while Mark simply snorted. Maria giggled, though whether this was because of the gift or her being high was anyone’s guess.
Luxury smiled. “I’m glad you like them! Next up is Cadmar!” This caused Cadmar to stop laughing.
“Yay...” she said in a very good imitation of Fluttershy, as Luxury pressed a medium size box into her hands. She took in a deep breath, and tore open the paper. She peeked inside and blanched at what was inside. This caused Luxury to smile wider then before.
“When I heard rumours about you being a girl, I thought you might appreciate this! You know, make it so you can feel more... Natural!”
Cali ducked and covered. The tips of his ears were red, but he was chuckling quietly. Miah was still trying to find a way to hide the box of condoms. Giving up on being able to hide the things, she decided to go on the offensive.
“Here you go Cadmar, the two of you could combine the two gifts for some good, ‘clean’ fun. What do you say?”
Cali appeared to be trying to will himself into falling through the floor, while Cadmar glowered, but still took the condoms and stuffed it in the box, beside her gift. “... Tch...”
Luxury nodded to herself. “And now for Maria’s!” Luxury took a look at the giggling catgirl, who was playing with her tail. “Well, I guess I’ll help you out...” Luxury opened a slightly smaller package than Cadmar’s and pulled a complete maid’s outfit. A rather skimpy maid’s outfit, at that. This caused Mark to sputter, and Cadmar to grin eagerly.
“Rrrorow,” Miah said looking at the outfit. Cali was still hiding his face in Cadmar’s back and didn’t see it.
Mark got up and waved an arm. “No, I am sorry, but I simply cannot in good conscience allow you to strip my partner.”
Luxury pouted. “Alright... I’ll just tie the bells to her tail.” Doing so proved slightly harder then expected, as it twitched heavily whenever it brushed against something. “Hmm, this may take a bit. Cali, come get your gift!”
“M-m-my gift?” Cali said, not moving. Cadmar gave him a look and grabbed him.
“C’mon Cali, you saw what I got,” she said as she pulled him to the couch.
Cali had a goofy grin on his face as he said, “Yeah, I saw it.”
“Uh huh, now we get to see yours!”
Cali looked at the book, titled Your First Time, and then looked at Luxury. “How did you know?”
Cadmar tried to get a peek, but Cali hid the book. “Hmm?”
“It’s, uh, it’s nothing. Just something to read later,” Cali said and beamed one of his superhero smiles at Cadmar.
Cadmar looked at him searchingly for a moment before shrugging. “Eh, s’cool.”
Miah, seeing that most of the attention in the RC was on Cali and Cadmar, decided to use the chance to sneak onto the couch beside Mark.
“Ooooohhhh Maaaarrk!” Luxury called in a sing-song voice. “Look’s like it is only you left!”
Mark gulped and handed Miah his book, while grabbing the final present like it was full of pythons. He opened it slowly. Meticulously, even. Eventually, he ran out of paper and opened the box, and pulled out what appeared to be a transparent diving suit. “What... what is this?”
Luxury grinned. “Well, I know about your little skin problem, so I figured, it isn’t a problem if you don’t touch right? So, a see-through latex suit!” At his continued bewilderment, she continued. “I figured you looked the type for something kinky like that.”
Miah opened and closed her mouth a few times, before abandoning the couch in favor of standing next to the stocking bedecked anchor. Cali was busy trying to not get caught reading his book, so he was not paying full attention to Mark’s gift.
Maria paused her purring and sat up, swaying. “Ungh, my head... I think I may have over done it on the catnip...” She shook her head to clear it. “Phew, that is some powerful stuff! I’m all psyched up for some reason!” Her tail began bobbing around wildly. “Alright, let’s go caroling!”
Cali smiled at Cadmar. “Singing. Sounds like fun. Wanna go to the SO’s office first?”
Mark was quick to put the...thing back in the box and jump up. “YES! An excellent idea!”
A knock at the door drew their attention, it opened, revealing a slightly intimidated looking intern.
Miah practically ran to the distraction, uh, door. The intern handed her a note that read simply:
No. Just No.
The SO
“Well, I guess that settles that...” Maria bounced around. “But I’m so hyper!”
Cadmar shrugged and yanwed. “I’m kinda tired, myself. We did a lot of stuff today. Getting the tree and fixing it up took forever...”
“Four hours to get the tree, and two to set up,” Mark said, rubbing his eyes a bit.
Cali put his book away, and motioned for Cadmar to sit in front of him Cadmar walked over and motioned for him to move over. Cali looked as if he was going to protest, then he smiled one of his small genuine smiles and moved over.
Cadmar sat down beside Cali and leaned over. “So, what was that book about...?”
Cali smiled again. Then yawned.
* * *
Luxury returned from a rather long bathroom break, only to find everyone else asleep on the couch. Maria was curled up on the laps of Miah and Mark, who were both using Mark’s second scarf as a pillow. The other half of the couch was taken up by Cadmar and Cali, who were both laying down horizontally. Cadmar was snoring somewhat loudly with her mouth open, while Cali was asleep, laying on top of her. Luxury rolled her eyes at the pillow Cadmar had on her chest. Some people were so silly and prudish about sleeping...
“Well, isn’t this just a picture perfect moment,” Luxury said to herself. She grabbed a few blankets from a shelf and laid them over the sleeping occupants, before looking at them all slightly longingly.
“Hmmm.” She smirked deviously, and, ninja-like, crawled in with Cadmar and Cali. She snuggled in, and fixed the blanket.
“Grrmm, Luxury?” Cadmar asked groggily.
“Yeah?” Luxury asked innocently.
“Stop groping Cali in his sleep, it isn’t polite.”
“Awww, ‘kay.”
“...That doesn’t mean you can grope me.”
“Fiiiine. Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Next Appearance: Mission 15: Re-Run