It was just after noon when Cliffheart finished unpacking. She put everything in its proper place. Shirts? Check. Pants? Check. Panties? Check. Kevlar boots? Check! Backpack, pitons, carabiners, titanium alloy climbing axes with reinforced polymer grips? Checkamundo!

The Feline was elated. She threw herself onto the bed and sank into its sheets, comfortable to have a king-sized mattress all to herself. From her position at the western end of the room, she could turn her gaze northward and enjoy a gorgeous view of Mount Kjerag, the icy summit that she would brave soon enough.

She thought back to her time here during the dreaded Snowcap Incident. The powers that be with their nebulous machinations; her very own brother, the president of Karlan Trade Company; the Doctor of Rhodes Island, one of the most enigmatic individuals she's ever met; Gnosis Edelweiss, the most inflammatory scapegoat that Kjerag had ever known…

That was, of course, to say nothing of the opposing clans, and even the mountain's very own Saintess.

Enya…

As if on cue, her cell phone buzzed, and Ensia raised an eyebrow at the unknown number.

Rhodes Island? was her initial thought, just before answering the call. "Hello?"

"Hello? Hello hello? Hi Ensia! It's me!"

Ensia flipped over to lie prone on the mattress. "Who is me?"

"Me is me! I'm me! Don't you recognize my voice? Is the reception up here really that bad?"

Up here…?

Ensia turned her head to look up at the mountain. Then she smiled in realization.

"Oh my God, Kjera? Is that you?"

There was a giggle at the other end of the line. "Correct! The one and only!"

"You have reception up there?" Cliffheart grinned. "Since when?"

"Since approximately one hour ago!"

"Oh, my God. Is that really okay? What about Enya? The Court? Is it really okay?"

"It's definitely okay! It was my idea, you know… it's for the benefit of the Saintess, and the Court at large. With this, we have the capacity to reach more people… probably!"

Ensia laughed. "Probably?"

"Stand back! I am about to send you a text message!"

"Okay…!"

Ensia sat up with excitement. She stared at her phone screen while Kjera, over the line, hummed to herself in quiet contemplation.

Then, in just a moment, she received a new text message from Kjera. A familiar fellow with stunning shades. An emoji.

"Did you get it?" Kjera asked.

"I got it," Ensia remarked. "He looks very cool."

"Tee-hee! Ensia, dear, are you going to visit us soon? Your sister and I can't wait to have you!"

"I'm planning on it! I'm just taking a little break beforehand. Only just touched down, you know?"

"Best not keep the Saintess waiting," Kjera teased. "Would you like to hear her voice?"

"Yeah, put my sis on!"

There's a moment of silence on the other end of the line from Kjera. Then, a minute later, Ensia could hear…

…Was that snoring?

"Enya?" The Feline blinked, keeping the phone held to her ear. "Hello?"

What followed was more quiet snoring and dreamlike mumbling. It flabbergasted Ensia until Kjera came back on the line.

"She is still sleeping!" Kjera announced.

"I can hear that!" Ensia scoffed. "It's nearly 12:30, wake her up!"

"No! She looks and sounds so cute when she's asleep! Ah, but don't tell her I said that…"

"Sheesh…" Ensia rubbed the back of her neck. "If the Goddess could see her now, I wonder what she'd think of all this…"

Kjera laughed melodically.

"Oh, Ensia, I have a feeling the Goddess wouldn't mind one bit…"

The two spoke for quite some time, and it was only after the conversation that Ensia remembered how lucky her sister was to have Kjera around.

Those two really are such good friends!

Degenbrecher returned not too much time later, and Cliffheart almost laughed when she saw her. The hulking Caprinae looked best when she was brandishing a sword, or a mace, or something macabre like that.

Yet here was her bodyguard now, wheeling in a cart full of food, drinks, and snacks for the lady of the house. Ensia's smile made Degenbrecher smile, and Degenbrecher's smile sent a jolt of electricity through the young woman's heart.

"They went a little overboard," Degenbrecher explained.

"I can see that!" Ensia whistled lowly as she eyed the cart before her, lined with the lunch that the Silverash culinary staff had prepared for her. "Is that lobster?"

"Correct."

"Where did you find lobster?"

Degenbrecher smirked. "Is that a trick question?"

"When is Uncle Chester gonna get it through his head?" Ensia sighed. "I don't want or need this special treatment… I don't want to feel that special. You know, having others bend over backward for me—have the staff eaten?"

"I can assure you, my lady, that everyone is accounted for," said the bodyguard. "Just as I can assure you that Chester and I will not stop pampering you anytime soon."

"I don't mind if you do it," Ensia mumbled, and she cringed as soon as the words left her lips. Degenbrecher raised an eyebrow at that, putting a hand on her boxy hip.

"Oh? What do you mean by that, exactly?"

"W-well," Cliffheart stammered, "Chester is family, but you… you're not. When he does something like this, it feels like an obligation, you know? He's the butler, he's on my brother's accounting and finances team…" Ensia trailed off.

"And me?" Degenbrecher asked this question as she wheeled the cart closer, spreading out the utensils for Ensia's use. "What do you think of me?"

Ensia gulped. Suddenly, she regretted opening her mouth at all. Degenbrecher may have been able to detect that hesitation, because in the very next beat, she spoke again.

"Maybe that's a loaded question," said the Caprinae.

Ensia chuckled nervously. "Er, sorry… I'm probably being weird. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, I just mean that… People treat me differently on Rhodes Island. Maybe I just got used to that instead."

"How does Rhodes Island treat you?" Degenbrecher asked.

Ensia's answer was immediate. "Like a comrade. A teammate! Sometimes, a leader. They're thinking about making me an instructor, you know… I'd help rein in the newbies and I'd have more responsibility."

"What would you teach?"

"Field survival. Wilderness and alpine conditions. High-terrain navigation… how to hit bad guys with a hammer," she added jokingly.

"I'm very familiar with that last one," said Degenbrecher.

"You'd do so well on the Rhodes Island ship."

"My loyalty is not to Rhodes Island. My loyalty is to you."

Ensia gave a wide smile. The fuzzy ears perched atop her head wiggled, which Degenbrecher found more adorable than she would ever admit.

"And your brother," Degenbrecher added. "But he's not here right now, and so you may have all the lobster you want."

"Thanks," Ensia mumbled shyly. "I really appreciate everything that you do for me and my family, Degenbrecher…"

"Think nothing of it, my lady. If there's anything you need from me — anything at all — please don't hesitate to ask."

The Feline eyed the magnum-sized bottle of red wine that decorated the cart, and she picked it up with a curious expression painted on her face. "What's this?"

"That's Moscato della Baia di Smeraldo," said the bodyguard, prompting Ensia to look up with surprise. "Or just Moscato Baia Smeraldo; sweet Emerald Bay wine from Siracusa. Pairs nicely with the strawberry shortcake."

Ensia's mouth fell open. "You speak Siracusan."

"No, my dear. I speak wine."

"Oh." Ensia giggled. "Gotcha!"

It was the strawberry shortcake that did her in.

Cliffheart woke with a start atop the covers. A pastry-fueled nightmare.

She rubbed her eyes straightaway before checking the alarm clock on the nightstand.

12:34 AM? Ugh, great…

Truth be told, she always slept better on Rhodes Island. The gentle sway of the landship as it moved across the land, the faint clicks and chugs of unseen machinery… she'd gotten far too used to it. Now she was home, and she never felt more out of place.

The Feline sat up and swung her legs off the side of the bed, planting her bare feet on the carpeted floor of the room that used to be hers.

Then, in disbelief that she'd fallen asleep in her own clothes, she stripped naked and fetched her pajamas.

I'm gonna be so wiped out tomorrow morning, she thought worriedly.

The bare Feline pulled open her underwear drawer with a soft sigh, spotting a handwritten note atop the bureau. Turning on the electric lamp, Ensia read:

I came in, and you were out like a light. Don't worry. Everything is fine. Need something? Call me when you need me. Here is my number.

Ensia felt her cheeks grow hot as her eyes went over the digits on the page. Degenbrecher's phone number…

She had to wonder just how many people on the planet were so privileged. It couldn't have been more than a handful.

She continued reading.

Sorry for intruding while you slept. Fortunately, you were still dressed. In the future, lock your door if you'd rather I not come in. I was just worried because you were so quiet.

Ensia smiled. She had to imagine what that must have been like for her bodyguard. Stumbling in and finding a Silverash passed out in bed, mouth covered in cake crumbs…

She paused at the visual that played out in her head. Degenbrecher coming in unannounced. Finding her asleep like that, splayed out on her back. Fully dressed, and yet…

What if she wasn't?

Cliffheart blushed at the image. She could have been naked.

Degenbrecher coming closer, and closer, until she stood right next to the bed. Watching her, looming over her, like the guardian that she was. Running a hand through her hair. Sliding a finger against her lips…

A moan slipped out of Ensia's mouth, and it surprised her enough to interrupt the flow of her thoughts. Before she even realized it, her hand had slid down to her crotch, and she pulled it away with a gasp.

Fuck… Wow.

Suddenly, Ensia contemplated the merits of sleeping naked and leaving her door unlocked. It was a dangerous thought, and yet one that she couldn't shake from her mind.

I'm too horny, she thought. I need to calm down…

Putting the note aside, Ensia went back to searching through her underwear drawer. Her second-favorite pair would have to do for now, and after sliding her panties on, the pajamas followed shortly thereafter. Then she opened the door and peeked down the long hallway.

She cast a final glance back to her bed.

Should I just stay put until morning?

The self-posed question had an obvious answer. The halls of Silverash manor were lit well enough that she could see where she was going, even if she didn't know herself what the destination would be. Pajamas buttoned and cell phone secured, Ensia roamed the halls.

The main kitchen was one option. The culinary staff could take a break for as long as they wanted, as far as the Feline was concerned. She could make her own meals; she didn't want to inconvenience anyone.

There was also the solarium, through which Ensia imagined she could see the stars and bask in the stillness of her childhood home.

There was the library, the gymnasium, the study, the game room…

"Fuck…"

Ensia stopped. A chill ran down her spine at the faint and familiar voice.

"Yes… Fuck…"

There was that voice again. Just where was it coming from?

A hushed whisper captured Ensia's attention. She tiptoed to the nearest door and…

Her hand stopped just before touching the handle. Someone was beyond the threshold. Someone awake, and… evidently, enjoying themselves.

Something possessed Cliffheart to kneel on the floor behind the door. A spirit of salacity? A demon of desire? She didn't know. All she knew was that the hallway carpeting felt just fine against her knees and that someone was masturbating.

It can't be… Is that…?

She came up to the keyhole and peeked right through it.

Paradoxically, it was exactly who she expected, and that was what shocked her.

Degenbrecher, lying on her back in an enormous bed.

Ensia's very own bodyguard was masturbating. The Feline could see her from beyond the keyhole — a wide-angle shot of the Caprinae enjoying herself this early in the morning. She almost gasped aloud at what the older woman was doing.

Rhythmically, steadily, Degenbrecher was penetrating a fleshlight that she held in a vice-like grip. She gave long and languid strokes with the toy, having some one-handed fun all by her lonesome. Ensia could see that Degenbrecher was holding something in her opposite hand, but she couldn't take her eyes away from that… thing between the bigger woman's legs.

It almost seemed like a baton, what with its thickness and length. A blunt force weapon to go along with the Black Knight's typical arsenal. Of course, Cliffheart was intimidated by the women's girth, having never seen one so big in all her life.

In fact, she had never seen one in person before this very moment. She knew that not everyone could be so big. There was no way!

That thing looks like it could split me open, she thought suddenly, before catching herself. Fuck, she's so big! How does she walk around with that thing?!

She watched, utterly transfixed, as Degenbrecher masturbated. Through the keyhole, Cliffheart could see the woman pound away at her fleshlight without care, using her opposite hand to shove something up against her face. Cliffheart leaned in closer, trying to understand just what exactly the older woman was doing.

"Fuck yes… Oh, that's a good girl," Degenbrecher moaned. Cliffheart felt the hairs on her neck stand on end, and her blood turned to ice water. Listening to the Caprinae moan like that was truly hypnotizing.

God, she's so hot… Cliffheart thought, licking her lips. As she watched the bigger woman work her shaft, and stroke off with the sex toy in her hand, she couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation run through her as she kneeled there and looked.

Am I getting jealous of a toy? Cliffheart mentally kicked herself, planting a hand against the doorframe as she hungrily witnessed her bodyguard enjoy herself.

The Black Knight took a deep inhale of the item in her opposite hand, groaning lustfully as she desperately humped the onahole that she gripped in the other. Cliffheart saw the woman's cock just barely slid into the thing; the woman was so well-endowed that the toy itself seemed to struggle just to fit her inside. It widened considerably with each thrust, and Cliffheart immediately worried that the poor thing would soon break.

Ensia thought back to all that Degenbrecher had done for her family. How lonesome she'd been in her endeavor to protect and serve. Did Degenbrecher even have someone to be intimate with? Somehow, Ensia never imagined it. Her own brother seemed wholly uninterested in everyone who wasn't the Doctor of Rhodes Island, and the less said about Gnosis Edelweiss, the better.

Oh, Degenbrecher…

Without thinking, Cliffheart shoved a hand into her pajama pants, and she began really savoring the sight in front of her. While Degenbrecher moaned and grunted aloud, the little Feline let her imagination run wild.

She thought about slipping into the room right now. She thought about taking that toy out of her diligent, hardworking bodyguard's hand and replacing it with her mouth. Cliffheart had never given a blowjob before, but it couldn't be that hard, could it? Just put it in your mouth and… start blowing?

She thought about how it would feel for Degenbrecher to run her fingers through her hair. Leaning into the older woman's touch, taking heed of her guidance. Cliffheart thought about how much louder those moans would be. That cursing, those grunts, those impassioned and lustful sighs.

Cliffheart spread her pussy lips with two fingers, and she bit down a moan before it could leave her throat. Before she knew it, she and Degenbrecher were masturbating together — even if the older woman was none the wiser.

The sight was utterly delicious. Cliffheart had never even seen the other woman so naked before. From this angle, kneeling behind the door, she could see that the Caprinae was bulky and muscular from a lifetime of toil and turbulence. The Black Knight was handsome — more so than anyone Cliffheart had ever laid eyes on — and she relished the visual before her. She could see scars and blemishes across the surface of the woman's torso and thighs; stories of violence and acrimony dotted her form.

Cliffheart's tail stood rigid as rebar as she kept staring. Degenbrecher's hips dipped in and out as she penetrated the sex toy, causing a wet and rhythmic squeak to sound out with every hungry pump. It didn't take long before the Feline felt her entire body grow hot to the touch, and her fingers slipped oh-so easily into her own honey pot.

Oh, baby…

In all her time on Terra, Ensia had never felt like such a voyeur. She'd never felt like such a slut before, yet here she was, kneeling and masturbating to the sight of her most precious homeland protector. This was a fresh experience for her; it was exhilarating, and it made her brain buzz.

"Oh, Ensia…" Degenbrecher growled.

Cliffheart had to cover her mouth to keep from screaming. Her eyes grew as wide as saucers as she stared right through the keyhole at the masturbating Black Knight. Another groan of pleasure slipped from the older woman's lips, and with it, another mention of the young lady's name.

"Oh, Lady Ensia," whispered Degenbrecher, moving her hand faster as she used and abused the toy in her grip. "There's a good girl… Oh, there's my sweet little kitten…"

Oh my God!

Ensia was on cloud nine. She felt like a lightning rod; it seemed like all the hairs on her body stood on end, and she could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. Glancing around, the young woman remembered that she was alone, and with that, she slipped a probing finger into her pussy.

She wanted this.

She wanted her.

If she could even speak, then all words would fail her. The neurons in her brain were alight with a fiery passion. She couldn't think. She could only do.

"Oh, Ensia, baby," the Black Knight moaned. "You take it so well, baby girl… Mm, you like that? You like that, baby?" Degenbrecher's cock twitched inside the fleshlight as she worked herself into a frenzy. Cliffheart nodded without even realizing it.

Yes! Yes, I like it! Give me more, please! Her tongue dangled from her mouth as she fingered herself, watching from beyond the threshold as Degenbrecher pressed that colorful cloth against her nose again.

And then it dawned on her.

Panties.

Her favorite pair!

Ensia's lungs were without air. As soon as she made the realization, she almost fell back onto her ass. She watched as Degenbrecher sniffed the young lady's panties, using one hand to shove the fabric against her nose with a lustful snort. That was how she masturbated: smelling Cliffheart's panties, and pounding a fleshlight like it fucking owed her money.

Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Ensia's ears bent low in submission. At that moment, she wanted many things that she never once even considered. She wanted to be kneeling in front of the Black Knight. To feel that large, calloused hand wrapped around her neck. She wanted Degenbrecher to stop using toys. To use her instead.

Oh, no… I'm so fucked up… I'm so fucked up! Ensia thought excitedly.

She imagined sitting in the Black Knight's lap. That smug expression on her face as she guided the young Feline up and down, back and forth…

Degenbrecher had done so much for the Silverash family. She deserved much in kind, thought the lady of the house.

Do you want my virginity, Degenbrecher? You want that, too? You can have it… Just come to my room, please. Pretty please…

Ensia and Degenbrecher both went faster now. The older woman growled again as she hammered away. Her hips moved like a piston, up and down, in and out, repeatedly and with great vigor. The toy swelled as Degenbrecher easily filled all the space within it.

Likewise, Ensia continued to finger herself. Her other hand went up her own pajama top, and she began teasing her perky nipples while she worked to get herself off. She humped her hand, too, swaying and bumping against her two fingers, imagining that it was Degenbrecher instead that was filling her like this. Occupying all of her space, so selfish, so greedy.

"Ensia…!" Degenbrecher moaned lustfully, and Ensia almost moaned along with her beloved bodyguard. "Atta girl, yeah… that's my girl…! Oh, baby, I'm so close… You'll take it all, won't you, precious? Won't you?"

Yes! Yes, God! Ensia's fingers went to her clit, and she quietly shook as she felt herself grow wetter and wetter. Her body was flush from the pleasure; her peak was fast approaching!

"You want my cum, Lady Ensia? Mm, you want it all, don't you? Are you my greedy little kitten? Say it then," Degenbrecher dared.

I'm your greedy little kitten! Ensia's eyes were half closed.

"Say it," Degenbrecher moaned, "you're my greedy little kitten, Ensia…"

I'm your GREEDY little kitten! The Feline's brain answered automatically, as if this was right. It couldn't be anything other than correct.

"Oh, Ensia! I'm g-gonna… I'm gonna…!"

Do it! I need it! PLEASE!

The gravelly growl that Degenbrecher let out — dominating and powerful — immediately threw the young lady into orgasm. Cliffheart covered her mouth with one hand as the other stayed buried in her pajama pants; she thrashed and trembled right there on the floor as she came harder than she ever had before. It was a miracle that her climax was soundless at all.

Her entire body shook as though an earthquake were running through her. Her hand, her inner thighs, her panties, and the cloth of her pajama pants, everything was splattered with fresh nectar. With her mouth covered, she could barely even breathe. The poor girl felt as though she was going to pass out; she was dizzy, and she was in love.

Degenbrecher's orgasm was arguably stronger. As soon as the Caprinae gave one last thrust of her hips, something incredible happened: the cap at the other end of the fleshlight blew off with how violent her climax had been.

"Fuck…!" Degenbrecher moaned aloud. "Ensia—ah! Love me…! Love me…!"

Cliffheart watched as the fleshlight's end cap clattered to the floor after it had been blown right off. The older woman's last few pumps were deep and sporadic; she emptied herself into the fleshlight, but while the cap was already blown right off, the Black Knight's hot and gooey spunk overflowed from the end of the toy, gushing out like a volcanic eruption. It was an apt comparison, the volcano: Ensia could see just how much was coming out, and just how steamy it seemed. The pearly-white goo blasted right out of the toy's end, splashing wetly against the surface of the Black Knight's abs and tummy.

"Oooh!" Degenbrecher snarled. "Ensia, baby, you're gonna get it for that…"

The lady of the house watched as the image of Degenbrecher became blurry. She was finding it difficult to see the Black Knight through the tears in her eyes.

"Fuck… Oh, fuck…" Degenbrecher cursed. It only just dawned on Cliffheart that she never once heard Degenbrecher speak in such a callous and vulgar manner. That, too, was something she wanted much more of. She wanted to be talked down to, she thought. She wanted Degenbrecher to say these things right to her face. To have that fresh load of hot and sticky seed running over her face — onto her tongue, dripping off her chin while she smiled…

After a minute of panting, caught in the throes of a wonderful afterglow, Degenbrecher pulled the ruined fleshlight off of her wet and messy rock. The gorgeous and full-looking spheres between her thighs seemed to tense, spattered with the sticky white cum that also covered the Black Knight's torso — her gorgeous breasts and puffy, pink nipples.

With that, Degenbrecher took one last, deep sniff of Cliffheart's panties, grinning wickedly all the while.

"Good fucking girl," the Caprinae whispered. "Mm…"

I'm a good girl, Cliffheart thought, her ears and tail bent low in submission. I'm a good girl… Oh, Deg, please let me be your good girl…

BZZZZT!

Cliffheart's heart fell into the pit of her stomach, and she gasped aloud.

Her cell phone!

She hadn't silenced her cell phone!

BZZZZT!

"Shit!" The Feline exclaimed, and Degenbrecher's eyes shot wide open as she sat up on the mattress.

"Huh?" The Black Knight called out towards the door. "Hey, who's out there?!"

BZZZZT!

Cliffheart nearly fell against the bedroom door as she stumbled to the wall. The young lady quickly stood up and took off in a sprint toward the other end of the hallway, cursing aloud as she ran.

She couldn't think. She couldn't do anything except run, ignoring the sudden silence that filled the vacuum of her feline ears.

It was pure muscle memory that guided young Ensia. She blinked, and she was back in her room. She slammed the door behind her, and she locked it tight.

Then she threw herself onto the bed, and only then did she allow herself to breathe. She panted heavily as she lay there, cursing herself for what had just happened, and what she'd just done. Was this real? Was this really happening? A million thoughts bombarded the empire of her mind. Her heart was beating a mile a minute.

Then, after either an eternity or a few seconds, Cliffheart grabbed the nearest pillow and extinguished the sound before it could leave her mouth. She smothered all the noise that threatened to escape her, quivering all by herself as she let out a suffered, soundless cry.