Luegu Jatra

There were some benefits to having reached an understanding with the most physically imposing male in the year. Because she had finally gotten around to looking at the nature of politics, and had come to a conclusion that was both amusing and annoying in the extreme. It seemed that Ixodiun had left a few key details out about just what being part of her retinue meant. For instance, while they were still students? Of them, it would only be Ixodiun that would be placed in a group of five for the third year trials to prove themselves worthy of being an apprentice.

For the rest of the group, the retinue of the sith noble scion? Why, they still have plenty of scut work to deal with, plenty of tests both in the classroom and of the trials assigned to them... and yet? Ultimately, their 'overseer' was Ixodiun herself, their success or failure reflecting on her. And if Ixodiun happened to have a little accident? Why, all of her servants at the academy would be killed by her parents for failing to protect the daughter of a noble house like good and dutiful servants should.

Which was frustrating, even as she looked at Matt, as they prepared to enter the inner part of the tomb. Truth be told, if she did not have the clues that lead her here, and the fact that he would be able to keep the more physical threats off her while she attended to the spiritual aspects of this, she would not have dared to enter. It was harrowing, terrifying and more than a touch unnerving, to move through the dead halls, lit only by the massive oversized torch-club held in one hand... and the cracking of bones and tearing flesh as he ate a massive mutated hound twice her size.

And then they finally came to the chamber and beheld the Brazier. The prize she had come into the realm of death to gain. It was, if one judged it by physical perception alone, to be rather underwhelming. But it was radiating dark promises of blood and death, of things hidden in the dark and secrets kept far from the light, even as the mists coming off it fled the light cast by the flames. "So, they hammer in the first rule of summoning in yet Luegu?"
There was no fear in his remarkably well spoken voice, no hesitation, no impression that each word was growled and spat out as if torn from his lips. To be honest, it was almost more worrying than if he was some near mindless brute ruled by his hungers and lusts. Hilarious that the others still thought him so close to a beast though, even as it baffled her that they did not pick up on the fact he was more than capable of grasping complex tactics and instructions and that he could clearly follow along as they talked. But still, as she looked on her prize, she would humor his question. "They have not. Care to share your insight?"

A part of her wondered if he actually knew something, as he began to chuckle, vibrating in time with the flickering of the shadows, with the way that the light seemed to change in its properties. "Never call up what you can't put down."

She shivered, for some reason, there was just his gleaming, fang like teeth and a sense of menace and malice that doused her in ice and fire from the inside out. "Noted. Now. You are going to pin me to a wall and shatter my hips, understood?"

Thankfully, he managed to carry her and her prize back to the dormitory. Sure, she had ended up being possessed, but how many other women to claim to have a man that could fuck a sith lords ghost out of their body? A tale to tell the other girls... and eventually, her daughters.

Ixodiun

She sighed, at she looked at her most lethal minion. "Matt, I do not object to your hunting. The overseers normally do not object either, as it is every students right to test themselves against whatever dangers they can find. However, one of the visiting lords has complained that you devoured a beast that held historical significance. To be sure, there were no names, only that it was missing and part of its force signature could be tracked to your kennel." Which had actually become a swell decorated ossuary over the last year, filled with trophies from his hunts of some of the deadliest beasts on the planet.

She raised a hand, lightning gathering and raking across her delicious servant, the oils catching fire and burning in pleasing scents, the patterns slowly burning thanks to the altered chemical mixtures. "Still, I do just have the one question." and it was a serious one at that. "You DID give parts of the skin, carapace and bone to Trere for my new boots, correct?"

At her grand and thoughtful brutes slow nodding, she sighed and relaxed back onto her little throne. Honestly, between the tribute he brought back from his hunts and Luegu Jatra's summoning brazier? She pondered, as she would need to do something, gain some artifact or prove herself. Because it was all well and good to have capable and loyal subordinates, bit to be found lacking in comparison... that would just not do. No, she was going to need to step up her training and accomplishments... while enjoying some of the perks of the position.

Because, the ironic truth was that Matt did solve more problems than he made, largely because he did not actually interact with many people. Oh, to be sure, she had heard that apparently he and some of the marauders in training were bonding, lighting weights and grunting at each other, before groups of them sparred with him and her human rancor crushed them. Apparently, it was considered good fun by all those who lived and breathed for battle above all else. But, as she coated him in the fragrant oils, as she ignited her own saber.. well, there was sparring, and then there was sparring.

And none outside her retinue was allowed to use him for the second.

Matt

You know... as I relaxed on my back, a catgirl curled up onto a ball right on my stomach, blood and bones from the latest assassins scattered around us, some of the gore still on our lips and chins, there was a single thought, as my fingers stroked down her spine, as my gut was massaged as she purred. Frankly, coming to the space magic murder academy was the best thing that ever happened to me.