I Am NOT a Catgirl! Ch. 5: The Bargain (Patreon)

After what felt like an eternity, classes ended for the day. Augie found me in our dorm room, huddled in a corner on top of the bed with my knees to my chest.

“Madeline? Are you alright?”

“This school is harder than anything I’ve ever done,” I admitted. I was still fighting off the sensation of Tristan’s hand on my tail, Glaze’s commands in my ears, and Veronica’s stupid laugh. A small part of me kept hoping I’d hear Veronica scream when she found out someone had eaten her carefully prepared meal.

Augie nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed. “As I said earlier, Venicia is a very privileged city. Most of the girls here do not realize how fortunate they are.”

“That reminds me. You mentioned the Defiled?” I straightened my legs and smoothed my skirt over my thighs, hoping to invite a conversation.

“Yes… I had thought for sure they would have moved into Sorentina by now.” Augie’s face paled, and her hands curled into fists. For the first time since we’d met, her ears drooped. “Anyona is destroyed. Catania was on the verge of falling when I escaped. My mother did not make it to Venicia with me.”

I blinked. Whatever the Defiled were, they weren’t good news. “I’m sorry, Augie. I didn’t know.”

“Sorentina was one of the only cities that sent us assistance. I do not mean to doubt you, Madeline, but are you truly from Sorentina?”

I struggled with what to say. Augie was one of the few people who were nice to me in that prison. Lying to her felt wrong. But the truth felt even worse—I’m a man stuck in a catgirl’s body? If Augie told Celestia, that was the end of my chances to try to get to Tristan.

“I was very sheltered growing up,” I replied slowly. “I don’t think my mom wanted me to know just how bad it was out there. I think that’s why she sent me here.” I held my breath and prayed to a faceless Saoirse that Augie would accept the lie.

Augie studied me for a long time, then nodded. “I see. Covering the truth seems to be very common on Shi Island. It’s unfortunate.” She sighed and licked her lips. “It was not my intention to turn the focus on me. You must be famished.”

“I am. I thought I’d wait for you and we’d have dinner together.”

Her smile returned, her ears perked, and I envied her ease at pushing away her frustrations. “Oh! Well, thank you for waiting for me, Madeline!” She reached forward and clasped my hand. “You’re the first real friend I’ve had at this school.”

My heart sank. She was trusting me with a lot, considering we had only known each other for two days. I imagined how lonely it must feel for any of the outsiders in the School of Venicia. Especially with all of the venom spat at Sorentina. “I’m honored to take that spot.”

The bright expression on her face warmed my heart, and her tail flicked happily behind her. “Then you will always have my thanks. Let’s eat!”

Dinner was a four-course meal prepared by a handful of advanced students. Every meal at the school felt like it deserved a five-star Yelp review, but I’d have to settle for enjoying it with Augie. Destiny was nowhere to be seen. I wondered if she’d eaten quickly and returned to her dorm room. It’s what I would have done if I didn’t have Augie.

I took a very long, very cold shower afterward to wash away the burnt chicken smell, clean up the wounds on my fingers, and freeze out the remains of Tristan’s touch on my tail. For the first time since I’d arrived, I looked at my body with the same anger I’d feel toward a shitty friend—I didn’t know it well enough to expect whatever other tricks it had in store for me.

I ditched the stockings and bra beneath the nightgown, which, like Augie had said, was far less scratchy. After collecting my uniform and wondering where I could wash my disappointment out of it, I returned to my room to find the door cracked open.

“—exceeded all of my expectations as a model of service, grace, and urgency, Augustine,” Celestia’s uptight timbre recited through the opening. She stood about a foot away from the door with her back facing me. “Your teachers and I believe you are a worthy candidate to meet with Tristan.”

I peeked through the crack and saw Augie in front of her, bent forward in a perfect half-bow. “This is such an honor, Madame Celestia.”

“And you are well-deserving. However, there is an item of utmost importance that we must discuss before I add your name to his schedule.”

Augie straightened. “Of course, headmistress.”

Celestia’s strict tone softened by inches. “I recall that you are from Anyona. What happened to your city is terrible and heartbreaking. Culling the Defiled threat is a task I have taken unto myself, and each day that passes sheds hope anew.”

Augie nodded, but said nothing.

“As Tristan’s position here in the school is sacred, and his well-being is my first priority, I would ask that you do not discuss Anyona or the Defiled with him.”

My eyes widened. Tristan has no idea what’s going on outside of this school? I wanted to burst in and put Celestia through the wall. How could she keep that from him? How could she ask Augie to keep that from him?

 “Of course, headmistress. I would never dream of putting Tristan at risk.” Augie’s face remained impressively neutral, and her voice unwavering.

“I knew I could count on you, Augustine. You are one of the finest students the School of Venicia has ever produced.” I could hear the slimy smile in Celestia’s words, and it compounded my desire to see her glasses meet the wallpaper.

“I will continue to work hard to exceed your expectations, Madame Celestia.” Augie bowed again, and her smile was back when she rose.

“He has an opening in three days. I will send an official approval with the time listed.”

“Thank you, headmistress. I very much look forward to meeting Tristan.”

Not wanting to get caught eavesdropping, I rushed back to the bathroom and counted to sixty. I took my time walking back to the dorm.

“Are you kidding me?” I heard Veronica shriek from the kitchen.

Good. No soup for you.

When I finally made it inside, I found Augie curled up on her bed, tears streaking down her face. I threw my clothes on top of my blankets, then sat down beside her and took her hand. I didn’t know how to start. What to say.

“M-Madeline…” She sniffled and squeezed my hand.

“That’s such a mouthful. Just call me Maddie from now on.” I hoped to win a smile.

“Maddie.” The nickname had its desired effect, and the corners of her lips twitched upward. Albeit shaky, but it was a start. “Tristan d-doesn’t know,” she whispered.

Did I tell her I’d heard everything? Nah, that’s a bad look. “Doesn’t know what?”

“About A-Anyona. About t-the Defiled.” She curled into a ball around my hand, and the tears fell anew. “And I can’t tell him.” Her voice broke, and it shattered me.

“Did you get put on his schedule?” I asked softly.

“Yes. In three days.”

I stroked her hair with my free hand. “Do you want him to know?”

“Yes,” Augie whimpered. “Celestia says she’s fixing the Defiled, but she can’t. Not by herself. Shi… Shi Island needs him.”

“Why not just tell him, then?”

“Oh, Maddie, I could never. Finishing the School of Etiquette was my mother’s final wish.” She covered her eyes in the crook of her arm and coughed. “I can’t lose my place here. I can’t fail her. I can’t—”

“Then let me tell him.”

“…What?” She lowered her arm and blinked her wide, pink eyes up at me.

“Let me take your timeslot, and I’ll tell him. We have three days to come up with a plan so that you don’t get into trouble. You keep your place here, and Tristan learns about Anyona and the Defiled. Everyone wins.”

“You’ll be expelled!”

“And then I can stop smelling like burnt long-tailed keepers.” I shrugged. “This isn’t at all what I thought it would be. I’ll be better off with the sword.”

A weak giggle escaped her lips. “I… Alright. Yes. Please. Take my place.” She pulled my hand to her chest and cradled it in both of hers. “Thank you, Maddie.”

“Hey, anything for a friend.”