Catpurr 30: Final Day of Rest

Catpurr 30: Final Day of Rest

Waking up with light spilling into his eyes from the window of his bedroom, Adam twitched, blinking rapidly as he smacked his face with his palm.

“Why... why does the sun keep rising...” Adam groaned, pulling up his interface to spy how much time he had left.

[11:12:07]

“Today’s the day.” Adam sighed, shoving Tilith’s face off his chest. Groggily, Adam stood up, kicking the useless trinkets on the floor underneath his bed. If he survived his trials, he’d hav- “Eh?”

Adam spun, eyeing the rainbow-haired Tilith drooling on his bedsheets. The hell? Adam squinted, wondering what the woman was doing in his bed. “Hey. What are you doing in my room?”

When the woman didn’t respond Adam poked her, attempting to wake the woman. “Hey! Get out my room so I can change!”

Still no response.

When that didn’t work he shook her, trying to elicit a reaction.

Still no response.

“HEY!” Adam barked, slapping the woman on the head. In response, the woman’s pale hand shot out, grabbing Adam by his wrist and tugging, pulling him into her warm embrace.

“What the hell?! Hey! Let me go!” Adam yelled, struggling with his arms out as the woman began to squeeze him close like a teddy bear, bringing his face to her cleavage. “Ow! Ow! OW! STOP! LET ME GO! FREE ME MEATBAG! I DENY THEE HARLOT! I DENY THEE!”

“MMmmmh cuddly.” Tilith moaned, with the door of his room being kicked open a moment later.

“Adam!” Titania cried, her eyes darting between Adam and Tilith, sleepily forcing the embrace.

“Help me!” Adam yelled, his face being buried in cleavage with his hand outstretched to Titania for help.

***

It took a bit, but after about thirty minutes the woman was finally pried off of Adam.

"Noooo. My teddy!" Tilith sobbed out, the sleepy girl being dragged out by her arms by the twin maid sisters Sinclair and Ravi.

“Adam are you ok?” Titania asked, the unhappy catboy sitting cross-armed with his hair frazzled from the assault.

“Let’s just get some breakfast.”

****

Sitting at a wooden table in the kitchen of the guild office, Adam waited as the scent of food filled the interior of the building and wafted out into the reception area. A common ploy the guild used to make adventurers hungry and spend their hard earned coin.

“Here you go little Adam! A nice steak with celery and asparagus! Make sure to eat your greens, as they are just as important as protein for your body to grow big and strong!” Arnold said, giving a hearty laugh as he began laying out food for the other staff members.

“Hey, how come he gets the full on T-bone while we get sirloins and strips?” Ravi complained, the pink-haired munchkin maid stabbing at her food with a dagger and lifting it to her mouth where she began munching.

“Because he is a growing boy. And has room to grow, unlike you.” Lunafreya said, taking a seat beside Adam.

“Are you calling me short?!” Ravi cried, her voice almost offended. “I’m not short! I’m compact!”

“Settle down or you’ll give yourself an aneurysm.” Lunafreya said, the muscle lady reaching over Adam with grinning teeth. Adam’s eyes went wide, a large butcher knife suddenly appearing in front of him as the woman began slicing his T-bone for him.

Despite the surprise, Adam sat patiently and said nothing as Ruebella poured him a glass of green colored juice and Titania placed a small bowl of steaming grits to his side.

“Lucky bastard.” Sehn muttered, the jealousy in his voice hitting Adam’s ears and causing him to glance over to the man sitting in the far corner of the kitchen. He was alone, covered by the shadows of the darkened area with a small bowl of porridge.

“Today’s the big day Adam. How are you feeling?” Titania asked, taking a seat beside the boy as all eyes looked at him. Gazing up from his food he went to respond but then suddenly, it hit him.

Sitting there, surrounded by people who seemed to care for his well being, Adam’s jaw clenched, an overwhelming sensation of wanting to cry suddenly hitting him as they waited for his reply. The years of isolation, being on the run, his only friend being Schroedinger. All the memories of his prosecution flooding him. He found it hard to breath, his eyes welling up as struggled to maintain composure. A feeling hitting him that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Happiness… but also guilt for lying. They didn’t know that he wasn’t a child. All the hospitality he received due to his deceit.

“A-A-Adam, are you ok?” Titania asked, the entire table moving to comfort Adam as he hung his head low and used his hands to muffle his sudden crying.

*****

“I think we overwhelmed him.” Titania said, frowning as she stood outside Adam’s room as everyone crowded the hallway.

“Poor boy.” Arnold cried. “Purrhaps a fresh meal will help to ease his heart. I SHALL DO SO POST HASTE!”

“Uh. I don’t think that’s going to help.” Titania said, but the man was gone along with Lunafreya who followed behind, butcher’s blade in hand.

“W-w-w-what should w-we d-do?” Rubella asked.

“Give him space?” Titania offered. “Theres not much we can do if he wants to stay locked up in his room.”

“His trials are today. Maybe he’s scared?” Sinclair offered, the blue-haired woman twisting her abyssal slip she wore on her wrist.

“Pfft, if he’s gonna be a wuss about it he might not stand a chance.” Ravi chimed in, only to be clocked on the head by Sinclair.

“OW! Wutz tat for! You made me bith mi tong you ore!”

“I can’t believe I’m related to you. Have some tact idiot.”

“Im noh an idgit!”

Suddenly the sound of heels clicking on the wooden boards made everyone stiffen up.

“We are opening in less than an hour. Why are you all standing around instead of DOING. YOUR. JOBS?!” Victoria bellowed, her purple glare quickly scattering the group of maids. “Titania, Sehn!’

“”YES MA’AM!” The duo stiffened up, standing to attention.

“Stop using the Repentas for your pet project. While they are on the clock they need to fulfill their duties as contracted servants to the guild.” The Guild Master said, folding her arms with her frown deepening. “Understood?”

“Y-y-yes ma’am!” Sehn replied with Titania hesitating for a moment before joining in.

“Good.” Victoria sighed, her shoulders relaxing a bit. “How is he?”

“Today is his day so… Emotional.” Titania replied.

“I would be too if I thought I was going to die.” Sehn added, resulting in him getting elbowed by Titania.

“That can be arranged.” Titania hissed.

“I see.” Victoria said. “Get him whatever you think he needs to survive. But don’t go overboard. I’d hate for money to be wasted.”

Suddenly the door opened, with Adam stepping out, completely decked out in his leather armor, cape, and metal daggers that had been gifted by Sehn.

“I’m ready for the trials.” Adam said, his eyes furrowed with resolution and determination. “Where do I need to go to enter?”