A certain exotic security guard brought me here
Jonesy's already heard everything I've got to say, so for now I would just like to call attention to
Vurrunna's title card, because
oh my gosh posh cubs, and to say that I took a liking to Jessamine and Kasa, because that might serve to explain the next bit.
Note! Unofficial content!
--- Summer ---
Jessamine didn't slam the door behind her, she merely closed it with firm precision. Nor did she storm down the stairs, as much as walk with empathic vigor. They'd been going in circles, so she had excused herself for a moment. To regroup. The sheer affrontery of it, and yet her father still thought it was just... an unfortunate setback. On the road to something
inevitable.
Of course, he was right. Almost certainly he was. But must he
think it? Rounding the corner to the kitchen, she let out a low growl, surprising herself. And Kasa, who had been seeing to dinner preparations. They stared at each other, Jessamine willing him to ignore what he had just heard. In his expression, she could see Kasa-her-friend warring with Kasa-the-houseboy.
Eventually, the houseboy emerged victorious, if looking suspiciously amused. Kasa pulled up a chair for her. "Would you like something, Miss?"
She sat down with a sigh. They'd laugh about that. Later. "No, thank you. I just need a moment." Kasa just nodded. He wouldn't press her to explain herself. But he would listen if she did. Sitting down wasn't helping; her mind just kept running in circles. So she stood back up, not to pace, but to... preambulate in a circumferous fashion. She caught the urge to growl, this time, aware of Kasa discreetly keeping an eye on her, but spoke up instead. "As if he could even run the business! As if any of them could! Just because..." she stopped, and turned to look at him, her frustration boiling over. Just because she was a
woman.
Kasa looked at her, somber now. He reached out, a little hesitantly, to put a hand on her shoulder. He gave her a little squeeze, and it startled her; she might touch him, if not often, but never before had Kasa reached out to her. To... comfort? That the timid lupusad
would was worth more than the gesture itself. Somehow, that bit of sympathy was the last straw. Overcome, she stepped into his arms, to hug him. Kasa returned the embrace, hesitantly. She was trembling, and thought he might have felt it, for he hugged her tighter. There was something deeply comforting about Kasa, and she sought solace in his gentle embrace, in the feel of his fur against her. In the fact that he understood. With a sigh, Jessamine grew calmer. If any of her suitors were
half the man he was -- wait, what was she thinking? Even if he was a friend, he was a servant, and lupusad besides. She almost growled again, at herself. Just a servant. Just a lupusad. Like she was
just a woman. There was no
just about it! But they
were friends, and surely that was all.
And yet, in his embrace, she found herself thinking of other possibilities.
After a moment that surely felt longer than it was, she pulled away and smiled at him. Kasa smiled back, definitely more friend than houseboy. She put a hand on his chest. "Thank you, Kasa."
Kasa nodded at her, still smiling. "You're welcome... Jessamine."
She sighed. That had been a little
too effective. "And now if you'll excuse me, I need to find my righteous indignation again by the time I'm up the stairs."
--- Fall ---
Kasa sat in front of the fireplace, making sure that the first fire of the season got well on its way. He was just about to get up, having decided it was fine, when he heard Jess sneaking up on him. He stayed put, and was soon rewarded with her hugging him from behind. "Mm. That's warm."
It was. And he didn't think she meant the fire. Kasa leaned his head against hers. It wasn't
quite a nuzzle, but... she licked him on the cheek. That, that had to be answered. He turned around, to give her the lick, then returned the hug as well. "It
is warm."
Jess buried her face in the fur of his neck. "I think I might spend a lot of time by the fire, this weekend."
Kasa leaned his head against hers again. "That sounds lovely."
After a while, Jess distanced herself to look at him with a smile. Kasa smiled back, resisting the sudden urge to nuzzle her. Jess reached out to take hold of the tip of his tail. "I was just thinking... you haven't spoken of being lonely, lately."
Kasa gave a little wag of his tail, not hard enough for Jess to lose her hold. "I haven't been feeling lonely." He grinned. "I wonder why?"
"I'm sure I wouldn't know. But..." she grew more serious. "I wonder if that might not be a problem. You've been a blessing to me, especially these past few months, but..."
"But?"
"I saw a pregnant lupusad today, and my first thought was: 'Kasa would make a great father.'"
He felt honored. "You really think so?"
"Yes! But that wasn't really the point, was it?"
Kasa nodded. "You think it would be... wiser... for me to spend more time with my people. And less time with you."
"Don't you?"
Wisdom didn't enter into it. He smiled. "I'm sure you're right, Miss Montgomery."
Jess smiled back. "Houseboy." Never had the word been spoken with more regard.
And she still hadn't let go of his tail.
"Perhaps..." Kasa reached out to take her free hand. "Perhaps it's too soon to think of wisdom."
Or too late. He thought he saw the same thought in Jess's eyes, and they both smiled. Whatever was to come, they had the moment.
"Very well. We shall hold wisdom in abeyance." Jess gave his tail a little tug. "And I guess I don't have to blame myself for forcing you."
"Not unless you want to." Kasa raised his eyebrows. "Servant and mistress? Could be hot."
Jess laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. And... you wouldn't have made
that joke in the past."
Ah. "My apologies, Miss. It
has weighed on me that this isn't exactly part of my duties." He smiled. "But I think I have my head in the right place, now, even if I sometimes still ask myself if I'm not just the worst of servants."
"You do? And... how do you answer yourself?"
Kasa grinned. "That I'm just going beyond my duties, like any good servant would." She batted at him, and he caught her arm gently, letting his expression melt into a smile. "I tell myself that loving you can't be wrong."
She actually blushed! And when she leaned in, to nuzzle with him, he would have as well, if not for the fur. Overcome, he pulled her close, and down to the floor with him.
The rug was plenty comfortable, especially with company.
--- Winter ---