Volume 1: Episode 2 - A Simple Wish
Ramewet, A Remote Village
After a paltry dinner of small, half-dead fish, rather than read, Kat decided to have a quick hike up the nearby hill. It was a short journey from his little house, up the grassy path lightly dotted by occasional trees. The high hill provided an expansive vantage of the landscape. Kat sat on the peak and gazed into the distance. He was very young when his family made the long journey to help settle the area and he did not know what path they took or in which direction the nearest town might be.
Many times, he considered leaving. Just filling his backpack and going without a word to anyone, following a stream to wherever it took him. Fear kept him from doing just that. He was a terrible hunter. He didn't know which way to go. He had no idea how plentiful streams full of fish might be, for fishing was the one thing he was good at. Fear, however, of Resef and the others slowly began to gnaw away at his other misgivings. Every day that passed gave a slight boost to his resolve to leave, though he did not understand this feeling for a long time, like a tiny vibration deep within that grew imperceptibly stronger with with each sunset.
Granny: Mind if I sit, Kat?
Kat reacted with a start, whipping his head around to find Granny standing next to him. So lost he was in his own thoughts, he did not hear her approach.
Kat: Please do, Granny.
Granny might be the one thing keeping him tethered to this village. Though not his real grandmother, she was the only one who was kind to him and she allowed him to call her that. Granny took a seat next to him and looked up at the stars.
Kat: I thought you were at the party.
Granny: I did my duty and put in my appearance. I thought I'd come see how you were doing.
Kat brought his knees close to his chest and perched his head upon them.
Kat: You didn't have to come all this way, but I appreciate it. I'm just wondering if there might be a place for me somewhere else out there.
Granny inched closer and placed her paw on the back of Kat's neck.
Granny: But there can be a place for you here, too! You're a hard worker in the fields. If you would just do some man's work, then everything would be okay.
Kat smirked disbelievingly on the side of his mouth that Granny could not see. He didn't want to be accepted. Just left alone. It was nice, at least, that Granny believed in him, which gave comfort nonetheless.
Kat: Maybe. Or maybe I might see what's out there.
Kat turned to face the opposite direction. Today, he looked north, but sometimes he gazed south, though the view was not as good. High, craggy mountains blocked any sight of the landscape beyond and the valley preceding them was always covered in a thick, misty shroud. "Out there" was an adventure, but there seemed to be one nearby as well. What could that fluffy, green cloud be concealing?
Kat: Or, I could just take a day and see what's down south in the misty valley.
Granny's eyes widened and she turned her head briskly toward the valley and then back again.
Granny: Oh, no! You mustn't go there! It's bad luck!
Nonplussed by Granny's reaction as he had heard it before, Kat still wondered what was so forbidden about that place. For that, he never received a straight answer.
Kat: But why? It's just a fog. It couldn't be that bad.
Granny: It's forbidden! Now promise me you won't go there.
Kat took another look over his shoulder at the misty valley and sighed. There was probably nothing interesting over there anyway, he thought.
Kat: Alright, I promise.
Granny smiled and patted Kat's back, returning her gaze to the sky.
Granny: The evening star shines bright tonight. Why don't you make a wish on the evening star like you used to?
Kat smirked again, being treated like a little kid, but it was also comforting and innocent at the same time.
Kat: I don't know what to wish for. What about you?
Granny closed her eyes and sniffed the fragrant, evening air.
Granny: I wish for ours to be a peaceful village.
Kat smiled and stood, holding his hand out to help Granny up.
Kat: That's a nice wish. Shall I help you down the hill?
Granny put her hand in his and pushed hard, using him to stand.
Granny: Thank you, dear.
Kat's House
After descending the hill and sending Granny on her way, Kat took the short stroll to his house. As he approached, something seemed amiss. The house looked okay and it wasn't unusual for the wind to push the culinary aromas emanating from the chimneys of other houses down the valley. This, somehow, was different. Kat approached his door with trepidation and opened it slowly, stepping inside.
Inside, he found a sight both puzzling and terrifying. Dewa stood over Kat's grill, spatula in hand, and two steaks sizzling on the grate. Kat panicked, grabbing whatever he could find within reach, a spoon in this case, and pointed it menacingly at Dewa.
Dewa: You weren't here, so I let myself in. I hope you don't mind.
Kat said nothing, still holding his spoon in the most threatening way he could muster and shaking like he was in a snowstorm with no clothes. Dewa put his spatula on the counter and approached.
Dewa: You're unlikely to do any damage with that.
Kat backed flat against the wall, expecting Dewa to punch or kick him. Instead, Dewa gently wrapped his paw around Kat's spoon paw and unfurled his fingers from around the spoon. It fell to the floor, leaving Kat even more defenceless and more confused than ever.
Kat: Wh... what are you doing here?
Dewa smiled and stepped back.
Dewa: You didn't come to the party and I thought you might like some of the spoils from the hunt.
Dewa returned to the grill and flipped one of the steaks, sending a puff of smoke and steam curling up through the chimney. Kat, now beginning to shed some of his fear, stepped forward, craning his neck to see the steaks and take in the aroma.
Kat: Nobody's ever brought me steaks before.
Dewa: It is a day for firsts, then.
Kat: But why...
Dewa turned again, his eyes crawling all over Kat like a herd of spiders.
Dewa: Resef is such a bore, you know. You seem interesting.
Dewa stepped toward Kat again and reached out, cupping his paw on Kat's crotch. Kat did not resist and inhaled sharply.
Dewa: This part feels especially nice.
This was the first time anyone other than himself fondled Kat's nethers and he liked it very much, but it all ended too soon, for Dewa returned to cooking once again.
Dewa: After dinner, then. I will make you feel things you've never felt before.
Either Dewa was very patient or he was teasing Kat. Either way, he'd have to wait and try to keep his mind away from what he was currently thinking until after dinner. Kat took a seat at his table and waited for Dewa to finish cooking.
