POST 7.0 - AFTER DEFEATING BLACK CAT IN THE ARCADION
Black Cat's expression was a mix of resentment and consternation as she watched me sign the paperwork agreeing to the next match and hand it back to Metem. "Wonderful! I'll let you know when the match is scheduled," the Millala said, waving over his shoulder as he left. "Pleasure doing business with you, Master Merouc."
"Unbelievable," Black Cat muttered as soon as he was gone. "I can't believe he didn't warn you."
I turned back toward her and arched an eyebrow at her. "Warn me?"
Unaccountably, Black Cat blushed. "Well. It's just. Everyone from Solution Nine would already know this, but. Since you're not from here..."
I crossed my arms impatiently. "Spit it out. Do I need to get those forms back from Metem?"
"No! I mean." Black Cat held up her hands and took a deep breath. "It's just. You'll want to arrange to have one of your mates attend the match. And if not, well... you've already got lots of fans, and I could. If you like. Make some introductions?"
I stared blankly at Black Cat for several long, extremely awkward moments. "I swear I'm not trying to be obtuse," I finally said. "I just... I'm not following your meaning."
The Hhetsarro fighter's ears flattened as she turned an even brighter shade of pink. "Honey's feral soul is a bee."
I blinked. Was this one of those situations where my demisexuality was making me inconveniently immune to subtext? "And?"
"She. Uh. Uses pheremones."
My own cheeks flushed hotly as comprehension finally dawned. "Ah. I see." I thought back to the similar situation I'd encountered fighting Lakshmi, after which I had sourced a recipe for pheremone-negating potions. "I'll be sure to take the appropriate precautions. Thank you for your consideration."
Black Cat looked relieved. "Honey makes Metem a lot of money, so everyone is just used to dealing with the inevitable consequences. I don't think anyone was trying to screw you over. It's just easy to forget that it wouldn't be obvious to outsiders."
"I understand."
"Tell your guest to check in with admissions, and you'll both be provided with a private room after the match. That is, assuming Honey doesn't. You know. Kill you."
I didn't bother to correct Black Cat's assumption that I'd need to rut after my match with Honey - the conversation was already uncomfortable enough. "She's welcome to try. She won't succeed."
Black Cat grinned. "You'd better kick her ass," she said cheerfully, extending a hand. "I only want to get beaten by the best."
"You've got it." I grinned back and shook her hand. "She won't know what hit her."
I called Ojika as I left to request the ingredients for the pheromone potion be delivered to my rooms, then called Alisaie, figuring better safe than sorry.
"Savvel! How bad did you demolish your opponent?"
"She gave me a nice workout."
Alisaie snorted. "Nice to hear it wasn't a complete waste of your time. I can't say I understand why the savior of the whole bloody star finds it necessary to smack around some two-bit regional arena fighters."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Now, now. Be nice. Raubahn came as one of those 'two-bit fighters'."
"I suppose."
"Anyway, I called to ask if you wanted to come to the next match?"
"Of course! What kind of a question is that? I always love watching you thrash people."
"Great. So apparently..."
- - -
I'll admit I enjoyed watching the smug look on Honey's face turn to panic when the first hit of pheromones had no effect. Almost as much as she must have enjoyed the look of panic on my face when she unexpectedly hit me with a second blast halfway through the match. The potion mitigated most of it, but my pants still started to feel far too tight.
Pushing all thoughts of physical discomfort out of my mind, I snarled and lunged forward, making Honey squeak in alarm as she barely fluttered out of the way. I'd gotten worse when I'd fought Lakshmi, and Honey was no primal. Besides, it wasn't likely she'd have the energy to hit with a third blast.
...she hit me with a third blast. Right as one of the simulated champions and I tag-teamed her, knocking her out cold. A couple of seconds later, the simulacra vanished, leaving me on my own.
I buttoned my Red Mage's coat and tried not to look as uncomfortable as I felt while Metem pronounced me the winner.
- - -
Metem took me out a different way than I'd come in, escorting me to a doorway in what looked to be a dormitory for resident champions. "Take as long as you need," he murmured, not making eye contact as he trundled off.
I was sweating and my cock felt as if it were being strangled by my pants, but I couldn't face the prospect of going in like this. Not yet. With a groan, I banged my head against the wall and linkpearled Alisaie.
"Savvel? What's going on? Where are you? They showed me to this room and said you'd be joining me, and then they just... vanished."
"I need you to promise not to laugh at me," I said, concentrating on the cold metal of the wall against my forehead in an attempt to focus on something besides my increasing state of sexual frustration. It didn't work.
"Okay..."
"I'm serious," I snapped, picturing the bemused face that I knew would have gone with that tone.
"Alright! I promise."
I activated the door and slunk in, finding Alisaie standing in the middle of a small room with a very large bed, a tiny bathroom, and nothing else. And I did not pounce on her - much as she would have enjoyed that - because I was determined to prove that I could maintain some dignity, dammit, no matter the ridiculous circumstances that had gotten me here. "I wanted to show them that they don't need to use souls to be strong," I said stiffly.