Vale’s Entertainment Emporium had few dull moments. Sure, it still had noticeable downtimes, but not dull moments per se, which was understandable when one started to go down the list of the staff that worked on the establishment. A manager with a girlfriend turned genie, a showgirl able to fuse with others and with a fondness for transformations, a kitsune who made use of her talents with transformation to the former’s joy… compared to them Dana Dearest and Vale Adamson could feel rather unimpressive to the unexperienced eye.

And yet, the two of them had managed to find their niche though, the first in gymnastics and the second in cosplay business. Not too bad, although their own unique traits were easy to notice, as each of them sported a long and lean feline tail on the rear, Vale having it complemented by a couple of animal ears. “Bast’s curse” it was called, but that did not stop them from carrying on with their lives.

The two were rather close, and would when possible do as they were at the moment, simply taking a break in the staff room taking advantage of the rather dull day and the downtime. Dana was toying with an empty bottle in her hands, having it spin non stop both clockwise and the other way around, while her blonde partner had her eyes on a magazine on the table before her… passing page after page without paying much attention to its contents.

“You’re going to read that? If not, I could use it.”

“Yeah, go ahead.” Said the Vale, tossing the brunette the magazine. “I know downtime is rare and all, but…”

“Hm?”

“I could really use some distraction…” Sighed the blonde, turning to once again search through the magazines, newspapers and leaflets the staff room had. “Some are a couple of months old… we really need to renew these.”

Dana snickered at Vale’s comment, but she wasn’t wrong. Crosswords, sudokus and all sorts of pastimes had been done to death. And some bright mind had even written or pointed out some of the answers before realizing what they were doing.

“Yes, we do, thanks for the heads up, Vale.”

Both werecat women turned at the voice, which belonged to none other than their boss, Gale Rider. Donning a red dress and a small black jacket as well as her glasses, she was quite the looker, fitting rather well among the ladies that worked for her but neither missed her… current look, so to say. Incredibly wide hips, peach shaped buttocks and a very revealed bust, all in a red dress that seemed to struggle holding the line.

“Probably Alex’s work…”

“Kodaka screwed up maybe…?”

Both Dana and Vale shared a look, each knowing exactly what the other thought. But before their boss could say something, help arrived, particularly in the form of Alex, Gale’s girlfriend turned genie. A blonde bombshell of a woman, with a revealing attire as befitting of her nature and set apart by the pink stripes in her hair and outfit.

“Hey darling, making a round?” The blonde genie asked, motioning the clipboard in Gale’s hands.

“Indeed. We have to renew the magazines here…” Gale said, walking in and taking the one Dana held, sitting next to her.

Alex followed, going next to Vale and shifting through the pile along her. Gale had a point. Vale and Dana had a point. “Oh wow, yeah we do… this one is three months old…”

“Told you.” Chipped in the blonde next to her, which took the chance to set a pile of them on the table and look for anything that would be remotely interesting. Alex mimicked her, putting even more on the table as Dana and Gale joined the fray, looking for… something, although none knew what exactly. Gossip stories, some old news and used pastimes. Pick one up, skim through it, set it down to be discarded. Rinse, repeat.

“Huh…” Dana’s voice immediately grabbed everyone’s attention, the brunette werecat holding a leaflet in her hands. A small foldable piece of paper, but the woman seemed… tense, to put it somehow. Her eyes stared at the thing intently, as if she had found an answer she had been looking for.

“Anything interesting?” Asked Vale.

“I think so… you might want to check this out.”

The blonde feline immediately stood up, walking to her partner and leaning to read. “Big Cat Sanctuary” it said, a rather discreet promotional paper for an animal haven, but to Alex and Gale both women seemed tense and maybe a bit startled, as the two seemed to frown as they glared at it. Trying to be as discreet as possible, the blonde in red leaned towards the werecats, although with her physique it was not as subtle as she would have wished.

“Big Cat Sanctuary. Bear witness to some of the most magnificent species in a safe environment. Visit us anytime!” The woman read aloud, looking at Alex, who merely shrugged.

“I don’t know. It feels… generic?” She guessed. “Nothing really captivating to prompt a visit. It might be just me though… Are you two alright?”

Gale followed her girlfriend’s gaze, meeting the werecat duo once again. The two of them were… on edge, was the best way she could put it. They both glared intently at the paper, as if some hidden code or signal was evading them. Their frowns had been joined by some scrunched up expressions on their faces, the two sharing a look every few moments.

“You feel that?” Asked Dana.

“You bet I do…”

“Dana, Vale, anything you want to share?” Asked Gale, her voice serious as the two werecats exchanged a few words.

“I… we do.” Said Dana after sharing a look with Vale.

“It feels… familiar, I guess.” The blonde elaborated, as she tried to put her thoughts into words. “First time seeing it, and yet there’s something odd. This feeling of knowing the place…”

“Despite never having been there.” Finished Dana.

Both werecats fell silent, eyes fixed on the leaflet, as the mood started to become awkward. The silence felt heavy, Vale and Dana exchanging some quiet looks time and again, causing Gale and Alex to do so too.

 “We might have to take the word of the paper and visit it…” Murmured Vale, the blonde turning the paper around twice clearly searching for something. “Doesn’t say where it’s located though…”

“What kind of promotional leaflet doesn’t say where the thing it advertises is located?” Asked Gale, the woman arching an eyebrow at this information.

“This one.” Vale answered with a joking tone that masked her disappointment, or tried to, as she handed the leaflet to her boss.

Now it was the turn of Gale to try and see, but the werecat was right. Besides the small and sparse text, and plenty of photos of animals over a dark yellow background, there really was nothing.

“No direction or address, no country…” Gale said quietly, thinking aloud. “It certainly seems suspicious.”

“Yeah, and I bet I know exactly what you’re thinking.” Chimed in Alex.

“Really now?”

“Well, with all the mystery of the location…” The genie smiled, leaning against her girlfriend. “How much and with which currency are you supposed to pay for your entrance, if you don’t know where it is?”

Silence set in again, as Gale glared at Alex, both women holding their ground while Dana and Vale tried to stifle some giggles. The boss of the emporium was a gentle and nice woman, in all of her ways, but sometimes she could be stupidly easy to read. And her genie girlfriend was very good at it, only getting better the more time went by.

“Maybe…” Gale harrumphed, not wanting to concede.

“Just maybe?”

The boss harrumphed once again, her girlfriend leaning forward and giving her a small peck, taking the leaflet off her hands and taking a good look at it. Gale could see the metaphorical gears turning on the genie’s head, but she did not have the chance to ask.

“Idea!” Exclaimed Alex. “Gale, tell you what, I’m taking these two kitties to visit the sanctuary. That way they can scratch their proverbial itch off and they are back in action!”

“Alex, that will take a bit of time to-”

“Please, remember who you are talking with Gale!” Alex said, puffing her chest proudly. “Teleportation! We go and come back on the same day! Or the moment they are done!”

“Of course.” Gale rolled her eyes. “I think you can have the rest of the day off.”

“Really?” Asked Gale, the blonde’s cat ears perking up as she moved her tail excitedly.

“Thank you.” Said Dana, who tried to mask her own excitement by holding her tail in her hands. Still twitches of movement were easy to notice.

“All right, gather round ladies!” Exclaimed Alex energetically as she held the two werecats next to her. “Ready to grant your wish!”

“Girls wait.”

“See you soon, dear!” Said Alex, smiling brightly.

“And remember to note down the new magazines!” Exclaimed Vale, the genie’s enthusiasm being contagious.

“I wish we were at the entrance of the Big Cat Sanctuary!” Said Dana, trying to contain her excitement.

“Girls! Wai-”

“As you wish!”

In a flash the three of them were gone, leaving Gale behind. Now alone in the room, the bombshell blonde sighed, noting down to renew the magazines and pastimes of the staff room. She certainly could do that, as she always made sure her workers had the best conditions. And while she would have loved to accompany them, she had her own work to do.

“Still…” She whispered, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she carried on her own to-do’s “I wonder how you three are going to pay for the entrance.”

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Sun shone down on the trio of women that had come out of nowhere. They had been fortunate that there was no one around or otherwise they would have to answer plenty of questions. However, the three women were stunned to find a rather simple looking wooden building before them, surrounded by a thick fence of plants. It probably had some sort of fence under the leaves, and they could say it was rather spartan, but they expected something… different, or something more elaborate at least.

There was nothing but wilderness around them, a natural scenery that went on and on, stretching as far as their sight could reach. But under the sun’s merciless warmth, the wooden building was becoming more and more attractive, as it was probably cool and offered shelter. At least better than that offered by local flora.

“We are definitely not at the Emporium anymore…” said Alex quietly, the genie looking around for any sort of signal. “Dana, Vale, is it he-”

“It’s here.” The blonde werecat said, scrunching up her face and fixing her gaze on the building.

“Vale’s right.” Confirmed Dana, sniffing before mimicking her partner’s gesture. “You nailed it, Alex.”

Silence set it again, the genie stroking her ego in her mind while the werecats seemed infatuated with the building. So enthralled by it that they were completely unaware of their surroundings. Alex was very aware of them though, and she saw Vale’s ears perk up, as well as both their tails move slowly.

“Shall we go in?” She suggested. “We are going nowhere if we remain here.”

Neither needed more, as the women entered the building. As Alex had imagined, it was cooler than the outside, but nowhere on the level of the emporium as air conditioner and other luxuries were nowhere to be found. And there was no one to greet them either, the reception lacking any and all staff.

In fact, it lacked a lot of things, as the wooden furniture only had the most minimal paperwork. But having been working alongside Gale for enough time, there were plenty of details that she could spot, and they spoke highly of the reception before her. The place was anything but improvised or left uncared. There was not a single paper out of place, and the promotional material was just as neatly ordered too. Flyers and leaflets each had their own pile, one next to the other carefully placed near the edge of the table.

And speaking of furniture, it was wonderfully taken care of. The surfaces were of beautiful smooth wood, just like the floor under them. It showed signs of having been carefully treated, to endure the harsh environment without losing its rather regal presence and having no chance to generate even the smallest splinters. Despite its simplicity it had a distinct presence, although Vale and Dana cared little, their faces scrunched and even occasionally sniffing the air.

“Girls, could you please take it a bit easier?”

The werecats complied, although it was easy to notice that they were still somewhat on edge, their eyes trying to spot something. What exactly, was beyond the genie. However, it mattered little as Vale’s ears twitched immediately the moment they picked up the smallest noise.

“Is anyone there?”

It was a feminine voice that came from behind them, the image of the woman greeting them the moment they turned around. She was old, as the wrinkles on her skin and her grey hair making it obvious. She wore a rather colourful dress, mixing dress and cream white, but it did little to hide her slightly hunched body. However, her eyes were fixed on them with surprising coldness as she entered the room.

“Oh my, we don’t receive many visits around these parts.” She said, “How may I help you ladies?

The three women couldn’t help but freeze for a moment. There was something about the woman, none were quite able to tell what, that had left them floored when first laying eyes on her. Despite her old age and being slightly hunched, she moved easily and without any sort of help, making her way behind the counter while waiting for an answer.

“Can I help you ladies?”

“Ah, yes!” Answered Alex, finally snapping back. “We would like to visit the sanctuary. The three of us!”

“That’s lovely to hear, would you prefer to visit at your own pace or maybe you would like some company?”

“We… uh…”

Alex turned at the two werecats, who remained completely silent while glaring at the old woman. In fact, their faces were ever so slightly scrunched up, Alex having to tap them on their shoulder.

“With her, or on our own?”

“Uh… maybe better with her?” Dana said, looking at Vale. “She knows the place after all.”

 “Yeah!” Vale agreed, nodding energetically. “What she said.”

“Alright then.” Said Alex, turning to the old woman. “It would be our pleasure if you could accompany us.”

“Such well-mannered ladies. It will be my pleasure.” The woman smiled with a warm and candid gesture. “And pardon me, but I have to admit that your outfits are… certainly unique. And as beautiful as you girls.”

The three looked at each other, their blood freezing for a minute. In their rush for the sanctuary, none had really cared about how they looked. Alex, dressed in her pink and very revealing genie outfit, while Dana and Vale each wearing form fitting sport clothes that did little to conceal their animalistic traits. Dana immediately held her tail in her hands, while Vale covered her ears while trying to have her tail and limp as possible.

“O-oh… good point.” Vale stammered.

“Not the most usual attire, that’s going double for you.” Said the old woman, smiling at Alex, who visibly blushed. “May I ask the reason behind it?”

“T-the reason behind it?”

“Mhm.” The woman nodded, keeping the pressure.

“The reason… we… uh…” The genie stammered, trying to come up with something while the werecats looked terrified and mortified. “A…”

“Go on…”

“A bet!” Alex blurted out. “We made a bet between us, and… well, you can guess who’s paying up.”

“I see…” The woman said, reluctant. “Oh well, you look lovely, dear. Just be careful with the sun.”

“O-oh, thank you.” Alex beamed.

“Shall we start then?” The woman said, receiving eager nods as answers as she opened a door to the side. “The layout is somewhat small, but I pride myself on taking good care of them.”

“Shouldn’t we pay the entr… ance…” Said Dana, only then realizing that none of them had money on them. And they couldn’t wish for it unless they wanted Alex’s cover to blow up in a thousand pieces.

“Nonsense!” The woman said. “Just by the looks I can tell you are no regular visitors. Come along now!”

The moment their visit started they verified these claims. The fauna consisted mostly of felines, but there were some surprises among them. Regal looking tigers at one side, their penetrating gazes following them as they walked along their area; while the other hosted some black panthers, their golden eyes mildly interested in the visitors under the scorching sun.

“They are incredible.” Vale muttered in awe, scrunching up her face a bit.

“Thank you dear.” The woman answered. “By the way, I never asked your names. Apologies for my rudeness…”

“Vale. And these are Dana and Alex.” The blonde werecat smiled as she waved at her two companions, who waved at the old lady.

“A pleasure to meet you.” She said as they continued walking under the gaze of tigers and panthers, approaching other areas that hosted jaguars and pumas. “Say Vale, Dana, what is the deal with the tails and the ears?”

“O-oh, these?” Said Dana, touching her feline ears.

“Indeed.”

“These are… uh…”

Dana remained silent, trying to think of something, anything, that would be a satisfying answer. With only their footsteps breaking the silence, how were the two werecats going to justify that? It was no way something common.

“We are rather fond of our jobs.” She blurted.

“Is… that so?

“Really?”

Silence set in as the old woman and Alex looked at each other, although Dana couldn’t tell whether it was a reaction to the answer or the genie’s surprise.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is that?”

“We are… cosplayers.” Dana answered somewhat sheepishly. “W-we dress up as characters and… well, we quite like it. Vale’s ears are proof of that…”

Silence again, as Dana wished the earth could torn open beneath her feet and just swallow her, right then and there. The old woman had a flawless poker face, Vale looked at her with an expression that mixed both relief and disbelief, and Alex tried her best and hardest not to burst out laughing.

Now under the watch of ocelots, lynxes and leopards, some of the felines seemed to display a variety of expressions. Curious small lynxes, ocelots that looked somewhat bored, and leopards that had a deadpan expression. Particularly a beautiful snow leopard that seemed to even shake its head in disbelief.

“I told no lies though…” She tried to find solace in that thought, but she wished the woman would just believe what she had just blurted.

“You must be wonderful at your job. Such compromise!” The woman smiled. “Do you have fun?”

“Yes, yes we do.”

“Your voice sounds honest. I’m happy for you, dear.”

The path carried on, making a sharp turn to the right and leaving the big felines behind. To the surprise of the three visitors, the proverbial spotlight was now on hyenas on one side and meerkats on the other.

“What are these doing here?” Exclaimed Alex in surprise. “I thought the sanctuary was for felines?”

“Not quite…” The old woman smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Both are related to felines more than one would think.”

“I take it’s a matter of promotion then?” Asked Alex.

“Such a smart lady you are.” The woman said. “Although not quite exact, Big Cat Sanctuary certainly sounds better than having all species in the name. Wouldn’t you think?”

“Understandable. It’s easier to remember.” Alex agreed, seeing Dana and Vale out of the corner of her eye look at the hyenas and the meerkats that got closer. Hard to say which side of the road was more curious of the other, but she did see the werecats make those funny faces again.

“Am I right to assume you work in the business too?” Said the woman. “You sound quite knowledgeable.”

“I do.”

“I see.” Nodded the woman. “Alright, my dear visitors, this will be the last part. And I’m happy to present the king and queen of the Big Cat Sanctuary!”

The woman waved triumphantly at the last area, the one that hosted the lions… all of them scattered under the shade of different trees. In fact, the only reaction the proclamation got was a bored yawn from the lion and a mildly interested look from the lead lioness of the pack.

“Don’t you two dare to give me that!” The old woman glared at the beasts, who didn’t even acknowledge her demands. “It’s not everyday that we are visited by a genie after all.”

If their previous interaction had made their blood run cold, the mention of Alex’s true nature properly transformed them into statues. It was a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity, eventually Alex regaining control.

“G-genie? Please, that’s just fic-”

“Please dear, I recognize those that used to be the enemies of those that bore my scent.” The woman said, her voice changing and taking an echo of sorts. “You can drop the act, little kittens, I knew what you three were the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Alex would have loved that any of the werecats wished for them to be back at the emporium, away from that place and safe. She wished she could grant her own wishes if that allowed her to take Dana and Vale to safety, before things went completely wrong. Although, questions came and went. Who was the old woman really? What was this place? Would Dana and Vale’s nature leave a trail for her to follow?

And yet, despite questions and ideas, the three of them were enthralled by the sight of the woman before them. The dark skin of the old lady took on a… glimmering sheen, like a night sky far from the lights of the cities. Her old self vanished, wrinkles giving way to smooth and firm skin, the hunched figure fully standing while she boasted a magnificent figure of her own.

The blue and cream dress remained unchanged, but now it fitted her like a glove, perfectly outlining the woman’s lean and slender figure. Her long legs, wide hips and hourglass curves. An ample bust and equally graceful arms, all crowned by a gorgeous face that looked at them with the knowledge and experience they could only dream of.

Her whole body resembled the night sky, or a cosmic landscape fitting on anything related to the void. Her eyes blazed like suns, while twinkling stars could be seen through all of her body. In fact, along them symbols and markings could be seen. Some they recognized from the ancient resplendent culture of Egypt, but others were completely unknown. Maybe from the lands beyond the Nile and towards central Africa. And yet, the being before them, a chunk of space given form and turned into a woman, curled her lips in a warm smile.

“Apologies if I scared you.” She spoke, her voice echoing and ethereal. “I bear no ill will.”

Dana and Vale stood by Alex, the three women silent and staring at the would-be owner of the sanctuary. In fact, several of the animals had closed the distance too, watching with curiosity the scene before them.

“Alex, I wanted to thank you.”

“…why?”

“For closing the rift between your kin and mine.” The cosmic woman explained. “It’s been closing for some time, but I had yet to see a relation between genies and those with my scent like you three.”

“Your scent…” muttered Dana in awe.

“You are correct, kitten.”

“Then you…”

“My name is Bast, and I’m the guardian of this sanctuary.” Bast finished for Vale, the werecats and the genie stunned.

“Why this whole charade?” Asked Alex, as courage returned slowly. “What do you want from us?”

“It was no charade, as I really wished to accompany you and see how you managed by myself.” Bast explained. “But you are right, I did come for a reason.”

“And that is?” Demanded Vale, the blonde werecat baring her teeth at her.

“No need for that, kitten. In fact, it was you three that drew me here. You did have a rather… unsavoury encounter with another avatar, did you not?” Bast patiently asked.

The three grimaced at that. Unsavoury was putting it lightly, as the three of them had been attacked by a beast that looked similar to Bast. A fight had ensued, and Alex had landed a fatal blow on it to keep Vale and Dana safe. Something that they would rather keep between them, but it was clear that Bast knew.

“Imagine my surprise to see that none other than a genie had saved two of my kin. For that I’m grateful.” Bast said. “But… I also took the chance to do something else.”

“Such as?” Asked Alex.

“Tell me kitten- no, apologies. Dana, Vale, tell me, did you notice anything during your visit?” Asked the avatar.

“Notice…” Said Dana.

“…anything?” Finished Vale.

Alex was about to say something, but Bast raised a hand, the genie taking the hint. The two werecats were silent, lost in thought. They looked at one another and to themselves, their eyes wandering off to the scenery around them. The clear blue sky and the radiant sun, the flora and the fauna… the fauna. Both approached the lion and lioness that were nearby, the two that had not heeded Bast’s call.

The hazel eyes of the two looked back at them just as intently, displaying a glow of intelligence normal beasts would not have. And there was the smell too. It had been something that had nagged the back of their minds for a while, but there was something familiar about the animals. They all had the same scent, the one belonging to Bast. The one they both had.

“Oh my god.”

“Indeed.” Said Bast, confirming their thoughts. “Each and every one of them was once a human being that bore my scent, whether they acquired it intentionally or not, just like you.”

“Then… this is what-” Started Dana, only to be cut by Bast.

“However, unlike you, some were not as fortunate. Others willingly casted away their human forms, like Abbas and Xena.” She explained. “The two were maddeningly in love, and both having the scent, we struck a deal.”

The werecats had calmed down, but they nonetheless huddled together behind Alex, who stood bravely before Bast. A gesture that the cosmic woman could help but smile at, she was satisfied.

“Why would you do that?” Asked Vale.

“That is a story for another time.” She said, “However, I do have a request for you three. Alex, Dana, Vale. Please, keep this location a secret, both for my sake and theirs.”

Silence set in, as Bast awaited their answer. This would be the one thing that would either make or break her mind about them. Could the genie really compromise, working alongside her kin or-

“We will.” Said Alex. “Well, at least I will. What about you two?”

“Yeah!”

“You bet!”

Bast’s smile widened, happy to hear their answer and proud of the three of them, genie and werecat alike. She had been right, and they had been a lovely company to spend some hours with.

“Thank you.”

“No need to worry.” Said Alex letting out a sigh she had been holding. “Are we done here girls?”

“Yeah, we got the answers we wanted.” Said Dana.

“Answers?” Asked Bast.

“Mhm.” Nodded Vale. “There was something off with the leaflet we found. It had… this scent, you could say. So we came to check out what it was.”

“Are you satisfied with what you found?”

“I would say so.” Affirmed Vale.

“It’s a lot to take in, but… we got what we were looking for.” Elaborated Dana.

“I’m happy to hear that.” Smiled Bast. “Know that you will always be welcome for a visit. The three of you.”

Dana and Vale smiled at her, while Alex nodded with a small smirk, getting a hold of the two of them. A wish, and they left in a flash, leaving Bast to her own devices. None of the three had expected such a turn of events, but they got the answers Dana and Vale wanted. Even though they couldn’t help but feel intimidated by Bast’s presence, despite the goddess being the textbook definition of a gentle giant. And in the end Alex was right, they had come back on the same day, the moment they were done.