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The prince's silver pelt and black spots, an almost exact replica of the empress, were easy enough to see. As were the gem-studded jewelry and the loose, rich red silks he wore–palace silks, the sort cats only wore on Dockside, with short sleeves and pants that hung loose at the knees. There was less errant sand to deal with, so they didn't need to cover their pelts and tie down their sleeves like Benz cats.

But the jewels, clothes, and fur only said so much. All the kittens from the empress's litter looked the same–at least, to her, they did. All thin and taller than Kali, despite being two years younger, with the same fur and pattern. She could never be sure, at first glance, who she was dealing with.

But the moment he spoke, when she heard that familiar airy voice, she knew for certain which of the empress's twins had crept up behind her. Especially when she saw his eyes, with his wide black pupils eclipsing the green of his eyes. Beyond how a normal cat's eyes behaved, riding a residual high from whatever variety of mint he rolled in. Something she only saw around the palace–and with this prince in particular. He enjoyed his intoxicating herbal cultivars far more than any other members of the Mjau royal family did.

From the first word, Kali recognized who he was. She wasn't afraid, or alarmed, once he spoke. Their familiarity smoothed out her ruffled tail in an instant. She wasn't afraid—but she wasn't amused, either.

“Good evening, Prince Tasean," Kali said. Her ears were flat, voice a flat monotone, while she peered past him at the palace hallways. The empress and her swathe of fanciers were gone, but a small crowd of palace cats remained clustered in the hallway. Giggling and chatting, dressed in yet more loose silky shirts and shorts that hung off their lithe frames. Not palace guards or fanciers, just some heritors and other pedigrees the palace welcomed. Tasean's usual entourage. A bunch of spoiled kittens.

Nothing for Kali to worry about, as she turned and snarled. “And respectfully, prince," Kali growled, “go away."

Tasean's voice warbled, a distressed chirp, as he feigned hurt. “My dear sister, is that really how you're going to greet me? After so long–"

“Stop calling me that." Kali glanced at the hallway again. In case the empress had doubled back. Her tail tingled at the thought, ready to fluff and tuck. “You're going to get me–us in trouble."

“In trouble with who?" he asked, blinking his wide, round eyes. Again, a contrived innocence. “Mikora?"

Kali's ears lowered. “You know who, Ean. Tall, dark spotted, and hates me down to the tip of my tail?"

“Who, her?" Tasean glanced back at the hallway, eyes darting to where the empress's long dress had trailed down the hallway. “Please. I'm not worried about Dezindra. She's got too much on her plate to fuss over either of us."

“Yeah, somehow I doubt that."

“I don't. She's too busy to fuss over anyone right now. Not even you." Tasean grinned from ear to ear. He leaned forward, close to Kali's ear, and whispered low enough for the other cats not to hear. “She's dangling her tail for the fanciers again, like she's going to try for a new litter."

“I really didn't want to hear that."

“I know. Gross, isn't it?" Tasean laughed as he leaned back. A light and pretty sound that danced in Kali's ears. His laughter could always cut the silence in any room, and often beckoned others to join him. As it did now, with some of the palace cats turning their ears to see what amused the prince.

Tasean swept his slender hands across his whiskers, bouncing the ends. “She's not actually going to. She's just keeping up appearances. Since, you know–" Tasean gestured at the both of them. “First and second litters didn't exactly go as planned. One set more than half dead and illegitimate. Then half dead and half useless. Everyone's hoping the third will be half decent for once."

Kali's whiskers twitched, but she suppressed a grin. Agreeing with Tasean didn't feel quite right, but he wasn't entirely wrong. Instead, she tapped under her good eye. “You'd be more useful if you weren't rolling in mint all the time."

“And who says I want to be useful? I'd rather swim in green, minted seas than do anything for Dezindra." He paused, tail still as he thought, then added, “Or swim in sand, for that matter. I'll take either."

“You should probably stick with the mint." Kali slung her bow over her shoulder, tucking her whiskers and ears as she crossed it over her back. She had no hope of practicing with Tasean around. At best, he would chat her ear off the entire time. At worst, he would dart in front of the target and dare her to shoot between his whiskers. Which didn't work, even when her aim was less shaky. Tasean was still missing a whisker on the left side of his muzzle.

And with how full and round his pupils were, wider than necessary, with the bright starlight on them, he probably would do something stupid like that again.

She settled the bow in place across her chest, taking a moment to smooth her bunched up scarf. “So, is that why you came to see me?" Kali asked, with one last check of the hallway. “To complain about your mom?"

“No-no, I wouldn't do that." Tasean hesitated. His smile tensed at the edges with a hint of a snarl. “Well, I would, but not this time. She hasn't bothered me much, since Taslore is currently her golden kitten."

Kali's ears perked at the news. “Not Halsea?"

“Definitely not Halsea. She's not in fashion. Dezindra is all about Taslore. Even if he's not as pretty as me."

Her ears flicked at this news, too. Particularly the insult he slipped in. Kali leaned left, looking past Tasean's arm. Among all the tall, lithe cats that were huddled together, she saw another silver, black-spotted pelt. A twin. A tom. “Should you really say that so loudly when Taslore is right there?"

“Oh, he knows. Don't worry," Tasean said. “He knows the list of reasons I'm prettier. And it's a long, long list. Back when Dezindra thought she might get the next generation of kittens out of me, and I was the favorite, we all discussed it at length. But no." He rapidly waved his hand in front of his whiskers, as if the topic flustered him and tried to clear the air. “Stop distracting me. That's not why I'm here."

“Yeah, I'm the one being distracting," Kali scoffed. She plucked the bow's string, letting it snap on her chest. “When you're the one intruding on my practice. Sure. I'm the problem."

Tasean chuckled. “I've missed you so much, sister. You're the only one that's any fun around here."

“You mean I'm the only one that doesn't smile and nod at your nonsense?"

“Exactly." Tasean's silvery tail swished happily, perking yet higher, when he looked over his shoulder at his devotees. “Now, look at my new plaything."

“Plaything?" Kali groaned. “Seriously? You're interrupting my training for this? Again?"

“No, not again." Tasean hesitated. “And I haven't done this in a while."

“You did this last time I was here. You brought some tom over who wouldn't stop giggling."

Tasean's tail flicked for a minute, the time it took the haze in his mind to briefly clear, and his eyes lit at the recollection. “Oh, I guess I did. But this one is different."

“You say that every time."

“No, this time I mean it. This one is especially pretty." Tasean circled around Kali, crouching so his muzzle could hover by her ear. “Just look–"

“At what, Ean? All your crushes or whatever look the same," Kali scoffed. “I really don't care what pampered palace cat you have under your claws this time."

“Just look!" Tasean grabbed Kali's chin, turning her muzzle to face where he pointed. “Just look and tell me that's not the prettiest kitty you've ever seen."

Kali's ears flattened. She saw plenty of pretty cats gathered in the hallway. Products of perfect breeding in the eyes of the palace fanciers. Taslore first among them. Then several mollies and toms with long muzzles, a couple with darker fur. One in particular was a tom with a rich black pelt, which Kali thought, at first, was Tasean's new source of fascination. Then he turned his head, laughing at something someone whispered into his ear, and she saw another colorpoint with them. Pale fur on his chest, half showing with his loose, flowing blue shirt. Brown on his ears and face. Stunning blue-gray eyes–

Kali's ears popped back up. Her whiskers twitched with a small, annoyed snarl. “You're kidding."

“What? Did you expect a molly?" Tasean chuckled. “Please. You know me better than that. And just look at that creamy fur. I could just drink it all up."

Kali flattened her ears to block out Tasean's gushing. A failed attempt, since she heard him fine, regardless. “You really don't have to tell me that."

“Come on, admit he's cute." Tasean said. “Here, I'll show you. Rinzaan!"

“You really don't–"

Tasean clicked twice, much like Darshan did with Grynkeel. Every ear in the hallway twisted towards him. Tasean pointed directly at Rinzaan and beckoned him with a flick of his finger.

Rinzaan bobbed his tail, a polite farewell, before he shuffled between the cats and stepped onto the grass. An unnecessary gesture, as all the other cats also followed with lifted ears and curious, curled tails. He didn't pay much attention to the cats on his heels. Not when he saw Kali, and his eyes widened.

Kali bit down on her tongue. It was all she could do to keep from openly swearing.

Fortunately, Tasean didn't notice Rinzaan's slightly puffed tail. He was too busy staring elsewhere. A purr rumbled in his throat as he leaned hard on Kali's shoulder. “Now, do you see how cute he is?"

Rinzaan lifted his tail. A stiff, formal greeting. “You called me, your highness?"

Tasean's eyes darted over to Rinzaan. A slim smile stretched across his silver muzzle. “I did. I want you to meet my dear sister. Kali, this is Rinzaan, the newest member of the palace court. Rinzaan, this is my favorite sister."

She heard a slight hiss and growled emphasis on favorite. A warning aimed at Rinzaan and the rest of the cats behind him. One that only fluffed Rinzaan's tail further.

Kali could see Rinzaan chewing on his words. His eyes darted between them as he tried to figure out what to say. He took a quick breath, then answered, “Of course, your highness." Rinzaan turned to Kali, and the tip of his tail bounced. A quick, but still formal greeting. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Kali."

Kali's ears lifted. She wasn't sure what she expected, but she didn't think Rinzaan would go along with it. Not without stuttering and twisting his own tongue.

But he was a Dockie–and seemingly a palace cat. To hold a position like that, he had to know how to play his part. And he played it well, if he had Tasean's attention.

“Yeah," Kali muttered. “Likewise, I guess."

“Isn't he gorgeous? Look at that fur."

Kali rolled her eyes. She wiggled out from under Ean, growling under her breath. “You've said that like ten times already."

“It's just that true, isn't it?" Tasean said, tail still swishing. “The fanciers only just brought him in. Shame on them for keeping such a fine pelt for themselves all this time. He's going to be so popular here." Tasean nodded at Rinzaan. “Aren't you?"

“I hope to be, your highness."

“And he's so polite!" Tasean elbowed Kali's arm. “And he's so sweet. Just talking to him is delightful. You should talk to him."

Kali's ears skewed. She looked aside at Tasean, her muzzle tensed. “What? This isn't talking?"

“Like ask him things and have him answer–"

“I know how to talk, Ean."

“No, I mean talk more organically and get him to say cute things. Like–" A round of piercing laughter from the palace cats cut through the air. Tasean's whiskers dipped, a quick frown at whatever joke or tease he just missed. Then he grinned again. “Here. You two talk. I'll be right back."

Kali's ears spun forward. “What? Ean!"

“Talk, and then tell me he's not the cutest tom you've ever met." Tasean swatted Kali with his tail and skipped back towards the group, whiskers lifted as he pounced on Taslore. Both brothers fell on the grass, a tangle of silver pelts and black spots. Jubilant cheering joined Taslore's furious growling—and most likely Tasean's satisfied purring, since he had his clowder's attention again.

Tasean had a mischievous bend in his tail, a tendency for antics and attention mongering like this, which his brother didn't. Likely why Kali rarely saw the two brothers together. And, after this, she probably wouldn't see them together again anytime soon.

“So, uh–"

Kali's ears turned forward. An immediate frown on her muzzle, as she turned her attention back to Rinzaan, whose tail was a flicking, twitching mess again since Tasean was gone.

“You, uh, visit the palace often?" Rinzaan asked.

Kali's ears flicked. “No," she said, a slight growl. “But you sure seem to."

Rinzaan's tail froze. He looked back, one ear twisted towards the group as Taslore wrenched himself free and stormed off with the other cats laughing. He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “I'm really sorry. I didn't think I'd see you, well, here."

“Likewise," Kali said, a low hiss. “Especially not running around with my brother–" Kali hesitated. She checked the hallway. “With Tasean," she corrected herself. “And his palace clowder. He doesn't just take anyone in. You know what he's after, right?"

Rinzaan's ears skewed at awkward angles. “I do. I think. If what I'm thinking is what you're thinking–"

“He's trying to sleep with you."

Rinzaan's ears righted, and he sighed. “Oh, yeah. That seemed pretty obvious." His brief relief vanished, and his tail fluffed again. “Sorry. I didn't think about how you might feel about all this."

“It's fine." Kali's tail jerked once, but she kept her agitation hidden behind her legs. Revolting was the word she wanted to use, since it was Tasean they were talking about. But she held back whatever harsh words were on her tongue. “As long as you know, he's just interested in getting in your pants–" Kali said. She glanced down at Rinzaan's legs, at his dark brown feet and pale calves and knees, and corrected herself. “Or your shorts, I guess. And as long as you're okay with that."

“It's not really personal. This is just part of palace politics."

Kali frowned. “But are you okay with that?" she asked.

“With, uh–" Rinzaan glanced at Tasean.

“Sleeping with Tasean." Kali grimaced. “Or not doing much sleeping. Whatever. Are you okay with that? Is that what you want?"

Rinzaan scratched the back of his ear. He watched Tasean, who now had his elbows perched on the sleek black furred tom, his silver tail sweeping long, playful arcs back and forth. His nose wrinkled for an instant, but he straightened his muzzle when he turned back to Kali. “It's–it's fine."

“Is it?"

“I mean, it'd be a little weird." Rinzaan said, his voice dropped to a whisper as he turned to Kali. “Considering, well, we've kind of–"

“Yeah."

“Yeah." Rinzaan's ears lowered. “He kind of reminds me of you. Not–not in a weird way or something. I guess he makes me think of you?" Rinzaan shrugged. “Or maybe it is weird."

Curiosity twitched Kali's tail. She wasn't sure if she was flattered or disgusted—or something else, which made her hackles itch. “So, are you okay with that?" Kali asked. “Or not?"

Rinzaan's mouth flapped, but he said nothing. Like the words were there, but he couldn't speak. But he did jump when Tasean pounced from behind him and threw his slim spotted arms across Rinzaan's shoulders.

“See? Isn't he just precious," Tasean purred.

Kali's tail lashed. She had hoped Taslore would keep him distracted for longer–or maybe the black-furred tom had caught his eye. Unfortunately, neither entertained him for long enough. She glanced at Rinzaan, but Rinzaan stared down at his feet rather than return her curious look. Still dwelling on whatever his answer was, before Tasean leaped between them. “Yeah," Kali said. “I can see. Whatever."

Tasean grabbed Rinzaan's chin and pushed his muzzle back up. “And the pretty eyes–"

Kali's tail lashed again. “Yeah," she said. “I see that, too."

“And you should check out the tail. I certainly plan to, later tonight."

“I get it, Ean," Kali said. “You don't have to parade him around. I get it. Now can you lay off?"

Tasean pouted. Now his tail lashed, too. He slipped his arms off Rinzaan, leaving just his hands on Rinzaan's shoulders. The tips of his claws sank in, wrinkling Rinzaan's shirt. “I was only kidding. This is all in good fun. Isn't it, Rinzaan?"

They both looked at Rinzaan. A collective stare and silence as they waited for an answer. Rinzaan's puffed, brown-tipped tail twitched, even with the prince standing behind him. He lifted his muzzle, and his eyes locked with Kali's.

Rinzaan paused, took a single breath, before he answered Tasean with a smooth, “Of course, your highness."

But she saw it. For a split second, she saw his reluctance. She saw the word trapped on his tongue–the answer she was looking for.

That single moment was enough for Kali. She knew how pushy Tasean could be. He had pushed her more than once over the years. To meet different palace cats that only sneered at her, to try drinking expensive wine from the cellar, to even try some of the infamous mint that the entire palace rolled in. And he was worse when he was already drunk or green, and he was more aggressive than normal. Less likely to pick up on disagreeing tails or ears when his flirting became excessive, or when his brother's growls turned more venomous than playful.

But she had said no. A firmer 'no' when Tasean was as green as now. Mostly to the mint offers. She had snuck a couple of drinks with him before, but she had also told him where to shove his wine bottles when she didn't feel like playing his games. Kali had a luxury that most of Tasean's entourage didn't have. She wasn't a palace cat.

She wasn't vying for status or fortune or trying to secure her future in this weird hierarchy that existed in Dockside. Kali could say no. And she did. A lot.

And Rinzaan could say no, too. Tasean wasn't like most of the palace royalty. When his fur wasn't green, at least, he was reasonable. Plenty of cats had rejected Tasean's advances before. He might gripe for a while, but he never held a grudge for long. He simply moved onto his next beau. But Rinzaan didn't know that.

Kali had her answer. She glared at Tasean, ears low and the tips of her teeth showing. “That's enough."

Tasean's tail twitched. He straightened up, but he didn't take his hands off Rinzaan. “Did I do something to offend you, dear sister?"

“No," Kali said. “But your new plaything clearly doesn't want to be clawed all over. You're just too minted to tell. So back off."

Tasean's ears flicked. He frowned, seeming confused more than offended by how his whiskers arched. He tapped a claw on Rinzaan's shoulder. “Strange," Tasean said. “You don't usually care what I do with my playthings."

“Your playthings are usually greener than you are," Kali scoffed. “And they lick the boards you walk on."

Tasean chuckled. “That's an idea. Maybe we should see if Rinzaan would–"

“Don't."

Tasean's voice hitched with a chirp. Even without his wits, he could hear the growl in Kali's voice and saw her hackles lifting. Even if he still didn't seem to understand why.

Tasean tilted his head as he looked over at Rinzaan. A small smile returned when his eyes shifted back to Kali with a glitter in his dilated eyes. “Touchy." His hands left Rinzaan's shoulders. A visible weight was taken off them, as Rinzaan sighed his silent relief. Tasean stepped aside, still eying Kali with suspicion. “You really do think this one is cute, don't you?"

Kali's ears flattened. The field was silent now. Tasean's palace kitties quieted as they watched him prowl over towards Kali. Not even a whisper among them. After all, that's why they were here–to witness whatever wild show Prince Tasean performed for them.

“I've never seen you so worked up before," Tasean mused. “Not over any of my Dockies. My, this one is something." He looked Rinzaan over, from the tips of his ears down to his toes, and he huffed. “I believe we'll have to settle this, dear sister, on palace terms."

Kali lifted her ears slightly. “What are you talking about?"

“You know how we settle our little spats here. We don't stoop to claws and teeth. If I win, I keep my plaything and do what I want. If you win–" Tasean considered what to offer, his tail darting left and right with each pensive flick. He grinned. “If you manage to win, then you can have a turn with him." Tasean frowned at the rampant giggling behind him. He turned, laying a single eye on them, and the crowd fell silent again. “Since, apparently, I'm being oh so mean–"

“You are being mean," Kali snapped. “So instead of that, how about you just leave the tom alone and pick on someone else?"

Tasean's whiskers tensed. “Fine. Then if you win, I'll lay off him." His slight snarl smoothed over, and a wicked smile took its place. “And I'll find someone else to lay on."

“Just stop being a louse," Kali growled.

“Win, and I will." Tasean stepped forward. He leaned down, his nose almost pressed against Kali's. He lowered his voice down to an almost inaudible hiss. “You won't take this pretty tom from me so easily, sister. If you want him, then you'll have to pry him out of my claws."

“Then get your stupid game," Kali hissed back. “So I can beat some manners back into your green skull."

Tasean laughed once. He straightened up and turned on his tail. He clapped his palms together. “We have a deal! Kitties, who has my drinks?" He looked through his ensemble until one of them stepped forward with a half full bottle of wine. Then he shook his head. “No, no. Not that one. The other one." Tasean grinned with his sharp teeth. “The one that fries the whiskers off your face."

“That one, your highness?" One of them spoke up. “We left that back in the room."

“Then go fetch it, and bring another empty bottle, too." Tasean shooed them away with a flippant wave of his hand. “And go quickly!"

“I can't play one of your drinking games," Kali said, to which several cats made disappointed groans. “I'm training today." Kali plucked the bow string against her chest again. “I can't be tail over ears."

Tasean smirked. “You don't need to worry. I wouldn't dream of interfering with your very important training."

“I'm being serious, Ean."

“So am I." Tasean flipped his tail. “So, no, we won't do the classic drink-until-one-of-us-passes-out." He turned to his group and gave them an apologetic smile. “Sorry, ladies, we'll play that one another day."

Kali waited for the last disappointed groans to die down, then asked, “Then what are we doing?"

“An abbreviated version," Tasean answered. “That keeps our wits intact. Well, your wits–ah, there it is!" He took the offered bottle, a deep rich amber glass, and turned it for Kali to see. Whatever it was, the bottle was almost entirely full. “This–" Tasean tapped his claws against the glass. “This is the most potent, vile wine ever conceived. Tiger wine."

Kali huffed. “How's this supposed to be any different? It's all tiger wine. They make wine. That's what they do. Everybody knows that."

“Yes, but not like this. This is the stuff that melts stripes off a pelt. Even a tiger's fancy sunset fur." Tasean popped the cork off the end. Just by the whiff Kali had caught, she knew he wasn't lying. Just the scent curled her whiskers. “To prove it–glass, please." Tasean held out a hand. Out of thin air, a cat dropped a wine glass into his fingers. He poured a sip and held the glass out to Rinzaan. “Rinzaan, if you would."

Kali grimaced. “Don't make him–"

“It would be my honor, your highness." Rinzaan took the glass. He tilted it up. The wine barely made it past Rinzaan's teeth. His eyes bulged. The glass tumbled from Rinzaan's hands, which was caught by Tasean just before it hit the grass. He spat and gagged violently—much to the crowd's hypocritical amusement.

Tasean laughed along with, and he passed the empty glass back to one of the palace cats. “Thank you, Rinzaan." He turned to Kali and waved the bottle at her. “So we'll drink this together." Tasean nodded at the cat holding a second empty bottle. “We split the contents, fifty-fifty, and we'll drink it in one go. Whoever drinks the most before they, erm, do that–" Tasean swished his tail over towards Rinzaan, who was still hunched over and coughing. “Wins." Tasean's smile spread to his whiskers, as he bared his pearly teeth. “After all, he should go with whoever has the better gag reflex. A pretty kitty like Rinzaan deserves that much, don't you think?"

“Funny." Kali shrugged. “Fine. I'll do it, if that's what it takes." She bared a smile back at him. “Besides, we both know I can out-drink you. I've done it before."

The clowder enjoyed that tidbit, too. With several 'oohs' that were swiftly silenced by a glare from Tasean. “Once." he said, as he passed his bottle back for one of his cats to split. “And then you never let me try to redeem myself."

“Because I felt like a louse for two days after, and I'm sure you did, too."

Tasean smirked. “We'll consider this a tiebreaker. Since we're not dealing with cooking wine, this doubly counts." Tasean accepted two offered bottles, once the wine was split between them. He inspected each before offering them to Kali. “I'll add this little bonus for free, sister. The winner gets bragging rights."

Kali pulled the bow and quiver off her shoulders. She leaned them against the target and took a bottle. “We already knew that would be the case."

“I thought I'd make it official." Tasean leaned forward one last time, lowering his voice. “Last chance, sister," he said. “You can tuck your tail now and go back to your practice. I can keep pretty Rinzaan all to myself. Just say the word, and I'll call it off." He threw in a quick wink. “Just for you."

Kali's tail flicked as she considered it. She looked at Rinzaan, at Tasean, even at the palace cats waiting behind them—and then she looked at the stables. No signs of movement, from Bryburkels or otherwise, despite the commotion Tasean caused.

She knew what Mikora would say about all this–what pretty much anyone would say. But Kali wasn't going to listen.

Kali turned to Tasean and held up her half-full bottle. “Are we here to talk?" she asked. “Or are we here to drink?"

Tasean straightened up, head and shoulders taller than Kali again, with a broad smile lifting his whiskers high enough to reach the stars overhead. “I thought as much." He peered at Rinzaan from the corner of his eye with a whisker curling grin. “Rinzaan," Tasean purred. “Do you have anything to add before we begin our duel?"

Rinzaan's ears flicked, then they lowered accordingly. “Ah, yeah, of course." He nodded once to Tasean. “Good luck, your highness."

Tasean laughed. “Clearly, I'm the favorite here."

Kali bit back a snarl, but her lashing tail wasn't so easily disguised. “Clearly." She sloshed her bottle at Tasean. “We'll see if that's the case, when we're through."

Tasean peered over his shoulder, making sure his entourage was watching as he raised his bottle up towards his nose. “Any last words, sister?"

Kali bared her teeth in a fierce grin. “Choke."

Tasean let out one clipped laugh. Then he tilted up the glass bottle to his lips, and Kali did the same. She heard a brief cheer from the onlookers, but then she didn't hear anything. The moment wine hit her tongue, she couldn't hear or feel anything else. That first sip, she felt a burn from the top of her tongue down her throat.

But she managed it. One half-gulp. Her throat burned, but she didn't stop.

She choked down another. Felt it hit her stomach this time. Like a solid stone–another punch in her gut. She could feel the fire in her chest now. Her throat clenched for an instant. She almost balked.

Then she heard coughing and spitting. Tasean tore the bottle from his muzzle.

One more sip. That was all she needed.

And somehow, despite the wildfire raging in her ribs and clenched throat, she managed it. One last gulp. One last drag, as whatever fiendish wine Tasean had found clawed down her throat.

Kali flung the bottle from her lips, coughing and gagging. Her stomach heaved. She clasped her hand onto her muzzle, forcing slow breaths. Fighting down the bile in her throat. Whatever that was, it wasn't wine. It was some other abomination. Something that Tulaziya would enjoy and nobody else.

Someone pried her bottle from her fingertips. Stolen by one of Tasean's kitties before she even finished coughing. Taken by Rinzaan, Kali realized once she could see through her watering eyes. Tasean laughed once–then he coughed into his elbow before turning to Rinzaan.

“The results, if you don't mind," Tasean rasped.

He offered his bottle to Rinzaan, who accepted it somewhat awkwardly, as he fumbled until he held both bottles by their necks. The snickering from several cats died down once he held the two bottles up and leveled the bottoms. Then all were quiet, as they circled around and strained to see. Though not too close to Kali, she noticed.

Tasean's tail flicked with impatience. He finished dabbing at his muzzle with his sleeve, with one last ragged cough, and twirled his hand. “Well?" Tasean snapped. “Who won?"

“Um, I, uh, it's hard to tell for certain–"

“Rinzaan, answer the question," Tasean said, some of his voice returning along with a faint snarl.

Rinzaan's ears twisted around until they were almost flat on his head. An awkward, stunned silence had already answered Tasean's question. The palace cats stared in disbelief at the two bottles. They differed by a few hairs, but enough of a difference for every cat there to see.

The prince's bottle remained almost as full as before he drank it. Kali's bottle? The contents fell just below.

He didn't have to answer, since it was plain to all their eyes, but, as commanded, Rinzaan cleared his throat and answered, “Sorry, your highness. It, uh, seems Kali wins."

An immediate perk lifted Kali's tail. “Yeah, highness," Kali croaked. She coughed into her elbow, trying to smooth her cracking throat. Unfortunately, her voice wasn't returning as quickly as Tasean's had. “You lose."

Tasean pouted for a moment. He stared at the bottles in Rinzaan's hands, checking again and again, until he gave up with a frustrated sigh. “Okay. You win," he relented, fluttering his hand at the bottles. “Someone take those away and cork them. If I keep smelling that, I'm going to be sick."

Two reluctant cats took the bottles. Lips curled as they tried to avoid hovering their noses over the open tops. At least Kali couldn't smell it very well. The couple of sips had burned all the hairs off her tongue, and the coughing after had burned her nose, too. But before she could ask what, exactly, that wine was supposed to be, Tasean twirled his hand again with another disdainful sigh. “She wins," Tasean said, with a couple sympathetic mewls from his audience. “Take your prize, then. Rinzaan, kiss her."

“Wait," Kali rasped. “What? That wasn't–"

Tasean snapped his fingers. A sharp sound that flattened everyone's ears–except his. “Rinzaan."

Rinzaan's tail flicked a couple times, but he nodded, whiskers bouncing. “As you wish, your highness."

No hesitation or tail fidgeting. Before Kali could say another word, Rinzaan's muzzle pressed against hers. A shorter kiss than they usually shared. His fingers barely brushed the side of her neck, and they were gone just as quickly. But the residual warmth stayed. A flush rushed up to Kali's ears, even as Rinzaan's lips left hers and he stepped back.

Yet more giggling followed from the other palace cats. There were more than a few jeers and disgusted snarls as the other cat's conversations returned to whatever palace cats talked about. Clothes. Jewelry. Fancier's pairings for new litters. Though Kali caught a couple cats still discussing their competition. One with a laugh, as they said, “I can't believe the bastard actually won."

“And she beat the second prince, too. Embarrassing."

Tasean seemed to hear it too, with how one of his tall gray ears craned that direction. But he put on a smile, as if he hadn't heard anything. “I suppose you win yet again, Kali," he said, tail lifted and gleeful despite his morose tone. “You get Rinzaan for the night, I suppose."

Kali huffed. “That's not what I asked for. I said you needed to stop acting like a spotted louse."

“That's hard." Tasean bounced his slim shoulders with a half-hearted shrug. “And we both know I'm too minty to keep my word on that. You'll just have to take care of him until I sober up a bit. So we'll go with my terms, instead. Enjoy my plaything for the night. I expect you to return him by morning."

“That's not how this is supposed to work," Kali said. “You can't just change the deal."

“I'm a prince of Mjau, dear sister. I can do whatever I want. Besides, those were always my terms, dear sister. You should really know better." Tasean brushed a hand across his whiskers, twirling the ends as his eyes skimmed across Rinzaan. A frown this time, instead of a sly grin. “How regrettable. I was really hoping I'd get to taste that pelt myself. I suppose I'll have to settle for seconds, then." He flipped his tail at Kali, dismissing her as much as bidding her a quick farewell.

His farewell to Rinzaan, however, wasn't half so quick. Tasean stopped beside Rinzaan and clasped him on the shoulder, claws digging into Rinzaan's shirt again. He cast a furtive glance at Kali, then he pressed his nose to Rinzaan's ear.

Tasean whispered something so quietly, even Kali couldn't hear. But whatever he said was scandalous enough to skew Rinzaan's ears off to either side. As if that weren't worrisome enough, the grin plastered across Tasean's muzzle was even less reassuring.

The prince glanced back at Kali one last time, still smiling all too much despite losing. Then he pivoted on his toes, a tidy little spin, and headed back into the palace. His silvery tail shimmered in the starlight, lifted high and proud, as he and his pedigreed followers sauntered away.