The Academy
It sort of goes without saying that this story is dedicated to Obsidian_Arcticglow, as it is my gift to her. As such, it is the property of her, as is the character of Obsidian Arcticglow naturally. It's my poor effort to offer her a story of her own in thanks for the beautiful gift story she wrote for me. That was long enough ago that I'm embarrassed to even mention it, but in the end my perseverance has paid off, at least to the extent that I finished. Writing has come hard for me lately, but this story was never far from my thoughts, even though at times I despaired of ever finishing it or any other story again. Even then, Sidi's support saw me through, offering nothing but encouragement through my darker moments. I'm forever in her debt, and although this story can never adequately thank her for all she did and continues to do for me, it's my sincerest hope that she likes it.
"I'm sorry Alex, what?" The Lady Obsidian Arcticglow asked her companion as they walked along the garden path on their way back to their dorm after class.
"I said," said the young lioness with a touch of exasperation. "Who are you going to the dance with? I swear Sidi, your head is in the clouds even more than usual."
"I was just thinking about today's Magic lesson. Professor Andrasius was just starting to get into Etheric Manipulation, and it's really fascinating. I might even consider changing my specialization to it."
"Sometimes it seems that Magic is the only thing you think about. There's more to life you know, and once again I ask you. Who's taking you to the dance?"
The pretty pantheress sighed. "I don't think I'm even going. Kaaven asked me, but he's kind of... well..."
"A jerk? Yeah. I guess he is at that, gorgeous, but arrogant. Still," she continued thoughtfully, "It might be almost worth it. He is the son of the Duke of Sandovaal you realize."
"You know that doesn't matter to me Alex." Sidi said, rolling her eyes. "I'm here to study Magic from the finest teachers in the Kingdom, not find a suitable mate."
"There are plenty of opportunities to do both if you'd just allow yourself. So, if you don't want to go with Kaaven, who? The Academy is absolutely full of boys who'd kill for the chance to escort you to the Spring Formal. Just drop a hint and away you go."
"Come on Alex. You know it isn't as simple as that. Now that everyone knows Kaaven asked me they'll all shy away. They're all too caught up in Politics. They worry about whether Duke Kaaven could do something for them one day when he assumes the title."
"Well, if no one's going to ask you, why don't you ask someone? It's not like this is a hundred years ago when it would be scandalous. Lots of girls are asking boys to the dance."
Sidi sighed, realizing this was what Lady Alexandra Eyrentica had been working up to. "And I assume you already have someone in mind for me to ask?"
"Hmm," her friend said, pausing a moment in their walk to rub her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose you COULD ask Gunther."
"Gunther? The armadillo from History class? Why him?"
"Well, he's cute, don't you think?" She said, resuming their stroll.
Sidi considered. She only had one class with him, as she was studying Magecraft, and he was in Military Sciences, but she had to admit that Gunther was kind of cute in a quiet, bookish sort of way, and also that he was one of the smartest students in class, but... She brushed aside her thoughts. "If you like him so much, why don't you ask him to the dance?"
"Oh, he's not my type at all." Alex replied dismissively. "He's way too serious for me. I like a boy who knows how to have a good time. Besides, you know Jake and I are exclusive."
Sidi shook her head. "It's no use anyway Alex. I don't think he likes me very much."
"Whatever gives you that idea?" replied her friend.
"He's always so quiet around me. Do you remember that project he was my partner for? I tried to be friendly and he barely had two words to say to me outside of talking about our topic. Oww!" She glared at Alex and rubbed the back of her head more in surprise than pain as her friend gave her a light open-handed smack. "What was that for?" she asked.
"He's shy, you big dope. Anyone can see he has a huge crush on you."
"What makes you think that?" Sidi asked, still glaring daggers.
"There's something to be said for sitting in the back of the class. You can observe what's going on, and I've seen the way he looks at you. He worships the ground you walk on."
"I've never known you to be such a keen observer of fur nature Alex. Come on. What actually makes you think Gunther likes me?"
"Well," Alex replied with a touch of embarrassment. "There's also the fact that Jake is best friends with Cal, Gunther's roommate. He says that you're practically all Gunther talks about. Combine that with my unfairly maligned powers of observation and it was easy enough to put two and two together."
"If that were true," Sidi said, holding up a hand to forestall Alex's inevitable protests. "If he likes me, why hasn't he asked me to the dance, or at least spoken to me? I can't figure out why he'd be so distant."
"Two reasons," said Alex confidently. "First, like I said, he's shy. Second, he's a commoner."
"That's not a reason Alex. You know the Academy's integrated. Quite a few commoners and nobles are dating, and no one gives it a second thought."
"To you and I it may not be a big deal, but you have to remember that Gunther's from one of the poorest provinces in the Kingdom. This is almost certainly the first chance he's ever had to interact with nobility, and possibly the first time he or any member of his family's ever been outside their village, and it's natural for him to be a little intimidated , even overawed. To him, you'll always be the Heiress to Ebony Hall first and foremost. That's no small thing in anyone's eyes. The Arcticglows have always been among the Kingdom's greatest Mages and most respected lineages."
"Well, even if he does like me, what makes you think I'd be interested in going to the dance with him?"
"Because once I determined that he liked you, I started watching you as well, and I could tell that you were impressed by him whenever he was called on to answer a question or debate a point in class. Plus, I remembered what a bad mood you were always in when you were working on that presentation with him and he wouldn't give you the time of day. It was obvious that you wanted him to like you."
If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that it had been somewhat of a sore spot with her that he had been so seemingly distant towards her then. She had done her best to bring him out of his shell, but to no avail. "Hmm. I'll think about it Alex," Sidi said, figuring her friend would forget all about it if she stalled.
"You'll have to do better than that Sidi," replied the young lioness. "Look at that, he's sitting right over there. Let's go talk to him." Sidi looked up and saw that they had come to a place in the Gardens where there was an opening in the hedges that opened into a circular arbor, with a bench and a statue of King Rodrik the First , founder of both the Kingdom and the Academy, at the center. It was a good place to study on a nice day, as it offered both a pleasant surrounding as well as quiet and privacy. Sure enough, Gunther was seated on the bench, reading.
Grabbing hold of Sidi's arm, she firmly led the stumbling pantheress over to where Gunther was seated, reading a textbook and clearly oblivious to their presence. Inwardly she fumed. Obviously Alex had planned this all out. They never took this route back to their dorm after class, but Alex said it'd be nice to walk through the gardens for a change.
Coming to an abrupt halt before the preoccupied armadillo, Alex said, "Hello Gunther. We were just talking about you."
Startled out of his reverie, Gunther gaped for a moment at the figures before him, then, almost dropping his book, he surged to his feet, quickly sketching a short but very correct bow to each of them in turn. He wasn't tall - perhaps just a hair shorter than Sidi's height of 5'7" - but was solidly, even powerfully built, easily massing well over twice her weight in armor and muscle. His skin was grayish in hue, and he had no headfur to speak of, but the overall effect was rather attractive, she had to admit.
"Lady Alexandra, Lady Obsidian, how may I be of service to you this afternoon?"
Sidi rolled her eyes at what she considered his excessive formality, but Alex took it in stride, merely waving him back to his seat and saying, "Oh, it's nothing important. Sidi just had something she wanted to speak to you about. I'd stay and chat, but I'm afraid Jake is waiting for me. We're supposed to go to the library to study. I'll see you both later." Giving Obsidian a conspiratorial wink, she swiftly walked away, leaving her friend gaping after her, unsure whether to be surprised, embarrassed, or furious, and finally settling on furious. Alex would pay for this. Oh yes...
She was brought back to reality when Gunther cleared his throat and asked, "So what can I do for you Lady Obsidian?"
She considered him for a moment. She had to admit he was cute, sitting there looking up at her with such earnest seriousness. At least if she asked him to the dance it would get Kaaven off her back. She really didn't have an excuse to refuse his invitation if she wasn't going with someone else. She sighed.
"Please, call me Sidi. All my friends do, and there's no need for formality. May I sit?"
Hurriedly he scooted over to make room on the bench for her and she sat beside him, unsure of how to begin. "So how are you enjoying the Academy?" she began lamely, just as a conversation starter.
He considered carefully before answering. "It's... challenging," he said. "Certainly my village school was never like this. My family sacrificed a lot to send me here though, and I don't want to let them down."
Sidi could sympathize. Although the Academy was theoretically open to all, noble and commoner alike, the road was far easier for the nobility, with their inherent advantages of wealth and their virtually automatically guaranteed admission due to the Academy's long-standing policy of preferential admittance for the descendents of graduates. Only the very best and brightest of commoners were able to gain entrance however, and then only if their families could afford the steep tuition, combined with the loss of their children for a period of ten years of service to the crown upon graduation. For the nobility this was hardly a sacrifice, since it was a stepping-stone to higher office within the government, but for commoners it meant the loss of an able-bodied member of the family who could be helping out with the day-to-day chores on the farm or in the family business. Also, commoners couldn't expect a cushy job in the bureaucracy or a guaranteed officer's commission in the army. In the case of the cadets, they would have to accept assignment as NCOs - sergeants at best - and posting to one of the many hot spots on the border to fight, and very possibly die, for the glory of the Kingdom. Academy admission was considered such a high honor that very few families with the means turned down the opportunity to send their children off if they managed to meet the academic standards and could manage the hefty costs involved.
Inwardly it bothered Sidi slightly that no matter how hard she worked, there would be those who would assume that she was simply there coasting through life like so many of her pampered classmates, anxious to do nothing more than secure a position for herself and possibly find a suitable mate who would enhance her family's status. All her life, all she ever wanted to do was learn Magic, from the first moment her mother summoned bright, shining spheres of light to amuse her infant daughter, and all most furs thought was that she was just another noble time-waster, with no thought beyond what gown to wear to whatever party she was attending this evening.
Her brow furrowed in frustration at her thoughts, and Gunther, still waiting patiently for her to continue, finally spoke. "Is something the matter Lady Obsidian? Something I could help you with perhaps?"
She shook her head, as much to clear her thoughts as to signal negative. "It's nothing Gunther, and call me Sidi. Please. I want us to be friends after all, and we're both just students here."
He offered a shy smile and said, "All right... Sidi," a trifle hesitantly, waiting for her to continue.
Deciding she might as well ask him since she had been more or less maneuvered into it by her friend, she blurted out, "I was just wondering if you would do me the honor of escorting me to the Spring Formal at the end of this month."
Immediately she was horrified by the way she had phrased her request. In her discomfort, she had resorted to the most stilted, formal language possible, rather than an informal request between friends as she had intended it to come out. She could feel her face heating up and was thankful for her jet-black fur, which completely hid her embarrassment.
He gaped at her in frank amazement for a moment before scrambling to his feet and offering her a very correct bow, replying, "The honor would be mine, My Lady. If it should please you, I shall call upon you on the evening of the Ball to collect you, and may I add, you do me the greatest honor by your request."
Sidi realized that the mood had been spoiled for friendly conversation by the formal tone the conversation had taken, so she simply stood and nodded to him, but before turning to leave, she got an idea and paused. Maybe she could salvage something from the conversation after all. "Oh, and Gunther, I know we have a test coming up in History class. I was wondering if you'd like to study for it with me, maybe here? Shall we say tomorrow?"
He smiled. "I'd like that Lady Ob- Sidi," he finished, sensing the change of mood. "I'll meet you here after class if that's all right with you."
"That would be fine Gunther," she said with a smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get ready for my afternoon lessons now." Nodding to him, she resisted the urge to hurry away while he watched, managing to maintain a dignified pace until she was out of sight behind a building before breaking into a run back to her dorm room. If Alex were smart, she'd avoid contact with her for a while for putting her through all this.
***
In the days and weeks that followed, she made it a point to spend as much time as possible with Gunther, mostly studying, since he clearly still felt most comfortable around her in a semi-formal setting, but also eating lunch together occasionally or just wandering through the Academy's gardens, which they both loved, especially in the springtime. They became especially fond of the arbor where she first asked him to the dance as a place for both conversation and study. Gradually Gunther lost some of his stiff formality around her, even calling her Sidi without being reminded. She even came to believe that he had feeling for her, but - she was embarrassed to admit even to herself that this bothered her - he hadn't so much as tried to hold her hand as they sat together on their favorite bench. Alex, who insisted on hearing about every detail of their meetings, maintained that he was just shy, but Sidi was secretly worried that he didn't find her attractive, and was in turn furious with herself for allowing such a superficial thing to bother her.
Finally however, she had to admit to herself that she was beginning to have feelings for him. When she was free in the mornings, she'd occasionally sneak into the practice grounds to watch Gunther spar with the other cadets. She always kept to the shadows to avoid notice, but she found she enjoyed watching him training, shirt off in the warm spring air as he practiced with staves and padded weapons of all types. She even found that he invaded her dreams at night. Dreams that awakened her in the middle of the night, panting and aroused, tangled up in her sheets.
Finally the day of the dance arrived and Sidi was nervously checking herself in the mirror for what seemed to be the 500th time while she waited for Gunther to arrive. She had to admit she rather liked the way she looked, with a long, velvet gown of deep forest green, which set off her eyes rather nicely she thought, and her only piece of jewelry, which consisted of a brightly-polished silver pentacle on a matching diadem that she wore in her long, silver and black-streaked headfur so that the charm hung down on her forehead, just above her brow. Her mother had given her that pentacle, and she treasured it, using it as a focus for her Magic as well as a personal adornment.
Alex had left already, saying that she planned to meet Jake at the dance, and that Sidi was making her nervous with all her fidgeting. As she looked into the full-length mirror and smoothed the front of her dress yet again for no reason, she had to admit her friend was right. She was more nervous than she'd been in a long time. Could it be that she liked Gunther more than she was willing to admit?
Suddenly there came the knock at the door she'd been expecting. She took a deep breath and managed to walk calmly across the room to open it. Gunther was standing there with a lovely orchid corsage in his hands. She had to admit how dashing he looked in his full-dress cadet's uniform, the navy blue jacket with the Military Science medallion at its stiff collar and sharply creased gray trousers with red piping up the sides perfectly tailored to fit his bulky muscular form. It must have cost his family a fortune to have the uniform tailored to fit, but the effect was magnificent, particularly when combined with all the Academic Award ribbons on his left breast. He didn't like to discuss his studies with her when they talked, but clearly he was excelling in military, as well as general-studies classes.
He stared at her for a moment before finally saying, "You look gorgeous tonight Lady Obsidian." She didn't correct him for a change, realizing that this was a special night, and a bit of formality was probably in order. Besides, those words seemed somehow... right coming from him dressed as he was and carrying himself with a measure of dignity and grace she hadn't seen in him before.
"Thank you Gunther, and may I say you're looking quite handsome yourself this evening?"
He sketched a short bow, saying, "That's most kind of you to say My Lady." He held out the corsage and said, "This is for you. May I be permitted...?"
She smiled, saying simply, "Please."
For the first time since she answered the door she noticed that he appeared just slightly nervous, but his large, powerful paws were steady as a rock, yet unmistakably gentle as he carefully pinned the orchid to her dress. He then stepped back, offering her his arm and saying, "Shall we be going then, My Lady?"
She smiled, stepping out and closing the door behind her. Linking her arm in his, she simply answered, "Yes, let's," and they proceeded together out of her dormitory and across the lawn towards the Great Hall, where the dance was being held.
They walked in silence at a slow pace, and it provided her ample opportunity to think, realizing that although she wanted nothing more than to spend the evening in Gunther's company, she was dreading the dance itself. She liked a number of her classmates, but she felt that many - like Kaaven - were stuck-up phonies, and the thought of spending all night making formalized, inconsequential small-talk with them while sipping punch and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres when all she really wanted to do was talk to Gunther was suddenly intolerable to her. The Spring Formal marked the end of the school year apart from Final Exams, and this would be one of their last opportunities to spend time together before heading back to spend the summer with their families.
Abruptly she made a decision. Stopping suddenly in front of the door to the Great Hall, she turned to a surprised-looking Gunther and said, "I suddenly don't feel much like dancing. Walk with me?"
"Of course My Lady. Whatever you'd like. Where shall we go?"
"Let's walk through the gardens," she replied. "It's a beautiful evening, and there's a full moon tonight. We could sit and talk for a while."
She thought she probably sounded crazy, but he merely smiled and said, "That sounds nice Sidi. I'd like that," and, still linked arm in arm, guided her towards the gardens, deserted at this time of night, but illuminated by the soft glow of the full moon shining down upon them. They walked in silence at first, but Sidi realized it didn't bother her. She felt safe and comfortable with him. He was quiet and serious most of the time, but she had grown fond of him. She even found herself leaning against him as they walked, unconsciously inclining her head towards him and softly touching his strong arm with her free hand.
She wasn't really paying attention to where they were going, merely enjoying the moonlight and the company, but was unsurprised when Gunther had led the pair to "their" special place, the enclosed arbor with the bench upon which they had spent so many a pleasant afternoon together. It would normally be quite dark at this time of evening, but a torch had been lit in case any of the students wished a walk in the gardens after the dance - something they obviously had a head start on, since as near as she could tell, the Gardens were completely deserted. He escorted her within, and helped her to sit, taking a position next to her after she was settled. She abruptly wished he would put his arm around her shoulders, but was unsurprised that he merely sat properly, if closely, next to her.
She sighed happily, looking up at the moon as the sat, and to break the silence more than anything, said, "Well, the year is almost over. Just Finals to go, then we're off for the summer. I suppose I won't be seeing you again until next fall..."
He suddenly seemed to grow uncomfortable. Sensing his change of mood, she asked, "What's wrong Gunther?"
"Well, it's just that I got some news today about that..."
"Don't tell me your family can't make the tuition for next year. I thought you had earned a scholarship."
"It's not that," he replied. "It's just that General Ambrose addressed the second and third year cadets today. The northern border is heating up, and there's an urgent need for troops. It's been decided to enact early conscription for the advancing sophomore and junior classes to bolster the ranks. There's a good chance that, one way or another, I'll never see you again."
Sidi looked at him, first in anguish, then in increasing anger. "Why haven't I heard about this? Surely there will be a need for Mages as well as soldiers. I should be getting ready to join you. I could help!"
Gunther smiled a bit sadly at her and replied, "It's completely different for the Magic students, Sidi. A half-trained soldier may be liable to get himself killed, but an inexperienced Mage..."
"...Is a danger to herself and everyone else within a half-mile radius," she finished for him. "I know that, but it's just so unfair. The new soldiers will need support. You'll need support. I..." She gazed miserably at the ground. "I just don't want to see anything happen to you if there was something I could do to prevent it. I hate the idea that I'll be back here safe and sound, studying and going to dances while you're fighting for your life on some Gods-forsaken battlefield, cold and alone, maybe even dying..."
Suddenly she felt a strong, yet gentle finger under her chin, lifting and turning her head to face him, a soft smile on his face, gazing fondly into her eyes. "I don't plan on getting killed, Sidi." He said softly but firmly. "I just think that I'm unlikely to return to the academy, at least while you're still here. In all likelihood, I'll just remain in active service once the border skirmishes calm down again. I doubt High Command will send troops with combat experience back here to take up studying Military History and Tactical Theory once again."
As much as he was putting on a brave face for her benefit, she realized there was a good likelihood that he'd never return from his new assignment. Although the nobleborn cadets could no doubt count on relatively safe assignments in Logistics or some such support capacity rather than leading soldiers directly on the front lines, the commoners like Gunther would almost certainly be thrown directly into the thick of things.
She gazed deeply into his eyes, suddenly wishing with all her heart that he would kiss her. Wishing so hard, in fact, that she could almost imagine that he should be able to read the very thoughts in her head. To her disappointment however, he merely continued looking at her, still smiling, but making no move to get nearer. Her heart fell. He's never going to do it, is he? In his mind the class differences are too great. It's a line he'll never be able to bring himself to cross.
Abruptly, she made a decision. She had never been one to let something so small get in the way of getting something she wanted, and she couldn't face the idea of Gunther leaving her forever without knowing how she felt about him. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. His surprise was evident by the way his arms flew out to the sides, as if touching her might burn him, and the way he leaned back, instinctively trying to gently break her hold. She held on tight though, continuing the kiss until he began to respond, finally enfolding her in his strong arms and returning her kiss, hesitantly at first, but with increasing passion as his hands roamed her back, caressing gently but eagerly.
Finally she loosened her hold on his neck, breaking the kiss, but remaining very close, noses almost touching.
"W-what was that for?" he asked rather hoarsely, she noticed.
"If we're never going to see each other again after finals are over, I want this to be a night to remember," she replied, almost purring as she toyed with the back of his neck as a wicked idea occurred to her, a wicked idea that grew more enticing the more she thought about it. "And I don't mean the dance. I have something far more... entertaining in mind."
Giving him a slightly hungry smile, she stood. Taking up a position facing him, she reached behind her back to unbutton her gown, letting it fall off her shoulders, then, her eyes still boring into his, to her waist - exposing her full, black-furred breasts with perky pink nipples to his view. Finally, she lowered the gown to the grass and stepped out of it. She wore nothing underneath, as was her custom. She loved the feeling of freedom she got from wearing dresses with no underclothes.
Pretending not to notice Gunther's expression of open-mouthed astonishment, she calmly and neatly folded her gown as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Finally meeting his eyes with a smoldering gaze, she asked, "Well, do you like what you see?"
His sense of decorum was clearly battling with his raw need, but his need was quickly victorious as he stood up, taking a step towards her and reaching out to take her in his arms. With a wicked little grin she danced back though, putting out a paw to hold him at bay.
"Nope, not yet," she said, still grinning. "I showed you mine. Now it's your turn." She then stepped nimbly around him, placing her folded gown neatly on the bench and sitting next to it, studying the armadillo intently. He turned around to face her, glancing around nervously.
"Here? Now? But... someone could come along any time and see..."
Her predatory grin just got bigger, her fangs glinting in the torchlight. "Well, you'd better get on with it then. Time's a-wasting. I thought they taught you cadets to follow instructions. Well, I'm giving you one right now. Strip, soldier-boy. That's an order."
In truth, it could hardly be considered a fair trade, since her black fur, the dimness of the torch- and moonlight, and Gunther's relatively poor night vision compared to hers meant that she would be seeing far more than he had, but she was in no mood to dwell on fairness at the moment. She wanted to see what she had been fantasizing about, and besides, he had been torturing her by being so prim and proper, forcing her to make the first move and everything. Her conscience assuaged, she merely sat and waited, clearly expecting to be obeyed. Perhaps her training in how to act properly as a Noble would come in handy after all.
He looked so helpless and lost that she almost felt sorry for him, but her desire won out, and she simply sat and stared as he unfastened the medallion at his throat and began unbuttoning his uniform jacket, still glancing behind him every time the torch popped or the breeze rustled in the hedges, his pointed ears twitching at the slightest sound. Looking at her clearly gave him no reassurance, as she was sure she looked more like a huntress stalking her prey than a lover - soft and demure. To heighten the effect already given off by her feral grin and her widely dilated eyes gleaming in the darkness, she could feel her tail twitching behind her, no doubt visible to Gunther. She could feel herself beginning to purr deep in her throat, and allowed the sound to build, no doubt clearly audible to him as well. She leaned forward slightly on the bench.
By this time he had his jacket off and was standing there looking slightly perplexed, so she wordlessly held out a paw to take it from him, folding it neatly and placing it on top of her gown on the bench. He sighed as if he were hoping that he wouldn't be able to continue undressing while holding his coat, but finally began unbuttoning his crisp white shirt, pulling the tails out of his trousers. He handed the shirt to her to be folded, quickly following it by stripping off his undershirt as well and tossing it carelessly onto the pile. She carefully studied his broad, muscular chest in the dim light, imagining what it would feel like to run her paws over his rough, pebbled skin and to scrape her claws against his armored back. The fact that she wouldn't have to wonder for much longer excited her and she continued to stare, purring louder now, her tail twitching furiously.
Kicking off his dress shoes (he normally went barefoot, his feet being both tougher and more resilient than any shoes, but it was part of the dress uniform), he glanced at her as if hoping she'd tell him he could stop now, but she merely gazed flatly back at him. Sighing once again, he undid his belt and unbuttoned his trousers, sliding them down and stepping out of them, clad now only in a pair of white boxers. After handing the pants to Sidi, he surprised her by quickly removing them as well, as if to say, "Well, I've come this far. No point in delaying the inevitable," and tossed them carelessly to the grass beneath the bench.
He stood there, obviously still uncomfortable and embarrassed, but his arousal just as obvious as his discomfort. She made no move at first, merely studying every inch of his body as if trying to memorize its every feature, licking her lips unconsciously. Finally, she stood up and stepped into him, holding her body against his and leaning in to whisper into his ear. "Let's go behind the statue. That way we won't be disturbed."
He gulped a bit, but nodded, taking her paw and allowing her to lead him back around the bench and statue into the relative darkness, where once again she held him close, lifting one leg to rub its soft fur against the outside of his thigh, gazing into his eyes hungrily.
This time he needed no further encouragement, and kissed her hungrily, his tongue entering her mouth with an almost savage passion, his now-erect member pressing firmly against her thigh. This surprised her slightly, but also pleased her. She didn't want to have to be the one constantly taking the initiative. She wanted to know that he was as aroused as she was, and he offered her ample evidence that this was the case, lashing his tongue against hers and running his paws through the soft fur on her back, his claws scraping softly, but noticeably against her skin, making her shiver with delight, her purring growing even louder.
Her own paws were busy as well, claws scraping against the armor on his back just as she had imagined, but also running more gently over his chest, her fingerpads skimming across his nipples, making him moan into her mouth and clutch involuntarily at her back fur, claws digging in slightly. He likes that does he? I'll have to remember that...
As much as she was enjoying kissing him, her need for more was strong, and she finally broke off, gazing hungrily into his eyes. "Let me do something for you, Gunther darling," she said, slowly crouching lower, kissing her way down his throat and chest, pausing to kiss and lick both his nipples for a time, eliciting further groans of pleasure from him, his fingers running through her silver and black-streaked hair and lightly caressing her velvet-soft ears. Yes, clearly his nipples were a sensitive spot. It pleased her to find this out, and she took some time to suck on them before moving lower, kissing down his firm stomach to his waist, until finally she was on her knees before him, gazing up into his face.
Wordlessly, she gently grasped his member, stroking it languidly with her paw a few times and, still looking up at him to see his reactions, guided it ever so slowly to her waiting muzzle. Stretching out her tongue, she gave an experimental lick along its entire length, the sandpaper-roughness of her tongue causing him to arch his back and moan in a way that she found intensely gratifying for some reason. Not waiting any longer, she took him into her mouth, swirling her tongue around his head and shaft, her paws softly stroking the backs of his thighs and buttocks and running up and down the length of his ridged and armor-plated tail. Once again, his fingers found her hair, tangling themselves in it, but gently, obviously careful not to pull her head towards himself farther than would be comfortable for her, not wanting to choke her as she licked and sucked greedily.
She could feel his legs trembling, almost buckling, and finally he gasped, "Please Sidi, stop."
She complied immediately, concerned. "What's wrong, Gunther?" she asked.
"It's just... your tongue." he replied a bit breathlessly.
She understood immediately. Feline tongues were famous for their rough texture, and could be very uncomfortable if one wasn't used to their touch. "I'm sorry Gunther. Did I hurt you?" she asked, concern clear in her voice.
He gave a quavering chuckle. "Not at all. It's just that the sensation is more intense than anything I've ever felt before. Frankly, I'm about to explode, and we've only just gotten started. I want this to last."
"Well," she purred. "I'm open to suggestions. What should we do now?"
He sank down to his knees as well, facing her in the dim light. "I'd love to return the favor, frankly," he said softly, easing closer, their noses almost touching, his paws caressing the fur covering her sides, his big paws almost able to circle her slim, toned waist. "I ache to taste you... to explore you with my tongue..."
"G-good boy..." she whispered into his pointed ear, giving it a light nip. She could feel herself getting wet at the mere thought of his head nestled between her thighs. She closed her eyes, her arousal stronger than she'd ever felt before. Not wasting any time, she lay on her back in the soft grass, her knees bent slightly, spreading her legs in silent invitation.
He obviously wanted to take his time, however. He leaned down, supporting his considerable bulk on his knees and his front paws planted firmly on either side of her, nuzzling into her neck and shoulder and kissing and nibbling. Her purring had grown so loud that she imagined it could be heard all over the campus, and she rubbed the insides of her thighs against his waist, massaging the back of his neck with her paws. He then surprised her by biting down where her neck and shoulder joined, not hard enough to break the skin, but more than enough to elicit a gasp from her. She never would have dreamed him capable of such passion, but it delighted and excited her, and she threw her legs around his waist and squeezed, once again clawing the armor on his back, forcefully this time.
He moved lower on her body, and she relaxed her legs enough to allow him, panting her need and passion, biting her lip. He nuzzled his way through her fur down between her breasts, pausing to blow several breaths into the cleft there, tickling her now-sensitized skin and making her tingle all over. He was driving her wild at this point, but she could only think that she wanted more, whether he just took her right then or continued to tease her, she was beyond caring. She was aflame in body and spirit - simply adrift in a sea of passion, allowing Gunther to steer the ship that was her body and soul.
He didn't tarry long between her breasts, but latched his mouth onto her left nipple and two fingers of his left paw onto her right, sucking and lightly pinching simultaneously. She was practically thrashing beneath him at this point. It was unlike her to allow herself to lose control like this, but he had evidently awakened something in her she only suspected existed in her wildest, moments. The closest she had ever come to feelings like this was when she was on the hunt on her parent's estate, pursuing some wild game through the forest, her thoughts totally subsumed by her hunting instincts, her intellect given over to a kind of primitive madness. This moment, here with Gunther was like that, but so much stronger. If she were able to think such thoughts, she might be concerned that she would lose herself utterly, never to return.
Once again, he brought his teeth into play, biting down on her nipple, squeezing the other harder than she'd normally consider comfortable at the same time. She thrashed beneath him, her back arching wildly, even managing to lift his considerable bulk off the ground momentarily before falling back upon the grass. She could taste blood in her mouth from where she had been biting her lip, and it only served to excite her further. She gripped the back of his neck tightly, her claws digging in, but he seemed not to notice. He did relax his assault on her nipples though, merely swirling his tongue softly around the left and releasing his fingers' hold on her right, instead running his palm lightly over the now-tender nub, making her moan beneath him.
He was clearly ready to continue his exploration of her body though, and he once more eased downwards, his nose trailing through the fur on her tummy, making her stomach muscles tense automatically. He paused momentarily at her navel, poking his nose within and blowing out a short puff of air, tickling her and making her giggle momentarily despite her extreme arousal. She had thought him inexperienced, but he was hitting all her spots, playing her body like a master musician played a finely tuned instrument. Everything else faded away. All that existed was the two of them, lost in each other.
He was anxious, yet unhurried as his mouth moved lower, finally sliding between her legs, his tongue lapping at her now sodden fur, and evidently finding the flavor to his liking, as he licked all around her labia as if he were grooming her. He breathed deeply, drinking in her scent as well, and cool night air blown across her damp fur gave her a delicious sensation of cold in her nether regions, raising goosebumps and making her shiver. He was driving her wild at this point by not diving immediately into the secret center of her pleasure, but only staying around the entrance, as enjoyable as his attentions there were.
She would not be denied, however. She threw her legs around his head, reaching down with her paws to shove his muzzle against her, forcing him deeper. He made no effort to pull away (not that that would have been easy with her strong, lithe legs holding him in place), but immediately attacked her clit with tongue and teeth, licking and nibbling with wild abandon. He paid careful attention to every part of her sex with his tongue, exploring every crevice, seeking out every spot which gave her pleasure, and probing and tasting with tremendous sensitivity. When his tongue finally entered her narrow slit, she could no longer contain herself, but began bucking her hips against his face wildly.
A part of her could hear herself as if from a great distance, growling like a feral beast as she thrashed her body left and right, still holding his head tight to her sex with legs and paws. Her vocalizations were insufficient to bring her to her senses, but when he once again made use of his teeth, biting down gently but firmly, the rapid approach of her climax triggered something within her, and she grasped hold of his ears to pull his face away from her, her legs releasing him finally.
He gazed up at her with worry on his face, apparently fearing he'd hurt her, but she was quick to calm his fears, gasping, "Oh Gunther. I need you... inside me..."
He merely nodded, his eyes glittering in the darkness, and crawled his way back up her body, once again nuzzling his way through the fur on her stomach and chest, but not pausing until his hips were adjacent to hers, the tip of his penis just touching her. She once again threw her legs around his waist, her body demanding that he enter her. He obliged, but slowly, lovingly, not thrusting, but rather easing his way inside her, and once more she found herself purring at the marvelous sensation of him.
They spent a seemingly endless moment like that, locked together, but then, slowly, he began moving against her, his motions coming free and easy, but slowly accelerating. Gradually she began adding the movements of her body to his, forcing each of his thrusts deeper by grinding her pelvis against his and tightening the grip of her legs around his waist rhythmically.
She threw her arms around his neck and brought him in close, finally able to show him that her teeth weren't just for show, biting down on his neck firmly. Once again she tasted blood, and this time it wasn't her own. In her passion, she had broken the tough skin on his neck with her canines, and he was bleeding noticeably, but not seriously. He grunted, but didn't pause in his thrusting, even when her sandpaper tongue rasped harshly against his wounds, licking up the tiny trails of blood flowing from the tiny punctures. In fact, it only seemed to excite him further, and he increased his pace, his hips thrusting against her harder and deeper after every withdrawal.
Abruptly though, she wanted more control over their lovemaking, and she twisted her body hard beneath him, taking him by surprise and toppling him onto his side, then continuing her roll, finally winding up on top, with Gunther on his back below her. Growling and purring at the same time, she raked her claws down his chest as she ground herself against him. She knew she was doing it hard enough to be painful, but he merely responded by grabbing her thighs in his paws, arching his back and thrusting deep into her, lifting her clear off the ground.
She climaxed explosively, throwing back her head and yowling into the night sky, her eyes squeezed shut so tightly that she could see flashing lights behind her eyelids. Her thighs squeezed him so tightly that she almost expected to crush him between them, but he merely bucked wildly beneath her, obviously deep in the throes of his own earth-shattering orgasm.
They continued to grind and thrust for a time, but it was clear that they were both spent, and finally Sidi allowed herself to tumble off, flopping to the grass next to him, where they both lay panting for a time, unable even to speak. Gunther did manage roll onto his side to face her, wrapping his powerful arms around her and holding her close against his chest, nuzzling into her fragrant hair. She purred softly into his chest for a time, softly licking where she had bitten his neck, and kissing his throat and shoulder until she could catch her breath again.
When they had both recovered sufficiently, she eased back slightly, just far enough that they could look one another in the eye and hold a conversation. Her paws toyed idly with the back of his neck. Finally, her voice hoarse, she said, "Well, that was certainly a night to remember."
He smiled softly back at her before finally speaking. "I love y-"
Placing her paw gently but firmly over his mouth, she smiled back and whispered, "Shhhh... Don't say it. Not tonight at least. What we've shared has been magical, but it's too soon. When you've had some time to think about it, you can say it and I'll repeat it back to you happily. Until then, let's just think warmly on what we did tonight."
He looked unsure at first, but she simply held her paw against his muzzle until he finally nodded once. When she removed it, he smiled gently and said, "All right Sidi. A little more time won't change the way I feel about you though. I've been in lo... I've felt this way about you since the first time I laid eyes on you."
She gazed tenderly at him, placing one paw softly on his cheek and leaning in to lightly kiss him on the nose before snuggling back into his embrace. "Well," he murmured into her ear. "The night is still young. What would you like to do now?"
Suddenly grinning, she bounded to her feet, apparently bursting with energy now. "Right now I feel like dancing," she said, practically bouncing from foot to foot. "Let's go back to the party."
Gunther lay on his back for a moment, gaping up at her in open-mouthed astonishment before finally sputtering, "Right now? But everyone will smell the sex on us. They'll all know exactly what we've been doing!"
"So?" she replied with an impish grin. "Let them all be jealous that we've had a better time than they have. It'll drive them all mad with envy."
She giggled. "Now get up and help me brush the grass out of my fur and get dressed. We're wasting time and I don't want to miss another dance. And before you even think of arguing with me, there's no point. If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I always get what I want in the end."
He stared at her for a moment, but finally rose with a grin on his face, saying, "I'm beginning to understand that. Well then, shall we be on our way, Lady Obsidian?"
"Yes," she replied with a satisfied smile. "Let's."