The Dare
Manuel's family house stood in one of the better streets of Parzipazio — a wide building with heavy doors, colorful curtains, and the smell of roasted meat in the air. For Marion and Tobia, it was always an experience when Manuel invited them "home." Not because it was friendlier there — but because it was so different.
That afternoon, the three of them sat in the courtyard between cisterns and fruit trees. A few slaves hurried past — beastfolk with lowered heads, carrying baskets or drawing water. Among them stood out a young woman — slender, with a silky tail and feline eyes, barely older than twenty. She wore a coarse dress.
Manuel grinned broadly, his gaze following her. "See her? The little kitten. Perfect for our first dare."
Marion blinked. "Dare?"
"Of course." Manuel leaned forward, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "None of us have ever done it. Never kissed a girl. So… why not practice? On her."
Tobia nearly choked on his apple. "You're crazy, man."
Manuel laughed. "Oh, come on. It's perfect. She's pretty, tame — and who cares? She's just a slave."
Marion felt his stomach tighten. He watched the girl at the well, water dripping from the bucket, strands of hair clinging to her face.
Just a slave.
The word gnawed at him.
"That's… that's disgusting," he muttered. "She can't defend herself. That's exploitation."
Manuel snorted. "Exploitation? Get real. What do you think they're here for? Work, obey… and help us get over our fear of girls. Perfect solution."
Tobia gave an uneasy grin. "He's not completely wrong. You've got to practice sometime. Otherwise you'll embarrass yourself when you finally get a real one."
Marion shook his head. "I'm not doing that."
Manuel's eyes flashed. "Bet."
Marion blinked. "What?"
"I bet you wouldn't dare anyway. You always talk about honor and blah blah… but really, you're just a coward."
Tobia laughed softly. "He's got a point, man. You never dare anything."
Marion's cheeks burned. "I'm not a coward."
"Yes, you are," Manuel grinned. "If you're not, prove it. Go over there and kiss her. Just a small one. Nothing more."
Blood rushed in Marion's ears. A kiss. A slave. In front of them. His heart raced — with shame, fear, and… curiosity.
The cat girl lifted the bucket; her eyes briefly flicked toward the three boys before dropping again.
"Well?" Manuel urged, grinning widely. "Show us you're not scared."
Tobia nudged him. "Yeah, prove it."
Marion clenched his fists. He wanted to say no. To walk away. But the words stuck in his throat.
"If I do it," he said hoarsely, "it's only to show you I'm not a coward."
They laughed, clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit!" Manuel called. "Our hero in action."
Marion rose slowly. His heart hammered, his legs felt heavy. Every step toward the well was a battle inside him. The girl kept drawing water, barely noticing him.
He stopped behind her, palms sweating. She half-turned, her feline eyes flashing — alert, wary.
And in that moment, Marion thought: This is wrong. Completely wrong.
Behind him, Manuel and Tobia's voices pressed forward. He leaned in, uncertain, trembling…
The Bet Turns
Marion stood at the well, heart pounding. The cat girl was only an arm's length away. Behind him, Manuel's voice rang out: "Come on, Marion. Kiss or chicken out."
Tobia laughed nervously, though it already sounded forced.
Marion clenched his fists. I can't do this. It's wrong. But if he stepped back now, they'd call him a coward forever.
Then an idea struck him — a way out.
He slowly turned around and looked Manuel straight in the eye. "Okay," he said loudly enough for both to hear. "I'll do it. But only if Tobia does it too. Him first — then me."
Silence.
Then Manuel burst into roaring laughter. "That's brilliant! Tobia, the scaredy-cat goes first! Hahaha!"
Tobia froze. His grin died instantly. "W-what? Me? No, that wasn't the deal."
"It is now!" Manuel clapped his hands gleefully. "Tobia kisses her, and if he manages it, Marion has to follow."
Marion nodded, forcing a calm expression. "If you don't do it, Tobia… then you're the coward. Not me."
Tobia stared between them, sweat forming on his forehead. "That's not fair. I never said I wanted to."
"Yes, you did, brother," Manuel grinned. "You laughed when he hesitated. So now it's your turn. Or you're the biggest coward here."
Marion crossed his arms. "Deal's a deal. If you do it, I'll do it too. If not… you'll have to do something else embarrassing. In front of everyone."
Tobia rubbed the back of his neck, glancing nervously at the cat girl, who had lifted the bucket and resumed working. She seemed as if she already sensed they were talking about her — without looking.
"Embarrassing… what?" Tobia muttered.
Manuel grinned devilishly. "No idea… maybe shout in the middle of the courtyard that you're in love with Jenny. Or that you've never taken a dump. Something huge."
Marion shrugged, keeping his voice steady. "Your choice. Kiss — or shame."
All eyes were now on Tobia. Even some of the slaves in the courtyard cast cautious glances toward the boys, sensing a small power struggle.
Tobia stepped back, lips pressed tight. His face was bright red; he looked like an animal cornered.
"Well?" Manuel pressed, giggling like a child. "Come on. Or we'll tell everyone. Then you'll be Tobia the Coward forever."
Marion felt his heartbeat slow. For the first time since this stupid idea began, the pressure wasn't on him anymore — it was on Tobia. A small victory, bought at a friend's expense.
He said nothing. He just stood there, arms crossed, waiting.
Tobia bit his lip and took a step toward the well.
The cat girl lifted her gaze. Her yellow eyes locked onto him — suspicious, cold.
His knees trembled. His hands fluttered nervously. For a brief second, it looked as though he might actually go through with the dare.
Marion held his breath.
Manuel grinned, tense as if watching a play.
The Kiss
Tobia stood by the well, his knees trembling, his hands fluttering nervously. Behind him he could hear Manuel snickering and Marion saying nothing at all. In front of him, the cat girl lifted the heavy bucket, the iron collar around her neck glinting dully in the sunlight.
"Go on, brother," Manuel mocked. "Show us you're not a coward."
Tobia swallowed, his face burning red. Just walk up. Touch her for a second. Then it's over.
He stepped closer. The cat woman flinched, her yellow eyes flashing at him—briefly, alert, almost threatening. But she didn't step away.
Tobia leaned in, squeezed his eyes shut, and pressed his lips against her cheek. Only for a heartbeat, barely more than a brush. Then he jumped back as if burned.
The cat woman recoiled, nearly dropping the bucket. Her ears stood upright, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment it looked as if she might hiss—then her face flushed red.
"S-sorry," she murmured softly, lowering her gaze. "I didn't mean to… I…"
Tobia stared at her, completely overwhelmed. "No, I—I'm the one at fault! Sorry! It was just… just a game." His voice cracked.
The cat woman looked at him uncertainly, then her gaze slid past his shoulder—to Manuel.
Manuel burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "Ha! What did I tell you? Completely tame! No claws, no hissing—just a little kitten!"
Marion felt his stomach twist. "That's enough. One of us did it, so—"
"No, no!" Tobia cut in, a mocking grin masking his insecurity. "We had a deal. I did it. Now it's your turn. Or…"
He let the words hang, and Manuel picked them up instantly. "Or you do something really embarrassing. In front of the whole class. Shout out loud that you've never touched a girl. Or something even worse."
They both laughed.
The cat woman looked between them, her ears lowered now, her eyes watchful. She knew she was the center of their little game—and that she couldn't stop it.
Marion swallowed. His heart pounded. Kiss her on the mouth? Here? In front of them? It felt wrong—like crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed. But the alternative wasn't better: humiliating himself before the class, where Lukas and Basti were always hungry for new material.
"Come on," Manuel urged. "Kiss or shame. Your choice."
Tobia nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Prove you're not a coward."
Marion stepped forward slowly. He could hear his own heartbeat, feel the sweat dampening his palms. The girl didn't step back, but her eyes were wide—full of fear. Or was it anger?
He stood close enough to feel her breath. His lips trembled. Behind him he heard the mocking snickers of his friends, waiting for the show.
If I do this, I become like them. If I don't, they'll laugh me to pieces.
The cat girl lowered her gaze, her tail twitching restlessly.
"Well?" Manuel called impatiently. "On the mouth, Marion. Or tomorrow you shout across the courtyard: I'm still a virgin!"
Tobia burst into loud laughter.
Marion stood there, trapped, the cat woman before him, the decision hanging in the air.
His throat was dry. His heart hammered. He knew: whatever he chose, it would follow him.
Let's Get It Over With
Marion stood frozen by the well, his heart pounding, his hands shaking. The cat girl still held the bucket halfway lifted.
Manuel laughed behind him. "Come on, Marion! Kiss or shame!"
Tobia snickered nervously. "Or you'll be screaming it across the courtyard tomorrow!"
Marion tried to speak, to find an excuse, but his throat was dry. He looked into the woman's yellow eyes—wide, alert, but not broken.
For a moment, everything was still.
Then she sighed quietly.
"Let's get it over with," she murmured, barely audible.
Before Marion could react, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. Only briefly, just a breath—and yet unmistakable. A kiss without warmth, but with clarity: quick, controlled, so it would be over.
Manuel fell silent. For a heartbeat the courtyard was quiet, as if even the birds had stopped singing.
Then the girl leaned back and looked directly into Marion's eyes. For a split second something flashed in her gaze—not fear, not shame, but a quiet triumph.
You wanted me to be your toy. But I decide when this ends.
Marion felt the blood rush to his head. His lips tingled. His heart raced.
"There!" Manuel finally shouted, forcing a laugh. "See? Our Marion did it!" But his grin was crooked, almost irritated. He had expected more drama, more hesitation—but the girl had ended the situation herself, faster than he could control it.
Tobia laughed uncertainly, though his eyes flickered, as if he too understood that things hadn't gone according plan.
The cat girl lifted the bucket as if nothing had happened and turned away. Without another word, she disappeared toward the house. Only her tail twitched faintly.
Marion stood there, stunned. His mouth felt hot, his heart still pounding wildly. He didn't know what he felt. Shame? Triumph? Guilt?
Manuel slapped his shoulder. "See? Wasn't that bad, right?"
Marion couldn't speak.
"Completely tame, the little one," Manuel grinned, though something restless flickered in his eyes. "No claws, no hissing. Told you."
But there was bitterness beneath his words. It hadn't gone the way he wanted. The girl hadn't acted like a victim—she had acted like someone who ended the game before he could enjoy it.
Later, as they left the courtyard, Marion lingered behind, his gaze drifting toward the door she had disappeared through.
She gave me that kiss. Not because she wanted to—but because she didn't want Manuel to win.
And that thought stayed with him, gnawing and burning: that he had been part of a game she understood far better than he did.