Experience

Even though so many years had passed since I saw her last, she didn't show a hint of surprise as she turned her head to look at me. "You're back."

I shifted my weight, feet bare on the cold marble tiles, unsure whether to apologize or look triumphant. "Yeah. I wasn't sure if I was going to be. It got complicated."

"I've known for days you were coming," she said, stepping away from the balcony. A breeze blew the translucent curtains in front of her briefly, veiling her face and making her mood even harder to read than it usually was. "Did you bring in that cat-ears on purpose?"

"She's got a tail too," I pointed out. "And she's cat in more than that. But yes, juvenile as it sounds, I brought you a catgirl. Her lineage, you see."

The princess tilted her head, inhaled and exhaled deeply. Finally she said, "Only because of her lineage we can continue just where we left off. Had you brought me someone of another line..."

"I know," I said, feeling foolish as I recalled some of what I'd done in the interim. "That's why I never brought the others to you."

"I think she's in fine shape." She didn't seem angry that I had left for so long. Of course, as she'd known the future, she'd had plenty of time to feel whatever she felt, and even now might be riding the knowledge of a coming event. "She's already in the laboratory, doing something that smells like the inside of a pharmacy."

That made me giggle. "It's not like I forgot you for long, you know. Most of what I've done in the past--" I gestured vaguely with my hand to indicate some undiscussed amount of time. "--I've spoken about this place, written on our works, you know."

"But you came in looking like that." She scanned over my appearance. Uncombed hair, a peasant's long loose tunic, vest strings untied, an apron cinched around my waist. "I've told you that you should look well to represent us; that you should dress correctly. Fading smudges of foreign dirt, from no matter how far nor what adventure, does not bespeak a reputable traveller. You can do better."

"Hngh." I tried to comb my fingers through my long hair, and caught them in a tangle. "I went a long way to find you that cat."

"And you found her right in our country at the end, didn't you? In our own fields."

Flashes of purple-magenta stardust, sparkling sand running through my fingers. "I think I might have brought her nonetheless."

"Go clean up," she said. "Make yourself fit to greet the others. You'll have penance to do if you don't stand out from the commoners."

"Can I meet with her then?"

"The cat? Of course."

"Who else..." I wasn't sure if I should ask the question just yet. "Who else will see me?"

She held a finger to her lips, calling for quiet. "That depends on you."

Do you still remember the magic words?

Which ones did you scratch deep enough?

How many incantations does it take to wear yourself smooth?

The main hall was so large it felt like even my thoughts would echo. I crept off to get ready as quietly as I could, hoping no one would find me on the way.