Your Featherlands CYOA Journey ~ Chapter 13 (Patreon)

“Ha!” Valina lets out a loud, bombastic chuckle. “So typical from what I’ve heard of humans: always have to be the hero. I bet the elves told you about some prophecy or something. ‘When a human comes to the Featherlands-’” Valina interrupted her joyful mocking by sticking her tongue out and releasing a long, loud raspberry. You sigh and cross your arms across your chest.

“That… something like it may have come up,” you say, quietly. Valina continues to laugh. She holds her hair back as her top half leans over, leaning one arm against her knees.

“Haha, oh that’s too good!” Valina says. She giggles and wipes a slight tear from her eye. “So predictable, I love it.” You cough and think back to having gone out on your own to take on the trolls based on your impulses to be a hero to these strange people. Still, you face no regret in your actions. Embarrassment, perhaps, with definite reflection, but no regret.

“I mean it,” you say stoically. “I want to take Momo’s place in this… Ticklecadia, or whatever.” You hear Momo sniffle. You look her way to see her looking up, staring back at you with wide, shimmering eyes.

“You… you don’t have to…”

“Oh, yes they do!” Valina says, coming up to her side, holding onto her opposite shoulder from behind. “Both because they’re human and can’t help themselves and because they’ve already agreed. I’m a fair ruler and I’ll allow you to take up this bargain, but I expect fairness in return. No changing your mind now, human.” You shake your head.

“Not going to happen,” you say.

“Goodie!” Valina cheers, jumping and clapping. “Then you and the pretty kitty here are going to get nice and acquainted!”

“What do you mean?” you ask. “If you don’t need her for this, why can’t she be free to go?”

“‘Free to- bwaaahahahaha!” Valina laughed harder than she had before, strolling around her chamber. “You really have no idea what’s all going on here. Did you even listen to what I said? I’m not letting a beastie as valuable as her go? A cyan feilyne? You’re dreaming, human.”

“Then… that’ll be my demand,” you say. “I only compete in this thing if you let her go.” Valina continues to laugh, tears trickling down her bright, blushing cheeks.

“Aaaahhhahaha!” Valina jeers. “Case and point, human! You have no bartering power here! Either you compete and she goes back to the cages, or it’s the other way around. Trust me, you’ve already picked the worse thing to do here, so congrats. You still get to be the hero. Don’t ruin it now.” You wince and glance over to Momo, glad at least to have given her time to recuperate. She sighs and looks down. You begin to formulate alternative plans to free you both, wary of Valina's resources and cleverness.

“Fine,” you say. “This… Ticklecadia? What do I get if I win?” Valina snickers.

“You?” Valina asks with a slight snort. “You represent Plumewood, human. You get nothing. I thought I made that perfectly clear.” Valina walks over to a small tray atop her bedside table, upon which she pours tea from a pot into a small, white cup. She smiles down at the steaming brew as she slowly brings it up to her lips for a sip. “What you get, human, is to live a life not completely dominated by eternal tickling. Be thankful it was me who found you and not some of these other kingdoms and tribes. Many of them aren’t so big on… what’s the word? Oh, mercy. That’s it. Mercy.”

“And you are?” you ask.

“I consider myself pretty reasonable,” Valina says. “I would expect you to as well, human. You broke into my private chambers and are still standing here talking to me, aren’t you? Listen, I love the grueling laughter as much as the next girl, but I also like to get to know my acquisitions, especially the ones who agree to fight for me.”

“How noble,” you say dryly. “So, what do you get if I win?” Valina takes another sip of tea.

“It’s really more for the subjects than it is for the players,” Valina says. “We may barter for some of the others’ subjects or servants, maybe some of their technology or art, whatever feels appropriate. Mostly bragging rights though.”

“So you ask people to give their lives for… bragging rights?” you ask bitterly. Valina rolls her eyes.

“Well, I wouldn't say ‘ask’,” she says. “It’s mostly the champions that want to show off their skills for a little entertainment and glory. And maybe a little by ‘force’, but that never sounds as good.”

“You’re a monster,” you say. Valina raised her eyebrows before looking away, back toward Momo on the rack.

“Just say the word and you and the cat go back in the holding cells,” Valina says. “Maybe a year in the public stocks will make you both a little more cooperative for the next Ticklecadia. I’m a patient girl.”

“I bet you are,” you say, snarling a bit as your nostrils flare. Valina shoots you a solemn look. She comes closer and takes your hand. She leads you out onto the balcony overlooking the Plumewood gardens below, shutting the doors behind her. She pauses for a moment before she begins to speak, softly and carefully.

“Listen, I don’t want to do wrong by anyone,” Valina says straight. “The laws and customs of the kingdoms, they’re not ideal. Even Plumewood. But I have to keep up appearances for my father. He makes the rules, I just… have to make the best of them, you know?”

“No,” you say bluntly.

“Of course not,” Valina says, looking down. “I want to provide a good place for my subjects here, but I also have to keep a strong hand on everything. It’s not easy or pleasant. And can make me seem just as cruel as all the others, but it’s how things have been done for years, ever since the last Featherland Queen stepped down.”

“I read about that,” you say, nodding.

“That was long before me,” Valina says, “so this life is all I’ve known, but the more I read and learn about life outside of Plumewood, the more I wish we could all be united again, and not so ruled by fear.”

“I thought it was tickling,” you ask, smirking a little. Valina shrugs.

“Well, that goes without saying, but trust me when I say that these other kingdoms… they’re not as good to their people,” Valina says softly.

“Says the princess torturing people right now in the dungeons,” you say.

“Daddy’s rules,” Valina says, shaking her head. “He says it instills fear, which encourages obedience and influence. Admittedly, he’s not wrong. I don’t like it, but I have to uphold it, and at the same time act like I agree with his methods.”

“Or else what?”

“People would think Plumewood is weak,” Valina says. “They’d revolt and other kingdoms would try to challenge our security. Plumewood would become unsafe inside and outside. So much of politics is all theatrics. I hate it, but the alternative is a worse life for all involved. It’s what I have to do.”

“So why are you telling me all this now?” you ask, just as quietly. Valina looks back at you. For the first time, her expression is purely stern. Her eyes shimmer with traces of tears while her thin, peony-shaded lips tremble.

“Because… I need someone I can trust in this,” Valina says. “Maybe that’s it, honestly I’m not sure. I’ve been struggling with these issues of trying to do the right thing for so long that I’m afraid that there is no right answer, that no matter what my intentions are, people are only ever going to see me as the monster that you said I was.”

“I mean…” you say, sighing a bit.

“No need to explain yourself, I do monstrous things,” Valina says sadly. “I have to… but I know that’s just an excuse for my own inability to stand up for what’s right.”

“I mean, you tickled me pretty good,” you say. “Could have fooled me that that’s who you are.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Valina says, winking slightly. “Plus I still like to have a little fun. How often do you get to play with a human?”

“Can’t argue with that,” you say, looking off across the village countryside. Valina’s tone shifted lower and quieter once more.

“I just need you to know,” Valina says. “I don’t know if you are some prophesied savior or what, maybe I just need you to know what you’re fighting for in the Ticklecadia, but I think mostly it’s… I need someone to believe that I’m really trying, as bad as I feel that I can’t let you or Momo go. No matter what happens, I need you to trust me that you’ll be taken care of. I promise that I’ll do what I can for you both.” You think for a moment. As much as you continue to question the nature of this event that you’ve agreed to, along with the authenticity of the princess by your side, you find yourself still wanting to see the best in everyone, including yourself should anything go awry again. Confident that you can overcome whatever hardships come your way, you choose to comply with the princess’s position while reserving your full trust.

“I want to believe you, your highness,” you say, “but I can’t say that I do.” Valina sighs. She looks down to the ground and nods.

“I figured,” she says, defeatedly.

“What I can say is that I’m willing to go along with this Ticklecadia and anything else you may require of me, so long as you uphold that promise to me and Momo,” you say. Valina looks up, her expression starting to beam. “I’m not one to tell a princess what to do, your highness, but just know that if you want my trust in what you say, you can still earn it. You just have to be willing to work with us.”

“Of course,” Valina says. “And if there’s anything I can do to help, I will to the best of my ability.”

“You can help me find a way back home,” you say. “That’s something the elves couldn’t make happen.” Valina’s expression melted slightly. Her eyes began to dart, deep in contemplation.

“I… I don’t know exactly how to do that, but I’m sure someone does,” Valina says. “I’ll still do what I can to help.”

“Fair enough,” you say. You smile at her and bow your head a bit. Valina smiles back, reaching up to stroke her hair.

“Alright, well, you’re going to need to train,” Valina says. She turns to the doors back into the bedroom and throws them open, storming her way through. Her demeanor changes back into the performative, arrogant princess that she had been since first meeting her. You follow her back into the room.

“Train?” you ask.

“Of course,” Valina says. “You think I’m just going to throw you into this without training?”

“I just… didn’t know what the protocol was,” you say, trying to wrap your mind around the present situation. Valina pours herself another cup of tea before turning back to you.

“It’s simple,” Valina says. “You’re both going to be taken into a room of your own. There, she is going to be tied up and you are going to tickle her. And I mean really tickle her.”

“Who, Momo?” you ask in mild shock.

“No, the old hag who sings to the frogs in the swampland, yes the cat!” Valina barks. “She is going to be your training partner. I need you to get better at being a tickler. It’ll help your chances of overpowering your opponents in the fields.” You glance back to Momo. She hangs tiredly against the X-frame, her face wearing a somber, tired expression.

“Does it have to be her though?” you ask. “Hasn’t she been through enough?”

“Her kind is quite durable when it comes to ticklish fortitude,” Valina says. “As little as I’m worried that you will break her, I’m going to need you to try. You know, for both of your sakes.” Valina passes you a subtle wink as she takes a sip from her cup. You hold your head high and scratch the side of your nose.

“I… okay,” you say with a heavy sigh.

‘Okay’?” Valina asks. You shoot the princess a sharp glance.

“Yes, your highness,” you say dryly. Valina smiles.

“Goodie!” Valina says. She takes another sip of tea before setting the cup down next to the pot. Valina walks up to her bed chamber door. She pulls a rope on one side, sounding a bell that echoes from the other side. The doors open by the hands of the guards on the other side. They rush in, standing at attention before their princess.

“Your highness,” the guards acknowledge.

“Escort these two down to my recreation chamber,” Valina says, pushing her way through and out of the room. “Put her in the rack and leave them to their work, they know what’s expected of them.” She turns back to face both you and Momo. “You both be good and I’ll see you a little later, ‘kay?” Valina vanishes around the corner, leaving you and Momo alone with the guards. You stand up straight and face them head on. One comes over to Momo and frees her from the frame. You watch as she tiredly slumps over the guard’s shoulder. The other comes up to you, taking your arm and glaring back at you.

“Don’t know how you got in here, human, but don’t try anything funny,” he says. You decide to go along with the guard, sensing Valina’s protection and assurance even with her not around. You’re left strangely trusting her word, not seeing what she would gain from lying to you while you’re already in her custody. The guards escort you and Momo back down into the lower levels of the castle, tracing back the path that you had taken to get to Valina’s private chambers.

You walk quietly as the guards march you toward a room slightly off of the corridor to the dungeon. The air still graces your nose with musky residue, humidity weighing on your face, yet the decor down the strange hallway appears more lavish and ornate than that of that dungeon chambers. You’re both led to a door opened by the guard almost entirely carrying Momo. You had given her slight glances on the way to make sure that she was still awake, or perhaps to see if she would dare an escape attempt, but the cat-girl appeared to surrender herself to the wishes of the princess. Her hair had been matted to her skin with sweat. Her ears slumped over her head while her tail swished lazily against the floor. Once inside the room, the guard carrying Momo leads her over to a familiar-looking rack in the dead center while you are watched carefully by the wall.

“Really thought you’d try something there, human,” the guard says. You huff, saying nothing despite having considered several times on the way there how you would be able to dash for an exit. But a lingering curiosity guided you to the room just as much as the guard had, Valina’s words still spinning in your mind. You look over to the guard handling Momo atop the rack.

“Be careful with her,” you say sternly. The guard at your side draws a sword from his scabbard while the other scoffs a bit.

“You just stay there, human,” he says. “Let us worry about how to deal with the prisoners.” The guard latches Momo’s wrists and ankles to the rack as you remember yours being not that long ago. You watch as she resigns herself to being stretched out so far and vulnerably, staring blankly up at the torchlit ceiling. Her wrists and ankles are strapped down tightly while her arms and legs are wrenched to both ends of the rack, just far enough to keep her taut while avoiding extreme discomfort. You stand by and observe carefully that he refrains from hurting her further.

“Her highness says we’re just supposed to leave you to it,” a guard says. “That she’ll be by in time to watch.”

“We’ll be on the other side of the door, so no getting any funny ideas, human,” the other guard says, stepping away from you. The stigma that you’ve accumulated for being a human was beginning to sting, lessened only by the accuracy and evidence in the statements made. You stand by quietly as the guards take their leave. They file out of the room, shutting and locking the door behind them as they exit.

Once alone, you turn back to Momo. You rush to her side, checking her over to make sure she was still unharmed.

“I’m sorry,” you say, shaking your head. “I didn’t know that she would still use you like this.” Momo pauses. She swallows and continues to stare straight up at the ceiling.

“It is fine,” Momo says, steadying her breathing. Her words are soft and quiet, like loud whispers. “Better here than in the dungeon with the others, I suppose.” You look down and nod. Her words bring you a sense of comfort and release from the guilt, if only for a moment. “You really did not have to come looking for me, though, human.”

“Of course I did,” you say, looking back at her. “I couldn’t just let her keep torturing you like this.” Momo grins a bit. She looks away, her tail swishing slightly off to the side.

“You truly are as they say about humans,” Momo says. “Your gallantry lives up to the Dawson epics from the stories I grew up with.”

“I don’t know about all that, but I know the right thing to do when I see it,” you say. “If I could, I’d rescue everyone from this place.”

“I feel your truth, human,” Momo says, “but I assure you that I am not in as much danger as you may expect.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was my intention to get caught by the Plumewood scouts,” Momo says. “As it was to compete in the Ticklecadia.” You furrow your eyebrows, leaning in closer to listen as Momo’s words trailed into a soft whisper.

“Really?”

“Plumewood forces have been expanding through the lands, taking all that they can from villages and towns weak enough to exploit,” Momo says quietly. “It was not long before they came to my village and began to take from my family. We bartered and hid and continued further away, leaving behind more and more each time until our homes were reduced to camps. I suggested that we stand up against them, to fight back, but father was sternly against such aggression. It simply was not in our nature nor were we equipped to take on such forces alone. I was complacent in his instruction, that was until our camp was raided in the middle of the night and a valuable treasure was taken from me. I had misplaced a necklace that my mother had given to me just before her death. When I came back for it and checked the sack under which I hid it, it was gone. I could not sit by so idly anymore while Plumewood scouts continued to leave us with less and less. So I staged my own capture to try and infiltrate the Plumewood palace, to try and either reason with the princess for the safety of my people, or to ensure it through force.” Momo pauses, leaving you pondering her words through a palpable silence.

“Oh, I… I’m sorry,” you say. “I had no idea.”

“I would not have expected a human to know as such,” Momo says. “I cannot imagine your confusion and frustration through this difficult time of yours. Do you, by chance, know of the Fheron?”

“The Fheron?”

“The Fheron is a race closely related to human,” Momo says. “Their ancestors were Featherland sirens that would capture and breed with humans that wandered into their domains. Their spawn eventually became what we know as Fheron, a race that is characterized by close familial influence. They are often cunning and charismatic, able to talk themselves into getting almost anything they want. And through this, they have been able to accrue vast amounts of political power throughout the lands and fight to keep it. You should know that Princess Valina, and her family, are all Fheron.” You think for a moment, reflecting on everything that Valina had told you on the balcony.

“I see,” you say. “I didn’t know what she was. It’s kind of a strange question to ask someone, isn’t it?” Momo’s ears twitch a little.

“You should know everything about those you interact with,” Momo says. “You will fare better that way, freely navigating these lands that way.”

“I’m beginning to pick up on that,” you say. Momo looks away.

“The Feilyne are not without their faults as well,” Momo says. “Many would say that we are dishonest and conniving. I cannot argue so strongly about these sentiments, hurtful though they may be.”

“That’s anyone,” you say, shrugging your shoulders. You smirk at her in an attempt to help her feel better. Judging by the changelessness of her expression, you feel as though you failed.

“A human perspective,” Momo says. “I have always heard that humans fare well in the Featherlands due to their ability to adapt and communicate. Perhaps it is an outsider’s lack of judgment and prejudice that makes them feel so special.”

“Well, sorry I took doing the Ticklecadia away from you,” you say. “Had I known, I–”

“Do not apologize,” Momo says abruptly. “Your intentions were noble, I can feel that. And in the time that you have taken this task upon yourself, I have begun crafting an alternative plan, one that may be beneficial to us both.”

“Okay, I’m listening,” you say, leaning in. Momo looks away.

“Admittedly, I do not know all of it…” she says, shyly, “but with you participating in the Tickleacadia, I feel as though I will be more free to navigate the castle while everyone is distracted by the event. If I could escape the cells on the day of the Ticklecadia, I could free more prisoners while searching for my mother’s necklace. My original idea was to barter with Valina for the necklace, either she would reward me with it or I would make myself lose and surrender myself to conditions of the stadium. This, however, may work out better for our causes.”

“I could get down with that,” you say, smiling down at Momo. She tilts her head a bit, her ear twitching again.

“Get… down?” Momo asks.

“Oh, I mean, I agree,” you say. “That plan could work. And I’d be happy to help you anyway I can.” Momo smiles back at you.

“You will fare better if you win, human,” Momo says. “Providing an engaging performance will help distract more of Plumewood’s castle guards. It will also secure your safety. The Ticklecadia can be quite grueling for those who fall victim to its tricks.”

“I’m sure I’ll be okay,” you say. “I still don’t know what it is, but I’ll adapt. I’m good at that.”

“The human lives up to the tales,” Momo comments. “Then you must train, as Valina said.” You pause, leaning back.

“Train?” you ask. “As in… tickle you?”

“Yes,” Momo says. “As best as you can.” As the words left her mouth, Momo seemingly heard them for the first time. She began to squirm anxiously against the rack, glancing around nervously, as if only then realizing how vulnerable she had been the entire time. “D-do not hold back, human. I can take it.”

“I’m sure,” you say softly. “But are you sure about this? I was expecting us to come up with a plan where I get you out of here.” Momo shakes her head.

“That will come later,” Momo says. “For now, I believe I am right where I need to be. But if you are so keen on escaping, human, do not let me hinder your freedom.” You smile and shake your head.

“No, we’re in this together,” you say. “Either we both get out or neither of us get out.” Momo smiles, her eyes shimmering as they bashfully dart away.

“A strange notion,” she says softly. “A human one, I am sure, but one I am honored that you would share that with me when we know so little of one another.”

“Well, tragedy breeds comradery, after all,” you say. “We’ll get through this somehow, and when we do, we’ll have more time to get to know each other.”

“Am I correct in assuming that means you trust in my plan?” Momo asks. You smile slightly and nod, feeling a slight sense of deja vu.

“I do,” you say.

“I am gladdened to hear that,” Momo says. “But the princess will likely not be much longer. It will best defer suspicion the sooner you commence your training.”

“Right,” you say, taking a step back. Momo swallows once again, her body twitching nervously.

“Once again, no holding back, human,” Momo says. “I am… frightfully ticklish, but do not let that discourage you from your training. I can take it.”

“Alright,” you say. “If you say so.” You smirk as you look over her bound body, many of the common focus areas fully bare and completely helpless. “Just know that I’m pretty good.”

“I am certain,” Momo says, chiming in with a little nervous giggle. Her ears twitch a little as you slowly trace down her body. Your fingers brush over her skin, her tail wafting slightly off to one side. You notice a trembling rush across her body as you touch her. She breathes deeply and intentionally as you make your way down the rack, where her ankles are bound and spread. “You will need to be aggressive when engaging with combatants in the Ticklecadia. You will have few opportunities to size up your opponents. The goal, when tickling, should be to over-power as quickly and efficiently as possible.” You consider her words carefully, making your way down to the feilyne’s bound feet. They pose, like most of her figure, similar to your own, as a human, soft and supple with ten bubbly toes. You put yourself into the headspace of someone much more ruthless with your tickling, trying to psyche yourself to the point of being content with showing no mercy. You take a moment, down at the bottom of the rack, to collect yourself in this frame of mind.

“Do not concern yourself with my sensibilities,” Momo continues. “Trust that I am able to hand-eeeeekkkhhhehahahahahahahaaaa!!” Momo squeals as all ten of your fingers brush against her bound, ticklish soles. They clench and retract a bit to your touch, unable to flee far from your scribbling fingers. You press forth, riddling the girl’s ticklish senses with a relatively immediate approach. You still find yourself giving her a moment to adjust into the intensity before daring to push her further. You have to remind yourself of the importance of the exercise at hand while also finding a slight, alluring appeal in listening to Momo’s ticklish laughter as she tugs against her bindings.

“Heh heh, sorry about this,” you say as a defining preamble to the situation. Still, as reluctant as you are to plunge the girl in even more torment than she’s already been through, you stay locked in with an almost morbid enthusiasm for the exercise. You aim your nails into the lush arches of your ticklish captive. You scribble and scratch as wildly as you remember having yours tickled so many times before. In the moment, you begin to really connect to the Featherland customs at play. You had spent many weeks in the strange land, getting used to the trivia and information you’ve been able to consume, yet the definitive act of tickling, as influential and rudimentary as you knew it was, always seemed to evade comprehension. In that moment, however, you feel yourself connecting more with Momo than you have with most, finding enjoyment along with a real sense of bonding with your partner.

“Nyaaaaaahhhhahhahahahaaa!!” Momo squeaks as she laughs. Her face blooms a deep blush of red, her cheeks beaming beneath her glimmering eyes. She flails against the rack, twisting side to side in the restriction of the cuffs. Her hands ball into fists while her feet sway side to side, her toes curling defensively. Her hips rise and fall while her chest heaves deep breaths to facilitate her laughter. As your fingers continuously and quickly skitter against her soft, tepid soles, you observe her genuine ticklish reactions in real time. Your eyes linger as you study each and every move. As graceful as Momo is when she moves, under a ticklish composure, you see that she is just as fallible and regal as everyone else you’ve ever seen in her position.

“Hhehe, tickle tickle tickle…” you say. You grin as your fingers shift up to Momo’s toes. Your nails plunge into her squirming digits. You have to keep reminding yourself to show no mercy, to tickle as best as you can, as you fight against the sympathy you can’t help but harbor. Still, the feeling of Momo’s delicate digits against your fingers eases you into a mindset of wanting more, of being encouraged to keep pushing the cat-girl’s ticklish sensibilities. You tickle faster and faster, easing your touch into the delicate crevasse underneath and in between each toe.

“NYYYYAAAAHHHHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAH!!! GAAAHAHHAHHAHAHADS!!!” Momo cries out. Her laughter quickly echoes throughout the relatively small chamber. She bucks and thrashes against the rack, her face beaming with a shade of pink that extends up to her ears. You rake your nails from her heels to her toes, alternating between scratches and scribbles. You envelop the poor girl’s feet in a sea of tickles, inescapable no matter how they flail in place. You chuckle as you study her reactions. You ponder if every Featherlander is as receptive to tickles as Momo or if she is just especially ticklish. You focus your mind on the task at hand, keeping her feet locked in their ticklish assault the way that you imagine Princess Valina would for pleasure alone.

“Sounds good,” you hear Valina’s voice from behind. You stop and turn to face the princess coming up to your side. Momo heaves, huffing and sucking down deep gulps of air. Her tail swishes slightly as she looks down to you and Valina. “I didn’t say stop.” You nod as Valina crosses her arms.

“Thought that I’d… try somewhere else now,” you say.

“I see,” Valina says. She looks down to Momo and smiles. “And how are you doing, kitten?” Momo fights to catch her breath. She looks back up to the ceiling, her face resuming a relatively blank stare.

“They are… doing well…” Momo says.

“Well, the kitty can still talk, so I think they can do a little bit better,” Valina says, turning to face you. You shrug.

“I’m just easing into it,” you say.

“Mhmm,” Valina says. “Still just using your hands, I see. Good to get familiar with them, but don’t be afraid to develop some specializations with the tools we have here. They’ll all be made available during the Ticklecadia.”

“I should probably practice my magic too,” you say. Momo’s eyes widen as she and Valina share a look.

“Oh, I think the kitten would be a purr-fect subject to practice your magic with,” Valina says. “I’ve never seen a human do real magic before. How about you show us?”

“O-oh, I… um…” Momo begins to stammer. Valina cocks her head to the side, smirking as she catches Momo’s eye.

“Aww, what’s the matter?” Valina says. “Don’t want to help the human train anymore? Scaredy cat?” Momo swallows and turns back to you. She coughs and nods, her eyes still wide as her hair stands up a bit around her neck.

“N-no, I… I do,” Momo says. You smile back at her, placing a reassuring hand on her leg.

“We’ll keep an eye on you,” you say softly.

“Indeed we will,” Valina remarks eagerly. You walk up to one side of Momo’s midsection while Valina heads to the other. She stands back, keeping her arms crossed as she watches the whole exchange between you and Momo. You raise your hands up to examine your palms. It had been so long since you’ve summoned Manic Shock, and you know having no wand through which to channel it makes the spell unpredictable. Yet you quickly figure that learning to control it with just your touch will aid you better in the long run than having a wand ready. You focus your mind on the spell as you lower your hands down toward Momo’s quivering belly. You begin to trace your fingers across the area, slowly building up speed. Momo jerks into a fit of giggles once again.

“Eeeekkkkkeeeehhehhehehennnyyyahahaha!” Momo squeaks. Her body resumes its reactive twitching once more, tugging and pulling at the binds keeping her locked down against the rack. You spider your nails across Momo’s twisting belly, touching and moving in random, unpredictable patterns. Your fingers alternate between gnawing, digging motions and light skittering, leaving the helpless feilyne squeaking and mewing with ticklish laughter. As Momo’s expression contorts back into wild hysteria, Valina looks back at you, raising one eyebrow.

“That the best you can do?” Valina asks. “I mean, I know you’re human, but I’d think you can still do better than that.” You huff at her obvious prying, but despise how her words rattle around inside your head. You push Momo’s senses further, sprawling your fingers out farther and tickling faster and faster. Momo writhes against the rack beneath you. She twists and pulls, her eyes clamped shut with beads of tears trickling from the corners. Her arms and legs pull endlessly against their binds in a reactionary fit of ticklish mania. Her laughter once again fills the chamber, yet nothing you do seems to stoke the interest of Valina, watching closely.

“NYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Momo howls with laughter. Your nails ravish all over the cat-girl’s exposed midsection. Your fingers slip effortlessly against the soft, supple skin, every swipe igniting a surge of ticklish response. Momo bounces against the rack as far as she can. Her head shakes side to side, her tail flailing off of the rack. You explore the area and prod for all the most responsive spots to focus your ticklish touch. You figure that you are expected to take a more proactive approach to reducing your ticklish victim to quivering tears, but hate how it has to be Momo. Despite this, you intentionally push her further and further to get the most out of your training, focusing your mind on trying to summon the Manic Spark.

“You can do better than that, can’t you?” Valina asks sourly. You keep your focus on your tickling and summoning your magic. Being challenged almost creates a wall between your own sensibilities and Momo’s frantic laughter. You weave about the trembling area, digging into the ticklish stretches of Momo’s tummy. You can feel the vibrations of her laughter resonate through your hands as you scribble and gnaw about. You watch as your tickles leave Momo squealing with laughter, twisting and writhing beneath your touch in a tireless display of her overwhelming ticklishness. Every laugh and every touch traces back and forth between you two, igniting a connection that allows you to feel that special significance of Featherland culture.

“NEEEAAAYYYYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!” Momo screams, her laughter bouncing to and from the stone walls around you all. Sheb throws her head back, her body slowly surrendering itself to the tickles spiraling around her midsection. You continue to prod around the spot, focusing on summoning your magic while you insert a single scribbling finger into Momo’s shallow navel. The feilyne shrieks into a deeper, more resonant fit of laughter. Her fingers and toes clench as her back arches and head falls back against the surface to which she is bound. Her body squirms in endless fits, her laughter becoming breathy and gasping.

“That’s better,” Valina says. “Your goal will be to overwhelm and incapacitate. Every second they’re still awake is another opportunity for them to do the same to you. And trust me, those champions won’t hold back.” You steadily put together images of this event in your mind and hope that any reservation you still harbor is due to your target being Momo and not someone more deserving of your ruthlessness. You comfort yourself by assuming that, when the time comes, not only will you be able to summon such a mindset, but you’ll be able to access all of the tickle tools at your personal disposal as well. As you focus on delivering the most potent tickles that you can, a sudden, tingling surge courses through your body.

“NYYYYAAAAHHHHHAHAHAHAH!!!” Momo screams a sharp shout of laughter. You feel a rush of magic race through your arms and hands, delivering a single ticklish shock against Momo’s belly. The sensation causes you to pull back and analyze while Momo sweatily gasps for air in her binds. Valina’s brows raise, staring back at you with an invested expression.

“Oh, alright, now we’re getting somewhere,” Valina says. “Shocks. Will be very useful should you learn to control them.”

“I did… I think, through wand wielding…” you explain.

“You’re better off free-handing it,” Valina says dismissively. You stare down at your hands. Arcs of bright purple lights spark between your fingers. You feel little control over them, but notice how they, along with the tingles they incite within your own skin, remain active. “If you can master that, you’ll be in much better shape.”

“I see,” you say, staring down at the static jumping between your fingers. Momo huffs and groans, having been brought to the brink of exhaustion in just a matter of minutes. You come further up her body and inspect her demeanor. Her eyes stay shut. Her mouth hangs partially open, heaving heavily. Sweat and tears trickle down the sides of her face. She shivers a bit, shaking out her ears in sharp twitches.

“You’ve managed to do quite a number on this one,” Valina says. “And we haven’t even gotten to tools yet. Pretty impressive, for a human.”

“You think… maybe we’re done for today then?” you ask. To your surprise, Momo answers first  by violently shaking her head.

“N-no!” Momo says. “Y-you… must train…” You blink and stare down at her wilted expression.

“Are… you sure?”

“Yes,” Momo forces out. “D-do not stop.” You glance back up to Valina, just as shocked as you are.

“You heard the cat,” Valina says. “Give her all you got.” You swallow and steady yourself. You nod before turning your attention back down to Momo.

“Right,” you say. You lower your hands toward both of Valina’s exposed, bare armpits. Her large eyes widen once more as your fingers continue to sparkle and crackle with the magic coursing through your touch. As you near the slick, tender mounds beneath her arms, you feel the magic tingle more potently around your hands and fingers. Coming closer, a bright arc extends from your fingertip onto Momo’s pit. Her body, once again, jerks into a wild convulsion, throwing her head back as she screams a loud, laughing shriek.

“NYYYYYAAAAHHHHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!” Momo bursts with instant laughter. You recoil a little at the sudden burst, only to push your hands closer to the tender areas. As your fingers start to wiggle and scratch in the air, more of the Manic Spark begins to extend onto the feilyne’s ticklish skin. The sparks collide with the sensitive hollows of her bound underarms. They crackle and explore the spots in unpredictable patterns, each of the dozen arcs delivering a whirlwind of tickles directly onto Momo’s exhausted nerves. Her body thrashes into a desperate frenzy as her laughter explodes throughout the room.

“Haha, oh wow!” Valina cheers. “Nice work. Keep that up!” You focus your own nerves, doing your best to block out the sympathy trying to drive your hands away. Instead, you push them down, pressing your fingertips against the warm, damp surfaces of Momo’s armpits. You scribble and scratch as you had down before, with the added effects of the spell electrifying your fingertips with absolute ticklish efficiency.

“NYYYAAAGGGGHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!” Momo cries out, throwing her head side to side. Her arms and legs tug frantically against the binds holding them apart. Her hops buck as her back arches and releases over and over again. The tickles pour in from both sides of her body, expanding out as they devour the ticklish pits at which they resonate. The sensation of hundreds of fingers all scribbling and scratching consumes the ticklish nerves in both spots at once, leaving Momo enduring more tickles than she imagined capable from the human hovering over her.

“You got this,” you say just loudly enough for Momo to hear. Staring down at her screaming face, you can’t help but still sympathize with her position, having been in some similar enough through your time in the Featherlands. She wails and screams and seems to plead through her laughter. Her howling shrieks burst up into your face with more strain than delight. Still, you consider what she said about not holding back, assuming that Featherlanders are capable at withstanding more tickles than you as an outsider. As you watch and scratch your sparking fingertips against the plush, delicate stretches beneath Momo’s slender shoulders, you smirk, able to at least some enjoyment in being on the giving side for once.

“GHHHHAAAAHHHHNNNHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!” Momo’s screaming laughter becomes a constant, as much the room’s atmosphere as the air itself. Her body glistens with sweat, her face cloaked in the wetness of tears. She bellows more and more with each breath, pausing only in the moments between to gasp and cough. You drive the girl’s senses further and further. You scribble your sparkling fingers faster, digging each digit into her blushing, slender pits. Momo whines and cries through her laughter, her breath unable to keep up with the laughter spilling out of her mouth. Against your better judgment, yet still allured by her display of ticklishness, you keep her locked into her ticklish hysteria, pushing the girl’s senses as far as they can go.

“That’s right, get her good,” Valina says, watching from the side. You continue to tickle exclusively into her exposed pits. Your tickles, guided directly onto her nerves by the magic sparks, compound more and more by the second. Momo wheezes through her laughter, her mind swimming as her eyes begin to flutter. By the time you take notice, you see Momo’s expression slipping into one much different. You keep tickling even as her laughter begins to fade and Momo lets out one last, desperate gasp before her head falls back against the rack. Her eyes close as she lays unresponsive to the tickles.

“Momo?” you ask, pulling your hands away. You raise them up to cup her head just beneath her jaw. You can feel the rise and fall of her chest as small puffs of air exit her nose.

“Oh nice!” Valina says. “You got her to pass out! And in record time too, I’m impressed.” You glance back to Valina. Your mind paints the vague memory of being tickled to such an extreme by the trolls from before, knowing well how unpleasant an experience that was.

“I… I did?” you ask. “Will she be… okay?”

“Oh, sure, sure,” Valina says. “All the prisoners here pass out every now and then. You just have to let her rest. Oh, and don’t let that happen to you during Ticklecadia. That’s an automatic loss.”

“Oh,” you say, not knowing what to contribute to Valina’s explanation. You lean back and lay Momo’s head down gently to give her space to rest. You stare down at her slumbering body sadly. Her face is still bright red. Streaks of tears still trickle down her eyes. As much as you were only abiding by what she told you to do, you can’t imagine pushing her to such an extreme has left her feeling rather favorable toward you. Regret sets into your chest, heavy and sour. You step away from the rack, rubbing the back of your head.

“Awww, don’t feel bad, human,” Valina says. “That’s what she’s here for!” A vile taste in your mouth forms at hearing Valina speak so lowly about your new friend. You’re left still wondering whether or not the princess can be trusted by character alone.

“So what now?” you ask. “You send me back to my cell?”

“Oh, your training is far from over, human,” Valina says. “Even if we have to find you someone else to play with, that’s all I want you doing between now and Ticklecadia.”

“Seriously?” you ask, wiping sweat from your head.

“You want to win, don’t you?” Valina asks.

“No, you want me to win,” you say. “You’ve already made it clear that I get nothing.”

“Oh yeah,” Valina says. “Well, that should be the end of that then. I want you to win, which means I want you to train, which means that’s what you’ll be doing.” You groan and look away, shaking your head slightly.

“Fine, just… not her,” you say. “At least not for a while. Please.”

“Awww, and the human begs for the pretty kitty,” Valina taunts. She giggles and tosses back her long, golden locks. “Fine, I’ll find you someone with a little more stamina. Oh, but that reminds me…”

“Of what?” you ask. Valina thinks for a moment while her eyes fix on your figure, standing before her.

“We’ll need to train in more than just tickling,” she says. “But I don’t think we’ll have the time to get you perfect on everything.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that… there are a few key qualities that you can use to gain an advantage throughout Ticklecadia, qualities other than just taking the offensive that I think you could work on,” Valina explains. “But, since we don’t have the time to focus on all of them, I’m going to let you choose which you would like to be better at.” You wince and rub your eyes, your mind aching as it races through her unhelpful descriptions.

“Uh huh…” you say. “And those would be?”

“We can keep enhancing your effectiveness in tickling,” Valina says. “That is still important. Or, what should have helped you out with those trolls my men bartered for you is improving on your evasion. You know, keeping yourself from getting caught in the first place. Or we can improve upon your endurance. Like I said, a pass-out is an automatic loss, and every additional second that you can last in a tickle fight is one more than you can use to get ahead. Increase your endurance and you won’t pass out as quickly. I can help you with any of this and I’ll let you choose. Which will it be?"

What will you work on?