It was early in the morning in the Vas Naga war room. It was a room that was situated almost at the top of the central, government pyramid. Aldyn was sitting in the center of the room, around a round table. The same one this same group had been around earlier, as it lit up tracking Genarl Castor’s ship’s approach to their pyramid. At the moment the lights in the table were off. The room was busier than it was then too. Several officers were busily operating terminals in the rooms, sending out scrying and other forms of magical messages to numerous contacts. They were rapidly assessing both the situation in Vas Naga, and the situation in the other Beastkin countries as well. Preparing in case the worst should come to pass with General Castor and the elf army.
Tialla stood across the table from Aldyn, less dressed than she was the day before. Just a blouse and a lengthy black skirt. Rosewood and Eranor were behind her, in some ways more dressed than they were yesterday, but at the same time less. Rose had on modest clothing, a shirt and some pants. Eranor was a little more nicely dressed, donning a simply elegant soft pink dress. It threatened showing the colorful diaper underneath, though it didn’t outright announce it like the other outfit. Aldyn himself was wearing the coat Rosewood had on the night before, though he wore it like a cape with no shirt underneath with military fatigue pants. Such a dress was fairly official for Naga military.
“So, what’s our chances?” Tialla asked looking away in thought.
“By ourself?” Aldyn asked. “We don’t stand a chance. Even with the guaranteed aid from Pal Miqo, their diminished forces would not make a significant difference.” Eranor looked away at the comment. “No offense intended,” Aldyn apologized.
“So, if we’re to survive, we need allies.”
“Even then it’s not what I’d call a guarantee,” Aldyn grimaced.
“Then why do this at all?” Tialla asked crossing her arms. “Why would the elves reach out to us with this deal?"
“Our military opinion is that the elves are buying time. Their march across the Miqo countries is guaranteed, especially with Pal Miqo in the state it’s in. It’s an easy victory. But should we intervene at all, that easy victory becomes something they have to fight for. That’s why they’re pushing their deal. Once the Miqo countries are secured, and their forces are replenished, however, we have no doubt they will move on to Naga lands. Maybe we would have more time if they try to cross the sea to Biscotti, but historically no one has ever had a successful occupation of Biscotti. We feel the chances of them trying that next are slim.”
“Unless they just want to show off,” Rosewood added in.
“That possibility has been considered,” Aldyn answered the Miqo’s objection. “It has been deemed a possibility.”
“Either way we’re on borrowed time,” Tialla pondered. “Unless we can band together.”
“With every beastkin nation under one alliance we calculate the odds are slightly in our favor,” Aldyn answered. “It’s a tough ask though.”
“It begins with Tel Naga,” Tialla said.
“It does,” Aldyn agreed. “If we can secure an alliance with Tel Naga in opposition to the elves, we think that securing a united beastkin alliance will be difficult be feasible. At the least it would keep any more from aligning with them. Without Tel Naga's opposition though, the possibility is near impossible.”
“If Castor manages to convince them to his little plan.” Tialla was entertaining the worst outcome. “There’s no doubt the other beastkin nations would shut their borders and close themselves off.”
“Not entirely,” Aldyn answered. “We think that we can still secure an alliance with Tel Naga, even if they agree to Castor’s terms. Of course in that case we would also have to abide by his terms. They are the best singular ally we can have right now either way.”
“How do we think Tel Naga is leaning?”
“It’s split,” Aldyn answered. “King Joshua and his council are both split on whether to take Castor’s deal or not.”
“The future of all of the Miqo countries is left up to whether a slimy elf can convince an old codger Naga to endorse a system that’s killing all of our countries,” Tialla sighed angrily. “And if he agrees then I’m forced to stand with him, or lose our country.” Eranor approached Tialla and gently rubbed her back calming her down a little. “We need to try and get to King Joshua first. Let him know the only way to oppose the elves is with everyone together.”
“His general is likely giving him the same rundown I’m giving you,” Aldyn responded. "It is possible to make on alliance and mount a successful opposition, but it is much more likely and safer to comply. All the other nations are probably aware of this as well.”
“The answer’s right there in front of them all and they won’t take it!” Tailla yelled.
“That’s the way people are when they’re facing the end,” Eranor cut in solemnly. “They panic and close off.” Tialla turned to look at Eranor. It was hard to see her cute kitten as something of a politician, but she had just as much experience, maybe even more, than Tialla did.
“Well, how about that hunk of scrap we hauled over here?” Rosewood tried to steer the conversation in a positive direction. “Any progress there?”
“Advancement is happening fast,” Aldyn smiled for once. “We think we can have a replication withing the month, and production can start shortly thereafter.”
“Our alliance with the dwarves is still good?” Tialla asked hopefully.
“It is,” Aldyn nodded. “Materials are secured. Once we have plans down we can begin production.”
“That’s some good news at least.”
“Maybe more than you think,” Eranor added. “If we can close the technological gap with the elves.”
“It would improve our chances,” Aldyn agreed. “Not enough to win, but enough to be costly.”
“And they don’t seem very eager to take costs,” Eranor added.
“An astute assessment,” Aldyn agreed. Eranor smiled and curtsied.
“At the end of the day we’re waiting on King Joshua,” Tialla assessed the situation. “Though our course is clear either way.”
“It’s all just offerings my queen,” Aldyn bowed slightly.
“I need a break I think,” Tialla said tiredly.
“I do need a diaper change,” Eranor said to give Tialla an out.
“You heard the lady,” Tialla shrugged.
“We can handle things for the moment my queen,” Aldyn said with concern. “Take your time. It is as you said. We are just waiting now.”
“You two go on,” Rosewood smiled. “I’ll stay here with Aldyn.”
Tialla and Eranor quickly left the room into the hallway outside and walked away.
“Do you actually need a change?” Tialla asked.
“Not really,” Eranor admitted. “You seemed like you needed an excuse though.”
“Yeah,” Tialla sighed. “It’s all just really heavy.”
“You’re doing a good job,” Eranor smiled.
“You think so?” Tialla seemed happy. “I’m glad.”
“Seems strange for my Nana to value my opinion so highly,” Eranor pondered.
“Well you know as much about this as I do,” Tialla admitted. “Maybe more since you’re older than me.”
“Yeah, I forget I am sometimes,” Eranor replied.
“It’s easy to,” Tialla giggled. “What with those soggy diapers you’re fond of wearing.”
“Says the Nana who loves changing those soggy diapers.” There was a pause as the two looked at each. “Maybe we should go for a walk. Get some air,” Eranor offered.
“I probably need to get back,” Tialla.
“You’ve got time.” Eranor reminded. “You’re going to have to wait anyway.”
“You’re right of course,” Tialla nodded. “We can head to the middle level, that’s open air.”
“You want me on my leash,” Eranor said with a smirk.
“I couldn’t,” Tialla blushed. “I told you I don’t want to force you.”
“Who says you’re forcing me?” Eranor smiled. “Maybe you haven’t considered that I like it when I get walks.” Despite Eranor’s joking attitude the blush on her face was heavy. “You’ve done it before, with me in a much more revealing outfit.”
“Don’t remind me,” Tialla grimaced. “Do you really want me to do that?”
“I like it, and you like it. Besides I’ve noticed how it calms you down.”
“Well, I think I brought it in my pack,” Tialla agreed.
“I may have one in mine too,” Eranor giggled.
Tialla was right. She did bring a chest harness with her in her shoulder bag that she left in the war room. She only peeked in for a moment to grab it. Aldyn and Rosewood were too busy talking to each other to notice.
This time putting the harness and leash on Eranor and walking her in public had a different vibe to it. The two were anxious but in an excited way. Putting it on didn’t take long at all, and the white harness matched Eranor’s dress very well. Tialla clipped a lead to the harness and held it in her hand. She then held Eranor’s hand. The result was that she was holding Eranor’s hand as well the end of her lead. It was, on the surface, just two people holding hands, but the extra element of the leash was felt physically in their hands as well as on their mind.
“See,” Eranor said hushed. “Aren’t I cute?”
“Adorable,” Tialla agreed in a similarly quiet voice.
“Should we go then?”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ve already done it once right.”
“That’s different,” Tialla said emphatically. “This is now. I’m asking you. I want you to…”
“I want it,” Eranor confirmed. “I promise. Come on let’s go.” Despite being the one holding the lead Tialla felt herself being dragged along by her hand by Eranor toward the stairs that would lead them to the open-air floor of the pyramid. She was right. They had done this before, and by all accounts, the last time should have been by far the more humiliating of the two. They both felt it more this time, however. The feeling was decidedly different and decidedly more intense. It wasn’t done out of obligation. It wasn’t done for a queen to show off her new toy. It was done out of love. For the two of them to be uncompromising and unashamed of the relationship they had.
The reaction of the general population was mostly the same, maybe even more muted as it was far less obvious this time around that one of the girls was on a leash. Yet the two couldn’t stop blushing ang giggling. Having fun, which was the most contrasting part of the two experiences.
“Come on Nana I wanna look over the edge,” Eranor playfully skipped to the end of her lead.
“Slow down Eranor,” Tialla scolded as the two made their way over to the edge.
AUTHORS NOTE: Here's the next chapter everyone. We're getting back into the plot with this one, though we still have some cute fun at the end. Things are ramping up again, and you can see how it's ramping up right now on my patreon over at patreon.com/bigred0603. Hope you all enjoy.
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