---
Kai entered the long dining chamber that had been carved into the side of the central hall. A wide table, smooth stone polished to a soft sheen, stretched across the room. The morning light filtered in through a carved slit in the wall, illuminating the table and the line of steaming dishes waiting to be devoured.
The girls arrived shortly after he did.
Azhara sauntered in first, hair brushed but still carrying the smug aura of a woman who'd woken up very satisfied with life. Vel followed behind, shy but with a soft glow in her cheeks, her eyes flicking to Kai before darting away again. Sha came next, her tail / butt flicking behind her, ears twitching nervously as she muttered something under her breath about "never trusting pervert Azhara again."
Then came Naaro, holding her cactus in one arm and a plate in the other, walking like she had just completed a holy pilgrimage.
