<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>

Winter and story by  winterwight
Zataan and art by Yours Truly

- - - - -

A century is a long time. It seems longer still when you no longer have use of your legs. After several centuries, though, one gets used to the situation. Zataan didn’t mind it much since he could float, although his prodigious use of magic for mobility certainly skewed the probability of him ever using his legs as they were intended again. Those odds dwindled along with the chances of him ever going outside again, for that matter.

Ko’s dotage had slowly pushed the Cheshire cat well beyond obese. The kitsune had felt guilty about holding off so long on returning Zataan’s abilities to him, a fact that the cat understood and used to his own gain. At least, to the gain of his meals and weight. He always knew that he did not want to strike out on his own, acclimatized to the pampered lifestyle he was afforded by Ko. Instead, Zataan used the matter as leverage on his former guardian, plying him for ever more abundance in his only real activity.

The gluttonous cat had no real inhibitions when it came to his expanding appetite. His fat legs were nearly buried beneath his rotundity; only his feet still poked out from beneath the burgeoning expanse of his belly. His fat flowed from his center, spilling to the floor over the edge of his mattress. His relatively small arms were still massive sacks of fat stuck atop his immense moobs and side fat, only able to move by the most dedicated of efforts. His numerous chins had long ago melded with his obese chest and his swollen cheeks perched where shoulders should have been while his belches resounded upon the living wood of their home.

Zataan was not the only one to grow to unbelievable proportions. The great Tumtum tree in which they lived had grown to colossal proportions and dominated the landscape. The growth had long ago lifted their simple home half a mile into the sky. Despite the growing number of people who flocked to the tree’s base, few had means to ascend its trunk, giving the magical duo a unique sense of privacy and fame. Over the years, as the residents of the famed World-Tree, people had begun to get the idea that they must be truly mystical beings and sought them out. With so many seeking assistance from the kitsune and Cheshire, it wasn’t long before the pair began to see profit in granting wishes. Yet even as they started to work, they found that some wishes could not be managed from the safe confines of their home. The kitsune, at least, would have to leave for a time.

Zataan was pouting as Ko put on a long jacket that hung to his ankles. The garment was almost black and its hood enshrouded the kitsune’s face.

“Don’t worry Z-Kitty. I’ll be back before you know it!”

“But it’s not fair, Ko!” the mammoth of a cat whined. “Who’s gonna feed me while you’re out? What do I do if someone comes in? I need you here Ko!”

“That’s not working today, Z-Kitty,” Ko admonished. “I’ve been playing this game a long time, but I have another job to do now.”

The sand-colored kitsune floated up to kiss Zataan and continued his ascent to the vaulted ceiling overhead.

“You have enough strength; the tree should respond to your needs. Just wish for what you need. Everything will be fine.”

“But- you know I’ve never been as good at magic as you! I can’t just-“

“Nonsense, Z-Kitty. You have more than thrice my magical power and if you’d actually practice instead of relying on me, you’d likely prove at least three times as talented. But if you’ll let me use a little strength, I’ll get you started.”

Zataan went silent as Ko laid his hands upon the Cheshire’s immense bulk. His fingers sank into the pink expanse of the cat’s giant belly. Although he had never admitted it, Zataan rather enjoyed the magical commune with the kitsune. During those few moments the kitsune drew upon the Cheshire’s magic he felt both numb and electrified at the same time. It was euphoric and the obese Cheshire sought out those moments however he could. This time was no different, and Zataan moaned as he felt the release of his magic flowing into the kitsune. In that moment he was also aware of every pulse of blood in Ko as well.

Through the kitsune, the Cheshire became aware of a shift in their tree home around him. Branches grew from the ceiling and walls with his body acting as the epicenter to which they strove. Strange flowers began blooming, releasing equally curious fragrances. One maroon flower with white streaks let out the scent of a marinating steak and as Zataan focused upon it, the flower shifted. It grew bulbous and spherical like a ripening fruit before bursting, a fully prepared steak falling from the branch onto his body with a wet thud. Sauce stained the fur immediately surrounding the meaty slab. Fascinated, the ever hungering cat managed to wobble a thick finger. The steak became buoyant in the air and floated to his greedy maw. Pleased to find the taste matched the scent, he happily devoured the hundred-ounce mass while Ko watched.

“Delicious?” Ko asked, equally pleased by the situation, to which Zataan responded with a continued smacking of lips as he swallowed the offering. The kitsune chuckled, “They’ll always be that easy. Just focus on anything you need and the tree should provide everything for you.”

Excited by the new magic, Zataan turned his attention upon more flowers. They each in turn swelled and popped before dropping their various cinnamon buns, chocolate bars, sandwiches, and cookies, which rose as he commanded them to disappear into his mouth.

Ko watched, idly rubbing the enormous Cheshire’s belly. After several minutes of the cat glutting without stop, he took the opportunity to slip out unnoticed with a soft kiss just above Zataan’s navel. He had work to do; Alice needed a scout and Ko was determined to keep the war far from his home.