D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad Chapter 4: The Demonic Energised Messaging Operations Neural System Part 2

After allowing a few more minutes for the intense pain to subside and for her mind to settle, Kat began to accept a truly astonishing realization: she could indeed feel her tail. What's more, she possessed an innate understanding of how to command its movements. Attempting to flick her newly acquired appendage proved a bit clumsy initially, as she inadvertently sat on it upon sitting up. Nevertheless, it was definitely moving, and in a manner that defied any rational explanation.

Glancing at the clock, she saw it was 5:15. This afforded her ample time to avoid any unwanted attention, so she gathered some clothing and proceeded to the shower. Quickly shedding her clothes, she turned to face the mirror, attempting to get a look at herself. To her dismay, what greeted her was a slender, black tail extending from the base of her spine. By focusing, she found she could manipulate and flex it with remarkable ease, much like another limb. The truly concerning aspect was how utterly natural it felt, as if attaching a massive, two-meter-long tail hadn't fundamentally disrupted her balance.

After a swift shower and dressing in a shirt, Kat came to a halt. How, she wondered, was she possibly going to conceal this tail? Or even more pressingly, how could she wear pants with it? An attempt to wrap the tail around her leg proved entirely unsuccessful; the appendage was simply too long, and its spade-like tip lacked the flexibility of the rest of it. *Damn it, okay, I absolutely need to hide this tail. It moves far too smoothly for people not to notice, and I can't simply wear my pants below it, as that would expose too much of my back, making it obvious it's a real tail. Would dresses work? No, of course not, they present the same issue as pants. Calm down, Kat, calm down.* A moment of quiet contemplation passed. Kat then lifted her shirt and began to meticulously wrap her tail around her midsection, coiling it repeatedly and tucking the end beneath the loops to try and secure it. *Okay, this seems to work, I think. I don't look entirely outlandish in the mirror, but it's hard to be sure. It's incredibly uncomfortable, though. It feels akin to having my arms bound. I truly hope my tail doesn't develop cramps.*

After changing out of her pajamas and returning them to the bedroom, she checked the clock again: 5:45. *Dealing with my tail took considerably longer than I anticipated. I suppose I don't technically need to wake the children until six. Is there anything I need?*

Scanning the room, Kat found nothing that immediately struck her as useful until her gaze landed upon her cell phone. *Should I call Lily? She has some knowledge about demons… hopefully. Should I confide in anyone? No, I need to work through this on my own first.*

Kat reached out for her phone, poised to call her best friend, when she abruptly remembered the time. *Blast it, Lily won't be awake for quite some time yet. When did she mention she usually wakes up? Ugh, I'll just send her a text.* Dispatching a brief message to Lily, requesting a call as soon as she woke, Kat then commenced her usual routine of knocking on doors. However, while hurrying down the stairs, she unfortunately snagged her tail on the banister, nearly losing her footing.

*Yeeeouch, that smarts. Mental note: I'm not as slender as I used to be, not with a tail hidden under my shirt.* Now proceeding more cautiously down the stairs, she resumed her knocking before heading towards the dining room, where she noticed a worried-looking Sylvie.

"Are you alright, Kat?" The young girl looked up at Kat, her large, round eyes seeming to implore her not to claim she was fine.

Kat let out a sigh. "I'm fine, Sylvie. I just bumped my hip on the railing coming down the stairs. It's nothing to fret about."

Sylvie continued to gaze at Kat, searching for further answers. Finding none, she lowered her eyes but remained close to Kat's side, sensing that something more was amiss. The two proceeded to the mess hall as usual for a quick breakfast.

Just as Kat was about to head upstairs to retrieve a few items, she felt a tugging sensation on her pants. Looking back, she saw a still-concerned Sylvie gazing up at her with those same wide eyes. "Are you truly sure you're okay, Kat? The pain from earlier should have faded by now."

*Ugh, don't look at me with those eyes. I'm dealing with a potentially reality-shattering phenomenon, and I can't burden Sylvie with it. Oh, fine.*

"Listen, Sylvie, things have become a bit more complicated since yesterday, and I'm trying to sort some things out. I need to go out for a little while, but I promise, after we have breakfast tomorrow, I'll tell you everything. Is that a deal?" Kat asked, anticipating some form of protest or a pout. To her surprise, Sylvie simply nodded, released her grip, and headed back toward her room. *That child is far too intelligent for her own good. I sincerely hope she remains just as sweet.* Hurrying upstairs, Kat carefully mindful of the tail coiled around her waist, gathered a few necessary items, and then headed for the front door. The moment she stepped outside, her phone vibrated.

"So, what's going on, Kat? Are you in some kind of trouble? You've never tried to get my attention this urgently before," Lily's voice came through the phone.

"Yeah, some things occurred yesterday after I departed from your place, and I really need to discuss them with you. Are your parents home? I'd much prefer we discuss this somewhere they aren't present," Kat stated.

"Ah, um, yes, they should be out for their weekly shopping for the remainder of the day. Let me just go check," Lily replied.

Kat waited for a few minutes, hearing the rustle of clothing and a few clicks, presumably from doors opening, as Lily moved through the house.

"Okay, yeah, the car is gone, so you should be fine, I think. Is it really that big of a deal? It's not like you to avoid an issue like this," Lily said.

"Yes, yes, it is," Kat affirmed.

"Okay, just come straight over. I'll be ready for you whenever you arrive."

Starting a light jog towards Lily's house, Kat quickly realized that her tail impacted her balance. She had to compensate, making slight shifts left and right, causing her tail to twitch slightly and attempt to react to her movements, trying to maintain her equilibrium. Needless to say, with it tightly bound around herself, the assistance it provided was minimal at best and distracting at worst. *Damn, do I have to relearn how to walk? Stupid tail. Then again, perhaps I'm the idiot for thinking I could walk normally without the tail being involved.*

Forty-five minutes later, Kat arrived at Lily's front door and knocked. No response. *Blast it, is Lily still in her room? I doubt she can hear the front door from there, or maybe she's still getting ready. Should I just wait here or...?* Kat's internal debate was interrupted by a solid thud from inside the door before it swung open, revealing a tired and disheveled Lily.

"I don't get how you wake up so early or easily... Anyway, come on in. You sounded serious on the phone," Lily said, guiding Kat back to her room.

"Well, I suppose we should get the easier matters out of the way first: I have to leave the orphanage before I turn eighteen," Kat stated.

Lily froze in the hallway.

"That is the easy stuff? You're being forced out of your home in twelve months, and you consider that easy? Kat, why would you put up with that? You've helped the old man run the place for years. I can't believe he'd make you leave like that. I mean..."

Cutting Lily off, Kat interjected,"Whoa, whoa, hold on there, Lily. This has nothing to do with Gramps, other than the fact that he had to inform me. Apparently, it's just the rul--"

"What, and you took his word for it, Kat? This is serious! What are we going to do? I mean--" Kat grabbed Lily, pulling her into a hug to halt her escalating panic.

"Calm down, Lily, calm down. I trust the old man. He even gave me an amazing gift and cried on his way out of his office, Lily. It's fine," Kat said, attempting to soothe her agitated friend. *I don't think I've ever seen her freak out this much. I can only hope the tail doesn't make things even worse. Hopefully, it's fine.*

"What could possibly be worth being kicked out for? You mentioned the orphanage does alright, but I doubt Gramps has the spare cash to get you something truly special. I mean, last year he only bought you a few notebooks," Lily said, calmer but still uneasy.

"He gave me his wife's handwoven kimono, which has been kept in pristine condition for at least my entire life. Apparently, he was supposed to give it to his next wife, but he decided to give it to me, his daughter, instead," Kat shared, tearing up slightly as she recalled the moment.

"Oh. Oh. I am so sorry, Kat. I didn't know you guys were that close. I mean, you don't talk about him much, and I just assumed... I'm sorry," Lily apologized.

"It's okay. I never really mentioned it because he has truly taken care of me my whole life. I don't remember my parents, and I know they both died before I turned two. I've been with Gramps for as long as I can remember. I always knew he cared for all of us at the orphanage, but yesterday truly drove home for me how long we've been together and what that truly signifies," Kat explained.

Releasing the hug, the girls continued to Lily's room before shutting the door.

"So, if this isn't what you were concerned about, what the hell is? I can't imagine anything short of losing an arm causing you real grief," Lily joked half-heartedly.

"Hmm, close, actually. I might not have lost an arm..."

"But I did gain a tail," Kat declared, lifting her shirt and uncoiling her tail from around herself. Kat's eyes quickly flicked up to Lily, having not heard a response, only to see the girl slam into the headboard with a loud thud. *Is this considered an improvement over her first reaction?* Kat smiled wryly to herself. *Now I need to wait for her to wake up. Again.*