Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
[X] Deep but vivid, metallic blue. Striking, but not one of those really bright colors you'll regret in like two minutes.
A Catgirl's Last Chance for High School Romance - COMPLETE
- Thread starter Artificial Girl
- Start date
- Original Romance
- Location
- Florida
[X] A simple silvery strawberry blonde - something not too shocking, but bright and cheery regardless, a light color to match your freshly-unburdened heart.
0th Law
The Promethean Rose
- Location
- 5 Minutes into the Future
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] A bright magenta. Sure, it's kind of shocking, but don't you want to feel bold for once?
Our hair is black, and while black goes with anything, I'd say that magenta would go the best with black.
Our hair is black, and while black goes with anything, I'd say that magenta would go the best with black.
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Yuri Vampire
Kirameku Hōseki! Cure Coral!
- Location
- US
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Deep but vivid, metallic blue. Striking, but not one of those really bright colors you'll regret in like two minutes.
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] A bright magenta. Sure, it's kind of shocking, but don't you want to feel bold for once?
[X] Tiger pattern.
Eye of the Tiger!
Eye of the Tiger!
[X] Deep but vivid, metallic blue. Striking, but not one of those really bright colors you'll regret in like two minutes.
69. Nice
- Location
- Somewhere in the stacks
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You chew thoughtfully on your lower lip, then reach out to pick out a box from the nicer brand that Miyako had been gushing about. It's a natural color, but very divorced from your natural hair color. It's a light, almost cheery strawberry blonde that promises a touch of silver to it as well and you like the way it looks in your mind's eye, your sharply contrasting ears poking from the mass of your dark hair. You smile and turn it over in your hand, then look at Erika and Miyako.
"I like this one." Erika gives a sober, approving nod and Miyako claps her hands in excitement.
"That's great, Hanako-senpai! I love it! Such a good choice! Are we gonna go to your place to put it in or should we go back to mine?" You think about it for a moment, then give a firm nod. You're not going to let the argument with your parents (your mom, really) stop you from enjoying something.
"Let's go to my place. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you want I'll ask if you can both stay for dinner, too."
"Awesome! Dinner at Hanako-senpai's houuuuuse~!" Miyako is always a bouncy thing, and her smile and laughter are both infectious. Erika even smiles and nods a little.
"I don't think that should be a problem," she murmurs. "I'd just be cooking for myself at home, anyway." You hug her close with one arm as you head for the register, tapping out a message on your phone as you go.
"Hey Dad!! Bringing a couple friends home for dinner. Hope that's cool"
You get a reply back almost instantly.
"No problem, kitten! Thanx 4 telling me. ♥ ♥"
You hand over your cash at the register and then tuck your new purchases in your bag--bleach kit, dye kit, a plastic cap to protect your hair while you do the dye work, some gloves to protect skin... It's like a mini-salon in your bag! The trip home feels a little anxious sometimes but dad had said it was okay and you're able to shake off your usual feeling of dread and uncertainty. As you all pile into the house, you toe off your shoes.
"I'm hoooome," you say.
"Welcome home!" Your dad's voice floats back from the kitchen. "Your mom isn't home yet, she had to stay late at the office, but we should all be able to sit down to dinner in about an hour or so. You girls studying or something?" His head appears as you lead your friends down the corridor.
"Ha ha, something like that," you say. Erika stays quiet, but of course, Miyako is Miyako.
"We're dying Hanako's fur!" She beams happily and your dad arches an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh? Are you going for a punk look now, kitten?" He's teasing you and you can tell but your face is still flushing with embarrassment.
"No! It's just a natural color! You--you'll see!" Blushing, you hurry past as he laughs. You're so flustered you have to leave your friends to introduce themselves to your own dad! Well, he knows Erika. He's met her once or twice at the cultural festivals and stuff. Anyway, you head upstairs to change into something a bit more comfy and forgiving for dying hair, then pile into the bathroom with your friends. It's a cramped fit but you all managed to find room, though Erika ends up perching on the counter next to the sink. You sit patiently, hair all gathered up beneath a plastic cap, as Miyako happily daubs the bleaching compound on the backs of your ears. You let out a few annoyed sounds as she goes.
"Is it supposed to tingle like that?"
"Yeah! Don't be a baby about it or your tail will be even worse..." Miyako murmurs, her face screwed up in concentration.
"...Tail?" You ask, suddenly remembering that you have fur in more than one place on your body.
"Uh, yeah? You'll probably need to tug your pants down a little so I can get at the base, but it's not a big deal. I've helped my sister with this like, all the time. Don't even worry! Honestly, I think I might be a hair and fur stylist after school. Wouldn't that be cool?" Your blush is returning and Erika is stifling a giggle.
"Just let her get the base of your tail, Hana-chan. Or do you want me to do it?" your girlfriend quips. She's lucky her smirk is so darn cute. You're actually a little surprised because you know she's been a little, uh, insecure about that stuff in the past but she seems totally at ease here. Maybe because she's here with you.
"N-No, that's fine--!" You sputter and your cheeks turn much, much redder as you wiggle your yoga pants down a little just below the base of your tail to let Miyako get to work on the fur of your tail. At least... you're all... girls? Thankfully it's a relatively quick part of the process and soon she's moved on to the rest of the tail. Then it's waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Because holy crap your fur is dark. Finally, though, Miyako declares that enough time has passed and tugs you over to the sink to rinse everything out, leaving you with an odd look. Though part of it is that all your hair is piled on top of your hair but your ears and tail are almost... white. Weird. Then comes the dye which Miyako adds with all the concentration of a painter. Then comes even more waiting and you're worried that you might not make it in time for dinner before she finally gives you a rinse and hits your ears and tail with the blow-dryer. Then she spends a minute fussing with your hair with a brush and comb, then finally steps back to give a nod to her handiwork.
"Check it out!" She tugs you across the hall to your room where you have a full length mirror and you find yourself looking back at, well... it's definitely Hanako but she looks different. Your dark hair has been gathered into a stylish up-do that manages to show off your ears, the pale strawberry blonde hues standing out sharply against your sea of dark black hair. You reach up to touch one, then laugh quietly as your tail, matching, flicks into view.
"Oh my God! That looks great!" You gush and Erika squeezes in to hug you from the side.
"It really suits you," she says with a smile and then Miyako is on the other side, phone in hand. "It totally does!" She angles her camera to catch all three of you and takes a series of photos, which she quickly starts to filter, caption, and then send in such rabid succession that it makes your head spin. It seems you finished just in time, since your dad calls out from downstairs.
"Dinner's ready! Come eat!" The three of your bundle down the stairs like, uh. Teenagers to find the table set for five and your dad setting out steaming mackerel at each place setting.
"It's fish tonight," he explains. "Felt like doing something special." He looks at you with a small smile as your mom emerges from the living room. She stops short, blinking.
"Hanako, did you dye your fur?" She asks, sounding a touch disbelieving. You blink, your hackles immediately coming to attention. Oh God. You don't want to argue about this in front of your friends.
"Yeeeeah," you answer slowly. "Um. Erika and Miyako helped me." You brace yourself, sure that something awful is going to happen. You're going to have to yell at your mom and break down crying but you're going to stand your ground. You can feel yourself bristling a little and then--she reaches out and squeezes your shoulder as she steps by you towards the table.
"It suits you," she says quietly, smiling. Your dad nods.
"Yeah. It does suit you," he says as he sets the last place. "Come on, sit down and eat."
Miyako doesn't need another invitation and you and Erika squeeze your seats next to each other. Soon enough the conversation around the table starts up (Miyako is a prodigious talker) and introductions are made again and... You think you might actually make it. As you eat, you glance over at Erika and you feel a few fingers curl into yours underneath the table as she smiles at you and...
Yeah. You think you're gonna make it.
FIN
Okay when I started this update I totally didn't expect it to be the last one but. Uh. It kinda ended up being that? The ending crept up on me as I was writing. Like, it worked out to be a really good place for me to actually bring an end to this part of Hanako's story. I just couldn't think of another conflict to bring her into at this point more serious than the one she's just overcome, at least while she finishes out her high school career. She's faced some of her demons and she's in a place to work on maturing fully and stepping into the adult world. She has a wonderful group of friends even if she's still in the closet in a lot of ways. Life isn't perfect, but I think that's important because life doesn't ever get perfect. Not really.
This isn't to say there won't be more Hanako--I already have notes for a sequel--but I think this is kind of where I wanted to get with this quest.
It has been a long, strange trip but I am so happy to have had the chance to write this story and I want to thank everyone who came along for the ride, and everyone who helped me with writing it, especially @NemoMarx, @ColdGoldLazarus, and @Jeboboid who all proof read or offered ideas at one point or another. And thank you to all of you, my wonderful readers who have followed me on this trip and made Hanako's life so interesting.
I never thought I'd actually finish it when I started, so I feel pretty proud of myself. Thank you all. So much.
"I like this one." Erika gives a sober, approving nod and Miyako claps her hands in excitement.
"That's great, Hanako-senpai! I love it! Such a good choice! Are we gonna go to your place to put it in or should we go back to mine?" You think about it for a moment, then give a firm nod. You're not going to let the argument with your parents (your mom, really) stop you from enjoying something.
"Let's go to my place. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you want I'll ask if you can both stay for dinner, too."
"Awesome! Dinner at Hanako-senpai's houuuuuse~!" Miyako is always a bouncy thing, and her smile and laughter are both infectious. Erika even smiles and nods a little.
"I don't think that should be a problem," she murmurs. "I'd just be cooking for myself at home, anyway." You hug her close with one arm as you head for the register, tapping out a message on your phone as you go.
"Hey Dad!! Bringing a couple friends home for dinner. Hope that's cool"
You get a reply back almost instantly.
"No problem, kitten! Thanx 4 telling me. ♥ ♥"
You hand over your cash at the register and then tuck your new purchases in your bag--bleach kit, dye kit, a plastic cap to protect your hair while you do the dye work, some gloves to protect skin... It's like a mini-salon in your bag! The trip home feels a little anxious sometimes but dad had said it was okay and you're able to shake off your usual feeling of dread and uncertainty. As you all pile into the house, you toe off your shoes.
"I'm hoooome," you say.
"Welcome home!" Your dad's voice floats back from the kitchen. "Your mom isn't home yet, she had to stay late at the office, but we should all be able to sit down to dinner in about an hour or so. You girls studying or something?" His head appears as you lead your friends down the corridor.
"Ha ha, something like that," you say. Erika stays quiet, but of course, Miyako is Miyako.
"We're dying Hanako's fur!" She beams happily and your dad arches an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh? Are you going for a punk look now, kitten?" He's teasing you and you can tell but your face is still flushing with embarrassment.
"No! It's just a natural color! You--you'll see!" Blushing, you hurry past as he laughs. You're so flustered you have to leave your friends to introduce themselves to your own dad! Well, he knows Erika. He's met her once or twice at the cultural festivals and stuff. Anyway, you head upstairs to change into something a bit more comfy and forgiving for dying hair, then pile into the bathroom with your friends. It's a cramped fit but you all managed to find room, though Erika ends up perching on the counter next to the sink. You sit patiently, hair all gathered up beneath a plastic cap, as Miyako happily daubs the bleaching compound on the backs of your ears. You let out a few annoyed sounds as she goes.
"Is it supposed to tingle like that?"
"Yeah! Don't be a baby about it or your tail will be even worse..." Miyako murmurs, her face screwed up in concentration.
"...Tail?" You ask, suddenly remembering that you have fur in more than one place on your body.
"Uh, yeah? You'll probably need to tug your pants down a little so I can get at the base, but it's not a big deal. I've helped my sister with this like, all the time. Don't even worry! Honestly, I think I might be a hair and fur stylist after school. Wouldn't that be cool?" Your blush is returning and Erika is stifling a giggle.
"Just let her get the base of your tail, Hana-chan. Or do you want me to do it?" your girlfriend quips. She's lucky her smirk is so darn cute. You're actually a little surprised because you know she's been a little, uh, insecure about that stuff in the past but she seems totally at ease here. Maybe because she's here with you.
"N-No, that's fine--!" You sputter and your cheeks turn much, much redder as you wiggle your yoga pants down a little just below the base of your tail to let Miyako get to work on the fur of your tail. At least... you're all... girls? Thankfully it's a relatively quick part of the process and soon she's moved on to the rest of the tail. Then it's waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Because holy crap your fur is dark. Finally, though, Miyako declares that enough time has passed and tugs you over to the sink to rinse everything out, leaving you with an odd look. Though part of it is that all your hair is piled on top of your hair but your ears and tail are almost... white. Weird. Then comes the dye which Miyako adds with all the concentration of a painter. Then comes even more waiting and you're worried that you might not make it in time for dinner before she finally gives you a rinse and hits your ears and tail with the blow-dryer. Then she spends a minute fussing with your hair with a brush and comb, then finally steps back to give a nod to her handiwork.
"Check it out!" She tugs you across the hall to your room where you have a full length mirror and you find yourself looking back at, well... it's definitely Hanako but she looks different. Your dark hair has been gathered into a stylish up-do that manages to show off your ears, the pale strawberry blonde hues standing out sharply against your sea of dark black hair. You reach up to touch one, then laugh quietly as your tail, matching, flicks into view.
"Oh my God! That looks great!" You gush and Erika squeezes in to hug you from the side.
"It really suits you," she says with a smile and then Miyako is on the other side, phone in hand. "It totally does!" She angles her camera to catch all three of you and takes a series of photos, which she quickly starts to filter, caption, and then send in such rabid succession that it makes your head spin. It seems you finished just in time, since your dad calls out from downstairs.
"Dinner's ready! Come eat!" The three of your bundle down the stairs like, uh. Teenagers to find the table set for five and your dad setting out steaming mackerel at each place setting.
"It's fish tonight," he explains. "Felt like doing something special." He looks at you with a small smile as your mom emerges from the living room. She stops short, blinking.
"Hanako, did you dye your fur?" She asks, sounding a touch disbelieving. You blink, your hackles immediately coming to attention. Oh God. You don't want to argue about this in front of your friends.
"Yeeeeah," you answer slowly. "Um. Erika and Miyako helped me." You brace yourself, sure that something awful is going to happen. You're going to have to yell at your mom and break down crying but you're going to stand your ground. You can feel yourself bristling a little and then--she reaches out and squeezes your shoulder as she steps by you towards the table.
"It suits you," she says quietly, smiling. Your dad nods.
"Yeah. It does suit you," he says as he sets the last place. "Come on, sit down and eat."
Miyako doesn't need another invitation and you and Erika squeeze your seats next to each other. Soon enough the conversation around the table starts up (Miyako is a prodigious talker) and introductions are made again and... You think you might actually make it. As you eat, you glance over at Erika and you feel a few fingers curl into yours underneath the table as she smiles at you and...
Yeah. You think you're gonna make it.
FIN
Okay when I started this update I totally didn't expect it to be the last one but. Uh. It kinda ended up being that? The ending crept up on me as I was writing. Like, it worked out to be a really good place for me to actually bring an end to this part of Hanako's story. I just couldn't think of another conflict to bring her into at this point more serious than the one she's just overcome, at least while she finishes out her high school career. She's faced some of her demons and she's in a place to work on maturing fully and stepping into the adult world. She has a wonderful group of friends even if she's still in the closet in a lot of ways. Life isn't perfect, but I think that's important because life doesn't ever get perfect. Not really.
This isn't to say there won't be more Hanako--I already have notes for a sequel--but I think this is kind of where I wanted to get with this quest.
It has been a long, strange trip but I am so happy to have had the chance to write this story and I want to thank everyone who came along for the ride, and everyone who helped me with writing it, especially @NemoMarx, @ColdGoldLazarus, and @Jeboboid who all proof read or offered ideas at one point or another. And thank you to all of you, my wonderful readers who have followed me on this trip and made Hanako's life so interesting.
I never thought I'd actually finish it when I started, so I feel pretty proud of myself. Thank you all. So much.
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ColdGoldLazarus
Contrary Quester, Spreadsheet Queen, Pink Flamingo
- Location
- Challenger Deep
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I'm really, really glad I stuck with this quest the whole way through. It's been a fantastic and emotional ride, and I look forward to the sequel! ^_^
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I forget so often that your final update most definitely deserved that meow.
I was going to write something long here but like... nah, that can wait for the end of the sequel I think. I do want to note that it's actually a pretty huge deal for a quest to actually complete on this site, so massive kudos to @Artificial Girl for actually finishing a compelling, well-written, and effective story that managed to really get something from a lot of us, including myself. It was fantastically written with strong characterization and all that stuff I used to tell you when we talked, only you've gotten so much better. Great work.
And like... there's been frustration and irritation and I've probably been more snippy than I might have liked in retrospect, but like... thanks to all questers, even those not really following anymore; it's been a really fun journey that was fantastically told and I'm glad I could contribute to it with all of you, whether you were with us from the start or joined in down the line.
And again, great job AG. You did fantastic. Sincerely.
Will be watching for that sequel but until then... see you all on the other side.
Cheers.
I was going to write something long here but like... nah, that can wait for the end of the sequel I think. I do want to note that it's actually a pretty huge deal for a quest to actually complete on this site, so massive kudos to @Artificial Girl for actually finishing a compelling, well-written, and effective story that managed to really get something from a lot of us, including myself. It was fantastically written with strong characterization and all that stuff I used to tell you when we talked, only you've gotten so much better. Great work.
And like... there's been frustration and irritation and I've probably been more snippy than I might have liked in retrospect, but like... thanks to all questers, even those not really following anymore; it's been a really fun journey that was fantastically told and I'm glad I could contribute to it with all of you, whether you were with us from the start or joined in down the line.
And again, great job AG. You did fantastic. Sincerely.
Will be watching for that sequel but until then... see you all on the other side.
Cheers.
Daimah
Lurking lurker that lurks
- Location
- home
Wow, I think this is the first time that I get to participate in a quest from (almost) beginning to end. And a good end too, Hanako has a nice girlfriend a good group of supportive friends and while the thing with her mom isn't fully resolved it's obvious that they have made progress and dad is helping (we should have given him a "best dad" mug, he really earned it 
).
It has been great, thank you so much for writing this @Artificial Girl .
).It has been great, thank you so much for writing this @Artificial Girl .
Lexica
Persevere
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Wow. I know that I kind of dropped off my participation in the quest as things went on, but I just want to say that it's been amazing @Artificial Girl . You put some very real, recognizable, emotional stuff into this quest, and definitely hit me hard in some places.
Thank you for writing it and putting so much heart and soul into this wonderful, wonderful quest.
Thank you for writing it and putting so much heart and soul into this wonderful, wonderful quest.
- Location
- Somewhere in the stacks
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Wow, I think this is the first time that I get to participate in a quest from (almost) beginning to end. And a good end too, Hanako has a nice girlfriend a good group of supportive friends and while the thing with her mom isn't fully resolved it's obvious that they have made progress and dad is helping (we should have given him a "best dad" mug, he really earned it
It has been great, thank you so much for writing this @Artificial Girl .
Yeah, that was my intent with that last exchange of dialogue. Mom saying that your new look "suits you" is kinda supposed to be her acknowledging that even if she doesn't really get this whole thing yet, she's going to accept and love Hanako because, well. She's her mom and that's what moms are supposed to do.
Anyway, the sequel is definitely going to be a bit more, uh, adult for lack of a better term. It's Hanako's college life, trying to work out where her life is going now that high school is a couple years back and just... what do you do now? New characters, I hope. Though old ones will of course make appearances.
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Lexica
Persevere
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I'll look forward to it! Post in this thread when it goes up so we all get notifications?
Also:
Haaaaaaaaahhhh. *Pained Wheeze*
- Location
- Florida
This was a lot of fun and really hit every sweet spot possible, at least in my mind.
Definitely looking forward to that. Make sure to drop a link in here <3
- Location
- ⇙
Thanks for writing this. I enjoyed it a lot. You're now in the elusive circle of people who've actually finished a quest.
Knowing when to end it, can be pretty difficult, but I think this is a good point for this story to end. While there's still some potential conflicts left, Hanako has started to figure out herself and the important people in her life know and support her. Looking forward to the sequel.
Knowing when to end it, can be pretty difficult, but I think this is a good point for this story to end. While there's still some potential conflicts left, Hanako has started to figure out herself and the important people in her life know and support her. Looking forward to the sequel.
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The Lowtide
Mountain Witch
- Location
- Redmond, WA
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Congratulations, @Artificial Girl on a completed quest and story! Hanako's a bit of a surly, unruly kitty, but you managed to herd her to the finish line regardless. At 100k words, you managed to write up something of equal size to some novels that get published out there, and of frankly higher quality then most of those. As somebody who's been reading from the beginning (Though I admittedly only voted and posted a few times), I've gotta say, it's been a blast. Looking forward to the next thing you end up writing!