To keep her engaged, Lor had her act out problems. For 28 + 15, he said, "Pretend you're picking flowers.
Take 28 steps, then 15 more." Nellie tiptoed across the carpet, counting aloud, "28… 29… up to 43, meow!"
Her skirt flared with each step, flashing her stockings, her big ass bouncing slightly, the bell chiming in rhythm. She spun to face him, beaming, her glasses slipping, her gray eyes sparkling.
"I did it, meow!"
"Exactly," Lor said, clapping, his grin wide.
He stepped closer, his hand hovering near her shoulder, feeling the warmth of her excitement. For 19 - 7, he had her "give away" steps, walking backward from 19, counting down to 12.
"12, meow!" she said, her ash-burned braids bouncing, her big ass swaying as she stopped, her stockings shimmering.
Lor used paper for bigger numbers, like 25 + 13.
"Rip 25 pieces, then 13 more," he said, leaning against the table, his hazel eyes following her movements.
Nellie tore carefully, her bell chiming with each rip, her thick thighs trembling as she knelt to gather the scraps, her skirt riding up to flash her stockings.
"38, meow!" she said, holding up the pile, her gray eyes bright, her big ass shifting as she stood.
For 30 - 18, he had her draw lines in the notebook, crossing out 18 from 30.
"Each line is one less," he said, standing beside her, his voice steady, the bell chiming with each stroke of her quill.
"12, meow!" she said, her voice bubbling with pride, her big ass swaying as she leaned forward, her ash-burned hair catching the light.
By the third hour, Nellie had solved ten problems, her notebook filled with correct answers, paper scraps scattered like petals.
"I'm actually doing it, meow!" she squealed, her glasses fogging, her ash-burned braids bouncing, her big ass swaying as she spun to face Lor, her tail flicking with a soft chime of her bell.
"I never got so many right, meow! You're amazing, meow!"
Lor's grin was wide, his hazel eyes glinting with mischief and pride.
"You're the star, Nellie. The Light just lit the way." He leaned against the table, savoring the jingle of her bell, the flare of her skirt, the curve of her thick thighs under the stockings.
Nellie stood, her big ass bouncing slightly, her tail flicking, the bell chiming.
"I have to thank you, meow," she said, her gray eyes shining, her voice firm despite the "meow." "Let me treat you to dinner, meow. There's a fancy place nearby, meow. My family loves it, meow."
Lor raised a brow, his grin softening.
"Fancy dinner? Can't say no to that." He slung his bag over his shoulder, his hazel eyes tracing her curvy lower half, her skirt swishing as she led him to the door.
The restaurant was a short walk, its facade glowing with enchanted lanterns, the air thick with roasted herbs and sweet wine.
Inside, crystal chandeliers cast soft light on velvet drapes, and waiters in crisp uniforms glided between tables.
Nellie, now in her school uniform, looked radiant, her ash-burned braids neat, her glasses polished.
Her skirt clung to her thick thighs, her big ass swaying subtly as she followed the waiter to a private booth.
Lor sat across from her, his black hair tousled, his grin easy.
The menu listed dishes like "Starlit Pheasant" and "Moonbloom Bisque," prices that made his Earth-born mind reel.
Nellie ordered confidently, her gray eyes sparkling, no "meow" now that the ritual was over. "Get anything," she said, smiling. "You changed everything today."
Over herb-crusted lamb and glowing fruit tarts, Nellie chattered, her voice bright, her timidity gone.
"I was terrified of the math test, but now I think I can pass, maybe even shine!" She giggled, her cheeks pink. Lor laughed, his hazel eyes warm. "You'll crush it. Tournament's next."
As they savored a shimmering sorbet, Lor caught a glimpse of green hair outside the window—Viora's glare sharp, Myra's smirk cold beside her.
His grin didn't falter.