Day 6 - Pendulum

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#6 of Hypnovember 2020

You're not usually one to fall for roadside trinket sellers, but this one catches your eye with something really special. You find you can't take your eyes off it.


"Traveler!" A feline called out to you from the side of the road. A snow leopard, who seemed to glow in the moonlight after the sun had set. Her fur shone with glittering jewelry, ears draped with golden chains. She smiled alluringly at you as you approached.

"You're an adventurer, yes~?" She purred, swishing her tail behind her. "I have a service for you. Something invaluable for a brave warrior such as yourself."

You weren't falling for a useless trinket pitch, but you didn't want to be rude to such an attractive feline. She beckoned you into her tent, and you followed.

It was as you expected from a roadside mystic. Trinkets and books everywhere, potions and herbs and strange totems to sell to travelers and adventurers such as yourself. You imagine that it's pretty lucrative. She is a rather attractive feline, and you can see a younger, less-experienced you buying some trinket for protection or something.

"What's this about a service?" You asked, as she ran her clawed fingers over the many hanging items in the tent.

"A special service." She said, purring still quietly present in her voice. "For adventurers, warriors - you would benefit greatly." She assured you.

You raised your eyebrow. Was she... soliciting you for-

She swung a necklace into your face, smiling excitedly. It was a pointed, perfectly transparent crystal collared and suspended on a golden chain. It was fairly attractive, and the transparency of the crystal was unusual and eye-catching.

"What does it do?" You asked, against your better judgement.

"Just watch." She said, swinging it in front of your eyes in her excitement. You followed it with your eyes as it spun a little, and they hung on a detail you missed on your initial inspection of the thing - a flaw.

One corner of the crystal, near the top, was clouded. Just barely. Just enough for your eyes to be able to focus on. You kept your eyes on it, as if to confirm that it really was there. It certainly was - a little wisp that matched your own coloration. You were surprised you missed it on your first glance.

You opened your mouth to speak, and she shushed you, continuing to swing it in front of your eyes. She stepped forward, seductively running a hand down your back and holding it closer to your face.

"No words. Just keep looking and watching. You'll see it." She assured you, the soft undertone of purring in her voice puttng you at ease just a little. Her tail swished silently through the air behind the crystal, but your eyes couldn't focus on it. They were still transfixed on that one, tiny flaw.

It was larger than you thought it was. You were amazed you hadn't noticed it before - it seemed so obvious now. From this angle, as it swung in front of your eyes, it seemed like the top part of the crystal was very clouded. You were so sure it was perfectly transparent at first, but you couldn't deny what you were seeing. The crystal was flawed.

You'd had enough of this demonstration. You didn't understand what you were waiting for, and you weren't interested in buying such an imperfect gem that seemed to serve no other purpose.

You were going to decline, and continue on your way.

She was purring louder now, and still gently scratching your back. You were pretty relaxed. She seemed very happy to have you there, as her guest. As her customer.

You didn't want to be rude. You weren't in a hurry.

Besides, the crystal was really quite nice to look at, especially in motion. It was half transparent, half a perfect match for your own colors. Had she swapped it out, somehow? You swore you had your eyes on it the whole time. She would never have had the opportunity.

Maybe the value of the crystal was that it changed colors. That was very neat. It was quite a beautiful piece of jewelry. You smiled as it came a little closer to your eyes, still swinging steadily back and forth.

The snow leopard gently lowered you into a chair. She knew what you wanted - the pretty crystal never left your sight. It stayed perfectly in view, and it was so nice and bright that it was the only thing you could see.

It was about three-fourths your color. What a lovely coincidence. A beautiful crystal that matched your color almost all over. You were going to look at it all day, you decided. You couldn't think of anything you'd rather do.

The snow leopard giggled softly and swung it a little further to either side. You had to turn your head just a little to keep it in sight, which was so much worse than how it was before. Thankfully, she noticed, and went back to swinging it just in front of your eyes so you didn't have to move a muscle.

"Thank... you." You mumbled.

"You're welcome, of course." She purred, scratching along your back just a little more. You loved that feeling. It sent chills down your spine and made you unwind more than you thought was possible. You already felt so heavy and relaxed, but the sound of her purring in your ear, and her claws on your back...

Of course, the crystal was the key. It was so beautiful, so relaxing to stare at. It was almost entirely filled with color. Almost there. Just a little more. Just a little further to go. Keep your eyes on it as it swings. Yes, Miss.

She was going to take care of you. You wouldn't have to worry about anything ever again. You could feel good and empty and docile like this for as long as you liked.

All you had to do was relax and watch the swinging crystal. Could it really be that easy?

Just relax, and sink, and sigh, and it'll all be over. You'll be like this forever. All of your willpower, sealed up nice and safe in that beautiful crystal. A lovely gift for your Mistress to wear, as a sign of her ownership of you.

That's it. Just a bit more. Just a little further, and...

The crystal flashed, signifying that it was completely full now. It shimmered and glowed a shade that matched you perfectly. Mistress giggled and ruffled your hair playfully before slipping the chain around her neck, your willpower making such a a nice accessory to her white fur.

You smiled peacefully at her as she helped you out of all her new things. They, like you, would sell quite well.

Unlike you, though, she wasn't thinking of hanging onto them for a while.

Maybe forever, if you were very good.