So many paths and a lot of time[Kakoli]

[Ssafirsotibones]

To be honest, it was an interesting proposal... He did not know a ton on kelvics... But even he could tell that this would be an odd arrangement... Himself being a dhani... Well they were not exactly known for keeping pets... Not when they could lose there temper and decide to eat them... Bones was... Well not exactly an average dhani... For one he did not kill unless it was for a reason, and did not prolong it like many did... He felt it would be disrespectful to do so... And if at all possible, he tried to keep his temper in check... Not to let his snake nature take over... Though it often did, especially when he fought... "I sssuppossse ssat isss not ssso bad... Ssough it ssseemsss a bit tilted in my favor... Ssough are you sssure? We only jussst met... Ssere are ssingsss about me you do not know... I ssspoke of my nature... But ssere are ssingsss about me... Ssat would make sssuch a relationssship hard..." "We can try it out if you want to... But I warn you, it might not work out... And I cannot promissse your sssafety if you do... I am not alwaysss in total control..." Bones thought on this... Would this work out? "If we are to do ssisss... I would need to ssshow you sssomessing... Ssso ssat you can underssstand what I truly am..." If she did accept, Bones would lead her out of town. He would take her to a nice secluded spot outside of Alvadas, away from prying eyes... Were they would not be seen... Though he wondered if his other forms, would be enough to scare her off...

[Kakoli]

She turned back to see him once he began to speak. It turns out he's right. In this entire time they have walked in circles around what he was exactly. The only facts provided were his age and generalized personality of his race. He has live far longer than she ever will. He is far wiser than she ever will be. This has all been stated. But it's not what was stated that is all too important at this moment, it was has been suggested. It was never quite clear. It was only hinted at. It was shallowly thrown into the conversation and easily bypassed. Whatever he was may not be what he seems like now. He is dangerous. No it was her turn to make a decision. He was agreeing to be her master. But she now has to agree on whether or not she not only wants him as her master but if she wants to risk herself in the process. She may get her, she get killed whether he wills it or not. Does she want to risk the short life she has? Or stay alone and safe? "I said no matter what, right? Risk or no risk." She gave another smile, what is life for than to make mistakes and learn.

[Ssafirsotibones]

It appeared that she was determined. If nothing else, Bones could respect that. Sticking to something, once you set out on it... Well, it was the only way really to get things done... It seemed she was willing to take the risk, that him being her master might present to her... Which was good, since risk certainly would be involved... That he was not certain if it was being foolhardy, that she would risk so easily, so much. Bones nodded, as she gave him a smile, after her bold statement. He let out a sigh, resolutely... "Very well... Ssen come wiss me... I will ssshow you... Ssen we will sssee..." Bones walked off, expecting her to follow. Since she did give her acquisition previously... So he would not even look back to check that she was coming... He would simply walk on, and take her as planned out of the city, and to a place that was not likely to be intruded upon. Once there, he would look back at her, and begin to disrobe. Once he was stripped down, he would start his change, into his dhani form... This of course was much different to this kelvics shifting, which occurred in an instant. Bones change, took half of a chime to occur, and in it Bones body would slowly shift from one shape to another. He began as a man, over 6 foot tall, with a solid build... And he would end, as a half snake half man thing. His face stretching out and flattening, nose melting into his face, growing into a large snout, with slit nostrils... His neck and head would change into that of a snakes, and his legs would meld together into one, stretching out far behind him, into a long solid tail, of pure sinewy scales and muscle. He started a human, head to toes a bit over 6 foot... And ended a snake-man, from tail end to snout, stretching out to just over 22 feet... His snake tail meeting into his torso, and as thick as a tree trunk... He would look at the woman, look her in the eyes... He would see what she thought of him now... Would she still be so solid in her decision, in Bones being her master?

[Kakoli]

She followed him as he began to walk. On and on they went, out beyond the entrance to the city. Out beyond anyone's gaze. Bones never looked back once, didn't even look to check she was there. Once he reached where he wanted he began to remove what he had. Much like when she is preparing to change herself. It wasn't quick. Not at all. Yet not too slow. He didn't disappear in a blur of stars, only to have an animal in his place. He barely ended up as an animal at all. His head and neck seemed to conjoin into one. His face smoothed out. His eyes slit as did his nose. His legs webbed close, then elongated, thinning, forming his tail. His torso remain, untouched, arms still out. He was now covered in scales. He was now a long, big, strong man and a long, big, strong snake. He was neither nor. He was either or. When done, he met my eyes. He looked, unmoving and waited. He waited for my answer, for my reaction. Surely his hinting had been right. The 'as you heard of my people' and 'my people are known to be harsh, dangerous' were right. He was not a Kelvic, that she was sure of. He was not another mystical being. He was a snake. He was a man. He was both snake and man. He was a Dhani. Strong, carnivorous, huge, and dangerous Dhani. She took a deep breathe. To say she was taking a risk would be an understatement. To say was hanging her soul by a thread would be more accurate. To say she was scared, was wrong. To say she wasn't, was wrong too. She wasn't afraid, only unsure. His nature was evident, that she could not deny. But his personality contradicted was he was. He was kind, calm, wise, collected, and albeit neutral. She couldn't think of what to say. She took one good look him. "What's so special?"

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones looked on... Wondering how she would react... How any sane person would react... Most would be afraid... At least most humans would be... They were so well trained, to hate and fear anything that was not as they were... Which was one reason he rarely if ever showed what he was to people. For fear of how they would react... He did not want to be chased out of town by an angry mob... Or forced to defend himself, and leave a mound of carnage in his wake... Everything he was, was about self control. Not letting his beast nature loose... Not going by his instincts, to kill and devour and destroy... And yet this kelvic wanted to risk herself, to him, to his restraint, which was only kept in check by the slimmest most easy to cut thread... He might appear as he was... By forcing himself to control himself... By constant vigilance... But a great beast, not of the flesh, but of the mind, of battle infused fury, lay hidden... She finally did respond... And he was not certain how to answer... "What's so special?" How could he respond to that... But his revelations were not through... He had one last thing to show... His snake form... While his dhani form might have seemed monstrous and huge, his snake form was twice again as large. In it, he was a good bit over 40 feet long... He could probably knock down an entire house with a sweep of his tail... Devour half a dozen people... He was huge. His body was thicker than the trunk of a tree, thick sinewy muscle. He changed before the kelvic, letting her see him grow... Longer and longer stretching out... His head growing huge... His last human vestiges in his torso melding into his form, and his tail getting larger and larger, and larger... Till he was completely snake like... But larger than any normal snake she had ever seen... Even compared to the dire beasts of Taldera, Bones was huge... He turned his head to her, so that one giant slit eye was looking at her... And he darted his tongue out, tasting the air, tasting her smell, her heat... And waited to see how she would react, after seeing his first form, and now his even larger and more inhuman snake form.

[Kakoli]

He changed again. This time his arms were glued to his sides. This time he stretched farther, he doubled. This time all human qualities was gone. He was all snake. He was all predator. Still he was large. Still he grew much more intimidating. His face was no longer present. His presence has disappeared even more, though not completely. His eyes were still on her. They glowed. They waited again. But waited for what? For her to run away? A natural instinct. For her to attack? Never in a million years. Scream? It'll only hurt his ears. All he did was stay and hiss. Once again, her feeling ran askew. Scared? Understatement. Mad? No. Shocked? Slightly. Awed? ....Yes. She was awed. So many things wrapped into one. Awe, in wonder, surprised. She couldn't look at him, she couldn't look away. Finally, she found her voice. "What is it you're expecting? Do you want me to run away, screaming like I've just seen some monster? Do you expect me to reject you? To think that you're going to attack me? What are you trying to convince me off? Are you trying to scare me off? You can change back now! You can answer me!" Why had she started yelling? Tears had begun to fall. Was she really mad, or just frustrated of her own naivety. Was she only throwing a tantrum like the baby she was? She wiped her tears and sat down. She was so confused.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Either this kelvic had ice in her veins, or she was faking her composure. He doubted there were to many people that could really stare down what Bones could become and not be afraid... Or maybe she really was that trusting... Or was nuts... Being insane would explain how she was acting... But maybe she was just pretending... He was a bit shocked by her words, and did turn back into his human form... Maybe of all things, a kelvic could understand, even with knowing the danger... Though as he changed, he did notice, the tears in her eyes... Tears of frustration? Anger? Fear? He was not sure which... But Bones felt an odd need to comfort her... Once he was back in his human form, he ran over to the kelvic, hushing her, sweeping her up in his big strong arms, lifting her right off her feet, and squeezing her with a comforting pressure... While his arms could easily be used to destroy... They could also be used to comfort and protect... Bones had forgotten that he was naked, in his rush to appease her, though admittedly being a dhani, he was not as embarrassed by nudity, spending so much time unclothed, and had a similar sensibility to a kelvic. He wanted to comfort her, like she was a hatchling fresh from its egg... Though that alone was odd for Bones, he did not often act in such a way... She just seemed so... In need of protection... So exposed, and trusting... "Husssh girl... Husssh... I did not mean to upssset you... Bonesss isss here..."

[Kakoli]

Bones then did something no one has ever done. He did something no one was every allowed to do. He comforted her. In moments he changed and rushed to her. He picked her up in his arm and held her. He held her just like a child, just like a parent. His arms were so strong. His body so warm, so safe, so secure. Nothing here would hurt her. Nothing here could take her back. Nothing here could take her back to being lonely. Unloved. Alone. She began to cry. She began to scream. She released everything. Her sadness, her fear, her anger, everything was leaving her small little casing. 'Husssh girl' he said. 'Bonesss isss here' He said. His word were so calming, so patient that she slowly climbed down from her sobs. From sobs to silent tears to hiccups to sniffles. Her tantrum was over. "I got you all wet," Her voice cracked, "What use am I when all can do is cry and get you soaked and babble on and on? And look at you, you're probably as long as an acre! I'm barely the size of your head." With that she pulled away and began to strip away the little she had on. One blur and several seconds later, from where her human form was, padded out a black kitten no bigger than the size of two human hands.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Most people might assume by looking, that Bones embrace was a sexual one. But this was completely absent in his mind. His hug was all about comforting this kelvic, almost instinctively... He did not completely understand it himself... And though this sweeter, nicer side of Bones was not unheard of, it was one that rarely reared its head... Bones was more often his silent and collected side, or his warrior side, out of necessity. He wrapped her up in his arms, like a warm blanket, holding her close... As she began to sob, to cry out, to scream... He just held her... Careful not to grip to tight, for fear he might accidentally break her... Even in this moment of loving care for this creature, he still had to consciously work to stop himself, from destroying what he touched... He kept on holding her, his arms protecting, until she finally calmed down, and stopped at a small sniffle. It seemed she had let all of the things she had held in out... As she spoke, and pushed to get out, he released his grip, letting her go, and watched as she started undressing in front of him. Though he did not take that as a human might. Nudity was normal for him, and had no deeper meaning to it. Then the next thing he knew, she was in her kelvic form, that of a small kitten... He smiled down at her, and walked over, scratching the top of her head. He knew no life was a waste. All life had a purpose, and a use. "I sssay you have ussse. Our mother Caiyha would not have made you if you did not. All life hasss ussse, or it would not be alive. And even ssen, it hasss a ussse, in being eaten, and being usssed to keep ssat creature alive." "But you are ssstill alive, which tellsss me you ssstill do have a ussse. You have a reassson for being here. Maybe it isss to do great ssingsss. Or maybe it isss to sssupport sssomeone, to make it ssso ssey can do ssossse great ssingsss... But you do have a ussse... And don't ever let me hear you sssay you are ussselessss again, while you are ssstill breassing."

[Kakoli]

He crawled to meet her, raising his hand not to swat her away but to pet her. For the first time in a while he was actually smiling at her. As if her appearance was cheering him up. She actually had made someone happy. She purred as he scratched between her ears, something that she like very much so. She even got playful. She raised her tiny paws and attempted to grab at his fingers. Meowing and turning as she failed time and time again. When he spoke this time, it was if she was a child in trouble. A reproachful parent chastising his daughter. A father giving a lecture. Never again was he to hear the word useless describe her while she was around. She would have changed back and gave him a hug but instead stood for a nuzzle into his palm. She was much too distracted in trying to cause at least a miniature puncture without much avail.