The Maiden Voyage of The Dreamcatcher

[Kavala]

Kavala sat quietly, listening. This was the talk she’d wanted to have with Riaris for quite a while. They were being open and candid, and it was words like this that would make their relationship last. It was anger unspoken or concern unvoiced that would make their relationship fail. Kavala knew that some Akalak were not in touch with their other sides. Some kept them unhealthily separate and repressed. But with what Riaris was saying, he was one of the blended men… meaning he had a good relationship with Recoomas and that both were present in his head at all times. Kavala had no idea how that would feel. She wondered if either of them would find being alone in their bodies a terrible lonely existence. Living with them, among their culture, Kavala had often thought that for some reason the Akalak had struck some kind of bargain in the past and as their culture slowly died and fewer and fewer of them were born, they began to share. She had no idea if it was true or not, but what if for some reason there was a restriction on them or a curse? And there could be only so many of them in the world? The Konti shook her head softly, her eyes meeting Riaris’ gaze.

Slowly, their words grew more candid and their conversation freely expressing their feelings. But she felt Riaris pull back, unsure why, she kept talking. Perhaps she was stupid telling him the truth, but he needed to know. And when he said if he had his way, he’d keep her all to himself, Kavala felt a burning warmth in her rise. And while Riaris said it wasn’t possible, Kavala thought differently. Just because Recoomas watched everything they did behind Riaris’ eyes, didn’t mean he got to participate.

So when she finished her story, making the ugly truth sound so clinical, Kavala felt Riaris’ rising anger. But as she felt his rage grow, she also physically saw Riaris retreat and the other, Recoomas, come forward. The touch on her skin changed and so too did the tone of voice and the spirit in his pale eyes. Here, finally, was the one that never spoke to her. Here was that was a silent watcher, but never engaged and never interacted. She took a deep breath, afraid, and yet relieved both at the same time. But his words, as strong and solid as they were delivered, caused her to freeze.

Recoomas’ words gave her pause and she froze, suddenly not knowing what to do. His hands took liberties on her naked flesh, touching her intimately. She did nothing for a short series of heartbeats until her small hands reached between them and caught his wrist, wrapping around it and halting him from continuing to stroke the apex of her thighs intimately. And though she halted his wrist movements, she couldn’t stop his fingers. Kavala hadn’t the force to truly stop him from touching her already satiated flesh. The Konti Healer had appetites, and though Riaris had already seen to them nicely, her body still reacted in the form of a sharp inhalation of breath and a flush across her pale cheeks and fresh embarrassing dampness..

Kavala tightened her grip on his wrist, both hands attempting to hold him still. She took a deep breath then lifted her head, a fierce blush still tinting her cheekbones and darkening the bridge of her nose. “I believe nothing of the sort. Riaris is the best sort of men, and in my experience that is a rare thing. You can’t be the best sort of man with a monster in your head. You can only be that with a partner and someone of equal integrity. Perhaps different values, but the same strength has to be in you that is in him. Insanity is a weakness. I should have saw it in that other man from the beginning. He couldn’t even negotiate his own contract.” Kavala said, her grip loosening on Recoomas’ wrist.

“But this, this thing you are trying to do, if it hurts Riaris, I will have no part of it. I love him, Recoomas. I would like to say I love you too, but I do not, and to be fair it may be because I don’t know you. Time might change that. I’m willing to try and get to know you if Riaris will allow it. And only you know if it will truly hurt him or if it will make him stronger. I am Drykas. Growing up I had the prospects of a third wife, acquiring a husband for the pleasure I could bring him and for the skills I brought to the Pavilion only, nothing more. This situation is so much better for me. But I know you have your own life, chase your own skirts, and do so with Riaris’ permission because the man has a generous heart and loves you deeply. That means on all levels, even this one…” Kavala’s hand stroked down Recoomas’ wrist and across the back of his hand where he had it pressed against her flesh. “I can keep you happy, I suspect, in more ways than one.” Kavala did not miss the fact he was using his oddly colored hand, the one marked by the goddess of pain.

“But only if he is in agreement.” Kavala said, meeting Recoomas’ gaze. He would see her fear and uncertainty there. Her relationship with Riaris was new, especially to the openness they shared. Kavala didn’t want to jeopardize it, but she also didn’t want his dark brother unhappy. And truth be told it had been part of her Nakivak training. Keep both souls happy. Find out what each needed and give that to them because in the end it helped them balance even more. And some Akalaks, unlike Riaris and Recoomas, were not in sync as much as they’d like to admit.

“But know too that you never will have to prove your worth to me, Recoomas. I know already that you are a worthy person. If you were not, Riraris would not be who he is. And if you love your brother, don’t hurt him. Don’t mess this up for him. Make this better.” And with that, she released his wrist and shifted her hands to his hips, lightly, with her face upturned to him, studying his gaze. Kavala had just taken the ball he’d tossed to her and put it back in his court. She was relaxed on his lap, holding him gently, and it was up to him what the next move would be. They could talk more, or he could escalate what he was doing, or something else completely unexpected could happen.

The Konti waited, knowing the brothers would have to work it out in their head.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Recoomas watched Kavala, taking in everything about her that made her who she was. Looking upon her now, it was as if he'd only seen her before from behind a wall of thick glass. His vision was clear, and he could see clearer than his mind's eye ever could. Her eyes were blue, the color of the seas, and seemed to carry all the curiosities there within. Her hair was like white gold, and her skin glistened and scales found themselves in the best of light. Touching her body, it was as if he'd worn gloves before and now he could touch her bared. Kavala's skin was soft, warm and carried a smoothness that was only found in the fairer sex.

She held his hand, though his fingers still moved, seeking her warmth and enjoying the fresh texture that moisten his finger tips. There was nothing subtle or shy about his actions, and Riaris knew his darker brother was the type to go for what he wanted, and with the aggressiveness needed to do so. He listened to her words, but he already knew her feelings for Riaris. She loved him and saw to protect him, even from himself, or rather his darker half. With her grip on his wrist loosened, Recoomas started to pet her more, allowing his fingers and part of his hand to travel over her shape. His other arm rested around her hip, just in case she decided it was too much too soon.

In truth, Recoomas had no idea when he would get to be with her as they were, and he would enjoy himself as much as he could. She spoke with care in her voice, her affections for Riaris clear and her wiliness to get to know him as well. Recoomas stared at her closely and slowly pulled her in to where she could rest on his hand. His eyes stayed focused in hers and a smile rose upon his lips again. "This is for us and for him. I don't need his permission, we have a bond between us and know that our time should be as equals. What would hurt him is if we were apart, fighting each other over our differences. If you don't love me, that is not a problem, and if you only wish friendship, that is also fine. But, If I can't have you Kavala, I will seek out others."

Recoomas shifted her into his lap then, allowing his fingers to enter her as he pulled her in for a deep, long kiss. " Of all things, I think that could be a problem. My brother loves you and only you. I doubt any other woman will do. He would be disturbed, torn between the pleasure he was receiving from a stranger, when all he wants is to be with you. I think that would hurt him most." He smiled and kissed her again, maneuvering his fingers and pressing his thumb against her fleshy hood to stimulate her more. "So you see Kavala, our connection is just as important, and this is a decision we can make together..and for my brother."

[Kavala]

Kavala listened to the resonance of his voice and forced her breath to remain calm and her gaze to stay locked on him. He moved his hand back, his arm encircling her, and she was not sure if it was to draw her closer or to make sure she didn’t run. Kavala kept looking in his eyes, searching for Riaris there, but this man was not his brother. An involuntary shiver passed through her, namely because her emotions were on overdrive and she wasn’t sure how to handle the situation and what was best for all three of them. She never wanted another man to touch her, not after knowing Riaris and falling in love with him. Kavala tried to show him in a million ways how much she cared, dropping by his work, taking the time to talk to his family, and even giving him a lot of space when she thought he needed it. And even though this body was the one Riaris loved her with, when Recoomas was in control, it wasn’t the same man.

His touch wasn’t the same. It wasn’t loving and gentle. It was bold and explorative, conveying what he wanted clearly. She knew he was testing her boundaries and seeing if she would impose any limits on him. Kavala had no idea what to do. She’d tossed the proverbial ball back into his court but he wasn’t playing that game. He laid his terms out clearly and unconditionally with the ramifications if she said no. And then he started petting her, just as bold as he was when he did anything else. But he was more talkative than Riaris, and in a way more clearly spoken.

And she knew, when he was done speaking, that in no uncertain terms if he didn’t get her he would get others… and she didn’t think he was wrong when he told her Riaris would enjoy it as well and would feel guilty doing so. Guilt was a horrible thing, like a collar around someone’s neck. If they wore it long enough, it deformed them. Kavala watched, somewhat startled and a bit in shock, as Recoomas rearranged her on his lap more towards his satisfaction and then leaned in for a kiss. Kissing him wouldn’t mean what kissing Riaris would. And though she protested not at all when he deepened his touching, making it more intimate, Kavala drew a line firmly when he bent in for a kiss. She turned her head, refusing him her lips, and instead offered him her neck, her collarbone, anything to run his lips across instead of her mouth.

Her hands found his shoulders and she leaned into him, digging her nails into his skin. She was not unaffected by his touch which was doing things to her that no stranger ever should. A whimper escaped her and she shifted, opening, giving him more access. And in that moment, she hated herself for doing so. But she loved his body and hers reacted to it no matter who was in control. And she wondered how many times he’d watched Riaris doing this to her, being with her, and hadn’t been able to do what he wanted, calling the shots?

Burying her head in his neck, she bit him sharply, holding on for a moment before she released his skin and licked the spot that was already showing the bruising marks of her teeth. Kavala was not sentimental, at least she hadn’t been in all the time she was in Riverfall, but in that moment, tears formed in her eyes, unspilled but giving her a wide glossy-eyed stare. She lifted her head, met Recoomas’ eyes, and nodded.

“You can have almost everything… my body, my time, my attention. I always want yours anyhow and I can’t hide that fact with my body reacting to you. It has since the first day I laid eyes on you both. But I don’t want you kissing me here until it means something.’ She said, reaching up and running her thumb across his lips, sending a clear message. “That is for him... for your brother. Because though he’s never told me, I know he loves me. And that’s just too far … too much for me right now.” She wondered if what she said was making made any sense.

Kavala shifted moving closer to him, dropping her hands from his shoulders to wrap them around his torso. She left enough room so his arm was still between them, touching her, getting her ready for more. “Do you understand what I’m saying? I want you both to be happy. I want this thing to work. But some things he’s earned that you have not. Not yet.” She said, barely able to speak now and sweating again, her eyes soft and passionate yet laced with worry. If he wanted to take it further, she would not stop him. But if this had just been a test, he could easily push her off his lap and humiliate her. She didn’t think he was going too, but the possibility was there. She knew already by his touch, his boldness that he was going to be very different from Riaris. Rougher. Bolder. Aggressive. The Konti swallowed, waiting for him to accept or deny her terms.

And she wondered suddenly if it wouldn't be easier to let Recoomas pursue his own relationships elsewhere. Because while allowing this to proceed would prevent Riaris' guilt over Recoomas' future actions... what about her guilt? It felt like a lot like a betrayal to the man she loved.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Recoomas enjoyed touching her and kissing her, even though she refused him the taste of her lips. That she kept for Riaris and in a way, it was sweet and also made him jealous. She didn't pull away from him and he took his time touching her and kissing her neck all the way up to her ears. Her chest against his body felt soothing and his roaming hand found that she was very responsive to his touch. She moved closer, and with more room, Recoomas dipped his fingers inside and worked them into a frenzy as he kissed and licked at her neck.

The bit of pain he felt with her teeth in his neck caused him joy, and he smiled, moving his fingers out to continue his earlier petting. Kavala didn't go unnoticed and her body heat was easily detected as it rose and while she pressed against him. Recoomas kissed her flesh where he could and his other hand moved from her hip and down to caress her rear, so that he could massage her front and back at the same time. He was excited, which would be very noticeable to Kavala by now, if it wasn't already.

His attention to her body slowed as he listened to her speak and her voice did touch him. But perhaps not in the way that she'd hoped. In short, and in his mind, she wanted him to be Riaris. Her love was for his brother and although she would give him her body, he could see that she was already thinking about his brother again. Recoomas was a proud man and he would rather not be second to Riaris. Their relationship was growing closer, and it had been so since before Kavala arrived. But now things were more complicated. He wouldn't risk an imbalance, and with the look in her eyes, and Riaris raging inside, Recooomas slipped away.

His roaming hands stopped, resting in place for a moment, before he reached out and around to hug her. Riaris was back now, and not too happy with his brother's actions. He knew she would have more questions now, and the Akalak didn't know exactly how to answer, or to explain his brother. "Kavala..." he started, holding her closer for a moment and moving his hand through her hair. "Are you alright? I hope that wasn't too much for you?"

[Kavala]

Kavala sat astride Riaris’ dark brother, slowly loosing a battle of pure sexual energy verses common sense. A normal person would have put a stop to it, but the situation wasn’t normal – at least not for the Konti. She was sure finding a balance was an everyday trial for the pair. The situation as a whole gave her a new understanding and awareness of what they went through for each other. When one craved a certain food, did the other eat it for the one craving it if he was in control? And how about the touch of a woman – did one go find a partner if the other one wanted one? To be trapped in that sort of situation was not ideal. Kavala could only imagine how much Riaris and Recoomas had indeed had to adapt to each other and their needs, sharing one body.

But her mind could only whirl so long. The man with his hands on her was stealing her ability to think and making her only feel. Kavala wasn’t sure what to do. She had no idea how Riaris was feeling about all this and what he would say when he came back into control. She should have said no. As it was, the whole scene was entirely wrong. This way she was just Recoomas’ whore. And did he even want that? Did she? Gods, she didn’t even know the man and he was doing this to her with the body of the man she was desperately in love with. But she wasn’t sure, deep down inside; who she was angrier with. She was angry with Recoomas for putting her in the situation, but she was also furious with herself for enjoying it so much.

He was bringing her close, without even halfway trying, and Kavala resented the hell out of it even as she craved the building release he was teasing her close too. The man was good, and it told her volumes about Recoomas’ knowledge of women and his experience with them.

But had she have known what he was thinking, it would have been like icy water on her soul, cooling her immediately. Kavala would have denied him saying that she wanted him to be Riaris. And then she would have admitted to him that he was right, but not because of any distaste for him. She simply didn’t know him. But she wanted too. And she wanted to know him long before they were supposed to get to this stage of their relationship, if ever. Some things couldn’t be forced, no matter how well you knew how to touch a woman’s body.

And when he suddenly stopped touching her, pulled back and then hugged her, Kavala was momentarily confused. One felt completely different to another and it took her a moment for his voice to sink in and for her to understand what just happened. Kavala wrapped her arms around Riaris, clung to him tightly, and laid her head on his shoulder. She didn’t say anything for the longest time. How could she? There was nothing that she could say that would make things better or easier for all three of them. She just breathed in and out, willing her heart to calm and her mind to wrap around the situation.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered. “I’m sorry to you and to him. To both of you. Do you hear me Riaris? Recoomas? I’m sorry.” She said, repeating herself a few times in a soft lost voice that was full of uncertainty and confusion.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris held her tighter, so tight one might think he expected her to float away if he were to release her. The meeting between Recoomas and Kavala had gone worse than he had thought, and it was the reason why he wasn't sure about their meeting to start with. The Akalak had told himself that it was because he didn't think she would understand, and it would be hard to explain, but the truth was he was afraid that she would understand completely.

Recoomas wasn't evil, but he had a boldness and aggressive nature about him that many found to be intimidating, especially those who weren't of the Akalak race. He also didn't want to worsen her thoughts of darker brothers for the sake of her sons. Kavala had dealt with the worse type, the type that should be tattooed and left in the woods. He knew that she had been hurt, and he didn't want that stigma to come back on him or on her sons.

"You don't have to be sorry. You don't ever have to be sorry Kavala." Riaris held her and his voice soon slipped into silence again. He wasn't angry with her, he knew his brother's ways and that he was different than he was. Even when it came to his sister's Recoomas was more rough with the girls, and while he may have said more to them, there was less kind words. He did wonder if he darker brother gave himself, them, a bad name. But Recoomas didn't seem to care as much.

The darker Akalak would have been at home on a battle field somewhere, on a constant war for glory. But when around people, he wasn't at his best, or rather his best just wasn't enough. Riaris combed his fingers through Kavala's hair and started to gently kiss her shoulder. "Maybe today, now..wasn't the best time. My brother can be difficult." He kissed her shoulder again and gently rubbed his hands into her back trying to give her some form of comfort. "We don't have to talk about it. We can just stay here.."

[Kavala]

Kavala nodded, figuring Riaris wouldn’t want to talk about it anyhow. He made a lot of conversation for her sake, but in the end he was a very quiet person. Nothing she said would change anything. The situation was what it was, and though the healer didn’t know how to change it or make it better. All she knew is that she’d tried to satisfy Recoomas, work on a deal that would allow her to get to know him better, and he’d run from it. He hadn’t tried to talk with her, get to know her, even be her friend. He’d instead went right to the heart of what he’d wanted and then left her when he found she was willing to try for his brother’s sake. Kavala’s confusion turned to anger and she balled her hands into fists behind Riaris’ back. The Konti pushed away then, needing space, and rose up to pace the length of the catamaran. She checked the rigging, took the time to make sure they were still on course via her shipboard compass, and didn’t even look at Riaris for a few chimes. She couldn’t. Her humiliation was too complete.

Kavala would have never suspected it was a point of pride for Recoomas or that he’d retreated because his brother was upset and that he didn’t want to be with a woman that didn’t want him. All she saw and felt was that the Akalak had sampled the goods, found them wanting, and had left as if to tell his brother that he could have her, she wasn’t good enough. Kavala had never felt dirty being a Nakivak. Even when she’d been captured she’d never felt bad about herself or hated her body – she’d placed blame in a healthy space on the dead man’s shoulders that Akalak raiding party had slaughtered. Even her first sight of Riverfall, wrapped in a strange man’s cloak perched on the front of a stranger’s saddle, hadn’t made her feel this bad. She’d only felt relieved then. Now she felt …

The Konti healer couldn’t face it. She couldn’t say even to herself what was really wrong. Instead, she moved about the ship, thinking and finding it too small to actually get away. So she trimmed the sails back, lowered the drag anchor, knowing they were in too deep of water to actually properly anchor. The Konti strapped a belt of stone weights around her waist and put on a mesh bag. A knife was added to the belt. Then she plastered on a friendly smile for Riaris even though she hadn’t said a word in a good long while and gestured over the side. “I’m going to go catch something fresh to eat for our meal.” She said and dove over the edge. The Konti let the sea embrace her and she felt instantly better. Kicking out strongly, the woman pushed her way beneath the surface and looked around to see what was there.

They weren’t in deep water, not like she thought they were. Sure the flora and fauna below them was deep, but it was there and abundant, still in the light layer. Kavala kicked out, letting the webbing on her fingers and toes assist her as she streaked downward. It was a bit of a swim before she got to all the life, but once she was there, things were beautiful. Kavala let the beauty enfold her for a time, hanging quietly in the water column, assisted by the belt of stones and seeking the peace she needed to find to calm her raging heart.

When chimes had passed she finally moved, looking for food. Most everything around her was edible, but she wasn’t sure what Riaris could or would eat. So she took some time to find abalone, prying four large ones off their stone resting palaces. To the mesh bag she also added a double handful of the snails that populated the rocks beneath. Two sea sponges were harvested to try for their sponge qualities, and Kavala managed to gather dozens of greens to make her a salad that would be tasty when the greens dried.

She was feeling better after the harvest and looked around above her for the double hull of the Dreamcatcher. She spotted it in the distance and started towards the ship, crossing close to the bottom to shelter her from any predators that might be lurking about. She was almost too where she’d start up when a gleam of silver caught her eye. She dove down, weaving down into the rocks, and caught a hold of the chain. It was made of heavy links, the type a man would wear, and woven in a strange pattern that wasn’t altogether unlike some of the Akalak decorations she’d seen on their architecture. Yanking at the chain, Kavala gently extracted it from the stones it was woven among until it tugged tight. She had to draw out her dagger and use the hilt to beat against some rocky encrustations before the whole thing came free. There was a medallion on it, a large flat piece that was encrusted with sea life as well. Only part of the chain glowed silver. The rest of it seemed to be encrusted and in dire need of cleaning.

Kavala added that to her mesh bag as well, and then started up through a beautiful and enormous school of tuna. The fish were huge, some as big as her body, though darting in and out of them were smaller fish, and Kavala could see no end in sight to the school of fish and then thought of how good of a dinner they’d make for Riaris. She unclipped her mesh bag, and even though it had items in it, the water made it buoyant. She used it as a net and when the next tunas came through around her, one small enough to fit into the bag, she opened its mouth wide and caught the fish. Using her dagger hilt again, she clubbed it in the brain, and opened the bag to catch another. Repeating her instant death, Kavala broke the surface of the water and looked around for the ship.

Once she spotted it, the Konti started to quietly swim in its direction. Using the ladder built into the hull on the right side, the Konti walked up the pontoon and onto the deck, laying her bag down and looking around for Riaris.

“I caught us some dinner.” She said softly, looking around to find her lover and to see what he’d been occupying himself doing.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris wanted to talk with her about it, but she seemed upset and he didn't know what to say. Through his eyes, it was as if she were being forced to do something just for his sake, and that bothered him greatly. He was supposed to be the rock, the stone wall that stood in the way of anything that could harm Kavala and protect her. This was something different, this was her sacrificing herself for the better good, and that was something she had already done and he wouldn't ask her to do again.

"It's for the best Riaris." Recoomas said to him. "She will only love you, and it was you who fell for her first. I won't stand in the way of what you have, and you can shut your eyes to my truths. We are a lot alike in some ways, but we will never be the same, and our lives will never be as one. Your Konti just proved as much."

Riaris was about to speak, but Kavala moved away from him, leaving him very cold in a dark place. In was times like this that he wished he had paid more attention to Nanail and all her rambling about love, perhaps there was something there that would help him understand what he needed to do now. Kavala had been a blessing in his life, and the Akalak had never looked back, or thought of possibly trying his hand with another. Kavala was the one...she was all that he needed.

He too, stayed silent for a while, though his gaze never turned from her, not for a tick. It might have been the first time that Kavala would see fear in his eyes, but when she leap over the side of the boat that was all he felt. Riaris didn't think she would come back, or if she did, she would return with a new resolve and plans that didn't include him. He stood up and stumped his way over to the side of the boat that she disappeared from and shared into the waters. She was gone, and Riaris felt an emptiness rising within that he hadn't known existed.

"If she doesn't return, if she shuns us. It's best to let her go. If she doesn't understand the Akalak, she shouldn't be apart of our lives." Recoomas spoke again, his voice harsh and words cold. "But she is a part of our life...my life." Riaris returned as he stormed about the boat. The Akalak paced back and forth on and on until he was almost dizzy. Dropping to one knee, Riaris closed his eyes and tried to find a place between rage and serenity to calm himself. But it wasn't working and as he realized it, his pale eyes flashed open.

Riaris clinched his fingers tightly, and rammed his fist into the floor of the boat. He gave an almost inhuman-animal like cry as he slammed his other fist into the floor puncturing the boards. His hands got caught in the mangled wood, and he had to pull and rip them back out. He was so angy that he brought both hands down this time, slamming the combined weight and strength into the wood, making what he had done that much worse. It was Kavala's voice that brought his rage to a sudden calm, and Riaris stared wide eyed at what he had done to her boat.

He stared at his hands for a moment, and slowly turned to look upon her again. "I suppose I didn't handled that well, but I can fix this. There's no need for alarm." Looking down again he nodded, it was a good ship, they wouldn't sink.

[Kavala]

Kavala just stared a moment, letting the sea water roll off her and trying to decide what she was witnessing. She set her mesh bag down with its load and still wriggling fish, and quietly walked towards him. The Konti didn’t say anything at all, not at first, as her eyes moved from the damaged hull to Riaris’ fists. Quietly, trying to be non-threatening, she reached out and captured his hands in hers, drawing them towards her so she could see the knuckles. Did he even know he was bleeding? “I don’t care about the wood. Forget about it. You are bleeding.” She said quietly, her voice trying to remain calm. It wasn’t what she felt inside, but was the reaction that she thought was needed for that moment.

Kavala tapped into her gnosis mark and flooded his hands with her healing, stopping the bruising as it happened and sealing the scratches and the one large spot he’d broken open the skin over his knuckles. She held his hands draped over her fingers, but ran her thumbs over the back of his hands soothingly, not looking at Riaris’ face, but instead at his wounds. The deck had fist sized holes in it now. That somewhat surprised her. She had no idea Riaris had the strength to punch through that thick of wood. Slowly, when the skin over his hands was clear and unblemished and the pain had gone, she raised her eyes and met his pale gaze.

“I’m sorry, Riaris. I don’t know what to say. I can’t change who I am for him though, so he’ll like me and want me. It hurt that he sampled the goods, found them lacking, and left. I would really like to get to know him, be his friend, and try and understand you both better, but I can’t make him want that too. I will not pretend to care about someone I don’t know beyond caring about them as a fellow living thing. And if he won’t even give me a chance to get to know him, how can I even remotely see to his needs and take care of him like I take care of you? I know in the long run I’ll want too.” She wasn’t talking about sex exclusively. She was talking about the little things that made relationships work – what his favorite color was, what he liked to eat, what he needed help with in life. That was all the things a mate was supposed to do for their loved ones.

“I can’t love you and not love parts of him if not all of him, but I can’t do that until I get to know him. You are two different people, I know, but you are the same too whether you want to acknowledge that or not. But it’s going to be hard, for all of us, if he won’t give me a chance and let me at least try. It was like he found me… lacking and repulsive. I felt like a brothel worker. I never want to feel that way again.“ She said softly, and then glanced up at him. She met his gaze for a few more moments, then noticed the wriggling fish. She rose, releasing his hands, and gathered the mesh bag. She dragged it over to where he was kneeling and gestured to it. "Will you clobber those fish while you're in a kill something mood? I already did but I wasn't strong enough to kill them. They are suffering." She said, back to her no-nonsense self, not giving him really any time to reply to what she had said a moment ago.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

Riaris continued to kneel and watched as Kavala came closer. She was always a beauty, and just rising from the waters only made her glow more. She was right, he hadn't realized that his hands were bleeding, and the new coolness that washed over his exposed flesh helped to sooth and calm him a bit. The Akalak didn't know what to do with himself, or his hands. He sat there, eyes watching Kavala as she healed his wounds.

Kavala was always sincere and open with him, and he loved that about her. But his featured changed as she spoke, her ideas about his brother were wrong, but he could see how she could be confused by what happened. "My brother can be hard to understand, even for me. But I can tell you that he didn't leave because he was disguised. His ways are different than my own, but he does care for you and wants you for himself. I think that was why he left."

He wasn't sure what else to add, but the rivalry was nothing that many human brothers didn't have, only they didn't share a body. "You are not to blame here, you were as kind and loving as you've always been. Recoomas has his own issues to deal with, and I think he may come around later. " He didn't want to ask her to forgive Recoomas, at least not yet, not until she had her time to deal with it. But it seemed that he didn't have too, as she continued to speak about her wishes. Riaris held her hands firmly and followed her gaze.

Kavala moved away then, and Riaris wanted to say that he was sorry, but wondered why he hadn't said so before. He was embarrassed and at a lost for words besides what he forced himself to say. Instead he turned his attention and aggression on the fish that were still flapping about. Raising his fist, he stumped on the fish quickly and forcefully to finish the job. Riaris collected them into his hands and turned to find Kavala.

"It may be hard, but we will get through this. You and I are strong, but we are stronger together. You mean a great deal to me Kavala, and I won't let this pull us apart. He will come around, I promise you." Riaris wasn't sure what Recoomas would do in terms of finding his own mate, but his darker brother had said that he wouldn't cause them anymore trouble, and for now that would have to do.