[All Things Wild] It All Begins Somewhere

by **Haeli** on December 19th, 2010, 6:25 pm

Haeli's answer to Brig's simple question about whether he'd be allowed in the library and indeed if he could learn to read was short. "You can do anything you set your mind too, Brig. Anything." She reinforced her words with one of her far-off smiles that seemed to say the witch had gone someplace else, most likely some other time, and was remembering something. She often did that when memories of her adoptive mother saying something to her sprang into Haeli's mind.

He didn't allow her mind to stay distant long though. His touch and his soft voice brought her back. Haeli had no experience with the opposite sex, especially not them touching her, so when Brig took her unspoken invite to heart and curled against her and holding her against him, she shivered deeply. When he splayed his hand across her lower stomach, and started stroking the area where her gnosis mark was etched, something warm began to burn inside her. She was seventeen and primed for his touch. It was ironic for while she vastly outnumbered him in years, his kelvic maturity and wisdom about life far exceeded hers. Brig was at least her equal if not older in his own unique way of aging.

Her breathing slowly increased and she arched her neck away from him unconsciously, giving his curious lips access to the hollow of her throat while they discussed Caiyha. It was fitting, Haeli thought, that they were coming together like this, solidifying their bond, while discussing the Goddess. For in a way what they were doing was something the Goddess dictated young people to do time and time again so that life could flourish and children could be born. "I don't know what it means, Brig. I wish I did. Ozantha said Caiyha marks those she for her own reasons and she keeps those to herself." The swamp witch said softly, the topic he broached was one she often thought about. Sure, Haeli was loyal and honored her Goddess routinely, but truthfully what made her special enough to merit a mark? The girl had no idea. "No, Brig. All Caiyha's followers don't all have one. You can worship her your whole life and never get marked yet still know her. Many people do. How could you not? Caiyha is the flowers and food we grow, the animals we befriend and whose flesh we eat. Caiyha is the predator and the prey. She's both a strong raccoon and the stubborn neighbor tomcat." Haeli said thoughtfully. By this time she'd leaned back into Brigs arms and was totally relaxed. Brig was free with his hands and his lips but Haeli didn't mind. His touch was like a soothing balm on her soul. Her thoughts, as yet, were still innocent, still focused on the book and the wealth of information it contained. But he could feel her reaction to him through the bond and how she warmed to him. Receptive but not quite ready, her awareness of him as a man was just on the cusp of awakening.

She picked up the book, continued reading, and glanced periodically sideways to catch her friend's expression. Her voice was deeper now, softer, and her expression one of contentment. Like him, if she wore fur, she'd have been purring. Haeli found his eyes were soft and edged with something she'd never seen up close. The emotion drew her, curiously, though she couldn't read ardor for what it truly was, at least not yet. She squirmed closer, allowing him liberties no Lhavitian would have normally allowed him, soothed rather than alarmed by his hands tracing her curves and gently exploring. Haeli was not a timid soul. One couldn't be and survive where she had been raised, in one of the most notoriously dangerous spots in the Unforgiving.

He was just another part of life, a very good part, and she embraced his presence fully. She had no concept that in other places his kind were treated as slaves, kept locked away, and that for a woman to have feelings for one would have made her something akin to the green scum that often floated at the top of a stagnant pool. It was alright for men mostly to touch female kelvics and use them as they saw fit, taking advantage of the bonds. But with women it was a whole different story depending on where you were. Haeli didn't know or care. Brig was lovely in either form, often making her laugh and one of the best defenders of territory she'd ever seen. Her life had been rather empty before, an awareness that had painfully grown now that another lived with her under her roof.

When he reassured her that they had bonded, and that he hadn't shown himself to anyone but her, the girl twisted in his arms again. Her smile was soft, thankful, and she rubbed her chin along his and then brushed his slightly roughened cheek with her own. Hesitant, then decisive, Haeli ran her lips across his in a soft kiss which caused her to shiver slightly. She tasted him lightly as she did so, opening her mouth to breath in his own breath in the way of animals exchanging greeting. The girl was ready, he could feel it, as his hands continued moving across her form. She rested her forehead against him for a moment, sighed softly. "Yes, maybe so. Maybe everything was supposed to happen like this. It makes me sad though. I did not want to loose my mother to come seeking a new life. You shouldn't have had to loose your family either." Haeli said.

Worry flashed across her features and she glanced around abruptly. He could feel the change in her immediately as her thoughts filled with new worries. Mentally she pulled away from him, her expression anxious. Her body stiffened, and its scent changed from receptive to worried all in an instant. "Brig, I want to build a home here. I want to make something of this place so I don't have to go back to the swamp, back to being alone. I love it there, and the Gyvaka is beautiful, but I think humans and kelvics need to be with others of their own kind, not alone." She rose and paced the length of the glass walled shop. It was empty save for her planters and what vegetation they'd managed to bring in.

"I worry we won't be able to set this up, Brig. This whole place has no furniture, no place for customers to sit, just bookshelves and glass. We need a counterspace, a large table and chairs, and well even a real bed upstairs rather than a sleeping pallet. I'm a little worried. A whole lot worried actually. Did I bite off more than I can chew?" She'd heard the expression recently, in town, and had loved it. And even though she laid out the problem for Brig, setting her book aside to pace, the kelvic was hearing two different stories from Haeli as she moved away from him. Her words said one thing and were filled with truth. But her emotions said another thing and were equally as truthful. Both bombarded the kelvic via his ears and his bond.

She was saying she was scared of loosing her home because she wasn't sure she could be a businesswoman. The worry was clearly translating itself into her fuss over no furniture which equated to her saying All Things Wild didn't look like other businesses in the city and that made her incredibly nervous. He read deeper, the bond giving him far more information than her words were. She didn't want to be seen as different because in herds those were the individual animals that got noticed by predators and subsequently killed and eaten. And even underlying that whole message was the confusion of how Brig made her feel and how he awoke things in her she didn't know existed and that in turn flooded her with needs she was totally unprepared for.

In many ways, Haeli was still a child. Brig was far younger than her, but being human and being kelvic were vastly different. She needed reassurance, positive reinforcement, or if put plainly in Brig's terms, a big strong male willing to let her know her territory was safe, well defended, and she had no businesses worrying all would be lost. Having a friend around in the last few days had changed her. It had reminded her of how tired she was of looking over her shoulder, wondering what was going to eat her next even here in this city. There weren't alligators or snakes willing to defend what was theirs. But people were just as scary. She moved off, away from him, and walked to the nearest glass pane to wipe at the moisture there and peer out into the mist-filled day.

"What are we going to do Brig? There's so much work to do. I think I have to go to that square and order some furniture. I don't want too but I think I must. And clothing so we look like everyone else." She stared at him intently, as if he might have all the answers even though she knew he couldn't. It wasn't that Haeli didn't have the money. It wasn't that she couldn't go to the furniture makers. It was simply that she was overwhelmed. There was a lot to take in. Alot... all in a short while.

by **Brig** on December 21st, 2010, 4:41 pm

If it wasn’t for the bond they shared and the sensations that came with it, Brig would have thought he’d somehow hurt her. Maybe frightened her or taken liberties that he shouldn’t have. When Haeli stiffened and moved away, the sudden turnabout startled him but the kelvic let go with a deep frown that took only a moment to resolve. No, it wasn’t those things, he decided. Their connection told him things that even his natural raccoon instincts couldn’t. That none of his senses could before they’d made that bond.

While she moved off towards the windows, he stayed put but watched her every move, listened to the changes in her voice and opened his senses. Not just to what she was saying, but what she was feeling. It was instinct that always told him more and served him best, not words. And it was no different now. Drawing his knees up further he rested his forearms atop them, and a huff so quiet it was barely there escaped his lips. It communicated an understanding better than any words he could have said. Still he thought the best ones were her own. ”You can do anything you set your mind to, Haeli,” he uttered and finally stood up and joined her at the window.

He looked out at the blue glow of the city, then bent closer and cleared his own spot on the glass so he could see the stars. They still fascinated him. He’d spent so much of his life in the wilds where the tall forests blocked out much of the sky, both day and night. Here on the peaks, they were like a shining quilt. He watched them for a moment, before looking back at her. It didn’t matter which form he was in. She was his bondmate, his mistress, his to protect. Whether it was from some physical threat, or from the thoughts that worried her.

”You didn’t bite off more than you can chew,” he said and smiled a little while reaching across the distance between them, and brushing his fingertips against her hand. ”We’ll work. We’ll set things up and we’ll make this...home. You’re not alone, you won't ever be. This is yours,” he said and glanced around them. ”and I’ll make sure that nobody says different,” he promised.

”Maybe I can build you a counter. And I can do other things. If you write down the things we need…I can’t read it but I can take it to places that sell them. And I can buy those things and bring them home?” he suggested. ”You should let me carry heavy things more. You don’t need to carry them all by yourself,” he finally decided and smiled at her again. It wasn’t only the things she brought home from the markets that he meant, the ones he tried to pry from her hands. She’d know he meant the worries too.

by **Haeli** on December 25th, 2010, 6:05 pm

Haeli glanced over her shoulder at him when he spoke and then offered him a small smile. She didn't say anything immediately but the fear ebbed from her eyes a little. Her fears ebbed even more as he joined her and rubbed his own little porthole in the frosted window to view their world with her.

She entwined her fingers with his as his gentle touch came in contact with her hand. Haeli glanced up at him then slowly leaned against Brig, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder. The thought that Caiyha had sent Brig to Haeli crossed the witches mind yet again, and she said a silent prayer to the Goddess, one of thanks, as she let his presence calm her.

But she shook her head at his words about the building being hers. "No. Ours, Brig. I believe that with all my heart. Nothing can just be just mine ever again, not now. But I'm more than fine with that." She added, letting her hip slowly brush against his and then lean there. Haeli was quickly getting used to touching Brig. It was as if she was starved of human contact, and in many ways she had been, for most of her life. He was warm, real, and a quiet strength beside her that drew her like candlelight flickering drew bugs in the spring. His offer was generous, but she knew she couldn't let him go alone. And she didn't want to go alone.

"How about we compromise and go together? I think I know what we need.. a large apothecary, a counter, table, chairs, maybe a couch and some end tables in our seating area and the bedroom needs a bed and a wardrobe for clothing. I don't want to sleep on a pallet the rest of our lives." At the mention of sleeping on a bed, Haeli flushed slightly. She'd agreed to many things with Brig and one of them was something one did when one curled around another just before sleep. She suddenly fidgeted beside him thinking about it and what it would be like. Her cheeks reddened even deeper and she turned towards him.

"Its too late to go now. We could first thing in the morning after we broke our fast. Can you think of anything else we might need? We can add it to the list... oh.. along with some new clothing for both of us. I don't think what we have fits in here too well." Haeli said, touching the sleeve of his tunic with the hand that that wasn't already captured in his. "And I'm done cleaning for the day. Seriously. This is a lot of work." She added, stretching slightly then releasing his hands to slide in between him and the window, facing him. She ran her hands around his waist and stepped up against him abruptly. It was a gentle embrace filled with promise and thankfulness. She tucked her head under his chin. "Thank you for the offer, Brig. I should have just asked. I don't want to go to town alone though. I have the coin for some furniture, and more will be coming in as we open. But its just overwhelming thinking of it all. A long counter would be great. Do you know how to make one?" She asked, curiously. It was hard enough scrounging all the containers she had for the indoor plants to get starts under the glass.

Haeli had picked the Gyvaka clean of plant starts. And after she got done digging the water garden out back, her trips would increase rapidly as well. There were lots of medicinal plants she could grow in the garden, most aquatic stuff that most Lhaviatians hadn't ever seen.

But that would wait. For now there was just Brig. She lifted her head, brushed her lips along the lines of his throat, and said his name softly. Haeli wasn't perfect. Her knowledge of the world was brought about by a Dhani woman's insight. She'd been raised Dhani for all intent and purpose. Though she looked human, acted human, and had humanity oozing out of her - the things she knew about were dhani things. That Brig was kelvic didn't help, because Ozantha had never spoken of the kelvic. What Haeli knew of the kelvic were what Brig had told her two days before. That was it. She had no idea what he liked, what he disliked, what his needs and wants were. Ozantha had told her to find someone strong enough to protect her, then ally with them, and make sure to keep them happy. Ozantha had been quite clear as to what happiness entailed. And while the thought secretly thrilled Haeli's body, her mind was nervous about it. She didn't want to make mistakes. And now she knew what Brig wanted, she'd do her best to go about it.

Ozantha had been lacking in Haeli's education in humanity. She'd only told her about the Dhani and what they wanted and needed, especially males. Coils were important. Ozantha had emphasized that over and over, most likely preparing Haeli for the most likely types of men she'd encounter in the Gyvaka. The Dhani and Symenestra often went there. Humans were more few and far between. Legs were not acceptable., Most of humanity in fact was ugly and unacceptable. Real beauty was found in scales, sensuous movements, coiling and hissing. Humans could do none of that, and Haeli for not the first time regretted her full blooded status. Haeli knew that in some primal way whatever she did was not going to be enough. Legs were inferior means of locomotion, an embarrassment, and something only an inferior male would like to be presented with. Brig was not inferior.

Haeli concentrated, knowing her change to a dhani's true form was so well practiced that she rarely had much trouble taking only a few minutes to do so. Brig had seen the form before, though she'd worn Ozantha's face and coloring. Haeli as a Dhani was a golden and pale green snake, her scales entwining from her neck, down her breasts, and across her torso to splay out across her arms. The legs vanished as her torso remolded into that of a serpent who's lengthy tail coiled around her. Haeli finished her transformation, slide back from Brig, and pulled her shift over her head. She was nervous, but Ozantha's instructions filled her mind. Wrap him in warm scales and he'd do the rest. Look lovely, be responsive, but no matter what happened, don't let him see your fear or nervousness. Many young Dhani died moving too fast or oozing too many chemicals that smelled like prey would smell - fearful and anxious. She had to be strong and then Brig would be happy and mate and be comfortable enough to stay with her.

Haeli moved closer, confident in her Dhani form and once more wrapped her around him. Scales rose up and a warm coil slipped around his body, bringing him close to her, giving him the advantage of dominance because when she was wrapped around something the way she was, there was no strength or ability to flee. Brig would smell no fear or prey scent off her. But deep within him he could feel the link and her nervousness and uncertainty. She was scared to mess up. She was scared he'd hurt her. Ozantha had warned Haeli that males often took no regard for their female counterparts unless those females ruled.

It was awkward to Haeli as well because Brig should have been wearing scales, but Haeli hadn't yet taught him. She had no idea how to males went about such things with actual legs. Her mother had told her mating with legs was shameful. Ozantha would approve if Haeli did teach Brig a Dhani form, having drilled it into the girls head that the Dhani had superior in every way. "I... I don't know if I'm doing this right. But I thought since you wanted too... well that we could..." She said, speaking softly as she nuzzled Brig's throat again. The scales on her own face and throat brushed his skin. She smelled like the spice of reptiles, like a snake, but not the biting kind. Having been in Lhavit less than ten days even with humans all around her, the dhani form was still far more familiar and comforting than her own.

After offering, the female was required to only wait. The male would either accept her exposed vulnerable position and mate or he'd scorn her and attack. Haeli didn't think Brig would attack, but all the sudden she felt terribly embarrassed being like that, wrapping herself around him, like she was begging. The witch wished Ozantha was there, suddenly, to coach her. But then again, perhaps Ozantha wouldn't have approved of Brig because he wasn't Dhani. "I think this is what I'm supposed to do. Is it right? You are supposed to ... to... " Haeli couldn't finish her thought. Instead she slowly moved her coils brushed his legs, hips, feet in a slow sinuous motion. Her face was flushed pink with embarrassment and she wondered if this was all there was too it. Would she even know when he had done his part? She didn't think he could do it fully clothed, but then maybe he could. The witch would have liked to have asked him and would have liked to understand what he wanted rather than guess. But she was too nervous and embarrassed. "I want to get this right..." She said finally. "For you..."

by **Brig** on December 29th, 2010, 12:21 am

Seeing the uncertainty lessen in Haeli’s eyes when she looked at him, and feeling it ebb away through their bond, reassured Brig to a greater extent than her smile alone could. It was his nature, his sense of purpose, and what he was designed for. Not just her bonded companion, but her protector. Her defender. And how well he did it, in large part, was how he measured his worth. In the wilds he’d know better what things to protect her from. But here atop the peaks, he was as uncertain as her but for different reasons. The kelvic knew that some of the dangers were much the same. But others, even if he didn’t know exactly what they were just yet, were new and different. And it wasn’t just the things that might physically harm her. But make her unhappy. And he wouldn’t let them.

He smiled back, and when she leaned against him she could feel other things. When their hands touched, in the way he wrapped his arm snugly round her shoulder and rested his rough cheek on her crown. No ordinary creature of the wilds, he was as capable of deep emotion as humans were. It was only the concepts, semantics maybe, which eluded his grasp. If anyone had asked him, he couldn’t have told them what love was. If he could have read, he’d hardly grasp the romantic lines men wrote about it. Or even fathom why they’d write things such as that down for others to read. In that way he was as simple as any other forest creature.

But Marcus Kelvic had insured that what he didn’t necessarily comprehend, he could still feel as deeply as anyone else. It wasn’t only protectiveness she could sense from him through their bond. Not only that or simple need or curiosity in the way he watched her sometimes. But something much deeper. Yearning, devotion, a deep affection that was more than just an attachment born of like, a sense of servitude or mutual need. Brig couldn’t have put any of those things into words, he was too new in from the wilds. But their bond meant that he didn’t necessarily need to, for her to know it.

”Ours then,” he agreed quietly. He smiled and as if to reassure himself, breathed deep to take in the scent of her hair. Of all the things he could have identified. The scent of the soap she used in her hair, the herbs she handled and prepared, he identified home. ”We can go together then in the morning, and get the things we need. But I have coins, and I want to help pay for them. Ours…remember?” he reminded her with a grin when she turned to face him. ”And we’ll get some clothes too. I see a lot of the people here wearing white and other bright colors. Things that might be dangerous to wear in the wilds, but maybe not here.”

”I’ve never built a counter or anything like it,” he admitted with a sheepish expression. ”But I’ve got tools and can figure how things fit together. And with wood and nails…I could try. Or we can buy one.” No matter which form, Brig wasn’t one to shy away from a perceived adversary. Even if that contender was made of ungainly planks of wood looking to be made into something useful.

She might not know the particulars of what enticed or felt good to him. But her guesses were good ones. As her lips grazed his neck, all thoughts of clothes and new counters were forgotten and a quiet huff of pleasure escaped his throat. And where his arms had stayed wrapped round her when they’d turned towards each other, his hands traced a warm path, lovingly exploring her bared arms and curves. He knew very little of Dhani, and nothing of their mating rituals. But he sensed that Haeli found her human form somehow lacking and could hardly comprehend it. She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. Her limbs were graceful and shapely ones, her eyes bright and her flesh, smooth and pink. Mostly though, she fit just so in his arms as if they’d been crafted for each other. He thought sometimes about how they’d fit together when they’d first bonded. As if Caiyha and Marcus Kelvic had somehow conspired to it.

So it surprised him when she began to shift. He watched, curiosity mixed with still building desire in his gaze. He removed his own tunic and trousers as she’d removed her shift. She was as beautiful to him in the form she was taking, as she was in her natural one. But while it was an admittedly intriguing question, especially when she came back and embraced him, coiled around him, something told him that unless their forms were largely the same…desire and instinct wouldn’t be enough to overcome their differences. If it wasn’t so, the kelvic was at a loss for how to go about finding out. The desire though, was definitely there and not at all diminished. It was Haeli, no matter her form.

And he was also uncertain. He might be grown and in his prime, but he was still untried. He’d witnessed his wilder cousins, courting, teasing and mating, but always from the outside. He’d known, even as a youngster, that it wasn’t what was meant for him. He had no similar references for human practices, but was convinced that instinct would be his teacher. But he was worried that he’d fail to please her, or be patient enough. That he’d disappoint her and she’d find him lacking as a mate and suitable protector. It was the kelvic in him, it was unlikely that his raccoon cousins grappled with those sorts of anxieties.

She was a powerful, wondrous distraction though. In this form, they fit together in an extraordinary way, if in a different one. He smiled, enjoying being wrapped up, coiled around and her lips grazing his sensitive flesh. He gently explored this new form, no different than he had her human one. She could sense that he wasn’t at all displeased, not lacking in desire, but only unsure. She was too, and when she worried he smiled and brushed her lips with his. And lingered, drinking in the feel and the new scent of her before drawing back just a little and resting his forehead against hers. He looked deep in her eyes, holding her gaze. She couldn’t have gotten it wrong if she’d tried. She could feel it through their connection.

”You’re beautiful,” he said. ”No matter which form you take. You shine.” She could feel the truth coming through, even if it was plain enough in his gaze, voice and touch. ”I don’t think you could get it wrong. But I’m not sure how to…” Now it was him that was a little embarrassed, feeling clumsy, unsure how to voice his predicament. But he didn’t release his hold on her, he only grinned and tilted his forehead back against hers. ”I think that if we’re going to, we need to be in the same form, our human ones so that we fit together…just so. I want that very much,” he told her, and his responses left little doubt. ”For the rest of it, I think that nature will show us the way.”

by **Haeli** on January 1st, 2011, 3:39 am

The girl was confident they could build a counter together. In fact, she was pretty certain they could build a life together if they worked hard enough at it. Brig had his strengths and weaknesses as did Haeli. In the swamp, she'd had to build lots of things because there were no places to buy them. Nails and planks could be acquired here whereas there they used driftwood and dried-out bogwood. They could set the planks on big stones or other things that could help support the counter. And the other more complex stuff they'd buy, like the big apothecary cabinet she knew she needed. Brig would help her pick and choose and together they'd get just the right stuff. But somehow, as big of a deal as it seemed a moment ago, it wasn't now. Brig was going with her and that was that. Next time she’d just ask… instead of grow afraid and timid and show weakness. “Let’s build the counter and make it look like part of the garden, like it really grew there instead of was made. Maybe we can use part of the old log down by the pond where we met, that fallen tree, Brig.” Haeli suggested, knowing it was a very special place for her and a very special fallen tree. She smiled, liking the solution and knowing they’d figure out how to haul part of it up the mountain and back to the shop to make it happen. But that was a problem for another time. For now, something else entirely was going on.

Haeli took a deep breath.

She felt a whole lot better about the shop that was for sure. Only, she didn't feel a whole lot better about what was currently happening. Things escalated, she got confused, and deep within her, Haeli felt like she did the wrong thing somehow and someway. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. And somewhere in the middle of the conversation they were just simply physically and mentally together. She felt Brig within her mind - in her awareness - as he most likely felt her. But there was such awkwardness about it, as if Haeli herself was trying to force something that should have been a whole lot more natural. And in a way, it felt wrong, how her coils wove around him. Not that it felt bad, it didn’t, because she loved the feel of his bare skin against her scales. It just somehow wasn’t right. Brig’s words cleared things up for her though. They needed to be the same, just exactly the same. She should have realized. Shame and confusion filled her momentarily because she didn’t understand why he wouldn’t prefer a Dhani form since they were superior even though his was only human. Only human. Haeli understood in that moment what Brig meant. He was what he was, and she was what she was, and that should have been enough. The wrongness evaporated as Haeli understood what he was saying and slowly began to try to regain the state of mind to shift..

Brig filled her with wonder, challenged her, and made her think about things in whole new ways Even, it seemed, if they were things simple enough she should have thought of to begin with.

As she shifted, her arousal brought more thoughts to her mind, driving away the shame at her silly mistake. Brig was so important to her that Haeli couldn't begin to describe all the ways she suddenly and inexplicably needed him. And in front of him, somehow, it was okay to make mistakes. His presence in her life was monumental, not only for the security he provided but for the courage he was always invoking in her. She doubted she'd have done as well in Lhavit without him. It wasn't so much what he did for her, which was a great deal, but it was what he provided for her. Brig gave her confidence. He was a better more equal partner than what Ozantha had been. He let her be herself and yet pushed her enough that she felt confident to do the things she did and not be ashamed or afraid. It was also okay to make mistakes. Just like right now, and the mistake she was currently making.

Haeli paused in her trembling and in the fear and uncertainty she felt. Brigs golden gaze met hers as their foreheads came together and rested. His gaze seemed to melt things in her that never did her much good; namely insecurity. Of the intimacy they were sharing, that single moment was by far the deepest. Brig held her eyes with his and offered her a grin. It was so out of place, so reassuring, that Haeli’s lips curled up in a matching smile. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a moment, and seemed to regather herself. She’d grown up in one of the most hostile environments possible. The swamp housed alligators in the interior and crocodiles near the sea that never struck the fear into Haeli that failing Brig did. Nor did the most poisonous of spiders or symenestra for that matter ever make her so nervous. But above that, she could barely contain the other emotions she felt.

But there was something else. Haeli burned under Brigs touch. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she could barely think straight. His warmth, his scent, his soft encouraging voice all drove her slightly mad in a way she could have never explained to someone else. Haeli was coiled about him, presenting, as she’d been taught to … but it was somehow wrong because it wasn’t who she really was nor was he Dhani. He corrected her in a gentle voice in the same moment as he called her beautiful.

He wanted her human, not something else. He wanted her as she was born not as she was made to be. Haeli took another deep breath.

Citrine eyes blinked as something that had been damned up a long time within her threatened to cut loose. Ozantha flashed through Haeli’s memory; every disapproving look, every moment she thought Haeli hadn’t been watching and the woman had found Haeli’s humanity lacking. Ozantha couldn't help it. She'd always wanted children, Dhani children, and finding Haeli had been a blessing for her. But being Dhani she'd raised Haeli as only she knew how not understanding how it left scars on the girl knowing she wasn't ever going to be exactly what Ozantha wanted. Because, for all the morphing she’d learned, none of it truly changed a human child into a dhani hatchling.

Haeli took a moment and tried to gather her thoughts, her feelings, but her body betrayed her. Scales coiled around the most earthly man she'd ever met. Brig smelled like loam and the bark of trees and the soft subtly spicy scent of moss and pine. He smelled of wild places and all that which made her feel at home. His body wasn't soft in places like hers was. Instead he was lean muscle and skin tanned dark from the sun. His dark hair caught bits of his adventures, tiny leaves and small bright ladybugs that used to charm Haeli as a girl. She couldn't help what she was doing because instinct drove her as much as thought. Scales were incredibly sensitive and in them Haeli felt a little beautiful. Brigs words reinforced that. But his words also told her what he thought they needed, not what was superior or proper.

Skin and legs was what he wanted. Haeli nodded slowly and concentrated on loosing her Dhani form. Scales softened slowly, morphing to flesh until Brig held something much smaller and more fragile. Haeli always smelled like herbs and spices, whatever she was working with that day or had been out harvesting. Her skin was not like the other porcelain pale skin of the Lhavitians. Her's was bronze, kissed repeatedly by the sun in places no woman should ever show skin. She also bore scars, like Brig did, of battles in the wild and the cruel markings of trees she'd climbed or thickets she'd forced her way into. There was also a wicked gash on a thigh made by a wild boar and a snakebite scar where nonpoisonous constrictors had tried to snack on her. And it wasn’t the only one. Haeli had a feralness to her nature that mimicked a kelvic to a great extent. It was a wildness that never quite left her eyes even though she was as human as human could be.

So when she stood in his arms with legs beneath her again instead of a torso of a snake, Haeli stepped back and looked at him. She ran her hands from his shoulders where they were holding him, across his chest, down his stomach, and gently touched his sex. She glanced back up in his eyes, released him, and ran her hands beneath it exploring the softeness there before slipping her arms around his waist and stepping closer. She was different now without the scales and he could feel that softness in her breasts and the flare of her hips as she pressed against him. Their bodies fit together perfectly, she a bit smaller than him, but just as strong in the end.

She loosely draped her arms around him, gently stroking his spine and upwards to his clavicles, her fingers looking for her eyes in that way she was always studying new forms unconsciously. She drew in the scent of his skin by running her lips up the flare of his left shoulder. Their bodies were molded together without being completely one, though it would take very little effort by either of them to make it so. But she was still afraid, uncertain, and worried she’d fail him. And he could tell that’s all it was.

But Haeli withdrew slowly, unashamed of their nudity and seemingly unphased by it. She once more caught his gaze, then released her arms around him to stroke at his forehead with her hand, brushing one of his unruly curled locks out of his eyes. She smiled sheepishly and shook her head. Blond hair, tangled now like usual tossed gently about her as she laughed a little sad laugh at her own expense.

“Brig.. I… we’re horrible at this. Do you think we can just go upstairs, curl up on the pallet in my room, and go to bed? I mean to sleep? I.. well I… I meant to do this for you tonight, for us, but well, I messed it up and I do want it to be perfect. It feels a little like I know how juicy alligator tastes but I’m trying to force some meat onto someone who’s not quite hungry. Well, no, that’s not a good explanation. I mean, I can feel that your hungry, but I … well its just so awkward. I… “ She couldn’t voice what she wanted, but he could feel it clearly through their bond. Haeli wanted what she’d seen in the wild, what she knew a good joining could be; spontaneous, unashamed, unplanned, and beautiful. Her wants weren’t what a normal woman would want. They wanted rings and coin and stability and husbands. Haeli simply wanted the stark beauty of Caiyha’s promise of the wilds being wild. He’d probably laugh her out of the glass topped store if he knew she was thinking of all the times she’d witnessed what they were trying to do in the swamp and saw how beautiful and powerful it had been. Here, it wasn’t beautiful, it was something forced and not perfect and she wanted it to be perfect for him. She wanted it to happen suddenly, one moment when neither of them planned on it with neither of them thinking about it or fussing over it. Granted, she was doing far more fussing than he was. But then again Brig didn’t seem the sort to overthink things like Haeli could.

She stepped away, dragged a hand through her hair, and flushed bright red. “I’m messing this up aren’t I?” He heard her loud and clear though. She wanted to wait. She wanted it to be spontaneous. Haeli suddenly reached forward, caught his hand, and looked everywhere but at him. “I know this is a city and people do things their way here, the people way. Even Ozantha wanted me to eventually do things the Dhani way. Everyone always thinks their way is the best way and tells me how to be or think or feel.. But we don’t have to live like that. I want the wilds here too, because Caiyha’s ways are the best ways Brig. I promise you. Not Ozantha’s ways nor my ways nor anyone elses. Let’s let her pick the time and place for us be it later tonight or maybe even never. Just come to bed with me Brig and lets forget I am so silly, okay?”

Being seventeen, regardless of how hard and fast she had to grow up elsewhere didn’t necessarily guarantee Haeli knew what she wanted or knew how to live her life. Haeli was being pulled two ways painfully. Her body was reckless, filled with desire, and utterly wanting to satisfy itself with someone she clearly thought was the best of the best for the job. But her mind knew better than that and knew that preparations needed to be made so she wasn’t a mother before she wanted to be and that she didn’t wreck what Brig and her were working on before their bond had time to really stabilize into something that could take the added dynamic to their relationship.

Haeli sighed, furrowed her brow, and looked confused again. “Or am I making too much of this?” She asked.

by **Brig** on January 3rd, 2011, 2:41 am

Whether he’d meant to or not, Marcus Kelvic had crafted creatures that would forever grapple with the question of just where instinct ended, and where sentient thought and intellect began. Even if they didn't know it. It was an internal conflict that made a mess of the line which separated man from animals. Brig, and those like him, were both at once.

He was created to be both animal and man, intended to be and bond intimately with humans. On two legs he was as much a man as any other. But he’d never be human. He shared their capacity for thought and reason. He was subject to the same things that plagued them. Like loneliness, shame or uncertainty. He also shared better things with them, like humor, empathy and even love. But he was kelvic, and his wilder instincts would always dominate his thinking and his view of the world.

If you were hungry, or even if you weren’t but food was scarce, you ate. If you were tired it didn’t matter the time of day, dark or light, you rested. If something smelled interesting, sometimes you just had to roll around in it a little. And if it felt good and right, then it was. And everything about the way he and Haeli fit together, the way they touched either other, felt both good and right as nothing ever had before.

Except for some little something that was getting in the way. He could sense that Haeli felt it too. It left him feeling less than his usual boldness and confidence, and her skittish and awkward. It struck Brig as she was trying to explain her similar feelings. They were trying to organize something, time, place, setting and circumstances that ought to come naturally, and not be orderly at all.

Not that his body necessarily agreed. When she’d shifted back and come closer again, they’d explored each other as intimately as could be, short of being completely joined together. Her firm but soft and wondrous curves and moist places to his harder lines. Her fingers had traced heat wherever they went and left behind chilled bumps on flesh still wanting for more. He hadn’t stood idle, but had explored her as thoroughly as she had him. And it had nearly undone him and sent him not spiraling, but plunging headlong over the brink. Spontaneity was a foreign word to Brig even though the concept was intuitive to what he was. But his body wouldn’t have minded trading a little of it, for indulgence and gratification now.

But the instinct that drove him most, was his bond to Haeli. And pleasing her. He could feel her conflict. She’d pulled back and he tilted his head and looked at her, his gaze locked with hers and he smiled a little. ”I’m very hungry,” he told her as if to reassure her, or in the unlikely event she’d missed the signs, the extent of his building desire. ”Do you remember the hot spring, where we bonded?” he said. What had happened, their intimacy, had stunned him. But he’d never felt awkward, or compelled to be anything but what he was.

”We didn’t plan it or know what, or how it was supposed to be. We weren’t thinking about where we were, or if anyone was close by. We didn’t worry about how it ought to be done. Nature chose the way, and it just happened. But it was right, and good. I think it’s how this should be too. I think that you’re right,” he decided. ”We should stop thinking so much, and let Caiyha show us.”

Brig knew that it would take longer to convince the rest of him that it was better to wait. But he wasn’t self-conscious about it and merely smiled at her again before looking around them. ”We can bring the wilds here, like you say, and bring them indoors. I can knock out a section of the floor,” he suggested, ”beneath the highest part of the ceiling and we can plant a tree. We can put in a pond for fish and frogs.”

He grinned back at her. ”and we’ll go down the mountain to get part of that tree. We’ll bring it back and make it into a counter that looks like it grew here. We should go soon. But not tonight, it’s late. We’ll go to bed, and I won’t sleep on the floor outside your door anymore,” he said and took her hand and let her lead the way.

by **Haeli** on January 3rd, 2011, 6:07 pm

Haeli didn't mind that Brig wasn't human for all that he looked human. She was uniquely hardwired to understand that looks meant nothing and the physical form was all subject to change. She didn't need him taller, shorter, or less raccoonish. In fact, she happened to really like him just the way he was. Haeli had never really had a friend before, not a real one that talked back to her and interacted. She'd had playmates in the swamp and imaginary things that had become substitutions for friends and people she knew. There was an old oak she talked to as she would a mother. The stag that lead the swamp deer herd was often her confessor in lue of a father. All the creatures she knew taught her various things and seemed to step in and fill various roles in her life. So it wasn't strange at all that she'd found a raccoon the perfect companion and felt amazingly lucky that he could be human-like enough to stand side by side with her as a bondmate.

Haeli often thanked Marcus Kelvic for Brig, whether Brig knew it or not. She could understand the reasons he created companions and wanted so very much to not be alone.

Brig didn't seem mad at her either. She expected a male denied the right to mate to be upset. But he wasn't. In a way she could feel somewhat that his needs were her own and that he adapted slightly to suit her. It caused her to furrow her brow and feel upset with herself because she knew what she'd read about the kelvics and didn't want that for Brig. She wanted him to be his own creature, her partner sure, but having his own needs met as well.

When he said he was very hungry she smiled and nodded. "Me too, Brig. Me too. We'll do something about that soon enough, alright?" But she could read him as he read her and they both knew he was right about the pond and about how things should be. Strangely enough, for a raccoon, Brig was right about a whole lot of things. Haeli smiled, suddenly, wondering if the day would ever come that someone would underestimate him just because he was a coon. She already felt sorry for that person when the day came.

To his plans she nodded. And before they retired to bed, she made herself up a list.

New Clothes: Brig & Haeli
Furniture: Apothecary Cabinet, Large Bed, Wardrobe or Chest to Store Clothing, Desk & Chair - large, two sided so they both could use, glass bottles, jars, vials at the glassmakers
Tools: Axe, Rope, Pulling Harness for an Okomo, Sledge Hammer to remove floor for tree
To Make: Counter, Benches throughout the Shop (or other seats? Logs or Stumps? Planter and ponds.

Haeli felt tired, drained even, just looking at her list. But then she realized shopping with Brig would take care of the majority of the list and leave only the things they needed to build inside together. So she left the list on their makeshift table - a couple of crates - and took his hand to go upstairs.

She curled up with him, the length of her back against his chest and her head tucked beneath his chin partially resting on his shoulder. Haeli slept deeply and peacefully the whole night through, surprised really that they hadn't decided on this arrangement before. When Brig moved, she moved, always gravitating towards him and needing to be with him. Haeli wasn't clingy by nature, not at all, but somehow with the kelvic it was different. She needed him. And if he slipped away at night at all to do some nocturnal rambling, she didn't mind at all but simply kept his place warm for his eventual return.

And in the morning, she woke him with a gentle kiss that belied the apprehension and excitement that plain filled her up at the thought of having to go to other shops, spend money and help get their own going"It's time. Do you want food before we leave?" Haeli was practically quivering with excitement and dread. It was an odd combination for sure.

by **Brig** on January 4th, 2011, 8:31 pm

Brig craved her closeness and that connection between them with all of his senses. Whether they were awake or sleeping. It was the most natural thing in the world then that they should lay curled together the way they did. But still the feel of her warm, bared flesh against his, played sweet havoc with him. Curled into her on his side, his arm snaked around her waist and his hand resting just below the swell of her breast. Her sweet scent filled went to his head and made him feel intoxicated and restless at the same time. And with the added reminder of what had happened before, it made it difficult at first to convince the physical part of him that it was better to wait.

He laid still and quiet though, not wanting to disturb her and eventually the steady rhythm of her breathing lulled him off into a sleep that was fitful at first, then more contented as the night wore on. He snored just a little in his human form, but quietly.

He slipped away only once before morning, as quiet as the night itself and shifted into his coon form. Assuring himself that she was sleeping safely and soundly, the kelvic made his nightly rounds of All Things Wild, inside and out. Along the top of the wall that surrounded the place in whole. Making sure that all was as it should be, that nothing either animal or man was lurking about that ought not to. Except for a small owl keeping a watch of his own up in his newly adopted roost, entirely too small to view a large coon as a prospective meal or rival, the kelvic found nothing else to concern him. Even his peevish old friend was sleeping sound and contented snug in his burrow.

So just as the moon began its early morning descent over the horizon he was back, shifted into his human form again and curled up with Haeli under a thick blanket. When she rolled over to kiss him, he smiled without opening his eyes and shifted closer to her for a moment before stirring again. And when he did roll over on his back, he blinked drowsily at her and stretched like a cat. And reached up to gently tug on a tendril of her hair. He found its color to be a wonder, a sharp contrast to his own dark curls and he never tired of feeling it slide through his fingers.

He could have stayed there like that through most of the morning. But there was a list in the other room waiting for them. Lots of places to go and things to do. And ultimately her excitement was contagious and he sat up, finally fully awake. ”Maybe only some cheese and some of the wild plums I brought back from my last trip down the mountain, if we have any left,” he suggested.

He grinned a little then and with his arms round her waist, rolled them both playfully over to the edge of the pallet. Pinned gently beneath him, he kissed her with lingering affection before rising up and offering her his hand. ”Where do you want to go first?” he wondered. He’d have to dress first. Even if not for modesty, for the Lhavitians’ sake not his, it was growing too cold now to go about unclothed in his human form. No matter how thick his coon’s pelt had gotten with winter’s approach.

by **Haeli** on January 7th, 2011, 7:04 pm

Brig was slowly becoming something Haeli had never had before - a partner and friend. It was hard for her though, living virtually without family with only an elderly Dhani as a caretaker for most of her seventeen years. She didn't exactly know all the intricacies of being the best sort of friend and where boundaries lay. Haeli had a lot of fear of messing up her situation with Brig even though the book she borrowed from the library seemed to say that once Brig bonded, he'd gladly adapt to her world.

That scared her. What she wanted, truly, was for him to be his own person. The girl was too worried to really sit down and give it the type of complex thought it needed to understand that Marcus Kelvic designed the kelvics to be what their bondmates needed and wanted most... and that in wanting Brig to be his own person with his own needs so fiercely, Brig would see that as a need his bondmate had and would automatically compensate for it.

So she was careful with him. She tried really hard not to project her worries or insecurities, but rather show him the side of her that was bold and confident, the girl who needed little and would survive on next to nothing. And when she thought he wasn't looking, she studied him, marveled at all he was, and watched him with eyes that were filled with thoughts of him and a slight bewilderment about why.

Curled up next to him at night, Haeli slept off and on. She'd never been a deep sleeper out of necessity. Waking easily and at every little motion, Haeli spent the night touching Brig quietly, learning his body, his scars, and toying with his curls. When she thought he was deep asleep she took liberties learning the texture of his skin from the roughness of his cheeks to the softness of the curve of his bottom. It most likely wasn't the right thing to do, but she couldn't help herself. And there were some parts of him that were even more fascinating than others, parts she couldn't resist exploring too.

It was as well that morning came quickly and that he'd left long enough for Haeli to slip into a deep sleep. The kelvic was way to distracting to her otherwise. His return woke her, and his delicious suggestion of food woke her stomach which growled in response to his suggestion. When he rolled her over, pinned her and kissed her, there was no fear in her eyes only joy and an enthusiastic response of returned kisses. Haeli had settled down a great deal after the night, and it was a tangible change Brig could read with the expertise of his maleness. Gone was the tension, worry, and fussing of earlier. She was at home with him, comfortable now, and unafraid. It was as if curled together at night, their two scents mingling, doors had been opened that had allowed fear to flee. The sensation changed things as Brig would most likely understand, especially by the way Haeli arched beneath him enthusiastically, smiled like she could melt the sun, and rose with a spring in her step after taking his hand.

"Furniture and clothes first and the rest of the shopping, then we'll go tackle the tree. I've been working on an Okomo shape so we'll see if I can pull it back here. I'm not sure though. I'm not a very big one." Haeli said, knowing her Morphing could be better. The girl trailed Brig down to find the remains of the cheese and wild plums. They'd have to pick up more food in the market, Haeli calculated, as she divided up the last of the food they had in three portions. Haeli never forgot to slip out back and leave the old coon on a low fork of the massive garden tree, nor was she ever particularly greedy about food. She grazed much like Brig himself did, never fully appreciating the luxury of cooking a meal verses just snacking on simple foods throughout the day.

This was probably due to the fact Haeli had never in her life had a cooked meal. Dhani liked their food raw, and Ozantha had brought Haeli up in the same manner.

When they were dressed and ready to go, Haeli took their list and set out with Brig for the shops which were actually located within the Surya Plaza. The place was huge, crisscrossed with vendors and store fronts that all but confused and intimidated Haeli. She didn't try to let Brig know the reason they circled the plaza twice before picking the first shop to go into was because she was afraid.

Surya Plaza :

Haeli quietly offered the list of furniture to the Shop keeper who was also a woodworker and carpenter, and he quietly reviewed it. He was familiar with the building she needed the apothecary for and quickly scribbled down some notes and then worked up a plan to suggest the drawers Haeli needed which would be located in an unusual spot behind the counter Brig would build. Nodding, Haeli looked to Brig to decide if it was suitable or not, his expertise in the area far outweighing her for all that he was a kelvic.

If it passed Brigs scrutany and he had no other suggestions, Haeli also picked out a very plain but functionally large bed, a wardrobe and chest, plus a large desk that indeed could be two sided. Everything that was already made was set up to be delivered the following day, and the carpenter would take the final measurements for the apothecary and shelves then as well. If Brig wanted or needed anything, Haeli let him shop for anything he might need as well. She was lucky too. Wanting a fireplace installed in their building, Haeli spoke with the store manager and he knew of someone who could install one quite easily and the carpenter himself would create a hearth.

Haeli probably got carried away, but she'd seen the other shops and wanted hers to be competitive so she got a few extra things as well. Once everything was paid for, they were free to move on to the next store.

Furniture purchased :

With the carpenter's shop out of the way, they were free to move on to buy some clothing and food. There was also a tool shop and harness store to visit. Haeli was growing more comfortable even though all the people and questions and prices made her nervous. The whole concept of money was new and she didn't like spending it all that much.

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by **Brig** on January 9th, 2011, 10:19 pm

Brig began their outing never more than an arm’s reach from Haeli. Curiosity about the city and the Lhavitians beyond the walls of All Things Wild, he had plenty of it. But it had been only a few days since he’d first come, and at first he treated their venture out into the still strange city as he would a previously unexplored patch of wilderness with all its unknowns. But he knew the dangers of the wilds. Here, it was learning all over again.

The night they’d spent curled and tangled together had only strengthened their connection. For him, it and his awareness of her was as acute in sleep as it was in wakefulness. The insecurities of the evening previous were forgotten. The things that had worried him then, no longer did and were replaced by a greater confidence. But it came with extra protectiveness too. During the outing, he watched for dangers he couldn’t know or name. But he watched her too.

He could sense her nerves and excitement, but by their second time around the plaza, he could also feel her growing confidence. His own curiosity was much like hers, and he smiled a little and stopped behaving like a looming shadow intent on swallowing her whole. Instead he fell into step beside her, took her hand in his and allowed himself to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. The kelvic even paused once or twice beside a vendor outside a shop window to look over their wares.

Curious things he’d never seen or smelled before. Fruit that looked like stars, unfamiliar sweets and pastries that he’d surely have a weakness for if only he’d gotten a taste of them. And other wares that gave him an idea of what humans found useful or appealing. All the better to gather ideas for his workshop, and what he might produce there. The Okomos were curious creatures, they smelled like nothing he’d come across in the wilderness, and he’d grinned when she’d mentioned morphing into one. ”We’ll need a good harness and some sturdy rope,” he’d suggested. ”But I can pull too, you won’t need to do it with your strength alone.” Surely between the two of them it would be enough to haul a section of the tree back home.

”We could bring back some nuts and fall berries with us too,” he supposed, ”to add to the food we buy in the city?” The hunting wouldn’t be as good, the available prey not quite as abundant as the weather got colder. But then his diet wasn’t as reliant on game as some other creatures of the wild were. Haeli would have come to notice though that there were things he tended to favor even when fish or mollusks weren’t available, like eggs, fruit and nuts. And honey or sweet cream seemed to make everything better.

The woodworker’s shop was of particular interest to the kelvic. And if he tried at all, he did a poor job of concealing it by exploring every inch of the place and poking his head into odd corners to have a closer look. It struck him that if he could learn a little carpentry himself, he could put it to good use in his workshop. He paid special attention to what the man had to say, even the figures he jotted down that were as mysterious as if they’d been hen scratch. He grasped enough that he agreed the apothecary would be just what was needed, and the placement of the drawers behind the counter they’d build from their fallen tree, just right. He’d smiled at her after it was all explained, and agreed. And surely whoever turned up to put these things in place would have a curious kelvic peering over their shoulder.

He liked what she chose for their furniture, the bed in particular. In truth he’d never slept in one before. As a child, even out of the crib he’d only had a pallet to sleep on. It appealed. As a creature that liked perching in high spots and treetops, it only made sense he’d like doing his sleeping high above the floor.

He’d brought his coins with him, and as foreign a concept as it was to him to buy rather than barter, he was quick to extract half of the purchase price from his leather pouch and hand it over. Like any kelvic bent on one thing or another, he was determined to pay half. He was looking forward to their next stops as well. What clothing he had was very little and from what he’d seen, not at all like the Lhavitians tended to wear. Still he wanted clothing that was loose fitting even in winter. All the better to shift and slip out of if need be. And the tool shop, beyond the purchase of their axe, rope and sledge hammer, it was a natural curiosity where surely he’d discover even more possibilities for his workshop. Things he might think on and come back for later.