[User]
There was only ever one soul that entered his chamber without knocking. Of course, the heavy footfalls of the guards down the hallway already announced the High King's approach. As always, he remained available, but he didn't turn his attention to his lord until Halorym called him. He should have dropped everything to give the man his all as soon as he stepped in the room, but Elegath loved hearing his name on the man's lips. He was, perhaps, just a little spoiled, but this was one of few flaws in his otherwise unfailing obedience. Halorym had never seemed displeased with him for it, unless Elegath missed the signs. Sometimes, he wondered if that slight weighed against him in his quest for something more, but even a Consort had his pride. Elegath needed something---well, somethings---to set him apart from the rest, not that he would ever brag about this little custom. It was simply for himself.

Lowering the book, he turned and offered the High King a practiced smile. That wasn't to say that it wasn't genuine, as he was always glad to have Halorym in his room, but there was decorum. As he stood, he set the tome on the vanity. Elegath bowed deeply before erecting himself, still nude from his recent bath. The thought of actually dressing for the Blood Moon was an entertaining thought, as any other time he might as well be stripping instead. "With honor, Sire."

He let his eyes wash over the handsome man before him, considering the look he had chosen. At any party, Elegath was first and foremost an accessory, like a piece of fine jewelry that one could display and wear at will. Though, in that way, he was more like a piercing. Turning, he fetched a few pieces from the vanity. The jewels echoed Halorym's lavender color, but they paled against his beauty. Elegath hung one between his horns, another from his right ear, and two more from small clamps. The latter of which, thus far, remained on the surface of the vanity.

From the wardrobe, he fetched a sample of black cloth. The top, despite its long sleeves, barely covered his torso; it stretched from shoulder to shoulder, but stopped before his nipples. Each leg was hugged by a sleeve from a v-cut at the top of his foot, to a pointed arch at his thigh. The only thing that covered his genitals and rear was a strip of cloth not three inches thick, hanging from the golden chains that circled his hips. The cloth was accented in a bronzed gold, nothing as magnificent as what a High King might grace, but suiting of Elegath's natural colors and, he thought, his lord's serious demeanor. He forewent any sort of footwear, almost daring any host to invite the High King to walk on dirty floors.

Taking the clamps in one hand and a few other choice accessories in the other, he stepped up to Halorym and offered them all in open palms. "Do any of these please you, Sire?"

[Assistant]
Halorym examined the jewelry that was offered, and rather than selecting, commanding, he gathered up the pieces he liked in his hand himself, a beautiful ring he'd gifted Elegath with a large, gold stone in it with a shine like the eye of a dragon, a few twinkling bracelets, and those clamps. He put all in one palm, and used the other to set the pieces he was no interest in aside, glowing green gaze hooded by long eyelashes as he turned Elegath's hand over and slipped the ring upon his finger, a pang of yearning striking him that went completely hidden over the gesture, the bracelets next, and then the clamps, which he secured and felt a different, more delicious pang from the sight of. He thumbed at the pretty dangling gems, their purple color certainly flattering as any other purple stone Elegath adorned himself with in Halorym's honor, before his fingers slid up those bared, pale pectorals and along Elegath's neck, cupping the Consort's face in his hands.

He did not show his pleasure easily on his face, not one to smile or laugh much at all in his serious, quiet demeanor, but his gaze said enough as he peered at Elegath, thumb stroking across his cheek. Perfection. Any of the other three Consorts would've put themselves in an annoying little tizzy and take an hour or two to get ready, half of that time dedicated to provoking Halorym into fucking in a way he was hardly ever known to ignore. A King had his appetites after all... and while most royals of the High Court believed he perhaps an appetite for wine, or an appetite for fine things like jewelry, his truest, most constant appetite, was for carnal pleasure. Even just then, the beauty of Elegath, his efficiency and effortless handsomeness made Halorym slick in his britches, made him want to sink and tug that tempting bit of fabric that kept Elegath's genitals hidden away and sink his mouth against him, coax the Consort's delicious and perfect appendage from the protective folds of his sex and straight down his throat. He'd make those pretty chains on Elegath's hips jingle while he landed him in the plush, veiled bed just a few steps away and saddled himself on them, fucking until they both ruined their clothes and had to choose a new motif. Such lurid desires played out in his mind almost incessantly, particularly when it came to Elegath, but he hid such a thing so impeccably that even then, so close, it might not be noticeable that he was craving. Though... this was his most dear... so perhaps Elegath knew,as he often knew those things, able to read the subtleties of Halorym's nature in ways the High King had never anticipated in a Consort.

He opted simply to kiss him, lapping his tongue into Elegath's mouth and sucking at his tongue, fingers gliding along the upward curve of the Consort's ears to cup the back of his head. A reward for now, a small one, for being efficient and reliable and ever so captivating. Those hopeful, foolish worms who wanted to make themselves pets to him would see Elegath and know, surely, they were so very beneath him in all ways. He'd indulge when the night was over, after all, the Blood Moon festival was bound to be titillating for everyone, watching and drinking and eating or partaking in whatever carnal fantasy the Kelmanets have concocted. Halorym pulled back before he risked loosing himself and indulging in the reel of debauched pleasures that continuously played over in his mind, taking a step back to look Elegath over as though he needed to assess him when truly, he didn't. "Good." He appraised. "A carriage waits. You may partake of the festival, if you wish." He allowed, if only for the chance to see Elegath be beautiful with others, and further emphasize to anyone in the room that this Consort was the competition to be beat if they wanted even a chance to catch his eye.

[User]
Golden eyes followed the ring as Halorym slid it into place. That gift had always given him hope that the High King saw more in him than just another consort, but the following years had not been in his favor. Yet, the ring still fit his finger perfectly, reminding him of the pleasure he felt when he received it. Elegath had never asked if it was chance; part of him didn't want to hear the answer. He wanted to believe that Halorym knew what would fit him and had it crafted only for him. Like the first time, the High King dressed him with the jeweled band, keeping all desire and intents locked behind a handsome, stoic countenance. Elegath knew him well, but there were secrets in that vault that even he couldn't access.

His mind wasn't on the bracelets, but the clamps managed to pull his attention. Ah, there was the glitter behind the keyhole. For all of his composure, there was something wild within the High King. Elegath wouldn't lure it from Halorym's heel; it was better to let it sit and fester. It usually meant he would have more of his time and, if lucky, affection. Then, at the end of the day, they would break that dam together.

A slight smile played on his lips as lavender hands ascended over his skin. Sweetest were the kisses he didn't have to share, where he could taste no other man on Halorym's tongue. There was little he hated more than wearing another consort's balm. Elegath returned the kiss in kind, adding no more passion than Halorym had. Sweeter still would be the kisses later that night, unrestrained and plentiful, but his heart would cherish the tender touch of this one.

He stayed as Halorym admired him, enjoying the attention. A brow raised when the High King voiced his permission, and Elegath's lips curled. He normally wasn't one to participate in such events, if only because he was a picky eater. However, there were times when even Elegath liked to enjoy himself, especially if he thought Halorym might delight in watching. "When you are ready, Sire, I am." Beyond the door, he would fall into place by Halorym's side, arm laced around his.

[Assistant]
Halorym did offer his arm to head out, walking with less briskness than he usually did when he was alone, conscientious enough to match Elegath's pace rather than dragging his beautiful consort about. The guards that followed saw them into the carriage, and as the ride went on from the palace out into the province, Halorym was silent in repose, his hand draped across Elegath's thigh the whole time, but his mind elsewhere on matters of state. Occasionally, his mind would wander back to his lovely Consort and prompt a stroke of his thumb or a mild squeeze at the flesh there, but his attention was drawn away by his duties after such delicate shows of attention.

The party itself was already a bustle of action, and per usual, the Kelmanets had spared no expense. This festival, they had gone so far as to install a pool right in the middle of their atrium with a domed window up above it, placed just so that at midnight the moon would be framed in spiraling gold and shimmering colored glass. The pool itself was full of people, whores waiting for attention and lovers in all arrays of display from simply enjoying the water and talking to out right fucking up against the beautifully tiled walls. The water was colored a rich, lurid red, dyed with Earth's Blood, a rich mineral that did wonders for the skin but was known for making water look this way, like actual blood. Very entertaining indeed. Because the party involved a pool, there were guests in all arrays of undress or in clothing meant to be wet, and Halorym knew right then, as entertained as he was by the elaborate set up of the festival celebration, he would not be partaking in that pool unless something truly tempting was lurking in those waters. He was already titillated though simply watching, glowing eyes cooly scanning the scene as he was announced and all turned to bow to him, showing him respect for an appropriate 3 or 4 seconds before chatter and laughter and high, pleasured moans filled the air again.

Halorym glanced to Elegath on his arm, and before even moving to join in the festivities, he tipped himself to press a kiss to Elegath's cheek, and another to his neck, having seen right away who in this crowd were eagerly awaiting his arrival, and who still gazed upon him when the festivities had returned to full swing. Those eager little doves... they'd have to try harder to be less blatant. There was a dais for him put aside from the chaises and tables of other guests, and he lead to it, Elegath allowed upon his right side, while space to his left was left empty in a representation of his lack of betrothal. He accepted the greetings of the Kelmanet patriarch and matriarch, the polite bows and greetings from others who populated his court, but once all that nonsense had been done with, he clasped his hands to rest his chin upon them and watched the goings on of the blood-soaked pool, expression completely neutral, but attention fixed. Events like this always offered sexual fantasies unlike any other parties of the year, so he watched and only turned his gaze away to accept wine, taking sips of it while he enjoyed the view.

He would give Elegath some pointed attention soon enough... he had brought the other man to show how valuable he was, how deeply he was cared for to the ravenous vultures who wanted to join his harem, but he had all evening to make a show of how entranced he was by Elegath's beauty, and he did have an idea or two of how to enjoy this party without getting completely undressed, but still making it obvious how Elegath was unmatchable in poise, handsomeness and sexual prowess.

[User]
Elegath was quiet in the carriage, mind wandering contentedly, but he smiled when Halorym's gentle affections pulled him from his thoughts. When they arrived and the High King was announced, he didn't bow with the rest. Elegath, at that moment, was more of an accessory than an individual, and no part of the High King should bend. Besides, Halorym had already seen all of the ways his body could contort in service and devotion, as he would enjoy for many moons to come. On his own, to the other royals and nobles of the court, he would show whatever respects were appropriate, as long as they didn't interrupt his service to Halorym. Elegath appreciated all of the loopholes; there was only one entity he would honestly submit to. Everyone else was beneath him, along with those greedy sluts with their eyes fixated. Before them all, he received his lord's kisses like a cat basking in sunlight, gracious and deserving. The sun may not shine for him alone, but the solarium was his.

Taking his seat at Halorym's right, he settled in naturally and made himself comfortable. He poured Halorym's wine before his own and watched the festivities by the High King's side. Halorym had given him permission to enjoy himself, but he had no intention of leaving him so early in the night when the hungry tramps were still cocky and wanton. Besides, Elegath had not yet found anything tempting enough to lure him away---nothing that couldn't wait. The crimson pool was littered in sin delightful to watch, but his eyes were drawn to the dome above. A single, wicked machination came together in his mind. As his lips curled, he brought the wine to his mouth, watching his handsome companion from the corners of his eyes. Elegath quietly wondered if Halorym had already laid out the evening in his head. Perhaps he could still impressed upon him. As he placed the glass on the table, he leaned against Halorym, turning his head to speak softly against his ear. "Sire, will you give me the deepest hour? Let me enjoy your company at midnight."

[Assistant]
Halorym's gaze drifted towards the beautiful domed roof, the moon sliding its way towards its nesting place in the intricate swirling frame---just a sliver of it had breached the circle, perhaps an hour, hour and a half of this tizzy and festivity would have to wait before it was at its height. He turned his head after a moment, seeming to contemplate it but having already decided his answer the moment the question was asked. He kissed Elegath on the lips, sucking the lower lip in a slow, tempting pull.

"It is yours." He agreed, reaching to tuck his finger beneath Elegath's chin to admire him without any regard for anyone else in the room. Let them roil with envy, that a King who was known for his coldness could be so warm to one man. He kissed him a second time, hand drifting to cup the long, elegant side of his Consort's neck. "It is an entertaining sight isn't it... better than the spring, I think," He suggested between kisses, voice cool as though carrying on a trivial bit of small talk while his hand wandered over Elegath's shoulder, down his arm, fingers slowly tracing. "I don't think... I shall partake this time... but it is a delightful sight." He mused, his fingers finding wrist, jumping ship from Elegath's arm to trace across his hip, down between them to press his palm in a firm knead, his index and middle finger making lazy, back and forth strokes at Elegath through the finery of his clothes.

It would be obvious to anyone who had their eyes locked in fixation upon the High King and Consort what was going on under the table, and while it was hardly even erotic compared to what was going on around them, it sent a very blatant message. Halorym didn't often touch his Consorts in this way in public---it was rare, not because he did not love to touch them, but because touching and teasing made him ache, and he could hardly keep himself from seeing such playful petting to its fullest fruition. But he would. He was a King, and had the vice grip control appropriate to his station when he needed it. He wondered if Elegath had predicted the political nature of this, and if it would bring him pride or insult that he had been brought to be put on display. A discussion for later, when they were alone. Just then, he preoccupied himself with kisses and stroking, his fingers only barred from using all their talent on Elegath's sex by the barely there fabric of his attire.

[User]
Elegath wasn't surprised that Halorym agreed, but he smiled gratefully. How often did Halorym refuse him? He couldn't be sure. Hadn't the last time been over the idea of a small orgy? Elegath's request had been modestly tucked away in a flirtatious suggestion, so he couldn't be sure Halorym had even recognized it for what it was. Then again, wasn't the High King clever enough to have discerned that Elegath would rather not share? It was hard to play nice when the other consorts had their hands all over that gorgeous, lavender skin.

The kisses, however, were a little unexpected, at least in their bounty. Once the pattern was established, each time Halorym broke away to speak, Elegath impatiently waited for the next. He dared not rashly give chase, lest the High King only seek to tease him---did he intend to wind Elegath up before turning him loose like a shark in the water, or had the festivities excited him?

He moaned against that last kiss, the sound of it spilling into open air as the High King broke to speak. As he licked his unsated lips in search of another taste of him, Elegath regarded the man with half-lidded eyes. Shamelessly, his legs spread for Halorym, obedient and eager, and beneath the thin, black fabric, something stirred against his touch. The pointed head of his cock peeked out from within its sheath as Elegath surrendered to those fingers. He still wasn't sure what the High King had in mind, but he would enjoy the attention regardless of the intent. However, he wasn't sure how to respond. "Will you not partake in any of it," he asked, and lightly rocked his hips against the touch. "In any of this?" Of course, Elegath would behave if that was what Halorym wanted, but the man wasn't usually one to tease cruelly.

[Assistant]
Halorym's expression was as neutral as always as he listened to Elegath speak, his fingers teasing aside fabric discretely to dip one digit inside of his Consort, kneading the pad of his finger against the underside of Elegath's cock while slowly thrusting in and out of that sheath. He considered his options at the question---He had promised Elegath the midnight hour, but company could mean many things between the two of them, and he wasn't entirely sure if Elegath meant to enjoy such company here, or to take their leave. He pondered it while leaning back into kiss Elegath, sucking at his tongue and teasing his teeth along his lower lip, just to coax at that well hidden want. Halorym quite liked it after all, that Elegath had the grace to restrain himself, but not in a way that seemed cold or disinterested---Halorym himself had no such skill, given that it was not in him to be wanton, and he typically got whatever he wanted, eventually. He eased another finger inside of Elegath up under his emerging phallus, palm kneading the head as his fingers slowly stroked in and out along the underside of him.

"Perhaps a little. It would be bad form, not to indulge some, given all the work the Kelmanets have put into this festival celebration." He reasoned off-handedly, eyes falling down between Elegath's legs to watch the half hidden movement of his hand, thumb tucking under the fabric to make it so he could watch his fingers and palm work up against and inside Elegath. "Beautiful." He praised quietly, taking a glance around the room for some spot that offered even a semblance of privacy. There was none... but perhaps that was for the best. It irked him that if he enjoyed Elegath in such a public place, the eyes upon them might yearn for Elegath as much as they yearned for him, but they could make up for that when they were alone. "What do you think, Elegath?" He asked with a casual air, his fingers moving just a touch faster to be provocative. "What part of the festival would you recommend enjoying? The supper? The chaises, just there under the moon lamps? The famous Kelmanet garden? The Earth's Blood pool?" He had already told himself he would not indulge in that much nudity, but if he could get enough drink in, perhaps he'd tolerate it, as long as no one touched him without his permission.

[User] Elegath peered deeply into Halorym's verdant eyes, even as it became increasingly difficult to focus on the man's words. He wanted so much to look down, to see what his king was doing to him. His lips parted only briefly when the first finger slid into his sheath. Were they in private, he'd have spilled his voice freely, but he wasn't entirely sure what was appropriate in their current situation. He could feel eyes watching them, and something about that thrilled him and made his body sensitive. His cock replied more honestly than he did, obeying Halorym's summon as it did every time. The second finger sent a shiver up his spine and a heated sigh escaped him. Was he allowed to reciprocate? Perhaps a display of obedience was best.


[User]
Lee trudged past burnt out husks of buildings in search of food. A dirty yellow-gray sky offered no real solace in the flat plains of the dead ground below. No vegetation seemed to want to grow in the cracked, broken, and water-starved soil. Luckily along with his pack, Lee carried a supply of fresh water. It was limited but it would get him over the next rise at least. He past blackened, charred remains of what was once vehicles as he went up the barren hills towards the mountains. His boots thudded loudly in the eerie silence that filled the desolate wasteland. Luckily it was not too hot as the sun hid behind the cloud cover. Wrapped in a fur-lined coat and his hands covered in leather gloves, Lee walked along in search of food and fresh water. Sweat grew on his brow as there was no wind to relieve the heat of his body as he moved.

Tired legs moved up past the plains and into the hills. By the time the sun was descending in the sky, Lee was exhausted. There had only been decayed, leafless skeletons of trees around. No leaves. No green. As he slogged further away from the bombed out shell of the city and up further into the mountains he saw only blackened earth. NO fruit or animals nearby. As he found himself going into a valley that lay hidden in the hills, Lee began to lose hope he would ever find anything in the accursed wasteland. His water would not last forever and without food, he would soon starve.

His boots slid over loose sediment as he went down a path and into the valley. The view of the broken city soon was blocked out of view by the rising hills and mountains. He was breathing heavy from hours of travel and was about to stop when his eye caught sight of something in the middle of the valley. Something he thought he would never in his lifetime see.

Rows upon rows of green trees. Fully grown. Bushes. Even fruit. It was a garden. The garden was almost like a hidden oasis. It was circular in nature and seemed to end as it touched the other side of the valley. Lee did not see water but he thought with such vegetation there had to be somewhere. The sight had given him his second wind and he began to run towards the plant life, passing small shrubs at first then bushes. His boots actually trod over grass and fern. Soon he was surrounded by tall trees which bore all sorts of fruit. Some he had not seen in years. His mouth salivated as he plucked a peach from a nearby branch and sank his teeth into it. He savored the sweet flesh of the peach as juice dribbled down his chin. He ate unaware he was being watched.

[Assistant]
Juniper had been on her own for some time. The garden had been a product of her parents, outcasts from the human world, and she'd been raised to keep it up. She'd lived a humble life surrounded by only her family and a half full of other trusted magical creatures. She was small, compared to what her mother had been in her adulthood, but her parents had always marked it off as a result of the human apocalypse that had happened in her youth. The fall out from war and disease didn't effect many mythical creatures in terms of cancer or death though most found that their off spring were stunted. Juniper was no different.

The coloring of her skin was tanned from the summer sun though the white of her tail had not changed. She slithered around the ground, through the cool green grass, and tended to a small sapling that had fallen over in the last heavy rain storm. Juniper wore no clothes and her bosom was proud and perky as she moved around without a care. Her sex was exposed as well though she had no need to be worried about a mate. No other Naga had been around her home in some time... she knew she would have to move away from her oasis in the near future but she had decided that she would stay here as long as she could.

Juniper moved around a tree and there before her, was a man. She froze for a moment, unable to understand what she was seeing, and blinked. She hadn't seen a human in many years.

"Oh... hello," she chimed and waved a delicate hand at him, her breasts swaying with the motion. "Can I help you?" she asked with a smile, surprised, but happy to have company for a change.

[User]
Lee almost choked on the bits of peach in his mouth. His eyes went wide with fear. His feet went backward while leaving the rest of him causing him to lose his balance and fall over with a loud thunk on the grass. Lee coughed up what was in his mouth onto the ground unable to appreciate that what he was laying on was quite rare in the world. "Wh-who... wh-what?" He stammered, his brain not yet believing what he was seeing. Lee had heard rumors of monsters roaming about the ruined landscapes but he had never thought he would meet one.

He was so taken aback all he could do was backpedal on his elbows and feet until he was stopped by the trunk of a nearby fruit tree. "Yo-you-you're... r-r-real?" it was all his brain could process to say. His eyes took in every pale inch of her body. She looked like a normal tanned human from say the waist up but below that was a long tail like a snake. In her smile, Lee could see small fangs also snake-like. After what seemed like agonizing moments he managed to gain control of his arms and raised his hands up in front of his face in a defensive posture. Reaching for his gun was a thought but it was trapped between his body and the tree he had scuttled back against.

"Go away... leave me alone!" Lee scrambled to get to his feet. his heart was pounding in his ears. If he could just get up and get to a safe spot.

[Assistant]
The man's sudden movements frightened Juniper and she coiled back and away from him. She wrapped her delicate white tail around herself and bit her bottom lip.

"Of course I'm real!" she protested and, once he'd stopped moving so erratically, she uncoiled herself and moved a little closer.

"You're the one that seems unreal! I thought humans were extinct," she said and looked at him. He was small, undernourished, and looked very weak. She, on the other hand, was healthy. She wasn't overly trim and curve of her hip to her tail was plump. Her breasts, while perky, were full and delightful. Juniper did not have pubic hair, it wasn't in their kinds nature to grow it.

"You're in my garden, sir, I'm not going to leave you," she said and placed her hands on her hips. "You're also eating my food. Care to explain?" she asked him and moved closer.

[User]
Lee had to brush tangles of dirty blonde hair out of his eyes as well as the sweat. He sat up, not having the strength to get to his feet. The scruffy beginnings of a beard that was growing on his cheeks itched. As he looked up at her, she seemed to tower above him even though she was somewhat slim. He was of average height but having to ration food and sometimes go without had given his body a lean stature under his coat. It took a while for his brain to get in gear and to think of a response.

"Your garden?" He asked softly. He felt she was scolding him as a mother would a child who has just broken an unknown rule. He had the absurd thought that she did have curvy hips. He banished this thought, finally getting his feet under him and standing up. His back groaned in a complaint from the weight of his pack. His eyes stayed on her, afraid she might lunge forward and strike him dead from behind if he dared turn away from the creature.

"Look, I was hungry. I'll leave.." Slowly, Lee took a step backward.

[Assistant]
Juniper watched him and frowned. "Yes, my garden," she said and slid closer to him, breasts swaying with the motion. When he said that he would leave she shook her head, bosom bouncing as she did.

"You don't have to leave but you can't tell me to leave. I live here," she said and leaned over him. She wrinkled her button nose and tilted her head. "Stay, eat, bathe, and relax... just be nice," she said and turned away from him for a moment and, using her strong lower body, coiled up the side of a tree and plucked several perfect peaches from the tree and came back down. Carefully she handed them to him.

"I've got vegetables too... but no meat. I'm a vegetarian. No meat for me. Animals are so difficult to find anyway and those that are here I consider pets... so be nice to them too," she said and smiled, showing her fangs, and smiling sweetly to him.

[User]
Having no meat was disappointing but having vegetables and fruits was better than no food at all. He watched surprised as she climbed up the tree and plucked a few peaches from its branches easily. He was hesitant and did not take the offered fruit right away even though he was still hungry.

"No meat? You don't eat people?" He asked, remembering the fangs he saw. Her smile came off as predatory. Call him a skeptic but Lee wasn't sure if he believed something could live out here this long without eating some kind of meat. Lee took the fruit but did not take his eyes off the smiling creature. "Animals?" Lee had not seen anything resembling a healthy animal in some time. Most were either, sick, dying, or dead. Then something else occurred to him. "You're the only one here?"

Lee turned and looked the way he had come. It was quite a steep incline. He doubted he could climb it. Maybe he could stay, he thought.

[Assistant]
Juniper smiled and shook her head, her brown curls bounced with her breasts, and she flicked her tail lazily. "Oh, of course I don't eat people! That's just a myth anyway. My jaw doesn't open like my very distant cousins anyway. Naga don't work like that," she said and turned away from him and began to slither toward her home. "Yes! I'm the only one here and I've got a very nice lunch cooking. There's enough for two! It's a vegetable stew with carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, tomatoes and some hearty red beans. I think you'll like it. I've also got bread in the oven. It'll be done shortly," he said and motioned for him to follow her.

"Oh, and it's nice and warm... why are you wearing such silly things?" she said and pointed to his clothes before she turned back toward the forest and then waited for him to follow.

[User]
Lee was flabbergasted. this creature wasn't acting like he thought it would. The stew did sound nice. "You have an oven?" This surprised him more. Was she hoarding some technology that allowed her to cook? Lee was hesitant to follow but did anyway. The meal was too good to pass up.

"Where do you have an oven?"He asked. He still had the peaches in his hand. "Because I am cold."

Lee was curious as to where the creature lived. "So how do naga work?" he asked, following her toward the forest.

[Assistant]
Juniper smiled when she saw Lee following her. It had been so long since she'd had company and was happy to have someone to talk to aside from the birds and rabbits.

"It's a simple wood burning stove. No electricity, unfortunately. It's pretty primitive out here," she said as she moved through the trees with ease. Her lower half shimmered with the light of the sun and looked almost metallic, though she wasn't.

"How do we work? Oh! Naga have to eat like humans because out upper half is human. Though... we do eat quite a bit because our tails take up a lot of energy," she said with a blush.

"So, eating people might as well be cannibalism, which is super gross," she laughed. Juniper came up to some brush and used her long tail to push it down. Then, there, sitting in a small clearing in the trees was a house. It was made of mortar and stone as well as wood and there was a chimney that had smoke gently wafting from its stack. There was another clearing, through a small clutch of trees that lead to a massive garden filled with fruits, vegetables, and many other things. There was a small creek that could be heard on the other side of the house, but could not be seen.

"Here we are! After you eat we can go bathe if you want. I'm due for a bath myself. I can heat some water if you like too, I know a little magic and I have a pool dig out that the creek feeds," she smiled and meandered forward toward the door of her home. She opened it and welcomed him in.

[User]
Lee was amazed this creature was capable of both operating a wood stove and also magic. He had never seen magic before. He assumed they were always just rumors. Things out in the blasted landscapes and desolation that could do supernatural things. Lee never thought he would meet one. He realized he was very glad she was being hospitable and not eating him for dinner.

He kept his thoughts to himself as he followed her to her home. He kept two steps behind, his eyes scanning left and right for any dangers or landmarks. Trees surrounded them on all sides. Not dead hollowed out husks or skeletal remains but actual living trees. Each with tops full of healthy green leaves and foliage. Despite her being so nice, Lee still had his reservations. He expected this to be some elaborate trick or some trap. Like she would turn evil all of a sudden.

Instead, she just wandered along and stopped only when they reached a house. Lee blinked, surprised the structure was whole and usable. "You live here?"

[Assistant]
"Yes, just me and the animals here," Juniper said with a laugh as she slithered through her door way and found a two towels.

"I can wash your clothes for you too if you'd like. I may even have some new-ish stuff that will fit you. I collect it. Sometimes I find things in my woods or in the surrounding areas. I also crochet a lot too!" she said and then wandered back out of her house and toward the creek.

Once at the creek she hummed a little spell and dipped the end of her tail in the water where she'd dug out a pool and added stones to the side to make it nicer to sit down in. It immediately heated up and Juniper removed her shirt and exposed her breasts and the skirt around her womanly hips that revealed a human-like womanhood---hers was without hair.

Juniper slipped down into the water and smiled up at her new friend.

[User]
Lee found this information quite astounding. He had never in his wildest dreams thought monsters would be so... accommodating. For more than a moment, he thought perhaps he might have fallen asleep and he was in a dream, following this creature through his dream until he would wake. His thoughts stumbled as he followed it into her abode.

"H-how do you know how to do such things? Who taught you?" he asked when his tongue found the ability to form words. He imagined such an intelligent creature who could talk and live out here alone would have collected quite a bit. The thought of a bath was ever more enticing, however. _Maybe just quick dip,_ he thought.

Lee wandered behind Juniper, still trying to wrap his mind around a creature that could crochet when she spoke some strange words and the creek which she stood by began to bubble as it heated up.

"Amazing!" Lee heard himself say. His eyes grew to the size of the stones in the water when he saw her disrobe, revealing her neatly shaven womanhood. his cheeks grew warm and red. Quickly, he began to shed some of his clothes so as to distract himself from staring.

[Assistant]
Her breasts floated on the water and she watched him disrobe, a small blush forming on her cheeks when she saw his manhood. It was flaccid and hung from him and Juniper couldn't help but stare.

"We can eat after we bathe," Juniper said and grabbed a cloth to hand to him and took one for herself. She wet it in the warm water before pouring a small amount of a rose scented soap into it. She set that one to the side and grabbed a bottle that had mint in it and handed it to her new friend.

"It smells a bit more manly than the rose, I think," she said with a giggle and then sat up out of the water some to begin to wash her self. She ran the cloth over her bosom and her torso and glanced at him every once in a while to watch him bathe.

[User]
A blush warmed his face as he felt her eyes upon his naked body. To avoid any more embarrassment, Lee slipped quickly into the water."Ah!" He moaned, feeling the wonderful warmth on his flesh. He allowed himself to relax just a little. He was still with a very deadly creature he reminded himself. Granted she was being very polite but he was still on edge. There were so many things she had that defied the reality he had traveled from. Magic. Herself being alive. Also the garden. It all seemed very surreal.

Lee looked curiously---and a bit warily---at the bottle she handed him. "Where did you get those?" His eyes were inexplicably drawn to her breasts as he couldn't help follow her motions.

[Assistant]
"The soap? I made it," she chimed as she rose out of the water a little and ran the cloth down over her hips before submerging herself to rinse her body. Her breasts bobbed on top of the water. She smiled warmly and blushed a little as she undulated her tail through the water.

"I... I've never seen a human male nude before. Your... anatomy has me curious. Um..." she blushed and moved toward him a little, appearing suddenly bashful, "Do you mind if I touch you there?" she asked and pointed below the water where his member was.


[User]
The anthro kingdom had heard about Charles' incredible ability to command his troops into war. It has been said that the man had never lost a battle and this concerned the Emperor greatly. Prince Charles' territory was slowly growing larger and larger, and soon he would be embarking on the borders of his kingdom. He sent for tacticians, planners, and military advise. It all came out the same. It was best to try and work out some sort of deal with the man.

But the Emperor did not know much about human customs and he did not know if Prince Charles knew much about their customs either. Plus there were rumors that the man didn't know much about social status and situations. It was said he only knew about war. He did not know if these rumors were true, but he had to treat them as if they were.

So, the Emperor decided to send his most trusted adviser, Bracken. He not only chose Bracken because he was trusted, he also chose him because he had noble blood in him. Bracken was related to the Emperor and although he was not a prince, he could end up on the throne if about 5 others could not fill the position.

Bracken was a large, muscular, wolf anthro. He was 6 foot 5 inches tall, and muscular from head to toe. His thick soft fur was mostly gray and white, with tan on the forearms and lower legs. His big, bushy gray and white tail swished as he walked.

He was wearing ceremonial garments, with many layers of silk and cotton. His job was to befriend Prince Charles and possibly even teach him how to be more liked and open to even his own people. He needed to gain his trust and slowly work out a deal without the Prince knowing that the Emperor was concerned about his actions.

When he arrived, the Palace Guards came very close to attacking first and asking questions later. But he convinced them that he was on a mission of peace. He was there to usher about some sort of deal with the prince. He was lead inside and would be waiting on the Prince to talk to him.

[Assistant]
Curiosity it was one of the prince's strongest traits, and that was no different when it came to what he saw as he quickly entered the palace, but stopped on the way to the throne room by the sight of a very large anthro creature standing in the hall. A massive canine-esque being who stood there with such a regal air about him that the big guy's royal upbringing just radiated off of it. Charles had to admit he found himself timid about even approaching the other. However to not greet a guest would be quite rude, and so stepping forward with a nervous bow, "Hello there my good man, Prince Charles Castex at your service... is there anything I can help you with, or where you waiting on someone else. Normally the servants do this, but I find that father wants me to help with task such as greeting and helping the guest. Just so you know..."

Charles felt the need to explain since it was very unusual for a member of the royal family to perform the actions that would normally be assigned to a servant. A lot of it had to do with the young man being the runt of the litter, and so he was not expected to ascend the throne by succession anyway. It was true that he did have the loyalty of the entire army to the point that he could perform a coup if he wanted to, but there was simply no ambition. At least not yet... something for Bracken to cultivate if the big guy wanted to do so, and of course there were other things that Charles could do for the canine however he always was pretty good about making sure to never bring that up... well at least not outright anyway,

"Plus I have to admit that this does explain his reason for wanting me to come back so soon, which in case I guess it means that whatever you do need I can arrange for, or any services you need I can carry out." Most people didn't get the true meaning of the last part of that sentence, given that Charles was a prince and the possibility that he would be willing to do such things... well... to be honest he preferred the idea of avoiding it if he could. Rubbing over the back of his hand, Charles gave a little signal that had the Imperial Guards go back to their assignments, as he suddenly realized he hadn't even asked the most important question, "I almost forgot... what is your name good sir."

[User]
Bracken could almost taste the timidness rise from the young Prince. A small smirk rose from his furry maw. The Prince seemed so small compared to himself. He felt as if he were twice his size, but that wasn't quite true. But despite his smaller size, the Prince was handsome, and had a regal quality about him that seemed to radiate in the room. Charles seemed to be rambling about servants. Bracken knew that servants often did these tasks, but he was there to specifically see the man. Charles let the guards go about their business when he asked Bracken his name. His voice was deep and strong. "My name it Bracken Forester."

He took a few steps closer to the prince, but very slowly not to alarm the guards. Did the man not know that he could pounce on him and tear him apart without a second thought? "I am here to see you." He walked close enough to the Prince that his shadow overcast the smaller male.

"I wish to discuss a treaty with you between our two nations." He leaned forward and took a long sniff of the Prince, invading his personal space. He had to practically bend in two to reach the Prince's height. "I know neither one of us want unnecessary blood shed. "

He slowly walked around the Prince hoping to make him feel like prey in front of a hungry wolf. He knew that if he did attack the Prince, he would be dead a moment later. But that was not what he was there for. He stepped one step closer. "But I have one important question for you."

He leaned further forward, standing behind the Prince. He furry face touched the Prince's cheek, and he whispered his question. "Are you a virgin?" His hot breath would hit the Prince right in the ear.

[Assistant]
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Bracken. I am sad to say that your reputation doesn't exactly precede you. Don't take that as an offense though, given your visit was a bit unannounced, I didn't have time to do any research on you so that I could take steps to make your stay as comfortable as possible. So while I do have the typical fare prepared, please don't hesitate to let me know if I have left anything out..." His words drifted off as the large canine drew closer to him the proximity of the anthro against brought that adorable blush creeping over the young man's pale features. Charles tried to hide it behind his long black hair, dark black eyes never meeting Bracken's when the big guy began to speak to him. He had to admit though, he found himself confused by what the other was suggesting... a representative of Animal Kingdom, or Kingdom of the Gods as some of the peasants called them, had come to visit him specifically. Charles had suspected he would taking care of this guest while they were meeting with his father, but no... it seemed that they were here just to see him.

"A... a treaty? Lord Bracken are you sure you want to be talking to me about a treaty? I have never been known for my skills with diplomacy. My father usually has me take care of our Empires problems with the sword because that is where my skills have always lain. My second oldest brother or one of the ambassadors might be able to help you even better with that problem, that much I am sure of it." Charles smiled sheepishly at the big guy as he scratched the back of his head nervously, the blush on his face growing worse as the other male came so close and began sniffing him. Poking his pointer fingers together the prince began to wonder why his father would do this. Little did he know that half the so called treaty had been arranged, and it was he who was the price paid for it. By being the youngest male of the family, not only was his ascension to the throne unlikely, but also the fact that he might try to take it and cause a civil war was a problem too. It was something that had always been done, with younger prince's being trained to become warriors, scholars, priest, or married off if it was needed... as for Charles fate well that was a bit more complex,

"Well that is why I have avoided invaded your kingdom, and a treaty would be a good way to cement the peace we have. However I don't see where I fit into this picture..." Charles knew that something about this treaty involved him, given the fact his father had let him have free reign when it came to wither or simply wanted to expand the kingdom or not. What he didn't realize was the details that the treaty had entailed a possible mating or even marriage between two nobles of the kingdoms, if the position of tutor/advisor worked out. The anthros had much to teach the younger human kingdom, and so in their eyes it was a matter of responsibility as well as an attempt to avoid bloodshed. Charles indeed felt like he was being hunted, eyes awkwardly following Bracken, peeking over his shoulder for only a moment before turning back to face the front again, "As I told you before Lord Bracken you have only to ask and I will arrange whatever you..."

His voice grew into an adorable tremble at the end that easily answered Bracken's question more than any actual words ever could. Then there was the fact that the larger male's face was pressing against his own, meaning Charles had to resist nuzzling back into the big guys fur given its soft fluffy nature. Forgetting for a second that canine was right behind him, the human took a step backward, his form pressing back up against the larger male's body. Charles was very sheepish and submissive when he was like this, and also a bit less mindful of what came out of his mouth, "If by virgin you mean no one has ''claimed me'' yet as I guess your kind might call it Bracken, but... well... I have... you see been told by a few that I am very good with my mouth." The last part he stuttered through in that cute way of his. Frankly he would not have told Bracken that information had he any idea of the canine's position among the nobles of his own kingdom. Typically one did not mix with their lowers, but this was a special case given the out-line of the treaty, and from Bracken's perspective Charles probably was his lower no matter what, but not in a bad way.

[User]
Bracken could almost taste the fear rising up in the young prince. The Prince backed up into him, and he came very close to whisking the man away to a nearby bedroom and showing him new and exciting adventures. It made his sheath bulge just a little thinking of it but doubted the man would feel it under all those layers of clothing they had between them. He chuckled a little as the man said he was very good with his mouth. Somehow, he wasn't sure if they were talking about the same thing. "Mmmm, I would love to test that aspect." His tongue came out and drew across the shorter man's neck and lead up to his ear. He paused long enough to scrape one of his sharp teeth along the earlobe, but not piercing it.

His right hand touched the man's back between the shoulder blades, and ever so slowly drifted downward. "I was sent to you so we could learn to---get to know each other better." And with that, his hand swooped down to the man's buttocks and squeezed a nether cheek.

"I am an adviser sent to teach you how to be more---sociable." With the last word, he squeezed the other nether cheek. His hand then went to the man's side and worked its way back upward. He felt along the man's cloth on the man's chest. His face was still next to the man's ear so he would feel each breath as he talked.

"I'm here to elicit a bonding between our two---nations." He tweaked one of the man's nipples His hand worked its way down the man's chest to his belly and navel. It was obvious where the anthro was headed considering what he had just done.

"After all, we are two nobles trying to---bind..." He cupped the man's crotch hoping to feel an erection. He pushed his butt forward so the man would feel his bulge on his butt. "our nations into one."

[Assistant]
"Yes Lord Bracken, I have to admit that I would as well... I have never gotten to taste an anthro before, I am sure I wouldn't mind spending all day enjoying the taste if it is any good." Despite the fact that Charles seemed so nervous and mortified, there was a method to his madness when it came to what he was saying. Given he had enough practice up to this point in the use of his lips, the prince would use that skill to satisfy those he was require to pleasure enough that they would be happy not taking it any further than that. However this was an anthro, and their sexual libido was known as being much higher than that of a human. So he doubted that Bracken would be finished with him, even after being sucked off a few times, but that didn't mean that Charles wouldn't try... his thoughts on that subject were interrupted, as the canine squeezed his butt,

"Oh... I see... and by learn about each other you mean..." He didn't even get a chance to finish because Bracken had already grabbed him again, and then began to pull him close to that strong and powerful body. Charles had to admit that the presence of the other's strong chest pressing into his back, that strong arm wrapped around him and moving up his body gave the young man a sense of safety and security. Even as adorable moans where drug out of his mouth whenever Bracken nibbled on his ear, or even more so licked across his neck. This action more than any other had a bulge quickly forming in Charles pants, pulsing hard... the young man's desire was still centered around pleasing the canine than himself. He just hoped that his skills would be enough, but it didn't take long for it to be made clear what was going to happen, and exactly why he had been called back to the palace... and it was this very thought that continued to sustain him timid nature, and cute blush,

"You mean of all people... you want to... you mean you are going to, but Bracken..." His voice faded away into a moan as the bigger male cupped his crotch and would have his answer written in plain English. It told how Charles felt instantly, and how much he desired what the anthro was offering him. In fact if Bracken was holding onto hard enough, he would be able to feel the human's dick pulse through all those robes especially when the big rubbed that bulge on his butt... an act which caused the larger male's erection to slip between Charles cheeks, hot-dogging him... while the prince playfully grind back into it figuring to himself that if he had to have his first time now... at least it was with one of the handsome anthros like Lord Bracken. So pointing to a door across the hall he said, "In there you will find a spare outer bedroom. You can lock the doors if you are about to drag me off to do what I think we both want to end up happening."

[User]
Bracken's one arm was holding the prince close to him while the other was still fondling his crotch and expanding member. He was trying to determine the size and girth of the prince's private part through the fabric of the man's pants. He sniffed again to ''taste'' the arousal. His nose was very sensitive and came close to detecting emotions. The erection just confirmed what he already knew.

His own hot dogging cock was also starting to swell and emerge from its sheath. If he were not wearing cloth the Prince would see his reddish-pink tip protrude from the end of his sheath. He paused long enough for his copping a feel to take off his top. To do this he would have to stand to full height, making the human look dwarfish. His bulging muscles rippled with just taking off his shirt.

"Mmmm. Now why would we want to lock the door for?" He chuckled. "Hell, I'm considering having you order your guards to watch me fuck the hell out of you." Bracken was bold. There was no question about that, and it was very difficult to tell if he was teasing about the guards or not.

Bracken walked around the front of the Prince so the man could see him without his top. He still wore his cloth pants. "Strip for me!" It was a command tone and not a suggestion. His eyes locked in on the Prince. Was he supposed to just strip right there? What if his father came in. If there was any pause Bracken growled a low deep growl just slightly, showing off his sharp teeth.

[Assistant]
Surprisingly enough, the young man chuckled in an amused tone at Bracken's command, a Cheshire Cat-esque grin spreading over his still flushed features. So it seemed that the canine was one of those types, the kind of males who even in the heart of potential enemies lair... expected to maintain complete control of everyone around them. It took only one look at the shirtless anthro, for Charles to be able to tell that Bracken probably succeeded every time. Today however he would find that the young prince had a different idea in mind, and so instead of stripping as ordered, the human backed up into the room that he had indicated with the most mischievous look on his face... all the while letting the shoulder of his own robe to fall to the side exposing some of his top to the canine. Giving the other male a come hither gaze he motioned towards either the bed or the couch in the elegantly furnished room, "Oh come now Lord Bracken, no need for all that silliness. Do you really want to share your conquest with those of a lower station than yourself? It certainly seems like something that cheapens the prize does it not?"

Heading over to the couch the young man sat back on it, and spread his arms over the back of it, "Well Lord Bracken are you coming to get your prize or are you just going to stand out there in the hall day?" While he said this, Charles noticed the sizable bulge growing in the canine's pants, and playfully licked his lips as he stared at it. Yes he had to admit he wanted to know what the other tasted like more than anything, but such moments where always good to get information out of people. He had to learn more about this treaty that his father was setting up with Emperor of the Anthro Kingdom. While he didn't mind helping to work out the details with Brackens, even if it was over an activity like this... what he had no idea was exactly how far the canine planned on pushing the moment. That was when he had the most delicious idea,

"Oh Lord Bracken, if you want me to strip so bad, then why don't you come in here and do it yourself? Does an anthro of your strength and size need his mate to pamper him, because from what I hear... your kind tends to take what they want. So if I am what you want, then prove it..."

[User]
Bracken was sued to being obeyed at a moment's notice. So, he was more than a little surprised when the prince did not strip for him at the drop of a hat. But the smaller human just lead him away. Bracken was already thinking of ways for the prince to pay for that. The human strolled down the hallways exposing his shoulder, teasing Bracken.

His tail started to was just little. This was going to be more fun than he thought. It wasn't the fact that he cared if he shared his ''prize'' with the lowers or not. It was putting Prince Charles in his place as the man was beneath him as well---or at least that's the way he saw it.

It wasn't until the man called to him to follow that he did so. The room was lavish and beautiful. He had rooms in his own castle as well, equally lavish. As he stepped through the archway, his fingers propped open his lower garments and casts them on the floor.

He was naked first. His proud reddish-pink tip peeking happily out of his bulging sheath. He was going to be a large male in that area, just like the rest of his body. Then the prince taunted him, teased him. His heart picked up a beat and he lunged forward.

His strong arms lifted Charles a little out of the chair was he forced the shirt off the man. He wanted to see what the man had to offer. It was so hard to tell with all that clothing in the way. With one strong arm he lifted the man further upward and his other hand pulled his trousers and underwear down in one swoop, trying to get him as naked as he was.


[User]
Laundry was boring. But maybe that was why Whitley liked it. There was something about having nothing but time to wait for the rinse cycle to finish or for the soap to agitate, or for the last few seconds of the clothes to tumble dry---that she couldn't find in any moment of her day. Whitley was pretty happy with her life---she had a new job she was finally finding her groove in, she had a nice apartment, and was just getting the hang of her new city's public transport system. Really, there wasn't much more that a twenty-four-year-old independent woman could want. Except for maybe a washer and dryer that was big enough to accommodate her comforter and sheets. Technically, she was able to jam her whole duvet into the washer drum but it never came out clean and was often stained with soap residue. She had acquired a few sets of matching sheets, covers, and pillow cases. But even if she traded them out frequently, they still needed to be washed.

So once a week she stuffed her small coup full of bedding and drove down to the 24-hour laundromat that was a few blocks from her apartment building. The building was bright, well-lit, and had wifi and a nice selection of vending machines. Sure, it was a hassle, but Whitley took it in stride. A few hours when she couldn't be expected to send one more email, do one more crunch, or vacuum one more room. It was a great time to catch up on reading some of the HEA (Happily Ever After) romance novels that had become a guilty pleasure of hers lately. She would read a page while blowdrying her hair, or while waiting for her lunch to heat up in the microwave---but nothing compared to reading a whole novella while listening to the hypnotic thud of clothes going round and round.

Tonight, she had just gotten home from a fancy charity dinner sponsored by her work. Whitley still had her hair in its fancy half-updo complete with curls and she was rocking her office look---glasses, white button up blouse, and a knee length pencil skirt. Her heels had been long since left back at home though, traded for some comfy flats that were a dream compared to what her feet had endured all day long. She sat curled up on the bolted, plastic seating with one of her finished comforters wrapped around her legs as she read. What was better than warm blankets right out of the dryer? Nothing! She pretty much had the laundromat to herself---Friday usually wasn't the choice night to come and wash clothes. This was the beginning of a quiet and relaxing weekend.

[Assistant]
Zakas was flung outward with an immense force, issuing a low groan of agony as his form collided with the hard stone wall that sat across from the doorway he had been ejected from. Of course, ''door'' was a gross oversimplification of what he had just escaped through, but semantics was the least of his concerns at the moment. Not compared to his body, shuddering in the chill night air, naked and battered.

His senses howled in overdrive, trying to make sense of the dizzying mass of stimuli they were taking in. The splash of tires striking potholes filled with water ringing in his ears. The *drip-drip-drip* of rain landing against his flesh. The cloying stench of decaying food flooding his nostrils. All so foreign and unwelcome, he felt as though he could retch, except that there was no time for that. He would be followed, soon, and couldn't be here when they came.

Somehow he staggered to his feet, lurched towards the far end of the alley. As he stumbled forward, he took a mental inventory of his state. The rattle in his chest with each labored breath, the stinging pain that lanced through his ribcage. Large swaths of his body were either cut, bruised or burned. If he could see himself, Zakas might think he resembled nothing more than the victim of a chemical plant explosion.

His legs nearly buckled as he exited the alley, stepping from the curb onto the street. A car zipped past, horn blaring angrily and causing Zakas to wince in fresh agony as its headlights seared trails into his eyeballs, far too accustomed to the darkness. Otherwise the street was eerily quiet, most of the buildings lining the street shuttered for the evening, save for one.

Zakas shielded his eyes again from the glare of the stark fluorescent lighting. Set against the expanse of glass that made up the storefront he could see the words ''24 Hour Laundromat'' in glowing red. With halting steps he made it to the entrance, the soft jangle of the bell almost masked by the *thump* of his body collapsing to the cold tile floor.

[User]
Whitley had just come upon a particularly steamy scene in her story and it caused her to peek around the laundromat to ensure that she was still alone. That was the great thing about reading on her phone---no cheesy romance covers to hide from nosy onlookers. Her toes swayed to the rhythmic thump of a nearby dryer as the strong, heavily tattooed bad boy could no longer contain his interest and passion. He surged upon the lady love interest, pressing her up against the nearest wall. With urgency and a deep growl of a moan, his lips (and teeth!) found her neck while his hand moved lower to claim her...

*THUD!* Whitley was startled to the point of giving out a yell, dropping her phone into a pile of folded pillowcases and nearly tumbling onto the floor. She looked first to the machines she had put money into---maybe one of them had gotten off-kilter with clothes bunched up only in one side. No... everything seemed fine. And yet, there had been a really strange noise---one that changed the very feeling of the air. It was late, but not too late for her to start to get spooked, even being mostly by herself. (An employee was around but didn't really stay out on the floor that much---especially at this hour. They were most likely in the back working on some dry cleaning order.)

It was only when she walked around a tall bank of dryers that she saw him. A large, naked lump of muscle and skin near the door. "Oh!"

She ran to him and crumpled to the floor. "Sir! Sir?" She reached out to touch him but pulled back. He looked hurt... everywhere. He also looked cold and struggling with shock. "Hold on... I'll..." Whitley scrambled back to her feet, slipping a bit, as she ran back to her things. She grabbed her recently washed comforter and her phone before heading back.

"I'm here..." She tried to help the man lay back in a more comfortable position and then draped him with her cover. It would certainly be ruined after this but... who cared, the man needed help! "Sir? Sir---can you hear me?" She finally gained the courage to reach out and touch his cheek then move her fingers down over his neck. She felt something of a pulse. Then she let her hand traveled to his chest---he was breathing, shallow but it was there at least.

"Hold on, I'll call the police... or an ambulance... or something. Everyone!" Her hands shook as she fumbled with her phone.

[Assistant]
The building Zakas found himself was a noisy affair, the low thrum of vibrating machines issuing a dull *thump, thump* every few seconds. The air was lightly perfumed like flowers, warm from the heat emanating off the machines. It might have been almost meditative in another time. But here, today, curled up in a ball of pain on the cold tile of the floor it might just have to serve as the site of his demise.

He could barely register the words, seeming almost to come from a great and echoing distance. He issued a feeble groan in response, eyes opening slightly. A woman was crouched above him, the fluorescent lighting diffused behind her head to create a glowing halo effect. Or that might just be his detached retina.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again she had disappeared. But then she re-emerged, grasping a bulky piece of fabric which she carefully laid over Zakas' body. The press of the fabric against his raw flesh, followed by the woman's fingers against his neck caused another small spasm of pain to fire across his body. It was excruciating, what he had gone through and become. But a necessary evil, preferable to the alternatives.

She was talking again, her hand resting now on his chest. He barely made out the words, but the sentiment rang clear, and was unacceptable. A surge of adrenaline coursed through his body, beating back the pain that rocked through it, and his right hand darted out, encircling the woman's wrist. His eyes opened wide, glaring into her own with an almost furious urgency.

"No." The words burned in his throat, raw from smoke. He coughed, twisting his head away as a few flecks of blood spotted the blanket that had been placed over his prostrate form. "...don't."

[User]
Her fingers were shaking. Whitley frantically tried to swipe at her screen to find the emergency call button but the pads of her fingertips were now too sweaty and clammy to make anything work. She was inwardly cursing and wiping her hands on her pants when the half-dead man suddenly surged to life. She screamed out and fell back from her crouched position to almost tumble across him as he lay under her blanket. "Ahh! What?" Had he said---''No! Don't!''? Did he want her to move away or... suddenly his grip turned severe and her fingers went numb, releasing her phone to clatter to the floor.

"Ow!" She ripped her hand away to cradle it against his chest. Even hurt, the man was strong but as she slowly opened and closed her hand again she realized she was more scared by his quick action than actually hurt. It took her a moment before she could look down to him again. His eyes were open and alive now, beckoning to help him while also holding a bit of a threat in their sharp gaze.

"Sir... why don't you want me to call for help?" She looked around the laundromat and started to really get worried. There wasn't anyone else busting in to find him, but what could cause him to be so injured and yet so hell-bent against avoiding police or doctors? Bad stuff---that's what. He sure looked the part---with tattoos, a full beard, and again---all those injuries.

A surge of fear rose up in her gut and Whitley scrambled to the floor. She ran to the front door and looked out again, then headed towards the back of the store, away from the man. _You should run!_ She told herself. Run or at least go and get the store manager to make them deal with this problem. And yet as she tried to shift her footing to escape responsibility, she felt rooted in place. She darted her eyes over the row of washers where she could see that he had collapsed again.

Whitley took off her glasses and started to lightly chew on the end. What should she do?!? Her first instinct was to grab her wet clothes and leave but... how could she live with herself if she just left a hurt man to die without helping? Rocking on her feet, every cell in her body began to scream at her to go back to him.

So she did. Feeling like the craziest of idiots, she knelt back near the man and look down into his bloodshot eyes. "Okay, okay. Listen. I really hope you don't make me regret this... but... if you don't want me to get you help here, then..." She took a breath. "You are going to have to come back home with me. Do you understand that?" She tugged at his one loose hand to try and help him ''get the picture'' in case his brain was too addled to really hear her words.

_Oh, I am going to regret this!_

[Assistant]
Zakas' eyes followed the woman as she scurried across the cramped room. His hand hovered in the air where she had snatched her wrist free from his grip. The phantom sensation of the bones of her wrist, almost bird like in their fragility, lingered absently in his memory. After his initial outburst, his face betrayed little emotion---trying desperately to avoid an outward acknowledgment that this stranger might be all that kept him from a literal fate worse than death.

He hadn't answered her question about why he didn't want her to call the police, get him to a hospital. Partly because the strain of talking in his condition made the effort undesirable, partly because his brain couldn't scramble for an explanation that didn't send his lifeline running out the door. Going to the hospital to be prodded and tested would cause more chaos sown in this city than Zakas was prepared to deal with right now. And it would be unnecessary regardless, if he could only make it through tonight.

The woman was clearly conflicted, hovering by the doorway as though she might bolt at any second. He was more than a little surprised, then, at her ultimate decision to help him, and the offer she made upon her return to his side. Her fingers burned slightly against his skin as he watched her lips form the words, trailing slowly to his brain to process.

With a groan he lurched forward, struggling to sit upright. "You will---hrrgh---be rewarded."

Slow breaths, the room beginning to swim around him. He closed his eyes again for a moment, his fingers wrapping around the woman's hand for support. "...we... we go at once."

[User]
"Rewarded?" Whitley started to regret her offer, not sure if his words sounded more like a promise or a threat. Her eyes ghosted over his more menacing attributes---the tattoos covering his skin, his thick beard, piercing eyes, and not to save the best for last, all the blood and burns marring his muscled body. What was she doing---offering to take him into her home when he obviously was involved in some kind of trouble. She was a young woman all alone who was about to invite this man (and from her first impression---he was more man than anyone she had met in her life) into her home.

The man grasped at her hands and it brought her out of her thoughts. "What..." _Oh._ She had to make a decision now. There was a large part of her that was about to walk away and then, whether he liked it or not, would call the police. But then he spoke again. It was a command, not a request or an offering as before. There was something deep and dark behind his words---that ghosted through the already baritone nature of his wounded voice. Whitley began to blink faster as if seeing through a fog and then...

"O... okay." Her body started to move ahead of her thoughts. She gripped his arms tightly and helped him to step up. _Oh, he is tall!_ She felt his body towering over hers and even with the blanket around him, his strength was visibly outlined. Her cheeks flushed hotly as he had to lean against her for support. Once on his feet, she began to shift them towards the door that leads out to her car.

Her other laundry and sheets would just have to wait for morning for her to come back for them. It took a good ten minutes of moving an inch, supporting his footing, and keeping the blanket up around his waist, before moving again. Her small sedan came into view and another problem emerged. He was way too tall to sit in the front seat. "Umm... I think you should lay down in the back, is that okay?"

Why was she asking for his permission? She was the one helping him after all! But something in his body language, even as hurt as he was, oozed control. She fumbled to hold him up while getting the door open and then she did her best to shove him in without further injury. The blankets shifted to expose his side down to a long, lean hip and... Whitley looked away.

"Um... it will only be a few minutes before we get to my place."

[Assistant]
A low hiss was released from Zakas' lips as he was lowered into the back seat of the vehicle his strange rescuer had pulled him to. He had borne the slow limp across the street in an attempt at stoic silence, even as each step and slight jostle of the road sent a fresh burst of pain rippling across his body. But acknowledging such weakness in front of this woman would be a humiliation too much on top of everything that had crumbled to pieces around him tonight. So he soldiered along, and grit his teeth as he slid across the seat spanning the rear of the car.

He didn't notice, wrapped up in his own thoughts as the comforter wrapped around his waist began to slip loose, sliding slightly off his waist. He nodded slightly in response to the estimate of their travel, closing his eyes as the door shut at his feet. A moment later the front door swung open and slammed shut, the engine roaring to life and the gentle *tick, tick, tick* of a turn signal before the lurch of tires as they went into motion.

The ride was silent, perhaps uncomfortable for the woman but welcome for Zakas as he felt his body rock and sway with the rhythm of the car. He made no effort to engage in conversation, mind lost in a swirl of memories and plans. Eventually he felt the vehicle stop, the small lurch as it was thrown into Park and the engine cut off. If his rescuer said something, he didn't process it, and a moment later the door was opening again and his prostrate body was being slowly removed from the seat.

The shuffle into the building, and then up the steps leading to the stranger's home was a new struggle, pushing any room for contemplation from Zakas' brain. In the cramped stairwell he nearly collapsed, the blanket sagging lower down his hips as his weight pressed down fully upon this woman. He cursed to himself, eyes clouding with an unfocused anger as the world began to swim around him, his grip loosening on reality. His head dipped, pressing against her shoulder and the light smell of her perfume managed to help revive him.

"Come along." He grunted, and together they managed to resume the climb. A few more steps and they were in a dimly lit hallway, Zakas shuddered as he heard the jingle of keys clumsily toying at a lock, and then a door opening. He stumbled inside, leaning heavily against a wall. He waved a feeble hand towards the woman, briefly allowing his eyes to roam over her features. The pristine white shirt she had worn was ruined, spotted with blood and ash in streaks that would never launder clean, her hair almost as disheveled.

The thought of an apology barely crossed his mind, focused on his own needs. He wouldn't last much longer, he could tell. His brain was shutting down, forcing the sleep his will had resisted to this moment. A slow, rattled breath forced its way through his lungs and he spoke, exerting the remaining influence he had left in his spirit as the comforter finally fell away completely. "...a bed. Now."

[User]
The man was heavy, wounded, and wild. She wasn't sure if she had ever been this close to someone who exuded such raw struggle. Whitley was assaulted by his naked form being pressed close to her body more than once. She wasn't aroused by him in this state---he was bloody and wavered in and out of consciousness. And yet a surge of electricity sparked between them whenever the blanket slipped and her skin touched him.

There was a moment on the stairs leading up to her apartment that he sagged against her, towering over her with the scruff of his beard tickling against the exposed skin of her neck. Whitley blanked. Her body pressed against the wall and all plans to continue on were halted until he grunted for them to keep going.

"Oh, yes, almost there." It was a sloppy balancing act to open the door and keep him upright against him---but there was something underneath her strength and will that was pushing her along. Perhaps sheer embarrassment and a desire to have this bad decision over as quickly as possible. That had to be it, Whitley mused, as she toyed the door closed behind them. What else could exist to explain it?

The man's words were gruff but demanding and it reminded her that they were not yet done. This wasn't over. "Right through here." She helped him off the wall and half dragged him through her small living room to the bedroom at the end of the hall. She was all ''sorry''s and gasps as she let him fall down against her queen sized bed that looked to be a foot short on every side for her larger frame. A few adjustments to keep him from rolling off and then there was the complication that the only clean sheets and bedding was currently under him---but he was finally prone and covered.

Time to call it a night. Luckily she had a fairly comfy couch to collapse upon as she peeled off her blood and sweat stained shirt. If only she slept. Whitley was too jumbled inside. She had a naked, maybe dying man, in her bedroom. Where had he come from? She hadn't been thinking clearly enough to look for bloody footprints outside the laundromat as she had drug him to her car. A few times she had checked on him during the night---to see if he was breathing, or still bleeding. He looked alive, not that she got close enough to touch him to tell. She was completely out of her depth and there was a hint of worry that she would very soon regret her heroine-ism.

Perhaps twelve hours later the man began to stir and she was waiting. For answers? Whitley wasn't sure he was the kind of man to give them, even if he was healthy enough. She sat on the very edge of the bed with three steaming mugs in her hands. One with soup. One with coffee, black. And one with bourbon. It seemed appropriate.

[Assistant]
Zakas slept in fits and starts, twisting and turning against the coarse fabric of the strange woman's bedding. It was the sleep of the ill---disjointed and confusing, his body intermittently burning with a fever so bad he soaked the sheets with the light red stain of sweat and blood, then wracked with chills so intense he pulled the same material close to his naked body. His body was struggling to heal itself after his ordeal, and for the moment he might rather wish for the release of death after all.

His mind eventually began to seek out ways to escape the pain, to detach itself from what was happening. At times it felt as though Zakas was watching his own agony from outside himself, perched on the dresser against the wall or hovering above from the ceiling. Make it through tonight, he reminded himself, and the worst would be over.

At first he thought his near delirium was simply playing tricks on him, but she checked on him through the night. Sneaking in as well as a creaky floor would allow, wordless, almost as if to assure herself that he was still alive before retreating back out. He wanted to tell her to leave him to his sleep, but where his mind could form the words his body seemed unwilling to produce them. The most he managed was a dull moan during one of her check-ins, but if it conveyed any of his displeasure at these interruptions it didn't appear to register.

Eventually he managed to fall into a more lasting sleep, finally waking completely, but only with the slight shift in weight of something settling at the corner of his mattress. From the window opposite the bed light poured in, illuminating the room in stark relief. She was sitting on the bed, patiently waiting with three mugs in her hands. He groaned as he pulled himself upright in the bed and reaching for one of the mugs. Thanklessly he took a sip, the liquid inside dark and slightly bitter, producing a small grimace. As he had expected, the night had done its work. He was still weak---weaker than he may have been in untold years, but the worst of Zakas' injuries had started to heal, and the more minor wounds were already nearly mended.

That being impossible by any rational standard for what this woman had seen of his injuries did not elude Zakas, but he made no attempt to explain himself. Instead he took a closer look at his rescuer. During the night she had changed her clothes, taken her hair out of the elaborate styling he had first seen her in. He was struck with a realization that she was a doubtlessly beautiful woman, but it was a passing observation. The same sort of admiration one might feel for a well-done painting before moving on to the next exhibit, the next matter at hand. He had more critical matters to address.

"I'll need to be cleaned." He asserted, stretching his authority outside of himself, waiting for this stranger to comply to his wishes... "And clothes to wear."

[User]
Did he just say he needed to be cleaned? Whitley was tired---it showed in a soft darkness around the contours of her face and the way she pursed her lips like the top was soothing the bottom. Now her eyes crinkled with a a hint of anger. She had took a change, saved his very naked ass, and brought him coffee. And as he slowly bleeds through her sheets, he had the audacity to demand spa treatment?

Normally a very pleasant girl who wanted to please, he was about to hear the fitful fire of a girl who was too tired to be charmed by his bad boy arrogance. She opened her mouth and... nothing came out. A shake of her head, and she stood to down the cup of bourbon to help loosen her tongue and her rage.

Again, the words were sitting in the back of her mouth but something about the way he stared her down expectantly but without actually looking at her caused her to calm. And it really irritated her!

"Oh... okay. I'll start you a shower, but... only cause you are still hurt." The mugs were sat down with a clatter and he would feel a stack of fabric being tossed near him on the bed. "Clothes." Almost like she had actually cared and stayed up all night worrying about him or something.

Whitley was regretting it now. She mumbled and told him her mind... under her breath as she let her bathroom fill up with steam. His words had gotten to her but there was something else---an underlying demand that seemed to make her want to comply and cater to him. She had felt it ever so slightly the night before, but just assumed it was because he was injured and needed help. Now, the desire was stronger and somehow, she didn't think it was just that she appreciated his tats and beardy handsomeness a bit too much.

She set out towels and body wash before heading back into her bedroom. "It's ready." She wasn't sure if he would need help getting there. Part of her wanted to just let him crawl for all his orders. But that would be mean---and she really wasn't mean. Whitley headed over to the bed in the guise of starting to remove the soiled and bloodied sheets from the bed. She put out her arm though, just in case support was needed.

[Assistant]
Zakas' eyes followed her as she marched to the bathroom, a vague expression of confusion stamped on his face. A second later he could hear the creak of a knob being turned, followed by the sputter of water releasing from a pipe. It was what he had instructed her to do... but something felt wrong. Something about her face, when Zakas had given his command, had flashed defiance. Had hinted at the consideration of refusal.

Which he had not anticipated. She should have smiled and nodded; set the tray down and followed directions without objection. That was what he was used to, that was what was comfortable. His eyebrows furrowed as his brain struggled to piece together an explanation, finally settling on his injuries having dampened his natural... charisma.

He cast his gaze around the bedroom as he waited for her to return, an attempt to understand his new host. Looking for family photos, personal mementos, an explanation of where she came from. His hand idly brushed along the worn shirt and jeans she had thrown on the bed next to him before storming out to start his bath. She seemed to live alone, so where had they come from? The mementos of an ex lover?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her feet, stomping a bit harder than was truly necessary, as she returned to the room with her curt notification. The puzzled expression remained locked across his face, although laced with a vague sense of annoyance at her proffered arm. Determined not to appear an invalid, Zakas' brushed it away impatiently, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and pushing to a standing position.

Still weak, he felt his legs wobble, gritting his teeth as he struggled to lock himself in place. The sheet had fallen away again, leaving Zakas' fully revealed again. Unabashed, his eyes never wavered from his hostess as his lip curled slightly. "...what is your name?"

[User]
Well now she felt like a complete jerk. Whitley silently admonished herself while the still injured man struggled to get up---weakly achieving his goal though it probably stole from what little strength reserves he had left. _He's hurt---jeez, cut him some slack._ She thought.

"Sorry... sorry, my name is Whitley." She pulled all the soiled bedding into a big ball and tossed into a large cloth hamper a few feet away. She walked back over in front of him and let out a small breath. "Look, I apologize for being snappy. I just... well I didn't sleep last night and to be honest, you are kind of freaking me out." Her eyes flickered over his body---first marveling at how less-hurt he looked now. Still battered and bruised but not as ''bleedy'' as before. It was when her gaze was studying the dark marks on the skin of his thighs that she realized he was naked and she was... staring.

A blush formed over her cheeks and she looked away. "I don't mind helping you to the shower. Really." Whitley offered her arm again but it was less stiff than before. As he made his way to the bathroom (with her help or not), she asked the big question. "Umm... so, what happened to you...? Oh, sorry. I didn't ask your name either." She leaned against the door-jam, eagerly waiting his answer to either things.

Of course it would be then that the phone rang. "Erm, I'll be right back. Soap and stuff is in the shower." Whitley dashed off to find where she had dropped her cell phone the night before. A quick hello and she listened as someone from the laundromat was calling about all the things she left the night before. The clerk knew her schedule well enough to figure out who had left the mass of sheets and blankets. Assessing the current state of her bed, some clean sheets were in tall order.

Just her luck---the laundromat staff had finished her loads and even folded everything. For an extra fee. She promised to be back there later today to pick up everything. Whitley wasn't really sure she should leave her ''guest'' alone---at least not until he was clean and dressed and had given her a few answers. Hanging up the phone, she headed back towards the bathroom. "Everything okay in there?"