Closed First a Read, then a Walk

[Matthew]

He let his hours upon hours of study flood through his body, the knowledge starting at his brain and buzzing through his veins. The words and the observation became a part of him, absorbed into the pulse of his body to become something natural and instinctive. He defined himself through logic, and formed his instinctive impulses through logic. If Kavala's body did this, then wouldn't the logical instinct be to do this? His hands continued to move and brush in subtle soft sweeps of fingertips, his lips continued to press and dip, and his body continued to move in a variety of ways. The more her body reacted, the more he learned and applied. When he felt the silky softness of her core pressing to his leg, he gave a soft flex of the muscle there, giving her warmth something quite firm to press itself against. His body responded to her fingertips, once more giving flexes of the muscle to give her scaled touches something to explore. They could dip inside of deep defined lines or travel across the curves of sculpted muscle, it was truly up to her. His body was not withheld or shy, it was bold and open. It silently offered itself for exploration, not at all ashamed to expose every last inch to her curious touch. When her hips began to move to subconsciously push herself against him, he only continued to show her that he was fully aware of everything her body was doing, even if she herself wasn't aware of it. His next touch was much more bold, much more forward, a sudden change from the softness that had been teasing her so far. His hand dipped from the small of her back, slipping down to firmly cup the curve of her rear, fingertips holding to the cheek and then rocking at the wrist to help move her body even more against his firm thigh. The small noise she let loose would allow her to see something in that stare of his. There was a glint, the sparkle of a man who had just found an answer to some question. She had given him something, and his gaze said there were a variety of ways that he could put that information to good use. It was a horrible look, or perhaps an enticing one. Perhaps a pleasurable combination of both. But then his eyes were out of sight as she dipped in, her mouth eagerly searching out his throat. He arched his head back to allow her access, hand still firm on the slope of her rear, still methodically keeping her hips moving in a slow and steady beat. He could feel physical pleasure and he expressed it, testing her reaction to the sound of a deep and throaty groan openly brushing out across her ears and a firm body shivering against her. His body was so very alive, still tensing to give her plenty to touch each time her hands moved, even when they cupped his rear much like his single hand had cupped hers. He watched her closely as she laughed, obviously not expecting the reaction but not writing it off as a bad one. She had pulled closer though, so that was definitely a good sign. His chest tensed again, this time rubbing against the peaks of her flattened breasts, teasing them in yet another one of his subtle tricks. That was one mistake that he had seen so many men and women make. Most men seemed to think that only their mouths, fingers, and packages could be put to good use. No, that was very wrong. At her words, he nodded slowly. "I was thinking it might not be. That is part of the idea, you see." Idea? He had an idea behind this? Of course he did. Kavala had likely realized by now that he had some sort of idea behind almost everything. "If I just give you a taste of what your body will naturally long for, then dangle the full meal in front of you, isn't it a given that you will crave more?" He tilted his head at her, his member throbbing hotly between them, a source of heat even in the cool embrace of the clear ocean. "And then if you are suddenly given that thing that you crave, will it not be that much more satisfying and delicious? Imagine the agony of being forced to wait for several bells. But then imagine the thirst that would be sated once you are finally allowed to drink? Wouldn't you remember that one drink for the rest of your life? Wouldn't you imagine how perfectly satisfying it was? Every other drink you ever sipped, for the briefest of moments, that one drink that satisfied in such a deep way... it would flicker across your mind for just a moment. That is the theory, anyways." His eyes glinted again. That was a sign that Kavala might soon realize was a tell for something dangerous. Or perhaps lovely. It would be up to the Konti to decide. His hand that gripped her rear suddenly loosened, the strong arm slipping to support the underside of the curve. With a ripple of his body he lifted her, dragging her hips to clash against his, generating friction with the slickness of their bodies scraping against the other. His other arm moved as well, wrapping in her long hair, binding it around his fingers and arm in a firm hold. It wasn't a painful hold by any means, merely a hold that allowed him some level of control. It was the hold of a man who firmly believed he knew exactly how she needed to be positioned in order for him to do exactly what it was that she needed to be done. It didn't matter if he didn't actually know this. He was sure that he could find out. Her breasts dragged along his chest and her heat dragged up his leg to perfectly position against his own arousal. He was positioning her in the perfect way to continue to stimulate, though not at all impatient in going any further. The infinite patience in his eyes told her that he could hold her this way for quite a long while, regardless of how desperately she squirmed for more. He had spelled it out very clearly, hadn't he? The longer the wait, the better the indulgence. Though, there was such a thing as waiting too long. His eyes held hers for a moment longer, and then once again there was another of those flickers. His lips absolutely crushed her own, his hand gently tugging at her hair to arch her head back at just the right angle. Hot breath and damp wetness collapsed upon her, lips firm and demanding in their pursuit of her. His tongue was forceful as it pushed out, eagerly dipping between her own lips to seek out her own tongue, briefly flicking at the tip before smoothly gliding alongside. Then just like that, he was pulling away, teeth tugging at her lower lip, letting it pop back into place with a delightfully wet noise. Then he was pushing forward again, arm tight underneath her rear, tongue diving deep before beginning to explore. This time it stayed, giving her yet another taste of what it was that her eyes betrayed that she needed.

[Kavala]

If the Konti was older, less prone to acting out against a culture that had stifled all her life, she might have taken offense had she known that Matthew’s skilled hands were a product of years of study. Of course, the knowledge might have just amused her as well. Her actions weren’t about finding a mate, a perfect fit, or some other half of her soul. As far as she understood the world such things were just ideals set out there to depress the vigilant daydreamers that looked for such things. Her actions were more primal. They were about choosing to grow up, to rage in the face of tradition, and claim something in life for herself by her own choice and not at anyone’s permission. She didn’t need the Ankal’s okay for Matthew to touch her and make her feel on fire. All she needed was her own will and that empowered her.

There was no long term thinking for the Konti as she slowly let her inhibitions loose and her true nature spilled forth. She was a creature of the here and now with no concern for tomorrow or the consequences her actions might bring. Matthew felt good. He smelled delicious, and everything he did just made her want more. She didn’t know if he’d ever met a Drykas, but what he had in his arms - for all that she wore a Konti’s shape – was truly the embodiment of the Drykas spirit. They lived fast, died young, and did all they could to experience the joys of life while they had the chance. Life expectancy for the humans of her kind was in the mid twenties. Drykas were old by thirty, and ancient by forty. Kavala was nowhere near that age. And the fact that she’d never been touched by a man like this before just spurred her on.

It would have made her furious – far more furious than the knowledge that Matthew knew exactly what he was doing - to know that the same culture she was rebelling against was the very culture that had utterly molded her into the fiery spirit that Matthew was currently enjoying.

His hand slipped down, cupped her rear, and encouraged her hips to move deeper, rougher, more intimately. In fact, the whole of her body wanted to move. Just that little touch loosened her and she curled around him more, rode his leg a bit harder, and gave in to his subtle guidance. Breath came at a strong inhalation and a slow exhalation as she tried to curb the desire initially. Regular breathing tended to check the loss of control in people. And Matthew knew the instant she gave up trying. Her breath changed, from slow steady pulls of fresh salt air to gasps of breath dragged in and out because it was necessary, and because she was drowning in the sensations she’d never experienced before as they washed over her like waves.

In that instant, Matthew was like a musician and she was an instrument he played.

Kavala met his eyes in that controlled moment where he invited it. She was not consciously thinking anymore, even though her body recognized what he was and what he was doing to her. She understood completely in that flash of locked eyes that he was doing everything he was doing deliberately. Later Kavala would even suspect he timed it so, feeding her the truth in a gaze at just the point of time where he knew she wouldn’t’ care. Maybe he meant her to loose control and to see for herself that he meant for it to happen. Maybe he simply showed her to see if she cared, like some casual check-in designed to test the meal to see if it was ready to sample. Later she’d wonder if it was to lay aside some real or imagined guilt for what he was deliberately doing. He had orchestrated her loss of control. He had executed it precisely with practiced studied art. It would not, in the end, matter to Kavala if he did so deliberately. But she’d be curious none-the-less.

Her state of being was not his fault even if it came about because of him. Her state of being was her own impassioned joy.

Every movement on his part elicited a reaction on hers. It empowered her, made her bolder, and she seemed to soak up his confidence and try things for herself. The laugh was partially a result of that and partially because she needed to let some exclamation of her joy out. She did not care that he heard or that he watched closely. In fact, she welcomed sharing the feeling with him and hoped it was reciprocated. Even the noises he made caused her need to burn deeper, something she’d never in her life experienced before that moment with him.

His voice startled her. When he spoke she paused, holding herself still to listen though it just about killed her. Her hands had found their way to his shoulders and her nails had dug into his skin lightly there, not breaking it but definitely hanging on. There was no shame in the fact that his forward stance was adding to her pleasure and that there was something building in her that demanded release. His words blended together in her mind, and more than the meaning of them she listened to the resonance. His pitch and timbre were subtle, seductive, and it was supported by the length of him between them burning her stomach. He had made it physically impossible for the words he was speaking to soak into her conscious. He could have been talking about the weather, his classes, or even seahorses. Gods… that mouth.

Her eyes drifted down to his lips where they were moving and she watched them like a starving man watched bread rising in the oven. Her gaze glanced back up. She saw it then, the flicker of something that caused her toes to curl in the sand. She knew it for what it was having experienced it both in others and in herself a time or two. Matthew was feeling power. He was fully aware of the influence he’d just had over her and continued to have over her and was perhaps fully aware and locked on to her needs. He didn’t have to give her anything she wanted. He didn’t have to make a single extra additional move. He could have pushed her gently away and left her that starving thirsty person he seemed to be talking about a moment ago.

But he didn’t. She wasn’t sure why he made the choice to go forward. Kavala wasn’t sure he experienced lust the way men did or if it was just the opportunity for field work to augment his studies. She wanted it to be lust. Kavala wanted to give to him as he had to her and take him to the place he’d taken her. She feared her ignorance was a barrier, and even more so his ability to interfere with her ability to think. She parted her lips to call him back to her, to say something or anything that would advance him to state more like hers, but she was too late.

He was already moving.

He secured her hair, firmly but gently restraining her with her head held in check, and his hands on her body firm. Kavala’s eyes found his. Her gaze was still icy, wide, and aroused. He arranged her like a doll, draped upon him, his body nudging hers in ways she knew her brothers would kill him for if they were ever to witness it. Fire lit her eyes, filling her with the need to fight. Yet she held still, absolutely still, and let her body feel his. She closed her eyes then, rolling her hips against his, and felt the length of him part her body – not penetrating – just replacing his leg as something to rub her body against. She rocked her hips, sliding up and down his length. He could tell she too was ready, but not in a hurry, for there were too many new things she felt and discovered in those last few moments against him He knew the instant she discovered the existence of her sensitive center, for she tried to bury her face in his neck again. His hard grip in her hair tightened and he held her in place.

It was uncanny and slightly disturbing the way he watched her, eyes roaming her expression, reading her every reaction like he was cataloging them. Kavala trembled then, not sure why she was reacting so strongly to him. First encounters were not supposed to be like this. They were supposed to be quick, awkward, and somewhat painfully messy. They were not supposed to be on beautiful islands with beautiful men that took their time and didn’t seem in a hurry to take what was offered.

She wondered then if it was a kind of magic. Was his gaze enthralled her or was it the strong cadence to his voice? She’d heard of such things, though where and when eluded her. Most thought eluded her. Matthew made it hard to think. She parted her lips to speak, to ask him softly to release her so she could have a moment, when he bent in and kissed her. This was no light peck on the lips, no delicate taste of untried Konti. She loved it. His kisses were fierce and wild and were a lot like riding a horse that had never been ridden before. Her hands reached for him, tangling in his neat hair and urging his head closer to hers. She forgot that she was trying to figure out if he was using mind control on her. She forgot that she suspected he was studying every reaction. Her whole body shuddered at his kiss, the first one, and exploded at the second one.

It was a combination of a whole host of things he’d carefully lined up to pleasure her. His mouth, his teeth, his hands tangled in her hair. Even his shaft which she rocked against all conspired to elicit a response she was unprepared for. Most women went lifetimes only hearing rumors of what could happen with a skilled partner. Kavala barely went ten chimes before her body cut loose for him and sang out. She trembled in a reaction that was uncontrollable and involved her whole body. She tired to bury her face in his neck again, teeth flashing, but he held her firm still though it took more effort than before. There was no mistaking her reaction to the kiss, no thinking it was anything other than what it was. It was only a kiss, but so much more, devoid of gentleness and impassioned in the way that Kavala responded to immediately. His taste, the warmth of his breath, his teeth on her flesh and brushing against her own… everything about it was new and exciting and beyond what she’d imagined. His first attempts hadn’t prepared her for what kisses could be, and that’s perhaps what sent her senses reeling. Utter surprise, mixed with delight, and a sort of permission granted to release any and all inhibitions. He gifted it to her all at once, the stimulus overloading her fragile untried form.

Her body burned his length where it rubbed up against her apex. Heat and fresh burning dampness coated him. Her nails dug into his scalp as she fought the sensation, crying out in surprised panic and pleasure; all of it blended together told him decidedly she’d never experienced what he’d done for her before.

Her breath was ragged and even her gill slits flared opened and closed, as if she were a fish lying just out of the soothing water. Her body was tinged pink, across her hips, up her torso and across her cheeks. Her gaze softened, losing the feral intenseness and taking on an expression of wonder and shock.

“Stop. By the Gods... stop! Just a moment...” She said softly, gasping for breath, her hands dropping down to his shoulders a moment as her sanity slowly crept back in. She wasn’t loosing the edge he’d perched her on, but she was fighting to achieve her need to give equally. Ice blue eyes gazed and she breathed, needing a moment, needing ten moments as her body kept shuddering while he held her still. Kavala blinked then fully closed her eyes, loosing herself in that brief span of time to the sensations she was experiencing.

She meant to stop him. Kavala had truly meant too. She had wanted him to feel what he was making her feel with his hands only from her own touch. But she hadn’t the skill or to know how and she had wanted to ask him or test him or try new things. But her thoughts drained away as did all sense of equality and fairness. Her soul was greedy for the sensations and there was no denying it for her. Kavala would apologize later, if she remembered, and if it seemed as important then as it had moments ago. For now she simply held still against him, her whole body trembling, and slightly afraid to open her eyes.

[Matthew]

Seduction and pleasure was an excellent art to study. Matthew would readily admit to anyone that he was brilliant. It would sound arrogant, but he simply was. He felt no shame in admitting it, nor did he feel as if he was better than anyone else because of this. When it came to the sciences, he had no doubt he could excel. He had no doubt that he would be able to master whatever he applied himself to whenever it came to the maths, politics, reading, writing, all the cut and dry sorts of things. But this? This social dance that required a variety of things that he wasn't? This worked his mind like no other puzzle ever could. If math and science bored him, then he would save those for the very last. Instead, he would go to what was left, the one thing that still baffled him and revealed new mysteries day by day. The inner workings of his fellow creatures. His eyes remained painfully calculating, not missing a single detail. It could be irritating or arousing, or perhaps both at the same time. Did Kavala enjoy being picked apart like this? Or did she perhaps find it enticing that he paid such horribly close attention to every single detail of her body? Later she would be able to look back on it and perhaps undrstand. He had definitely plucked her strings, listening to the tunes she made and adjusting her appropriately. He had tested and teased, using the given reactions to proceed even further down their shared path. He had picked up on the shivers, the shudders, the gasps and the noises, the moments of wild hunger and the moments of controlled realization. She eventually picked up on what he was doing, but was that something he had allowed? And really, did it matter? She was too far gone. That would be the one thing that stood out whenever she looked back upon this. For quite some time, the skillful man had completely made her his own. Her body had left her control, and was now being worked by whatever magic it was that he was weaving. And so he continued to weave, casting a spell of his own creation. She was the one who all of his research combined on. Lucky or unlucky, that was certainly up to her own imagination. She was his breakthrough. He felt distantly pleased that she seemed to be enjoying herself. While moans of pleasure were certainly one method of confirmation, he had the idea that those could be pulled from sometimes unwilling partners, as horrid as the idea sounded. The body sometimes reacted seperate of everything else. However, laughter was something very pure, something that could rarely be forced. It had to be backed with genuine emotion that was freely felt, not cruely forced. The student kept focused even as their lips clashed in an almost painful embrace. He was so fully aware of every inch of his being, and in turn every inch of her own. As the slickness of her slit stroked the underside of his shaft, he made sure to clench the muscle down there, firmly throbbing and pulsing the length against her. He let her move only as he allowed her to move, giving her almost an illusion of freedom in her movements, but carefully guiding them to silently make sure that she found the best way to receive the utmost pleasure. One of the things that he kept an eye out for was the moments where she was about to speak. Those moments were always cut off, Matthew seeing them as a moment where she had regained some small piece of her mind. If he was to give the best that he could, then she would not be allowed even that. The mind was the downfall of most. It stopped them from letting go, from laughing and enjoying, from simply losing themselves in it. All of this was so very simple. The very act of sex was a science, but it was something that so many people made so very complicated. If he was to service his first client in the best way that he could, then he would need to free her of this. He would need to free her of her shackles. And finally she was freed. He had no way of knowing for sure what her sudden shudder was, but with the way that she suddenly strained against his hold gave him something of a clue. There was a cry from her lips, the sharpness of her nails in his flesh, the unique sign of her gills flaring as if gasping for air. She asked him to stop, practically pleaded, but then her breath was stolen away from her again. He slowly shook his head, tall and strong inside of her tight embrace, briefly giving her a glimpse of the man he would become in the next few years. The Harlot that he would become. He was not confident because of the effect he had on her. He was not arrogant, he was self-assured. He had studied and researched an art that very few men likely ever thought about researching. Knowledge empowered him. It helped him know what he could do to her. His lips parted as she shuddered against him, the words firm once again in their near-growl of a whisper. "No. Be quiet. Feel." He had considered multiple things here. He could have continued, pushed her to a second peak. He could have taken her, for her entrance was no doubt ready. Would that be what made the best impact, though? What that be what solidified the experience in her mind? Instead of filling her head with experiences, why not make this one single experience perfectly clear? She held him close and he fully gripped her rear, a hand on each cheek, patiently controlling her hips fully now. He helped her come down from the climax she had just reached, slow strokes of her core upon his steady shaft. He was gentle and soft, making sure not to brush the overly-sensitive nub that would be there, knowing that much from his medical studies. It was amazing how such a career had come in handy when researching this particular interest. His muscles flexed against her and his slick body held her own, chest providing a surface for her breasts to caress as they lightly bounced. He just continued that slow motion, rocking her hips smoothly and with patient control, continuing to please her even as the height of pleasure passed. When he had finally stopped rocking her and was just holding her close, his calm voice leaked out to caress at her ear. "Did you learn something new? I hope the lesson was educational." He wasn't trying to be coy or amusing. He was genuinely hoping that he had managed to gift her with some new tidbit of knowledge. She had done the same for him just a bell before, even if that memory was probably the last thing on her mind. He paused a moment, considering his next words. There was much for him to learn here, in more ways than one. He didn't want to seem like he was taking advantage or anything, that wasn't it. But if Kavala had enjoyed it, if she had learned and grown from the experience... "There are quite a few more herbs I would like to find in the upcoming days. I also have medical research that I must do. Will you be in Mura much longer? You could accompany me, guide me. In return, I would also like to keep this agreement between us. You are allowed to touch, ask, and explore, as am I. Whenever or wherever you like." He tilted his head, unknowingly throwing a completely new spin onto what had once been a solely-educational trip for the young Konti. And he did it with such simple, soft, passive words. If she agreed, he would be fine with that. If she declined, he would understand and be fine with that too. He was completely capable of treating her exactly the same as he normally would, sensual studies or not. It was a rare trait, but one that made it possible for him to explore this world in the unique way that he did.

[Kavala]

It was in many regards a perfect storm. Kavala was in Mura because her father had been told it was a safe place filled with women. He could send her there to study medicine and in doing so counteract – just a little bit – the fact that she was Konti and couldn’t give Drykas men children they wanted for their pavilions. Sons were important and so too were human daughters. Her bloodlines were some of the finest on the grass, from a family of powerful mages on her father’s side and powerful healers on her mother’s side. But they simply couldn’t overlook her race, and so she’d been sent here to the Konti homeland where she’d be sheltered, protected, and well educated.

Eachann Denusk probably never dreamed his daughters first experience with sex would be on Mura and like this. Nor would he have believed that after his daughter had been so artfully pleasured, that she’d be half leaning on the man who reduced her to mindlessness mere moments ago – trustingly – and be thinking it over.

Kavala, in those first few moments of Matthews calm speech, had been unable to answer him. He’d fully captured her not with his hands, and not with his body, but with his voice. For all that she was a woman, Kavala had a great deal of leadership in her. She was raised by an Ankal and unconsciously always took charge of situations or was in absolute control. Though dubbed a wildcat by her step mother, her father had often looked upon her with a longing that he only once voiced. “Kavala, if only you’d been born to one of my other wives, and been born a man.” She knew he regretted her race, but she’d not realized how much he’d regretted her sex until that moment.

Women had no status truthfully in the Drykas society, so her natural tendencies to lead did her a disservice often enough. She had to learn early not to outshine the boys or make her brother’s look silly. She had to learn to influence and control from the sides, subtly, to keep the peace at home. But in doing so and being the type of person she was, that control rode her soul hard. She had to be the best rider, the best webber, the best at making stitches straight, and the best at dressing wounds. When she was not, she would often go back and practice, not eating and sleeping until she mastered something that troubled her.

But when Matthew suddenly stepped in, restrained her, and then used his voice to deny her speech, that had been the turning point. He’d quietly ordering her to feel… when she’d spent a long time trying not to feel the anger, resentment, and the injustice that was always partially on her min. Something in her had been liberated. And like her body exploding, some sensitive core in her mind had done the same thing and she’d gratefully given the experience over to him to tend too.

Gods she wanted more. There was an ache that she’d never experienced before, an emptiness in her, that was still demanding to be filled. Even as she stood there catching her breath after having lost it all over Matthew, she could feel it. It was a need, a greed, that had suddenly awakened and wanted satiated.

Kavala wasn’t like him, she realized suddenly, where he could be bringing someone to pleasure one moment and then talking normally and absently in the next. He was still holding her close but had stopped touching and had let her sex slip off the length of him until her hips slid down and her feet touched the sand again. It was a few moments before she stood on her own and he could gently relax his support. The Konti had her face buried in his neck and had not yet lifted it to meet his gaze as he continued speaking.

Kavala had trusted him and Matthew hadn’t abused it. He’d remained true to his word on everything. He’d not judged her actions, had not pushed her beyond where she wanted to go, and had let her be free to explore things that were her own doing. One would have been hard pressed to find another man alive who would let a Konti – with all the beauty of their race – come fully into a sexual release against them using their body as the means and not follow through to seek their own as well.

And Kavala knew this, knew it well, even as she lifted her head and took charge of her own body again. She stepped back to get a better look at his slightly curious but otherwise inexpressive face. He wasn’t like anyone she’d ever met. There was a nagging in the back of her mind that told her he should be breathing hard, flushed, pressing her for true penetration. But he wasn’t. Matthew was simply standing there, speaking as if they were in a crowd in the market or sharing an after class conversation, and not naked out in cerulean water in a breathtakingly beautiful bay.

Her eyes roamed his body. He was still erect but not flushed. He wasn’t even breathing hard, not like she was. He looked strong and slightly interested, but not too much so, which confused her a little. She could still hear his commanding voice in her ear and the whisper that followed which seemed more like a survey than a check-in. But she was learning him, a little, and nothing she thought she knew really put her off about him. He was beautiful. He was making himself available to the Konti without pressure. And she thought she understood what he needed then, which wasn’t at all what she’d been told or had come to understand what most men needed during or after sex.

He simply wanted answers. She suddenly wanted to give them to him, but not really because he asked, more for her own good to sort her own jumbled up thoughts in her mind.

“Yes. I learned something. I never knew my body could feel like that.” She started out, suddenly feeling weird they were even talking about it. “I didn’t know I had… sensitivity where you showed me I did. I didn’t know I could stop thinking and just feel, but I did. I have a busy mind. Sometimes sleep is hard to find because it will not quiet. I think you can get my mind to quiet, and that might pass some of the time I have left here faster. I want to know how you knew… but I’m afraid to ask. I’m not sure why I’m afraid to ask, but I suspect it’s because I don’t want to see you as so different than other people, but I do think you are. I feel like when you say you have further medical research to do here, you are including this… and I had a flash of myself stretched out on a gurney with you probing and poking and asking questions I find outrageous.” Kavala said softly, then sank to her knees and dipped her head in the water, slicking back her hair.

“I’m going to be here for almost a full year. That’s what I have left in my courses here. I… won’t leave until the Summer of 509 to return to my people. I wouldn’t mind helping you find herbs. I wouldn’t mind an agreement like I think you are suggesting. I suspect I would rather enjoy it. But there needs to be a few rules… simple rules.” Kavala rather liked the idea of this, the more she thought about it, the more it made her heart race. He would see the signs. Her flush didn’t leave her face but heightened. There was a spark of challenge in her eyes, a growing awareness and an almost feminine empowerment as she thought and calculated.

Even though she’d stepped back, she drew her hands from his shoulder and let them slide down his hips. She absently traced the line of his body and then slid her hand over to lift the weight beneath his shaft, as if testing its heaviness. Kavala took him at his word she could touch, and did so, even as she was thinking. His soft cool skin there distracted her a moment before she started speaking again, lifting her eyes from his sex and meeting his gaze.

“I am a good girl. I made promises to my father and I have obligations to my people. I was raised to honor my word. Even though I am suggesting rules, I want the first one to be that there are no rules beyond the ones we discuss here between us. That means no boundaries or borders on our explorations, research and questions. We have to be completely honest with each other and if we wish to say something we can freely, be it a question or a concern. So the second rule is that with no boundaries and borders, because I have an obligation to my family, we must take precaution to not catch me with child. I want to experience everything with you, but do so without that fear. The third one is that I must return to my pavilion. I do not have to be intact to do so, only a skilled healer. I cannot have anything more with you than an agreement. No… attachments past the time we will both be here together. So.. no rules, no boundaries, no child, and no lasting attachments. Can you agree to those? I will agree to terms you might have depending on what they are.” The young Konti said, offering him half a smile as she continued her investigation of his body, drawing her hand upward and tracing his firm stomach.


"I could really use a friend, someone to help me navigate this place for there are a lot of things here my people don’t have which confound me. Libraries and books are some of the biggest hurdles. I know things are in books, but these books are the first I’ve seen and I have no idea how to look things up.” She admitted softly, having not told anyone that so far. She’d gotten by, barely, by asking the right questions and being smart. But Matthew’s way of research might help her… a great deal. And the Gods knew she needed all the help she could get.

For all that Matthew and Kavala were vastly different in personality and culture, they were alike in one way that could unite them in an unexpected friendship. They were both strangers among their own kind, unlike the others around them, and unlike the others they were supposed to be like. Matthew was not built mentally like other humans. That much was clear to Kavala. And the Konti was about as different as her sister Konti as possible. The more Matthew would spend time with her, the more that would come to light. Where he was emotionless, Kavala felt everything deeply. There was a certain dichotomy to their interaction that created a sort of balance between them.

[Matthew]

He did have to pause a moment, to close his eyes and briefly clear his mind of all thoughts but one. It was a technique he had developed himself, a way to cope with the things that could assault his calm inner core. It was a form of meditation, though he still obviously needed quite a fair bit of practice. He was still a man, after all. She was a Konti, one of the most beautiful of all the things that he had ever encountered. Even if his calm outer shell didn't betray his lust, he had certainly experienced it. He was just different in the fact that he had no desire to allow it any sort of control. He would instead either control it or kill it. That was what he saw, inside. An empty island that was only for his. An island where he was alone. He saw Lust climbing upon his island and Matthew moved to intercept it with cold purpose. He did not listen to the moans, the screams, the pleading. He cut off the words of his Lust by pushing it underwater, and he patiently held it there until it shouted no more. He opened his eyes, safe with the knowledge that he was in complete control of himself. His fingers trailed off her scaled flesh as she slowly stepped back, seemingly in control of her body once more. He watched her closely, unblinking and intense, blue stare unwavering in focus as she answered his question and explained her feelings. It was nice to have someone explain this sort of thing to him. It pleased him on some level, though he eventually pushed that underwater as well. She wanted to know how he knew? He hadn't known a thing. He had just taken what he had thought to be the most logical sort of path. Did the Konti not know just how many clues her body had given him? Or perhaps no one had ever taken the time to study those sorts of things. Then again, she had mentioned she was inexperienced. He was inexperienced too, but only in the actual physical act. He tilted his head for a moment, eyes going a bit distant when she mentioned the gurney. "I have known people to have fantasies involving their stay at a medical facility. That might be worth examining as well." Only Matthew could absentmindedly bring up a sexual roleplay scenario like he was just discussing an alternate breakfast meal. His eyes went back to her as she slowly began to agree to his offer. A full year? He would have to go back and study in Zeltiva, but that would give them... almost two seasons, perhaps? He was sure he could find the time for other small trips as well, especially since they would apparently be so very educational. He mulled this over a bit, already pratically plotting out a series of events. They could study herbalism, philtering, perhaps a little about politics and the great leaders of their time. There were one or two Konti leaders he had wanted to see if he could talk to, would she be interested in that? Seduction, swimming, meditation, some sort of instrument, reading and writing, another language... there was so much he wanted to learn, and he had no doubt that she would be able to add to that list. The student was snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of a pleased growl and a ripple of his shoulders. He almost wasn't aware that it had been him to make the noise and the movement until he noticed that she was touching him. He watched, tilting his head in that curious manner, interested in how she handled it. He watched it for as long as she did, then moved his eyes up to match her stare. He listened to her terms, nodding slowly and letting out soft noises of agreement, one of her conditions causing him to stop and think for a moment. He could not impregnate her. He had no desire to do such a thing, and it was actually a twist that he hadn't considered. If he was to study this sort of thing, that would be a very real danger. He would have absolutely no problem in giving the child away, but he was very aware that he would not be the one who actually had to bear the creature. There would no doubt be some emotional attachment from the mother, and of course there would be obligation on his part. He would need to look into possible ways of making sure something like that couldn't happen. His stomach responded to her hand, tensing and flexing, readily providing slim and solid muscle for her fingertips to trace. When he was given the opportunity, he spoke without hesitation in an unfaltering and steady voice. "I agree to those. We can write it and sign it, unless you believe that would be too formal. I have no conditions of my own." She had basically covered everything that was needed. It was good that he had found such a partner to study with. "When it comes to books, I need just as much practice. We can work on it together. I have been exposed to them at home, but I am not a quick reader, nor a quick writer. I have to take my time, and sometimes that time can be quite awhile. I should be able to help you though, if I understand your current level of skill." He nearly extended a hand, then paused. That might be too formal. Or was there such a thing as too formal when it came to this sort of agreement? After a moment of thinking, he spoke very slowly, eyes searching hers. "...Perhaps we could take one of the herbs that I harvested in the incorrect method. We could dry it, preserve it on a page, or in a journal. The flower should last. It can be a reminder of today and the agreement that was made, and also a way of making good use of a life that I took away." The Konti might be able to sense it. He knew that he was bad with social nuances. He was fully aware he didn't understand them and didn't process them the way other people did. But he tried. Even if it made his mind churn and a dull throb ache, he tried so very hard.

[Kavala]

Kavala did not overlook his need to regroup. Matthew seemed to be the type that often thought long and hard before he spoke, unlike the Konti who faced him. In truth though, if he hadn’t had such pauses she would have been more worried. It eased her mind a bit that he wasn’t wholly unaffected by her exploratory touches as evident by his reactions. He just… reined them in better than she would have. To Kavala, life was a series of experiences, most to be relished, even the dangerous ones. But she assumed to Matthew, life meant something a bit different. Perhaps it was something to be studied and picked apart? She wasn’t sure... and in the end it didn’t matter so much. He had a life and she had a life and only in the here and now would they meet.

In a way it was perfect. To Kavala, that meant she could be more freer with him, not worried about meeting him later in life or running across him on The Grass where her family might find out just how reactive she was to his … ministrations.

But she wanted to play, to try new things, to feel and sense and experience. That was her legacy coming here to learn and grow. And at Matthew’s words she chuckled, filling the silence between them for a moment with words. “I’ll entertain your fantasies, but truthfully I’ve been more into healing and animals than men so I’d have to give it some thought to have any of my own. The closest thing I’ve ever wished for was just to be human. I don’t think that counts as a fantasy though.” She said, and that was the truth. Maybe he had some, perhaps he did not. But she was open to the idea, especially if it was something that made him tilt his head and contemplate.

She could see his mind working, and brought up another suggestion of her own. “I need to take classes for my Opal Order Training. Perhaps we could sit down and look to see if we could schedule some together. I know they encourage group work and cooperative study in most of the cases.” Kavala said, wondering if what they were doing would be considered group work and cooperative study. She almost chuckled, knowing how that sounded even in her own head. “I’m taking anatomy courses in this current block. Having a living model is nothing but an asset.” Kavala suggested, wondering if he’d let her divide up his muscle groups with charcoal and write their names across his skin. It was her turn to tilt her head and wonder what he’d want to do in exchange. She half smiled, thinking suddenly that this must be what a fantasy was like. Maybe she could pay him in kisses. For every line written on his body in charcoal, she’d lease the space with a kiss.

The Konti laughed suddenly and then quietly and in an unashamed way she shared the thought with him. “I’m not saying to do this… I’m just saying… classes together could be fun.” She added, using her little fantasy as an example.

At the talk of a contract, Kavala frowned because the Drykas weren’t much into that sort of thing. “I don’t need a written agreement. We aren’t going into business together where it would matter. We are sharing leisure time. I never break my word. And you have my word this is more than fine with me and something I look forward too. I like the idea of using the flower though. Maybe we could call our agreement The Aletrid. I am not a reserved person, but here there are so many curious women. I would like it if you’d like some time if you could walk up to me in public, smile, and say something like… “Are you up for some Aletrid work tonight? Or lets go gather Aletrid. Something like that. I could do the same thing. Because I’m sure I’ll need some help with things and have … itches that need scratching. I don’t want to walk up to you in public and proposition you. But no one would think twice or question us if I waltzed up to you in a public place and asked you if you’d mind helping me gather Aletrid.” Kavala said, chuckling to herself mostly. “Your obsessions on things… when you get an idea and want to explore it, then you can come and mention the plant… and just like that I know and can get some free time with you if its available.” Kavala spoke like her free time was always unavailable. But the truth was, while she was here in Mura she was often bored, lonely, and overachieving in her classes so the other students had developed a dislike for her because the teacher could generally call on her or ask her what she thought of things, and she’d have an opinion.

“I’ll keep a journal of our time together. I need the practice writing. You can help if you’d like.. Adding notes or even keeping one of your own.” The Drykas weren’t much for the written word, but Kavala loved it now that she’d discovered it. She just needed more time to master it.

“It’s a good idea. That dried flower. You are very creative.” She said, automatically complimenting him. She did so with others frequently. It was a product of her culture to be open and honest in their admiration. Suddenly she wanted to hug him. They’d went from being near lovers to so incredibly formal. That wasn’t what she wanted. Kavala wanted Matthew to be comfortable and relaxed around her. So she moved forward, gently wrapped her arms around him, and pulled his body against her smaller more delicate one. She tilted her head slightly and kissed him, gently, like a friend would kiss another by pressing her lips softly against his. It was an exchange of gratitude with no lust behind it. The Konti held him to her for a moment, then stepped back, her face smiling. It was obvious that Kavala was affectionate, but in the way that brokered no response or reciprocation from the source of her enjoyment.

“Ready to get that seaweed we talked about? I need to harvest an armload and then start it drying. I can dry it by a bonfire on the beach. It usually takes about ten hours. I don’t have class until late afternoon tomorrow so if you are obligation free we could spend the night on the beach. I was thinking once I got the seaweed set up on driftwood to drape it over and got the fire big enough … I could return to my cubicle for a bedroll and some supplies. You could join me if you’d like… the stars out here at night are beautiful after it gets truly dark.” Kavala suggested, glancing around, not thinking the part of the cove they were in had seaweed. Further out and down it looked like it grew rocky enough beneath the water to grow some serious vegetation.

[Matthew]

Classes with the Opal Order? He had definitely been considering such things, so it was nice that she would be able to schedule some of them with him as well. "That would be good, yes. Two minds are almost always better than one. There are always holes in my logic and reasoning, and no doubt that your own mind can fill those holes." He could very distinctly sense a great difference in the types of people they were. He definitely felt different from most people, but there was something that widen the distance between him and Kavala. Not in a bad way, not in a way that meant they weren't good company for the other. There was just a fundamental difference somewhere. He couldn't put his finger on it, so he quickly let his mind wander elsewhere. Anatomy courses would be good. They had been some of the first courses that his mother had tried to teach him, but that had been a very long time ago. Classes with Kavala and the Opal Order would prove to be an excellent primer. "We will definitely schedule a time to sit down and arrange our class times. Thank you for the suggestion and offer." He offered her a small polite smile and a little nod of his head, blue eyes watching her carefully. Next came the discussion of the written ageement. He pondered, noticing the small frown and wondering what he had said that caused it. However, that thought quickly faded as she expressed pleasure at his Aletrid idea. It was a relief, in a way. The fact that he had made a correct choice when it came to some social nuance, he liked to think that meant he was making some sort of progress. In reality, he knew part of it had been a completely blind guess. He hadn't been assured that his choice would be the right one. But, in the end it had. He supposed that should count for something. A brief look of confusion crossed his face as she mentioned curious woman, the concept obviously not clicking in his mind. He didn't hesitate to agree though, giving another short nod. "The Aletrid it is. When it comes to a journal, out of curiosity, do your people... The Drykas, I mean. Do they have written word? Or do you write in the Konti language, or my own language?" He needed practice writing, but he also needed practice writing in other languages. It might be worth it to try and do his own journal in her tongue. Then again, that might give them too much to learn and teach all at once. He'd bring it up if it seemed appropriate. Creative. He often felt that he was anything but creative. It was a weakness of his, one that he was fully aware of and curious to how he could fix it. Creativity sometimes required drawing outside of the lines. He had been the sort of child to take his paints and very carefully draw exactly where instructed. When told that drawing outside the lines was a good thing, that had drawn a frown from him. Why was that a good thing? That would turn it into a messy drawing, not a correct drawing. His eyes grew distant for a moment but quickly returned to the present as she moved forward, giving him a gentle touch and a tug. She would notice his brief moment of stiffness as he instinctively reacted, eyes expressing the fact that he wasn't sure what to do. He was at his best when he was allowed a moment to analyze things, to calculate and then react. When he was taken by surprise, his mind had to take a moment to recover. He still had the sense to return the kiss softly, applying some pressure of his own against her lips when they touched his. He wasn't at all bothered by the show of affection and quickly filed it away in his mind for the next time that it would happen. Hopefully he would be able to react better and imitate a show of it himself. "Ah, yes. Seaweed. I would be happy to." He briefly ran over his schedule for the next day and gave a slow shake of his head. "I should be free to stay. Thank you for the offer. Is there a good way to harvest seaweed? Do I just follow the instructions you gave me before? When I find some, remove some of the weed but leave enough for the plant to be able to recover naturally?" His wet body slipped away, blue eyes already studying the clear waters. He was careful and methodical with his search, not at all aware that the area they were in would have none of the herb he was looking for. He did spot a few plants here and there, but none of them seemed very much like seaweed to him. It was only when that thought crossed his mind did he pause a brief moment, blinking at the water and then glancing up at Kavala. He opened his mouth, paused, then slowly spoke. "...seaweed. I don't believe I am familiar with what seaweed looks like. I reacted too soon." He confessed his enthusiasm to her, cheeks very briefly turning a slight shade of pink before the expression of shame vanished. When she had informed him and instructed, he would quickly make himself as useful as possible, doing what he could to harvest all that she needed. This had been quite the educational experience. Those were his favorite sorts of experiences.

[Kavala]

Kavala was glad he was open to maybe taking a few classes at the same time. It would make life easier for her. While she was smart, studying wasn’t her forte nor her strong suit. And the whole time here she’d had to force herself to be as good as she could and certainly better than some of the Konti that took classes with her. None of them had a sense of how dangerous the world was, how fragile life was, and how important their healing classes were. Mura had predators, true, but nothing like the outside world. The whole island was sheltered, pampered, and the living was easy. Kavala often wondered if it wouldn’t make her soft one of these days… to soft to return to The Sea of Grass and thrive.

“I will certainly try.” She responded in regards to his comment about filling holes in his logic and reasoning. Kavala wondered though, if anyone could fill any holes in his sense of adventure, of living, of passion… and if she could ever make him laugh. He didn’t seem the type, though she wasn’t sure why. It was, in truth, too early in her knowing him to even make guesses at the thing she sensed was off about him.

Kavala was excited he might want to take a class or two with her in the next block. Scheduling classes was something she could look forward too if they continued to get along. Sometimes her courses were somewhat grueling and she could use a person to vent too or to encourage her competitiveness in the classroom.

He was up for calling their arrangement by a specific name. The Aletrid. Kavala smiled softly, wondering if she was crazy to enter into this agreement at all. But she had a good feeling about it. Kavala never ignored her feelings or things she saw as opportunities as they presented themselves. And he was definitely that and more. He represented her freedom of choice and her ability to sow some wild oats while she was young before the constrictions of her duty harnessed her in a yoke of labor and servitude among the Drykas. At least now she could choose certain things… with no one about to say no or frown at her. There was no Ankal to hand down extra chores or keep her so busy working her webbed fingers to the nubs to keep her away from something she wanted or desired.

And the truth was she desired Matthew’s attention. She wanted to know more about him, truthfully, because she knew as it stood now she desired how he made her feel and what he did to her body. And she wanted to know why that was… how that ways… and push it further.

“My people do write. But we write in common, I’m afraid. Pavi is our first language, and its only two forms are spoken and grassland sign. I can show you some of that and teach you phrases and words in both and how they combine if you are curious. Because if you ever run across Drykas and want to really communicate with them, you need a rudimentary understanding of Grassland sign unless they know Common which quite a few do.” Kavala said, leaning back to wet her hair and gills in the salt water of the sea again. She was happy here, talking, sharing ideas, and wasn’t afraid to share some of what she knew of her people.

She watched him think things over about his schedule and nodded when he agreed. That won him a bright smile of pleasure from her as she slide her arms out and stroked the water, restless to get deeper into the water as the sun was growing hot on her pale skin. His admission about the seaweed just caused her to respect him more. Most men, especially Drykas, would be loathe to admit ignorance of something. Matthew was not. So she filled him in on what they’d learned in class today.

“It’s a good thing you are asking me today while the lecture is still fresh in my mind. That’s what my plant class was about today. So I can fill you in. Before the lecture I was about where you are now with my knowledge of it.” Kavala admitted, tilting her head and looking thoughtful. She took on a serious expression and gathered her thoughts before speaking.

“First, seaweed is important because not only are they are major food source for the Konti and land dwellers like… “ She thought hard here, trying to remember… “Zeltiva for example utilizes it heavily.” Kavala said, filling in the blank in her mind. “It has a considerable amount of medicinal properties. The main ones are anti-inflammatory, but they can help with consumption, arthritis, colds, influenza, worm infestations, and can improve ones attractiveness to the opposite sex. If seaweed extract is added to certain types of food, mold will not grow on it as well.” Kavala said, thinking even harder, trying to remember what Drae Sommers had said.

“So… food and medicines, but also cosmetics, fertilizer, and for gums… thickeners in recipes for other things.” Kavala added, passing on the information she’d gotten in her own lecture. “Anyhow… seaweed… lets see… “ The Konti thought, gathering her thoughts again. “Oh! You can also weave it and use it as cloth or netting depending upon the variety.” She injected, then launched into the main part of Drae Sommer’s lecture.

“So.. seaweed isn’t just one thing. It’s a term used for a very broad group of plants and algae that live in the ocean. It can be very small – smaller than we can see – to huge sometimes upwards of ten feet or more in length. It doesn’t have roots like plants do, but bulbs that anchor it into the silt of the bottom or rock crevices. These are called ‘holdfasts’ instead of roots. Some even have air bladders to keep the strands afloat. These air bladders are called floats too. It’s divided into three categories… green, brown, and red. So what we are actually looking for is Kelp. That’s the bigger stuff. We harvest like we do normal plants, cutting off lengths of it in strands here and there, never taking one whole plant. We just need to swim out and dive down to where the kelp is growing the best and stuff what we cut with knives or break off then stuff into mesh bags. I have one or two I think in my gear. It likes rocks best, and water that has some movement to it so it can sway and get to the light.” She added, hoping that was helpful.

Then she turned and pointed to the rocky outcropping at the edge of the cove. It stretched into the calm waters providing a bit of current. Out in the water on the cove side he could occasionally see green fingers of plants exposed to the air from the waves gently rolling in. “There, see it? We can get some there.” She said, hoping he didn’t mind swimming. It didn’t look rough or dangerous, just deeper than where they were. And there were rocks close so if one of them got in trouble, they could surface and rest on the rocks for a few chimes catching their breath.

And with that, she slowly reached for his hand and turned, heading in to where their gear was. She outfitted them with medium sized mesh collecting bags, clam knives (which was all she had) and a bit of courage. Then rather than crossing in the water to the finger of stones, she jogged with him down the cove to the edge and walked out on the stone until they were parallel with the deep part of the water where the deep pools of a kelp forest started. Then, gathering her courage, she jumped in, intending to start the process.

The view from below was breathtaking. Kavala had never been in a kelp forest before, but she knew she loved it the minute she inserted herself into the environment.

[Matthew]

Pavi. It was a new term that he quietly formed with his lips a few times to make sure he had it down. They used signs? With their hands, he assumed. He had heard of such things before, even seen a few people his age flash certain signs back and forth between each other. He had been told that those weren't any language though, just signs of disrespect. He had never sat down and taken the time to learn them, but perhaps it would be worth it. He had no doubt that learning some basic Pavi would be worth it. "That would be excellent, thank you. We can try to make time for it after the more pressing lessons are attended to." Then that was that, and the next step was the seaweed. How deep was the seaweed, he wondered? Would it require them to go underwater? How would they harvest it with their eyes closed? He watched her, keeping up his habit of maintaining eye contact as she explained what she knew. He nodded at the mention of Zeltiva using it. He had actually seen it in cooked form, now that he thought about it. It was really something of a common sight when it came to seafood. Perhaps he could work backwards from that memory to figure out what it looked like. If he had saw cooked seaweed, a dark and wrinkled sort of thing, then perhaps the uncooked form of it would be a lighter shade and a bit smoother. The cooking process would soak it with water, so wouldn't it be bigger before that process? No, it was an underwater plant so it was likely that it was already waterlogged. Only the dried form would be a bit smaller, not the cooked form. His mind blurred through the thoughts as she spoke, working double-time to follow what she was saying as well. He noted the medical effects in particular, pleased that the information worked well with some of the skills that he already had. It could even improve attractiveness? How very unique. He was slowly growing more of an appreciation for all the uses of such mundane things. And then she told him even more uses. Cosmetics, gums, fertilizers, thickeners... herbalism was a whole new world for him. He briefly felt a surge of appreciation for the one who had created all of these different things. They were little hidden gifts to the mortals and there were so many who weren't aware of all the uses that they had. He was still one of those people, but soon that would change. He stared to where she pointed once they had reached the edge of the cove, giving a quick nod to show her that he noticed where she was pointing him. Seaweed was a broad term, that was handy. So while he had seen it back at Zeltiva, it might not be the sort he had seen here. It was just a generic sort of thing. Committing the terms to his mental library, he slowly followed her to the shore. He repeated the quick lesson to himself, blue eyes glimmering as the gears worked behind them. Briefly, he let his eyes drop her bare rear. He watched it for a moment, realizing that she moved in a different way than most of the Konti. They were slow and serene in a lot of the things they did. She moved with a certain purpose in every little step she made. Reaching the horse, he equipped the bags and the knives and then followed her, already feeling the heat drying off some of the droplets of water that were still streaming down his body. It didn't matter for long, as they were soon dipping into the cool waters once again. He leaped in after her, forcing himself not to make any sudden and foolish jerks out of fearful instinct as the kelp brushed at his toes. The plants were a lot bigger than they had looked from the outside. He wasn't a good swimmer, but good enough to tread water in this gentle sort of area. Finding a rather long stalk of kelp that brushed almost to his knee, he took a breath and dove. There was no possible way to do it without opening his eyes, so he quickly peeked out. There was a sting as the saltwater attacked, but it wasn't something that was unbearable. He was surprised to find the sensation was bearable, likely from all of the times he had been blinded by saltwater while out with his father. Taking the clam knife, he quickly and methodically stripped long pieces of the green substance from the tall stalk, leaving plenty behind as he gathered a small handful. He would come up quite often for a deep breath, and Kavala might notice that he always gave the shore a quick glance to make sure that it was nearby. Then he would go under again and again, harvesting in his methodical method, glancing at her for affirmation every now and then that he was doing it correctly. It was a whole new experience, and that was one of the things that he lived for. He could also appreciate the beauty of the place. Even his distant and apathetic mind could be impacted by the unique and astounding beauty that nature could display.

[Kavala]

Kavala kept an eye on the human as she dove with him, swimming down to harvest from strands of kelp he didn't touch. She left the ones towards the surface to him, knowing he did not have the gills she had. The Konti felt like she wasn't a strong swimmer, not having much experience with it other than swimming in The Blue Vein river itself. The sea was completely different. It was peaceful, beautiful, and harvesting kelp had a magic in its own right. Beneath the waves, the Konti felt graceful, weightless, and like things were easier. She felt a lure to the ocean and understood why the Konti rarely left its sight.

At first she held her breath, but gradually like the times she'd gone swimming before, she let her gills flex and start working. They felt amazing having the water pushed through them and out her mouth. Her lips arched, making her look almost like she was singing when she was in fact breathing. Her lungs sealed themselves off, but never burned like the ones humans had did when they were not allowed to pump. In fact, she realized she could release the air held there by exhaling her lungs allowing her to drop to the sea floor easier. Keeping them full of air left her more buoyant and she was able to float with more ease.

Kavala played, frolicked even, as she collected kelp. It had been the most extraordinary day and she felt entirely extraordinary. But there was also another feeling in her... a feeling of power that was unlike any she'd ever known. She'd be hard pressed to put a finger on it, but as she watched the male harvesting kelp above her, she almost glowed. Her body felt so delicious and she was never more aware of it than she was that afternoon. He was beautiful to watch, even without a huge understanding of swimming, he was graceful in the water. Kavala felt things when she studied him and couldn't wait until they had camp made and could be closer again. She wanted to touch him. More importantly too she wanted him to touch her. Even in that moment she wanted to swim to him and curl herself around him and rub her body on his and be rubbed in turn. His scent was powerful in the water and she was very aware of him even as she made the cuts and harvested the kelp.

There was no one to tell her no. There were no rules. There were only choices and sensations and new pathways to walk. She wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. She smiled to herself... no this one opportunity and learning situation she was going to fully embrace.

Continued with: The A Rest Of Course...