Timestamp: 67th Day of Spring, 514 AV Lian soared through the glowing strands of the Web the same way a bird soars through the sky. A soft harmony of sounds sweeter than any music he knew filled the air. It told him that all was right with this section of the Web. There were no harsh dissonances warning of weaknesses in the Web, or jarring sounds betraying the presence of damaged areas. The scents that surrounded him were both familiar, and welcoming. They reminded him of happier times when he was still a child, and Lukar and Lily were alive. Lian felt a deep sense of peace and contentment. When he was in the Web, he felt safe in a way that he never felt anywhere else. It went far beyond knowing that he wasn't in danger of being attacked, or eaten. It went beyond the feeling of safety that came from being in Endrykas rather than out in the Sea of Grass. Physical safety didn't even come close to explaining the feeling of safety that he experienced now. This was the sensation that he was loved, and nurtured, and cared for. As long as he was in the Web, he was physically, mentally, and emotionally safe. Words couldn't even begin to describe what he felt. The closest he could come to describing it was the complete and utter trust and confidance that a very young child has in their parents. The unshakable belief that as long as they are near, everything is right with the world...and if it isn't, they will fix it so that it is. There was also a deep feeling of connection. Of belonging. While in the Web, Lian belonged to something far greater than himself. Anything was possible. It was an incredibly heady feeling. One that had likely lured more than one Webber into staying within the Web long enough to be lost forever. Recognizing the danger signs, Lian took one last look around before allowing his mind to fall back into his own body. I can see why so many Webbers are lost to the Web when they get too strong. Even I often wish I could stay longer than it is wise. For someone who is much stronger than I am, the feelings of peace and safety could easily be too powerful to resist. he thought ruefully. Even now, Lian was tempted to go back into the Web to explore for just a little longer. But it was time to rejoin the physical world once more, so he resisted the urge. Instead, he stretched himself, paying careful attention to muscles that had fallen asleep while he'd been exploring the Web. Both of his feet had fallen asleep, and the fierce tingling sensation he felt now was an unpleasant reminder of why he should have stretched before he entered the Web. When he finished stretching, Lian ate a good sized hunk of bread, and several handfuls of berries to replenish the energy he had used up while in the Web. As he ate, Lian watched his captive. She was rather pretty, though her attractiveness, or lack there of held little value to Lian. He would do his duty to his people and sire children on her regardless of what she looked like. Though he did have to admit, if only to himself that having sex with a pretty girl was far easier than it would be with one that was less attractive. Physical attraction might not be as much of a benefit if feelings were involved. Love, desire, passion, or even friendship. But there was none on Lian's part. All he felt was a sense of duty to his people. His people needed children, and so he would provide them. So far, there were no signs that the girl was pregnant. Lian couldn't help but wonder how long it would take for his efforts to succeed. How would he know for certain if he had? Were there other signs he should be looking for other than the obvious? Lian didn't think he could trust the girl to tell him when she was pregnant, so he needed another way to find out. Was there a chance he could convince the healers to tell him if she went to them for something like that? Lian wasn't sure, and there wasn't anything he could do about it either way, so he decided to stop worrying about it. |