14. The walk {EN}

He shook his body lightly, like on a cold breeze shiver, then undid the laces of his camisa. With a swift dance, his toned arms took it off. Underneath, wild beaches began. His back muscles lifted like dunes of dark golden sand, perfectly sculpted, memories of a well-trained body. Something in the way his muscle shapes are put together looks part army part wildling.

He turned to let me see the other half of wonder, unknown terrain for my eager eyes and thirsty fingers, each fiber of his being curling with lust for touch. Or so it seemed at first.

Beyond this intoxicating desire, I saw the pain written on his body. The imperfect indents in the skin, likely from old injuries, felt tense and dense. On his ribs, subtle scars, fine and peculiar, like threads of darkness here and there. I wonder what evil thing makes such a mark. And I felt pain, his pain hidden in all of them, the truth of his upbringing. Masking it all, his cloak of unbotheredness, a cold facade so thin that it could crumble just with a wink of the right touch.

- Tattoos or ...

- Scars.

I knew it. A twitch of pain flickered on his eyes, almost unnoticeable.

- You like what you see?  Said he, looking at me with that wicked smirk.

I blushed and gazed away. I realized I should be getting dressed if I'm to walk him to the waterfall.

I found my harem pants dry and warm, laying over a stone by the firepit.

Putting them on felt like melting naked into warm grass under the summer sun. I wrapped the knee cords tightly on my calves, lacing them on, over my underdress and under my tail.

His șașin jacket feels cuddly and soft, I can almost feel the warmth of his skin in the contours his muscles left in the lining. I'll go barefoot, at least I'll get some grounding with this stroll.

***

My favorite spot of this ascondo is the edge.

I am now tall enough to reach the ceiling

and bend forward,

just enough to feel the calling of the deep.

If only I could fly,

my wings would spread over the valley,

I'd let my body go into the fall,

only to lift and drift into horizon.

Alas, wings I have not.

And no desire to be gone,

I inhaled deep the nightly air

and bent tail-back to safety.

The night was young and so were we.

How young? Enough to matter

if a gaze lingers too long on virgin territory.

Next to me, Ales was literally pissing on my daydream. I caught a glimpse of him relieving himself in the valley, satisfied and amused to the bone.

- Now that's a piss to remember, he said to himself, almost unaware I was listening...and watching.

He met my gaze and covered his penis in a quick gesture. I gloated in the feeling I was making him embarrassed by something. How oddly dark of me.

- I see you're ready for our little walk. Come, follow me.

I turned my back on him and stepped towards the darkness. I danced my hand through the tracking-wands that were sparsely gathered in the rocky basket by the edge of the cliff.

The trail would continue onwards, between a rocky wall to the left and a crumbling edge of dirt at the brink of the darkness. The valley on the right would be a deep plunge to severe injury or death. The trail however, always seemed safe for me, even as child. Like it would always watch and cradle my steps to safety, even in its narrowest parts.

- We're not wasting any wood we might need for the night, we'll go in dark and silence, hopefully, no creatures of the night will spot us. Moonlight should be enough for you, if not, here, hold my tail. I said, with a short gaze back to see if he's ready.

He was closer than I thought and I could almost feel his warmth. His chest was relaxed in a steady breathing, the shadows were dancing on his abs, revealing a sacred geometry of shapes pointing me downwards. I took a sharp inhale and gasped. I blushed again and the rocky wall and trail lit up from my reaction.

He extended his palm forward to reach me, with a confident gaze.

- Guide me. That wicked smirk again, oh, how alluring.

I rested the tip of my tail in his palm and this time it felt different. Like I was no longer helping a friend out on a climb, neither like a kinly gesture we're so accustomed to in our families.

It felt more like holding out a path into my own being, like laying out an offering to the gods, eager to have my wish granted.

He did grab my tail. Very kindly, ceremonial even, unsure of how to handle it or hold it. Like touching something alien.

The nightlights were dim on the trail ahead, a path less walked by beings. I could see a thin lightrail of steps drawn on the Kraten's wall, losing itself in the distance. The winding path towards the lonely waterfall. My eyes adjusted to the night light quickly, the sound of the water faintly humming in the distance.

Barefoot on the cold rocks, walking the trail was therapy for my nervous system, like I could almost relax in the painful awakening of my soles. Every pebble hit just the right point to send a pulse of release upwards. I'm here, dear child, I'll always hold your steps. Elyria would often speak to me like this, sending me notice of how much I am a part of her as she is me. Sometimes, I wonder why I ever put on shoes.

***

I could've told her we share a similar way of seeing in the dark. She didn't ask and I was offered a treat I'd never refuse. So, I said nothing. Masking away my excitement in gallantry, hoping the darkness would hide my soon to be full erection, I followed her lead and grabbed her tail.

Thinner than it would be holding my cock, her tail felt like sleek velvet with a strong wavy rope-structure of what I assume is just bone. I could feel the power it was capable of underneath all that grace and weightlessness it carried. A fantastic thing to have, I guess. I always wondered what it would be like to have one myself.

My hand was in a trance, I followed her blindly, my fingers lost on a curiosity journey, my mind absorbing every detail of this uncommon experience.

I took in the view of the valley, the distant hills that waved their way across the land. The lights of scattered dwellings, the rivers and the lakes that made their way down from the Kraten to the Tree.

Across the land, a web so fine of blue life-threads that lingered on the roads and trails. Ethereal marks of life going about its day, leaving a trail of glistening crumbs at every step.

The night I realized I was the only one in our unit that could see that, something flipped inside me. I told no one. A flipping coin settled its face upwards, heralding a truth I didn't dare to wish for. Freedom.

A thing in myself that was free from the Lord's tricks and programming, a key for the path that could set me free. For the first time in a lifetime, I had a dream of my own. I had an inkling of hope that my future could be something else than what he could command of me. A way out.

I flicked my finger over the tip of her tail and she lit up again, stopping abruptly. I flicked it twice and it happened again. The third time, she snapped her tail out of my hand and brushed her clothes with it, shaking away the feeling.

- Don't be like this.

- Like what?

- Annoying. Ungrateful. I was just being kind to you, leading the way. Maybe it suits you to walk alone from here. We're close. Go on, now, go ahead. 

Nora puckered her lips, crossing her arms over her chest. With my jacket on and harem pants, she was rather badass I'd give her that. Like a rock'n'roll queen. She gracefully pointed the way, like a nice flight attendant. Our eyes locked through the darkness, in a staring contest.

-After the next bend, the trail widens again, the stones get bigger and you can reach the waterfall by steps. Don't break and don't die, the rocks are wet and the valley is deep. 

Of course, passing by Nora had to be done by gliding face to face on the narrow path. Our nose tips touched and when the tip of my penis brushed the fold of her pants, my ears ringed with delight.

I inhaled her warm breath, a breeze of wild meadow flowers, honeysuckle and roses. I didn't stop to look at her, it was enough to see her lights reflecting back on the rocky wall. She had it coming. A smile of deep satisfaction lit my face, a bittersweet thought lingered on my tongue. Don't push her away with this teasing, Ales, don't be a dick. Alas, it felt like there was nothing of me besides a dick.

She went silent, but I could feel her gaze on my back, clinging to my body like she was holding my tail this time. I stopped to ruffle my curls and adjust my posture, knowing she's probably still looking. The trail took a sharp left around a massive stone, then curved into a wider path with bigger rocks here and there.

I thought I'd be shivering by now, walking naked in the cold night breeze. My blood was boiling instead, I was so warm and aroused that the cold could only keep at bay so much of my desire.

Cold water was a swift, painful call back to reality. I was lost in my mind and the contact surprised me, I think I cried out a swear rather loudly. A few deep breaths and I was back to my senses. After that initial shiver went away, it felt like any other shower.

Washing away the dirt and pain, a gentle reminder that everything flows. I am one with the water and stone, a divine sculpture of flesh and bones caressed by the firm and gentle touch of mother nature.

Elyria could be so utterly rewarding in her simple human life happenings. Unlike any world out there, I find this one to be uniquely gifted in what a human could be here. Raw and untamed while polished and perfected in any way a human is.

My shower thoughts were dismissed and sent away by her gaze. Two diamonds of darkness, her eyes flickered lightly in the moonlight. Like kitty eyes. She was taking me in like a lioness takes her prey.

The night was a masterful cloak to disguise everything but her glance. I know desire when I see it. I also know the face of the curious maiden I'd have my way with every now and then. Don't underestimate her twice, Ales. She's not your average type of girl. 

- You like what you see, miss Nora? 

She revealed herself with a scintillating blush.

- I dare you to join me. 

- You wouldn't...

- I just did.  I said I'll think about it, now welcome your next dare. 

I saw her lower lip tremble with irritation. She puffed, annoyed and surprised that I threw her a dare when she didn't expect it. Or maybe it was because her cover was blown and I forced her out of hiding.

- It's not that cold, you know. It actually feels good. Invigorating.

- Is that the soma speaking?

- Perhaps. Why don't you come and be the judge of it?

- I don't want to get my hair wet again. It's already really cold outside. I'm done playing this stupid game after this trick.

- I hope you always finish what you start, Nora.

She took her clothes off with sharp moves, mumbling something. A shiver passed her body and wiggled her tail. She closed in on me, stepping firmly over the wet stones, one hand on the left side rock wall.

She was sitting outside the stream, building up courage to face the water. She extended her arm to assess the temperature and flow. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, only a step left between us. I reached the nape of her neck with my other arm, fingers deep in her mane of dark violet hair. I grabbed her hair in a loose tail and pulled her face towards mine, my lips a breath away from hers.

 - What if I hold it for you? 

She leaned into the kiss and she didn't even flinch at the touch of the water. Our lips met at the edge of the stream and I released her wrist only to pull her closer by the waist. This time, she didn't use her tail to push me away, she grabbed my back, tightening her grip and we met skin on skin under the water.

The edges of me were blurry and uncertain, my body could only focus on conquering new flesh. The border between us was an ocean, shapeshifting waves of touch drowning our senses with pleasure.

It felt otherworldly.

Her hands were tracing my abs, aimlessly wandering through the hairs below my navel. Eyes closed, she was as lost in her senses as I was in mine, her body softening with lust, her hand gliding down over my throbbing erection.

I tensed the hand in her hair, pulling it rather harshly and she bit my lip. Then she pulled away, panting. With one hand on her heart and another between her thighs she quivered and shrieked mildly, releasing her waters down the stream. I felt the warmth of her inner world washing over my toes.

She looked at me in a way that was vulnerable, intense but also a bit defeat. Like it's of no use to pretend we're not written together in some story that's only just begun.

No game greater than what Life has in store for us. I'm all in.