Kael, who had been walking a few steps behind, overheard the entire conversation, his eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the ground as he trailed behind Ava and Oma. His face darkened with anger, his jaw clenched tightly. Anger simmered beneath his surface, threatening to boil over. He didn't appreciate the idea of another male being suggested to Ava, especially by someone as persuasive as Oma. But Kael knew better than to voice his frustration outright. He didn't want to seem like the possessive or controlling male that snake beast men were accused of being, He refused to reinforce those perceptions. so he forced himself to remain silent, biting back his frustration. He didn't want to scare Ava away or tarnish his reputation within the tribe. His ears, however, remained attuned to their conversation.
As he walked, Kael's mind raced. He recalled the whispered warnings from other tribes about snake beast men: "Beware their jealousy," "Don't trust their possessiveness." Kael knew these biases stemmed from misunderstandings and fear.
Still, his thoughts churned with frustration. "I'll have to keep Ava away from Oma from now on," he thought to himself. "She's filling her head with unnecessary ideas."
As they approached the tribe's central grounds, Kael's emotions remained turbulent. He cast a sideways glance at Ava, ensuring she remained unaware of his inner turmoil.
As they reached the tribe's center, Kael took a deep breath, calming himself. He glanced again at Ava, who seemed unfazed by Oma's suggestion, her focus still on the upcoming gathering.
The center was bustling with activity, with females preparing for the outing and males organizing their groups for protection. Ava's nerves slowly dissipated as she absorbed the lively atmosphere. Soon after her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure of a jaguar walking briskly towards her with a hind skin skirt in mouth, the jaguar transformed into George.
George swiftly and agilely wrapped the hind skin around his waist, his movements practiced and fluid. The supple leather hugged his curves, accentuating his lean physique.
Next, George darted towards Ava, embracing her warmly. His arms wrapped tightly around her, squeezing gently.
"I came back and found that you guys left me behind all alone," George complained, his voice tinged with mock hurt.
Ava's gentle laughter soothed his feigned distress. Her hand stroked his hair, calming his pretend annoyance.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that," Ava apologized. "I didn't want to distract you since you were busy, but since you're done, why don't you come along? We're going to pick fruits."
George's face brightened, his eyes sparkling. "Alright!" He relished Ava's touch, his purr rumbling softly.
As Ava's hand lingered on his hair, George closed his eyes, savoring the affection. His tail twitched subtly, betraying his contentment.
The single males of the tribe observed George's display, their faces reflecting envy. They couldn't help but notice the ease with which George interacted with Ava, the obvious affection between them.
However, George remained oblivious to their gazes. His focus rested solely on Ava, basking in her attention.
Some of the females who witnessed this scene exchanged knowing glances, smiling. They recognized George's behavior – a mix of childlike playfulness and deep-seated loyalty.
Kael, standing nearby, watched George with amusement. He understood this was George's way of seeking attention.
As Ava released George from the hug, he grinned mischievously. "Let's go pick those fruits!" George exclaimed, bounding ahead with renewed energy.
The group laughed at George's antics. Ava's eyes met Kael's, sharing a warm smile, turning her head towards George "Come back, silly it's not yet time"
George's carefree spirit had lightened the mood, reminding the tribe of the beauty in simplicity.
As Ava, Kael, George, and Oma (with her mates) joined the tribe's females, the tribe leader, Morris, stood tall, surveying the gathering. "Today, we venture out to aid our females to gather the ripest fruits as the forest is full of fruits this season. Our males will provide protection, ensuring our safety and as for the females, do not stray too far from the group. Remember, stay vigilant and stay united! "
The females cheered, and the males let out a triumphant roar. Ava's excitement grew as she fell into step beside Kael, George trotting happily by her side. Oma and her mates flanked them, Oma's vibrant laughter filling the air as she joked about something with her mates.
As they left the tribe's central grounds, the familiar clearing gave way to an uncharted realm. Ava's eyes widened, drinking in the unfamiliar landscape. Lush forests stretched before her, their canopies a vibrant tapestry of greens. Rolling hills undulated, like gentle waves, as far as the eye could see.
As they descended into the valley, the forest grew denser. Trees loomed above, their branches intertwining. The group navigated the winding path, Ava marveling at the tribe's familiarity with this land.
"This is the territory of our tribe," Oma said, noticing Ava's wonder.
Ava's eyes met Oma's. "It's breathtaking," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
The sun, now a warm companion, cast its golden light upon the landscape. Ava felt its rays dance across her skin, infusing her with a sense of vitality.
The air was alive with scent – the sweet, heady aroma of ripening fruits wafted on the breeze. Ava's nostrils flared, identifying the tantalizing fragrances: juicy berries, succulent melons, and tangy citrus.
Her senses came alive, resonating with the natural world. With Every step she could hear the soft rustle of leaves, the gentle chirping of birds, and the soft earthy scent of the forest floor.
This was Ava's first foray into the tribe's surroundings, engaging in this activity with the tribe filled her with a sense of belonging.
Oma walked beside her, her smile warm and inviting. George skipped ahead, his voice echoing through the trees. Kael's reassuring presence walked beside her, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
The tribe's males formed a protective perimeter, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Kael, with his claw hand, wherever that came from, walked beside Ava, his presence reassuring. George, now fully in his human form, skipped ahead, his hind skin skirt swinging around his waist.
Oma leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ava, I'm glad you're here. You've brought a new energy to our tribe, for a long time I've felt like we need a new female in the tribe" Ava smiled, feeling a sense of belonging.
As they entered the fruit grove, Ava's eyes widened in wonder. The group dispersed, with females expertly plucking juicy fruits from trees. Ava marveled at the variety: succulent berries, sweet melons, tangy citrus, and exotic treasures she'd only seen in Shaman Lazur's possession.
Her gaze landed on pepper fruits the size of oranges, their vibrant color and enticing aroma captivating her. Nearby, a cabbage-like plant with onion-like characteristics caught her attention. Leaves emitting a pungent cumin scent wafted in the breeze, enticing Ava to explore further.
A majestic rosemary tree stood tall, its fragrant needles beckoning her. Garlic bulbs the size of onions nestled among the undergrowth, alongside ginger roots as large as tapioca. Other valuable cooking herbs in her world she once thought were rare in this world, grew abundantly here.
Ava's excitement grew as she realized the Beastmen didn't utilize these edible spices. Only Shaman Lazur and the passing doctors had made use of them, keeping their culinary potential hidden.
Kael approached, noticing Ava's fascination. "You look like you've found a treasure trove," he said with a smile.
"Help me harvest these," Ava requested, her hands already gathering the pepper fruits.
Together, Ava and Kael worked in harmony, collecting the diverse herbs and spices. George, still perched in the tree, tossed fruits down to Oma and a blond haired female with pink eyes, laughing as they tried to catch the aerial deliveries.
As they harvested, Ava envisioned the culinary creations possible with these ingredients. The Beastmen's simple diet would soon be infused with vibrant flavors, thanks to her knowledge and the tribe's hidden treasures.
Not long after Oma joined Ava and Kael, she tried her best in identifying the various plants. Curious, Oma asked, "Why do you pick these medicines?"
"What else if not to eat them," Ava replied, eyes shining with appreciation as she looked at the bountiful harvest. "These will enhance our cooking greatly" She thought to herself.
Oma looked confused said "But these herbs and grasses don't taste good at all"
Suddenly, a faint rustling echoed through the underbrush, shattering the serene atmosphere. Kael's head snapped towards the sound, his ears perked up in alertness.
In a fluid motion, he signaled to the other males, his hand gesturing subtly. George and the remaining males swiftly formed a protective circle around the females.
Ava's heart quickened, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She felt a surge of unease, her senses heightened.
But Kael's reassuring touch calmed her frazzled nerves. His cold hand brushed against hers, his fingers intertwining briefly.
"What is it?" Ava whispered to Kael
"Probably just a wild beast," he replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "But we'll ensure everyone's safety."
"Stay close," Kael whispered, his voice low and soothing.
Ava's gaze met Kael's, his eyes locked onto hers. His expression radiated confidence and protection.
The females drew closer, forming a tight cluster within the male's protective circle. Oma's hand grasped Ava's, while positioning herself near Ava.
George, still agile from his tree-climbing, positioned himself at the circle's edge, his eyes scanning the surrounding foliage.
Amon stood tall, his broad shoulders forming a barrier between the females and potential danger.
The rustling grew louder, branches snapping beneath unknown feet. Kael's grip on Ava's hand tightened, his focus fixed on the underbrush.
Ava held her breath, her heart pounding in anticipation. What would emerge from the shadows?
The tribe held its collective breath, waiting.
Suddenly, a sleek, tawny creature emerged from the underbrush. Its eyes locked onto the tribe, sizing them up.
Ava's tension eased as she recognized the creature – a majestic, harmless forest predator.
Kael's grip relaxed, his hand releasing Ava's.
"It's just a forest cat," George said, chuckling.
The tribe exhaled collectively, laughter replacing tension.
"What triggered you?" Ava chuckled as she asked Kael.
"Better safe than sorry," Kael replied, smiling.
Ava's heart felt calmed. Kael's protectiveness had calmed her fears.
The tribe continued their harvest, vigilant but no longer on high alert. The group breathed a collective sigh of relief and resumed their fruit gathering.