The Sunspire into the woods

In a trance, she traveled east. She sought her lover. Or a lover. With time marching onward, the head of Moonspear knew that such things could not always be perfect. Sialuk would never be faithful to one singular man or woman. The year prior had shown that, even if she had not sought out others while raising both of her children. But somewhere, deep down, she had known that her deepest instincts were to experience it all.

And so she crooned into the midday sky, snow falling softly from the sky.

Her son was safe, recovering in the careful arms of his mother. Her wife was safe, caring for their son as he healed.

Sialuk roamed free, pale yellow eyes needing.

The Sea Born headed home. Each paw step agony as the scabs of his pads broke and bled. The inbetween growing with infection. He had managed to stave off most of it and padding it tightly with rushes and seaweed. Though it was almost gone.

He would be glad to be home and also probably not so glad as children would probably come to the hollow in a few short weeks. And that stabbed his heart painfully.

An alluring scent met him. One that wasn't the Widow and yet it still both revitalized and revolted him. And a deep seated shame colored his thoughts.

Why was he so abnormal and further more, why couldn't he be nice about the women. They couldn't help this time.

He was musing over hia abnormalitues and didn't realize he was almost atop the white moon wolf.

He back pedaled. Dis wolf apologizes.

He gave her space, and tried to look anywhere but at her. A tightening in his belly letting him know he wasn't fully immune to the charms of women. But it also made it turn and made him want to run the other way.

Her heart thrummed with warmth, and she spotted the figure coming closer, closer. Sialuk laughed lightly when he apologized. A man need not apologize, she assured him, closing the gap between them as quickly as he had made it. She let her eyes fall on him, even as his darted to look away from her, seeking anything but the very thing she assumed he had been drawn to. He wore a mask of dark brown over a coat of cream, and his legs bore the same color ask the mask. She thought him young, perhaps between his first and second year.

Sialuk touched her nose to his shoulder, taking a deep drink of his smell. It was woody, mixed with the salt of the sea that she knew well from her visit to Moontide. He smelled of others, but not strongly so. Snow wet the outer layer of his fur, and Sialuk shook her coat before backing away and meeting his gaze.

He blinked surprised. Of course de do. De pain women must go true. Just for a man to 'ave 'is pleasure. Dey need always apologize.

There was no denying that he was drawn to her scent, and he had come this way. But. Not for that. He couldn't, wouldn't. The very thought making his stomach draw tight and his heart jack rabbit in panic. She was not who he wanted, nor did her form please him. She was beautiful as all women were, but not the Beauty he sought.

She was in his space. Heady and drunk with it her scent. He blinked stupified. That hia body would have such a reaction when he didn't want her, not in his head or heart. Biology am i right.

I be Etienne.

Golden gaze met her own moon gaze.

Sialuk canted her head at his remark. Pain? she inquired. What tales had this young man's parents put in his head? Sialuk had known cultures where talk of coupling was not permitted, and those where such thing was looked down upon, but this was the first she had heard of pain. Do you think a woman derives no pleasure from what a another may give her? I would not seek a thing that would cause pain, she assured him. Sialuk stepped closer, her mouth to his ear.

I could show you.

A soft chuckle. And he shook his head. No. Sorry dat not be W'at i mean. I mean. For de pleasure. Women carry it longer. Babies and birt'. My auntie, my mama dey enjoy it too amd dey don't need men. But hmm.

How to explain that he felt women were the stronger gender. But they also had to deal with everything after. And it was good it was. But also harrowing and hard.

He blanched and shook his head. I.

A soft bite of his lip, and then a blowing of breath. No Tank you. You are very beautiful, but i not be likin' women. I respect dem. Dey deserve all de 'appiness. And de are beautiful. But i prefer hard lines and uh not so many curves.

He blinked and blushed. Getting ready to flee. He tucked his tail and shook his head. He had just shared his secret with a stranger, but he had no idea how else to reject her gently.

He seemed unable to put into words what he meant, and only when he spoke his last line did Sialuk realize what he intended to say. The man with the mask would be the last of his bloodline. The starwoman nodded, understanding; no woman would ever know Etienne's touch.

Long days and pleasant nights, Etienne, she said, brushing past him and leaving him to whatever journey he had been on before they crossed paths.