Neverwinter Forest [m] Thalassic

It was in this moment that Catamaran began to think there had been some misunderstanding. He had had no trouble assuming, up until now, that she'd understood their agreement and had been fully prepared — if not obviously reluctant — to hold up her end of the bargain. Maybe she'd hoped she could out-fox him (and she had, thus far) or maybe she'd planned to kill him the first time he pressed for more. But he had been sure she knew what he expected of her.

Now, with this slight hesitation, and with this verbal agreement, Catamaran began to re-examine the interaction as well. She was not usually given to responding aloud to such statements, and so this seemed oddly formal. And she already smelled like him — she had no choice in that matter. He was only voicing a thought, a desire, an idea of the future.

He didn't know what to make of it. When she relaxed, he found himself feeling wary. He expected her teeth when she turned her face to his chest. Instead, he only felt her warm breath.

Catamaran only held her, for a moment, unsure of what had shifted between them. But, in the way of men, he soon began to see this moment of apparent vulnerability as opportunity rather than reprieve. He drew his muzzle along the back of her neck and — gently! so gently! but still never quite soft — pinched her scruff between his teeth.