A Fae, A Faun and a Human

[Philomel]

Through the streets of Radasanth Mao escorted her charges. The boy-man who was more magical than human rode with ease upon the back of a huge wolf, who was almost the size of her own giant self. She was wary of the creature, but he seemed fine enough, panting and padding as she bounded. Veridian was slumped across her back, like a hunted prize, his head lolling slightly with each fresh leap. He was, to put it lightly, exhausted; the breath expelling from his lungs shallowly as he fought to remain concious. In truth he could give up and die, but that would leave the man-boy alone to face up to Maverik - Philomel's one time bodyguard and now captain of the Gilded Lily, the Feisty Fox. With exception of having Mao, the rabbit. And if there was one thing Mao was not entirely brilliant at, it was communication. Yes, she had intelligence, but words and writing alluded her. Instead there was just the stream of images, smells and other senses that flowed from her mind into those of her community companions.

Thus Veridian stayed alive, his eyes drooping closed but his will as strong as iron.

I must stay strong, he kept telling himself as the acid burnt through his flesh, I must stay alive.

---

Elsewhere, Philomel felt very much alive. Throwing back her head she groaned to the ceiling and the sky beyond, eyes half-closed herself but following a very different emotion. After all endorphins and adrenaline was rushing through her veins at a high, rapid rate. As the man moved her gently, swinging her body around so he sat on top she welcomed the change, letting her body simply appreciate the rush of energy that came. Her fine furred body would be found to be adequately less hairy down where it mattered, so any hopes of a good night would be guaranteed.

Many had tried to pleasure her over the years, and few had truly succeeded, but tonight was one of those times. After all, it had been Philomel who had suggested it, and thus there was no forcing of joy, no work to be done, no monetary exchange that was to be made. There was just freedom - she could actually enjoy herself without needing to think to much and thus she did, moaning as he teased her body with little to no hesitation. Placing her hands on his hips Philomel drew Storm Veritas close, whispering to him with soft, encouraging words.

"Come and be mine," she murmured to him.

And he did. They did. They became, in the words of the old religious testemonies, as one flesh, faun meeting human, druid and summoner meeting wizard. To such an extent that the creaking of the bed that they created as he rocked gently back and forth atop her could be made from the corridor outside.

---

"Fleeking ..." the huge, leather-clad, black-haired woman, who stood at a massive six foot ten inches tall, swore loudly and ran - rather, stomped in a fast manner - over to the giant rabbit. With hands the size of dinner plates and a face as red as a storm she lifted Veridian's body from the back of the creature and paused, craddling him easily in her hands.

For a while she simply stared, blue eyes wondering over the russet red and blood red body, some flesh exposed and fur entirely ruined. She sucked in her breath via her tongue so it made a rasping, worried sound before she looked over to look at the boy-man on the wolf's back. A wolf who seemed much happier than the rest of them to be here.

"So what's with you then?" she asked Fenn, "Bringing me an almost dead Matriarch's fox, eh?"

Her eyes narrowed, as she stood on the thin board that led up to the three-masted, mighty wooden ship. The place which could, if all went well, provide healing for the earth-spirit doused in briarheart acid.

"Eh?" her voice was gravelly, hoarse but strong, and her form was the same. She waited for the fae to answer, with as much patience as a bear has scales.