Changing Places

Chapter One

By Roofles

 

 

 

Water rushed all around the frantically flailing human.

It spun around him, rushing in his ears as his world was pulled, sinking further away from the surface above. Grabbing, grasping, clawing at the water itself as Simeon tried to reach up. Back towards it, back towards the surface’s light as he sunk further into the dark, cold depths below.

His struggled were in vain as he was dragged down by unseen cold invisible hands that grabbed and clawed at him as he tried to do to the surface above; pulling him forever down into the cold icy depths until he couldn’t see that light of the surface anymore.  

Simeon’s chest burned, his eyes stung as he looked upwards not wanting to forget which direction he needed to get out of here. Fighting until his last strength left him. His arms grew tired as the last bubbles of oxygen left him. Wanting to fight. Not to give up here, not yet.

“Not like this.” He pleaded to whoever maybe listening to his cries. “Please. I don’t want to die.”

The water rushed, increasing around him as the human slowly drowned underneath the surface above. Swirling around him, spinning like a washer Simeon found himself unable to grasp which way was up or down at this point. His strength was failing him.

This was how it ends. Not with a whimper or a bang. All he felt was numb as the last remnants of strength were sapped from his very bones, fingers reaching up uselessly.  

Unable to fight any longer for wherever these dark depths took him, Simeon could only let them take him. Those icy fingers curling around his body with far too many hands and arms, gently but firmly holding him in an almost lover’s embrace as he sunk into the sea.

Claiming his life…

Everything faded to black…

…

And he coughed.

A sound that was like music to his own ears as he gasped so hard it actually hurt; filling his lungs with the sweetest of things in life. Oxygen.

Rolling onto his side, Simeon practically threw up a stomachs worth of water. Grabbing the ground he huffed painfully glad to be feel anything other than that cold darkness that had nearly claimed him.

It took several minutes before he could even open his eyes. Simeon soon discovered he was on some sort of polished stone floor. It felt like marble. Tiled marble floor. Simeon didn’t know what to say at first as he pushed himself up, coughing a few more times as he wobbled on unsteady legs.

Simeon was dripping wet, head to toe as if he really had just been pulled out from the middle of the ocean. He looked around. He wasn’t in a boat though. He was in some sort of tall circular room and as he spun around, he saw the fountain trickling nearby.

The fountain was of a marvelous sculpture of a goat standing on its back legs, pouring a vase of water into a clear pool below. What unnerved him was the lion biting down on the goat’s neck as the creature continued to smile as if unaware it’s life was about to be stolen away from the predator behind.

Simeon jumped at that, retreating away from the water as he looked around wide eyed in the dark room. He coughed again, wiping his face off and arms. Then his shirt… only to find he wasn’t wearing one. Or pants. He was butt naked and wet in a middle of a strange room. And he heard voices coming his way.

“Shit.” Was the only thing he could think of to put his feelings into words. “Hello?” He wanted to ask but the sound caught in his throat and he ended up coughing once more.

At first Simeon wanted to call out for help; he needed an ambulance. Another part of him realized a butt naked stranger could possibly get him arrested, quickly. And taking the safer of the two options, he turned around and bolted for the other side of the room as the other door behind him flung open. Simeon nearly slipped on the wet floor, not even looking back as he scrambled away from whoever was checking on his intrusion.

“Stop!” Someone shouted as light flooded into the room. He didn’t. Simeon kept running as fast as his tired legs could take him butt naked to the other side of the room.

He grabbed the metal loop handle for the wooden door and pulled it open the best he could. It was far heavier than he thought it’d be and it took great effort to pull it shut behind him.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Simeon cursed. He couldn’t have another mark on his record. He was barely hanging on as it was in college. He didn’t need to be tossed into jail for another drunken escapade.

Sliding down one corridor he heard someone scream behind him. He didn’t stop to look as he was already running down the emptier of the two corridors. Covering his face partially in case of cameras, he was apologizing to any and everyone he ran by not even trying to get a good look at anyone.

Everyone gave him a good deal of room as he found himself running nearly into a dead end. Hopping over the white stone fence surrounding the middle of the massive open room, he landed in what looked like an interior garden of sorts. Using the foliage he ducked down and did his best to hide himself making his way across.

“He went in there!” A female said behind him, making Simeon curse as he bolted towards the side.

People were coming. A lot of angry ones at that. Heavy clanking metal could be heard and Simeon had no idea what the fuck was going on as he finally pulled another door open and slammed it shut behind him.

“I am so fucked!” He cursed, trying not to cry in frustration as he punched the wall at his side.

The room he was in was warm and misty. He could smell soap and knew this was some sort of bath. Possibly a public bath? He wasn’t sure as he stumbled into the room. At least the thick mist would hide him from the security. Inside the bath wouldn’t have cameras either, though he double checked to make sure.

Maybe there was another door he could escape out of? Or a window? Wouldn’t be the first time he crawled out a window butt naked to escape the heat. Be it the police, family or even the dorm rep Simeon had gotten away from each one way or another.

“Ok. Calm down. Focus. Think.” Simeon was practically punching his forehead trying to get his water logged brain working. “I was drinking with Chip and Louise. Things got a bit out of hand. And…” He paused trying to think of what happened after that.

It was blank.

Everything after that was absolutely blank. No flashes or memories. It was just empty space.

He couldn’t recall a single thing.

“How much did I fucking drink!” He practically yelled messing up his tangled curly hair even more than it already was, cursing again as he just made noises at this point in anger. “Fuck me silly this is bullcrap.”

The door behind him swung open and he heard several people come in. Their steps were loud and the sound of metal could be heard making Simeon freak out even more.

He wanted to jump into the bath in the center of the room positioned between four large pillars but stayed far away from water in general at this point. His past experience with it still fresh in his mind. Hugging the wall he made his way all the way around the room, blindly grabbing and groping for any other exit he could find in the heavy mist.

Instead he grabbed something soft, muscular and fuzzy.

Simeon yelped pulling back, covering his mouth as he hoped no one brought a pet into the bath. Most places frowned on that. Simeon was more worried said animal would get angry for him clumsily grabbing it out of the blue like this and in turn would want to bite his exposed dong off in retaliation.

“Huh?” He heard the gruff voice before he even saw the face. They sounded even more confused than Simeon looked as he saw furry ears perk up and bright emerald eyes looking down at him.

“The fuck.” The both said in unison looking at each other slack jawed.

Simeon took a step back just staring at the hyena in front of him in utter disbelief. Or what he thought might be one. It was standing up on its haunches for starts. It was muscular and covered in a thick light brown fur dripping with water. Black stripes ran over his sides and back and even down its damp long tail.

Simeon was staring mostly at its face and junk. Going back and forth before letting out one of the girliest of screams he had ever made in his entire life as it reached out for him.

“Don’t eat me!” Simeon practically yelled before hearing those behind him catching up. “I’m so fucked.” He cursed steeling himself as he brushed the hand to the side and ran right past the hyena freak man. “I’m high. I’m drunk. I’m dreaming…” Pinching himself, he tried to wake himself from this fever dream. Or tried too.

A hand caught his shoulder, tightly gripping it with dull nails digging into his flesh.

“I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming…”

Simeon said it over and over again as he found himself, painfully, dragged and half-tossed into one of the side rooms. The creature entered with him and shut the door behind them. Before Simeon even got a chance to scream a wet paw was placed over his face, pushing him down roughly.

The hyena placed a finger in front of its snout practically stepping on the human’s face at this point. Only when Simeon nodded did the strange beastman ease off his face and listen at the door.

The guards were going through each of their rooms and eventually coming to theirs. There was a wrap on the door. “The guard!” The voice on the other side said before grabbing at the handle.

The hyena waited patiently until the door to the private room opened up behind them. The hyena blocked the entrance with his body as he shoved the guard back with a single hand.

“The hell do you think you’re doing? I’m trying to wash in here!” The hyena snarled at the guard, getting up into his face as he pulled him up off the ground. The much smaller hyena whimpered pitifully looking away as those fangs got closer to his eye.

“S-sorry Ajax, we didn’t know you were in here…” The guard hesitated as he was roughly tossed back onto the ground. The hyena was dressed in a bronze chest plate and several red stripes of leather almost like a skirt to hide his nether regions.

“Sir, there is an intruder… a uh… naked intruder.” Another of the guards saluted to him. The horse was dressed in a similar garb, holding a pike in one hand.

“Is that so?” Ajax let the door close behind him, crossing his arms as he looked at the guards not caring one bit he was butt naked still. “So you thought a naked man would just run to the bathes, huh?” The hyena seemed to find great amusement in this. “What are the chances of that?” Ajax rolled his eyes, sneering at the lot of them.

“Well… Someone said they came in here.” The horse tried not to stammer, making sure to keep his eyes above waist level. Ajax didn’t even bother hiding his naked body before them. Several took the chance to get a peek at the goods.

“How’d you know it was a man?” A jackal spoke up, his sharp eyes glaring at the large hyena blocking the door.

“It was a lucky guess, Rylis.” Ajax only sneered at him, showing off his teeth once more. Daring the jackal to start a fight here. Even unarmed and butt naked the two knew who would win in a fight. It wouldn’t be the first time, either. “It is the male washroom, after all.”

The jackal showed his fangs back but didn’t say anything. Instead, the thin black fur jackal tried to look past him. Eyes glaring against the door as if sure he could see through it if he glared hard enough. A rough shove broke the look as Ajax laughed.

A loud sound that cackled through the bathroom as the hyena laughed at the smaller male.

“If you want a good time, you could’ve just said so.” Ajax leaned forward, giving him a lewd smirk before laughing loudly again right in the jackal’s face. “Fuck off. Take your little toy soldiers with you. I need to bathe again after all this bullshit.”

Ajax didn’t turn to leave just snarled at each and every soldier that quickly headed towards the exit. The jackal did one quick circle around the place before leaving.

“Sirius will hear of t-this!” Rylis threatened before slamming the door behind him and returning to their patrol.

Ajax snorted shaking his mane before turning around. “Like I give two shits about Sirius…”

The hyena amused face faltered as a wash pot crashed to his side nearly hitting him in the face as he walked back into the private room in the bath. Ajax rolled a shoulder as he growled in response looking over at the strange, naked furless creature in the room.

“Watch it!” Ajax jabbed a finger at Simeon. “I just saved your furless ass. Don’t throw things at the man saving your naked butt!”

“I’ll bite the hand that feeds me too!” Simeon threatened picking up a wooden wash bucket and holding it over his head. Ajax seemed as surprised as Simeon was by the fact the two could communicate. “I also got two bars of soap over here too! So uh… yeah! Watch it!” The human tried to threaten.  

Ajax snorted at that. Seeing some naked punk like this threatening him? It’s been a while since anyone had the balls to stand up to him. Let alone butt naked in the bathhouse. They usually just bent over, tail raised.

“Easy there, kid.” Ajax raised both paws still smirking as he looked the human over. The confused look on Simeon’s face matched his own though as the two just stood there for another minute taking the other in, utterly confused about the situation they were standing in. “I’m not gonna hurt ya’. If I wanted to do that I would’ve just handed your tight ass over to the guards.”

“My ass is nice and loose, thanks.” Simeon tried to say back threatening and only made a fool of himself. The hyena laughed at that though as he took a step forward. Simeon pushed himself back against the wall. “I will throw this at you.”

“And what? Just piss me off? You think that wise?” Ajax lowered his arms down and the look in his eyes told Simeon it would be a very, very bad idea if he did hit him with the bucket.

“N-no…” Simeon took a second. Then another before lowering the bucket down. “Uh… sorry about the pot.” He nodded towards the door where broken ceramic covered the floor.

“Lucky you missed.” Ajax relaxed a bit at that. He took another, timid step forward when the human wasn’t paying attention. Like cornering a frightened cub that had done something wrong.

“Who said I was trying to hit you?” Simeon frowned now and eased himself a little more towards the corner away from the larger male closing in on him.

“Oh? You missed on purpose? You do got some brains then…” Ajax moved and Simeon scooted along the wall, hoping to loop around the hyena and make another break for it. Unsure exactly where he’d go; anywhere would be better than being stuck here with this naked beast of a man. Literally a beast of a man.

“Smarter than the average bear…” Simeon smirked back; the confused look on the hyena face was the perfect distraction. Flicking the wash bucket up between them, Simeon bolted.

He took off towards the door that was just a step away. Bucket in the way he figured it’d give him enough time to-

But it didn’t.

Ajax looped around the bucket without even a second thought, grabbing Simeon’s arm. The arm twisted before the hyena could get a good grip on him and Ajax found the human spinning around, lowering his shoulder before bringing his other arm up and…

Ajax ducked. Leaning backwards as the palm of Simeon’s other hand nearly connected with his broad nose. The look on the hyena’s face turned from surprise into a gleeful smile as the human tried to pull his arm free in the same motion.

Ajax blocked the kick that followed, grinning now as Simeon just stared at him dumbstruck.

“I’m used to cheap shots kid,” and the hyena roughly pulled Simeon right up against him. Hugging the human in the tightest bear hug Simeon ever had the misfortune to experience, trapping both arms at his side. “I think I’ve done this one more times than you have…”

“Attacking naked guys in bathhouse? Yeah, you have way more experience of that than me…” Simeon said back glaring down that short snout into the hyena’s face. Their noses were practically touching and Simeon was uncomfortably aware of the hyena grinding against him at this point.

“What… no. I didn’t mean.” Ajax stuttered a bit, easing up allowing Simeon to bring up a leg planning to use it to kick this pervert in the groin...

In the next second Simeon was coughing, sputtering a bit as the hyena held him.

“Fuck…” Simeon cursed pulling back. The loosening grip the hyena held him with tightened once more as he bent over, coughing now. Spitting into the drain in the middle of the room. He was resting his forehead on the hyena broad, wet chest and didn’t care at this moment. “That hurt…”

“I didn’t even…” Ajax frowned now trying to figure if this was another trick or not.

“I almost died tonight. So, yeah. Not in the best of shape. Sorry to disappoint you.” Simeon looked up, huffing a bit with a flushed face. Then he noticed something. “Dude, are you hard…?”

Ajax let go of him at that, covering his groin.

“W-w-what no!” The hyena spat at him grabbing the wash bucket and covering his groin now, for the first time seemingly embarrassed by the fact he was naked.

“You totally are.” Simeon wiped his mouth and spat to the side. “Wrestling naked guys in bathrooms just your thing, huh?”

Ajax ears folded back as a deep maroon color blush filled both the oversized things. His light brown fur was matted to his chest showing how heavily he was breathing. That thick broad muscular chest with fur matted to it, rose and fell with every breath he took. The hyena was blushing but the massive grin on his face told Simeon enough.

“I’m not going to be raped by some beast dude in some random ass bathhouse in only god knows where!” Simeon wanted to sound tough but he was tired. And sore. The adrenaline rush he had been using to stay awake was beginning to drain away leaving him… tired. “Don’t think I… I won’t… fight…”

The room spun a little as he tried to grab for the wall in support.

Ajax said something but he couldn’t hear him. The world was spinning. His head was killing him. He wanted to reach out for something but found the room had turned on its side… strange, Simeon thought as the wet floor came to meet him.

Then everything went black.

The warmth of the bathhouse slipped away as everything seemed to sink around him. Flooding away with the water rushing around him. Slipping away, sinking into the ground itself as the surface drifted away and he was lost in the sea once more.

He thought he heard his name. Someone was calling for him.

“Louise?” He tried to say. “Chip?” Simeon tried to move. To reach up. Reach up for someone, anyone. “Please…” Underneath the water surface once more, trying to grab at the freedom above with an outstretch hand.

“Anyone?” He begged as the silence only dragged on. He didn’t feel pain. All he felt was the utter nothingness around him.

Until he found the light of the surface once more.

Sunlight streaked in through the open window blinding his right eye. Simeon winced as he lay there, reaching one arm up. Towards that surface… or in this case, the ceiling. Just staring at it, then his own hand turning it over to look at as to make sure it was his own.

He closed it into a fist and released it, easing his breathing with it. At least he could feel his fingers again.

He was in a bed. Or more accurately, in a bed in a room. He didn’t recognize it. The walls looked funny as if they were made of some sort of clay or brick. The floor had actual real wood. The door had iron bolts running down it. The cabinet to his side looked ancient and yet new at the same time. There was a small candle resting on top of it with a wooden bowl and a wet rag.

“What…” He tried to sit up. It hurt too. Simeon didn’t care as he forced an arm at his side to push against the bed, forcing himself up. He coughed a bit tasting sea water as he looked around. “The hell am I?”

He touched the floor with a foot and regretted it. It was ice cold. Shuddering he pulled it back underneath the wool blankets. They felt like his grandmothers. Not the soft synthetic fibers his own were made of but handmade as if spun from spool of wool. He tried to look for a tag on the blanket and didn’t find one. Just frayed edges…

“The hell am I?” He said again finding his voice was much easier to listen too than the silence of the room.

Birds chirped outside and leaning forward he could make out the sea out the open window. Overlooking wherever he was, down over countless buildings and a giant central square… there was the sea. And there he could see the suns rising.

“Rising suns?” He thought shaking his head. Then the door opened making him jump.

He snapped his attention over to someone he was painfully familiar with. The hyena just smiled at him, Ajax seeing him awake.

Ajax had a leather studded girdle on. Leather straps were wrapped around both hind paws and ran up his legs in a crisscross fashion to his knees. He had a similar design for his gloves. A frayed shoulder pauldron was only on his right shoulder as the hyena brought a tray in with him, shutting the door with a foot.

“Morning, sunshine.” Ajax gave him a toothy grin.

“Yes, that is sunshine coming through the window. Very observant.” Simeon said back in a dry almost monotone voice frowning at the hyena as he looked him over. At least he wasn’t naked now. The hatchet hanging at his side however put the human on edge.

He wasn’t sure why a beast of a man would even need to use an axe.

The hyena chuckled at that. “For such a scrawny thing you sure do got a mouth on you.” Ajax walked over to place the tray of food down on the side cabinet getting things sorted out on a plate.

“It’s my best feature.” Simeon just shot back still not taking his eyes off the hyena. Ajax looked back at him with a sly grin.

“Oh, I’ll put that mouth to use sugar...” Ajax had the widest smile on his face as he spun around finally with the whole tray shaking everything he had just spent the time to set up. “On food!” The small vase he had set up with a single flower ended up spilling over everything making the hyena curse angrily as he quickly tried to clean it up.

“Was it worth it?” Simeon only asked after the cursing stopped a good minute later. He watched the hyena frantically trying to clean up until being presented with the tray of food again. It was somewhat better.

“Absolutely. I’m insulted you had to ask.” Ajax just offered the tray once more a lot slower this time.

There was bread, grapes and what looked like some sort of bird meat Simeon couldn’t quite pick out.

“Fresh food, if a bit… damp.” Simeon picked up a slice of the bread. It had gotten the brunt of the spill and wasn’t exactly looking the best. He dropped it back onto the tray. “And I’m not chained to the bed…” Simeon noted with a frown.

“Yet.” Ajax smirked at that.

Simeon gave him a look. The hyena seemed to take great joy in tormenting him. Simeon sniffed the mostly dry bread before taking a bite. It was rather good, even fresh making him even more suspicious.

“This is… good.” Simeon eyed the hyena that was standing just a bit too close still.

“What did you expect?” Ajax licked his lips. “I always treat those I breed.”

Simeon took a second on that. “Did you… while I was out…” He frowned even more, shifting himself in the bed as if trying to feel if he did.

Ajax gave a startling loud laugh that filled the small room, making Simeon flinch a bit. “Heh heh, not yet no. Only fun if you’re awake for it.”

“Oh… thanks for not butt fucking me while I was passed out…?” Simeon frowned a bit. Now that he was awake would this guy just…

“Relax.” Ajax chuckled resting back against the dresser, watching him with half laden eyes. “I’m just teasing you, cub.” The look in his eyes told him that he wouldn’t mind it though.

“Teasing me with butt fucking?” Simeon had to ask as he took some of the grapes and popped them in his mouth, savoring the taste. Ajax watched him a little too closely as he did.

“You do love those grapes don’t you?” Ajax licked over his own jowls now.

“Very fresh.” Simeon agreed.

“And juicy.” Ajax continued.

“Firm.”

“Yet, soft.” Simeon just played along, far too familiar with these kinds of games.

“But not as filling as mine.” Ajax made a lewd gesture groping himself through that leather girdled he wore. Simeon rolled his eyes, having been waiting for that.

“You’d be far more bitter, I bet.” Simeon only teased back with a smirk of his own. It took the hyena a second before those big ears splayed out, blushing once more.

“Heh, yeah…” Ajax smirked a bit and Simeon was sure his tail wagged if only for a split second.

“You want some?” Simeon finally asked nearly finishing the plate already. He had been far hungrier than he thought as if he hadn’t eaten before.

“Oh?” Ajax took a second before stepping forward. Simeon offered him the plate, making the hyena smirk. His short snout parted with a drooly tongue lazily dripping out as he motioned. Simeon tried not to gag at the sight.

“I’m not going to feed you.” Simeon just stated matter of factly.

“You don’t want to feed me your grapes?” Ajax chuckled. “And here I thought you were so eager too.”

“I doubt I’d be as filling.” Simeon couldn’t help himself as he took the plate back, snagging a grape and for a split second looked as if he was going to feed the hyena. Ajax tail twitched once more but Simeon popped it into his own mouth. “These really are juicy you know.” He added with a wink.

The hyena snarled a bit, the fur on his shoulders rising up a bit. Then Ajax chuckled crossing his arms as he waited.

“What…” Simeon asked, knowing something was fishy. He took the last couple of grapes and offered them over like an olive branch, in a peaceful gesture. The hyena just smirked and shook his head.

“No, no. Go ahead. Finish the meal at least. It’s rude to waste food.”

It was clear the hyena was up to something but Simeon couldn’t be sure what it was until he put the last of the grapes in his mouth. The hyena was quick, strong and the next second Simeon found himself pinned to the bed with a rather hungry looking beast man laid out over him.

The snout was rough as it pushed against his face. That slick fat tongue drooled out and pushed its way into Simeon mouth. He could taste everything the hyena had for breakfast as he forcibly French kissed the man.

A part of him wanted to bite that tongue. The smarter part of him knew this was, mostly, his own fault and would be in even deeper shit if he did just that.

Ajax didn’t stop there as a hand ran down his naked chest, pulling the covers down. Their lips never parted even when Simeon tried to push him away, groaning into that muzzle. It only seemed to excite the hyena more, who openly groped him now through the blanket with needy fingers. Feeling every inch of his hardening length as a hot breath snorted over his face.

Finally the hyena pulled back, licking his lips and wiping his muzzle with the back of his arm.

“Oh man, you were right. They are really juicy.” Ajax snickered to himself making a dramatic gulping sound in front of him. The hyena hadn’t pulled back more and was still resting mostly on the bed with one of Simeon’s hands up against his chest still.

The human was too flustered to say or do anything, just pull back a bit and look into that grinning face.

“Your lips are far softer than I thought they’d be.” Ajax practically huffed in his ear, rubbing that short snout against the side of Simeon’s face as one hand continued to explore him. “Just tell me when to stop and I will, Simeon…”

Simeon’s brain shorted out as one of those clawed digits brushed over his exposed nipples, dragging down his side, looping down to pull him up just a bit more for their lips to meet one more time. Ajax was smooth, far better at this than Simeon had thought. A moan escaped the hyena who had fully crawled back up in the bed, crawling over the smaller male.

It was only thanks to a coughing fit that Ajax finally pulled back.

“Shit,” Simeon winced holding his throat looking at the hyena. Ajax actually looked worried as he brushed a hand over his face.

“Was I too rough?” The hyena practically whined, swallowing a bit as he looked him over.

“The whole almost dying thing still a bit fresh, I think.” Simeon just said reaching over for the glass of water. Ajax got up and quickly brought it over, helping him take a sip. The hyena didn’t let go of the glass even as Simeon took hold of it.

“Thanks…” He added still flushed in the face from it all. “For the water.” He quickly clarified seeing the look on Ajax’s face now.

“I’ll be good…” Ajax chuckled a bit as he sat on the bed not taking his eyes off the human. Looking him up and down now as if he were a fresh piece of meat in a butcher shop.

“Horny as fuck, huh?” Simeon had to ask.

The hyena fidgeted a bit, ears folding back. “Something like that…”

Simeon frowned but decided to change the subject. It wasn’t like he wasn’t pitching a tent here or anything. “How’d you know my name?”

“You told me.” Ajax frowned a bit, that look of concern coming back to his face. He reached a hand over, settling it on Simeon’s arm.

“Oh…” Simeon frowned a bit. “I don’t recall that…” Ajax took a moment, ears back holding something back but didn’t let Simeon know.

“I don’t know if I could take you to the town healer without everyone freaking out…” The hyena said softly, as if guilty for the fact.

“Yeah. I got the impression I wasn’t exactly welcomed here.” Simeon just rested his head back looking up at the ceiling. “So other than you wanting to get in my pants, why are you not freaking out? And… helping me?”

“Well I sort of did freak out. You also threw the wash basin at me.” Ajax frowned at that. “Kind of makes it hard for people to trust you when you go doing that. Or want to help you.”

“I’m in a place full of talking animals. I think I have a right to at least throw something.” Simeon tried to get angry about it but lost the energy half way through. “Plus I thought you were going to rape me.”

“Who says I’m still planning not too?” Ajax grinned toothily.

“Is it rape if I enjoy it?” Simeon tried to counter with but ending up blushing instead as he spoke. The hyena firm fingers gripped him a bit tighter at the response and the growl that filled the room was one of pure lust.

“Is that so?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.” Simeon tried to quickly clear the air. Usually a snide remark like that would get the guys at the dorm to back off, not take it as an invitation. He’d have to choose his words carefully around this horny ‘yeen.

“Too late.” Ajax eyes gestured downwards and Simeon stupidly followed it to the rather large bulge in the tight leather between the hyena’s legs.

“Oh, come on!” Simeon pushed the giggling hyena away as he got up himself, moving away from the giggling man on the bed. The floor had warmed up as the day had gone on at least. Still he found himself without any pants or clothes on.

“Looking good.” The hyena without shame just ate his body in with his eyes, looking him up and down.

“You are seriously one horny fuck.” Simeon motioned him to the side and as the hyena did he quickly began rummaging through the side cabinet for anything to wear. Just glad the cabinet had been used to store clothes in like he had hoped it would.

“Oh, I don’t mind this view either.” Ajax rested back enjoying the show.

“Not unless you got a bucket full of lube and condoms.” Simeon pulled out what looked to be a toga and frowned. Everything else looked to be something the hyena was wearing. Simeon didn’t want to look like some medieval stripper. Still, the leather thong was better than being butt naked under the toga. The sandals could be useful too.

The hyena didn’t say a thing as he dressed in front of him. Putting on the leather strapped sandals, gloves, leather thong and draped himself in twin cloths over both shoulders. It looked a little awkward but at least he wasn’t freezing to death or butt naked.

“What?” Simeon finally asked getting a good look at the hyena.

Ajax had a thick mane that ran halfway down his back, looking like a Mohawk. His light brown fur was striped with black markings and unlike the other night, he was far fluffier looking than the wet dog he thought him to be.

His unruly, unkempt fur however looked like Simeon’s curly hair. Unbrushed and needing a good trim.

“So if I get this lube and condoms, you’ll put out?” Ajax finally said looking up at him as if thinking about it this whole time.

Simeon nearly laughed if the hyena hadn’t been so dead pan serious about it. “Well, sure. Why the fuck not?” The human just shrugged. He’d love to see the hyena find either in this place. Still convinced this was a fever dream anyways and he was back in the dorms.

The hyena wagged its tail once and perked up with a grin. “One question.”

“Shoot.” Simeon crossed his arms looking up at him. Even on even footing, the hyena was still a good head taller than he was. It was a bit… unnerving, able to look eye to eye even as the hyena sat on the bed.

“What are lube and condoms?” Ajax asked tilting his broad skull to one side and looking down at him with that short muzzle with those bright emerald eyes as if the hyena had gemstones instead of pupils.

Simeon couldn’t help but laugh a bit at that. “Lubricant for your dick to help with the thrusting. You’re not going in dry. Condoms is something you put over the dick so neither of us get an STD.”

“Well I got the first.” Ajax rubbed his chin thinking it over.

“Oh?” Simeon had to ask wondering what giant hyena men used for such a thing.

“I make my own.” Ajax boasted proudly. Simeon just gave him a look. “Like… with my dick… it’s self lubricating… isn’t yours?”

“No. Humans don’t have magical lubricating dicks.” Simeon took a second. He had been with a gusher once but that wasn’t exactly the same thing. Also, the fact he had to explain what a human was unsettling.

“Human, huh?” Ajax thought that over. “That’s what you are?”

“Correct.” Simeon frowned a bit now.

“It sounds… familiar.” Ajax shook his head though. “Ok, about the condoms. What is that?”

“It’s a protect thingy for your ding’a’ling.” Simeon gestured downwards, unsure why he was humoring this conversation. It was better than addressing the real problem at hand. Like the giant hyena sitting on the bed he was talking with like one of the guys back at the dorm.

“We do have that!” Ajax was practically giddy with excitement, sitting up now his eyes sparkling with the notion.

“You do?” Simeon asked wearily, worried they really did.

“Sheep’s bladder!” The hyena crossed his arms with a toothy grin nodding.

“No.”

“What?” Ajax looked confused, the hyena’s face faltering now as he just looked at the human dumbstruck.

“I’m not getting fucked with sheep’s bladder. That’s disgusting.” Simeon crossed his arms giving him the evil eye.

“B-b-but you said!”

“No butts for you!” Simeon just pushed past him and headed out of the room. The hyena was hot on his tail.

“Wait, wait, wait. You said though.” Ajax tried to stop him but the human was having none of it at this point.

“Look. Getting fucked by a giant hyena man sounded kind of hot but I’m not about to have goats bladder shoved up my tail pipe so you can get your jimmies off.” Simeon nearly shouted coming out into the main room down the stairs from the second floor.

Only to realize the two of them weren’t the only ones in the building.

Two other large, imposing figures just gave him a look at that. Simeon tried to wave but ended up just squeaking, back peddling behind Ajax as the hyena came out behind him.

“Great first impression.” Ajax did that classic hyena laugh as he stepped forward. “This is Simeon, the human, I found. All by myself. I might add.” The hyena said smugly, grinning ear to ear.

“Seems like your type.” A cheetah replied looking past Ajax at Simeon. The feline’s sharp eyes never straying far from him. He had a similar outfit to what Ajax was wearing.

“Human?” Another spoke up. The lion was almost the same size as Ajax with a deep chestnut color mane and fur the color of sand itself. He wore a deep maroon tunic with brass wrappings.

“It’s what the cub says he is.” Ajax shrugged moving aside so the others could get a good look at Simeon. He just tried to wave at them again.

“Hi. That’s me. Apparently.” Simeon nodded, not making eye contact with anyone and eying the door behind them.

The cheetah and lion exchanged a look. One in disbelief, the other disinterested.

“Don’t care.” The cheetah just turned away, walking over to stand near the door, bowing his head with closed eyes.

“Don’t mind Ryder.” The lion chuckled walking over on careful heavy foot paws. Though he was large, the feline had a grace about him that Simeon could never hope to match even on his most sober of days. Every step he took had his tail sway in the opposite direction, evening out his weight so he barely even swayed as he moved. “He’s the silent type.”

“More like the asshole type.” Ajax just laughed leaning against the other wall. The two looking more like the lion’s bodyguard at this point. Leaving Simeon sole focus on the feline in front of him.

Tall, rugged with a controlled wild look to him. Unlike the hyena, the lion was well groomed and took care of his fur. With a bright warm chestnut color mane and fur the color of the sand from the beach back home the lion smiled at him. He still was in fact a lion and Simeon found his nerves shaking along with him as the feline offered a hand that could’ve covered and crushed his skull with ease.

“I am Kamir, it is a pleasure to meet you, human.” The lion just smiled, closed mouth the corner of his lips tugged upwards happily as if the feline had been waiting just for him.

“Uh… hi.” Simeon took the hand expecting him to crush his hand in his. Kamir touch, while unyielding, had a controlled strength to it as his large fingers curled around his whole hand and the soft lion paw pads rubbed against his palm.

“If it is not too much, do you mind answering some questions for us?” Kamir asked in a pleasant, even tone. The feline having mastered the art of diplomacy unlike his companions. It was hard to turn him down. That and Kamir was nearly twice Simeon’s size and the human figured it would be best not to piss off a lion.

“Sure…” Simeon was led over to a small table, his chair being pulled out for him before Kamir joined him at the table. The other two remained standing, hovering over the human, watching his every move. It was a bit unnerving and Simeon tried to focus on the lion smiling across the table at him.

“Simeon, correct?” Kamir began with. Simeon nodded. “That is an interesting name.” The lion noted. “Are you… from here?”

Simeon frowned at that.

“I was about to ask you the same. Or rather, where is here exactly…” Simeon answered with a question of his own as he looked around the room as if trying to find a map of this place.

Kamir took a moment on that, just watching the human’s puzzled face before answering.

“You are in Hali. More specifically, in a small fishing village near the Talid sea.” The lion spoke slowly, still watching the human before him. “Where do you come from?”

It was a simple question but Simeon could feel the weight behind it. This was an interrogation, even if they wanted him to feel comfortable about it. Simeon had gone through his own trouble with the law in the past and this seemed far too familiar in that aspect.

“Not here.” Simeon said truthfully. “I’m from Chicago.”

The lion quirked an eyebrow, glancing at the hyena who shrugged in return.

“That is… where?” Kamir asked still in that even tone. The lion kept both hands enclosed together on the table as he faced the human appearing as non-threatening as a giant of a lion could be.

“The states. Or, if you want to get specific, the planet earth…” Simeon spoke slowly now, still looking for a way out in case things turned ugly.

Kamir didn’t say anything to that. He folded his arms, resting back in the wooden chair as those large feline eyes stared at the human before him. Studying the man, trying to read him as if he were a book.

“What… planet is this? You do know what a planet is, right?” Simeon tried to keep the sass out of his words as he asked.

“The world is known as Gaia.” Ajax spoke up seeing as how Kamir seemed to be done asking his questions.

“And you guys are… what?”

“Beastmen is the unofficial term.” Ajax just nodded in answer.

“How did you get here?” The lion interrupted before Simeon could ask something else.

“Fuck if I know.” Simeon just shrugged. “Was partying with my friends then next thing I know I’m drowning. And wake up to this furry bastard.” Simeon thumbed over at the hyena.

“Told you he had a mouth on him.” Ajax only chuckled, not bothered at all by the human’s spunk.

“No wonder why you like him.” The cheetah snorted at that. The hyena made a crude, rude gesture at him in return.

“You drowned?” Kamir ignored the two, focusing on the situation at hand.

“I think?” Simeon took a moment at that. “I remember tasting sea water and then like… waking up. I don’t recall much after that, honestly. The whole dying part kind of throws you off, you know?”

“Dying?” Kamir focused on.

“Not literally, obviously. Being still alive…” Simeon touched his chest as if making sure he was in fact alive. “I got better.” The human just shrugged trying not to let any of the three see how uneasy he was all about this. They only won if they got to you; something Simeon was far too familiar with.

The idea this was all a dream was becoming harder and harder to believe.

“Most likely a merchant ship. Or trade vessel.” Ajax spoke up, talking to Kamir. “We had a few go down this month… Pirates, again.”

“Doesn’t explain how he ended up in the baths.” The cheetah, Ryder, spoke up to the side now joining in the conversation. “Or what he is.”

“The sea is big. Many lands are still left undiscovered…” Kamir just spoke up in turn, still mulling it over before pushing himself up with a hand. “Does anyone know about this? The human being here?”

Simeon felt like a third wheel and wanted to sneak away if it wasn’t for the fact the hyena had placed a rather large, coarse padded hand on his shoulder he would have.

“Not that I know of. Some guards saw him. A few random attendees at the party.” Ajax shrugged not seeming to be bothered by it. “I covered him up and brought him here before telling you.”

“Good thing it didn’t try to escape while you were out.” Ryder grumbled keeping an eye on the door. “What if someone had come in?”

“Who would come into this house?” Ajax growled back, his fingers tightening on Simeon’s shoulder.

“There are spies everywhere.” Ryder glared at Simeon. The human just frowned at that.

“Oh, you got me. I’m really a spy. Even though I stand out like a freaking sore thumb under a microscope, you plebeian.” Simeon spoke up angrily, shaking Ajax hand off.

“Plebeian?” Ryder frowned at that.

“You kidnap me and now think I’m a spy? For what? Or who? The hell even am I? I don’t know anything!” Simeon demanded to know. The heat passed quickly and he brushed a hand through his curly locks. All he felt in that moment, just as he had woken up, was numb.

Simeon could only figure it was the shock from all this. What had happened to him and being in this strange, foreign place. With these… people? He wasn’t even sure if that was the word to use to describe what he was seeing.

Oddly enough, Ajax was the only one he felt he could trust here. Someone like the hyena was easy to read. A guy that let their libido run their life was easy to deal with. Simeon could handle that and play along, dealing with him at the same pace he had been.

The other two on the other hand left him at a loss for words.

Ryder was clearly not someone he wanted to mess with. The cheetah sharp eyes never straying too far from the human. Watching him like a hawk. Waiting for Simeon to slip up or try something, he was sure. He’d dealt with people like that most his life. People with authority had a bad habit of labeling him instantly as the bad guy no matter the situation. It wasn’t anything knew, per say. Other than the fact this person wasn’t exactly human.

The lion on the other hand left him at an utter loss for words. Though his silken tongue was sweet, Simeon felt as if they were the words a lawyer would say in hopes of getting you to slip up. Someone that pretended to be on your side while waiting to stab you in the back the next second. And at the same time, those eyes were warm like honey and it was hard to look away from them.

“You aren’t in a position to demand things.” Ryder spoke up, taking a step forward. The cheetah stopped however as Kamir raised a single hand. The cheetah went back to his previous position, leaning against the wall watching the human closely.

“It’s only fair to answer the questions in turn, Ryder.” Kamir spoke with that silken tongue. The words rolling off the red velvet tongue as he spoke. The lion gestured once more for Simeon to take a seat, the human begrudgingly did and only then did the lion speak further. “Ask away.” Kamir nodded keeping his cool, those warm honey eyes smiling at him the whole time.

He was impossible to read. Be it from the alien appearance or the fact his stoic face remained as such during the whole conversation as if it were carved from marble.

“Where am I?” Simeon began again.

“You are in Hali by the Talid sea.” Kamir answered once more in a calm, even tone.

“On a planet called Gaia, right.” Simeon frowned a bit but his unease disappeared as quickly as his anger had. Leaving him feeling nothing after. That in itself was worrisome. He didn’t like feeling numb…

“The land is known as Gaia, named for she who birth it.” Kamir just nodded once more. The large imposing almost regal lion dipped his head once more. His mane was well trimmed and wasn’t unruly like the hyena’s fur behind Simeon.

“And… uh… who are you, people?” Simeon asked as if that was his greatest concern. If he could even label them as people.

“I am Kamir.” The lion placed a hand on his chest giving a small bow. “These are my guard. Ryder and Ajax.” The lion didn’t seem at all bothered by the fact he had to reintroduce everyone. “Are you feeling, alright? Do you need some water?”

“As alright as one can be in such a situation.” Simeon just shrugged but didn’t feel it reach his shoulders as he slumped down on the table.

“Yes, drowning can be very… taxing on the body. Do you need rest?” Kamir offered. “We can continue this in the evening.”

Simeon looked to the side out the window.

“Can I get some fresh air?” Simeon asked for two reasons. One to see if they indeed would let him step outside, in case he really was their prisoner. The other the fact he really did need to clear his head.

Kamir took a second on that before standing up. “Of course, human.”

“Simeon.” He corrected instantly. “I’m not calling you a lion, so don’t call me a human.”

“Watch it.” Ryder growled near the door. An unsightly sight as the cheetah bared his fangs.

“Ryder.” Kamir warned once more and for a second, his face changed in a flash before going back to the calm, collected one Simeon had recognized him as. “Make sure we are alone.” The cheetah grunted at that before obeying stepping out. “My apologies. He is a bit… on edge, these past few days.” The lion walked over, offering a hand to Simeon.

The human found himself hesitating. The large palm was raised and he could see several large pink paw pads on his fingers and in the center of his palm. The human slowly took it. Kamir helped him up gently before motioning towards the backdoor rather than the one Ryder had exited from.

The single room house had an upstairs, a small kitchen tucked into one corner and a front and back door with little else.

“Keep watch.” Kamir nodded at Ajax. The hyena headed out first before Simeon and finally the lion behind him. The backyard was as small as the house was. The other buildings spread just far enough out for them to stretch their legs in the almost back alley Simeon found himself in.

There was a wash bin nearby and what looked to be a hole in the ground. It stunk and Simeon didn’t ask about it.

Simeon did stretch. Both his arms and legs, rolling his shoulder and bending over with a grunt before easing back trying to pop his spine.

“Holy…” He groaned out before twisting one way then the other. “Feel like I woke up from the grave.” He laughed at the idea, a dry hollow sound even to his own ears as he reached out to touch the claylike structure in front of them. Then to look back at the house he had just come from.

They were so… unfamiliar. He couldn’t place a finger on it. They looked like houses from an ancient time, long since passed.

“Is something amiss?” Kamir was watching the human closely.

“I’m…” Simeon took a second before looking at the lion. He couldn’t meet those eyes as the welling fear inside began to build. “Can I see the street?”

Kamir took another second, glancing at the hyena. Once more Ajax moved ahead before the other two followed. “Just don’t head out into the street.”

“Or run.” Ajax warned though his voice was far friendlier than the cheetah had been.

“Doubt I could if I wanted too.” Simeon just grumbled rubbing his shoulder still feeling stiff.

“You did good work outrunning the guards.” Ajax chuckled as he scooted down the alleyway, the hyena having to turn to his side to fit through.

“Well, that was because of the adrenaline rush.” Simeon just followed keeping a safe distance between the two.

“Adrenaline rush?” Ajax asked looking back at him. The hyena cocked an eyebrow, both ears perking up.

“It’s like a chemical or I think more like a hormone released in the body to help during exertion. Or, well, stress.” Simeon chuckled trying to recall his biology class.

The hyena just gave him a look. “Uh…”

“It wasn’t my major so I’m not sure the exact definition behind it.” Simeon rolled his eyes.

“Major in what?”

“I’m a student.” Simeon helped clarify seeing the confusion on Ajax’s face.

“Oh, that would explain a lot.” The hyena chuckled as he looked Simeon over with a snort, smiling as he turned away. “You don’t got the body for a warrior’s life.”

“I can handle myself, thanks.” Simeon rolled his eyes at that. He didn’t think he was a scrawny guy by any means. Compared to the other two on the other hand, he sort of was.

“A scholar, huh?” Kamir spoke up suddenly making Simeon want to jump out of his skin. He had forgotten about the lion behind him. The large feline had been as silent as his footsteps were.

“Something like that.” Simeon suppressed the urge to shiver openly in front of the two.

The alleyway broke out onto a dirt road. Several other white clay structures lined the street much like the one he had come out of. Simeon could only just stand there watching behind the hyena as others like the two walked past them.

Gazelles, horses, rhinos, other hyenas, felines and several others beastmen passed them by. Each different from one another, walking on two legs dressed like Simeon was as they began their morning. They carried baskets woven of reeds and twigs. Large carts raddled by being pulled by horses and not the four legged kind Simeon was used to seeing. Looking more like rickshaws than carts.

“I… uh… what… wow.” Simeon was at a loss for words as he stepped to one side of the hyena just staring out in front of him.

The cobbled path dirt road was split down the middle. The dirt paths on the side turned to stone in the middle where the carts were taken down. It reminded him of a road back home. The carts acting like cars while the dirt paths acting like sidewalks. Even here, wherever here was, they had roads like this.

Simeon wasn’t aware he had stepped out until he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. The soft fingers of the lion eased a bit as the human looked back.

“We should head back in.” Kamir said softly, smiling at the human.

“Right… thank you. For letting me see…” Simeon wasn’t sure what he felt as he was taken back inside with the two between him once more. Everything felt so alien, so foreign as if he were in another country. Another world. And it was at that he needed a moment to himself.

Excusing himself, the two let him head back up to his room to clear his thoughts.

Simeon sat on the bed in the room upstairs, looking out the window without a thought in his head.

“I…” He couldn’t find his voice as he touched his throat, afraid he’d lost it. He didn’t feel scared or anguish for the predicament he found himself in. He felt numb to it all. It was cold.

Like the ocean he had sunk in before.

Simeon hugged his legs as he shuddered, closing his eyes and praying that he would wake up from this nightmare. Covering his ears at the deafening silence around him that seemed to be rushing around him; like the sound of running water.

“I want to go home…”

Downstairs the three were figuring out what to do with their strange guest.

“Why did you even bring him here?” Ryder glared at Ajax. “I’m sure there are plenty of soft boys down by the docks that you could’ve snagged for a quickie instead of… that.” The cheetah looked up at the ceiling with a frown. “Whatever that is.”

“What was I supposed to do? Just leave him for the guard?” Ajax glared back.

“The human was destined to meet us.” Kamir just spoke up interrupting the two. The lion was in deep thought still, resting his chin on his raised arms on the table. “The fates willed it…” The lion just insisted as if trying to convince himself over the other two. “This was meant to be.”

“Fate. Right.” Ajax rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

“It can’t be a coincidence.” Ryder rubbed over his short snout a couple of times taking a couple of even breaths. “The solstice. The tournament. This whole month! To just have this thing,”

“Human.” Ajax corrected.

“Show up out of nowhere!” Ryder growled.

“And land in our laps.” Kamir nodded finishing the thought. “This is either a good omen from the gods…”

“Or a curse from the pits of the underworld itself.” Ryder grumbled bitterly as if chewing on a piece of lemon.

“Right…” The three stood in silence for a moment, hearing the footsteps above.

“You don’t think he’d uh…” Ajax started looking up at the ceiling.

Ryder was already heading for the stairs, cursing loudly as he banged on the door. “Open up!” The other two were already close behind as the cheetah rammed his shoulder against the blocked door.

Simeon wasn’t having any of it as he climbed out the open window. Grabbing the ledge above he hoisted himself up with a grunt, cursing at the fact he’d eased up in his work out the past couple of months. Pulling himself up, he was already beginning to sweat on the square roof.

Small divots lined the raised square roof allowing rain water to run off.  

Wiping his brow Simeon looked up at the twin suns rising above the port town of Hali. One was a bright red and the other a glowing orange. It was warm, humid even with the cool sea breeze blowing. It smelled of the sea. Of salt water.

“I’m heading home.” Simeon decided as he got down on all fours, taking a runners stance before taking off as quickly as his legs could take him. Huffing in strong even breaths before jumping over the small ledge of the roof and to the next building.

He rolled as he hit the roof, using the momentum to roll over and continue to jump to the next building landing this time with a skid to look back.

The cheetah was already on the roof, cursing at him as the lion joined him.

“Yeah. Fuck that.” Simeon just gave them the finger as he backed up to the edge. Seeing the two easily close the distance he decided a change of tactic was in order. “Well you only live once…” He paused at that thought looking back over the edge of the building.

And he jumped into the unknown.