Tales Of Morveria: Finding Meaning in Life

Written by Mantrid Brizon

Edited by ItsMarcyUwU

Sitting up in bed, Kaelu runs his fingers through his hair, only to stop halfway through. His hands clutch the sides of his head, and he lets out a heavy sigh. Slowly dropping his hands into his lap, he looks toward the foot of his bed. The cramped little room frames his vision. It's just big enough for his two-person bed, a nightstand that supports his table lamp and only clock, a water basin on a pedestal and a cheap armoire.

          Climbing out of bed, he glances at the empty space beside him. It pains him even to glance at it. It's not that there was once someone there, someone who isn't with him anymore, but that there was never anyone there to begin with. He knew that adults didn't have it easy, but nothing could've ever truly prepared him for adulthood, least of all his parents, who did what they could to shield him from the dangers that they had endured.

          He's been forced to grow up faster than he'd expected, living in a small, run-down house in an old part of town where most of the impoverished young men start off. No one cares about him, no one shows sympathy, no one connects. He walks the streets as just another face in the crowd, without community or connections or even many friends. He's lucky to get a greeting, even after he's spoken to someone. They all have better things to do than to give a young man even a morsel of contact.

The more he dwells on it the more leaving home feels like a massive mistake, but what else is a man to do? He's expected to work, to thrive and to provide. If only he knew who he was working to provide for, maybe it would be easier to stomach the monotony? Dragging his feet, he makes his way toward the basin and washes the night sweat from his face, neck and body, before brushing his hair and donning his clothes.

Leaving the bedroom, he walks past an unused storage room, through the living area and into the kitchen at the back of the home. It doesn't see much use. He's a terrible cook, and due to his work and the lack of companionship at home, he rarely stocks food and provisions for more than a couple of days. He collects a chunk of bread from the breadbox and eats it on his way out of his house.

With his clock still broken he can't ever be sure if he's early or late, and so it's best to walk through the town square on his way to the foundry; the clock at town hall is what most people go by, anyway. Stepping outside, he looks toward his next-door neighbor. He sees the man and waves. The neighbor waves back, but not a single word is exchanged. It never used to bother him before, but lately is has; he can feel the icy grip of isolation, like a dense fog enveloping his very being.

In nearly six months, Kaelu's never learned his neighbor's name. The young man is equally despondent. He races off to work, but Kaelu can sense it; that familiar facade of strength, which Kaelu also struggles to maintain. It isn't that men aren't strong. Far from it! However, it can be difficult to maintain a man's natural strength and vigor when your future is bleak, and when every day breeds another sunset without meaning or a deeper purpose.

Though Kaelu calls out and tries to greet his hurrying neighbor, he's ignored. The young man dashes off to wherever it is he works, racing to beat the clock. He hasn't time for a conversation, meaningful or otherwise. Like Kaelu, he'll glide over the streets like a ghost, unnoticed as he works hard to prove he's worth something. Why must men struggle from sunup to sundown, toiling for even a modicum of respect, validation and, of course, pay? What's all this even for?!

“I have to eat, and I have to sleep somewhere..." Kaelu tells himself, trying to ease his troubled mind.

Making his way down the quiet residential street and into a bustling city, he passes many establishments on his way to work. He glances at the smoke shop, the tool shop, and the shop that makes customized collars and tags for the beast folk. The metal pendants gleam whimsically, like magical charms. He stops at a market where he pays a large copper zakian for an apple and a big piece of cheese.

He knows he shouldn't, but it's easier to grab food on the go than it is to stock up and cook meals at home. He'd just burn the food whilst trying to cook it. As he snacks on the cheese and what's left of the bread, a part of him yearns for the homecooked meals his mother used to make. It always made his day, and it was nice to connect. Funny... His father never seemed this miserable! What was his secret?!

Continuing on his way, he's bumped into and pushed aside, never once hearing a “sorry" or “apologies, sir!" He's grown accustomed to that. He eventually reaches the town square and glances toward the clock tower. He woke up too early, again, and has nearly an hour to waste before he must be at work. With a frustrated sigh, he walks a little slower and takes the long way to work, stopping at a very familiar bridge.

It's an old, stone bridge at the far end of town. He once fished here as a boy, back when the river was clean and clear. The rapid expansion of infrastructure and population has seen to it that the river will never be blue again. Like Kaelu, it's tired and stagnant, hardly flowing and showing no real purpose. It's missing something; that thirst for life and meaning. He watches the murky, brown waves and looks at his reflection, distorted as it is. In a morbid way, it's a rather fitting picture.

Even if it wasn't so blurry, he still couldn't recognize himself. How did it ever come to this? What happened to the jovial and playful young man who was as quick with his wit as he was with his feet? What happened to the generous man who stopped to help strangers and did so with a smile? What happened to the man who knew the names and backgrounds of all his neighbors? Where did his joy go? Why does he feel so... Empty!

He doesn't even know why he asks himself these questions, as dwelling on them only serves to depress him. It's partly why he works so much, to keep his body busy and his subconscious thoroughly distracted. Still, the longer he goes on the more downtrodden and dejected he feels. It's almost inescapable. A sorrow quickly takes hold of him and Kaelu finds himself sitting on the ledge and gazing at the water below.

It's almost thirty feet to water, and the river isn't very deep. His mind wanders and he cannot help but wonder. What would it feel like? Would the fall do him in, or would he land in a deep portion with a satisfying splash? Taking one last bite from his apple, he leans further over the ledge and drops the half-eaten fruit between his legs, straight down and into the river. He watches, counting how long it takes before it reaches the water.

With a modest splash, he hears a faint and strange noise. Was that a yelp or a whimper?! Steadying himself, he peers down below and finds one of the beast folk emerging from directly beneath him. They were sitting at the base of the smallest arch, along the shore. The splash from the apple had hit their fur and startled them. Though it was a simple mistake, the humanoid beast looks to and fro, as if they were expecting someone or something to jump out at them and attack.

The creature ducks underneath the arch and cowers before Kaelu can get a good look at them. He begins to feel guilty. He tries to shout but fears sending the creature running. His eyes follow the embankment and discern a path, treacherous though it may be. Perhaps if he goes down there, he can apologize and speak to them? It would be the first meaningful contact he's had in a long time, and well worth the effort.

He almost chuckles at the realization. How sad is it for a chat with a lesser race, the creatures his people own as pets and slaves, to serve as the highlight of his day? Swinging his legs back over the edge, he dashes along the bridge and makes his way down the embankment. It's quite steep, and it doesn't take long to make his way to the bottom.

“Hello?!" He calls out in Ancient Hitrosii, the language spoken by the beast folk. “I [am a] friend[ly]. I [am] not here to hurt... You..."

Kaelu stops in his tracks as the creature peeks out from behind the arch. He can see them clearly now. The beast is a Vostii, one of the paw-footed creatures, and the Vostii is of the mouse-kin. The large and rounded ears and the long, furless tail are a dead giveaway. The Vostii looks to him with nervous apprehension, a clawed hand gripping the old stones as it moves back, further beneath the arch. The creature is visibly trembling.

“I [did] not know you [were] here. I [am] sorry if I made you wet."

Stepping around the arch, he stops once again. His eyes scan the creature from head-to-toe. The Vostii is a female. She's soaking wet and shivering. Like most beast folk, the primitive creatures that they are, she is not wearing any clothes; Kaelu can see every part of her, and she stands before him without shame, as if she didn't realize the awkwardness caused by her nudity.

He suddenly notices something peculiar about her. Are those wounds?! Abrasions on an upper arm and shoulder, as well as a few missing patches of fur, on her forearm, shoulder and hip; they stand out against her otherwise milk chocolate-colored fur.

“[Are] you alright?"

“Huh?" She furls her brow.

“You [are] hurt." He points to her wounds. “[Do] you want help?"

He takes a step closer, but the mouse girl takes a step back. The mud oozes between her toes with a moist squishing sound, and she begins to sink into it. She briefly loses her balance and winces as her ankle twists. She falls forward, at first trying to catch herself by grabbing the wall, but all that does is cause her nails to scrape loudly against the stones. Kaelu acts fast and catches her, his arms hooking beneath her armpits just as her knees buckle from the pain.

“Please... [Do] no[t] hurt me!" She whimpers, shivering as if she'd just walked through a blizzard. It can't be purely from cold. “I [am] not dangerous! I [will] leave!"

“Calm yourself. I [will] not hurt you. Why [are] you wet? What happen[ed]?"

The Vostii grits her teeth and whimpers as Kaelu helps her toward an old, damp and rotting log. She sits her furry butt atop the log and leans forward to grab her right ankle, squeezing and rubbing it. She couldn't have injured it just from that little stumble; it must've been hurt before then, likely whenever she sustained the other injuries. Kaelu sits beside her, watching in silence with a worried look on his face.

The Vostii stops and slowly turns her head, seeing his gaze. It's gentle and inviting, not angry, uncaring or even lascivious. He looks... Nice!

          “I-... Iriel..." She sheepishly murmurs.

“What?"

“I [am] called 'Iriel'." She speaks softly, one eye and much of her snout hidden beneath a veil of damp and matted hair.

“Oh! That [is a] pretty name!" He chirps, causing her to flush beneath her fur. “I [am] called 'Kaelu'!" He says, smiling warmly.

“Oh... Why [are] you here?"

“I [am] go[ing] to work. I had extra time. I walk[ed the] long route."

“Oh..."

“And?"

“Hmm?" She blinks, her brow soft and even fearful.

“How [did] you become hurt."

“... Why [do] you care?" Iriel asks.

That question hits home. For so long, Kaelu went through life without anyone caring. Not his neighbors, not his coworkers and certainly not his boss. He works six days a week and returns to an empty house, and his house certainly doesn't ask him how he's feeling, either! In fact, ever since he left his parents' home to find his own way, he hasn't felt cared for, respected or even appreciated.

He looks Iriel over for a moment, gulps and clenches his teeth as he thinks of something poignant to say.

“Well... Why would I not?" Is all he can come up with.

“Because... I [do] not know you."

“True, and I [do] not know you. I want to know [you], and [I want to] help."

“... What [do] you want for payment?" She furls her brow with suspicion, slowly sliding away from him.

It takes him a moment to realize why she suddenly seems so skittish. The insinuation is as shocking as it is offensive but knowing her position, he can understand.

“No! I [do] not want that!" He assures her. “I only help because it [is the] right [thing to do]."

“Hmm... Then you [are] very kind... Or very stupid."

“Perhaps both." He chuckles.

“Hehe! Sorry..." She replies, feeling guilty for laughing at him.

“You [do] not need [to] apologize." He says, his smile as warm as it ever was.

“Okay... I was attacked... It... It [is a] long story." She finally confides.

“I have time."

“Truly?!"

Kaelu nods and Iriel begins her harrowing tale, leaving him sitting in astonishment. She has been homeless for some time, which is surprising in and of itself. Stray beast folk are often captured and sold as slaves or pets, not only because it's profitable but because it's not wise to allow too many unchecked beast folk to roam about your village, causing trouble. According to the law, all beast folk should be licensed and tagged, with proper homes to return to.

Unfortunately, Kaelu's city has grown quite large, and unlike smaller towns, villages, and hamlets, it's very difficult to ensure there are no homeless beast folk. They blend into the shadows, mingling amongst the crowd like ghosts, much like himself. Iriel, however, is not like the others. She isn't wild or inbred, nor was she always a stray. To Kaelu's surprise, she was once owned by a kindly old woman.

This woman was known for taking in strays as a means of protecting them, specifically the females, who often endure a particular kind of harassment. Iriel was rescued by this woman at a very young age and grew up with her, thinking of her less as an owner and more like her own mother. Her owner inevitably died, claimed by a fever. It was a devastating loss, and it brought with it much change.

Her owner's daughter, already in her forties by the time Iriel's owner died, saw the collection of nearly a dozen young and vibrant beast women and immediately knew their value. She was honest with the girls and told them that she had no use for them. Neither did her children or her newborn grandchildren, as they already owned beast folk to serve as nannies and guardians. However, she did have something in store for them...

As healthy, vibrant females, they would be taken to market for sale. On her recommendation, as they are all so genteel, well-trained, and well-behaved, they would be sold as pets, not mere field hands or maidservants. This excited many of the beast women, who yearned for an opportunity to find a new family, and the underlying possibility of mating, something that was impossible living in isolation in the old woman's manor.

It's well known amongst the humans and beast folk that young men often purchase female pets for companionship. That is to say, the “pets" spend their time comforting their master, cooking, maintaining the house, and often sharing his bed. In some places it's even considered good practice, so that he'll better understand the female body and be well-prepared for when it's time to take a human wife.

The other eleven girls were so happy for this chance, but not Iriel. Beast folk often grow attached to those humans who are closest to them, romantically or otherwise, so long as the human is friendly, and their pheromones are palatable. However, Iriel did not want to risk being bought by someone she would never like or find appealing, nor did she want to risk being placed in a compromising position without her willing participation.

It wouldn't be the first time a female, beast folk or otherwise, was made to endure an unpleasant circumstance she would never come to accept or enjoy. While few beast folk think about such things, it was at the front of Iriel's mind, but as a beast woman she cannot search for her own master; there are no agencies for pairing pets and slaves with good owners. Why would there ever be such a thing?

The thought of never knowing proper happiness frightened her, and that night she couldn't sleep. Talk of their impending sale, which the other girls spoke of in perpetuity, left her feeling anxious and scared. She quickly concluded that she'd rather risk it all and run away than wind up with a brutish, unappealing man who wanted only legal access to her body.

That very night, when the others were asleep and dreaming sweet dreams, Iriel donned her favorite dress. It was a gift from her late owner, a cherished artifact of the bond they once shared. Clothing isn't something beast folk often think about, but they are very sentimental creatures and the bond they shared while her owner was alive made her feel loved and safe. The dress carried fond memories and warm feelings.

Iriel quietly made her way out of the bedroom she shared with three other ladies and leapt from the second-story window, landing gracefully on her feet before dashing off into the night. She was the only one to leave. The rest were eager to stay, hopeful that a young and handsome man would buy them and put them to good use. Iriel could only pray to Adonai, The One, her owner's deity, that they would find good homes and happiness.

Her owner's daughter made no effort to find her and put up no signs. The sale of the other eleven girls more than made up for a lifetime of caretaking, and the men who bought them were surely delighted, as well-trained as the girls were. Iriel watched the sale from a distance, hidden amongst shrubbery. After that, she walked the streets alone.

All she wanted was a choice, and she thought this choice was worth it. Like Kaelu, she had no one to care for her, but unlike Kaelu, she did have something to offer... It was this special thing that drew the unwanted attention of several strangers. First, a shopkeeper tried to lure her into his root cellar, but she sensed danger and fled. After that, a husband and wife offered her sanctuary after discovering her sleeping near their back garden, which she definitely did not steal from.

Initially, Iriel thought highly of them, but as she began to follow them, the way they looked at her body showed their true desires. She hesitated and they too tried to capture her. When she attempted to flee, they tore her beloved dress as they clung to her, trying to stop her. It broke her heart, to see the totem of her owner's affection destroyed, but she didn't want to be sullied by the perverse couple. The sacrifice was well worth it.

She escaped, but she was now forced to wander the streets naked. It wasn't that it bothered her, aside from the loss of the dress itself, but she knew that going without clothes would be a dead giveaway that she was unclaimed, a stray fit for capture. Too afraid to enter the city to steal, she was forced to live in the woods on the very edge of town, not far from where Kaelu's modest home resides.

For two more months she remained homeless, sleeping in the brush and eating wild edibles. This caused her to lose weight. Her time alone and her experiences with the unsavory humans made her skittish. She stayed away from other humans out of fear of abuse, but it was this last incident that left her so battered, and it wasn't the humans' doing...

Iriel found herself abruptly cornered by three males, Vostii of the cat-kin. They were also strays, though one was untamed and came from the forest, having never lived amongst the humans. The wild beast folk are quite primitive, and often aggressive; he was the leader. They'd been living off the scraps from the humans on the outskirts of town, digging through their garbage at night when they happened to spot Iriel all alone.

They followed her, and when she least expected it, they leapt from the bushes and tried to take what they wanted from her. All she had to offer was her body, a body which had never known the carnal touch of a man. They were hungry, salivating at the thought of using her for their pleasure but she refused them. They were of no use to her, being strays themselves, and her upbringing made her a cut above them, both socially and morally.

The males reacted violently. They grabbed her and touched her body but she fought them and quickly broke free. She ran into the city and through the streets, screaming and alerting the night patrol. Rarely do the claimed beast folk dash through the streets without a collar and tags or an escort... Or clothes! The guards gave chase but soon turned their attention toward the three cat-kin who were hot on her tail.

Males are much more concerning, given how dangerous a beast man can be, let alone several. They forgot about Iriel and hunted down the cat-kin, who scattered in all directions. In her haste to escape, Iriel wasn't watching where she was going and ran right in front of a speeding carriage. She was nearly trampled! She stopped to see the carriage racing toward her but leapt out of the way just in time to save her life.

However, her leg bumped one of the horses and threw her off-balance. Her shoulder struck the ground as she tumbled, only to crash into an old oil barrel, used to refill the streetlamps. Thankfully, it was nearly empty. The cuts came from her fending off the beast men, as did a missing patch of fur on her forearm. The rest of her wounds, the scrapes, the twisted ankle, and the other missing fur all came from the common, four-legged horse that pulled the carriage, and her tumble after the accident.

To Kaelu's anger, the driver didn't even stop to check on her, even after looking back and seeing she was alive. He may have been angry but he wasn't exactly surprised. Iriel's story didn't end there. As she hobbled away, she was nearly captured by more town guards, and fearing that she'd be sold as a cheap slave and made to work on a plantation, or worse, inside of a brothel, she ran for her life.

In an effort to evade the guards, she jumped into the stagnant river and waded downstream where she finally took shelter underneath this very bridge and fell asleep by the shore, exhausted. Kaelu was greatly moved by this harrowing tale. He used his matchbook to make her a fire and even offered her his coat, to dry herself and keep warm.

Iriel was understandably cautious at first, but quickly and gratefully accepted his gifts. It was rather amusing to him how contradictory she was. She would tell him so much about herself, details that could be compromising, and yet she's afraid to wear his coat or sit by his fire. Beast folk sometimes have a sixth sense about people and Iriel sensed that he was trustworthy, despite the short span of time they'd known each other.

However, she couldn't fully let her guard down. The shopkeeper and the married couple seemed nice at first, too... As she sat near the small fire and nibbled on what was left of his salvaged apple, he felt guilty that he didn't have more to give her. While returning his matches to the satchel on his belt, he saw his coin purse. Taking it out and checking it, it still had a few coins, and today is payday!

“If I leave, [will] you wait here?" He turns to her.

“... What?" She blinks, a look of terror on her face.

“No, no! I [am] not bring[ing the] guards! I want [to] buy you food."

“W... Why?"

“Why not?" He quips.

She gulps and her eyes scan him from head-to-toe as she tries in vain to discern his intentions. She wants to mistrust him, but something about his face, the way he speaks, his open posture, and the soothing nature of his scent makes it hard to think such dark thoughts.

“You [are] very good..." He begins, his tone becoming more serious. “I want [to] help you. I want [to] treat you well. Please, wait [here]."

Her eyes begin to water. Her expression is strange, like a mixture of pain, fear, anxiety and joy. Her lips curl around her rodent-like snout and her nose twitches. Iriel eventually nods her head, and after promising to return Kaelu swiftly dashes away. He scrambles up the steep hill faster than he descended it and runs toward a smaller market bazaar. He knows this part of town well.

As he purchases some food and supplies for the stray mouse girl, he notices the clock. Time is ticking and he must soon report for work. Racing back to the bridge, he makes his way down only to startle Iriel, who sits on the same old log, pulling the coat tightly around her body. Her fingers caress the hem, as if she's already grown attached to the gift.

“Sorry... Here... For you..." He speaks through labored breaths, sweat beading on his forehead.

Iriel stares in silent awe at a proper care package. He has brought her two days' worth of bread, hard salami and cheese, as well as ointment and bandages for her wounds! They aren't even serious wound, and yet he still thought to buy her medicine. With her permission, he removes the coat from her body and gently applies the ointment before bandaging her wounds.

He makes no effort to touch her inappropriately, nor does he mention the cost of the medicine, even though she asks. What is it to her that he spent fifteen zakians for these supplies? For the first time in a long time, Kaelu feels truly useful, like someone really needs him. It's a good feeling, being needed, and well worth the price. Perhaps he can make a habit of this generosity?

After sitting and talking a bit more, Iriel scoots closer to him. She doesn't bring attention to it, but he can see she's already become more receptive to his words and looks him in the eye without fear. Her dainty hand even reaches out to rest over his. It's feels like she cares about what he has to say and respects him when he talks. It's a feeling he wishes he could buy and keep forever.

It nearly breaks his heart when he tells her that he must leave for work or risk losing his job. Her brow softens and her lips contort. She almost looks as if she is about to cry! With an obvious melancholy in her voice, she says farewell to the kindly human, only for him to gently cradle her hand and call her by name. It sounds sweet on his lips, and she can feel her cheeks flush.

“Iriel... I [will] come back. I promise." He chirps, giving her hand a little squeeze.

Her eyes light up and she nods her head, perhaps in a feeble attempt to hide her smile. With a spring in his step, Kaelu climbs back up the embankment and jogs to work. His boss immediately notices his elevated spirits but attributes that to it being payday. Kaelu says nothing. He dutifully pushes the cart of ore and shovels the coal into the furnace without ever saying a word.

Though it pains him to remain silent, the last thing he wants to do is betray his new friend! As soon as he has a break for lunch, he makes his way back to the bridge, hoping to eat with Iriel. He stops at the market to buy some food for both of them and makes his way toward the embankment only to hear a bloodcurdling shriek.

“Iriel?!"

“Eek!" Iriel screams.

“Hold her [down]! I [am] first!" A male's voice exclaims.

“IRIEL!!!" Kaelu roars.

He's incensed by his imagination, and barrels down the embankment. He all but leaps to the base of the bridge, nearly tumbling on the last few precarious steps. It draws the attention of the strangers, three beast men, Vostii of the cat-kin. Kaelu's fears have been realized. His coat has been pulled from Iriel's body, and the poor mouse girl lies naked on her back, her wrists pinned above her head.

Two of the cat-kin continue to hold her down, one holding her wrists and the other holding her ankles while the third stands by her waist. He administers to himself, preparing to abuse her.

“Human! Leave us!" The wild cat shouts.

“No!" Kaelu stands defiant.

“Leave us or die!"

“No! You leave or you [will] die!"

The beast men pause and look between each other. They see no weapons and yet the human shows no fear. This leaves them greatly concerned.

“Or what?" The leader asks, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

“I [have] return[ed] to claim her. I know many guards, and they know I [am] here. If you [do] not leave now, and if you hurt us, they [will] know. They [will] hunt you [down] and kill you all..."

The three cat-kin look positively petrified! The beast man holding Iriel's ankles jumps back and raises his hands in surrender. The leader takes two steps back and the Vostii by her head scurries away like a whipped dog, hiding behind the others.

“We [are] sorry! We [did] not know she [is] yours! We [will] leave now!"

The three cat-kin turn tail and run, vanishing into the forest. Once they disappear into the foliage, Kaelu breathes a sigh of relief; his hand begins to shake as he feels the adrenaline coursing through his veins. Iriel pushes herself up, looking toward her savior.

“You know guards?!"

“No..." He speaks softly, in case the Vostii are nearby. “Come. We [must] leave now." He says, helping her up from the ground.

“And go where?" She asks, pulling the coat back on.

“... I [do] not want you think[ing] poor[ly] of me, but... I feel responsible, and you [will] remain safe inside [of] my home."

“..." She stares at him and blinks.

“I [will] not force you [to go]!" He swiftly adds, worried that he's offended her. “I [just] worry [about you]. When you [are] here and I [am] work[ing], I [can]not protect you, but my home [is] very safe... [Do you] want to follow [me]?"

Iriel looks at him for a moment, and just when he feels that he's made a grave mistake, the mouse girl's lips slowly curl into a shy smile. All she ever wanted was a choice and now she has it. She doesn't answer him in words but nods her head, then reaches out her hand and takes hold of his.

“Lead." She chirps.

Kaelu takes Iriel back up the embankment and through the city streets. With his jacket covering her, most don't bat an eye, merely assuming that she is his property. When they reach the residential area where his home is located, a familiar guard walks by. He glances at Iriel's neck and suddenly stops them.

“Hold on there, mister! ... Where are her tags?" The guard demands, his arms crossed.

Kaelu was never raised to lie and so when he tries to think of one, they all sound rather pathetic.

“Well?!" The guard impatiently taps his fingers against his biceps.

“... She's a stray."

“Oh?"

“I intend to claim her."

“Oh!" The guard smirks, glancing at Iriel and eying her from head-to-toe. “Well, I appreciate your honesty, sir! ... But you know the rules. She needs to be tagged and registered with the city clerk."

“I was planning on doing that."

“Here. I may have some left."

The guard opens a pouch on his belt and retrieves a bland, string necklace with a tin tag bearing a four-digit number crudely stamped onto it. He checks the number before passing it to Kaelu, then jots it down into a little booklet with a well-worn pencil.

“Return that temporary tag to the clerk when you register her. You have five days to take care of that. If you fail to do so, we'll have to write you a citation."

“Thank you, sir!"

Iriel stands in silent confusion as the humans talk in their strange and incomprehensible language. As a beast woman who was raised with Ancient Hitrosii as her tongue, she can never learn theirs. Suddenly, the kind and rather handsome human turns to her and ties a tag around her neck! She cannot help herself.

“Well, she looks happy!" The guard chuckles.

Iriel stands there as Kaelu ties the tag around her neck, her eyes as wide as can be, her cheeks puffing as she grins from ear to ear. She's as flabbergasted as she is grateful to no longer be in danger of capture and sale; Kaelu is now her master, and though she hasn't known him long, she senses that he is far more trustworthy than the others she'd met along the way. He did save her from the three vicious cat-kin, after all!

He takes a step back and she cannot help but reach up and touch the cheap tag, rubbing it between her fingertips. Her smile somehow widens, and after thanking the guard once again, Kaelu takes her by the hand and leads Iriel back to his home. She's surprised to find that he's a man of humble means, but she chose to follow him and she has no intention of backing down now.

Those with less to lose are often the most generous, and both the shopkeeper and married couple were rather well-off. Entering his home, he gives her the grand tour. It isn't much, and she immediately notices that he has only one usable bedroom, but she's thankful to be safe and cared for. In her joy, she turns to Kaelu and embraces him, holding him tightly for a few seconds.

He's speechless. It touches him beyond the physical, and the only way he can express his emotions is to gently caress her back. Iriel is dismayed when he reveals that he must leave for work as he's only on a lunchbreak. However, he promises to return soon and help her become accustomed to living with him. He's very trusting of her and even leaves her the only key to his house.

Now it's Iriel's turn to be speechless. She could lock him out if she wanted! It's quite the display, and in her heart, she knows that she's found a truly good man. Kaelu hastily returns to work and without a moment to spare. His boss is quick to remind him that he was almost late and to never let it happen again. Despite the chastising, Kaelu remains in good spirits and works very hard, harder than he has in a long time.

Kaelu returns home late in the evening but just before dusk. He almost laughs when he must knock on his own front door. He'll have to have another key made by the locksmith. Iriel answers it, still wearing his coat, and greets him with a smile and a little hug. To Kaelu's surprise, he quickly discovers that Iriel has been very busy while he was away.

She shows him around his own home which she's cleaned and organized, but not before putting away the food he gave her, washing herself and taking a nap. She even made the bed after using it and apologizes if she wasn't supposed to.

“No, it [is] fine!" He assures her. “I want[ed] you [to] choose where you sleep."

“Oh... May I, uhm... May I sleep... Beside you?" She very sheepishly asks.

Kaelu blinks, his eyes widening in surprise, though it only takes him a split-second to say, “Yes!" He flushes at his own eagerness and Iriel giggles, then reveals that she couldn't help but notice how spartan his home is. He has very little furniture and almost no food stored, and the clothes in his armoire are all the same, more or less. Though embarrassed, he admits that he hasn't had much to keep him going besides work.

Something about his answer calls out to her, and Iriel steps closer and embraces him. It's a very soft and exceedingly long embrace, perhaps even an upright cuddle! Something inside of him changes. In that moment he feels the desire, no, the need to provide and care for her! With some time to spare, Kaelu collects his savings which he'd hidden beneath a loose floorboard and takes Iriel to the nearest market.

He allows her to pick out some new dresses which the shameless beast woman promptly changes into. Thankfully, the seamstress was prepared and had a portable screen ready to hide her. He even buys her a new, more comfortable, and more appropriate collar and tag, then takes her to buy provisions. They soon return home with baskets in each hand, laden with supplies, and Kaelu's pantry is filled for the first time since he bought the little house.

He's almost embarrassed when Iriel insists that she cook for him. He finds himself anxiously and perhaps even nervously waiting in the living room. When dinner is ready, she calls out to him and he steps into the kitchen only to see the adorable mouse girl in her little dress, humming a tune she'd heard from her first owner while tending to the stove. He looks to the small table alongside the wall and feels as though he's reliving his father's life, albeit with some minor changes.

Iriel turns to him and smiles, then leads him to the table and promptly serves him dinner. They sit across from each other, eating and talking, and when they're done, they wash the dishes together. She offered to do it herself but he insisted. He cannot allow her to do all the work at home; he already feels guilty for her having cleaned his house while he was at work!

As the night wears on, they prepare for bed and Iriel removes her dress, hangs it up neatly beside Kaelu's clothes in his cheap armoire and then crawls underneath the covers. He's rather nervous, having the mouse girl so close to him, so vulnerable. Like striking a match, he feels a sudden yearning to protect her, to provide for her, and to keep her comfortable. He knows exactly how to do that.

The next day, Iriel wakes him up early only to make him breakfast while he very slowly prepares for work. It's a strange feeling, having someone caring for him, but it gives him something in return. Now he has someone to care for, and now he feels like he has some semblance of purpose. He goes to work with a full heart and a positive attitude, thoroughly impressing his boss.

Just before he leaves, he's pulled aside and told that, if he keeps this going, he'll be a prime candidate for the next foreman; the old one is about to be promoted. Meanwhile, Iriel remains in Kaelu's home, tidying it up and doing little chores to occupy herself. She organizes and cleans out much of the spare room, and as a result makes the rest of the house appear much more lived in, in a good way.

It feels nice to care for a man, and it feels even better to have someone strong and responsible looking out for her and providing. There is a warmth in her chest when she sees the smile on his face as he comes home and greets her, and her embrace has already become more tender and more passionate. Not only does he share the good news with her, but he's very pleased with all her work and shows his appreciation with validation and affection, just as she was hoping he would.

That night, as they lie down to sleep, she rolls over and scoots closer. He looks so peaceful, sleeping on his back. She watches him and feels so blessed to have a good man in her life. As it turns out, this was what she was seeking all this time. Not a man to live off of, or to dote on like a servant, but a man who cares about her, respects her and makes her feel useful and appreciated. She wants a man who makes her want to care for him, a man she respects, and she's found him, or rather, he found her, and rescued her.

Scooting even closer, she drapes an arm over Kaelu's chest and rests her head on his shoulder, clinging to him. Kaelu opens his eyes and slowly turns his head. He wasn't asleep at all, though he was basking in the comforting warmth of having another person there. It isn't just that he has a woman in his bed, but that he has a woman he can talk to, a woman he can trust and a woman worth his time and effort. She's so compassionate and so eager to help; it spurs him.

Kaelu doesn't slack in the least, and not only does he continue to impress his boss and earn the promotion to foreman, he also never fails to provide for, protect and comfort Iriel. He soon holds the key to her heart, but only because it was an even trade. When he shares his own feelings for her, she weeps with joy, embracing and kissing him. Their relationship goes well beyond a human and his pet Vostii, and they both know it.

Waking up one morning, in their new house in a better part of town, Kaelu collects his twin sons from their cribs. The half-breed children coo as his father carries them into the kitchen, where he finds Iriel serving their breakfast, wearing her favorite dress, a gift from her beloved husband. She turns to her family and greets them with love and kindness, and sitting at the table with the mouse girl, his tender wife, Kaelu finally has all he's ever wanted.

His life finally has purpose, and he's finally fulfilled. It all makes sense now. It's just a shame it took him so long to realize what life was truly about, though he wouldn't have it any other way, and neither would she...