"Depends on you. If you make it through the next hour without vomiting or passing out then it's a success." Isola said.
"Great." I said sarcastically. "So if I do make it through the next hour, what does that mean for me?"
"It means that your vitality has stabilized at the average level. We will be one step closer to getting you to transform."
"Does that mean I will be able to see Marshall again?" I asked, hopeful.
"Hmmmm…" Isola seemed to be mentally making some calculations. "Yes."
I became giddy at the thought of seeing Marshall again. I could finally move back into the hut with him and Dania. I really miss Dania's cooking. My tail was swishing happily.
"However, " Isola added, "I will need you to remain here with me when we are testing. I will need to be aware of any changes in your condition."
"Of course." I said, happily agreeing. At least I can spend some time with them, being apart from Marshall this whole time has been terrible. I haven't even been able to catch a glimpse of him. They have gone to great lengths to keep us far apart for fear of setting me back again. I sat there daydreaming when I realized that Isola was just staring at me. I cocked my head to the side and asked her, "What?"
"Nothing. We just have to wait and observe for another 48 minutes." She said.
I don't think she was even blinking. She really is scary some times.
"Okay.." I said awkwardly, thinking of something for us to talk about to pass the time. "Can I ask you a question?" I have had a question since earlier and was too afraid to ask Ishi.
"Sure." Isola said, still staring.
"So Dania told me that becoming mates is for the preservation of the species. That it's everyone's duty to procreate to continue the species..." I started.
"Yes, that would be accurate." Isola said, nodding approvingly.
"So Ummm.. what about same sex couples?" I asked, thinking of Ishi and Layla earlier.
"I was wondering when you would notice." She said
Notice? Does she mean that she was wondering when I would notice Ishi's sexuality? I mean, I did get some ambiguous vibes from her but I was too busy getting beaten up to really pay attention. Aside from today, we really didn't spend much time together when we weren't training. However now that I think about it, when Ishi wasn't being grumpy she did tend to stand very close… and her hands lingered.. I blushed and shook my head.
I cleared my throat and asked for clarification, "Notice what exactly?"
"Felines have a decent amount of female couples. I assume you noticed the lack of males in our city."
I did notice that, but I kept forgetting to ask Isola. Ishi is far too unapproachable to ask these things.
"Yeah I did notice." I said, "why is that?"
"That is something I have been working on. For some reason, the birth rate for males is extremely low among our species. It's not abnormal for the gods to choose a same sex couple to be natural mates in other tribes, but I would say that 55% of couples here are same sex females."
"Wow. Are they natural mates?" I asked
"A few are. But mostly they have chosen to be with their partner, whether it be male or female."
"But what about the continuation of the species?" I asked.
"There is nothing we can do about that. The gods bless us with only a few male cubs every mating season. If we could, I'm sure we would have more harems to improve the birth rate. But that isn't possible, as you know."
"Yeah I remember. The backlash, right?"
"Exactly." Isola said. "I tried different tinctures to improve the odds of conceiving more male cubs. It didn't work. I even tried making one that would prevent the backlash of the contract, but no one was willing to try it. They said it was shameful and tried to chase me out." She said the last part with a huff.
"Is that why you hide up here all alone?" I asked her.
"Partly. I'm not exactly welcome with most people. The only ones who talk to me are Ishi and her friend Layla. And now you and Dania." She added at the end, trying to lighten the mood.
"That explains a few things. I'm sorry, Isola. They should understand that you were just trying to help."
"It's no big deal. I prefer to be left alone any ways." She said, as she picked up a book at random and started flipping through it. I get the feeling that her research is an escape from reality. I wish I could help her.
My stomach growled loudly.
She immediately jumped up and got in my face, "Do you feel sick?"
"Uh, no…" I said, gently pushing her back, out of my face. "I feel hungry. I haven't eaten."
"Oh.." She said, as she rocked back on her heels. "It should be fine to have something to eat while we wait. You stay there, I'll grab us some jerky from the kitchen."
"Thanks." I said, trying to sound grateful. We have been eating nothing but jerky since I started staying here. It is nice because it doesn't require cooking and it fills you up quick… but I'm getting tired of it. We ate the jerky and talked for the rest of the hour. She told me that since males are so rare they tend to stay at home and watch the cubs while the females work to provide for the family. That explains why I only ever saw female warriors too.
She told me that right now the majority of the warriors are out on a hunt and are expected back some time this next week. The leader of the Feline race is a male Lion, named Lionus. He is a 'blessed one' who has 3 female mates. His son, Jerold, is training with his father to lead the felines when he retires. Layla is one of his many daughters.
Isola told me that Jerold pursued her at one point, however once she was almost exiled for her research he stopped. She said that he did come visit her secretly a few times but she turned him away to protect his reputation. That was when she moved out of Ishi's house and found this hideout.
Finally the hour was up and I displayed no symptoms. I practically jumped for joy. Isola was excitedly making notes and asking me general questions to make sure I didn't feel lightheaded or feverish.
"I feel completely fine. Not even a little weak." I said as I stood up confidently and stretched. She frowned at me and I realized I was still in the belly dancer outfit that Ishi has me wear when we train.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't have time to change." I said as I walked over to my bag to grab my comfortable clothes.
"That's fine. If that's what you like to wear, don't feel ashamed." Isola said.
Isola generally wears these cute pants that I imagine a genie would wear. They are baggy, cuffed at the ankles, and have slits down the sides of them. She usually wears baggy tops that have lots of pockets for her random stuff. She gave me an old pair of clothes after mine got ruined and I wear those around when I'm not training.
"No, no, don't get the wrong idea." I said, waving my hands, "I wear these for training. Ishi insists. She says they are liberating and will work best during training."
"Ishi said what?" Isola asked, looking baffled.
"She said that I have to wear this during training. She said it liberates the body and allows the best movement during sparring." I repeated confidently.
"Did she now." Isola said in an ambiguous tone. She looked me over, openly, which made me blush. "Well if Ishi says it, then it must be true." She finished her thought with a smile.
I decided not to answer and just go get changed. I changed into my oversized tunic and makeshift shorts. I got my outfit ready for tomorrow and prepared my bed on the couch. Isola was engrossed in her piles of junk over there, so I didn't bother her.
I find it strange that "felines" are a race that include cheetahs, leopards, lions, panthers, and tigers. Literally any large feline. But dire-wolves are also a race and are literally just wolves. There's timber wolves, brown wolves, arctic wolves, grey wolves… but they are all still wolves. It's so strange how this world works.
How can a lion and a panther can mate and have a perfectly healthy and functional baby, but if a wolf and panther mate they create a monster? I curled up on the couch with a blanket and prepared to get some sleep. I had to keep fluffing and readjusting the pillow because for some reason it just didn't feel comfortable.
"I'm hoping we can test the potion for transformation by the end of the week. As long as you continue progressing at this pace it should work. I'll ask Ishi to work with you on transformational stuff as well." She spoke half to me and half to herself.
I was already falling asleep so I didn't respond. She usually doesn't require an answer anyways.