The upper district of Juno.. Nighttime when the red lanterns are lit, the air is full of lust. A house full of bare skin and gyrating motions. Endless pleasures and fantasies are quenched under the moonlit sky. Oddly enough, it was a time when businesses like this thrive, a night of a full moon.
Living beings' baser instincts act out on full display, within the rooms lit in pink.
Ydran's establishment, The Endless Dream. A place for upper-class types to indulge in their wildest fantasies to the taboo. A stage sits in wait for a performance unlike any other.
Backstage, a woman readies herself with tribal paints and provocative silk clothes. However, this woman was different from the others. A creature with blue feathers covering her body along with the wings on her back. Tail feathers as blue as the sea almost reach down to the floor. Her body was lean as it was feminine, and black nipples exposed themselves forward in presentation. "Ah.. she huffed. I wonder if he's gonna be here again? Hmmm." She muttered under her breath as some paying customers entered the attraction area.
The group began chatting amongst each other.
"I wonder what the main attraction is tonight? I'm not sure if I'm prepared for what's gonna happen." One man said with fiendish curiosity.
"It's Kinell, the harpy enchantress.." One grizzled man in a nobles garb deeply spoke as he sat patently in waiting. The other man held a queer look. "Harpy? What's that again?"
A voice echoed behind in response. "An exceedingly rare type of beastmen." Revealing himself as minister Ydran himself before the trio. He continued. "I assure you, she may be a beastmen, but you'll fall head-over-heels for her in no time. But, don't be ashamed, Harpies have a sort of mating dance that ensnares males of all races to desire her flesh. It's just the law of nature."
The fiendish man makes a dismissive gesture. "What? I came here to watch a naked beastmen dance about? You can't be serious?"
Ydran let out a mischievous chuckle."Hoho! You'll see soon enough~"
The lights went dim, and the room full of fifty people waiting with baited breath as the musicians began playing a soft tune. The curtains slowly opened, revealing an azure feathered creature with a jet-black beak. Her body was fully exposed with an open and transparent silk blouse.
She gracefully began to flow with the music like a stream of water. Her hands and feet may be sharp black talons, but she swung them with such mystifying grace.
The crowd watched with sweat beading from their foreheads, resisting their primal urges to jump the stage and sexually ravage her.
The skeptic man from earlier looked on in disbelief of the dancing bird woman that's captivated his urges. muttering under his breath, he struggled to deny these sensations. "T-this is.. witchcraft!"
However, nobody paid any mind to his outburst. However..
Ydran stood next to the man watching the same dance with a calm expression. He leaned in and explained to the worked up man. "Actually, the explanation is a bit more scientific than that. You see, their species has an art known as a mating dance. Kinell has mastered this dance to an extraordinary degree that no matter how many times one has seen it, you can not resist your primal urges. Her movements are a form of communication that the beastmen are well acquainted with, but us humans can subconsciously pick up on."
The man sunk in every word that Ydran was saying but was still left speechless as he watched the captivating dance. "Scary.. They're capable of this?.."
"Do you want some time alone with her?" Ydran blatantly asked the man. He was strongly tempted to take up the offer but was a bit reluctant due to his prideful bravado against bedding a beastmen. Ydran followed up. "A night with her is costly, and there's quite a lineup, so let me know before you find yourself at the back of the line."
As she swayed her body on stage, her eyes caught sight of the well-dressed grizzled man from earlier. She cracked a smile. "He's here.." she thought as her dance intensified along with the music.
Sometime later..
Her bed chambers echoed with the sounds of lust. The grizzled man ravaged her body as if she were but a tasty treat. Her legs were spread wide as she was pressed against the makeup dresser by the lean man's aggressive motions.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" Her dainty voice chirped on every thrust, loving every second of his actions. Pushing him off, but not finished with him, the man laid on his back on the bed. She then rode him with wild lust. Clenching her body over his and gyrating like in an exotic dance. He fondled her lean breasts as she did this. He couldn't take the pleasure as his body was reaching an inevitable climax. "Grah!" He grunted as she slowly shifted her hips on him, feeling his warmth enter her body.
"Hah!.." After they finished, they struggled to catch their breath. The man opened his mouth to speak as she lay on top of his scarred body in a cuddling manner. "I never get tired of my time with you.."
Her dainty voice chuckled in return. "As I do with you. You definitely are my favorite, I was hoping to see you today."
"Is that the truth?" The man asked with a hardened tone. "Of course.." she said, caressing his war-torn body with her sharp yet delicate talons. "This may be the words of a woman of the night. But if I were to quit this profession, I'd definitely find myself next to you every night."
The man sternly stared off to the side. "Indeed. The false words of a whore. But, nevertheless, you know I'm not in any situation for that to ever happen. Additionally, if word got out that I've been bedding a beastmen, my life in the court would quickly change. And.. my father would.."
Kinell rested her head to his chest, exclaiming with a smile. "It's our little secret, Prince Azan.."
Later, after the late hours of midnight passed. Azan slipped out of Kinell's bed chambers while everyone slept, feeling assured that his secret was safe.
The sky was overcast, but the streets of the upper district were lit brightly. Buildings stood tall in the night, like daunting giants looming overhead. Azan walked down the street in the direction of the castle, piercing the sky with dark regal majesty.
Azan approached, greeting the spearman guards as he walked by. "Another late night, lord Azan?"
Azan nodded. "Indeed, I had to run a few errands and lost track of time."
"I see. By the way, your father has been wishes to discuss with you. Probably in the last hour or two."
"The king wishes to see me? Right now, at this hour?"
"Supposedly. Word around the castle is still going about."
Azan lowered his eyes. "Thank you.." he said with uneasiness written on his face. Ascending up the grand stairs leading to the throne room. He found himself before a raspy voiced lord with a crown atop his head. He appeared to be in wait with a handful of his subjects surrounding him. They all turned their attention the moment he entered the room.
The king waved his hand into the air. "Leave us." He calmly commanded to his subjects as they filed out the room.
Now alone, King Aldius, a king at his late fifties, spoke with a stern husked tone. "I heard reports that you were seen at a whore house today. Is this true, Azan?"
Azan's face went pale before the king. He lowered his head in an apologetic way. "It's true, mlord.."
"Hmmmm..." Aldius grumbled and began to speak with authority. "Listen, Azan. You may be my bastard son, but you still hold the name of the Vermillion family. What would our subjects think if they caught wind that one of the royal family members was doing such degenerate actions? Even in times of war, domestic news travels fast, and the last thing we need is our names dragged in the dirt. Keep that in mind the next time you decide to satiate your vices.."
Azan couldn't return any words. All he could do was bow his head in forgiveness and leave. Later, down a hallway. Azan kicked over a nearby chair in uncontrollable rage.
Elsewhere..
In the mountains behind the cabin where a workshop furnaces roars. Luna worked with her father, whipping the sweat from her forehead as she pumped the bellows among other tasks. She didn't mind the leather working. In fact, she was pretty good at it and found enjoyment from it. She mostly made leather strips for sword handles and sometimes other things all together. Such as leather gear and armor.
After a few hours of work, Luna and Luke were ready to call it a day. They closed up the workshop after putting away the tools. Luna and Luke got out of their leather aprons and into their casual garb.
Luke was in deep thought as he looked over at Luna. "Are you really okay with this, Luna?"
"Yeah. Why should anything change knowing about my lineage? I'm fine spending my life helping you and mom. I owe you my life, I can't imagine what it could've been like if you didn't come along.."
Luke lowered his head for a moment and grunted a stern voice. "Okay.. Just let us know if there's anything else bothering you." Luna smiled with a nod as they seemingly reached an agreement between each other.
Later, under the cloudy day. Snow began to slowly fall from the sky. Luna was outside for a bit, getting some fresh air. Then she caught HIS scent again. Instead of getting frustrated, Luna eagerly approached the treeline where Ragnar was sure enough, waiting patently against a tre. Luna was about to speak until Ragnar beat her to the punch. "I must apologize. It was rude of me to make such assumptions about you. And I'll abide by your wishes and leave you be if that's what you truly wish of me."
Ragnar unfolded his arms and was about to take his leave until suddenly Luna spoke up. "W-wait!" He stopped, looking over his shoulder towards her as she continued. "Actually.. I don't want you to go anywhere.. in fact, I'm gonna take you up on your offer.."
Ragnar was somewhat surprised as he spun around, looking her over. "Did.. did something happen? Why the change of heart?" He asked inquisitivly. Luna answered with a smile and a shrug. "I just find myself curious about your kind. Honestly, I wanna learn about lycan culture."
Ragnar looked her over with a blank expression. He then chuckled softly and cracked a smile. "Hmhmh.. well, this is unexpected. Actually, I'm quite relieved you decided to take up my offer. Lycan's appreciates a purpose in life, even if it's for the purpose of another. It's in our nature."
"I see.." Luna said with a brief ponder. "Anyways." She continued. "I can't have you stalking in the treeline all the time. My father might eventually find you, and I don't know how he'd react if he does." Luna paced around Ragnar in contemplation until she eluded to her intentions. "I have just the spot for you. My father doesn't know about it because it tucked away. Come!" She waved over her shoulder playfully, almost as if she was back to being a child again.
Trudging through the snow-covered wilderness, she stopped at a rockface with Ragnar watching her. She followed the perimeter until she stopped at a four-foot high opening. "Come on!" Luna called, waving Ragnar towards the small opening. Crawling through to the other side was a small opening enclosed by the surrounding rockfaces. Probably two to three acres in circumstance with a frozen body of water and some evergreen trees.
"This is where I'd like you to stay!" Luna huffed with hot breath. Ragnar looked about with intrigue. "This is quite a hideaway. How'd you come to find it?" He asked. "I found this spot ever since I was a child. It was a place for me to be alone and be one with nature. I can't put my finger on it, but it feels like.. home.." Luna said wistfully. She gathered herself and spoke with excitement at Ragnar. "I want you to live here! Live the way a lycan would! Build a shelter, make a campfire, whatever!"
Ragnar wasn't sure how to respond to such a request. But one thing was certain, she was willing to show him her childhood sanctuary, so he would respect her wishes. "Very well." He nodded while calmly responding. "I'll do just that."
Luna smiled with eagerness in her voice. "Great! I look forward to seeing what you come up with. " She then looked up and down Ragnar's bare chest. "Don't you ever get cold being so exposed as you are?" She asked innocently. "Ragnar rubbed the back of his head in response. "Hm? Sometimes. But the cold won't kill me anytime soon."
Regardless, Luna approached him and sized up his torso with her arms, kind like she was taking down mental measurements. Ragnar was quite confused by the strange turn Luna's behavior has taken today. She seems more.. open, and polite towards him. Luna backed up, giving him space. "Alright. I'll leave you to yourself for a bit. I'll be baxk sometime tomorrow!"
She bid her farewell and rushed to the workshop when she got back to the settlement.
The next day, Ragnar toiled away at putting together a hut made of branches and thatch. It was coming along nicely as he was nearly finished in the afternoon. Luna approached the hideaway with a bag full of goods. Ducking her head under the opening, she emerged to see a thatch hut sitting near the frozen pond. She was impressed to see Ragnar still working away at the upper end of the walls.
He looked over his shoulder, looking at Luna, who approached with a smile. "You've been busy." She remarked as Ragnar nodded. "Just doing what you told me. Either way, I best make myself comfortable if I'm to stay here."
He jumped down before her as his tail swayed gently. She opened the burlap sack she was carrying and handed him a rolled up slab of leather. He unfurled it, revealing it to be a leather tunic made to fit him. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked her way. "Is this.. your gift to me?"
"I sure is!" She said with a warm smile. Ragnar aimed his snout to the sky with closed eyes, seemingly and deeply pleased with the gesture. "Go ahead, put it on!" She said in an almost demanding way. The big white wolf man did so, struggling to put his arms through the sleeves and throwing it together.
The leather tunic fit him snuggly, as he almost felt embarrassed for some reason. "Good to see it fits you well!" Luna remarked, watching the beast look about himself. "Is something wrong?" She asked, noticing his behavior. "No.. it's just. Us beastmen of the wilds typically don't wear this much clothes. I kinda feel like a human.."
Luna let out a chuckle. "Hehehe! Is it THAT bad to be human?"
Ragnar looked at her and elaborated. "Well, I do have my pride as a lycan, just like you have your pride as a human." His words fell as Luna was struck by them somewhat. As they stood just outside the hut, Luna turned her attention to the inside. "Can I have a look inside."
Ragnar was distracted as he stared at her. He eventually snapped out of it and gave a response. "Hm? Oh! Of course."
Luna entered with Ragnar in toe. There wasn't much of anything aside from the small smoldering firepit in the center. Luna sat before it and warmed her hands. "At least you have something in here." She said as she got comfortable on the dirt floor. Ragnar sat across from her as he started speaking. "There's something you should understand.." Luna looks up at Ragnar. "Lycan's tribes in the wilds are ruthless beings. They are selfish. They only care about power and dominance."
Luna looked at him with quiet vigil as he continued. "Lycan tribes typically have three classes. The elders, alpha, and the betas. Elders oversee the tribe's overall health. The alphas fight, lead, and, of course, breed with other alphas for the next generation." Luna continued to pay attention with intrigue as he continued, but with a saddened tone for the last group. "Then.. there's the betas.. in lycan terms, they are nothing more but slaves or bottom feeders. They are absolutely outlawed from breeding at all for the sake of the future of the tribe. That duty is reserved for alphas."
Luna spoke up with concern in her voice. "That seems silly.. so you're saying betas aren't allowed to fall in love? That's kinda harsh, no?"
"Love?" Ragnar looked with confusion, and Luna returned a similar look. "Wait.. you never heard of love? Did your parents ever show any affection to you?"
Ragnar shrugged with indifference. "The only interests our tribe was concerned about was breeding the next generation. I don't even know who my parents were."
Luna asked with curiosity. "How do you not know who your parents are?"
Ragnar elaborated. "Technically, I know who my mother is. As for my father.. well, most lycan's of the tribe don't really know who their father is, especially after the moon feast."
"Moon feast?" She asked with slight bewilderment in her voice.
Ragnar cleared his throat and peered deeply into the fire. "The moon feast.. is during the eve of the spring equinox. The tribe alphas engage in a group breeding session.."
Luna's breath halted, and she angled a queer look at Ragnar. "Wow.. I should've expected that.. So that's why you don't know who your dad is.."
"More or less. Although.. even though I was born from two alphas, I came out fairly small compared to the others and became categorized as a beta. As a result, my mother disowned me." Ragnar said with a heavy heart, and his head lowered with shame.
Luna analyzed him with skepticism. "Wait.. YOU? A beta? You're like six and a half feet tall and stacked with muscles, and you're considered small!?"
"Yes. Ragnar answered astutely. "They are significantly bigger than me and have far more authority as well." Luna then decided to change the subject since Ragnar looked visibly troubled talking about it. "So.. is there anything you like? You know, food or drink?"
"Drink? Hmmm.." Ragnar stopped and thought deeply and leaned his head back with an answer. "Plumbwood cider.." Luna's eyes raised as Ragnar cracked a smile. "If there was anything I'd like to have again.. it would definitely be that.."
After Luna finished her visit and took her leave. She thought aloud about that very interest. "Plumbwood cider.."
Many days passed as Luna frequented Ragnar's area on an almost daily basis. Her parents started to wonder where she'd disappear during all these visits. Luke was very skeptical of her excuses. Luna just said she's just enjoying her time alone in nature, sometimes bringing home some small game every now and then.
Luke was suspicious enough to consider tracking Luna to see where she's going all the time. But.. he also considered how happy she appeared to be every time she returns. Even though he can't help but feel concerned for what she's getting involved in, she is, in fact, happy..
Should he really tarnish her trust in doing such an underhanded thing? Luke wouldn't dream of it. When the time comes, he trusts that Luna will come to him with the truth..