Sounds of lust echoed in the pink lit halls of The Endless Dream. In one room where the blue bird resides, her breasts are being caressed by none other than Azan. It seemed they had already finished an intimate exercise and was just relaxing together under the blankets. Azan mutted jokingly aloud to her. "Hypothetically speaking; what do you think a child between us would look like?"
"Hehe!" Kinell let out a chuckle at the random question. "She would definitely be beautiful no matter what." She said. "But parish the thoughts, prince. As long I continue to take Blue Spirit vine, pregnancy can not happen, which is ideal for you, yes?"
Azan looked wistfully to the side. "Indeed.. realistically, if you became pregnant, I don't know what would happen if we were found out.."
Kinell cracked a playful smirk. "Oh really?~ aren't you taking a risk just to be here? What if someone spots you were here like the last time? Didn't your father chastise you sometime ago?"
Azan smiled. "It's unlikely. I made sure nobody followed me, and I had a rock steady alibi."
Kinell shuttered excitingly. "Oooo! The prince is feeling daring, isn't he?" After those words, Kinell rolled up over his body, straddling his body with exotic hip movements, talking in his ear. "But be careful, my prince, life can have some harsh consequences.."
Meanwhile, Luna stood before her father in the morning light. Silence fell for a moment until his strong words broke it. "What exactly did you do last night in your morning gown, Luna?"
Luna couldn't think of what to say as her eye lowered to the ground. During this, Luke casts his shadow over her, questioning. "What? Don't have any lies prepared for this one?"
Her eyes became historical with fear.. fear of what to say, should she confess? She doesn't know, so she just remained silent. Until Lukes open hand connected to her face, sending her to the ground. He stood over her as Olivia noticed and rushed over. "Luke! What's going on!?"
"What's going on?.. I'll tell you what's going on!" He shouted with eyes full of rage, turning back to Luna, stunned on the ground. "This 'daughter' of ours is prowling the night doing god-only-knows!"
He then lost his cool as he began to strike her mercilessly. Regardless of the abuse, Luna couldn't do anything but curl up from his attacks. Olivia tried to restrain his attacks but was powerless to stop him.
Luke then grabbed a branch and extended it into the air, ready to let it fall where he wished with eyes full of disgust. Until.. a hand grabbed it, stopping the attack just before contact. "!!!" A deep voice fell. "That's enough.."
Luke glanced over his shoulder, and Olivia became speechless. A white wolf gripped the branch and glared back at the man who harmed his woman. Luke let go and stepped back. He started to chuckle to himself. "Heh.. of course.. now it all makes sense.."
Luna's eyes jumped back up at Ragnar, still in disbelief that this whole situation was happening. Luke began to speak again. "Luna.. was he what you've been visiting in the woods this whole time?"
Luna struggled to let out a delicate. "Y-yes.." Luke became quiet until he spoke again. "Did you.. have sex with him?"
Olivia chimed in. "Hold on, Luke! Aren't you going? -"
"- Enough!" He shouted, silencing her words. "Luna.. answer the question." Luna fell silent but struggled to answer with her head buried in her arms, hiding her shame. "Y-yes.."
Luke lifted his head at the sky and asked solemnly. "Do you love him?" Luna removed her head from her lap and looked at Ragnar, who was also waiting to hear her answer. She let out a soft smile, answering honestly with confidence in her voice. "Yes. I truly do.."
Luke dropped the branch in defeat. "So that's how it is.." Silence fell briefly until he spoke once more with stern resolve. "Luna.. we can't let you have this relationship while under our roof. If anyone were to find out that my daughter is fraternizing with a beastmen, you know what will happen? Serious consequences will come upon us. The kingdom despises mixed relationships. Therefore, you have to choose, us, or this lycan?"
Luke layed down an ultimatum at that very moment. Luna had to choose between living with her loving parents. Or, abandon them to be with Ragnar.. It wasn't an easy choice for her. But..
"Father.." Luna spoke with sadness in her voice. "Thank you for everything.." Luke's hardened eyes softened. "I see.." He said with a crestfallen demeanor.
Later, Olivia asked Luna with concern in her voice, handing her a bag full of Luna's possessions. "Are you absolutely sure about this, Luna?"
Luna thought deeply, with her amber eyes turning to the sun, she answered. "Honestly, I'm a bit scared.. but I was destined to leave one day, right? So, I guess now is the time.." Olivia pulled Luna into a hug, speaking warmly. "Ohhhh, do be careful out there, my child.."
"I will, mother.."
Later, Luna and Ragnar were on a dirt path. She was shrouded in a cloak, asking Ragnar with curiosity. "So.. what now?"
It was discussed earlier that living nearby was too dangerous since war will one day encroach upon these lands. War tensions between the kingdom of Juno and Vakrah are growing. Because of that, scouts will eventually extend from the outer perimeter of Juno. Luke believes that one day, they will be found and put on public display for treason.
Henceforth, Luna and Ragnar must flee the country before it has a chance to become of that.
"Hmm.. Can I make a proposition?" Ragnar said with his blue eyes sharpening on the horizon. He was now wearing a traveling garb over his current clothes. He continued. "Shall we travel to Yachron?"
"Yachron?" Luna asked with bewilderment.
Ragnar turned his attention back to Luna and explained. "From what I heard as I was growing up, Yachron is an Empire that doesn't have laws or prejudice against mixed partnerships. It is also not tangled up in wars and conflict currently. In other words, we could make our way to that country and live in peace without the fear of punishment."
Luna looked wistfully at the horizon. "Have you ever been there?"
"No. I just heard stories from fellow tribesmen."
"So how far is this.. Yachron?"
"Across the eastern sea.." As Ragnar's voice fell, Luna became silent, realizing this is gonna be an extensive journey if she was to embark on it. Her adventurous spirit began to take over with her heart filling with excitement. "Across the sea.." She said with eyes full of fearful exuberance. "I'm excited to be anywhere as long as I'm with you.."
Then it was settled. Ragnar and Luna prepared to set out to Yachron..
But before that, Luna needed to stop by Juno to get provisions for the journey. She had a decent amount of money she made from helping her father in the workshop. There's also the issue of getting a ride on a ship past the eastern sea. She definitely doesn't have enough money for such a voyage. Either way, the trip to the harbor would be a lengthy journey by itself. She best make sure it's not a waste.
As soon as they reached the fringes of Juno, Ragnar protested with Luna. "Absolutely not! I'm not leaving you alone in that place!"
Luna understood his concerns, but she was more worried about his well-being, given the fact of how they treat beastmen in Juno. Either way, Ragnar refused to leave her side.
Therefore, Luna devised a plan.
"A-are you sure?" He asked with shock on his animalistic face.
Arriving at the gate, the gate guard Klein greeted Luna with familiarity. However, behind her in fiber bindings and a collar was Ragnar. He steered his face away in shame.
Klein obviously questioned her companion as she explained. "Oh, him? A lycan I found wounded on my parent's property. Thought I'd fetch a good price for him in Juno."
Klein looked at the white fuzzy wolf with astonishment. "Wooow! He's quite a big fella! Must be a lycan of the wilds! Alright! Go on ahead, Luna!"
Ragnar was surprised by her deception skills. Her body language showed no signs of falsehood. Perhaps because most of what she said was true? Aside from the selling aspect. After they entered the gates, Luna apologized. "Sorry.. It must be embarrassing for you to be like this."
Ragnar raised his head. "I'm just glad my mother isn't seeing me right now.."
Luna whispered with a seductive tone at Ragnar. "As a reward, you could bind me up later if you want." Ragnar jolted from her suddenly shift of Luna's tone but showed that he wasn't completely against her proposal, saying. "I - uh.. maybe."
Luna chuckled, patting him on the back. "Then it's a promise! Hehe!" Ragnar is noticing a far more playful side of Luna. After everything that's happened to her, how can she be so carefree? He wondered all this as they walked through town, blending in with the crowds.
However. Ragnar wasn't accustomed to crowds of this extent. The environment was stifling, and it was incredibly unnerving. Luna could see this and understood why. He was accustomed to the wilds, and the city is far too alien for him to adapt quickly.
She took him down an empty alley to help him settle down. "Sorry, Ragnar, I should've expected you are a bit overwhelmed by the city."
Ragnar concurred as he leaned against the wall, catching his breath. "There's just too much activity in the air, the smells, everything is just too much."
Luna explained with serenity in her voice. "It was exactly the same for me when my father took me here for the first time. He had to take me to the side and help me relax, kinda like now." She couldn't help but feel nostalgic, but also couldn't resist approaching Ragnar with a flushed look. She leaned in, and they shared a kiss. Ragnar felt her body until she halted him. "Hehe! Not now. Once we're out, we can play."
She gave an amber wink and retreated out the alley. Ragnar couldn't help but feel a bit more relaxed in the crowds. Only because he was more focused on watching Luna. Somehow, he's feeling like Luna has bewitched his heart. This wasn't a side of Luna he was familiar with. Could it be? That humans alter their behavior based on their environment? This revelation caused Ragnar to realize something about himself.
He envied Luna. She adapted to her environment so quickly as he struggled to blend in a similar way. Life in the tribe was so simple and straightforward. But here, it was like he had to learn how to be a completely different person..
He watched her haggle for goods as if it came naturally to her. People glared his way, knowing he was nothing but Luna's slave.
They made their way to Lowertown. "What's up with this side of town?" Ragnar asked. "I need to find someone I've met here awhile back. Apparently, he knows a thing or two about Eastern mariners. Can't say I'll find him easily, though.. He's a bigger deal than I thought.."
Luna walked about with Ragnar in toe. Thankfully, his presence seemed to dissuade anyone from pulling anything on Luna. She realized this and was grateful to have him with her. He is a rather big lycan, after all.
Luna asked about if anyone had seen Donzo around. Most beastmen just scoffed at the question, whereas others just ignored her completely. Unfortunately, she wasn't getting anywhere and retreated to the outside of a dismal pub made of shanties and wood crates for seats.
Luna lamented to Ragnar, who sat across from her. "Geez, trying to find this guy is harder than I expected. Speaking of which, Lowertown is bigger than I expected. There's a lot more twists and turns than the midtown market, and everything is more enclosed, too.."
"Huff.." Resting her head on the table, Ragnar made a suggestion. "Perhaps we're going about this the wrong way. Instead of us looking for him, we should get him to look for us."
Luna raised her head, intrigued but uncertain. "How would we go about that, though?"
"Can't say." He answered with a shrug. "I don't know the guy. What exactly is his beast type?"
"Oh yeah. He's a Grimalkin." Ragnar shuttered for a moment after her words hit him. "A.. Grimalkin?"
"Yeah?" Luna said, seeing how perturbed Ragnar became after hearing that. "Is that.. an issue?" Ragnar clasped his hand over his face for a moment and regained his composure. "No.. not really.. it's just.. us lycan's and Grimalkins don't really get along is all.."
At that moment, it occurred to Luna the thing Donzo mentioned. About her unique amber eyes. She jumped out of her seat and approached Ragnar. "I got an idea, thanks to you!"
"Hm?"
"Donzo!" Shouted a pointed nosed subordinate in a dark hovel in an undisclosed location. He was out of breath as the shadow deeply asked. "What is it, Skaver? What did those ears catch?"
The creature with round but torn ears stuttered to speak. "I heard word that a demi-human of the golden eyes tribe is in Lowtown right now! She's putting her amber eyes up for sale! All of Lowertown is in an uproar!"
His face widened in disbelief. "It couldn't be.." he thought. "How interesting. Is she trying to get my attention? Hmph! Mission accomplished!"
Luna stood before a Lowtown crowd that barked before her, naming their prices for her eyes. "Does her eyes still have value as a demi-human?"
"Who cares!" Another shouted. "Her eyes look just like the real thing! Should still fetch a good price! Hehehe!"
Ragnar gritted his teeth. "Luna.. this is insane!" He barked with utter discontent. Regardless, Luna remained calm, with a hint of confidence in her composure. Although she can't help but feel a bit saddened at the mere thought of this. That beastmen even turn on each other for mere profit.
"What's this all about!" A voice echoed, silencing the crowd. "He came!.." Luna thought as she heard the familiar voice. Suddenly, the crowd realized they got the attention of Donzo, the enforcer of lowtown. The crowd collectively shifted gears and began to plead to Donzo for forgiveness, claiming they had no intention of buying golden eyes.
Donzo treated the townspeople as if they were nothing more but misguided children and let out a few words. "Just get lost! This sale is closed!"
And just like that, the crowd disbursed as if nothing had happened. "So that's Donzo, hm?" Ragnar muttered as Luna nodded, maintaining eye contact with Donzo.
Later, Donzo met up with Luna and Ragnar.
Slamming his ale mug on the table, he scathingly spoke. "Un-fucken-believable! To think you'd go so far just to get my attention.. shit! If this dog wasn't here, I'd give you a firm slap!"
Ragnar growled in response. "Watch your mouth, cat!" Donzo mockingly spoke. "Who is this guy anyway? Didn't know you had a lap-dog!"
Ragnar and Donzo argued back-and-forth for a bit until Luna explained their intentions. "Look! Enough with the fighting! Donzo! Apparently, you have connections to mariners of the eastern port. We need to get to Yachron."
Donzo paused for a moment, realizing at that moment as he observed them before. "Hah! Hahaha!" He erupted with laughter over the other patrons in the pub. Leaning back in his chair, he spoke calmly with a smile. "Now I understand.. anyways, no-can-do, surger tits. Only royalty has the money to make that happen, and I don't see coins vomiting out that mouth of yours. Also.. the kind of 'mariners' I employ wouldn't play nice with a lycan and a demi-human girl."
After his spiel, Luna then eluded to a prior conversation. "Remember what you said about my eyes, Donzo?"
"Hm?"
Luna continued. "You said it reminded you of someone who died 20 years ago.. well, that's exactly my age, Donzo. Furthermore, my mother died while I was a newborn baby. I think my mother was your friend, right?"
Donzo gave an indifferent reply. "So what?" Luna became dumbfounded at his lax retort. "Even if it's true, you think I'll give you free passage on one of my ships because you were pushed out of the crotch of an old friend? That's not how this works, girly!" He raised his voice, standing up at the table, Ragnar poised to strike.
Donzo relaxed back into the chair, rubbing his charcoal fuzzy face with his sharp eyes glaring. Luna decided to try a different approach. "What if.. we worked for you to pay off the debt? Something, anything? I'm not asking for free passage. I'm looking for a solution.."
Donzo raised his clawed hand in the air, halting her words. He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward, speaking surreptitiously. "Listen. I might have a use for you.. I realized it just now."
Luna raised her brows. "Really? What exactly is it? -"
Donzo wiggled his finger in the air, hashing her. "Now's not the time! Actually, if you absolutely must go to Yachron regardless of consequences, we'll meet at Port Richwood a year from now. That being said, are you that dedicated?"
Luna looked over at Ragnar. They were both uncertain if this was a good idea, but it seemed to be their best bet to get across the eastern sea.
They agreed to Donzo's terms..
"A whole year.." Luna said as she looked into the campfire on a hilltop far away from home. A week passed as Luna and Ragnar made their pilgrimage to Port Richwood. They estimated the trip could take roughly six months on foot. So they have some wiggle room..
Ragnar sat next to her and looked with concerned azure eyes at her. "Are you sure about this, Luna?"
Luna felt her gut, thinking deeply. "That's not what I'm worried about.." Ragnar looked confounded as Luna took his hand and rested it on her womb.
"I think.. I'm pregnant.."