Noir I have something important to tell you! - lalabel cuddled in noir's arms, -I'm going to pair up with Teru.
—Lala, are you sure you want to make Teru your second partner? she asks with doubts and a certain reproach in her tone of voice.
—Yes, give Teru a chance, he just needs training and a weapon to defend himself," Lala's tone of voice was optimistic and affectionate when she referred to Teru.
—Also I need a guide for the trip we need yesterday to the peacock village, I need to talk to the healer Lao to investigate more about Alphas and Betas. —Lalabel's voice is full of commitment and determination to find out more information about those special females.
Noir and Lalabel took a seat on the fur bed, - We will make that journey, as you wish my lala. The peacock village is four days' journey from here, then I will start hunting this very afternoon. - Noir stands up and strokes Lalabel's hair, crosses the hallway and heads to the kitchen, to prepare lunch.
()()()()()()()
The sun shone brightly over our small backyard as I stood in the kitchen, immersed in preparing lunch. The aroma of roast beef enveloped me, permeating the air with its tantalizing perfume, as I squeezed juicy oranges to prepare a fresh, revitalizing nectar.
My hands worked deftly, between the sharp knives and the fresh ingredients I had lovingly gathered from the village garden. The salad came alive under my hands, a symphony of colors and textures that celebrated the bounty of the earth. Each green leaf, each ripe tomato, was a tribute to the bounty around us, a blessing we did not take for granted.
As my hands deftly moved among knives, vegetables and spices, I could hear the sound of Lalabel and Teru training in the courtyard. Their footsteps echoed on the ground, accompanied by the murmur of their conversations and the occasional practice beat.
I watched through the kitchen window, watching as Lalabel, moved in a dance of grace and strength. I admired her from the window, watching as her free spirit melded with nature, remembering the ephemeral beauty of each shared moment.
And there, at his side, was Teru, his figure standing tall with determination, practicing the art of defense. Each movement was precise and powerful, a reminder that strength and endurance are an essential part of our existence in this savage world.
()()()()()
As I watch Teru practice the moves I taught her, my mind is submerged in a sea of memories that seem to dance to the rhythm of her steps in the courtyard. Teru's fluid and precise movements remind me so much of myself when I learned these same self-defense moves alongside my father.
I close my eyes for a moment and can feel the gentle breeze caressing my face, transporting me back to those days of my childhood. I remember the feel of the ground beneath my feet, the tension in my muscles, the rapid beating of my heart as I immersed myself in the art of combat, with my father's loving and wise guidance by my side.
Each lesson was a treasure that I treasured deep within me. I remember the shared laughter, the endless hours of practice, the unbreakable bond that was forged between us with each shared move.
I look at Teru with pride, admiring her determination and commitment to the art we are practicing together. In each movement, I see a glimmer of his own strength and resilience, a promise that he will be prepared to face whatever challenges life throws his way.
()()()()()
My muscles tensed with every movement, with every strike and parry I executed in my daily defense practice. Each technique I learned was a treasure, a tool that would allow me to face the challenges that life and battle had in store for us. In this unforgiving world, the ability to protect my own and myself was a precious gift, a light that shone in the darkness of uncertainty.
My hands, nimble and strong, moved with grace and determination, tracing arcs in the air as I plunged into the flow of the fight. Each breath was a reminder of my existence, of my purpose on this vast stage of creation. Confidence grew within me with each movement, a burning fire that propelled me forward, toward the excellence I longed to achieve.
In the midst of training, I could feel the echo of the ancestors whispering in the wind, guiding my steps and strengthening my spirit. Their ancestral wisdom flowed through me, infusing each movement with the grace and ferocity of those who came before me. In every stroke, in every lock, I honored their legacy, carrying forward the flame of the tradition that had been entrusted to our hands.
And so, between sweat and toil, between the heat of the sun and the coolness of the wind, I found myself, rooted in the land of my birth, growing and flourishing like an ancient oak in the forest of life.
()()()()
The aroma of barbecue finally calls us to the table. With a gentle but determined gesture, Noir invites us to stop our movements and we head towards the makeshift bathroom in the hut to wash our hands, leaving behind the sweat and dust of training.
The cool water pours over my hands, refreshing and cleansing them from the intensity of practice. Teru does the same beside me, sharing a silent gesture of affection that speaks more than a thousand words. We prepare to join Noir at the table, where the food awaits us with its tantalizing flavors and its promise of shared moments of happiness.
As we sit around the table, I am met with the warm glow of Noir's eyes, it's light that illuminates my heart and fills me with a deep sense of love and protection. I take a seat next to him, feeling the comforting warmth of his presence beside me, a constant reminder of the love that binds and sustains us every step of the way.
Just as we are about to begin savoring the lunch Noir had prepared for us, the door opens and in walks Yang, another of my males, although always busy as the village patriarch, always returning to have lunch with me. His warm smile and energetic presence light up the room, adding a new shade of joy to that moment of reunion.
Yang joins us at the table, as I ate I enjoyed the moment, and it stuck in my heart, - "in a few days I will leave the comfort of this hut and embark on an adventure".
After the last bite of lunch faded between us, I felt it was the right time to share my plans with Teru and Yang. Trust and affection floated in the air, it was like being inside a bubble of intimacy and mutual understanding.
With a mixture of nervousness and determination, I cleared my voice and turned my gaze toward my dear companions. I wanted them to understand the importance and sincerity of my words, I wanted them to know how much they meant to me.
—I have already decided, I began, letting my words flow with the same smoothness and clarity with which water slides over the stones of the stream. -With which of the two I would be the second to mate and this male will accompany me on my journey to the peacock village. -My voice resonated with a mixture of excitement and serenity, expressing the depth of my commitment to my next steps.
Teru, at my side, received my words with a mixture of surprise and gratitude, her face illuminated by a smile that radiated unconditional love and acceptance. Her eyes met mine, and in that silent exchange of glances, we found the certainty that we were together on this journey, united by a bond that transcended time and space. -Tomorrow night we pair up, my voice echoed with a mixture of mischief and excitement.
But as Teru took in the news calmly and serenely, I felt a pang of pain in my heart as I saw Yang's expression. His eyes reflected a mixture of disappointment and resignation, his body tense with the realization that he was not the one who had been chosen to accompany me on this journey. Despite his pain, his gaze was still kind, his smile, though a bit forced, still lit up his face with the same generosity and warmth as always.
Noir before standing up, approached lalabel and planted a brief kiss on her lips, demonstrating his love and devotion for his female. He stood up and waited for Teru at the entrance of the hut.
I took Yang's hand gently, feeling his comforting warmth as I led him to my room. Each step we took echoed with a mixture of regret and determination.
We sat together on the edge of the bed, silence filling the space between us as I prepared to explain my motive. I knew my words would either be a salve or a wound, and I prayed that Yang would understand the sincerity and honesty behind them.
—You are the village patriarch, I began, choosing my words carefully as I searched Yang's eyes, and I could feel our bond becoming more palpable.
— I cannot remove you from that role, from that responsibility you have carried with such dignity and honor.
—My voice resonated with the seriousness of my convictions, with the certainty that my motives were rooted in the respect I felt for him and his role in the community.
I stroked his back tenderly, feeling the tension dissolve under the comforting touch of my hands. Each caress was a whisper of love and understanding, a silent promise that our bond would remain strong, despite the challenges and distances that might temporarily distance us.
I hoped with all my heart that Yang would accept my reason, that he would understand that my decision was not a rejection, but an expression of respect and commitment to him and to the village. I knew that we would have to wait a little longer, that time and fate would eventually guide us to the path we were destined to follow together.
Then I brought my face closer and kissed Yang with love and tenderness, and he reciprocated my kiss in the same way, which made me feel calmer. We separated to catch our breath, Yang stood up and left the hut to continue his duties as patriarch.
()()()
On the other hand Noir and Teru went hunting in the forest to gather meats for the journey and furs for lalabel's clothes. The undergrowth whispered ancient stories as they went along, with the sounds of wildlife lurking in every dark corner. Nora and Teru's footsteps echoed with the harmony of nature, each movement calculated and purposeful in their search for sustenance and protection. Noir transformed into his eagle form to find the best prey.
()()()()
All my companions were away from home. Taking advantage of the occasion and feeling the call of serenity, he decided to immerse himself in the practice of meditation. Carefully and calmly, he sat cross-legged under the shade of the leafy tree in the courtyard of his cozy hut. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the silence, concentrating on finding peace within himself.
—"At that moment I connected my eyesight with Noir's, I could see that he was hunting a rabbit of a pellicular size, using this method I began to use more and more of Noir's keen eyesight skill and managed to extract five percent more of his strength."
— I was excited to imagine how much more I would be able to use in the future if I continued to train in this way.
The calm and serene atmosphere enveloped the place, whispering melodies of tranquility and serenity. The soft murmur of the wind through the leaves and the distant chirping of birds created a natural symphony that invites calm and reflection.
()()()()
After having enjoyed devouring that life-threatening fox lalabel, I took my time to rest and let digestion do its work. Once I felt light and full, I got moving, knowing exactly where I wanted to go: back to the cabin where the female with whom I shared a bond resided.
Arriving at the hut, I watched from a distance as the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the tree, creating a play of shadows and reflections on the earth. There she was, sitting under the protective shade, eyes closed and immersed in some kind of practice that seemed to bring her to a state of deep serenity.
As she gently caressed the serpent's scales, the lalabel's thoughts began to wander to the uncertain future that awaited them. Tomorrow would be an important night, a night in which she would unite her body and soul with Teru in an ancestral ritual that had been passed down through generations.
Unanswered questions floated in her mind, like little leaves carried by the breeze of the wind. To which of the two would the mark appear, to me or to Teru? With this union would Teru grow stronger? Uncertainty intertwined with excitement and anticipation, creating a whirlwind of emotions that gripped her in that moment of calm and contemplation.