Queen of the Plains -- 3. Temptations
As the day wore on, Avi was tested in a variety of areas required of daily life in a Kaadra clan. After getting back to the encampment from rinsing off, Avi closely spectated the process that went into preparing the wide variety of foods they ate which was primarily meat dishes. Much of it was spiced and slathered to be roasted in a pitfire and the remains was grilled on metal skewers and boiled in spiced water. Vegetables were steamed with tubers then flash fried in animal fat and to accompany it was a pita like bread dotted with what looked like giant fennel seeds insideWhen everything was done cooking, it was divided up into bows for each member of the clan who could come back and help themselves if they were still hungry. Sa'kah explained that it was to help keep members from taking and not eating and resulting in less for those who were truly hungry. The bowls allowed them to take little a time to make sure they wouldn't over-stock their bowls and over-fill their bellies. With lunch out of the way, Avi was then taken to the stream to help clean the bowls and cooking utensils. Leftover food was fed to the Biogo; pig like creatures whose mouths were literally larger than the rest of their body. In the brush children hid to curiously watch the strange new creature wash dishes. When she looked back, they sprang into the bushes with excited squeals and laughter. One of the parents, a male, gestured to the dishes and asked something to which the children replied by scurrying off back to the encampment or nearby to play-hunt. When they were at last left in relative quiet, one of the other Kaadra spoke up. "Our Chief is curious of you." She started without looking up from the bowl she scrubbed. Avi looked up at her and waited for the rest, mostly apprehensive of what she had to say. She was right to feel that way. The female raised her gaze to meet Avi's and it was clear that she was less than pleased. "What will happen when his curious is gone?" she asked sternly. Avi stopped scrubbing a pot and looked to the others with panic in her eyes. If this female were to become angry enough to attack, Avi would stand no chance. "Chief will have mate without offspring." She emitted a brisk expulsion of air from behind clenched teeth in a loud huff. "One of male great accomplish and pleasure is offspring. Our Chief is glory. Our Chief deserve offspring. Our Chief deserve mate who catch prey and run with hunters. Not mate who is" She struggled for a word then just spat, "stak'ka!"The others were quiet and in clear agreement with the female so Avi just returned to the pot and tried not to let the females words get to her. She couldn't show weakness, especially now of all times. The female went back to scrubbing as well but only for a moment before she continued but this time in Kaadraaan. Finally one of the others barked something and the female went quiet. Even though Avi couldn't see her, she could feel the
hatefilled stare boring into her. Maybe the female was right, maybe the female was wrong. Avi knew that they wouldn't believe her if she tried to defend herself so she kept quiet knowing she would just have to prove that their Chiefs decision was not a mistake. For her sake and for his. When they all returned to replace the dishes, Avi was too far gone in her head to notice that Sa'kah had approached her. "Avi, you look upset. Did something happen?" She grunted and made the same airy sound as the female. "I thought I could trust the others to be respectful."From the corner of her eyes Avi could see the female and others watching. "Nono..I'm just, tired is all. I'm not used to doing this much." She tried to laugh it off but it came out weak. Sa'kah nodded though Avi could tell she wasn't quite convinced. Still, she said nothing. "Well, since the catch was so large today, the hunters don't have to go out again for tonight. You should come watch them play Teku M'kah.""T-what with who?" Avi asked as she followed the other away from the judgmental eyes of the others. "Teku M'kah. It means Return the Eggs. Story goes that there was an Azuralu mother whose eggs were stolen from her tree nest and she had to get them back from a hungry Nyrlu and back into her nest before the Nyrlu took them all while the Nyrlu was stealing more from the nest as she was getting them back. It might be easier to understand if you watch."Avi nodded and said nothing more as they hiked up the path then turned towards the protruding rock. The two crossed beneath it to the other side of the hill where there was a sizable group kicking around balls. Sa'kah guided Avi to a gathering of spectators who much to Avi's relief, didn't notice or didn't mind her presence. They sat in the short, cool grass with the players several yards below. "Each team has three balls. The goal is for a team to get all three of the opponents balls into their tree net first. Players steal their balls back from their opponents and try to keep them away from the other team while trying to get the other teams balls into their tree net."Avi nodded with a slight smile. It made enough sense. It was like soccer but with a lot more balls. "Is..the Chief playing?""Yes, he's there nearby his teams tree net." Sa'kah pointed. "My mate is on his team near the middle trying to get that member from taking the ball." Sa'kah watched her mate intently and so did Avi so as not to appear too keen. Sa'kahs mate kicked the ball to another team mate who kicked it across the field to another player. After a brief struggle to keep the ball in their possession, they kicked it to the Chief who juggled it between his feet then took it into one. An opposing team member was fast approaching but the Chief leaped up and grabbed onto a branch then folded so he could deposit the ball into the tree net. The group cheered and so did Avi who clapped. The game went
on and players stole balls from each other and protected their own. They shoved and elbowed and seemed unaware of the growing shadows. The spectators were unconcerned with the time as well while they watched. Others joined in and players left to wind down for a bit. Avi couldn't take her eyes off of the Chief who rippled in the sunlight and moved with agility and grace she'd never seen or would see in a human. His bare chest and underside was a light wheat color and from where she sat, she thought she could see scars spanning across it. His mahogany mane glowed scarlet in the sunlight; he shone like a bronze statue carved by ancient Greeks. When the game ended, she didn't even know who had won. She was far to entranced by the Chief to keep track. She turned to ask Sa'kah but she was already half way down the hill to meet her mate. Behind them was a Kaadra with pointed horns which were smaller than Sa'kahs mates but clearly male. He had deep russet skin and a brown-sable mane and green eyes that stood out in his dark sockets. Like most of the other Kaadra, the family sported athletic builds and it made Avi suddenly self conscious of her own body. Most would consider her thin but she could still benefit from some tightening up and she knew that. She drew her knees up to her body as if they could see through her sarong. Even if the Chief was interested in her personality..he'd sure be disgusted by her body. Speaking of the Chief, where had he gone to? Avi searched the crowd for his mane and quickly found him standing with a few others on the field. He tossed a ball back and forth in his hands as he spoke to them as though he were merely a friend and not the leader of their clan. His expressions were animated and friendly; they were inviting and assuring. She felt she could herself trot down and join them and maybe if they spoke the same language, she would, but she didn't want to bring attention to herself. Not ever what happened at the stream. Avi placed her chin in her hand and watched the Chief laugh at something one of the others said. They joked further and if she had just been placed there in that minute, she would have never guessed him to be a Chief, but then again a part of being a Chief, she thought, was being charismatic. Even there on a completely different planet in a completely different solar system within a completely different galaxy, it was remarkable how similar the Tanauk, the Akaun, the Kaadra and Azuralu were to humans. She knew just by how they nodded to each other, that they were done speaking for the time and headed their separate ways. She could tell that they were in good humor and that the Chief had a good sense there of and that he was friendly. The way the female at the river spoke of him, it was clear that he was a great leader as well. So why on earth chose a tiny, squishy, slow, weak human as a mate?Maybe she fit into some kind of fetish he had?She shook
off these thoughts as the Chief trekked up the hill towards her. She wasn't sure if she should make eye contact or act like she didn't notice him until he arrived. She decided for the latter and plucked a small flower from the ground and pretended to be fascinated. When she thought he was upon her, she looked up and found he was still a yard or more off. She wanted to resume pretending but she accidentally met his gaze. Despite the sudden chaos within her mind, she managed to smile. He returned it as he closed the space between then sat beside her. Her nostrils filled with his musky scent and his light panting and heaving chest sent her into another lustful inward wooziness. The Chief took a moment to struggle with his words then managed, "Enjoy the game?"Avi brought her legs closer against her body and rested her hands atop her feet mostly to try to hide her wetting sex as if he'd know. Maybe he did. How well did they smell? Pick up on pheromones?"Yeah, it was really exciting." She responded unable to stop herself from grinning."You were great out there."He laughed warmly and looked out at the field where a few Kaadra were kicking a ball around. "Nah." The Chief turned his head to her. "Everything is good? Not very difficult?""Yes, everything is good. I like it. I feel like I have a purpose here." she shrugged as she watched the others play below. Even if the others didn't think so, she liked having things to do so often. She felt like a functioning part of the clan already. "Thank you." She suddenly said then looked up at him. "For helping me."The Chief flashed her a toothy grin. "I want you like my clan." He said after a moment. His choppy Omnilingua made her giggle lightly. "Feel...Kaadra."She wanted to nod and assure him that she felt like she belonged but that wasn't the truth. She was evidently not wanted here by others and even if they did all accept her, she wasn't a Kaadra. "Yes but, I'm human. I can't run fast. I can't jump far." she dropped the volume of her voice as if admitting it would solidify it, "Maybe..no offspring."The two sat on the hill and were quiet for a while. She feared he was rethinking and changing his mind. But really..would it be bad? She could go home and resume life instead of having to try so hard to fit in and be liked and be what she wasn't; a Kaadra and a Chiefs mate. "Kaadra is not, "He paused, thinking, "Run fast, jump far, make offspring. Kaadra is wise, strategy, compassion." He pointed to his head. "Kaadra is here," Then his chest. "And here."Avi smiled at his words. A part of her was glad he was compassionate and reassuring, but another part of her feared that he didn't understand the depth of her situation. That evening when the dinner was being passed around, Avi stood with the others handing out bowls and she became more aware of how others were reacting to her. For the most part, they seemed unconcerned. The children were
the ones to show the most interest be it curiosity or trepidation. She recognized the female from earlier with her light golden-blonde mane and her quartz colored eyes who made it a point that she wasn't going to take a bowl from the human. Avi tried to let it just slide off her back but in the back of her mind, she feared that female and what she might do. She was so busy watching her proceed to the circle that she didn't notice the child before her. "Oh, sorry!" She automatically blurted, forgetting the language barrier. The child looked into his bowl then up at her. They said something in Kaadraan with a slightly disdainful look on their face. "I'm sorry, "She repeated, "I don't speak Kaadraan." The child repeated themselves but a male standing beside Avi interjected. "Jakah." The child went quiet but they stayed where they were looking between Avi and the male. "He doesn't tendon, is what he's saying." the male chuckled. He leaned forward slightly and spoke the child who make that airy huffing sound and proceeded on sulkily. "Thank you. I have a lot to learn."The male passed a bowl to a Kaadra with a nod. "You'll get it. It's more simple than Omnilingua. Mostly, memorize a lot of what you hear. 'Jakah' is to tell one to be quiet but in a way similar to 'hush'. To tell one to 'shut up' is 'Ha'aka'. You may find that our words meaning match the emotion."Avi listened intently as he spoke all the while making sure to keep up with the line. "The word 'hate' is 'Kaukak' and 'love' is 'Naoha'. Do you see?" The male gave her a sidelong glance and while his face reflected age with it's scars and wrinkles, his eyes were bright and silvery blue. "Yes, negative words have more consonants and positive words have more vowels. The word love..sounds like a sigh." She noted. The elder male chuckled deep in his throat. "The Chief is right, you do learn quickly."She blushed at that, not having known the Chief spoke to others about her. "You speak Omnilingua well.""I make trips into the city for trading and political matters with the Chief. I'm in the council with Sa'kah who I see has been helping you adjust."She passed a bowl to an older female who gave her a warm smile and nod. "You council members pop up everywhere it seems.""We are very involved."There was a quietness between them as they resumed their duty. The first one to speak again was the male. "I'm Kaohir. I hope you won't take it too hard how Andraa treats you. She is very heard headed and stubborn but she cares very much for our clan." He sighed and wiped his hands on a cloth as the last of the Kaadra moved through. "She's also a jealous Kaadra, but don't let her get between you and the Chief. Whether or not it works out for the two of you is up to the both of you and not her."With that, he nodded goodbye the departed with his own bowl. Avi grabbed one and started after him but he was already making
his way into the circle and to a small group to sit with. She was uneasy when she took her bowl to the circle and memories of school hit her hard. Most seemed unaware and others glanced up curiously at her. She had no idea where to sit or with who. She stood awkwardly and began to wonder if she could just find an excuse to skip dinner altogether. She almost did turn to leave when somebody stepped up beside her. A wave of relief rushed over her when she found it to be the Chief. He nodded his head towards a large flat rock and she followed obediently while trying to ignore the feeling that she was being watched and judged. The Chief sat on the rock and then brought one leg up onto the other to create a cradle for his bowl. Beside him, Avi held hers in one hand and pulled apart her Taski, the pita like bread, to eat with her meat. She was quiet while he chattered with those around him and hoped maybe Sa'kah would show up so she could have some form of conversation. She almost didn't realize that somebody spoke to her and only caught the word swim. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't catch that." She stammered. A Kaadra who looked to be slightly younger than Kaohir smiled at her then repeated. "I said, the rain comes soon. I hope you can swim."She offered a meek smile, "Yes, I can swim pretty well. Is it going to flood?"The new male swallowed most of his mouthful, "Oh yes. Every year a flood. All this-" he gestured to the plains. "Flood or very wet. So we move high up." He turned in his seat and she followed his hand with her eyes. "To there." In the distance was a hill taller than the one they were on and it looked to be mostly rocks scattered with trees similar in appearance to UmbrellaThorn trees.Avi looked up to the Chief who nodded. "Tomorrow." He added then popped a hunk of Taski wrapped meat into his mouth. She couldn't help but stare at his huge sharp teeth as he bit down on the piece. "So, what happens to all the huts?""The Nokmi? They fold." The male declared. "We put things into carry basket then fold Nokmi..put on Akaut and go."She nodded with her gaze down in her bowl. With her last piece of Taski, she wiped the fluid from the meat up. Before she deposited it into her mouth she said, "I like the rain and thunder."The male patted the Chiefs kneed then stood up to drop his bowl off in the Nokmi where the food was served. When she looked to the Chief, he had a small smirk on his face. The evening melted into night and the air cooled considerably. She was glad that Andraa wasn't there to help with the dishes but it was still awkward and quiet for her. The others around her chattered fondly with each other while she scrubbed in silence. She didn't feel bad for herself but she would have liked if somebody acknowledged her existence. When the children were put to bed, most of the adults gathered around the large fire pit where everybody ate and they sat about
socializing. The Chief lounged against the rock where he and Avi had sat for dinner with his arm laid across it's lip and the other holding a mug of Uaoto which was the Kaadra version of beer. Avi sat beside him painfully aware of his arm but she tried not to think too much about that. She held a mug of Kajo, a thick spiced drink, and listened to the relaxed chatter. The crackling fire, the distant buzzing of insects and the murmur of conversation along with her warm Kajo was nearly enough to lull her sleep. She willed her eyes open and was glad she wasn't so tired that she was falling asleep sitting up. The last thing wanted right then was to fall asleep the same time the children and elderly were. The sound of the Chiefs bangled arm sliding across the rock caught her slightly off guard. He sat up on the rock and was talking and it took just a moment to realize that he was telling a story. She couldn't understand any of it but she still turned to watch him. It became quiet save for the insects as he recounted something from some point. The Chief didn't ham it up or draw it out, rather, he told the story as though he were just sitting at a bar with some buds after a long day and a few drinks. He used an array of gestures and tones and using those clues, she inferred it was a hunting story. She watched with intrigue and tried to piece together what he was saying. She couldn't get the details but she gathered that they came upon a large beast standing apart from it's herd and they managed to flank it. It put up a good fight then ran when it realized it was screwed but they still got it. The Chief gestured to another Kaadra who made a motion as if to wipe away what the Chief had said. The others around him slapped his back and tousled his mane. He must have been the one to finally bring the beast down. The Kaadra held up his mug and so did the others and he spoke directly to the Chief. Avi smiled knowing that they were toasting him for something, perhaps his leadership. She was very surprised when he continued on but looked directly at Avi. He said something that caused a tittered among the others and she grew self conscious, but when she looked back at the Chief who was laughing too, she knew it was all in good nature. The group toasted then drank deeply, including the Chief. As she drank her Kajo, she walked the Chief swallow mouthfulls of Uaoto. She was impressed but watching his throat as he chugged the drink made her blush for a reason she didn't know. When he lowered his cup, his eyes were on her and she nearly choked on her drink. She covertly coughed gently trying to ease herself without causing a scene. It was then she noticed Andraa across the clearing who was staring directly at her. Avi averted her eyes and pretended not to notice. She, the Chief and a few others were the last to leave the fireside. Most had retired while some shuffled away a bit dizzily. In the small group she felt more
comfortable, especially since Andraa had slipped away an hour or more before. The chatter wasn't much more than a murmur by the end of the night and the fire was beginning to die out. Finally, when they had all agreed to call it a night, the Chief stayed behind to make sure everything was picked up and that the fire was all the way out. Somehow the insects and animals seemed louder and so they also seemed closer. She shivered and gripped her mug as she scanned the edges of the encampment for danger. She jumped when something hard and sharp grazed her shoulder but it was only the Chief. In silence, they walked to the Nokmi to drop off their mugs then proceeded up the hill to his own. Visions of what might happen when they reached it flew at her from all directions. Sa'kah said that they should resist sex until after the ceremony, but would they? Would they simply part and go to their own beds without so much as a word between them? Or would they chatter the best the could until neither could keep their eyes open?She looked up at him, his face serene in the moonlight. He kept his eyes forward but his ears moved and swiveled to catch all the sounds around them. He reached the entrance first so he held the door open for her. Inside, it felt warmer and there was a scent she hadn't noticed before like strong incense. She followed him into the inner part of the Nokmi and stood at the entryway. He stood a few feet off and ran his hand through his mane indecisively. After a moment he said, "Goodnight. Sleep with comfort." he seemed to mumble. She opened her mouth to respond but a loud snapping sound outside made her jump. His ears perked forward and he became still. She was sure it was Andraa waiting for her to sleep so she could sneak in and kill her. Even if it wasn't, there was many dangerous animals in the wilds of Kalaan. She almost jumped again when there was a loud shuffling followed by a brief, sharp bellow. The shuffling outside stopped abruptly. Avi turned her head to find the Chiefs mouth slightly agape. It hit her that it was him to had made the sharp bellowing and her body became warm and rigid. Even in the dimly lit Nokmi, light reflected from his huge canine teeth, especially the bottom ones which were slightly larger and came before the top ones. After a moment, the shuffling resumed. The Chief responded by emitting a chesty growling which grew louder the longer the intruder stayed nearby. Finally the Chief uttered a loud, slightly more drawn out bellow ending in time to hear quadrupedal footsteps hurry away. A little down the hill came a similar but far more sleepy bellow, then the night became quiet again. "Wh-what was that?" she whispered. "Ralos." he replied above a murmur. She felt her chest seize and her breath hitched. She listened, sure there were more, but there was nothing but the sound of insects and the distant cry of a nocturnal bird. Avi faced the
Chief and grabbed brushed a lock of hair behind her ear sheepishly. Before she could part her lips, the Chief held out his hand. "Safe with me."Avi nodded but she wasn't sure if he meant here in the Nokmi or with him in bed. She searched his face for an answer and found a gentle smile. He nodded once to her. The answer seemed clear to Avi so she stepped forward. He guided her through the door he disappeared behind earlier which lead into a modestly sized room. She looked around but there wasn't much to see which made sense with them being nomadic and all. The Chief sat sideways on the bed facing the inner part and looked to her. Her heart pounded in her chest and she could already feel her sex throbbing but she reminded herself that they needed to resist for the time being. He rested his weight on one hand and waited for her. She didn't think about it much be she expected they would simply lay on the bed from opposite sides and curl up apart but it seemed that wasn't going to be the case. Blushing , she sat on the foot of the bed with him. She wanted to say something and she could tell he wanted to also, but neither could put into words what it was they wanted to say. She looked at the ground then his clawed feet and finally up at him. He was looking elsewhere as well but he too looked up a moment after she did. The Chief leaned in and gently clasped the back of her head. Avi's initial thought was that he was going to kiss her, but she remembered what Sa'kah and her mate had done so she just leaned forward too. He pressed his forehead to hers; a rumbling deep in his chest sounded. He pressed his face to hers and she could smell the Uaoto on his breath and the scent from deep inside his body. A small gasp escaped her and the Chief pulled away, slightly alarmed. Avi laughed softly. "Sorry, I just" She didn't know how to explain the allure she felt when she inhaled his breath. They were still so close and before she could stop herself, she closed the space between them and pressed her lips to his. When he didn't press back, she quickly withdrew. She panicked fearing she just broke some kind of rule. "I'm sorry." She whispered. The Chief only tilted his head slightly and gave her a lopsided smirk. "What is touching lips?"She blinked realizing she forgot she was in a different culture. "Oh. Well..it's..affection.""Affection. Oalaun." he murmured. Avi nodded. "It's called a kiss. Mates kiss the lips." She explained further. "Mates kiss the lips." He repeated. "Shahaka kiss ve'an""Shahaka." Avi smiled. The Chief smiled too. "Kiss ve'an.""Kiss ve'an"They leaned and touched their lips together. He mimicked her and pursed his lips while he pressed back. She giggled as he tried to catch on but he couldn't hardly stop laughing himself. To try and stop his laughing, Avi faced him fully and scooted closer to him. As she planned, his laughing stop because he was then more focused on
her. He clasped her hips in his hands and the rumbling in his chest became louder and reminded her of a male gator in search of a mate.He caught on and closed his lips around hers in sync while his fingers pressed into the skin of her hips. Her lips came together early and they grazed his teeth which were slick and smooth against them. A short expulsion of air like that of a pant puffed out from deep within him further urging her. Avi rose herself onto her knees allowing the Chief to pull her against him. She opened her eyes and looked into his amber pools which seemed to almost glow in the darkness. For some inexplicable reason, she was overcome with the need to feel the cool, smooth silvery studs on the sides of his muzzle. She reached up, careful to not knock her hand on his horns, and gently ran her fingers over the tiny orbs and he closed his eyes softly at the touch. The Chief turned his head and ran the apex of his muzzle against her neck and pressed her closer against him. Avi, now kneeling into him, placed her arms against his chest and leaned her head to the side allowing for the Chief to run his lips up and down her neck. He pressed his face into her as if to nuzzle and she giggled. Avi circled her arms around his neck and imitated him and inhaled deeply. He still smelled of dirt, grass and his own musk and it made her nearly delirious with lust. She pressed her lips to wherever she could reach then parted them to take his neck into her mouth. She closed her lips against his skin, the saltiness flourished over her tongue. The Chief emitted a brisk guttural grunt and his grip on her tightened. He lifted her by the rear urging her legs up and over his hips where he held her. She gasped sharply when something long and rigid pressed hard against her groin. His lips sought hers and when they found them, he pressed and held on tightly. When they did part, they gasped for air but just briefly before resuming. When they parted again, the Cheif swooped her down onto the bed beneath him with her legs still wrapped around his hips. His hands found their way beneath her sarong and gripped her rear tightly pressing her hard against him. He ground his stone like erection into her with a deep rumble and spoke to her breathlessly but all she caught was her name.She felt one hand release her but she could still feel where his claw had dug into the soft flesh of her ass. The unmistakable sound of pants being unbuttoned and unzipped cut above the sound of their heavy breathing. Avi bit her lip then spoke into his neck, "Wait, stop." She started. The Cheif did so and parted enough to look down at her with inquisitive eyes and his ears forward. She sighed, "Sa'kah..the ceremony."After a moment, the Chief exhaled apparently remembering their duty to resist the urge to mate before the ceremony. He released her other cheek and leaned forward resting his weight on his forearms. He groaned loudly. Avi giggled then shifted
so she could take his head into her hands then press her forehead against his. "I want to stay. I want to be your mate." he said softly. The Chief smiled horn to horn then lightly kissed her. "I'm happy." He nipped her neck then rolled off of her to lean back on his hands. Even in the darkness, she could see the large mound that was his still erect cock straining against the fabric of his pants. She attempted to sneak a glance in the gap of the zipper but she couldn't make anything out. The Chief seemed to take a moment to try and simmer down then he rolled over and flopped down his belly with his arms under his head. His amber eyes settled on her making her blush deeply. The buzzing of insects pressed in on them through the walls and only then did she notice that it was sort of chilly. As if having read her mind, the Chief reached out and then pulled her against him but he maintained his belly-down position. She turned her head and stared back into the dilated pits of blacks outlined in gold flecked amber. Using her hand closest to him, she ran the back of her finger down his muzzle and he closed his eyes. a"You're so handsome." she murmured. Without opening his eyes, he grinned then surprised her by moving forward and pressing his wide tongue into her cheek. He licked her from her chin up to her cheekbone and she laughed loudly before wiping his saliva from her face. He too laughed then buried his head into his other arm. Avi rolled onto her side and nestled against him soaking in his warmth and his scent. It grew silent as the two quickly drifted into sleep.