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Tales Of Morveria: The Restless Priestess

A Sabaarii's Search for Happiness and Meaning Awakens the Darkness of Her Past.

By Mantrid Brizon

Part Two: Secrets

Though the foreman had promised Tavisha to do what he could, it proved impossible to hide the workmen from the girls of the temple. Before dinnertime of the first day, most had seen their first intact male. Though they carry out their work quietly and peacefully, the men's unique scent is nothing like the handful of Unfettered who guard the temple. It's wholly unknown to the ladies of the beast races but they're sensing the males' pheromones. It draws them in. Unaware of the reasons for their own actions the young girls eagerly watch the men at work, especially those who've begun their monthly cycles.

The bold few quickly target specific individuals for their childish forms of harassment. Walking from the temple and into the courtyard to gather more materials, a dark-skinned man with long hair styled into dozens of thick locks makes his way toward the cart. Avarisha follows close behind, as she's been following him for the past few days. With her head cocked to one side, she looks up at him and stares intently. Collecting a sack of unmixed mortar powder, he grunts as he throws the heavy bag over his shoulder.

“Oh! You [are] strong!" Avarisha remarks.

“I have to be." He replies, carrying the sack toward a hand-powered mixing basin.

“Are all men strong?"

“No, but they should be."

“May I ask [a] question?!"

“... Another?" He sighs.

“How long [have] you grow[n] your hair?"

“Many years."

“I like it!"

“Thank you."

“It looks nice, and you might tie it into many shapes. Perhaps I [will] style my hair like yours?!"

“If you wish..." He sighs again, setting the sack beside the hand-powered mixer.

“I think it looks nice. I [do] not style my hair often. I have strict schedules. It [is] sometimes very boring. I know I should not say [it], but it [is] true and 'The One' hate[s] liars! Maybe styling my hair would be fun?!"

“You enjoy talking, don't you?" The man asks, glancing down at the little lemur girl.

“Sometimes! I [do] not talk often, except with friends. Oh! I also pray! I talk with 'The One' every day! And I talk with elders, and also myself, whenever I [am] lonely... Perhaps I do enjoy talking? Is that bad?! I learned I could pray with thoughts but that [does] not always feel right. I also need to talk with [the] elders and my friends, as they [are] not able to hear my thoughts... OH! What if they were able [to] hear my thoughts?! That would make talking easier and my throat wouldn't hurt!"

“By Adonai..." The man sighs, resting his hands over his eyes.

“Are you alright? Are you praying now? I [am] sorry if I intrude! I learned everyone should have time for communing with 'The One.' What do you do? Do you pray quietly or aloud?"

Taking his hands from his face, the dark-skinned human turns to her, kneels and looks her in the eyes.

“You know, I have a son who is about your age."

“You do?!" Avarisha gasps, her big brown eyes growing even wider.

“Yes. He is about this tall..." The man continues, holding a hand flat and a few inches above her head. “And he is just as bothersome... He loves to talk. You would like him!" He adds with a chuckle.

“OOH! WHAT [IS] HIS NAME?!" She asks.

“Aton."

“Ooohhh! That [is] nice name! May I meet him?!?!"

“Perhaps someday..." The man replies, softly patting her head. “Now, may I please continue my work in peace?"

“Of course!" She chirps, clutching her hands behind the small of her back, her bushy tail swaying as she looks up at him. “I know when not to bother people!"

The man rises to his feet and opens the sack. He glances at Avarisha as she stands there, watching him preparing to pour the powder inside of the mixer. Certain that she'll finally leave him alone, he collects the sack and walks toward the mixer. After only a few seconds of waiting, Avarisha nibbles on her bottom lip. Unable to help herself, she dashes after him.

“What [is] Aton like?!" She cannot help but ask.

Standing near the window, Nailah reaches out for the children who peer through the it. She corrals them with her arms, gently pushing them away from the window and toward the dining hall.

“Avarisha [is] brave!" A pre-teen Vostii of the fox-kin remarks.

“I saw men carrying stones, but I [was] scared to speak." A little girl of the rabbit-kin adds.

“Allow [the] men to work, peacefully. Please, it [is] time for dinner." Nailah instructs.

“But Avarisha [is] not going!" A pre-teen Vostii of the cat-kin exclaims.

“Avarisha [is] always treated special..." The young bunny girl pouts.

“She [is] not favored. I [will] find her and take her to dining hall." Nailah smirks and shakes her head.

“Hello, Nailah!"

“Brevin!"

Stopping in her tracks, Nailah's attention turns toward the human who kneels beside a pile of mosaic tiles. He sorts them by color, making little piles on the floor. An old scroll near his knee reveals the design that once covered the wall, which he prepares to recreate. The young girls stare at him for a moment only to tilt their heads back and look up at their elder, the young Sabaarii acolyte of the clergy. The almost-priestess shares their wide-eyed gaze, her sapphire orbs fixated on the human worker.

“It's nice to see you again." He continues, collecting a handful of tiles into his palm.

“I-it [is] v-very nice to see you!" Nailah's voice quivers quite audibly.

“And who are these little angels?"

“We [are] not angels!" The bunny girl giggles, stepping closer to the human and flashing the most innocent of smiles.

“Then perhaps my eyes are failing me." Brevin smiles, reaching out to pat the head of the small child.

“Naesala! Come!"

All the girls and Brevin both turn their attention toward Nailah, who glares at the eight-year-old bunny girl who has stepped uncomfortably close to Brevin. Though she realizes how rude and inappropriate it was to shout at her in such a manner, a part of her cannot help but feel threatened. She feels the primal beast demanding submission, and seeing the rage in the Sabaarii's eyes, the bunny's ears droop. With an audible gulp, she moves away from the human and bows her head to her elder. Nailah grabs her by the shoulder with a clawed hand and pulls her close to her side, as if to say, “do not dare attempt to leave my sight!"

“I [am] sorry, Nailah..." Naesala whimpers.

“Rrr..."

“She's not harming anyone, Nailah." A concerned Brevin interjects.

“She [is] interrupting you." Nailah insists.

“I'm a new face. It wasn't her fault."

Nailah's grip loosens as Brevin speaks, his kind words reaching deep into her core.

“I suppose even angels make mistakes." He murmurs, sensing the tension.

“Yes... And 'angels' are also late for dinner." Nailah grumbles, looking down at the girls. “Come, now!" She instructs in a cheerful tone, pushing Naesala ahead of her.

Nailah corrals the young ladies of the temple, especially Naesala, and leads them away from Brevin who smears a special mortar against the wall before carefully setting the tiles into place. Along the way she spots Avarisha, still pestering the dark-skinned worker. He appears to be very grateful as Nailah takes the lemur girl away, leading her by the hand. Upon joining the others in the dining hall, Nailah winces at the cacophony of voices. Unsurprisingly, all of them share a single topic. All anyone can talk about are the group of men who work to repair their home.

Though she's meant to stay and watch the girls, Nailah notices a few of the older girls sitting near a corner. Having begun their monthly cycles several years earlier, these teenage girls are being monitored more closely by the human acolytes who teach their classes. Even Tavisha herself has been seen following them at a distance. A sinister thought creeps into Nailah's mind. Has the Sabaarii always been so devious?! As they're unable to slip away from watchful eyes so easily, Nailah decides that these young ladies might be trusted with added responsibilities.

They may only be initiates with the same responsibilities as the younger girls, but they're roughly the age that Nailah was when she was promoted from initiate to acolyte. She approaches the girls who immediately focus on their superior. As they stand at attention, Nailah gives them a most important task: Watch the younger girls and keep them within the dining hall, until she returns.

“Yes, Nailah!" One chirps.

“We [will] do good!" Another insists.

“Good. I have faith in you." Nailah smiles at them.

“When [will] you return?"

“Soon..."

Slipping away from the dining hall, Nailah returns to where she'd seen Brevin working. Though she's encountered several men since meeting him, Brevin is by far the most captivating of them all. She cannot explain why, nor does she dare try. Something about his scent draws her. She's grateful that her carnal thoughts of enjoying multiple men have ceased, but now Brevin occupies the whole of her desires. All she wants to do is speak with this one man, even if for but a few minutes. Peeking around the corner, she finds him with his back turned.

He applies another tile very carefully, setting the tile and waiting until it's stuck to the mortar. He's such a talented artist. His artwork is almost as attractive as he is. With the tile set, he drops to a knee to collect more. Nailah steps closer and clears her throat, the claws of her bare feet clicking so softly as she walks.

“Oh! Hello, again!" He chirps.

“Hello, Brevin." She coos.

“Where are you going this time?" He asks, continuing his work.

“Nowhere..." She says, looking back to see if any human acolytes are watching her.

“Oh?"

“I have time for myself..." She grins, seeing no one in sight. “It [is] rare, but welcome."

“I can imagine!" He chuckles. “It must be difficult, caring for so many little ones."

“Sometimes." She murmurs, taking a step closer.

“You seem to be very good at it." He adds, pausing and looking back at her. “They listen to you and respect you."

“Some [are] more difficult than others..." Nailah murmurs.

“Are you speaking of that little Vostii of the rabbit-kin?"

“Naesala... Yes... She [is] one of several who often start trouble."

“She seemed curious. There's nothing wrong with that."

“She approached [you]! She [is] too bold!" Nailah retorts, becoming rather defensive.

“That bothers you?" He asks in a rather playful tone.

As their eyes meet, Nailah opens her mouth to reply. Why is she silent? Somehow, she briefly forgets how to speak! After the awkward pause, Brevin returns his attention to his work. Leaning closer, Nailah quietly sniffs the air. She can smell a unique musk emanating from the human. The Unfettered do not smell anything like this! Is that musk proof of his manhood?! Her stomach flutters and her core begins to burn. She can feel a familiar discomfort overwhelming her, and her face flushes at the realization.

After standing in place like a statue for what feels like an eternity, Nailah finally shakes her head and snaps herself out of her trance. She doesn't have much time. What should they talk about? How can she hold his attention?! Why is she so desperate for a conversation with him?!?! With a nervous gulp, Brevin's hands stop. Did he hear her?!

“Your mosaic. It [is] very beautiful!" She suddenly blurts out.

“Thank you!" He chirps, looking back at her and flashing a warm smile.

“You have much talent."

“Aww, thanks! That's very sweet of you to say! But I'm only recreating the image from instructions. I doubt that truly requires a high degree of skill."

“Oh..." Her face flushes with embarrassment. “Uhm! ... Y-you sometimes create art?" She asks, trying to keep the conversation alive.

“Occasionally. I enjoy drawing designs and I practice my craft at home."

“What [do] you draw?"

“People."

“[Do] many come to have you draw them?"

“No. I'm not well-known, so I've never created my own works for anyone but myself." He says with a little sigh. “Maybe someday..."

“I [am] sorry!"

Stepping closer, she impulsively places a hand on his shoulder. As soon as she touches him, her thumb brushing the bare flesh near the nape of his neck, she feels a strange shock. It's as though a bolt of lightning has just pierced the crown of her head, energized her whole body and grounded through her toes! The warmth in her core burns even hotter.

“It's alright."

He reaches back and places his hand over hers. What a terrible fluttering she feels in her belly! She glances at his hand, his thumb so softly caressing her flesh. Nailah finally recalls something of importance.

“I-I also [an] artist!" She exclaims, pulling her hand away just as it begins to tremble.

“Oh?!" He rises to his feet and turns to her, his eyes lighting up. “What's your talent?!"

Standing so close to her, he's noticeably taller but not by much. Nailah shifts her sapphire orbs to look into the icy blue eyes of the handsome human. He appears so intrigued with her and his attention is more than welcome; she craves it. Brevin's smile is unfading, his warmth and curiosity washing over her like the hot breeze of the southern winds. She blinks, but only because she had stared for so long that her eyes began to burn.

“... Nailah?" He asks, furling his brow.

“Huh? Oh! ... I-I [am an] artist... I paint and draw! Heh..." She stumbles through her answer.

“Like paintings on canvas?"

“Yes, but most [of] my art [is] henna." She answers.

“... You're the henna artist?!" He asks, visibly surprised.

“Yes." She nods.

“My aunt married her husband here. Your artwork was beautiful! I loved that symbol on her forearms! The circle of thorns!" He continues.

“Many enjoy [it]." She bashfully replies, bowing her head to hide her flushing cheeks.

To Nailah's shock and delight, Brevin sits on a nearby bench to discuss her work. Sitting beside the human, she regales him of her training by the famed Zaronika. Brevin didn't have the luxury of schooling, merely practicing whenever he could and for his own enjoyment. As they speak her tail seems to develop a mind of its own. It first curls around and then rests atop the bench, near his other side. In short order, it pulls closer and rests alongside his legs. Though he notices, glancing down at the appendage, he doesn't say anything.

Her ears twitch and her spine stiffens, however, when he rests a hand atop her tail and strokes it! He marvels at the smoothness and softness of her glossy, amphibious hide. The tone of his voice intrigues her. It's soft and inviting and yet devious, as though he knows what he's doing and actively seeks to encourage her primal behavior. She can hardly respond with gratitude, the sensation of his touch as debilitating as her nervousness. Brevin admits to a lack of experience with the Sabaarii, though many beast folk inhabit their town.

“They do?!" She gasps.

“Yes. We have many Vostii and Korutan, though not many Sabaarii. In fact, you're the first Sabaarii I've seen up close!"

“Truly?!"

“Yes... Most don't speak our language and I don't know Ancient Hitrosii very well, so I don't interact with many. All of them are slaves, anyway, and their masters don't usually want strange men around their females. They often keep a very close eye on them." He continues, his hand now rubbing her tail.

“I understand." Nailah murmurs, her heart beating a little faster.

“Most make them wear the master's undergarments, just in case." He adds.

Brevin reaches behind her and strokes her tail with his other hand, the one much closer to her body. In mere seconds, his fingers move around the sides and toward the underside of her tail, near her buttocks. The sensation is as alarming as it is satisfying.

“Th-the wha-?" She tries not to huff, the burning in her core sinking deeper and deeper.

“You don't know?!"

“N-no..." She coos, her eyelids drooping.

“It's a... Never mind." He softly chuckles, his hands massaging her tail. “I knew a Vostii of the cat-kin once, and he was nice. I've met some of the boys from the other temple, on the rare occasions I've been inside... I, uhm... I always wondered about the Sabaarii... Especially the females... I'd heard that they were quite beautiful." He says as his hands comes to a stop, one nearly on her buttocks.

Nailah's heart skips a beat. Does Brevin find her attractive?! It certainly sounds like it! Her core and her loins now burn like the temple's stone walls on a hot summer's day. The uncomfortable moisture between her legs grows even worse. Is that a trickle she feels?! In the back of her mind, a terrible beast of a woman begins speaking to her. The beast growls and Nailah is shocked by what she says, but she cannot help but be intrigued. Gazing into her eyes, Brevin notes the look on her face and quickly retracts his hands. His cool composure begins to transform, revealing a shyness she hadn't seen before.

“Anyway... The man with whom I apprentice has a shop beside the bakery, and the baker's son, a man named Giles, he came home one day with a Korutan of the zebra-kin. I believe her name is Yralissa, but I've never spoken with her."

Nailah's heart sinks as Brevin speaks so freely. She knew that girl! She was also one of the unclaimed, meant to live in the temple and train under the clergy. At one point, she became quite depressed and was no longer who she once was. One day, after a period of considerable anxiety, she simply disappeared. Tavisha had told her that she was sent to another temple but refused to say where or why. Had she sold Yralissa to Brevin's neighbor? Is she now his slave?!

“I know that she speaks our language, and I'd heard she came from the temple."

“Yes... She once lived here."

“Oh?!"

“I knew her."

“Were you friends?!" Brevin asks, visibly relieved to hear her reply.

“Once, when we were younglings."

“Oh..."

Brevin clears his throat and she can see his discomfort. Is she failing to entertain him or perhaps even making him uncomfortable? That won't do at all! Fearing that she may ruin their conversation, she blurts out the first thing can think of.

“Do you think I [am] beautiful?!"

Brevin's brow raises in surprise, and for a moment Nailah worries that she's upset him. However, these fears are put to rest when a little smile curls around his lips. His eyes scan her body and she can see his desire. A man's interest is hard to hide, even from a virgin such as herself. It's a flattering thing, to have a man you desire undress you with his eyes. Feeling her cheeks flush, her tail curls, hooking Brevin's side and keeping him from escaping, not that he's tried.

“Yes. You look like an angel come from the hereafter." He speaks in a soft and tender voice, his hand resting upon her tail and pulling it even tight around his body.

“Ooh." She coos.

Brevin leans even closer, his face inching toward hers. Bowing her head in both reverence and bashfulness, she rests her forehead against his. He places his other hand upon her cheek and strokes her, sending another shiver up her spine. She cannot help but gasp and close her eyes, and he cannot help but notice. His smile widens and his eyes focus on her lips.

“I-I [have] often wondered about life in your village." She sheepishly begins, trying to elude the anxiety.

“It's a pleasant village..." He begins, his hand still caressing her cheek. “But I often want for a different life."

“Yralissa... Is she well?"

“Yes. Yralissa takes very good care of Giles, and she seems fond of him. They're almost never apart. His family adores her as well, his mother doting on her with dresses and jewelry."

“I [am] glad to hear she [is] happy." Nailah speaks softly.

“Yes... When he brought her home from the temple, he said she was his bride, and she certainly behaves like she's his wife. However, because of the laws of our kingdom she must wear a collar and tags and have ownership papers... I believe their relationship is sincere; I will admit that I've heard them enjoying each other through opened windows, late at night."

“Oh!"

She cannot help but smile. Though jealous of Yralissa and her betrothed, she's thankful that there's hope for her yet, even if it might not be with The Order. Nailah gazes into Brevin's eyes and the beast in her mind speaks of foul, perverse things. Though she tries to ignore it, her body is eager to experience them and she feels herself scooting closer, against her will. Her side brushes his arm and Brevin reacts by twisting his upper body, wrapping his arm around her back and resting his hand upon her broad hip. What a lovely feeling! Her tail coils, pulling even tighter around his waist.

“Sometimes, I envy them and what they have together..." Brevin suddenly admits.

“Would you ever marry [a] Sabaarii? ... Or Vostii or Korutan?!" She hastily adds, her cheeks darkening.

“Of course! Why wouldn't I?!" He asks, giving her an amused look, as if she'd said something nonsensical.

Her heart skips a beat for the hundredth time since she's known him. With a smile on his face, Brevin takes his hand from her hip and places it on her upper arm. He touches the flesh near her bare shoulder and rubs her. Turning her head to watch his hand, her eyes soften, and her body begins to tremble.

“A Sabaarii woman is still a woman, and if she is as beautiful as you..."

She feels a gentle tug and turns to look at him only to receive a true shock. Brevin steals a kiss, the first in her life! As their lips part, Nailah's eyes are as wide as saucers. The glossy blue flesh of her bottom lip subtly trembles. Brevin's smile fades and his expression changes. Did he make a mistake?! He was certain that she desired this, what with her tail around him and her shy eyes. He was so certain!

“I-I, uhm. If you didn't want me to..." He stammers.

Before he can finish his thought, the beast in Nailah's head briefly takes control. She leans in and grabs his face with her clawed hands, stealing a dozen more kisses, all rougher than the one he'd just given her. She pushes against him, causing him to lean back until his back rests against the stone wall behind the bench. For a moment, she can feel his tongue against hers. The uncomfortable moisture in her loins has now become a genuine trickle. It runs down the smooth hide of her leg and soaks into her dress. This is unbearable!

She leans even closer until her ample breasts smoosh against his chest. A hand grabs frantically for the hem of his tunic, but upon feeling his belt and trousers, she tries to remove those instead. What is she doing?! It's broad daylight! They're in the hallway of the temple! Stop! Regain control! Nailah cannot, despite her best efforts. She's eager to enjoy the man as any healthy female would. However, her ears twitch just as she's pulling open his belt. Oh no!

“Nailah? Nailah?! Where is she?!" Tavisha's distant voice demands from the doorway of the dining hall.

“She said she [would] be back soon." One of the teenage initiates replies.

Bolting upright, Nailah wipes the trickle of saliva from her lips. Brevin appears quite shocked, his chest heaving as he gasps for breath, eyes wide as he turns to her. What an unexpected turn of events! He pushes himself away from the stone wall, but before he can say anything Nailah jumps up from the bench, turns to him and bows her head.

“I-I apologize. I [do] not know what came over me! They [are] look[ing] for me... I must go and attend to my wards."

With that, she bolts down the corridor and returns to the dining hall, just as Tavisha prepares to search for her. Thankfully, the dark colors of her garment hide the dampness, and only the beast women and ladies can smell the fluid. All of them notice the scent that is familiar only to females and the men who have enjoyed their flesh, and yet not one of them speaks a word.

“Nailah! There you are! ... Where were you?" Tavisha asks.

“Oh, I was... I... Was praying..."

It kills Nailah to speak a lie, but she's left with no choice. How could she tell her vicar the truth? What would she even say? That she was preparing to give her virginity to a handsome workman in the middle of a hallway, a man she met only a week ago?! Feeling the power of her carnal mind, Nailah begins to realize, and even sympathize, with Tavisha's unusually domineering behavior. Perhaps this was what she'd feared all along? Though she worries that Tavisha will investigate her story and force her to speak more hideous lies in Adonai's house, this does not happen.

Instead, Tavisha accepts her at her word and reveals that the teenage initiates had done a good job and are well on their way to becoming acolytes of the clergy. This greatly pleases the girls, who thank Tavisha many times. A part of Nailah is pleased while another is revolted by this, as she knows what future awaits the teenage girls. Loneliness and unfulfilled desire are a torture she would wish on no female of any race. Guiding the girls back into the dining hall and closing the heavy wooden door, Tavisha turns to Nailah and rests a hand on her shoulder.

“You've done well, Nailah. I admit, I had feared that having these men here would cause trouble, but you're a faithful servant to 'The One.' You've bolstered my own faith."

Nailah's heart sinks and guilt begins creeping in to fill the void. After enduring an uncomfortably long embrace by the woman whose trust she has secretly violated, Nailah returns to her duties with a sorrow in her heart. She'd taken an oath and made her pledge. Every moment she spends with Brevin brings her closer to violating it, but she still wishes to spend time with him. She simply cannot help herself. It appears to be in her very nature. Perhaps that can change?

She shuffles her feet throughout the remainder of her day, and by dusk she can see many of the workmen packing up the wagon. Strangely, Brevin is not among them. She tells herself that she isn't searching for him as she wanders the halls but it's a lie. It seems that she's becoming quite adept at lying. Turning a corner, she finds the place where Brevin had been working. The mosaic is repaired and quite beautiful. After admiring his handiwork for a moment, she makes her way toward her bedchamber.

Hearing a strange clicking, she peeks around a corner only a short walk from her private room. There he is! Brevin works on yet another mosaic, setting out a pile of tiles for tomorrow's work. Seeing the shadow passing over the torchlight, he lifts his head and his eyes grow wide. Brevin jumps to his feet, dropping a handful of small tiles and breaking them. Neither speak a word, looking to the shattered tiles before turning their attention to each other.

“Hello, Nailah." He speaks with a strangely sullen tone.

“Hi." She slowly steps closer.

“I'm... ... What happened earlier-"

“I apologize." She cuts him off, still approaching him.

“For what?"

“I behaved badly. I was... ... I [will] not lie to you, Brevin. It [os] difficult to control myself in your presence."

“It's not your fault."

“Hmm?!"

“When we began our work, the boss warned us to be mindful of the women and girls here. He told us not to make ourselves known and to watch how we speak and behave. He made it clear we were to leave all of you alone. He even offered oils to block our scents, but it's very uncomfortable to work with it on our skin."

“Why?" She cannot help but ask.

“This temple doesn't have intact men, and the women of the beast races can be... Excitable..."

“Oh..." She feels her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“It's common knowledge; we all knew what could happen, but the temple needs repairs and you and the other girls have nowhere to go while we work. I knew I was supposed to avoid you, but I didn't. My curiosity saw me ignoring those warnings. I feel as though I led you astray, and perhaps even used you for... Anyway, it isn't your fault but mine as well. I just don't want you to think poorly of me. I didn't mean to cause any problems for you."

“You [did] not cause me trouble." She speaks in a quieted voice.

They stand in silence for some time, staring at each other. Nailah stands so close that Brevin is well within arm's reach. The air becomes thick and heavy, as though they were standing in a dense fog.

“Why are you quiet?" He suddenly asks.

“I have nothing more to say." She replies in a near whisper.

“Oh... Well, you can say whatever is on your mind. Whatever you like, and I will listen. I would love to hear you. I... I greatly enjoy the sound of your voice."

Her heart skips a beat and she finds herself nibbling on her bottom lip.

“You do?" She turns her eyes up to him, her head still bowed.

“Yes." He says with the warmest of smiles.

“... Why [are] you still here?"

“I wanted to prepare for tomorrow's work. Maybe I will start early?"

“Good... I [would] like that." She smiles back.

Hearing footfalls echoing throughout the hall, Nailah turns her head and waits. Mere seconds later, an acolyte emerges. She's one of the teachers, but unlike the other acolytes, she's a young and spirited human, only a year older than Nailah herself. She pauses upon seeing Nailah standing so close to Brevin. The woman's eyes scan the pair and her expression changes. It isn't suspicion or disapproval. It appears to be curiosity.

“Are you alright, Nailah?"

“Yes, Clava." The Sabaarii nods.

“And you?" The young acolyte-teacher turns to Brevin, so as not to appear suspicious.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just preparing for my work, tomorrow."

Clava looks between Brevin and Nailah for a moment, then leaves. She walks down the hall and disappears, and now Nailah and Brevin are unattended and so very close to her bedchamber. The beast within begins to speak, but Nailah feels a dichotomy within her. It's as though she must prove that she can be good. Turning to Brevin, she takes a step closer.

“It [is] late and I [am] tired."

“Alright."

“[Will] I see you tomorrow?"

Brevin smiles and nods. He extends both arms in a benign and familiar gesture. Nailah cannot resist. She tries to subdue her smile as she steps into his warm embrace. She grips him tightly, feeling his radiant heat. It seeps through her skin and tickles her in the best possible way. Lovely! The carnal beast continues to whisper to her, and though she does her best to resist, she still turns her head and softly nuzzles the nape of his neck with her snout. She simply cannot help herself! Though he doesn't move or react, she can hear him gulp.

Her eyelids flutter as she slowly inhales his scent. Something about his smell is so intoxicating. Could there be more to this infatuation than merely his gender? Is it not just that he's a man, but a human? Years ago, she'd heard about this from the women of the village. Just before a wedding ceremony, and when none of the human acolytes were near, several of the bridesmaids warned the girls about its power. Her friend, Yralissa, was among these girls, who promptly shared its supposed power with the others, piquing their female curiosity.

According to these village women, human musk is incredibly alluring to many of the women of the beast races and vice versa. They spoke of beast men “intriguing" the bridesmaids, and of their brothers seeking “comfort" from the beast women. Some people are more affected than others, they said. Nailah never believed something as simple as scent could do such a thing, but the thought infected Yralissa's mind, almost as much as her first meeting with a young boy who attended the wedding.

Now that she dwells on it, this young boy who Yralissa became so fond of was the son of the baker, Giles, her future husband! As Nailah softly nuzzles Brevin's neck and once again feels the discomforting moisture in her loins, it's clear to her that everything the village women had said must be true. Furthermore, Nailah must be particularly susceptible to it. Realizing that she won't be able to resist her own urges for much longer, Nailah slowly and very begrudgingly pulls away from Brevin, only to bow her head and wish him a goodnight before swiftly walking to her bedchamber.

She's so overwhelmed by the events of that day that she forgets to remove her acolyte dress altogether. She closes her door and lay atop her bed, staring at the wall in silent ponderance until exhaustion finally takes her. Thankfully, her night is peaceful and so is her dream. In her mind, she finds herself lying beside Brevin in a field of red and white flowers. She curls up beside him and holds him close. His arm drapes across her back and pulls her closer. With a tender kiss to her lips, she looks into his eyes and feels truly at peace. Unfortunately, this will not last.

The next morning unfolds as it normally would, except that she changes from one acolyte dress into another. Nailah leads the ladies of the temple as she always does while keeping a watchful eye on the windows. Around the same time as she sends the last of the girls into their class, and before the other men arrive, Brevin appears in the courtyard. Her heart skips a beat at the mere sight of him and by the time she heads for his work area he's already standing beside the damaged mosaic.

He's cheerful and greets her with smiles and open arms. The warmth of his embrace nearly makes her knees buckle. They talk and learn about each other, but something sinister begins to surface. It's not within Brevin, who does a wonderful job of controlling whatever feelings and desires he harbors for her. Nailah's beast rears its carnal head. Though it's quite the struggle, she manages to keep it from interrupting their conversation. However, Brevin rests for a moment, taking a seat atop a nearby bench. Sitting beside him, she's close enough to feel his warmth.

Just as before, it affects her in a most discomforting way. Her loins respond to his presence and her inner beast makes many suggestions, trying desperately to lead her. She shakes out a thought of her straddling a naked Brevin only for more thoughts to take its place! With each carnal imagining, her discomfort and embarrassment grow. It comes to a point that Brevin notices her odd fidgeting. He asks if she's alright, but unwilling to lie to him, Nailah can only gaze into his eyes. The fact that he may know what troubles her only makes her embarrassment worse.

“I apologize! I [just] now remember[ed], I have chores!" She exclaims as she jumps up from the bench.

“Oh. Sorry if I kept you."

“[Do] not worry."

“Will I see you again, later?" He asks.

Looking back, his expression is so innocent and perhaps even childlike. He clearly wants to be in her company, a very flattering thing for the inexperienced and virginal priestess.

“Yes." She smiles and nods.

She walks away from him as casually as she can, but as soon as she's out of his sight she dashes down the corridor. Nailah's mind races as fast as her feet as she wonders what she should do. Prayer doesn't resolve this problem to her satisfaction. If Brevin remains in the temple, who knows what might happen! Though reluctant to share such thoughts and feelings, she knows that the only person she can speak to is Tavisha. Finding her office, Nailah knocks on the vicar's door.

“Yes?"

Entering without a proper invitation, Nailah finds Tavisha sorting through a pile of papers atop her desk. The young Sabaarii woman makes her way inside and takes a seat in one of the chairs across from the desk. Hearing the creaking of the aged wood, Tavisha turns her eyes toward Nailah, though only briefly.

“Yes? What's wrong now?" She asks, still digging through papers.

“Nothing."

“The girls are alright?"

“Yes."

“Did something break? Is a workman hurt?"

“No, and I [do] not think so."

“Good."

For the next minute, Tavisha ignores Nailah as she reads a letter. Like the others of her kin, writing is a power beyond her comprehension. Whatever it says disturbs her. Setting the letter aside, she finds a new one and her expression becomes even more grim.

“I apologize, Tavisha, but may we speak?" Nailah finally begins.

“I'm sorry, but I'm very busy at the moment."

“I know, but it [is] very important."

“I have many requests from villagers as well as a summons from our vizier, and Osbert Bailey, the noble lord of these lands, has recently rescinded our tax-exempt status on behalf of King Rolim..." Tavisha continues as if she hadn't heard her.

“Our what?"

“Never mind..." Tavisha sighs with frustration. “If this isn't an emergency, could you please return later?"

“But-"

“Please, Nailah?!"

“... Alright..." Nailah whimpers as she slowly rises from the chair.

Shooed from the office, Nailah is left to her own devices. She stops at the altar and prays, but just as she feared it does little to help. Instead, she decides it best to drown her own thoughts with labor and continues with her day as she normally would. She spends as much time around the girls as she can, actively avoiding contact with Brevin. As dusk approaches, however, she cannot help but notice the workmen leaving. Their youngling escorts, Avarisha among them, wave goodbye before another acolyte corrals them, pushing them from the courtyard and into the temple.

As she watches from a window on the second floor, Nailah cannot help but notice that Brevin isn't among the others. Joining the initiates, she first takes the girls to their bed chambers before returning to her own. Unable to rest, she watches the sun set from her window. Restless and overwhelmed by her own thoughts, she decides to walk the halls. She makes her way toward the junction where Brevin was working earlier that day only to stop in her tracks. Her ears twitch as she hears something strange. She sniffs the air and feels a familiar warmth in her core.

Creeping closer, she peeks around a corner to see that Brevin is still here! He has his back turned and hums a little tune as tiles click together. It's nearly pitch-black outside and he has yet to leave?! The mosaic he was working on earlier is nearly finished. The other mosaic was smaller and took far longer. He accomplishes so much more without her to distract him. As she watches him work, her sapphire orbs scan his body and her dark thoughts return. She imagines him pinning her against the wall, supporting her weight with his hands on her buttocks and her bare breasts smooshed against his chest...

Shaking the thoughts from her mind, she backs away as quietly as she can before taking a roundabout way to Tavisha's office. She was busy earlier, but perhaps now she has time to talk?

“Please, Tavisha... Please, help me..." Nailah whimpers to herself.

Making her way toward Tavisha's office, Nailah hopes and prays that her vicar, a woman she was once so close to, will finally hear her troubles and offer her guidance. Approaching the door to Tavisha's office, however, she hears a strange noise. A chair thumps and something heavy bumps against the vicar's large, wooden desk.

“Ahh!" Tavisha suddenly gasps.

“See?! I told you!" Fridel's voice chirps.

“Shh! The girls can hear you." Tavisha whispers.

What is her husband doing here?! As vicar of the male temple, he should be tending to his wards before returning to the home he shares with his wife. Nailah inches closer, moving almost silently. She cannot help but notice that the door to Tavisha's office is ajar, nearly shut but unlatched. Perhaps in their haste, they simply didn't notice?

“I can be quiet. Can you?" Fridel asks, a heaviness in his breaths.

“Stop..."

“You know you like it. What better place than here?" Fridel teases.

“Ooh..."

Nailah stands at the door, staring intently at the tiny crack. What are they doing in there?! Though she has an idea, she cannot help herself. She must see for herself!

“Mmff, nnnn... Fridel." Tavisha coos and makes strange noises.

Leaning against the doorframe, Nailah places a hand against the door, being careful that her natural claws don't click against the wood. A gentle push opens it ever so slightly. After a pause, she pushes it again. Opening it slowly and quietly, the amber light of candles and oil lamps soon escape from the vicar's office. Once there is an acceptable gap, the Sabaarii takes a deep breath to calm herself as she prepares to spy on her vicar and her husband. However, nothing could truly prepare her for what she would see...

Her eyes grow wide as she peeks into Tavisha's office. With their lips entwined, Fridel, caresses his wife's slender body. It's made easy by the traditional garments the vicars wear, garments dating back several millennia. Her skirt is but a piece of dark purple fabric with black trim, which wraps around her hips and ties together at one end. Her top is naught but a long and somewhat thin piece of fabric, also dark purple and with black trim. The vicar's outfits are in opposition to the acolyte's primarily black garments with purple accents.

The strip of fabric wraps around her torso and beneath her breasts, providing a level of support. The strip then wraps around again before crossing diagonally over each breast, forming an 'X' at her collar bone. The ends of the strip are then tied together at the back of the neck, which hang down her back. Only The Order persist in wearing such dated and revealing clothes.

“Oh, Fridel. Why must you be such a brute?" Tavisha whimpers as their lips part.

“Because that's how you like me." He smirks.

“I know, but you don't have to encourage me."

“Yes, I do. You're a bad priestess, after all." He winks.

“Hehe!" Tavisha giggles as he kisses her cheek, working his way down.

Though his hands were massaging her waist and hips, he now slides them around to her taut buttocks, which he firmly squeezes. Tavisha gasps and Nailah can feel her discomfort returning. Tavisha coos and leans back, allowing her husband access to her neck and chest. Pressing her against her own desk, Fridel lifts her up by her buttocks and places her atop it, only to lean her backward. Because of the nature of her outfit, Fridel has no difficulty pulling it open and allowing him access to her modest bust, which spills out from behind the straps.

Nailah gasps at the same time as Tavisha, who watches with flushed cheeks and narrowed eyes as Fridel kneads one breast and suckles on the other. There's a faint popping sound as he pulls his lips away. Fridel, who wears a masculine variant of this ancient garment, pulls his robes open to reveal his manhood. It's erect and throbbing! Nailah cannot help but stare for a moment, noting the taut flesh of his scrotum. She's never seen a man's penis before! Tavisha reaches down and grabs her husband's member with a glee that Nailah has never seen in her vicar.

Due to the length of Fridel's manhood, it's not covered until she uses both hands, and it also appears to be rather thick! Nailah takes a step back from the partially opened door, only to flush. She feels her loins, which have become uncomfortably wet. A trickle of her feminine fluid cascades down her own thigh, hidden beneath her far more modest acolyte dress. She hears Tavisha briefly squeal, only to let out a muffled whimper a split-second later. Unable to resist, Nailah takes a silent step closer and peeks through the crack again.

With a hand covering his wife's mouth, Fridel groans. He's thrust himself into her, and the Sabaarii can no longer see even a fraction of his manhood! Only the flesh of their fused pelvises is visible, the quivering of Tavisha's nether lips as they stretch around the very base of her husband's member. Nailah trembles as she backs away. Fridel gives his wife a hard thrust, keeping her quiet with a hand over her mouth. What a brute! That must feel wonderful! With shaking breaths, Nailah retreats from the doorway and moves quietly down the hall, back toward her bed chamber. That was simply too much!

She can no longer control herself. The Sabaarii must attend to her body in the privacy of her room, lest she do something drastic! Turning a corner, Nailah stops in her tracks. Brevin is still there, cleaning up a wall he'd recently repaired. Why is he still there?! All the other workers departed hours ago! As she looks to him, her urges give her sinister thoughts. After what she's just witnessed, there's no way she can forget so easily. The trickle of fluid is still felt on her inner thigh, making its way to her knee.

As if sensing her presence, Brevin pauses his work, his hands pressing the cloth against the beautifully polished mosaic tiles. He slowly turns around only to find Nailah behind him, standing several feet away.

“Oh, Nailah! Hello!" He chirps, turning to her. “I didn't think I'd see you up this late. I wanted to finish, and I was falling behind the others, so I... Nailah?"

He finally pauses, noticing the strange look in her eyes. They're narrowed as she seems to glare at him. Are her lips curling into a snarl? Is she angry?! Nailah takes a step closer. No matter how hard she tries, the beast within her manages to claw its way to the surface. There's no stopping her now. There's no turning back. Only the pleasure of being deflowered will calm her.

“Nailah? Are you feeling well?" He steps closer, visibly concerned. “You look troubled."

Nailah takes another step closer, her lips peeling back and forming a sinister and toothy grin. Her eyes shift. Her bed chamber is just around the corner, only steps away. With her hands caressing her own body, she pushes her bust together. His eyes follow her hands and grow wide at the sight of her cleavage, as much as from the sharpness of her claws. She gently pushes her breasts through the top of her otherwise humble dress, jiggling them so that he cannot look away.

“N-Nailah?" He speaks in a hushed voice.

Once again, she doesn't answer him. Her hands continue to run along her body, only to stop at the bottom hem of her dress. His eyes grow even wider as she lifts it. Stepping even closer, now within arm's reach of the human, Nailah exposes her virginal loins and the fluid she secretes, both of which are clearly visible in the full moonlight and the flickering torch on the sconce behind him.

“It [is] pure. I [am a] virgin." She coos.

“Oh..." Brevin gulps and stares.

Nailah can see his desire swelling within him. It fills her with a strange confidence and aggression.

“I [do] not want to be [a virgin]. I offer it. I offer me, to you and no one else. I want you to take it..." She growls, stepping even closer.

Though Brevin tries to speak, no discernable words come out. His only response is a stunned silence and a growing erection in his trousers. Nailah can see the bulge, and it appears considerable. She can no longer hold back. Leaning against his chest, she grabs at his waist and kisses him rather clumsily. Her limited experience is masked by her enthusiasm, which sees her forcing her tongue into Brevin's mouth before he even realizes what's happening. Why does it feel so wonderful, to taste him like this?

Filled with even more resolve, Nailah gropes his manhood through his trousers and gasps. Pulling back, she looks down and stares at the bulge. Overcome by her desire, she grabs hold of his waistband and yanks off his pants, her strength ripping the simple belt that holds them taut against his hips. He stands before her partially nude, a truly impressive penis throbbing as it stands proudly, curved upward and peering at her. Though she didn't see him up close, she can tell from grasping it with her hands that Brevin's manhood is even larger than Fridel's; it's certainly longer, and perhaps even fatter!

“Ooh!" She coos, her hands quite lovingly stroking the warm but firm flesh.

Nailah begins to walk, grasping his manhood and using it to lead Brevin away from his work. He shuffles his feet around the corner and enters her bed chamber, only for the Sabaarii to grow impatient. With a firm push, she all but throws him atop her bed. He tries to remove the rest of his clothes before she can approach, but Nailah is a very eager female. She tears her acolyte dress at the front, dropping the shredded garment and revealing her splendor to him. In the light of the moons, he watches as she shuts the door before climbing atop him, while using her superior vision to see in the darkness.

There's no waiting or hesitation. Her primal beast has full control and it's not afraid. It acts without her consent, moving her body no matter what her rational mind says. As her body works on its own, she wonders about the sensations, the pleasure and the pain that some brides had spoken of. Her hands take hold of Brevin's engorged flesh, pressing and then rubbing the bulbous head of his endowment against the pristine flower of her womanhood. She whimpers as she lowers herself, pushing the rounded tip beyond her nether lips. Why can't she stop? Why does she need this so badly?

“Mmm!" She muffles her own cries, slowly sitting down as she penetrates herself with Brevin's masculine organ.

“NNNnnngh! Hhff-hhff!" He tries to control his own exclamations.

“Mmff! Mm-hmmff!" She groans, her teeth clenched as she forces more and more of his manhood inside of her.

She feels it inside, the breaking of her hymen. A stinging sensation overcomes her but her body is hungry for more. As her virginal blood trickles alongside her lubricating fluids, she continues to envelope the human's manhood with her loins.

“Ooohhh, Nailah..." Brevin gasps and begins to pant, watching her loins in awe.

“NnnnAHH!!!" She briefly cries out, feeling his balls pressing against her buttocks and the underside of her tail.

She looks down, equally in awe of the sight of their fused flesh. With the whole of his manhood now inside of her, she begins rocking her hips, moving slowly backward and forward. It causes his masculine organ to wriggle about, feeling the very depths of her loins and touching every space inside of her. A pleasure grows, swiftly replacing the pain of becoming a woman. It's a pleasure more powerful than she'd ever imagined, even in her wildest dreams. It causes her to do more, to work harder, to gyrate her hips and begin to bounce up and down.

“Oh! In Adonai's name!" She whimpers, struggling to remain quiet as she falls forward, lying against her lover's chest.

“Ohh-Nailah. W-was that blaspheming?" Brevin asks, his hands grabbing hold of her perky buttocks.

“I [do] not care!" She exclaims, grabbing his head and stealing a kiss.