A Walk In The Park
(Please note that this story contains vore, but no yiff. All commentary greatly appreciated.)
"I'm back, safe and sound!" Jessi announced.
"I'm glad," said Kath. "What did you find today?"
Jessi grinned and set her camera down on the desk, next to the computer. "I got some great shots, better than we've had in the last few weeks, in fact. We might even be up for a raise."
That made the two chuckle, as it was a running joke they shared at least every other day. They lived in almost total seclusion from the rest of the world, deep in an unknown jungle that nobody else really had much interest in entering. That begs the question: what sort of people would be in such a place?
Jessi was a salamander, but not an ordinary salamander you'd see in a cage at the pet store. No; Jessi was four feet tall, walked on two legs, had a quaint little rounded snout, and a twirling tapered tail. Her amphibious skin was a brown tiger stripe with a tinge of red, and her eyes were a striking contrast of blue. She was actually quite pretty.
She was small, thin, and not very strong, even as far as anthropomorphic salamanders of her species go. So how was she comfortable living in the humid and dangerous jungle?
She had a bit of a questionable heritage, for hot temperatures did not bother her at all - a quality that, of course, does not apply to more mundane varieties of salamander. Further, she could actually increase her own body temperature to quite extreme ranges at a mere thought or by reflex.
She used this as a defense mechanism when traversing the undergrowth. No insect could land on her without being instantly singed, no exotic disease could take root in heat that could boil water, and that's to say nothing of bigger predators, which quickly learned to ignore her. She was very careful to not harm any living creature, so the animals really had no problem refraining from harming her.
Her companion in the forest, Kath, was a firedrake - that is, a wingless variety of dragon, restricted to traveling the ground only. In stark contrast to his salamander companion, Kath was some twenty feet long from nose to legs when he walked on all fours (as reasonable to do for a creature his size). He also had carapace of extremely tough, crimson scales, which by any animal's standards, made him virtually unharmable. His species was more or less the physical manifestation of heat itself, and was also not bothered in the slightest by the hotness of the jungle.
"It's my scales that keep me warm no matter what," he told Jessi one time. "I could go to Antarctica and probably not realize anything's different because I'm insulated. Well, I'd notice the snow, I suppose."
Firedrakes aren't indigenous to the jungle (even further removed from two-legged salamanders), so the animals were a bit confused and nervous to see him at first. It was fortunate for the animals that Kath, for all his bulk, only needed to eat but rarely.
Kath had a bit of an anger-management problem before he came to the jungle. He'd already been responsible for more than a few forest fires, as when he got angry (sometimes over the slightest of things), he'd breathe fire uncontrollably. But Jessi was always so good-natured, and her mere presence kept him calm.
The two were nature photographers, if that is believable. Together, they took the sort of "stock" pictures you may find in encyclopedias or newspapers. When the opportunity presented itself, they would record video footage, most often used in nature shows on television when they need to depict a specific animal. Who was to know or care which jungle the random basking alligator is actually from, after all?
They didn't get paid, and they had to forage for their own food (not too difficult, given their particular "talents"). However, it was decidedly more interesting to be outside doing something, rather than hide in underground constructions or caves. The races of salamanders, firedrakes, and other similar peoples were afraid of what humans would do if they discovered that such extraordinary creatures of myth and dreams really existed. They didn't have any need for money anyway.
The camp they set up in this jungle was, more or less, a chain link fence that enclosed a sufficiently large enough area for Kath's size, a few boxes to keep the cameras and other simple equipment in, and a desk with a computer, which seemed awfully out of place.
In this camp, their only link to the world outside the jungle was that special computer with a connection to a certain group of salamanders that handled the pictures and film that Kath and Jessi would send digitally. It was powered by an ingenious firedrake invention - a device that harnessed the immense heat generated by a firedrake's body, turning that heat to electricity.
Over the months that they were together, Kath had an increasing amount of affection for his co-worker. He knew he had a problem with setting random objects on fire when he got angry, and his care for Jessi grew a little more every time he thought about how much she truly helped with his problem. Of course, such a romance was not meant to be.
Jessi was about six years old, for one thing, though a great deal more in salamander years. Jessi's particular race of salamander rapidly matured both physically and mentally, but had an expected lifespan of not even a decade. Of course, this is probably the reasoning behind why the salamanders cherished life so much and were always so happy - because they did not have any time to waste being angry.
Kath, in comparison, was relatively young, firedrake-wise. Sometimes he had outrageous dreams like this impossible love. Jessi, in her wisdom, actually thought it was cute, and humored him about it. Naturally, that only made the firedrake like her more when he realized how silly the idea was, and how right she was.
Then of course: their sizes, and the whole interspecies thing... That can be skipped over.
As for day to day "work," Kath enjoyed photography, but really liked to spend most of his time sitting in the Sun, while Jessi enjoyed lounging with him, but also genuinely enjoyed the work. A sort of routine formed: on odd-numbered days, Jessi would sit and talk with Kath - talk about animals, share stories, and so on. There always seemed to be something new the two were learning about each other, so this was never boring.
On even-numbered days, Jessi explored the undergrowth.
"I'm going out now, Kath. Wish me luck."
"Be careful," was the reply. He always said that.
"Don't worry. It's just a walk in the park." She always said that too.
And with that, she'd take her camera (of either the video or photo variety), and disappear for a few hours. The jungle held all sorts of amazing creatures - all manner of insects, snakes, spiders, hunting cats - Jessi loved them all.
And most of them liked Jessi too. Sentient or not, there is a certain joy or glee in being part of a picture that will be seen by millions. If politely asked, some of the animals would freely cooperate.
Kath always feared for her safety, even though she could theoretically make the air around her hot enough to melt iron at a moment's notice. She kept her power voluntary or reflexive to prevent damage to the vegetation.
"That means you're not preventing damage to yourself," complained Kath.
"You could always come with me," Jessi said cheerfully.
And so he did on occasion, although it usually made him more nervous than when he sat back at the camp. Jessi thought that his fear was unfounded.
It was such a day like any other: sunny, humid, very hot, undergrowth teeming with life - perfect weather for photographers. Jessi went out, as usual, followed at a distance by Kath.
Kath, also as usual, was on constant a look out for trouble. There were many tiny insects flying around, and there were many small reptiles crawling on trees, but insects and reptiles are not trouble.
"Jessi's right; there's nothing dangerous to us here," he mumbled to himself. "First the anger thing, and now this. I'm such a fool." But unbeknownst to Kath while he was lost in thought, staring into the trees and chastising himself, something potentially dangerous really did lie in wait.
The top of a crocodile poked through the surface of a collected pool of water ahead of the two, and Jessi was first to spot it. Crocodiles were by no means a rarity in this rainforest, but this particular one was unique.
He was not a part of the local forest, and not one of the animals that Jessi had gotten to know well and have a mutual understanding with. It was also a very aged and large crocodile - around ten feet long, with a suitable girth for its size.
Jessi was instantly thrilled, of course. Any particularly oversized variants of common animals were quite a sight to see, whether personally or on TV She readied her camera and crept closer. The crocodile eyed her, unmoving, cool, indifferent, as she took pictures from different angles, inching closer.
She glanced backward, seeing that Kath was some distance behind, staring off into space. This is exactly the kind of animal he'd stop me from getting too close to, she thought, but I'm not afraid, while he is.
The crocodile did not particularly enjoy being photographed. The animal that dared step so close to him was not dangerous or a threat. It was not another predator to battle with over territory or to flee from. The animal so near was weak and pathetic.
After getting a few shots from the side, Jessi circled around to face the front of the great reptile, at this point completely mesmerized by the crocodile's size, which was more impressive the closer she got.
To the reptilian predator, Jessi was simply prey - a stupid animal that couldn't see through his camouflage and, for whatever reason, got too close. He had no knowledge or care of personality or hobbies.
The crocodile struck like lightning, without warning - opening jaws, lunging forward, twisting, and quickly biting down with killing force all in one fluid, almost artistic motion. He had done it hundreds of times before, on hundreds of different animals. None had ever survived.
This was no exception.
Wide, sharp fangs drove into Jessi's torso. As she was driven hard into the grassy jungle floor, she reflexively cried out in pain and quickly made her skin very hot. The crocodile recoiled from the heat - that had never happened before. It weighed the options of abandoning the prey as inedible, or trying to bite it again.
But the crocodile never considered Kath.
When Kath heard Jessi cry out, his neck snapped forward, quickly taking in the scene that had unfolded right under his nose. His pulse quickened, and his scales, moist from the humidity, started to steam.
"Jessi..." he whispered, suddenly unable to breathe, or possibly hyperventilating - it was a bit difficult to tell.
From his standstill, Kath bolted into a charge, roaring at the peak of his gigantic lungs. The crocodile turned, unafraid, ready to fight for its kill... and promptly froze in terror at the sight of an enraged firedrake twice its length and many times its height. This wasn't right. This wasn't supposed to be happening. How could there be another creature bigger than it?
Now almost completely blinded by rage, Kath lowered his gaping jaws down and snapped them closed around the crocodile's tail, yanking the smaller predator off of the ground with ease, as if he were a cat that had just caught a mouse.
Kath extended his neck upwards, forcing the crocodile to slide downwards along his tongue. The reptile tried to struggle, tried to roll and bite, to do anything at all, but the firedrake's mouth was almost designed for restraining such fighting from prey.
The crocodile's tail touched the back of the throat, and Kath swallowed, capturing the tail and drawing the reptile to the start of its inevitable end. The firedrake chuckled madly, toying his prey with his tongue, each swallow pulling a little harder, drawing the crocodile farther into the hot gullet.
No, this wasn't right at all, the crocodile thought frantically. Tables aren't supposed to turn. I'm the predator here. I'm the predator here. It gave a pitiful growl and disappeared completely, held tight by the bigger creature's throat muscles carrying it downward.
Maybe Kath should have calmed down then, but he couldn't see past the redness clouding his vision. Black smoke started to billow from his nostrils, and he roared again (his throat now cleared), sending a jet of flame like a burning geyser up high into the air. His scales radiated the intense heat of a raging fire, charring and wilting the nearby vegetation in seconds.
"Kath...stop. You'll burn the whole forest down."
Jessi, as usual, was the only thing that could stop one of Kath's fits of anger. He heard the weak, quiet voice through his own furious roaring, and felt his senses slowly drift back under his conscious control. The smoke he was breathing out lightened to a mild steam, and the redness in his eyes abated.
As soon as he could see, Kath rushed to Jessi's side and looked her over. There were so many puncture wounds all across her small body; it was a wonder that she was still conscious - or alive. But Jessi, small as she was, was a fighter, and did not fear the specter of death as some creatures do. She maintained her composure fully, even in the dire situation.
"I'll get the first-aid kit from the camp," he said, knowing full well that they needed nothing less than an intensive care unit.
"No," Jessi said softly. "It hurts. Stay with me."
"But you can't die, Jessi. What will I do without you? I can't control myself. You saw what happened. If you hadn't..." Kath broke off, realizing he was becoming hysterical. Jessi only smiled weakly at him, and he was again ashamed of how calm she was, even at this moment.
There was a pause, and the other spoke at last, "I guess curiosity killed the salamander. But we both knew it wouldn't work out. Salamanders just don't live very long, while you..." she trailed off.
"Centuries," he finished. "I... I just hoped it wouldn't end so soon."
She nodded, acknowledging his feelings, and they fell silent again for a moment. Even the nearby forest creatures had ceased their various calls and sounds, some out of fear from the firedrake's recent outburst, others perhaps out of compassion for the moment.
"What am I going to do without you?" Kath said.
Jessi considered, though her mind was becoming increasingly foggy now. She thought harder than she ever had before - called upon the wisdom that was hidden by her young age. A shiver ran down her body, cutting her thinking short.
"What was that?" she asked, alarmed, suddenly gasping for breath very quickly.
"You're cold?" he guessed, and pressed the back of his right paw to her chest. She's very cold, he thought, and it's the middle of the day in a jungle. He focused his natural firedrake heat onto the paw, and her breathing returned to a normal, though faint, rhythm.
He's so goodhearted, but only with me, Jessi thought. Right then, she saw the only solution possible.
"I don't ever want to be cold again, Kath. Will you do one last favor for me?"
"Anything. Anything you want - I swear it."
"I want you to swallow me, as you did the crocodile."
Kath swallowed reflexively, naturally unprepared for a favor of that sort. "But that's...that's barbaric. To eat a sentient creature would-"
A sudden talon of pain washed through Jessi. She squeezed her eyes tight and winced, silencing Kath in mid-sentence. Though her voice was becoming ever fainter, she explained, "Would be murder? Look at me now. Please, as a favor. You promised."
Any retort, any excuse, was lost on the tip of Kath's tongue as he suddenly realized precisely how much Jessi's wounds must have been hurting her. He finally said, "If that is what you want, then I will."
"I know you'd do anything to save me, but what's happened has happened. Trust me, and let me do something for you - please."
Obligingly, Kath took a step back, releasing his heating contact on Jessi's body. He lowered his long neck and muzzle to the ground and hesitated. That he had first feared for her safety, then didn't, and then witnessed the unthinkable in such a small space of time, all leading to this. It was like a terrible nightmare, and everything felt like a blur now.
He focused only on the salamander's soft sapphire eyes as he snaked his tongue under her tail, along her back, easing his jaws under her body - slowly, delicately, using his tongue as a cushion and keeping her from brushing against his fangs.
The firedrake raised his head from the ground, jaws agape, tilting his head back slightly. The salamander was much smaller, and not nearly as spiny as the crocodile, nor did she resist quite as much. It again seemed wrong to be doing this - to be eating someone he loved.
Jessi closed her eyes, hardly able to move, and caught in the warm embrace that was her friend's mouth. The brief wave of cold - the first time she had ever felt a chill in her entire life - was only a memory already.
"Thank you, Kath," she whispered. It was impossibly quiet, but he might have heard anyway.
Predatory instincts and honor won over the firedrake's greater reasoning. He swallowed, neither tasting nor enjoying. The small-bodied salamander was there one moment, and gone the next.
Kath retrieved the fallen camera and went back to the camp. There was little else he could think to do.
Kath never told anyone what really happened that day - only that Jessi was killed in a crocodile attack. Her salamander kin understood. Other adventurous salamanders came and went to and from that jungle to keep him company, if not necessarily for photography.
Salamanders are a friendly race in general, though none, he felt, were a replacement for Jessi.
Incidentally, for the rest of his extensive life, Kath never felt the rage of anger again, as though Jessi was in his presence every time he needed her, to calm him with her voice. And maybe, in a way, she truly was always with him.
And perhaps Jessi was not killed by a crocodile after all.