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Tales of the Wave Rider, Volume 1 Splintered Light Prologue, pt 5: Aodhan

Late morning sunlight peaked in through the thick curtains covering the small window to the cramped cabin but it was more than enough to rouse Aodhan. The Wolf had been up most of the night standing watch over The Wave Rider; considering the Captain's courtesy in taking him and his lover on board he made it a point to repay him by working off their passage. It was true that he was no sailor, but he was familiar with the ways of a sentry.

Aodhan shifted in bed, opening his muzzle wide as he stretched, yawning back the fatigue that threatened to lull him back to sleep. The clockwork time piece perched on the small shelf next to his double-sized bunk identified that it was less than two hours until noon; he and the dozing Cat next to him had gone to bed scarcely three hours prior but the Wolf realized that it was more than the light that had awakened him. Angling his ears one way then the other he heard the distinct sound of the dull thrumming of the ship's maneuvering engine set to low.

He sat up in bed careful not to disturb the supple Feline whose svelte, curvy body was practically encircling his arm. Sister Aurelie had been his childhood friend and even though the Wolf and Cat were separated for nearly a dozen years they had found one another again less than two years past and it did not take much for their bond to renew... and deepen. Although Aodhan was born to the Oak Tribe of Lehsunia he was raised among the Sisters Divine of the Holy Hearth in Trevosse; they were from different worlds but he'd spent time in Trevosse and the Cat had spent time in the Wilds.

Despite how careful he was, Sister Aurelie was a light sleeper and the Cat squirmed beside him. "Mmm... Arnaud-- go back to sleep."

He could tell that his lover was still half asleep; it was the only time Aurelie ever called him by the name given to him during his life at the orphanage. A smile spread across his muzzle as he leaned over and kissed the Cat between the ears. "You stay here, Eyara... you can sleep enough for the both of us."

Sister Aurelie gave an indignant mumbling objection, curling up tighter around the Wolf's arm so tightly Aodhan could feel his lover's morning erection pressed up against the back of his wrist. The Cat's life was in no way conventional; having been raised among the Sisters Divine, Aurelie had been raised in the same way as the female acolytes up to and including complete and total gender confusion.

It wasn't until his Beloved was willing to consummate their love that the Cat came to accept what had been obvious: there were some vast differences between Aurelie's body and that of the other Sisters. Aodhan had known for a long time, but it didn't keep him from loving the Cat any less and, per his Eyara's preference, continued to maintain her gender identity.

Sister Aurelie clutched his arm tighter. "It's too early... stay."

Aodhan was truly tempted, especially when his lover's sandpapery tongue brushed across his bicep but he maintained his will and let out a forlorn sigh. "I could think of no better way than spending my spare time, Eyara, but the ship is on the move."

The single comment was enough to snap Sister Aurelie out of the realm between sleep and wakefulness. The Cat sat up in bed, pulling the sheets close. "Really? I don't remember anyone saying anything about--"

Aodhan smiled when he saw his lover's ears twitch, seeming to take note of the soft, rhythmic rumbling for the first time. The Wolf nodded, reaching his paw to smooth out the crinkled fur atop Aurelie's head. "If the ship is heading out I'll need to check with Captain Jacksoni. The trip from Newport was beautiful but if we are heading out into the South Sea then I--"

The Cat's nose brushed across the inside of Aodhan's elbow. "Then you'll still be in the same position you've been in since we left Newport. Don't worry so much, Aodhan."

Sister Aurelie had always been the one who had second guessed, who had moved carefully, and had to be encouraged to take a chance. The Wolf found it humorous that the tables had turned. "And now you're using my words against me?"

The Cat didn't miss the chance to use another one of his quotes. "Adventure was never had by staying at home."

Aodhan smiled at his Eyara, rolling his eyes as he slipped free of Aurelie's grasp. He gave his lover a playful smack in the nose with his tail as he leaned over to pick up one of his traveling satchels up off the cabin floor. "I have something for you."

Sister Aurelie played the embarrassed damsel with theatric perfection. "Mon Dieu! I cannot believe you would show a lady your bare hindquarters with scarcely a warning!"

The playful comment drew a chuckle from Aodhan, who returned to sitting on the edge of the bed as he opened the leather pack and pulled out his present, which had remained wrapped in the silk with which it had carefully been packed. "I meant something a little more special than my body, Eyara."

He handed the silk to the Cat, who slowly unwrapped the contents then paused. "Is that--?"

Aodhan nodded. The great peach tree that grew in the middle of the Convent where they'd been raised was a symbol for the two of them; it meant so many things that the significance was unmistakable: it was togetherness; it was unity; it was home. Sister Aurelie's paw shook faintly while gently tracing the stem that emerged from a perfectly preserved peach tree leaf. "A leaf from Grand-pere. Yes. I knew we wouldn't be there to see it bloom this year so I wanted to bring--"

The rest of the Wolf's words were cut short as Sister Aurelie silenced him with a kiss. Aodhan smiled, embracing his beloved, reveling in the pleasant vibrations of the Cat's purring. When they finally disengaged his lover had slid free of the sheets. "It's perfect, Aodhan. Thank you."

The Wolf winked. "Adventure was never had by staying at home, true... but the best adventures usually start and end there. And now you can take a small piece of home with you."

The Cat leaned forward to pick up one of Aodhan's paws and, brought it up to give his fingers a kiss. "If you're with me then I'm home."

Aodhan leaned forward and shared a proper kiss with his Eyara. "Well, let us get dressed and then we can make the galley home for you. If we are truly setting sail then I would rather get food in my stomach before sea sickness sets in."

Sister Aurelie giggled at that, sliding across the bed to collect one of the simple, androgenic acolyte smocks that made up the vast majority of the cat's wardrobe and got dressed while already wearing an enormous smile. "My powerful, manly protector laid low by a few waves... poor baby."

The Wolf let out a snort while he gathered up his own clothing. Aodhan had been raised among the faithful in Trevosse and he was perfectly capable fitting in as one of what his people called "The Stone Tribe". While he usually preferred the loincloth and shoulder strap of his Tribal people's garb he'd taken to wearing short trousers and an open-chest tunic while on board the Wave Rider... especially since he preferred to distance himself from the first mate, a Jackal from the Bone Tribe. The Captain trusted the Kaumaka but that didn't mean the Wolf had to like being near him.

He finished getting dressed and turned to regard Sister Aurelie, who was situated in front of the small mirror in their room primping. The Cat noticed him via his reflection. "Is everything alright?"

Only then did Aodhan realized his expression must have turned a little more severe. He cleared his throat and let his ears raise back up before speaking. "Just fine, Eyara... I was just... worrying again."

Sister Aurelie walked around the bed to join him and give him a huge hug. "Don't worry, Eyara... I won't let anything happen to you."

The Wolf smiled in earnest. "You're taking my lines again."

The Cat gave him a gentle poke in the ribs as they headed for the door to their cabin. "Learn to have a little more piety. It's called sharing, you greedy little pup."

Aodhan laughed anew. It was going to be a long trip... but that didn't mean it would be a bad one.