Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

 Kai led me into the village, where the river wove its way gracefully through the heart of the community. Sturdy square homes, crafted from hardened clay, lined the banks, each adorned with its own unique symbol on the door. The inviting overhangs of the porches welcomed visitors, while larger homes further from the water featured enclosed courtyards, two stories, and staircases leading to rooftop retreats or lush gardens. The courtyards were alive with animals in pens and children laughing as they played. A man was busy at a clay stove, and another stirred a bubbling pot of soup in a large stone bowl over an open flame. The captivating scene ignited my curiosity, urging me to explore the village further.

Curved bridges arched over the water at intervals, while small boats bobbed gently, carrying a woman and a couple of men with animal-like ears. As I took in my surroundings, I noticed that many women were dressed in outfits reminiscent of furry bikinis; some flaunted feathers, while others shimmered with scales. A mix of features was evident—some women had animal ears and tails, while others displayed human-like ears, some pointed and others entirely human-looking. A few even sported horns, adding to the village's enchanting diversity and they were each accompanied by several men wearing different types of skirts, kilts?

Beyond the residences, a cluster of buildings clearly served as shops, leading to a grand shrine that housed a life-sized statue of a man made of gold with long hair, pointed ears, and giant wings, standing on a pedestal. Further past the shrine, a sturdy fence and gate marked the boundary of untouched wilderness, teeming with vibrant plants, wildlife, and towering trees. 

The movement and color excited me and I couldn't wait to get a closer look. The people were all different shapes and sizes, attractive in their own ways. Most carried some sort of animal feature which made them incredibly fascinating to look at. I especially liked how their tails wagged or their ears twitched. Some even had light markings on their skin like cheetah spots or stripes, everyone was so interesting! I already loved this village. 

As Kai strolled through the village, he effortlessly cradled me in his arms, much like a prince would his beloved. The villagers paused in their daily routines, their gazes fixed on us, while curious children tugged at their parents' skirts, pointing with wide-eyed wonder. We made our way to the village's rear, where a stunning shrine awaited us, lounging in an extravagant pergola. There, a captivating woman reclined, attended by several men wielding enormous fans, while another delicately fed her bite-sized pieces of fruit. She was a vision of beauty, with flowing white hair, enchanting rose-pink eyes, and soft, floppy rabbit ears. Her petite frame was accentuated by bold curves, and when she smiled, her slightly larger front teeth added an endearing charm. Those mesmerizing pink eyes held a blend of innocence and allure that made it nearly impossible to look away.

When she spotted us, her face brightened, and a warm smile spread across her features as she rose to greet us with open arms. "I heard the wonderful news that you've found your mate! I couldn't be happier for you." She wrapped her arms around him in a heartfelt hug before turning to me. I felt a bit taken aback at first, but she quickly noticed my hesitation and let go. "Oh dear, I should have introduced myself first! I'm Vera. It feels like I know you already, so I got a bit carried away. I've known little Kai since he was just a hatchling; he was such an adorable little cub. I'm the shrine Miko, blessed with healing magic from the Celestial Guardian, Duerta. I use his divine blessing to heal the villagers."

"Are you seeking blessings for your union, or is it healing that brings you here today?"

"Both, I will have the needed sacrifices ready by tomorrow, but for now, my main concern is Perla's ankle recovery. I will also provide offerings for her awakening ceremony."

"Really? She hasn't Awakened yet? I thought she was old enough to be matched with you. It seems she's not wearing a metal band on her arm, which is rather unusual."

"She has informed me that she's seventeen."

"My goodness! That's quite unexpected! Typically, she would have celebrated her awakening ceremony at sixteen, and her family would have already found her a first mate."

I looked at her left arm and saw that she was wearing a golden band around her arm like a bangle with a fur trim lining. The bangle was fixed with ten different colored gems. 

"How interesting! Speaking of awakening ceremonies, my daughter has just celebrated her sixteenth and is preparing for her own awakening ceremony. I can hardly contain my excitement! Terrell has selected a few potential suitors for her first mate, but he hasn't shared their names with me yet, as he's still working out the details. My curiosity is getting the better of me, and I'm all a flutter wondering who he has in mind. Lirit keeps asking if I've learned anything about the chosen one, but alas, no news yet. We must trust that Terrell will make a thoughtful choice."

"But enough about me rambling! Why don't you bring your new mate over to one of my cozy loungers? It's such a beautiful day; we should enjoy it outside instead of being cooped up indoors."

Just beyond the grand lounger where she had been reclining, a row of modest loungers awaited, their simplicity a stark contrast to the opulence nearby. They were draped in a fabric that appeared rigid, making them a breeze to wipe down. Kai gently placed me on one of those unassuming loungers, and as I settled back, I found myself pondering how they would mend my wounds in this peculiar dreamscape.

"Beloved Celestial Guardian Duerta, I humbly request that you continue to bestow upon me your sacred blessings and share your healing touch." As she spoke, her hands began to radiate a soft yellow light. She gently placed her hands on my ankle, and to my astonishment, I witnessed it heal right before my eyes—bones realigning, bruises fading, a truly miraculous sight. Then she quickly passed her hands over the rest of my body and the scrapes quickly disappeared as well. 

"That's incredible!" I said.

With a soft smile, she said, "It's the strength of our celestial guardian at work. I'm just the instrument, but it's such a magnificent sight. His divine favor will always fill me with wonder."

"Do you have to speak that way all the time in order to trigger the healing?"

She chuckled softly and lifted her hands again, the light shining from them without a word. "It's really just a way of showing respect, dear. I want to express my heartfelt sincerity and ensure that the guardian gets the praise he deserves. If guardians don't receive enough offerings, their power can start to fade. Sometimes, they even take their blessings away if their Miko doesn't provide the necessary sacrifices. There have been cases where guardians abandoned their shrines, leaving towns without the protective aura they need.

Since you haven't had celestial healing before, it's important to know that the healing blessing will stay effective for a week before it's fully healed. But do be careful—if you irritate the injury during that time, the healing will disappear, and you won't be able to receive another celestial healing for that same injury."

"I'm arranging for a wheeled palanquin to carry her during her explorations. I appreciate your help, Miko Vera," Kai mentioned.

With a warm wave of her hand, she smiled and said, "Please, don't mention it! Just call me Vera, no need for formalities like Miko Vera. I'll have some assistants come by to decorate the shrine, and we'll enjoy a lovely ceremony tomorrow evening. It's sure to be wonderful."

As Kai swept me off my feet and began to carry me away from the shrine, Zelig came rushing up, his feet skimming over the pebbled earth. He was pulling a delightful little wheeled palanquin, seemingly crafted from intricately woven bamboo strips, with cream curtains gracefully pulled back and secured. Inside, a cute young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and sparkling golden-brown eyes sat on a soft cream cushion. Dressed in a snug brown leather dress that highlighted her sun-kissed complexion, she had adorable brown wolf ears, a pair of cute fangs, a petite nose, and a smile that radiated pure happiness.

Leaping from the carriage with a mischievous grin, she playfully swatted the top of Zelig's head, her feet skipping joyfully along as if the world was her dance floor, leaving a trail of laughter in her wake.

"Sis!" Zelig called out, momentarily abandoning the handles to massage his head.

"Elara, I'm so happy that you made yourself available to show Perla around," said Kai.

"Oh my gosh, anytime! You have no clue how thrilled I was to hear you found someone special! She bounced over, wrapped her arms around him, and then me too!"

"So, this male and I go way back, like way back to my little cub days! He's my older brother's best friend. My family's Lead Male even had the audacity to suggest Kai could be my first mate, but we both laughed that idea right off! I mean, he's practically my brother—how weird would that be? I told Paul there's no way Kia'd be getting any cubs from me, and the whole village would freak out because such a catch would be totally wasted!"

"You should have seen his face when he imagined the villagers coming after him with pitchforks! She giggled, wiping away her happy tears. Poor Paul is still on the hunt for my first male, but good luck with that! Everyone knows I do my own thing and act more like a male than a proper female. Mom's just accepted that I might be hanging around her forever!" She flashed a cheeky grin and shrugged.

"Oh wow, looks like we're both diving into the awakening ceremony at the same time! I just completed my prep, so I'm super excited to assist you with yours!" Elara said with a grin.

"I'd appreciate that, I'm not familiar with your customs," I said. 

Kai helped me get into the palanquin, lifting me, and gently setting me down on the fluffy cushion. Meanwhile, Elara was scaling the opposite side like a pro. "Hey, make sure you pull well, servant male!" she teased Zelig with a mischievous smile.

He rolled his eyes but grinned anyway. 

"Let's dive right into the fun by exploring those food stalls! We can snag some delicious drinks and snacks to keep our energy up for the day ahead. After we've satisfied our cravings, it's time to hit the shops for some cute clothes and pick up some cozy furniture to make your place feel all warm and inviting. And don't forget the essentials like combs, cute accessories, and, of course, more food—because let's be real, food is life! You'll also want to grab some cooking gear and a few other must-haves. I've been to Kia's home, and it's totally not set up for a female! He's been a bachelor for ages, so you'll definitely want to snag some soft rugs to cover those bare clay floors. And a lovely deep tub would be a dream since he only visits the public baths. They're nice and all, but having your own little spa at home is just the best!"

Coming Next Time: Angry Females