Wanderlust Beastkin, Beauty and the Beastkin

His eyes went wide, and a deep blush crept across his cheeks as his ears perked up. "Wait! My tail! I'm being petted!"

Zelig and Elara exchanged incredulous glances, while the adorable fox boy appeared ready to burst with embarrassment. I hesitated to let go of the irresistibly soft fluff, fully aware that my actions were causing quite a stir. Yet, since this was merely a dream, I shrugged off any concerns and continued to indulge in the delightful sensation of petting that heavenly fluff!

"Hey! Don't you think it's time you introduced yourself and went through the mating ceremony with Kai before you start petting another male's tail so openly?" Elara remarked, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She cupped her hands around her cheeks, exclaiming, "I can't believe how daring you are in public! We haven't even had our awakening ceremony yet."

"But my fluffy!" I protested, reluctantly letting go of his tail.

"She called me hers. Are you planning to join the awakening ceremony tomorrow? I'd be happy to make an offering to Duarte for your ceremony if you'd like," the fox male interjected.

"She doesn't even know your name," Elara pointed out.

"My name is Milo," he replied.

"Milo, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Perla."

"You can show up to the ceremony if you feel like it, but just so you know, Perla's already got her first male lined up to make an offering for her. And guess who that is? General Kai! Yeah, the one and only, the big deal from Duarte village!"

"General Kai? The legendary General Kai? The hero of Duarte village?!"

"You got it! Perla's his mate, and he's already marked by her. So, if you think you've got the guts to dance in tomorrow and declare your feelings about his mate, be my guest. But if you're too chicken, just move along and find someone else to bother. Seriously, we've got better things to do than entertain a little kit like you," Elara said.

She surveyed her surroundings, quickly picking up some must-haves: trendy makeup, a compact mirror, lotion, and a few other odds and ends, tossing them into the woven bag with flair.

"Zelig, take care of this," she instructed, then seized my elbow and whisked me away.

"Looks like you've been sheltered from guys outside your family. You can't just flirt with random males you're not into; some of them can get way too obsessed and even dangerous if you push them. My aunt Roberta had a male chase her so hard she ended up in an accident and lost her eggs. She hasn't been able to lay any since."

"But I am interested in him," I said.

She halted in her tracks and shot me a look that screamed disbelief. "Seriously? You could snag someone like Kai, and you're eyeing a male that even the least popular females wouldn't touch? He's just a crafter, for crying out loud."

"He's adorable and incredibly sweet! Why on earth would I pass him up? Plus, I've got Kia for protection, so why not add a little cuteness to the mix instead of just muscle?"

Elara stopped and mulled it over. "Honestly, I've never considered that before. I suppose if you've got a solid male, it's fine to have a few guys around who aren't exactly battle-ready. Just make sure you've got some strong backup to help Kia out and try to give your lead male the eggs first so you don't throw off the family vibe. If he's actually gutsy enough to show up tomorrow, I'll let him chase after you without any more fuss. But let's be real, I doubt he'll have the guts to show his face," Elara said.

"Oh, he'll definitely be there," I said.

We meandered through a selection of shops, handpicking furniture destined for Kai's abode, including a rather striking bed that made my cheeks flush just by looking at it. This bed was a masterpiece, woven from delicate silk fibers twisted with precision and stuffed with the fluffiest feathers imaginable. It was a surprising touch of opulence.

I also managed to grab some wooden items: a large trunk for clothes, a petite table with two shelves, an adorable round table paired with four chairs, and a few other necessities that Elara insisted were must-haves. We even found an ice chest that looked like a sleek modern freezer, intricately carved from stone and featuring a compartment for ice monster cores.

Next, we wandered into the food section of the market, where we encountered a cornucopia of meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Elara scrunched her nose in distaste, but I reminded her that I'm an omnivore, not just a carnivore. She did, however, complain about the vegetables smelling like rabbit droppings.

After that, we headed to a clothing store where Elara paraded various styles and patterns that she deemed essential for me. To my eyes, they all looked like cavegirl cosplay, so I let her choose whatever she thought would suit me best. She handed me a pile of clothes, and I tried them on in front of a mirror that sparkled like polished silver.

By the end of our shopping spree, I was utterly exhausted. We arrived at a quaint little cabin by the water, complete with a cozy dock and a modest boat tied up nearby. Kia was still out hunting for treasures. The cabin exuded a warm and welcoming vibe, featuring a snug bedroom, a living area, a small pot with a log seat, and a bathroom with a seat hovering over a hole and a pot below. I felt a shiver of discomfort as I gazed at it, but fortunately, it was just a dream, so there was no reason to worry. In the backyard, there was a delightful designated area for a garden, though it had become a wild tangle of weeds. 

Honestly, it wasn't quite the experience I had envisioned as a girl from the modern era, but hey, it was just a dream, so no need to fret. I would drift off here, and when I opened my eyes, I'd be back in my cozy bed, and life would resume as usual. I had wished for one last glimpse of Kai before waking up, but who knows? Maybe he'll pop up in my dreams again someday. At least I snagged that incredible kiss before the dream faded away.

Shortly after arriving at the cabin, movers started bustling about, arranging the new furniture, which made the place feel much more welcoming. I was too wiped out to explore any further, so I slipped into the new bed after changing into a silk green nightgown I had chosen. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.

The following morning, I awoke with a delightful yawn and a leisurely stretch, my mind still dancing with the joy of the whimsical dream I had just experienced. Feeling invigorated, I was all set to embrace the day ahead. But as I opened my eyes, I realized I was still ensconced in that very dream. Surely, this was a dream, wasn't it? There couldn't be any other explanation, could there? Yet, why was I still lingering in this surreal realm if I had been asleep? I felt wide awake now. So, what was keeping me here?!

Coming Next Time: Age in Seasons