Nature provides a sanctuary

[Synistergrrl]

~The window was open and bright sunny light poured into the room. A cool breeze blew the white curtains up and made them billow like clouds. The Coultrese stretched and took a deep breath. This was the first time in months he'd slept soundly. He felt so safe in this place. Linx had took him in and he now had a small room in the big house. His bed was an old four poster that was found and cleaned up for him. Linx had helped him clean out the room and set it all up. He could walk anywhere he pleased here, get up when he wanted too and stay up as late. And best of all, if a har spoke to him, he wasn't almost always obligated to lay down with that har. It was heaven here, perfect and wonderful.~

~Eros had been here almost a week now. He got up in the morning and helped Linx with whatever he could with breakfast. Afterwards, they sat together, sometimes with Nails, sometimes alone. During those days, Eros told Linx the long story of how he'd ended up in Fallsend. And then one day, he had to explain how he'd gotten free and about Falk. That morning, as he'd talked about it, he took Linx to his room and showed him the scar on his upper hip, carved letters of Falks name. But he was a resiliant har. He didn't want pity. Infact, when Linx would show him that pity, he'd smile and shrug it off, saying that was another life. The merchant he'd come with was moving on, and Eros had already asked if he could stay.~

~He got up and showered. He tugged on some clothes, a pair of gray jeans and a loose tank top that showed off that pale skin. He padded down the steps, twisting his hair in coils and then letting it go before he came into the kitchen. He helped with breakfast and then he ate with Linx. But after, he moved outside. The Merchant was leaving that morning and he wanted to say good by to him. He trotted down the front steps and started across the yard to the merchant tents. The sun was warm on his skin and the birds were singing. He stopped just a moment and turned his face to the sun and closed his golden eyes. ~

Heaven

~He whispered the words and then looked around him. But for the first time in a very long long time he didn't feel as if someone was watching him. He started towards the merchant's wagon. Getting there, he leaned on the cart as the merchant packed up. Eros watched and chatted with the other har.~

I like it here... but... I'll keep that in mind... next time you pass through... who knows... maybe I'll be ready to leave...

~His hand was on the others, his head cocked up and the merchant was staring longingly down at the pretty har before him. They'd not gotten to share a bed like the merchant wanted, but Eros was no fool and he kept the merchant on a hook, baiting him to keep his eyes on Eros. Finally the merchant climbed into his cart and leaned down. Eros leaned in to hug the har but was tugged in and kissed. When it ended, Eros took a couple of steps back and watched the merchant ride off. He sighed some and turned ready to head back to the house to see if Linx wanted help for dinner later. He liked the merchant, but the truth was he didn't know if he would ever fall for a har, not like the way Linx had with Nails. Not that there weren't plenty of stunning har around, but Eros wasn't sure he was ready to trust anyone yet, or ever.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Valkyrie moved down the steps of the huge house watching the stunning har say goodbye to the merchant. His eyes narrowed a bit. Freybriah was tomorrow and all he could imagine was being close to Eros. He closed the gap between the two of them sneaking up behind the har wrapping his arms around him from behind as he draped one arm around his waist and used the other to cover his eyes ... -

Guess who?

-He teased as he nuzzled a bit into him. Val hadn't given up persuing the har. He always invited him out and tried to buy him pretty jewelry, or bring him something from the swamp, or set up some little picnic. However he could entice the har to come with him. He pulled back and grinned a bit. He wore his own simple pair of pants but he hadn't any shirt on. A few beads of errant sweat were gliding down his back from his morning training-

You didn't even watch my fight ... I thought you'd be cheering me on ...

-He smiled teasing him. Eros may not feel like anyone was watching but he was wrong. Shade stood in the darkness frowning as he watched the pretty har. He could see how he manipulated the others. Flirting. Smiling. He'd not been alone for a second. Deep in his mind he could feel Falk. He was waiting for the moment Eros would be alone and he could grab him. It wasn't the only thing he was thinking of. Thrush had been asking him about who he was going to choose for his Freybriah but he'd not told him yet. He knew who he wanted. Falk-

[Synistergrrl]

~For the first time in a long time, Eros didn't stiffen or jump when someone snuck up behind him. He smiled, leaning back a bit into Val. He liked the harling. He was going to make a stunning har really. There was something about him that Eros was charmed by. He was nervous though, he couldn't help it. For every time Val asked him out, half the time he denied him. He didn't want to fall for this har, or be used. He remained just out of reach. It wasn't so much that he didn't want to be with Val. He did, he couldn't deny the chills this har gave him with nothing more than a smile. But that very same feeling scared him to death. Getting close meant getting hurt and he wasn't sure he could stand to be wounded again.~

Hmm... let me see... Asher? no... no... um... Trip?

~When Val pulled back, Eros turned and gave the har that easy smile.~

Ohh... Val... ofcourse...

~He was teasing though and then he shrugged. He looped his arm into Val's easily and let him lead him along.~

I was helping Linx... you know that. I have to earn my keep, since I'm staying.

~Val had been asking since day one if he were staying and he'd been vague about it, but now he was giving the har the answer he was wanting. A sigh rippled from him as they walked. He was content here, happy even. And he was pretty sure that those around him would protect him. Least those he'd met and when they knew of the situation, well they had all promised that noone would take him from this place that he didn't want to go with.~

And with your Freybriah approaching, we are cooking extra so we can have good food for your celebration...

~He purred those words a bit, pressing into Val a bit.~

See how hard I'm working and you don't even appreciate it...

~He teased some and then he looked up at Val.~

Are you nervous?

~As Shade would watch, he could see Eros leaning into Val, flirting, batting his eyes. All the things Falk told him he'd see Eros doing. And ofcourse, Shade had to get Eros out into the swamp so Falk could get to him. Falk for his part was sitting back at that camp waiting for Shade to show back up. He'd snared some rabbits and was roasting them. As the day went on, the big dark har grew more irritated. But he knew Shade's Freybriah was that next day. Did it affect him? Not really. But it meant that there would be alot of har around and it would be harder to get Eros out alone during that time. So Falk would have to stay and wait. He'd waited this long to get his hands back on Eros, he could wait a little longer. It was no big deal. He'd get Eros and he'd have Shade to boot. He'd take his time on Eros and then toss that little fucking snake back in Fallsend, bald and unable to walk for weeks. And Shade, well he'd keep him for a bit and then, when he grew tired, he'd drop that little dark har as well in some Kanene house and make a pretty penny off him. Least that's what he was thinking as he started cutting up the fresh rabbit, ready to eat.~