Just Us

I'm going to meet Ino today again at least. I wouldn't be surprised if she got all over me. On a worse note, it's when I leave Claya and Farmouth behind for an indefinite amount, at least until the chief dies. And lastly, I'm going to get my revenge for the murders he committed.

A knock on his door jolts him awake. He couldn't afford to sleep deeply tonight. Standing up, he walks across the wooden flooring towards the door. Staff held with his left arm, He swings it open rapidly before seeing the one person he did not expect to come during such a time.

“Claya!” He quickly rushed to her side, letting her into his room in a moment. “What are you doing here? I thought it would be harder, assuming you know.”

Claya dropped her grey tail, her black eyes lowering down onto the floor, not daring to stare into his. “I know that; I just wanted to say goodbye. But also, Father told me to come here with my senses on high alert at all times due to someone wanting to kill you”.

“But then why would he send you to me? Wouldn't that be putting you in danger?” his fists bawled up at the chief's decision.

Claya just smiled, however, “He told me that if anyone were to throw their own life away for me, then it would be you. So he said it's the safest if I'm with you since the only risk to you is that one armoured man. The rest would be easy for a hero, wouldn't they?”

“A hero… That's right, I brought even more destruction here, and now I must atone for it. I am not a hero yet, but I'm planning to be a real one at the very end. Hence why I'm leaving today back to West Acluraria.” His eyes flashed fiercely back at Claya, who just smiled further.

She then went up close to him, her slim arms wrapped around Sorin in an instant, with her tail also wrapping around his waist. “Then I'm looking forward to it. I wouldn't want to meet with a villain. How dare you make such a promise without me, though.” Her grip got stronger; the pressure increased. Even a slim beastfolk seems to have power beyond human bones.

“Agh— right— I apologise, do you mind loosening?” The grip on his body did loosen just a bit, but not enough to fully let him back off. She was clingy; that was for sure. “Claya. I can't just stop at helping Ino change the west. I would go to the east if I could right now, but that place would be impossible to get into from what Ino told me. I have to deal with the west, and if I do complete Ino's revolutionary plan. It will allow me to fix all of Acluraria.”

Claya nuzzled herself against him. “Then good luck, Sorin.”

“That name doesn't sound right coming from you after all this time.” He gave an awkward sigh as she stared up at his face with annoyance, just staring for too much time "What's wrong?”

Claya didn't respond; instead, she started scanning his face. “Sorin is supposed to have a pair of amber eyes; his hair is supposed to be blonde. Am I talking to a fake?”

“Nobody really mentioned that because it doesn't matter! But you are right. I'm using a spell this entire time to change my colours.” He leaned over, grabbing his staff before hitting it off the floor once, casting the colour change spell again. Slowly, his colours retreated into his natural state.

She then smiled almost too widely; it was the immature kind; she was even a bit childish despite being a year older. “So this is what the real you looks like. Both suit you, but this one is cuter… ” Her tail began to wag slightly as it clung to Sorin.

“It doesn't matter anymore since everyone knows, right? Ino wanted me to change back anyway ever since she told me the plan, but I refused until I came back to the west for all of your sake.” Sorin patted his own head before slowly backing away from Claya, whose tail lingered just a second more than needed.

He sat himself down on his bed, with Claya following shortly after, completely flushed that she was on his bed once again, but clearly she was enjoying it. “We have some time to kill.” She didn't know what else to say. But her body nudged closer to Sorin just a bit. He didn't back away either; it seemed he also nudged closer until the two were touching side to side, fully flushed on their faces.

Sorin took his hand out, grabbing Claya's side gently, before he leaned back until they both were flat on their backs in his bed. He looked over towards her with an embarrassed expression, which Claya loved. Her face couldn't contain her excitement.

She took the chance, her body clinging to Sorin's side, like he was a pillow to her almost. He didn't move at all when she did this, just allowing her to cling one final time before they were separated for an indefinite amount of time.

“I like this.” Claya gave a small nod as her tail swooped and her ears spiked; her hands clung even more; they had an hour to kill. It didn't hurt to have a peaceful time together like this.

And so an hour passed; both were relaxed as they slept next to each other. It was the best night both of them had together, just in each other's embrace for one final time.

“Sorin, I think I'm going to come visit you eventually, even if I have to sneak away.” She pouted slightly. “Beast people live for a bit more than humans you do, a decade. So you would be wrinkly by the time my father dies.”

He gave a firm shake of his head; however, “I'm talking to an actual witch for this plan; she would kill you if you met her!”

Claya furrowed her face. “Even bigger reason for me to come then. Don't make me crush you so then you can't walk away.”

If only she had heard the agreement Ino and Ino made… I would for sure be dead by now, but it's necessary for that plan, I suppose. The only thing Ino wants for me, though it feels weird, is that I like Claya. I don't want to do that with Ino.

Claya looked around the room as she lay on his bed still, her eyes darting over to the sun being slightly dimmer. “Sorin! The fight is about to begin.” Frantically, Claya put herself together, standing up and getting back into her chief look. Elegant and practised.

“Oh… You're right, we should have paid attention to the time.” Sorin walked over, grabbing his staff, unveiling it from its small cloth as the Ualo bark slid into his arm perfectly smooth. “Just stay behind me, and once I meet that man, then run away and find a safe place.”

That's right, having to protect her would be impossible mid-fight; I have to focus everything onto my enemy, that's my priority.