“So you are saying that our move to the Valley of the Beasts is postponed?”

  “Yes; while there will be a forward party sent, we are not breaking this camp yet” my answer sparks an animated discussion among the Kin gathered in the tent. They are Po’s family – the woman herself, her siblings and son – as well as Nugund. Chieftain Yuras asked me to expin to them what happened in what the maternity ward and the decisions stemming from that. I agreed to be the messenger as the Potion of Crity had already started fading at that point – and I wanted to meet up with my close ones.

  My close ones… It’s been in the back of my mind the entire day. My close ones… I look at the stoic, brooding Volkhlun and the flirty, yet motherly Lisitsa, my thoughts slipping away from the discussion. The only one missing is Olka, but… the young Risitha is more like a little sister I’ve never had – and I realise my feelings towards her are completely different than my feelings towards the other two members of that party. It’s honestly such a strange turn of the events, that I bonded so much with the very first people I’ve met in this world. I thought it might be my naivety and inexperience – but the effects of the tincture and meeting so many people today allowed me to pinly see the truth: I am in love with the both of them.

  “I love you” I say emphatically, shocking and immediately silencing everyone. I can see a swirl of emotions in my lovers’ eyes – mostly jubint, but there’s a tinge of embarrassment there; the moment of quietness, however, is disturbed by a chuckle from Mira. She’s soon joined by her twin, Miro, and nephew – and poor little Rad looks to be at such a loss about what is happening I cannot suppress a tittle.

  “Let’s go for a walk, kiddo!” Says the younger brother of my Moonberry, picking up the confused – if overjoyed – youngling; it’s clear Po’s son is quite fond of his uncle, who is now offering his hand to his twin. “You coming with us, sis?”

  “Right away” Mira takes him up on his offer and grabs his hand. He helps her stand up and they walk away – but when they are about to leave, she stops and throws the st gnce at us, grinning. “Have fun~!” She winks and eaves us alone.

  An awkward, tense silence lingers after their leaving, both my lovers stunned by my sudden public decration – but I can clearly see it touched them.

  “I’m serious” I am the one to finally speak up. “I’ve been thinking about it – about you – the whole day; even during sex my mind was inadvertently coming back to you” my Darling looks as if he’s about to say something – but I’m not finished yet. “Whenever I kissed or tasted a woman I couldn’t help but compare her to you, my Moonberry” if Po could blush she would be beetroot red right now. “And whenever I saw a man in an intercourse, or when Laura did her thing to me… my imagination showed me you, Darling, doing the same – and even more – to me!” I can see the wheels turning in my man’s head, as he sits there, wordless.

  “I was thinking that I have been rash and acting immaturely – and it bothered me for a long time” I continue after a brief moment of hesitation. “I was worried that what I feel toward you is just infatuation, pin and simple… I’ve fallen for you so quickly and deeply, after all, but the Potion of Crity and me meeting so many other people allowed me to realise that what I feel toward you is a different, deeper feeling; I realised I truly love you!” I can see the complex mix of emotions – from etion to embarrassment – on their faces; but with the former dominating, a simir, contagious joy spreads throughout my entire being. I can feel my lips curving to mirror the smiles on their faces.

  “Po” I address the Lisitha specifically, making her ears and tail wiggle in anticipation. “My Moonberry; I… since the day we’ve met, I’ve been under a strong impression of your mischievous but kind and lively personality; I admire your willingness to spread and share joy around you and your enthusiasm when doing so; I am in awe by a helping hand you are willing to extend to others – even strangers, even if they don’t necessarily want or appreciate it at the time – and by your unbreakable optimism, even in the face of tragedy; I just love how caring about others you are – all that makes you even more beautiful in my eyes than you already are!”

  “And you too, Nugund, my Darling!” I switch to the Volkhlun, noticing his tail wagging in anticipation. “You’ve struck me as this stoic and serious – but mysterious and intriguing; I could also see the pain you’ve been in – and seeing you overcome it is very inspiring! And when I came to know you better, I saw a man of conviction, stoic, determined and dedicated – and it made me feel so safe in your arms… but I also saw a dreamer; a dreamer, whose dream had been shattered and buried deep – but who was able to recover and restore it. It was so… so inspiring to see, especially for me; I know how that feels, I know it so deeply, so… intimately!”

  “You too, Kora, my Sweetheart!” It is clearly audible in her voice that the Foxwoman is deeply touched by my confession and fttered by the praise. “I knew you were special – divine, even – ever since I’ve id my eyes on you; but getting to know you closer shattered and exceeded all the expectations I’ve had about you! And I feel I’ve been falling in love with you even more with every passing day!” I can blush – and inadvertently do so. “You say I am helpful and willing to share joy with others – but you yourself offered your help to a group of complete strangers, as soon as you met them; and I absolutely love how honest you are – or at least try to be, despite everything” I feel the slight sting of pain in the corner of my heart… but I understand what she is talking about – and her acceptance and acknowledgement of my struggles makes my heart flutter.

  “That’s true for me too, Kora, my Ember” Nugund chimes in, with a warm, pensive smile making him even more handsome in my eyes. “But what I love about you the most… I would say there are two things, or maybe they are one and the same – but definitely connected. Firstly, it is your enthusiasm and sheer, pure excitement over everything, even the most mundane of things happenings; it’s frankly contagious. Secondly, your indomitable spirit; only someone who suffered so much can enjoy life so much – it’s… truly encouraging!” He ughs. “You say my recovery from my loss is something that inspires you – but it is you who inspired me! It’s your influence – your love – that… saved me” his expression and tone suddenly turn sombre. “I’m pretty sure you know that… but I did not have the will to live back then; but you transformed me!” His smile is back, albeit more mencholic. “You’ve reawakened in me feelings – dreams, as you put it – I thought were lost. That’s why” he takes a deep breath. “Would you… would you go with me to Kutembe when everything’s over?”

  I’m at a loss of words momentarily, so deeply moved by their words, especially Nugund’s proposal, that I start crying happy tears; Po sequels. “Yes” I finally utter, wiping my face with my furred hand. “Yes, I would… but…!” I look at the silver Foxwoman. “Would you… would you go with us, my Moonberry?”

  “I…” she hesitates and her smile strains a bit. “I’m not sure, Sweetheart; travels – especially such a long ones – are more of a man’s thing. I’m not saying I’m completely against it – I am curious – but…” I immediately understand what she means when she puts her hand over her stomach.

  “We don’t need to go right away – especially if you want to join us, Po of cn Linar” says the Wolfman. “I understand your concern about the Little Ones… and I do want some of my own!” He looks at me with a scivious smile and a hungry glint to his eye; my blush deepens even more. “I’ve already waited such a long time for it… what are a few more extra years on top of it!” He ends with ughter; a contagious ughter, spreading to the Lisitha and me.

  “Very well” she agrees. “It’s a promise, then!”

  “It’s a promise” I agree and the Wolfman nods. “I… I am so happy you returned my feelings! And, um… thank you for that, truly!” I smile foolishly, unable to contain my emotions as the Potion is rapidly losing it’s effects; I realise it will completely wear off soon – and I dread that moment, as I know how awful the after-effects are going to be. Still – this is a moment of joy.

  “Umm… there’s one more thing, now that we’ve sorted out our feelings” both of my partners raise their brows quizzically. “Umm… in my past life, when p-people committed t-to a r-retionship… t-they would, erm, move in together” I’m so nervous I struggle to speak – luckily, what I want to ask is not that hard to guess.

  “You want all of us to share a tent?” Nugund gets it, and I nod frantically – then, to my surprise and against my worries, he shrugs. “Sure, why not; if it will make you happy.”

  “That’s an excellent idea!” Adds the Foxwoman enthusiastically.

  “R-really?!” I ask, not believing my ears.

  “Really” they say in unison and nod. I feel that words aren’t enough to convey my feelings – so I leap toward them and hug them both; we stay that way for a glorious, joyful moment.

  HoraceH.Horney