Culture Shock [m]

[Draconian]

[ @Moonie ]

After over thirty years with the same Master, finally, Puppy was seeing the stage where she'd be sold. The last time she'd been here... It hadn't really changed. Slaves were still brought to the block and put on display. The more expensive ones for last. Her Master - Previous Master - wanted the most from her and so she was dressed in sheer fabric, jewels in her hair, ears pierced with dangling rubies. As one of the last to be put on display, Puppy felt just a little bit anxious. Would her new master like her? Would he care about her? A brief look behind her to the horned man, a little nod from him and a stern look on his face.

He'd gotten what he'd wanted from her. That meant her use was up.

Once guided to the stage, the outermost layers of the sheer outfit were removed, leaving nothing to the imagination. Every curve and scale was on display, the fabric hung from her short fat tail and she turned around when guided. A few of the wealthier buyers were allowed on stage to poke and prod her and she only let her ears fold back once in distaste - though it was quickly fixed when one of them pinched her breast. An angered flush on her cheeks but she said nothing.

Puppy didn't feel humiliated - that was something she didn't comprehend anymore - but she did feel thrown away. The posture spoke for her, her head was down when not commanded to be up, shoulders slumped forward. Her black scaled hands were held together at her waist and she only glanced around. Perhaps she'd be a pet again. Finally, she lifted her head to scan the audiance of prospective buyers. The Essyrni men who were either interested in the exotic creature or looked on at her with disgust. Yellow eyes flicked to every man and woman. Some were seeking to purchase house slaves, others were looking for everything else.

A little expensive than most, the seller rattled off what buying her would gain them. Mentioning the two children she'd had which - according to him - had grown into fine strong adults. The things she knew. Singing and dancing. Cleaning, cooking. Puppy had clearly been a slave for a long time and barely looked it. Still, she smoothed her hands over the sheer fabric, puffing it out so it didn't cling to her in the beating sun when she spotted the face in the crowd.

Perhaps the longest pause she'd ever done. Puppy stood, frozen, eyes wide, mouth dropped open slightly. The ears looked familiar and she felt her own pin back for a moment before she corrected herself. That person looked like her. Puppy's heart picked up and to get a closer look she walked along the stage, a hip swaying walk before she walked back. Every movement back towards the scaled man had her staring at him.

What was he? Why did he look like her? A few times she'd seen some men that had the same scaled appearance as her in the gladiator arena, but she hadn't been there for years. Hadn't thought of it further. Simply thought they were slaves like her but this man... He was free and...

Puppy wanted that one. Quickly she tore her eyes away and shifted her hips again, moving to stand in the middle of the stage when the bidding finally started. For the most part, she tuned out everything, eyes closed, head ducked down until finally she heard the word "sold!" and was guided into the back room of the tent. The shade was a blessing and she was given the rest of the sheer clothing. The leathery winged horned master of before looked down at Puppy, waiting with her to collect.

"You provided me with two very strong gladiators," His voice was husky and it sent a shiver through her body, mouth opened slightly before she looked up at him, ears back.

"Master..." Her voice was soft and she reached up for him, but her hands were pushed away and he grabbed her chin, leaning down and giving her one last deep kiss.

"But you haven't in twenty years," he looked down at her fondly before taking her breasts in his hands, running his thumbs over his nipples and giving a somewhat forlorn sigh. Puppy just looked up at him, sad. "So, this is your best chance at something other that being a gladiator play thing for the rest of your life and I like you far too much to break you," he stopped playing with her chest before he looked her up and down. Plenty erotic. Perfect.  Her master smirked and turned her around, hands on her shoulders, a finger caressing her neck.

Puppy leaned back into her old master, eyes closed waiting so goods could be exchanged. Deep breaths. The familiar sound of Master moving his wings impatiently and Puppy sighed, hands at her side.

[Zero]

 Kartok had formulated his plan when he'd first come to Essyrn. It had been years in the preparation. Having seen an enslaved female he'd known what his new purpose had to be. There were females being used and mistreated. It was so very clear that he had been cast out and guided here for the Fire's reasons. The females needed saved and protected.

Years ago when this plan had first come to him, he'd been so very excited to start. Becoming a gladiator hadn't actually been that hard. Signing up was super easy. It was very lucrative too. At first it had taken him a long time to grow accustomed to the way things were done in the human city, but he'd gotten much better at navigating the whole place. Not just the streets and buildings, but the people too. They'd been much harder to learn than the simple flow of the foot traffic.

His enthusiasm hadn't exactly died off, but he'd realized that just getting money wasn't nearly enough to make his new dream come true. Kartok had managed to save up a lot of money. The problem was finding a female to save. Kulshedra were not common at the market. Most that owned them did not part with them often and they were expensive when they did.

Each journey home from the market alone was discouraging, and his ears were held in a defeated pose most days before he'd even begun.

Imagine his surprise on that day, then. Kartok's violet eyes grew wide as saucers when a gorgeous Onyx strutted across the stage. Her tail was a bit short, and her body was thicker and curvier than the lean females of his old tribe, but he'd learned about these Essyrni and their ways. That she had such features was a sign of how well she had been taken care of by her old maser.

Kartok's heart skipped giddily as he watched her, barely listening at all to the man describing her. He didn't need to know anything about her other than that she was a female and she would be going home with him.

Did she look at him? He almost swore she did. His chest puffed up a little, as a Teal he was a strong and attractive male. Did she like what she saw? His only clothing was the sarong keeping him what the humans called "decent" although his pretty Onyx wore things so sheer he could practically see all of her. In this place that was considered decent as well. Kartok would have been fine naked. How he wished that he were closer to the stage! What he wouldn't give to get just one whiff of her beautiful scent. It had been far, far too long since he'd been in the company of one of his own kind. Kartok bet she smelled heavenly.

What if she was in season?

The way she strutted across the stage was almost suggestive, and his eyes followed her as greedily and hungrily as any of the other interested males. They would not have her! It was difficult to suppress the desire to split his mouth in a snarl at any and all that looked at her like they might actually take her home with them.

A Kulshedra female was not for their stupid, inferior human hands and eyes!

Somehow he managed not to burst from his skin or run onto the stage. Finally the bidding began and Kartok stubbornly met any offer. He had the money, and she belonged with her own kind. It was only when his bid was accepted that he began to calm his annoyance at all.

When she vanished from his view he practically ran to reach the tent where he would pay for her and meet his new female. It made him giddy all over again thinking about that.

Kartok had a female to take care of and protect.

He ducked into the tent and eyed the pair standing there. The Onyx was perfect and lovely, just as he knew she would be, but he eyed the strange winged and horned male holding her shoulders with more than a little distrust. His tongue flickered out as his cheeks split just slightly, tasting the air and catching her scent.

Not in season.

It didn't matter. She was not for that. Not that Kartok would have minded to be chosen by her. He'd always loved being chosen. It was a great honor and he enjoyed his time with the females very, very much. All he wanted was to have her with him so that he could keep her safe. That was his purpose!

"I have your payment. She is...mine?" It felt strange and wrong to even say those words. The promised bank notes were pulled from a satchel secured at his waist.

[Draconian]

The former Master stared in wide eyed shock at the beast that looked like his Puppy.

Still, confused, a little distrustful, there was a flash of recognition in his eyes because while he wasn't a Gladiator himself, he owned a good number of them. A smirk and he gave Puppy one last grope before he pushed her towards her new master. "Looks like someone of your species found you, Puppy," his voice was silky smooth and his hand lingered on her hip for a moment. A confused look to her master and then to her new master and she just stared at him.

Wide eyed. Shocked. Mouth open. Her heart fluttered slightly and she took a few steps forward, reaching out to curl her hand around his arm and she pressed her cheek to his bicep. He felt warm. And kind. Puppy wasn't sure how someone could feel kind but... A long look at her master and then back to... Master and she pursed her lips before she closed her eyes. This was the one she'd seen in the crowd and she gave a little selfish smile.

"May she give you many strong sons! The ones she spat out for me are doing gloriously," He looked Kartok up and down, smirking, "I guess the height and size thing is a species trait. Those boys are huge, especially mine, boy's got a near fourteen foot wingspan." He gave an uproarious laugh and pocketed the payment, imagining all the new breeders he could buy that would actually do what he bought them for. As fun as Puppy had been, only two children over the course of thirty years hadn't been the most profitable. "I call her Puppy, on account of her big eyes and big ears but... You can name her whatever you like - I don't think she came with one -" He shrugged like it was no big deal and he smirked before shifting his stance and folding his arms over his chest.

"Nice doing business with you," The man said before he turned away, wings tucked tight to his back. Leaving Puppy with Kartok.

A moment and she looked up at him, eyes wide, lower lip caught between her teeth. A glance around the room, they'd been given privacy. Given her set of skills, it was a given Kartok would like to test out his new pet. "Master?" She said, looking up at him studying his features. Every glint of the teal scales made her breath catch and she reached up and gently touched the shell of his ear, eyes wandering down his chest to the gem-like cluster of scales at the base of his throat.

"What are you?" She breathed, fingers trailing over the base of his throat, leaving her hand on his chest. If there was one thing Puppy had no concept of, it was personal space, because she was plastered against his side and already rubbing him down.

[Zero]

Violet eyes narrowed dangerously, the black pupils were predatory slits as they locked onto that groping hand, a soft hiss escaping him despite himself. At least he managed not to let his cheek splits crack open at the gesture. He didn't like the idea of this male touching his pretty Onyx. Of course it was her decision who to allow touching her and who not to, but he disliked the way the male smelled and there was something in his voice that set Kartok on edge.

Her old master was not a very nice male.

He did not like the way the winged thing pushed his Onyx. As she stepped towards him he reached a clawed hand out to her. She wasn't shy at all about coming to him; although he could clearly see the shock on her face. Kartok had half expected her to be hesitant or afraid. Now that she was so close he noticed that she was just on the small end for a female, but still one of the most beautiful he had seen. Onyx were so very rare. Even with the many, many females he had known from his old tribe, she was only the second he'd ever seen!

Kartok couldn't resist the urge to lightly fiddle with one of her long braids. None of the tribe females kept such long hair. It would have been too inconvenient to care for. He still couldn't believe he had finally found one to save. No more being alone.

Honestly he'd wished to forget the other male even existed, but he jerked his head away from admiring the Onyx to glare at her old master as she spoke. Sons spat out for him? A growl vibrated low in his chest at hearing the female's offspring being spoken of that way. Why were her young not with her? Had...had she chosen to breed or had they forced her?

Kartok had been irate when he'd learned females of any species were often forced to breed against their will in slavery.

His nostrils flared and he nearly stepped towards the man menacingly, but thankfully he finally turned and left them.  Having the female on his arm made it impossible for him to lash out anyway, and thank the Fire for that.

Kartok's ears twitched when she called him master, and he looked down at her, violet eyes blinking and wide. Now that he finally had his female he was in awe and unsure what to do first. There was so much that he wished to know about her. His breath caught lightly when she reached up to touch his ear, causing it to twitch again. Oh that felt lovely. So did her slow exploration down his throat to the cluster of scales that was his teal gem.

"We are Kulshedra." He said softly, only a little surprised at the question. She had not acted as if she'd seen one of her own kind before. It was incredibly sad to him. "I am Kartok. Not master."

Kartok brought one of his clawed hands up to lightly stroke one of her beautiful dark ears. They were so long and lovely. It had been so long since he'd seen a female, and this one was beautiful and special. He dropped his hand down to lightly caress her cheek scales.

Then his eyes dropped down her neck to the scar that had replaced her black gem. Those pupils narrowed into slits again and Kartok hissed as he dropped his hand down to lightly run over the scar. Such a wound was almost always fatal. How had she survived losing that? Anger seethed beneath the surface, but he tried to look at her gently. She didn't need to think he was upset with her.

"Your gem is missing. Who hurt you?" He asked softly, eyes now transfixed on the old, but grievous injury.

[Draconian]

Gem?

Puppy tilted her head at him, one ear going up and the other sort of drooping. It was clear she'd come about her 'name' honestly because she blinked wide golden eyes at him and gave a sort of confused pout. The reaction was surprising from him and she gave a simple shrug. She didn't know. It didn't bother her anymore anyway. Still, Puppy rose her hand to place on the back of his and she pulled his hand away to examine it. Her own fingers trailing over his. Well, she felt positively dainty next to this man!

Her own claws had been filed away, leaving blunt useless little objects. They always had been. In fact, Puppy hadn't known she could even have claws. A glance down at her feet and she reached a leg forward to press the side of her foot against Kartoks. Again, she looked small and dainty and the claws were filed down. Another look of wonder up at him and she grinned widely, ears perking up.

An excited noise bubbled up her throat and Puppy jumped up and wrapped her arms around Kartok's neck, arms wrapping around them while her legs wrapped around his waist. Her heart was hammering and she was grinning widely before she nuzzled her cheek in against his and held on tight. "You're like me!" She said, voice perhaps a little loud for how close she was to his ears. Her heart was positively pounding in her ears and she held on.

"When I saw you in the crowd I wanted you," She admitted, leaning back slightly, legs a vice grip around his middle so that even if he tried to pry her off he'd have a decent amount of trouble doing so, "Master!" She paused before she shook her head, "Kartok. I'll be a wonderful pet! I'll give you sons! You won't regret this, I promise. I'll be good," Puppy tucked in tight against his cheek again and she nuzzled against his jaw, leaning back slightly to look at the strange connection of scales on his face.

Loosening an arm slightly, she trailed it with a fingertip, "What's this?" She asked curiously, her finger following the seam of his cheek before she brushed her thumb over his lower lip.

[Zero]

The shrug wasn't really the answer he was looking for, but Kartok couldn't make her tell him; especially if she did not know. It must have happened when she was very young. It was hard to decide if he should be sad or angry for her. For now she seemed unconcerned with anything except touching and examining him, comparing herself to him.

He was content to allow her to do it.

A smile pulled at his lips as he watched her compare their hands and feet. She was quite small and dainty compared to him. Most females were. It was a shame her lovely claws had been filed away, but those could be allowed to regrow. How did they expect her to hunt without claws? Of course some part of him knew that they simply fed her. Hunting wasn't necessary in this strange human society. At least not many hunted that he noticed.

Money could buy food, but these humans ate little meat. Kartok still preferred to hunt his own food.

It caught him by surprise when she jumped up on him, hooking her arms and legs around his body to hold herself up. He couldn't stop a soft purr from coming up at the nuzzling. His arms wrapped around her, holding her up and to him. It was all so unexpected, but he could not deny the enjoyment of receiving affection from a female after so long all alone. His ears folded back at her exclamation that he was like her. It was loud, but he could not fault her excitement. Kartok was very excited too.

His heart raced a little when she said she'd wanted him when she saw him. He shook his head lightly to clear the happiness away. She obviously did not know much about their kind. It was not her choosing him, and she was not in season so he couldn't be chosen anyway. Still it pleased him a little.

Maybe more than a little.

What she said next drew a far more mixed reaction from him. Kartok would love to have offspring with such a beautiful female. It would be a privilege and an honor, but this felt like that thing where they were forced to do it and so he figured his beautiful Onyx thought she had to produce sons for him. Especially after he had heard what the stupid winged male had said.

It was wrong to let her think he expected that from her! Kartok also found it hard to correct her as she nuzzled against his jaw and traced the line of his cheek split. He was still purring.

"That's my cheek split, only male Kulshedra usually have them. Do you want to see?" He asked with a grin that started off normal and slowly grew ferociously wide as he parted his lips and opened his jaws a little bit. Kartok didn't want to frighten her, but gave her a small glimpse of his sharp teeth before closing it again.

[Draconian]

The rumbling caught her off guard and Puppy smiled at it. Was that for her? One hand unhooked from around his neck and moved to press against his throat, while he purred and spoke. The wide inhuman grin caught her a little off guard but it stirred something primal in her. A wiggle of her hips to wrap her legs tighter around him and she drew her fingers over the seam on his cheeks before she leaned back to look at his face. A little tilt of her head while she examined his features, her hand trailing over his ear, fingertips at the scales on his cheek, her thumb over his lips.

"Kartok," she said firmly, reminding herself that was his name.

Puppy sighed happily at him before she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Her hands moved to his cheeks when she introduced his tongue and she curled her legs tighter around him. Surely he bought her because they were the same. Which made her heart soar and she put every bit of neediness and eagerness to please into it before she finally pulled away, flushed, eyes wide and smiling. "I'm happy," She breathed against his lips before she moved her hands to his shoulders to uncurl her legs from him and slide down his body so she could stand.

Taking a moment to rearrange the sheer fabric, Puppy looked up at him and moved to his side again, taking his hand in both of hers and curling their fingers together. Marveling at how alike they looked and how different. The black scales and the teal. A little wag of her tail and she nuzzled against his bicep. "Do we have a home?" She asked looking up at him, ears perked up and smiling, "Do you have a family?" Another wag of her tail and she held his hand to her chest and then she paused, eyes trailing from his hand pressed to her breasts to his shoulder, his neck and finally his face.

"Kartok," she said, voice soft and she gave another wiggle of her tail and her ears were up and perky, "I'm excited to be yours," she said honestly grinning.

[Zero]

Kartok was happy to allow her the curious exploration, purring a little harder as she pressed her hand against his throat to feel it. He was happy on principle. Here he was, finally with a female that he could protect. It was the realization of his goal and purpose, which meant it was perfect. Even if the feeling of her fingers running over his ear caused him to shiver pleasantly.

Of course the curious way she trailed her fingers all along his face and cheeks seemed innocent and almost childish to him. The wiggling of her hips felt decidedly less so, and when her lips pressed against his Kartok's eyes grew wide. He could feel her tightening her hold around his waist, refusing to let go of him in that moment. It was strange to feel trapped by a female as her tongue slid across his lips. The kiss had caught him very off-guard, but he should have known that she would not understand. She was not tribe Kulshedra.

It was a great relief when she broke the kiss. Kartok had stopped purring, instead he swallowed thickly, eyes still large and unsure what to do. At least she was happy! He on the other hand, squirmed uncomfortably.

Still grappling with how to handle the situation, Kartok could only watch her slide back down to her own two feet and straighten her sheer outfit.

"We have a home. It is not very fancy." He said, eyeing her a little warily now that she was clinging to his arm again. At least that was safer. Kartok's chest clenched painfully when she asked about family, though. He had a family. His tribe had been his family. There were two offspring left behind, one a female grown, and the other he thought would be entering her first season soon. "I lived alone, until now."

His heart nearly burst at the next thing she said, and he squeezed her hand. Of course she did not know how any of that worked. "Onyx...Puppy? You don't have to be mine. I would never force you to give me affection or breed you against your will. I am going to protect you and take care of you. No one will ever hurt you again."

Violet eyes had flickered unconsciously to the scar on her chest. "Let's go home. We can get to know each other and I can tell you all about our people."

[Draconian]

There was a strange sense of calm.

Puppy's breath caught in her throat and she looked up at Kartok, eyes searching his for lies. Lies and deceit and false words and... The words he spoke made a lump in her throat and she nodded at him, smiling slightly. A kiss was pressed to his bicep as a form of thanks before she snuggled her cheek against him and closed her eyes for a moment. A home. Not just... A place. Not just a master.

Of course, his words confused her a little. Why buy her if it wasn't to gain affection or breed her? Didn't he want her? Puppy looked away for a moment before chewing on her lower lip and looked over to the side for a moment. He wanted to protect her and take care of her. Which, while always a thing that had happened for her, was an odd combination. He wanted to take care of her and protect her but he didn't demand her affection or use her for children? 

Finally, when they were on their way, Puppy cling to Kartok's side, she tried to match his steps but she fell short so each step of his was two for her and she had to almost rush to keep beside him. Of course there were stares. As common as her being completely naked underneath the sheer fabric was on the slave block, it was the tiniest bit provocative on the common streets and a number of eyes were glued to her while they walked.

Puppy kept her gaze up, looking at all the things. While she'd lived in Essyrn almost her whole life she'd rarely, if ever, left her master's home. A few times to sit on his lap during Gladiator fights but other than that she was left at home. "Kartok," Her voice was soft and she clung to his arm while they walked, "I want what you want," She finally said smiling up at him, honesty in her voice.

"I want to be yours," she confirmed again and then paused, looking at his tail before she turned to look at her own, swaying while they walked. Had her tail always been so short? Was it supposed to be longer? "Except for my tail being smaller, we're the same!" Another gleeful smile and she paused before she sighed and gave his arm a tug, "I'm hungry. When do we eat?"

[Zero]

Of course Kartok knew that it probably sounded strange to her. She seemed to be very much an enslaved female. Her thoughts were all distorted by her captivity. It was something he had known could be likely. He also knew that he'd just have to try to teach her that she was a Kulshedra and a female to be protected and cherished, not used. With time surely she would learn that he was not like the non-Kulshedra males she had known so far in her life.

Frustratingly his lips still tingled from the kiss as they walked. Her legs were shorter than his, and he tried not to drag her or force her to jog, slowing his pace whenever he realized he'd begun moving too quickly for the significantly smaller female. She hadn't really spoken since he'd told her his intentions, and he worried.

He'd caught some of the gazes staring at her naked form and scowled softly. They were looking at his Onyx. They'd have to get her slightly less sheer and revealing clothes – if she wanted them. Perhaps she liked getting those looks. His tail flickered in slight agitation at the thought.

When she finally did say something he blinked and tilted his head down to look at her. "I want you to be safe and happy." He said slowly, as if that should have been obvious. His brow furrowed softly and he sighed. "In the tribe we do not have Mines. It is considered selfish. We're not in a tribe, but...it is complicated."

A Mine was a female that he caught the scent of and would drive him insane with love and desire. At least that's what he was always told. He'd always been overprotective and violent, they'd worried he would be far worse if he ever found the female that held a scent with that much control over his instincts to claim and defend. Kartok was a little worried of what a female like that could do to him, but now that there was no tribe to tell him no, and he had no one, well the idea of a Mine was kind of appealing.

A female that was all his forever...

He shook his head and smiled down at her gently. "What would you like to eat? And...what would you like to be called? In a tribe we don't have names unless we earn them. Before I got my name I was just my title. I was just Teal. You would be Onyx. Normally an elder would give you your name – when you had your first young in your case. I can call you...Puppy, if you want, but since there is no elder you could choose your own name if you liked."

[Draconian]

Mine?

Puppy frowned slightly. What was that? Though the idea trailed off in her head and she looked up at his pretty violet eyes with her yellow ones. A lingering look at his lips and she licked her own. She found that she wanted to kiss him again. Wanted to do much more with him, the longer she looked at his body. Her eyes lingered on his mid drift and she finally eyed his hips. Would he be good to her? He seemed so focused on her feeling safe and happy so far... Puppy had a number of lovers, willing and unwilling, in her life but...

She'd never been close to someone like her. Mentally or physically.

Every time he spoke he had her attention, eyes on his mouth, watching his throat. Watching how his face moving made the sun glint off his scales differently.

"Called?" She blinked at him widely, looking confused before she shrugged, "I... Was just called Puppy," Her mind, instead of being consumed by how hungry she was turned to think of her name. Did she like Puppy? Onyx? A few memories of the name but she frowned because they made her chest ache and she nuzzled into Kartok's arm and thought. "I'm not hungry anymore," she decided, feeling the strange emptiness at the name Onyx.

Was she sick?

Puppy sighed against his arm and closed her eyes, frowning. "You could name me," She said voice soft, looking up at Kartok before she sighed and looked back down. The stares were going mostly unnoticed but she daringly made eye contact with one of the men staring at her as he walked passed. He ducked his head down and blushed. "Can we just go home? We can cuddle and sleep until night time when it's cooler."

[Zero]

Kartok noticed her fixation, the way she examined his body and watched his face. It made him want to squirm. Normally females only looked at him in such a way when they were in season. That was when such attention was appropriate and right. He wished that he could ignore it. Stubbornly he tried to. She had a lovely body, so soft and with rounded feminine attributes not typical to the women of his tribe. Wanting her would be selfish and wrong of him, though. If he produced a young with her now the pregnancy would be short and the baby small – if it lived to be born at all.

She didn't know any better.

His ears folded back and his expression fell when she said she wasn't hungry anymore. What was wrong? He raised his free arm and gently placed it on the top of her head, trying to be comforting to her confusion. Kartok stroked her hair gently when she suggested that he could name her. He'd never named someone before. It seemed like a great responsibility to him.

Dropping his hand lower he cupped her cheek, thumb caressing her scales lightly as he tilted her head up to look at him. She was very beautiful. "I am not sure what I would name you. I've never named anyone before. I don't want to give you a name you won't be proud of or like."

To be named was an honor, after all.

"Let's go home; we'll worry about it later." For now the day was hot and he agreed with her desire to sleep until the evening made everything cool and pleasant again. Maybe her appetite would return then.

Kartok turned and, with an arm around her to gently guide her, led the way to his home. Gladiators that were not slaves commonly lived in the district. The house was not particularly large, he had not wanted to waste too much of his earnings on it while saving for his purpose, but it was comfortable in size for him – and should accommodate at least an extra Kulshedra or three.

He let her go once they were inside, gesturing around with a smile of pride at what he had accomplished all by himself. "Welcome home. I know it is not fancy, but I will make it better for you."

[Draconian]

The little touches helped ease the feeling of emptiness at her... Name. Lack of name. Her fingers brushed the scar tissue at her throat and she looked at his neck, resting her hand on his chest while he guided her along. The walk was a bit of sensory overload for Puppy. Having never really experienced the area in the past thirty years, she looked at everything. Ears were waving back and forth at all the sounds, perking up and pinning back.

When she wasn't paying attention, she was very expressive and she let Kartok guide her along. The sight of grilled snake caught her attention and she stared at it, frowning slightly before he guided her far enough away that she couldn't see it anymore. Master had had a half snake slave many years ago and when she didn't produce an interesting looking gladiator from that union she'd never seen him again. Puppy supposed that, if he was to be grilled, there would be a lot more meat.

Finally, the interesting sights and sounds were gone and she looked to Kartok and looked back to his home. It was a far cry from the palace she was used to. The indoor fountain with the watermage constantly beside it to make sure it stayed in the intricate design he'd demanding. Puppy nuzzled into Kartok's arm before she smiled up at him.

This was her home now.

Which meant that the outfit could be done with.

Before he'd even shut his door, Puppy pushed the sheer outfit off - more of a poncho than an outfit - and off to the side. Arms were pushed high above her head and she went on her tiptoes to stretch. "It's wonderful," She said simply, looking around, trailing her hand along the wall while she walked, leaving her pile of Sort Of Clothing behind.

It smelled like him and she closed her eyes and gave a low humming purr, smiling ever so slightly. Puppy let herself be at home, poking her head around and going through his things. Finally though, she found where he slept and she kneeled down on it before flopping onto her back and holding her arms up and out. "Sleep with me," She pleaded, wiggling her fingers impatiently, "I can fix it if you're not tired."

[Zero]

It wasn't that Puppy had no name, just that Kartok did not know if it was a name she really wanted. He had been trying to make her feel better, not to upset her. They just had to get used to each other, and they had all the time in the world for that.

The sights and sounds were all familiar and not particularly interesting to him, but he walked the city streets frequently; mostly to and from home and either the Coliseum or the Market where he had found and purchased Puppy. On any normal day Kartok was used to drawing a few looks. He was huge and could be intimidating to some. It never bothered him. Except today he didn't like it. They weren't staring at his size; they were looking at the female beside him and looking through her sheer outfit.

An outfit she promptly discarded once they were home. Kartok purred in appreciation as he watched her stretch. It was good for her to make herself comfortable and at home. That made him happy.

"It's plain, but you can help make it better now." He practically chirped as he watched her begin exploring. It really was a simple house, small next to a palace but a decent size for someone not intent on a hugely luxurious lifestyle. Furnishings were sparse, mostly lounging cushions in the main room, and empty bedrooms not yet occupied. There was a sort of dining table, though it was low to the ground and meant to be eaten at from cushions on the floor.

Kartok unhooked the satchel from his waist, discarding it next to her sheer outfit, and then dropped the sarong in the pile as well. Nakedness was more natural to him than the coverings and Puppy seemed unconcerned with being naked in front of him.

Feeling far more relaxed, he trailed behind her. She found his bedroom with little trouble. There was a soft mattress on the floor, but it was overshadowed by the large quantity of pillows, cushions, and blankets that also covered the bed. It was practically a nest, which was the entire idea. It was funny to see her lay down and hold her arms out like that; although the request wasn't quite as funny.

Fix it if he wasn't tired?

"I told you, Puppy. You don't have to do those things anymore." Not unless she was in season and wanted to, and even then only with males she chose. Despite that, he moved to the bed and crawled in beside her. There was nothing forbidding him from snuggling with her if she wanted that. His tail draped over her legs as he wrapped her up in his arms and nuzzled against her hair. She smelled so good.

[Draconian]

"But..." she started, Puppy stared at him pouting a little though quickly grew somewhat content when he layed down with her and curled his arms around her. Still. He didnt want anything? Was she ugly?

Leaning back slightly she moved her hand to press against his chest, blunt nails scratching over the scales. Slowly, it drew down, her hand smoothed over his side until her plam rested on his hip and finally she gave his side a little squeeze and licked her lips.

Puppy looked down at him, head tilted. When he had walked into he room naked she'd been staring at his face. Still enchanted with the teal scales she just looked back at his face. "Don't you want me?" Her voice was a hush before she turned so her back was to his chest, her hands moves to his hands before she put then where she wanted them.

Which were less than appropriate places for strangers.

Puppy squished her back against him, wriggling her tail over his hip, took one hand, curled it over her breasts and tucked his other hand between her thighs. "There," she announced, snuggling back and closing her eyes, "I am comfortable."

[Zero]

It made him tingle pleasantly everywhere her hand touched. After years alone he'd come to sorely miss contact with another of his own kind. Out of desperation he'd gone so far as to seek companionship with humans, but it never felt quite right. Cuddling, affection, and breeding with non-Kulshedra just didn't feel quite right. Not for him. He'd heard some did it, though.

Kartok hadn't bought Puppy for that though. Well, not entirely true. Of course he was desperate for companionship from his own kind, but the thought of breeding again, while pleasant, wasn't that important. He felt himself purring again softly by the time she squeezed his hip. It had surprised him how very open, forward, and affectionate she was. Few females were quite so touchy among the tribe, even when in season and it was appropriate and expected for them to take mates.

It felt strange and poorly timed, but he was enjoying it all the same. Affection and cuddles were surely harmless. They were only two, after all. How could it be selfish when there were no other males or females to become jealous with and fight over?

What a question for her to ask. Kartok made a soft, distressed sound in his throat as she turned in his arms. Any response died in his throat as her back wiggled and pressed against his front. The places she pulled his hands to rest made him swallow, violet eyes bulging slightly. Involuntarily his tail wrapped around hers as much as it could.

Kartok was rather frozen in that moment. She said she was comfortable. Would it upset her if he moved his hands or pulled away? Somehow he thought it might. Was it wrong if they were just resting and sleeping like that?

He swallowed again before letting out a soft, frustrated whine. "It isn't as simple as wanting or not wanting. You're not in season."

Laying there with his body firmly curled around hers and his hands in such intimate places, the large male felt rather vulnerable and helpless against her. Kartok pouted against her hair, where his nose was unwittingly buried as he breathed in her scent deeply. She smelled so good. It was unfair how good! It was almost torturous to be so close and know that he couldn't have her because it was selfish.

[Draconian]

Puppy could feel how tense Kartok was against her back and she gave a sly little smile, glancing at him over her shoulder. A little wriggle of her hips to tease him but then she stilled. Season?

"Not..." Puppy let go of his arms before she rolled over, propping herself up on an arm to look at him and idly trace the gem like scales at his collar bone. "What does 'in season' mean?" Her voice was soft and she traced where the scales met flesh before dipping in and giving the shiny teal gem a kiss.

Interesting.

Would she have been worth more of she had hers? Judging by the scar she'd had to have had one at one point.  Snuggling her head under his chin, she threw a leg over his hips and curled an arm around her chest. "Do you not want me because it's so warm? We can wait for night time - even though that isnt a season." Not that Essyrn really had much in the way of seasons.

Even if he didnt want her, he was still great for cuddling.

[Zero]

Even Kartok could not have described the sound he made as her hips wiggled teasingly against him, it was low and somewhere between a growl and a moan. Why did she torture him like this? It was always the same answer, of course, because she didn't know any better. Every time she asked a question about something obvious to him he was reminded that she was raised so absolutely different from a normal Kulshedra.

She didn't even understand her own biology.

A soft huff of breath escaped him as she rolled over to face him once again, letting out a short purr as her lips brushed against the teal cluster at his throat. An older female, her mother or the Elder, should have been the one to explain all this.

He let her adjust herself until she was comfortable, his leg slid between hers easily as she threw hers over his hip and Kartok moved his arms around her again, one resting at her lower back just above her tail and the other pressing gently against her shoulders as he hugged her to his chest. It was warm having her there, with her head nestled beneath his chin. Given the heat of Essyrn it should have been more uncomfortable than it was.

"It doesn't have anything to do with the temperature. A female goes into season when her body is most ready to produce young. During a season is when it is safe to try to breed. The young will be healthy and strong." Kartok's cheeks were heated as he tried to explain it to her. "If a female gets pregnant out of season it lasts much shorter and the baby is smaller and weaker because her body was not ready."

He nuzzled the top of her head softly, sighing with only a little regret. "I want you, but it isn't the right time to mate with you. Doing so would be...selfish of me."

And her, but he didn't want to make her feel bad for her desires. It wasn't like Kartok didn't feel a deep attraction to her – she was a beautiful female – but life with the tribe had taught and conditioned him to suppress his desires as best he could unless the time was right and the female willing. Puppy seemed willing enough, but the timing...

[Draconian]

A curious tilt of her head while she listened to Kartok. Puppy gave a curioua tilt of her head, one black scaled ear perking up. So many questions had been answered and she hadn't even realized she'd wanted to know why. A surprised little look up at Kartok and she frowned for a moment. Remembering.

"Shorter?" Her voice was small, remembering. It was so long ago. Her hand moved from Kartok's chest and she pressed her hand to her belly. "He was so small," Puppy whispered, a far away look on her face before she sighed and pressed her face to Kartok's chest.

"Is that true?" Puppy breathed, "This season thing? My first... He was so tiny. He didn't come out alive... had such lovely blue scales," Puppy swallowed and moved her hand to his leg, tracing the scales on his thigh and then touching his hip again.  Puppy closed her eyes and curled her arm around his chest.

"My other children..." Puppy shook her head, "I didn't get to see them.  But i hear they're alive... Master wanted more from me but..." She frowned and looked away, shame on her cheeks before she curled in closer to him, "I couldn't. That's why he sold me," Closing her eyes she smoothed her hand up and down his back.

Puppy sighed and moved closer to him, pressing their hips together, "how is it selfish if there is only  me and you?" She asked curiously against his neck, finding herself very comfortable.

[Zero]

Kartok's ears folded back and his expression fell drastically. Just the way she said it, the way she pressed her hand against her stomach for a moment, he felt a pang in his heart. She'd been breed out of season and lost her first little one. That was so sad. To lose your offspring was the greatest pain one could experience. He had always thanked the Fire that his young were born healthy and strong, with their mothers being sturdy and healthy as well.

"Yes, it's true." He felt so bad for her he barely noticed the way her fingers played along the scales on his thigh and hip.

Violet eyes narrowed when she looked ashamed at being unable to produce more offspring for her master to steal from her. He brought one hand up to cup her face, tilting her chin up so that he could press a soft kiss to her forehead. It was a tender gesture. "That was not your fault, and he should not have made you have any to begin with. Kulshedra are not very good breeders. Our females only go into season once a year at most, and most years they are unsuccessful in producing young. You have had three already."

A soft whimper escaped him as she pressed their hips together, his arms moved back around her and he stroked one hand down her back soothingly as he adjusted his hips slightly so that things were not pressing together. "Selfish because the pregnancy will be harder on the mother. She would be under undue stress and need greater care. The baby would be born small and weaker. It is considered selfish to put the offspring and female at risk just to sate desires."

Kartok sighed and nuzzled against her ear. "It does happen, but it is rare and frowned upon."