The traces left by Belga on the skin still faintly ached, gradually warming up, verging on scalding. Coral was almost contorted in indulgence, immersed in the sensations of pain and the warmth that provided him satisfaction. No one could have imagined that, in what seemed like a straightforward relationship, he was the one dominating the emotions and future of the two, wasn't he? He indulged and allowed every attempt by Belga, skillfully guiding the Therialthrope into his emotional trap, making it impossible for him to escape. Until both abandoned reason and the constraints of society, leaving only each other to revel in the experience.
Like the velvet vines on the rosa banksiae, emotions tightly entwined, the connection thrives solely on the love of each other, exuding an endless vitality."What if Belga and I were eternally entwined?" pondered 19-year-old Coral. The notion carried a sense of bliss, yet also seemed to bear the weight of both joy and the subtle ache of potential burden.
"If Belga and I were entwined forever?" Coral pondered. The concept carried a sense of happiness but also seemed to bear the subtle pain of joy and potential burden.
"What appears to be a comfortable feeling of love may become agonizing with time," whispered Coral. "But it's such a shame to find I cannot even live without Belga’s ardent desire. He dares not set me aside anymore; even just a fleeting thought is unforgiven!"
To be honest, like an intuition, as if from a long time ago, Coral has vaguely sensed something different about Belga. Whether it's his mysterious animal form or the underlying worry that Coral has about Belga eventually leaving the cold land. These layers of unknowns pile up, swaying and crowding Coral's heart, like an old mine on the verge of collapse, compelling Coral to impulsively seek an emotional outlet, to probe, to stimulate the other's feelings.
'I'm probably an exceptionally bad brother,' Coral sighed, thinking, 'But Belga is an equally mischievous little brother. He's a heart-stealing thief, secretly causing mischief. I'm much more straightforward; I snatch openly! If anybody doesn't know that truth I will spit it out to him! Belga belongs to me, only me!'
Coral slept in this brief tranquility, reminiscent of childhood. The world around him hushed to a whisper, embracing him in the timeless serenity of dreams.
Unbeknownst to anyone, it's been a whole year since Little Coal Nugget joined our family! The mischievous wizard, Little Coral, has gradually gotten used to his silent little sidekick trailing behind him. They eat together, bathe together, sleep together—Coral even has a personal bathroom shadow in the form of Little Coal Nugget! Hmph, that's because Coral is truly a great big brother! Coral thought triumphantly.
Although his little Coal Nugget completely ignores him, doing his own thing and following Coral around, staring at him—it's hard not to find this little rascal brother endearing after spending enough time with him. However, why is it that, unlike other kids his age, his brother's animal form always has his tail hanging low? Is he unhappy? With his own cloud-like fluffy curled tail, Little Coral, along with his brother, was planning to scare the chickens at home. But they were stopped by Mom and Dad, who called them to put on their coats.
Little Coral, full of curiosity, asked Mom, 'Mom! Where are we going?' His parents, avoiding the real reason, mumbled, 'We're just going out for a stroll, maybe to get some treats for Coral and his little brother!' The Chowchow therianthrope couple didn't dare reveal the truth about the vaccination. Little Coa would surely make a fuss and refuse to go if he found out. But it's flu season, and the little therianthropes must get vaccinated! So, a strategic detour was taken. First, they'd lure the child out, and then buy some treats and candies to sweeten the deal.
Thus, the whole family charged towards the hospital. By the time Little Coral figured it out, he was already being led into the pediatric room to face the looming needles alone.
The mischievous wizard, Little Coral, couldn't handle this at all! At the sight of the large needle, his legs turned to jelly, and he began to cry out and scream for help, calling for Mom, Dad, and his little brother, Belga. The wailing echoed outside the examination room, and the Chowchow therianthrope couple shook their heads helplessly. Every time they took Coral for a shot, it turned into this grand performance. Judging by the volume this time, Chowchow therianthrope Megatron knew their secret stash was likely going to be emptied to buy treats to pacify Little Coral.
So, the couple calmly sat in their chairs, silently tallying how much 'comfort money' they'd have to spend this time. Meanwhile, Little Belga's pupils contracted anxiously, and he rushed to find his big brother. He even transformed back into his animal form, bolting towards the examination room, crashing through the door. Seeing the adorable little dog, tears streaming down his face, about to get a shot, Belga, for the first time, bared his fangs fiercely and lunged at the doctor, aiming for the little leg with a fierce 'Awoo.'
As the beasts rushed into the examination room, the one howling in pain was not Little Coral but the doctor wielding the needle. Little Coral was still lying on the bed, whimpering softly, while the doctor, still crying, prepared to continue the injection. No one expected this unidentified creature to have such terrifying biting force and to stubbornly refuse to let go. It wasn't until Little Coral, who was waiting for the injection, cried and assured everyone that he would be fine, urging his brother to release, that Belga stopped tearing. It was almost as if he was a wolf ruling the continent of therianthropes in ancient times, persistently frightening. Staring fixedly at his brother, who was sobbing softly, he uttered, 'Coral, don't be afraid.' Everyone was astonished. This was the first time Belga had spoken in a long while, all for the sake of his beloved brother. Little Coral was also stunned, as if afraid that his brother would worry about him again. From then on, he never cried again during injections.
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Chowchow therianthropic couple's consolation fee went significantly over budget, a substantial part of which went to medical expenses for the doctor. However, their feelings at this moment were exceedingly complex. They carried a mix of guilt towards the doctor and their little sons, along with the joy that Belga had finally spoken. They took their sons to the best restaurant in town to celebrate, and little Coral was ecstatic, clapping his hands and cheering. Only Belga silently followed little Coral, watching him cheerfully, softly calling, 'Coral,' like the palpitations one feels when seeing the full moon at night.
The maiden of autumn breeze at the border, the distant sound of a flute echoes. Sporadic warfare is stirred by the desolate wild wind, escalating along with the famine and decay at the border until urgent news of the war crisis reaches the royal court, adding another crack to the already crumbling imperial authority.
The flames of calamity spread, and all beings lament.
'In the name of the Radiant Goddess Viola', a tender child's voice pleaded with Raymond De Redwood, 'For the sake of kindness, benevolent one, I implore you, please be merciful and provide some sustenance.' The small and frail beggar, covered in layers of dirt as if smeared with mud and water paste, wore a makeshift garment that barely concealed his body. His hair, untouched by regular cleaning, formed irregular knots, but beneath the disarray, a pair of shiny eyes could be discerned. Despite the chaos, an innocent and clever glint remained, filled with hope and longing, as if convinced that Raymond De Redwood would be willing to offer something to fill his hungry stomach.
Touched by the pitiful child's gaze, Raymond De Redwood reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of dried sausage, along with a few stale bread crusts, which he handed to the young beggar.
In truth, Raymond De Redwood genuinely wished to provide a good meal for this pitiful, small child. However, he was not particular about food and believed that as long as it filled the stomach, it sufficed. Hence, he could only manage to offer these dry and basic provisions. Yet, in the war-torn region of Autumn Breeze, these simple offerings were already considered precious delicacies. The young beggar widened his eyes in astonishment, gazing at Raymond De Redwood with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
'Mister, is this truly for me?' he asked, his voice trembling with excitement. However, after the initial euphoria settled, he sighed and shook his head. 'Sir, I appreciate your kindness immensely, but these are too precious. I cannot greedily accept your generosity.'
So, the young beggar, suppressing his hunger, cautiously took the smallest piece of dry bread from Raymond De Redwood's hands. He profusely thanked this generous benefactor, although his gaze remained fixed on the smoked sausage in Raymond's hand, forcefully controlling himself to not overstep bounds. Raymond De Redwood, feeling a pang of emotion, noticed the beggar's feet, swollen and reddened from the cold, covered only by withered grass instead of proper shoes. Yet, despite this, the beggar adhered to his principles.
Raymond De Redwood's already wavering conscience succumbed further. He handed all the food to the beggar, pulling out ten copper coins from his pocket and handing them over with a smile. 'Don't hesitate. These are all for you, the money too. Take them and use them as you see fit.'
Raymond De Redwood, who had occasionally done good deeds, walked happily humming a tune towards a distant inn. In a place unnoticed by him, the timid and respectful beggar he had helped just now instantly changed his demeanor, sporting a face full of disdain. 'Pah, pretending to be a respectable wealthy person for a mere ten copper coins, even the bread he handed out was stale. I wasted my time setting my sights on you!
The little beggar straightened his back and, with an air of nonchalance, headed towards the graveyard near the Temple of Light, in the opposite direction. After traversing several rugged alleys and passing through two bridge tunnels, the surroundings suddenly opened up. He ran all the way to the northernmost wall of the graveyard. Carefully lifting a heap of dog-tail grass that had accumulated beneath the wall, revealing a hole just big enough for a person to pass through. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, he stealthily entered the graveyard, sliding into a not too small underground space beneath a small altar tucked in a corner.
Proficiently lighting a candle for himself, pouring a cup of clean water, and taking out dried sausages and dry bread, the little beggar indulged in a feast. He ate and drank contentedly, surrounded by the underground silence of the graveyard.
After a satisfying meal, he remembered the generosity of Raymond De Redwood, who had given him food and money that day. A rush of emotions surged within him, 'Well, you adults just use us as a backdrop to showcase your kindness and generosity. How many of you are genuinely kind? None! You should all be offered as sacrifices to the god of light, Viola!' The little beggar became somewhat irritable, but thinking of Raymond De Redwood's genuine concern for him, he softened a bit. 'Except for that pretentious good guy today. Until he gives me something tasty again, he's spared from being sacrificed.' The little beggar thought with a touch of satisfaction. He took more substantial bites of the dried sausage, savoring the remnants in his mouth as if they had become even more delicious.
Speaking of sacrifices, the little beggar couldn't help but shiver involuntarily. He recalled that day in the graveyard, witnessing those people referred to as the 'gifts of the gods' with a trance-like smile walking towards the underground tunnel of the main altar. Yet, not a single person came out again. Every night, one could hear loud sacrificial songs and prayer speeches from the altar. However, amidst those sounds, he didn't miss hearing the piercing, repeated cries of extreme agony... and the eerie and grotesque body of the High Priest concealed under the red sacrificial robe. The little beggar dared not dwell further on it. What kind of entity was this ancient deity that blessed their autumn-borderlands?
Meanwhile, something inexplicable occurred as Raymond De Redwood enjoyed oak-root beer at the tavern.