The Journey

Epilog

Will A. Sanborn

12/11/94

We'd been traveling for six days now and would probably reach that town in another day or two. Having lost everything we had back in the cave, we'd spent this part of the journey going "au naturale," not that I minded it all that much. The weather was warm and comfortable during the day, the gentle breezes feeling nice blowing through my fur. At night it was a little cool, especially with out any bedding, but cuddling together we managed to keep warm and comfortable.

It was nice getting to look at her beautiful body all day long too, and she seemed to be enjoying the views I'd give her. We'd been more leisurely coming back, our minds finally carefree, taking plenty of time out for relaxation and play.

When we do finally reach town, we're going to make quite a spectacle, two fully grown, and rather attractive, felenzi walking into town without a stitch of clothing, and no possessions to their names. We shouldn't have much trouble from the towns folk though, given our proficiency with magic and all, they should find us quite an impressive couple. I'm sure we can wrangle some clothing and a night's stay in the inn from somebody.

Speaking of magic, as a result with our dealings with the dracmars, our talents had been increased. Forced to deal with the increased energy levels, our powers had been stretched to the limits, giving us the ability to better use our skills. Of course, no longer surrounded by the artificially high levels of background energy, we weren't nearly as powerful as we'd been back in the cave. Still however, we'd come away from it being able to better use the energy we now had available to us, making us both better mages.

Marissa had joked about showing off her new powers to the magic-users' guild back in the city, she may even do it too; boy would that be fun to watch. Once we get back to her home town, we'll have a pretty good life for us, since they can easily use another mage around. I've also been toying with the idea of doing some scientific and engineering work. Their technology is at the point where I could come up with lots of useful things to help them out. Applying my knowledge in this way really piques my interest, and should be very fun and rewarding.

Thinking over the events of our adventure, it certainly had been strange indeed. Even with all we'd faced, it had certainly been interesting, although I wish we could have had a chance to talk with the dracmars more, learning from them. If we hadn't gotten messed up with them, things might never have worked out the way they did, but everything ended up fairly well, and given a chance to do it over again, I don't think I'd turn away from this adventure.

Watching breakfast slowly roasting on a makeshift spit above our fire, I sniff deeply, letting the delicious aroma of cooking pantouka meat fill my senses, as my mouth begins to water in anticipation. Licking my muzzle, I turn to look at Marissa sitting near me, smiling warmly at her, familiar emotions stirring up within me.

We'd been mates for close to three weeks now. The first week when I'd been a human, it was wonderful and exotic to be bedding with a felenzi, especially one as beautiful as her. It had not been all physical though, and we had grown very close in that short time, so close I'd worried what I was going to when this journey was over and it would be time for me to return back to my home on Earth.

All that had changed when we'd stumbled on the dracmars' subterranean lair though, transformed into a felenzi by fooling with their equipment. It had been hard to deal with at first, having my body change so drastically, even to one that was rather strong and handsome. Marissa had been there for me though, as both a lover and a friend, and over the past several days, she'd helped me make the adjustments.

There were still times when it felt strange to not consider myself human, even though my mind was basically the same. It was strange at times to feel my new felenzi instincts kick in, clouding out some of my rational thoughts during intense situations, but I was becoming accustomed to this. I'm still able to keep myself in control during these times, and having gotten through the first few occurrences, this no longer scares me; in fact, it's sort of neat to experience almost total animal drives, especially during hunting or mating.

Mating had been my first experience, and after the dracmars released us to leave for their own world, she'd taken me hunting. Having long ago gotten used to the idea of hunting our meals, I was anxious to try it for myself. The first couple of times, I'd been rather unskilled, and several potential meals had gotten away from us.

She was a patient teacher though, and smiling at my laughable failures, she gently showed me how to stalk the animals, waiting until the perfect moment to pounce, screaming and leaping on the cornered beasts. My first kill had been totally exhilarating, feeling the adrenaline pumping through me; it was a definite high. I'd been so excited and had ripped into it, tearing into its flesh with my claws and teeth; getting quite bloody in the process, and mangling the kill somewhat.

Watching my antics, she'd laughed when I finally regained some of my senses and saw what a mess I'd made. Warmed by this, I'd dropped the pantouka, and had jumped on her, pinning her playfully to the ground. This of course had resulted in a short wrestling match, which had naturally progressed into a heated round or two of mating.

Afterwards, I was a little shocked by my wild actions, but she assured me there was nothing to feel bad about, and had kissed away the turmoil, hugging the embarrassment out of me. In the end, it had only delayed breakfast, gotten us a little messy, and caused the need for both of us to bathe one another thoroughly in the deep, cool stream; nothing which was really all that bad.

Since then, I'd gotten used to the hunting state of mind, much like the impulses I'd had when we'd fought the dracmars, and had gained a little more control over it. Now I could use it to my advantage, and enjoy it thoroughly, but keep myself from going berserk. Getting used to everything, it was really interesting, and I think I've become quite accustomed to this new body and way of life.

Without our food supplies, we'd been forced to hunt for every meal, which took a little more time, but I didn't mind. I'd grown quite fond of hunting, enjoying the thrilling sensations it gave me.

Occasionally I'd still have sad, fleeting thoughts, or weird dreams at night, but Marissa was there to help me through these times. Ever since then I'd felt us growing closer together, until we had become perfect mates for one another; thoroughly absorbed in each other's lives. I'd never known somebody with whom I was so completely connected with, both physically and emotionally.

I'd thought things through, and I truly do love her, wanting to be with her for the rest of our lives. I never did get the chance to find out if the transformation was reversible or not, but even now, if offered the chance to be human again, I don't think I'd take it; I care about her too much to leave her.

Because of this, I'd decided to stay with her, living here with her, staying as her mate, and raising our children. From the way we'd mated after I'd first changed into a felenzi, her being fully in heat, it was almost certain that she was carrying a child. By the end of the year, we would have a squirming little furball to call our own.

The prospect of parenthood still scares me, but at the same time, its possibilities thrill me to no end. Thinking of becoming a daddy makes me smile, and there is no one else in the universe whom I'd rather share the experience with. I'm still a little homesick for Earth, but when we get home, we're planning on bringing a few close friends and family members here for a short stay, explaining the situation with them, and sharing our joy. That will probably be the last time I'll be able to see any of them, and that still makes me cry sometimes, but again she's been there for me, and I know we'll have a happy life together.

'My what a long strange trip it's been,' smiling to myself. Then thinking of children, I'm reminded of the circumstances which led up to our child's conception. Locked together, in that small chamber, her wonderful, overpowering scent had driven me crazy, drunk with my desire for her. Finally after trying to control my urges, I'd been overcome by them, approaching her, using my own natural scent to gently convince her; she'd been quick to come around and had been quite happy to play with me.

Purring softly to myself, I remember the events of those many rounds of loving. We'd spent a few days like that, doing nothing more than eating, sleeping and mating, and not in that order mind you. It had been wonderful, feeling passions on an almost animal level, lost in each others scents, pleasuring one another completely.

The time had past in a blur of wonderful sensations and passions, leaving us fully spent, lying there holding each other, basking in the glorious afterglow. Recalling what I can of it still puts a smile on my muzzle, warming me to the very core.

That had been my first mating experience as a felenzi, and it was the most intense and wonderful thing that had ever happened to me. Even though my memory of the events was somewhat clouded, it had left me with a wonderful feeling of fulfillment, and what I could remember was very wonderful indeed. When we are ready for our next child, I am thoroughly looking forward to another such bout.

As for now, our sex life was extremely satisfying. I'd found that by washing thoroughly, I could remove enough of my scent for awhile that it wouldn't totally affect her like a normal male's scent would. I'd also found I have some control over the scent glands, and can somewhat suppress them; of course, whenever I get really excited they'll start to leak my pheromones. Still, as long as I don't keep my hand near her nose for a long time, it won't overwhelm her. When we get home, I think I'll try making some sort of cologne or aftershave, something that would be strong, but pleasant smelling, and would help to mask my scent.

It had been fun having her in my control with her mind clouded over by the passion, but I wanted her to be totally there when we played. Knowing she enjoyed it a lot more when she was aroused, but awake enough to not just blindly react, I was all to happy to indulge her in this. My scent was still present, and it still slightly affected her, but if I was careful and didn't give her prolonged whiffs of my paw, she'd still be conscious enough to play with me. She was pleasantly surprised when I'd done this for her, as no felenzi male would do this, even for a life mate. When she'd first found out, she'd rewarded me by jumping in with such enthusiasm and vigor that I'd been taken a bit off guard.

Since then our mating has been wonderful and varied, as we've played a lot and tried some fun things out. I think my human ideas have been rubbing off on her, and our relationship has become an interesting hybrid of our two cultures and sexuality; I don't think we'll ever get tired of one another.

Every once in awhile, I've surprised her by keeping my scent for the day. She's perfectly accepting of this, as it's only natural for me. Also she admits that occasionally being overpowered by the scent is a wonderful experience, and makes for a nice change of pace. Picking up some of my human-style humor, she also reminds me about the next time she comes into heat, and grinning, tells me all of the sordid plans she's making for me.

Looking at her, lost in the depth of her deep, green eyes, love washes over me. Leaning over to her, our muzzles touch, as our mouths open slightly and she lets my tongue enter her. Playing my tongue slowly over her sharp teeth, against the warm, soft contours of her mouth, her tongue begins to fight playfully against me.

Sitting there, our lips locked, our tongues intertwining, our arms flow around one another, pulling us tighter. Locked into this embrace, time stands still between us, feeling her warmth surround me. Drawing out our kiss, she slowly pulls away, looking up at me, her eyes warm and caring. Purring slightly, she asks "what was that for Ben?"

"Just for you love..."

"Oh, that's sweet Ben..." as she nuzzles my neck, nipping me lightly with her teeth. She's nibbling on one of my favorite spots, and as my purrs grow in strength, I feel myself becoming putty in her arms.

Life with her will always be interesting and very enjoyable...


Copyright 1994, Will A. Sanborn - was1@shore.net