Nyxa
The affectionate touch of his muzzle against her ruff soothes every wrinkle of attitude right out of her. Hod was like that; the water to her fire, a stone in the earth while she was a breeze in the sky. Nyxa has never once considered if he was less-than or more-than - he’s simply Hod, the one who never left and the one who comforts her during restless nights. A dependable figure where the rest of her world is simply spinning out of control.
It doesn’t even bother her that his teeth have taken to gripping her ear, even that action is unreasonably gentle and so very comforting.
“They seem to love it, actually.” She barks, twisting her furry head around to view the occasional dive bomber as they dipped from tree limb to stalk and back again. Each of the elder parrots had passed the knowledge down to fledgling and so, together, the feathered creatures of this particular island had kept the cycle of nature going. Nyxa admires their tireless work, the way they turn it into squawking play with every swoop of their colorful bodies. She hopes that her and Hod’s arrival hadn’t upset that balance.
Here goes nothing? Hod says, drawing her sharp eyes back to where he’s lipped one fat, fuzzy bud between his teeth and Nyxa watches the slow progression of his jaw as it works. I think it’s ok, He says after a moment's deliberation, giving Nyxa reason to spread her lips in a toothy grin as her tail began to thwap noisily at her sides. That was it, then - all the proof she needed.
His nudge against her shoulder along with the goading serves to heighten her excitement so Nyxa hardly has to struggle in order to switch her skins. It was easier for her to remember “Horse”; without her mother there to cement the ancient respect of her gift, it was becoming less of a trick and more of a chore. Besides, underneath the waves she had no need for a furry, canine body.
She had all she needed and more in this shape.
“You don’t have to tell me twice!” The yearling squeals, plunging a petite nose into the thicket of a row so that she can engorge herself. Nyxa has always had very little in the way of manners but this go-’round, she works especially hard to forget every bit of decorum she’d ever been taught. There’s only the muffled sound of her teeth grinding for a moment, and then she pulls free to grin in Hod’s direction - cheeks stuffed to the brim like a chipmunk.
“Derrishish!” She mumbles, giggling loudly with the action. It was nonsensical for them to be here, eating unknown plants and wasting the day away while so much turmoil was going on around them, but Hod was the only escape she knew aside from the sea. He was a master at making her forget, even if it was only for an afternoon. “I agree though - the initial ‘fuzziness’ is a bit off-putting but the rest of it, not so bad.” Nyxa confirms.
For a second time she dives in, quick to strike in the spot where Hod has gone to collect leaflets. Her intention had been to steal the goods from underneath his nose but when she does so, the curve of her cheek and the soft part of her lips presses against his own. It’s nothing, really; just two friends battling for some tasty snacks, yet when they connect the jolt of electricity courses through her veins and leaves her to pull away with almost shy reserve.
“Sorry.” She murmurs, glad for once that he can’t see her expression. “I’m getting full, though. These were a nice surprise.” The flustered girl says, shifting around on restless feet. Her mind races, searching for anything to distract her from what she’s feeling and briefly her ears turn back in worry. It’s then that Nyxa hears the roar of water - faint, like a dream, but still there. A gentle turn of her gold-tinged face and then she’s pinpointed it.
“I hear water … maybe a waterfall?” She says, hoping that Hod will confirm her thoughts. This island seemed to be stock full of hidden secrets. “Should we find it? Maybe go for a swim?” The cream-and-evergreen girl suggests, just the hint of a whine in her tone. “Pleeaasseee?”
He can’t say no - he won’t. He’ll indulge her and she’ll keep him safe, it’s just how things are. A smile overtakes her, she feels the beginnings of a tingle in her gut, and then her mouth is against his neck and her teeth are tugging on the dark, familiar strands of his thick mane.
Wayward daughter of Canaan and Circinae
@[Hod] You get a novel! Congratulations! Lmao