'We stayed in each other's embrace for some time, just enjoying the warmth.
I never felt this connection with Levi before. Skinship was normal between us, but this time I felt a little tingle in my heart.'
'Time could stop now.'
"Leave your clothes here; he will probably provide some for you."
"Can I take my panties?"
Levi pondered and nodded.
"He probably won't understand why you need them."
'I got up and rummaged the basket that Levi made to store my clothes. They never understood why I changed clothes every day and washed the used ones every time.'
There is a herb here that the witch doctor used for wounds that were already infected. I deduced that they had anti-bacterial properties and used them to soak my clothes with them in a rock bowl.
I even thought of making a big tub made of stone to use to take a bath, but before, one of the only places I was allowed to go was the lake, so I never expressed my idea to keep going there.
Folding the cotton underwear inside a big banana leaf, I was ready to go. It's a shame that I won't be able to say goodbye to Ishid nor Semion, but Levi said that before long I will be back, so it's ok.'
.
.
.
In the afternoon, Feng Huang came back with a big basket, big enough to fit a person inside.
"Are you ready, little female?" He said in his elegant voice.
'I turned towards Levi and hugged him as a goodbye. His face, still holding no emotions, had watery longing eyes.
Lowering his head, he planted a kiss on top of my head and released me from his embrace with reluctance.'
"Take care, bunny."
"Let's go, little one."
Walking towards Feng Huang, I felt a sudden rush of excitement. I finally get to see more of this world before settling down with Levi and building a family.
'It's kind of my bachelor party."
Feng Huang lifted the alien by her armpits and placed me inside the basket. Looking closely, it was filled with leaves and even some flowers to make it more comfortable.
Feng Huang turned and walked towards Levi. He leaned closer and whispered something, Levi's eyes widened, and his body trembled. Levi's hands reached towards Liss, but with just one hand on Levi's shoulder, Feng Huang subdued him, making Levi fall to his knees and groan.
"Levi!" Despite her pleas, Levi was frozen on the ground, trembling, and only Feng Huang turned to answer.
"There is no need to worry, I explained what will happen if that wolf cub throws another tantrum."
While walking in her direction, the upper part of his hanfu slipped, letting it fall down. In contrast to her three friends, he had a lean, flawless body. His skin was so well kept that it made Liss muse on the idea if he soaked in honey before his beauty sleep.
"Close your mouth lest a bug nest, little one." He said, mocking the awestruck alien. "Remember to hold the sides lest you fall."
His wings spread and started flapping, making his feet leave the ground.
When hovering above the basket, his legs turned into bird claws with which he grabbed the handle.
"Hatchling, heed my warning, and everything will be fine."
With this, he set off flying, holding the basket with his claws. The initial explosive velocity made Liss press her eyes shut and grab the basket with all her strength.
After the initial fright, she felt the wind slowing down.
"Open your eyes and see." Feng Huang said, chuckling at her frightened expression.
Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and saw a white sea beneath them and an infinite blue above.
"Wow"
Seeing her reaction, Feng Huang chuckled
"Are we over the clouds?"
"We are."
The scenery was breathtaking, and a feeling of complete peace took over.
"I wish I could fly too."
.
.
.
.
Their final destination was a short cliff near the ocean. There was a big wooden house with an L-shaped stone path that went from the front of the house down through the forest.
'It's different from Earth.'
Feng Huang released the basket with Liss still inside roughly on the floor, and transformed. He straightened his clothes and simply walked away.
'He really doesn't give a damn about females.'
The basket was big but wasn't impossible to get out of. In the process of her struggles, it was knocked over, and Liss fell flat onto the ground.
"Ouch."
-
Liss sat on the ground, dusting herself with her hands after the fall. The girl had already acknowledged that her world was small; she had never in her life explored outside the bubble her mother allowed her to live in, and she never really tried before.
Her father used to call her princess. Before going to school when she was small, he would hug her and promise her the world, showering her in praise. Liss was truly loved by her father. While looking at Feng Huang's back as he walked away, she sat quietly on the ground reminiscing.
Her body trembled, but she wasn't cold, her heart was beating fast even though she wasn't scared anymore.
While hugging herself, her head fell down, and an anxious smile crept onto her face. As a rational person, she had no idea that what she was feeling was excitement.
Oblivious to his guest on the ground, Feng Huang went inside, looking around at the house he abandoned years ago, seeing it was dusty and faded, instantly regretting his actions. He was a proud orc, in all his years, he had never lifted a finger to clean or cook, but now he was responsible for a female.
Just then he noticed her absence. Annoyed, his eyes searched for her, catching her pitifully on the ground, earning an annoyed groan from him as he made his way to her side quicker than when he walked away.
He was expecting a weeping girl complaining about the situation, but what he saw puzzled him. She was trembling, but her face didn't make sense; seeing the ends of her mouth curled up even though she was biting her lower lip with eyes wide open with a strange gleam changed his annoyance to curiosity.