Haven slowly descended, as he landed both birds leapt off, landing on a tree. They were watching him, clearly ready for the next round of pursuit. Instead, Haven loosely coiled his body as he shrank.
Lucian watched as the snake god's feathers reseeded, soon… he looked like a naga. His upper body that of a man, his lower body still that of a feathered snake. The snake god was only half facing them, so Lucian couldn't get a good look, but no one would mistake how deadly the being before them was.
Haven had not taken on this form in several decades already. He watched as the birds perked up, their incomprehensible chirping taking over the song. Haven spared a glance to the ten small birds hoping along his tail, their chatter no less delighted.
Leonard shuddered seeing the half snake form, the god's hair reached his waist, his fingers were more like claws, as feathers coated the back of his hand, up his arms. What should have been the whites of his eyes were a vibrant orange, his pupils a dark purple. Even like this, his eyes were more snake than man.
The myriad of colors should have made the half man look less solemn, less serious. Instead, they drew attention to his sharp features, narrow waist, broad shoulders. Just the raising of his arms set every man, woman, and child on edge. This beast… was a hunter.
Beloved's eyes roamed over her Haven. He was very pretty! All of his colors still as vibrant as when he was a giant snake. His shoulders looked like the perfect perch! She would have to test them! She liked the feathers along his arms, though his claws looked very sharp. Hmm, she would have to play with them!
Ashton sat back, Haven's eyes remained locked on Beloved. His size did not negate his hunter's instincts, if anything, the more human features only made him look more predatory. Objectively, Haven was attractive. Symmetrical features, thin lips curved just enough to be called a smile, narrowed eyes.
Beloved leaned closer to Nix, "He is so pretty, and he is all mine, his feathers look soft, his song softer with time."
"He is a great hunter, quick to catch on, don't let pretty looks fool you, listen to heart's song." Ashton warned, deliberately allowing his voice to carry.
Haven wasn't offended, that didn't mean he would allow lessers to look down on him. Without a word he replaced Nix's domain.
Lucian felt like his body was being crushed, he could barely lift his head. All around him, everyone, Caius, Neolani, Devlin, even the children were all forced to their knees, or flat on the ground.
Devlin's breath was caught, he couldn't even inhale under the crushing pressure. He wasn't just on his knees, he'd been forced flat on the ground. He forced himself to look around, since most mages had bulging eyes, grasping their throats, and were flat on the ground, they seemed to have been hit harder.
Beloved took to the sky the moment Haven overlayed his domain. Slowly circling overhead as she watched her big snake. He was even prettier looking up at her!
Haven held out his hands, "Come little bird, come my Beloved, you are so far, I wish to hear the beat of your heart."
Beloved circled back around, eyes gleaming with delight. Her song softer as they descended.
Sebastian's breath was caught in his throat, from where he knelt he could just barely see the setting sun. He didn't understand why his heart felt like it was beating out of his chest, but he watched as Lady Beloved circled over the snake god. If this was a threat… holding the humans hostage…
Beloved circled twice, then released Nix. He landed perfectly on Haven's outstretched arm.
Ashton grinned as Haven slowly wrapped his arm around his legs. Not tight enough to restrict, just enough so Ashton wouldn't accidentally fall. Ashton closed his eyes, listening to a song so few could hear. As Haven's heart settled, Beloved gave a delighted trill.
Haven kept his eyes on the still circling female. She was so close… as she passed overhead again she fell, changing into her human form to land on his right arm. He gently caught her, wrapping his arm around her legs.
"Oh, you should not be lonely, you should not be sad, you are too pretty, all you desire at hand." Beloved coaxed as she hugged Haven's head to her chest. Allowing him to listen to her heartbeat. Oh! He had pointed ears! They were almost flush against his head, she would have to be careful as the tips brushed against her feathered dress.
Sebastian dragged the air into his lungs. His body trembling from the effort as he collapsed from the relief. As he looked up… the sun had already set.
Haven breathed in her scent, in his half human form his senses were considerably dulled. Still, her delight was unmistakable. Not even the slightest twinge of fear on either of them.
Ashton gave an exaggerated gasp as he leaned back, "The sun has now set, the two of us caught! Who would have thought!"
Beloved hugged Haven's head closer, "Nix we've been captured, Nix we are caught, did none of us win, have none of us lost?"
Haven's lips quirked at their antics. Slowly he proceeded to their nest. No, our nest. "One could argue either way." Beloved had landed exactly three seconds before the sun set. Now, to see what they were up to.
Ashton crossed his arms, "We have tricked! We have been captured, but the sun is now setting, who wins what they're after?" As all eyes fell on him, Ashton continued, "Ahem, I say we three win, you get our truth, we get your feather, 3 winners, all the better."
Beloved blew a kiss to Nix, "I like that idea, three winners gain all, since there is no loss, no hearts will fall."
Haven simply nodded. This had no doubt been their plan all along. Their plan, and a test. Despite their cries of capture, they were clinging to him without reservation. Even the little ones were clinging to his feathers as he coiled his body along the nest.
"Before we speak of truths, let us eat." Haven insisted as he glanced around. With merely a glance, the earth rose, shaping itself into a platform. Food was always a good way to ease tensions.
Haven glanced over the blinking birds, well. Perhaps he was the only one feeling tension. Their wholehearted acceptance was… nice. Even if only a façade, it was impeccable.
Neolani struggled to her feet, her ragged gasps louder than her shattered pride. She didn't dare look at the snake god. He'd stollen the very air from their lungs… was that the difference between a Sin beast and a god?
Alexei was helping their children up as he spared a glance for the snake god… starting a grill? A god… was going to cook? Well, now he could say he'd seen it all.
Ashton and Beloved stood on the snake tail, peeking over Haven's shoulder as he started to cook. Beloved had poked Haven, sharing her ability to open rifts. Haven only needed two demonstrations to open his own.
Unlike their rings of fire, his looked like translucent rainbow feathers. Very easy to miss!
Haven grinned as he opened another rift to his palace. Picking out several palm sized jars. The largest being a jar of flour. "A very convenient ability." Haven praised. Both birds were watching him with rapt attention as he used wind blades to dice various nuts and seeds.
"Oh that is handy! Your skills are so great! If I cannot cook… can we still relate?" Beloved asked as she held out a bowl to catch the falling nuts. She'd never had to cook before… she could learn!
"I enjoy cooking." Haven stated as the birds took turns catching his minced foods. Soon all of the ingredients were ready. After a glance, he lifted Nix to lay out on the platform.
Ashton blinked as he was suddenly holding a jar of… butter? After a quick glance he started to melt the butter.
Beloved burst into a fit of giggles as Haven moved another jar closer to Nix. "Nix you are a stove! Our food you now warm!"
Ashton pretended to pout as he ensured the butter remained soft, but not so warm it turned into pure liquid.
After Sebastian regained all his faculties he watched… he wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He'd thought Lord Reece would immediately accept the feather or that the snake god would demand answers. Now… all three seemed to have forgotten the matter.
Calix covered his mouth to keep from laughing. Lord Reece was now laid out while holding several jars. He was being used as a stove to cook… bread? The black birds were happily assisting the snake god prepare other dishes.
Alexei quirked a brow, the whiplash from nearly being crushed, to watching them play house was… well it was better than being crushed. With freshly healed knees, Alexei oversaw their own cooking.
Ashton's eyes turned silver as he ensured the bread was perfectly cooked. A soft buttery inside, crispy on the outside.
Haven accepted the proffered clay pot. With a quick shake the bread was free, then sliced into thick slices. Beloved holding out a plate to catch the cooled slices.
Haven pulled three jars from a rift, two of jam, one of peanut butter. Nix offered up the warmed jar of honey he'd been holding. A quick thought later, the dozen slices of bread were coated in condiments.
Haven glanced at the disgruntled fox as he opened another rift. Three rows of mugs lined themselves on another platform. "Come fox, warm the mugs."
Caius glanced at the three rows of mugs disgruntled. Aiya, not only had the snake knocked him out of the game, now he was to be used as free labor? With a huff of displeasure he started to walk over.
Haven narrowed his eyes.
"I can warm them," Ashton offered sitting up to peer at the mugs. They were being filled from floating jars of liquid. Ashton hopped to the other platform now that he wasn't baking bread or warming honey. He peered into the mugs. "I can warm them, I am of great use, just tell me how warm, then drinks to introduce?"
Haven stilled his tail that was about to smack the fox from the land of the living. "Fine." He hissed as the third row was swept through a rift. Mugs and liquid alike crushed before anyone could even blink.
Caius stilled… had… the third row of drinks… been for him?
Haven turned away as the fox came to the realization. Before Haven thought of ways to teach the fox manners Beloved was hanging from his neck. He quickly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, lifting her up.
"Big snake you are good! Thinking to share your delicacies, this delightful food. They don't appreciate, they don't think, so let the birds preach." Beloved coaxed. Her arms wrapped around his neck, then she gave him a quick hug of comfort. Her poor snake… so easily misunderstood! Bad fox! Nix produced a small flame for each mug, adjusting as requested.
Caius's fur bristled as the female gave him a chilling glance. The next instant she was burying herself in the snake's neck.
Haven returned to cooking, Beloved remained perched on his arm. Sometimes holding bowls, sometimes sprinkling mixed, diced nuts on the bread. Haven raised a brow as Nix continued to keep the bread warm without drying it out. A monarch indeed.
As Haven was reaching for an egg he saw three of the smaller birds move it just out of reach. Haven blinked as the eggs started to shift, then fall. Suddenly his eyes were covered by Beloved's soft hands.
"You do not see, you do not see, would you not rather look at me?" Beloved asked as she reached into a rift. Still covering her big snake's eyes, she replaced the beast eggs with a few softly glowing white eggs. When her deception was complete, she removed her hand.
Haven continued to watch Beloved, "Yes, I think I would prefer to look at you." Then, he slowly reached for the basket of eggs once again within reach. He inspected one of the softly glowing eggs… unfertilized. Then he continued to kneed the dough. Unfortunately, for this both hands were better.
Beloved almost pouted when she was put down, but the drinks quickly caught her attention. She joined Nix who was still peering into the nearly two dozen mugs. The two rows of drinks weren't all the same.
Haven gathered all of the curiously chirping birds up in his coils, soon a plate with three slices of bread, and the first set of mugs was presented to the wide eyed flock. How obedient.
Ashton glanced at the white, fluffy bread. Softer than any he could recall. Bits of nuts and seeds decorated the crust. There was another layer of nuts throughout the peanut butter. More seeds in the honey. The jam did not have further embellishments.
Beloved blinked up at her big snake, watching him, watch them. When he continued to watch, she tilted her head, "Big snake we were playing, big snake we moved lots! Will you not join us, is the food not enough?"
Haven gave a slow blink, "I do not… eat so often." Haven said slowly as he glanced over all the… non meat options. He was aware Nix was vegetarian, since he had only heard of Beloved, he would see what she liked. Haven tasted the air, he also preferred his food… alive.
Beloved furrowed her brows, "Big snake you are hungry, your stomach I heard, would you prefer meat? How about the egg of a bird?" Beloved picked up the slice of bread with jam as she opened a rift. Without preamble she plucked the closest egg out of a nest.
Sebastian only caught a glimpse, but he'd seen several nests overflowing with… eggs? Judging from how the mages reacted, the mist drifting out of the rift was concentrated mana.
Beloved took a bite of her toast with jam as she handed the egg to her big snake. She would feel bad if he went hungry!
Haven accepted the egg, of course he'd realized it was a mana rich beast egg. It was still no larger than a chicken egg. The egg did not appear to have any real significance. He wrapped his tongue around the egg before swallowing it down.
Ashton blinked as Haven's eyes constricted. "Is the egg something that you can use?"
Haven calmed the rush of mana coursing through his body, for him it might only be a snack, but… that egg contained more nutrients than the mannerless fox. "Yessss~"
Beloved smiled, "Oh! That is good, you may take as you like, I was wondering what to do, their numbers did spike!" She leaned against Haven's body as they continued to eat. Using a rift a dozen eggs fell into a basket for her big snake.
Haven stilled, "These… are your eggs?" He should have thought of that when Beloved first swapped the eggs… the thought… simply hadn't occurred to him.