The wooded home
Taz moved to the country side a few years ago from a city. He bought a lot by a river, which was ch had plentiful shellfish and the soil was fertile. It was quite a switch from his crazy city life, with the cars buzzing around you, crowds in your way, that stuff.
When he moved he also picked a new past time; travelling through the woods. The leaves rustled in the wind as if they were combed and the dirt path beneath his feet was almost completely reclaimed by nature. If not for his own footsteps, he thought, it probably would be nothing but grass and foliage. As Taz walked through the silence, whispers could be heard on the wind.
Not in the metaphorical sense, he was shocked too. His first thought was that the speech was his imagination but he heard it again. The whispers are unintelligible but somehow welcome. As if a force from beyond his mind was inviting him to court. Taz, in all of his amythest-furred glory, decided to follow the whispers.
The calls of the wood led him further and further into the woods, the trees were supernaturally large, the density of the bushes grew tighter and tighter until he could walk on top of the bushes like softened earth and sand.
As he trudges and maneuvered carefully through the trees and brush, he came upon a sudden clearing with a truly massive tree in the middle. The tree had massive fungal growths in every colour, imperial purples, most brilliant crimsons, azural blues, and purest whites. The branches of the tree were covered in thick leafy covers but he could see some yellow fruits growing from them. On the ground he saw a crooked wooden door between thick roots that sprawled out about 5 meters from the massive trunk. As he approached the door, it opened and somebody spoke
"So, you can hear me? " The low baritone voice asked "you must be tired from traveling all this way, come in and have some food"
The voice came from a massive creature that stood 7 feet tall, with broad shoulders, a muscular chest and round gut. His arms and torso had plenty of body hair while his legs were that of a goat.
Taz thought for a moment, and nodded. "Of course, I would love to dine with you"
Ever since he was young Taz had the infallible instinct to pick the trustworthy from the wicked, and he could tell that the man in front of him meant no harm.
Inside the tree was more spacious than what was expected. They walked down a hallway with paintings of beautiful women, hearty looking food, and humble sceneries hanging on the wall. As they turned right, the large man opened a door revealing a room with a table full of hearty stews and meats and cupboards full of drink and wine. Smiling warmly, he signaled Taz to enter first.
Taz sat down at the table and waited for the large man to sit down
"I don't believe we've introduced ourselves yet! My name is Barnabas, welcome yourself to any of the food you want. I recommend trying the leek and wild mushroom soup" The large man sat down, pointing towards a cast iron pot that was suspended from a wood flame "I gathered and hunted all this food myself. I don't physically need to eat but I've been observing you and thought you would be nice company"
Taz smiled shyly and reached for a bowlful of the aromatic soup "It's enchanting to meet you Barnabas. All of this food smells delicious! My name is Taz. You must not get a lot of company this deep in the forest. The trees were so close together they were almost a wall!"
Barnabas gave a bellowing laugh. The two men engorged themselves on their indulgent chatter and lovely food and alcohol. After the meal Barnabas stumbled up and offered Taz an open large hand. Taz accepted the gesture, putting his hand into the other. Barnabas pulled Taz close into a warm embrace, rubbing his cheek against the soft fur on top of Taz's head.
Taz, not knowing what to do, he wrapped his arms around Barnabas and accepted the loving embrace, sinking into the intense but welcoming warmth of this man's beast body.
"Your body is warm... comforting... A hot... hot mocha after a long walk in the snow..." Taz managed to slur out as he rested his head on the muscular chest
Barnabas softly chuckled into Taz's ear, he whispered in an accent with ancient charm "You seem to enjoy it... Would you like to stay the night? My bed is big enough for the two of us and I don't want you to walk home in the dark, drunk like this. The coyotes are active at night"
Taz thought about it and consulted his instinct. He looked deeply inward; his gut told him to trust this man. His meanings and thoughts were innocent. This man did not want to take advantage of him.
"I would love to stay the night sir. I would be honoured to stay the night with you"
Barnabas gently helped Taz onto a bed, he climbed in beside him, wrapping his arms around him, kissing Taz's forehead "Your mane is so soft and you smell nice... Wild strawberries with essence of kindness"
Taz chuckled, closing his eyes "And you smell like chocolate"
The two men fell asleep in a bliss of warmth and happiness.
Good night