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A shy little mouse wearing white robes crept along a rocky path. A plump little rodent who'd be considered a delectable catch by most of the meat eaters in the forest, her meekness was understandable, especially as she was creeping into the territory of a huge notorious python. Whiskers twitched as she scented the air, and scanned back and forth. . . . no. . . no python nearby. She'd learned her lesson two days before, she'd look to the sunning rock to see if the python waited for her there, and if he didn't, she'd go no further. She'd come the previous morn only to find the sunning rock bare. It had taken an act of will to pull herself away, it hurt inside to do it, but she had managed and she'd do so again, if the python wasn't on the sunning rock waiting for her. Slowly, stealthily, she snuck her whiskery bucktoothed head around a rock and peered up and ahead.

The mouse wouldn't need to search long. Dark tan scales contrasting light gray stone, none could mistake his presence. The great scaled beast who claimed this pond. He'd lay curled, head tucked and turned away, a large bulge among his coil to mark his latest victim.

The serpent's body was still, unmoving, only long steady breaths to show he was very much alive. Most would act on that confirmation by hasty retreat. This was a dangerous creature after all. One who took life to sustain his own. One who so easily crushed others with unrelenting might. A natural killer whose blood was cold, and mind prone to anger. A monster. . . and nothing more.

The mouse saw the beast and held her breath. She saw the bulge, and she took a deep breath, feeling as though an immense weight had dropped from her shoulders. All of a sudden, the sun seemed brighter, the air felt warmer. She began to walk towards the stone in a slow steady gate. There was something unusual in her gate. Mice after all were not by nature graceful, not like cats. But she was there was a dignity in the way she stepped steadily forward, almost as though she were in a ritual.

Even as she neared, the serpent would not stir, head still turned to the waters before him. An alert python would catch the scent of fresh doe. . . would take in the subtle vibrations of movement about the ground. A trick? Lying in wait, to crush her bones and claim her life? Or maybe. . . asleep? Not yet aware of the naive rodent so near him? Though still, his own poise effortlessly marked one of power and strength, the reptile no different than that of a resting dragon, one to be either feared. . . or revered with tribute.

The mouse's step would slow, and she'd come to a stop, well short of the beast. She'd plant the heel of her staff against the ground and lean against it with her cheek, peering up at the snake. "Jaabir, y'lazy snake, y'asleep, after I come all this way t'be with you?" Despite her words, her tone would be light hearted and teasing. She'd speak softly, wanting to wake him gently if he indeed was asleep. Or, if he was deeply asleep, she'd join him in a minute after giving him a chance to wake up. "M'home, Jaabir. I've missed y'so much. Can y'hear me?"

Those soft words would soon be met by a light shift of coil. . . then pause. From the back, his head could be seen as lifting, bright-red tongue flicking outward with a soft hiss. The pause continued then, before the python's head raised higher, muzzle beginning to turn. . . before stopping, and drooping downward. "H-hello. . ." he'd whisper back, a staggered voice betraying the strength of his form. "I've. . . I've missssed you too. . ." Indeed, those coils would slowly constrict on themselves, as if in anticipation for what he had long been denied. Though clearly longing for this mouse, he wouldn't yet face her. He'd only. . . hold there, again silent for a time. "I'm ssssorry. . . for. . . the other day."

The mouse wouldn't reply right away. She'd stand there, leaning against her staff, staring upwards at the great beast she's somehow cowed. When she did speak, it was soft and gentle, yet no less commanding for that. "Turn around, m'love," she said, ". . . look at me."

A powerful serpent, hesitant face to a simple mouse. Taking in her words, that head would raise, lightly, gently, and. . . begin to turn. Snakes were not creatures who dwelled, not ones who burdened worry. Yet, his expression was a weighted one, a guilted one. He'd slowly extend his neck, bringing his head forward and down from the rock he laid. Soft yellow eyes would gaze over. Seeing her. . . taking in her form, her smile, her eyes; it brought a comfort in him. Not a comfort of predatory intent, which did hunger her naturally, but one of adoration. . . affection. A comfort which felt undeserved.

As the serpent's gaze turned to her, the mouse said not a word. She held still for a moment, leaning against her staff gazing up at him, no sign of what was going on in her head. Then she knelt, gracefully setting her staff upon the ground. She rose then, and pulled the robes over her head, folding them up and setting them aside. And then she walked, expression unchanging, slowly but steadily towards the python. Her ears spread, and her tail described a graceful arc behind her. She'd walk right up to the serpent's head, and kneel submissively before him, paws raised to gently hold his neck, whiskers quivering, nose twitching, as she raised her head to him and mouse-like, greeted him.

While before turned away, his eyes now would not leave her. To be without her so long, he did not turn away. She came to him two days before, but he could not see her. Her ears were turned away, tail was hidden, and body covered. Given so little, he couldn't admire even that. His mind had thought only of meat, of crushing the plumpened rodent before him and devouring its corpse at his leisure. That was. . . then. Now he could see her. Now. . . he could not turn away.

The python stayed as he was, curled upon the stone. His head, still leaning down, would press gently into the mouse's embrace. "mm. . ." His eyes began to droop, lids half closing. The snake so easily brought to a state of peace by that grazing of fur against scale. . . by that subtle touch of warmth. That large serpentine muzzle rested just before her; powerful jaws so known to strike out, to part wide, to devour and consume life. He'd lean down then, slowly. . . calmly, his cold scaled nose nudging lightly against.

Her little nose and whiskers would tickle as she sniffed over him, eyes closed to slits. As the python lowered his muzzle to meet hers, she'd nuzzle for a while, then eventually slip hre cheek past his, wrapping her amrs around him. "Don't think there's anything y'did y'need t'apologize t'me for," she'd mutter. "But if there is. . . I forgive you. . ." Her tone suggested she really didn't care.

The python would hold there, silent, eyes shutting at tiny rubs. Her actions brought a faint, soft, "Hiss. . ." He was not hungry, but his mind knew food was near, and it gave him security. He'd wait till her head came against his neck, before that slender red tongue came free. "Hisss. . ." Her scent, the taste of fresh wild mouse doe. . . strong, unmasked and hindered, it continued to sooth him, brought his mind to drift, to forget. Her squeaks, her words, lingered there. . . becoming lost. Jaabir took a great breath, and his eyes turned to her, neck grasping loosely as he rubbed. "Thank you. . ." he'd whisper soft.

There was the softest of chuckles and a nuzzle from the mouse. Then she'd just keep holding him, rocking slightly. It was funny, by now her staff almost felt a part of her. Even when she didn't need it, she never let go of it for long. She was uncomfortable without it now, save for when she slept, or when she was with her love.

Finally, she'd slide herself free, and crawl up onto her usual spot amongst the python's coils. As she did so, she'd eye the bulge with curiosity. "So, whad'ja catch?" she'd ask. At least the bulge looked too big to be any rodent nestling. She hoped it was some rude unpleasant creature.

Hearing her laugh, brought out his smile. It was not wide as usual, when having so recently fed, but it was there. His head lifted then, feeling her little paws and tail scurrying over him and settling in. That would bring a small chuckle of his own. However, the question, for a time, would only bring pause. The serpent's head leaned in, laying out on the coil facing her. His midsection would lift and extend out slow, the snake's eyes shifting, regarding that large lump with a silence. ""I. . . I'm not sssure. it'sss ssstill not ssso clear." He'd sigh softly. "I jussst remember it wasss a bird. A large bird. I wassss mad at it. Upsssset. It. . . talked, and. . . I caught it, ssssqueezed, and. . . I ssspoke." He'd look off for a moment. "I felt sssad about sssomething." The python turned back, a frown bared and eyes downcast. "Then I woke up. . ."

The mouse would look over the bulge, interested as usual. "Looks like a big one," she'd remark. "And if you were mad m'sure y'had a reason." She'd peer about on his coils, looking for a stray feather. Just as the python was not exactly fully objective in matters concerning his adorable mouse, the reverse was also true. "Looks like it might have been big enough to eat mice," she'd surmise. Not that she could really tell, it could have been a large game bird, but she was not above any idea that might help soothe her love's conscience.

The serpent blinked slow, an eye lifting. "Maybe. . ." he'd answer, uncertain and looking no less troubled. "I. . ." he'd look to her then. "I wasss mad at you too. . . a fewsss ago, angry. It. . . didn't feel like a good reassson. I. . . didn't have reassson." He'd lean in further, rubbing gently.

Not seeing any feathers right away, and really having difficulty concentrating on the task, the mouse would forget about them, and lean into the coils that stroked her. She was a little troubled by her love's distress, but it was hard to feel too bad when she felt so good wrapped in his coils. They were like a drug to her, a drug she'd been deprived of for too long.

"Oh you were never mad at me," she replied unthinking, the words spilling out of her spontaneously. Ohhh, so now it made sense to her why he'd apologized to her! She hadn't understand that before. She'd look up and smile at him. "I mean. . .yeah. . . .you were mad at me," she'd tell him. Blinking and tilting her head, realizing that was probably confusing, she'd explain, "But you were never mad at me." She'd think a moment. . . . . that probably was even more confusing, now wasn't it. Ohhh, it all made sense to her, but how to explain it?

The snake's head lifted, rubs slowing, and looked to her. He indeed seemed confused, his eyes blinking slow. . . tongue flicking passively. He'd hold there, in thought. What did his sweet little mouse mean? He was mad. . . but he wasn't mad? It didn't make sense to him. He had felt anger, hissed out, even tightened his coils. He had wanted so much to crush this mouse, and that was enough to bring him pain.

The mouse looked into her python's eyes, a serious expression on her face. She didn't want to confuse him! Finally the words would in a low voice, soft, yet full of intensity. "I know who y'are m'love. .. " she'd said,. ". . . and I understand the feelings y'can't control. .. . . And the python I love was never mad at me, he only ever loved me." Her head would settle down and her eyelids would lower. "And that's why, least as far as I'm concerned, s'nothing y'have t'apologize t' me for." She'd give a small smile. "Though I still forgive you anyway, jus in case!"

His deep yellow gaze peered back, body and coils beginning to relax themselves. The mouse's voice brought a calmness to him, helped to quiet his thoughts. He'd take in those words, and lower his head, resting it just before her own. "Yesss. . . " he'd reply gently. "You would alwaysss forgive me." The snake sighed, "I wanted to hurt you, wanted to kill you. I don't want to feel thossse things. Not to you. . . not to anyone."

The mouse leaned forward, spreading her arms wider so she could hold the python tight. "I understand m'love," she'd murmur. "But we can't always help how we feel." She'd sigh. "Sometimes, we jus have t'bare feelings we don't like. But those feelings are jus feelings, they're not you."

-- At her embrace, the python would hiss softly. He'd watch her, blink, and. . . began to nod slow. "I. . . sssuppose ssso. If I didn't mean it. If it wasss. . . jussst. . . my nature." Those words were spoken with with a tinge of sadness. His eyes came upon that bulge once more, and he'd frown, "I don't know why I wassss mad at that bird. I sssaw him and wasss. . . sssso angry. It'sss hard to know if I meant it for him. It feelsss the same. And I might have made him sssuffer." He brought his coils a little tighter. The mouse found comfort in the hold of his scales, and the snake found comfort. . . in holding her. There would be a pause, his eyes shutting "I. . musst have ssseen him before."

The mouse's eyes wouldn't open, but she'd smile. "Now y'got me curious. . ." she'd murmur. Not that that it was hard to make the mouse curious, it was pretty much her natural state. "I'd suggest we go take a look, try'n figure it out. . . " she'd sigh. ". . . 'xept it's real hard t'think of movin jus now. . . . " She'd give a coil a mild slap with her tail and smirk. "Y'know y'a bad influence on me. . . . " she'd tease and sigh, rubbing her cheek and ear against a coil, getting comfortable before lying still again. "I'm gettin t'be nearly as lazy as you!"

The snake laid there, in thought. He already dwelled most of the morning on it, trying so hard to remember. His efforts only brought the more accessible memory of hissing at his mouse, and unpleasantly so. Speaking to her now helped to at least remedy some guilt, but it wouldn't fully quell his worries. He had felt sad for the avian, he recalled that clearly. He had. . . felt remorse, and it was frightening to not know why.

He'd raise an eye, blinking slow, head raising gently. There would be a pause, and slow nod. "Yesss. . . that. . . might help. Help me. . . remember." The python gave an improperly timed yawn then, smacking his lips lightly. "Hmm? . . ." he'd question, slowly forming a smile back to her. That feeling of soft mouse fur (and bare tail) against his scales, a large avian tucked within, and a heated sunning rock below; he couldn't argue, he didn't want to move either. Even if he still felt a little upset, he couldn't help but manage a chuckle, and a tickling flick of his cold wet tongue. "Mm. . . Lazzzy? . . . Me?" he'd whisper. His eyes shut back, head leaning in to nuzzle, soon resting just beside her cheek. "Perhapsss a little. . ." he'd admit.

The mouse grinned, not moving from her position in the python's coils. "Yeeeeah, but the worst of it is you're corruptin me!" She'd shift a little, snuggling deeper into the coils. "Why, before I met you, it never occurred to me how pleasant it could be, just to find some warm place in the sun, lie down, and not do a damn thing, not explore, not forage, not clean a nest, jus lie still hour after hour in the sun pay no attention to the time. . . " She'd give a small smirk. "Course if I'd ever tried such a thing without a big snake t'keep watch over me, I'm sure I would have ended the day as some lucky fox's lunch."

He'd smile a little wider, the mouse's jokes and teasing a welcome distraction. A large predator practically ridiculed by a little rodent. It didn't upset him. Typically a predator would delight in the worry of prey, their hesitation, their 'respect'. While the scent of terror was instinctually pleasant, he had come to like not being feared. . . not being a monster. He'd nudge very lightly with his nose, "And why ssshould. . ." he began to question, an eye raising slow. ". . . a fox be ssso lucky?"

The mouse would chuckle. "Wouldn't have t'be a fox!" sher'd answer. "M'ust being specific cause it makes for a better story. Could be cat, or rat or hawk or even a snake!"." She'd open her eyes, lift her head, grin at the snake, and raise a single shapely leg in the air, raising and curling her pink tail. "Lot of folk out there like mice," she'd tease, before lowering her leg, setting her head down, and closing her eyes once again.

Jaabir would nod slow. "I sssee. . ." he'd chuckle, bringing his muzzle down and resting it beside. "Sssnakes aren't ssso good with ssstories. . . " he'd comment in a whisper, a teasing quality to his voice. He'd almost shut his eye then, but instead lifted both. That fuzzy, round, meaty calf. . . it held his focus. A focus which only broke away to pass a glance at her bare pink tail. "Y-yesss. . ." he'd reply belatedly, his mind so easily led by this mouse. He'd shut his eyes back, "And you're. . . a nice catch." His serpentine tongue gently teased along her fur. *Hisss* "It'sss a good thing. . . you're mine." He'd pause there. For a good part of the day, he had been focusing on bad memories. It was a blessing now, to be greeted with a happy one. "Mine. . . and no one elssses. . ."

"S'right. . .." the mouse would mumble, churring at the feeling of that serpentine tongue stroking her leg. His head was just a little bit out of reach of her forepaw for the moment, and she didn't feel like moving or stretching, and so she'd caress the back of his head and neck with her tail. "Don't wanna be gobbled up by no fox," she'd say, a slightly petulant tone to her voice. "Doesn't scare me like it once did, but I still don't wanna be eaten by no fox, or owl, or rat, or cat, . . . . or even no snake if it isn't you!"" She'd sigh, running a paw over a coil. "Dunno if it'll ever happen, where I end up payin for m'wonderful life by bein food for some other bein, but if and when that day does come, I want it to be your throat I slide down, your stomach I curl up in. .. " She'd sigh. ". . . you're beautiful strong body that I feed." She'd sigh and pause a moment, lying still. "M'yours, mlove," she'd say softly, "yours and yours alone, now. . . . and forever."

*Hisss. . .* The python was in a state of bliss, continuing to graze his tongue gently about her form. Much weighted his mind, but it couldn't bother him, not when he was too relaxed to think. A warm rock, a full stomach, and a plump doe mouse resting out along his coils. . . to a snake, it was practically heaven. Worries feel secondary, when you found yourself in paradise. "Mm. . ." He almost couldn't hear her. When the words finally settled, he'd nuzzle a bit stronger. *Hisss. . .* She loved him, she wanted to do everything she could for him, even give up her life. And. . . he wanted to do everything he could for her. The snake began to lose that smile. "I love you. . ." he'd speak softly, "I want you to be happy. . . " He'd bring his neck up, and curl it against. "But that'sss. . . not sssomething I can do."

The mouse just smiled, eyes closed, looking not at all distraught. "Said if. . ." she'd reply softly, nodding, "and you do a fine job of keepin m'happy." She'd sigh, reaching out a paw blindly to tighten around a coil. "Just tellin you I am yours." She'd smile a little wider. "I had an idea for a game."

The snake's smile returned. "That'ssss. . . good." he'd reply, tilting his head. "Oh? . . ." He'd chuckle. "And what. . . would that be?" His head shifted lightly, and he'd part his eyes once more, considering. Using only his neck, he'd give a gentle squeeze. "I'm not sssure. . ." his voice took on a tone of uncertainty, and grew soft. "If I could play. . . a ssscary snake right now."

The mouse would nod. "Yeah, we done enough different kind of scary snake games t'last us. I been wanin t' try somethin different for a while! Think this'd be a good time." She'd open her eyes and mischievously, running a paw down his nose. "Though I gotta say, that sparrin match we did last time sure was fun!" She'd tilt her head in a mock dismissive expression. "Sure took y'long enough t'catch y'supper, though. Y'still jus too lazy!" She'd chuckle and smile at him then, her expression telling him that of course she really didn't mean it. "But no, I had somethin different in mind this time."

"Different? Mmm. . . that sssounds. . . fine." Every variation of fantasy they played out, always had him be 'scary', at least in some way. He acted more gentle in some, more reasonable, but his mouse still regarded him as a beast: She even acted scared. Terrorized prey stirred a predatory satisfaction in the python. However; he didn't want to play a snake which claimed the life of a scared and inexperienced forging doe, he didn't want to tease and taunt a muted and innocent field mouse, and he didn't want to be an angry hissing monster whom a brave mouse failed to slay." He'd blink then, head lowering just a little as he forced a smile, "Oh. . . yesss. That. . . that wass. . . fun. I wass. . . jussst a little too ssslow." His feelings were poorly masked. At the time of course, the snake enjoyed all those games, and likely would too in the future. . . but right now they would only make him feel worse. Even just thinking about it was upsetting. The snake's curiosity, would at least help distract him. His head raised, "what makesss it different?"

"Haven't figured it out entirely. . .." the mouse would being, ". . .n'maybe we don't need to." She'd sigh, paw moving gently over a coil. "But you'd be hungry, 'n have nothin t'eat. Maybe cause y'were sad, and you didn't think you deserved t'eat." She'd swallow. "N'I'd come along, an outcast mouse, all alone n'sad m'self. And I would decide I wanted t'give m'self to you. . . . and I would persuade you to accept. . . .And I would give myself to you. . .as a gift of life. . " The mouse would sigh. "''ve wanted to do somethin like that for a while."

The snake looked to her, scaled head brushing along her fur, head angled to meet her eyes. He'd keep a very gentle hold with his neck, almost more a 'hug' than any means of constriction. The rest of his body wouldn't even grip at all, only providing the mouse a soft bed. His mouse. . . liked to be squeezed, but right now, he just wanted to be gentle, if only for his own comfort. He'd blink then, listening to her little squeaks. The situation she described, was not unfamiliar. Many weeks, when he was injured, when he thought he'd have to take her, she was going to give herself to him. What did she call it? "Our. . . dance. . ." he'd whisper, pulling just a little closer. The snake would consider. He wouldn't have to act scary, he'd just have to be sad and regretful. . . no different than he was now. And taking her offering, fulfilling her wish, that wasn't something he could actually do. . . but, at least with this, he could come close. "Yesss. . ." he'd whisper, beginning to nuzzle, "I. . . think I can do that. I want. . . to do that."

The mouse would nod slightly, thinking. "Wouldn't have to be exactly like that. . ..might not even have to make sense.

"Haven't figured it out entirely. . .." the mouse would answer, brows furrowed, then giving a shrug, ". . .n'maybe we don't need to figure it out exactly, we could jus play." She'd smile, paw moving gently over a coil. "But we'd pretend we lived in a wolrd different than this one, a world where mice are in charge." Her smile would widen into a grin. "In this world, a snake has to do anything a mouse says!" she'd say cheerfully. "Anything!" Her grin would widen and she''d lie back. "And if he wants t'eat, he has t'hope a mouse'll take pity on him." She'd turn her head toward's Jaabir's. "I know it doesn't make no sense, s'just pretend. Mostly I just wanna have an opportunity to tease you unmercifully," she'd sigh, "and t'feed m'self to you! That's something t'do for a while, even if it is only pretend. . . "

The snake looked to her, scaled head brushing along her fur, head angled to meet her eyes. He'd keep a very gentle hold with his neck, almost more a 'hug' than any means of constriction. The serpent tilted his head at her anxious little squeaks. "Another. . . world?" This certainly was different. The python leaned in, the mouse was certainly making it sound exciting. He'd even startle, surprised by the enthusiastic 'Anything!' With a slow blinks, he'd regard the suggestion. A world where mice were in charge. What would that be like, he wondered, not being able to just go up and help himself to a little rodent, to be at their mercy. . . to be 'teased'. It would be a world where. . . he wasn't feared. Jaabir's head raised. "That ssseems. . . good." He'd nod his head, beginning to smile. "I wouldn't mind. . . being teasssed." he'd say in a chuckle. "Not by you. . ." And it wouldn't just be the lack of fear, he considered, she would also be giving him an 'offering'. Fulfilling her greatest wish, giving herself to him, that wasn't something he could actually do. . . but, at least with this he could come close. "Yesss. . ." he'd whisper, beginning to nuzzle, "I think. . . we ssshould."

The mouse would churr softly at the nuzzling, stroking his head with her paw. "S'good then. . . ." she'd answer, a little breathless. She'd lie back like that just relaxing. She'd been teasing the python earlier, but it really was true that just as the Jaabir had learned the pleasures of being active and interacting with a chatty warmblooded creature, she had discovered the delights of just lying still and soaking in the sun. "Oh. . ." she'd mutter after a pause. "I met someone new the other day!"

The serpent raised a lazy eye, "Did you? . . ." he'd whisper, a gentle smile forming. Jaabir enjoyed hearing of her encounters, provided she wasn't in danger. . . he liked seeing his mouse happy.

The mouse grinned back, seldom more enthusiastic than when she'd found someone new. "Mmmmm hmmmmm!" she answered. "He's a deer." She'd sigh, a faint tone of regret in her voice as she added, "You wouldn't want to eat him though." Of course the mouse had a policy not to tell the python what to eat or not to eat. but she was just stating a fact. She knew her love well enough she was confident what she said was true, and she didn't see the value in dancing around it.

The snake's smile would raise at the mention of 'deer'. Ooooh! He only recently had his first taste of venison, and already he'd been craving more. Jaabir was still a little down, and he certainly didn't truly want to harm anything. . . but he couldn't help but feel contented in knowing there were more deer about. He could just imagine it. . . a fresh buck in his coils, maybe lots of muscle, likely enough meat to keep him with his mouse and Jack for weeks! Lichthia didn't help him with his hunting, he knew. . . but maybe a general location? After meeting the other cervidae, he'd already seterotype, his mouse probably didn' like them. She's just happy for his sake! This deer must be arrogant, selflish and. . . . "Hmm? . . ." The python would blink at her statement, unsure how to react.

The mouse would smile up at the python. She understood the how the python felt because, oddly enough, she shared his feelings. "I mean he's lovely!" she'd reply enthusiastically, lovely being a euphemism for, he'd be a fine buck for her love to eat. "But he's very sweet and selfless." Her tone managed to simultaneously convey both happiness and a trace of disappointment. Happiness that she'd managed to find such a rare sweet fellow, disappointment that mean her love wouldn't get to eat him."He likes to go around shaking berries loose from bushes t'help feed mice, and he was very gracious t'me!"

Jaabir kept his smile, though internally felt just a 'little' disapointed, at least initially. Even not hearing the rest, he knew he couldn't harm this creature. His mouse even implying that she didn't want him to eat the deer was enough. The explanation. . . hearing of the buck's disposition and his kindness, it eased things for him. He would have been upset if he had taken something 'selfless', and. . . his mouse liked this one, he was was even 'gracious' to her. "Mm. . . yesss, he doesss sssound. . . ssselfless." The python was happy, glad his mouse had a new friend, glad that he knew not to lay a coil on the buck. He would nuzzle her gently. "Doesss he have a name? What doesss he look like?" The serpent's motives wern't difficult to discern.

"His name's Trent," the mouse would eagerly begin, "he was a young deer, and his antlers were broken. He had a white tail, and a bit of black on the tip." The remembered details might suggest the mouse had anticipated the serpent's when she met him. "I got the impression he might be gone for a while. He said was gonna try and start a herd around here." She'd give a wide grin and look up at the python. "Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The python would raise subtly at the word 'young'. It didn't sound like the buck was a child, so 'young' meant it was old enough to be hunted. . . and small enough to manageable. He'd quickly shake his head, putting the thought aside. It didn't matter if he'd be a perfect meal, he wasn't going to eat him! Jaabir would focus on the description, still smiling. There couldn't be many dears around, or he'd have spotted more. Still, knowing what he'd look like and his name could help. It was wishful thinking, but maybe there would be more deer soon and. . . "he'sss. . . ssstarting a herd?" the serpent would repeat softly, smiling a bit more and nodding his head. "Oh yessss. . . it would." It was certainly exciting to consider! Maybe before too long there would be plenty of deer about. For now, and thankfully, he wouldn't consider the implication of eating the future off-spring of Trent.

Jaabir would give another nuzzle, wrapping his neck around as before and hugging lightly. He'd smile kindly for a time, before. . . slowly forming a frown, concern in his expression. "You didn't get too clossse at firssst? . . ." He worried sometimes how adventures his mouse could be. The thought of her trampled by a deer that wasn't as friendly, made him a little nervous.

The mouse would close her eyes and snuggle against a coil. "Y'sweet," she'd murmur. Then, "Tarik was worried about me jus like you." It occurred to her that if two of her friends were worried about her being a little too free in approaching potentially dangerous creatures, then she probably ought to listen, and she resolved to be more careful.

Jaabir would laugh soft, bringing his muzzle nearer as she repositioned. "Wasss he? . . ." Only a week or so before, the python thought to make a meal of that rat; was even angry: Tarik had tried to eat his mouse! Of course, his mouse beat him unconscious with a stick, and dragged him to his lair as he squealed, but she was just defending herself of course.

It was a very close and weighted decision, to allow him life. The snake saw 'some' selflessness in him, but that alone wasn't enough, not after what he had done. It was because he agreed to do a service; to help prevent the rats near from harming his innocent little mouse, that he was spared.

Since then, the snake had grown to like Tarik, even without much interaction. He knew the rat escorted his occasion, and watched out for her. And now. . . the rat was even worried for her? "How isss Tarik? . . ." he'd whisper soft, "I look forward. . . to ssseeing him."

The snake's scales would pulse lightly as the mouse buried herself against. The coil she chose, just below his neck, would sound a soothing and rhythmic, *lub lub* *lub lub* against her ears: His heart pacing gently.

Finding the great beasts heart beat, the mouse snuggled her ear firmly against the coil, enthralled, and her body would go limp. For the moment it was very hard to speak. "He's. . .. doin. . .goood. . .. .I think," she'd murmur. "it was hard for him. . .findin out what happened to his kin. . . but he's doin better now. . . .focusin. . . .on what he needs to do. . ." The mouse furrowed her eyebrows in thought. How was Tarik? There was more to it than that. He'd been thrown into another world, just like she had, and given that, he was doing well. But she wondered now how easy it would be for him to return.

Jaabir peered down, admiring over his mouse as she laid, her words barely reaching him. She looked so contented, so happy. The snake had seen her with such an expression, but usually, it was during their games. . . coiling her, 'crushing' her. He liked seeing her happy. It didn't matter why. However, today, he liked seeing her with such peace. . . without pretending to do harm. The snake smiled. He'd raise his head then, and lean forward, tongue flicking lightly above her. "hisss. . . hisss. . ."

The snake's hisses would sound so good in the mouse's ear. It was funny. . . . wasn't that sound once scary to her. . . . . . a really long time ago?. . . . .Now. . .. .. it just felt so good to be in cradled in his coils. . .. . she could easily imagine spending the whole day here. "I. .. .think you and Tarik are gonna get along. . .. . " She'd say softly.

"Hissss. . . hissss. . ." "Tarik? . . ." the snake would question, taking a moment to recall what was being discussed. He'd continue his gentle hisses, basking in her scent, "mm. . . that'ssss. . . good. . . you think. . . ssso?"

The mouse's head would give the most imperceptible of nods. "S'just a hunch. . . " she'd answer. "He's still scared of you of course. . . but I think. . .he's startin t'understand y'better."

Reluctantly, the python would slide his head back, smile still bared. It was difficult to think, with her scent, her warmth, her own indication of life to the python. . . to be so near. Resting along his own coil now, he'd blink slow, allow everything to sink in more clearly. Hearing the rat was still 'scared', was expected, though undesired. Jaabir of course wished he wasn't scary at all, but given he nearly devoured the rat and struck at him, he couldn't rightly give blame. "I'm glad. . . he'sss ssstarting to trussst me. . ."

The mouse would pick up on the snake's change of mood and realize her mistake almost instantly. She'd lift a paw to run it up along his scales.

The python shut his eyes at those rubs, his worries fading, nothing else seeming to mater. He'd sigh long, and raise his eyes as before, looking to her, in thought. "Oh. . ." he'd say soft, taking in a realization. "I wasss. . . going to asssk you. The deer. . . how did you. . . meet him?"

The mouse grinned. "I was gettin t'that!" she'd answer cheerfully. "You snakes. . .." she'd tease. "Always rush rush rush." The mouse was geting a little more lively now. She'd wrap her arms around his coils and squeeze. "Y'gotta learn how t'take it easy. . . . ..everything in it its time!"

The snake would chuckle, eyes half shutting, "mm. . . yesss. . ." He'd gesture his nose over her, as she laid cuddled along his form. "I wisssh I could be. . . asss lazzzy asss you are. . ."

The mouse murred softly. She was happy; she'd found a new way to tease her python! She'd take a breath. "I was careful," she'd begin, wanting to reassure him. "He had his horns stuck in a tree when I found him," she'd explain. "I talked with him, told him I'd help him, but he had to stand still."She'd swallow. "I know deer can kick. I was wary. And I wouldn't have got near him at all, except he calmed down, and spoke politely to me."

Jaabir would listen close, interested, and not at all looking upset for being taunted. He'd nod slow to her. 'Careful'. That was good. If he didn't already know the buck was one he'd spare, and if he were hungry. . . hearing the deer was unable to move, would have yielded an entirely different ration. The snake would actually frown, however. "Mussst have been ssscared. . ." he'd consider. The snake nodded, pleased with the way she approached: His mouse wasn't so reckless after all.

"Yeah he was," the mouse would answer. She'd lie still, silent for a while, eyes closed, arm around the serpent, but not too tight. In a low voice out of the blue, she'd ask, "Can you please forgive me, m'love?"

Jaabir would found frown at the question. He'd bring up a layer of coil, and held it around her, resting his own head within. "Why do I need. . . to forgive you?" he'd question innocently. "You didn't really. . . put yourssself in any danger. You were very brave. . . very wissse. The snake nuzzled soft, comforting, not at all wanting his mouse to feel unhappy for anything.

The mouse smiled a little at the praise, head against his coil, silent for a moment before she explained. "He was stuck," she answered simply. "And you were hungry." She'd pause, letting her python draw the obvious conclusion. "If he'dve been mean t'me, tried t'kick me, like most any other deer would, I expect I would have found you. Wolves'd taken him otherwise." She'd take a breath and sigh. "But he was nice, so I did what I thought was right."

Jaabir's nuzzles would pause, and he'd blink. It would actually take a moment for it to sink in. Even after she brought him the rat, the snake viewed his mouse as purely innocent. She may have stabbed an owl, and beat a rat, but she didn't truly want to; it was just because she had no other choice. She didn't want to have a part in his hunting, and she shouldn't have to. He'd caress her from all sides. "You have nothing. . . to be sssorry for. Of courssse I forgive you. Hunting isss my burden, not yoursss. . ." He'd stop to consider, briefly, of his mouse willing to tell him about the buck had it been cruel, had it refused to let her help. It wouldn't change his opinion of her, not at all, once he gave it a little thought. Wolves would have ripped the deer piece by piece as he laid helpless. It would have been an act of mercy for him to kill the deer swiftly, if he could not be saved.

The mouse would lie still as the coils caressed her. At the words, 'I forgive you', her arms would tighten around him, and a shiver would run through her body. She'd open her mouth as though to speak, but no words would come out. Her breath was soft and ragged as though she were crying, but there were no tears. She'd hold him like that for a long moment, overcome by some intense but unguessable emotion.

Jaabir would pull closer, himself too, silent. He wouldn't entirely understand why the mouse was upset, but he wanted to be there for her. . . just as she was to him.

After a while, the mouse would come to, closing her jaws and opening her eyes, blinking at the bright sun, she'd give the python another long hug. Slowly, reluctantly, she'd push herself up. "D'love nothin more than t'spend the day in y'coils," she'd say softly. "But I should go back, n'tell Jack and Tarik they can come home." She'd crawl over and caress the serpent's head, smiling.

Jaabir's coils would only cease their rubs when the mouse rose herself and spoke. "Mm. . . yesss. . . I would too." he'd whisper, leaning his head down for her to rub more easily. "but I underssstand." The snake would give a small chuckle. "Not sssure Tarik thinksss of the nessst asss hisss home. . . but I'd like him too."

The mouse would smile, carressing the serpent's head. It was hard to go. "He will. .. " she'd answer. "Or he would, given enough time. Just like Jack." Her smile would widen. "Y'know Jack's real eager t'see you."

Jaabir would nod slow. "I hope ssso. . ." he'd reply. The subject of Jack would quickly be met with a large smile. "He isss?" The snake would flex his coils, head rubbing. "I've really missssed him too." Even just thinking about that soft warm rabbit made Jaabir feel at ease. Not that Jack's soft fluffy coat . . . was the only reason he wanted him near. No, he thought more highly of the bunny than that. There was even a time he thought to call him directly, 'his rabbit', but strangely it never felt right, and he wouldn't want to upset the lapine any. "I couldn't do without either one of you. . . for too long. . ." he'd lean in, "barely then. . ."

Stroking his head, the mouse would run her paws downwards and lean against his neck. Ohhhhh, she really should go, soon. Maybe after just one more hug. "That's funny," she'd answer light heartedly. "I was about t'say nearly the same thing." She'd hold the serpent and shake her head. "I have no idea what I'd do without you."

"Mmm. . ." *hissss* Jaabir brought his neck higher, allowing the rodent's paw to trail along. As he lifted, the mouse would find her hand placed just over that familiar, rhythmic beat. He'd flick his tongue slowly, taking in her scent. "Then we jussst. . . need to have. . . each other. . . Jack too. . ." he'd whisper, smile growing, eyes soft and gentle. "And. . . we will"

The mouse would hold the serpent like that for a long moment, feeling his heartbeat, pressing herself against him. Finally, regretfully, she'd disengage herself, and stand. "I better go," she'd say, turning her back to him to pick up her staff, a pleasure she could indulge in just after he'd fed. Jaabir was the only pred she'd turn her back on. Looking over her shoulder, she'd smile: "We'll be back soon!" she'd call. She'd turn, and give a seductive flick of her tail as she made her way back up the path towards her other home.

Jaabir would sigh, nodding, allowing her to climb down and step away. "Ok. . . I'll be waiting." He would watch her with a smile, taking in her sight from behind. His eyes would even follow and stare prolongedly at that pink twitching tail. . . and he'd laugh. The snake still felt weighted, still felt, at least a little, like a 'monster'. But having had his mouse so close, helped to put his mind at ease. She reminded him. . . he had a heart.