[ P ] Knight & Pumpkin Princess

"They're all very round," Kylar murmured into her wife's ear as they walked through the patch, their steps slow and measured whilst the knight's shoulder served as Nephele's guide. "And very orange. They have little stems coming out of the top." Carefully, she steered them away from a smashed pumpkin that would have coated their paws in yellowy goo. "Their leaves are wide, kind of like the watermelon that grows in Maiden's Braid," she mused, partially to herself. "Actually, they're a lot like watermelon." For a moment, she stopped, her expression creased in thought as she considered the pumpkin with more intensity. Did it have medicinal uses? In her texts, she had often skipped over it, disregarding it as a sweet treat that the ancients had cooked to their tastes. Wolves, even, could eat it, but only the Mainlander folk seemed to like to add it to their dishes.

"Maybe I should bring one for class?" Suddenly deep in thought, Kylar's black-tipped ears twitched.

But at least she was ruminating on things within her control. Their garden had finally been put back together and life had returned to normal. Luca was out traveling, Willow was as well. Anthe was sick again but seeming better than she had in her childhood. Things were getting better little by little... but Kylar couldn't help but shake the feeling that she was missing something.


@Nephele

Very round. Very orange. Nephele thought they sounded delightful. Were they soft and squishy like berries or more robust and firm like apples? The more she heard about them the more she wanted to investigate them with her nose and paws. For now she patiently let her wife guide her through the patch of pumpkins letting out encouraging hmms and oohs when Kylar revealed another detail about them. They sound so cute, she sighed softly, wondering if it was possible for a fruit… or was it a vegetable to be cute. It didn’t matter if there were silly rules against it because Nephele had already made up her mind. What would they taste like? Oooh! What if they’re sweet like watermelons? I like watermelons, but do you remember how sticky I was afterwards? I couldn’t get that smell out of my fur for weeks… It was wonderful! she chattered excitedly, feeling much more confident to be away from home with the woman she loved by her side.

Oh! Yes! I think your students would love them… I might even swing by,” she suggested, smiling widely. It was a given that she would attend. It was only when she had a conflicting schedule that she did not take part in her wife’s lessons. It was one of her favourite things to do, listen to Kylar passionately teaching about herbs and plants.

Art by Ashon

Rolling encounter 1d540: 514
A wild jackdaw brings a worm back to its nest

Cute. "I suppose they are," Kylar laughed, tapping one with her paw. There was a pleasant roundness to them. It reminded her of when they had found Willow and Luca. While those two pups had not been orange, they had been sandy in color. And when they'd gotten into the butternut squash that had overripened in the garden... well... they had been a couple of round pumpkins then too. The memory made her giggle, and it was only warmed by Nephele's recounting of their watermelon experience.

"I got so much black and white fur stuck to my tongue that day!" Kylar laughed. "We had to take you to the river to have a chance of making you not bring every pinecone and leaf home with you."

Such warm, peaceful memories. They made her grin, and any dissatisfaction she felt with her mundane little life faded. It was replaced by contentment and apprecation, feelings that Nephele fostered effortlessly. "Good idea! I should bring one... or take the students out on a fieldtrip. Maybe we can even try to get some of the culinary professors to cook it." Pumpkins weren't poisonous after all.

As she snuggled close to her wife, she looked around, when suddenly an animal appeared from the side of her vision. "Oh look! It's a..."


@Nephele

Rolling encounter 1d540: 530
A wild rook stares down at you from above

A soft hum began to thrum through Nephele’s throat as they made their way along the pumpkin patch. Her tail wagging happily, making her rump wiggle along with it. Pumpkins would forever remind her of Kylar and they would always be important to her for that reason. The long list of favourite things had a new item added to the list and she was excited for them to try and grow one of their own. I think you’re cuter, she hummed happily, leaning over to nuzzle Kylar’s cheek. She couldn’t help, but flirt with her favourite person especially when she was lucky enough to be her wife.

It was a little fun being covered in leaves. I felt like a tree, she giggled, remembering how they’d stuck to her paws and legs. She couldn’t deny that the bath in the river hadn’t been fun either. Splashing around in the water reminded her of when they’d first met and swam together in the ocean.

Yes! I’d love to taste one. Do you think they’d mind if we took a little nibble now? Nephele asked, nudging a particularly plump pumpkin with her nose. Her ears pricked when she heard the flapping of wings nearby.

Oh look! It’s a… Bird? Nephele asked, wondering if it was wings that she was hearing. She strained her ears, listening carefully for what Kylar had spotted.

Art by Ashon

Rolling encounter 1d540: 399
A trained jackdaw flies overhead

Her cheeks warmed at her wife's compliment, and Kylar placed a mischievous trio of kisses on Nephele's brow. "You silly goose and your sneak attack compliments." They never failed to make Kylar's heart skip a beat, even now after so many years together. But that was what love was. A constant warmth, a feeling of being ever so secure and in sync.

"You looked like a tree," Kylar teased. "A tree I much liked studying," came the reply with a gentle nip on the ear. More playful, suggestive teasing. Which was much easier to do with the pups out of the house.

"I won't tell them if you won't," came Kylar's reply as Nephele mentioned wanting to try a pumpkin. They could take turns gnawing on it together until there was a hole.

... "Ah, you're right! A jackdaw," the sandy wolf said as she glanced at the sky. "And a... rook..?" Black-tipped ears twitched as she looked left and right. "Perhaps the birds heard you and want a snack as well."


@Nephele

Rolling tame 1d100: 99
Success! Regardless of the animal type

Nephele flashed Kylar an innocent grin as if the mischievous nurse had no idea what she was talking about. The little wolf doubted she could go longer than a day without lavishing some form of praise or affection upon her wife. When it came to Kylar she loved letting her know how special she was and in turn was greedy for the returned affection. But it's true! And… why would I stop when I get free kisses? she asked, planting a sneaky kiss of her own on Ky's cheek.

It was Neph's turn to blush when Kylar playfully teased her back and nipped at her ear. Study away, Professor Fritz, she played along, loving it when she had the chance to address her wife as a Professor.

I won't tell if you won't. She couldn't help, but giggle at the thought that they were being bad. First vandalism and now this. Kylar, we're gonna be first rate criminals in no time, she said in a low voice, but she couldn't help, but trail off with a laugh. Sneakily she nibbled on a piece of pumpkin, accidentally staining her chin with orange juices.

Oooh. Hungry birdies? Come get some, she called out, nudging a piece of pumpkin forwards as an offering.

Art by Ashon

Rolling encounter 1d540: 534
A wild rook stares down at you from above

Professor. Kylar laughed as Nephele played along, using Kylar's title to add a little extra spice to their flirting. "I might need you to stay after class today," she mused as her ear flicked, fast but not fast enough to avoid her wife's quick nip. "For a little extra studying of course," came the response with a wink that Nephele couldn't see—and a lick on her ear tip that she'd definitely feel. Such forwardness was a fun game, but what made it better was that there was security here. A knowledge that no matter what, Kylar was so lucky to have this beautiful nurse as her wife. And partner in pumpkin thievery.

"If this is wrong, I don't want to be right," the sandy professor with gray morals announced. And, as promised, she stood straight with her back to the throng of farmers and families several yards away from them. She'd shield their little sins from prying eyes.

But not prying birdies. One seemed to be particularly intrigued by Neph's offer. "Ooh, is it good? And be still—a pretty one with a gray bill is hopping toward you. It must be a hungry fella."


@Nephele

Rolling tame 1d100: 46
If your animal is a farm animal: Success! The animal is intrigued by you
If your animal is wild or risky to tame: Failure! The animal feels threatened backs up

She cocked her head at Kylar, unable to help the wide smile that spread across her soft features. It was one that would have reached her eyes had they been there. Do I get extra credit? she asked, meaning of course extra kisses. She didn't need an excuse to get them, but it was all part of the fun. Nephele's ear twitched and tickled when Kylar kissed it. It was one of her favourite places to recieve kisses and her tail wagged wildly signalling her pleasure. I'll stay as long as you want for extra kisses, she offered, shamelessly. Over the years she had grown much bolder with her flirtations having come a long way from the shy blushing girl she'd been when they'd first met. Even Kylar was more confident and she had once been quite bashful with her affections.

Anything feels right when I'm with you, she admitted, feeling no guilt for her squash sampling and graffiting in the king's garden. It's a little mushy, but I like it, she whispered, tongue flicking over her mouth to try and get rid of the evidence.

R-Really? Ky? Is it eating? she whispered, trying her very best not to spook the bird with any sudden movements.

Art by Ashon

Rolling encounter 1d540: 51
A hedgehog crawls out of a thicket of vines

Extra credit! Goodness! A deep, red flush burned across Kylar's cheeks as she looked away, coughing slightly at her wife's boldness. This was something her students most definitely asked her for—albeit with more pure, intellectual intentions. Of course, she had no idea that Nephele merely wanted for kisses. "And extra kisses you shall have," Kylar announced despite the sudden spike in her temperature. Not here, perhaps. There were too many children around for them to be so improper, and some might be her students one day, but she'd be sure to make good on her wife's flirtatious advances at a later date.

At Nephele's gentle assurance that everything felt right when they were together, the dizzying rush of blood to Kylar's cheeks began to cool off. It was, instead, replaced with a warmth within her chest. A feeling of love that overflowed out of her heart and into every vein. To this, Kylar's answer as a kiss and a tighter squeeze. It was true. There was nothing wrong if Nephele's paw was in hers.

...

"It is!" Kylar replied, a tad loud and the bird looked at her affronted. For a moment, she was worried it'd leave, but Nephele's offerings must have been too tantalizing. It seemed to adore Neph, and so Kylar dropped her voice down to a whisper. "Really, it must like you very much!"


@Nephele

Nephele was oblivious to the less than innocent thoughts fluttering through her wife's mind. If she knew her intent had been misunderstood she would have been blushing too. Instead she was grinning joyfully when Kylar promised her extra kisses. I'll be there after class to collect them later, she giggled impishly, warming a little on the tips of her ears. She loved flirting with Kylar even now after a whole litter of pups and years together. She knew she would still love it even when silvery hairs were dusting their muzzles and their joints were creaking with every step.

The kiss from Kylar was returned with a nuzzle and she burrowed into her neck, enjoying the closeness. If only they were alone. The excited yips of pups and chattering parents drew her back to reality and with one final squeeze she withdrew from her embrace.

Nephele imagined that their bird friend's beak was sticky with pumpkin juices and flesh. She could smell the sweet aroma drifting from it. Ah. What do I do now? she whispered, uncertain of how to coax the jackdaw closer. It didn't matter however because the bird approached on its own whim. Nosing the small creature, her sensitive nose could smell an infected wound on the bird's wing. Oh no.. He's sick, Ky, she whined, her heart aching for her corvid friend. Can… Can I take him home? Just until he's better? she asked with all the effectiveness of a child pleading. "Can I keep him?"

Art by Ashon