Meet and Greet Rylan of Wild Within

[Mima]

The café is dark, lit with golden magelights flickering in pretty bowls. It’s location next to the Beast gate into the City means no one looks up when the large man walks in wearing a sleeveless leather jerkin embossed with owls. His blond hair shines in the low light, his eyes flash an inhuman yellow-amber as he scans the room. He sees me with the first pass of those eerie eyes. My arms erupt in gooseflesh as my heart’s beat, ka-thump-thump-thump, urges me to run. I swallow and smile professionally. I asked for this. The Wolf owed me a favor. When he asked what would satisfy me, I’d said I wanted to interview a Beast warrior, one of the policing force that lived outside the walls in the Wild. The Seven Cities relied on them as much as they feared them. They were secretive, deadly. I was counting on their respect for women when I asked really personal questions. Lately the secrecy was lifting. Curiosity was overwhelming the fear and this interview could make my name. So this guy was flowing toward me, gorgeous and deadly. I had to get it together…

I thank him for coming. I ask him to be as honest as possible. I warn him others might show up and ask questions, too. He orders an ale.

“Why don’t we start with the basics. Give me a little bit of your history, your family, your childhood, your interests.”

[Rylan]

Birth and parents unknown. I survived living outside the Walls of Fourth City because I had KarRa. Having one person you can depend on makes all the difference on the streets. We were also lucky to be brought in young to the Clan of a city exile named Scuffle. He kept us out of the worst of the politics and power plays. He died a few years back. Nothing else of my childhood is really worth mentioning. We survived. Many didn’t. I tried to do my best by KarRa but I wasn’t always right and it was rough there. I’m sitting here at this moment because of her too. Because of her courage in getting me out, to the Beasts. As for my interests, you don’t have a lot of hobbies when you’re fighting for survival. I’ve always enjoyed philosophical discussions, challenging perceptions of the life we lead. Now, of course, in my new Clan, I’m making a new family with KarRa at my side. I’m flying, training and learning. It’s different in Vladaya.

[Darragha Foster]

Hi Rylan. Drop by for a chat, huh?

[Rylan]

No. Talking to humans about my private my business is not my idea of fun. I'm here because a friend asked, and KarRa's best friend Freezha believes strongly that the days when the beastspirit Clans live in secret should end. She has some good points, so I decided I can hang out in a cafe.

[Mima]

Tell us more about KarRa! I can't imagine living outside the Walls. How is she adjusting to living among the Beasts?

[Rylan]

KarRa is my soul. You don't want to imagine living outside the Walls. She's thriving with the Beasts. We live in safety, mostly. There is order, and food. It's a dream for us. She loves the Wild, and is getting really good at moving silently to help me hunt. She's as beautiful as ever and training to discover more about her magecraft. And growing her hair out, too. By the way, we refer to ourselves as "Trux."

[Kayelle Allen]

Can you give me more details? What do you mean when you say "we refer to ourselves as 'Trux.'" Does that "we" refer to you two or the entire group?

[Rylan]

I forget how you City dwellers never think beyond your Guilds and Walls. Outside the Kingdom of Seven Cities, there is a vast wilderness to the west. Some of this land is home to the Trux, those you humans call "Beasts." We live in Clans based on our beastspirits. Our magecraft is stronger than humans, and our bodies can shift into three forms. The Trux are ancient. Our histories tell of the humans who came on their ships, warring with each other as the Clans once warred. Now, there are no ships that can sail on the seas. The Seven Cities rose up, and the Clans ceased having daughters. Pacts were made, and they've worked for hundreds of years. We keep you from killing each other, we fight against those drawn to darkcraft, and in exchange we adopt human women for our mates. We are the Trux, and we are much more than animals. More than human, too.

[Kayelle Allen]

It sounds like I need to learn more about your kind, Rylan. Where can I do that?

[Rylan]

The best way is to volunteer to become adopted into the Clans. You'll be matched with mates and be able to choose a warrior for yourself.

If that's not what you're up for, you can always read the book Mima will write about how KarRa and I came to Vladaya. She's calling it Wild Within.

[Kayelle Allen]

Thank you, Rylan. Since I already have a mate, I'll settle for the book.

[LadyBlade]

I don't have a mate Rylan. How does one of us City Dwellers go about being adopted?

The Ever Curious,

Lady Blade

[Rylan]

Right now, the laws of our Clans are very strict. Too strict, according to our friend Freezha. An adopted woman has to be fertile. She can have no human sons, and no legal human husband. Once adopted, she never returns to the City of her family. Her old life is over. In return, the women have a choice of mates, a choice of careers, training in whatever skills interest them, and the full support of the Clan they join. The men tend to be a bit... protective, for after all, the Clans live in the Wild and even our defenses can fail from time to time. Even Truxet honor can fail from time to time. If you're used to coming and going as you please, this might not be the life for you. Other than that, most women say life in Vladaya is much better than in the City Guilds.

Just approach your Guild and express your interest. They'd be happy to negotiate a contract in return for you. It's not like we're buying women, but adoption contracts keeps the Guild men feeling like they have a hold on us. If women kept coming to us with no benefit back to the Guilds, good relations wouldn't last long.

[LadyBlade]

Hmmm...

Well, it seems I meet all of those requirements.

I'm fertile, no sons, no legal husband, no illegal ones either...*smiles*

*runs off to the Guild and puts in a formal request for adoption to the Clans...*

Rylan? Any suggestions as to possible Mates, Careers and/or Skills I should concentrate on?

Lady Blade

[Mima]

Lady Blade, think carefully before you decide to dabble in some wild beast sex. there's no such thing as divorce when you've been bonded to a Trux's beastspirit in a souldance. if you're open minded, and just want a walk on the wild side, they do contract paid women, otherwise known as skinlickers among the City women, for year long placements. If you're not afraid of your Guild's reaction, it'll be the best sex of your life!

[LadyBlade]

Thanks for the warning Mima, but I'm not worried. Nor am I afraid of a long term committment.

I've always said if a man - human or otherwise - can win my heart, it'll be his forever, through good and the bad...*smiles*

[Luc Saint-Cyr]

Originally Posted by LadyBlade

Thanks for the warning Mima, but I'm not worried. Nor am I afraid of a long term committment.

I've always said if a man - human or otherwise - can win my heart, it'll be his forever, through good and the bad...*smiles*

Hello, my love. If you are seeking a forever commitment, I'm your man. Beast or Sempervian. The choice is yours. Oh, and if you care to sow some "wild" oats, I will always be here, long after the beasts have gone...

[LadyBlade]

Luc, my dearest love, you won my respect sometime ago, but I know all your secrets pet and your preferences and I fear *those* I just don't fit...*laughs*

But no worries, I still love ya never the less...

However, those deliciously wicked Trux are something else all together. How can a woman say no to those eyes, those bodies and the protective streak a mile long, hmmm? And let's not forget the shifting aspect yes? *sighs*

[Luc Saint-Cyr]

Originally Posted by LadyBlade

Luc, my dearest love, you won my respect sometime ago, but I know all your secrets pet and your preferences and I fear *those* I just don't fit...*laughs*

But no worries, I still love ya never the less...

However, those deliciously wicked Trux are something else all together. How can a woman say no to those eyes, those bodies and the protective streak a mile long, hmmm? And let's not forget the shifting aspect yes? *sighs*

Ah, yes. I forgot - you do know me rather well. {blast Kayelle and her blabbing} *smiles*

Do you suppose Trux males are open to threesomes? That does happen to be one of my favorite vices.

[Vesper Highgate-Adaire]

I'll take a beast any day

Vesper

[LadyBlade]

Originally Posted by Luc Saint-Cyr

Ah, yes. I forgot - you do know me rather well. {blast Kayelle and her blabbing} *smiles*

Do you suppose Trux males are open to threesomes? That does happen to be one of my favorite vices.

*laughs* That I do Luc, that I do. I know all your vices and I suppos we'll have to ask a Trux about the threesomes...They are rather protective you know and don't like to share much I believe...*sly grin*

[Kayelle Allen]

Luc's interested in Trux males now? *_* I can't keep up with him.

[Rylan]

Group sex never did it for me. Before I was adopted, only the weak fucked in public. Only the poor shared. However, when a Trux discovers a potential mate, there is an overwhelming need for the Alpha to acknowledge the claim. Our bonding ceremony is... primal. It's our beastspirt proving the spiritual bond in a very physical way.

Mates are mates. Male and female, bonded and complete. But for guys who aren't mated, I know a couple who do share once in awhile. What they do in those menage settings I've never asked. It's safe to say that a human male, or even an alien male, would be an extremely unlikely sexual partner in Vladaya. I heard the Wolves had a couple homosexual pairs. And the pack Clans do everything together. No sense of privacy whatsoever. I think there's such a thing as too much togetherness. Then there's those whispered rumors about the Lizzeed. That they never quite deny, only deflect. Things about sharing mates. None of my business, or yours, unless you're adopted by them.

[LadyBlade]

So, Rylan, what potential mates would you point me toward?

I've petioned my Guild Council to be adopted ya know...*sly grin*

The ever curious,

Lady Blade

[Luc Saint-Cyr]

Originally Posted by Rylan

Our bonding ceremony is... primal. It's our beastspirt proving the spiritual bond in a very physical way.

I'm intrigued, Rylan. Tell me more about the "beastspirit". I assume this is an inner part of you. If you would not mind sharing the information, I'd like to know more.

[Rylan]

Lady Blade,

if you are adopted, you'll be housed at first in the women's caves in River Mountain and begin an introduction into Trux society. Every darkmoon, the ladies are invited to a dance where any of the unmated males can mingle and meet them. I think you'd enjoy these monthly parties, from what I've gleaned of you. But be careful. Any male friends you make there will most likely be just that. Your mates aren't chosen by your mind, or by attraction.

Every brightmoon, your assigned spiritmage will souldance with you to seek out your mate choices. When the spiritmage has assembled several choices, you're presented to each other in a formal situation.

Within 24 hours, you'll choose one. A week after that, you'll be bonded. With this kind of seeking, every mate you're introduced to is a good choice. Don't worry, there's no such thing as a bad match. Your souls have been found compatible.

[Rylan]

Luc-
The beastspirit is born when we are. It lies dormant until puberty. When we mature, it does. When we yearn for children and a mate, it does. When it is satisfied, we are. When it is angry, we have to struggle to contain it. We can blend our souls and go into a shared body, or I can give myself over and submit to the beastspirit and let its form rule. Our beastspirit is a part of us, and a part of our Alpha. It's related to all the warriors of our Clan.

For myself who was bonded to my spirit so late, who grew up apart from the Clan, I'm still struggling to understand the complexity. All I know is that it feels more like freedom than anything. It's power, and joy. I'm so very thankful that Owl claimed me. That KarRa got me to him. I'm finally whole.

[Luc Saint-Cyr]

I notice a pattern in your answer, Rylan. Each time you mention an aspect of yourself or your growth, you say that the beastspirit is in harmony. Yet when anger comes into play, it is no longer in harmony. You struggle with it.

Which makes me curious as to whether anger is one of its strongest aspects. Could you give us more insight into this?

[Rylan]

We walk a balance, sharing ourselves with a creature that thinks very differently than humans. Frustration or anger upsets rational thought, and thus control. If our human side isn't in control at all times, our honor is at risk. Without honor, we are nothing.

power has responsibility.