And there is a second chapter ! Yay !
A big thank you to Banryuu who beta read me 3
I hope you will enjoy
Charm and Predators.
Some have theorized that the young catgirl Merle, the charge of the Royal House of Fanelia, was enamored to her sire because of her instincts. In shady bars of the Fanelian capital some even jokes that it was the feathers that enticed her. Knowing that prince Folken had a set of sensual twin catwomen at his service only added fuel to the rumors mills.
For all of the affection both Fanels had for their friends and charges, for them it was never in a romantic sense, and against their better judgment neither have ever been able to shake of a spark of wariness in the regard of their cat-people. Yet it was imperceptible for anyone who don't know them.
It was not a well-known fact but there is a rather long history of mistrust and wariness between Cat-People and Draconians. That history could explain in part why Draconians prefer to hide their wings. In their desire to get wings the Atlanteans had not thought about the natural predators of birds. Rather ironic since when they created Gaea they also created Cat People. But then they had thought themselves equals to gods.
The rumors says that a relationship between a Cat Person and a Draconian is doomed from the start. It would entail a lot a hissing, scratching, biting and hits with flying feathers and tuft of fur if they try to get intimate. This rumor was more a joke between beast people than a real fact. Some of them were known to have unusual mating rituals after all.
One true fact on was that Draconians, who are closers to Birds in some ways, are naturally wary of those predators like Cat people. Call it a primal instinct.
The truth was Narya, Erya and Merle were genuinely attracted to the Fanels brothers for both their charms and kindness, but none of them can deny that at some point or another they would have tried to get a bit more… aggressive toward their benefactor. The very instinct to pounce all claws out on them had been rather stressful along the years, for both brothers, especially during the childhood of the girls, even though it happened quite rarely. Neither Draconians could hold this against them and as a well-known Gaean proverb state:
Keep your friends close to you, and even closer those who would eat you.
Their own instincts kept bothering them about keeping the catgirls in their line of sight and it let them know that keeping a grudge would be rather hypocritical.
Biology of Draconians.
Van and Folken were not humans, not in the slightest and they know it. As Draconians the obvious pair of luminous white wings are a dead giveaway for anyone with eyes.
But the wings are like the visible part of an iceberg. With such a bird like features on their back the rest of their body is not completely like that of a normal human either. And are rather a mixed of both humans and birds like elements. It's not something discussed between them nor in others company. But they know that some things are differents.
Dryden happen to possess some books about Draconians that report and study those specials features. It seems they don't like some of those reports, even when they were true. The merchant was smart enough not to comment on it though nor was he too keen on sharing said books. He doesn't particularly fancy a meeting between his throat and the metal claws of the older brother or the sword of the younger after all.
The most noticeable features that differs Draconians from human are mostly internal. Their hearts beat faster naturally and are slightly bigger. Ttheir body heat is also higher than normal people. But next to a reptile anybody look like a furnace. Their metabolism is faster and their eyesight better than the average man, but not quite as good as a Falcon man, this makes them good hunters or archers. Such enhanced senses and metabolism mean they also eat more.
Another thing different between humans and Draconians was their instincts.
To survive this long in a hostile world for their race the Draconians poses instincts not far from the Beast people. Fighting, hunting, sensing immediate dangers and threats are the best one they could poses for raw survival. They also have a sense of territory and strong protective streaks for those accepted on it. Which for a member of the royal family was a plus.
Then there was their instincts that they would prefer to forget but unfortunately can't.
Reproduction.
As princes both Folken and Van were supposed to be educated in this peculiar field, and one day marry and produce the futures heirs for the throne of Fanelia. A Draconian who has found a partner will not tolerate easily to be parted from him/her and will do everything to ensure that said partner is happy and safe. A lot of Draconians have been reported to "mate" for life but not necessary in a monogamous relationship.
For their mate both Van and Folken had sensed that they needed to build with their own hands a shelter, almost a cocoon for their half. Somewhere safe and warm and something that would show that they are capable with their hands. And obviously a safe haven for their lovemaking and the birth of their children.
The Fanelian brothers wouldl not discuss with anyone, even under torture, about the last "gift" the Atlantean are supposed to have given the Draconians.
If the Atlantean's had wanted to look like gods they had enough vanity in themselves to increase a certain part of their descendants' stamina. Curiously no one have ever confirmed nor denied such rumors. Though in the far south countries it is rumored that having a Draconian in a harem is a must. A sure fact is that recently a certain seer from the Mystic Moon had a rather content smile whenever she visited the young king of Fanelia. But no one was quite ready to ask the Dragon of Fanelia about it.
Fairytales and world born of dreams
When Hitomi found the young prince Chid in the garden that night he didn't ask for a reading from her cards like last time. He was still feeling alone and like any other child his age he just wanted comfort from his friends and family, but as he was a prince he was required to be tough. Especially in front of his father the duke.
'So much like Van' She thought, and when he asked her for a fairytale it remind her how young he really is. Younger than her own brother even, and yet forced to act like an adult most of the time.
She complied to his innocent demand and walked him to his room, the whole time wondering what kind of story would appeal to the boy. What is a fairytale for a world born out of dreams after all?
On Earth fairytales were about things that doesn't exist but here? Dragons and beast people were everyday things. He would think she was just talking about the weather! She doubted he would want a story about a pretty princess needing rescue and the like, he was a boy after all.
But his sad and hopeful little face when she tucked him in his king sized bed made her melt and try her best. She finally shared her favorite folktales of her childhood with the young prince.
The tale of Momotaro seemed to interest him but he was more fascinated by the story of Kintarô. By the time she finished the tale of the Bamboo Cutter he was fast asleep. When Hitomi walked out of his room she passed by a window showing the moon and her planet. And will walking back to her room she kept reflecting on the similarities between Kaguya-hime and herself…
(Author note: The tale of Momotaro is about a old couple who find a baby boy inside a peach, and once he grew up became friend with several animals and defeated a bunch of onis.
The tale of Kintarô is about a young boy with impressive strength who grow up in a forest and who became a renowned fighter and hero.
The tale of the Bamboo Cutter is the legend of Kaguya-hime the princess from the moon, she was found by an old man in a bamboo and was known for her beauty. Her suitors would get impossible tasks to accomplish to get her hand until the emperor himself fall in love with her and her with him. But then she had to go back to the moon.)