Note: Decriptions of nudity appear in this chapter.
Chapter Seventeen
Knowing me, Knowing you
Meanwhile, it was almost dawn where the Disciples slept in the secluded woods.
After some talking, eating, and drinking around their campfire, they had fallen asleep in the respective places.
Aurora slept soundly for most of the night, after so much excitement earlier, she had felt tired again, and was sound asleep before the others, and Regan and Diablo had watched over her then were the last ones to fall asleep.
But now, just as the sun was rising and casting light on the sleeping Disciples, Aurora started to stir slightly.
Her mind was soon being plagued by dreams and she heard a laughter in her ears, she wasn't sure whose laughter it was, but something almost familiar to her, one she had heard before, but was unable to recognise fully.
She winced as the laughter got louder and more sinister, then a pair of blood red eyes opened before her, and she was jerked awake!
The Hybrid sat bolt upright as she awoke and looked around to find herself laying on a sleeping bag in woodland by a firepit that had burnt out and she began to remember where she was.
"Good morning." She heard a voice and turned around to see Diablo sitting nearby looking down at her.
"Huh?" Aurora blinked a few times "Who...?"
"Diablo." Diablo replied, "Forgetting again already?" he chuckled to which the hybrid felt her pinks go hot and pink.
"Hey, it's okay." Diablo said with a wink, "Just messing with you."
"Sorry." Aurora said running a hand over her hair, "I guess I'm still a little confused, and I still can't remember anything beyond when your friends brought me to life."
"It's understandable." Diablo replied.
Aurora looked at the burnt out firepit then at the empty sleeping bags nearby and realised it was just her and Diablo.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.
"They've gone to wash at a nearby spring." Diablo replied gesturing the direction with his taloned thumb "I remained behind to wait for you to wake up, it seems you needed more rest than we thought, especially after what had happened to you."
"Which again, I still don't recall." Aurora said, "All I remember is waking up and seeing you guys around me."
Diablo nodded.
"We will find out what happened, eventually." He said, "But we won't rush it, your mind needs to heal."
Aurora stood up shakily from her sleeping bag and stretched, her limbs clicking as she did.
"The others are at the Spring" He said, "If you wish to freshen up?"
"Thanks." Aurora said walking towards where Diablo directed her.
The Raven watched her go and as he did, he cocked his head, he remembered how he had told the other Disciples they shouldn't use the water on the hybrid, as he had a hunch that she was not of the source, but something else.
Also, he had seen something familiar about her, in his gut, there was something telling him that he knew her more than he was willing to let on, her long dark hair, her lizard features, she reminded her of someone else he knew very well, and who had haunted him since the day he left Mutopia, the day he had betrayed her.
"Monalisa..." he whispered then narrowed his eyes "No, it can't be..."
Meanwhile, Aurora walked over to where Diablo had directed her, and she soon came across the river he mentioned, or rather it was a small stream behind some moss-coloured rock formations.
There was also a waterfall, and she could see all the Disciples were happily bathing and washing.
What struck the Hybrid was that they were all naked and seemed to have no care in the world about it.
Lamia was standing under the waterfall washing herself down, Chastity and Lilith were in the shallow areas cleaning their feathers with Seth assisting Lilith and Samson was helping Chastity.
Regan was splashing about happily in the deep parts, and Ravage was sitting on the bank cleaning himself down with his four arms.
Regan soon spotted the hybrid and waved to her.
"Aurora!" she called to which the other Disciples looked over.
"Ah, our guest has arrived." Ravage said, "Come join us, fresh up."
"Or just enjoy the water!" Regan called "It's great!" she lay back in the water and floated for a moment before standing back up again to face Aurora.
The Hybrid bit her lip and stepped a little closer, keeping her eyes on Regan who got out of the water and Aurora saw she too was naked, yet her body was covered with fur so she could barely see any details.
The same could be said for Lilith and Chastity given how feathers adorned their bodies.
"We got some spare towels for you." Regan pointed to where the group had towels and their clothes.
Aurora didn't speak and Regan could see her cheeks were pink.
"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked "You shy? There's nothing to be afraid of, we're just bathing."
Chastity looked up from cleaning her feathers.
"I think our guest finds it strange how we can all bathe here without concern, as she may not be accustomed to it?"
Aurora looked at Chastity, a light in her soul hearing that the dove understood her feelings.
Seth agreed.
"We have been in each other's company and have not had the conveniences to be private as much as we wish." He spoke.
"I understand your feelings dear child." Lamia said and Aurora had noticed that the mutant eel had swam over from the waterfall rather quickly to where she and Regan stood.
"I due to my religion have kept myself covered, yet since being with the Disciples, I could not always hide when I needed to change, so in the end I accepted the facts, but I have not been denied the chance to keep my traditions when it comes to prayer and practice."
"Likewise, with me." Seth added and the others murmured and nodded.
"We follow our own rules." Rex said getting out of the water then shaking off the water causing droplets to hit Regan and Aurora.
"Hey! Rexy!" Regan laughed as he did that.
"Sorry!" Rex said then picked up a black towel wrapping himself up in it.
"Anyway." He said, "Whatever you wish to do is up to you, but we feel no shame in how we live."
"We are all of the same flesh." Chastity said, "Made in God's image, or at least, we were until we were bestowed the source that made us or saved us."
"Thus, we shouldn't feel embarrassed." Samson commented "I sure am not."
"Indeed not." Lilith agreed "And anyway, anything we have anatomy wise; you can barely see like you can on the humans because of how we are humanoid animal than human."
Aurora looked up.
"I understand." She said as she started to slowly remove her clothes.
Rex turned his back out of respect, as did Ravage and Samson and Seth continued to help Lilith and Chastity.
Regan even opened her wings to provide some cover and before long, Aurora stood in her black underwear.
"How does it feel?" Regan asked looking at the hybrid and taking in her features.
Her green scales, the lighter green area that covered her breasts and stomach down to her crotch.
"Strange." Aurora admitted "But also, in a way, liberating."
Regan smiled.
"You don't have to fully disrobe if you don't want to, in fact we can all leave you to bathe alone if you wish?" she asked.
Aurora bit her lip and looked at everyone.
They all looked back at her with eyes of kindness and support, and slowly, she started to feel less afraid and embarrassed.
They didn't judge her, they didn't make her feel awkward and she looked at her bra then at the water, seeing how inviting it was, and how everyone was there to enjoy it, regardless of whether they were naked or not.
She placed her fingers on the straps of her bra and slowly pulled it down, then she reached behind her and unhooked the back then let it drop exposing her breasts.
She then placed her hands on her panties and very slowly let them fall and before long, she too was as naked as the day she was born.
The male disciples kept their eyes averted for her modesty, yet Regan smiled proudly.
"Well, you are bold Aurora." She said then took the Hybrids hand and lead her to the water.
Aurora chewed her lip and braced herself for the sharp coldness of the water, which was rather cold as she dipped her toe, then slowly stepped into it.
She winced as well as giggled at how cold the water was.
"Brrrr!" she laughed "It's cold!"
"But refreshing!" Lamia smiled as she bobbed in the water near where they were, she wanted to hold out her hand to Aurora, but she knew she couldn't, given her shocking touch, but Regan did so instead, helping the Hybrid into the water and laughing along with her as they got in together.
Before long Aurora was fully in the water and she gasped at how refreshing it was.
"Oh gosh!" she cried "This feels amazing."
"Told you so!" Regan chuckled.
Aurora took a breath and lowered herself into the water to wet her hair then came up again.
"Oh yes... this really is liberating!" she cried "And wonderful!" she threw up some water and laughed making the Disciples smile then she fell back into the water and began to float on her back looking up at the trees above as well as the sky which was blue with some cloud hovering over.
Aurora lay floating there for a moment staring up at the skies, feeling relaxed and content at the sight, as she relaxed, she again tried to remember what may have happened before these mutant animals found her, but again, everything was just a blur.
Seeing the hybrid floating there, the Disciples stepped away and picked up their towels to get dried.
Regan however stood in the water nearby and watched.
Chastity walked over to the Vampire Bat.
"Maybe you should keep an eye on our new friend for a bit? We're gonna head back to Diablo and the van and get packed up."
"I can do that Angel." Regan replied to the dove "She was rather quick to accept this free bathing without a care thing, wasn't she?"
Chastity nodded.
"Surprised me a little." She said, "But in a way, it's good to see she's shown she's comfortable with us."
Regan agreed.
"I'll watch her for a bit." The Vampire bat said, "We shall join you guys soon."
Chastity smiled and patted Regan's head before going to join the others to return to Diablo at the campsite.
Regan meanwhile looked back at Aurora who continued to float in the water and look up at the skies.
"You seem rather happy now Aurora." She said "But I know deep down you want to find out about your past, and what happened to you, and whatever you decide to do, we will help you, and if you have a family or loved ones waiting for you..."
It was then Regan paused as another thought crossed her mind.
"But then, if those you loved are no longer with you, and you have no-one...like me...then we will look after you, and you will help us stop others feeling the same pain of loss and make those who sin against others are punished greatly!"
Pandora, or rather Aurora as she has been called has awoken in her new world and is only grasping the new ways of this life she has awakened to, yet Diablo is starting to recognise who she really is!
Yet will Pandora/Aurora realise who she truly is?