The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
Dinner that night was fairly entertaining to say the least.
Nemus and his wife were very kind and funny people. They told the younger pair some rather interesting stories from their younger years. Some of which were quite hilarious and had both Galen and Noelle laughing at times.
"Wow, you must've stayed pretty mad at him afterwards for embarrassing you like that in front of your friends." Noelle said to Sanja with laughter still in her voice.
"Oh, she gave me the cold shoulder I want to say for about...two weeks or so." Nemus surmised, thinking back on it.
"I can't say we blame her." Galen joked.
"Let's just say, when meals were ready, the kids had to come and tell me. Because she refused to do so. That's how much she wasn't talking to me at the time." Nemus added.
"But enough about us. Where you originally from?" Sanja asked them.
"Central City. Got a little tired of it and decided to travel and see some knew places we haven't seen before. So far, it hasn't disappoint either." Galen answered.
"Yeah, this may only be our second stop, but what we've seen so far, we really like it." Noelle added.
"You know, there are not just villages here to visit, there are some very beautiful sights here as well." Nemus stated.
"Yes, we heard. A couple friends we made in Ansel highly recommended seeing places like Gaynor Lake and Bellows Falls. Would definitely like to visit those places." Noelle replied.
"Ahh, yes. Those are a couple of good spots to visit. There is also Crescent Cove, a large cove that resembles the shape of a crescent moon that borders Cedar Lake. It's about a day and half's ride northwest from here." Nemus informed them.
"There is also this meadow near the valley about three days west of here too." Sanja added.
"They both sound like very interesting places. Thank you for letting us know. I think I saw Crescent Cove listed on the map that was given to us back in Ansel." Galen said.
"Not surprised, usually they put a lot of these visiting hotspots on maps for those who enjoy traveling, hiking, and camping." Nemus stated.
He and his wife loved the great outdoors themselves and when they were younger, they used to go out to these places with their kids all the time. Had many family picnics and campouts during these trips.
Unfortunately, now that they were much older, the traveling became a little more challenging for them.
But at least their kids kept the traditions going. Both their daughter and son take their families out to these sights every now and then for family time.
"Between Gaynor Lake, Bellows Falls, Crescent Cove, and this meadow, which one would you say is the closest or the best one to visit?" Noelle inquires out of curiosity.
"Honestly, we've been to them all and they are all rather beautiful. Though I will say, Crescent Cove is the closest, definitely. Gaynor Lake is in the complete opposite direction to the east. Bellows Falls is due north of here. Then the meadow is due west and I want to say the furthest from here." Sanja explained.
They all conversed with each other for the next few hours even after it started getting dark.
Galen and Noelle were nice enough to help them cleanup after dinner. Something the older couple fully appreciated. Afterwards they all moved to the living room where they continued chatting with one another.
It's funny, while Galen told the older couple that Noelle was his servant, Nemus couldn't help but think otherwise. The shared glances between them, her outspoken personality, the way they converse with each other, it doesn't seem to correspond with a servant master relationship between the pair.
Perhaps, he was looking too hard into it though or overthinking it.
The old chimp has been around long enough to know there was such a thing as interspecies relationships between apes and humans, though it is said to be very rare.
A part of him wanted to inquire further, but he felt like it was really none of his business. Plus, his wife would tell him just that if he were to question it.
He may be from the older generation with stricter traditions, but he wasn't against such relationships, and neither was his wife. Though he knew many others that found it utterly appalling and a crime against both ape society and nature.
This is why, if there really was more going on between these two, he hopes they are careful. Because not everyone will be as nearly understanding as others.
Though he likes to think Quinton is a rather neutral town in that sense, just like Ansel. He can't speak for some of the other villages or settlements here though.
Milner Village especially was not welcoming of such relationships. He once heard an interspecies couple was run out of that village when they were found out. Where that couple went afterwards, he's unsure. He can only hope they made it somewhere safe and somewhere more tolerable of such relationships.
He would definitely hate to see anything happen to this couple. They were very nice and decent people from what he has seen upon conversing with them for the better part of these last several hours.
It was getting rather late now. The sun having gone down at least a few hours before.
Nemus and Sanja would be turning in for the night soon. Galen and Noelle maybe going to bed soon too, and if that is the case, he didn't want to keep them up with all their incessant bantering.
He knew his wife can be quite the chatterbox at times, chewing one's ear off, and keep the other engaged in conversation for quite some time. Because of this he would normally have to step in and tell her it was time to go, just to break off the conversation or because it would simply be time to leave.
Or in this case, retire for the night.
"Please don't mind me asking, but how long have you been his Kaylan's servant for?" Sanja inquired.
Noelle was silent for a split moment before answering.
"Oh, wow. I'd say, it has to be a few years now." She lied smoothly, though felt like an asshole doing so to such nice people.
She just had to keep reminding herself it was for their safety.
"Yes, and she is very attentive and good with the housework. Even now, when we are out in the woods, she still cooks the meals for us and gathers sticks for making a small fire. It seems, even when traveling and stopping for camp at night, it's still good to have a servant along." Galen added.
"Plus, you wouldn't be all alone in unfamiliar woods and have someone to converse with." Nemus pointed out.
Though in truth, Nemus and his wife never had any servants.
They were one of the few odd apes that held more respect for humans than most and saw it as wrong that they should be kept in servitude. They even raised their own children up with that same mindset, to have respect for others, rather they be ape or human.
He still had that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that this woman wasn't really his servant though. Possibly a friend, or maybe even something more.
Nemus really wanted to pull Kaylan aside and inquire more about it. But didn't want to put the younger chimp on the spot.
"This is true. After all, it would be strange trying to have conversations with yourself in the woods. Anyone walking by who saw it would've thought one crazy." Galen joked.
Sanja chuckled a little at that.
"Yes, that would be true. They'd probably scurry away quickly if they saw someone sitting alone at a campfire talking to themselves." The old female chimp stated.
"How is it any different from you talking to your flowers in the garden in the back?" Nemus teased her.
His wife sharply turned to him with narrow eyes.
"You, shush." She said, wagging a finger at him.
Noelle and Galen pursed their lips shut, trying not to laugh out loud at the funny exchange.
"Why not? Master Kaylan here used to have a pet dog he would talk to all the time. Walked in on him having full-blown conversations with it plenty of times over the years." Noelle joked.
Galen shifted his gaze to her with an arched eye ridge.
"Silence, you. That's not how it was, and you know it." He told her.
"Well, at least a dog probably makes better conversation with, than flowers." Nemus added.
By now, Galen was still giving Noelle the stink eye, while Sanja was doing the same with her husband.
"If you are quite finished, husband, let's let them go settle in for the night. I suggest we do the same." Sanja stated.
"Fair enough. Have a good night you two. We'll be turning in for the night." Nemus informed the younger pair.
"You have a good night as well. We'll see you both in the morning." Galen said, politely.
"Yeah, good night." Noelle added.
The older couple walked down one of the two halls that went off of the living room. They went through the one on the left side of the living room. While Galen and Noelle headed for the second hall that branched off of the right side of the living room.
They walked the few feet down and entered the second door on the right that was the room they were staying in.
"Well, I think it's safe to say we had a rather productive day and night." Noelle stated, once the door was closed behind them.
"Indeed. And you didn't end up killing yourself on the horse." Galen teased.
She rolled her eyes.
"Careful, or next conversation you do end up having will be with the local pets. Because I may just do what Sanja does to Nemus when she gets pissed at him and just give you the cold shoulder." She told him.
"Oh, thank god. I'll finally have some peace and quiet for a change. Guess dreams do come true." He replied, with a wide smirk.
"Consider yourself couchbound then. The bed is mine." Noelle stated.
"Oh, really? Would love to see how you attempt to keep me off of it for the night. Should be rather interesting." Galen joked.
Noelle narrowed her eyes at him. Then a sly grin appeared on her face.
"Really?" She says.
"Yes, really. Because I doubt anything could stop me from getting in that bed, whether you're in it or not." He stated with a hint of finality.
"We shall see." Noelle said, the grin still has yet to leave her face.
Galen arched an eye ridge, wondering what she could be possibly up to.
"Because...I think I have a very effective way to keep you out of the bed." Noelle told him.
"Oh? And what would that be? You hogging the covers again?" He teased.
She didn't say anything as she walked around him, a smirk still ever present on her face.
Galen followed her movements. Though afterwards, he's going to regret keeping his eyes on her.
As she walked towards the bed, she started to pull off her tank top, leaving her in her bra. Then as she reached down to pull her shorts off she heard a startled yelp leave the chimp behind her.
"Gah! Noelle! What are you doing!?" He blurted out loudly, with his eyes nearly bulging out of his face.
Then she slipped off her shorts and pulled them off. Now, she was in nothing but her bra and undies.
For good measure she bunched up her shorts and turned around, quickly throwing the article of clothing at the shocked chimp who still had yet to move.
Noelle started to laugh when she nailed him right in the face with her shorts, and he flung his arms about with a muffled yelp. Before he finally quickly pulled the shorts off of his face and threw it to the floor.
When he looked back up, he saw her lay down in the center of the bed, making herself comfortable.
Her light gaze shifted from the ceiling above her to Galen. Who was still standing there with his mouth hanging open and his eyes as wide as saucers.
Noelle just smiled at him and lifted her lower arm to lazily wave at him.
"Have fun on the couch tonight, Galen. Or should I still use Master Kaylan?" She joked.
"Very funny. But you had your fun. Now put your clothes back on." He told her.
"I wouldn't say that too loudly, you never know if they might hear you or not. And you did say it quite loud." Noelle said.
His mouth snapped shut and his face was still quite red. A part of him is still wondering why he's still even looking at her while she's like this. It was very inappropriate to do so.
"You really do live to embarrass me, don't you?" Galen pointed out.
"But I thought you said you don't get embarrassed." Noelle countered.
"Ok, you win. If anyone can embarrass me, it's obviously you. There, happy now?" He blurted out.
"Very." She said, with a big grin.
Then she stretched her arms over her head and arched her back.
Noelle noted that Galen still had yet to look away. Was probably still shocked that she pulled something like this. The look on his face was comical. She kind of wishes she got a pic of it with her iPhone.
He really needed to stop staring at her like this. It was starting to cause a slight issue down below and starting to make him heat up.
"If your quite finished, please put your clothes back on." Galen insisted.
Noelle was silent for a moment, before speaking.
"But it's hot in here." She replied.
"Noelle." He whined.
If she were to see the issue she was causing down below, he really will be embarrassed. The last thing he wants, is to pop a full erection in front of her.
It almost happened before when he accidentally walked in on her bathing back in the rented room back in Ansel. Even then, he was starting to pitch a tent in his pants.
It shocked him at the time because he didn't think he would have a reaction like that to a human woman.
"Ok, don't have an aneurysm now. I'll put them back on." She told him.
Then she got up and started to pick up her tank top off the floor.
He watched as she pulled it over her head, covering her bra clad chest and flat tummy from view. Then she started heading towards him. He froze when she did.
"Can you hand me my shorts? They are right there next to your feet." She pointed them out.
Galen quickly snapped out of his stupor. Then he quickly bent down and plucked the shorts from the floor and gave them to her.
Noelle pulled them back on. Now that she was fully clothed, he can start breathing easier.
Unfortunately, he had another problem to still deal with before he can go to bed. So, he may as well go fix it now. He can only hope she hasn't noticed it.
"I'll be right back. Need to use the bathroom." He muttered.
Then he quickly turned around and headed for the bedroom door.
She watched him leave the room, closing the door behind him. Noelle did wonder if she did go a little too far with that joke. It didn't pass her that she did spot him surprisingly pitching a tent down below his waist.
Now, she felt bad for teasing him the way she did. When he does come back in, she will definitely apologize to him and to show how sorry she was, she will take the couch for the night.
Galen entered the bathroom and shut the door.
He then made a b-line to the bathtub basin and put the plug in. Then he started to crank the handle on the spout to fill the tub. Normally, he wasn't very fond of baths, but in this case, he'll make an exception.
He had a hard time getting the image of her like that out of his mind. Pretty soon, the image of her completely naked from the time he walked in on her bathing also came to mind.
Before he could shut it out completely, it made his erection swell even more.
Thankfully the water was quite cold, so it should bring it back down once he was in the tub. He cranked water into it for the next few minutes.
Then when it was full enough, he stood up and started to remove his clothes.
Galen tossed his shirt aside, then kicked off his shoes. Afterwards, he pulled his pants down his legs and kicked them off. His stiff erection bobbed up and down with the movements.
The chimp quickly got into the tub and sat down, leaning back against the back of the tub. At the same time, he lightly flinched by the coolness of the water seeping through his dark fur and touching his skin.
After a couple minutes, he could feel the erection subsiding due to the cold water.
Galen leaned his head back a little and closed his eyes. Despite the water being cold, he did find it relaxing. It was also doing a good job at cooling him off. Seeing as it has been very warm the last few weeks.
He must've stayed in the bath for the next eight minutes or so. Before he felt it was time to get out. His only regret was that he ran in there before he could think to grab one of his soap bars from his pack.
But there's always next time.
Galen stood up and the water started dripping off of his soaked fur that was now clinging to his body. He stepped out and onto the small, soft rug on the floor right next to the side of the tub.
He then grabbed one of four towels that were hanging on a wooden bar that jutted out from the wall on the right only a couple feet away.
Galen used it to thoroughly dry himself off. Afterwards, he put the towel in the woven laundry basket next to the door and started to redress himself.
Afterwards, he left the bathroom and walked the five feet down the hall back to the bedroom.
When he went inside, he noticed Noelle was no longer in the bed. As he looked around, he spotted her laying on the couch between the two windows.
Noelle saw him enter and when he spotted her and started to approach her, she sat up.
"Galen, I'm sorry. That joke may have gone a little too far. You can have the bed if you want." She said.
He tilted his head and wrinkled his nose.
"I accept your apology, but you don't have to stay on the couch." Galen told her.
Then he held out his hand for her to take.
Noelle eyed him for a moment, then she reached out and took his offered hand. He held onto hers as she stood up from the couch. Then he led her back to the bed.
Once they got there, he let go and rounded the bed to go lay on his side.
She got in on her side and laid down, getting comfortable once more. Though she wasn't lying before when she said it was warm in there. So, she actually stayed above the covers.
It really did suck they had no such thing as air conditioning in this time period. They could've really used it right about now. She hasn't really utilized the covers at all lately because of the heat.
Even Galen was laying above the covers, finding it a bit too warm himself to get under them.
They didn't say anything for a minute or so. Noelle was laying on her side, facing away from him. While he was laying on his back. Both were still wide awake.
Then out of the blue, Noelle heard a soft chuckle from behind her.
She furrowed her brows, then turned around to face him. She watched as his gaze shifted from the ceiling to look at her. He had a soft smile on his face, with amusement dancing about in his eyes.
"I still can't believe you pulled something like that. In a way, it was somewhat humorous while it lasted." He told her.
Noelle didn't say anything for a moment. Then a small grin appeared on her face, and she let out a small chuckle herself.
"Well, figured it was one way to beat you at this little game we have going on between us. Guess it worked, and I won this round." She joked.
He rolled onto his side facing her, then lifted his upper half up a little to rest the side of his face in his hand as he gazed at her.
"For now." Galen said, with a mischievous smirk.
Noelle arched a brow.
"I can only imagine what you are up to." She stated.
His smirk just widened, "Maybe I'll surprise you the same way you surprised me. And you may just wake up in the morning next to me, only I'll be the one who doesn't have a stitch of clothing on. And unlike you, I don't wear undergarments under this shirt and these pants."
He watched her eyes widen and her cheeks turn red.
"Don't you dare, Galen." She warned.
"Oh, and why shouldn't I? It's only fair. You basically just gave me a striptease. So, I'm kind of inclined to return the favor." He joked.
"No, you really don't. Besides, you said it yourself, unlike me, you're not wearing undergarments." She quickly countered.
Galen huffed, "Yes, I'll even say I was a little disappointed you just didn't remove everything before."
The look on her face did it and he started laughing.
"Well, I hope you enjoyed it. Because that's the last time you'll ever see me like that again." Noelle pointed out.
"Good thing mental images can last forever then." He teased.
Noelle went to grab her pillow from beneath her head, then she went to go whack Galen with it.
He saw it coming though and grabbed the pillow as she swung it at him. Afterwards he hung onto it and wouldn't let it go. Then watched her try to pull it back.
Galen ended up having to grab onto it with two hands and really hang on though. Because Noelle was actually quite strong, despite her petite size.
"Give it back." She said, as she tried pulling it out of his grip.
"Nope." Was his reply.
"Galen, give it." Noelle said and tugged it harder.
Pretty soon it turned into a tug-o-war match between them. As both of them struggled a bit to get the pillow from the other.
Neither of them seemed to be backing down as they tugged on it. Though Galen started to use momentum and his weight and started to lean back a little, while clutching the pillow in his grip.
This made the petite woman start to lean forward into him.
It also started bringing their faces awfully close together as well. But she still refused to give in and let it go, even if they were at a slightly awkward position right now.
Then she saw a smirk appear on his face and a mischievous glint enter his eyes.
Next thing she knew, he pressed his lips to hers, surprising Noelle in the process. Her eyes widened and she ended up letting go of the pillow. Before quickly pulling back.
Despite the very brief contact of the kiss, both were huffing and puffing a little trying to get their racing hearts under control.
When their lips touched, it felt like a small current of electricity shot down their spines and they felt a warm, tingly sensation as their lips his lips lightly caressed hers for those brief few seconds.
Her cheeks were red and warm, as her gaze stayed on his.
Galen felt warm all over as his dark gaze stayed transfixed on her light blue gaze. It's almost like he couldn't believe he just did that. Even if he thought it was a good distraction at the time in getting her to release the pillow.
After a few more moments of awkward staring in silence, he slowly held out the pillow for her to take back.
Noelle slowly reached out to take the pillow back from him. As she grabbed it, her fingers lightly grazed his in the process. She can't understand why all these soft touches and the very brief peck on the lips made her feel so alive.
She eventually got the pillow back completely and placed it on her lap for a moment.
It seemed like forever before either of them spoke again. Though it wasn't the words one expected to hear.
"I'm...I'm sorry." Galen uttered, thinking he just crossed a line with Noelle.
Noelle was silent for a moment longer. Then she lightly reached up and placed a hand on his cheek, caressing it.
"I'm not." She said.
A small smile slowly made its way onto Galen's face when he heard that and felt the soft caress of her hand against his cheek.
He reached up and grasped her hand that was resting on his cheek. Then he slowly brought it around and pressed a small kiss to her palm, before bringing their still joined hands down to rest between them.
Galen ran his thumb over her knuckles, as he continued holding her hand. Noelle grasped his hand a little tighter.
She wanted to say something else, but instead she ended up using her free hand to stifle a yawn. Something he didn't miss.
"We should try and get some sleep." He said.
Even though her heart has still had yet to slow down completely, she couldn't help but agree.
"Yeah, it was a pretty busy day." Noelle says.
Between the shopping and the riding lesson, they were kept pretty busy.
Let's not forget that they did nearly share a kiss while he was teaching her some of the basics of horseback riding.
It confirmed how they both really started to feel about each other. Something that both relieved and scared her because she never felt this strongly before about anyone. Not even past boyfriends had gotten such strong reactions out of her within the short time she knew them.
Not like Galen has.
At the same time, he cannot recall ever feeling this way either. At least not this early on. Even when he was with Kira, their relationship didn't warrant this strong of emotions this early on in their relationship.
He certainly doesn't recall feeling that lively spark from kissing Kira, not like he just felt with Noelle just now and he wouldn't even consider it a proper kiss.
As much as he wanted to delve more into it, right now was not really the time. He could see she was tired, and to be honest, he was rather tired himself.
Noelle started to lay down, but still has yet to let go of his hand.
Galen started to lay down too. The pair ended up facing each other, with their joined hands still between them. They still kept their gaze on one another as they laid next to each other.
After a few minutes, Noelle's eyes started to droop, and she could barely keep them open any longer.
She felt the area beneath her move a little as she felt Galen scooch closer to her. Then felt him wrap an arm around her petite form and hold her close.
A small smile touched her lips, and she reached up with her free hand and arm and draped it over his side, pressing her forehead into his chest.
Galen rested his chin on top of her head and continued to hold her.
The pair eventually fell asleep like that and stayed in that position for the rest of the night. It seems like whatever bond was between them, was continuing to grow even stronger.
Until Next Time ;)