The Journey Begins

Oribella Gently pushed halfway out of Poppy's arms to see his face. He was avoiding looking back at her, he was so afraid Oribella would refuse him knowing what his father had done. The few females that Poppy had attempted courting before had refused him on those grounds. They all feared that the apple had fallen too close to the tree.

Oribella spoke, "you're not responsible for your father's actions, Poppy." She gently placed her hands on Poppy's jaw and turned his face to look at her. "I'm so sorry that people don't trust you because of something your father did."

Looking into eachothers eyes Oribella felt a twinge in her chest as her heart sped up. Her past boyfriends had never shown that side of their lives, the sides they're ashamed of. They had never been truly vulnerable with her.

Poppy's heart started racing again. The only other females that would still look him in the eye where his Mother and Sister. He had told a new female of his dark past and she wan't afraid of him at all, if anything she was growing closer to him.

Oribella could barely push down her instincts for the time being. Being so close to an attractive man made her body want something more, something naughty. Her heart wasn't afraid either. However her mind thought it was too soon for that. She might actually want to be with Poppy, not just hook up with him, so she managed to keep her desires in check.

For now, Oribella simply kissed Poppy's cheek. Poppy sat stunded by this act of blushed hard. His mind was racing and was starting to feel overwhelmed with joy. Oribella truely likes him, even after telling her everything about his father's actions. This had never happened before and Poppy wasn't sure what to do!

After a moment Poppy shook it off and timidly asked "May... May I uh... May I return the favor?" Oribella giggled and leaned back twords Poppy, gently turning her head to give him perfect aim of her cheek. Poppy had never been this close to a female for so long since coming of age, and his body was starting to overreact to Oribella's presence.

In a panic Poppy gave a short peck on Oribella's cheek and hurriedly moved to the mouth of the cave, taking care to move without pushing Oribella.

"I do apologize-" Poppy stammered "I don't want to-I mean I WANT to..." his speech sped up "but you only just allowed me to court you and I want you to take the time to properly make your choice but I already love you so much and I hope to not wait TOO long but-"

"You REALLY love me?" Oribella interrupted.

Poppy turned back and gazed at Oribella. His heart racing and his face hot from blushing. With a love struck smile and a soft voice Poppy responded, "of course I do." Oribella began to blush as well.

"I'm going to be back very quickly," Poppy informed Oribella, "and I won't go far. I just need to... um... I should probably..."

Oribella averted her eyes and gestured to Poppy's loincloth, pitched like a tent "probably calm down?" Poppy blushed harder and nodded firmly before leaving the cave. Oribella moved closer to the mouth of the cave to try and catch a glimpse of how Poppy was 'calming down.'

Oribella gave her eyes a moment to adjust to the brilliant light bouncing off the stark white snow. She could easily see Poppy, less than 10 yards away. Laying face down in the snow. His legs and arms gleefully flopping in the snow.

Oribella couldn't help but think this was a dream. Her brain couldn't comprehend a man having such strong, wholesome, feelings towards her. Let alone her feeling something back! Oribella sat at the mouth of the Cave and watched Poppy roll around the snow.

After a long while Poppy stood up and made his way back to the cave. "Well now! Since I'm feeling more level headed why don't I take you back to the city? My sister will be so happy to meet you. I think you'll be good friends!"

"That sounds nice," Oribella went inside the cave and grabbed the fur and the pot of meat. "How far is the city from here?"

"It is a bit if a journey," Poppy took the fur from Oribella and wrapped it around her, "but if you get bored of looking at the forest, let me know and we can take a rest."

Before Oribella could respond she saw Poppy's human form change into that of a large Brown Bear. At the very least larger than Oribela thought bears were nornally. The transformation was more magical than monstrous, although it still made Oribella's heart skip a beat having never seen such a thing. Poppy lowered his back and Oribella inferred she was to climb on Poppy's back for the journey.

Oribella carefully climbed aboard and situated herself as comfortably as she could.

A few growls and grunts came from Poppy. At first Oribella thought she was somehow hurting him and froze in place. A moment later the same growls and grunts came from Poppy's mouth.

Oribella stated "I'm sorry, Poppy. I don't think I can understand what you say in this form."

Poppy pondered this problem and after a moment lifted his front left paw and made a grabbing motion in the snow.

Oribella positioned herself to be more like she was riding a horse, placed the pot of meat between her knees and firmly gripped Poppy's fur with both hands. "Like this?" She asked.

Poppy let out a satisfied roar and began first with a steady walk. Gradually increasing his speed until he was at a full run. Oribella giggled at the thrill of it all. She hadn't felt joy like this in such a long time. Even if she was dreaming she didn't want this dream to end.

The icy air stang the skin on Oribell's face and legs while traveling at such a brisk speed. The wrapped fur protecting her body and Poppy's thick fur protecting her hands. Even though the air was cold enough to leave frost on strands of hair Oribella was too excited to care! Her skin had been exposed to much worse the night before anyway.

The snow sparkled in the sunlight, and the gorgeous skeletal trees blocked the horizon line. Oribella looked into the distance ahead of her. The frozen wonderland reflecting off her deep brown eyes, as she could think nothing other than "nature is so beautiful."