No Honor in Helplessness

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Shuule woke up the next day, in the dark as the candles had been blown out in the night, with just the sunlight coming in through the rock opening. Her eyes quickly adjusted, looking around for her roommate. Set was a large snake, curled up to sleep in the opposite corner, motionless. The hair on the back of Shuule's neck stood up a bit at the fact that she had shared a den with a snake overnight, but he had kept his distance. After settling in the afternoon before, she decided to cut the awkward silence with a nap, and ended up sleeping like the dead for twelve hours straight, not realizing how much she missed a soft place to lay and four walls to keep her safe. She stretched her arms over her body as she got out of bed, quietly walking to the opening to peek out.

Even just putting her head outside into the open let the air hit her like a brick. It was hot, the humidity oppressive. Usually the dry season was hot, but the unusual rain had made the air so heavy you could drink it. Frowning, she pulled back into the cave.

"Are you going to leave?"

Set had woken up as soon as she had risen, but hadn't moved except to shift into his half human so he could communicate. In truth, like Shuule and most beastmen, he preferred to stay his animal - to the point that he had not shifted his lower half to human in years. There wasn't a point. Legs were terribly slow.

There was a pause, while Shuule thought. "Are you going to stop me from leaving?"

"No."

The girl couldn't help but give a small smirk while still peering outside, before turning around.

"It's awful outside, I'm glad it's still cool in the cave."

"You can see in here, can't you."

Shuule stopped short, forgetting that every part of her needed an explanation to those who didn't grow up with her. Yes, her eyes were excellent in the dark, just like males' were. Females who had no beast form weren't given the gift of night vision, only being able to perceive things the way a human would. That's why Set had included candles, though Shuule did enjoy the soft light they gave off, dancing on the stones. The question reminded her though that as happy as she was that she wasn't forced into spousalship, the snake clearly didn't like her, then. The snake didn't like her. She wasn't particularly pining over Set, just the fact that she was so undesirable. But if she didn't have a mate here, she at least, she felt, may be making a friend.

She nodded, knowing he could see her as well, before sitting down on the lion rug. "I think," she started, "I can do just about what the males can - see better, smell better," she put one hand out in front of her, and then with a clench of her fingers, her nails turned sharp as razors, "This thing,"

He couldn't help himself, his mouth slightly agape, Set reached out and grabbed Shuule's hand by her palm, staring at her fingernails, which she quickly turned back into meek human nubs.

"Amazing."

"What?"

"You heard me." He looked down at her, still holding her hand with both of his, his bright green eyes picking up just a small bit of the low light from outside, glinting in the dark.

She wasn't sure if he could see just how hot her cheeks had grown, just like the day before, but now for a different reason. Even those from her village that wanted her to be their mate, didn't think that her abnormalities were good, just accepted. All the talk of her being a miracle child ceased by the time she was a young teen, as no further good fortune fell into the grips of the clan, and the drought of female children continued.

"They did a number on you, didn't they," Set continued. "Why hide this?"

Shuule scrunched up her nose. "Do you not remember how you reacted when I forgot my ears?"

Set chuckled, quietly and quickly, the most outward ease he had willingly shown her. "Forgot my ears, that's what you call it? And - I was startled. You can't fault me for being startled. But I can fault your family for making you feel inferior for -" He tilted his head, trying to estimate her age - which was harder with the fact that age could be altered in this world, though she seemed mentally young as well - "sixteen years."

Her ears pinned, Shuule pulled her hand back, placing them both in her lap. "My family loved me," she said, dejectedly. She worried, too, now finally allowing herself to think about what could have happened to her parents. She hoped they weren't hurt on her behalf. They had helped her leave, but were lying that she fled without their knowledge, that was the plan, anyway. The other hope was that since so many in the village had turned against Shuule, that there wouldn't be enough Beastmen to back Cain if he tried to retaliate. "And I'm seventeen."

"Well, someone didn't," Set responded, raising a brow. "You should be proud that you're formidable. I don't understand the honor of being helpless, though" he waived a hand while moving towards the cave entrance, "The other females can't help it."

Shuule didn't agree, thinking of how strong in mind her own mother was, but she wasn't about to have a debate over the honor of mental fortitude while she was hastily wiping away tears before the snake saw them. As Set slithered out the entrance, she rose from the lion rug, and followed him into the scorching sun.