There was a weighing of outcomes that came with this gift. Indeed he wished to witness her devour the organs, watch the blood run down her neck, watch those canines rip into the flesh and enjoy her enjoying every bite. Yes, it beyond fascinated him. Ever since they spoke of hearts and racing them, he recalled the knowledge that her species has great need of the essential organs. Of course, the humans have more natural claim to their use, as they cannot exist without the organs, but, oh, what is a more fitting role for such a useless species than becoming food for another.
It did sum the Fae disgust with humanity so poetically it birthed envy. Simply using the humans and their variations meant nothing other than, of course, amusement to the tickle of boredom. But to consume their very lives to nourish your own, he would love to be able to. Why not? It was just how weaker animals were used to fatten another, stronger animal, used to nourish another more deserving of life, so was the same of the Kumiho and the lesser humans. If a Fae could do the same it would bring greater purpose to the feeble creatures.
But they could not. And so Joui would manage his disappointments and enjoy the sight given by this beauty. Yet he knew, she could find this quite offensive. She, who he knew did not feed and had yet struggled with the more natural side of her species for years, how would she react if he presented her with such a thing and called it a gift?
The turning of her in his arms, her hands to his face, caressing him, yet the expression on her face made him wonder. There was no glee present, no warmth radiating as it did when the crystal flowers were presented. He wondered, had he truly upset her? Did she perhaps feel forced? Oh how he would hate that.
He watched her move to the table, seeing suddenly her face when she realized her staff had been harmed in her stead. How weak she looked, how weak she felt, he wanted to take it from her. Indeed she was no predator, not yet, but that same woman growled at others who dared look to him, bared her canines, staking her possession of him to those who were indeed above her in rank. That daring resonated within him. Her potential inspired him.
And even as he witnessed the fullness of her form, watched her pad through the space she made her own with blood in her fur, her attendants concerned at the fox in her space, unsure of whom it exactly was. He had remembered those ears, pinned back at the sight of him. He had smiled then, remembering the same ears at his birthday ball and walked to her with no fear, ignoring the concerns of the staff, seeking to protect him from harm. She had relaxed when the distance was closed, let him search her fur for injuries, let him pass his hands over her without any harm. He remembered that look of adoration passing through the staff, realizing she could have harmed him but did not. Blood staining her fur, all the makings of a beast, yet no harm to him. No beast, all beauty.
Even then his heart responded to her.
And now, to see her bury her teeth into the bloody organ, his smile spread across his face, features darkening as he watched her consume it. How the blood painted her with deeper crimson that had been on her lips, painted her flesh in its deep hue, and oh, the lacking concern on her face.
He eased closer, excitement unhidden from him his face, yet holding back the urge to take her into his arms while she ate. Whatever her concerns were, those there shading her expression, he would take them from her, free her from whatever told her this, this most natural act of her species, was not beautiful. Because it was. It was majestic, it was strength and he was in awe.
He held his words but it marked his face. Initially the fulfillment of the potential he saw spread his mind to the range of such a creature at his side but that vanished, his face softening, his eyes gazing with affection. “My sweet, beloved Nari”, he breathed with ease, the words passing him with no effort, unable to be contained further. “You forever gift me beauty and this my dear, you, I cannot take my eyes away from you.”
Every bite was meaningful, the sink of her pointed teeth into the fresh muscle meant so much more than just pure hunger or even gluttony. The acceptance of such a gift was only possible through trust and courage, to trust in the man that now stood at the other side watching her carefully as she devoured what filled her plate and courage to accept what she had forsaken for years.
This need that held all the foxes hostage was never supposed to be viewed as a bad thing amongst their kind, they knew that there was no malevolent intent behind it, it was solely an action that needed to be carried out in order to survive. All of them were just trying to survive and live their lives, was it so wrong of foxes to try and do the same?
However, Nari had quickly changed her mind once she was forced to face the consequences of their actions. Never creatures that had the habit of hunting in packs, a lot more lonely when compared to others, and yet, her family had a very specific rule, they always ate together.
Nari never questioned it, was not one to really challenge their parents traditions unless she found them completely boring. As a small fox it was easy, her mother and father would go out, sometimes together but most of the time separately and each of them would be the nourishment that was needed for the family. There had never been any contact with death in the early years, the food was just food and did not serve any other purpose than the one it had when it appeared on top of her plate.
Afterwards, her brother Geon was the only one who would go out, the only one who would bring food enough for the four of them. Their parents had always looked proud and the whole family was happier when sharing a meal.
The problems had only started to appear when that vital role was passed unto the youngest one in the family. If Nari failed, whether on accident or purposefully, it meant that no one in the family would eat, it meant starvation and weakness not only for her but for everyone else.
She got used to the looks in her parents’ eyes, something that was not only disappointment but concern and only later did she understand the reason behind it. They would all be fine, even Geon had passed the test, but what place did a weak and unhealthy fox occupy in this world? What would become of Nari?
The fox had killed many times before, but she could recount every single one that she did with the purpose of feeding herself, none of them had been based on rationality and all of them had made her feel absolutely disgusting afterwards. But here she was gulping down each of the ripped pieces with vigor in an astonishing pace that almost made her wonder how she had yet to make a fool of herself by choking on it, no sign of rejection to her species ways because as simple as it sounded this gift brought back fond memories that she had.
There were no horrified faces flashing in her mind, no lingering screams of pain like the ones that would echo every time a piece of her victim fell onto her plate, because now the hearts and livers were just a meal and most importantly food that she hadn’t needed to hunt down and kill. In a very twisted way, Joui’s presence was valued, it kept her grounded and safe, even though he was different for her in many ways and thus could never be able to share a meal like this with her, just like she would never be able to taste the delicacies of his realm, this situation still reminded her of home and of her family.
Back then, ignorance had been bliss, but there was no denying how happy she had been. Just aim to be as strong as you are beautiful, her father used to say, but it seemed that Nari was only now willing to listen and understand.
Words of praise were not ignored, much less forgotten and while Nari lacked manners in many aspects, she had never been one to speak with her mouth full and so she quickly finished her meal, leaving behind only a bloody plate and a red stained napkin.
“Thank you” she finally spoke, a rosy hue rising all the way up to her cheeks after she realized what had happened, never one to shy away from compliments and sweets words and certainly never one to act coy because of it, it would be considered hypocrisy given her late profession, but she allowed herself to display the emotions that she was feeling - this was the most intimate she had ever been, with anyone really. “It...it was really good” there was no way that she could suppress the small laugh that followed, her poor choice of words in comparison to the rich flattery was almost comical, but Nari could not really find it in herself to care.
Her body was needing this and she felt completely accepted. Joui had seen all sides of her and there was no sign that he wished to run away, if he was still able to trust her with his heart after having watched her devouring one, maybe she could find it in herself to love the both of them, Joui and herself.
The smile that she had worn for the majority of the evening returned to her lips, the sparkle in her eyes suited for an important day as this one and reserved only to the one she was quickly falling for, the one that had always taken such good care of her. Nari knew that one day she would be able to take care and protect him to, until then she was still able to please him in other ways “Can’t wait for dessert”