Slither

Serpentine

Simone loved playing outside in the sun and the rain. It was a particularly ordinary day. The heat was becoming overbearing and dark clouds were beginning to form with the promise of rain.

Her dark skin glistened with vaseline and sweat. She hadn't bathed yet which meant she could play and get dirty. She was creating mud pies when she looked to her left by the rubbish heap.

There in the shadows was a beautiful snake. A cold fear crept into her heart as she looked at the beautiful creature. She had been told that snakes were bad and ate little children.

She rose to her full height recalling how she was told she was big for her age. Maybe that would stop the snake from wanting to eat her. When she noticed that the snake wasn't moving she shrugged and went back to making mud pies.

Soon, she forgot all about the serpent just metres away from her. With mounting frustration, however, she noted that her pies were less than perfect. Anger built up in her little chest and she attacked the pies breaking what little form they had.

Looking at the now non-existent pies her face crumbled and she cried in despair. All she had wanted to do was make perfect pies. How was she going to feed her family if she couldn't make good food?

Why are you crying, little one?

She looked up startled. She had been playing by herself. All the grown-ups were in the house. She looked and saw that the snake was inching closer.

"Are you talking to me?" She asked out loud looking directly at the snake. An unease crept up her back noting how much closer it now was to her.

Of course, it's just us playing outside. The voice was calm and soothing. She c****d her head to the side and put her hands on her hips.

"You're not supposed to be talking to me."

Why not?

A haughty expression crossed her face, "You are not supposed to be able to talk at all. You're just an animal."

Animals talk all the time. You've just never really listened. Now, tell me why you are crying.

"I was trying to make pies and they aren't doing what I want them to. How am I supposed to feed my family if the pies aren't acting like pies?"

Is that why you attacked them? her little head nodded. The snake came even closer, she scooted back a little.

What if I could help you make better pies?

"I'd be your friend. You would help me save my family."

The snake chuckled. I want to be more than your friend. I am your future husband.

Her face crinkled with disgust. "I don't want that."

Yes, well, I don't have much choice in the matter myself. Why don't I help you with the pies and we can be friends?

Simone's face brightened up. "Okay! I'm Simone." The snake introduced himself as "Na".

She quickly set about telling the snake what to do. Soon they had a good batch of sturdy mud pies between them. The laughter of the girl drew the attention of the adults inside and two of her uncles came out of the back of the house.

The two teens froze when they saw her playing with the snake. Both of them recognized that it was a rather large and poisonous snake. Fear struck at their hearts.

Simone seemed clueless about the danger she was in. The snake looked in their direction and rose to strike. Simone petted its head and said, "Those are my uncles. They are big and strong and protect me." She turned to her uncles and smiled.

"Simone, time to come inside and take a bath, Honey." Her Uncle Trev called out.

Simone sighed and turned to the snake. She leaned forward towards the snake, her uncles shouted in alarm. She whispered, "That means I need to stop playing. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Hubby. You should stay and feed the babies."

She stood up and walked calmly towards her two uncles who grabbed her as soon as she was at arm's length. She cried out in surprise and her uncles apologized profusely. She was ushered in the house and they closed the door with a bang.

Na slithered back into the shade exhausted from being on the otherwise hot, baking ground directly under the sun. He had relished the heat and humidity while in the shade but had ventured out to get closer to the girl. It didn't make sense.

He was so drawn to her. They really were not much different in age. He would be about ten years old if he were a human.

He was only 4 cycles old. Her lisp was cute and her acceptance of him stunned him. He had come to this plane on a whim and had only expected to be chased away.

He was extremely proud of her. She was fearless and kind. He would have to return regularly to watch her progress and take her home when the time was right.

Of course, he had no real interest in mating her right now. He was far too young and far too weak. He had seen enough rejected males to know that her acceptance was priceless.

In return, he would protect her. He slithered up a tree that matched his colouring and looked over the house. His senses were sharp.

If she was in distress he would know. Although he was quite immature and didn't know exactly what to do to claim her he had rubbed against her. Her sweat permeated his scales.

She was a part of him. He had discreetly secreted some of his venom into the mud pies. Over time she would have enough of him in her system to call him if she needed him.

More importantly, he would be able to see through her eyes. He had never had an interest in the life stage of mating. His father's children were many and he was one of the youngest in the clan.

Among his own people, he had no more authority than the girl had. Oddly, he felt his rank increase as he realized that he had someone to be responsible for now. It was not particularly obvious but his scaling pattern changed so that he was no longer just an appealing yellow-green.

The green of his scales deepened. Na could only see the scales on his bottom half but he accepted the change. All the while he watched the house. When her breath changed to that of one asleep he slid down the tree and made his way to the portal he had come through.

"Adventuring without a guard. You are brave, Nazeal, son of the King." A scoffing voice sounded as he stepped back onto his father's lands.

Nazeal turned to see one of the maids that lusted after his father. His older brothers spoke highly of her looks but he didn't see why they got excited talking about her. He shyly acknowledged her and headed to the cottage he lived in.

"You've changed. You took on your natural form when you left and yet you return with bands on your left arm like a married man. How shameful."

Nazeal panicked. If a mere maid was scorning him surely his father would be livid. He quickly transformed into his natural form.

Right away he discovered that not only had his colouring changed but his body was longer and thicker. He called out to his father. He got a response from the palace gardens and he told of his intent to arrive shortly.

His father gave him clearance. As he approached the garden guards, King Cobras, blocked his entry. Annoyed Nazeal raised his head.

"Father, did you not say I could enter your garden?" He asked.

His father chuckled, "Yes. I told them to be on the lookout for my youngest son." His father's torso rose above that of the guards who were already quite large, to begin with.

His father was in a half-human and half-natural form state. His father's colouring was black as night. His body length and girth were frightening to behold. He was like a dragon without wings.

His father smiled. "You're growing up very fast Nazeal. Such beautiful dark green colouring from such a young serpent. Are you not barely four cycles?"

Nazeal blushed, "I turned four a cycle a season ago."

His father's voice rumbled. "Good, good. I am glad my boys are growing well. Did you meet a special girl?"

Yes, your Majesty. Her soul called out to me. I could speak to her and she understood me. She's not even a cycle old, though. If it were not for the stories mother tells us at night I would have thought she was a witch.

"Mmmm. Is that so? You did well my Boy. You should complete your studies quickly so that you can continue your adventures on that plane. Your scales are taking on more colour, this is good. Make sure your skill matches your colouring or you will find yourself in danger unnecessarily."

Nazeal nodded. He sighed a sigh of relief glad that he was several grades of defence above his fellow cycle-mates. Practising with his brothers had truly paid off. He would continue to do so.

Pride shone through his father's black eyes. Flecks of gold glowed every so often. His black skin taking on an almost purple hue. His lands needed strong capable leaders. Nazeal was certainly showing he could be capable, even at this tender stage.

"Let the boy through. He has earned the right to be here." Lightning flashed as the King spoke.

The two king cobras coiled on their tails and lowered their heads to a more watchful pose.

The king grabbed Nazeal by the head and dragged him further into the garden. A female scream was heard.

"Nagel! Put my child down. How dare you drag him by the head as if he cannot slither on his own!" A female voice called out angrily.

The king dropped Nazeal like a hot stone and stood back. A beautiful obsidian beauty glided to Nazeal's side. She was tall and willowy with curves that set her apart from the tall and buff male monarch.

Gentle hands picked up and cradled Nazeal. He relished the warmth that was his mother. He could feel his father's glare like a brand on his skin.

"My beautiful baby. Why are you growing up so fast?" Nazeal wrapped his body around his mother. "Look how big and strong you have grown." She cooed. Nazeal shifted out of Natural Form.

His arms wrapped around his mother's waist. "Mama."

The King grunted. He knew Nazeal was his mother's favourite. The King enjoyed the attention of his mate. She didn't even glance at other males. But this boy stole his thunder.

But, he understood that one wrong move where the boy was concerned and he could lose everything. Women of Serpes were volatile creatures and one was sure to wake up maimed or worse if you got on their bad side. The King somehow had managed to tame one of the most powerful women on Serpes but only just.

The King sighed, despite their pairing somehow their children, especially the boys were particularly weak in their own individual rights. But Nazeal had surprised him. The boy trained with his brothers who were 20 to 30 cycles older than him and now was already promised to what appeared to be a very powerful female.

Hope for the future of his kingdom blossomed in King Nagel's heart. Perhaps all would not be lost, after all. He watched his boy tell the queen of his adventure on the Earth plane.

As he listened his heartbeat nearly stopped uncomfortably. Earth was brutal in its treatment of snakes. His boy could have died. He wasn't sure if it was folly or bravery that had led the boy to travel on his own.

Now that the boy had found his mate, banning the boy's travel would likely cause more trouble. Nazeal was an adventurer, and while he managed to stay aloof about finding his mate the King knew that would change when Nazeal came of age. Once a Slither made their mind up, nothing short of death would change that. Not to mention that Nazeal was indeed his mother's child.