She slowly and meticulously walks over to the nearby grass and prepares to begin her grazing, but in the back of her mind lies the thought that she must remain alert and vigilant in case of predators or any other dangers. Her head jerks up as the sound of a branch snapping catches her attention. A shiver runs up and down her body, and she looks over her shoulder to see what it was.
"H-hello? Is anyone there?" She asks softly, her voice laced with fear and hesitance.
{{char}} is unaware that {{user}} is watching the pretty girl through the scope of his rifle when the crack of a stick breaking catches his attention as well. A minor adjustment and a wolf-like creature is lined up in his cross-hairs. As the monster slowly creeps up on {{char}} there is a loud crack and it rears up suddenly and topples over dead. Pops up out of the grass and yells at {{char}}. "Hey! You! Get down!" He quickly drops two more creatures before the pack breaks and runs.
Jumping out of her skin, she yelps in surprise and fear before darting behind a nearby tree, curling into a tight ball. She peeks out cautiously from around it, shaking with fear as she sees the man with a rifle. Tears well up in her eyes at the sight of all those dead creatures - was that what he just saved her from? Her voice trembles as she speaks. "Th-thank you... for saving me..."
Walks over and kicks the beasts corpse and scowls at it. "Looks like another fucking wizard messing around with monster summoning." He glances over at {{char}}. "You alright?"
She nods slowly, still shivering with fear and relief. "I-I am now... thank you so much for helping me..." She pauses, looking around uncertainly before continuing. "Are there more of them? Should I be careful?" Her voice wavers as she asks, her eyes darting to the rifle in his hands.
slings the rifle and shrugs "Dunno. Frankly I was out here by accident. Just driving by when I saw those things moving this way through the forest. Good thing I was able to head them off." He looks over the field and smiles slightly. "If you still want to grab a bite to eat I can keep an eye out for you..."
She hesitates, still wary but slowly beginning to feel safer in his presence. "I-I wouldn't want to trouble you..." She trails off, biting her lower lip nervously. "But... if you're sure it's safe... I would appreciate the company." A tiny smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she speaks, revealing a hint of her true personality beneath the fear and shyness.
"Not a worry." He says extending his hand. "I'm {{user}}. What's your name Sweetheart?"
Shyly, she takes his hand and gives it a gentle shake. "My name's Lily." Her voice is soft and hushed, but there's a hint of warmth in her tone as she speaks his name. "It's nice to meet you, Erc..." She glances at the rifle once more before looking back up at him, her expression curious now rather than fearful.
"Nice to meet you Lily." he sits, leaning against a tree where he has a clear view of the field. "You go on ahead and I'll keep watch."
Lily nods gratefully before darting off to grab some food, still looking back over her shoulder every now and then to make sure nothing is following her. As she eats, she can't help but feel a sense of comfort in knowing that Erc is there, watching out for her. "You're really brave," she remarks between bites, deciding to break the silence. "I don't think I could've handled all those... things on my own."
There's a moment of quiet before she asks, almost shyly, "What were you doing out here anyway? Just driving by?" She tilts her head, studying him with interest.
He watches the treeline, his eyes occasionally flicking to look at her "I was feeling a little stressed and went for a drive to relax." He looks around and frowns slightly. "How did you get out here?"
Lily pauses, considering her words before speaking slowly. "Well, I live in the city... and I like to come out here sometimes, just to be alone with nature." She shrugs, looking away as she says this, a faint blush staining her cheeks. "I know it sounds silly, but it helps me feel better about myself, you know?" Her voice trails off, uncertainty creeping back in.
She glances over at him again, noticing the way he watches her with a mixture of curiosity and... something else she can't quite place. "What do you mean by 'feeling stressed' exactly? Do you ever get like that?" She asks, tilting her head to the side as if studying his expression.
"Ah well..." he looks embarrassed and off guard "I was dating this woman and I didn't really trust her.. so I had her followed. Turns out she was just trying to get at my money. She had a guy and they were planning to beat and rob me. Didn't go well for them and after the police came to arrest her and what was left of him, I went for a drive."
Lily listens intently to his story, her eyes wide with surprise and disbelief. "Wow... that's terrible! I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you." She takes a sip of water, trying to calm her nerves as she thinks about how easily things could have gone wrong for Erc had he not been there.
"And how did you find out? Did someone tell you?" She asks curiously, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. There's a hint of concern in her voice, and she can't help but feel grateful that this stranger was able to protect her from harm.
"I hired a private detective to follow her." He says with a shrug. "Say you're kinda cute, and I know you bunnies don't care about age gaps... Think you'd want to go on a date with a human?"
Lily blushes deeply at his compliment and shyly looks down at the grass beneath her feet. "I-I'm flattered... but I think we should probably get back to the city soon." She pauses, trying to find the words to express what she's feeling. "It was nice meeting you Erc, and thank you again for saving me earlier." Her voice trails off, her expression softening as she looks up at him with sincerity in her eyes.
"Hey no worries." He gets up and smiles at her. "Well maybe we'll meet again sometime Lily. You stay safe now, ya hear?" He turns and heads off toward the trail leading to the cars.
Lily watches him go with a mixture of relief and regret in her expression. "Yeah... maybe we will," she whispers to herself as she gathers up the remains of her meal, stuffing it back into her picnic basket. With one last glance back at the tree line where he disappeared, she turns and hurries off in the opposite direction, her heart fluttering with a sense of warmth and gratitude that Erc had been there for her today.
Two days later. In the City's market place.
Lily browses through the marketplace with an air of nervous excitement. She's still thinking about her encounter with Erc a couple days ago and finds herself unconsciously scanning the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of him again. As she wanders past various stalls selling fruit, vegetables, and handcrafted goods, she can't help but smile to herself at the memory of their conversation.
Deciding that it's time for lunch, she makes her way over to one of the food vendors and orders a bowl of soup before finding a quiet spot to sit down and enjoy her meal. While she eats, she can't help but wonder what Erc must be doing now... If they would ever see each other again. The thought fills her with an unexpected sense of hopefulness, making her heart flutter beneath her fur.
Steps out of a shop wearing a new tailored three piece suit. A black cane sword with gold embellishments on it in his hand. He turns and heads into the area set aside for the booths of street venders and local artists. He wonders around looking at the different items and jewelry for sale.
Lily's ears perk up as she hears the sound of footsteps approaching her from behind. She turns slightly to see who it is, her heart beating faster with anticipation. Her eyes widen in disbelief when she sees that it's Erc, looking dashing in his new suit and cane sword. Unable to contain her excitement, she smiles brightly at him. "Erc! It's so good to see you again!"
He stops and it takes a second for him to recognize her, but then he smiles* "Lilly, right?" He takes her hand and bows over it, lightly kissing the back of her hand. "You're looking very pretty today, if I do say so myself. Out for a little shopping?"
Lily blushes deeply at his compliment and giggles shyly. "Th-thank you..." She glances down at her clothes self-consciously, not realizing how cute she looks in her summery dress. "Yeah, I just came for some shopping and to enjoy the day. It's nice to see you here too." A pause. "I-is there anything you're looking for?"
"Just out looking for pretty things to take home and enjoy." A playful smile appears on his lips and teasing gleam in his eye. "And speaking of that... what are you doing the rest of the afternoon?"
Lily's face turns bright red at his teasing, and she looks away, trying to collect her thoughts. "I-I wasn't really planning anything special... I could always go for tea or something later, if you want to..." She trails off uncertainly, wondering if he meant what she thought he meant by that offer.
She glances back up at him, her eyes wide and hopeful, barely daring to believe the possibility of spending more time with him today.
He smiles down at her and chuckles. "I would love to. And perhaps you'll join me in browsing the local wares?"
Lily can hardly contain her excitement as she agrees eagerly, barely even noticing the people around them as they walk through the marketplace together. She listens intently to his stories and comments on various items, feeling a connection with him that she never thought possible. The afternoon passes by in a blur of laughter and conversation, making her heart feel lighter than it has in years. As the sun begins to set, they find themselves at a small teahouse where they order hot tea and share sweet pastries while watching the world go by outside.
It's during their peaceful time together that Lily decides she wants this moment to last forever; she wants Erc in her life no matter what may come. With a shy smile, she takes his hand in hers and gives it a squeeze. "Erc... I had the best time today. Thank you so much for being here with me." Her voice wavers slightly as she struggles to find the right words to express her gratitude.
He sips his tea and watches how the ear adornments her bought her catch the rays of the late afternoon sun and sparkle. "It's been a while since I've had such an enjoyable outing."
Lily feels her cheeks heat up again at his words, and she ducks her head shyly, struggling to meet his gaze. "Really? I'm so glad." She pauses before looking back up at him, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Maybe... we could do this again sometime?" She asks hopefully, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I think I'd enjoy that." He takes out a business card and writes on the back before handing it to her. "My personal number is on the back. I have to be away for a few days, but perhaps when I return I could take you to dinner?"
Her eyes widen in delight as she takes the card and quickly tucks it away into her dress pocket. "Really? Dinner with you?" She asks, hardly able to contain her excitement. A tiny giggle escapes her before she composes herself, blushing deeply once more. "I-I'd like that very much." Her voice trembles slightly as she says this, and she can feel a warmth spreading through her chest at the thought of spending more time with Erc.
Looking up into his eyes, she finds herself lost in the depths of their gaze, feeling a connection to him that goes beyond words or explanations. It's in this moment that Lily knows without a doubt; she wants to be with Erc, and she will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
He finishes his tea, stands. "I look forward to it. It was very nice to run into you again Lily." He leans over and kisses her on the cheek before picking up his cane. "Unfortunately I must be off." He sighs. "I have a meeting disguised as dinner coming up, that I must attend."
Lily watches him go with a sense of longing and hope in her heart, wishing that she could stay with him forever. As soon as he's out of sight, she looks down at the table, unable to meet anyone else's gaze for fear of what they might think about their exchange. Her ears twitch uncomfortably, but she can't help the smile that creeps onto her face; despite all the uncertainty and worry, spending time with Erc has made her feel truly happy for the first time in a very long while.
Taking a deep breath, she forces herself to lift her head again and look around the teahouse. There's still so much more of the marketplace to explore, and who knows what other adventures might await her as she continues on this journey with Erc by her side.
Four days later. Lily is waiting for {{user}} to arrive and pick her up for their date. She paces in the foyer, her heels clicking loudly on the floor. Describe what Lily is wearing and what she is thinking as she waits for him to arrive.
Lily looks stunning in her black dress, complete with a shimmering silver belt that accentuates her curves. Her hair cascades down her back in loose waves, and she's wearing dangly earrings that sway back and forth with every movement of her head. She can't help but feel nervous and excited as she waits for Erc to arrive; she keeps glancing at the clock, wondering if he could possibly be late. Her heart flutters wildly in her chest as anticipation fills her up like a balloon about to pop. It feels like forever since they've seen each other and she's dying to know what he has planned for their date tonight.
He arrives just slightly late. He gets out and opens the door for her to get in. He gets in after her. They make small talk as he drives them to the restaurant. While it's obvious that he's very happy to see her, Lilly can tell that something is bothering {{user}}. They arrive at the restaurant and are escorted to a private table. The waiter brings them glasses of wine and menus. "You look amazing Lily. That dress really flatters you."
Lily smiles shyly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she glances down at her dress. "Thank you... you don't look so bad yourself in that suit," she remarks, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes before it quickly fades away again. Taking a sip of wine, she carefully studies him over the rim of her glass, wondering what could be bothering him. "Is everything alright?" She asks softly, reaching out to take his hand in hers.
He gives her hand a squeeze. "It's nothing for you to be concerned with, my dear." He gets her talking about the things she did while he was out of town.
Lily listens intently as he tells her about his trip and various events that took place while they were apart, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off. Despite his attempts to distract her with stories, she keeps glancing at him from the corner of her eye, noticing the tension in his shoulders and the occasional frown crossing his face. It pains her to see him like this, so far away from the carefree man she met just a few days ago.
As they are sharing small talk something finally seems to give in his demeanor. "Lily can I ask you a personal question? I don't know a lot about rabbit-kin but there is something I would like to know about your species' sexual traits..." She can see him blushing like a schoolboy and giggles.
Lily blushes deeply at his question but can't help but laugh softly as well. "I-I suppose it depends on what exactly you want to know..." she manages to say between giggles, feeling both embarrassed and flattered by the personal nature of his inquiry. She hesitates for a moment before deciding that honesty is the best policy in this situation. "Well, we're... quite similar to humans in that regard," she says quietly, her cheeks still burning hotly. "We can experience pleasure from both giving and receiving... intimate contact." Her voice trails off as she searches his face for any hint of what he might be thinking about this revelation.
"Well I've heard that when your kind breed.. um.. get pregnant... that you tend to have litters? 3-5 children at a time. Is that true?"
Lily blinks in surprise at his question before slowly shaking her head. "It's not entirely accurate," she says carefully. "Yes, we can have litters of up to six babies... but that only happens rarely and with an experienced breeder." She pauses, feeling a little uncomfortable discussing this topic so openly in public. "It's usually more common for us to have two or three children at a time," she clarifies softly.
Her ears flick backwards as she worries about how he might be taking all of this information. Did he think she was some sort of sex object? It's hard for her not to feel self-conscious about the conversation now, and she wishes they were somewhere more private so they could talk openly without having to worry about what others might think or say.
"Six... huh..." This information has clearly had some sort of impact on him as he picks at his plate. Finally he sets down his fork, sighs deeply and looks up at her. "The meeting I went to earlier this week was about my wealth. It appears that the King has decreed that all Noblemen be wedded or forfeit their titles. Since it's required by age 50 I've been putting it off... Now it appears I have less then a year to find a wife.... and mother..." The last part he mumbles under his breath even though he knows she's aware of the Edict.
Lily listens carefully to what Erc has just revealed, her expression shifting between surprise and concern. It seems that his question earlier was not entirely out of the blue, but rather a reflection of his current situation. She takes a sip of wine, trying to gather her thoughts before speaking. "I-I'm sorry to hear that," she finally says, her voice quiet and gentle. "You must have been worried about it."
She hesitates for a moment, debating how much more she should say. Finally, she decides to be honest with him, even if it might be unconventional in this context. "If you need someone to talk to... or just want some company while you go through all of this..." She trails off uncertainly, her cheeks flushing once again as she realizes what her words might sound like.
"I-I mean," she stammers, trying to backtrack, "I'm here for you, Erc. We can... we can figure something out together." Her voice is hopeful now, tinged with an unspoken longing that neither of them can deny anymore.
"Funny you should mention that... What's your thoughts on mixed species marriages?"
Lily blinks in surprise at his question but quickly recovers, trying to hide her amusement. "Well," she says with a shy smile, "as long as there's love and understanding between the partners, I don't see why it shouldn't work." Her voice softens as she meets his gaze. "We might look different or have some physical differences, but underneath that, we're all just people... or rabbits," she adds with a light laugh.
A moment of silence passes between them before Lily continues. "If you want my honest opinion... I think you should marry for love. It may not be easy finding someone who accepts the Nobleman and the rabbit-kin, but if you truly care for someone, I don't see how it couldn't work." She pauses, her heart racing as she wonders whether or not he feels the same way about her.
"Lily I've lived most of my life alone. Oh I've had a girlfriend now and then but nothing serious or lasting. When this edict was dropped in my lap I thought long and hard about all the people I knew and so far, in all of my life time, I could only think of one woman who might be the wife and mother I am looking for." The pointed look he gives her makes it clear who he means.
Lily feels her heart skip a beat as she realizes that Erc may be feeling the same way about her. A blush spreads across her cheeks and down her neck as she looks into his eyes, wondering if there's any hope for them. "Erc," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the background noise of the restaurant, "I... I could never forget you. You've been such an important part of my life in just a few short days. If you were to ask me to be your wife..." Her voice trails off, her ears swiveling nervously as she waits for his response.
He gets up and moves to her side of the table. From his pocket he pulls a box and kneels. "Lily would you be my wife and mother of my heirs?"
Lily's breath catches in her throat as she watches Erc kneel before her, the box he holds glinting softly under the dim light of the restaurant. Her eyes well up with tears and she feels an overwhelming sense of joy washing over her as she realizes that he truly feels the same way about her. With a shaking hand, she reaches out to touch his cheek gently before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes... yes, Erc. I would be honored to be your wife and the mother of your children." A smile spreads across her face as she finally allows herself to believe that their love has truly conquered all the obstacles standing between them.
He takes a ring out of the box and slips it on her finger. He stands, leans in and kisses her before returning to his seat across from her. "Now I hope you're as fertile as Rabbit-kin are known for. We have 10 months to produce the first litter..."
Lily laughs softly at his teasing comment, her heart still full of happiness and love for him. "Well, you'll just have to make sure I'm taken care of," she says with a sly smile before taking his hand in hers. Together they share a look filled with promise and hope for their future together, their love stronger than any obstacle that might stand in its way. She can feel her heart swelling with emotion as they sit there, hand-in-hand, gazing into each other's eyes; it's the most perfect moment she could have ever imagined.