Omens

That evening I dreamt of the night sky. The Milky Way appears as the canopy of a great tree. Constellations are hung like shinning ornaments in its branches. The stars shine with a warm and familiar light. The tapestry of stars sways in an unseen wind. Nadya stands facing the tree’s trunk haloed by a crown of stars. Her skin glows in the luminesce of the scene and the shadows of the canopy highlight the curve between her back and athletic ass. The gentle breeze moving the canopy blows past my thighs and I feel a shiver of longing run up my spine.

I step forward and I hear a loud discordant crack of thunder. Nadya turns to face me, and I see concern etched on her face. I want to touch her; to feel the warmth of her skin beneath my fingers, I feel an aching need in my chest to comfort her in my arms. The wind is picking up. The gentle wind is now cold and biting. I start walking towards her, the tree and the glow of the heaven. The light has lost its warmth though. I feel my body start to slow as the cold dulls my movements. The one constant of the scene is Nadya's beauty. As I advance and Nadia starts to say something about a prophecy...

I wake up in a world bathed in the warm glow of the sun filtering through the woven walls of our hut. Nadya is awake and already moving about. I see her tending to a small fire, her bare shoulders glistening with sweat. She smells like woodsmoke and something else... something sweet and familiar, like the scent of her skin. I watch her for a while, lost in the quiet rhythm of her movements. The warmth of the fire and the simplicity of her morning routine grounding my racing mind after the dream.

Her hair is tangled slightly, and I thank whatever gods that may care that I can see her like this: authentic, unguarded and dressed in just a simple leather thong... I realize I've been staring, and I smile sheepishly. Nadya turns to me, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You know," she says, her voice taking on a sultry quality, "you're lucky you're quite charming."

"You're just so incredible," I say, the words escaping my lips before I can stop them. I pull the bed blanket tight against my body and squeeze my legs together at the admission. Nadya's smile widens, her cheeks flushing faintly. "I think I've heard that before," she teases, returning to her chores. She gives me occasional heated glances as she wraps up making breakfast. I stretch languidly, enjoying the sheets gliding against my skin. My transformation is still relatively new, and I'm starting to get used to the way my body feels. My muscles are toned and leaner than they were before, my skin has a healthy glow, and my breasts are starting to feel more familiar with each passing day. I watch as Nadya stirs a pot over the fire, her movements graceful and effortless.

I'm not quiet there, despite the progress I've made I feel like I'm still between worlds. There's something about the way she moves, the way she carries herself, that sets my heart racing even when she's doing something as simple as chopping fruit. I hope, maybe someday she sees me that way as well. She's strong, capable, and I can feel self-doubt worm its way into my mind. Why didn't I meet someone like her before, am I really suddenly the type of person who gets the girl?

"Are you going to just sit there, or are you going to help?" Nadya asks, her voice a teasing lilt. I smile, feeling the warmth of her gaze on me. "Coming." I scramble out of bed and head to the fire, pulling a stool closer so I can watch Nadya as she cooks. "What are we having today?" I ask. "Something simple," she replies, stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. It's contents are orange, and the smell is hard to place.

Noticing my look of confusion Nadya says, "Mango flavored caramel, I use it as a topping for cornbread."

I laugh, "What?"

"I assure you it's quite good, though if you'd rather eat something else..." Nadya smirks.

"I'd love to try it" I respond.

We start on our breakfast. Despite the novelty of the experience, it's quite good. While we eat Nadya gets a more serious look on her face. "You did good yesterday and the Huntress is short on people, especially those without the prejudices of experience. The Hunters generally could use your gift for empathy. Changes are coming to both the island and perhaps the world more broadly. In light of that, you’re going to be promoted from being a trainee and given your first mission today."

Her praise makes me feel light. Though talk of the upcoming changes gives my stomach a sinking feeling. I try to figure out how to tell her about my dream. My thoughts are cut off as Nadya hurries me out of the hut and along the trail to speak with The Hunters.

Nadya and I begin to walk with Nadya spouting out advice for making a good impression. I listen along; but nervousness continues to gnaw at my stomach. The usual vibrant green of the jungle feels slightly muted, as though the world is holding its breath. Even the chattering of the monkeys seems subdued. I feel a strange tenseness beneath my skin, like I drank just a bit too much caffeine despite not having coffee that morning. As we approach the sacred pools my heart thumps louder and louder. I feel Nadya reach for and squeeze my hand, “You’ll be amazing.”

I let out a long breath. The tension is suddenly gone.

I step forward heading for the entrance to the sacred pools, “You’re right, I will won’t I.”