Beauty and The Beasts: Rain

30. Change

     A day later, Rain found a neatly gutted pig outside her door.  Its large tusks were still attached and gleamed in the sun.  She could smell Brice on the creature and knew this was another offering. Rain huffed in irritation.  She wasn't prepared to face the hawk, but might need to sooner than later.  As convenient as it was to keep receiving prey like this, Rain felt conflicted.  She needed to set things straight.

     Brice watched as Rain approached the tree he nested in with a less than pleased expression on her face.  He thought maybe his gift was unsatisfactory in some way.  He left the tusks on as they could be used for medicine or made into decorations and gutted it completely.  Pig meat was a delicacy and he had the luck to find an injured one earlier that morning.

     Rain stared at the hawk above her.  Instead of waiting for him to come down, she climbed up.  She clearly startled Brice, but she was not used to waiting on others to take action.  "We need to talk."  Rain started bluntly, while trying to smooth her puckering expression.  She didn't want to give away how uncomfortable she felt.

     Brice felt a sense of oncoming dread with those words.  Rain was going to send him away.  He needed to act fast.  "Yes.  Can I speak first?"  He lost the initiative, but didn't want to be shooed off before he could speak his mind.

     Rain wasn't expecting him to say anything.  She only intended for Brice to listen to her.  She didn't see a reason not to humor him.  As impatient as she could be, she was willing to hear the hawk out until she could get him to leave.  "Alright."  Rain agreed and prepared herself for whatever request he had.  If he dared ask to mate, she would throw him off the tree.

     Brice made a relieved expression and moved straight to the subject.  "I'm sorry that I didn't stop Damon.  It was my misjudgment."  Before Rain could deny his words, Brice pressed on.  "To make up for my mistake, I hope you will accept me as a guardian beast.  I will assist you in whatever manner you would like."  Brice didn't want to sound desperate so he stopped there.  He did mean what he said though.

     Rain thought over what the hawk said to her, but didn't agree with his first point.  "If someone was to stop that tiger it should have been me, not you.  I am not holding that against you."  She really did not hold Brice responsible for any of what occurred that day.  'If anything he...  No.  I don't want to think about that now.'  Rain shook away the thoughts that she did not want to show and instead, considered Brice's offer.

     Brice felt differently than Rain, but did not want to argue with her.  He wouldn't back down easily though.  "Still, I insist."  Even if he disagreed with Rain's assessment, he had no desire to fight with her over something like that.  Their values were different and he would respect hers and hope she would respect his.

     Winston was playing the role of guardian, but was no longer one officially.  When Rain left the city she revoked his guardian duties.  Even if he continues to insist, his duties to his city came first.  She did not like the thought of others hanging around her, but figured that Winston may let off his overbearing ways if she had more protection.  Since a guardian beast lives and dies for the female they protect, she doesn't need to question Brice's integrity.  The position of a guardian is not usually rewarded.  She didn't like the feeling of owing others and didn't want to feel indebted to the hawk.

     Rain came to her conclusion.  The benefits outweighed the negatives.  "I accept you as my guardian beast.  I hope you make good on your words."  She did not find this hawk as repulsive as before.  Perhaps this arrangement will do her well.  She needed to think of her new family and future one.

     Brice figured he would be rejected or that it may take Rain some time to come to a conclusion.   He felt both grateful and excited.  He didn't figure he would ever grow bored around Rain.  "Great!  I will."  Brice stated confidently.  He genuinely enjoyed what little time he had spent with the sibling pair and wished to see how they would grow.  He had kicked the thought out of his head after he failed to protect what he should have.  Now, Rain was giving him a second chance that he didn't think he deserved.  He would make good on his previous vow and protect her well.

     Brice figured the conversation was over when Rain turned to leave and grew a bit sad.  Perhaps he could chat with Third whenever he came around.  In the meanwhile, he needed to work hard to fulfill Rain's needs.

     Rain descended the tree quickly.  She remained there a moment before saying, "You are acquainted with my mate correct?"  Using 'my' and 'mate' in the same sentence wasn't natural for Rain yet, but she knew she would get used to it in the future.

     Brice jumped off the tree and descended comfortably with his arms shifted into wings.  He didn't want to talk down to Rain.  "Yes.  Me and Harvey have spoken."  Brice said that neutrally.  He did not hold any particular feelings towards the leopard.

     Rain noticed the lack of animosity in Brice's response and approved.  "You will respect him as my spouse.  I will not hesitate to send you away if you cause any problems."  Rain figured that her words were unnecessary, but wanted to make sure Brice understood.  She managed to dial down the threats she wanted to say.  Brice hadn't done anything to make her think negatively of him.  Had he, she would have already chased him away.

     Brice acknowledged that this was Rain's way of protecting her spouse.  "Of course."  Brice felt some jealousy towards the leopard for the first time.  Rain didn't seem like an affectionate beast, but this was her way of showing care.  Every male wanted a mate that would care for them.  However, they accepted that they'd be lucky enough to find a mate period, let alone one that would treat them well.  Brice shut down the unnecessary feeling and instead focused on the positive.  He would get to dedicate his life to a female that cared for her family.  Maybe he was actually quite lucky.

     "Good."  Rain thought about a question that popped up unexpectedly in her head.  It would be an unusual request.  The worst the hawk beast could say is no.  "Brice.  Will you spar with me sometime?"  She felt strangely off asking that.  She wasn't going to sit around and do nothing. Rain wanted to grow stronger, and she would take what opportunities she could get.  Fighting a hawk would give her valuable experience.

     Brice didn't know what to say.  He figured himself to be one of the friendlier hawks and did fairly well at communicating.  He couldn't find the right words now.  A part of him wanted to support Rain's ambitions and another part doubted his ability to turn his claws towards her.  He would try anyway, if that is what she wants.

     "Okay."  It's not as though he would have to harm her.  Damon managed to fight with Rain without causing significant damage.  Brice clenched his jaw recalling her bruises.  It might be harder than he thought.  What did he sign himself up for?

     A small smile graced Rain's face.  She hadn't expected the hawk to agree so easily.  She would take whatever she could get and give him hell in return.  Her enthusiasm was coming back.  She honestly started looking forward to their bouts.

     Brice did not expect Rain to ever give him a smile.  He knew he chose the right answer.  If he couldn't control his strength well enough now, he will just have to improve that before they spar.   He felt eager to go raise his strength and returned Rain's smile.

     Both beasts were surprisingly on the same wavelength.  The two went on their respective ways, having concluded their business.  Brice went to improve his strength and Rain went to talk to Harvey and Third.

     Rain explained to the two about her new guardian beast.  Both approved without a fuss.  They prepared the rare quality meat and Harvey set aside two servings for Winston and Brice.  Rain nodded approvingly.  She didn't have to treat Brice well, but felt like doing so.  It is not easy for males to accept Rain as she was, but the hawk was willing to do so.  If he would treat her well, she will do the same.

     Rain froze for a moment.  These new thoughts of hers felt natural.  All her life, she felt like she had to prove herself somehow.  She thought she was independent, but realized that she still desired acknowledgement.  How many years had she spent chasing others away, while also wanting recognition?  Now there were several beasts in her life that accepted her as she was.  Even Winston, who had been the most against her strong headed ways, was conceding on some points now.

     Rain felt an overwhelming feeling of enlightenment spreading through her.  Despite having known for a while, she seemed to have neglected something basic.  She can't force others to change any more then they can force her to change.  Instead she needs to seek out those who would not try to change her and let them into her life.

     Rain couldn't and wouldn't be like her parents.  She also wouldn't become something others want her to be.  Nor would she become the opposite out of spite.  She would be herself and gradually, she was learning who that was.