Just Another Beastmen Story

Part 36

As Iliana walked back to the village square, her mind raced. What were the odds that Sierra started her season right after their conversation? She had just been explaining how long it takes for females to go into heat after their first mating. Could movement, like exercising or dancing, trigger it? Or was there more to this? It had to be a coincidence, she thought, convinced that the ceremonial juice was the real key to starting the cycle.

"Where is Sierra?" Henry's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Startled, Iliana yelped and raised her hands instinctively as if preparing to fight.

When she saw Henry, she relaxed, her expression shifting to playful annoyance. "You're lucky," she said with a nod. Henry chuckled.

"Sierra started her season and rushed home" Iliana explained.

"Wow, this soon too? Seems like more females will be really fertile this year," Henry mused.

Iliana's mind shifted back to her curiosity. "Hey, Henry, I've been thinking. I have a hypothesis about this fertility issue we've been seeing. Can you tell me about the flower used in the ceremony? Tina told us it's rare, and the juice is only given once. Is it possible to get more of it for experiments?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Henry thought for a moment. "I think I know what plant you're talking about. Was the juice yellow?"

Iliana shook her head. "No, it was more of a black-purple color—and so sour."

That detail seemed to trigger Henry's memory. "Ah, yes. That's the black flower that grows near the top of Serpentine Mountain. I don't know any other black flower around here."

"That must be it!" Iliana said eagerly. "How can we get some? I want to try cultivating it. Oh! Did you get the boar, by the way?"

"The boar's at home, draining of blood," Henry replied as they began walking toward their tree house. "But about the flower... it's going to be difficult to get it now."

Iliana furrowed her brows. "Why? Can't you fly us up there?"

Henry nodded. "The height isn't the issue. I can get us there, but you'd struggle to breathe—the air's thin at that altitude. The real problem is that the flower only blooms during the cold season, which is why it's so hard to collect."

"Of course it does," Iliana groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Why would it be easy for us, right? URG!" She grumbled, lost in thought before a new idea popped into her mind. "Wait a minute—what about seeds? Does the flower produce any seeds? We get the flowers to make the ceremonial juice, right? So maybe they collect the seeds from them too?"

Henry nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good point. You'd have to ask Tina about it. Maybe we can head over there right now," he suggested, already turning toward the leader's quarters.

"Yes! Then we can work on the soap afterward. I'm so excited!" Iliana said eagerly, walking alongside him.

When they arrived at Leo's treehouse, Henry knocked on the door. Kujo answered, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. He glanced between Henry and Iliana, a faint pink tinge coloring his cheeks as he seemed to focus on Iliana a bit longer than usual.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" he asked politely.

"We're here to speak with Tina, if she's available" Henry replied, his tone firm but casual. Iliana glanced at him, sensing a slight edge in his demeanor. Was he acting possessive, or was she just imagining it?