Come the following morning, Andy arrived at the site of offering in high spirits. Provisions for the two of them, along with some snacks for Damica, should she choose to accompany them, were stuffed in a large pack. Along with them were a variety of standard offerings for the deity, Lugh, that Andy had purchased at market.

Once Andy had arrived, (Y/N) straightened her rucksack, pulled her ‘head basket’ on over her serpentine hair, and then hesitantly bid him approach. She was terrified that, somehow, her covering might fail her, that she would accidentally petrify the human man so brave as to undertake this quest with her. She kept her eyes on the ground by her tail, not trusting the fabric entirely, and held her brass hands outstretched before her.

Andy was transfixed by the sight before him. Though (Y/N) was covered by his tunic and even a sack over her head, she was still more comely than any woman he had ever seen. Her hands shone brightly, moving slickly, as though liquid metal, when she flexed them. Her arms were strong, but lean, her skin smooth. He could see very well the mesmerizing swell of her bosom under her clothing. For a moment, before he took her cold hand, he wondered what it might be like to touch such an unrivaled specimen of womanhood. Then, ashamed, he shook the thought from his head and took her metal hand in his.

He took one step forward. “Can you see the ground at all? I will guide you around obstacles, find you a clear course.”

Quickly, (Y/N) learned to sweep the earth ahead of her with the very tip of her long tail, before gliding to set her whole weight forward. Andy guided her carefully, telling her where rocks or other major obstructions lay. It was so hard for her to concentrate, with Andy holding her hand! She’d never felt the touch of any biped, aside from her mother, for more than a few moments. But now… they were so close, she could hear his breathing, his footsteps. His voice, the warmth of his body, were right beside her!

She could feel condensation from her excitement beginning to form on her palm, and was embarrassed. “Forgive my clammy hand. I’ve never left my home before, not that I remember, and I’m both excited and nervous.”

The squeeze Andy gave her made her heart flutter in her chest, “There’s no need to be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

(Y/N) clicked her tongue at his arrogance, “Keep in mind which one of us is a fearsome beast, eh?” Damica barked, indicating she should be considered as well, and the two of them laughed. “Just please agree that if trouble comes, you will cover your eyes if I ask you to.”

Andy thought that was reasonable enough, though, in truth, he hoped it wouldn’t have to come to that. He felt a strong urge to protect (Y/N) from all the hurt that was in the world, to play a part in showing her the joyful things life could offer, what she had been missing. He was determined to change her life for the better, somehow. “Very well.”

And thus the party of three, a vintner’s son, a Gorgon, and a sly, old vixen, made their way, purposefully, bit by bit, through the forest adjacent to the roadside. The going was slow, and at times they faced challenges.

When they came to a creek, there was simply nothing for it, (Y/N) needed to be able to see to wade her way safely through. Andy went ahead, carrying Damica, then closed his eyes and hunkered away from (Y/N) as she made her way through the stream.

As similar obstacles presented themselves (fallen trees, rock-strewn areas, etc.), they developed a natural rhythm of Andy going ahead with Damica. (Y/N) would wait to hear Andy’s call to remove her head basket before following and then replacing her hood once she’d caught up with Andy. He had his shield as recourse, but it proved to be unnecessary as they worked together to help one another.

Once the sun began to set, the problem presented itself of how to safely set up camp. Andy was in favor of two separate camps, so that (Y/N) could remove her covering at the least while she slept. But (Y/N) strongly preferred Andy’s company, to be able to hear the sound of his voice so close.

Damica was growing impatient with how long it was taking the two of them to realize their mutual feelings. Life was short, and they were simply wasting time! She barked repeatedly at (Y/N)’s suggestion of a shared camp, resolving the matter without further debate.

As they settled for the evening, after Andy apportioned out a meal, Damica was careful to give the hairless humanoids some space. She was hoping they would get chilly and seek each other out for warmth. She wanted to be sure that, if they did, she was both unavailable to provide heat and far enough away to provide privacy. Though she understood what was different between the two, she was impatient for them to begin mating gestures. Young fools, thinking they had all the time in the world!

Notes

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