He smiled at the boy, "Well what else can you feel if not the water?"

he started to pull his fingers out but was halted and so he left them there, "i feel you... and the tree... and there are larvae or something living creature like it... i cannot tell"

(he does not realize this is abnormal XD)

"Very good. See, water can help one extend their powers. Like scrying, it is best if you look into water, unless you have a scrying potion, because of its properties. Under normal circumstances you would have most likely felt the larvae on a normal circumstance, and maybe the presence of the tree, but you are still early in training and you felt more than I would expect you to while using water as a medium." The smile continued to grace his face as he slipped his own fingers into the small pool. "Has that changed anything?"

it did but he was nt sure if it was what his master wanted, sheepishly he gave his answer, "....yes, i can only feel you"

Fingers inched forward through the water until he could feel the soft fingers beginning to pucker in the water. Weaving their fingers togather he pulled their hands from the water. "...and what do you feel now?"

the trap was there he could see it but with his belly filled and the warm fingers tangled with his it was hard not to fall into it and though his tail betrayed him he did his best not to jump his master under the tree, "....i.....i feel nothing but skin, i cannot hear anything but my own heartbeat"

He felt excited for the boy's answer until his stutter left him listening to the words of avoidance. For a moment his smile faltered before he brought it back and let their fingers unwind from each other. "We will try this exercise again at a different time, but it seems as though the rain has lessened. Make sure your boots are on tight and our things are packed away safely and we will do some more travelling today."

he did as he was told though in that time his shame had not lessened and he could not look his master in the eye despite the kind reassurances and gentle avoidance of his failure

(he feels like he is a terrible apprentice)

Their travel was wet, messy, and in no way enjoyable. The rain had lessened, but still fell in a strong enough drizzle that after less then an hour he was feeling soaked and there was no sign of somewhere for them to spend any more time other than beneath another tree. They did not share many words for his unfair moment of disappointment that he had not gotten the response he wanted, and the shame the boy felt. Continuing on he hoped that they may encounter a small town or somewhere they could return to for the night.

after a couple of hours he grew hungry for legitimate food but his master did not stop and he did not have the desire to sit about in the rain just for food and so said nothing, as the day passed the rain lessened and grew again until he was certain even oilcloth and his master's wards could not save what was inside their packs and his mood, which was already low, sank even further

The sky was beginning to turn darker, not because of the storm clouds but because evening was beginning to fall upon them. In the distance he could see glittering lights which upon more inspection were actually oil lamps hung outside of a small town. Reaching over he gently shook the boy's shoulder and pointed to their new destination.

it was not until they were inside and he could strip out of most of his clothes to shake off that he felt any better and ignoring the looks his ears and tail garnered he left his master's side to find a seat in the tavern they had found

He looked down to the wet pile of clothes on the floor before looking up to his scantily clad partner taking a seat at the bar as if nothing were wrong. Smoothly he scooped them up in hand before moving to the bar beside the young incubus and flagged down the inn keeper. He offered the herbs they found on their travels in exchange for one night's stay. The man agreed before sliding a key across the top of the bar. Pocketing it he took all of their things before handing the boy two silver pieces to buy them a warm meal while he put everything away.

he did not understand coins, it was a useless thing in his eyes to learn and his master's efforts had many times proven fruitless but the man on the other side did and one of his silvers was taken for food and drink and the other was traded out for a small pile of coppers and a single brass wedge. he was smart enough to keep the coins in hand while he waited for the food to be made

When he emerged again it was with clothes less damp than the others, and his hair tucked up in a large bun. He did his best in removing what water he could from everything, but even so it all had to dry and so he left all of it to do as much. Taking his seat next to the boy he found a steaming hot bowl of potato and wild chicken soup which made him already feel warmer. Taking a sip he smiled for the first time since the time of their lesson.

they both ate their fill and his master had a glass of the ale that was brought before he handed over the coins exchanged and the much larger hand took his own and pulled him up the stairs

With the smaller hand neatly tucked into his own grasp, he offered the fingers a kiss as he led the both of them up the stairs and to their shared room. When he was in there last fanning out their scrolls and books it did not seem so crowded, but now with the boy in there it most certainly did. Carefully he made sure they were each in the room before swinging the door closed. Reaching out he brushed a hand across the damp cheek.

when the warm hand touched him a smile blossomed and he forgot his ire at being all but drowned in the rain and turning his face up to his master's he shared it

The smile on the sweet face made him happy, and trying to keep the not-entirely-so innocent smile he mirrored the look before pressing their lips together. The hand that once rested on a soft cheek now trailed into the damp, wet locks, and over short stubby horns. He pulled back only enough for their foreheads to touch and lips part, "Are you hungry, Lonis?"

he wasn't in that way and he let his master know it was not from a lack of want but because his belly had been filled, after a moment he was asked if he was instead hungry for his master's body instead. silently he nodded

(wide eyes parted lips, he is a bottom even when he is the one filling XD)

He let his gaze fall upon the face to take in the look of feigned innocence with eyes wide and mouth parted hungrily before he could not help himself and slipped his lips over top before his tongue invaded the sweet mouth. In a smooth motion he let his arms slide underneath the boy's arms to hoist him up, and mindful of the books and scrolls spread across the floors he navigated them both to the bed. He had to admit he was not all that gentle as he set the boy down, giving him a short toss onto the old and well-used bed of the inn before climbing on after. He came to straddle the boy's hips before he dove in for another kiss.

he was not sure if it were so or if it was simply his imagining it but in the last two days his master had begun using a firmer hand than usual and though he was too pleased with it to risk having it stop simply because he asked he wondered if it was something to do with their continued lessons since after each joining he was expected to try again. it also did not slip by him that as his master grew rougher he grew more apt after. shading his head free of the thoughts he did as his master bade and tried again to see how many souls he could hear from where he lay under the soiled sheets

As the boy made his estimate he allowed for his eyes to close as he branched out and tried to read for himself. In the inn alone he could feel ten, and a few more walking outside in the rain, but the boy could only reach so far and so he accounted the attempt as good. He was about to shower praise on his young apprentice for his near correct estimation, but as the door opened and a maid entered for cleaning he could hear a nearly breathed response of 'ten'. Smiling he told the maid it was alright to enter and clean so much as she minded the books upon the floor, and nodding she did so with a blushing face. "Actually, madam, could you come here for a brief moment? I have something I want to see." Again her face blushed a bright red as she drew closer, and while it was impossible to be discreet he reached out to touch her stomach and urged for the boy to do the same. "What can you tell, Lonis?"

as he poked his head from the blanket he saw her eyes widen and it nearly made him stop though she did not back away and with his master bidding he was reluctant to refuse. mimicking the other he reached out, as soon as he touched he understood what he was expected to see and he smiled, "ten... ma'am, you are with child"

Appreciatively he nodded to the woman before removing his hand and the boy's as well. "He is right, miss. I apologize for the rudeness, but you are carrying a life. I hope that may have benefited you in some way." Looking at her face she did not seem as happy about it as the two of them did, and as her lips puckers and face scrunched up his face turned from one of happiness to one of worry. Reaching out to comfort her she ran from the room with the beginning of tears rolling down her cheeks. He silently looked at the door for a lingering moment before turning to the boy. "It is an interesting thing to be able to tell when a woman is within child, but I forgot to mention that when dealing with pregnant women it is in your best interest to be extremely flattering and kind, even in excess. What just happened was not what we needed to see, but I am glad you were able to feel the life within her. Good job, Lonis."

twitching happily he pressed himself to his master's chest in pleasure and nuzzling sweetly he reveled in the praise

He went on to explain and elaborate about pregnant women more, namely that they were easy to find as a source of life as they are capable of harboring and creating life. He always found it easier to sense their presence in opposition to men, but that may have been just him. Hugging the boy tight he offered him a peck on the cheek.

they loitered only a little longer before another knock on the door came, this time from a male maid who, without meeting either of their eyes, quickly poured the water for bathing, when he was done he hastily left though it was not important for there was hot water and there was soap and they could greet the day in wellness

The innkeeper did not say much more than a farewell when they were bathed, dried, and dressed and ready to leave. There was no need for an exchange of money since they already bartered for their evening, and of all their things the plums they plucked a few days ago were still okay to eat. Pulling them from the basket, he offered one to the boy and bit into one himself as they departed back into the plains for another long day of travel.

unlike the day before the sun was what greeted them this time and with the rain from before the land all but glowed in health, sliding his hand into the much larger one he smiled and followed his master where-ever the other would take them

It wad not until that afternoon that they took a break for lunch, and taking a detour free of the path he led the boy off into the grass which was nearly dry from the hot sun. Even from far away he could sense the old tree's spirit and the blossoming fruit it bared; It may or may not have also been because of the sweet smell the fruit omitted. "Lonis, identify the fruit this tree bares and then we can sit for lunch."

nodding he did as he was bid though with the waft of it he did not need any help, "it is a black cherry, you can smell it"

"Indeed it is, very good, Lonis. I hope you like cherries, because no more of our food was able to be salvaged." Looking out at the tree he could see the branches heavy with the fruit not yet picked or swallowed up the creatures. "There is plenty here for us to take with us after lunch, as long as we leave enough for the creatures we can take as much as we need."

he did not in fact but he knew his master did and to see such a rare fruit so late in the year was boon enough. saying nothing he bounded ahead the last couple yards to the tree and using his sleeves to carry the berries started collecting them to eat

Their lunch was full of sweet flavors from the cherries, and as their basket became filled with the fruit he began thinking about all of the wonderful things there were to make with them. Pies, muffins, or simply cut up into his porridge, and the thought made him smile. "Lonis, I wish we had the ingredients to cook these cherries into more foods, but by themselves they are good as well. Right now I desire pie, but if you could have any food right now what would it be?"

he did not know, or at the least could not think of any, "i suppose a pie would be nice"

His smile threatened to falter, but he did not allow for it to slip away. "Lonis, be a little more creative. This journey is not only for you to learn as we travel the land, it is to help find who you are. Do not be afraid to answer questions truthfully."

frowning he looked to the ground, "honestly? honestly i do not care what is done. they are fine how they are and there is no changing them"

He did not say much more after that, having known that he asked for truth and that was what he got. Popping another cherry in his mouth so as not to be expected to speak he signaled for Lonis to follow so they could continue their travel for the day.

as they walked the clouds came in once more and the wind grew colder and his time, instead of being spent as it had been before was now focused on trying to mentally push away any chance of rain