Page 155 of Valpar

The bushes behind me rustled, and I jerked my head to look behind me. A quiet bleat that sounded very much like Simon came from inside the bush next to me.

I gasped, sat on my knees and parted the bushes. “Simon? Simon, is that you?”

Instead of seeing the white head and pretty eyes of my favorite animal, I was met back with a face nearly human. His nose was that of a goat, his eyes forward facing, and a goatee of facial hair. He had long white hair on his head, that was braided just like the orcs had done weeks ago.

“Oh, Simon, look how beautiful you are,” I whispered, and my hand slowly approached to cup his face.

He jerked back, his eyes widened and he fell over into the bushes.

I guess the spell did not take away his fainting issues.

I checked on Valpar and Orgamo. Valpar was still climbing the tree, his loincloth blowing in the wind, and I was getting a magnificent view of his butt. Unfortunately, I couldn’t pay attention to it, because I needed to check on Simon.

I leaned into the bush, making sure to keep my knees on the blanket.

I did not need to be breaking pinky promises. That would not be good for my butt, right now.

When I got down to pet Simon behind the ears, as he loved so much, he let out a small whine and I saw him coming to. “Hey bestie, it’s okay. Nothing to fear.”

He slowly came out of it, although, quicker than when he was in his goat form, and he looked up at me with such confusion, much like when he has fainted in the past.

“You fainted, it’s okay. How are you feeling? Can you talk yet?” I kept my voice low as a whisper not to alert my orcs. I didn’t think he was comfortable with them, yet. He kept looking at them funny, every few seconds.

Be bleated softly, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.

“Can’t talk yet, huh? It’s okay, just keep practicing. Just know that they won’t hurt you. Valpar would never.”

Simon whined again and got back on his hands and knees to hide back further into the bushes. “Wait, are you just following us around? Why don’t you stay with us?” I tilted my head and leaned further into the bush.

He grunted and shook his head.

Maybe he was still too shy about his body.

“Are you still my bestie, though? Will you still come say hi to me when Valpar isn’t around? You know that isn’t a lot, right?”

Simon gave me a soft look and leaned forward. His horns, which were the same as when he was a tiny goat, tapped my forehead before he retreated again into the brush.

“Calliope! What are you doing!” Valpar’s voice cut through the silent moment Simon and I were sharing, and he scurried away.

I felt myself being lifted by my hips and soon I was hanging upside down. “I didn’t leave the blanket!” I giggled and saw Valpar scowling.

“No,” he mused and put me right-side up. “What were you doing? What is in the bushes?” he went over to look but I grabbed his face and gave him a kiss. “Just lookin’, I was getting bored.”

Orgamo stomped up beside us and held out the pink fruit in his hand. It was a cross between a dragon fruit and a coconut from Earth. It was soft, round and had a hint of fuzz on the outside. Orgamo took his two large hands and twisted, breaking it in half. On the inside there was a large seed, like you would see on an avocado and deep blue meat inside.

Valpar took his sharp claw and cut out a chunk of the meat, letting it sit on the tip of his claw. “Just a piece. That is all it will take. You ready?”

I nodded excitedly and reached out to pull it off his claw. Valpar frowned and pulled it away. “Have you already forgotten?” He lifted a brow.

Orgamo huffed. “You have not trained her well. You both need training.” He stomped off and we were both left alone. I was laughing while Valpar scowled.

“Perhaps he should meet Ogamie sooner than later if he is making comments like that. I know how to take care of you.”

“He’s trying to help. Leave him be. I think he secretly enjoys it.” I opened my mouth and Valpar placed the piece onto my tongue. “Besides,” I mumbled with the fruit in my cheek, “maybe I should try and turn his all his hair white. It’s a challenge I would take.”

As soon as I swallowed, I felt a tingling in my scalp and between my legs, then a zap of electricity tingled all the way down my spine.

“Ooph!” I gripped onto Valpar and blinked several times. “Did it work?”

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