CHAPTER 1 - THE WEDDING
Sala was a full fledged Cat-Girl now. Her ears perked happily on her head and her hair fell about her breasts, as smooth and white as ever. Her tail was just as curious and velvety as ever. A new stripe of fur went from around her tail up her spine to between her shoulder blades. Her hands and feet were now completely feline. Soft white hair went from her toes to mid thigh and from short feline fingers to mid forearm. She now had crystalline white claws from all her fingers and toes. She was commonly found sunning naked on the rocky shore or sitting in the trees. She now rarely wore anything more than underwear, and that was small. She only wore a white G-string and a small white-fur top. Rough pink pads had developed on the bottoms of her feet, allowing for her to go barefoot on all but the sharpest gravel. This all palled in comparison to the most drastic change of all.
She could now breath Miasma.
It had first happened when she had been with Peter, Flora and Mick, traveling over to Marr's Pass to do a little trading last fall. She had gotten into a little tussle with her sister and she ran off in a huff, without realizing it, but right though the Crystal Chalice's barrier.
She had been gone for nearly fifteen minutes and the others had searched frantically, for her. The had just about left her for dead when they found her pouting behind a tree nearly a quarter mile away. She was sitting behind it, not even noticing the Miasma permeating her lungs. She had developed to be able to survive without a Crystal Chalice.
This had proved invaluable in the past few months because, besides her personal excursions and explorations all over the Tipa Peninsula, she could also act as a messenger between the Chalice and the Village when groups would go out with it to explore and scout.
Yawning, Sala stretched out. She was lying on her favorite tree branch enjoying the warm sun and cool breeze. It was a thick branch that hung out over the river near her family's house. She had long since stripped it of branches and leaves, leaving it bare and smooth for her to lay on.
She was on her stomach with her arms and legs draped over it, napping happily.
The other change within her is that she found herself very active early in the mornings and late at night. She always slept through midday.
"Sala! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. Get down here! The Ceremony is almost ready. Your sister is expecting you to be there!" Ezra, Sala's mother, yelled up into the tree.
"Fine mother!" Sala sighed, getting to her hands and feet. She crawled down the branch, claws digging into the bark. She grasped a nearby branch and swung herself down to the ground, landing on all fours.
"Come on, come on." Ezra hurried, grabbing her paw. She pulled Sala down the pathway, "I know you're not going to put on anything for this, but at least put these in your hair and toss this over your shoulders."
Her mom handed her a few wild flowers and a long necklace made of them. Sala tossed the necklace over her head and started to weave the flowers into her long white hair. It had grown down past her shoulders and was encroaching over her breasts.
"Sorry, you know I lose track of time when I nap." Sala said, walking along behind her mom.
"Usually I don't care because you do so much for this village, with your hunting and exploration everywhere, but this is something I will not be lenient on. Your sister has been planning this wedding since you guys got back. Her and Mick wanted their wedding to set off the next Caravan season since you guys are leaving tomorrow." Ezra said.
"You mean you've been planning it. I don't think Flora has done much except hang out, look pretty and kiss Mick a few times." Sala chuckled.
"Fine, I suppose your right, but it doesn't change the fact that Flora wants you by her side for this. Here, take this, give it to her when the time calls." Ezra said, leading Sala into the center of the village. She handed her a long chain with a hand carved symbol of the Clavat on it.
"I know what to do mother, I didn't miss the rehearsal." Sala chuckled, clasping the necklace in her paw.
A large number of chairs were set up in rows in front of the Great Crystal. The Elder was standing in front of it with his large book in his hands. Mick and Peter already stood in front of him. Mick looked ridiculous in his dress outfit. He had a large black robe on that went to his ankles. Peter was his opposite, all in white. Sala walked down the aisle and stood on the opposite side as the boys, Peter gave her a small smile and a wave that she returned.
As was tradition, Flora was waiting in a nearby house, to be the last one to appear. Ezra dashed off to get her. The entire village was seated in front of them in dead silence, waiting for Flora.
A minute later, she appeared. In a dazzling bright sun yellow dress that trailed out behind her, she looked beautiful. Her hair was curled in bouncy curls and put up in a tail behind her head. She had yellow flowers in her hair and held a bouquet in her hands
She approached The Elder and took her place in front of Mick. The entire village was deathly quiet in anticipation.
"We are gathered here today to Celebrate a miracle. A joining of hearts and souls. Two have chosen to walk the path of life as one. I ask you to bow your heads with me as I give a prayer for the two young lovers." The Elder said over the hushed crowd.
They did and he gave a long and poetic prayer, ending just as a light breeze was starting to brush over the crowd.
"Now, have each of you brought your token of love?" The Elder asked, looking between them, "Mick, you first."
"Flora, I have brought you today, a ring. Carved by my own hand and forged in the white hot metal of my love. I hope you will cherish and wear it for as long as we are together on this Earth." Mick said, taking a ring from Peter.
Mick took her hand and put it on. The ring glinted brightly in the sun. It was a flower with a rounded stem that circled around, all made of pure silver. Flora looked adoringly at it.
"Flora, your token." The Elder said.
Sala held out her furry paws, the necklace resting on them.
"Mick, I have brought you today, a symbol. Carved by my own hand and made in the likeness of our race. In the hope that you shall love and care for all Clavats as you do for me." Flora said, clipping the necklace together behind him.
It fit perfectly, hanging just an inch below his neck. The silver emblem glinted brightly against his black robe.
"You have given each a symbol of your love. May it last forever and never be broken. I, with the power of the Village, give these two the title of marriage. You may now kiss." The Elder said, closing his book.
Mick wrapped his arms around Flora and their lips met passionately.
The silence was broken and the entire crowd cheered loudly. Sala, for some reason, felt herself blush and she smiled slightly. Mick and Flora turned to the Village as everyone stood up.
Flora turned around and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder. A number of girls in the crowd squealed and jumped for it. Sala stepped over to Flora as she kissed Mick again.
"Well, I suppose you're my brother now aren't you?" Sala said, looking at Mick.
"Oh damn, I knew there was something about this marriage I didn't like. Flora, why didn't you tell me you had a pet?" Mick teased.
"Oh Mick, you're horrible." Flora said, smacking him playfully.
"Horrible am I?" Mick said, his eyes glinting.
