The Touch of Spring

Author's Note.

Apologies for taking so long to write this out, life got busy quick around where I live. That all said, feel free to comment on what you liked and what you don't so I can improve my technique, as I'd like to ensure that this story is enjoyable for everyone and not just me.

Thanks again for reading! Enjoy!

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The Touch of Spring, Chapter 2.

Birds chirped in the distance as the morning sun began to rise over the hills. James was so warmly snuggled in his sleeping bag that he couldn't even muster the effort to open his eyes. Yawning, he began to fall back into his dreams again.

Mmm, what was I dreaming again? Something about a....

James furrowed his brows as the birds came closer, and the sun glared a bit brighter. Sleeping under the stars wasn't the best for sleeping in, and he was beginning to regret it, given how cozy this area was. Almost like a soft bed.

He felt the ground shift a bit underneath him, as he nuzzled back into his blanket.

Weird, didn't know the ground could move like that.....

James eyes shot open.

He saw himself wrapped all the way up to his neck in coils, slowly rotating around him. Immediate fear began to take over as he flexed his arms to get control, but found he was completely immobile.

Turning his head slightly, he saw her again. Her soft face, still asleep, laying inside the coils with him, as she slowly began to yawn. His fear began to subside when he saw her, although his thoughts were still everywhere.

Memories flooded back as he remembered her coming to his camp, the night they shared, although it began to get hazy right around the part where he was showing her how to cook.

Huh....How was I not scared shitless before? This is..... waaaaaay outside my expertise. But.... I don't fear her at all.

James felt her move again as she slowly opened her beautiful eyes, as a small smile crept onto her face.

"Hey...." She spoke gently as she pressed her lips against his in a soft kiss. James melted as soon as she spoke and eagerly returned her embrace as much as he could. Giggling she pulled back, with a big grin.

"Heehee, glad to see you too." She uncoiled around him a bit and let him gently down to the ground, then straddling him she drew circles on his chest. "As much as I'd like an encore of last night, I think you've earned a day to rest. Besides...." She flashed her eyes a soft gold, melting his heart a bit. "...I think I'd like to introduce you to my sisters. I think they'd love to meet you." She unwound herself fully and stretched her arms.

"Sisters?" James propped himself up as he rubbed his neck. "Wait, how many of you guys are there?"

"Oh there's a whole village of us, but my sisters and I pretty well make sure everything goes smoothly there. I'm the second youngest out of four. Youngest would be my lil sis Lineysha, and she's a bit reserved. I think if I can get my older sis to like you, then the others will trust you too."

"Trust me too? So, I take it I've earned your trust?" James smirked as

"Oh, more than earned. Let's just say I have an.... intimate idea of who you are now. I want to show you more. And-" She clasped her chest, blushing as she tried to hide her face. "-I... let's go, I can't wait to show you to them!"

James looked around his camp a bit, looking at the absolute mess. Grabbing his backpack of tools, he stretched his arms and rubbed his neck. "Well.... I really enjoyed last night, but I gotta head back home eventually. After all, the bills don't pay themselves, and I still gotta get used to my new home, and....."

James closed his eyes as he sighed in exhaustion.

Damn, when I put it like that.....

He saw her expression slowly fade into a sad smile. "I understand. You have things and people who need you back home. I really enjoyed our time together, and well, you'll come back right?" She rubbed her hands together as she slowly coiled in on herself.

James bit his lip as he considered his options. He could go back to his old home, back where he had his heart broken and his job yanked out from underneath him. He could go back to his new home, that was beginning to feel more and more empty the longer he stayed out here in the woods.

Or....

he turned to see this beautiful woman, who wanted nothing more than to learn about him. What kind of fool would pass up an opportunity given by a myth from fairy tales? Not to mention one that he felt such a strong affection for.

She's better than I deserve honestly.... How can I just leave her hanging? Gah, I can't possibly do this to her. I'm going! Worst comes to worst, I have to make up an excuse to the landlord about missing a flight or.... something.

"You know what, nevermind. I really don't want a new start to be exactly like my old life. Forget I said anything. I want to be wit- er uh, I'll go see your family."

Selania leapt up and wrapped her tail around his arm, practically dragging him out to the woods. James couldn't help but smile and chuckle a bit at how unreal all of this felt.

"Besides, I can't wait to meet more folks like you."

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Selania's speed picked up as she led a confused, yet eager James through the brush. The deeper they went, the darker it got, as the trees themselves seemed to bend unnaturally towards a grove. James had already read the maps through and through before he had treked out here and he knew that this place couldn't have been on the maps. There were hills and mountains here, but the maps would've surely showed the large trees and crags, especially topography like this.

Right?

The trees leaves curled inwards, with tendrils dripping dew that seemed to beg him to taste. The ground also was incredibly soft here, giving way every step more and more. The trees themselves felt soft and smooth, yet sturdy enough to withstand any storm. Selania looked on in reverence as she slithered past, gently grazing by.

James couldn't help but share that feeling as he closed the distance between the two. He also couldn't stop looking at her curves, as she swayed gently side to side. Her hips cocked and swayed with her tail as she coiled round and round a tree's base. He began to feel a slight familiar twitch in his waist as he saw her muscular back arch back as she breathed in. Instinctively, he breathed in too, and he smelt such a wondrous combination of soft lilies and fresh water with the morning dew. He hardly noticed as she stopped, staring off in the distance.

"This is it. Home!" She wrapped her tail around his arm, yanking him forward giddily. James regained his footing and shook his head in disbelief.

Ahead of him he saw a large circular clearing in the woods, revealing a small crudely built village made partially of natural growths, and partial housing constructed of wood and vines. In this clearing, he saw more lamia, anywhere between fifteen to twenty easily, going about their lives as though the outside world simply didn't exist. Some of the lamia looked up, smiling and waving to Selania, and gasping once they saw James. Some giggled and waved shyly, while a few still hid behind their houses, seemingly afraid.

"C'mon, give 'em a wave! They'd love to meet you, ya know." Selania giggled as she rose his hand up for him. "There's no need to worry. They'll love you." She leaned in as she softly whispered into his ear, flicking her tongue out to lick him.

"Trussst me."

James swallowed audibly as he trembled a bit in anticipation. "So this was your surprise? Heheh, geez, you woulda told me yesterday that this was out here under our nose I would've probably tried my hand at the lottery, or flapped my arms to fly. This can't be real...."

"Hehee, glad I could make your day. But c'mon, you've gotta meet my sister. We have so much to talk about!"

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James walked down to the village as more and more lamia slithered out from their homes, murmering in a foreign tongue amongst themselves. Some cooed while giggling to themselves, while some others came up close, even going so far as to gently caress his back or chest as they passed. Selania beamed ear to ear, speaking back to them in her foreign tongue, sometimes casting a knowing gaze back to James.

James couldn't understand what they were saying, but he had a pretty good idea given their husky tones and wandering hands. Their soft whispers in his ears had a strange effect on him, as they were not only a turn on, but every word spoken lulled his mind into putty in their hands. He could feel his thoughts slipping away as his heart felt totally safe, wrapped up in the tightest embrace.

"We're almost there James. My sister likes to live on the outskirts. We'd better hurry up, I think if we don't reach her by nightfall, you won't be leaving a few of these girls for a looooong time." She giggled as she gently tugged on his hand once more. Shaking his head, James picked up his pace to the edge of the clearing.

Once there, the lamia behind gave up their chase, while a few others pouted, and blew their new guest a kiss as they sauntered back towards their village. James felt a tinge of regret leaving them, but knew he would be back soon enough.

Question is now, how am I going to survive more than a few days here. What do they even really think of me? What am I supposed to do?

"Don't worry so much James, that's part of the reason why we're going to see my big sis. She knows more about people like you than pretty much everyone here."

"Excuse me what? How did you know what I was thinking?"

"I told you, we got pretty.... close last night." Selania breathed in deeply as she closed her eyes and clutched her chest. "I've never felt like that before....."

"Yeah heh, me either." James stopped, causing Selania to pause herself and give a quizzical look? "I know you've talked about your family a little bit, but I just feel so out of place here. Can I ask something?"

Selania nodded as she pulled herself closer to him, gently caressing his back as she drew nearer. "Mhm! Whatever you'd like to."

"Heh, so, I've never really been good with first impressions back where I came from. What should I say to your family? What should I do?"

"Well for starters you can stop worrying so much. You're really hard on yourself, you know. Besides, I've never met someone like you before, and I don't think of you as bad company by any means."

"Mhm, I'll bet not sis." A voice slinked around the two in the trees as James instinctively backed up, dropping his pack to the ground.

"My my, and he's easy on the eyes too! So let me ask,

sweet meat

." The voice slinked down as James heard the trees above him sway and move a bit. "Was she worried something happened to your legs?"

Selania's grin immediately turned sour as she swatted behind James' head in a playful angry manner. "Only because of the stories you fed me! How was I supposed to know any better?!" Selania kept slapping, but laughing as James turned his gaze back to see who was teasing them both.

Laughing uncontrollably was a light brown lamia woman, with long black coils extending into the trees beyond James' sight, tattoos lining her sides up to her barely contained breasts, all sigils that James could have sworn he had seen before. Her black hair was a short cut, drawing more attention to her soft brownish red eyes. James caught himself staring as the two girls both calmed down, and returned his gaze.

"Like what you see?" She cupped her hands and pushed her assets forward as James felt blood rush to his face as he turned away quickly picking his bag off the ground. "Aww, is he bashful? Well, that's fair, given he's probably a bit out of his element here."

Selania smiled as she whispered in her sister's ear, then turned to James. "This is my sister, Illessi, and she's kind of the unofficial leader here. She's kept us safe from prying eyes and outside threats. She also knows alot about your kind, so she's been keeping us informed! Well, for the most part." She shot her a look which Illessi blatently ignored while grinning ear to ear. "Aaa-nyways, this is James, and he is...."

"Ah ah, we want to welcome our guest first! I'll ask a few questions later, but for now let's get him a bit more..." Illessi's eyes gleamed with a mischeivous light. "

Comfortable.

But Selania, can I talk to you for a bit? I'd like to catch up on some things here. That is, if James here doesn't mind letting you out of his sight?"

James sheepishly chuckled and waved both girls off as he picked up his things again. "Go ahead, I need to get my bearings. This has been a hell of a day."

"Good, I won't be long with her." She quickly grabbed her sister's hand and guided her into the treeline above them.

James sighed and took into account all he had left for the trip. His tent was left behind, so that'd put him at the mercy of his hosts hospitality. He frowned at the thought, realizing he had foolishly put them in an awkward position of essentially taking care of him in every regard.

Luckily he still had his tools. Rubber mallet, box of nails, hatchet, some rope. He could always head back to civilization, but it'd definitely take a few days. His stomach growled at the thought, as he realized he hadn't ate at all for a while now.

Cursing his lack of forethought, he reached around in his pack for anything to eat, but with no luck.

Shit.... First I come waltzing in without a care in the world on their home, now I'm going to have to take their food. Geez, already not a good first step. Not to mention most families don't like hearing about how you just hooked up with their girl just yesterday.

James' ears perked up as he heard voices returning. Suddenly, both girls dropped next to him, dangling in the trees above. Selania's sister smiled knowingly as she nodded to her sister. "Selania, let the others know we will be needing appropriate accomodations. Cook some meat, get our biggest room ready, and I'll be back with James soon."

James looked back and forth between the two as Selania giggled and winked at her sister, then slithering back to her village. She swayed her ass with a bit more effort as she left, keeping a coy eye behind her as James gawked helplessly after. Illessi chuckled as she wrapped her arm around his and gently pushed his head towards her eyes with her tail.

"Come on now tiger, this way. Business first after all." Illessi gestured towards the woods as James begrudgingly obeyed and walked forward with his new guide. "There, good boy. Tell me James, what brings you out to our neck of the woods?" Reaching into one of the sweet smelling trees dripping with nectar, she popped open a flower and took a bulb from the center, offering it to him. "Hungry? Nevermind, don't answer that. I could hear your belly grumble a mile away."

James could hear running water in the distance, creeping ever closer. It was definitely the sound of a waterfall. Absentmindedly, he took the fruit and bit into it, as his eyes lit up at the magnificent flavor.

Realizing he had completely ignored her question in lieu of eating, James quickly wiped his mouth. "Oh thanks! Uh, well, I moved from my old town after.... well nothing important." James frowned as he spoke. "You probably wouldn't care too much about those details. Anyways, it's irrelevant, I came out here to get away from things for a bit. It was honestly a great trip, and then as I set up camp, your sister Selania paid me a visit."

Illessi shook her head. "Now now, I asked what brings you out here, and you completely gloss over that! *Sigh*" Illessi quickly swiveled in front of James, cutting him off and shoving him down on her tail which quickly caught him. "Let's try this again, but I'll help you to be a little more... open."

James' eyes widened as she opened her mouth for him to see two large fangs grow out of her mouth. She also opened her mouth far wider than any human could, showing off her gaping maw. Snapping her jaws a bit to emphasize her point, she looped a coil around James' waist and torso, lifting them both into the treetops.

James heart pounded as he began to panic, realizing just how powerless he was in this dilemma. "Ok ok! I didn't realize this was that important! I'm sorry!"

"Now now, did I say to beg? Well, not yet I suppose. There's always time for that later." Illessi chuckled as she leaned in, flicking her tongue along his cheek. "Take a breath now James, because I take my people's lives and safety veeeery seriously. And humans have a very complicated past with my kind, just as I'm sure we've had a complicated past with yours. I want to be a generous host, but I need to clear up a few things for me, for my family, and for you. So be a dear and listen real quick. We're going to play a game."

"A g-game? What kind of-hnng!?" James felt her tail quickly wrap around his mouth, as she put a finger up to his face to shush him.

"It's a simple game. I'll ask you a question, and you'll answer honestly. Then you'll ask me a question, and I'll answer in kind. If you'd like, I'll do requests too, but you'd best be ready to return that favor too."

The coil released from James mouth as he bit his lip. "O-ok, but what if one of us lies?"

Illessi smiled at this. "Oh sweet boy, you won't. And besides, if I think you are lying, why, then I'll just have to do what I want instead. As I said, I take my people's lives seriously, so I expect the same respect from you. After all, I don't think you're in a position to really be dishonest with me." She gave him a few tight squeezes across his chest, emphasizing her last sentence to him.

James grunted and nodded. "Yeah, I got that feeling too. Ok then, you go first."

"Much better. So James, what brings you out here really? Why go this far into the woods?" Illessi tapped his bag with her tail to bring his attention to his tools lying on the ground.

James closed his eyes and sighed, as he felt her coils shift again, lying him gently on a hammock of more coils in the trees, dangling above the forest floor. "I... had nowhere else to go. I left my old home to get away from my norm. I got fired from my job, and couldn't keep gifts on the table for my friends or ex. Not to mention we weren't exactly doing great before either...."

"Ex? What exactly is an 'Ex'?"

"Oh, right. Guess you guys wouldn't know much about that, huh? Well, I was romantically involved with a girl, but we didn't work out. So now she's no longer with me in any way."

Illessi closed her eyes, pondering something to herself, then she sighed and loosened her coils around him, letting James fall onto her coil beneath them, dangling gently, but freed from her grip.

"Sounds like you were honest there. Ok, I believe that. Now I think it's your turn." Illessi dangled upside down, letting her busom bounce and sway in front of James who couldn't help but stare. "Ask away sweet meat. I'm all earssss." She flicked her tongue out and playfully put her hand up to her ear, in a mocking manner.

"Uhm... Ok, so what are you planning to do with me here? I mean, I think I know what's going on, but well.... best not to assume, right? Especially since I have nothing really to offer."

"No, assuming wouldn't do at all. Very well, I can answer that." Illessi propped herself up, just across from James as she lazily caressed her coils. "As you see, we have plenty of lamia in this village, and all of us have a place. Selania just so happened to be out roaming about looking for some food and then I suppose that's when you showed up on our front door step. So, tell me, what did you see when you got here?"