Warning: There is a rape scene in this chapter, and a scene of self-harm, so if these things disturb you, readers, I suggest you proceed with some caution.
His True Self
"Well... I believe I could help you. Yes indeed." The stoat smiled.
Justin perked up in an instant, "Really? You'd help me just like that?"
Duke Fritz enjoyed his enthusiasm, "Ja und nein... I have always been on the side of the natives; why should your people give up land? Why should you have to cover yourselves? You've nothing obvious that needs hiding, not like we mammals." He chuckled softly, "On the other hand, I can't just do this without compensation." Fritz twirled his mustache as he spoke, "As you can see, I am a very well-to-do fellow, and I have gotten to this position because my big brother is His Royal Highness, our king, Heinrich Fuchs. I was born into wealth, but you birds, you've accumulated such the reputation for yourselves."
Justin's plumage deflated as he heard the stoat go on.
"Yes, Volaria, the bird village that has opened itself to the world as a trading post and brothel. I've thought of visiting myself, especially now that I see the handsome men that village is producing." He tittered playfully as he felt the bird's muscles through his tunic.
Justin was already beginning to feel uncomfortable around the stoat. He spoke, "What was that word you said? Volaria?"
Fritz smiled, "Volaria, that is the name we have for your village. It's a nice play on words, I believe. A volary is really just a fancy word for birdcage. I think it's cute." He cleared his throat, "But, I still need compensation before I can help. You can consider it a guarantee. If I am unable to perform my duty, I will cut you off, clean and we will not speak again."
Justin listened, "You mean money? I don't have anything like that. That's why I was banished is because I dared to speak out against this travesty that my people are doing to themselves. Laying with strangers for coin, it just seems wrong. Can you imagine coming home from a long journey only to find that your wife has been sleeping with other males? For gold and jewels! I have no right to be angry, because I slept with my friend, Orion while we were away, but to come home and hear about this... awful thing. And to know that someday, my own son will be subject to this same travesty."
Fritz nodded while he listened to the bird speak. He took his turn, "I wish my father cared that much for me... Especially after I had the courage to tell him that I did not like females the way he wanted me to." He brushed away a tear before it could mess up his makeup, before he took the bird's scaly hand into his own, "If you will do me a kindness of accompanying me to my room where I will be staying for the night... I would love to carry on this fine conversation with you."
The stoat made a subtle gesture to his bodyguards then the three of them went past the blue jay leaving him to his thoughts.
Captain Velasquez eventually got his attention, "Come now... Our steaks have just gotten here, let's sit down, eat and then later you, I and Jarlsberg here will pay a nice visit to Fritz Fuchs."
Justin sat down as the fox directed him to and he did very much enjoy the steak once he started eating it, but his mind was still on that very strange stoat he'd just met.
...
That night in Volaria, the bird village...
Nestor stood before a large congregation of birds and now reptiles, "My people! Today is a momentous occasion. Today, our reptilian brothers have made the brave and selfless decision to blend with our society. Tonight, we celebrate our new brothers the best way we know how!"
Some tribal members came forth with large platters of food, large jugs of berry cordial, everything appropriate for a fun night.
Everyone avian and reptile alike let their tongues hang out in anticipation for the meal.
Nestor grinned at all their reactions, knowing that he'd done his part in lacing the drinks with an aphrodisiac given to him by the medicine bird.
Only Feroz, who stood at his side with Trantor, was complicit in the eagle's kinky gift for the masses. He shook his head in playful disbelief at his mate's brazen attitude.
Nestor spread his wings wide and flexed his large muscles, "Now, please! Feast, all of you! Enjoy yourselves! You've all earned it!"
And so everyone started picking food from the platters and pouring the fermented berry juice for themselves.
Javin sat with Kali, Maureen, their friends, Orion and Caryn and his own rattlesnake companion.
The two serpents both raised their drinks as Javin said, "Here is to everlasting friendship between our clans! May we all continue to grow and prosper.
Kali joined in the toast, "To friendship!"
Maureen followed, then Orion and Caryn.
The kids were all being tended to by the medicine bird, Tilo and his crow girlfriend, Maven, both sacrificing their partaking of this great meal in favor of keeping the children safe.
The crow, though she wasn't a native like these birds, quickly found herself welcomed into their fold, and she had been enjoying her time with the sparrow.
Tilo had taught her the basics of his medical work so she could help him in his craft.
The two had been near inseparable since they started living together.
Everyone took a drink of the laced cordial except for Caryn.
Kali noticed, "You're not drinking with us, Caryn?"
The cardinal hen blushed, "No... I won't be drinking for awhile in fact, at least for the next few months." She put her hands upon her belly as she said that.
Kali nearly coughed hers up, "Caryn? You're already having another egg?"
She smiled as Orion put a proud wing around her shoulders, "Orion's been keeping himself extra busy at home, Kali." She tittered before pecking her mate.
Javin laughed, "Well, this is cause for celebration!" He poured more cordial for Orion, "Drink up, my good man!"
Orion happily accepted it, "I will drink up, then I'm going to fall asleep with my wife and my daughter and we will all dream about our new future offspring."
And they all drank, except for Caryn, Maven and Tilo, and the aphrodisiac started to show quick results.