She let out a sigh of relief when he explained that he hadn't been angry and that his earlier actions were due to hunger. "Seems like we both need to be a bit more attentive to things other than plants at times."

Another sigh of relief greeted the news that he had clothes; while there weren't many people around early in the morning, she still didn't fancy the idea of trying to sneak into the dorms naked. "Well, if it's the uniforms, I don't think I have any in my size," she said with a slight laugh; indeed, the uniforms were infamous for always being a little too small.

Something he said caught her attention. "Slarr? Who or what is that?" It wasn't the first time he'd mentioned the smoke demon to her, but she'd been rather distracted the last time.

He grinned in that odd way of his seeing that he was a plant his expressions hardly ever changed but he did pick up on the humor. He had seen that the uniforms didn't seem to fit all that well and since he did not run the logistics of the campus or knew much about making them he had thought that that was simply the way that they had been worn or perhaps the women liked them like that.

It was only now that he had realized that even she thought that they were on the small side.

“The same being gets me a few things from time to time. Uniforms, seeds and the like. He is annoying most of the time. Once we even worked together back in my darker days when the hunger had more control over me rather than the other way around.

“We had paired with a third, a giant that used fear and intimidation but Thudd is dead now or moved on, I really do not know and to be honest I do not care. I prefer things this way. Since then Slarr has found another to pair with but comes around for strawberries and when he is bored.

“Provided that you leave the strawberries alone he will not deal with you. For some reason his tastes are rather strict. He only wants blonds and brunettes. He's sadistic so he'll torture you if you harm his strawberries in any way or he perceives it.

“He knows about you, at least enough to leave you alone if you come here and I am gone. He sometimes waits around if he has nothing better to do. He probably won't help you unless there is something in it for him though so deal with him with a degree of caution.”

He thought for a moment then looked back at her. “I don't imagine you care to discuss what happened prior to you coming here.”

While his answer didn't really tell her what Slarr was, the information that he was unlikely to attack her was good to know. "Okay, leave strawberries alone and I should be safe from him," she said with a nod. Although that might not be true if I have to try to keep him away from Bria.

She shook her head in response to his supposition; while she felt relatively safe with him, this wasn't something she was comfortable talking about. "Let's just say there were a lot of rather violent tentacles and leave it at that."

A thought occurred to her. "Just how many of these things are there here? And are they all sex-crazed?" She started to count on her fingers. "Not counting you, I've met two blobs, one black and one silver, and whatever was at the other end of those tentacles. Plus there's Slarr, Thudd, and whoever Slarr's teamed up with now. What is going on here?" She wasn't sure she really wanted the answer, or if he'd tell her, but she had to ask.

“Oh, not just strawberries but strawberry flavored candies and other treats. If he does come around just leave those behind and he will not pursue you though if he does give chase in such a case it would only be to get the treat. I do not think torture enters the situation unless maybe you sabotage his efforts to get the treats such as finishing them off before he catches up. I am speculating as I do not know his mind but I do know one of his reasons for pairing up with a partner is that he is easy to distract from a chase.”

He did not figure that she would wish to speak of her attack though she did mention tentacles and that was a new one as far as he could tell. “Let me see … there's the Demon I've seen twice now, another that summoned me once, at least I think he had. Demon, corrupted nature spirit, I am unsure. Slarr, his companion, Thudd and Aegir. That's what, the tentacled creature that you speak of that's seven others … I do not know their numbers or reasons. I have been tampered with to yearn for nectar I cannot say about the others.

“From my experiences here there was a lab that I was in and the others could have been altered to crave nectar too. I doubt this as I saw no others while I was being educated. In short I do not know much more than these jungles and the few things I have been educated in, besides the plants of course, that seems to come naturally to me.”

She nodded at his clarification about Slarr and strawberries; while not of much use to her personally, it might come in handy for Bria (not to mention some of the other Tramps) to know how they might be able to distract one of the monsters. Admittedly, she didn't know if any of them other than herself, Bria, and Yukari had met the things, but it wouldn't surprise her; besides, both of the other two were potential targets of this Slarr.

He listed the other creatures he knew of, a couple of which he referred to as 'demons'; she suspected this was literal, not a description of their personalities. Adding in the thing that had attacked her, he came up with at least seven. "Nine, unless Aegir, Slarr, or his companion are the blobs." And if Slarr is one, he's loosened his standards. "Possibly ten, but I'm pretty sure the black one was the same both times."

At that point, her stomach gurgled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since lunch and had been very active since then. "Sorry. I'm pretty much running on empty right now. You said you had some food...?"

“No neither of the three are slimes. I have not encounter a being of such a make up,” he confirmed. It had not been of much use knowing how many others were on this island. It was interesting none the less but not very useful to him, unless he was asked for that piece of information.

In many ways he had been naive to most matters. Oddly he had encountered Bria himself though that was ages ago now. It had seemed that they had a common connection, however minor that was. Hearing her stomach growl though brought him back to the present.

“Yes. That is correct. Wait her, I'll be right back.” Birch was not gone for long. Few would come to this spot, most of the beings he had been aware of were those that he avoided contact with and vice versa. Slarr he had dealings with and was about the only individual that would encroach on the glade though in his dealings everyone kept to their areas more or less and issues only came up when each had been outside those well defined hunting grounds.

He was gone for five minutes or so though when he returned he had a sheet of plastic draped over a forearm, inside would be a fresh uniform. In his hands he had a large circular tray of wood which was slightly warped by his own tricks. On it was food in the form of fruits, nuts and berries.

From his left wrist hung a gourd tied to his left wrist full of water. “Enjoy,” he said as he began setting everything down.

He confirmed that they knew of nine other creatures between them, not counting things like the flowers he'd warned her about in their first meeting. That probably isn't all of them, either, she thought, but didn't bother mentioning; he doubtlessly knew that, and it wasn't likely to be a useful line of conversation, as he seemed to know little more than she did about what was going on. Bria or Yukari might know of others, but it wasn't a topic she was comfortable bringing up.

While he went off to get the supplies, she sat down on a convenient rock. While it wasn't the most comfortable of seats, especially in her naked state, it was good enough under the circumstances. She was grateful for the lack of insects on the island, meaning she didn't have to worry about any nesting in a crack before she sat down.

With the silence of the forest and lack of any means of telling time, she couldn't be sure just how long he was gone, although she'd only begun to worry when he returned. Probably not as long as it seemed, though. "Thank you," she said, taking the tray and the gourd. In addition to the food (which was the sort of mix of fruits and nuts she'd expected), he'd brought a spare uniform. She'd try that on later, once she'd dealt with her hunger, although she suspected she'd have to do without a bra.

“Your welcome.”

There was no bra that would fit any way. He had taken the largest of the three uniforms he had though wondered if he could wrap her chest in some way but he had not dwelled for long on that subject though he let her eat and drink in silence.

His thoughts had returned back to the other denizens of this place. He had been in close contact with Thudd and Slarr and gave thought to their motives. Slarr had a need for his type but it did not seem so bad given that he passed up on any that didn't suit his tastes. Thudd would still employ him and make him do his whim though.

Fear seemed a big thing to the giant. Fear and intimidation but he had not seen any real need in him, just a want to do bad things.

“You should get cleaned up at the river,” he added when she had finished or seemed to. He did not seem to be in any rush though and quite honestly he was in no hurry for her to cover herself. “Not that I am ever in a hurry to get rid of you as you know.

“Whatever the reason you are the first to come back and I am pleased that you thought enough of me to take up my invitation. Of course, if you have time there is something I wish to share with you.”

She nodded at his suggestion. "Yeah, I really should clean up a bit." While a proper shower would have to wait until she got back to the dorms, she could at least rinse off the residue of her ordeal. Picking up the uniform, she added, "I should probably make sure this fits first." She tried on each piece briefly before folding them back up and rewrapping them; the skirt and panties were close enough to her size and the blouse, though too small for long-term wear, fit well enough if she didn't button the top buttons. More cleavage than I like showing, especially without a bra, but I can manage for a short time. "It'll do."

She laughed lightly when he reassured her that he wasn't in a hurry to get rid of her. "I didn't think you were, and you did agree to let me stay overnight, anyway."

She was a bit surprised that she was the first to return; he seemed far gentler than any of the other creatures, and a relatively safe place was nothing to sneer at. She could think of possible reasons why others didn't return, such as fear of the forest or unease at his non-humanity, but couldn't know the actual reasons.

"I've got the time; I'm not that worn out from earlier." In fact, she'd spent time in exhausted sleep before coming here. "So, after I clean up a bit..." She started towards the river, then looked back at him. "I won't mind if you want to watch." Given that he'd probably seen her nude more than clothed, she felt objecting if he wanted to peep would be silly.

He regarded her as she hanged noting that everything fit well enough at least though the top almost looked as if she would burst from it. In the end it was only going to be short term any way, just long enough to get to her other things he had surmised.

Being what he was he had no need of clothes though had been around those that needed them. He had been pleased at what he had seen and the clothes acted as a bit of wrapping paper that made him eager to see what was beneath yet again despite already experiencing it first hand.

He grinned as best as he could as she acknowledged the fact that he wasn't just attempting to off load her. Many would have simply ignored her plight, it wasn't there problem though Birch was more useful then most. He had been a failure in that he had empathy though that had been unintentional in his creation and thus the need of that craving to keep him in line.

If it had been meant to punish by withholding the nectar or offered as a reward for a job well done Birch did not know as his Aschen creators grew distracted with the very Ashlyn he had been designed to combat. He was in the dark. Though it was begun as mischief on behalf of one scientist the rationale if questions arose would have been likely to be one of these.

“Excellent.”

He joined her as he escorted her to the river. At this point there were several exotic flowers in full bloom near the bank. “It is great that you have time. It would be greater, however, if you needed assistance ...”

There were differences he had discovered last time he had been with her. A liking rather than a need for certain activities though in light of last night and the fact that he had enough to get by for the time made him less aggressive.

He did grasp her hips lightly as he waited for her response gazing into her eyes.

"Well, if you insist..." she answered with a giggle. "I'm not likely to be good for that much until morning, though." While his enzyme had dealt with a lot of her soreness, there was still a lingering amount that only time and rest would cure. There were still things they could do, though, even if straddling him while floating downriver was out at the moment. "Well, let's go," she said, taking his hand and heading to the river.

Once they arrived, she took off the shoes and socks that were the only clothes to survive the earlier encounter and stepped into the water. She quickly dove under the surface while waiting to see what he'd do, surfacing a few feet further out not long after. "Coming?" she asked, cupping one breast in her hand as water dripped enticingly down her curves.

“Oh, nothing too intense,” of course he would be patient. She took off enough of an edge earlier though it felt both strange and good walking hand and hand with her. Namely it was a new sensation though the contact had ended once they arrived at their destination.

Eager eyes regarded her as she removed what remained of her attire though it was painfully little. He continued to watch as she dove in. Birch could float but could not swim. His method of crossing the river was typically to go upstream a bit and drift down until he crossed. He had some control of his direction and if there were any plants close to the water's edge he could use them if they were strong enough.

He otherwise waded across if the water wasn't flowing to fast or if it were shallow enough though easier than all this was just phasing through a tree on one side and emerging from another on the other side. This is what he did when he was in a hurry but even though he was young Birch realized he had a few hundred years ahead of him at least and was very patient about things and while his passing hindered the trees that needed special attention afterward he used his abilities to jaunt less frequently than one would have expected, not that he minded caring for the plants afterward.

Her hair dampened and he moved closer to the bank of the river as he watched her own fingers. It was as if she were goading him in a playful way, to which he gazed at the water. He was usual adverse in traveling to spots without vegetation, not that it had mattered here unless they drifted out more to the center. The plants beneath the river were smaller and weaker when they existed but this was no hunt either.

He was not chasing her down or concerned that his greatest ability would be all but useless. He advanced stepping into the water what would have been ankle deep if he had bones. He then gazed at her again taking in the curve of those large breasts as he walked closer, a hand nestling against one.

“How can I not?” He turned her around, his hands working over her shoulders before his fingers drifted down her back nice and slow. He took stock of all the scratches, cuts and bruises that he discovered rubbing away any grim and dried blood he discovered as his hand vanished beneath the water getting a handful of her ass and squeezing gently enough.

“Tomorrow cannot come fast enough,” though he did not escalate matters but was merely displaying that he had indeed looked forward to what was to come.

She gasped and moaned softly as his fingers ran down her back, cleaning scratches that she couldn't reach. Another, louder gasp came as his hand gripped her ass and he expressed his desire for it to be tomorrow.

"Mmmm... Although I'm not completely out of action," she agreed, turning to face him again. While still sore from where the tentacles had driven into her, she was largely over the effects of where they'd just squeezed or rubbed her, and she had an idea. "I don't know if this will work for you," she said, kneeling down and pressing her breasts around his shaft, "but it's worth a try, don't you think?" Unless he stopped her, she'd begin to rub those orbs up and down his length.

She turned facing him as he comprehended her words things became clearer as she knelt down in the shallow water reaching to his root. It was retractable but he had an idea that she wanted it and thus he had produced it for her.

This was something that he had not been accustomed too. While bestial he was not in a frame of mind to force this state upon another and when his mind was clear he had never thought beyond his basic needs. He was in new territory though he had found himself excited by all this newness.

“This is new,” he admitted though he could guess where this was heading as he witnessed those large knockers before he felt that marvelous softness against him. Both soft and warm, he let out a small groan content at that feel.

One hand rubbed against a shoulder and the side of her neck as she continued. “And that does feel good,” he addressed her comment about the unknown, this definitely was doing something even though he had not considered this before.

He was still eager for the morning but also found enjoyment in this. Using his other hand he allowed fingers to trace over the curve of one of her breasts. “Oh, this does feel good,” he emphasized again punctuating his words with a groan.

His words, along with the groans of pleasure, made it clear that he was enjoying this like she'd hoped. In other circumstances, she might have wondered why she was so eager to please him this way. Certainly, he was far nicer than the other aliens she'd encountered, even in the desperate state he'd been in earlier, but he still was, well, alien; she really wasn't attracted to beings that inhuman. If she'd thought about it, she might have told herself it was to make up for not being able to pay him properly for his help just yet; the truth was, while that may have been part of it, she was still worked up from her earlier encounter and needed to do this for herself.

As she became more comfortable with her actions, she began to speed up the strokes, occasionally flicking her tongue across the tip of his root when possible. Clearly, she'd be able to bring him to a climax this way, although she couldn't know how long it would take. Still, cleanup would be easy enough afterwards.