[Kaya] Pfff... HAHAHAHAHA
After hearing the story, Kaya can't hold back her burst of laughter, tears of pure joy begin falling down her face. Naja peeks in through the dining room doorway to see what the commotion is about.
[Kaya] I can't believe that happened to you two.
[Ren] His hand felt so nice. I was a bit disappointed that he only did it in his sleep. I would've loved to go further, but I'm still waiting for him to kiss me first.
[Kaya] Well, if you ask me, you should've just gone for it then. He probably would've been putty in your hands.
[Ren] That's different. I want him to kiss me on his own, not because we got swept up in the moment.
[Kaya] Suit yourself, but you can't expect to wait forever.
[Ren] Maybe you should save that advice for when you're honest about your own feelings.
[Kaya] Oh, what's that supposed to mean?
[Naja] I believe she is referring to your relationship with my brother.
[Kaya] Wha- T-there's no-... Garm and I don't have that kind of relationship.
Her gaze turns somber as those words leave her mouth. Naja looks more confused however as she though Kaya's feelings were common knowledge.
[Naja] But you always stare at him when he is around. And you release lots of pheromones for mating whenever he is close to you.
Kaya's face turns bright red as she explodes with embarrassment.
[Kaya] I-I don't do such a thing!
[Ren] Come on, I told you about this morning. It's your turn to spill the details about you and Mister Garm.
Every ounce of her being is trying to keep quiet, but nothing could help Kaya defend against the pleading eyes of her adorable little sister and a cute werewolf.
[Kaya] Fine, I'll tell you, but there's really nothing going on between us. He probably doesn't even feel the same way.
[Ren] You don't know that. I'm sure if you told him, he'd accept your feelings.
[Naja] Indeed, my brother seems to be quite taken with you, for reasons I am yet to understand.
[Kaya] R-really?
[Naja] Yes, but there seems to be something holding you both back. Perhaps it is your vulgar way of talking.
[Kaya] What the hell's wrong with the way I talk?!
[Naja] See, that right there...
[Ren] Maybe, she does always swear-
[Naja] Your constant use of contractions. Such vulgar language must be what is keeping him from mating with you.
Ren and Kaya can only stare at Naja in utter confusion, not knowing how contractions could possibly be considered a problem.
[Ren/Kaya] Contractions?
[Naja] Precisely. We were always taught that the use of contractions is nothing but vulgar language. I am sure you would have given birth to lots of his offspring if you stopped using them.
[Ren] Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard Mister Garm use a contraction before.
[Kaya] I thought that's just cause he's way too polite. I guess we don't really know much about him from before we met.
[Naja] Really? Why would he not brag about his past?
[Kaya] Brag? He's not the type to brag about himself. Garm's way too humble.
[Ren] Naja, can you tell us about what he was like in your family's pack?
[Naja] Well, I do not know much about him from before he left us. I was only six years old the last time I saw him.
[Kaya] Then just tell us what you do know.
[Naja] Alright.
~Flashback~
Our pack was not like the others. We did not live in the mountains with everyone else. Our home was carved into the ground and given a new name: The Snake Pit.
There, only your strength mattered. We are all taught at a young age that our emotions are chains that hold us back. The blood that runs through us serves only one purpose: to prove that we are the strongest.
Through constant trials, we are able to prove our strength and climb to even greater heights. The only rule we follow is the one left by our packs firstborn ancestor. In his own words, "All for one, our pack will follow."
Following this creed, the hierarchy was created. The alpha was the King Cobra, with the Python serving as his second and the Mambas under his command.
As such, the alpha's words are absolute. Our father rules us with his overwhelming strength, bringing us to prosperity. Our brothers and sisters all serve to better us, and among them all, he was the best.
My brother was said to be the strongest. A one-of-a-kind talent that would eventually surpass even our father. He was the only one worthy of being called the Python. Everyone thought he would become the next alpha, until the day he didn't.
He was sent on a mission with the strongest group our siblings could form. We all waited for their glorious return, but only two of my brothers returned. They told a tale that the Python had sacrificed his life to ensure their safety.
We held the funeral that same night, hundreds mourning his loss. Father was the most heartbroken, but he never let that stop him. He trained us further, pushing us past our limits in hopes of protecting us from the same fate.
~End Flashback~
[Naja] My brother became a legend among our pack. He is what our younglings strive to become. It was thanks to his image that I was able to push forward and become a Viper.
Silence follows her story. Neither Ren nor Kaya know what to say after hearing something like that.
[Kaya] Naja, that... sounds awful.
[Naja] Nonsense, such an environment is the reason we have gained such strength.
[Ren] But don't you have any feelings about it?
[Naja] Of course not. My feelings are irrelevant when in pursuit of power.
Both Ren and Kaya share a concerned look with each other as Naja speaks without an ounce of distain for her home.
[Kaya] Well, after hearing that, I think I understand Garm a little better than before. He's still way to uptight, but I can see why he's like that. Although, this doesn't really help me with telling him my feelings.
[Ren] Wait, I just had a great idea. I'll set everything up. Follow me.
Without letting anyone else get a word in, Ren runs out of the room.
[Kaya] (sigh) She's gonna do something stupid.
The other two women follow her outside to the fields. Once outside, they're a bit surprised that half of the women there are not working as fast as the others. Half are too busy staring at the two shirtless young men sweating under the lights light.
Kaya's eyes go wide, her heart beats faster and her face turns red as she sees Garm's sweat making the light shimmer off of his muscles.
[Kaya] W-why are you both half naked?!
[Sakyo] Oh, hey. Ren came out a few seconds ago and took my shirt. Garm's been like that all day though. He doesn't do too well in this heat with all that fur.
[Naja] Understandable.
[Kaya] That's not the point. Did Ren say anything to you two? Like, anything weird?
[Garm] She was not acting any more odd than usual. After taking Master's shirt, she hid behind that tree and has been watching him ever since.
[Naja] I shall retrieve her. Boss, please follow me.
Taking his arm, Naja drags Sakyo away to the tree where Ren is hiding, leaving Kaya a blushing mess in front of Garm.
[Garm] Is that something we need to worry about?
[Kaya] No! I mean, it's nothing.
[Garm] I see.
...
[Kaya] (Why is this so awkward?! I never used to have trouble talking to him. I can't take this much longer. It his fault for looking so gorgeous while he's working. Wait, what am I thinking?!)
Kaya continues her own internal struggle while Garm wonders why she's not saying anything. The rest of the group watches them from behind the apple tree.
[Sakyo] I see, so that's why she's acting so weird now. She's finally trying to be honest about her feelings.
[Ren] Yeah, I don't think she knows how to express herself to him.
[Naja] I told her to fix her vulgar way of talking if she wants to be mated with.
[Sakyo] If you mean her contractions, that's not the problem.
[Ren] Wait, how did you know she was talking about contractions?
[Sakyo] Garm never uses them, and after meeting Naja, I just kind of assumed it was a thing with their old pack.
[Naja] If it is not her manner of speech, what else could it be?
[Sakyo] My guess, he's just too oblivious.
[Ren] ...What?
[Sakyo] When I first met him, he had no idea how to express his feelings. He never could before, so he never learned how. Come to think of it, that's probably also why he doesn't notice the way women stare at him when he walks around town.
[Naja] I still do not see why that stops him from mating with her. All he needs to do is make a baby with her.
[Sakyo] You might not get it right now, but trust me. All their relationship needs is time. It'll work itself out eventually.
[Ren] Are you sure?
[Sakyo] Yeah, just look at them.
Both Ren and Naja look back over towards Kaya and Garm. Kaya is still blushing while talking, but she doesn't seem nearly as nervous as before. Garm's head is still tilted to the side in confusion, but a slight smile can be seen pulling at the corner of his mouth.
[Ren] You're right, they'll be fine.
Ren holds Sakyo's hand, resting her head on his shoulder as they continue watching. Naja, still not completely understanding the situation, wonders why they're not getting back to work.