Common Experiment #8001
Kelsothat's what makes them monsters
that's what makes them monsters ...
He shifted the lovely weight of the virginal woman on his back, and together they swam deeper into the embrace of the mother ocean. It had been too long, he thought wistfully, too long since he had been made so welcome. The islanders he found this time were in awe of him. Long ago, it was this way on every shore he graced. They would heap tributes upon him -- the chief's daughter, their best fishing hauls, strong sons for his priests. He would swear protection and patronage. For a time, tribe and strange visitor would be happy.
But time had been unkind to him, though it was once among his greatest allies. Those tribes he once visited had begun to pass their stories down from generations, in writing or in song. He could stay away from one single island for centuries, but sometimes, time alone could not erase their memories. They would repel him at any cost. It was getting harder and harder to find those lonely islets, so isolated and willing to believe. And he certainly did not dare to go inland anymore, to the lands now of kings and armies. Lamentable.
Of course, he could put fish in his belly, or find an unpopulated island. And there was always his dear boy, more like him than he could have hoped for, despite there being no blood between them. It was never a matter of starving, and he had to admit that there were simple pleasures to be found in those quiet places. The breaking of waves on a beach... the untouched flora and fauna... the songs of the ocean that he loved so well. The things that were all his.
But existence should be so much more ... The repugnant life of an ascetic was not life at all.
Life must be fine food, fine drink, fine women and men, and other bewitching things befitting him. Absently, he ran a hand along the bare bronze-skinned arm of the woman, and she giggled gamely, wanting to please him, as he ran long possessive fingers over her skin, the jewels and rings decorating her. Her smile wilted. They would reach one of his many dens soon, a beautiful archipelago where the water sang and the wildlife was growing scarce.
Someday too soon for his liking, he will have sampled all the beauty her tribe and home have to offer him. But the water buoyed him, and the waves lapped at his constantly wet skin, making him feel at peace. The great sea told him that all was well with her caresses and voice, and he believed her. Sometimes, he worried that the world was leaving him behind, but all was well here. His woman seemed to feel his pleasure, for she wrapped her arms more tightly about his neck, kissing his ear as the shore came into view. Her jewelry sang chime-songs. She saw the edge of his smile.
The tribes always loved him, at first.
the needs of many and the needs of One
