It was midnight. Mira stared at her reflection in a river. She looked nice. Her body was freshly bathed and covered with floral scents. Her hair was still dampened but it would dry in a short while and her body was covered in fur. A fur bra and a fur skirt, a new changed to her attire. She always avoided fur because she assumed it would be itchy but this was a decent change, it felt soft on her skin.
Mira took a deep breath before stepping away from the river. It was time to meet with Ming Tao, wherever this lake was. Mira would have asked Shu Hua but she doubted that woman would let her be after showing her the way so she decided to find it on her own. And it was hard, the entire reason Mira stumbled upon a river to gaze at herself in the first place was because she was trying to locate the lake.
It was then it hit her. She had the beast world map.
"System, show me the map of the cheetah clan in the beast world!" Mira beamed.
[The beast world map is currently unlocked. Unlock the beast world map for 50 system points, host!]
Really? It had not been bought yet? She could have sworn that it had been.
"Purchase the beast world map, system."
[Beast world map bought!
Current points balance: 337,420
Reprogramming the map to your preferred location.]
The map laid before her in a big screen. There was a dot in where she stood and an X on the place she wanted to go. The map also had a broken line trail from where she was to her destination. This was awesome.
"Thank you, system!" Mira smiled, her eyes still on the map. She followed the path highlighted on it.
[At your service host!] System chimed.
Mira rolled her eyes. System was only at her service when it was time to taunt her of time for her to use her system points.
[You do know I can read your thoughts, right host?]
Mira blew a kiss. "It’s part of love." She replied. She had reached the X mark of the map. Confusion immediately settled in her head. There was nothing here. She stared at the map again then at her environment. It seemed like she was on the outskirts of the clan because this part had more leaves and plants than within the clan. Mira took a few steps forward. It was then she perceived something. Like burning wood. Someone was here.
Mira followed the smell of the burning wood. She came to an opening and her face lit up when she sighted the silhouette of a masculine figure. She paced forward faster to meet him.
"Ming Tao!" Mira called excitedly as she brushed past tall grasses. She had no idea why she was delighted but she lived in the moment.
Ming Tao turned to face her. His face lit up and he stood up. "You came." Ming Tao breath. His voice carried relief.
"Was there a slight doubt that I would not?" Mira questioned as she moved to him. Ming Tao scratched the back of his head.
"Maybe." He worded. Mira laughed. She got on her tip toes and stretched her hands up. She leaned onto his body and twined her hands around his neck.
"Cute. I would not not come to you when you call for me, husband. Remember that." Mira stated. For a second, the night went quiet. Ming Tao’s face became flush with warmth. He moved both their bodies to a side and pointed his fingers forward.
"Join me?" He asked. Mira followed his hand. It was then she noticed the set up.
On the ground was spread out fur and on it was a bowl of fruit. Different kinds of juicy looking fruits. Smaller bowls surrounded the fruit bowl and she noticed wooden three bottles on the fur too. Ming Tao created a bonfire for light and just before them was a lake. A half full lake that glittered with the reflection of the moan. Mira noticed a other things on the spread out fur but she could not tell what there were.
"Is this a date?" Mira asked. The set up was so beautiful. It looked like a cozy picnic.
"I don’t know what that is." Ming Tao stated. Mira blushed.
"It’s this thing where a man invites a woman for dinner. Just so the two of them spend time alone and get to bond." Mira stated. She could not help but grin with each word.
Ming Tao looked down to face her, her hands were still wrapped alrujd his neck. "Then yes, this is a date." He uttered. "Do you like it?"
Mira broke their embrace. She walked to the fur and fell on her knees. The first thing she did was dust the back of her feet from the sand then sit comfortable on the fur. "What do you think?" She bit her lower lip. Ming Tao joined her.
"I’m glad you do." He said. "Have whatever you want. Everything here is for you." He added. Mira gazed at the fruit. No one had ever set up a date for her since she arrived here so this was so romantic for her.
"And what about you?" Mira asked.
Ming Tao pulled a bowl covered with leaves from behind him out and showed it to her. He took the leaves off. "I have my dinner. I noticed you are repulsed about raw meat so I kept it aside so you do not even have to smell it."
This melted Mira’s heart. That was so sweet of him. "Let’s make an exemption tonight. I want you to eat as I eat." Mira worded. Her voice was a low purr that sent heat to Ming Tao’s body.
"I really like this, Ming Tao. Thank you." Mira stated. The scenery was so nice and refreshing. It made her feel like home, earth home not this cursed woman’s home.
"I am so glad you do. Makes me know my effort was worth it." Ming Tao replied.
Mira reached for the fruit bowl and took a grape. She put it in her mouth. It tasted so good. He took many more and stuffed her mouth with it. It was weird, the lions could not fetch a nice fruit to save their lives yet here Ming Tao was, getting the right one despite never eating them.
"So, what was it you wanted to have me meet you in a secret place like this?" Mira asked. She had a smile on her face as she chewed the grapes.
Ming Tao let out a sigh. The warm expression on his face changed to a darkened one and his eyes were serious. This made Mira chew faster and swallow. The air between them immediately shifted into tension. "Do you remember this lake? And the things you did to me in it?" Ming Tao asked, his voice a deadly calm.