[center]Sphere Four The Sun[/center] Mass was a swift ordeal at the Church of Eden, but that simply opened more time for talking and socializing afterwards. Gildedtongue had sat next to a family of cougar-morphs who had been in the area for a little while. The cougars, surnamed uncreatively as Puma, had attended the parish for almost seven years, and their youngest, a toddler named Tobias, had joined Thornbreaker and Steelfur in the nursery in the next room. "Don't often see chakats in here. Just visiting the island or have you moved in?" Mrs. Jennifer Puma asked as she leaned against her husband, every position looking like she had just been poured in, making proud her feline heritage. Gildedtongue, on the other hand, was trying hir best to relax in hir naked state in front of the slew of strangers, "Ah, I'm rather new around here. Moved in about six months ago. I didn't know about this place until Officer Cornfield mentioned it." Gildedtongue offered a genuine smile, trying to keep hir eyes above Jennifer's shoulders, though the golden bosom demanded visual attention. Mr. Kenneth Puma's arm was stretched over the back of Jennifer's chair, his digitigrade legs crossed openly. Their teenaged daughter, Yolinda, had the look of deathly boredom under her long blonde bangs. "Well, we certainly do hope to see you more around here. Heh, ought to give the place more legitimacy having some chakats or skunk'taurs here," the deep bass voice of the male cougar reverberated with a chuckle. "With obvious exception of the good Reverend." Gildedtongue nodded, looking around, "Yeah, I noticed a distinct lack of other chakats around here. I mean, I guess I figured I might have been in the minority, but -" shi trailed off with a shrug, taking in a deep breath, "I didn't expect to be the only one on this side." "I'm sure other places there would be some major differences," Jennifer started, nestling her shoulders into her husband's strong chest, "But there's an unofficial motto around this island, [i]Hume is not for humans[/i]. That goes for a number of things that are deemed too... human natured." Before Gildedtongue could inquire more, Yolinda mewled in annoyance, "Mum! Can we go home now? I've got my studies for tomorrow still!" Jennifer clicked her tongue against her teeth in her own annoyance, the rumble of a growl silent to anyone but Gildedtongue's ears, and Kenneth's chest. Still, the middle aged mountain lion stood up. "You'll have to excuse us, Gildedtongue. It was good meeting you, but it seems that we're needed elsewhere." She shot her daughter an annoyed look, whom returned it doubly. "I suppose you'll have to ask around for more information, but if you want the general idea, I'd recommend starting with the Chakonan Heritage Society." Jennifer's fur raised at a tug on her tail, "All right! We're going! Go get your clothes on, I don't want brush icicles off your fur or have you catch your death out there! Kenneth, would you be a dear and get Tobias?" The male cougar stood up once he was allowed to, nodding to his wife, "I don't know about being a deer, but I'll certainly eat one." He waggled his eyebrows to Jennifer, who just rolled her eyes. Kenneth and Gildedtongue stepped to the day care. A young calico chakat was tending to the juveniles, nodding to the two arrivals. With chakats not keeping their parents' physical traits, it was difficult to pinpoint lineage, but the way shi held hirself certainly made Gildy think of Westwind, if not a child, most certainly a close cousin. Gathering hir cubs, Gildedtongue glanced over at a clock on the wall, groaning. Shi missed the PPTV by ten minutes, and the next one wouldn't be around for another hour. It was far too cold to hoof it and shi hadn't budgeted for a cab. "I'll be sure to find you before the next one comes by," the baby sitter smiled, either knowing psychically, or just having seen this a number of times. "Thanks," Gildedtongue thought for a moment, "you wouldn't happen to know if Rev. Westwind would be free for a talk, shir...?" Gildedtongue trailed off, hoping that the teenaged chakat would catch the hint and offer hir name. "Chakat Patchwork, daughter of Westwind and Kol'thurr Redpaw, and yes, I can, and no, I haven't been," the chakat, who couldn't have been more than eighteen, smiled back at Gildedtongue. The lion chakat peered closer at Patchwork's chest, just barely making out the tell-tale red pawprint on hir right bosom against the maroon patch of fur on the breast. "A far as your question is concerned, I do think my mother should be free right now. Shi'll probably be in hir office, to the rectory, head right, and in the next room." Gildedtongue thanked the calico before following the directions. Westwind was at hir computer, a disappointed expression plastered to hir face as shi sighed quietly. Gildedtongue knocked on the open door, as Thornbreaker and Steelfur let themselves in, exploring the new office. The priest was surprised by the scampering kittens, but saw their mother close in tow, "Ah, Gildedtongue, right? I hope that my mass was suitable for you. I'm guessing it isn't quite orthodox." "It was fine enough, I'd say," Gildedtongue smiled, flicking hir tail behind hir. "I'd like to thank you, though. It certainly was nice to have something familiar around, even if it is a little different," shi smiled softly, "Um, so, I met your daughter, Patchwork, I guess you're married or mated, then?" Shi asked curiously. "Was, yes," Westwind frowned, crossing hir arms over hir chest, "Kol'thurr passed away not long after Patchwork was born. Hy was on a fishing boat when a storm hit. Was knocked out hitting the side of the ship and fell overboard, and hys family couldn't find hym." Shi sighed, shaking hir head, seeing Gildedtongue's sad face, "It's okay, you didn't know. Nothing anyone could do." Westwind rolled hir shoulders, putting on a braver face, "Anyway, it's good seeing another chakat around here interested in the Faith." "Yeah, I was talking to the Puma family, they mentioned something about this island not human-friendly or something?" shi asked, cocking hir head to one side. "I'd say the whole stretch of islands on the archipelago are notably distrusting of humans, but I would chalk that up to the history of the skunk'taurs and their shady creation by the corporations." Shi looked out the window momentarily, "But, yes, Hume island is very unique in that mentality. People here are eager to sever their whole connection with Earth, distancing themselves from it in each way." shi looked back at Gildedtongue, "I managed to get this place of worship scrapped together just barely by making enough noise at the SA government centre, but that was after a Caitian temple was built on the southern end of the island. I don't dare even put any symbols outside since I figure they'll be vandalized." "That's horrible," Gildy frowned, walking around the desk to offer a comforting hug to the priest. "I'll do my best to help you out, at least, as much as I can." Shi sat down again, sitting before Westwind, "Jennifer mentioned something about the Chakonan Heritage Society. I'm pretty sure my sister Jadestripe and hir mate mentioned something about attending meetings there. What are they about?" "I'd love to call them the biggest crock on the planet, but they've got enough support that they've become a notable presence here. Far from a majority, but a couple percent of very vocal, and very active citizens." Westwind snorted a bit, "'Heritage' is a strange word for their group, since they seem to be trying to erase or alter anything in their history that doesn't mesh with their worldview." Shi sighed, "They focus a lot on the superiority of morphs and aliens over humans, treating the latter as barely sentient, violent bottom dwellers, save for some." "Yeah, well, aren't we all made by humans? I mean, certainly the Turners shouldn't be lumped with the like Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, or, Hell, the last American President, O'Keefe." "Like I said, 'save for some.' But to most of them, they pretty much should all be lumped with those that caused the deaths of millions, or even billions like the last one." Westwind sighed again, "But, yes, they do recognize that morphs came from humans, but I suppose it is with the idea that morphs had evolved, perhaps not in a classic Darwin sense, but as the next step of Terran biological hierarchy." shi looked at hir left hand, extending hir claws checking their cleanliness, "In many ways it's hard to fault their mind set. Physical superiority is easy to see, and mentally, we're at least equal, and in some ways even better, considering the rarity of Talents in humans." "I guess so, but I never really understood that," Gildy shrugged, "Then again, growing up I heard mostly the opposite, so, I suppose it depends on who you talk to." Gildy's hand unconsciously moved to rub over Westwind's shoulder, making the spotted chakat purr. They found themselves in a silent eye lock, Gildy's blue eyes studying the golden ones of the younger, pious centauroid. "Shir? If you'd like to make the next bus, then I'd recommend you guys get ready to go," Patchwork's head peeked from around the doorway. Like a fire was ignited under Gildy's chin, shi felt hir face burn, turning hir head away quickly. From the corner of hir eye, shi saw Westwind taking a moment to compose hirself as well, muttering an acknowledgement to hir daughter. Gildy gathered hir things and hir cubs' items, offering hir hand to shake the Reverend's. Westwind smiled and shook hir head, going around the desk to give Gidedtongue a hug. "Like I said, if there's anything you'll need, don't hesitate to call, Gildedtongue. Our doors are always open," Westwind smiled at Gildedtongue as shi left. Thornbreaker and Steelfur, exhausted from their play and travel, nestled in the flank-carriers at their mother's sides as shi braved the fresh snow falling on Hume island. -+-+- Lightning and snow fell upon the small island the next Fifthday. Proudroar was pulling out the thick, hooded parkas for Jadestripe and hirself, getting bundled up before their next meeting when Gildedtongue knocked on their door. "Oh, hey Gildy. Is there something you need? Your sister and I will be heading out soon, though." the dark lion asked, cocking hir head to one side. "No, no, but that's what I wanted to ask you both about," Gildy's tail flicked in a shy, kittenish flit, "I guess I was wondering if I could come along with you both." Proudroar raised a curious brow at that. "I know I haven't been interested in it before, but, well, I suppose it's the least I could do for all you've done for me, to see the things you guys are involved with." The dark gold eyes of the older chakat appraised Gildy for a moment before calling out for Jadestripe, who peeked inside. "Seems your little sister wants to 'see the things we are involved,'" Jade smiled, giving Gildedtongue a hug as Proudroar chuckled loudly. Gildy hirself meeped in the embrace as hir sister purred loudly. "I knew you'd be coming around some time!" Jadestripe smiled, "Don't worry, I assure you, you're gonna love this." Gildy was given another large coat. Bundling the cubs was a lesson in folly. As soon as Steelfur was buttoned up in hir coverings, Thornbreaker managed to squirm out of hirs to run around streaking in the house. When Thorny was redressed, Steelfur decided it was time to use the box, and then had to be cleaned up again, which gave Thornbreaker time to ditch hir coat once again. The five arrived a quarter-hour late, and the meeting was just finishing reading the minutes of the last session. Jadestripe and Proudroar strode in towards the front of the gathering, taking their seats at a table at the head of the room. An old siamese chakat, hair and muzzle long gone silver and white, turned a blue eye to the late comers, "We're glad you could grace us with your presence, Jadestripe, Proudroar." The siamese's voice was strong, dark, and reverberated in the whole room. Jadestripe, for once since Gildy had known hir, splayed hir ears submissively, "I'm sorry, shir Whitegold. My sister, Gildedtongue, decided to come with us at the last minute, and the cubs were a handful to get here." The commanding chakat looked around, seeing the shy mother in the back of the meeting hall, "Gildedtongue? The one from Terra, correct? From the Kingdom?" Jadestripe nodded to the questions as Whitegold's muzzle curled to a smile, "Interesting. Very good." Shi laid back in hir thick cushion, clearing hir throat, "All right then. The first order of business is to congratulate Ester and Conrad Yelsin for their new child." the gathering rapped knuckles or stomped on the floor in their applause, where Conrad, a rabbit morph, stood and bowed his head. Gildedtongue looked around the gathering. From hir vantage point, shi figured there was at least a couple dozen over a hundred attendees in the large meeting room, probably more members in this room than in Westwind's whole parish, a little less than half were skunk'taurs or chakats, and the rest morphs of various morphs. The council discussed the news of the island and the whole archipelago. Location of new housing and business. Task force committees came up to discuss their operations. One thing that lifted Gildy's ears was a park that was going to begin plotting and landscaping in the spring weeks just a few kilometres from Jadestripe's home. Several speakers were members of the Skunk'taur Archipelago's government council, Representatives from Hume island, informing the Society about the various bills and motions being discussed. "Bill 3470 has been approved by the council, and will be put to vote in the Archipelago next month," Representative Gurther Blackpaw started to speak. The low murmur of attendant whispering ceased when that number was read out. "As you know, with this piece of legislature in place, any new business license must be approved not just by the Economic committee, but also by a simple majority vote of an island town meeting. This will let the public have control of the businesses that are placed in their neighbourhoods. As a growing world, we need to be more careful of how we cultivate every part of this planet, 'lest we fall into the toxic mire Terra became as companies and businesses ruled, raping the lands and exploiting the citizens. "We are not hampering entrepreneurs from making new jobs that this world needs, but we are curbing the control of presence of those that will rob our world of its resources for their own gain. Who better to determine what is needed in a town than its citizenry? A new store or restaurant, factory or dock, places of service or production. The People know what they need, and putting the power into the hands of the People is what is right for the Skunk'taur Archipelago and for Chakona. To gain more power over your own destinies, I urge you all to vote yes on 3470." Whitegold nodded, "Passionate words from Representative Blackpaw. And with such great passion, great truths. I agree with the council-member, that there needs to be some action to save our island, and by our example, continue to save our whole world." The longtail stood up to address the Society, "We need to get the word out to help this initiative to pass into law. With this, we can continue to make Chakona the homeworld that the morphs deserve to live in!" Whitegold's continued calls for action were drowned out by the growing roar of applause by the Society. The excitement was infectious, literally. Gildedtongue had never been surrounded by so many chakats, but the empathic force of the attendees filled up hir very soul. Thornbreaker and Steelfur's mews joined in with the group, jumping at Gildedtongue's forelegs. The elation in Gildy's head was seasoned with doubt. Chakona was, indeed a planet made for Terran morphs, but there certainly was a population of aliens, as well as humans around. The Puma family's words and Westwind's warnings were sounding more and more founded in reality. Whitegold's charisma had beat upon the drums of war as the CHS members started to file out of the ballroom and into the lobby for refreshments and building their plans of attack. Gildedtongue held hir ground in the corner, gathering up the cubs into hir arms to keep them from getting swept into the crowd. Jadestripe and the rest of the chairpersons (They probably would prefer 'chairfurs' or something, but Gildy couldn't bring hirself to say such a thing) remained at the table, wrapping up the meeting. Jade caught sight of hir sister, waving hir over, "Everyone, this is my sister, Gildedtongue, from Terra. Shi's seen what the humans there are capable of, and how they treat morphs and other members of this galaxy," Jade looked about at the other chakats and furs remaining before addressing Gildedtongue again, "So, you'd agree that we do need to curb that kind of influence here." "Yes, I'd say we do need to avoid that kind of mentality here in Chakona," Gildy bit hir tongue, not wanting to sound ungrateful to hir sister, or embarrass hir and hir mate in front of their friends. "Very good, very good," Whitegold smiled, circling the table to drape an arm around Gildedtongue's shoulder. The older lion wore a perfume of some exotic flower, probably common from this planet, still, it smelled rather nice. "I was thinking, Gildedtongue, perhaps you could help be the face of our project. A chakat from that particular Kingdom, I'm sure you could certainly help explain to some of those that have been born on this planet, or others, not familiar with the actions on Terra or its closer colonies." Gildedtongue cocked hir head, "Um, you realize that we're on one of the 'close colonies' of Terra?" Whitegold laughed, "My dear Gildedtongue, no no no. Chakona has signed its emancipation, and severed its ties with Terra. I'm certainly speaking not of any treason." Whitegold sighed softly, "I understand your hesitation. Just relax, and you can talk with Jadestripe." Whitegold gave another hug as Gildedtongue pulled away, holding hir cubs close. "Ah, thank you," Gildy covered a yawn, "But, ah, Jadestripe, Proudroar, the cubs are getting a little tired. Would it be okay if we go to the PTV to settle down. Should be okay if we run the heater, right?" Jadestripe nodded to hir sister. "Okay, Gildy. Don't worry, we won't be too much longer." Proudroar smiled, waving as Gildy and the cubs started to head out. Making a bee-line towards the exit, Gildy did hir best to avoid getting caught in any conversational traps, avoiding eye-contact, moving briskly and with purpose, shi thanked God for learning about interpersonal communication, not just to engage it, but also to bypass it. Out of the door, the cold nipped at the chakats' noses. Winds picked up, kicking around the fallen snow from the rooftops. Due to their tardiness, Proudroar had to park in the back of the lot, the lights bouncing off of the white snow almost blindingly as Gildy made it to the vehicle. Luckily, shi could get in with a handprint, even if it involved taking off that warm mitten. Shaking off the snow off of hir lower back, Gildy crawled in, putting on the heat as shi cuddled hir cubs close to hir body to offer them hir own warmth. With joining yawns, the three chakats continued to cuddle in the car seat, snuggling up warmly and slowly fell asleep. The PTV was in front of Jadestripe's home when Gildy woke up. The two older 'kats were unbuckling themselves from the front seats. Steelfur woke hirself up first, looking for something to eat, which in turn roused up hir sister, feeling much the same. They would have to wait a little longer as Gildy went into the house and unbundle the three out of their winter clothing. "So, what do you think, Gil?" Proudroar asked, collecting the coats and went to put them in the laundry room to dry. Free of their downy confines, Thornbreaker and Steelfur mewled happily and proceeded to pounce and tussle with one another at Gildy's feet. "It certainly was, well, eye-opening to say the least," hir handpaws ruffled Steelfur's headfur, petting hir fur. "I mean, I didn't expect such a group." Laughing, Proudroar nodded, "I'm guessing what you've heard back on Terra is how pussyfooted chakats are," shi gave a smile as defining as hir name, "But, we aren't some declawed kittens, and we will make sure that we keep ahold of what we've carved for ourselves." Proudroar unsheathed and examined the claws on hir hand, emphasising hir ability to carve. "Ah, yes. Anyway, I think I'm going to head to bed. It's late, and, well, I'd like to keep my daily rhythm and all," the younger leonine chakat said, gathering hir cubs, "Besides, I'm still getting used to the extra hours on this planet." Roary gave hir goodnights to Gildy and the kittens as shi went upstairs to sleep. -+-+- A ray of sunshine bounced from the reflective interior of the skylight and shone brightly down upon Gildy's bed, dragging the chakat from hir dreamless slumber. Thornbreaker and Steelfur were over on one corner of the cushion, curled up with one another in their continued dozing, letting their mother start hir day without them. A wet slap graced Gildedtongue's belly, hir morning wood greeting its owner with its usual tact. Blushing, Gildy gently ran a foreleg paw over the head, feeling an electrical jolt of pleasure coursing through hir. The familiar sensation causing some of the cobwebs to clear out of hir head. Glancing back at the cubs, Gildy thought it best to make hir withdraw from the room. Shi wasn't about to go about dealing with this in the same room as them! Shi was definitely in rut. It had been a long time since shi felt one like this, but after hir pregnancy and a few subdued cycles, the male half of hir body was making its presence known. The door to the bathroom was closed, and Gildy could pick up the sound of the running shower, either Proudroar or Jadestripe (or both), but that made that room unusable. Peeking into the communal sleeping den, shi found it empty and slowly made hir way inside. A box of tissue was on the nightstand, letting Gildy grab a few sheets before getting down to work. Jadestripe's home was always neat and orderly, but just this once Gildy was hoping that some discarded naughty vid-disc was laying about. Hir datapad was back in hir room and shi didn't want to disturb the kittens, so it was back to hir imagination. A smile plastered itself on hir face, mixing lust and slight embarrassment as shi recalled how both hir mates would pleasure hir, Thallon especially. The folf'taur was always eager to work on hir penis and male urges, almost more accommodating of them than Saldura, not that the badger herm didn't, but it was obvious that the badger had hir preferences. Wrapped up in lustful reminiscence, Gildy didn't hear the door opening or the quiet steps leading up to hir, "Guess you're not going to be down to breakfast soon?" Gildedtongue's eyes shot open, hir dull blue eyes looking directly into the golden ones of hir sister, arms crossed under hir breasts and with the grin of the kitten-who-caught-the-mouse. The younger sister rolled back in surprise, exposing more of hirself to Jadestripe who chuckled quietly. "Well, with the sound of heavy breathing coming from the room, of course I'd get curious. Besides the amount of horniness you're radiating." Gildedtongue watched dumbly, feeling as if hir whole body was unresponsive, save for the pulsating spire between hir hindlegs. Jadestripe gave a soft chuckle, reaching down and wrapping hir hand around hir sister's penis. Slow, even, deliberate motions made Gildedtongue's toes curl, a purr boiling deep in hir throat. Eyes locked in a perverse staring contest that eventually was lost by Gildy, closing hir eyes to moan. Jadestripe quickly claimed hir prize and before shi could open hir eyes again, shi felt the warm, wet mouth of the white tiger slurping wantonly over hir spire. The expertise Jade shown made short work of the groggy lion and soon Gildy bit back a snarling roar, feeling hir whole body tense up once more, surrendering hir essences to the suckling maw. A deft hand took the tissues out of Gildedtongue's grasp, bringing them to Jade's lips as shi coughed and politely spat unseen. "Well, then. You know, if you would continue to not wear that, you can expect more mornings like this," Jadestripe smiled. "Anyway, I'd best be down for breakfast. You might want to wash up." With that, Jadestripe tossed the tissue into the bin before walking off. Satisfied, yet confused, Gildedtongue slowly stood back up, wobbly legs bringing hir back to hir room. Both of the kittens were awake by now and crying for breakfast, jumping into Gildy's arms and latching onto their respective nipple. Going from getting a blowjob to nursing cubs gave the chakat a moment of gender whiplash, but as shi watched the cubs feed, shi noticed Frank's cross missing. A moment of panic passed as shi found it in the blankets. Picking it up with hir tail, shi held onto it, letting hir children have their fill. 'Continue to not wear that,' echoed in Gildy's head as hir tailtip stroked the flaking front of the necklace's talisman. Hir tail tightened around the chain. It was going to be a long morning.