#irar

seeing the forest for its trees

(Thank you for letting me write this sm. Squeaks joyously)

Note before you begin: Guide is using the name "Guppy" at the moment and lives with Nille and Bonnie

forgive any typos i was excited

The shadows that obscured the surface-level paths could hide many sinister things, of which Joliaar was one. They weren’t particularly frowned upon like many of the others who dwelt here, however. As a being of vague and disturbing origins, they were by default held as a secretive marvel. Very few of their fellow citizens knew this, and that was well and good. They were already intimidated enough by Joliaar’s remarkable size and primitive anatomy.

A clamor caught their attention, and they paused to investigate. Across the path, barely hidden by a branching alleyway, they could spy brawling figures. One was noticeably different from the others, and its shadow cast frantic movements across the gray ground. It was a Svivet. Joliaar approached at a measured pace, more concern than curiosity driving them as they stepped into the shallow light.

The Svivet was surrounded by two other Tutjni, noticeably smaller than Joliaar, but still towered over the cowering biped. The two Tutjn stopped their jeering upon noticing Joliaar, suspicious gazes resting in their eyes. They made no move to assert themselves, which the Svivet seemed to take advantage of. However, once it turned towards Joliaar, its own eyes widened in terror and it squawked in alarm.

The Svivet was noticeably plump, both from its blubbery fat and musculature, but it still seemed small despite being larger than average. Long cuts textured its neck and bled profusely while one eye was swelled shut, so Joliaar decided to step forward, causing all to turn apprehensive.

“Now what may have disturbed my midnight stroll? Are we not civilized here?”

Neither responded for a few long seconds, then one Tutjn snarled, “Sure, not this thief, though. Swindled us out a good trade, only teaching it a lesson.”

“That’s not true! I-!” The Svivet was unable to finish when the other Tutjn stomped and snarled.

“Come now, sea-farer,” Joliaar questioned with a blank stare while lowering themself, “do you think I would value your word over my own kin?”

The Svivet’s fear turned to terror as Joliaar reached for it, and the Tutjn who spoke before questioned, “What are you doing? This all’s our business.”

Joliaar swiftly snagged the Svivet, and replied with a haughty tone, “Simply wiping the blood from your hands. Best not allow justice to further dirty these streets.”

Upon finishing their explanation, they opened their mouth wide, and before the Svivet could scream, was silenced as its head was engulfed by Joliaar’s jaws. It struggled in desperation against their power, easily subdued as it was pulled into Joliaar’s throat to the growing dismay of the two watching Tutjni. They were frozen to the spot, forced to witness as the Svivet struggled all the way down, the last twitches of its tail disappearing from view as Joliaar swallowed with one massive gulp.

Joliaar looked to them as they drew one long, hooked tongue across their jaws, “Best return home and clean yourselves up. I’ve just saved you plenty of trouble.”

They stepped aside as the Tutjni staggered off into the dark, and upon them disappearing from sight, Joliaar sighed and turned their focus upon the squirming Svivet in their belly.

No sound could be heard to any outside, but the screaming echoed in Joliaar’s ears as it begged and cried to be let go. A stab of pity pinned them to the spot as they leaned against a wall, both wanting to reassure, but wary to interrupt. They purred inquisitively, only for the Svivet to struggle harder against their fleshy insides.

“Please, you’re now alright. You’ve no worries of the others, they cannot harm you here,” Joliaar spoke assuringly, once again met with resistance. It seemed the Svivet was unwilling to listen, so Joliaar sat and decided to allow it to tire itself. They could take a massive beating, and accepted the minor discomfort since they had rightly terrified, and violated, the creature squirming inside them. No soon did the struggles fade did it begin to scream insults and curses, the once hysterical pleading now pointed words flung in every direction. Joliaar couldn’t catch it all, but it was enough to respond to.

“...vermin feast on your flesh and burn your bones to powder!”

“I can assure you,” Joliaar interrupted at last, “despite your inciting language I mean no ill harm to you, sea-farer.”

“No harm? No harm?! You have saved me a swift death and devoured me as if I was a mindless morsel! You have no place to speak of no harm!”

“Your death would not have been swift,” Joliaar explained, “they would have torn you apart the moment you tired, and would have eaten you all the same, alive or not.”

“At least dead I would not be exposed to this...this putrid, revolting fate...” from the Svivet’s change in tone, it seemed it finally came to terms with its situation, and for the first time, fell silent.

“...I...why,” it slowly began to ask, “why did you, why *did* you eat me...*alive*? I must have hurt you...would killing me not have been better?”

“You may be within my belly, but I’ve still no intention to hurt—let alone kill—you. You cannot speak with those who live here, they turn to violence at the quickest provocation. You must prove yourself strong to be among them, and absolutely monstrous to be rid of them. I doubt they expected what they got, and they’ve gone now for some time.

“I’m afraid I’ve failed to introduce myself; my name is Joliaar. Would you care to share yours, sea-farer?”

“...Irar,” the Svivet replied, “would you...could you let me go?”

“I could, but for now, I won’t. I doubt you live here, and I wouldn’t want more trouble, anyway.”

Irar must have become too tired to object, as Joliaar could feel her lean into their flesh with a sigh. They placed a hand upon their belly, stroking it softly before standing and continuing their original path.

Many winding intersections later, Irar spoke softly, “I do not deserve your mercy. Should you hunger, take no time in killing me. I would be glad to offer my life in exchange for your compassion be given to one more worthy.”

“You need not sacrifice anything. It is enough you are filling my belly and easing my hunger,” Joliaar replied shortly, “Besides, I’ve plenty more generosity to give, and I am not so willing to use another solely for my own gain.”

Irar motioned understanding, softly muttering, “I’ve never thought the kindest place to be was inside the stomach of a Tutjn, but...” she paused to pick her words, “Truly, you’ve shown me hospitality as I never was given before. Thank you, Joliaar.”

O Justo será Vingado?

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