My Mouse - 1

Silently in the grass, a tan ball-python slithers along. He would stop and taste the air, flicking out his long forked tongue: he would freeze, that taste, "moussssse. . ." He would change directions. . . approaching a small berry bush.

The mouse was in the midst of chewing at a ripe berry, eyes half closed, a blissful expression on her face as she enjoyed a brief moment of peace. She looked to be a healthy young doe, pleasant curves under her robes suggesting she was a good forager and well fed. Her tail held up straight, paws at her face as she knelt and nibbled mouse-like, she didn't yet see the snake who was watching her.


She knelt still, eyes closed now, the sweet juice rolling down her tongue. Usually she wouldn't eat until she was safely home, but the berries were just so ripe, it was quiet and late in the morning with no predators, and she couldn't resist a taste.

The serpent would slow in his approach. . . stopping just before the bush, eying the rodent intently. Such a lovely one he would think, nice and 'plump'. . . unlike his usual fair. He would taste the air. . . and he would murr quietly. . . Indeed a lovely creature: He would move forward. . . readying himself. . . slowly. . . waiting and watching. Once she went for another bite. . . Once she was distracted. . .

It was then that the mouse bent forward to pick another berry. Now! He would spring and coil tight, falling to the ground with her as he stared "hello misssss mousssse". A wicked smile would adorn his lips.

*SQUEAL!!!!* It happened so fast, she had no idea what was happening, disoriented as she flew through the air. When she regained her senses, her arms were pinned at her sides, she was on her back, and looking at the maw of a python, grinning as he greeted her. "Oh no. . . " she muttered in a strained strangled voice. While unusually healthy and plump, she was still a wild mouse, and she didn't have to ask what the python had in mind wrapping her up. "No please. . .." she muttered, shaking her head, knowing it was useless. The python would feel her warm mamallian body, soft tits, belly, and hips beneath his coils, her heart beating fast. He'd taste her scent on the air, becoming stronger with her fear as she realized her plight.

The snake would chuckle, "quite a catch..." he would say, squeezing tightly at first, then loosening to a firm hold, as if to demonstrate his power over her. He would poke out his tongue to her nose, tickling it a little. . . murring strong, "sssssso lovely" he would hiss: her sweet rodenty taste. . . faintly accented by fear. He would chuckle again, grin growing wider "pleasssse?" He would narrow his piercing yellow eyes, "pleasssse what?"

The mouse squeals and wriggles, kicking her legs as he squeezes. "Ohhhhh. . ." Perhaps realizing it was useless, she'd calm a little as he loosened his grip, though she was still unable to move. She'd look cross eyed at him as he stared into her face, grinning. She'd never seen a python up close before. She'd give a soft *squeak!* as his tongue tickled her nose, her whiskers tickling him in return. At his question, her ears would fall and her eyes would look away. "Please. . . .let me go. . . " she'd stammer. Then, "Please. . . . don't eat me. . . ." Her voice was full of despair. A creature of the wild, she knew the rules. He'd got her fair and square, and now she was his, and he was unlikely to simply give up his meal.

The snake would close his eyes in bliss. . . her lovely frame again his coils. . . submitting to him, it was a wonderful feeling! Murring again he would open his eyes, moving his coils slightly in a pulsating like motion, massaging the creature. "Shhh" he would hiss and coo,"Shhh" he'd repeat. He would move his head beside hers and nuzzle slightly. . . then turn as before to face her, "it'ssss rare I let a catch free. . . esssspecially one as nice as you dear. . ." his grin would fade to a soft smile. . . though that would probably be intimidating just the same. "Do you have a name misssss?" he would say softly.

The mouse's breath is ragged and she whimpers as she watches the snake, his eyes closed. Her whimpers subside when his eyes open, and he starts ssshh'ing her. There was no point in struggling after all, he had her fate in his coils. The pulsing coils frightened her at first, causing her to twitch, but after a bit she began to calm, finding them soothing. And of course he'd get to feel her in his coils. . . oh she was a nice catch! She listens to him, not objecting. She knew the rules after all. "L. . Lichthia. . ." she answers him, surprised by the question. "And . . . your name?' she'd ask hesitantly. . . unsure if she was being overly bold in asking.

The snake would keep his smile, giving a soft hissing laugh as she asked. "Jaabir. . . misss Lichthia. . . a pleasssure". He would continue to his massaging, though, would quicken his rubs. After a few more rubs, the serpent would find himself closing his eyes at the feeling of her body on his scales. . . her soft warm-blooded body against his cold. "Mmmmm" he would whisper audibly, then open his eyes again. "Misssss Lichthia. . . though it may disssplease you just the same. . . you're meeting me at a better inssstance than most." He would move one soft lumpy mass of coils against her slightly, "asss I've eaten not too long ago. . . I'm not quite assss hosssstile, though. . . sssstill a bit hungry." He would flick his tongue. "Ssssso… do you have any last requesssts? Maybe a nice talk…. or I can make it quicker." He would squeeze just a little and loosen, " . . if you prefer."

The mouse's body was limp by now, the massages making her relax despite her fear which could still be tasted on the air. The coils would flex around her, holding her, as she looked at his face, trying to guess what could be going on behind those lids. she'd startle a little, giving a *squeak!* as his eyes opened to look at her. She'd hold her breath, waiting to hear his pronouncement. She'd look uncomprehending as a bulging coil nudged her gently. It's a moment before his words sink in, and her eyes widen as she realizes what that bulge is. Her breath quickens as he continues to speak, and she realizes he's not letting her go. Her fear returning, he'd feel her heart beginning to raise again, while her eyes stated fixed on that bulge. It's a long moment before she answers, haltingly. "Wha. . . . what did you eat?" she asks.

He would smile and move his head around, raising it a little above her and looking down instead of at eye level, flicking out his tongue once more... then pausing at the rich mousy taste again. "Mmm" he would move his head a little and refocus, "it wasss a sssmall tail-less rat of sssorts..." The snake would ponder for a bit, looking as if he were in deep thought, "a hamsssster I think he said?" He would chuckle as he recalled the encounter, "I gave him the luxary waiting so he could eat first... he jumped out my coils and scurried up a tree..." He would smirk, "ssstill got him".

Jaabir would feel the mouse's heart beating fast as he held her. Maybe she wasn't a tail-less rat, but she was a rodent, which was close! At this final words, she'd swallow nervously, staring at the bulge. "I. . . see you did. . ." she managed. Her mind raced, trying to think of a last request, something other than please don't eat me, which she'd already tried. "If. . . if. . . you're not all that hungry. . .." she managed. "Maybe. . . . you could eat me later?" She closed her eyes then, grimacing slightly. "I could show you my burrow. . . Once you knew where it was. . . you could find me anytime you wanted." It was hard to say those words. . . a mouse's burrow was her security. Any pred who knew where it was had only to find it and to wait.

The snake would chuckle lightly at her assessment of the buldge "...quite". He could see her fretting, trying to think, he would loosen just a little to help as he looked around her, swaying his head slightly... At her offer he would smile and move his head close... locking eyes with her.. flicking his tongue out as if trying to taste her senarity... though finding himself tempted by the taste to just take her right there, "oooooh" he would say... then sigh. "That'ssss a bit of a risssk for me Lichthia". He would eye the buldge, "havn't had a good run of trusssting rodents as of late." Still eying the lump he would comment, "Though I am not all that hungry as you say ..." Jaabir would sigh softly, "you would sssurdener yourssself to me? you would come to me as I call in the night. . . hungry and ready to take you?" He would seem a bit curious.

The mouse's eyes would widen, locking with the pythons. She'd never seen a snake so close, and as she stared, she felt she was looking into her own end. Something about his gaze seemed to compel honesty from her. Besides, she didn't feel crafty enough to deceive a serpent. . . honesty was probably her only hope. "I . . . don't know if I could. . ." she answers softly. "But. . . . you don't have to trust me." She swallows, staring into those eyes. "I'm a lone doe. . . I . . . have no colony. . . " she muttered, shame suffusing her voice. "My burrow's not far. Finding a safe spot's no small matter. . . you're probably hungry again in a few days?. . .I don't think I could find another so soon. . . . Y'know where my burrow is. . . I don't think you'll have any trouble catching me, whether I come at your call or not." Her head drops and ears fall, the hopelessness of her situation crashing down on her. At best she'd have a few days more of life. . . and at worst. . . . well, this was it. "Sides, y'said I was a good catch!" She adds. "Wouldn't you . . .wanna . . ea. . .eat me. . . when y'c. . could really enjoy. . . .y'dinner?" As she spoke, her words would become more and more halting as she forced them out one at a time, a pained look on her face. Staring downwards, she'd search her own resolve. "I think. . . .she'd managed. . I could come to you. . .at your call. . . I can promise that!" She'd swallow. "I don't think I could guarantee anything beyond that. . . but I don't think that'll matter."

The snake would stare, unfaltering, watching her eyes and movements. The way she spoke. . . accepting her fate... She was indeed telling the truth he felt. . . that alone might not be enough, minds can change. But . . . not having a colony makes her more vulnerable, easier to take in. "A few days..." he would whisper, "yessss. . . I would ssso like to enjoy you. . . " He would taste her one last time with his tongue . . . closing his eyes as before, "ooooh . . ." He would inch his mouth closer, and begin to open his maw!

Then. . . his eyes opened wide and he pulled back sharply. "Sssorry. . ." he would hiss. The serpent would start to loosen. Slowly . . . Carefully . . . He made a large circle around her, watching every action carefully, and ready himself to strike. "I want you to sssshow me. . . but first. . ." he would grin, "I require ssssomething else".

Her heart pounding, staring up at the serpent who held her fate in his coils, the mouse wondered to herself why she was begging for a few more days. What would those days be like, knowing how soon they'd be over? Surely it would be a nightmare. But her instincts didn't care. . .she'd take a few minutes if that was all she could get. At his acceptance of the deal, her body, now covered in sweat, relaxes. Her sweat would give her chin and her cheek a slightly salty flavor, and her aroma would be delicious. She'd gasp then, eyes popping open, body arching as she saw the maw opening for her, then relaxing as the maw receded. She's exhausted as she's loosened, sagging to the ground, panting, holding herself up by her forepaws, even though he'd done nothing but hold her. "Thank you. . ." she'd mutter softly. It was sincere, though not exactly heartfelt; she couldn't be too grateful if was going to eat her eventually, and get a better meal out of it. Her attitude as he circled her was submissive, exhausted. She lay there making no move to escape, really no move at all. She'd look up as he prefaced his demand, innocent whiskery face, too exhausted to be frightened, more curious than anything. *squeak?*

The snake would look pleased as she stayed still. Smiling softly he would look to her and hiss, "ssssuch a brave one". Jaabir continued to stare for a time, then. . . turned his head to the berry bush she was eating from. "You sssee, it would do me no good to come to an empty burrow. . . to find you've been claimed by another. Sssso. . . I want you to gather yourself. . . " He would smirk, "a feast" The snake would chuckle softly. "I'll watch and protect over you until you gather all you need. . . Ssso, you won't need to leave" He would move his tail behind her and bring it closer to his head: Pulling it around the mouse and no longer circling. He would then create a ball of coils that he rested his head on as he watched.

Lying on the ground, supported up on one elbow catching her breath, the mouse looks up at the snake. She doesn't feel brave, she just feels tired, too tired to be scared. . . But then she doesn't feel like arguing either, and so lies back in silence. Besides, she'd just looked into the her worst fear of a snake's open maw, she knew what her fate was now, what more was there left to be scared of? She opens her mouth a moment, thinking of objecting when he suggests she might be claimed by another; she has a little pride after all, she's not that easy to catch! But then he'd claimed her hadn't he? It had been a moment of weakness on her part, but you only got one of those, and she couldn't really object to his concern. . . especially when he presented his solution.
At his command, she'd even give a small smile, the first she'd given since he'd caught her. "I guess I can be persuaded to do that," she'd mutter, pushing herself up, wobbling to her feet and walking to her bag that had been sent flying when she'd been taken down. She'd look up curious as he coiled up and rested his head, then looked back at her own tail, perhaps wishing she could do that. Soon, she was quickly stuffing her bag. "I guess I should look on the bright side! For a few days, I'll get to eat as much as I care to, I won't have to worry about saving for a future that's not comin." Her tail would flick and the snake would get a view of her hindquarters as she efficiently filled her bag. "Plus it's a good deal for you! You'll get a nice stuffed mouse." Her voice was strained as she spoke, betraying how uncomfortable the idea made her feel, yet she was trying to be humorous, to make light of her situation. "I'll be sure to repay your kindness by eatin as much as I can in the mean time." She'd look over her shoulder then, a soft smile on her face. "Hey . . . there's a nut tree, not far from here, just down the hill by the water." She'd look down and give a small shrug. "There was a fox there last I checked, so I haven't gone near there, but he'd be too small to give you any trouble. And I've missed bein able t'have nuts." She'd smirk. "Plus they'd probably fatten me up better than berries." And who knew? If she was very very lucky, perhaps the fox would come by for Jaabir to eat, and her grace period might be extended for another week. At any rate, she was going to make the best she could of a very bad situation.

The snake would relax himself; watching over her as reached to pick up her bag. . . Then, . would flick his tongue and open his jaws slightly... a bead of drool falling from a fang unto the ground as she reached to pick up a berry. As she mentioned it, he would think on the alternative benefits of allowing her to gather so much food. . . she would grow nice and fat for him. Just the thought of that lovely frame, even more meaty. . . more enticing? "Oooooh" he would murr "I would sssssso appreciate that Lichthia". He would smiles though, "but you would already be offering me plenty... sssssso long as you enjoy yourself" he would add... some kindness intermingled with hiss. "think of it as a gift. . . a sssshow of thanksss" At her request he would smile broadly "a nut tree you say? Yessss a fox wouldn't give me much trouble.... Quite the contrary...." he would chuckle " I may have to hunt there sometime...." he would be lost in thought momentarly, it had been awhile since he had some variety apart from rodents. "mmmmm" he would blink and look back to her "I wouldn't mind at all to go there with you too... Or anywhere else...." he would chuckle, "jusssst lead the way dear..."

Looking over her shoulder, the mouses whiskers would give a nervous twitch and her eyes would widen with the sight of the drool along his fang, and the enthusiasm with which he responded to the idea of her fattening herself up. Uhh, that'd been a joke. She'd turn back to pick, making a hurried mental note to be careful about what she joked about. Still, joke or not, and polite as he was, it was a uncomfortable reminder of the reality of her predicament. . .to him she was food. A nice plump mouse who he'd squeeze into submission, her leg twitching as she slid down his. . ." She'd shake her head coming back to herself, his mention of the nut tree a welcome distraction. "Think I got enough here!" she'd reply, her bag full, and a handful of berries to spare which she'd stuff into her whiskery maw. "If you don't mind, I'll put these in m'burrow and get a fresh bag. I had no idea I'd be gathering up so much today." And with that she'd stand and walk, leading the way, not looking back as she suspected the sight of him drooling over her would be unnerving.

The snake would grin at her hesitation, her natural reactions to well... his natural reactions. Tasting the air he would pick up her small spike of fear... and close his eyes to savor it while she wasn't looking. When she spoke he would open his eyes quickly and give an innocent, if not nervous, smile. He would chuckle as she stuffed some berrys down... that made him quite... pleased, "of courssse... letsss go...". He would follow her to her burrow... moving his head around on occasion... flicking his tongue to make sure she was safe... another predator taking his mouse? No, he wouldn't allow that. Still, when he felt confident they were allow as she neared her burrow, he would ask a passing question, "how were thossse berryss" he would say gently, "we could find better onessss if thosssse were not ripe..." He would take careful note of the location he was being lead... to find his way back easily.


The mouse's burrow was certainly off the beaten path. She'd lead him to some thick brush she had to crawl through on all fours, giving him a rather appetizing view of her legs and tail as her robes were lifted and pulled by twigs and roots. Perhaps she was thinking of making a break for it? There was plenty of cover here, though if he stayed close, it was unlikely she'd get far if she tried. She didn't answer his question right away, and when she did answer, her voice was strained and nervous. "Oh those were fine!" she answered. "More than fine actually. Best I ever had." She was pushing deeper into the brush. "Sorry. . ." she'd mutter. "I'm kind of nervous." That was true enough, her aroma was getting stronger, even more than before when she spotted him salivating. "Leading a pred to m'burrow. . . I might as well be stripping off m'clothes, laying myself out for you. . . and sayin bon appetit!" She'd come to a stop then, freezing in place, her breath ragged. It might be a moment before Jaabir realized her aroma was strong here. . . and not just because she was sitting in front of him. "Well. . . here we are. . . " she muttered, pulling away a patchwork of twigs and grass to reveal a hole in the earth, rich with her scent. "Home sweet home." She'd disappear within, pink tail vanishing into blackness as she went to put away her bag and get another.

The snake would be so focused on the surroundings that briefly... he would neglect to keep a close eye on her. That would change as they naered the thicker foilage... he made sure to stay close... she would be much harder to spot... though... he would find himself distracted regardless as he watched her... salivating hard at seeing her tender flesh revealed faintly by the grasps of the twigs... teasing... taunting him... "ohhhh". He would say... in proper timing as she mentioned that the berries met her approval, "oh..." he would add again to make the statement seem deliberate, "I ssssee... I am glad... I'd love for you to have the best..." He would give her just a tiny bit of space as she announced her nervousness, "it's alright... I underssstand... itsss very brave of you..." He would chuckle... realizing she was making a joke but feeling he should comment, "if you feel the need to strip and and lay out for me..." he would chuckle again and give a small hiss, "I certainly wouldn't sssstop you". Then... as she stopped, he would wait... and watch... did she sense a threat? He would taste the air... and be overwhelmed by... a wonderfully overbearing taste of rodent... not just any rodent... the one that stood before him: "yessss" he would say, his eyes half closed, feeling almost intoxicated by the aroma. "I... I'll wait out ssside for you.."

There would be sounds of shuffling and scuffling as the mouse worked below ground. She wondered to herself if she should come back up again. The way the serpent's voice and quivered as he'd said he'd wait.....Ohhh! It made her spine tingle! She half wondered if he'd forget all restraint and just nab her there and then if she came up now, just snap her hup and gobble her, kicking and wriggling, down. "I'll be up in a minute!" she'd call up, biting her lip. "Just remember. . . . as good as I taste today, I'll taste even better when you don't have that hamster in your belly anymore, and I've got these berries in mine!" If he was going to take her, he was going to take her, no use putting off the inevitable. She'd stuff a few in her mouth, let out an "mmm, yum!" with her mouth full, work up her courage, and hop up and out, marching back down the hill leading the way if allowed to.

The snake would breath and pant hard, his thoughts. . . his body. . . everything would scream at him, ["WHEN IT POPS, STRIKE IT! BITE IT! THEN CHOKE IT!" ] He would nod to himself. Start to loom over the hole. . . then, he would jerk at hearing her voice, and strangely feel guilty. Slinking back he would answer, "yesss. . . you. . . you have my word. . . I. . . won't take you for at least. . . 3 more days. . ." He would sigh, a bit reluctant to say it. He would give her plenty of room as she appeared from her hole and allow her to lead as before.

As she pulls herself up and out, the mouse wipes her brow, smiling in relief, and surprised to see him lying so far back. Why she'd half expected to be greeted as she rose from a burrow by a pair of gaping serpent jaws, ready to grab her and gobble her down the moment her whiskery face appeared. She oddly felt a little guilty suspecting the serpent, who, for a pred who had to eat, was being awfully kind. "Three days?" she'd answer, face radiant. "That's generous of you. I'll surely take advantage of those."

Seeing her stuff the berries would distract himself, and he would laugh softly, "if you keep eating your ssssupply. . . you might run out before next ssssunssset. . ." He would continue on behind her, "you know. . . I could ssstill hunt even though I have you. . . maybe you will have longer". He would give a kind smile to her if she looked back.

She'd lead the way down again, tail flicking behind her, her mood positively exuberant for a change. At his joke, she'd smile. "Those'll last a couple days. Though you can come to check up on me now you know where I live, and we can get more!" At his final suggestion, she'd be silent a moment. "I'd rather not think about that," she'd answer. "Course, I'll be plenty happy if you do. But I know hunting's not easy, and I'd rather not hang on to false hope." Her voice was soft and sad as she added, "Better to just assume my end's in three days. And if it isn't, I can be happily surprised.

The snake would look forward as he followed. . . trying hard to not eye her frame from behind... best to not tempt himself he felt: He would be patient. . . it would pay off soon enough. "yesss" he would reply to her suggestion of checking up, "every few dayssss I'll come check on you. . . regardless. . . we can get you more food. . . and I can certainly undersssstand your thinking. . . if I have a new catch. . . I'll be sure to tell you just how many more days you can expect again. . ."