I have always been a very sociable person. People get the idea that because I'm autistic I can't stand being around others, and can't get along and all that. But it's different, it's just difficult to be understood and to understand. I would make friends but they left me as soon as they came, all my life I never had anyone stationary no matter how hard I tried. My family loves me and cares for me, and I am forever grateful for that, but I still always wanted more. And I refuse not to be myself, even if that means I am alone forever. 

That being said, I have never experienced love or attraction to people. I'd watch my siblings with their loves and ask questions but they refuse to answer me out of embarrassment, I guess. One day I asked Jack what sex was like and he turned bright red and ran away. I read books on it, watched videos, and felt nothing like what other people described it as. 

The nice siblings feeding me have been nothing but sweet, and the cook who I thought didn't like me has been giving me yummy food. I'd call them friends. 

I giggle rubbing my head under their chins, I don't mind touching people, but it has to be my choice. If I don't like someone, they are not allowed to touch me. It can cause me pain, like electricity shooting through me or ants digging into my skin. It's annoying, and at times a little scary. I don't know how many people have forced themselves onto me, grabbing my arms, my shoulders, and my cheeks. I was a bit concerned at first with the siblings but, I like them. 

From the forest, the annoying Goat Lady returns with two others. An older woman with pink hair all over her body, and leather armor and metals. And next to her...

My heart skips a beat running for miles as fast as my mind is racing and my breath is jogging. My throat goes dry, and a single thought repeats in my mind. All because the most beautiful woman I have ever seen gracefully slips out of the forest like a mystical predator. 

Maybe close to eight feet tall, with an athletic muscular body that must have a six-pack underneath. Shoulders wide enough she could lift me and the arms to carry me. Her pale white skin is as sleek as smooth soap and still scared with warrior wounds across her face, arms, and any place visible past her leather and chain mail armor. 

She turns to me and I meet her eyes. Almond-shaped eyes are as scarlet as boiled crab shells. Her proud strong face has a touch of feminine roundness around her chin and neckline. Her long wavy black-green duck feather hair is curly and wavy kept in nice clean braids full of laces and beads. 

I think I just found out what 'love at first sight' means. It's when another person is so dazzling that no matter what you cannot ignore them. 

The siblings act up a little bit clinging and pouting saying something to the beautiful woman, like a child begging to keep a toy at a store. 

I like them, but... I want to get closer to her. Finishing my bite, I stand up heading right to her. Up close our size difference is even more apparent, and so is her size. I whisper, "Beautiful." softly touching her arm. Touching her I realize her skin isn't so, it's scales a lot like a snake. It's so soft and smooth... I blink releasing her, "I'm so sorry! I... oh wait... she can't... um..." I lift both hands trying to show my innocence and non-threatening behavior, "I didn't mean to do that without permission." 

I wish suddenly for my sibling's ability to read another person. Her face is nothing more than a beautiful piece of art, it tells me nothing about what might be deep in her mind. 

The goat lady growls something reaching for me but pauses when the beautiful woman raises her hand and softly says something. I wish I could understand them. 

One of the nice siblings hand-feeds me another food item, this one has the mouth feel of a donut hole but tastes rather yucky like meaty tea. I swallow it, "Um, not very tasty..." I lick my fingers, "but thank you." 

"I'll always feed you," She beams, pink eyes glimmering in mistivious excitement. It takes me much too long to realize what's happening, shaking my head I gasp, "I understand you?!" 

She leaps up hugging me tightly, "I gave you a communication orb, it's a magic item that allows you to understand others no matter what language is spoken. Now that we can speak properly, my name is Zhysse." 

I let out a giggle, "I see, name's Jewel. I like you Zhysse." I hug her back, "Can we be friends?" 

She beams, "Of course! You're so cute." Her brother bounces over hugging us, "What about me?" 

"You too please," I hug him tight, "You're name?" 

"Thoelren." 

I smile, "I like you both, thank you for being my friends." 

Both of them squeal, "You're too cute! Can we please keep her?!" 

Goat lady bucks up again, "No! She is an Otherworlder. We just need to take her to Brine Ston and get back to our mission." 

I ignored her and went to the cook, "Your food was really yummy. Thank you. May I have your name?" 

Her cheeks get red and she mutters, "Evelyn. I'll cook... for you..." 

I dance over to the bird man, who's next to the bear man, "Thank you for looking after us, may I ask your names?" 

The bird man rubs the back of his neck and with a shrug bows and shakes my hand, "Holly Vineyard." The Bear man booms, "Efi." 

I then headed to the older woman, "Hello, I'm Jewel." 

"Um... I'm Thealre?" 

"Nice to meet you," 

I head to the beautiful woman. How should I approach her? I've never really had a crush on someone before, should I just be honest? "What's your name? I'm Jewel!" 

She seems surprised stepping back, "Um... Niaphi, Young Lord Niaphi. Aren't you scared of me?" 

I tilt my head a bit confused, "Why would I be scared of you? You're beautiful." 

"W... What?" She says not seeming to believe me. Am I not being clear enough? 

"I'll be blunt, Niaphi you are the most beautiful person I have ever met. How can I be scared of you? If anything I worry I might scare you without meaning to." 

There's a painful thud as someone falls from a nearby tree hitting their head. They groan falling flat on their back and letting out a gasp of air. It's the person who was cleaning that deer. A man with dark cool wings, long dark hair, and dark skin.

 "Hello, I'm Jewel, your name?" 

"Zaran," he says shifting into a more comfortable position. Unlike the others who have some form of metal attached to them, they only have soft hide and furs. And I don't see any weapons on him either. 

Niaphi coughs, "I... Look," She grabs my shoulder, not roughly or violently but hard enough that I can feel how muscular and raw they are. "I think you might be in shock... Aren't you curious at all about what's happened to you? Where you are, why you are here, anything." 

Swinging my arms I dance about, "Of course I'm curious. I'm full of curiosity! I want to learn about this magic, about where I am, and my situation. This place, that's obviously not my home world. And..." I lean in close to her, "I want to learn more about you."

She stares at me, "I... You are not scared of me are you." She hesitates and then puts a hand on my head. It's big enough to engulf it. I reach up and hold them, "I am not. I will say that over and over again until you believe me. Oh, I am very blunt, and honest, but don't think I cannot lie, I can. I don't particularly like it, but I do have the ability to do so. I have a hard time understanding body language or nonsense shortcut language vernacular, so please be blunt with me. And if I cross any lines inform me and I will adjust my behavior." I take a breath pleased with myself. 

Thoelren bomb rushes me excitedly cheering, "So we can keep her?" Zhysse grabs my other arm rubbing her cheeks against mine, "Hey, come tell us more about yourself!" They drag me over to the fire, leaving Niaphi and the others to talk. Efi and Evelyn join us sitting and eating dinner. 

"What's autism? Is it a race or religion or something else?" Zhysse ask. 

I shake my head, "It's a developmental disorder in the brain, a disability. My brain is wired differently from others, and even from those with autism themselves. I happen to have a lack of ability when it comes to reading body language, tone of voice, and hidden verbal understandings." I shrug, "Other than that, I'm pretty much normal. I like what I like, I dislike what I hate, and all that."  

We talk for a bit longer and I learn a lot about where I am and what just happened. The Sweeps, Malkuth, and that my siblings might be here. I devour everything they said but it leaves me unfulfilled and hungry for more. 

Niaphi cames back over to us and with a sigh said, "You have two choices, we can take you to Brine Stone where you can safely learn about this world and become an inhabitant of that place. Or you can come with us. It's dangerous, you can die. And the only ones who will care for you will be the twins, don't expect anyone else to care if you fall behind or not." She looms over me, "You should think carefully about this. I am embarking on a quest, and the places I am going are so dangerous no one sane would follow me." 

I tilt my head and smile at her, "Instead of the twins can you take care of me?" 

She gapes at me and with a quick turn stammers, "Just... don't cause trouble alright." She ran to a tent, closing it behind her. 

I frown, "Did I flirt wrong? I'm still very new to it." 

Zoran falls again, rolling and trying hard not to laugh out loud but failing. The others just stare at me in bewilderment. The twins burst into a fit of giggles. 

Zhysse rubs my head, "You are so cute! No, no, you did good. A little on the rough side, but for a beginner you did excellent." 

Thoelren has a slightly evil grin, "We can teach you, are you willing to learn from the masters." 

I nod furiously, "Please, teach me!"