It seemed this was a planned route, as when the sun was starting to move towards the horizon they came on another pool of clear, clean water where they could make camp. This one was a pool along a rivulet that ran down a stone river bed through the savanna, a small waterfall pouring into the pool as the water traveled over a ledge. It was one of those beautiful hidden places only a few knew about, practically untouched.
"How far till we get to the end of your trip?" Andy found himself asking Lion.
"One more night camp tomorrow night, then we reach the end the next day, spend the night there. Then back. We will find your people. Do not worry." Lion's English was getting better the more he talked with Andy, and Andy found himself picking up some of their words, as he heard them used over and over.
Andy pointed at the pool, then at himself. "I'm going to go wash up." Lion nodded as the others started making a fire. They had caught a few fat birds Andy didn't know the name of while walking today, they would be having a nice dinner. He went down to the pool's edge, careful to wash himself where the water flowed out of the pool so it would carry the dirt and grime downstream and not harm the potability of the water in the pool. He took off his one garment of clothing and set it aside, not even worried at the moment if the other three saw him naked.
He expected his skin to still be raw and red from sunburn when he washed off the dried mud, but instead it came of revealing a deep tan. A better than than Andy had ever managed to get before in his life. Even odder, the tan covered him head to toe, even places he hadn't got burned like his upper legs and even his cock. There wasn't a tan line to speak of. As he cleaned his chest, some of his chest hair came off with the mud, must have gotten caked in there, some remained in the middle of his chest, but even that seemed darker and slightly curlier. Maybe something in the mud left behind some.. color or something. There was no way his hair tanned in the sun.
Andy also expected to be sore, but if anything he felt invigorated. And as he washed, the planes of his own body seemed slightly unfamiliar. His spare tire was completely gone, leaving a lean trim waist, and his chest had definition it hadn't had since college. Even his arms and legs looked thicker, and more defined. All the walking today may have helped his weight and leg muscles, but not his arms and chest, and definitely not to this amount. Something strange was going on, in the back of his mind he felt the need to get out of there, but mostly he found himself not minding the changes. After all, who wouldn't want to be a little fitter. The loss of weight even made his cock look a little bigger.. or maybe it was bigger..
Andy put his hand on the zebra mask, intending to pull it off and wash his face, then remembered Lion had told him not to take it off. He wouldn't know... Andy looked over in the direction of the camp where he could see the soft glow of a fire and nothing else. Andy would know, and he found himself liking the three young men and wanting to respect their ways. So he left the mask where it was. Getting dressed once more, he liked the simple waist garment, it was easy to put on and take off, and did keep him remarkably cool, he headed back over tot he camp, his return greeted with the smells of roasting bird and a skin of cool, clean water being pushed into his hands by Rhino. Lion may have been in charge, but it seemed Rhino took everyone's well-being seriously.
A spot had been left for Andy at the fire, between Hyena and Lion which he took gratefully. As much fun as everyone had last night, this evening they seemed even more relaxed. Like there was no longer a stranger in their midst. Even if Andy couldn't understand them, there was a change in their demeanor and body language. Everyone was more at ease and they let more of their interpersonal relationships show. Hell, Andy would have sworn there was something between Hyena and Rhino the way they looked at each other, occasionally reaching out for contact. They would clap Andy and Lion on the shoulders too, or slap backs but between them it was slightly different.
He asked Lion about it when they went off to refill the water skins. Lion looked up from filling the one and nodded. "Yes, they.. share themselves sometimes. Sometimes with others, they like each other most though." Lion shrugged.
"And no one cares?" Andy said.
"Ah, yes, your.. marriages." Lion said the word as if it was one of the strangest things in the world. "With us, it is not a strange thing for friends to do. We share ourselves with who we want when we want. Even other tribes find us.. different on that. But it is our way." Lion went back to filling his share of the bottles, Andy filling his own in silence as he thought that over. As they went back to camp Andy was still thinking that over, what would it be like to have a sexual relationship with his best friend.. Lucy certainly wouldn't approve...
Strange. That was the first time he thought about his girlfriend all day. And the thought left his head as he walked behind Lion walking his muscular back as the thoughts of sharing himself surfaced again..