When the Methodist Hippies established Burning Bush, they combined with what they assumed were the Anadarko Indians. The Anadarko had merged when they returned from Oklahoma with the Kwahnlea. The Kwahnlea had migrated from the old country due to persecution. They had first settled in Nova Scotia, but had then fled South along the Mississippi River with the Acadians. Finding the weather too oppressive, the Kwahnlea moved westward until they found saline creek in Southern Smith County. It appeared perfect. Secluded with a source of salt water. The truth about the Kwahnlea goes like this:
Kwahnlea or Pteronura lutris (tour-a-nura): Giant Magic Water Otter from around British Isles predominantly Ireland assumed now extinct. Length 5’ 8” to 6 feet long + 3 foot tail. Weight 10 to 15 stones. Stone=14-15lbs.
The major difference in a Kwahnlea and other otters is their ability to take on human form. Most Kwahnlea are born to human families (called onlanders) and seldom know of their special powers until puberty. Referred to within the clan as a humotter one can live a lifetime happily as an onlander. The first shape shifting or metamorphosis usually happens in cases of dire need. Kinsmen’s boats lost at sea, famine, or escape from persecution. After learning of their ability and their inner otter, changes come more often for the sheer join of otter play.
Kwahnleaism is a recessive gene and therefore not all children in the family are gifted with the ability to change. The gift can and often will skip a generation or two. Humotters are generally male and most often the second born or middle child. This is a societal position that carries lack of title and reward, but a great deal of family irresponsibleness.
Young males are normally tall for their age, stout built to husky, carry more than average body hair, and have larger than normal hands and feet with shortened fingers and toes. Arm span is 36 to 40 inches while legs are usually less than 30 inches.
Like other members of the otter clan, Kwahnleas tend to be garrulous, fun loving, and very affectionate in both forms. They always attract many friends but are cautious in forming romantic bonds. When they bond it is for life and with complete fidelity.
Once in about every 1000 births a Kwahnlea is born female. Ninety percent of the time they will be infertile. Females are much harder to visually detect as they tend to strongly favor their parents. Generally they are quite comely, but not flashy or showy, and prefer to be known for their mental prowess which is always far above average. The fertile ten percent have the unique ability to unerringly seek and find a male Kwahnlea. The match is as solid as rock.
The upside to this union is the possibility of more offspring being Kwahnlean. Both spouses will know of the identity of the other and fewer secrets will need to be kept. Identity will be easier to hide with both partners having the back of the other. The downside is if the female enters estrus while in otter form and her male is at hand the offspring will be an otterman. Birth must take place in otter form and in the sea. The child will always feel more like an otter than a human. Society will most often assume he is slow or mildly retarded as all things innately human will have to be taught. Otter behavior will have to be masked. At puberty most ottermen will run away to the sea and spend most of their life in otter not human form.
In onlander form Kwahnlea have an affinity for seafood and prefer meats cooked rare. They have few if any fruits or vegetables that they don’t like, but usually prefer them raw. Humotters also care little for spices except salt and shun peppers whenever possible. They are highly attracted to sweets in any form except for those with lemon as an ingredient.
Telltale signs you are dining with a Kwahnlean would include eating desert first, treating most foods as finger foods, licking fingers, hands, arms instead of using a napkin, and belching with great gusto.
Kwahnlea are very warm natured and tend to under dress in cold weather. Many belong to polar bear ice swimming clubs. As the weather warms they find any excuse to swim in cool water even if it means staying in onlander form. They run the heat in winter between 60 and 65 and the air conditioning in summer between 65 and 70.
After the decline of Burning Bush, the Kwahnlea moved with the Methodists, the Indians, or assimilated into Smith County culture.
