User blog:Mauller/Absolution 012

Absolution, Chapter:012


Valis sat at the edge of the Order camp with her eyes downcast. She had given up on trying to escape, so her thoughts had turned elsewhere. The golden collar around her neck bound her to the stake at her feet. But what pained her most was how it stopped her from hurting the person who was holding its golden chain.

‘Why did it end up like this? I just wanted a family…’

She felt weak, tired and sore. The bruises from her repeated beatings left her body feeling stiff. And it had reached the point where looking at the chain made her nauseous. The taste of bile still lingered from her previous escape attempts.

What hurt her the most was being unable to retaliate when the soldiers would decide to punish her. Although when the white haired woman spoke to them after returning to camp, they had left Valis alone.

‘I just… want to go home.’ Valis sighed, a forlorn smile crossed her lips while a tear rolled down her cheek. ‘But that is not possible now… I have nowhere to go because of him…’

She sniffled then curled into a ball, making sure to hide her face. Her tears were not due to her situation, she just despised the thought of the soldiers thinking they had broken her.

Valis had been left without a campfire to keep her warm, not that it bothered her. During her lonesome younger years she never felt the chill of the snow or night. Although she still longed for the touch of others, for a warm embrace to envelop her. Not that she would tell anyone, her pack sisters had always called her icy. But she still wanted to be close to them.

‘You are in a lot of trouble.’ The voice of the young woman perked Valis’ ears.

When Valis looked, Brianna was kneeling in front of her. So she growled in defiance until the white haired woman placed her hand on the chain.

‘I won’t have any of that from you. I have just spoken with Cardinal Daniel and he is not pleased with your behaviour Valis.’

The wolf woman looked at Brianna in bewilderment. Her pupils dilated while her mouth and ears dropped, although her tail had other plans as it wrapped around her.

‘Wh-What do you mean? I don’t know any-‘

Brianna tugged on the chain cutting off any backtalk. ‘Silence, he told me enough to understand what is going on. And I will be responsible for taking you back.’

Valis’ eyes opened wide. ‘Eh? …What?!’

 *****

<p class="MsoNormal">The situation was turning ridiculous, I was hiding behind a mound of snow with only a cloak covering me. It had become a game to the farm girls, packs of them were roving the land in search of me. And one too many close encounters had left my butt a little sore from the sudden swats it received.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Where do I go? …I am freezing here.’ They would find my hiding spot soon. Groups were drawing closer as they checked the workrooms and storage huts.

<p class="MsoNormal">My heart stopped when I heard voices approaching from my side. So I dropped onto the snow and held my breath. Note to self, do not lay face first in snow when naked. Ever again. My lower body was becoming insensate in an odd but familiar way. But enough feeling remained to tell me that I had done something stupid.

<p class="MsoNormal">The crunching of snow grew louder along with the voices of the pair that approached. From what I could see, one was a Poultry Harpy while the other was a Holstaur. Where did those names come from? The cold was giving me a headache and it worsened when trying to comprehend where I had heard those names.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Did ya see im yet? I heard he super cute! An starkers!’ The girl that spoke clucked at the end of her sentence, so I assumed it was the harpy speaking.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Moooh! I heard he has a nice rump on him, clara said she got a nice hand fill earlier. But the cheeky boy managed to get away.’ The girls chuckled and the crunching sounded close enough to be on the other side of the mound. ‘Ya here that mina?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Just leave! This snow is doing bad things to me. My lower half felt as though it was shrivelling away.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Whadya mean? All I hear is that annoyin bell a yours doofus.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Mr Geoff gave me this on my birthday, don’t be mean. Is only since you not had a gift from Mr Geoff yet.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The pair started bickering while their voices faded into the distance. And the moment I felt safe I jumped up and ran. My body was too cold to continue hiding outside. I needed to find somewhere empty and sheltered. The only place I knew of was the barn.

<p class="MsoNormal">I was in desperate need of warmth, I could feel my legs giving way on occasion as I ran. And although the cloak obscured my nakedness it lacked any insulation. The girls seeing me was the last thing on my mind now. So I ran with abandon towards my destination, passing a few confused were-sheep and cow-girls along the way.

<p class="MsoNormal">I guessed they were expecting to see someone naked. But the sudden shout from behind destroyed the hope they mistook me for someone else. So I darted between the buildings and the moment I went to turn the next corner I collided with something and fell backwards.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ahh! Ouch…’ I rubbed my nose after prying myself out of the snow. And fumbled about to close my cloak when I realised it had opened.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What in the holy mothers name?! What stupid person runs into…?’ The voice of a young girl greeted my ears. It would have sent me running except I knew who it belonged to.

<p class="MsoNormal">Once I had the chance to confirm my assumption I sighed in relief. ‘Oh… phew, it’s you.’ The girl with the pointed hat was sitting opposite me while looking around at the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘My… my glasses! Where are my glasses! I can’t lose them now! Please help me find them!’ She dropped onto all fours and started rummaging around in the snow. ‘Please... I need my glasses...’

<p class="MsoNormal">I shifted to the side and heard something crunch, the girl froze then looked at me. Her face appeared horrified for a moment before she dived on top of me. ‘You broke my glasses?! How could you be so stupid?! You are going to pay for that! Give me them, now!’

<p class="MsoNormal">After regaining my senses from the sudden shaking, I reached back and lifted the object to her. One of the lenses had a large crack down the middle and one of the arms was buckled. I felt my stomach sink when I placed the remains into her waiting palm. ‘H-here… I’m sorry, I was just trying to get away from... But I am glad I found you. I need your help!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The moment she felt them touch her palm, she snatched her glasses away and held them close to her face. ‘Tsk Tsk, This will not do. Your stupidity has ruined them. I guess I will be exacting retribution for the destruction of my property.’ She grinned and her eyes started to glow.

<p class="MsoNormal">Strange yet familiar words came from her as she circled the glasses with her free hand. My head hurt whenever I tried to recall where I had heard them. But what distracted me from my conundrum was when a faint blue light left her finger tips. The luminescence was strange. It flowed towards her glasses before covering them in a thin film of the glowing material.

<p class="MsoNormal">I felt embarrassed when I jumped. The crunching returned but I soon realised it was coming from the glasses.

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl chuckled and smiled when the illumination surrounding her eyewear vanished. And when I looked at her palm the glasses appeared as I remembered. ‘I break these all the time. I just get a little… worried, if I can’t find them after.’ She put the glasses on then glared at me. ‘Stop hiding your stupid face!’

<p class="MsoNormal">She grabbed for my hood but I moved back. Which lead to a further assault on my numb body as I tried to keep my head covering in place. I was managing to keep her at bay, at least until she poked me in the eye.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Now stop hiding your stupid face! I want to know what stupid person… broke… my…’ She pulled my hands away and I was sure her cheeks further flushed.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm… hi.’ I smiled and she fell onto her bottom with a cute yelp. Her groaning while she rubbed her back left me feeling a little guilty. So before she could complain I reached forwards and removed her glasses.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Wh-What?! Give them back! Don’t touch a girl you just met!’ She started flailing her arms in front of herself to push me back. I chuckled and smiled, it was amusing to see her flailing about after the verbal abuse I received from her. But I felt a little sorry for her. Emphasis on the word little, it is not like I am a spiteful person considering what I am doing for her.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I noticed your glasses are always slipping down, so I adjusted them a little. Here, take them, they should stay in place now.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Her ears turned crimson while she continued to flail her arms. ‘I… I… you have been watching me?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Wh…? No! I just meant that I have seen you around the farm. Here, take them.’ I held her glasses up but she kept staring at me. ‘Go on, take them.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just give them to me!’ She snatched at her glasses but missed. ‘Stop moving them! Just give them to me!’

<p class="MsoNormal">What is wrong with this girl? And I though Kim had a temper at times.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Okay… just stop shouting…’ To calm her down I placed her glasses into her waiting palm. She was quick to swipe them and put them on again. So I left her kneeling in the snow and stood when I heard voices approaching.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm… sorry but I have to go.’ And just as the tension was subsiding, a gust blew between the buildings while I stood before the girl.

<p class="MsoNormal">She let out another yelp and covered her eyes. ‘You are not just a cute stalker! You are a pervert! Stupid! Stalker! Pervert!’

<p class="MsoNormal">I closed my cloak then ran. ‘I am sorry, I didn’t mean to!’ I could not stay any longer. Her screaming would attract others. And did she just call me cute? I am not cute! I shook my head, I could feel my face warming. I would call her or the twins cute, even Kimiko. But I would not use that word on myself, even with my current appearance.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damn it Kimiko! Why did you have to do this to me?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The barn was a short dash from the work huts. I thought I was in the clear until a glance over my shoulder horrified me. Amanda’s friends and many other girls were on my tail. What do I mean on my tail? I do not have a tail. But anyway, they were getting closer and my legs were starting to tire.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh please, please, please let me get to the barn in time!’ The large doors to the workshop were open a crack. So I jumped through the gap, slammed the door shut and then dropped the dead-bolt.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Phew.’ I slid to the floor which was a bad idea considering my cloak stuck to the door. A butt covered in cold and damp straw is not the nicest of feelings. But I laughed while catching my breath and listened when the sounds of struggling stopped. The sudden silence was unnerving, so I put an ear to my only protection. I could hear them talking, a few gave ideas of trying to open the side window. Some decided to give up. But the suggestion one of the girls made sent me into a panic.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘The inner door!’ I jumped to my feet and ran to the entrance that connected the workshop to the living quarters. But the moment I went to lock it, the catch opened and the door slid to the side. My worst fear arrived when my face collided with soft but firm abdominal muscles.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘oof! Well what do I have here? You this boyo I keep hearing about?’ The deep yet female voice sounded familiar. ‘Ya going to stand there all day boyo or you gonna let me by?’ I looked up and was greeted by the underside of a very large bust. ‘Hey? Who are you anyway? Something fishy about you.’ My body would not move and the muscles in my legs were burning. Standing was the most I could manage. But the oddest thing happened when the bust pressed into my face and the girl sniffed my hair.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Something smells… eh? Martin? That you?’ The warm paradise removed itself from my face to reveal Lin grinning down at me. The inviting warmth was too intoxicating for my numb body. I was unable to string a thought together let alone a sentance. But that did not stop the large cow girl from hugging me. ‘Well bloomin heck! What happened to you? You are all, small and… cute.’ Her cheeks flushed and she walked into the barn. She must have heard the other girls approaching. They are not the stealthiest bunch.

<p class="MsoNormal">So she put me down then bolted the door. ‘Darn it mart, don’t stand there all goofy looking.’ My body would not respond anymore, all I could do was stand while Lin supported me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I can’t move… body too cold…’

<p class="MsoNormal">The large cow girl inspected me for a few moments before her ears started wiggling. She then picked me up and put me over her shoulder. ‘Now what am I going to do with you hey? Getting yourself all small and cute. Can’t let others find you like this…’

<p class="MsoNormal">All I could do was enjoy her embrace. Her body was so warm compared to my own that my skin felt as though it was burning. The Minotaur girl kept looking around the barn until she stopped all of a sudden. ’Now what am I… I got it!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Lin? What are you doing? Lin?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">Just as fast as I was picked up I was put down into a cramped space and the world went dark.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just trust me kay? I knows just what to do.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The walls around me started closing in. My breath quickened and I fumbled in the darkness while trying to find a way out. I was going to die if I remained trapped, I was going to die with no way to escape. The world around me lurched and worsened my state of mind. My hands would not stop shaking. The end was approaching.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Mart? You alright in there?’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">My target was sat across from me, it was unmistakable. It could not be anyone else. Her image had taunted me long enough that I could recognise her in an instant. But compared to the monochrome photograph, her sparkling pink eyes kept drawing me in.

<p class="MsoNormal">We remained staring at each other for a few moments. The wind kept catching her long silver hair, making it wave to her side. My hands would not calm, I had to grip the gravel to prevent them from shaking. Every time her button nose wiggled my heart palpitated. She seemed keen on inspecting me, her gaze left me feeling trapped.

<p class="MsoNormal">Her pencil thin lips drew into a smile and I felt stupefied. My body would not respond, all I could do was ogle while my mouth flapped.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey.’ She spoke to me! I mean, she spoke and it startled me. Her voice was soft and hinted at a playfulness to her personality. Determining a person’s character was important in my line of work. I had reached the point where hearing a voice conveyed everything about that person to me. But my head felt fuzzy from looking at her. And every time I went to turn away I felt panicked as though some horror awaited.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Are you here for the party? You are a little early.’ She spoke again! I jumped and could not react when she stood and brushed herself down. All I managed was to track her eyes as she grumbled about getting her dress dirty. She faced me after inspecting herself then put her hands on her hips. I managed to look around for the first time in a moment of panic. No one else appeared to have noticed us, so I looked at the girl again and felt my muscles relax when our eyes locked.

<p class="MsoNormal">Did I just sigh? I feel so stupid right now, move body! This is the perfect moment to finish the job and go!

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Or are you sneaking in like a naughty boy?’ She is onto me! My hands gripped the gravel and I managed to shuffle back a metre. ‘Oh! So that is what is happening? You are sneaking in hey? Trying to do something while no one is watching?’ I am dead! How could I let myself get caught! There must be some magic trap here preventing my body from working.

<p class="MsoNormal">Her smile became more sinister as he eyes narrowed. She reached into the bag at her side and I felt the blood drain from me. I am dead, she is going to pull a knife on me and there is nothing I can do. I should have paid more attention in magic detection! How could I let myself fall into this trap?!

<p class="MsoNormal">I closed my eyes as she approached and felt something poke into my chest. When I opened my eyes the girls face was a hands width from my own. She smiled and when I looked down I noticed her poking me with an envelope. ‘Here, no point in sneaking in. They would throw you out in no time. But I like you since you tried to sneak in like that.’ She giggled and I took the letter. ‘So turn up okay? I would like to see you there.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl smiled and stood after another round of staring. ‘Oh and, don’t tell anyone you saw me sneaking out. This is our little secret okay?’ She walked past me and winked before slipping out of the side gate.

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked down at the letter and turned it over. It was sealed with a butterfly insignia and signed with a cursive D. With the girl now gone my mind snapped back into focus and I jumped to my feet and bolted out of the side entrance. The city was a blur as I ran to one of my inner city hideouts.

<p class="MsoNormal">After a few moments of checking that I was not followed I slumped into the corner of the small room and held my head. ‘What is wrong with me? Why won’t my hands settle? Why couldn’t I move?’ I looked up and noticed the grinning boy in the mirror. And started to laugh when I felt the letter in my pocket.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘It is alright, I still have another chance to end this by tonight.’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes felt heavy but the world was no longer black. Instead I was staring at a pink ceiling with various flowers painted over it. ‘Wh-where am I?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t worry boyo, you are safe and snug here.’ I peered to the side and noticed Lin across the room. ‘Brought you somewhere safe where ya can get some warm coverings.’ The large cow girl grinned and her tail wagged behind her. ‘Jus dun wake miss bossy britches up or you might get an earful. She been fussing over you since I brought you here.’

<p class="MsoNormal">My side shifted and something warm wrapped around my waist. When I looked I jumped. The boisterous were-sheep was lying next to me, her sweet sleeping face betraying her personality.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oi Amby! Don’t fall asleep ya wool brain!’ I jolted and froze when Amanda started stirring.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I wasn… sleeping…’ The were-sheep yawned and hugged me tighter. ‘I was just resting my eyes. This is my room, I can do what I please.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well Mart is awake ya know? And he aren’t your body pillow neither.’ Lin snorted then started laughing. Amanda’s eyes opened and she looked up at me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I… Hello Amanda, erm… thank’s for looking after me.’ I smiled and the were-sheep’s face turned crimson. But after a moment of staring she yelped and fell off the side of the bed.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Lin! You could have said sooner you milksop!’ Her head appeared over the side of the bed and she smiled at me. ‘Sorry about that martin. I just rested my head for a moment…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You dun near been hugging him the entire time since we got here.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You shut up Lin! This is my room remember?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Okay, okay, I was just tugging ya tail Amby. I will go tell Mr Geoff that Martin is awake, he said he should have the clothes ready by now.’ Lin stood and grumbled while walking towards the door. Her ears flicked every now and then as her tail whipped about. ‘Just dun do anything to him while I am gone.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The Boisterous were-sheep puffed up her chest and huffed. ‘Like I would? I… oh yeah.’ Amanda’s ears flopped down and she sighed. ‘I will be okay Lin, Just go tell dad already.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The Minotaur looked at me and smiled before leaving the room. Amanda then sat on the bed and held my hand. ‘Martin, I…’ She looked down. ‘I am sorry about what happened. But… I am happy that you were there for me.’ She smiled and looked at me again. ‘I was a little surprised when I saw you this morning, I thought you had a cute little brother that I didn’t know about.’ Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. ‘Well, until I noticed it was you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I sighed and smiled. ‘Well, things are not going as…’ The door opened and a grinning Lin barged into the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Look what I got! Now come here Mart and let us get you dressed.’ Lin started walking towards me while her tail flailed behind her. ‘Now don’t be shy, I already seen everything.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘That is not reassuring Lin! And it would be a cold day in Tartarus before I wear that!’ where did that come from? I yelped when I was grabbed from behind by Amanda. ‘Hey! Let me go!’ I started squirming but my immature body was still too weak from the cold to break free.

<p class="MsoNormal">The boisterous were-sheep giggled which made her breasts rub against my back. ‘Oh come on, you will look adorable. Now stop squirming and let us help you get dressed.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I can dress myself! And I am not wearing that!’

<p class="MsoNormal">After an hour long struggle in Amanda’s room, I found myself downstairs with the girls and Geoff.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I can’t believe I am wearing this…’

<p class="MsoNormal">Lin punched me in the shoulder while grinning. ‘Oh come on, it’s not like there was anything else that would fit ya. The rest is all girls stuff anyway.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I think you look adorable Martin, I just want to hug you.’ Amanda was not helping, the way her ears kept wiggling when she looked at me was cute. But I still felt ridiculous.

<p class="MsoNormal">Geoff was finding it hard to not laugh, it was easy to see from the way his chin kept moving behind his hand. ‘Well nothing else to it, until you get to another town to buy something. I was saving this for when I had my own boy. Me and the misses used to play all sorts of games with me dressed in that when we were youngens. But I guess letting you have it is the best since you helped Amanda.’ The middle aged farmer frowned then smiled. ‘Is not like I will be having a son anytime soon. Not that I am too bothered anymore. I have three wonderful daughters and the girls on the farm are all family to me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">What does he mean by that?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Look everyone. Thank you for all the help. But I need to go now, I need to head to Lescatie in the morning.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Leaving already lad? Well I can’t say that your stay was not appreciated. Even with the strange happenings you brought.’ The old farmer Chuckled. ‘So take care of him girls, I need to get back to work. Oh and lad, take care of the girls as well.’ He winked at me then disappeared out of the back of the house through kitchen.

<p class="MsoNormal">Why do people keep saying cryptic things? Was I supposed to know something? Well at least I am warm now. Even if I look strange the clothes were made for winter.

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked at the boots I was wearing, they had fur coming up to my knees and the soles were made to look like hooves. The elbow length gloves made my hands appear like big padded paws. This is a little funny thinking about it, considering the colour changed to match my hair.

<p class="MsoNormal">I heard the girls snort and start giggling. ‘What is wrong?’ I looked at them but they smiled back in an unnerving way.

<p class="MsoNormal">Lin covered her mouth and her ears started wiggling. ‘Well… you look happier.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Amanda put her hands on my shoulders and moved me towards a mirror. ‘Just see for yourself. But promise you won’t take it off.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What would I take… off… what is that?!’ Something was moving behind my reflection. The long brush puffed up when I realised it was attached to my waist.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t get too happy boyo, the girls might get the wrong idea and start chasing your tail.’ Lin snorted before bursting into hysterical laughter.

<p class="MsoNormal">Amanda soon followed when she fell to her knees and hugged my neck for support. ‘Don’t worry, it’s not real. Dad showed it to us a while ago. But it is super cute and reacts like a real tail.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The wagging tail was not the worst part. The horned hat I was wearing made my face appear small and feminine. And I felt a moment of panic when I realised the outfit gave me the appearance of a monster. ‘I… I need to go girls…’ When Amanda let go I hurried to the door.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey Mart! Don’t run off… we didn’t mean to tease! Even if ya squeaky voice makes ya sound like you look!’ Lin’s voice trailed off as I made my way out of the farmhouse and towards the Caravan.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damn it Kimiko! Why did you do this to me?!’ The pawed gloves clenched and relaxed. But a stray thought crossed my mind as I trudged through the snow. Huh, I am warm. And these boots are leaving hoof prints in the snow. That could be handy. ‘No, no, no! This is even worse. I can’t go out into the world looking like this…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘One thing though, I have not seen much of Goldie since her friend arrived. I hope they are alright.’ Once I made it to the caravan I opened the side door and looked across the farm. ‘Heh, the girls are still looking for me.’ The tail behind me wagged when the thought of them catching me bubbled to the surface. But I shook my head and entered the storage area.

<p class="MsoNormal">A deep and rapturous laugh bellowed from the living area. That only meant one thing. ‘Hey, Malachi stopped by.’ So without hesitation I slid open the door to the living area and walked inside. ‘Hey everyone! Did you miss me?’ I grinned and put my hands on my hips. ‘Why are you all looking at me like that?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked at everyone and felt a little dumbstruck. Malachi’s face paled when my eye stopped on him, Kimiko froze on the spot when I glanced at her. And the annoying brat gawped at me from Kimiko’s bunk.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What? Is there something on my nose?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Monster! Cover her mouth before she curses us!’ The young girl screamed before her eyes started glowing.

<p class="MsoNormal">When I went to step back my feet would not move. ‘What is going on?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damn pit demon! How long have you been following us?!’ Malachi growled and launched himself towards me.

<p class="MsoNormal">All I could do was scream and wait for the impending pain. And it came when the large Barbarian barrelled into me, causing my head to slam into the floor.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘W-wait! Is that Martin?!’ I heard Kimiko shout while Malachi wrestled an arm around my neck. He managed to add a few choice words about me before he realised Kim was shouting at him.

<p class="MsoNormal">I then found myself held under the barbarian while the annoying brat jumped to the floor. ‘What do you mean martin? Are you talking about that guy with the stupid face?’ She walked up to me and my hat fell off, so I looked up at her and smiled. Her eyes grew wide before she hopped back and let out a squeak. ‘It’s the cute pervert! Why are you dressed like that?! You look like a girl!’

<p class="MsoNormal">Those simple words crushed the last of my self-esteem. Not only was I called cute and a pervert by different people, now I was being mistaken for a girl.

<p class="MsoNormal">Why me?

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">It was a hard night after that point. Besides the teasing I received, Kimiko spent half the time talking about the potion she used on me. And how it would make me look younger for a short time. Except it worked too well in the end. That left Malachi with an amused grin before he left. And lucky for me the annoying girl departed a short time after I arrived.

<p class="MsoNormal">Kimiko did not speak for the rest of the night, or the next morning. But we prepared the caravan to leave. I spent the time stowing everything while Kimiko went into the driving compartment.

<p class="MsoNormal">After an hour of preparations we made our way up to the farms entrance where Malachi and his band were waiting. Along with the girls from the farm, including the twins, Amanda and Lin.

<p class="MsoNormal">I hopped down from the caravan’s driver’s seat and the farm girls pounced on me. As much as I liked the attention, their complements wore further into my self-esteem. I am not cute! But I did not mind, it was nice to see them happy after everything that happened.

<p class="MsoNormal">But the time arrived and the girls started to leave. It surprised me when I turned and ended up face to face with the annoying brat. She smiled for a moment making her rosy cheeks further flush. ‘So are you coming with us?’ I nodded and the girl started bouncing on her toes. ‘Great! Well I thought I should introduce myself.’ She grinned then turned her nose up. ‘I am Eleanor Reinehart. I am a Wizard you see. And a pretty amazing one at that.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I had no idea why she was talking to me or what she was blabbering on about. But I nodded and kept paying attention.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And that means?’ I took a step back when she started coughing. ‘Are you alright Elena?’

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked rather angry once she had cleared her throat. ‘What do you mean by that?! It means I can use magic stupid! Don’t tell me you are related to that big stupid guy with the stupid face?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I just looked at her and smiled. ‘So magic then? What is that?’ I will remember that Elena. I will get you back in the end. Although this is too much fun to let her know who I am.

<p class="MsoNormal">Elena tilted her head and her mouth dropped open. ‘Do you not know? It’s what I used to stop that stupid guy from hurting us. And what I used to fix my glasses and erm… what I used to stop you… moving last night. Sorry about that.’ Her face further flushed and she started adjusting her glasses. ‘Oh and… thank you for… my glasses, I never thought about adjusting them.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I grinned and stuck my paw like glove against my chest. ‘Anytime there is a girl in distress. So fear not Elena for I will help a maiden in need.’ That is it, I have her now. I bet she is embarrassed with how she is covering her face.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘My, name, is, Eleanor! Not Elena you stupid! Cute! Pervert!’ She squeaked then hit me. ‘I meant you stupid pervert!’ She then ran past the large cow girl and were-sheep behind her before disappearing into the crowd.

<p class="MsoNormal">And... I just realised who they are. Why are they dressed like that?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh erm… hello Amanda, Lin.’ I looked at them and they smiled back. They were trying to make themselves appear as sweet and innocent as possible. Which was hard considering their personalities. ‘Erm… why are you both wearing those large backpacks?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Amanda chuckled and her ears wiggled. ‘Well why else?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Lin grinned then punched me in the shoulder. ‘We couldn’t just let ya run off on your own boyo. We are coming with you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I stared at them while my brain processed what they said. Once I put it together with the clothing they were wearing and the packs on their back, it hit me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What?!’

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