RFC-Miniarc-An Average Day-21 (Anna)

“Funny name,” Anna said carefully. She’d been told the name of her temporary teacher was Cloud, but it wasn’t enough to make her drop her guard.

“Strange ways don’t preclude understanding.” Cloud slowly took a seat, grabbing her crossed ankles. “I think this kingdom’s tradition of naming their children anything that strikes their fancy in a moment is much stranger than my own name. Children of the Temple are named after significant events in their lives, events that shape them.

“I received my own name on a night where the moon was full and red as blood. I was doing a night walk after dinner, a task meant for contemplation but for the young, it frequently turns into an opportunity to stalk interesting bugs and smaller brethren.

“That night, while I was mucking about in the brush, a cloud shrouded the moon. The mix of crimson light and dark shadows could have been a sight from someone’s nightmare but I was enchanted. And then, I saw it.”

Anna watched with interest as Cloud rocked forward, hunching over while on her hands and knees. “There is a creature the hunters of this kingdom call a bruer. Its intimidating size combined with its loyal nature make it a favorite defender for noble estates, at least for those who can abide by the rules of the Temple’s tamers. It is an unknown if they are evolutions of the common wolf or bear, as it shares features from each, and has been a staple of the Sanctuary for years.”

Her lips turned down fractionally. “They have been thoroughly domesticated, their natures, besides their aggressive attitudes to strangers, drilled out of them.

“But that night, I saw a sight the Temple had long since given up hope on. A pack of bruer were crossing the Green Step but one amongst them was different.”

Cloud slowly stood, legs bowed and fingers frozen in mimicries of claws. “A manabeast evolves for two reasons. To survive a predator or catch difficult prey. The bruers are predators but the Sanctuary has taken away their prey. They feed them cut steaks like trained dogs. Communion is the only place they can indulge their instincts. They are shadows of what they could be and don’t have the capacity to know it.”

Anna felt a wave of discomfort as the strange woman’s eyes practically sparkled with excitement. “All but one. One that accepted that it was prey and evolved to match its predator. And it evolved to mimic that predator, us. Not because it stood on two feet. When it turned to me, I swear I saw intelligence in its gaze. True intelligence, like the masters that taught the first faithful.”

Cloud’s excitement dimmed. “A short-lived miracle.”

“…something happened?” Anna asked, spurred to comfort the strange woman by the visible disappointment on her face.

“I do not know. The ranchers reneged on old agreements and spirited our miracle from the Sanctuary.” Cloud scowled. “Sold it for sport or amusement. But I will never forget what I saw. The potential I witnessed. My name, Cloudy Blood Moon, is a vow to create that miracle again.” The scowl was replaced by a grin. “Even if I must start with myself.”

“Wow. I’m moved.”

Anna perked up, smiling softly as she spotted her lady approaching them. Lou paused to ruffle her hair before holding out a hand to Cloud, who happily stepped forward to hug her. “You’ve never told me that story,” she said as they parted.

“You’ve never asked, honored sister.”

“I didn’t think there was a story there. Like you said, most people name their children whatever they think sounds good. Or they don’t bother with the effort and reuse the name of their dead ancestors.”

“Were you named the same?”

“Well, ah. I wouldn’t know. My mother named me.”

Anna reached out and gently grabbed her lady’s pants leg. She recognized that look, even if it was subdued. “Don’t be sad.”

“Aw. When’d you get so considerate?” Lou ruffled her hair again. “I’m not sad. I just…it’s a shame. My mother disappeared years ago and I don’t have any memories of her. What I do know of her comes from my father and when he has a fit, he mutters how I take too much after her. Makes me wish I’d had a chance to meet her.”

Anna tugged on the pants leg harder. “Don’t be sad.”

“Like I said, I’m not—oh, forget it.”

“Are you going somewhere, honored sister?”

Lou smiled at her gratefully. “Alana invited me out~” she said smugly, tugging at her sleeves.

“Oh?”

“Heh, you should have seen her. Coming up with a bunch of excuses just to ask me on a date. Ah, don’t tell her I said it’s a date. It’s a completely average and very much not romantic shopping trip of two eventual comrades buying the necessary materials to preserve their lives amid war and doing so together to render vital opinions on said purchases.”

Cloud chuckled. “What a mouthful.”

“I know. Isn’t she adorable? Anyway, I have to get going. I promised to bring her breakfast and she gets up early. You take care of my servant, hm? If she starts howling at the moon, just make sure she knows to do so outside.”

“I will take care to,” Cloud said with an amused snort.

Lou knelt in front of Anna. “And you make sure you listen to Cloud. I know how you feel about strangers but she’s my friend. I trust her to teach you well…but if she bullies you, let me know. Saints, tell your brother.”

Anna grinned and nodded. “I’ll learn well.” She’d learn well and show her lady that she was useful. Then she’d get more treats.

Lou rose with a hand pressed to her chest. “Is this what having a little sister feels like? I have a sudden urge to pinch her cheeks.”

“It is a common thing,” Cloud said with amusement. “You should get going, honored sister. You don’t want to be late for your…platonic shopping trip that is not a date.”

“Mm.” Anna watched with interest as her mistress kissed her new teacher. She had seen other adults doing it, but usually between men and women. In the slums, the men smelled and the women were mean. She couldn’t imagine being that close to them. Her lips curled at the very thought.

But her lady was nice and smelled good. She could understand why her new teacher would want to hug her. Lou also had to be good at whatever they were doing with their lips because her new teacher was making the same happy sounds as the mistress.

Lou had to peel Cloud off her. “Behave yourself, woman,” she groused with a frown that her amused voice didn’t reflect as she smoothed down the front of her shirt. “Today’s already going to be hard enough without being painfully horny because I start something I can’t finish.”

“Have you not taken your sun to bed yet?” Cloud asked in astonishment.

“You make me sound like a beast. I’m wooing her, alright? She finally accepted the attraction between us but there’s still a few more walls to tunnel through. Besides, I’m being gentle.”

“Gentle?” Anna giggled at her teacher’s expression.

“Hey! I know all you’ve seen is me with Kierra but that’s different. She and Alana are completely different. Obviously, I’m not going to treat them the same way. I wouldn’t get away with a fraction of the things that elf encourages me to do. And I really do have to get going. I’ve already told Geo to fix you lunch and you’re invited to dinner if you want to stick around.”

“And after dinner?” Cloud purred. Anna noted in amazement the way she made her voice rumble like a contented cat. She wondered if she could learn that too.

Lou raised a brow. “You want to spend the night in my house with me, my wife, and my elementals? You sure?”

“Mm.”

“Fine. You’re always welcome. Just don’t blame me if you have problems walking home tomorrow.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Not going there,” Lou declared firmly, turning away from Cloud’s scorching eyes and wide grin.

Once she disappeared, Cloud turned back to Anna. “So, little sister? What do you think of Lou and her many women?”

Anna blinked. What was there to think? They were her lady’s kissing friends so she didn’t bite them. If that changed, they’d be fair game like the other strangers she’d helped chase off.

“Not even the slightest thought? Ah, well. Not that it’s strange for someone so young. Shall we get on with why I’m here? How about you introduce me to your friend.”