In for a Penny in for a Pound

It was shortly after I first dodged her attack when Moonlight Guardian presented me with a symbol that I had truly become a worthy apprentice, a sword. I had seen her use her own weapon on numerous occasions while felling undesired creatures. I could never tell what it was made of, but I was almost certain it wasn't metal. Now that she had handed me one, I could finally settle that curiosity.

The scabbard was made of wood, but I already knew that. "Is it alright if I unsheath it?" She had given it to me, but I still felt like I needed permission.

"Of course, Indigo. It would be disappointing if you didn't." I guess that would be weird, I wonder if anyone has ever been handed a sword and left it sheathed?

I pulled it from the wooden scabbard, which was only adorned with a simple layer of lacquer, to reveal the modestly curved blade. It reminded me of a katana, but without the temper line or being made out of metal. The sword was one solid piece, with just a leather wrapping around the grip to make it more comfortable. The guard was also minimalistic, consisting of only two short prongs on either side and I think existed only to keep the hand from slipping up onto the blade. "What is this made out of?" It looked like it was made out of bone maybe...

"I am uncertain myself, these swords have been passed down for a long time." So even she didn't know... "My master seemed to think that they were probably made from the fangs of a large creature." I could see that, though the creature would have to be massive to have teeth this size. I would have to wonder how they brought it down in the first place.

I sheathed the blade. "Thanks, Moonlight Guardian."

"There is no need to thank me. That is the tool of a Guardian, a duty that not many pick up..." She was right, there were no other Guardians in the village. "Come along Indigo, we have important business this morning." How unusual. We usually just checked in with everyone around the village in the morning. But apparently, we had a deviation from our scheduled routine.

I watched the rickety cart make its way down the path—okay, so not that rickety, it was far better than ours. As I watched the customary gathering of people all bringing their excitement as the merchant made his annual visit, I couldn't help but feel a suspicion slip over me. I turned to face Moonlight Guardian, who was watching him like a hawk. Also, I couldn't appreciate it back then, but now that I was familiar with her modus operandi, it was painfully obvious that she had made sure she stood out, instead of taking her more usual tree-top vantage point. She wanted him to know that there was armed security here and not to make trouble.

"Moonlight Guardian," I started, "you didn't decide to give me this sword today to add to the intimidation factor, did you?"

"..." She kept her gaze on the merchant, but her silence said it all. She really didn't like humans, did she? I felt a little let down. I thought I had earned some measure of her respect… Well, at least she thought I was competent enough to play the part.

Anyways, because Moonlight Guardian had chosen a spot to deliberately stand out, I had a clear view of the merchant and all his goods. I also had a clear view of the Elder as he descended the stairs from the village like some kind of rock star. Maybe my bias was affecting my perception, but I felt like he was really playing up his entrance.

As Moonlight Guardian’s eyes continued to be locked onto the merchant, I found that mine were scrutinizing the Elder. How was he going to misappropriate village resources today?

But when they exchanged greetings and began speaking to each other, my heart softened a bit. I had no idea what the words meant, but Snowcap Elder was translating what they were saying in real-time. It was almost as if I could understand the conversation in its native verbal form. As the conversation continued and the exchange of goods was carried out, I felt a strange ache in my chest. And after it was over, it only got worse.

I watched the villagers carry off the goods back to the village and I looked at the Elder again, I felt a tinge of... disdainful jealousy? Why was I jealous? Disdainful I understood, but why... Wait, did I understand why I was disdainful? Though he was clearly not pulling his weight, it didn't seem to have much of a negative impact, and the existence of incompetent people has never bothered me before, given that it didn't affect me.

Speaking... That's what it was. I had heard them speaking and it brought back a longing for verbal communication. What really angered me was not so much that he was a derelict, though that certainly wasn't winning him any points, but that he got to have verbal conversations. Something that was my birthright... Well, it was the last time around. And now I felt like he had stolen this from me. Even though that didn't make any sense, it got me thinking...

After the merchant departed, cart full of those magic crystals, Moonlight Guardian visibly relaxed, though she still didn't seem too enthused about the rest of the day. "We will have our work cut out for us tonight, Indigo."

"Hmm..." I wasn't really paying attention. I was having one of my reflective spells and the rest of the world just went on around me.

"Indigo? Is something wrong?" She turned to me.

"No, nothing is wrong."

"Usually, you would be more curious, and you look... out of sorts." Did I? Well, I certainly was caught up in my thoughts.

"Do you think the Elder would teach me how to speak as the humans do?" She stopped mid-stride.

"...You want to apprentice under the Elder?"

"No!” It was jarring for her to jump to that conclusion. “I just want to learn verbal communication."

"If you study under the Elder, you will become his apprentice." She said it so matter of fact.

"I'm just interested in speaking verbally. Is there no other way?"

"There is no other way."

"Oh well then." I guess I would have to give up on learning to speak.

She turned her head and scratched her chin. "Well, he is a genius, he would be a good candidate for Elder. It certainly seems more appropriate for one such as him... It would be the best use of his talents..." She gave me a forlorn look, before turning back. "But he already has Mesa, he might not be able to take him." She clenched her left hand to her chest. Moonlight Guardian sometimes had a habit of thinking out loud and I wasn't sure if she was completely aware of this.

"Forget it, just pretend I didn't say anything." Her inner monologue had gotten me worried. "I don't want to stop being your apprentice." I had gone through hell to make it here, and I felt like she was going to cast me out. "I was only curious about speaking, purely as a novelty." This was kind of a lie, but it was true, I didn't see any immediate value in it.

"...Go and ask the Elder."

"But I don't want to!"

"...One should do the role that would most benefit the village."

"But shouldn't the role be something I want as well?" I felt like I was being cast off, tears must have been forming under my mask.

"You have... already expressed interest."

"But...!" I made no attempt to hide my anxiety.

She let out a sigh, before crossing her arms and looking away. "You should at least talk it over with the Elder." Was she that eager to get rid of me? I couldn't tell, Moonlight Guardian tended to keep her emotions pretty close to her chest. "He will be able to best advise."

I really should learn to keep my mouth... mind shut! But how was I supposed to know that asking such an innocent question would put my apprenticeship with Moonlight Guardian in jeopardy? Also, it seemed like I might have damaged my relationship with her, she didn't express it, but I got the feeling she might have been hurt. Damn, these people and their bizarre apprenticeship practices! She was the person I most admired in the tribe, the thought that I had created distance between us tore at my heart.

After our sparring lesson, which I got bopped a lot more than expected, due to my poor spirits, Moonlight Guardian carried on as usual. Afterwards, I tried to go back home. I figured I would just try to put off visiting the Elder indefinitely, but Moonlight Guardian went out of her way to make sure I found myself stopping by Snowcap Elder on my way back home, though it was out of the way...

I stood before the door to his den. The entrance was indistinguishable from any other home in the Two Trees. You would never know how much grander this particular den held. Moonlight Guardian continued to stand behind me as I waited for her to leave. Apparently, my tactic of fleeing once she departed wasn't that advanced. Letting out a sigh, I called out to the Elder like C3PO rapping on the door to Jabba's palace, "Oh, Indigo. Come on in." Of course, he would hear. Entering the den of curios I found Snowcap Elder reading by candlelight while Mesa was serving him tea. If not for my experience in my previous life, I would have found this scene completely bizarre, but given the environment, I just found it out of place.

"Indigo, what a surprise. What brings you here?" He looked up from his book.

"Moonlight Guardian made me come." I was going to make sure he knew it was Moonlight Guardian's idea to come and I was as uninvested in this as possible. You wouldn't want to take on an uninvested apprentice, would you?

"Must be important then." He looked at me expectantly, but when I hesitated, he followed with, "What is it?"

Fidgeting with my hand and squirming nervously, "I might have mentioned that I was curious if the Elder would teach me to speak as humans do..."

To that, he actually put down his book. "So, you want to become my apprentice, do you!" He slyly sized me up as he tugged his chin.

"NO!!!" I had to make that clear in no uncertain terms. "I just wanted to learn to speak! I don't want to give up my apprenticeship to Moonlight Guardian!"

The Elder stroked the beard of his mask. "Yet here you are."

"She made me come, said it would be better served if I became an Elder..." Mesa had refrained from participating in this conversation thus far, but I saw now that he was beginning to shift uncomfortably.

"I see..." He thought for a moment. "I have an idea. It is unheard of, but not against any rules." Mesa looked at the Elder with what I could only assume was apprehension. "And by all appearances, you are the God of Clear Skies' Chosen."

Wait. Not you too Elder! "You don't buy into that, do you?" I made sure to tinge my remark with blatant skepticism.

But he was unfazed, "I do." At this, Mesa made no attempt to hide his incredulity. I could only imagine that his face was contorted into some abomination of an expression. At least there was one sane person behind the wheel. "As such, I would be willing to let you undertake an apprenticeship with me..." I was about to protest—Mesa as well—until the Elder held up a hand. "While you retained your position with Moonlight Guardian as well."

This was apparently too much to handle for Mesa and the dam broke. "You can't be serious!? Who ever heard of a dual apprenticeship!" He was trying hard to maintain his composure, and he was mostly succeeding. "Also, how can you have two apprentices?"

"Plenty of people have more than one apprentice."

"Not true. There are some, but they tend to be in crafting roles and only when there is a deficiency of those trades and insufficient mentors to go around."

"Well, there are insufficient Elders to go around." Snowcap Elder just casually slapped down Mesa's criticism using his own argument. Ouch. Mesa looked away, disdained.

"But still, two apprenticeships? That is unprecedented. And this 'God of Clear Skies' Chosen is just a folktale at best." That was clearly the stronger of the two arguments.

"No Mesa, even if you don't buy the God of Clear Skies' Chosen line, Indigo is still a genius."

Mesa's skepticism was apparent as he looked at me. I was sure that one side of his mouth had curled up. That said, he took the hint that he wouldn't win this argument and stood down, but if his crossed arms were any indicator, he wasn't happy.

I, however, was intrigued. Could I really have my cake and eat it too? "Would that really be okay?"

"It is with me." I felt a smile start to curl my lips. "But Moonlight Guardian would have to agree as well." Would she be okay with that? Despite the uncertainty of the situation, the Elder had given me hope, more than just hope. My sense of dread had now become one of anticipation.

With that business finished, the Elder turned his attention, "Mesa, The sun has gone down, I do believe now is when the humans deem it acceptable to drink alcohol?"

"That is typically how it is done in polite society," Mesa answered while casting an unpleasant gaze in my direction, seemingly uninterested in what Snowcap Elder was saying.

"Roll the keg over here and let's crack this guy open!" I had forgotten about the looming bacchanal... Wait, is that what Moonlight Guardian was alluding to earlier? Damn, I needed to get out there and help her! I was also eager to discuss the Elder's offer.

I couldn't find Moonlight Guardian after I had left the Elder's place, but I did find plenty of drunken revelry. There weren't any fights but there were plenty of foolhardy escapades. I tried to get people to restrain themselves, but that was nearly impossible. I ended up escorting a number of people back home, as they were unable to see straight, let alone walk. One of those people was River, who apparently had gotten a taste for it at some point.

"Where… you taking me... Indigo?"

"I'm taking you home, I think you have had enough for tonight." I had slung her arm over my shoulder.

"What!... There’s still so... so much more! Here... have some!" She swung her free arm in front of my face.

"River... There is nothing in your hand."

She brought her hand to her face. "Whaa... Where it go?!" She started flailing.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty more tomorrow."

"Do... you promise?"

"Assuming they don't drink it all tonight."

"!!! What if… what if they drink... it all tonight!?"

"I'm sure they would all die before they even got halfway through it, so don't worry." I weaved my way around a labyrinth of passed-out drunks and vomit.

"Oh... that's... good." She started to poke me in the chest. "That's what... I like... I like about you. You always... got the answers." Oh boy. The sad thing was that she was one of the more coherent ones.

"River! There you are!" Dawn came running. "How did you get away... Indigo?"

"Oh, hi Dawn. You still seem to have your senses about you. Did you not partake?" It would be like Dawn to abstain.

"No, I had a little, but I see what it does to people who drink too much. But River can't stop herself, so I was going to keep an eye on her, but she got away somehow..."

"Dawn... Don't be... a... a spoilsport." River was having a hard time keeping her head up. "Here... Have some!" She stuck her hand out.

"...River, there is nothing in your hand," Dawn said blankly.

River looked at her hand. "What?! Where... where it go?!"

"Sigh, I'll take her from here, Indigo." Dawn grabbed her free arm. "I have to talk to her about responsibility."

"Okay, but that still leaves the rest of the village."

"..."

I arrived home sometime after, to discover my father slumped over in front of the door—looks like he didn't make it. Upon entering I found my mother passed out in the dining area, while my sister was clearly upset.

"I'm hungry... My diaper needs to be changed... What happened to Mommy..." My God of Clear Skies... These derelicts! "Brother, what happened to Mommy?"

"Nothing, she is just... sleeping. She will be fine." I went over and patted her on the head.

"I'm hungry and..."

"Don't worry. I'll make you something. But first..." I changed her diaper—I was hoping she would soon be toilet trained—then proceeded to make something quick and simple. While she was eating I dragged Father in and put him along with Mother to bed. For some reason, this seemed to calm Dusk, and I then had my own late dinner alongside her.

It was already very late, so I put her straight down to bed before calling it a night myself. It had been an eventful day, and I reflected on the hopeful anxiety I felt in my stomach before drifting off to sleep.

Mother and Father were hung over the following day, and I had to force them out of bed to perform their parental duties. I was gracious enough to prepare breakfast for everyone, but I did make sure to lecture them about moderation; Mother was horrified when she realized she had left Dusk to her own devices for the better part of a day. Hopefully, that would deter future overindulgence.

After setting them on the straight and narrow, I headed out to meet up with Moonlight Guardian. I had failed to locate her last night, so I was still anxious about the Elder's proposal. I found her in the usual meeting spot—the beginning of the route—but there was something off about her today. Did she overindulge in alcohol yesterday? She did not seem to be hungover, so I didn't think that was it. But something still made me feel she was out of sorts.

"Indigo, did the Elder accept you as an apprentice?" That was the first thing she said when I arrived.

"I thought it was supposed to be just a discussion..."

"He would still have indicated whether or not he would accept you." She had her arms crossed, looking like she was going to cast judgment on me.

"Well, he said he would be willing to do a... dual apprenticeship."

"!!!" A spark of shock shot through my mind. "Two apprenticeships?!"

"Yes... That's what he said."

She turned her head away in contemplation. "Two apprenticeships? That is unheard of! Though it isn't like anyone said you couldn't..." She was thinking out loud again. At this point, I had to imagine it was intentional. "Still, there is a reason that it doesn't happen, that would be a lot of responsibility... But if he is the God of Clear Skies' Chosen, then perhaps this is fate."

"Not you too Moonlight Guardian!" I thought at least she would remain sensible.

With that outburst, she brought her attention back to me. "...Me too?"

"You don't think I'm this Chosen, do you?" Please say no.

Staring, she tilted her head and rested her chin in the space between the thumb and index finger, "Hmm..." I'm not hearing a no, Moonlight Guardian.

"Well, if the Elder is willing, then who am I to say otherwise." My ears perked up. I completely forgot about the Chosen nonsense and threw my arms around her elated.

"Thanks Moonlight Guardian!" I was overjoyed. I hadn't expected myself to have this strong a reaction. Apparently, the anxiety of being declined was heavier than I had thought.

My reaction even broke Moonlight Guardian's poise. "...It was the Elder's decision..." But she quickly regained her composure. "But don't expect any special treatment. The training will be the same."

"Of course!" She was clearly unaware of the human work ethic. "But just so you know, I value your apprenticeship far more." I finally released my embrace. "So please don't just shuffle me off..."

She looked away. "Don't be ridiculous," she said as we set off on our morning patrol, but I couldn't help but notice an extra swoosh of her tail.

So the arrangements were made. Well, there really wasn't much to arrange, instead of having the evening off, I would now be working with the Elder. So I would still accompany Moonlight Guardian throughout the day, patrolling and sparring and whatnot, and in the evening I would study with the Elder.

The problem with this arrangement was that it clearly favored time with Moonlight Guardian—not that I minded. To remedy this, it was decided that I would start living with the Elder. I didn't really have a problem with this, but as you can imagine, Mother was sad to see me go.

"I'm proud that the Elder has accepted you as an apprentice, on top of your Guardian apprenticeship. I just hope you aren't taking on too much..." There was my mother's signature worry.

"He will be fine Dry-Grass Bonecrafter." Father, however, was nothing but confidence. "To think my son might be the God of Clear Skies' Chosen."

"Not you too!!!" Also, vicarious brag much...