01.12 - Liar

“Is it a secret love affair?” asked Rem with a blush on her face. ”Two kindred spirits, one in heart, but divided by fate. Forever separated by the conflict between their families?”

“Do you honestly think I‘m some kind of tragic lover from one of your drama romance novels?” asked Hannah while shaking her head.

“Good point,” said Rogue. “Hannah is more of a plain jane. I bet it’s more trivial.”

“Did you just call me ugly?”

“No more cushions please,” said Rogue, both hands in the air.

“Believe me, the next thing I’ll throw your way won’t have any fluffy stuffing.”

“If it’s not a forbidden love story…” Rem began. “Then maybe I am overthinking it. What else could it be? Maybe… a childhood friend?”

Hannah’s ears twitched slightly.

“Oh,” said Rem. “Am I on to something? Is he in the room with us?”

“Not a chance.”

“And it isn’t Gabe or Rafe either?”

“Not in a million years.”

“Maybe it’s Altair?” suggested Rogue after pondering for a moment. “The two of them have been spending a lot of time training lately.”

Hannah’s ears twitched yet again.

“I think we’re on to something,” said Rem. “Is it true love, or are you just cozying up to House Stellaris? You might not be suited for a first wife, but maybe a side fling or a future secret mistress?”

Hannah’s tail flicked at the end as she closed the distance to Rem with a single stride, grabbing her by the upper part of her robes. “I dare you to say that again.”

“Enough,” said Mary, who stepped in to separate the two. “That last comment was uncalled for, Rem. And I think everyone should be entitled to a few secrets of their own.”

Hannah released Rem and slowly calmed down again.

Rem pouted.

With Rem’s inquiry cut short, the firework preparation done for the day, and the makeup drama finally put to rest, the attention of everyone began to focus on Ann again.

Uriah had moved toward the fireplace, where Rem now sat on the floor, gently stroking the soft, ebony fur of Ann.

Ann’s ears flicked contentedly, her large, crimson eyes half-closed.

Uriah crouched beside Rem, his movements slow and deliberate. “She really likes you,” he said, his voice low and calm as he reached out to pet Ann.

Ann seemed to enjoy the attention.

When she noticed Hannah slowly approaching them, she suddenly left her basket and darted towards her.

“Hannah!” Ann’s voice echoed faintly through the minds of everyone present, surprising all but Mary.

“You can use your innate telepathy spells already?” Hannah asked, while she lowered her arm towards Ann, who jumped onto it, slowly making her way to Hannah's face, rubbing cheek against cheek, like the evening before.

“Barely,” Lily’s voice echoed through the room. “She can transmit a word or two. But she can’t control her targets yet.”

“Young Nyx aren’t like human babies,” Mary said from the back of the room. “They don’t need months or years to take their first steps. Their Aura Cores are already further developed, and they can use their innate spells within the first couple of days after they are born.”

“Aww… aren’t you amazing?” asked Hannah while scratching Ann behind her ears. “And so cute.”

Luc, who had been watching and listening from a few steps away, hesitated before stepping forward. “Let me try too,” he said, while extending a hand cautiously toward Ann.

Once again, Ann jumped from her spot on Hannah’s shoulder and darted away, disappearing into the sanctuary of her basket, hiding behind her mother Lily.

“But I’m just like the others!” said Luc, visibly shaken. ”I’m not scary at all. You can trust me!”

“Liar!” Ann’s voice faintly echoed in everyone's minds.

Luc stared into the void for a long moment, then exhaled in frustration and disbelief. His shoulders sagged. “Why is it always me?”

“Maybe you’re trying too hard,” Lily’s calm telepathic voice echoed through his head. “I don’t know why, but it looks like Ann isn’t ready to trust you yet, Luc. Give her time. She’ll come to you when she’s ready.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” said Luc. “She’s fine with everyone else.”

“Patience,” Lily’s voice echoed. “You can’t force these things. Besides, she keeps her distance from your father too.”

Rogue, lounging nearby, smirked as he stretched out his legs. “See, Luc? Even Ann can tell you’re a tryhard.”

“Oh, shut up, Rogue! All you did today was watch Rem pet Ann from a distance and ruin my sister's makeup.”

“You don’t get it, Luc. I’ll pet Ann if and when she opens up to me. As for Hannah, she asked me for help, not the other way round.”

“I bet she didn’t ask you to mess up that badly.”

“I did my best.”

“Your best was pretty pathetic.”

“But unlike you, I don’t force myself on other people. Same with that apprentice bookstore clerk. She was eyeing us, but I would have only made a move if she showed actual interest.”

“You think you’re hot stuff, huh?”

“Compared to you? You bet.”

“Alright, alright, you two,” Mary said. “Let’s leave it at that. No need to escalate this any further. Luc, Rogue is right; you shouldn’t force yourself on people. As for you, Rogue, stop punching down, okay?”

“Okay,” said Rogue, with both hands in the air, but a hint of defiance left in his voice.

“I didn’t start it,” said Luc.

“But you can end it,” said Mary.

“Fine,” said Luc, while dragging the word out.