A Moon's Reflection

"Your room," Lilin said as she opened a door for Annie. "Get in there, and don't bother me until I come here to grab you in the morning. If you're not here when I come to get you, I'll kill you, so make sure you actually sleep here, got it?"

"Of course, dear," Annie replied, bowing. She stepped into the room, then jumped a bit as Lilin slammed it behind her. What a pleasant and graceful exit.

Annie took a moment to look around her room. There was a window that looked outwards, letting the moonlight stream in. It was a beautiful sight, made even more so with how the castle was centered in the eye of a forever-raging storm. The moon felt like it was piercing through the storm, making a pocket of serenity that the castle sat in, like a lonely king sitting atop a throne.

This world was fascinating, as was the young woman that Annie was now partnered with. Lilin was supposedly once a fair maiden who was meant to help a hero take down the Demon King, but now she seems like a delinquent who gets mad when she doesn't get her way. A short temper, affinity for violence, and no problems shouting even in quiet places. Annie hoped that she'd be able to bring out the sparks of good in her. Lilin did seem to make and keep promises to herself, which was a good place to start, and that vain sense of beauty can always become something good if Lilin just finds something else to admire. Annie wasn't sure if that was subconsciously why she had picked up these flowers, but perhaps they'd come in handy for that. She gently removed the withering blooms from her pocket and placed them on the windowsill, hoping they'd dry soon.

Annie was still trying to wrap her head around the concept of magic. She had accepted that it can probably do just about anything, but there had to be some sort of restrictions. Charlie had said that the stuff to fuel magic, mana, was in the air and sky, but she had also said that it was in a person's Core. She wanted to know more about Cores, but she really didn't know who to ask. Charlie also said that the Demon King hoarded all the mana in the sky if it wasn't in specific areas where he allowed people to live. That was a lot to take in, that one man could literally control the world like that.

Magic aside, on the topic of Charlie, Annie hoped beyond hope that she would see her again. There hadn't been a chance to say goodbye or explain what was happening. Annie didn't even know if the poor girl had even been able to rest and heal. She didn't have the slightest clue where to look for her aside from that little shack. There was a very limited chance they'd meet again, but Annie could certainly dream.

Six and Deuce were both interesting people, as well. She had seen a few other maids, but Six was the only one who she had spoken with. Six seemed to be calculating something at all times. She never seemed distracted, but never seemed like she was only focusing on one thing at a time. Given her emotional mask, Annie wasn't sure how to feel about her. Deuce, on the other hand, was just a kid given a massive responsibility with the library. Annie hadn't a clue what the full extent of managing the library meant, but even if it was just a mundane library, a little kid handling it by himself was questionable at best. He seemed so full of life, though, and still had childish ambitions like being called Library-Man. Annie couldn't help but wonder if comic books existed in this world after hearing that.

Lastly was Aramasa. Aramasa had said quite a lot in a short amount of time, and Annie had a lot of questions. Mana from her Core would drain her essence? She didn't know what that meant, only that it was something she should use sparingly. Then, something about her body's mana making her age faster? Annie didn't like the thought of losing her youth again, but it had to happen eventually. It would probably be for the best if she didn't keep her youth for long, she might end up losing her mind and trying to retain it somehow. Annie wondered if she could commune with Aramasa by way of prayer, but... Well, she hadn't the slightest idea how she'd do it. Her prayers back home were so specific in how they were supposed to be done that she wasn't sure if she'd be stigmatized as a witch or something here for even trying- not to mention, if the Demon King can control the world via mana, there was a very real possibility that he could sense if somebody were communing with a God. So, unfortunately, Annie felt like she was completely separated from Aramasa for now. If there was a way to pray or commune with here, Aramasa would probably have to let her know rather than Annie puzzling it together.

Annie layed on her "sleeping pad", which proved to be more like a firm beanbag than a bed. She sighed as her body sank in and shaped the bed to her position, laying her head on the pillow and pulling the blanket over herself. There was a lot in this world that she took for granted as being the same, but there was also a lot in the world that was just different enough to keep her on her toes. It made sense, though. If Aramasa could pick out people from all sorts of worlds, it would make sense that she'd pick somebody from a world similar enough to this one. It skips the hassles of needing to teach them how time works or what the sun is. She wondered if this world had tap dancing, though. Aramasa either didn't know Charlie was alive or simply didn't believe she would stay alive, so it's not impossible that the goddess didn't know everything that this world contained. Actually, Annie idly wondered if Aramasa was tap dancing right now.

Just before Annie's eyes closed to sleep for the night, she had one last thought. Her throat clenched a bit as she felt water in her eyes. It wasn't an actionable thought, nor one she could plan for. It was just a thought, yet it brought her unbelievable pain now that she had some time to think about it. All she could do is hope that she'd sleep off thoughts of...

...how her family was doing without her.