Contentment

“Wow, Ma-Chan!” Elfrida clapped. “That was excellent! You’re really getting the hang of casting deflective spells!” Mahannana shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m more worried about what happens when I have to use them. If I’m in a situation dangerous enough to need to cast a shield, will I have the mental strength and focus to do it well? Or will it be too weak? Practicing in a safe environment like this and using it for real are two different things.” Elfrida frowned and pinched Mahannana’s cheek. “Owie!”

“Are you still on about that?” The dwarf grumbled. “I know you had a traumatic experience a week ago, but worrying isn’t gonna help any! When you worry, overthink, and doubt yourself, that’s what will make your magecraft less effective!” Mahannana rubbed her cheek. “But-” “No buts!” Elfrida wagged her finger. “If you keep that negative mindset, you'll create the thing you’re dreading! If you’re that concerned, practice more! Practice until your manna is so exhausted that you almost pass out! Then do it again! Keep practicing until it’s so instinctive and easy for you that you don’t even have to think about it! If you’re worried, then become so good at spellcasting that you’ll never hesitate! If you don’t want bad things to happen, then do something about it with your own hands!”

“Y-yes, Elfrida-Chan...” Mahannana bowed sheepishly. “Geez!” The librarian pouted, crossing her arms. “You’d think you’d be happy that you saved your friend! You’re intelligent, but such a worry wort, Ma-Chan! You’re way too much like your mother sometimes!” Mahannana nearly toppled over. “Like...mama?!” She felt like someone had shot her with an arrow. “But I don’t wanna be like mama! Her worrying makes me anxious!” Elfrida snickered. “Well, then focus on your practice and quit dwelling on bad thoughts!” Mahannana deflated. “Okay...”

Elfrida laughed at her utterly defeated pupil. “You’re a real riot; you know that Ma-Chan?” She patted the girl’s shoulder. “I was being overdramatic! You don’t need to be so hard on yourself! I think this should do it for today. Just keep practicing, okay?” Mahannana nodded. “Thanks for the lesson.” She turned to leave before pausing. “Oh! Mr Aqua wanted me to invite you to dinner on Friday! Lirhilde and her husband  are coming, too.” Elfrida grinned. “Sounds great! Lir-Chan and Omthor’s shop has opened, right? I have some questions for them about modern blacksmithing techniques!”

Waving goodbye to Elfrida-Chan, Mahannana levitated herself straight down to the libraries' main floor. She made a quick stop at an automated crystal to request some books that her mother had wanted before exiting into the bright morning sunlight. “Eek!” She squealed, rubbing her eyes. ‘The library is so dark, I feel like a vampire leaving it’s lair!’

“Ma-Chan!” From seemingly nowhere, Bisky hurtled herself at the mage, throwing her arms around her neck. Mahannana broke into a grin.“Bisky-Chan! Morning! Or afternoon? Whatever it is!” The little girl smirked. “Well, I’d say 11am still counts as early afternoon! Got any plans?” Mahannana shook her head. “I don’t have to make any deliveries until later, so I was thinking I’d stop by the public hall and see if there’s any quick requests I could take to kill time.” “How about early lunch with me and Pip first and then we can all go together?” Bisky wrapped her arms tightly around Mahannana’s right arm and looked up at her expectantly. “That sounds perfect.” Mahannana agreed

“Yes! Let's go!” Bisky grabbed Mahannana’s hand and took off running.

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“Mmmmm! It’s so sweet!” Mahannana marveled at the ice cream parfait. Pip grinned, showing off his recently acquired tooth gap. “I’ve wanted to come here for ages 'cause the sweets at this cafe are famous! Thanks for taking us.” Mahannana noticed Bisky drooling. “Want some?” Bisky pouted. “I-I wasn’t trying to beg from you!” Mahannana leaned across the table. “Bisky, here.” When Bisky turned to face her in confusion, Mahannana shoved a spoonful of ice cream into the little girl’s mouth. “Oh, wow! That’s good!” Bisky lit up as Mahannana giggled. “You wanna share?” The catgirl’s eyes beemed like stars. “Really?!” Mahannana handed her a spoon. “Yep. Look at it! It's massive! There’s no way I'll be able to try anything else if I eat it on my own.” “Thanks!” Bisky excitedly dug in.

Before Mahannana could take another bite, she looked at Pip’s expectant stare. “Oh, sorry to leave you out!” She offered the boy a spoonful of ice-cream, which he swallowed gleefully. “Yummy!” “Here, I’ll put some on a plate for you since it’s kinda far to reach.” Mahannana offered. The waitress had had to bring out a stack of books for Pip to sit on so he could reach the table. Fortunately, Pip was so thrilled about the ice cream, he didn’t bother complaining about being treated like a child. ‘But he is still a kid in Tanuki years.’ Mahannana reflected. ‘He’s adorable, acts like a kid, and that little gap from him losing his first tooth-! I just wanna cuddle him like a plushie!’

As the three enjoyed some local delicacies out on a cafe patio, Mahannana wisely kept her thoughts to herself. Pip may have been a cutie, but he was exactly like Bisky in terms of having an attitude that was vastly out of proportion with their small stature. Even moreso than Bisky, Pip was just there sometimes. He’d been appearing more consistently lately. Mahannana assumed it was taking him longer to come around compared to Bisky-Chan because he wasn’t an otherworlder like they were and, despite how sassy he could be, he was far more timid than his partner in crime. While Pip was the experienced thief and considered himself to be Bisky’s teacher, whenever anyone else was around, it was clear that Bisky wore the pants in their friendship. She seemingly had no fear of anything and, while she’d been subdued for a day or two after her near-death experience, her headstrong attitude had quickly come back as if nothing had happened.

‘I wish I had her level of optimism.’ Mahannana perused the menu. “What are you two thinking?” She asked. “I want some coffee, but all the food looks so good!” Bisky leaned across the table “Can I get pancakes?” She pointed to a picture. “Of course! The prices here are good, so you guys can have whatever you want.” The two kids cheered. “I wanna try the golem style sandwich!” Pip pointed to another picture. “That’s literally a fried chicken and waffle sandwich, you idiot! You’re going to turn into a chicken sandwich cause that’s all you ever wanna eat!” Bisky pointed a finger in the Tanuki’s face. “Let Pip like what he likes, you don’t have to eat what he’s getting.” Mahannana said peacefully, hiding the fact that she was pinching her leg to keep herself from laughing.

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“Oh, finally you decide to show up.” Aqua quipped as he swept the pathway to the greenhouse. “Hey, we’re only...fifteen minutes late...oh crap, I’m so sorry!” Mahannana apologized as she jumped off the porch. “We took two requests after lunch and lost track of time!” Aqua laughed at her distraught face. “Hey, I was only joking!” He ruffled Mahannana’s hair as she giggled and slapped his hand. “You two helping her out today?” He asked Bisky and Pip as they trailed behind their friend. “Yep. Ain’t got nothing better to do than hang out with Ma-Chan.” Bisky shrugged. “And it’s fun! I like helping with the deliveries and she bought us a really yummy lunch-yowch!” Pip squeaked as Bisky smacked him over the head. “Don’t go telling him that!”

Aqua snorted. “There is only three deliveries but, since Selena is out, it’ll take all three of you to carry it all." He pointed to the pile of bags and baskets. “Two vendor deliveries and Lirhilde’s grocery order.” Pip bounced over to a sack of potatoes. “Not a problem! This will be easy!” He picked up the sack and promptly toppled over backwards. “Noooo! Stupid Pip!” Bisky ran to rescue her friend. Mahannana couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Ah, those two are too much!” She choked out as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Aqua smirked. “You look happy.” Mahannana was surprised at his comment but then smiled. “I am, actually! Lessons were good and I had fun with Bisky and Pip! We ate at this adorable cafe and then we took a request to pick medicinal herbs and a request to help an elderly man clean out his cellar. I know it sounds dumb but...it was nice.” 

“Well, if you’re happy, that’s what matters, right?” Aqua asked rhetorically. “You’re living a life you’re proud of now, right?” Mahannana realized he was right. “I....am!” An ear-to-ear grin spread across her face. “Even if it’s nothing crazy, I’m content! I don’t feel like I’m struggling the way I did back in our world. I feel like I’m doing meaningful things, and I’m not just locked into an isolted little world that revolves around me and mama.”

“Good.” Aqua held out his fist and Mahannana tapped her own against his. “Make sure you’re back by dark, or your mother will lose her mind.”

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“Aww! I still can’t get over how adorable you all are!” Lirhilde cooed as she cradled Pip in her arms and rubbed her face on his. Bisky munched on a cookie and glared judgmentally at her friend as he soaked up the attentiion. “Sell out. He’s fine with being called cute as long you bribe him with food?” Mahannana nudged Bisky with her foot. “Don’t be rude!” She whispered. “Well, at least he lets me love him! You act like I’m attempting to smother you.” Lirhilde snidely remarked. “I still have a sense of dignity and personal space.” Bisky shot back.

Bisky and Lirhilde’s relationship thus far was...interesting to say the least. Despite having had her ego bruised, Lirhilde had immediately wanted to go into her cute aggression mode on Bisky after the girl had started following Mahannana around. Bisky was not a fan of the affection and acted like she was being tortured whenever Lirhilde tried to gush over her or touch her. It seemed to Mahannana that, while Bisky didn’t necessarily dislike Lirhilde, her aggressively friendly personality was overwhelming to a child that was naturally cautious and distrustful of others. ‘And Bisky is just...Bisky.’ Mahannana thought as she sipped her tea. ‘I doubt she’s ever going to be a cuddle bug.’

“However, even if you’re a weirdo old lady, I will still accept cookies. They’re...fine.” Bisky huffed, too full of pride to admit the food was good. Lirhilde rolled her eyes. “Well, even though it feels like I’m a babysitter, I’m glad you offered us tea.” Mahannana thanked Lirhilde. The swan woman beamed as she continued squishing Pip. “It’s nothing! Like I said, I like kids! But maybe you should be getting going soon? The sun is starting to go down.”

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“Byyeee Ma-Chan!” Bisky and Pip called, waving good-bye as they stood on the street corner. “You sure you don’t want me to walk you all the way back?” Mahannana called over. “It’s only a couple of blocks!” Bisky assured her. “Thanks, Ma-Chan! It was a really fun day! Thanks for lunch!” Pip smiled. “See you later!” Bisky waved one last time as the kids disappeared hand-in-hand into the shadows.

Mahannana smiled as she turned to head home. ‘It really was a fun day!’ She thought with satisfaction. Night was beginning to fall, and she could see the first stars in the gray and orange haze cast by the setting sun. While it would be faster to take the alleyways home, Mahannana enjoyed people watching on the main street too much.

‘I know I should study, but I’m exhausted. Maybe I’ll just take a bath and go to bed after dinner. I wonder what Aqua made tonight?’

Mahannana heard the shuffle of feet behind her and looked over her shoulder. Even though it was a public street, she had an instinctual feeling that the person was following her specifically. It appeared to be a long-haired woman in gypsy-style clothing, but the shadows prevented her from seeing the stranger’s face. “Do...do you need something?” She asked softly, remembering all the panicked warnings her mother had given her about walking home at night.

“Yeah, I sure got business with you!” The woman said gruffly, flipping her hair. Mahannana trembled slightly, intimidated by her tone and height. “You’re the wolf-mage Mahannana-Chan, right?” Mahannana frozen, concerned that someone she didn’t know knew her name. “Yes, I’m Mahannana, and my mama is a dire wolf, if that’s what you mean.” She answered hesitantly, unsure if it was the right choice.

“Good! I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while!” The woman approached Mahannana. “Um, I’m sorry, but mama said I shouldn’t talk to strangers. I have no idea who you are.” Mahannana slowly took a step back. “Stranger?” The woman seemed shocked. “I’m not a stranger! You visited my tavern every day! You know who I am!”

An idea formed in Mahannana’s idea, but she couldn’t believe it. Even so, the clothes, dark hair, and piercing golden eyes confirmed her suspicions. She stared at the woman in open-mouth shock.

“E-Esmae?!”