Having a Moment

"I do not like you."

"That makes two of us."

"Mm." Spi'Reto narrowed his eyes as they focused on the once intruder now prisoner of theirs. Raz looked around the elf, flexing his arms and pulling his wrists against his binds. Forearms, biceps, and wrists were roped in tight, restricting him of any chance of using his element. He sighed and hung his head, he would need to think of another route.

Which would be difficult considering this elf won't stop being a pest and keeping watch.

It was starting to grow dark, sat around a small nest of Glitterbugs were Janette and Dimyri, sharing ideas and discussing their next course.

"I don't think we've much left, we don't really need to ask him for anything remember? We have a willing Raz right here." Janette explained, patting her book.

"Somewhat willing, doesn't it listen to us?"

"I thought you can't read?" Janette replied with a shocked look.

Dimyri shrugged and hunched over, the light stemming from the small nest illuminating against her soft skin, revealing the troubled look on her face through the dim golden glow.

"Alma taught me a few bits, not enough to read sentences or write."

"Well I understand the writing part, paws and all." Janette said, leaning back. "Alma's done a lot for you, but not for Syri. Are you her favorite?"

"You can say that." Dimyri answered, steadily observing a lone glitterbug separate from the nest and hover curiously facing her. "It's tradition that the first born daughter of Head Mother should inherit the role after the Head Mother passes away or can no longer commit to her duties. Mom and Dad requested Alma to help me with that, sort of train me to be better so that I would be ready when it's my turn."

She glanced up when she heard the sound of light feet going their direction. Dimyri squinted, struggling to catch who was walking in the dark. "Who's that?"

Janette leaned in. "Looks like a child, out to relieve themselves maybe."

Both girls sucked in their gasps as Nyitzcha strolled by, glancing their way and ignoring them as she continued walking to their left. Dimyri and Janette shared a quick glance and, once several seconds had passed, failed to stifle their giggles in a hushed tone. Nyitzcha froze and closed her eyes, shaking her head and grumbling as she walked away.

"Let's hope she doesn't sneak in on us again, she's quite hard to catch."

"Wait, you two played tag before or...?"

Janette noticed Dimyri's confused look and laughed. "No, it was a figure of speech. I meant visually, she's hard to find. Shorter folk have an easier time hiding."

"Right." Dimyri nodded, waving her hand close to the nest then pulling further away.

Janette frowned. "Having fun?"

"Sorry, I've never seen this before."

"What, the Glitterbugs? They're common around here."

"No, this." She explained, pointing out into the darkness.

Janette tilted her head. "What, the girls sleeping in their little group snuggle?"

"I can't see that. I can't see them and I can't see well outside this light." Dimyri whined, scooting closer toward the nest. "It's kind of creepy, seeing so much black around you."

"Ooooh, the darkness. You girls don't see it dark usually, do you?"

Dimyri shook her head. "Everything is so bright and colorful, when it's daylight I can see far away."

"Cats are near sighted, that makes sense." Janette mentioned. "I'm noticing some changes to my eyes too. It's not as dark, I can see a little better but nothing compared to the girls. I think the effects of being marked are progressing much faster for me then it did for Felix."

"When was he marked?"

"Around a few months, today would be his third month. I'm guessing it's due to our anatomy. Since girls can turn into Monster Girls, it makes sense that I would change faster then he does."

Dimyri leaned in close. "How is it like, being marked?"

"It's weird, it comes in waves and sometimes makes you feel like ass. My body aches, my eyes hurt and for a while my teeth were being a pain. Sometimes I start to sweat or feel hot inside, sometimes I just feel tense and frustrated."

"How do you hold it in?"

Janette sighed as she began to smile. "Your sister helps, not in that way. I meant her presence, she always asks how I am and if I need anything. It gets a little annoying sometimes but since we found you guys-"

"You mean we found you." Dimyri smiled back.

"Right." Janette laughed. "Since then, she's been always hugging me or holding me, telling me cute things and just being there. I think it really scared her when we were apart, I look after her too but she insists she's doing fine."

"She loves you." Dimyri mentioned, "I mean, she thought you were hot when she first saw you. I would notice her ears would flare up every time she caught a glimpse of you. She hesitated and asked if we had to attack you too, she was supposed to sneak into your house but refused because she didn't want to see you scared."

Janette turned her head. "Was this before you girls ambushed me? Wait, you were stalking me, for how long exactly?"

Dimyri rubbed her nose and smiled. "Just for a few days, we weren't going to anounce ourselves. We thought you guys had kidnapped Nityri, remember?"

"I remember her as KuliKuli." Janette winked.

"Right, I need to get use to that." Dimyri pouted. Both girls turned right as another pair of steps came their way, this time withholding any comments until Felix had came into view.

"Hey, it's the hero of the day." Janette beamed, hugging him tight. Felix groaned and she pulled away in rapid speed. "I am so sorry-"

"It's fine, it just burns a bit." Felix said, rubbing his chest and adjusting the green wraps on his skin.

"Zimi let you walk around?" Dimyri asked.

"I asked if I could take a walk, catch some fresh air. She gave me twenty minutes."

"You better go back in fifteen just to be safe. Her girlfriends a Grizzly Bear, remember?" Janette remined him.

Felix nodded. "Good to know, is she sleeping?"

"No, she doesn't sleep without Zimi." Dimyri remarked. "So best be extra careful."

"Thanks. Did you two catch Nyitzcha around?"

"Yea, she went that way." Janette pointed him over.

"Thanks, I'll catch you guys tomorrow. Goodnight!" He winced, stepping over to where the dwarf had ran off to.

"Felix!" Dimyri stood up as he spun around. She walked over to him and gently wrapped her arms around his chest, resting her head against his firm warm body. Appreciating her gentle touch, Felix hugged her back wondering what the ocassion was.

"Thanks, for helping us today. And for taking care of my sister, she's very lucky to have you."

Felix swallowed, nodded his head as they parted away. "Thank you, that means a lot."

"So do you." She waved as he walked away. Turning over to Janette, she hugged herself and turned red. "That was the first I hugged a Hoo-Mane who's not my Dad."

"That accent again, I swear. Hey where are you going, I thought we were having a moment?" Janette called out as Dimyri walked over to towards Alma's tent.

"I need a minute with him." Dimyri answered. "I have a few things I want to ask."

"But we have the book!" Janette whined, tapping the hard red cover of her magic book. "What's the point in asking him anything at all?"

"It's not the same!" Dimyri argued back. Janette huffed and waved her hand away, sliding the book back into her bag.

---

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