What happened?

I quickly launched into an explanation of the events that took place just a few hours before. Starting from the point I heard the explosion while I was on the beach until Luna woke up just now, I recounted the events. "But why did you put yourself at risk to rescue a stranger? And a worthless Beast-Slave like myself at that?" She self-deprecatingly inquired.

"The country I come from, we are known to go out on a limb for strangers. Plus, I have never encountered a beast-person or a slave before. So I am unsure of why that would have any bearing on it..." I honestly replied.

"Oh yeah, before we go any further, I prepared some things for you." I indicated the supplies next to the sleeping bag. "I will close this flap, and you can first have some water and food. Then please use the basin, scrap cloth and water to clean yourself. Then put on the fresh clothes I prepared. We can toss out those rags after." I instructed her.

"My lord, you should not waste such things on a sla-" Luna immediately started to say in a panic. Holding up a hand to cut her off, I realized how to deal with this situation. With a stern expression, I ordered her, "Follow the instructions I provided you just now. If I missed anything you need to get yourself cleaned up, tell me." As I saw her about to offer a final bit of resistance, I interjected, "Just do it." Making myself feel like a particular sporting goods brand.

I then closed the flap for her. I could hear her moving around inside the tent. The sounds of her desperately choking down the food and water made me realize that before this incident with the orcs, she was most likely already starving and dehydrated. What a bastard, I thought to myself, If only and had gotten the chance to kill him. I regretted that the orcs slew the merchant in what looked to be a relatively quick manner. When the noise of clothing being removed and the trickle of water poured into the basin reached my ears, I decided to strike up a conversation. "So, I have not yet had a chance to hear your name..." I awkwardly offered to the tent in front of me.

"I'm so sorry, my lord! My pitiful name is Luna. I did not think remembering it was worth your time, so I failed to mention it earlier. Please forgive me!" Her panicked voice rang out from inside the tent. I could only imagine with her voice like that, that she was probably bowing in the direction of my voice. I was feeling slightly exhausted already by her constant state of anxiety. I answered, "There is nothing to be forgiven Luna, I failed to give my name as well. So no harm, no foul. Now, please, don't apologize to me so much; it makes me feel like I am scaring you. You can call me John." Unexpectedly, Luna's head popped out through a gap in the tent to look me in the eyes. "Lord John, there is no way I could be scared of a man such as you who has given me so much in such a short time. I will strive to be considerate of your request around how I offer my words to you." And before I could think of what to say back, her head retreated into the tent.

I heard her ring the water out of a piece of cloth. Then in the silence of the night, there was just the crackle of the fire and the occasional noise from Luna washing the makeshift facecloth she was bathing herself with. I returned to the bench and looked up towards the beautiful sky and the two large moons, slowly starting to bath the forest in their light, dispelling some of the darkness. Flicking open my skill list, I examined the new skill that had saved me earlier.

Elemental Fist (Level 3): The skill holder is able to channel basic elemental attacks through their gauntlets, discharging at contact range or being cast a small distance at reduced strength. Current elements acquired: Water, Electricity. Cost 20MP.

I also looked through the list and found a new skill that seemed to be helpful right now. So I bought three levels of it as well, leaving me with 10AP in the bank.

I used my new ability Detection Ward to place 20 wards in a large circle with a radius of about 30 M from the center of the camp. This way, I could prepare and defend Luna and Myself if any enemies were to intrude. Strolling back to the bench, I heard Luna bashfully call out. "Lord John, have you returned?" I guess she has pretty good hearing, being a dog-person. "Yes, I am." I replied, "Did I miss something?"

"No, no, no. My lord could hardly be expected to know the unreasonable demands I could think up when given such a command as asking if I needed anything else to get ready. I mean, I only thought about them as I wanted to be most presentable to you, my lord." I cleared my throat the help refocus Luna. "Eep, if you have any long strips of fabric, I believe there should be some among the spoils of the carriage. And also, there should be a small leather bag of toiletries among the loot as well. I could use the teeth sticks and the bristled brush out of there. If it is not an inconvenience, my lord."

"First, stop calling me your lord, Luna. I am just a person like you, so just use my name by itself. I have plenty of fabric; here are a few different colours. Please feel free to use however much you need." I passed through the flap a few bolts of different coloured fabric. Then searched my inventory for the other items. "What are teeth sticks?" I asked Luna. "Thee are small bits of a fibrous sort of cane. They are rubbed upon the teeth to clean them, and the juice they secret smells good and soothes sore gums. They must just be called something different where you come from, my lo- Ahem, John."

Found them! I pulled out the small leather bag and double-checked its contents. Both the brush and teeth sticks were in there, along with a small container of a soft white powder. It gave off the smell of something similar to talcum powder. I passed the bag and its contents through to Luna. "Oh, I did not know that man had splurged for de-odour powder. Do you mind if I use some?" Luna inquired with a bit more confidence than before. "Sure, but only if you tell me how it is used," I smirked back. "Of course!" Luna replied happily from inside the tent.

"You apply it to areas of your body where sweat and scent build-up to absorb those scents. It is used by the nobility for courting and by adventurers for hunting animals with sharp senses." Luna explained to me. So, it is deodorant, I guess then. Good to know it exists here.

A few minutes later, the flap opened and out stepped Luna. She was now all cleaned up and ready for me to examine. She stood about 25cm shorter than me. She had shiny brown hair cut into a medium bob, with her two fluffy dog ears laying down each side of her head. Her face was quite cute as she looked downwards to avoid my intent gaze. I could see her brown eyes as her vision darted back and forward. She had a slightly wider than standard set of shoulders. From which hung a long set of arms that were powerful without being bulky. Showing through even the slightly ill-fitting outfit was a nice-sized pair of perky-looking breasts. Probably a C-cup back in my homeworld.

I told her to do a spin. She replied and slowly turned herself around. Luna had rolled up the sleeves and pant legs of the outfit to expose the lower half of her extremities. Her arms and well-toned legs were covered in soft brown fur, similar to that fur on her ears from elbow and knee down. Her hands and feet looked a bit like she was wearing paw-themed gloves and slippers while still maintaining the dimensions of average hands and feet. Sticking out through a little hole I had modified into the back of the pants was her little brown nubbin of a tail. "Dang, you are even able to make a basic ensemble like that look good!" I told her. I watched as her tail and, following its example, her bottom wiggled back and forward at the compliment.

We threw her old rags into the fire, along with a rolled-up bunch of what looked to be two long strips of sackcloth. Luna then asked what I would like done with the items; I gestured to an empty trunk next to the tent. It was one of the ones from the carriage. Its contents were now safely in storage. As she was bent over putting the remaining supplies away, I was distracted from staring at her well-proportioned bottom when I saw that she had taken from the bolt of blue silk. I asked her, "What did you end up needing the fabric for?" She looked back over her shoulder at me; her face tinged red with embarrassment. "Fresh undergarments..." She whispered.

Chuckling at her cute embarrassed expression, I told her the newest addition to my plans. "Well, when we get to a town with a tailor, I will get you some nice ones made!"