Bruin Huffman

She was pushed into one of the stalls with the guard joining her. It was small inside, barely enough room for two people. She stared at the man, before she covered her chest with a frown. His blue eyes stared at her before leaning forward to interrupt her space with his smell.

"Who are you?" He asked, "I know everyone who lives in Springcall and you are not one of them."

"I am a visitor," she replied and narrowed her eyes at him, "Do you all treat your guests this way or was I just lucky?"

Bruin smirked and leaned closer so their lips were an inch apart. He saw purple eyes narrowed even more, but she was still calm. Even when he purposefully palmed her hips and sides, she did nothing. Pulling back, he hummed.

"You are calm."

"How should I be? Crying? Screaming? Moaning, perhaps? How despicable you treat people not from Springcall. I can only imagine how you treat those within these walls," she frowned at him deeply.

"You are lucky, miss. If it was anyone else, they would do much more to you than I have. Do not worry yourself. I will not touch you without permission."

"Yet, you already have."

"I mean… right now. Starting now, I will not purposefully touch you without permission."

Suspicious purple eyes stared at him for a moment longer, before they looked away.

"How long must I stay here?"

Bruin sighed and pulled out his father's pocket watch. He looked at the time and estimated 10 more minutes just so the stall owner won't cry to their leader about it. When he lifted his head to tell her, the female had leaned in close to stare at his pocket watch.

"Ah, so time can be easily seen now," he heard her whisper, "You… believe in the Moon Goddess?"

Quickly shutting the pocket watch, he stuffed it back in his pants and frowned at her.

"Less than ten minutes left."

She was looking at him with her purple eyes unnarrowed. She was looking up at him since he was a head taller, but her eyes seemed to be searching his for an answer he didn't know. She touched his hand and he frowned, about to pull away when she spoke.

"Sir Bruin," she said softly, "On your watch there is an image of the Moon Goddess. Are you hiding your love for her or were you not the one to etched it? Is the city of Springcall not allowed to speak of the Moon Goddess like Dragonport and Flathand?"

He frowned.

"Why do you wish to know?"

"I am looking for those who have undying devotion and love for her. If you know any, would you let me know?"

"And what would you do if I do know?"

"I would thank you profusely and bless you and your family."

"…"

That… Bruin was not prepared for that. This female was strange and he wondered where she could have came from. Rosemount, perhaps? But that city cared little for the Moon Goddess.

"Where are you from?"

"I was in the forest before I came here to your city," she said instead, "I know many dislike the Moon Goddess and are ashamed of her, but Sir Bruin, I know things could be better. Things could work out if I am able to meet the people who are highly devoted to her."

"What is your name?"

"You may call me Moon."

"Miss Moon," Bruins paused, "What will you do once you meet those devoted to her. Springcall does not care who the people worship, but doing so in one's privacy is fine. However, you mentioned other cities are not as kind to those who are devoted. Tell me, what will you do to them?"

"I will thank them," he saw her eyes crinkled, "For still having faith in her and for their love."

"…"

"…"

He shook his head with a soft sigh and looked at his pocket watch for the time again. Opening the door, he stepped out and she followed.

"I do not trust you to give you the information you seek."

"Then let me win your trust. How can I gain it, Sir Bruin."

He saw the determination flashed through her eyes and the firm way she was holding herself. He thought about it and wondered why she was so determined in her mindset to find others.

'She must be a true worshiper of hers,' he figured and glanced at her body.

"Our leader will be holding a ball and I need a partner. Accompany me and if all goes well, I will tell you what you wish to know."

"A ball?" The Moon Goddess does not know what that meant, but she nodded her agreement.

"You would need shoes and new clothing."

"I have none."

"…"

"…"

In the end, he paid for her outfit for the ball. People were looking at the pair of them as they went to one shop to the next. People wondered what Springcall's best warrior was doing with an unknown female. As his hands became fuller with items for Moon, they made their last stop at the greedy man's stall.

"Sir Bruin," the female smiled, "Is it alright for a lady to carry a dagger?"

"Why would you wish for a dagger?" He frowned and looked at the display and noticed the etching, "Ah. Choose a necklace as well."

She did and they left with the greedy man watching them with narrowed eyes. Bruin Huffman sighed and headed to his home to put all the items away. Letting one of the guards know he would return, he left with the female following him.

"Sir Bruin, you live close to your leader," Moon pointed out, "You must be high in rankings."

"Rankings do not matter," the man entered his home and headed to the couch, "It is how you battle that matters."

"But, everything does not have to begin and end in battle," she stated and joined at his side, "That should be the last solution."

"No," he shook his head, "Sometimes people just need to fight to end their differences. Speaking sometimes does nothing but make things worse."