Chapter 22: Sisterly Confession
Chapter 22: Sisterly Confession
" I mean, aside from the tails, teeth and the ears, they're not that different from humans." Lin Mu muttered to himself. "But the question still remains on whether they're dangerous or not?."
" What if they see me as some kind of threat?, worst case scenario they attack..."
" System, you got any ideas on what I should do?." Lin Mu tried requesting her aid but the system offered no reassurance.
Lin Mu sighed, his mind racing. "I can't just walk up to them. There's still a huge possibility that they might just attack me." He thought imagining the both of them pouncing on him and pinning him to the ground beneath them, their warm breaths brushing against his skin, his body completely unable to resist as they ravaged him without mercy–
' C-Cough..Cough, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing hehehe' a weird smile unknowingly made it's way onto Lin Mu's lips but he quickly shook his head to return to his senses.
" I don't think this is the time to be fantasizing, I need to figure out what they're doing here first."
He decided to wait and watch, staying hidden behind the rock. His eyes never left the two beings as they chatted in a language he couldn't understand, their voices melodic but alien. He tried to piece together their intentions based on their body language.
The trees around the oasis were alive with the sound of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls as the two sisters made their way to the small, secluded lake within the Oasis. Each carried a beast-skinned water bag, their worn sandals crunching softly on the path.
The older of the two, Lian, walked slightly ahead, her movements brisk and efficient. Her younger sister, Mei, trailed behind, humming a tune under her breath, her carefree nature evident in every step.
Unbeknownst to them, Lin Mu watched silently from the shadows of the treeline. He crouched low, his breathing quiet, his gaze fixed on the two strange looking girls. Their cheerful presence brought an unexpected calm to the turmoil in his heart.
As the sisters reached the lake, Lian crouched down to fill her bag, her expression unusually somber. Mei noticed immediately.
"Lian," she called softly, placing her own water bag on the ground. "You've been more quiet than usual all morning. Is something wrong?"
Lian shook her head, her fingers brushing the cool surface of the water. "It's nothing, Mei. You shouldn't worry about it."
But Mei wasn't one to let things go so easily. She knelt beside her sister, her wide eyes filled with concern. "Don't lie to me. I know you, Lian. Something's bothering you. Tell me, what is it sister?."
Lian hesitated, her lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, she sighed, the weight of her frustration too much to keep inside. "It's Father," she admitted, her voice low.
"Father?" Mei tilted her head. "What about him?"
"I tried pleading with him again this morning but he still refuses to let us practice martial arts," Lian said, her tone sharpening with anger. "He says it's not for us, that it's too dangerous for a woman. I'm so sick of everyone telling us to stay behind and be protected!."
" It's just not fair, Mei. Why should only the males get to learn how to defend themselves?, Why can't we?"
Mei watched her sister with a heavy heart, noting the fire in her eyes and the tension in her jaw. Lian rarely showed her emotions so openly, and seeing her like this stirred a deep sadness within Mei.
"You're right...." Mei muttered before Lian continued, her voice rising slightly. "Of course I am. We both know we're just as capable as any of them!, We could learn, too."
" if he would only give us the chance. I'm so tired of being told what we can and can't do."
As Lian vented, Mei suddenly reached down and scooped up a handful of water. Without warning, she flung it at Lian's face, the cool splash made her shiver unconsciously.
Lian gasped, blinking in shock as the water dripped from her chin. "Mei!, What was that for?"
" I just wanted to get rid of that annoying scowl on your face." Mei grinned mischievously. "besides, you should stop worrying so much, Lian. If Father won't teach us, we'll find someone else who will. Or better yet," she added with a playful gleam in her eye, "I'll steal a martial manual for us. Then we can teach ourselves."
For a moment, Lian stared at her sister, stunned. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face, lighting up her features. She dropped her water bag and threw her arms around Mei, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Your the best Mei." Lian whispered, her voice soft with gratitude.
Mei chuckled. "Don't thank me yet."
Before Lian could pull away, Mei grabbed her own water bag and splashed a stream of water at her sister.
Lian squealed, jumping back. "Oh, you're so going to regret that!"
The two girls burst into laughter, water flying back and forth as they playfully splashed each other. The oasis echoed with their joyous giggles, their earlier worries forgotten in the moment.
From his hidden vantage point, Lin Mu found himself smiling faintly. For the first time in a long while, even though he didn't understand a single word they said.
"Well they don't seem hostile..." Lin Mu thought with an eased look on his face. "At least, not right now. But what are they doing out here?, Are they part of some larger group?, A tribe or a village perhaps?"
The two beings finished filling their beast skinned bags, each lifting the heavy containers with surprising ease. Lin Mu's muscles tensed as they began to move. They walked toward the edge of the oasis where two strange mounts awaited them. The creatures resembled dire wolves but with bodies completely covered in scales, a long scale covered reptilian tail, a hawks head covered in dark brown feathers and with four bird like limbs that had the structures similar to a four legged beast.