Noises in the Dark II

Yet she didn't act. Frain glanced at Lupus, then at Jack, incredulous at the moment unfolding before her. The question loomed in her mind, "Why did these people treat a slave so differently?"

Lupus softly threaded her fingers through Frain's blonde hair, patting her gently. "Frain, eat. It's yours!" She said, her tone ever so cheerful. Jack nodded in approval.

"Th-thank you…" Frain murmured before hesitantly picking up one of the sausages, hovering it close to her mouth. Still, she cast a reluctant glance at her master, as if silently seeking permission to eat such a succulent meal.

"Owwww! My baby!" Lupus let out a pitiful gasp, wrapping her arms around Frain from behind. Frain nodded and began to slowly nibble on a sausage. "Delicious…" She uttered as she savoured the delicacy, a taste she had once known but had long eluded her.

"Oh, did you know?" Lupus suddenly asked Jack, as if a thought had just slipped into her mind.

He raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"About Frain's saliva. Her lion Wildren species has a very unique property, hehe." Lupus' voice piqued Jack's curiosity once more. He tilted his head, tuning in closely. "Tell me, Lupy."

"It's a seal! It means she's accepted you and me as her masters!" Lupus declared proudly, flashing a toothy grin at Jack as she continued brushing Frain's hair.

Jack shook his head. "Oh… I don't want to be her master…"

His words startled Frain, who was still eating. Her purple eyes turned glassy as though she were upset by his statement.

Quickly correcting himself, he added, "I mean, I'd rather be her ally. A friend."

The concept of companionship with a slave seemed to elude both Lupus and Frain as they exchanged odd glances.

As young as they were, Jack figured they had probably never visited the Dunkelheit Empire or encountered different perspectives on life and culture. Unlike them, he had met people from across the globe, exchanging knowledge and traditions. His mind was an open book, always willing to learn from others.

If only more people in this world were like Jack, open-minded, sensible, and accepting of differences, perhaps this world wouldn't be in such turmoil. Perhaps Germund would still be in its glory, rather than torn apart by war.

"I… see…" Lupus nodded twice, taking in his perspective. "By the way… there's something else useful about her saliva," She said, seamlessly switching back to her topic.

"Hm?"

"Well, it has healing properties too! Like the 'Iasis' spell I used on you, but less potent," Lupus explained, lifting a finger as if delivering an important lesson. "Most people don't realise that!" She pressed a finger to her lips in a playful hush.

"Wow, she's quite… a handful?" Jack mused, admiring Frain's unique traits. As his red eyes met hers, Frain offered him a small smile for the first time.

"I know you'll take the best care of Frain. That makes me happy," Jack said, fully approving of Lupus' actions.

Hearing his praise, Lupus beamed. "Yippee!" She cheered, bouncing happily. Jack realised that Rabbit Wildren were incapable of masking their excitement.

As the night deepened and Frain finished her meal, the three retreated to their designated beds.

Initially, Frain lay beneath Lupus' bed, but her master soon forced her to sleep beside her. They cuddled as though they were friends, or even sisters. Watching the shift in their dynamic, Jack felt a strange warmth in his heart. Perhaps people were capable of change after all, he remarked inwardly.

Content with his friends, Jack lay back, his mind drifting into the darkness.

"Tomorrow, we'll go our separate ways… I can only hope that Lupus and Frain survive through this war, and one day, we'll meet again in a better world."

With that thought, his mind surrendered to the slumber.