Howl Your Appellations

Off We Go

BOEN OPEOR

I’m more than half way back to The Train, I’d texted Reese that I’ll be back thirty minutes after two since we finished early. She didn’t send a reply but I can see that she’s seen the message. Nikki must probably have the mini phone in her hands then. They wouldn't leave me behind, would they? Miller was only saying that to scare me, probably.

I skip farther but not too far as to wander off or jump up the to the sky accidentally. It’s really harder when you think about things too much, I didn’t have a problem skipping at normal lengths before they added restrictions for me so this is a bit hard. I’m really excited to go to the Inner Market. I hope they allow me to but at least one thing. I have nothing to trade, and I don’t know any other currencies so I deeply implore you, Luna!

Just as I sent my thoughts to the sky, out of the corner of my eye, I make out a tiny glow. It’s not an Airy since I’m aware of what they look like and how it feels to be around them. How can I ever forget, no, this is something different. It’s what seems to be a…tiny moon.

Just a few steps adjacent to where I’m standing is a moon as small as a baseball floats. I don’t know what to do, but I really shouldn’t approach it just in case it’s some kind of Airy that I don’t know about. I have to hurry back and ask them about it…but…a picture of it wouldn’t hurt, would it? Just one.

I take a picture of the strange phenomenon and confirmed that, I’m not hallucinating. There really is a tiny moon, floating in place here in the deeper parts of the forest. I makes me wonder how it’s so close to my trail, the Abalone Forest is a large area of land, the fact that I managed to spot it seems awfully too…convenient. A dejavu from that time I encountered Reese.

The Train is my priority right now, I have no time to contemplate about it when I’m so close to my destination. I have a hunch that the moon will still be there, as if my moon ring’s sending signals to my head. I know better now, to stay focus and ask questions.

“Boen! Hurry up! The market’s gonna be so crowded!” a voice from the thick trees echo, its reach so far that I could feel the wind mess up my bangs.

It’s Reese’s voice. I’d shout back but I really don’t like shouting where it’s so dense with trees and creatures. That, and because I can’t really scream all that loud. Maybe being a Were just strengthens their vocal chords.

I send a text saying, ‘’I’ll be there in five minutes.’’

Still no reply, just a notification that the phone holder has seen the message. I’m imagining Reese and Nikki standing in front of The Train; Reese having her hands on her waists with a thin poncho and Nikki with her arms crossed and holding the phone on the hand that’s on top.

I pass one bush and another, skip and jump across the holes and trenches, and duck from the multiple tree branches and trunks, trying to hinder me from entering and I stop.

I see it. And I see them. I make sure that I’m in between the thin barriers and pass slowly. I wave my hand and Reese waves cutely.

“Hurry up and get some lunch. Nikki and I just finished with training for now and Koto’s lunch is to die for. ” she tells me then looks at my outfit, “Nice outfit, I think you need to wear something over it if you want to go to the market.”

“Oh, okay. I’ve gotten pretty sweaty too. I’ll be quick.” I assure Reese and Nikki.

“Make sure you’re out here in fifteen minutes. The Inner Market’s a bit far.” Nikki relaxes her arms that were initially crossed.

I give her a nod and a bow then ran through the door and the halls. I stop the kitchen to check if Kaya and Koto are still there but the room’s clean as a whistle. Kaya’s actually really good at keeping things clean and more organized. I look the the poster they put up.

In the dining area, there are four Weres: Cain, Anda, and Kaya and Koto. They’re all have a peaceful meal, with Cain and Anda looking completely exhausted.

“Oh Boen! Hey, you’re wearing our dress! It looks great on you, sister~!” Cain exclaimed, sweat dripping from her face. I never thought I’d see her this…unkempt. I never see this lady sweat even during a sudden heatwave.

“Hey, I’m back. I just need to have a quick lunch and we’re off to the market.” I smile and wink at Koto, who looked up from her meal. She seems content.

“You’re going to the market in that?” Anda asks, surprised.

“She can borrow my hood. I haven’t used it much these days. Haven’t been my style for a while.” She tells Anda while also engulfing a spoonful of marinated fish slices wild forest flowers, and mushrooms.

“I’m done. Anda we should get going. I’m gonna freshen up, and take out my hood for Boen. ” She stands up and wipes her sweaty forehead with a clean handkerchief.

“I’ll just leave the hood in your room, Bobo.” She says then leaves.

“Cain seems to be in a very good mood.” I convey, “I bet it’s because the food’s really good too.”

“She’s in a good mood because she’s getting better at combat. With the way she’s practicing it’s no wonder why she improved.” Anda says, “And because the food’s really good too. Thanks to Koto and Kaya.”

Kaya and Koto both smile and nod, such in a good mood as well. The morale has definitely changed since last night. I’m glad I haven’t caused trouble so far, I love seeing the pack happy as happy can be.

I take my seat and begin to eat Koto’s signature dish. It’s certainly very delicious and fantastically homey. It’s the kind of dish that reminds you of a warm house in a cold tired day. The fish is juicy and the mushrooms and flowers complement each other so well that it feels like I’m eating a bouquet of flavors. Koto also prepared three sauces for the dish. Each dish has a distinct flavor, the first one being sweet, the second one savory,and the last one’s spicy. They’re all the same color orange but they have different compositions. I especially really like the spicy sauce since it gives me an excuse to drink very cold coconut juice.

“This is pure heaven bliss. No wonder why Nike likes this dish so much. This must be everyone’s favorite. ” I exclaim, completely food dazed.

“Nike really liked this dish, yeah. The fish for this dish is not that easy to find, since it’s near Boar Were territory and they charge a lot for it at the Inner Market. Nike would go around the forest asking where to find it or buy it at the cheapest price. It’s a very special dish to all of us.” Anda displays a sly smile.

It’s somewhat of a familiar smile. A smile I’ve seen before somewhere.

“Whoa. Did you guys save the fish for this occassion?” I ask.

“Huh? Oh, Imus bought them just recently. Nike’s a bit of an i***t so it’s Imus who finds it in the end. It’s hilarious!” Anda chuckles, “I miss him. He was just like a really fun dad.”

Anda fixes her dishes and removes herself from her chair, “Thanks for the meal. I’ll see you guys later.”

“Wow, I love hearing about Nike stories. Everything about him seems nice. Almost dreamy.” I take another spoonful.

“Don’t let Imus hear you say that. It’s not obvious but he gets jealous about these things. And Nike wasn’t all nice. He’d get into fights a lot.” Kaya says, holding a slice of fish on her fork as hostage.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply that. I just assumed everyone has fond memories of him and I want to hear them, is all.” I’m almost down to my last two scoops.

“Oh. Well, I loved when he and Lissana would fight. They’re both so strong but Nike’s really the strongest.” Kaya says. She finally eats the delicious fish on her fork.

“Whoa, so you guys can just watch them fight? Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”

“We’re Weres, not wild animals. Also, no matter how strong a Were is they have no match against numbers. It’s two of them against the rest of us if they just try and destroy things.”

I like to imagine the two Wolf Weres, Sana and Nike, fighting in an empty valley, placed there by the October pack so they don’t cause any trouble. It’s really funny, but I don’t really know what Nike’s full form looks like.

“Was Nike’s full form anything like Sana’s?” I ask them, but also ready to stand up. I’ve gotten really fast at eating these days.

“Nike was the perfect shade of black. Fur and eyes, as black as the dark side of Luna.” Koto explains, “Almost like us.” she adds.

This means, that even if you’re siblings, you can still have different looking full forms. Although I don’t really know what their parents look like, I doubt that the sisters do either.

“I never would have expected but it seems just about right for him. In my hometown, the colors black and white have the same meaning, and it’s purity.” I tell inform them.

“Black is power in our Singular. We’re power.” Koto adds. I had to nod in agreement.

I don’t want to think about how these kids will grow up to be such strong creatures. They’re already so strong now, they’ll surpass even Kaz in a grounded fight. In my judgement, that’s what I’d conclude.

“Pah~! That was a great meal. I learned a lot.” I pickup my used dishes and scurried hurriedly to the kitchen. I think my fifteen minutes was up a few minutes ago.

“Well, see you guys again later!” I wave and rush.

The kitchen’s still empty so I just left my dishes in the sink. The poor Boar sisters have to wash so much. But they probably won’t mind. Not like they’re obligated to do it forever.

I rush out of the kitchen, my metal leg sending vibrations to my boots, making my footsteps sound uneven. Everyone’s so busy preparing and so busy helping out, that I feel like it’s been like this since the beginning.

The bead door of my room hit each other harmoniously, making my entrance to the room sounding like the sand being swept into the sea. Cain placed her hood on top of my bed neatly. It’s a long, velvet, red-violet, hood. A little too fancy for my taste, but it has pockets on the inside of it’s now a must-have.

I wipe my sweaty body with a towel before donning it and it fits me just enough. Cain’s only a bit taller than me so the hood doesn’t cover my lower legs completely. I look like an incredibly stylish traveler for the ancient times. Why the hood is necessary, I don’t know, but they’re all insisting so it must be important.

I check my bags for all of my belongings: Phone, wallet, handkerchief, lip balm, tiny water bottle and a retractable umbrella. This seems about all the necessary things I need to bring.

I twirl in front of the mirror and feel like a fake nobleman merchant. If this hood had a feather, I’d completely be peak aesthetic.

I leave my room satisfied and half expected to bump into Lissana so she can gawk at how dashing I look. If I wore this in the city, people would think I’m a cosplayer. Something that Reese isn’t but someone I think about when they say ‘cosplayer’. This is all Lissana’s fault.

Outside, Reese and Nikki’s already at the edge of the territory. They couldn’t even wait for me near the entrance. But, no matter, I can just take two jumps and I’ll be there next to them.

1..and..hyup!!

Perfect landing! I’ve really outdone myself this time.

“Well, that floaty body of yours does have its perks.” Reese exclaims. “We left the mini phone where it’s supposed to be since you’ll be with us. If anything happens, call them.”

“Understood.” I affirm.

“Since Nikki’s faster, we’ll be riding her to the market. It’s annoyingly far away so just, prepare yourself. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some of the Easter eggs the Elementals left for us.” Reese explains as she taps Nikki’s shoulders.

“Don’t try and touch them you’re riding. The Easter eggs are just decorations for the tournaments. There seems to be a few, going around at the same time this year. Nothing has been predictable since you came here.” Nikki taps her forehead with her middle and index finger.

“Aw, come one Niks, that just makes things more exciting~!” Reese giggles. Nikki smiles in silent agreement.

Speaking of Easter eggs, I almost forgot the tiny moon I saw earlier, maybe that’s what they mean, “By Easter eggs, do you guys mean the tiny moon I saw earlier?”

Both of them stare at me a bit worriedly, “You actually managed to find one?! But yeah, those are scattered around the forest as a good luck message for us. There are tiny star and tiny sun variants too so don’t be surprised.”

“Oh wow, so creative and interesting. I can’t wait to take pictures of them!” I exclaim my excitement.

“Off we go then?” Reese signals.

The road to the market finally makes its appearance to me.