As we went to town I said, "Where can I know more about Nue? I need to know in case my brother ends up one." "Oh we have books, and old folks who can tell you." Said Vain. "I heard that Nue don't care for snow. I live in a snowy area." "Yes Its true we don't care for it. We will go if we have too." "I still live near my old village. I hope it doesn't get raided again." "At least it won't from our people. They just wanted your mom." "Oh yeah. I forgot to ask him about mom. I can ask him later. How is it being a Nue?" "Its ok I guess. It gets tiring. I like my human form better. Plus dad said I need to practice my Nue form to get transformed quicker." "So I didn't want to ask in front of your dad, I hope you don't mind but, whose room am I staying in?" "Ah. Yes. I knew you were going to ask that." "Sorry." "No its fine. It was my sisters." "Was?" "Yeah. My sister was 8 years old when she transformed. Mom tried to stop her and was killed. My sister couldn't control herself and killed mom. On that same day she herself was killed. No one could stop her." "Oh Vain. I'm sorry." "Its fine." "Is it ok if I walk without my hood on today? I mean you are with me." "Yeah I guess its fine." I let my hood down and my hair was prettier in the sun. "You know Neve. Your hair is prettier in the sun." "I was told that too." "Your eyes are pretty too." "Thank you. In my village I was the only one who looked like this and was treated bad. my dad was always there to protect me until I was told he died. Then when he was gone, about 8 months my brother was born. I had to take care of him." "It must have been hard." I nodded.
"This is really a nice village." I said. "Yeah we try. Here. Lets rest here. I will get you a tea? Coffee?" "What kind of tea? Do they have Jasmine?" "Yeah. I will get that for you for starters." As we were waiting for the waiter, my head was starting to hurt. I held my head. "Ow. Ahh." "You ok Neve?" said Vain. "Just a slight headache." I said. The waiter finally came over and Vain said. "Could I get 2 Jasmine tea's to go?" A few min later he came back. "Thank you sir." Vain sat the tea on the table and said, "You ok Neve?" "Yeah. I think I'm ok now." "Here try some tea. See if it helps." "Thanks." I took a sip of tea, and it calmed me down a bit. "Much better. Its slight but much better." "Want to go home and rest? Do you want to continue walking?" "I think I should rest. I think something is wrong." "OK. Hang on to my arm."
Vain took me home and sat me on the bed. He put the tea on the bedside table. Vain rubbed my back to try to calm me down. "I'm fine. Thanks. I think I will lay down for a bit. Maybe take a little nap." "I will check on you in an hour." I laid down and closed my eyes.
Once Vain left the room, Vale came back. "Hey dad." Vain's dad could see something was wrong so he said, "Hey son. What's wrong? Is something wrong with Neve?" said Vale. "We were walking around like you said, then we sat at the café to rest. While we were waiting for the waiter, Neve had a headache. I ordered us some Jasmine tea. It helped her a lot. Then we decided to come home and let her rest in the room. She said she thinks something is up. I hope its nothing to do with the sword she was stabbed with." "I hope not either."
(Inside Neve's head)
Ah. Huh? Where am I? Uh. "Neve. Neve." "Huh?" I turned around and saw someone I had seen before. "Mistress Annabeth. What are you doing here? Ow. Why is my head hurting?" "Do you remember when you went to the island before you went to the Raiju village?" said Annabeth. "Yeah I remember. I took a ride on Jay. Just as we were about to land, I saw something. When I told Artimis he whistled again and I saw a fog. I wanted to check it out but, we were in a hurry to save dad. So I could get home. On our way home, Hazel finally made it without resting. Barely. I just wanted to get home and forgot about it. Could my headache be a reminder that I need to get back there?" "I'm sure your headache has something to do with that area yes." "Damn. I have 2 weeks to stay here before I can decided anything. If I do go back, can I take people?" "Take as many as you want. When you go in though you will be allowed to take 3 people inside with you. No more." If I promise to go back, will this headache stop?" "I'm sure it will." "OK how do I tell whoever, that I will come as soon as I get back to my uncles village." "You just did." "Oh thank god. My headache is subsiding. Thank you Mistress. For everything." "I'm sure we will meet again." Neve's head was dark now.
(Outside of Neve's head)
Vain was calling her name. "Neve. Neve?! Neve! please wake up. Neve!" Neve slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were blurry for a moment. She blinked a few times and it cleared. She saw Vain and Vale both there with their worried faces. "Neve! Are you ok?" said Vain. "Woah there son. Calm down." "Sorry dad." "I-I think so. I am now." "You had a high fever. You were out for 2 days." "I was?" "Yeah you were. You scared us there girl. You sure you're ok?" said Vale. "Your fever just went down. Can you sit up?" "I think so." I sat up but was a little wobbly. Vain supported me. "I guess not quite yet. Here lets put pillows up to support you." said Vale. "There you go. Do you think you can eat?" "I don't know. I will try." OK Son, stay with Neve. I will make some rice porridge." "Yeah dad."
I liked Vain a lot and thought maybe we can be like brother and sister so I said, "You know Vain. If its not much trouble I think I can consider you a brother." "A-A brother?" "Yeah. Is that ok?" "Yeah. That's fine. OK then sister. Lets wait for dad to come back with the porridge." "Heheh. Yeah."
Vale finally brought in the porridge and saw the two laughing. "What are you two laughing about?" said Vale. "Oh I was just telling Vain I thought of him as a brother. Then he said. Ok sister. Lets wait till dad brings in the porridge." I said. "Hahah that's cute. Can you eat yourself Neve?" "I can try." I tried lifting the spoon but kept dropping it. "Oh Darn." "Vain you want to help her eat? Is that ok Neve? Would you rather me feed you?" "No no Vain's fine." "Haha I thought so. Vain when your done we need to talk." "Yes sir." Then he left.
"Phew. Here you go." I opened my mouth, and let him feed me. I ate half and felt full. "OK. Get some sleep." "I will. Hey Vain? Could you stay with me till I fall asleep?" "Sure." In just a few minutes I was off to dream land. Vain looked at her pretty face and smiled. Then he walked out of the room.
"So dad. What did you want to talk to me about?" He looked at his dad's face and knew. "Son. I'm sure you know what I am going to say. She has a boyfriend. I'm sure she didn't want to bring him for his safety. Anyone for their safety." "I know dad. Like I said. I think of her as a sister. I don't think of her like that." "Son I think I know a look when I see one. I was young once too remember. I was going to talk to you about something else too. You have seen my work right? I think its time you took my place temporarily, and I will watch Neve for awhile. I think you are getting too attached." "Sorry dad." "In fact I might even have the elder have someone else take her in. I will still protect her." "Dad no. I promise I won't get too attached." "After she is better I am going to talk to the elder to see what he thinks. I'm not saying she will move out, but he might suggest someone and I will talk to the people he chooses." "Thanks dad. Sorry again." "Well there shouldn't be any work tonight. So you can go to bed." "OK dad. Night." "Night son. Oh that boy." Vale looked up at the ceiling and said, "What are we going to do with him dear." He sighed.
The next morning, Neve woke up. "Ahh I feel much better." I got up and knocked on Vain's door. Vale came out and saw me and said, "Oh he's not in his room Neve. He is taking over my work for awhile. How are you feeling? Feeling well enough for a walk?" "Y-Yeah. Is Vain ok?" "Yeah he's fine." "Ok. Then. Let me get ready." I went back in my room and changed my clothes and redid my hair nicer. I always wore my battle clothes under her regular clothes just in case. I also had my small pouch with my throwing stars. "OK I'm ready. OK lets go."
Vale guided me to the elders place. "Hey Vale?" "Yes Neve." "Did you hear when I told the Elder I am the recent Fox princess?" "Yes I heard that. I also heard your brother is the first fox Prince. He will be the prince for awhile. As for you the fox princess only lasts until a princess is at a certain age or can't do it anymore. The last princess." "Yes I know it was Zee. She is my cousin." "Oh really?" "Yeah. How well do you know my mom?" "Oh well. I guess you could say we were childhood friends until she got kicked out of the village. I was so worried about her and where she ended up. I'm glad she's ok now." "Well that's good we are going to see the elder. I wanted to talk to him about mom. I was talking to Vain about it. I have someone at home who might be able to help. My boyfriend Aries." "About that Neve. Can I talk to you when you are done with the elder?" "Yeah sure."
"Thank you Vale." "Hello elder." "Hello Neve. What do I owe this visit?" "Its about mom." "Yes I have heard of that from Vain. I think it would be best if she make that decision for herself. I think it would be best she go there. Her brother hasn't been home in years. She has no family here except you." "She does have her childhood friends though. I know they are like family. I don't know what to do elder." I said in tears. "Its ok Neve." said the Elder. "I'm sure your mother is confused on what to do too." After Awhile I calmed down and said, "Sorry sir. I don't know what came over me." "Its ok. I have grandkids too. After my business with Vale, we can see your mom together." "Thank you sir." "Ok I will be outside."