I slept in the arms of my thigh. His scent was intoxicating. It had been a struggle not to devour him. Ah, but the end goal is in sight, so I had simply slept. The new form is well done. The feeling is so real, more than an illusion. Every move I made in this new form was natural.
These air breathers with their powers could be seen as worthy in my eyes, especially this thigh. Ah, it had been wise of me to hug this thighs thigh.
I can hide easier from that family and live a longer life now.
When I woke, I sat and looked at the thigh, who is ranked high enough that he could shift his body at will. Enviable, extremely enviable. This thigh I am sure my rank is five times his own and all I could do are minor things.
Breathe in the water, jump higher, slaughter prey efficiently without damaging the precious meat. I also learned faster. All of those things are amazing, truly so, but against that family?
They are nothing and being able to change my shape and form would be much more efficient than the others.
The downside to being much higher in rank?
I hunger much more.
Just then my thigh opened, his eyes catching me staring down at him. I smiled down at him.
He stared up at me, smilingly, his eyes narrowing. I pursed my lips, taking note that this thigh has yet to recognise me. Leaning back, I slipped from the bed and went about my business of washing my face, brushing my square blunt teeth before returning.
"Big brother, are you awake now?"
"En, forgive me, little wind. I still need to become accustomed to your new form."
I smiled at this brother; he looked quite embarrassed; I wanted to laugh but knew it was not funny.
"Big brother, I understand. Today you are leaving come let us break our fast together so I can see you off."
He sat up, slipped from the bed, and stood to his full height.
For such a tiny air breather still, he looked much taller than me to the point I must tilt my head slightly back. The boy looks different but only slightly from the last time I had to see him he had looked fragile but after a year I have seen the change. It made me wonder if my thigh was being bullied. This caused my small face to collapse into a frown. "little wind, I am sorry, don't be mad at big brother."
I pursed my lips, wondering if this brother had issues, should I ask him? From what I have read and had been taught, males don't like a female asking too much. They preferred a female to show she cared by offering tea, setting out their clothing or passing food. Even complimenting them.
Hmm, perhaps brother would like things like this?
Ah, I should just ask that servant Quai Victoria to pass the clothing he will be wearing today.
"Big brother, wash up I will ask your personal servant for your clothing you will wear today."
"En." with that I turned and left the sleeping room to enter the outer room looking for that servant Quai Victoria.
"rising suns young miss, this servant hopes-"
"Where is the personal servant Quai Victoria belonging to the young master, "
Greetings are something that I had been taught to perform but right now since my big brother will be leaving today I had no desire to perform such trivialities.
The servants are not that foolish and ignorant that they would dare to gossip, anyway. Even if they did, I will not be affected.
"A moment please young miss, this servant will call her."
I nodded, making a small sound before looking down at the pale slim hands. To me, who had taken a few hours while my big brother was absent to look over it. It is beautiful, different but beautiful and on a plus side, it is obvious this form will not be recognised by those relatives… unless they were ranked higher than me.
Luckily I am actively working on my own rank and will not be going anyway until grandmother introduced me as her adoptive granddaughter on the date I had provided her with.
"This servant Quai Victoria greets-"
"Enough! Provide me with the garments my big brother will be wearing today."
"Th-This-"
"Quai Victoria, I have bott thanked you for caring for my big brother during his time at school. I have a question." I paused, staring up at the pretty servant who trembled slightly directly in front of me and asked the question I wished to ask. "Has my brother been bullied?"
My eyes did not leave her form, I saw her tremble, smelled the fear but I did nothing. Simply stood there and waited, even if my impatience was spiralling slowly out of control.
"The young master… an- young miss he had been, but it was not dire."
I nodded, then commanded. "Give them,"
The clothing was passed immediately; I turned away from the servant and returned to my sleeping area.
There, I placed the garments and left.
I directly nodded to the servants who greeted me and entered the room where we will dine and have our breaking fast.
A while later my big brother appeared. His attire looked simple, yet elegant.
Since learning the difference between handsome and passable air breathers, I appreciate this elder brother more.
To a shark-kin, he may be seen as food and even tiny and disgusting, but that is fine.
They carefully set the table; porridge, meat, cutlery, and tea placed tastefully.
Seated brother sat close by and began filling my bowl first with the porridge and then my cup with tea.
I felt so depressed immediately. Brother served me well, and now he will be leaving.
Sigh.
Time seems to also fly, because both of us finished our meal, cleaned up ourselves and walked to the main courtyard gate.
"Brother..."
"En, little breeze, be good for big brother."
"Mm, little breeze will be good."
After a long siwas filled with hugging and small words of comfort, I was left alone to watch my thigh leave.
Hateful!
I have no idea how long I stood there, but when I returned to my inner rooms I stayed there a while before returning to normal.