I woke up in the morning extremely tired. Neither me nor Nychibi were able to actualize our element, despite practicing for hours. Thankfully I was able to wake up with my head resting on heavenly thighs. I must have transitioned from the fluffy bird to those soft squishy thighs at some point. "Good morning, sleeping beauty."
"I could wake up like this everyday." I looked into her beautiful ruby eyes that my own couldn't compare to. At the same time I reached up and ran my hand through her long black hair. Her hair was as soft as silk, despite the fact we haven't showered in three days except with wet towels. In comparison I had a rough case of bed head and messy hair. "It's not fair. Why is your hair always so perfect?"
"I think your messy hair is really cute." I quickly gazed at the other two members of our party, but they were still sleeping away. The sun was barely starting to cast its glare across the land. Since our other members were sleeping I sat up and stole Enora's soft lips with my own. My mind remembered the taste of her small cherry lips as my tongue found its way into her mouth. I pulled away from her just as her eyes started to glow. "Haa…You are an ass…Knowing that we can't go further and still…"
"This is revenge for all of your teasing and pinching. Ahh…" Before I could utter another word she sank her fangs into my neck as she sucked out my life essence. My legs twitched, but I held on tightly to her head. "That meal last night couldn't compare to a Melle feast." She said while licking the blood from her lips. As the other two started to stir she pulled out her parasol.
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The third day of our journey continued. We would soon enter another stretch of plains according to Ethora. Our first town would be a beastkin reservation. I was already anticipating the cute animal ears, but obviously their cuteness wouldn't compare to the vampire in my lap. She was already snoozing away.
"I thought Ethora told you not to do that." Nychibi was practicing her element in the carriage despite what Ethora had said. "I have to. This is the only way I will be strong enough…" Nychibi tried to push an element out of her hand once more, but the only thing that came out was raw mana.
"I really don't think it's a good idea to do that here." Just as I said that the shutter opened. "I told you not to do that, miss Nychibi. I can't have you blowing up the carriage. Please wait until we pull over."
"Fine. I can't really understand it anyway. It should be easy to visualize the wind, but I am getting nothing." The shutter closed again without a response from Ethora.
"I am sure you will be able to get it! We will both figure out this element stuff and achieve both of our goals!" I pumped my fist in the air, cheering her on.
"I don't understand you at all, Melle. How can you be so positive even after all that I said to you? I basically called you useless, yet you still want to be friends with me?"
"Yes, what you said was harsh, but you were honest. That's not all…You are earnestly chasing after a goal just like me. You are diligent when it matters. Sure you are a bit…um…distant sometimes, and you have mean eyes. And you are a bit standoffish. And you have a serious case of RB…nevermind…What I am trying to say is that I think you are actually a good person." Her eyes went wide in surprise.
"I am a good person? Even after everything I said to you that is what you say? Even after I tried to hit you?"
"You apologized, didn't you?"
"You really are too easy going, you know? In truth, originally I thought everything about you was fake. I thought your kindness was a lie. I thought you didn't really want to be my friend, and I thought you were stupid." Ouch. Her words brought pain to my chest. I knew she didn't like me, but it hurt more to hear the words….
"It's true, I really thought all of that, and I even thought you were simply leeching off of your girlfriend…" I really didn't want to hear anymore. Those last words hurt the most; especially, since deep down I felt the same way. Enora had given me so much since I met her. She even gave me half of her magic power. This journey was my own selfish desire, and I dragged her into it. I felt a lump in my throat. Did I really deserve someone as amazing as this vampire in my lap?
"It's true I really thought all of that…" She repeated. "...But I was wrong. I still don't understand you, but I know that you are honest. Everything you said, I know you meant it. You really are kind. You even tried to be nice to me after everything I did. I know that you are earnest, but there is one reason I can't understand you. You said that you were in a similar position to me. You also wanted revenge, didn't you? Why did you give that up?" I thought about the question as the carriage became silent.
"The truth is that I lived in a place where revenge was impossible. Even if I could get revenge, I know that my parents wouldn't have wanted that. As time passed I accepted it. I have never truly moved on. I don't think I ever will, but it has gotten easier. I really loved them both, and I don't think I can ever truly forgive the man who caused their deaths. My hatred for that person eventually turned inwards. I blamed myself for so long…" I looked down at my love as she slept soundly. "...But she saved me from all of that. Now I want to repay them by fulfilling my dream."
"So it was also your parents…I think I understand you a little more now, but I can't live the way you do. My dream lies in my revenge. The day that those bastards die for what they did with my own wings is the day that I will be satisfied. I know they are strong. That is why I have to be stronger… Still, I am sorry for everything I have said. I was wrong…" Nychibi actually bowed her head. "...Can you forgive me?" I smiled. Secretly, I was holding back a laugh. This was so unlike the green harpy.
"I-I will forgive you under one condition."
"Name it!"
"You just have to be my friend from now on." Her head shot up, and her eyes were swimming in disbelief as her face went tomato.
"I-Is that really all?" I nodded. "Okay, I can be your f-fr-fri-friend." I gave her a bright smile. I was so glad to have a new friend, officially. I looked down at the night creature in my lap. I wanted to yell that I had finally done it! She was still snoozing away, but somehow, it appeared that her smile had gotten even wider.