The afternoon sun began its slow descent across the cloudless sky, painting the grounds of Redcrest Academy in a golden glow. Ragnar found himself lingering near the tall iron gates long after his classmates had departed, his mind adrift in memories of days past. A flicker of movement in his peripheral drew his attention, and he turned to see Aurora pacing restlessly at the edge of the forest.
The graceful lunar beast was anything but calm; her silvery coat shimmered with unspent energy as she shifted her gaze anxiously between the trees. Ragnar knew those signs well. In his former life, he had soothed countless distressed creatures, and understood how fear could overwhelm even the gentlest of beasts. Seeing Aurora, one of the most powerful lunar beasts in the realm, in such a state of unrest was wholly unexpected.
With care born of long experience, Ragnar started toward the anxious creature. His steps were slow and deliberate, designed to avoid alarming her further. One hand reached out in a placating gesture as old as the beasts themselves, fingers curled in an invitation to calm. Soft words of reassurance passed his lips in a steady, soothing tone as Aurora eyed him warily. Her shimmering coat flickered with tension, ready to flee at any provocation.
"There is no threat here," Ragnar murmured gently. "You are safe within these walls. No one means you harm." Gradually, Aurora's gaze softened as her rigid posture relaxed fractionally to accept his nearness. She recognized something in his manner, a familiarity that eased her fretful spirit. Steadily, the shimmering of her silvery coat stilled once more to its usual ethereal gleam. Ragnar waited silently for her final judgement, hoping she would find solace at last.
As the evening breeze danced through the tall grass, Aurora's unease seemed to fade into the night. A voice then disturbed the calm, "Aurora, is something troubling you?"
Ragnar turned in surprise to see Lunar watching curiously from afar. Her stare held wonder at finding him near her companion. Aurora shifted her focus and relaxed upon recognizing her caretaker. Yet she remained at Ragnar's side, taking comfort in his calm presence.
Lunar's gaze moved between the pair, piecing together what had passed. Knowing their bond, Ragnar withdrew respectfully while maintaining her trust was rightfully hers. He understood her guard; in her place he too would question another's effect on his own charge.
"Forgive me, I meant only to reassure her in her distress," Ragnar replied evenly and with care. "Aurora seemed unsure, though she is not used to finding solace in strangers."
Lunar softened her watch, suspicion replaced by interest. "You eased her unrest? That is rare, she keeps her heart close." Her words were careful yet her intrigue showed. "Few gain her favor without earning her respect first."
Ragnar nodded quietly. "Through experience with such creatures, I aimed only to comfort her unrest," he answered weighing each word to reveal just enough. He had gained a glimpse within her walls, however small, through connecting with Aurora in her need.
"Thank you," Lunar replied softly, her gaze lingering on him a moment more than he expected. However, rather than inquire further, she seemed to comprehend that he too had private matters. Instead, Lunar offered a small but sincere smile, transforming her usual detached expression. Then with a gentle gesture, she guided Aurora to her side and together they departed, leaving Ragnar standing by the gate in thoughtful reflection.
The encounter imparted an impression on both individuals. Ragnar found himself pondering Lunar and Aurora more regularly, intrigued by the mystery they embodied. Unknown to him, Lunar's perspective of Ragnar had also subtly shifted, observing his composure and aptitude which distinguished him from other students. Something about him did not entirely align with the image of an ordinary boy attending Redcrest Academy.
In the following days, Lunar began noticing Ragnar around school more, though he never appeared to deliberately draw attention. She observed the nuanced way he moved and studied his surroundings, especially when beasts were near. It was subtle, but she could see the subtle way his eyes lit up whenever he saw one, and the careful manner in which he analyzed them from an unobtrusive distance, so as not to intrude without permission.
Occasionally, their paths would cross in the gardens or by the training fields. Their conversations were brief yet increasingly frequent. Ragnar would acknowledge her with a nod, to which Lunar would respond likewise, sometimes with a soft "Hello" indicating an unspoken understanding between them.
One autumn afternoon, Lunar observed Ragnar in their beast-taming class with intrigue. While their peers struggled with basic commands, Ragnar exhibited a natural composure that distinguished him from the crowd. His subtle yet certain manner when interacting with assigned creatures stirred Lunar's intuition that more lied beneath the surface.
Her inquisitiveness finally overcame hesitation, and Lunar approached Ragnar after class dismissed. "Where did you cultivate such a gift?" she inquired gently yet probing. Ragnar paused in thought before meeting her earnest gaze. "It comes instinctively, though its origins evade recollection," he answered carefully. "I've always felt an affinity for beasts, one I strive to understand."
Lunar studied him keenly, sensing unfinished chapters in his backstory but respecting his reluctance to divulge more. "It's a rare trait," she noted. Ragnar smiled reservedly. "It's simply part of who I am."
Their exchanges lengthened each meeting, unveiling nuances of each other and shared interests - a passion for taming, the unspoken rapport between handler and charge. Ragnar found solace in Lunar's composed spirit and bond with Aurora, while Lunar admired his poised self-assurance and beastly intuition.
Weeks flowed by as an unspoken closeness developed between them, transcending typical camaraderie. An mutual interest and respect rooted deeper than fleeting student connections.
They exchanged muted smiles in passing; more was conveyed through subtle gestures than verbal greetings ever could. Both knew secrets lingered in their pasts - Lunar with her mysterious upbringing and the wolf Aurora ever at her side, Ragnar with insights preserved and recollections held near. Rather than prodding, they respected each other's privacy, as if comprehending some tales were best left untold.
However, Ragnar sensed this rapport was but a beginning. His history was a looming shadow, and assuredly Lunar's life held mysteries of its own. For now, an alliance in silence joined them, united through shared regard and interest in one another's worlds.
Watching Lunar depart with Aurora, Ragnar felt, for the first occasion since his rebirth, a flicker of fellowship. Though arriving with intentions of vengeance and atonement, he could not reject the bond emerging between himself and the girl with her majestic, potent beast always nearby. It was a connection he had not anticipated, one that could potentially redirect the road laid out before him.