Book 1: Chapter 39: Call For Help and a Talk

Book 1: Chapter 39: Call For Help and a Talk

Scarlet

[Are you kidding me?! Dont do something so stupidly dangerous! Im the reckless one, remember?!]

I glare at my phone, having a hard time believing someone like Belle would actually do something like this. And for what? Just to go to Lions Heart Guardians university? Why does she want to go this badly anyways?

Ive heard that there are some Guardians who take their children to Fractures in case a spirit decides they want to contract with them, but generally thats looked down upon. Many believing that surviving your first Fracture unaided until reinforcements arrive being the best way to prove yourself or something. Not to mention that apparently people who do that arent anywhere near as likely to be contracted. To the point that Ive only heard of one or two people who did manage to contract that way.

Of course, they arent contracted, Tar suddenly says, reminding me of the weight on my chest that I had forgotten about thanks to her message. When youre looking for a champion to represent you, would you pick someone who is basically being walked through their first Fracture, taking the easy way through life? No. You wouldnt.

Then the tanuki goes quiet again.

He makes a good point though. If a faes status is represented by their contractor, then they wouldnt want some spoiled rich kid.

I feel like I do remember hearing some news about people who tried getting a contract this way and failed, only to end up in a Fracture themselves by mistake or happenstance later on and get a contract then instead.

Belle responds to my text a minute later, making me grimace.

[Then take this as me learning your tricks. You always pull through after all, so why cant I?]

She has a point. I dont think I have the right to get mad at her over this.

But

I quickly copy her original text saying her plan before sending it to Arthur.

He can.

And with my tattle tailing done-

My thoughts pause as the phone buzzes again before I can even put it down.

[I see. Thank you for telling me, Ill be sure to have a nice little chat with her.]

I grin at that as I put my phone away and get up, startling the tanuki into flying into the air. But after a few seconds, he just floats over to my head and lies down there instead, making me flinch as he touches my ears, which are still way too sensitive for their own good.

Yeah, I can see that being bad.

Sorry I asked.

Tar floats up into the air and onto my stomach as he says, Its fine.

We both stay silent for several minutes, just enjoying the peace on the roof that is only occasionally broken slightly by the sound of an explosion occasionally happening from the experimental fields. Explosions that make me even more happy that the building is soundproof. They also makes me switch to my human ears, because ouch.

Tar, I ask, my relaxed face turning sad for a moment.

How do you think the others would react to knowing that Im a half demon?

The tanuki doesnt say anything for nearly an entire minute.

Probably not well, he eventually responds in my head, which is unusual for when hes out physically on Earth, since he usually talks in my mind while not physically here and out loud when he is physically present. But I can see your friend Belle looking past it, from what Ive seen of her so far that is. And maybe that Cipher guy as well. Maybe.

Hmm.

Thank you.

He nods his head before closing his eyes and resting his head on my stomach as if he were going to sleep.

If Im being honest, I dont really care much about not being fully human anymore. But I do care about what theyd think.

Tar doesnt say anything to that, his breathing hinting towards him having fallen asleep.

I let out a sigh.

Why couldnt life be more like a video game than it already is? Games arent often complicated. Not some of them at least. Move your chess piece one space to the right and look at the board to figure out your next move. Not guessing beyond the limited scope of moves the other player has. No way they could break the known rules and go off the board. No other players there to interfere with the game.

No emotions going into play in the game, complicating everything.

I let out another sigh before following the tanukis example and closing my eyes.

A short nap will be nice. Then I can go back to my room.