6 years ago
Moon POV
"Taa.... Tararará.... Rará~"
I'm cooking in the garden of our house, the simplest thing in the world, a bunch of eggs with ham, bacon, bread and cheese, on a small wood-fired grill. Sitting on a small stool, I hum a song as I tend to the food.
I'm proud to say that my children are not picky eaters... Well, except for my youngest daughter with onions, my son with tomatoes, my other daughter with meat, my oldest daughter with lettuce, my husband with garlic... Actually, the little things they don't like are very common ingredients that are used all the time... Uh, what was I talking about? Why am I so distracted? I hope my kids don't inherit this trait...
I shrug, anyway, it's a beautiful day, cool autumn winds, but the sun's rays warm the body nicely. It would be a shame for my children to miss this, so I'll call them.
I pull the last of the bacon strips off the grill and go into the house.
Let me see... Cala, my oldest daughter, is completely asleep, even though the sun came up a few hours ago, I would try to wake her up, but I would have to bathe her in ice water to do it, my oldest daughter is more of a cat than a fox, well, all foxes have more similarities to cats, even though they are related to dogs.
Eruca... My second daughter, is sitting on her bed wrapped in a blanket, still half asleep, I guess the smell will attract her when she is ready.
I was about to knock and enter the room of my youngest son, Ethan, when he shuffled into the bathroom.
"Ethan! Good morning~ we're eating in the garden today"
"Okay..."
"... How do you say?"
"Eh? Oh, sorry, good morning, Mom"
"Okay!"
I let him go, then I go to the room of my youngest daughter, Seina. I didn't have to knock on the door, it was ajar, so I walked in.
"Seina? Good morning"
I see her in front of the large full-length mirror, in her underwear, with a dress in each hand, clearly trying to decide which one looks best on her, I look around and see her room in complete disarray, with clothes everywhere... can't she try something on and put it back if she doesn't like it, before pulling out another outfit? I hope this habit doesn't stick...
"Mom! Good morning!"
"Today we're having breakfast-"
"How nice of you to come! Tell me, which one looks prettier?" She says, holding up both dresses for me to see, one blue, full of bows and ribbons, the other white, simpler in shape, but with several embroideries adorning the fabric.
"Isn't it too early for-"
"Oh yes! I found this one earlier, too, look!" she interrupts me rudely again, me, her mother!
She leaves both dresses on the floor and starts digging through a mountain of clothes scattered on the other side of her room, after a while she shows me another dress...
"Wait, first tell me where you are going? And stop interruptin-"
"Listen! I'm going to the shelter with Lia- cof cof!"
She interrupts me again, obviously pretending to cough while her cheeks turn red, oh, is she embarrassed just because she called the boy a nickname? Hehe~ what a pure girl.
"I-I was just saying, W-William invited me to help out at the shelter today"
"Heh~ then you have to look pretty! But this vest-"
"Yes! I've been looking for something to wear since dawn, but even though I like them, I feel like nothing is good enough..."
"Why don't you ever get up early to help me clean the hou-"
"I know! Do you think Sele will mind if I go through her stuff? I'll be right ba- AHHH!" Before she runs away, I grab her ear and pull, just hard enough for her to feel it, but secretly very careful not to hurt her, of course.
"Stop interrupting your mother!"
"OW OW OW, I'm sorry! Please let go! You're going to rip my ear off!" I finally let go and she kneels dramatically on the floor, pressing her ears to her head.
I subtly look at her cute little ear full of fluff, to make sure it's not hurt, I hate to do this... But when my mother used to do this to me, I learned not to disrespect her, I even grew to love and respect her a lot more when I understood why she did it, as an adult.
"That's what you get for interrupting people when they're talking, that's what rude girls with no education do, you know?"
"Yes... Sorry"
"Good! That aside, you need to look pretty for your date," I tell her and start to pick up the dresses that she threw on the floor.
"Uh. I... I-IT'S NOT A DATE! H-he just wants me to help him entertain the dogs so they don't get in the way while he heals one of them, t-that's not a... d-d-da- what you said..."
I give her a look and notice that the blush is now up to her chest. AAHHH~! My little girl is so adorable~ I really want to hug her! But I don't want her to think I'm making fun of her, so it's better to pretend I believe her. Also, these dresses...
"Whatever you say, my girl, but you need to pick out some other clothes"
“M-mh? What's wrong with those?”
"They show a lot of skin, they're not appropriate for a young girl"
"What? I'm almost an adult"
"Until that 'almost' disappears, you'll dress more modestly"
"Eh... But I'll miss the opportunity," I stifle a smile.
“Opportunity for what? weren't you just going to help your friend with his work?”
"Y-yes! Of course! B-but, um, who knows when I'll feel like wearing a dress again, that's what I meant!"
"I'm sure we'll find something we both like, what time are you leaving?"
"Oh, noon"
"... It's about seven in the morning"
"Y-yes"
“I'll help you. We can fix details on some dress if you want, or did you forget how to sew already?”
"No... It's okay, thanks Mom"
"Sure~!"
"Oh, right, what were you looking for me anyway?"
"Huh? Oh yes, breakfast is ready, today will be in the garden, please take your siblings, I'll find something nice for you in the meantime, okay?"
"Okay"
She comes out of her room... Still in her underwear. This girl... My brother's daughter is influencing her. Oh well, when her mind comes down from the clouds, she'll realize how cold it is and come back.
I'm so glad she met the boy, William, she used to be such a quiet and apathetic girl, always with her head in the clouds, like she didn't care about anything... Sometimes even made me doubt if I was doing things right, even though I had experience with my two older daughters, but seeing her with so much energy makes me so happy, I hope she can stay that way, no, much more, much much very happy forever.
Seina POV
I finish breakfast and go back as soon as possible to my room, where I choose clothes together with my mom, in the end I ended up wearing a nice light pink dress, over some warm tights, boots and a short coat for the cold.
Should I put on some makeup? Although I've never done it before... And I really don't like it, I don't even know if I have makeup, it would also be embarrassing to ask for help since I'd have to admit it's a... D-date. Nah, I'll rely on my natural charm!
Leaving the house, I head to a park a few blocks away, today couldn't be better! I'll be with Liam all day, I get to take care of a bunch of puppies and other animals, we could go to a restaurant for lunch later, he said he had plans, will he finally ask me to be his girlfriend? I hope so...
Although I have my doubts about whether it will work or not, as I'm not particularly attracted to his body most of the time, still, I think we'll be fine, I can't wait to find out.
I don't have to wait for him, he's already there, a human with short black hair, neatly combed, pants and a simple shirt made of some sturdy and durable material, obviously made for work but still very clean and he makes them look good with his not too muscular but well-defined body, just like his brown boots that look as good as new.
I hurry my steps, I feel a smile on my face, wait, calm down, don't do anything childish, although... What will I tell him? If I show too much interest in him, it would be a little embarrassing, even at this point. But if I don't, won't he think I'm more excited about spending time with the animals than with him? That would be sad...
Before deciding on a plan, Liam looks at me, and I notice that a big smile appears on his face as well, before he covers his mouth with his hand, coughs a little and approaches me calmly, now with a more casual smile, he~ I've got him! could it be that he's excited to see me too?
"Liam!" Using my momentum, I jump up to hug him, huh, I've grown lately, not much in height, more like my curves, but still the distance between the two of us is getting bigger and bigger, now he's about half a head taller than me, my eyes are at the level of his chin. Let's give him a firm hug for now, taking the opportunity to sneak his scent into my memory.
"S-Seina, good morning"
Oh? He sounds embarrassed all of a sudden, I look up a little and see that he is looking down, but not at my face, but... At my chest pressed against his. Oh... Hehe, so much for his calm facade, huh?
"Good morning!"
Should I do the classic, 'did you wait long?' nah, it's a little too obvious.
"W-well, um, wait," he clears his throat as I let go of him in a half hug, still holding our arms together. "Good, I'm glad you're here, thanks for coming to help me, are you ready?"
"Yes! You know I love animals. They'll be so busy playing with me they won't even notice you're there"
"I'm counting on you!"
Then he lets go of me... Except for my hand! W-we're going to walk like this!? Not that I mind... But just then my only other friend, Kairi, shows up. I notice that Liam lets go of my hand, almost in a hurry, when he sees her coming.
Oh... I don't know what to think, although I don't have to, because Kairi steals my attention, she's a dog-girl, slightly tanned skin, long red hair down to her back, a very pretty face with a small nose and wide lips.
A more bottom-leaning body, small breasts but wide hips, nice big butt and curvy sexy legs.
Red dog ears like her hair, longer and fluffier than usual, as well as her tail.
Still, I always liked seeing her blue eyes better, all that inside tight brown leather pants, high boots and a loose shirt sashed...
"Seina! And... Liam, good morning, were you leaving without me already?” She says in her slightly gravelly, but clearly feminine voice, the kind you want her to whisper in your ear ‘now cum for mommy...’ Eh, damn teenage hormones.
"... Good morning, Kairi, so, do you want to come too? I appreciate it, more help would be welcomed," Liam says, always friendly, although I can tell he's not too keen on the idea. I feel sorry for him, but even though I want us to spend some time alone, it sounds fun to have Kairi join us.
"Kairi! Good morning!"
She gives Liam a hug, then comes over to me and gives me a hug... Much longer and tighter, which of course I return... She's so soft~.
"It's a little late, let's go," Liam interrupts, looking a little... Strange? I don't know how to explain it, Kairi also lets go of me and goes ahead.
... I sense some kind of weird tension around here, oh well, soon we'll talk just like always.
While they call it an animal shelter, it's more like a big wildlife sanctuary, the new Countess is a big animal lover, so she has invested part of her personal fortune in the upkeep of these places, they have paid staff like Liam, but they still invite volunteers.
It's hard to see from the outside, as it's further into the city, but once we walk through the modest gates and past the reception, the inside is anything but modest, it looks like a small nature reserve in itself, a small lake in the middle and lots of trees and paths around, I don't know how practical something like this is, as on the way to my house, on the outskirts of the city, it's quite a rural setting... and beyond that are the mountains, so there's quite a bit of nature, even though it's a big city, I guess the lake was already there and they built around it.
I guess it is useful to make more comfortable those old or very sick animals that cannot be adopted but will die if they are released, it is like a zoo but with common animals.
Anyway, I heard that it's almost one hundred twenty-five acres in total. And it is not the only shelter in this city.
There are all kinds of animals, mostly dogs and cats of all kinds of breeds. Also, larger ones like horses, chocobos and even a jak. In general, they are free to roam around, although of course there are separate areas for hostile or sick animals.
We don't get to see the whole place today. We just look around as we go into one of the rooms where they have the dogs that have just arrived. I will definitely come back to this place, even alone, there is everything here!
A few hours later, the three of us go to a street ramen stand, we wanted to go to a restaurant, but I think we have a strong smell of the shelter animals, although even Kairi, with her also good nose, but not quite as good as mine, doesn't notice it.
But... Liam has been a bit strange, I thought it was some kind of discomfort because Kairi ruined any surprise he had for me today, but it's clearly not that, he's talking a lot less than usual and holding his lower right belly from time to time, but he keeps saying he's fine... Does he need to go to the toilet? But he's not the type to hold something like that back out of shame, and besides, we're in confidence, so he must feel bad.
"Liam, stop telling me you're fine, does your stomach hurt, do you want to go home or to the hospital?"
"What? Oh, I... I don't feel so good"
Is what he manages to say, before collapsing on the street. What's wrong!?
"Liam!"
"William!"
We rushed to pick him up, but it seems we were too rough, because without stopping to hold his stomach, he starts to vomit. What do I do!? T-to the hospital, they'll know what to do, quickly!
"Kairi! Help me carry him to the hospital!"
"Y-yes! Where to?"
"Uh, I don't know, let's ask on the way!"
So, we both grabbed him by one arm and carefully, but as fast as we could, dragged him to the nearest hospital.
I don't think I'll ever forget it... his moans of pain, his normally lively and friendly face now has an expression of agony, he's burning up with fever... I just hope it's nothing serious. Somehow, I feel that it's not. We'll go to the hospital. They'll examine him and he'll be fine...
Thirty interminable minutes later we finally arrive at the hospital, which would look like a mansion if there weren't so many guards, nurses and other people whose profession I don't know, running towards us when they see us.
I'd like to say Liam looks better but... he's clearly in more pain than before, I wanted to go in but they wouldn't let me, we had no choice but to go home with the worst feeling in the world where you know someone close to you is going through something horrible and all you can do is... wait, go home and hope for the best.
Should I pray? But I've never been a very religious person, I guess the many different churches around here have made me a little apathetic, especially when the message of most of them can be summed up as 'you should be a good person and you'll be fine.'
Huh... normally I don't like my habit of beating around the bush and over thinking things, I feel like I'm wasting a lot of time, but now I appreciate it, it distracts me just a little bit... but it's past time to think, so now I'm aware of Liam's suffering, with much more strength, as I also notice how slowly time is passing all of a sudden.
"Sei, William is already in good hands, please don't worry about him"
"In good hands? Um... I think so..."
She gives me a warm hug. I inhale her familiar scent to calm myself down, I don't even want to pretend now.
"I'll take you home"
"Thank you..."
Almost an hour later, we finally arrive at my house, I say goodbye and go inside.
"... I'm home"
I announce as I walk in, no sign of my siblings, though Mom and Dad are both in the living room. Mom turns to see me, with a big smile on her face, but she barely looks at me and her smile changes to a worried expression... I miss her smile already. I have a feeling I won't see it for a while.
"What happened, are you okay?"
I quickly explain what happened and go to my room, no energy to do anything else, we agreed to go visit Liam early tomorrow morning, they should know what he has by then... Right?
The next day, after not being able to sleep at all, in a very unusual way, all my family, including my dad, took a break from work to accompany me to the hospital, we rented a carriage to get there as soon as possible, yesterday I saw a sign informing that the visits start at eight in the morning, in any area...
All the way my brothers tried to cheer me up, but I have a kind of... Bad feeling.
Liam's parents are already in his room, which he shares with another patient, so they let only me and my parents in. After several stairs and hallways, we finally arrived.
I was hoping to see him smiling and that he would tell me that he was already recovering, that it was nothing serious and that we would resume our date soon... But as soon as I saw him, I knew that he was worse than ever, we were not allowed to get too close to his bed, but something inside me tells me that he is not getting better.
He's sleeping, or rather, according to what I can half hear, he's sedated, something is definitely wrong, my bad feeling is worse than ever, I can't look away. I do my best to convince myself that this is a hospital, they must have things under control. But my self-control disappears when I hear the doctor.
"It's just pneumonia, it's very common to have small flare-ups in the fall-"
"It's not pneumonia." I interrupt the doctor, to hell with manners, I don't know or care what the reason is, but I KNOW it's not pneumonia.
"Seina!" my mother scolds me, I don't care, now I don't take my eyes off the doctor, a grey-haired man in his sixties, with a tired and arrogant look... just one look at those eyes and I'm sure I won't make him change his mind.
"As I was saying," he ignores me. "He just needs to take various medications for a few weeks and he'll be able to go-"
"You'll make it worse if you give him medicine, he-"
"Stop it." My dad interrupts me... He is not much of a talker, I know he loves all of his children very much, but that he tends to be so cold, plus the fact that he is very tall and muscular... Even though I know he would never hurt me, it has always made me a little afraid of him deep down inside... so when he told me to stop, it was very effective in shutting me up.
"Don't interrupt the doctor, what's wrong with you today?" Mom says, annoyed with me.
"It's..." I look sideways at Dad, hoping he won't stop me again, when a word pops into my mind. "Appendicitis"
"What?"
"I'm sure it's appendicitis, not pneumonia, if you give him any medicine-"
"Ha!" the doctor interrupts this time.
"Girl, I've been a doctor for over forty years, what are you going to teach me?"
... Even Dad, who seemed to want to reprimand me, looks at the doctor. What?
"Are you going to ignore what I said?"
"How do you know it's not pneumonia?" He says in his hateful voice, full of stubbornness and venom.
“I...” Unfortunately, besides my instincts, I can't answer, though he doesn't give me time to do so either.
"Nurse, escort the young lady outside while we talk"
"Yes, Doctor," replies a woman on the other side of the room.
I wanted to insist further, but... The tired and confused looks from Liam's parents, the disinterested nurse, the disdainful look from the old doctor and... The disappointed and angry look from my parents made me swallow my words.
Just a few minutes later, out comes the old doctor alone, not even giving me a glance as he quickly leaves.
"It's not pneumonia!" I yell to make sure he understands, he pauses for a moment but continues on his way... at least he didn't call security.
At my scream, Dad leaves the room, puts his hand on my back and pushes me into an empty hallway with no doors.
"You're embarrassing us, I know you're worried about your friend, but the doctor knows what he's doing, he studied for years to know these things"
... Wow, I've never heard Dad say such a long sentence, and it's to scold me.
“... Can I say something?” I ask first, dad scolding me makes me shudder...
"Sigh... What?" He speaks.
“I-I don't know how, but I'm sure it's appendicitis and not pneumonia.” I say, although it looks like it was a mistake.
"Again with that!? Forget about that, you heard the doctor, you'll have to wait until he's discharged to see him again, let's wait for your mother outside”
I suppress a shudder. He's never yelled at me before... Maybe he respects doctors too much? I feel like I have to keep insisting.
"Dad!"
"..."
"Father"
"... What is it?"
"What if I'm right?"
"Trust the doctor, let's go"
...
Then I answered with something I would regret forever.
"… Okay"