The Other Side: A Second Chance

"Luna, Varis, do you have everything packed up?" Mother asked as she poked her head into our bedroom just as I finished closing my bag of clothes. I turned to her and nodded as Varis spun around and did the same.

"Yep, I'm ready!" Varis beamed and turned to me.

"I as well," I said as I grabbed my bag and grunted as I hoisted it off my bed and placed it at my feet.

"Excellent," Mother said. "Your father just returned with the Hautchkin's wagon; take your bags down there and get them loaded up. Your father is itching to leave as soon as possible."

"Yes, Momma!" Varis gave her a mock salute before picking up his bag and rushing it down the stairs. I grunted as I hoisted mine up and began to waddle out. I had no idea what to take, so I pretty much just jammed everything in here. Soza said we'll be gone for about ten days, as it takes two days to get to the mountains and another to climb them.

"Oh, Silly," Mother exclaimed, and before I could react, she was removing the bag from my grasp, although she grunted slightly in response to its weight. "What did you pack, bricks?" She joked, and I blushed faintly and shook my head as Mother giggled and walked beside me down the stairs.

It's been two days since the family meeting. After the news was dropped about me going away next year, things in the house were rather tense after that day. An awkwardness hung in the air, but starting today, everyone seems to have warmed up slightly, and a sense of normalcy seems to be returning. Yesterday, Father had gone out and rented Herbert's wagon and his Strider Opal. Soza said he paid him two golden coins for it, which, from what I've learned so far, is a lot of money.

Yet the thought of what my father said in the meeting still stung me. Why did he commission a wagon so suddenly, and what did he mean by going to look for a strider at Harold's stable? Why do they want to send me away so abruptly?

Maybe something came up. I thought. Maybe it has to do with what Mr. Blaxen said to them. Mother did seem all-up in arms when she spoke to him.

Alas, I don't know. They didn't want to tell me anything during the meeting, and they looked so hurt as well. For now, I'll go with the flow and see what happens.

As we made our way down the steps, Mother told me to open the front door, and as I did so, a gentle, cool breeze wafted into the house, and I was blinded by the sun. As my vision returned to me, I saw that much of the snow had melted, leaving large islands amongst the wet, green grass. A chill still hung in the air, but nowhere near as bad as at the start of winter.

In the yard, about a dozen feet ahead, was a large wagon full of camping gear and other belongings, along with Madam Soza, Father, and Varis, who were all working on loading it up. Ahead of them, attached to the wagon, was also the strider, Opal, who was looking over her shoulder, awfully curious, like the big, cute dinosaur she was.

I followed Mother over to the others. With a grunt, Mother tossed my bag into the back of the wagon and sighed before stretching her arms out wide and sighing. Placing a hand on her hip and using the other to dust off her skirt, she smiled at me and nodded before looking to Father, who was chatting with Varis, and said, "Slyran, I think that's everything!"

Father perked his head up and smiled. "Excellent." He clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen up! Everyone, if you need to use the restroom, do so now, because when we hit the road, we're not stopping!"

Excited Varis pumped his fist and shouted, "I call the bathroom inside!" Before I could say anything, he dashed inside. I sighed, and without a word, I walked to the outhouse.

When business was settled, we all piled into the wagon. Father and Soza took the front driver seats, while Mother, Varis, and I sat in the back with most of the luggage. To make things comfortable, we left a section furthest to the front open and tied down the majority of the loose bags. Once everyone was nice and comfortable, the wagon began to move.

"Everything alright?" My mother asked; she was currently sitting beside me with Varis across from the both of us. "You look a little fidgety," she said, playfully pinching my side and making me squirm and giggle due to the ticklishness of it.

I blushed faintly and looked up at her. "I'm just a little nervous." I looked away.

Mother once again poked me playfully and said, "What're you nervous about? Your brother over there doesn't look nervous." She hummed.

I squirmed once again at her poking and sighed. "I dunno. I don't leave the house often, and we're going really far away, and to the mountains! My books say that dragons and mountain giants live in those environments." I said in a hushed tone that I didn't want Varis to hear me in case I made him nervous.

My mother smiled at me and reached up to pinch my cheeks. "You're such a smart goof. Probably too smart for your own good." She joked and then leaned down to whisper into my ear, "Giants and dragons haven't been up in the Heinland Mountains in centuries, Sweetie. I'm not saying there aren't any scary monsters like timberwolves up there, but as long as you stick with the three of us," She gestured to herself, Father, and Soza. "You'll be safe; just don't wander off."

I nodded and gulped. Timberwolves? Like actual timberwolves? Or like wolves made of timber? Knowing this world is probably the latter.

"For now, Sweetie, instead of worrying, why don't you enjoy the view with me? This time of year, with the snow partially melting, everything looks beautiful." Mother patted herself on the lap in a gesture for me to climb up and look around with her. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I cautiously climbed onto Mother's lap. As I looked out at the vast expanse of snow-covered mountains, a sense of awe washed over me. The sunlight glistened on the icy peaks, creating a breathtaking sight that made me forget about any fears I had. Mother smiled warmly at me and, like usual, tussled my hair.

Of all the years I have been here, only a handful of times did I ever leave the house willingly, and every time I did, it was always with my parents or Varis in order to tend to an errand. Yet as we traveled northeast, away from town, in a direction I had never been, I couldn't help but gawk at the scenery around us. Scenery that I only saw from my bedroom window or the backyard. As we drove further into the wilderness, the landscape transformed into a fantastical wonderland. The once-distant mountains began to tower and stretch before us, their peaks disappearing into the clouds. The sight was utterly breathtaking; the entire time, my head was on a swivel as my mother pointed out spots of interest for me. Such as the vibrant colors of the wildflowers that pierced the melting snow that dotted the meadows and the crystal-clear streams rushing down from the hills created by said snow, which only added to the magical atmosphere.

"Has this always been here?" I gawked as Mother giggled and nodded.

"Of course, dear." Mother wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me back into her bosom, which acted as my cushion. "Is my little star regretting not going outside?" She teased me, and I blushed.

"A little bit, honestly." I admitted it as the wagon rolled along.

Overhead, a distant screeching of birds could be heard, and our gazes drifted upwards to see a flock of bizarre creatures fluttering over our heads. Large blue and grey avians with massive wingspans and kite-like tails flew over heads in a V formation, about seven of them total.

"Silvan Hawks," my mother said, her eyes squinting as they flew over her head. "They're large predatory birds that fly in packs. They're mostly harmless."

"Mostly?" I blinked as the birds went over my head. Either they were flying really close to the ground, or those things were big enough to snatch Varis and me off the ground.

"Well, yes, they're more afraid of you than you are of them. As long as you don't harm one, corner it, or get near their nests,. You'll be fine."

I nodded my head as I watched the large birds land somewhere far off on a nearby hill, and seeing them do so confirmed my suspicion that these birds were quite massive. I gulped. "I hope you're right."

Mother giggled. "I know I'm right." She poked my cheek.

As the hours drifted by and noon transitioned into evening, the father called out over his shoulder, "Alright. We'll be pulling off to the side to make camp for the evening. I hope you guys are ready to stretch your legs some."

The cart jerked a bit as Father guided Opal off the dirt road and into the grassy plane before pulling on her reins to make her stop. I sighed and glanced around as Varis stood up groggily and stretched before yawning. Looking back at my mother, who still had her hands on me, I was surprised to see she was asleep.

Her head hung forward, her black and blue streaks of hair dangling in her face. I squirmed to get out of her grasp, though she mumbled and pulled me in further, smooshing my back against her soft chest as she nuzzled me.

"Gyak! Varis, help!" I squirmed in my mother's grasp.

To my left, I heard Madam Soza giggle as she watched me and said, "It looks like you are caught in a trap." She hummed as Father hopped off the wagon.

"Yes, I am!" I grunted as Mother squeezed me. I lightly patted her hands, and I heard a low giggle come from behind. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Mother looking at me with half-opened eyes and a big grin on her face.

"Trying to escape from me already?" She said it tiredly.

Oh God, why does it look horrifying like this? I thought.

"Gyaaah!" I squealed and frantically began to squirm out of her grasp, yet Mother pulled me, buried her face in my neck, and began to kiss me repeatedly!

"I love you! I love you!"

"Hands off meeee!"

"Alright, you two," Father spoke up as he opened the back of the wagon and helped Varis hop off before he jumped in. "Off the wagon or help grab the tents."

Mother stopped assaulting me with lovable kisses and looked up at Father. "You dare come to stop me from doting on our child?" She pulled me into a tight hug again, as if I were some teddy bear.

This is it; this is my life now, I guess… I thought as I just went limp in her arms.

"You had all day and the rest of the trip to snuggle her, Love." Father smiled. "Besides, I think you sapped all the love out of her you're going to get tonight." He snickered at my limp appearance.

You just have to play dead. Just keep playing dead, and you'll be free.

Mother sighed and took on a whiney tone. "Fiiine." She smiled before kissing me on the cheek again. "But tomorrow, I'm going to snuggle with you all again." She released me, and I flopped onto the wagon, feigning gasping for air.

I pointed at her. "Go snuggle with Varis!"

Mother scoffed. "Varis is not as soft as you are, though!"

I blushed faintly, and Mother giggled. "Slyran, look, her ears are doing the little wiggle again! I told you they wiggle when she's flustered."

I squeaked and reached up to grip my long and pointy ears. "Th-they don't wiggle!" Do they? Do they actually wiggle? I thought.

"Oh yes, they do, love. You try and act tough, but I can tell you love compliments." Mother snickered, and even Father smiled and shook his head.

With a deep breath, though, he clapped his hands. "C'mon, chop chop! We need to make camp! Off the cart, off the cart, Luna, don't jump off the cart!"

 

---

 

We made camp about a dozen feet or so off the road in the midst of the rolling hills that surrounded our valley town. To our left, which, judging by the moons in the sky, I assumed to be the west of us, was a large, dark forest with trees larger than I had seen before. As the camp was being set up, I noticed something new with Mother. She had a fancy book strapped to her waist, something I hadn't seen when we were sitting together, which led me to believe she must've retrieved it from her luggage. The book was leather-bound and embossed with beautiful silver and gold scrollwork. As Varis was relieving himself in a nearby bush and Madam Soza was tending to Opal, Father, and Mother were planning out how to set up the camp.

Once they concluded, Mother nodded and cracked open her fancy book, and with a wave of her free hand, she began to chant before ending it with. "Legerdemain." Her eyes flashed a ghostly white, and bursting out from around her came a pleasant heat that spanned a wide radius.

Instantly, all the loose piles of snow melted and steamed; the grass at my feet dried, and I gasped, "Whoa! How'd you do that?"

Mother closed her book, secured it at her waist, and placed a hand on her hip. "I told you I was a wizard once." She beamed. "I thought since we're going far away, it might be best to bring some useful tools." She smirked and patted what I assumed to be her grimoire.

Father laughed. "Was a wizard?" He shook his head, draped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close. "You're still a wizard to me."

Mother blushed, and her ears twitched as she said, "Well, formally, I'm not anymore."

Father kissed the side of her head and whispered something into her ear, which made Mother's face go beet red, and she buried her face into his neck and slapped his chest, which only made Father snort and laugh.

I'm not even going to question what those two lovers are whispering to each other. "Can I read the book?" I asked, pushing my luck.

Mother pulled her face out of Father's neck; still red all over her ears, it looked like they were going to take her away with how much they were flapping up and down. "Uh, not tonight. But maybe later!" She smiled.

Father purred softly and said, "How about we get the tents set up, eat something, and bed down for the night?"

"I was just grabbing them." Madam Soza hummed as she came over with both rolls on her shoulders. She got down on one knee and gently set them out. She then sniffed the air and looked at Mother and Father. "Please be sure to keep it down tonight."

"What're you talking about?" Mother nearly squeaked.

Soza didn't say a word, looked back at the tents, and began to unpack them. "Luna, Varis!" She called out to us just as Varis returned from his bush. "Come help me set up the tents.

Later that night, after our three tents were pitched, dinner was had, which I have to say was an amazing meal. Ganari and potato stew, which apparently a ganari is some kind of other bird, like a deranged duck, or well, more deranged than what ducks were back on earth at least based on appearance. But I'll say they taste great.

Varis and I got our own tent while Soza got her own, and Mother and Father slept together. And well… it was hell. I hated it. Not because it was uncomfortable or anything, but because of the noise. They may have thought they were being quiet, but no. They weren't. The two of them may have thought we were too young to know what they were doing, but well… Varis didn't, but me… I knew. And I hated it.

A little over a dozen feet from our tent, we could hear the rustling and the sounds of fun. Varis rolled over beside me in his bedroll and got up. I watched as his silhouette began to go to the tent flap.

"Varis," I hissed just loud enough to be heard over the sound of my mother having a wonderful time. "What're you doing?"

"I'm going to go check on Mother!" He said it with a nervous twang in his voice. "She sounds hurt."

Oh, this poor, innocent child.

I shook my head. "No, no. She's okay," I assured him.

"You sure? She doesn't sound like it; it sounds like Father's hitting her."

"They're just wrestling," I said quickly. "Adult playing; you know stuff that girls do." Fuck, I'm not good at this.

"I never heard you make those sounds before." Varis said it innocently.

Thank God it's dark in here, or else he'd see my face burning. I waved my hands and said, "W-well I did say adults; I'm not an adult." Damn right, I'm not, and God forbid I do anything at this age. I may have been a degenerate in my last life, but even I have the dignity to know that I'm no longer of age.

And I fucking hate it.

"So, Mom and Dad are playing?" Varis asked, still seemingly unsure if he should go out there or not.

"Yes, they're playing grown-up wrestling." I nodded. "It's a very secret game, though, so no kids are allowed."

"How do you know so much about this?" Varis asked, stepping away from the tent flap.

"Mother told me about it." I lied. "And I did some light reading." The second half was true: Mother owns a lot, and I mean a lot of erotica. I guess it comes with the wizard trade. The last time she caught me reading those books, though, she turned my ass red. And now I assume she's hiding them in her cabin out back.

"Oh, what's it like?" Varis asked, now curious.

I stammered incomprehensible gibberish. If I fucking knew, last life I was a virgin, a true wizard, you could say. Well, I wasn't forty yet, but I was a little over halfway there. Even if I wasn't, I doubt I'd tell him.

I shrugged. "I dunno, Varis; again, it's an adult game."

"Well yeah, but if Mother told you about it and you read it, maybe she told you how to play—"

ABORT ABORT.

"No." I stuck my hand in his face. "I'm shutting this down now. Go to bed."

"Wha-why?"

"Varis, please go to bed. We're both too young to have this conversation." I huffed. "If I hear you go outside, I'll beat your butt."

Varis huffed. "Like you can beat me."

"Boy! Fine, I'll tell on you!" I closed my eyes and snapped.

"You wouldn't!" He gasped.

"I would, now shut up." I huffed just as my parents finished, and an awkward silence fell over the camp.

Maybe going off to magic Harvard wouldn't be so bad after all… I jokingly thought as sleep finally took me.