Soul of a Human

"Zaletha," Mor growled. "Why are you here?"

His aggressive tone stopped the girl in her tracks.

"I guess you are reasonable to react that way, but I want to apologize for my behavior this time. I felt lost after transferring to the commoner school, but some of your family members took me in, and we became friends. I sincerely regret my actions and hope you can someday forgive me." Zaletha said honestly.

"You tried to kill me! How could I forgive that?!" Mor continued.

°True enough. I had to save you that time.° The human added.

"I know, and I'm very sorry. I thought my only chance at a good future would be with Lord Ruby." Zaletha said dejectedly.

°Yeah, that didn’t work out at all.° The human said.

"But I learned the errors of my way, and next time I see Ranbor, I will tell him that he's wrong." She continued on.

"You don't know it?" Mor asked, surprised.

"Don't know what?" Zaletha asked back.

"Ranbor died in the attack that forced the school year to close early," Mor explained.

"I didn't know. I don't know how to feel about that… I mean, he was mean but died? Thank you for telling me. I need to think about that." Zaletha murmured and left Mor standing.

°Guess that must have been a shock. He was a complete asshat, but they still had been something akin to friends.° The human said, and Mor agreed.

°Still I don't know if I can forgive her. Maybe sometime in the future, I can.° Mor added.

After that strange encounter, Mor returned to mingle again with his cousins, and in one of those discussions, he heard rumors about a new teacher. She was seemingly transferred and the most grumpy of all the teachers, like she didn't want to have anything to do with her students.

°Do you think that's who I think it is?° Mor asked.

°Yup, definitely the lady teach.° The human agreed.

Another problem Mor often encountered was that many of his family members called out his growth without really knowing what about him changed, probably because Mor wore his widest clothes. In the end, he could bluff his way out of everything, and while his friends were getting acquainted with other Agaton family members, Mor went to get something to eat.

°What a feast.° The human commented, astounded at the wide array of different foodstuffs.

There were multiple salads, bread, casseroles, pasta, and of course, everything vegan. The drinks ranged from simple water to juices, wines, and beer.

°What a waste. So much effort and food for people who don't see the worth in it. Except as a way to further their own ego.° The human complained.

°Yes. This is the first time I've seen it that way, too. BUT that means more for me!° Mor said, going over everything and filling his plate, instantly winning the favor and interest of many wives.

°So are we bulking today?° The human asked, chuckling.

°Bulking?° Mor questioned.

°Putting on mass to gain muscles later. We concentrated on your endurance, and you look like it. Lean like an acrobat or runner, meaning the next step is strength. You must be light on your feet but have as much heft as possible in your strikes.° The human explained, and Mor nodded.

°With our little adventure to save Clare and many other times, we are pretty sure that body enhancement is not additive but multiplicative. This means the stronger you are, the stronger your body enhancement becomes.° The human continued.

°Meaning I can eat as much as I want today? No training? Are we relaxing when we get home?° Mor asked carefully.

°I'll allow it.° The human answered graciously.

While Mor was stuffing himself with tasty foods and non-alcoholic drinks, he was questioned every time he returned for more and answered simply, "I don't want to see the food get wasted." This, in turn, made many other family members think and indulge in the food, too. After a short while, he got company as Orth sat down beside him with his own plate of food.

The human chuckled at that because Orth only pecked at his food, his attention not there. After a deep sigh from Orth, Mor wanted to ask his friend what's up, but the human was faster.

"She's a beauty." The human said in Mors' voice, and Orth nodded.

"Yes, look at how easily she fits in and finds friends." The other boy said quietly, his gaze fixated on Clare.

°What are you doing?° Mor asked.

°Having fun.° The human answered, adding again out loud.

"Why don't you tell her about your feelings? I can see you are in love with her."

°Wait? Orth is in love with Clare?° Mor asked, only getting a sigh from the human.

"I don't know how," Orth said.

"Since when?" Mor asked.

"It started after you retreated with Snow, after the whole debacle with Miss Amethyne. We got closer then and after that whole mess with her family… I just understood that I want to have her at my side." Orth confessed.

°Aww, that’s so sweet.° The human said.

°Shouldn't we leave them alone?° Mor asked.

°A little push won't hurt. I have an idea.° The human said. °There's music here, so we just need something for those two to dance together, and the rest will probably fall in place.°

"Want me to help you?" Mor asked his friend.

"Yes. But how?" Orth answered.

"Simple: Invite her to the next dance and be your noble self—elegant and smooth, you know," Mor said, smiling.

°Let'se, go!° The human added, and Mor took off.

After a quick word and an explanation from Mor to the "band" and many devious grins, Mor joined in and got a five-stringed instrument with deep bass tones. Mor led the "band" into a slow song, and with a few cheers, a gaggle of people got together for a slow dance.

°I didn't know you could play!° The human said, surprised, enjoying the deep vibrations and slow music alien to them.

°I never got the chance to tell you or practice much. My mother forced me to learn to play, ° Mor answered.

°Sounds nice. Very relaxing. I like it.° The human answered, trying to hum along.

Mor and the human kept a lookout for Orth and could see him dancing with Clare, just as planned.

°For all his insecurity, he can be really confident. Do you have something more exciting in your repertoire?° The human asked.

°Yes, why?° Mor asked.

°For a one-two punch, starting close and slow and ending in excitement.° The human explained.

Mor shrugged, trusting the human, slowly raising the tempo and pulling the "band" into a faster, more exciting song.

°Just like that! You're awesome!° The human celebrated.

This went on for the duration of the song, ending in a reverberating note and an excited Clare giving a smooch to a stunned Orth, who got that particular kind of dopey grin in return.

°Seems Orth was not the only one in love if that little push was enough. Still, those two have to do the rest on their own. We won't intervene further except if they ask.° The human said, satisfied, and Mor agreed.

While this was happening, Morokhan had a very different problem. Another guest had arrived dressed in shabby clothes and "colored" hair and was involved in a discussion with Aero.

"You are a friend of Moro?" Aero asked.

"Yes, I am. Call me Tim." The new guest said, just as Morokhan arrived by them.

"What are you doing here?!" He asked.

"You told me about this, and I wanted to join in." The guest said.

"So you know him, then everything is great. Still, I feel I also know you… But I can't say from where." Aero said to the smiling guest.

"Yes, I hear that often. I think I have that common face everyone recognizes." Dino explained, and Morokhan groaned at that.