“Thank you,” I reply. “If you’re not eating the cakes, would you mind if I buy them off you?” I ask and point to his box of nine remaining untouched cakes.
He’s surprised by my question. I don’t know what I expect him to do—state his price or perhaps tell me off for my daring ask—but instead he simply gets up, pushes the box toward me and scurries out of the area.
I blink. That is unexpected. But it does give me more insight into the individual. He bought ten cakes. Six of them cost me a whopping twenty-five slova so ten should have been close to forty. That is a fortune for most people. So whoever he is, he can afford to just toss forty slova for no reason. Is it Mother? Has she found me out? No, she wouldn’t sendjustone mere scout. She would come out blazing, ready to kill me with her own hands.
Am I being a little too paranoid?
Perhaps it’s because the mission last night was a bit odd that now I’m overthinking things a little too much. Perhaps…
Moe soon returns, her cheeks flushed.
“Uhm, Nyk?”
I quickly explain the presence of the new cakes to her, but to my surprise she doesn’t even pay attention to that.
“I have something to ask of you—” she continues, a little jittery.
“Anything,” I say eagerly.
“I have to buy some… female products from the Mortal District. Could we please make a detour there before going home?”
I frown. Why would she be so apprehensive about such a matter?
“Of course we can. Let’s go.”
She beams at me. Placing both boxes in a bag, I take her arm and we head toward the Mortal District. All the while, my mind goes over what thosefeminine productsmight be. And after some deliberation, I arrive at the most sensible conclusion: makeup. Females love makeup, do they not? And that is a feminine product.
I haven’t seen Moe wearing makeup until now, but perhaps she just hasn’t had the opportunity to do so?
What if she…
I pull at my sweater, suddenly a bit warm.
What if she wants to put on makeup for me?
I’m somewhat familiar with the Mortal District but I’ve never seen the store she brings me to. In big letters, the heading states: Female-Apothecary. That makes me pause. Would a so-called apothecary carry makeup? Then again, I don’t know where one would buy makeup so…
“Wait for me here? I’ll be right back.”
I nod and she goes inside.
The moment I find myself alone, my ludicrous imagination takes over again. What if she was so impressed with this date that she wants to impress me in return? Not that she would need to try since she already does that by simply existing. But if shedidput in some effort forme…
It’s cold out but I’m already sweating. Just thinking of Moe buying herself some feminine products, perhaps some cute hair accessories, to get my attention.
I press my hand over my face. By the Seven! This is not what I should be thinking about! In fact, I need to find a way to control my mindandmy body, otherwise I will be living in a constant state of arousal—and delusion.
A loud noise erupts from within the store, startling me out of my thoughts. It’s followed by raised voices and the sound of things being thrown around.
What?
Just thinking Moe might be in danger—that she might have encountered some ruffian—makes my blood boil with fear. I barge inside the store, ready to wage war.
The image in front of me stops me in my tracks. What was fear before turns into bright red anger.
There is a crowd of people, all surrounding a few individuals who have taken the center stage of the store. A young male and an older female are looking down at the female kneeling in front of them.
Moe.
