It was dark, but thanks to a scant few torches and goblins’ innate ability to see in low light levels, Crystaria and the elders of the first impromptu school meeting, came out to greet the waking Grog.

Grog himself was just sitting up and rubbing his head and dusting himself off, with a weary bunch of goblins standing near and watching him.

“Oooowwwww...... Grog head hurt...” He said with a smokey and deep, almost echoy sort of voice.

As Crystaria stood in front of Grog, as he was nursing his swollen forehead. She felt a profound sadness rippling off of him. She went up to him and laid a hand on his arm.

“Hello Grog, we are glad that you are awake.” She said very concisely. She didn’t want to spook him, or make it hard for him to understand her.

He turned his head towards her, even while sitting on his hunches, he was almost twice her size.

He looked down at her with large blinking eyes, but did nothing else but stare at her while rubbing his forehead.

“Is Grog okay? Does that hurt real bad?” She asked in her best elder sister tone of voice as she pointed at the center of his forehead that had a bump the size of a fist.

He continued to just look at her, with his big round eyes and unchanging stare.

She decided to try a different approach.

“What is wrong Grog? Do you hate this one? Are you mad because you got hurt by me and Athena? Is that why you not speaking to this one?” It was killing her to talk like this, in improper English, but she knew he would respond better if she matched closer to him in speech.

And her efforts bore fruit.

“Grog not suppose to talk to strangers.”

Now she was catching on. She now had an avenue to travel down and be able to start talking with him.

“Oh! Well, This one's name is Crystaria. It is nice to meet you Grog!” She said hoping that he would catch the genuineness in her voice.

“... Grog not suppose to talk to people... Bruhdar says Grog should not talk to no one...” He explained, sounding unsure as to the reason he himself had just said.

“Well Grog, you now know me! So now, Crystaria no longer stranger to Grog. Will you please to letting us look at Grog’s owie and making it better?”

“Who help? Crysta help Grog?” He asked in confusion. She felt a pull on her heartstrings for his nickname for her. This large gentle giant, that was forced to do bad things. He did not deserve the hate or cruelty that everyone was painting him with.

“Crystaria will if Grog wants, but Crystaria has friends who knows more than her. They want to help Grog too. Will you let Crystaria’s friends help Grog?”

“Who they?” Grog asked.

She gestured towards Seshat and Athena. They came walking up slowly, Grog turned his head towards them.

“Grog know you.” He said with a hint of recognition in his voice. he points with his forefinger of his free hand that wasn’t currently rubbing his head towards Athena.

Athena froze for half-a-step, realization setting into her on why he might recognize her. She then continued to walk forward, towards Grog.

“Yes Grog, this one is the one that Grog fought today.” She reminded him.

But he shook his head at her words.

“Not then. Before: at watar 'member? This one helped Grog when Grog hurt Grog’s self.” He explained.

“...” This revelation stunned all present, including Athena. For she didn’t believe that Grog even remembered her.

“Yes Grog. I-I... Athena helped you before. You remembered me?” She asked in an almost awed tone of voice.

Grog nodded his head.

“Grog 'members Grog hurt Grog’s self when Grog fight bear. Grog washed red away in runnin’ watar. This one put cloth, with stinky, mushy plants on Grog’s hurt.”

With the exception of Crystaria. All that were present there were stunned in disbelief at everything Grog had just said. Most believed Grog was incapable of speech; others couldn’t believe he was able to speak so much at all. While the rest were just dumbfounded at the fact that Grog could understand anything, let alone comprehend what had happened to him, not even mentioning the fact that he recognized Athena had help him before.

Crystaria though, saw the looks on the faces of goblins gathered there this night and smiled. This was the best sort of proof, and a great opportunity to show, that everything she had told them before was true; that Grog was a person and goblin like everybody else; just like them.

“Yes! You remembered this one; you remembered Athena, that makes this one so happy Grog!” Athena praised him. She always knew from watching his demeanor that he was not a killer or the imbecile that others said he was.

“Grog thank this one for what did for Grog... Thank you.”

There were a few gasps among the crowd. Amazed at the simple fact that Grog had somehow learned the simple act of thanking others. One woman fell into the embrace of her lover and cried her eyes out: her thoughts swirling with the idea that her little girl, who was like Grog, might one day be hold a conversation like Grog was doing.

After their reminiscing of their first encounter, Crystaria pulled Grog’s attention back to her.

“So Grog? Will you let my friends Seshat and Athena help you now? You know Athena nice, right?” She formed it into a question to let him think and process it for himself: This was important, that he made the decision to trust them for himself.

He sat and tilted his head from side-to-side, this-way and that-way, all the while he rubbed his head. He looked first at Crystaria, then at Athena and Seshat. Then back again, then back towards the two before saying.

“This one truly wish to help Grog? Not trick him to be mean? Like Bruhdar say?”

Athena shook her head vehemently.

“Never Grog, Athena is Grog’s friend... if Grog will allow Athena to be?” She caught on to what Crystaria had done with her sentences, by forming them into a question for him to contemplate.

He took a second before he nodded his head.

“Yes! Please! Grog want to be friends with this one!”

“Will Grog be friends with this one too?” Seshat came up and spoke to him.

“Who this one?” He asked, while curiously looking over at Seshat.

“I am... This one’s grandmother.” She stated as she lifted her arm in Athena’s direction.

“This one, is this one’s granmama?” He asked looking almost more excited at the prospect of Seshat being a relative of Athena.

“Yes! This one, Seshat, is this one’s, Athena’s, grandmother. Will Grog let this one help Grog too? Will Grog let Seshat be Grog’s friend?”

Grog nodded his head right away this time, instead of mulling it over.

“Yes! Grog would like that! Grog would like that very much!” Grog then gave a giggle that belied his age and appearance. “This one and this one has made Grog so happy! This is Grog’s first time makin’ friend!” He stated as he continued to giggle in glee.

Crystaria took this time to walk back up and say to him.

“I Crystaria, am this one’s friend.” She gestured towards Athena. “And any friend of Athena’s is a person who I consider a friend too.” She informed him.

His giggles stopped abruptly at that, as he looked down towards Crystaria.

“Crysta, want be friends with Grog too?” He asked with trepidation and disbelief in his voice; sounding more like a distrustful child at that moment. She then gave him an encouraging nod.

“I do Grog; and many other do too: if you give them a chance. I am sure that if you let them, lots of them will say they were sorry to you for what they said or did; being mean to you. Because I bet, a lot of them were mean to you, weren’t they?” She says this aloud, just enough for the others gathered there to hear. Many of them lowered their heads in shame at her words, while others just nodded in acknowledgment.

Grog took a couple minutes to think about this. His head tilting this-way and that, like he was trying to decide if this was a good idea or not.

“Doose Crysta really want to be Grog’s friend?” He repeats his question.

She nods at him again, knowing it might take a few times to get him to believe her.

“I do Grog; Really I do.” She assures him.

He turns his head, looking out to face the crowd.

“You people were mean to Grog... Grog and Gobran......” Many thought he was just stating a fact or just accusing them of what they had done. None there even tried to counter him or argue back. But then Grog continued speaking. “But Grog and Gobran doose bad things too... if you sorry. Really, really sorry!... Then Grog am sorry too... We be friends now?” He asks them with a shy, crooked smile on his face.

A few of the elders and goblins there looked amongst themselves, then they all stepped forward. This time is was Artemis and Krom that stepped out in front of everyone else.

“We are Grog. We are so, so sorry. We did many mean things to you. we were wrong, will you forgive us?” Artemis asks for everyone there.

Grog smiles and nodded his head fast with enthusiasm. Accidentally hurting himself while making himself dizzy.

“Yeah, Grog forgive... You forgive Grog?” He asks tentatively back.

Athena and almost all the masses nodded their heads back in agreement.

“We do Grog, thank you for forgiving us, like this one has said; we were wrong and we forgive you too Grog. We friends now?” Artemis sends the question back to Grog.

He nodded again faster this time, hurting himself once again.

“Oww!... Yes! We friends now!” He gives a loud chortle at the idea that everyone here wanted to be his friend.

Crystaria turns towards the crowd.

“As you have witnessed my fellow people. Grog is as much as an individual as any of you: your loved ones who are like Grog, deserve no-less the same treatment than anyone else. Raise them like any other child; love and nurture them. Treat them kindly and with respect: Do not raise your hand to them, lest they raise a hand towards another. The choice is your! But know that kindness-begets-kindness. That love-begets-love. And this applies to all your children, not just the specials.” As she surveyed the crowd, she saw many with tears in their eyes, so many looked to be on the verge of crying. Most were nodding their heads in agreement with her words.

“So please, treat them well; treat them lovingly. I know it will be difficult at times, that you will struggle more than a parent with an average child. But rather than think these ones as burdens: we should be helping those with these ones, for these families are blessed and fortunate to have ones who are like Grog.”

Everyone at this point in her speech had tears streaming down their face.

Crystaria didn’t plan or mean to give this impromptu speech. But she felt that letting it go without spelling it out for those here, that they might leave here tonight, not letting it sink into their hearts. While she didn't mean to give a speech, she meant every word she had said. But unbeknownst to everyone, one simple question brought everyone there to an awkward silence.

“Where Gobran?...”

This innocent question, from an equally innocent mind, had sent fear through all present, including Crystaria. Not because she feared his strength. But feared what she might have to do to stop him.

She turned towards him to see Athena and Seshat, half way climbing on him to get a better look at his head, and applying herb covered cloth to his swollen forehead.

“Grog... Crystaria won that duel today: that fight you had with Athena. This one, Crystaria, sent him away. Gobran is gone Grog...” She told him solemnly.

“...” Grog stared at her for a few moments, then his eyes, face and mouth, stretched into an “O”.

“OOOHHHhhh... Gobran dead?” He asked in a remorsefully sad tone of voice. Adding an even deeper sorrowful tone, to his already,  sorrowfully deep voice.

“What?! No?!” She rushed to reassure him. “I not... this one did not kill Gobran... I... he-...” She was interrupted by another question by Grog. He turned his head this time towards Athena.

“Then did this one deaded Gobran?” He asked with a, my dog is dead, sort of voice, his lip starting to quiver and everything.

Athena was so shocked and stunned by this question that she couldn’t help the guilty look that started to spread across her face. Because she felt even more terrible for having been a part of the duel that hurt Grog; both physically and emotionally.

“No one killed Gobran, he live! Probably...” Crystaria reassured him, but mumbled the last part of her sentence.

“Gobran alive?! He okay?” He asked excitedly.

“Yes... but Grog... he is not here...” She trialed off her explanation to Grog. Hesitating to bring this gentle giant anymore pain.

“Why?! Why Gobran not here?” He asked in a petulant voice, almost on the verge of sobs.

“...” Crystaria was at a loss on what to do. She really didn’t want to hurt Grog, but she didn’t want to lie to him. So she just took a deep breath and steadied herself to break the new to him.

“Grog... there is no easy way to tell you this. But Gobran is gone: I sent him away.”

“Away? You said he not dead?!” He asked not understanding what she meant.

“He’s not. He is alive. But Grog... Gobran was bad. He did very, very bad things. So after I won the duel, after this one became Chieftain. I told Gobran he had to leave.” She explained.

“But why?! Why Gobran go?! Gobran say to Grog, that Gobran never leave Grog! Why Gobran leave?!” He demanded to know in a very upset, petulantly childish manner.

“Grog, listen to me.” She told him firmly but in a gentle tone. She then moved closer to him, having to stand on his lap. She got close to his face and looked into his eyes, which were wet with tears. “As chieftain, when someone does something wrong, This one has to make sure to punish them if they do something wrong; if they were bad. Gobran was very bad, very bad indeed. He was bad chieftain, he hurt people, and he treated his brother very badly, made Grog his tool to hurt others.”

“Gobran not-“ Grog tried to refute. But she put a finger to his lips.

“Grog, I am talking, please listen.” As he quieted down, she continued. “I, this one; Crystaria. Am like parent to all goblins in village... when good boys or girls do something bad. I need to punish: I, Crystaria, do not like to punish, but I must. That is why Gobran is gone now. I told him to leave. Or he could face his punishment and die, for all the bad things he did. I gave him chance to leave, because I did not want to kill Gobran. I don’t want to have to kill anyone, if I do not have to; I don't want to hurt people... do you understand?” She asked him after getting through with her explanation.

“Oohh...” Grog was then quiet for a while. His head down, looking towards his chest and lap. Almost five minutes passed before he, or anyone else, said another word.

Everyone was waiting with bated breaths, wanting to know what Grog would say or do.

“...” Grog sniffed once.

“Grog understands...... but Grog sad now...”

Crystaria was both relieved and heartbroken at the palpable sadness emanating from him. She felt terrible for what Grog must be feeling. The confusion, the sadness, the loneliness. Feeling betrayed that Gobran left him alone. She could only guess what he was feeling. But she wouldn’t take back what she did.

Gobran had to go. He was no good, and having him here was a cancer to everyone; including Grog.

“Grog?” She lifted his chin up to look at her. His face wet and stained with tears. “I know you are sad right now, and that you miss Gobran terribly, that you are very sad that he left, right?” At his nodded she told him. “Well Grog... I am not going to let Gobran come back... but! If you want. You may leave the village, to go and look for Gobran yourself, to be with your brother if you would rather be with him than the village.” She told him his option. He sniffled and wiped his nose onto his arm.

“R-Really? Grog can go to Bruhdar?” He asked with genuinely curious that he was allowed this choice.

“Yes,” she told him. “I will even help you find him; but Grog.” She ended her proposition for him there and informed him of his other choice. “If Grog were to go, Grog will lose all the new friends that Grog has just made. I doubt Gobran will let Grog be friends with us if you go find him to live with. But if Grog want to stay here, the village will be like a new family for Grog: we would make Grog so happy... So? What would Grog like? Does Grog want to go to your brother? Or do you want to stay with new friends, have a new family?” She gave him new chance to change his life. She was hoping he would stay here, where she knew he could grow and flourish; rather than out in that harsh wilderness, alone with his corrupt brother.

Grog then leaned back, resting on his hand, supporting his body with his arms. He stared up into the stars.

He was quiet again for a while. Not nearly as long as before, but for quite a bit of time.

“Will Grog really, have new family if Grog stay?” He asked trying to wrap his mind around the concept.

Not wanting to get her hopes up just yet. She just simply answered him.

“Yes, if that is what Grog wants.” She then got down off of his lap, then walked to his side and touched his arm to get his attention. He turned his head to look down at her. “This is for you to decide and you alone Grog, whatever it is that you want to do; I want you to do, what you think will make Grog the happiest... okay?” She ended on another question.

Grog nodded his head. He then went back to looking at the sky, staring at the stars. After another moment, Grog simply said.

“Grog decided. Grog stay.” He stated with a  goofy grin on his face, while looking towards Crystaria and the group behind her.

Crystaria smiled back at him, while everyone else had a mix of relieved and happy expressions on their faces.

Crystaria turned back towards the crowd of goblins watching the happenings with Grog. She then addressed them.

“Is there anyone here willing to accept Grog into there family? To show him what it means to be loved and cared for?” She was honestly worried that this might end up like with humans back on earth. Where many had sympathy, but lacked the courage to step-up and do what was need or what they thought was right.

But despite her thoughts, someone answered the call right away.

“Leaf ‘ill! Leaf ‘ill taken Grog unt’ ‘ine famlay!” Leaf said from the middle of the crowd. The crowd then parted and moved out of the way for Leaf, who was walking towards them. Crystaria could not help the smile that started to spread on her face. She then moved to the side as Leaf walk to stand in front of Grog.

“Who this?” Grog wondered who this person who was standing in front of him. Crystaria then gestured her arms to Leaf, backing away and giving her center stage, as she introduced her.

“This one is Leaf. She has agreed to take Grog in and make you a new part of her family.”

He looked from Crystaria towards Leaf.

“Really?” He asked with his eyes wide in surprise.

Leaf gave him a solemn nod.

“ ‘Aht’s ‘ight! Th’s oun’ Leaf, ‘ill ‘ake Grog, an’ ‘un ‘ill be Leaf’s nue little brudar! Uow doos ‘hat sond’n to ya’?”

Grog gave a incredulous giggle.

“You talk funny!” But then his face grew serious and asked her. “Is what Leafy say is true? Will Grog be you little Bruhdar?”

Her lips quirked at the remark of her speech, but she let it go in favor of a smile towards his innocence and to answer his question towards her.

“Yea’ ‘un ‘ill! An’ th’n Leaf ‘ill be ‘un’r big sistar.” She explained to him. His eyes widened and his smile grew wide.

“Grog would like that! Grog never had a sister before!” He said jovially. Then the grin on Leaf grew just a little more and she then surprised him.

“W’ll, it a’nt ‘ust Leaf. ‘Un ‘re g’ttin’ foor sistars.” She gave a come forward wave behind her, and Leaf’s three sisters came walking forwards, hiding skittishly behind their older sister.

“Grog gets three sisters?!” He exclaimed in surprise. He looked between all four of them, then gave another giggle out of the incredulousness of what was happening to him. “This is Grog’s best day ever! *HEHEHE* Grog is so happy!” He then looked back to Leaf. “What are sisters' names?” He asked innocently.

Leaf gave him a pensive look, not being entirely sure how to answer her new little brother. But luckily she was saved by an intervening Crystaria.

“They don’t have names yet Grog.” Crystaria explained.

He gasped at this revelation.

“No names?! That is no good. Sisters' of Grog need names!” He stated.

Crystaria just nodded her head in agreement.

“And Crystaria agrees with Grog. Leaf wanted names for her sisters’ too. But Crystaria has asked that Leaf learn to speak and treat people better; to be nicer to people...” She then turned her head and gave him a lopsided smile. “Will Grog help his big sister learn to speak well; learn to be nicer?” She asked him.

Grog looked at her, then back to Leaf, and gave her a decisive nod.

“Grog would love to help pretty older sister learn to talk well!” He told them. At his declaration of what he thought of Leaf’s looks, her entire face went dark.

“L-Leaf ‘o-‘ould l-love f-foor G-Grog to ‘elp her ‘earn to ‘peak good!” Leaf was just lucky that it was already dark out, that any sort of stammer to her voice was hidden by her poor speech.

Her sisters who knew her well giggled behind their sister. She turned her head and gave them a glare. But to her shock and surprise, that just made them laugh more; which brought a smile to her own face. She was then further surprised when she was lifted off the ground and crushed against the firm but soft chest of Grog's massive biceps.

“GHHOOOREEGGG?!?!?!” She screeched in protest as she was hugged against her will and hauled through the air with her legs dangling through the air.

Everyone present had a good laugh at Leaf’s expense. Leaf felt her face heat up more at her extremely close proximity to Grog; while Grog himself, was more happy than he could ever remember.

After that, Crystaria dismissed everyone present, telling them to be back there after the morning meal. They all then departed ways, Grog following after his new sisters, and all the while, holding Leaf’s hand as she lead him to his new home.

 

---

 

Two weeks later.

 

---

I can’t believe how much crap and riches were just lying around, sitting in this hut.

Crystaria comments to herself as she, Athena and Seshat go through all precious materials that Gobran had hoarded while he was chieftain.

 “... Why were we even collecting gold and gems and things, if goblins don’t trade with other races?” Crystaria asked exasperated. She was fed up with looking through and sorting things that they might find useful for helping the village. So far, the only thing Gobran seemed interested in, was claiming things that other races felt were valuable: this included; gold, gems, trinkets made of gold or jewels, ornaments, different stuffed heads of beasts, fine clothes, rare tools, or strange oddities. He even collected and kept the silverware for himself.

Glad the greed dick-bag is gone. I do feel bad for Grog, that he doesn’t have his brother anymore, but he seems happy with Leaf and their sisters. This thought brought a smile to her face. She recalled a time where she spied them walking hand-in-hand, two of their sisters out in front, one riding Grog’s shoulders, the others running and playing around with toys that Crystaria had “invented”, for the children of the village to enjoy.

“I suppose that Gobran just wanted to stick with the tradition of raiding and collecting things from other races. And that he thought that as chieftain, that it was his right to hoard it for himself.” Seshat echoed Crystaria’s thoughts that she had just a second ago. This brought another satisfied smile to her face. Everyone was coming along with their education. She had already begun teaching them the ways of farming and growing their own food; along with shepherding animals.

She was proud with how much effort Seshat had put into learning what she had taught. She was also now teaching the younger children and other uneducated goblins their alphabets herself: Seshat had turned into her best student.

“Well, Athe- I, think that he may have just been a greedy tiny stick.” Athena stated her opinion, with what was a new phrase going through the village, indicating that a male was lacking. Crystaria had no idea where this started; and was surprised to find that Athena had become a very outspoken young lady. She was just about to reach her sixteenth summer, and every time Crystaria looked at her, her heart would tighten with anxiety.

She couldn’t believe that she had only been here and a goblin, for a little over two weeks; another thing she had taught the goblins; how to tell time.

And in those two weeks, she was having a harder and harder time denying her developing feelings for Athena. She knew it was to fast. And she still hadn’t come to terms with her new form. She didn’t have the confidence to ask Athena for anything more then her friendship as of yet. That, and she kept deluding herself that she was receiving the same looks back from Athena herself. But Crystaria always looked away and shut up her heart that screamed for attention.

*GASP*

“Athena!” Her Grandmother exclaimed in dismay. “Please watch what you say, you are our only offspring left, please hold yourself higher than other that use such coarse language like that.”

“...” Neither Athena or Crystaria replied with any words, because whenever Seshat got wordy like this, she always got a mixed reaction from the people directed her tears at. Crystaria just gave a chuckle and shook her head, which prompted Athena to just giggle in turn.

*HMPH*

“I am serious! Also Demon Lord, please stop encouraging this sort of behavior!” She groused.

“Yes mother.” Crystaria couldn’t help herself. Which only prompted Seshat to focus her glower towards her.

“And everyone wonders where this sudden burst of obstinacy comes from!” She scolded, but her voice lacked the distinct lack of bite in her words that indicated that she was actually angry or mad.

Crystaria and Athena couldn’t hold it back any longer and started laughing in full.

“Oohhh you two are going to get it!” Seshat threatened.

“Oh? And what have they done now?” Artemis questions as she walks in through the flap of the school’s entrance.

“Darling!” Seshat exclaims, rushing towards her mate's arms. Artemis embrace her. Seshat, buries her head into her mate's bosom. She turns her head to the side saying.

“They are teasing me again Arty, why can’t they understand that we have to keep up appearances.”

“*TSK* Haven’t Artemis told you two to stop teasing this one’s mate,” She playfully scolded them. “That is my job.” And with that, she tilted Seshat backwards, giving her a luscious and sensuous kiss. This had Seshat sputtering for a moment before she fell into her mate's warm, loving, embrace, that had her giving into her mate's passion, letting her mouth open up to receive her mate's tongue to deepen the kiss. 

This was such a regular occurrence by now, that Crystaria started to wonder if they didn’t somehow time and plan these seemingly coordinated, little displays of public affection.

Athena just gave a giggle looking away from her grandmothers' kissing, busying herself with her task if sorting the last of the stuff that might prove useful to the village.

Crystaria too, took this opportunity to escape back to her work. She was just rifling through the last things in her pile. So far, they had only been able to obtain slightly useful things. Cloth and clothes to make new garments for the people of the clan. Also new metal weapons and equipment for the hunters. Most of the objects here though were to big and unwieldy for a goblin to use. The silverware proved valuable for educating goblins on the importance of proper eating. But lacked any other use.

There were a few more books, but none that weren’t torn, ruined by improper care, or just not in a recognizable language for them to read.

Crystaria sighed as she pushed aside more gold coins and silverware, when an elongated oval shaped, gem encrusted, golden handle stuck out from the other handles of the silverware laying on top. The handle tapered towards the top, so she mistook it  for another oddly shaped spoon or another comb again. But as she reached for it, she heard the distinct sound of Seshat’s voice starting to chew out her mate for the embarrassing display she was just put through. Artemis just laughed holding her more tightly, refusing to let her mate go, even while she protested and pounded on her mate's toned chest.

Crystaria tuned out their playful banter, her heart beating so fast in her ears, that as she reached for the handle and lifted it free of the pile, she didn't even notice the noise of the other objects falling and clattering on one another, as the other silverware on top tumbled, falling off of the large oblong sized head shape that surfaced from the bottom of the pile.

Crystaria recognized it almost instantly. She was just thankful that it was turned away from her. She couldn’t hear anything but her own heart beat anymore, her hands shook as she held the handle to the object in her hand.

But with a morbid curiosity taking hold of her, she almost couldn’t believe that she was slowly turning the object towards herself. Her heart was shouting at her to leave it, to throw it away; but her mind had to see it, had to look, had to see it in full.

As she looked down at the reflective object in her hand, the mirror looked back at her: large wide terrified eyes, teal in color, with matching hair to go with her eyes, a large oval shaped head, long sharped pointed ears, a nose that swooped down the middle of her face, a mouth that stretched out almost to the point of reaching her cheeks and the sides of her face.

She had done well not looking, or to avoiding looking at things that were reflective in nature. But there it was; there she was, staring back at her.

Don’t look at me you freak!

Her fist flew before she had even thought twice about, her fist slamming into the mirror. But instead of a shattering sound like she had expected, the mirror indented instead, turning the mirror more into the object she had originally thought it was: a spoon.

That is right; mirrors used to be made of polished silver before mercury was discovered and used.

As she came back to herself as her own thoughts distracted her. She had realized that the noise all around her had ceased.

She turned to see three sets of eyes attached to worried faces. But she took a breath, then gave them all a reassuring smile. Which got her ones in return.

“Sorry about that... saw something scary.” She said honestly. She had gotten used to controlling her emotions and aura over the past couple weeks. But she still had a hard time not letting it run wild when her emotions got out of control: she had realized also that the aura also worked for her as well: just as it could intimidate, it could also sooth and calm, if she was calm as well. “And I thought I told you Seshat, that when we’re in private to call me Crystaria.”

Seshat had finally pulled herself free of her mate, who pouted petulantly at her escape.

“You know very well that I think you deserve more respect than that. You have done so much for us already; I just don’t think I can bring myself to call you anything less than your title: it would be a dishonor on everything you’ve done so far.” Seshat argued her stance regarding what she called Crystaria.

Crystaria sighed, then released another breath in a chuckle. 

“There is no convincing you is there? Even when everyone else has started calling me by name?”

“Not everyone!” Seshat argued.

“Do the young ones and children count?” Crystaria countered. “Besides! You're the one that tells them to call me chieftain or demon lord.”

Artemis took this opportunity to walk behind her mate, to capture her from behind in a hug around her mid section while she was distracted.

“Enough, both of you.” Artemis chided without meaning it. “Crysta, you know you are never going to get Seshat to call you by name, let alone what everyone else has started calling you.”

Crystaria sighed and lamented the fact that Artemis was right.

“And my darling,” Artemis said as she turned her mate's head by her chin with a hand. “The least you can do, is use her name like she asked when you two are just in private. Think of it like this: she gave you the honor and privilege to use her name, but you are throwing it back at her, saying you would rather not do that.

Crystaria was about to protest that it wasn’t necessary, that she didn’t need to try and convince Seshat to use her name. But Artemis shot her a glare, shutting her up.

Seshat let out a sigh, much as Crystaria had.

“You’re right Arty...” She turned, looking at Crystaria. “C-C-Crystaria, t-thank you for letting me use your name.”

Crystaria was about to tell her it was fine and it was nothing. But changed her mind. She kept trying to go back to the casual mindset of how she lived when she was human, when that didn’t necessarily work here, or was appropriate anymore.

“Your welcome, and thank you for being my friend and calling my name.” She told her.

Seshat put her head in her hands and groaned.

“That is so improper of me to call you by name!” She mumbled into her hands.

Artemis just laughed, landing kisses to her mate's neck.

“We’ll work on it.” She then turned her gaze to Crystaria, her face drawing serious. “Artemis has come to tell you that Gabo has succeeded; there are two other clan representatives here to speak with you.” She informed the Demon Lord.

“Oh! They already arrived today?” She asked surprise.

“Yes, they came early. Wanted to meet you, the new Demon Lord.”

Crystaria gave a sigh and a shake of her head.

“Welp... so much for my plans this afternoon.” She looked back to Artemis. “I will have to postpone my talk with you and Leaf about my new plans for our new hunters.”

Artemis gave a nod.

“This one figured, told Leaf already. She was okay with it; Willow, Birch, and Anthemis said they were going to use this time to work with their sister on her speech some more.”

“But it is already,-“ Crystaria tried to argue that she had already met her criteria of what she wanted Leaf to reach.

“Yes, she has." Artemis agreed, interrupting and interjecting the Demon Lord. "But Leaf is determined to be better. That is how Leaf is; get used to it “Demon Lord”.” Artemis teased Crystaria by calling her by her title.

“...” Crystaria scowled at her. “I will get you back for that.” She threatened.

“Of course! This one is looking forward to it!” Artemis challenged.

Crystaria let out a sigh. There was never any winning with her, was there? She then said to everyone there.

“Well, I am off to go do my duties... wish me luck?” She asked half jokingly.

“You won’t need it.” Said Artemis.

“Yes! Good luck! And remember, you represent the clan.” Seshat reminded in a true motherly fashion.

“... Do your best.” Athena said simply.

 

---

 

Two more weeks later.

 

---

 

Crystaria, Athena, Artemis and Leaf, were all walking and instructing the new volunteers for the rangers, when suddenly Gabo came rushing towards them.

“Demon Lord!” He screamed.

Crystaria was automatically alert. While Gabo was also one of the few holdouts to still call her by her title, he only did so publicly, privately, he was more than willing to call her by name. Him rushing and calling her by her title put her on edge instantly.

“Catch your breath Gabo, then tell me what is wrong.” She told him, but he shook his head.

“You need to come, *PANT PANT* whole new clan, *PANT* has come to village, their leader... say *PANT* troubling things!” Gabo panted between breaths. Artemis was by his side as soon as he skidded to a halt. She was rubbing her mate’s back in comfort to calm him.

“What did they say?”

“They... would not tell Gabo everything, only that trouble was coming.”

She took a quick inhalation, then breathed it out her nose in a cleansing breath to help clear her mind.

“Seems important,” She looked at her trusted group of friends then started giving out instructions. “Athena, gather everyone here and clean up: we’re done for today. Leaf: go and take you and your sisters to go scout this clan that has arrived. Artemis, when you can pull yourself from Gabo’s side, meet me at the school.” The school also doubled as a central meeting spot. “I will meet you there.” And with that she took off. Moving faster than their eyes could track, the only  evidence she had been standing there was a cloud of dust she had kicked up on her starting sprint.

As she zipped through the woods and towards the caves, back towards the village, she thought to herself.

I really hope this is just them kicking up a stink and nothing to terrible.

Even though she had nothing but bad feelings about this. Because an entire clan came this time, not just a representative.