Angelina shifted slightly, ears twitching.
"Why do you ask, Young.. Master?"
Maxi, still focused on his book, shrugged.
"No reason. Well... actually, there is a reason, but you know what? Frick it. I just want to know you better."
Angelina blinked, a little shocked at his outright honesty. She hesitated, then repeated,
"You want to... know me better?"
"Yeah,"
Maxi said casually.
"Since I don't really know much about you yet, and I've been causing you so much stress, I figured it's only fair."
Angelina stared at him, surprised. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"So... am I allowed to ask questions too?"
Maxi smirked.
"I don't see why not. In fact, how about you go first?"
Maxi was determined to make her feel comfortable.
He had noticed it before-the last time they talked, she had started warming up to him. But after yesterday's event, it was like he had been reset to square one.
He needed to fix that.
But before he could think of a way-
"Okay,"
Angelina spoke up. "How old are you?"
Maxi chuckled at the simple question. "I'm five years old."
Angelina's eyes widened.
"You're five?!"
she asked in disbelief.
"How are you a five-year-old who's already reading advanced books? Most kids your age just like talking to people, asking questions, and exploring-not sitting down and reading for hours!"
Maxi shrugged. "Well, I guess I'm not a normal kid, now am I?"
She smiled slightly. "I guess not."
Maxi smirked. "Now it's my turn. How old are you?"
Angelina thought for a second, then answered, "I'm twelve years old."
Maxi grinned. "Look at that-you're seven years older than me!"
Angelina giggled. "Yep. That's why I call you Young Master instead of Old Master."
Maxi laughed. The tension in the room started to fade away, replaced with something much lighter-something friendlier.
-
After a few more laughs, Maxi asked, "Okay, what kind of magic do you know?"
Angelina hesitated for a moment before tilting her head playfully. "Why do you want to know?"
Maxi smirked. "Because I want to know."
She narrowed her eyes teasingly. "What if I say no?"
Maxi shrugged. "That's fine. I'll just ask my mother."
Angelina's face turned red.
"Wait, that's unfair!"
Maxi adjusted his round glasses in a mock-intellectual way. "All is fair in love and war."
Angelina sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll tell you."
Maxi smirked triumphantly.
Angelina says, "I have spirit magic."
Maxi raised an eyebrow. "More details."
Angelina frowned. "What do you mean, more details?"
maxi says, "I mean, explain it properly. My dear maid."
She pouted heavily, turning her head away in mock annoyance.
"Fine. But only because you're my master. In any other situation, I would've refused."
She took a deep breath before beginning.
"Spirit magic-or at least, for me-is a way to connect with my ancestors."
Maxi listened carefully.
"We Wolvine people are deeply connected to wolves. You can see it in my tail and ears, but it's much deeper than that. In the past, we used to walk, talk, and hunt with wolves-until we adapted to being more human. But even now, our bond with them remains just as strong.
"We believe that some wolves are our ancestors. For me..." She hesitated for a second, then whispered, "You better not tell anyone this, but I'm related to the Spirit Wolf of Life-Angel."
Maxi's eyes slightly widened.
"Wait, is that why your name is Angelina because they named you after her?"
Angelina nodded. "Yeah. And when it was time to choose a guardian spirit, I was naturally drawn to her. We Wolvines have a whole ritual as a coming-of-age ceremony, and because Angel is my ancestor, I was chosen by her."
Maxi tilted his head. "So what can you do with her magic?"
"I can heal people, control plant growth, and sense all living things around me."
Maxi imagined the ceremony, curiosity sparking in his mind. "Can you describe what it was like?"
Angelina nodded and began her story.
-
"We wear a rare, mythical white magic panther's skin. It covers our chest and wraps around our waist. Our fathers paint ancient symbols on our bodies using the sparkling red and purple blood of the white panther."
Maxi imagined the glowing tribal markings, shining under the moonlight.
"When we're ready, we-along with the other children-are led into the deep forest. That's when the mist appears."
Her voice dropped slightly, as if remembering the eerie beauty of it.
"A thick, heavy mist swallows the entire forest, and the only light comes from our glowing symbols. Then, fairies and spirits appear, floating through the air, guiding us each in different directions."
Maxi imagined tiny glowing figures, each leading a child toward their destined spirit.
"I followed my guide... and suddenly, I felt something pulling me. A strange but familiar force."
Angelina's eyes softened as she continued.
"I ran. I don't know why-but it felt like I was running toward something I had lost. Like a long-lost friend... or a grandmother I had never met."
She took a deep breath.
"And then I saw her."
Maxi leaned in slightly.
"The Spirit Wolf of Life-Angel-was sleeping, surrounded by purple and blue flowers that constantly released dark blue pollen, making everything glow."
Maxi could see it in his mind-a majestic, green silver wolf, lying in a field of otherworldly flowers, breathing softly as the mist curled around her.
"When I stepped closer, Angel opened one of her eyes. It looked like... a moon in deep blue water, surrounded by floating pollen."
Maxi shivered at the description
"She stood up and walked toward me. When our eyes met, I felt a connection form between us-something ancient and powerful."
"Then, she raised her paw."
Angelina's voice dropped to a hushed whisper.
"And the world shook."
Maxi felt his heart skip a beat.
"Then, she licked my forehead, and suddenly, the flowers around her surrounded me. I felt a warmth-so soft, so loving-that I immediately fell asleep."
She exhaled.
"When I woke up, I was in my father's arms. He congratulated me, telling me that I hadn't just made a spirit contract... but a life pact with the great Spirit Wolf of Life."
Angelina finished her story.
Maxi nodded slowly, deep in thought.
For a brief second, his eyes flashed green.
Neither of them noticed.
Then Maxi said, "Wow. That's quite the culture you've got there, Angelina."
Angelina grinned proudly, puffing out her chest. "I know, right? So, what about you? Do humans have anything even half as interesting?"
Maxi thought for a second-then shook his head, smiling.
"I don't think so."