//------------------------------// // Arc XV Episode III: Off Days // Story: Family Begins With You // by Jmaster49 //------------------------------// Luna took the lead and helped Aidon navigate through to the shop that sold astrology and sporting equipment such as telescopes and fishing poles. As they both spent time looking over the devices, Aidon popped a question. “So let me ask…do you still feel as though your sister overshadows you to this day?” The question caused Luna to stop dead in her tracks while looking over one of the telescopes. There was no way she was willing to discuss her own insecurities without the input of another person, so it would seem that Aidon had already had that part figured out. As a result, she had to give an honest answer. “...Admittedly, yes. On occasion. However, as you said a few moments ago, I can take pride in the fact that I am where I am now. In fact, I’m much better at socialization than I was thirty years ago--” Aidon’s eyes shot wide open as soon as he heard that. “...Thirty?” “That’s right, yes,” Luna answered with an innocent tilt of her head with her hands behind her back, “Did I not say that earlier?” “...Huh,” was all he could say. Luna’s youthful appearance completely betrayed the fact that she was apparently in her forties. It was downright impressive for a human, and Aidon found himself looking over her body for a moment or two out of disbelief. “...Nothing I--” It took a moment for Luna to realize what his issue was, and when the gears finally clicked, she let out a small giggle. “Oh, I see now. You’re rather perplexed by appearance given my age.” “No--not at all--it’s just…” Aidon quickly denied such a thing, turning away and placing his hand on his forehead. “What are you saying? You’re only making this more awkward than it needs to be.” Luna took a few steps forward and leaned around the man to check on him. “...Are you alright, sir? Apologies. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” “Ahem--it’s fine, it’s…fine,” he replied with a smile, “I was simply caught off-guard by that statement. Though it does make me wonder…” “What?” Luna asked with curious eyes, “I’m all ears for anything you have to say, Aidoneous.” “You’ve been around for quite a while--when was the last time you took some time off? A vacation with either your sister or yourself?” Luna opened her mouth, but promptly closed it and began to think. “Wait a minute. When was the last time I took some extended time off?” Aidon found it appropriate to clear up his stance. “...I only ask because it’s important to take care of yourself more than anything. I think that may be the root of the problem here. It’s important to manage your body and mind’s own stability before you can worry about anyone else’s.” “...Okay, you make a good point,” she replied as she turned her attention to one of the antique astronomy map-copies that were on sale. “I suppose I’ve been focusing too much on others and not myself. Maybe it does stem back to my…social anxieties. As I said before--my sister was the more outgoing one. I still…have a hard time talking to others. Hence why I choose to play online video games instead, hehe…” she said with an embarrassed chuckle as she recounted the nights she would spend yelling at her teammates over the mic. Aidon noted the star map that she was looking at and pointed out something rather obvious that occurred to him over the course of their conversation: “I see. Well, you seem to speak to me just fine. I wonder why that is.” “Well…I suppose it could be because you’re pleasant to listen to?” Luna replied with her arms behind her back again, and while leaning back and forth on her heels. “Of course, you work at the school, so that helps as I’m somewhat familiar with who you are as a person. Talking to random people…still unnerves me. Blech--look at me. I’m a 40-something-year-old woman with infantile speaking issues…” She sighed, and turned away from him. “You must find it weird, don’t you?” “Honestly? No,” Aidon admitted, “I have issues with speaking to others too at times--I’m still navigating my way through this world’s social structure…” With that in mind, Aidon gave a simple suggestion. “Luna. Spend time with those who you find comfortable with first, then branch out to others when you’re ready, alright? There’s no pressure.” “You…do have a point, hm…” “Can I really overcome this?” After spending some time in the shop, the pair of adults made their way towards their vehicles away from the marketplace. Aidon had purchased some more camera supplies while Luna had decided to buy herself a new telescope tripod. “So, er…this was quite the day out, was it not?” Luna muttered as she approached her blue sports car with a starry paint job. “I feel like I’ve gotten to know you a bit better, professor.” Aidon tossed the bags of items he had purchased into the trunk, and leaned against his SUV. “I can most certainly say the same. Just remember that no matter what happens, the students and your sister still love you.” “Yes, you have a point indeed,” Luna replied as she put the telescope parts in her trunk. “Though, there’s something that’s eluded me about you for a while…” She took out her phone and started swiping… Aidon took a step towards her and asked, “Erm…what do you mean?” Luna turned to him, showing off her phone with a video playing. In it was the recording of the shadow-pony-man using his powers of darkness to keep Pomelo from escaping the scene. “Was this…you?” “Yes actually,” he replied while looking at the video with a flat expression, then scoffed. “Hmph. Cameras made me look rather slender for a man of my stature…” Needless to say, the blue woman reacted with a jittery sense of excitement, shivering in place with a smile. “W-w-wow, um…” Luna took a deep breath as she put her phone away. “Okay this may sound odd but…do you think I could read your palms sometime…? Maybe spend an off-day with you...?” she begged while leaning towards him. “I’ve been dying to test my theories on someone with eccentric power!” “...” For a moment, Aidon said nothing. That’s when Luna backed off and cleared her throat. She then tapped her index fingers together in a sheepish manner. “That is…if you’re willing…” “Maybe it’ll aid in her social development. Hm…” Ultimately, he saw no problem with this. “Sure. The more I can learn about human culture, the better.” “Yes!” Luna squealed as she pumped her fist out of joy. “Thank you, Aidoneous. You won’t regret partaking in my little experiment!” Before he could say anything else, Luna had hopped in her car and drove off the lot. A nervous bead of sweat ran down the side of the man’s face as he watched her drive off. “Well…she’s certainly something.” Meanwhile, as Aidon drove off, the same individual from before was watching from afar… “Bittersweet. But fitting. Now I know what makes him tic. Now to find the vampony-boy…”