World of Alvarra: Rise of the Vampire Lord

Chapter 122 A Witches Healing

Luna hummed happily as she rode her new follower through the forest towards the witch's house. Van was sitting behind her, as she did not want him in front. Her follower, her rules. Forcing him to hold her from behind, all the while she teased that she wanted him closer. To which he ignored, lost in his own head as it were.

It was a strange feeling for Van, for the first time ever, he had technically a person under him who he did not form a connection with. If the bear could ever be truly considered a subordinate of his. Even if Luna did say it was to be a pet.

More importantly... he still couldn't get it out of his mind... the look on Luna's face as she fought. The sheer willpower and determination... not to mention... the bloodlust...

But right now, it was like Luna was back to normal... or perhaps even going so far as to regress again, bordering back on her bimbo Luna phase, as she happily sang nonsensically. He was so lost in his own thoughts, he did not realize that Luna was asking him a question.

"So what do you think? ...Hello? Van? Earth to Van! Are you there!?" Luna pestered, turning her head around to get a better look at her husband.

"Huh!? Oh, umm..." Van looked up, then tried to rewind his thoughts and try to figure out what she was trying to ask him. But it stopped mid-reel as it hooked itself on an odd word, his brows furrowing. "Wait... earth? Wasn't that one of... how does Luna know that..."

"VAN!!!" Luna shouted as his eyes glazed over, snapping them back awake.

"Wha-!" Van blinked and realized what he had just done. "Oh! Sorry... I... was lost in my thoughts..."

"That's clear," Luna responded flatly, but then a look of worry took her. "Are you okay? You're not bear sick, are you? I could ask Bearycream to go slower if you want."

"No, I'm okay, I just..." Van blinked again. "I'm sorry... What did you just say? Beary-what?"

Luna smiled proudly. "BEARYCREAM!" she shouted with pride. "I've been thinking about what to name my follower! And wanted to ask you for your opinion. Which do you prefer? Bearycream? Or Starbeary!" she then squealed, "don't they both sound so cute!" she exclaimed.

Van inwardly cringed and gave a quick glance over to look at the long-suffering expression of the bear who was doing its best to ignore Luna in the hopes this conversation would miraculously go away. Perhaps thinking if she remained quiet enough, Luna would get bored and start talking about something else. Sadly, it was not to be...

"Oh! Oh! Maybe Bearaness! Because she was like the ruler of this area or something!" Luna continued without pause. "Or maybe-"

"How bout rosa." Van cut her off, hoping to put a stop to her horrible bear puns. "It's cute, it's short and it somewhat matches her color. Or perhaps terra? Since it means earth. Since, you know... Bell explained to us that the spikes on a thorn bear are actually earth the bears manipulated and shaped onto their bodies." Referring to the time that Bell was explaining what thorn bears were really like after the fight, and how they were more like earth bears than thorn bears that they are sometimes confused for.

This seemed to get a somewhat positive reaction from the bear, but a pout from Luna. "That doesn't sound very cute..." but after giving it some thought a mischievous smile grew on her face and she turned to face Van with a sparkle in her eyes. "What about Teddyrosa! Like terrarosa! But teddy! Wouldn't that be perfect!"

"Umm..." Van looked visibly pained. "How but we stick to your other idea of Terrarosa, and we can call her Rosa for short." he tried to bargain on the bear's behalf.

Luna narrowed her eyes, staring him down... "Rosy..." she said with finality.

Van sighed. "...alright... her name will be Rosy for short..." he conceded.