The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Impossible

"Illusion is a gift. It can cause great wonder but also great harm."

Thoughts of family trickled into her mind. Sora found her hands stuffed into her pockets. The outfit she wore was only capable of shielding her fingers from the chilly winds. Shrinking in on herself hardly seemed to do much good to get those intense stares off her back. There had been a choice to revert to her regular form before they left the house. Texas had suggested she do so. And she understood why. But something about being a rabbit in a den of wolves seemed worse. However the bared fangs in her direction was making her wonder if she made the wrong choice after all.

"What's an illusion user like you doing here?" One of them growled.

A small crowd was awaiting them the second they stepped out of the old Texas house. And while Texas had taken their appearance with stride, Sora was not so lucky. A few of the wolves seemed adamant on staying close to Texas as a weird impromptu entourage. But then there was her current company. Older, less friendly wolves growling about the "outsiders" Texas brought home with her. So much for a warm welcome.

"We're friends of Texas." Exusiai stepped in, looping an arm over her shoulder. The presence of her Sankta friend relaxed the nervous energy rampant along her rigid spine. Those narrowed eyes accompanied by curled sneers had her uncomfortable for all the right reasons.

My illusion doesn't cause harm, but these wolves hate it still. Impersonation seemed like a heavy crime to these people. She hardly understood why. The likelihood of getting an answer from Texas about this anytime soon was drastically low. Texas was leading the way now, her chin raised as she met the gazes of her people head on. The attire she wore —a red and white suit— was striking in her. Sora almost thought the rest of them were underdressed.

"Hmph. Likely story." One muttered.

"A little rabbit, friends with a wolf? Don't make me laugh."

"That's how those upper city folk are." An older, sick wolf gruffed. "Making predator and prey live side by side. Hopefully their stench didn't run off on our alpha." His breath stank of old blood, the attire he wore so dark it likely hid any of the russet stains he may have coughed up.

Another said something else, she did not catch it. Exusiai was capturing her attention again, voice hushed against the newfound wind. The pinkette was awfully calm despite their situation. She wondered how the other managed it.

"Don't listen to them. They're all talk."

"I wouldn't be so sure." She could not hold back the that escaped her. Every step closer they got to the town square the more timid she seemed to become. All these wolves saw them as a nuisance, at least, the ones who approached them. Sora scanned the parting crowds for others, picking out the families of the Pack. Mothers and Fathers speaking to their children in hushed tones. The glances they cast at Sora and her friends were carefully blank. The children for their part watched on with wide eyes. This might be their first time seeing non-wolves. Too bad it was in such a polarizing environment.

Exusiai followed her gaze and shook her head. "Well . . . maybe some of them bite. But we've got our own wolves so I think we'll be just fine."

One of which wanted to kill me not so long ago she thought but did not say. The sentiment of reassurance did strike a chord of warmth. Exusiai was likely just as uncertain as she was about all of this. Yet here she is comforting me. Exusiai was the truest angel she knew.