Spawn of the Outworlder

Chapter 2-A Chance Meeting

Graham, finding he had somehow managed to make himself look more a clown than he had just a few moments ago, tried to explain himself.

"No. That's not...I'm...uhm", he muttered.

"Yes, dear. I heard you the first time," she replied, then began to walk towards the road. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm rather late for--"

"THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!!!" Graham bluntly shouted at her, head humbly bowed down. He dared not look at her again, lest he make a fool of himself a third time.

Silence. Only the wind and chirping of the forest birds could be heard. For a brief moment, Graham wondered if she'd already walked away.

Finally, the Lady Luna broke the silence. "And?"

Without hesitation, Graham continued. "And I'm sorry for staring at you like that. It wasn't proper and no way to treat you after what you did."

Silence once again. With his head still down, the head of the golden staff came into view. The staff rested on Graham's chin and pushed his head up to meet Luna's gaze.

"Alright now," she said. "No need to hang your head so low. All is forgiven."

Graham let out a sigh. "Thank you, ma'am. And again, I really am sorry."

"Oh, come now. I've said you're forgiven, " she said, waving a hand signaling to dismiss his concerns. "Although I am curious what it was about me that kept you so captivated."

"Did you truly find me so desirable," she asked with a warm tone. "The beautiful, silver haired maiden who'd come to your rescue?"

"No ma'am," Graham instinctively replied, his face feeling hot from the reminder of his shame. "Not like that."

"Then you found me so repulsive," she asked with a more accusatory tone. "The rotund, silver haired freak who dared to grace your sight?"

"N-no ma'am," Graham said again, now lowering his gaze once more.

"Well, what was it then", she asked, her voice carrying a musical quality to it.

"Uhm, I-I...uh," Graham sputtered out, his mind incapable of considering what answer could possibly make him look less like an imbecile. As he stood with his head once again bowed down, he heard a slight chuckle and curiously looked up.

The Lady Luna stood with a hand held up to her face, the back of which she used to cover the wide smirk currently on her face. Upon meeting his gaze, she finally burst into a laughter which shook her whole body.

"C'mon now," Graham grumbled. "I said I was sorry."

"I'm sorry, dear," Luna said through small chuckles. "But if you could only see how amusing you look right now."

Graham tried his hardest not to show his annoyance at being humiliated once again. "Well, anyhow, I don't mean to keep you from your business, ma'am."

"Oh, call me Luna, dear," she said. "'Ma'am' makes me feel so old. My business will be resolved at my pace and not a second sooner. Right now, I'm hoping to learn why my little friend felt you were so important."

"RRRREAAAAARRRWWRRR"

Upon mention of them, the pig squealed once more and began walking back and forth between the two of them.

"Yes, Winston," said Luna. "I'm referring to you."

The pig, apparently named Winston, changed his look after hearing Luna's voice. Soon, he began squealing and beaming brightly, almost dancing. For some reason, Graham found its almost human behavior...disturbing. The Lady Luna spoke, once again chuckling to herself.