A Nagas tale

Fine wine and spilled milk

I fall over on the snow exhausted from playing tag with Yyvonne. She laughed seeing me give up so quickly to her games. I noticed that the progression of the aura bond had slowed down. I'm not sure if it was because of the conversation we had two days ago but Kogen had started treating me less like a kid. I reach my hand out to the bright skies above me turning my palm towards me. 'the soul age is determined by the lines on one's hand. Each line marks 50 years.' I looked at the four lines on my palm which should be 200 years but it made no sense. I groan as Yyvonne jumps onto my stomach. I quickly trap her in my arms earning me crazed giggles from her. I start tickling her in retaliation for her jumping on me. "S...stop!" she laughs out trying to get me to stop. My body shudders as Kogens Aura quickly takes over the area. "Hmm, are you two kids having fun?" he jokes I look up at him as he walks over to us. His eyes are fixed on me as a grin pulls at his lips. "I..." I blush before turning my eyes away from him. "It's fun," I answer letting Yyvonne go. She quickly asks Kogen to play with her some hide and seek. I sit up shaking the snow off my hair and get up patting away the snow. "So Missy said she gave you a book on a soul's age." he points out. "Did you find out what age your soul is?" he asks as Yyvonne sprints away to hide. I look at my palm still confused by the age it gave me. "t..this isn't... how does this make any sense!?" I grumble watching the trees sway 'These rules should not apply to me. I am not from this world.' I thought as he wraps his arms around me and takes my hand. I was given but a moment to enjoy the warmth of his body. I try my best not to laugh as he traces the lines on my palm. "200." he reads out for me. "Hm so you aren't such a kid then." he chuckles. His chuckle sounds so nice near my ear. He rests his chin on my shoulder as he shows me his palm. I frown looking at the lines carefully tracing them with my finger four lines. This last line is not complete 'Based on the book incomplete lines mean the soul is between an age.' I keep my finger on the last line "So I'm not that far in age." I mutter with relief. "hm about 46 years far." he gives me the age he was at right now. "Woah I'm dating an old man." I joke with a light giggle. He lets out a thoughtful hum before he gets off my shoulder. "I should go find Yyvonne." He starts counting. I look at my hand 'The question is... when did my body stop aging?' I turn to the open door of my room. I felt the chill of the winter creep in once Kogen left. I decide to get some tea and crackers for a mid-day snack. I walked back out to the catwalk once everything was ready. I sat and watched them play in the snow its funny seeing such a huge guy let a tiny girl spook him. I look over at the book I brought with me. 'a soul's age... if this world is built for a person to live past a normal human's age..' I look at my palms 'How is my world built? Is it normal for people to live one life in a body that will die after a few years and restart? Forgetting everything they learned?' I sighed looking up at the bright blue sky. 'one thing is the lack of aura in my old world.' I frown as I recall the first time I became aware of it. 'have I always had this ability?' The questions start piling in my mind.

Audrey had grown quieter over the days. I watched her read the book Missy gave her about a beastmen and the basics we would teach the kids. I look at the pile of books she has collected from my library. "Audrey," I call out to her. She turns to me "Hm? Yeah?" she asks her eyes carrying her need for answers. 'it's truly odd how she was unaware of her own age simply counting the age of her body. It's like that was all she'd lived knowing of.' I pat my lap wanting her to rest her eyes for a few minutes. She looks at my lap and smiles "Alright," she closes the book and sets it aside. She gets up and walks over to me. She sits on my lap rather than laying her head on my lap. "I..." "it's cold today." she stops me from correcting her. I look out at the winter-coated world. I peek into her room spotting Yyvonne taking her nap under the kotatsu table after playing that much it was normal. I look at Audrey whose eyes are fixed on the trees. She lets out a soft sigh as I give in to her silent demand. 'She's grown more comfortable with getting closer.' I smile before wrapping her in my arms hiding her in my sleeves to keep her warm. I feel her sink into me and her body relax. The scent of sweet and tart Grapefruits tickles my nose; after reading her palm three days ago I felt more at ease with the bond we are creating. I feel myself drifting away but I know leaning on the wall like this would not be comfortable for her. I slide onto my side and bring her with me. She squirms a bit fixing her head on my arm. I feel her squirm some more as she turns herself to face me. "better?" I ask to which she nods nuzzling her nose against my chest. "hmm yeah." she whispers sleep already dripping in her words. I watch the world finding this enjoyable the feeling of somebody I could call mine. The way my person filled the void in my arms nicely. 'hm I could get used to this.' The thought of spending my long life with Audrey pleased me. The smell of blood and the ticklish sensation of her aura poking at my aura woke me. I spot Audrey sitting up rubbing her eyes of their sleep. "mm sorry if I woke you up." she whispers I notice my aura has already overtaken most of hers. Her head was the only thing left to coat. She yawns "Hmm naps... dangerous naps." she murmurs before getting up. I watch her walk over to her room and disappear from my sight. I look out at the trees spotting golden eyes looking in. I get up and glare at them a silent warning to stay away. I walk into the room spotting Audrey pulling out some clothes. "Are you going to bathe?" I ask curious as to why she needed one. She nods her face flushed "Uhm yeah, It's getting colder so I thought I should take a shower earlier so I'm not sleeping with wet hair." she answers. I look outside and nod "Alright, don't stay in too long." I warn her as I walk back out to pick up her books and the tray with the tea set. I walk inside and shut the door leading out. 'why is that old bastard loitering.' I walk to the kitchen to start dinner.