Among The Wolves

Offensive

“Excuse me?!” My exclamation was sharp and accusatory.

Immediately, I closed my lips but it was too late. A hush went about the room as eyes looked over to see who dared to speak louder than the Lunas. Even the two Lunas in question began to frown at my remark.

My mind reeled in panic as I fumbled to rectify the situation. “I-I-I mean to say…” my hands were clenched so tightly. “...that you uh…” I looked their bodies up and down for anything I could mention. “You have such beautiful dresses! I mean, absolutely gorgeous!”

A very nervous chuckle left my lips. “All the delicate and detailed work is only fit for Lunas such as yourselves.”

Eyebrows went up and I was not sure if I was saving my case at all.

“No one told me I would beholden to such beauty here. I am at such odds with myself right now.”

More nerve-wracking cackling. I was an idiot.

I reached out to pour more incessant comments but the elderly Luna seemed to have moved on already. She patted the empty seat next to her. “Come, sit down. A friend of Alpha M’est’r is a friend of mine and I must get to know you more!”

I was perturbed by the occurring events, I wanted to go back to my tea and cookies, but nodded my head respectfully. “Yes, nor.”

I sat in the seat next to her and kept my composure.

“What is your name, dear?” Though loud, her voice was calm.

I looked up at her for a half second before staring at my hands. My mind went over every word I had to say. “Vae'Lee, nor. And yours?”

She chuckled humorously, “Why, I ought to be offended that you have not been taught the culture. No matter, I'm Luna Ten'Hah.” She moved to look at the Luna next to her, “This is Luna Le'Ney.”

I smiled warmly, “Nice to meet you.”

A curt nod was my response. Perhaps she was not completely over my exclamation.

Luna Ten'Hah leaned toward me but gestured to Luna next to her. “Now, Luna La'Ney is correct, you are very petite, and very small in stature. How did this come about?”

It was a perplexing question. “I'm afraid I would have to credit genetics. For I have had no say in how I have grown.”

“But to be so thin! Surely you can control your food intake.”

I wasn't particularly liking the conversation but my goal was to find a certain somebody today. Speaking my mind would do me no favors. “This is true. For you, I shall have to make up my mind to add more to my plate.”

“Good! And tell me, for I must know. Vae'Lee is such a particular name, who are your parents?”

Oh dear. I thought of my parents' names… Tanaquil and Komdauter: very Vakusian names. Put on the spot I began to stammer. I turned back to the Lunas, “My mother and father are known as Tan'Quil and Kom'Vae”

Luna La'Ney scoffed lightly, “Such an odd boyish name for a distinguished woman.”

I gritted my teeth against a growing hum.

“What was their standing?”

My mama was a teacher and my father was a mailman so… “They were a Tau and a Sigma (messenger).”

The facial expressions of the Lunas downcasted. The younger one blinked at me, “How did someone, who's parents are of little consequence, get to be the plaything of someone as distinguished as Alpha M’est’r himself?”