Hare of Misfortune

Quietly closing the door, Rachel waved at Scarlet, seemingly having trouble staying awake, which she assumed was more about her blood intake than actually needing sleep; still, the girl was refusing more blood, wanting to maintain a good sleep cycle in conjunction with her.

The fanged girl rose to her feet as she exited. ”Everything okay?”

Rachel yawned and scratched her neck; some of the morning rays had slid through to drop her [Lunar Pool] down to forty-five percent, and she felt it in her muscles. Fortunately, her previous actions with the wolf-boy had paid off, which meant she could sink her hook into the curious unicorn before bed.

”Mostly. I’m sure my mom will want to properly meet you when she’s rested.” Glancing at the room across from them that housed quite a few of the Green Beret company, including Mateo, who had ’kept an eye on her’ long enough and retired for the day. She took note of the soldiers who had replaced them, trying to get a better grasp of their personalities. ”I know you’ll want to come with me, Scarlet, but I need to go meet the unicorn alone. I’ll be right back to get ready for bed.”

She directed her focus to the company’s current OIC. ”Is that alright, Sergeant Murray? If I need someone to follow me to the cafeteria, that’s fine, but I have to meet her alone to not cause any kind of commotion. She’s...touchy toward the military, government, and law enforcement in general.”

Murray pursed his lips, looking between his men and Scarlet’s slumping shoulders, likely wanting to release her own tension about the girl’s conversation with her father.

”Roy, tag along.”

”Sir.”

Rachel was surprised to see the tall, muscular Green Beret now in civilian clothes from the donations downstairs; he took off his gun and put his hands in his pockets to follow her down, a smile on his face.

”Gotta blend in and get a grasp on the situation without intimidating people,” he explained at her lifted eyebrow. ”Don’t worry, Scarlet, we’ll be back. Actually, how long will it take, Rachel?”

The man was genuine in his casual wave at the blood-drinking girl, showing how much rapport they’d built with the Special Forces in their short time knowing each other; they didn’t want the vespertine reaper to feel excluded or an outcast.

”It’ll be quick. I left the bait; now, I need to hook her before letting the line go for a bit,” she explained with a grin and wink. ”It’s all in the mystery!”

Scarlet giggled. ”You really are amazing... I’ll be here...being lazy and useless,” she groaned and continued before anyone could say otherwise. ”I know, I know...’you’re not useless or lazy.’ Ugh...”

”Mmmm.” Rachel tilted her head to the side with her ears. ”Useless and lazy are strong words. You’ve done plenty already and kept me company through the boring bits. Thanks for being a friend!”

”Aww... You’re too good!” Scarlet huffed with a smile. ”Your dad was really sweet, but I guess we can talk about that later. Good luck.”

Walking backward, Rachel added a sly smirk while pointing at her. ”Don’t think I don’t know you’ll be watching me the whole time with those ruby eyes, Ms. Peeping Jill.”

”Haha. Peeping Jill? I like that. I get bored, too, and I’m exercising my abilities like you said!”

”Touché,” she snickered, walking around the corner with Roy. ”Be right back.”

The man shot a small look down at her as their passing caught the attention of many nurses.

”What?”

”Either you’re getting better at masking your intent, or you’re growing more fond of Scarlet; it’s sweet to see you take her under your wing like a big sister. She needs a good role model to show her there’s a way forward.”

”I guess,” she hummed.

Projecting how things would go in the future, Rachel’s mind centered on her mother’s mannerisms and desires; if things continued, her mother would no doubt begin to fuss over Scarlet, seeing her as someone who needed a mother figure in her life.

All her mother ever wanted was to be a mom, and even that wasn’t totally fulfilling as she branched out to the community youth projects in their city as they grew. Her mom was well-respected among the soccer mom, youth educational, and community center circles for a reason.

We really are a proactive family... Dad and Nam are deep in business and finance, Mom in homemaking and community, and I’m in martial arts, fitness, and schooling. It’s not hard to see why Alexa would feel so overwhelmed by our active lifestyle. Scarlet keeps mentioning how intimidating my work ethic is... I need to be more mindful that it doesn’t come naturally to some people.

Refocusing as they made it to the elevator, she reflected on what her mother said earlier regarding her shamanistic beliefs and the stories she’d told her growing up; it was the reason she knew the differences between hares and rabbits, but she’d utterly ghosted that point in her life due to the trauma to make the proper connection.

The Limpid Jade Hare and misfortune... It can’t be a coincidence that my mother is a semi-practicing Korean shaman, telling me stories about her beliefs and deities, and then I turn into a lunar hare. If goddesses are real...does that mean Korean figures like Sungmo, Haesik, Pali Kongju, Magu, and... Dalsun became the personification of the moon when she and her brother escaped the hungry tiger that ate their mother before they climbed to heaven...

Rachel’s mind froze as they passed a waiting room beside the elevator, and all sound died with the world coming to a complete standstill; her focus was drawn to what sat on the ground in front of the steel box: a slowly spinning egg, dyed shiny orange, pink, and white.

”Roy...” The man was mid-step, petrified like all the other staff in the area, making Rachel hiss. ”Shit.”

Glancing around cautiously, she stood in the silence for a time; not a thing twitched besides the egg, yet she had the distinct feeling of being watched just outside of her peripheral vision with her enhanced senses.

”Moongmor?” she hesitantly guessed, recalling the goddess’ words about someone by the name being sent by Eostre, the goddess related to easter and spring; it couldn’t be a coincidence that the season was coming up and this deity’s sudden activity. ”What is this about?”

When no answer came, she carefully went to the rotating item, bent down, and grabbed it.

A vision of a tiny, fairy-like girl, no more than ten centimeters tall, flashed across her mind; she was trapped inside a fish tank with cuts and bruises, weeping within a fake rock. It was immediately followed by a pretty, violet-eyed woman, irises alight with flames and wearing a sadistic smile while holding a little girl by the throat.

View somewhat obscured, Rachel saw the beautiful, autumn-haired goddess before her, as her earthy, feminine voice whispered into her ears. There was a rabbit on her shoulder, its fur the same colors as the egg she’d just touched. The heavenly figure looked almost frightened, focusing on something down the hall from where Rachel had come, yet her gaze swiftly snapped to her, speaking in haste.

”You must find Fiona before it is too late—convince Tom Dallas to test your abilities in the field. Please, Rachel, beware of the woman named Relica: she has support beyond the mortal realms... Use discretion in how Scarlet meets her, or it could doom us all...”

She blinked as the world continued, momentarily stunned by the rush of sound that hit her brain; Roy glanced left, then at her, crouching by the elevator.

”When did you—huh?”

Damn goddesses! she internally snarled, slowly rising to her feet, fingers closing to empty air where the egg had been. Why do they always have to be so minimalist?! I guess they’re limited in some sense, too, if this Relica woman is getting help from her own gods...

”Ugh... It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Pressing the elevator, she glared at her warped reflection in the steel. I’ll have to bring it up to General... I guess his first name is Tom. I wonder what he’ll think about me revealing that bit of info. It does give credence to my supernatural connection to these beings... They say so much with so little! Dammit. At least give me a timescale to work with if it’s time-sensitive!