Hare of Misfortune

Soft hums pricked Rachel’s ears as she took a deep breath and cracked open her eyes; a dim room came into focus, Nike lying unconscious in the bed beside hers. In the corner of the room stood kid Nia, twisting left and right as she examined how different accessories looked with her hanfu. Vision closing, she rested for a few more minutes, taking inventory.

Her mind was sharpening, yet it felt like she’d taken a few passes under a vibratory construction roller, and it wasn’t just physical. Nia had been right; she’d really pushed herself over the last few days, and the Legend Quest had done a real number on her that not even Maria could fix.

”Hey, Nia, found any cute combinations?”

”Huh?!” Opening her eyes, Rachel smiled at the startled bun, ears straight, vision wide, and cheeks coloring. ”I-I was just...trying to find something good to wear when I see Moon-Mom again,” she mumbled, fiddling with her curled hair as she shuffled forward to sit on the big armchair that faced the bed. ”How are you feeling, Major? You...probably want big Nia, huh?”

Rachel swept the downcast girl’s depressed cadence, her small assortment of clothes and items spread across a much smaller bed by the mirror in the somewhat cramped room—with all three of them in here, there was little space. Releasing a grunt while adjusting her position, Rachel puffed out a long stream of air.

”Mmm. Not yet. What’s on your mind, Nia? You’ve been taking such good care of me; how long since we last spoke? Give me a report, Soldier.”

Nia perked up a little, seemingly trying to mirror the same posture as Chang’e from the last time they’d seen the goddess. ”Oh, uh, yeah, it’s been about...two days since we came to the Washing, DC...place? I don’t know if it is a city, country, or state—a clothes cleaner—maybe it’s a giant, fancy, white hospital. I’m confused.”

”Washing, DC?” Rachel repeated, trying not to laugh at the mistake. ”Got it. Did you do everything I asked?”

”Oh! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!” Her hair bobbed against her shoulders, legs knotting a little as she looked away and tried to think about how to say what was on her mind. ”I’ve been listening...but most of it is really weird, and I don’t understand it. B-But I do know your big brother and sister and grandpa are here! Everyone’s worried about you, Major. Orders?”

Rachel’s lips became a line, folding her arms across her belly under the sheets. If her grandpa, Nam, and Alexa were here, then it might make a few things easier. Turning a smile to the nervous bunny, who was afraid she hadn’t been as helpful as she had hoped, Rachel hummed.

”Good work, Captain Bun. You look really cute with curly hair, by the way.”

”You really think so?!” Nia’s countenance brightened as she pulled it around. ”I learned it from your mom! She’s been talking to me, b-but I didn’t know if I should talk back, a-and I was nervous she might want an adult Nia instead, so...”

”Hey. Come here,” Rachel whispered, tapping the side of her bed while forcing her exhausted body to the side. ”Come lay with me and tell me what you think about this Moon-Mom you want to impress. Why do you like her so much?”

Nia hesitantly hopped off her seat to walk over and crawl under the covers to take the extra pillow beside her. Staring up at the ceiling, the little girl fidgeted with her hair before moving on to her hands.

”It’s, umm, I don’t know... I know she might be tricky, but...she’s so pretty, and e-elebant, and sweet, and pretty... She liked me, and I just felt...good. Is she a bad Moon-Mom?” Nia asked, big eyes turning to her with worry.

Reaching up to rub the girl’s head, Rachel slowly shook her head. ”I don’t know, Nia. She does seem lonely and wants someone to believe in her, but that’s a very good strategy to hit us in the feels, and you’re kind of vulnerable there, Little Bun.”

The girl’s eyes drooped. ”I know I’m not the smartest bunny... I’m trying.”

”Hey,” Rachel prompted, nudging her softly, ”don’t get down on yourself. You just gotta learn how to be tricky and play games to get people to dote on you. Okay? I’ll teach you how to wrap my mom around your little finger to get all sorts of fashion goodies.”

”Really?!” Nia’s rosy smile returned as she reached over to hug her gently. ”Thank you, Major.”

”Of course. Now, I need to talk to Captain Big Bun, but once you’re a kid again, I want you to go out there and trick my mom into buying you a nice hairpin to go with your beautiful hanfu.”

”Yes, Ma’am!” Nia said with a hushed giggle, jumping off the bed to salute her. ”Captain Little Bun, signing off.”

Amused by the cute dynamic developing with her Living Denier, Rachel watched the sparkling lights expand Nia’s figure, replacing the hanfu with a black-and-red fantasy military uniform.

Nia crossed her arms, shifting her weight onto her hip as she gave her a light glare, cheeks coloring. ”What is adorable and wholesome to you, Major, is utterly awkward and shameful to me.” It was soon followed by an understanding smile and sigh. ”I do appreciate you accommodating my shortcomings, though.”

Settling into her bed with a pained laugh, Rachel propped up her head with her pillow as Nia repositioned the chair to sit closer. ”Honestly, it’s a cute contrast. I know you’re under a lot of stress right now, trying to reconcile with the curse, but remember what I said: you’re more than just my clothes or a soldier. We’re partners...a team, and I’m enjoying it thus far.”

”I am glad to hear that. Would you like me to inform you as to what really has been happening over the past three days since arriving in DC?”

Rachel’s eyes narrowed while staring at her tightening fist, testing her motor skills. ”First, I’d like to know what changes have happened to my condition, if any.”