Mary just gives me a blank stare as I sit on the seat in front of the duo, acting as if I'm oblivious to the fright I just caused them.
"Haaaaaa. Az, you nearly gave your old lady a heart attack."
Mary gives a dramatic sigh, almost teasing me back for the unnecessary stress I caused them. I don't take this lying down though. Even after so many years of pure self isolation and my constant hunts being the only form of socialisation, ive gained back a bit of lost personality by being a normal child for so many years. Combined with youth filled emotions affecting my brain, I was able to heal a bit.
So although not perfect, I can socialise and joke. Though only with a select few.
"Old lady? What nonsens! All I see in front of me are two beautiful young women!"
I say to them with mock passion and acting like offended at her self deprecation. This earns an giggle and a "oh my!" From Mary. And a blush accompanied by a shy look from Arina?
This gets a few confused glances from me to her, but I just decide to ignore it for now.
While Ignoring the blushing Arina with crimson ears, who keeps stealing glances at me from the corner of her eyes. I finally address the issue.
"Anyway, what's up with you mom? Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine Az. What brought you by?"
I speak first but she deflects, trying to change the subject. But press on seeing as its got them so stressed.
"I noticed you two were quite stressed while reading those documents, that you instantly hid over there when you noticed it was me. Are you sure you two are okay? Anything I can do to help?"
My pressing caused them to just sigh. Mary just gave a look and shook her head. Saying with her eyes 'don't worry' and 'it's not important '. Though after communicating that what follows is a loving gaze with a blazing intensity, like that of a predator about to pounce on its prey and scaring me for a second.
Seeing as it's the gaze is filled with nothing but good intentions, I wisely choose not to dog to deep.
Arina though was more physical with her approach. Jumping across the seats, she land on me with a tackling hug. After smothering me in her embrace for a minute she finally speaks.
"Oh my! My little bro cares so much! He's so cute! Dont worry though, it's just grown up stuff."
She speaks out excitedly while rising her chin with pride while continuing to almost spoon my much smaller frame.
"Grown up stuff? Your hardly grown. Barely even a teenager"
I respond to her prideful speech, my tone blank and unforgiving as it pierces her very soul for a moment and deflating her growing ego.
Looking over at us happily and with joy evident in her gaze, Mary eventually gets up and walks over to us. Standing in front of me, she picks me up and then sits in my seat while sitting me on her lap.
"So my little baby, are you gonna tell mommy why you are here now, or are you just here for some hugs and kisses?"
Mary speaks to me in a teasing tone, knowing that kind of talk embarrassing and abusing it to tease me. Even Arina catches on as then both continue to poke fun at me while sandwiching my body between theirs, that is until I reply.
"Oh yeah, forgot out it for a minute. I just formed a core and Elizabeth advised me to tell you right away. Also I wanted to let you know anyway, so here I am."
My words echo through-out the room for a second, plunging it into complete and utter silence.
That is until Mary lets out the biggest and most girly squeal of joy ive ever heard and pressing me into her giant flesh melons, spinning me around the room in a dance of excitement.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaa~ kyaaaaaa~! My baby is such a genius! So cool. To cool! Hehehe."
'Ahhhg- shit! These biological weapons…. They would lead man astray!' I shout in my mind in amusement as I slowly sink into Mary's body through the gates of abyss, while being glad I'm not a teenager myself yet.
After a couple of minutes of this, as well as nearly passing out due to lack of air, Mary put me down.
Though it wasn't for long as another girly scream followed by the one who was frozen all this time by my 'simple' statement. And I was once again spun around for a couple minutes, this time by my sister.
"Az, I'm so proud of you!" Mary appears behind us, stating enthusiastically after Arina had her fun and pulling us into a group hug.
"What core did you form anyway?" Arina questions after everything finally calms down.
"I formed the lower core. And this leads me on to something I was going to ask you mom." I state after letting them know of my core location.
"Yeah? What's up baby?" Mary questions in a curious tone, wondering what I would be needing.
"Well.. I would like to begin training in combat arts as soon as possible. As well as the fact I would like to train in multiple different kinds."
Though my words appear to catch the lady's of guard for a moment as they just stare with wide eyes at me. As all my 'life', the main activities I have been doing were not physical and mainly being composed of reading and writing and the like. So it's not surprising to assume they thought I had no interest in it and thinking I'm an indoors type.
But Mary quickly composed herself, as expected from an experienced noble lady, and reply's to my request with a stern and motherly look on her face.
"Of course Az, if that's what you want. But I don't want you to take on to much and burn yourself out straight away. Though I know that you won't just quit, just don't overestimate yourself to much. Okay?"
"Yes, of course mom."
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