Quick Study

Noble had many questions for Adam.

So many questions…

Either by coincidence or design, Adam's communicator buzzed.

"I'm needed back at headquarters. It was very nice meeting you. Heed my words and study those papers, and you should be fine. Best of luck, Master Noble."

The professor clutched the synthetic pages to her chest. "Thank you."

Looking at the time, Noble realized she had a few minutes before anyone would require her attention. She held out the papers in front of her. There was no time like the present to dig in.

Adam had asked her to dispose of them properly when she was done, so the sooner she did that the better. Her attribute [Quick Study] would help her immensely with retaining the information. 

The adopted daughters of Ki Song. It was hard to believe that six were already Saints! The only one of these prestigious daughters that Noble had met was Master Seishan, and that was at Valor's ball. Beastmaster was a name familiar to her, but the rest were relatively a blank slate.

Noble read the pages with great interest.

The more she read about the princesses of Song the more she realized that her advice to her son was also true for herself.

She didn't know what she didn't know. And that lack of information was vast.

——-

A few days later, the door to a familiar bakery opened as more people filtered in to join the long line. At the counter, a beautiful cashier greeted the next set of guests. 

"Welcome to Off the Wheaten Path! How may I help you?" Sarai's smile grew bright as she played the dutiful cashier.

Her two female customers, mother and daughter, looked at her strangely. The mother was amused while the daughter looked like Sarai had sentenced her to death.

From the other side of the counter, Noble chuckled softly. "Where's Pillow? Did he quit?"

The redheaded baker looked appalled. "What?! No! He is on a break and I thought it would be fun to take over for a few minutes."

"Fireshing! Can I take a picture with you?" A little girl behind Rain asked impatiently.

"Just a moment, sweetie," Sarai smiled at the child.

"The curse of being famous," Noble patted her bun with a wink.

With her hair up and her eyes a static color, she wasn't as recognizable as her fiery former teammate.

Add to that her bracelets that concealed her power, and she all but disappeared into the landscape sometimes.

That was the way Noble preferred it.

The floating woman coughed lightly. "We will take two daily specials, please."

Sarai glanced at Rain to see if the girl would add anything to the order, but she was strangely subdued.

"Two specials coming right up!" Sarai checked them out, and the ladies took seats to wait for their food.

After scanning for any possible danger, Noble turned her attention to her breakfast companion.

Rain's brow was more tightly knit than a scarf. Tucking her hair behind her ear, the girl looked down and smoothed her school uniform. She sighed heavily.

"So, that's it then." The words were filled with resignation. "I'm not sure what I was hoping for."

Noble placed her hand on top of her daughter's. "I promise your dad did everything in his power to find the information. He even called in a few favors. There is just nothing to be found."

Rain pressed her lips together. "It's fine. It wasn't that important. I shouldn't have made Dad go to so much trouble. You are my family. I never needed anyone else. I guess I got greedy."

Noble's heart broke with Rain's words. They both knew she didn't mean them, but it was easier to pretend she did than rehash the conversation from the night before.

"You weren't greedy," Noble assured her. "We were just unlucky. Hopefully, I can be a little more successful with your next request."

Rain nodded slowly. "I will try to be more reasonable in the future."

Noble squeezed the girl's hand.

"Rainy…"

"Two specials with an extra side of sunshine!" Sarai hurried over with the pastries and drinks on a tray.

She placed the order on the table, and Rain scooped up her portion. The teen stood with a strained smile.

"Thanks, Auntie Sarai. I'll have them on my way to school."

"Have a good day, lovely lady." The baker patted Rain's arm.

"I'll see you this evening, Mom. I love you."

The extra emphasis on the word 'Mom' was not lost on Noble.

"I love you too. See you later."

The mother had been reluctant to send her daughter any emotions since the announcement of their move, but just now she needed Rain to know just how much love was meant.

She sent her love in full force, wrapping Rain in it like a fuzzy down comforter. The girl's expression softened, and she nodded at her mother in thanks.

Noble's eyes opened wide. There was no protective barrier for her feelings to pass through.

Had the inexplicable guardian finally accepted that Noble would never hurt Rain? Or worse…had it left?!

Noble had grown accustomed to the odd sensation of pressing her emotions through the invisible wall. Now the lack of it was even more jarring.

There was always the chance that the barrier was a product of Rain herself, but Noble didn't think so.

'Something has changed.'

Glancing at her daughter's retreating shadow, Noble's confusion only deepened. She blinked.

As if sensing Noble's gaze, the shadow form attached to Rain turned to look back at the table. The teen's head remained forward, giving the whole scene an incongruous feel.

Within the shadow, Noble could feel two dark eyes staring at her like pools of endless night.

Her fingers twitched, ready to summon a weapon to protect herself and all of those around her if a Nightmare Creature should suddenly appear.

The only reason that she hesitated was simple. Of all of the people in the bakery, no one had any malicious intent that Noble could feel.

Was this the mysterious guardian she had just been thinking about?

If it was, why was it revealing itself now?

"Are you alright?"

Noble jolted.

"I'm fine!" She defended herself quickly.

Then she realized it wasn't the shadow talking to her. It was Sarai.

"You don't seem fine" the baker clicked her tongue, "Something is clearly up with your daughter."

Noble flicked her eyes up to Rain and then back again. The shadow was now perfectly matching the teen as she passed silently through the door.

Everything looked perfectly normal and ordinary.

Had she imagined it before?

"What's going on over there?" Sarai pursed her lips.

"Wait, you saw it too?" Noble's jaw dropped slightly.

Sarai arched her brow.

"Of course! Only a blind person could have missed that."

"How can you remain so calm?!"

Noble rose from her seat, ready to chase down her daughter and demand answers.

"Should I not be? Moody teens aren't exactly a novelty around here. Half of her class comes by after school at least a few times a week and there is no end to drama there. But maybe if you tell me what is wrong I can get as excited about it as you are." Sarai offered generously.

Noble's shoulders slumped. Her friend hadn't seen the shadow move at all.

If it had happened, the floating Master was the one and only witness.

Which meant that Sarai wasn't talking about a potential attack by a Nightmare Creature or a mysterious guardian.

Sarai was referring to something much more painful.