Good Night's Sleep

Astra and I both look over to Faye, whose face looks like she just cursed in a church.

Indeed, gentle and loving are the first two things that would come to mind when describing a god, but neither of them register when I look at Astra, who is currently riding on Lohikaarmi's shoulders like she is a horse.

"See," Astra says, "Faye is exactly right. It's not a fault of the Goddess, it's a fault of the people."

"But you can't expect people to fix their problems themselves. They haven't, and won't unless somebody intervenes," I say.

"And that's what we are on our way to do, isn't it?" Astra asks.

That one's got me. I can't argue with that, but I am not a person of this world. If I do nothing, nor does the Goddess, who else is going to make this world a better place?

"That's right! The Goddess has helped us since the beginning of time, I think it's our turn to help Her," Faye says, her brown eyes reflecting the dancing blaze as if there is a fire burning inside.

There is nothing I can say back to the two of them. I am but a new-come bystander of this world. There's not much for me to do but observe, I suppose.

"If I may speak, Master," Lohikaarmi says, and Astra looks down at her, "I believe the Goddess has a plan for every one of us, and that's how She intervenes. Whether we follow that plan is up to us."

I nod.

I have never been in touch with religion, as it has become a rather depressing thing back on Earth in recent years, with the whole world ending and whatnot. As tough as it is to admit, these people know better than me about such a topic. From my pragmatic standpoint, I don't understand a single bit. Why put people through turmoil when the Goddess can just make everything perfect? Well, I suppose when the fate of the world is in the hands of a bratty little girl, reason has lost its meaning.

I look at the untouched piece of bread in my hand and feel no appetite to eat.

"I am going to sleep," I say and stand up.

"Already?" Faye asks.

"Yeah, let's rise with the sun tomorrow morning. I don't want to make this trip any longer than it has to be."

"R-Right," Faye says and looks down at the ground in let-down eyes.

What? Did she think I meant I don't enjoy her company? Eh, no matter, it's not like I need her to like me, anyway.

I walk over to a tree beside the fire and lie down against it. Above the thick leaves, I can see the canopy of dotted lights against the black sky. I close my eyes and slowly step into the world of dreams to the sound of the crackling fire.

…

I slept like a baby that night, but this time, I am not awakened by the chirping of birds; instead, it's a suffocating weight on my chest. I open my eyes with a groan, and covering my face is a mess of golden hair.

"What the…" I mutter and spread the strands out of my eyes and mouth.

The sky is just starting to brighten up. I look down to see what that weight is, only to find Astra, lying on my chest and drooling onto my clothes with a stupid grin.

"Oi! What are you doing!" I yell and push her up. She's still got her eyes closed, and her arms are flailing around like a rag doll.

"Huh…? What's wrong…?" A gentle voice asks from beside me. I look over, and it's Faye, waking up right beside me, rubbing her eyes and our shoulders touching.

In the heat of confusion, I turn my head to the other side. Lohikaarmi is also snuggling up against me.

What the fuck?

I drop Astra onto Lohikaarmi and scramble onto my feet. I check my body to see if my clothes are still on. There's no telling what length Astra will go to to do something she deems "interesting", but everything is fine. I am in one piece, except for the pouch of candies, which is now completely empty.

Lohikaarmi is also waking up.

"Why were we sleeping together?" I ask.

"Well, you came over here… so we thought we were all going to sleep like this," Faye says.

What kind of logic is that?

"No! I came here so you three can share the carriage. I didn't invite you to join me."

"Oh, that makes more sense. I am so sorry."

I sigh. There is no way I can get mad at her apologetic eyes.

"Ugh… it's fine, but Lohikaarmi, didn't you think this wasn't appropriate?" I ask.

"I apologize, Master. Astra explained it was common practice for female servants to sleep with their male masters," she says.

"Of course she did…"

I reach down and bring Astra up by her collar.

"Oi!" I yell into her face. She slowly opens her eyes.

"I-I don't think you should be mean to your sister," Faye says.

"I will be the judge of that," I say.

I give the girl a little shake to speed up the process.

"What's going on…" Astra mutters.

"What happened to chastity, huh? Doesn't the Goddess want women to be modest?" I ask.

She suddenly becomes more awake.

"Huh? Chastity? No? Why would I want that? What are you talking about?"

"Encouraging Lohikaarmi to sleep with her master? You are deviant."

Astra pushes my arm away and drops onto her feet.

"What? I was only stating a fact. It is a part of a female servant's duty. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a little action," Astra says.

"Really? There's nothing in the Holy guidebook about, I don't know, thou shan't lie with a woman before matrimony?"

"What is he talking about…" Faye murmurs and looks over to Lohikaarmi, who just shakes her head.

"That's so stupid," Astra says, "Why would the Goddess want that? Go lie with any woman you want, as long as both of you are not already married to someone else."

What kind of religion is that?

"That's it? No nothing about age or family?"

"What, you eyeing up your cute little sister?" Astra says with a depraved shake of her hips.

"Kris?" Faye asks like I am the weirdo here.

I slap my face with my palm and let out a sigh again.

"I am so done with you guys. Let's just get on the road," I say and walk over to the carriage.

On the way, I turn around and point at the girls.

"Not happening again, got it?" I say.

The three of them nod, but there is something in Astra's grin that makes me not want to completely believe her.