03: Purple village

Thus began Anna and Wolf's journey towards the nearby village. Anna would show her owe at every little thing on the way. From greenery to fruits, fleeing deers to small rabbits and even the little pebbles in the river. She was like a child seeing the world for the first time.

Wolf took in all of that in silent wonder. Was this girl living under a rock? This question endlessly traversed his mind. But he was too lazy to ask. However, that didn't stop him from being curious about her.

- Which beastkin are you from?

- You'd better not ask.

- ...?

Wolf was even more curious now. But, he wisely suppressed it. Beastkin was usually proud of their identity no matter what rank they are. So seeing one hiding it intrigued him.

Only one possibility came to his mind. And, he didn't like it. In case she came from the top three beastkin, she could attract assassins from opposite factions. Since they were on human land, it would be the perfect occasion to target her.

He just hoped that wasn't the case. Otherwise, wouldn't he be killed as cannon fodder...

'No, I have to find out! But, how to ask without raising her vigilance...Wait! She knows that I'm a wolfkin but she refuses to tell me her identity. She should be guarding against assassins. Then, it's safe to assume that she's from a tribe opposed to mine. And that's the pig tribe!'

Having come to a conclusion, Wolf checked out Anna's 'human form'. He was left confused. To his knowledge, the pig tribe were among the prettiest with curvy body and pink skin color. Contrary to Anna's slim figure and tanned skin.

Anna on the other hand was freaking out a little. She was thinking of a way to get more information from him. It would be a huge problem, if her fraud was found out.

While each was thinking deeply, they arrived at the entrance of the village.

It was lunch time, so the village was quite deserted. You could only hear the hushed discussions rising from different huts. Anna huffed in annoyance.

- There is no one to welcome me? She muttered in a low voice patting her hungry stomach. Talk about hospitality...

- Auth--- Anna called out but before she could complete her sentence, it happened.

A child appeared in front of her, startling Wolf and her.

- So we have visitors! Welcome to Purple River Village. How can I help you? He inquired in a sweet voice.

- So cute! Anna exclaimed with starry eyes. She soon grabbed his cheeks and deformed them in various shapes.

The child unable to bear with it anymore slapped her hands.

- Ouch! Bad child. She flinched and retreated at the pain.

- So, how can I help you? He asked again stressing the word 'help'.

- Tch! I'm looking for Red Riding hood's house. Do you happen to know where it is located? She asked in a bored tone.

- Yes, I do. This way! He answered ushering for them to follow after him.

- It's rare for us to have visitors. You see this village is really remote. You can say that we are far from proper 'civilisation'. The reason being that a long time ago, our ancestors-

The boy narrated but was cut by Anna's loud yawn.

- Oh sorry, it's just that I'm not interested in a history class. You see? She said wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

The boy looked at her in contempt but didn't open his mouth. Even Wolf felt that she was too rude. Although they were ennemies, the minimum they could do was let the boy cook.

Without the backstory to spend time, the group fell silent as they slowly walked through the 'the-shroomphs' like houses.

- We're here. Now if you will excuse me. My parents must be waiting for me to come back for lunch. The boy said expressionlessly.

Anna just shooed him away while Wolf looked at the lil house in front of them. So, the boy adjusted his shirt and went away. As soon as he was gone, Anna directed a burning gaze to Wolf.

- What? He grumbled not a bit afraid.

- What do you mean by 'what'? She asked emulated a dumb voice. Blow the house away. She deadpanned.

- Why would I do that?! He yelled looking at her with a 'Are you sane?' eyes.

- ... Aren't you a wolf? Don't tell me you can't blow the house away like in the story of three pigs and a wolf? Anna asked looking at him like he was trash.

- Oh. Wolf freezed. How old are you...5? He asked scornfully.

'This is the worst amount of BS I heard in my life! Is she taunting me? Now that I think about it, it seems she's really a pigskin. Only them will use such petty insults.'

- I'm eight. She corrected.

- What? He asked feeling like it was a joke.

- I'm eight. She laughed with a hand on her mouth. Don't tell me you thought...Bwahahahaha! Hihihihi! Ghehehehehe! She laughed out loud.

Wolf felt torn. His race was fine manipulators so they knew when someone was being genuine. So, he knew that Anna has been lying to him since the beginning. However, he went along with her to discover her real purpose.

Now, knowing that she was 8, he felt angry. He was being played by an 8 yo all along. What a waste of his cautiousness. If he knew earlier, he would have ignored her.

Now, he was sure that she's but a dumb human girl who's too drunk on fairytales. Knowing that, he visibly relaxed. It didn't matter much as long as he could use her to achieve his revenge plan.

- I don't blow houses, I have wind affinity. However, I don't see why I would blow this house. Just knock on the door like a normal person. And please stop talking to me. I'm here just as a spectator. He said in one breath not caring to hide his character anymore.