"Man, Hallows Eve is next week! I can't believe it!" Stahl exclaimed.

"I still remember last year!" Sully snorted. "Vaike got drunk off of spiced pumpkin ale. It was great!"

I giggled. "I bet. I'm really excited for it!"

I was into the third week of my stay in Ylisstol, and only a week away from Hallows Eve. I was getting better day by day - to the point where I was able to go without crutches! It still hurt to walk, but I wanted to get used to it since I won't be hobbling back home with crutches.

Sully and Stahl were my chaperones of the day, and they wanted to show me more of the city. The trees have begun to lose their green color and instead have taken on the colors of fall. Hallows Eve decorations were put up and gave the whole city a festive look.

"So, Anna, how to you like living among the Luna?" Sully asked.

I smiled at the red-headed knight. "It's amazing! I truly will never be able to forget this place!" And I meant it. I may not be able to talk about it to anyone else, but I will always hold the memories close to my heart.

Strangely enough, I've begun to feel at home here. Like I belonged. I tried my best to shake those thoughts away. I knew my place was with the humans. I really don't belong here.

"C'mon, we're almost to the Commons! There's a ton of cool stuff there!" Stahl grinned widely. He was obviously very proud of his home and was eager to show it off to me.

"What's that?"

"The Commons is an area of recreation and such," Sully said. "It's the second largest public area in the city. It contains things like art galleries, studios, theatres, nurseries, that kinda stuff."

I nodded. "That's really cool. What are the other largest areas?" I asked.

My companions shared a look and huffed a laugh. Everyone has gotten used to my curiosity at this point, and they found it very amusing to indulge my neverending questions. "The first biggest is the Shopping District, obviously. And the third is the Academic District," Stahl explained. "Have Miriel or Ricken show you around there. They know that place like the back of their hands."

"There are other districts in the city, but they aren't as big." Sully tucked her hands behind her back and started taking larger steps. I noticed that this was a tick of hers whenever she was impatient. Which was a lot.

My heart raced with excitement. I've barely even scratched the surface of this place! Gods, I need to make the best of what little time I have left here!

"We're here!"

The commons were full of wolves and humans, each one with a smile on their face. As we walked, we passed by many art-related buildings. Some were outdoors, and we were able to see wolves with paint splattered all over their fur, but they didn't seem to mind.

"What do you think?" A smug Sully asked.

"It's-whoa!" A pair of wolf pups ran past my feet, happily barking as they chased each other.

Another wolf, this one much larger, quickly followed after them; barking and growling to get their attention.

Stahl laughed. "We must be near one of the nurseries! Luna pups sure are rambunctious!"

Sure enough, we arrived at a large tree; hallowed out to home the many wolves inside of it. Inside, wolf and human children played and ran around. I smiled at the sight.

"What's the purpose of the nursery?" I asked, using all of my willpower to restrain myself from petting one of the pups. These are people, Anna. It is rude to pet them.

"Well, some wolves can't watch their children because of work or other business, so the nurseries provide a safe place to leave them!" Stahl smiled. "It's also a good place for pups to go to learn things about their abilities."

I furrowed my brow. "What are Luna babies born as? Humans or wolves?"

Sully scoffed. "It depends on what the mother wants. If she gives birth while human, you get a human baby. If she's a wolf, you get a pup."

"Is it safe for them to shift while pregnant?"

Stahl nodded. "Of course. It's actually encouraged," he said. "It's one of those old wives tales that if you shift regularly during pregnancy, it helps the baby get used to shifting."

I giggled. "You seem to know a lot about this."

He rolled his eyes. "My father is an apothecary," he chuckled. "Of course, I know about this."

As we watched the children, one of the wolf pups shifted into a human, toddling along and giggling. "How long until newborns are able to shift?"

Sully leaned against a railing. "For the ones born in human form, about crawling age, maybe a year." She chewed on the inside of her cheek. "And then for those born as wolves, about a year."

Stahl nodded. "But when shifting first starts happening, it's really funny! Babies can't really control it. One second they're a wolf and then human the next!" he laughed.

Sully pushed herself off the railing. "Now that's enough baby talk. I already get enough of it," she groaned playfully. "C'mon, we have one place we need to stop by. There's someone I would like you to meet, Anna."

We followed Sully along until we came upon an art studio. "Wait here," she ordered, going inside.

I glanced at Stahl. "Do you have any idea of what this is about?"

He smirked. "You'll see."

A few moments later, she came back out; a man with long, light-blue hair following her. "Virion, this is Anna, that human girl I've been telling you about." She introduced me. "Anna, this is Virion. He's one of the Shepherds."

Virion clicked his tongue at her and smiled. "Ah, but you are forgetting one tiny detail, my dear," he teased. He spoke with an accent that I haven't heard before. He must be from some other pack, then...

Sully rolled her eyes at him. "He's also my mate," she said. "Sorry, you didn't get to meet him earlier. He was off on a trip to one of the border towns."

I extended my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He took my hand but instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips. "The pleasure is mine, Milady."

Blush began to creep upon my cheeks. Whoa! He's quite the Casanova! And his mate is right there!

Sully noticed the look of surprise in my eyes and laughed. "It's alright. That's just how this weirdo greets people." She nudged his side. "Stop making people uncomfortable by not-really-flirting."

Virion winked at her. "Ah, but my heart only belongs to you." He looked back up at me. "My dear Sully says you're human?"

I swallowed thickly and nodded. "Y-yes. I am." Why am I so nervous? I thought I've gotten over talking about this!

"You must tell me of the art the humans have!" He exclaimed. "Art is my passion and I must do absolutly everything to expand my horizon!"

I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "U-um, I'm not really that into or good at art..." I muttered. "B-but I am fond of music."

"Wonderful!" He grabbed my hands. "Music: the art of the ears. You must share all you know of it with me!"

Before I could say anything else, Stahl placed his hand on my arm and gently pulled me away from Virion. "Can she show you some other time? I'm starving and I promised to take her to my favorite mid-afternoon snack spot."

Virion chuckled. "But of course." He bowed politely. "I hope to see you again, my lady Anna."

Sully linked her arm with his. "You two go on ahead. I'm going to stay back with him for a bit."

I nodded. "Alright, see you guys later!"

"Bye!"

Stahl and I began to make our way to the Shopping District. "Wait until you try the food at this place! It's phonominal!"

I smirked. "That's what you said about third breakfast this morning!"

"Exactaly! There is no better third breakfast place!"

I laughed heartily. "Whatever you say."

*****
HEY SO I'M REALLY REALLY SORRY THIS IS LATE (again). I still haven't gotten into the groove of school and stuff so my brain is all out of whack. Wheeeeee. I promise we'll get back to plot stuff soon, don't worry. XD We love filler chapters. Anyway, in case you didn't know, my FE high school AU (High School Years) is finally out and I would really appreciate if you checked it out! There are currently two chapters published. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Link: https://youtu.be/cr4d2DtOOlY