Combination personal story and gift for my girlfriend  scarlett-roselenox

Story written by me
Thumbnail art by scarlett-roselenox
Universe Vanterii belongs to me
Character Aaron belongs to me
Character Princess belongs to scarlett-roselenox
Mentioned characters Altne and Reit belong to me

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Aaron stepped through the doorway, turning his back on the crowd of drunken partygoers. He took a deep breath and sighed heavily, taking a handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and rubbing it across his forehead, then dabbing it at his chest to soak up spilt ale. The young dragon grumbled under his breath, "Damnit, Altne.. always making a fool of yourself.. and then dragging me into it."

His ears perked, hearing the faint sound of another who had stepped out for some fresh air. Aaron turned his gaze to a young canine female standing on the small stone bridge that overlooked the stream that flowed beneath the pub. She had her bright red hair pinned up and curled for the occasion, and was wearing a beautiful laced blue gown that brought out the spots on her cheeks. All of her shone gently under the moonlight. Aaron tucked away his handkerchief and stepped over to the bridge to join her.

"Miss?" He spoke softly, standing to her side and following her gaze to the moon. When the girl gave no response, he spoke again, rustling his wings against his back. "Lovely night, isn't it?"

The girl sighed and bowed her head, leaning onto side railing of the bridge and folding her arms. "Is it really the same moon?"

The dragon tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, is it really the same moon? The same moon I would see from home." Her brows were furrowed in frustration, but her eyes glittered as if she were about to cry.

Aaron looked back to the starry sky. "I believe it is. After all, the stars are the same. Why would the moon be different?"

"I don't know! I just- I just feel so lost!" She hid her head into her folded arms and lowered her voice, "I feel so alone here... everyone's trying to be friendly and all but I don't know anyone! And some people keep trying to.. seduce me or something and give me gross looks and make me feel like I'm just a piece of meat... I don't-"

Aaron put his hand on the canine's shoulder, inturrupting her. "Everyone has a hard time settling in at first. Annari isn't like other places. It's like being in a different world."

"I miss home.. I don't know why I left.. I'm scared here.. There's so many people and crowds scare me and I don't want to be here and I don't know why I left I should have just dealt with what I had back there.."

"Things are different here. You'll adjust."

The girl looked off to the side and grumbled, her ears flattening as she wiped the wetness out of her eyes. "Other than everyone stealing from me, it feels pretty the same. I don't like the way people act at me and there were less people back home."

The man smiled softly and reached for her hands, taking them in his and then kneeling, kissing her fingers delicately and then looking up to meet her eyes, "My name is Nathaniel Aaron Latov. Please, call me Aaron. What name may I call you by, my lady?"

The canine blushed and looked away, unsure how to react. "M-my name is Princess.. It's the name my mother gave me when I was born.. I-I d-don't have an inheritance name or family name."

Aaron smiled and stood again, still holding the young lady's hands in his gently. "Princess." He said, letting the name roll over his tongue. "It's a beautiful name, and bears repeating."

Princess blushed harder.

"I know you've probably heard this a thousand times over in the few weeks you've been here," Aaron smiled apologetically, pushing back his hair with his fingers, "But I can help you. I can help you find the best place to live - your choice where - and I can get you living there as soon as possible. You don't have to live in the new citizen dorms with other people anymore, and you don't need money to get a house. I will purchase the home and land, and you can pay me back over time as you are able."

The girl's eyes widened. "You- I don't- I- uh.. r-really..?!" Her mouth fell open in shock, not expeting the generosity after all she had been told about earning her own way in Annari and starting over.

Aaron nodded, "I can do this for you. I can also protect you from anyone who may wish to harm or seduce you without your permission. If they do anything you don't want them do, I can stop it in an instant."

Princess frowned in disbelief, "That- You can't actually do that. Reit said she'd protect me but she isn't always there and you can't always be there either. Besides, why should I trust you? Maybe you just want me for yourself and you will be the one trying to do gross things to me."

He laughed. A deep, rumbling laugh that faded into a large smile. "My dear Princess, I may have a great deal of power over Annari, however I have no power over you. Or any other person here, for that matter. As are the rules of Annari." His smile gentled and he brought Princess's fingers up to his lips once more. "Why do you think that while people here may try to seduce you, yes, however they never do anything more than offhand flirting if you appear uninterested?"

Princess's eyes widened in realization. "I.. I'm not sure.. I never paid attention to that.."

"Because no one in Annari may do anything to another without given permission." The dragon released the girl's hands and turned back to look up at the moon. "Everything is different here. Better. Happier. There is no war, no famine. No rape or theft. You can let your guard down for the first time in your life and trust other people. Your food will not be poisoned, your crops will not be blighted by a jealous neighbor. Nothing in life is easy, no. However, here, you can at least find peace of mind and some relaxation."

Princess blushed softly and leaned over the balcony again, looking at the running water beneath. "It's.. it's like the moon." She blushed harder, not sure if what she was saying made sense to someone else. "We can reach the reflection, but the reflection is all ruined and muddled. The real moon is crisp and perfect.. but we can never reach it."

"Well, my dear," Aaron smirked as he looked to the sky, "You're on the moon."

Princess choked, then laughed. It was a full belly laugh that rang out over the water.

The dragon smiled and looked down at the shorter canine. "Your laugh is beautiful. I'd like to hear it again sometime."

She blushed and giggled softly, looking up at the dragon. "Th-thank you Aaron."

Aaron found himself blushing as well. "Ah-ahem!" He cleared his throat and adjusted his scarf, looking embarrassed. "Let me know if you decide you're still interested in a house. We can find you a place on the outskirts of Annadale where there are less people and you'll feel a bit more comfortable."

Princess nodded, still blushing and unable to find words.

"I live at the top of the hill on the northeast side of Annari. I know it's a bit of a walk from the dorms on the southwest side, but if you need any help finding the place, just ask for directions to the harems."

"H-harems?!" Princess stepped back, her eyebrows furrowing again. "I thought you were a good person, not a harem owner!"

Aaron jumped and tried to explain, "It's not what it looks like I promise. We have groups of people under a single or sometimes multiple people's protection. My side is near-purely non sexual. It is only to help people, I promise. I'm not like that. Besides, no one can seduce anyone without given permission, so a traditional harem wouldnt even make sense!"

Princess frowned, "I guess so.."

"I promise. It's not what you think. Ask for Aaron's wing when you get there, so you don't stumble into Altne's wing. Her side is the near-purely sexual side of the harems.."

"Uh.. the blue deer lady who was super super drunk back inside?" Princess tilted her head, "That's Altne, right? I kept hearing things from the guys saying about her being wild in bed and stuff."

Aaron nodded, ears pinned back in a type of shame. "We've.. known each other for a long time. I understand her work and respect her methods.. but they're definitely not for everyone. Nor do I have any desire to practice those methods myself."

Princess blushed hard, trying to imagine what different 'methods' Aaron spoke of.

He cleared his throat and reached into an inside jacket pocket. "I have something for you."

The canine's ears perked, curious.

Aaron pulled out a small grey chain with a silver tag on the end. "It's a necklace. May I?"

Princess nodded and turned around.

The dragon smiled softly, wrapping the chain around the young girl's neck and fastening it. He stepped away and Princess turned back around, inspecting the tag over her chest. "This is a symbol." Aaron spoke softly, "It will protect you from anyone wishing you into their bed. If they're drunk and don't see it at first you may have to get their attention and show it to them directly, or say my name to get the point across. This symbol is my own, everyone in Annari knows it's meaning. It means that you are under my protection. And my protection, means hands off."

She smiled, turning the shining tag over in her fingers. Aaron spoke again, "Plain silver has no value in Annari, no one will try to seal it from you."

"T-thank you Aaron. It's beautiful." She looked up at him and smiled, blushing softly.

Aaron smiled in return, blushing soflty as well. "You are a beautiful young lady. I would hate for anything bad to happen to you. I wish you well tonight, and await seeing you soon." He bowed and turned to leave.

Princess hesitated, then jumped after him, grabbing his hand. "Th-thank you for everything!" She bowed in return, then jumped up and gave the dragon a big hug.

Aaron blushed and returned the embrace. "You are welcome, sweet Princess." He smiled.

It really was a lovely night.