Chapter 201: Bunnies Don’t Lay Eggs

"I can appreciate that. I’ll, uh... talk with Moongmor and Eostre when I get the chance. I guess the last thing I want to really discuss is the business regarding the promised Positive Lunar Energy. How’s that coming along?"

Mei’s eyes closed, a rare look of frustration creasing her brow. "There are... hiccups involving my home’s movements. We live on a reflection of My Lady’s Lunar Kingdom, and as such, if we are not to have our homes destroyed, we must move in unison with the higher dimensions. I am loath to say, but our elegance does not match with that of the Higher Lunar Court, and that makes its positioning... slow."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Rachel offered.

Unexpectedly, the woman lifted her hands to fuss with her bound silver hair, her tone becoming uncomfortable. "If... Lady Eostre’s bunnies would be willing to follow our instruction... then it could be done in accordance with my mistress’ timetable. I am not sure as to where our destination is, only its general direction."

A small smile lifted Rachel’s lips at the agitated woman’s admission. Due to Eostre being a creature of either Positive or Negative, her bunnies could act in both. This was probably a very big headache for Mei if she had brought this option up.

"Haha. I know you have your doubts about Moongmor and Eostre’s followers, but I’ll talk to them, okay? It will probably need to be in a day or two, though."

Mei shifted to grip her elbow, still looking uncomfortable. "You do not fully understand, Rachel... Eostre’s bunnies lay eggs."

Rachel’s mind ground to a halt, totally thrown into left field as she tried to piece together what the woman was implying. Suddenly, it struck her.

"Bunnies... don’t lay eggs."

"No, we do not," she whispered. "Lady Eostre’s followers used to be birds before they gained her favor, and she transformed them into bunnies. Naturally, a being at her level of power could not fully convert them from their original nature in spirit and body, so... there are differences between us."

Rachel had to wonder if Mei was telling her this to say that her people also discriminated against the birds-turned-bunnies or if there was some deeper meaning behind the topic.

"How... does that change the equation with them helping you, hehe, move your moon?"

Mei’s grip tightened around her elbow. "Only Moon Rabbits can change the course of our home... It changes many things depending on the results."

"Uh-huh... So, it’s a cultural shift that might be hard for your people to accept if they can do it, and if they can’t... it reinforces the idea they aren’t Moon Rabbits?"

"In essence, yes," the woman whispered. "It is an uncomfortable experiment that some on the Lunar Court are opposed to, and there is a fear they may seek to migrate to our home. Yet, if it can hasten Our Lady’s wishes, we are duty-bound to support their aid. It is just something you might make Lady Eostre and Moongmor aware of."

"Got it..." Rachel slowly replied, not having expected such a strange twist.

She did recall spotting somewhere that Eostre turned a bird into a bunny but hadn’t anticipated it would cause this much of a disturbance inside an entire civilization of Moon Rabbits. They were worried about an influx of egg-laying immigrants that would upset their way of life. Life certainly was interesting now with the insanity The Oscillation brought.

"I’ll bring your concerns to Eostre. Is there a reason why you can’t talk to her yourself?"

Mei shivered and shook her head. "We may reside within a space she has claimed, but strict boundaries are maintained within our... tentative alliance. Moongmor is her representative, and you have seen the conduct he shows when we are supposed to be discussing important topics."

"Yeah... I can see the trouble," Rachel mumbled, thinking back to how the hyperactive bunny had crashed their discussion. "He seems like an obsessive guy, for sure, and has taken a shine to you."

"My appearance, to be specific," she stated with a distasteful tone. "He expresses no appreciation for my other attributes or grace."

Rachel’s ears lifted a little at the phrasing Mei used. It sounded like she wouldn’t be all that opposed to his advances or presence if he weren’t only focused on her looks or attire.

"Alright. Umm. Is there anything else?"

Mei looked up as a streak of lightning flashed overhead, yet its rumbles didn’t reach them due to the woman’s power. "I do sense a strong thirst for blood that seeks to rip into your veins... Be careful, Rachel. Something foul is nearing your shores, and their intention is set on you or... perhaps someone near you."

First thinking Scarlet had zipped back in for a midnight snack of Lunar Blood, Rachel turned her thoughts to Veronica. She was the only vampire-like person Rachel knew, except maybe the Seattle Vampire. Although, it wasn’t like they had much in common, and he was on the entire other side of the United States with the whole country’s intelligence network on his butt.

"Noted... Well, have a lovely night. It was a real pleasure, Lady Mei," she said with a smile and small, respectful bow that seemed to brighten the woman’s mood.

"Thank you for your patience and respect, Rachel. I will release Moongmor back into the wild on my way back home. However, I fear he will only continue to follow at my feet, begging me to wear some other lascivious article of clothing for him to gawk at. Lord Tintreach and Anthony seem to be winding down."

"Alright. Well, good luck!"

Rachel breathed out a long stream of air as the pretty bunny vanished in twinkling lights, and she turned her gaze to the battling pair in whatever weird energy space the Lightning Lord had created to fight Anthony.

Eostre had built a sanctuary for others in the higher dimensions by utilizing Cerridwen, Chang’e, and her reputation after Izanami’s semi-endorsement. Perhaps, over time, as the Hell Lady had insinuated, she’d get more to join her side. She was building up her own faction across all the dimensions, and that had its perks.

So, some bloodsucker is coming to start trouble? Good to know.

Rachel was lost in her thoughts for a time, but it didn’t take long for Anthony and Tintreach to reappear, covered in cuts that leaked white liquid.

"Have fun, boys?" she asked, legs folding the opposite way as she shifted in her chair to smile at them.

Anthony snorted, covered in sweat and brushing away blood from a small cut on his neck that must have been a close call. "I haven’t... faced anyone as skilled as him. Ack. How was your girl talk?"

"Enlightening. So..."

Tintreach grinned and straightened, electricity dancing around him and the Legend, closing their wounds. "You have impressed me, Anthony. I will offer you my glaive."

Anthony stepped forward and clasped his offered wrist, the Lightning Lord doing the same. "Partners! I’ll have to brush up on my glaive skills. Hahaha. Those were some fancy moves, my friend."

"Then I will teach you."

Rachel grunted and rose to her feet as Tintreach converted into electricity and infused Anthony with his essence, the Legend welcoming the Lightning Lord inside.

A thought struck her upon Tintreach’s comment as another bell chime sounded from her mother, likely supporting the union.

"Wait, where’s my hammer teacher?"

"You should have asked Mei," Anthony snickered, flexing his hands as energy coursed through his veins, illuminating them. "Wow. Yeah, I’m going to have to get used to this."

"I should have!" Her cheer diminished, and she crossed her arms, getting the feeling they’d be leaving this area soon. "Hey, I, uh, I have one thing to say... and I’m not trying to be a total bitch, but..."

Brushing back his messy red locks, Anthony chuckled and held up a fist for her to bump, confusing her a little. "My new partner already told me about the temporary fix you discovered. I can guess what you’re about to say, and I don’t expect you to just drain yourself weekly out of the goodness of your heart. Amelia’s grown to like you. Help her, and you’ve got me."

The fog of stress collecting around her dispersed into clear skies as she grinned and bumped his fist. "Then, welcome to Omen."

"Glad to be here," Anthony said, plucking at his damaged shirt. "Do we come with our own merch? I could use some new clothes to represent."

Laughing, Rachel fell through space, called back by her mother’s bell. She had her core team; now, all she needed to do was convince Congress it would be a good idea to allow multiple PMCs under US Military supervision.

Of course, that would come after the funeral. Rachel fell silent as she exited the veil and returned to her body. A disquieting thought ran through her mind; hopefully, Scarlet would be okay during her dad’s service, because if not, things would get messy. Who was she kidding, though? The Scarlet Hand definitely had something planned; her dad had been one of the leaders, after all.

Please, don’t turn him into a zombie.