A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Erik entered the room and looked around. It seemed like any of the other rooms in this place. But that made sense. Not only did Alice not have much time to personalize it yet, but she also simply didn't anything to personalize it with.

And that gave him an idea. Since he had resolved to care for this girl, he also wanted her to be comfortable.

"Alice, I was thinking. It will likely be a while before we leave here, but when we do, would you like to pay a visit to your old home? And perhaps wherever your father spend a lot of time as well? Perhaps there are things there you might want."

Alice continued to fidget a little, but still nodded gratefully. "I— I'd really like that, thank you."

Seeing her behavior, caused Erik to sigh. "Alright, just spit it out, Alice. You clearly want to talk to me about something. What, do the ferocity and determination I've seen in you before not extend to social interactions?"

Alice quickly stopped her fidgeting and send him an angry glare instead. "Emma is a lot nicer, you know," she pouted at him.

"I know," Erik grinned confidently. "Now are you going to tell me, or what?"

Alice glared for a moment longer, but then sighed and, under Erik's surprised gaze, started getting on her knees.

He didn't stop her, however, and was curious to see how this would play out.

After she knelt down, she rested her hands on her knees and bowed her head. "I want to be as strong as you. Please teach me… Master."

When he finally found out the reason she wanted to talk to him, his lips curled up into an amused smirk. "Oh? You know, I was afraid you might loose your drive and be uncertain about what you wanted from your future, considering everything that happened, but that doesn't seem to be the case. No, you have a goal."

Erik could think of several things that might have become her new goal, but he wanted to hear it from her.

"So tell me," he continued, not telling Alice to stand up just yet. "Why do you want to learn from me? And more importantly, why do you believe you're worthy?"

On his second question, Alice trembled a little, clearly afraid that he might reject her.

"I—" she began, but was interrupted by Erik, "Lift your head, I want to look into your eyes."
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She did as he asked, and Erik could see some doubt and fear there, but mostly buckets full of determination and a desire to fight for her desires.

Her young and immature voice did nothing to undermine the maturity and determination in her words. "I avenged my father thanks to you, but… there is still one more parent I need to avenge! I know you are already going after them, but I don't want to ride on your coattails again this time. I want to help!"

"I see," Erik nodded, now having replaced his smirk with a serious, and unreadable expression. "You do realize that the timetable here is very unclear, correct? Taking down the hunters might take two years, or it might take six. It all depends on what we find in Africa.

But it will be hard for you to reach second rank, even just in two years. In the meantime, most hunters have already had the full seven years, or in some cases even more, to grow stronger, and they won't sit on their asses while you start your journey from scratch.

Your youth will also work against you in the development of your body and runes. So do you really believe you can grow enough to be any real help against the hunters?"

Her gaze remained unflinching in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. "I will work harder than anyone's ever worked before! With or without your help, I will grow strong enough to make them pay!" her voice was ferocious and full of hatred.

Erik understood that hatred. Yet, he also understood that you couldn't, or perhaps rather shouldn't, live your life solely for the purpose of that feeling.

But he parked that thought for a moment.

"Alright," he nodded, "you're determined at least, even against all the odds. So now you've told me the why, I still haven't heard why you believe yourself to be worthy of my time?"

This time, her gaze grew a little anxious for a moment, before her confidence reasserted itself. "I— I won't stop. I will never stop. From here on out, you and your training will be my life. I refuse to be a disappointment to you, or anyone. I refuse to let my parent's sacrifice be in vain!" her voice grew more passionate by the word, until small tears appeared in her eyes.

After she finished, her icy blue eyes kept meeting Erik's amber gaze without flinching.

They both remained silent for a moment while they stared at each other, until finally, a small smile appeared on Erik's face. "I have rules."

A victorious smile spread appeared on Alice's face, and she quickly jumped up while nodding vigorously. "Of course, Master! Anything!"

"First of all, don't call me Master," Erik rolled his eyes with some exasperation. "I already have two different types of people calling me that for two different reasons, and I don't want to add a third. Call me teacher, or sir."

"Yes, Teacher!" Alice eagerly nodded.

Seeing her agreement, he nodded and continued, "Second of all, I set the pace, and the schedule. Deviate from that schedule even once because you think you know better or that I'm not going fast enough, and you're on your own. I don't need a student that doesn't trust me to know what's best."

"I understand, Teacher. I won't disappoint you," Alice nodded seriously.

"Good," Erik slightly grinned. "Because I will be adding times of rest, and I expect you to follow them diligently. They are there for a reason. Furthermore, I'll ask you to spend that time with Emma."

Alice blinked a little in surprise, "Emma, Teacher? I mean, I like her, so I don't mind, but why?"

Erik once again raised a disappointed eyebrow, "I have my reasons. Are you going to question every decision I make, Alice?"

"N— No!" she quickly shook her head. "I'll do it!"

"Good," Erik smiled softly, before putting a reassuring hand on Alice's shoulder. "You're a good girl, Alice. I didn't know your parents well, or at all, but if you were my daughter, I would be proud."

"T— Thank you," Alice mumbled softly.

While Erik didn't come here expecting this, it did somewhat address everything he wanted to talk about, so he turned towards the door and prepared to leave. "Your training starts tomorrow. I suggest you get a good nights rest."

"Yes!" Alice nodded with determination towards his back and watched him leave.