In the forest bordering the land of the humans, there lives a monster.

Intrigued by the lights and bustle of the city, it had sought for humanity's novelties.

Alas, the creature's numerous eyes and venomous fangs had driven away all hopes of friendship with the local humans.

That is of course-- with one exception.

"It... it is much too cold... things will get better... won't it, Kukoh?"

The child asked the woman as she looked out the window, shivering all the while.

"But of course, child."

The woman started.

She bent down and picked up the child in her arms, holding the little lady in her embrace.

"You are smart, little one-- and I am strong. Together, we will weather this storm."

The child nestled quietly in her arms, but the frown on her face did not disappear.

"That's not what Aria meant."

Aria mumbled as if her mind was elsewhere.

She wanted to tell Kuuko about what was troubling her, but she was afraid that she would only cause her caretaker unnecessary discomfort.

Kuuko placed her hands on Ariadne's underarms and lifted her up high,

"What's troubling you, little one?" She asked while looking up at the child.

Aria's eyes swam a bit and she mumbled something under her breath.

Kuuko heard her the first time, but let her down in order to let her speak.

She then set her body down, intending to listen to the child clearly.

Aria looked lost as she stared right at Kuuko's eyes on her human half,

"Kukoh, tell Aria the truth, okay? You have to promise!"

Speaking with the misplaced seriousness commonly found in children, Kuuko was made to nod, her own motherly smile unbeknownst to her as she replied, "Yes, Aria. I promise."

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"Okay... good." Aria responded, seemingly pleased as she nodded heavily before continuing.

"Kukoh. Is Aria... ugly?"

Ariadne asked with downcast eyes, the way she said Kuuko's name was enough to melt the heart of the goddess.

"What?! Of course not, Ariadne!"

She retorted at once, displeased.

Kuuko was unable to take how adorable Aria was, but she was also indignant at the fact that someone had instilled the idea into the girl's mind.

"Who told you of such blatant lies, child? Was it the gallawians?" I shall consume those worthless pests for this insolence.

Stopping herself from continuing her own sentence, Kuuko questioned Aria with half-opened eyes.

The gallawians are miniscule, winged tricksters that take heart in tormenting those who get lost in the forest. Well, they were. Not for long.

Contrary to her expectations however, Aria only shook her head.

"No..." She spoke with a powerless tone.

Kuuko had a worried expression as she asked,

"Then... what is it, child? Darling, you are beautiful! What would make you think otherwise?"

Seeing her foster mother honestly infuriated confused Aria, but she continued anyway,

"Aria knows it! Aria does know it... it's because her hair is white, while everyone else at the village had brown hair! That's... that's why Aria was not wanted... wasn't it?"

Her volume becoming weaker and more unsure the longer she went on, Aria had an expression that looked as if she were about to cry.

Aww...

Barely able to stifle her own voice, Kuuko gently held her human hands against her human mouth, her spider half's mouth opened and closed ominously at the same time.

"Little one," she started.

"Do you think that I am ugly for my white hair, then?"

Kuuko asked as she brushed her hair using her fingers.

Aira stared at the ground and shook her head slowly before replying weakly,

"No..."

She then turned to look at Kuuko with serious eyes,

"Kukoh is pretty... Kukoh is the prettiest!" Raising her hands to show just how serious she was, Aria was then raised up once again by Kuuko.

"If you ask me, darling, they thought that you were much too beautiful to keep for themselves and offered you to me! So we could be together, yes?"

"...Yes!" Responding to Kuuko's quickly-formed excuse, Aria responded cheerfully.

"Then do you feel better now, dear?"

Kuuko smiled as she patted the child's head.

Aria was unbothered by the ruffling of her hair as she hugged Kuuko.

"Mmhm! Thank you, Kukoh!"

She smiled radiantly, like the sun.