And so, The Melody Ebbs(2/??)(V2)

Mia looked up to the canopy of emerald leaves as they altered the sunlight into a faint teal color.

[Mia: Whoa~]

[Mia: I should show Mr. Bunny later…]

The path she followed was marked by the absence of grass and flora and was riddled with overgrown roots and dry foliage that satisfyingly crunched as she stepped on them.

Eventually the forest began to thin out, revealing a large clearing.

Directly ahead was her destination, the village of Valvérd.

What immediately stood out from it was Lori's house, easily the most distinguishable one thanks to the luscious garden of fruits and vegetables growing beside it.

[*Thunk Thunk*]

[Mia: Lori?]

[Mia: ...]

[Mia: Hello?]

Mia knocked on Lori's front door but got no response.

[Mia: Doesn't look like she's here...]

[Mia: Oh--]

[Mia: I think she said something about that yesterday]

Quickly glancing around, it hadn't crossed her mind how quiet it was at the moment.

The usual rowdiness of the village was absent, and because of that, It was safe for Mia to assume that everyone was currently in Elfensjon.

[Mia: I hope everyone gets back safely]

So with nothing else to do, Mia sat down beside Lori's front door and rested her head on the palm of her hand as she drew in the ground with her finger.

[…]

[…]

[…]

[Mia: !]

But just as she was about to finish her drawing, a bunny hopped into view.

[Mia: Bunny!!!]

[Mia: What are you doing here?]

[Bunny: …]

It wiggled its whiskers as it stared at Mia with its beady eyes.

[Mia: Ah--]

Two short and stubby horns poked out of its forehead and its ears drooped to the side of its head, laying gently over its brown fur.

[Mia: You're a Mrs. Bunny!]

And after examining the bunny she made a sudden declaration.

Without a doubt, this was a female bunny.

[Mia: Your so cute~]

Mia reached over and picked up Mrs. Bunny, her fingers seemingly melting into her fur.

[Mia: and su~per fluffy]

Their male counterparts usually had longer horns and often carried an iconic tuft of fur in-between their ears that's just as puffy as their tails.

Not only that, but male bunnies have straight ears unlike female bunnies, who can control the stiffness of their ears and either let them fall or perk them up.

[Mia: you know...]

[Mia: I just so happen to know a handsome Mr. Bunny you might like]

[Mrs. Bunny: !]

Mrs. Bunny's ears perked up slightly.

[Mia: I wouldn't mind bringing you with me if you'd like]

[Mrs. Bunny: …]

She didn't show any signs rejecting Mia's proposal.

[Mia: Okay then!]

[Mia: I think you'll fit in my pocket...]

Mia widened the pocket right in front of her chest and lifted Mrs. Bunny next to it and after examining it, she crawled right in.

[Mia: Hehe~]

[Mia: Don't move around so much it tickles]

[???: --that just leaves the outer sigils I guess...]

Suddenly, a familiar voice emerged--

[???: Welp!]

[???: I didn't keep you waiting too long did I?]

--and in front of Mia, a woman appeared.

[???: And what happened to your dress?]

[???: It's so dirty]

[Mia: Lori!!!]

Without thinking, Mia leapt into Lori's arms and hugged her tightly.

[Lori: Gah!]

[Lori: At least clean yourself first]

Lori jokingly whined as she returned the hug.

[Lori: You're lucky your mother goes easy on ya]

[Lori: It's all thanks to that clumsy oaf of a father you have]

She looked down at Mia and as their eyes met, Mia gave a wide smile.

[Lori: Hmph]

[Lori: I guess even he has his merits]

Lori bashfully mumbled under her breath and ended the hug.

[Lori: I still have some things to take care of before I escort everyone back so let's try to hurry a little]

Having said that, she unlocked the front door and entered with Mia following close behind her.

[Mia: It's always so messy here]

Scattered across the living room floor were dozens of notes, papers, and books filled to the brim with illegible scribbles. Staves and grimoires lined the walls alongside a couple of odd-shaped items that Mia couldn't identify.

[Lori: Messy?]

[Lori: Everything's clearly organized and as long as I know where everything is then it's fine right?]

[Mia: I guess…]

[Mrs. Bunny: …]

Mrs. Bunny poked her head out of Mia's pocket and squeaked quietly.

[Lori: Oh that's right!]

Lori clapped her hands together and faced Mia.

[Lori: I don't know if your mother told you yet but there's going to be a festival in Elfensjon]

[Lori: it's still a good ways away, but I went ahead and started talking to her about taking you with me]

[Mia: !]

[Lori: Except she's really on the fence about it…]

A hint of defeat lingered in her voice.

[Lori: I don't want you to get too excited yet but I want to talk to your father and see if he'll come with us]

[Lori: I think maybe then your mother would be fine with you going]

Lori walked into her kitchen and rummaged through a cabinet before realizing--

[Lori: --Wait, what does your mother even want?]

[Mia: Here you go!]

Mia pulled out Mother's note–

[Lori: Thanks]

--And as Lori read it over, she chuckled to herself.

[Lori: How cute]

[Mia: ?]

Mia looked up to Lori curiously.

[Lori: Oh it's nothing, just your mother being precious]

[Lori: I'll be back in a bit]

Lori grabbed the small, woven basket sitting on her kitchen countertop and left through the backdoor leading to her garden

[Mia: …]

[Mia: Lori's great dontcha' think?]

[Mrs. Bunny: !]

Mrs. Bunny squeaked gleefully.

[Mia: It really is messy though]

[Mia: Maybe we should help Lori clean up a bit?]

As Mia said this, she scanned the room--

[Mia: !]

--and spotted a ring on the floor.

[Mia: Like this!]

She picked up the ring and as she examined it, she noticed a small purple gem in the center and inscriptions on the outer edge.

[Mia: It's really pretty~]

[Mia: …]

[Mia: Doesn't look like it'll fit me though]

Mia slipped the ring on and just as she thought, it was way too big for her.

Even though she could tell just by looking at it, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

[Mia: I guess we should leave it on the table so Lori sees it when she comes back]

[Mrs. Bunny: …]

But as Mia reached over to remove the ring--

[Mia: !]

--it suddenly tightened.

[Mia: …]

Stunned for a moment, Mia blankly stared at her hand, unable to process what had just happened.

[Lori: --This should be everything I think]

[Mia: !!!]

[Lori: If your mother needs anything else just let me--]

[Lori: ?]

[Lori: Something wrong?]

[Mia: N-No!]

Mia instinctually hid her hands beneath her cloak and smiled awkwardly.

[Lori: hm…]

[Lori: I got everything your mother asked for]

[Lori: But she really doesn't care about what's in season right now]

[Lori: I mean, Wyvern's Root?]

[Lori: Really?]

[Lori: Those don't grow for another 4 Months!]

[Lori: Hmph]

[Lori: She's lucky I keep some in storage]

[Lori: Maybe if she realized how much work it takes for me to grow everything then she would learn to appreciate me more–]

[Lori: –Ah]

[Lori: What day is it?]

[Mia: I-Ifridae…]

[Lori: WHAT!?]]

[Mia: !!!]

[Lori: Wh-What am I doing?!]

Lori extended her hand out in front of her and a black grimoire began to float towards her.

[Lori: I'm supposed to help Adlehar catch Veiled Frogs today!]

The grimoire hovered in front of Lori and flipped through various pages.

[Lori: I'll at least take you home first!]

Before Mia could get a chance to say anything, a magic circle began to form beneath her--

[Mia: !]

--and a blinding light overcame her.

The sensation of the ground was then replaced by nothing but air--

[Mia: Uwaa!]

--and a moment later, Mia face-planted onto the floor.

[Lori: Gah!]

[Lori: I'm so sorry!]

[Lori: I'm still not used to moving people smaller than me]

[Mia: itsh okay...]

After giving her muffled response, Mia picked herself up off the ground and was immediately captivated by a familiar aroma.

[Mom: Lori?]

[Mom: What are you doing here?]

[Lori: Just came to drop Mia off!]

Another magic circle appeared beneath Lori--

[Lori: Bye bye!]

--and she disappeared.

[Mom: …]

[Mom: Why do I feel like she's planning something obnoxious…]

[Mom: Well Mia, since you're back you should--]

[Mia: –AH!]

[Mia: Are you okay Mrs. Bunny?!]

[...]

[...]

[Mrs. Bunny: !]

Mrs. Bunny poked her head out of Mia's chest pocket and appeared unharmed.

[Mia: Phew]

Letting out a sigh of relief, Mia lifted Mrs. Bunny out of her pocket and onto the floor where she then began to prance around the living room.

[Mia: I thought I smushed you]

[Mrs. Bunny: !]

[Mom: Looks like she likes it here]

[Mom: Although I feel like I remember asking you not to bring any more animals into the house...]

[Mia: …]

[Mom: hmm well I'll let it slide this time]

[Mom: at least this lil' missums doesn't look like she'll make a mess]

[Mom: Unlike the time you brought that Myretern in]

[Mia: heheh thanks Mom]

Mia sheepishly laughed as she recalled the embarrassing memory.

[Mia: !]

Suddenly, a strange fuzziness began to spread through her right hand.

[Mia: I-I'll go put this away]

She accidentally got caught up in the moment and had almost forgotten about the ring wrapped around her finger.

For now, she just needed time to think about what to do.

[Mom: Wait]

[Mia: !]

[Mia: Y-Yea Mom?]

[Mom: Where's all the things I asked for?]

[Mia: …]

[Mia: Huh?]

Fully expecting her mother to confront her about the ring, Mia was caught completely off guard and blanked.

[Mom: The fruits and veggies I asked for?]

The basket Lori was supposed to give Mia wasn't here.

[Mia: Lori forgot to give it to me before she brought me over...]

Being the forgetful person everyone knows her for, it wasn't very surprising.

[Mom: *sigh*]

[Mom: I'm sure she'll send it over at some point]

At that moment, a portal opened directly above Leanne--

[Mom: Ow!]

–And a basket fell through it.

Seeing the various fruits and vegetables spill onto the floor, she muttered under her breath--

[Mom: --That hag did this on purpose didn't she]

As her mother reached down to clean up the mess, Mia saw an opportunity leave.

[Mia: Can you take care of Mrs. Bunny for a bit? Thanks Mom!]

[Mom: !]

[Mom: H-Hold on!]

[Mom: Don't leave her--]

But by then Mia had already left.

[Mom: --alone with me…]

[Mrs. Bunny: …]

Mrs. Bunny munched on a lettuce leaf as the two stared at each other.

[Mom: Ah…]

[Mrs. Bunny: …]

[Mom: I uh…]

[Mom: I like your horns]

[Mrs. Bunny: !]