And so, The Melody Ebbs(3/??)(V2)
[Mia: What do I even do…]
Mia paced back and forth within her room and worryingly stared at the ring. Her various attempts at removing it were unsuccessful and the tingling sensation that was isolated in her finger had begun to spread to the other two fingers beside it.
Even after Lori had warned her countless times to be careful around her magic artifacts, she still somehow managed to get one stuck to her.
[Mia: Sorry Lori]
While the fuzzy sensation felt strange, it didn't hurt. The fact that it was spreading was the only thing that worried her and with Lori gone for the day, the only thing Mia could do is wait until tomorrow.
[Mia: *sigh*]
[Mia: If I told Mom then maybe…]
She thought about it briefly and ultimately dismissed the idea.
[Mia: I need to learn how to handle things myself]
The amount of times her mother helped clean up her mess were countless. So with her newfound will, she made it her goal to solve this on her own.
Mia returned to the living room and–
[Mom: --So that's why you're here then?]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mom: Ooo, that's exciting]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mom: Oh definitely!]
[Mom: You can't let it be just anyone]
[Mrs. Bunny: !]
[Mom: Oh Mia you're back]
Seeing the two sitting on the floor and enjoying a conversation together filled Mia with an indescribable joy.
[Mom: Good luck!]
[Mom: You better tell me all about him tomorrow]
Leanne gave Mrs. Bunny a thumbs up and Mrs. Bunny returned a proud pose before hopping over to Mia.
[Mia: I guess I should drop you off first]
[Mia: I hope Mr. Bunny doesn't mind]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: Well I never told him I was going to bring a guest back]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: I didn't think I'd find another bunny!]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: I'm sure you'll get along just fine]
Mia picked Mrs. Bunny up and nuzzled her face into her fur.
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself!]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: You're looking at me like I'm the second person to do that]
[Mia: ?]
Mia shot a quick glance at her mother and she immediately turned away as if to hide her face.
[Mia: I did say your fur was really soft]
Mia carried Mrs. Bunny out to the front yard and placed her down next to Mr. Bunny's burrow.
[Mia: Mr. Bunny lives really close, see?]
[Mrs. Bunny: …]
[Mia: Here, I'll even get him to come outside]
[Mia: Ahem]
[Mia: Mr. Bunny~!]
[Mia : I have something for you~!]
[...]
[...]
[Mr. Bunny: …]
After a bit of waiting, Mr. Bunny poked his head out.
[Mia: Ta-da!]
[Mr. Bunny: ?]
He looked up at Mia who then pointed to the ground in front of him and whispered–
[Mia: –down there]
[Mr. Bunny: …]
[Mr. Bunny: ?!]
He followed her finger and was met by an unannounced Mrs. Bunny.
[Mia: I'll be back with snacks later]
[Mia: Have fun!]
And with that, Mia left Mrs. Bunny in Mr. Bunny's care.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Mia patiently waited atop the porch steps as she gazed into the forest.
[Mr. Bunny: !!!]
[Mrs. Bunny: !!!]
[Mia: *sigh*]
[Mia: Why are you two fighting?]
[Mr. Bunny: !!!]
[Mrs. Bunny: !!!]
The two bunnies clashed horns and refused to yield to the other.
[Mia: At least finish eating first]
[Mia: I don't want these apple slices to go to waste]
[Mr. Bunny: !]
[Mrs. Bunny: !]
They both looked at the small plate with apple slices laid beside them and then back at each other.
[...]
Sharing the same thought process, a temporary truce quickly formed and they gathered around the plate to eat.
[Mia: Thank you]
With the sky just beginning to turn orange, the fluorescent pollen of the forest began to glow.
[!]
[???: Hah...hah…]
[???: I...hah… made it…hah... right?]
[Mia: Yup!]
The man that emerged was covered in sweat and carried a tall stack of books that eclipsed him. The large, round glasses he wore emphasized the unwavering sense of child-like wonder his brown eyes had.
He lugged himself forwards and dropped the books on the ground before sitting next to Mia, the steps creaking and bending from the weight.
[???: Phew… ]
[???: I thought I was gonna be late]
He stretched out his whole body and let out a long, relaxed sigh.
[???: Hup–pwaaah~]
[???: Would you believe that someone was giving away these books for free!]
[???: Maybe there's something Lori would want?]
Now that she thought about it, Mia couldn't recall a single time when he was late. Even when it seemed like he had his hands full, he would always make it with time to spare.
[Mia: He never forgot huh…]
And it was one of the reasons why Mia looked up to her father.
[Dad: Who are these lil' fellas?]
Referring to the pair of bunnies munching beside Mia, He reached over to pet them--
[Mr. Bunny: !!]
--but was met with a hostile hiss.
[Dad: Eep!]
[Dad: I didn't know bunnies could hiss]
[Mia: Me neither…]
[Mia: Well this one here is Mr. Bunny and this one is Mrs. Bunny!]
[Dad: How do you tell the difference?]
[Dad: They kinda look the same to me]
[Mia: Mr. Bunny has longer horns, see?]
[Dad: I think I do?]
[!]
Shortly after, the sun began to set.
What seemed like specks of dust began to sprinkle from the forest canopy and filled the empty space below.
One by one, those fluorescent specks began to breathe in and out, temporarily lighting the night with a gentle, blue glow.
[...]
For a few minutes, everyone watched silently.
Eventually, the light began to fade and the darkness of the night settled.
[...]
[Dad: I think some of it went in my nose…]
[Dad: A-ACHOO!]
[Dad: Ugh…]
Pollen shot out of his nose and floated away–
[Mia: …]
[Dad: …]
[Mia: hehehe]
[Dad: hahaha]
–and the two erupted into laughter.
[Dad: Welp…]
[Dad: I'm heading in now]
[Dad: Don't stay out too long ya hear?]
[Mia: I won't!]
[Dad: Hup!]
Her father heaved the tower of books up off the ground and made his way towards the door.
[Mr. Bunny: !!]
[Mrs. Bunny: !!]
[Mia: is something wrong?]
Mr and Mrs Bunny suddenly perked their heads up–
[Mr. Bunny: !!!]
[Mrs. Bunny: !!!]
–and sprinted haphazardly around the porch before going under Mia's cloak.
[Mia: Why are you two–?]
[Mia: –!]
The moment she placed her hand on them, A bad feeling sank into her stomach.
They were trembling.