Ghee Buttersnaps

“Slow down a bit, Geck.” I muttered as I started into the homestead. I looked around at the houses as I passed them. The sun was just rising, nobody was awake to greet my arrival. That was fine, though. It gave me time to get deep into the heart of the complex. I continued moving, before watching a young JingLing step outside her house. She started moving towards her garden, when she noticed me. She froze for a moment, then started down the road quickly. I heard her bang hard on the door she’d run to. I slowly arrived at that house, getting Gecko. I brushed his mane as he bristled his fur at me. “It wasn’t that long of a trip.”

“She’s back!” Valeria Glory alerted the occupant.

“So much for surprise.” I muttered to Gecko, who seemingly snickered at me. I tied him to the post, then started up the lawn, I saw Valeria step away from the door, and my parents stepped out. My father with his vibrant white hair, and my mother with her golden blonde. “Mother. Father.”

“We see that you’ve acquired the last piece of your armor.” Father said, looking at me. I nodded slowly.

“It’s great to have you back, Ghee.” My mother came striding towards me, wrapping her arms tightly around me. “It looks good on you.”

“Thank you, mom.” I replied. She pulled back from me, looking me over. “Sorry. It was a long journey.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” She laughed, bringing me towards the house. “We’ll have to get you a bath drawn up.”

“Can’t go to your second biggest day looking like some vagabond.” Dad agreed. I glanced at him, he smiled back. I followed my mother to my old room. “I’ll make some breakfast.”

“Thank you dear.” Mother replied, she stopped me in the center of my room, quickly working the buckle out of my fauld, tearing off the metallic skirt and setting it on a new stand. She moved to my vambraces, taking each one, then my pauldrons. Then she got my breastplate off. I walked myself to my bed, working my greaves and sabatons off. I sighed, working myself out of the under-gambeson, before stretching. “Don’t you just look perfect, Snow Rabbit?”

“I feel horrible.” I grunted back, I looked at her, then dropped my arms. “Were you… nervous when you did your ceremony?”

“Of course!” My mother said as if that’d been obvious. She touched my elbow. “You know it was harder for me. I had to somehow make your father want to marry me, then I had to prove that I was more than a wife. Then I had to do the trials.”

“But you’re the best at it.”

“I know you don’t believe that.”

“Second best.”

“That’s more plausible.” She replied with a laugh. She looked at me sweetly. “Probably third best after you become a hunter.”

“Me? Second? No way.”

“Oh yes. You take so much after your uncle.” She replied, she looked towards the bathroom. “Sounds like your father put your bath together too.”

“I’ll see you for breakfast.”

“Of course, Snow Rabbit.” I quickly scrubbed myself clean, before stepping out into the front room, where my grand-uncle was waiting. I stopped in my tracks, then looked at my sister, my brother, their families, everyone was here. “It’s alright, Ghee, they’re just here to greet you.”

“I’m astonished you got your armor completed so quickly, dearie.” My auntie, Requesta, said, walking towards me with a grin. “You know. If you wanted to, we’d be honored to have you serving with the Saints.”

“T…Thank you, Auntie, but I’m set on becoming a hunter.”

“Oh. I know, you’re just like my husband aren’t you?” She muttered, she glanced back at my grand-uncle. “I apologize that this reunion will be short lived, dearie.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means…” My grand uncle shakily stood to his feet. I stared at him as he wobbled towards me, the old man could barely stand, even with his cane, but no one would dare lay a finger or speak out of turn to him. Girdian Buttersnaps, the eldest of my family. “That I have found your anointing quest.”

“You have?” I asked, my hopes rising. “I’m ready, Grand-Uncle.”

“I know you are.” He whispered. He looked up at me for several moments. “There is a town east of us, Coniston. They have asked for a hunter directly from us. Rather promising pay.”

“I see… I don’t know of this town.”

“Neither did we.” Alteari Buttersnaps offered, my grandma. “But we have found the location in our maps.”

“They have been plagued by a dangerous monstrosity. It’s slain other mercenaries they’ve hired out. Which is why it will be perfect for you.” My Grand-Uncle straightened himself, his cane shaking as he held himself high. “Slay this monster, and receive proof of the quest completion… and you will be proclaimed a Huntress of the Buttersnaps name.”

“I will not disappoint you, Grand-Uncle.”

“I know you won’t.” He replied, patting my shoulder. He glanced around, then started limping for the door. My grandparents, and paternal aunts started following.

“I’ll let your uncle know, dearie.” Requesta said, walking towards me with a huge grin. “He’ll be absolutely ecstatic to hear his niece has followed in his footsteps.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“I’ll see you when you return, dearie.” Requesta nodded, hugging me, before walking out.

“Well, Sis. It’s not everyday a hunter gets crowned here.” My brother walked towards me, a smile on his face. “Welcome to the good fight.”

“Thanks, Chante.”

“You should probably get going.” Chante muttered, glancing at my parents, who were sadly watching us. “You can spend your time with them when you return.”

“I understand.”

“Good luck, Ghee.”

“Here. I’ll help you in your armor.” Moira offered, my little sister. She walked with me to my room. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a hunter too. I’m going to be all alone.”

“It’s not my fault you chose to be a spell-slinger.”

“A wizard.” She grumbled, helping me into my gambeson. “Promise me you won’t die on this one.”

“Other mercenaries couldn’t kill it…”

“You’re not other mercenaries.” She replied, putting on my breastplate. She sighed, before casting a spell, several ethereal hands appeared, putting the rest of the armor on me. She held out a small charm. “H…here. Just in case.”

“What?”

“If you’re about to die… use that and I’ll portal to you.”

“That’d break the rules of the ritual.” I replied.

“I know! But the ritual isn’t worth your life!”

“Moi… you know I’m willing to die for this.”

“I know! But that’s because you’re stupid like Chan.”

“Just because you read magic books doesn’t mean you’re smart.” I retorted, putting my sheath on. I looked at her. “Thanks.”

“Just know Elvia will be pretty angry if you don’t return.”

“I promise I’ll return…” I looked down for a moment. “I was hoping to see her.”

“I know… she has to sleep though.”

“I’ll see her when I come back.” I muttered, stepping out. My mother hugged me. “I’ll be back before you know it, mom.”

“I know, snow rabbit.”

“Knock it out of the park, Hunter.” Dad said, patting me on the shoulder. I nodded back, before starting to my horse, Moira following me.

“Any words of wisdom?”

“Just keep your sword sharp.” She muttered, glancing at my blade. “As offensive as the name is, you need it.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“Remember your charm for it.”

“I do.”

“Good. Don’t want it to come out of nowhere while you’re fighting a monster.”