Chương 22: XXII. Mirchie

Spring 12th, 1380 ASSETS MINTED: 77G 4S 95C (+13G 5S (18 carrots at 10s times. 75) -5C Meal at Gryphon) UNMINTED: 88g (+98g 18 blood carrots at 3g, -10g Jasmine) DEBTS LOAN INTEREST - 100G due Spring 32nd/Serena 1 LOAN - 1000G ADRIAN - 80G (base + interest), 6 meals, 1 sword TASKS BLOOD CROPS 0/200 - Spring 18th OPHELIA - Spring 18 WEDDING - FALL??

STOCK 00 [Common] [Carrot Seeds] (6x planted, 3 and 3) 00 [Common] [Potato Seeds] (6x planted, 3 and 3) 01 [Common] [Lettuce Seeds] IN FIELD 054 POTATOES (Likely Poor 27, 27) - Spring 16 054 CARROTS (Likely Poor 27, 27) - Spring 14 135 GREEN CLOVER (Common, Fixing Soil) My farm was still really small, but it was becoming a lot to track. Would I eventually need to start tracking how much I'm paying Jasmine? She did say she was a [Book Keeper], and she probably wants something to do.

And it would get me out of dealing with taxes of all things. One less problem that gets in the way of my farm. But then I'd want someone to take care of my schedule too, and let me farm whenever I wanted. Addy would do that. But he's already marrying that shrew, and they didn't even tell me when the wedding was. How are you supposed to plan around tha–"Amelia, dear, why are ya readin' that book? Yer goin' to scare the goats standin' like that. An' how are you so thin?!"

Auntie Laura's voice boomed as deeply as I remembered it, even if it was still tinged by the Varikinian accent. She definitely looked like a Varikinian at 196 centimetres – the tallest [Human] in town. I thought I'd be taller than her one day, but I technically have three more years to grow. But she was definitely broader than me. She was Ma's age, and in great shape. They used to be friends, even if Laura's idea of a good time was wrestling with her [Ranch].

"How is Penelope doing?" I said, raising my head from the book.

"She's doin' just fine. Been keepin' her here for awhile now, she is getting old and misses ya. Do ya want 'er back? I have some [Hay], it's just dried grass – plenty of it."

"The Barn's broken, Auntie Laura. Besides, I can't afford buying her right now." Auntie Laura frowned, and shook her head.

"Whatever you say dear. What are you here for anyways? I figured you'd visit the [Ranch] earlier, but the Skye Boy is ru– wait, did you hear about the Skye boy, Amelia?"

"That he's getting married?" I said. She exhaled loudly with a smile.

"That's a relief. Boy is gettin' married to that [Weaver]'s girl. Matilda Something I think?"

"Melissa Bellamine," I said.

"... Huh." Auntie Laura glanced behind her, but shook her head.

"But that's not the strangest thing! He's sayin' your touched by The Winter Queen?" I closed my book and walked towards the counter, staring at the other animals. A chicken was the most affordable one, since a [Common] egg was just a few silver and it could hatch one its own. But a [Chicken] was just 10 gold, and it would produce eggs forever! Or until it died, but that's true of all animals. A [Chicken Coop] would have to be made if I wanted to buy any though. Another Task, another Future Problem.

"Nyla? I guess so. Do you have any rabbits?" I said, leaning on her counter. Auntie Laura looked down at me, her blonde hair scraggly and falling to her shoulders.

"You guess so? The Ice Maven! The Great Healer! Amelia would be so proud, Ame– Ashley. She always said you'd be a great [Doctor], and would even come back to tow—" I swallowed, unable to meet her gaze.

"Yeah... I'm not a [Doctor], I just know some [Medicine]? I'm… here, to pick up a Rabbit for my farm. I need a [Familiar]."

"... Of course you are," she said.

"Now, let me ask, does any rabbit do? Would you like a [Dog]? I can get you a [Winter Wolf] who would gladly be a [Familiar] to any Chosen of Nyla."

"Ol' Scar is still in the wood lot, you know," I responded. There was also something else in the woodlot, but that was even less appropriate to talk about.

"I don't like dogs."

"And let me guess, you want a rabbit with a black-and-white face, except in complete halves. Are you going to call it Mirchie?"

"Hey! She was my rabbit! And besides, why do you remember that?" Melissa walked out of the rabbit coop. They held a bunch of baby rabbits, all of them half black-and-white.

"Mrs. Farrows, were any of thes— Good Protector, she's already here." Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Auntie Laura stopped looking out to the rabbit coop – that's where she was glancing at!

"Ah, Ms…"

"Mrs. Skye," Melissa Bellamine said.

"... Mrs. Skye," Auntie Laura said.

"You could just ask her yourself." Michael stepped out of the Rabbit Coop next, holding a bunch more babies.

"Flora's Piss—""YOUNG MAN! What did I say about swearin'?" Auntie Laura hollered.

"WHAT? The damn girls are goin' be fightin' again, ma!"

"AN'? YA AIN'T GOING TO THE PLAINS IF YOU HAVE SIN ON YER MOUTH, BOY." Melissa stopped staring at me and picked up one of the rabbits. Its face was just patches of white and black, and while it looked cute, it wasn't it. It didn't feel special.

"Nah, didn't think so. Let's go carrothead. Husband said I gotta make friends with ya, and said you love getting gifts. He's wrong, but I couldn't give up the chance to piss ya off mightily."

"Bless your heart, you're freezing. It's warm outside," Melissa said. She quickly withdrew her hands from my arms and turned towards the rabbit coop.

"Good thing, Little Mikey doesn't want us to go in there, said we'd scare the baby rabbits."

"Why are you here?" I said.

"You don't even have a farm."

"Your brother wants me to get you the rabbit so we can be friends or somethin'. Also he says you're always welcome over to our place for dinner, unannounced. I'd prefer you announced, though."

"Okay, but why are ya doin' it? Don't you have the shop to run?"

"I can afford the day off, carrothead." Melissa said.

"Besides, Jazzy also said you both found out we was movin' after the wedding. Addy figures this will buy your forgiveness, and I know this will just annoy you more. So… Day off work, I make Addy happy, an' I piss ya off. Win-Win-Win." Little Mikey came out of the farm house. He was only a hair shy of his mom, but he was also just fourteen and likely still growing. He stopped going to school even before I left though, but he was shaping out to be a strong looking man.

His dull green eyes looked between us, and he wiped the sweat from his brow – holding another handful of black and white rabbits.

"Any of these will do you two? There's a lot in there, but I'm goin' be 'onest, all look alike to me," he said, pushing out a handful of very cute, and very adorable baby bunnies. But none of them were Mirchie. I shook my head, and Melissa gave a smile though her eyes were 'sad'. She used that face every time she wanted to deliver bad news she enjoyed giving.

"I'm sorry, Little Mikey, that ain' right," she said, and wrapped an arm around my waist. She pulled me in, and placed her cheek against mine – even if she had to lean up. Her skin was hot, and she smelled like lye and mint. I raised my hand to push her away, but she had already peeled off me.

"Amaril's sake, you are as cold as ice." Little Mikey put the rabbits on the floor to let them scamper away.

"Of all the girls in town that hate each other, why is it always you two. I was havin' a nice time muckin' the stalls, and now I'm dealin' with Skye's nonsense? I told him he should have just married a capital gi–""Bless your heart, Little Mikey. It's almost like you're sayin' my husband should have married someone else?" Melissa said, ending with a smile and flutter of her eyes, and letting her fingers drape over her neck. He stared at her, then looked at me.

"Yes. Literally anyone else but you two. Flora's Piss, I ain' even small anymore. I've been taller than her since I was twelve!"

"Awh, you always goin' to be Little Mikey to your Big Sis now, ya hear? Now scamper back and get some more bunnies, or I'll tell Ms. Farrows you swore again." Lil' Mikey grumbled and walked inside, slamming the coop door behind him.

"So, how ya been?" Melissa said.

"I can afford the rabbit myself, Melissa. I don' wan' a gift," I said.

"I know you don't. Wouldn't be for the Hart Girl to want to hang out, help with homework, join any groups. Long as ya had your farm, your books, an' everythin' you was alright, right?" I spat on the ground beside her.

"I don't want your char–""Elora's Laces, ya shrew. Can ya just let someone help you?! We're mean' to be family, are ya gonna henpeck me if I borrow two cups of sugar instead of one?"

"Nah! I don' need sugar or anythin'. But it's my rabb–""It was Adrian's Rabbit, you coot. I don' get why you tell everyone Mirchie is yours.'Father', as Addy calls him, bought it for him and I think you got it killed? That wolf in the woodlot, right? That's what Addy sai–""It was my rabbit!"

"I thought you didn't even own a rabbit coop? That barn of yours has been bad since we was kids. Besides, Addy was the one who wanted to learn [Ranch Hand]? You don' even have that either." Lil' Mikey shoved a rabbit between the two of us, and rubbed her soft fur against my cheek. The rabbit was black and white in odd, organic designs. Her face was half black-and-white as well, but the spot underneath her eyes had a small touch of the opposite color. She was tiny, and her pink nose sniffed up at me.

It licked my hand, since it was probably craving the salt from my sweat.

"Closest thing I could find to that Demon-Bunny Addy had," Lil Mikey said.

"Best he got a horse, Ma was so impressed he could bind it himself, didn't even need my help."

"Wait, Addy can Bind Animal Familiars?" I said. The bunny tried to jump out of my hands, but I grabbed the scruff of her neck and felt her tug against my grasp.

"... An' so can I or Ma?" Lil Mikey said, but I had already turned to Missy. She smiled.

"Yes, Ashy?"

"So… I am announcing myself for dinner?"

"I'll do it for free. Or Ma Can–" Lil Mikey said, but Melissa raised her hand.

"Don' worry, Lil Mikey, your sisters know how to play nice," Melissa said, but didn't turn her head towards him. She brought both hands atop my wrists and squeezed, and she was still so warm.

"No, you two do not. I'm getting Ma," he said. He spun around and lumbered back to the main barn.

"So, I need this bunny to become my familiar, and Addy could do it – " What are we doing? Maddy already –"Bless your heart, are you going to name it Mirchie too?"

"Nah, Missy. Addy already named that beast Mirchie. This is gonna be Mirchie Jr.," I said, raising the bunny up and at Melissa's face.

"Wonderful!" Melissa said, pushing the rabbit away from her face.

"How is this Amaril's Rest?"

"Amaril's Rest? That's uh… in two days."

"Yes! I'll even make some Pot Roast after worship. Wear somethin' ni–""You made me these clothes before you finish that," I said. Her smile didn't dip but she quickly glanced down.

"So I did, and you are wearing it wonderfully. Alright, come by tomorrow, I'll make you a new dress. Anything for my darling sister."

"So, Ma says a bunny is 8 Silver since really they're only for eatin' or pets. A male and female for a gold though, and if ya want, Ashy, she'll teach you the basics of being a [Ranch Hand]. She also will bind it to you –" I raised my hand this time.

"It's alright… Big Mikey. I think my darling sister and her husband will be able to help."

"Flora's Piss, ya even talk like 'im. Dumbass clearly knows how to pick his women," he muttered, but that caused Melissa to release me and glance at him.

"Are ya sayin' there's somethin' wrong with me, Lil Mikey? Does Auntie Farrow know you'se been seein that Marlowe girl? Mary wa–""Hey! Ya said ya wouldn' tell – " I pulled out a gold coin and put it in Big Mikey's hand.

"I'll see you in two days, after church, Missy."

"Good Protector, you two are the worst," Lil Mikey said, but Melissa pulled his ear as she continued to 'talk' at him.