Flor of the Crybaby Bunny and Hat Chapter 1

[xuebingcode]

Chapter 1

Riquet: Wow…! Can we really, Lords Snow and White?

Snow: Oh we most certainly can! We too have been longing to see this flower for some time.

White: Let us hurry on there now. We must strike while the iron’s hot, or as the previous Sage used to say!

Arthur: Yes, I agree! I’ve never seen it before, so I can’t wait! 

It was an early morning, before the sun had even reached its highest. The lively voices of the twins with Riquet and Arthur filled the foyer as the young wizards held onto a thickly leafed book. 

I, who was taking a stroll and decided to check up on them, called out to the four of them. 

Akira: Hey, everyone. Are you all going out somewhere?

Snow: Why if it isn’t the Sage. 

White: We were just thinking of going out to see a flower.

Riquet: Have a look at this, Master Sage!

What Riquet held out to me was a field guide on plants. It seems that magic was cast on it, as a mirage of flowers slowly rose from the opened page. 

Pictured on the page was a beautiful flower, and it looked as though its petals, leaves, and stem were even made of glass.

The delicately detailed red flower seemed like it could break the moment you touched it. Its stem was transparent and water-coloured, making it feel out of this world. I thought I was looking at an exquisite piece of candy art. 

Akira: Woah, now this is the definition of beautiful! I can’t believe there’s really a flower as pretty as this out here in the world!

Snow: Yep. It’s called the Glassflower and you can only find it in the South Country.

White: While we were looking at the field guide together, Riquet expressed great interest in it, so we’ve decided to go and examine it ourselves!

Akira: So that’s why! It’s so shiny and see-through just like a real piece of glass…

(There are a whole lot of mystical plants that exist in this world. This flower’s petals and stem looks solid to touch, but I wonder how it really feels?)

Snow: Ohohoho, your face is saying that you want to come too!

Akira: Wha?!

White: Ohohoho, there’s no hiding it from us! Your eyes were brimming with curiosity! 

Riquet: If you’re free, would you come with us too, Master Sage?

If it’s this stunning in the book, then surely it will be more breathtaking in real life!

Akira: Thanks for the invite! Of course I’ll come.

Riquet: I wonder if Mitile’s seen this flower before…

If he hasn’t, I want to tell him all about it, because he’s my best friend!

Arthur: Shall we invite Mitile too then?

Riquet: The thing is…this morning he went out with Rutile somewhere. I don’t know where they went…

Mitile: Did you mention me just now?

When I turned around to that voice, there was Rutile and Mitile who had come back inside. 

In their arms they carried an enormous amount of flowers. 

Akira: That’s a LOT of flowers…!

Mitile: Ehehe, Rutile and I went flower picking in the forest!

Rutile: A special anniversary is coming up, so we were getting ready for that!

Snow: A special anniversary?

White: How interesting! Can we hear more?

Mitile and Rutile meet eyes and smile at each other as everyone desires to know.

Mitile: It’s the “Celebratory Day of When the Crybaby Bunny and Dancing Hat Met”!

Akira, Arthur, & Riquet: “Celebratory Day of When…the Crybaby Bunny and Dancing Hat Met”?

Upon hearing an unfamiliar term, I tilt my head. 

As I did, a certain somebody abruptly came in. 

Mithra: Hey.

Rutile: Wah, Mithra?!

Mithra: What is with that bundle of weeds? Don’t tell me you two went and picked up something dangerous again.

Mitile: Ugh, they’re safe, we didn’t pick up anything weird! We did our research on any dangerous flowers beforehand!

Rutile: We’re sorry for worrying you a lot, but we properly gathered these flowers with caution in every step!

Here, see? They’re all fine.

Mithra: Arthim.

Rutile & Mitile: Whyyyy!?

Rutile: Why did you zap them away!

Mitile: You’re awful! We just finished gathering them too…!

Mithra: The awful ones are you two, making such relaxed faces as if you weren’t holding poisonous flowers. Haven’t I said many times that you guys dying would make things difficult for me?

Mitile: Huh?

White: Oh, you mean that red flower.

Snow: Goodness, my apologies for not noticing sooner.

Glancing at each other the twins then dash to the brothers.

White: Are you feeling alright? If you inhale the smell of those flowers for a long time your body will begin to numb.

Snow: You younger wizards are easy to affect. There is a harmless flower that is similar looking to the poisonous ones you just held, so you must have mistaken them. 

We too have sometimes made this error, only to realize it after it’s already too late. It’s an honest mistake. 

Mitile: Is…is that so…I’m sorry, I really thought we had it right…

Rutile: Thank you, Mithra. Next time we’ll be sure to search safer!

Mithra: No, there won’t be a next time. Anyways, these flowers will be useful as magic charms, so I’ll be taking them.

Akira: (Already found an effective use so it won’t go to waste…)

I’m glad you two are alright. You sure know your plants, Mithra. 

Arthur: Yes, he really does!

Mithra: Uh, I guess I do. I have no interest in weeds but I can tell by their smell and presence whether they’re dangerous or not. 

Riquet: Oh, right. Mitile, I was going to ask you if you knew about this flower or not. Have you seen it before? It’s a flower that grows in South Country.

The Southern brothers, along with Mithra, take a peek inside the field guide. When they did, Rutile and Mitile let out an “Ah!”

Snow: So you two do know of it?

Rutile: Yes! It’s a flower we often use for the Crybaby Bunny and Dancing Hat Day!

Akira: Crybaby Bunny…that’s that special anniversary you were talking about before. 

Rutile: Mmhmm. The Celebratory Day of When the Crybaby Bunny and Dancing Hat Met requires flowers to celebrate.

Snow: I see. Even if they were poisonous flowers, it is a shame that the flowers you took the time to gather went poof.

The truth is, the five of us were about to go to South Country to find that flower.

White: Since you’re searching for flowers too, why not tag along?

Rutile: My, is that okay? I’m grateful for the invite!

Mitile: We know of a great place where those flowers grow, so leave the escorting to us!

Mithra: Okay, I’m coming too.

Rutile: Ah, are you interested in this flower too, Mithra?

Mithra: Not at all. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what just happened minutes ago.

Rutile: Oh we’ll be fine. It’s in a flower field that we used to go to a lot anyway, so there’s no dange…

Mithra: Arthim.

As he chanted his spell, a door appeared. 

Mithra: The destination’s South Country, right? Get in the door.

Rutile & Mitile: Waah!

Lightly, Rutile and Mitile began to float in the air, and without saying anything he drifted them gently through the door.

Mithra: You too. And you as well.

Following them, the other wizards were sent flying through the door.

Riquet: What?!

Arthur: Woaaah!

Snow: Mithy, be more gentle!

White: We are NOT objects!

Akira: (Everyone else is being sloppily thrown through the door…)

(...In any case, just what sort of anniversary is the Crybaby Bunny and the Dancing Hat’s meeting…?)

Mithra: Hey, what are you spacing out for? You’re the last to go.

Akira: Huh? Ah…!

Finally, I too am abruptly brought into the air with magic. 

Akira: W-Woaaaah!

Without exception, I was thrown through the space connecting door just like the others.

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