Hunter's Perspective

The door opened to the sight of an apparently clumsy person, a witch with similarly tan skin and a minty shade of green hair. Their outfit was built for style over comfort, with a tight silk mint binding over their chest and a black leather jacket slightly covering the dark green jeans they wore. What a strange collection of clothing all on one person, but I guess it all came together by the magic of weird gender-dysphoric fashion. Their eyes were an emerald hue of green, and they had a pixie cut that looked cooler than Raine's. Is this the older sibling that Edric told me about? Everything about them including their golden chain piercings seemed to indicate it, like Raine had been greatly influenced by their fashion and mimicked it while also adding a unique flair. What a pretty person. "Oh heyyyy Eddie! Back with your boyfriend? Need a condom or something?" The very old but strangely "hip" acting person said.

Edric groaned and covered his red face. "No! Gross! I'm just here for Raine! You're such a weird uncle aunt cousin thing-." Edric groaned more as said "uncle aunt cousin thing" ruffled his hair. I smiled and glanced into the house. It didn't seem like anyone else was there. "Oh Raine! Uh, Raine's busy." They said and I looked at them with a flat face. We both knew they were lying. "Well could we come in anyways?" I asked and they nervously smiled. "Oh yeah come in, make yourselves at home little dudes." They said and opened the door more for us. Ruru eagerly sped past us by jumping between my legs. I watched the little fox run into a bedroom that was out of my view. I walked in and looked around the new environment curiously, taking in everything it had to offer. There was a small spiral staircase in the corner of the room with fruiting vines wrapped around it, something from a fairytale. There was a large bookcase beside it, followed by the mostly closed bedroom door, and a seating area that served as a living room. It had lots of soft pillows and rugs, and a window veiled by a pale green curtain.

I looked towards the dining area, which had an archway as an entrance. from what I could see in the dining room, there was a beautiful painting of Raine and their older sibling. It was of two mermaids playing together in the night ocean, sparkling brilliantly as they splashed around. It looked so alive and realistic, their eyes shimmered with life. It was a truly lovely and talented painting, forever left in time and space. I took my gaze off of the artwork and looked at the finely carved dark wooden table, along with a matching set of chairs that had red padding to add comfort. There was a lovely centerpiece vase full of as assortment of colorful flowers that tied it all together. What a lovely home, from what I've seen so far. I made myself at home by settling on the couch and looking around at the various decorations and clutter. There were lots of little details in their little home, like music books in their bookcase, or a little bird themed clock, some pots with blooming flowers inside. It was so full of peace and tranquillity.

I stopped visually exploring my environment when Edric and the cousin, who I think is named Oleander, sat down across from me and got settled. "So who's this little boyfriend of yours?" She asked and I blushed slightly. I wasn't anywhere close to thinking of having a boyfriend, it was so embarrassing to even hear that word. "Like I said, he's not my boyfriend. Anyways, his name is Hunter and he's here to take something back that Raine borrowed." Edric explained, trying to put it nicely so that their cousin wouldn't think we're sort of chasing them. They nodded and smiled nicely. "Well Raine is out at the market right now, you could wait until they come back if you really wanted." They offered and I nodded eagerly. I really wanted to get Rascal back. "Would you like some tea in the meantime?" They asked and quickly got up, seemingly nervous and antsy. "Sure, I'll have Earl Grey." I said, stating my preference that I had been taught by my uncle. He always gave me that tea, and only that tea. I think he had an addiction, and I just thought it was okay. But it's the only flavor I've ever tried, and I'll stick with it.

Ah, they're talking and I didn't listen. I watched as their conversation ended and "Lee" went to make some tea. "I sort of spaced out, what happened?" I asked awkwardly and Edric turned his attention to me. He looked very serious, as if he was on a mission. Well we were, I just didn't expect him to look like that. "I just asked for some mint tea and asked what's been going on lately. And Lee said that Raine has been acting increasingly nervous and distant lately, which is never a good sign. Do you think they're nervous for the Day of Unity or something?" He suggested theoretically. Well I didn't see any reason for Raine to be nervous, aside from recovering from that strange spell. "I don't know.. That is concerning though. And it explains their erratic behavior considering they took my Palisman-." I stated and Edric nodded. I pressed my sweaty fingers together and fidgeted. If one of the covenheads was behaving strangely, there must be a big problem. Whether that be a problem for the kingdom, or a kingdom for that person individually, it wasn't a good sign either way.

"There must be something going on. And we need to find Raine to find out exactly what it is." Edric said as he laid back in the cushy green couch. He looked troubled and lost in thought, just like me. There as a lot to think about as we continued on this witch hunt. I placed my nervous, twitchy hands in my lap and stopped myself from tugging at the fabric. Belos taught me to never show my anxiety in front of other people, because it showed weakness and doubt. He's right, but it's really hard not to. Still, I suppressed the urge and forced myself to look up from my lap. I fixed my posture and broadened my tense shoulders. "We'll do our best." I tried to inspire him and he looked up for his gazing spot on the coffee table. "Yeah, we will." He responded with a distant voice and face. He was worried, I'm sure of it. I am too. "Here you go lovebirds, some soothing drinks." Lee's voice chimed as they set a white with golden accents cup on a similarly patterned saucer in front of me, as well as Edric.

"Knock it off-!" Edric whined sourly and huffed as Lee teased him more. I smiled at the sight of him being tickled and laughing, squirming around and begging for them to stop. The moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Lee-! My hands are full, let me in please." A familiar voice pleaded. Lee stopped tickling their cousin and stood up, quickly opening the door. They then pushed Raine back and closed the door. There were whispers from both voices for a little while, while me and Edric were awkwardly looking at each other trying to figure out what to do. The door reopened and both cousins returned to their own home, Raine putting away the stuff they were carrying. Lee walked over to us and sat down beside Edric on the couch. "Soo.. What was that about?" Edric asked the obvious question. "Well I just wanted to make sure Raine was okay with company. Introverts, ya know?" They brushed it off and both of us stared blankly. No way were they telling the truth, right? Well, it was a very good reason, but there must be a different one in this case. I would wait until Raine came in here to ask though.

I took a sip of my warm tea and enjoyed the subtle flavors from the leaves that filled my mouth. I watched as Raine walked over with my favorite bird on their shoulder. Rascal seemed pretty happy, so I at least knew he had been treated well. Raine gently pet the bird and set him on the hand rest of the couch I was sitting on. Rascal hopped over and got onto my knee, nuzzling my hand. I smiled and bent down, kissing his forehead. "I missed you little guy." I hummed and Rascal tweeted in response. He flew up onto my shoulder and mimicked my kissing noise, though it sounded mostly like a click as he pushed his beak against my cheek. I returned the little kisses and pet his little fluffy head. "Sorry for taking your Palisman Hunter, I was in a rush and I acted irrationally." Raine apologized and I shook my head. "I sort of understand why you panicked. I mean, you were sort of hypnotized.." I pointed out they nodded. "Panic is an understatement. I felt crazed by stress. Still, I should have behaved better." They self-shamed and Lee interrupted the self-deprecating.

"Raine I've told you before, it's okay to not be perfect. You're amazing and good enough just as you are." They assured them and gave them a gentle hug. Raine smiled softly and looked at the soft carpet. After a moment of hugging, they separated and Raine turned to the both of us. "Um.. If that's all, you really better be leaving. If you don't mind of course." They put it as kindly as possible and got up to walk us to the door. "Right, we'll be going now. Sorry to bother you, I just wanted Rascal back." I said with a polite smile and grabbed Edric's wrist, bringing him towards the door though he seemed very reluctant to stay. He wanted to question them as much as I did, but we couldn't do that now. Just as Raine opened the old finely carved wooden door for us, a small group was revealed. It was a little group of guards from the Emperor's Coven. They pushed us back and forced their way into the quant home, making everyone alert and ready for trouble.

"You! Little brat! The Emperor has been looking everywhere for you! And you, Raine Whispers. You are needed at the castle immediately." The head guard of the group spoke sternly, towering over all the other people in the room. I smiled nervously as I was grabbed by the neck and pulled into the group, who forced me into a wrist binding spell. I didn't want to resist, because I knew I would be in even deeper trouble. I looked around for Rascal only to see he had found safety curled up under Oleander's hair. As long as he was okay, I was fine with any punishment. Raine seemed very angry, which was out of character for them. "Get out my house you ruffians! I would have gladly come back to the castle on my own, this is beyond ridiculous!" They shouted and shoved the group onto their feet, knocking me over as collateral damage. The masked group seemed agitated, but left the house as instructed. Raine left the house and closed the door before their family could get out to confront the guards.

"If you must, escort me back to the castle. But I never want to see such brutish, ridiculous behavior again." They warned and the group nodded, though they were only doing it out of respect for Raine's title. Otherwise little shrimpy would be a pulp on the ground. "I'll teleport us then, no use in taking all that time to walk. You're wanted immediately, after all." The head guard spoke loudly and clearly. They seemed to be a very good public speaker, with a good natural volume. Definitely the right person to lead groups. "Yes, whatever is necessary, go ahead." Raine said, still very obviously annoyed. The guard snapped their fingers and reappeared at the entrance of the castle, beginning their journey into the scary large building that held my fate.