Chapter Text
Spring was always your favorite time of year. The air is warm, the plants are bouncing back to life and all the little animals are starting to resume their little lives. You often take this time to forage for herbs and mushrooms. Over the years you've become well versed in everything that grew here in the forest.
After all, you grew up here. Yes, it would be nice to explore what the rest of the world has to offer. But this was home, you love it here. I mean you don't have much else to compare it to.
For as long as you remembered, you were never allowed to associate or even walk into the nearby village. According to your adoptive brother, the people of the kingdom were not really fond of people like you, you know, witches.
You know you could properly assimilate with regular humans if you were given the chance. It wouldn't be hard to just not do magic. But Gundham insists that it's better for you to stay away....
'I think I found everything I need.' You ponder as you begin walking back to your cottage.
You take this time to drink in the beauty of the forest. Breathing in deeply, you felt at peace here. Every worry or bad thought was non-existent in this sanctuary. Taking your sweet time as you admire it all. Occasionally boinging cute little mushrooms on your way back.
You finally reach the small wooden cottage you shared with your older brother. It was small but had all the basic necessities. A cozy sitting room, a bathroom, kitchen and two bedrooms in the back of the cottage. Lining the walls were shelves filled with books, vials and crystals. All neatly organized by you of course.
As you finally step inside, you were startled by a pair of heterochrome eyes. "Oh! I didn't think you'd be back so early Gundham."
"Yes it is true that I have completed my endeavors quite early and I assume you've collected all of the items I asked for?"
You role your eyes playfully at him. Even though he's the only person you've spoken to for many years, you still never got tired of his eccentric way of speaking.
"Of course I did." You smiled setting your basket down in the kitchen. "What did you go out for again?"
"Not much but simple foods and items for potions."
"I still don't see why I couldn't have gone with you."
stare
"Yeah I know, you only want to protect me but I'm an adult!"
Stare
"We would've been together the whole time."
stare
"Please, don't do this."
stare
You could never win against that weird stare. It's not like he's scary or anything, it was just off. It felt like he was putting a spell on you.
'Oh....'
"Have you seriously been using magic to mess with me? How long have you been doing this? That's such a-"
"You are too naive."
"What does that have to do with-"
"You claim that you are capable simply because you are of age. Nonetheless, you are still as naive as a child. I have been using the same hex on you for years and you are just now figuring it out. You are easy to fool, you wouldn't last long outside the forest."
You blink defensively, "How can I not be naive when the only people I've interacted with in the last few years were you and that weird bug guy."
You continued, "I just want
With that, your brother slowly gets up to retreat to his room. Right as he opens the door he solemnly whispers, "There is a festival in the village tomorrow, I need you to stay where I can see you the entire time."
And with that he went into his room. You stared dumbfounded as you tried to process his words. He agreed to let you go to the village tomorrow. There's going to be a festival, you haven't been to a festival since you were a small child. You beam out of excitement. Maybe applying pressure was the right thing to do.
But Gundham looked so upset. You desperately wanted to knock on his door and talk to him about it. You just felt so bad about talking to him like that. But you knew better than to upset him more when he got like this. And you knew he'd never truly open up to you about it.
You decided to start on an apology dinner. Maybe the smell will lure him out later. You hum a haunting tune as you cooked. Daydreaming about what might happen tomorrow.