It wasn't often that one would have a fated encounter in the mountains. Out in the wilderness, Tomoe expected little in the way of meeting others, and yet on this particular day he was strangely on guard. Wild animals aside, there was a primal force whispering to him and telling him that this was not a day like other days. Perhaps there was something to it? Some sort of entity prowling the mountains, stalking him and waiting for him to finally loosen his shoulders. It was a day of paranoia rather than festivity, deep in the mountains of Fiore.

As the Joyan settled down for nightfall, he started a campfire to prepare food and get an early night's sleep. Hunting for food was easy when one was a mage, and so as a small rabbit, skinned of its fur was positioned above the flames to roast, Tomoe stared blankly into the embers. His blade was at his side, his hand loosely gripped around its handle and ready to unsheathe it at a moment's notice. Around him was the empty void and the silence of night. Was that right, though? Silence in the wilderness? Not a single insect singing their midnight tune?

It wasn't correct at all. In a single motion, Tomoe let loose the blade from its scabbard and turned 180 degrees to see something looming and approaching from beyond a range of trees.

"Come out to where I can see ya, asshole!", Tomoe boomed with his gaze firmly set on the being of infinite darkness.

At that, the creature stepped into the light in all its horror. It was a hulking, baby blue rabbit that towered at seven feet tall. It carried a basket and wore a wide and cheery grin across its face. Its eyes were unblinking as it skipped closer. The mere sight of it caused Tomoe to step back bit by bit, blade still outward and facing the beast.

When it cast its shadow over the campfire, it knelt down and placed a shining blue egg near it. Getting back to its proper footing afterwards, it nodded and waved.

"Happy Easter, Tomoe! It was nice to see you!", the rabbit spoke with its tone fearless and happy, and its still unrelenting gaze piercing the Joyan's soul.

After that, it retreated back into the shadows and off into the night. Tomoe could only stand there in astonishment for a while, taking in what he saw. Before he knew it, an hour had passed. Retrieving the egg, he pocketed it nervously and went about the rest of his night undisturbed. Now, however, he would always be cautious around rabbits. Even the cooked one that he had hunted earlier, as even as he consumed it he could feel the shadowy maw of a horror best left unspoken ready to pounce on him...

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- Exit -