“It is normal, understandable, for us to fight each other. Sometimes your people win. Sometimes one such as I might win. Life continues, and things remain in balance. However, I did you wrong and I have come to apologize.” said Scott.
The grass began to rustle a little after a moment. He could feel dozens of Grassrats moving toward him.
“A fight with you is normal. However, I used your own traditions to enrage you, to make you angry and afraid. I took something sacred to you and wore it solely to anger you to the point that many of you would attack at once. You did not deserve that.” he said gently, sincerity evident in his tone.
A few soft chittering sounds could be heard after that. The rats drew a little closer.
“I do not expect your forgiveness. I do not even ask it. I only wish you to know that I understand what I have done is wrong. I will not do it again.”
The chittering returned. Soon another message appeared before him.
[The Grassrats are uncertain. They do not understand why you would come to them and explain your actions.]
Scott smiled without showing his teeth. “Soon, I will leave this land and will not return. Before I leave, I want to make amends.”
[The Grassrats have considered your words, but are uncertain of their sincerity. They wish to test your resolve and desire to make things right, that you respect their right to live.]
“What can I do to show my sincerity? How can I show you that I respect your right to live?” asked Scott.
The chittering intensified and then slowly subsided after a time. The rats were conferring on the matter.
When the chittering stopped altogether two of the rats moved forward. Scott looked down and saw a Grassrat appear before him. It held something in its paws. The cute little rat stood up on its hind legs and presented that something to Scott. It looked like a little ball of fur, but then it began to wriggle. A tiny little head rose up and beady little eyes blinked at him.
[The Grassrats have decided that the only way to believe your sincerity is to entrust one of their children to you. In that way, you may come to know them better.]
Scott blinked. “I’m leaving this land, though. This baby can never return here.”
The grass rat made a chittering sound reminiscent of a sigh then closed its eyes. It lifted the baby higher. The decision had been made.
Scott was not sure what to do. He might not be able to take the baby to the classic server. He wanted to make amends but was not certain of what to do. He could not take the baby Grassrat with him knowing that he might have to abandon it.
“Where I go, I might not be able to take that little one. If I can’t, I will bring the baby back here and accept that you will never accept my sincerity.” said Scott. “Is that alright?”
The rats hiding in the grass chittered for a moment then the one holding the baby nodded its head. Scott reached out his hands and the tiny little ball of fur was place in his cupped palms.
[The Grassrats have entrusted a precious child to your care. The baby’s name is Herbert. He requires care and feeding daily, and will grow rapidly. Please take good care of him.]
“I will do my best for this little one. Thank you.” said Scott.
The grass rat looked at him for a moment then slowly crept forward. Scott did not react to its movements. When it was close enough, it reached out and lightly patted Scott on the foot then turned and scurried away into the grass.
Scott looked out at the grass for a while then he looked down to the furry little rat in his hands. Herbert looked up and blinked at him. His mouth opened wide and he yawned.
The Twilight master shifted his new charge into one hand then plucked a few pieces of grass and held one up for the rodent. Herbert sniffed at it then reached out and gently took it in his tiny little paws.
“You’re a cute one aren’t you?”
Herbert looked at him curiously then nodded. Of course he was cute, this should go without saying. Scott laughed a little and the rat began to chew on his blade of grass again.
**
Two weeks had passed since Scott had left on his profession quest. Ero had done nothing but fret and worry throughout the short separation. It was like Scott was her drug of choice, and she was having withdrawals.
“Have you heard anything?” asked Ero.
Rhea sighed. That was the eighth time that Ero had asked her about Scott that morning. “He should be here soon. He’s using the world traveler system.”
“Scott’s coming! Yay!” Ero fluttered around excitedly then tousled her hair a little. She wanted to look extra cute for when he returned.
Rhea shook her head at the girl. She was hopeless. Though, she was also certainly looking forward to seeing Scott once more. The last few weeks had been hard, as she was no longer accustomed to being without him.
A few hours passed and Scott arrived at the small cottage they had used while hunting in the mountains. Ero and Rhea called out to him excitedly and rushed over to see him. However, they were brought up short by the sight of a cute little rat sitting on his shoulder.
“Scott, is that a Grassrat?” asked Rhea in surprise.
“It’s smaller than me!” said Ero also surprised. She was not used to seeing living things smaller than her.
Herbert chittered nervously then drew closer to Scott’s neck. He had been riding on his shoulder, and was as surprised by the girls as they were by him.
“Yeah, now we’re even.” said Scott cheerfully.
“Even?”
“Yep. Two guys and two girls. The voting should be even now. Goddess, I love having a little balance in my life.” Scott reached up and lightly stroked Herbert on the back. The little rat calmed down and made a happy noise.
“The rat gets a vote?” asked Ero cutely. What were they voting on, anyway?
“His name is Herbert. Say hello to the pretty ladies, Herbert.”
The Grassrat rose up on his hind legs, shakily, and waved one paw back and forth at them. He quickly sat down again. He was only a baby, so standing up like that was still hard for him.
“Adorable!” squealed Ero before fluttering over to meet the new addition to the family. She reached out to him and he lifted a paw. She took that paw and then another. Soon they were both swaying back and forth like they were dancing. Herbert made another happy noise and Ero giggled joyfully.
“Cuteness overload.” said Scott with a smile.
Rhea smiled at him in kind and stepped closer. “How was it?”
“Enlightening.” said Scott. He reached up with the hand that wasn’t attached to a shoulder that currently held an Ero-Grassrat dance party and lightly caressed Rhea’s cheek.
“Was it?” she asked tenderly.
“I love you Rhea. You and Ero, and hopefully Herbert, you’re the best family a man could have.” he replied.
“Hopefully Herbert?” asked Ero. She had already began to become attached to the cute little thing. Cute little things did often enjoy each other’s company after all.
“I don’t know if I can take him to the other server. The Grassrats know it is possible that I can’t take him on my journey. I’ve explained it to him the best that I can, and he’s agreed to give it a go with us if he can.” said Scott.
Herbert nodded and made a little fist with his right paw. Herbert was ready for adventure!
“Explain how it happened that he is with you?” asked Rhea.
Scott did just that. He told the girls of his journey to the citadel, and how he had learned what he needed to advance in his profession. He then spoke of his realization that he had done wrong to the Grassrats and had decided that the first step to mastering his life was to clear the air and make amends to those whom he had harmed unjustly.
“It should be fine then. Pets aren’t normally transferrable, but since he is a baby and Grassrats also exist in the other server there should be no issues. We’ll just add him as guardian beast, though that means that when you go to Earth, he’ll go with you as well.” said Rhea.
“Do you hear that Herbert? You get to go!” exclaimed Ero happily.
Herbert stood up and clapped his little paws together then made a happy chittering noise. That was fantastic news as far as he was concerned. He’d already started to like Scott, and it seemed like he had made new friends. Adventuring was wonderful. Everything was so exciting and new!
After that was decided, the little family began to discuss recent days and plans for the future. Scott asked about how Ero was feeling and she assured him that she was fine. Fairy pregnancies were different than such things were among humans or elves. It could take a few days or a hundred years. The little light inside of her fed on the energy of love and joy that was shared between her parents. It took a lot of both to bring a new fairy into the world.
Rhea revealed that there would be server updates soon for the classic server. Sadly, some of what she had told Scott about how the world worked would be outdated information, but things had to change a little if the new continent Theta was working on was to be added in a few years.
The group spoke of many things and Scott smiled through it all. The harmony of his little family group was at an all-time high and for once in his life he could properly enjoy his relationships with people. He loved the girls dearly, and would need to make sure they both knew that in word and deed. Herbert, the new addition would be cared for as he was family as well.
At some point in the future Ero would bring their joyful little light into the world, and that too would be a blessing. Scott had never known such contentment. For the first time in his life, he was truly at peace.
###
Thank you for reading this next moderately exciting volume of Origin ARS! It is thanks to readers like you that this story continues. There are many wonderful things to come in upcoming installments, a whole new server to explore! Things will be a little different at times, but expect more of the humor and odd social interactions to continue unabated.
Thanks again! I'll you see all again when volume five is released.
Scottie Futch
Discover Other Titles by Scottie Futch
Origin ARS
Origin ARS 2
Origin ARS 3
For those with a penchant for monstergirls and erotica there is also:
Freelance Saga 1-4
Freelance Saga 5
Origin ARS 4 Page 22
