Stoutbottom Burrow

The gate closes with a thunk, its latch clicking shut.

“We’re nearly there,” Krvavy warmly reassures, gently gazing down at the adorable bunny-mouse clinging tight to her hand. “Just a little further now.”

Garden plots and patches of grassy ground envelop this pathway of packed dirt, separated by lines of woven hedge. Hens and clucking chickens wander those enclosures, pecking away at mulch and dirt. Small, round, and fluffy birds – quails that look just a bit different from those found in the rocky hills further east, as well as what Inspect says are partridges – can be seen throughout the yards, foraging between ferns and weeds. There are even a few ducks and geese milling about down in a depression between some of these hills, where a small creek has swollen into a pond surrounded by reeds.

A fair number of trees stand scattered around this property, providing plenty of shade for the more delicate plants and any of the livestock that want to escape from the sun. Quite a few are clustered into small orchards, the nuts or fruits they bear accessible to even Halfling’s... with the help of a ladder, or course.

“Hmph...” Thea impatiently huffs, scowled gaze following this well-trod path towards the large hill not too far ahead, a great and old oak rising from its peak.

The corners of Krvavy’s lips twitch further upwards. “Annoyed with all the walking~?” For a moment, the Drakling mourns the fact that she only has two arms, both of which are currently occupied. But then Krvavy re that she has a tail, that thick and meaty thing twisting around Adeline to lightly whack her brat’s beautiful butt.

A light glare, pouty cheeks faintly flushed, serves as the noble girl’s only response.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise that our sweet little farmgirl grew up in such a rural area.” Krvavy calmly comments, letting her emerald eyes wander away.

Further afield, in a stretch of proper pasture, graze a small number of goats. Tilled tracts of land rise over the hills beyond, blending into what would be a sea of grains... had they not all been harvested by now. Near the center of each of those larger hedge-lined plots – fallow, tilled, sown, and overgrown alike – stands a wooden column, carved with repeating patterns and adorned with strings of beads and bells.

“It is not a surprise,” Thea indignantly states, “but that does not mean I cannot complain about this backwater being so spread out...!”

A strong paw-like hand reaches over and ruffles that noble girl’s otherwise neat hair. “Ehehehheh~...!” Soft, cackling giggles emerge past Khalia’s plump lips, sounding more than a little menacing. The Were-Beast’s grin grows just a bit wider as her bestial arm is slapped away.

“Ugh...” The silver-blonde brat groans, pulling a simple wood-carved comb from a hidden pouch in her dress. “Do that again and you will not find release for a full month.” She threatens, pink light crackling within her eyes.

Khalia’s shaggy tail simply wags back and forth behind her, not taking that brat even slightly seriously.

Krvavy gives her precious puppy a soft squeeze, holding that Were-Beast close to her body... to really make sure that the brat remains just out of Khalia’s reach.

The chitter chatter of those other, gossipy Halflings fades into the background, growing quieter and quieter as this path curves and the gate contained within that vine covered arbour disappears from view. The tall tree and hedge wall that surrounds this property, its base packed with roughly hewn rocks to ensure that no little critters can sneak in, is more than tall enough to keep those nosy onlookers from peeping on this imminent family reunion... unless they climb the neighbouring hills to peek past that wall.

Which some do appear to have done.

Though those might just be neighbours who are wondering what all the fuss is about... Not that that matters much. They’re still being snoops.

“Finally...” That softly sighed word es through Thea’s kissable lips like a whispered breeze, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly in relief.

Not too far ahead, set into a gently curved wall of cobbled stone that is holding back the mass of this large and central hill, stands a little door painted a bright and vibrant red. Sturdy logs jut up and out of the retaining wall around it, some ing overhanging lips that shelter the small windows scattered about – a few of which even poke free from the hillside further up and closer to that grand oak tree – while others simply provide a place for unlit lanterns to dangle from.

The pathway fades into grassy ground, paving stones spattered with lichen and interspersed with moss replacing those last few steps towards this cozy Halfling home.

Beds of colourful flowers fill what would otherwise be a cone of open ground. Asters with thin petals of pale amethyst, sky blue, and snowy white sprouting around sunny yellow centers rest between taller chrysanthemum bushes, those unfurled flowers lavender pink and burgundy red. The layered heads of vibrant violet and fiery orange dahlias stand out amongst those (marginally) more subdued hues, as do the stranger sedum succulents with their five-pointed flowers gleaming like golden stars.

Unlike the beautiful brat, who is quite relieved to see their destination so close at hand, the barbarian can’t help but furrow her brow as she looks down at that door.

It is tiny.

Which shouldn’t be a surprise, Halfling’s are quite short themselves, but...

“Go on now,” Thea’s dainty fingers hook around her fellow fiancée’s slightly shuddering shoulder, delicately prying that adorable girl away from the safety of their Draconic lover. “Let your family know we are here.”

Adeline takes a very deep breath, giving Krvavy’s hand one last squeeze before hurrying forwards and hopping up the short stone step, stopping in front of that bright red door... her forehead in line with the top of its arched frame.

Much like most of the buildings in Svaneti proper – barring the comparatively grand Castle Mestia itself – this underground Halfling home has a front door short enough to force the occupants to duck as they through it. To help keep the heat inside, so Krvavy has been told. Which might be even more necessary for this buried burrow, considering how well-insulated it must be with this entire hill atop it...?

Or maybe the very small door is for some extra security? Because, even on her hands and knees, Krvavy would be quite hard pressed to squeeze on through it. A Human – like, say, Thea – wouldn’t have nearly as much trouble... but most people probably still wouldn’t want to squeeze through a door that barely reaches their bellybutton in height.

Tnnk, tnnk, tnnk...

Adeline’s knuckles quietly rap against said short door.

Thea lifts a hand up to her face, dainty fingers rubbing her silver-blonde brow. “No one is going to hear that... Do it again... And hit it harder, this time...”

“Eeeeeeieiieee...” Adeline anxiously squeaks, her thin tail twisting around her knees, the tuft of dark-blonde hair at its tip brushing over the cream coloured fabric of her regal dress. Slowly, for a second time, she raises her shaky hand and –

The door swings open before she can knock again.

Standing just within the entrance to this Halfling home is a near-perfect copy of Adeline. That slightly shorter girl’s loose hair is a little lighter, the ends of her floppy bunny ears darkening to more of a beige than a brown. Her dress is much more plain and practical in design, its orange fabric a bit coarser with threads that aren’t nearly as fine. She looks to be a couple years younger, her age no doubt much closer to Thea’s nineteen than Adeline’s twenty-four. But those big hazel-brown eyes are the same, just as wide and just as surprised.

For a second, not a sound can be heard beyond the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

“Sis...?” The surprise and disbelief underlining that whispered word hardly lasts for even a heartbeat, swiftly giving way to bright beaming joy. “Siiis...!” With warmth and love written across her round face, this other Halfling throws herself at Adeline, pulling that anxious and embarrassed girl into a tight hug. “You’re back...!”

Adeline squirms slightly, awkwardly raising her arms and returning that embrace.

“You’re alright...!” Tears well up in the corners of this other Halfling’s hazel-brown eyes, only to be wiped away as she nuzzles into the luxuriously soft fur of Adeline’s floppy bunny ear, chin all but resting atop that barely taller girl’s shoulder. “Sis...! We were so worried...! Mum wa– oh!” Light gleams off the silver band worn on this Halfling’s left hand as she suddenly pushes herself off of that blonde bunny-mouse, turning to look back through the open door. “MA! MAAA! ADELINE IS BACK! MAAAAAA!”

The faint clattering sound of something metallic being dropped to the floor echoes from deep within that home. “WHAT...!?” Something heavy, and possibly wooden, is knocked over next. The pitter-patter of approaching footfalls grows louder and louder and louder until –

A blur of yellow and blonde bolts free from that burrowed home, barrelling into the unprepared bunny-mouse still standing on its doorstep. “ADEEEELIIIINNEEE...! MY BABY...!”

“Eeeeeiiieee...!” Adeline simply squeaks, that tackling hug squeezing the air out of her as she so nearly gets knocked off her little paw feet.

“MY BABY...!” Tears stream down the cheeks of this obviously older Halfling, crinkling wrinkles resting beneath her watery eyes and streaks of grey decorating the loose bun of her dark-blonde hair. “You’re alright...! You’re here...! You’re back...!”

With a great deal of effort, Adeline frees herself from that oppressively tight embrace. “M-m-mum...!” She shakily stammers, only growing more embarrassed as her mother’s trembling fingers grab at her heavily flushed face.

“My baby, my darling Adeline...! When Melia sent word that you hadn’t arrived...! I...! We were so, so, so, so, so, so worried...!” That blubbering babbling blends together just a bit, Adeline’s mother pausing only to plant a kiss or two on that embarrassed girl’s big forehead. “Then your letters arrived...! My baby, you’ve been on such an adventure...! You have to tell us – oh!” With a blink, this older Halfling turns towards the younger one standing so close to her side. “Jessamine...! Go and fetch the boys...! Let them know that our Adeline is back...!”

“Got it...!” Handfuls of orange fabric are grabbed up, that plain but practical dress lifted just a little, before that other bunny-mouse swiftly scurries off... ing by barbarian, brat, and Were-Beast without sparing any of them even a single glance.

“They’ll be so happy to see you again...! Everyone... we all missed you so, so much...! Your Pa, oh, he’ll be so relieved to see that you’re alright...! He tried not to show it, but... you know him... he was so worried...! Even after we got your letters...! It’ll be good for him to see, in the flesh, that you’re alright...!” The constant kneading squishes of those round and rosy cheeks pauses for just a second. “Y-you are alright, right...? You’ve been eating well, yeah? Not going hungry? Not missing meals?”

“M-mum...! P-p-ple-please...!” Those begging words fall on deaf (bunny) ears, this overwhelmingly embarrassed girl unable to stop or even slow her mother’s relentless fretting and fussing.

The smile playing at Krvavy’s lips falters just a bit, her eyes catching the glinting golden band worn on this older Halfling’s left hand. She may have made Adeline her fiancée, but that adorable little bunny doesn’t yet have a ring of her own... Thea only just got one...

“Oh!” A sharp gasp draws the Drakling from her thoughts, those touchy hands that don’t seem to respect personal space dropping down from Adeline’s face to the girl’s shoulders, gripping firm and tight. “I...” Those big hazel-brown eyes stare straight at the three giants standing just a few steps away. That one is considerably shorter than the other two doesn’t mean much when she still stands at least a head and a half taller than any Halfling.

“M-mum...! Th-these...!” With a bit of effort, Adeline slips free from her mother’s clutches, quickly scrambling back and snatching up the closest hand to her. “Th-this is Thea...!” She nervously stammers, the tips of her little fingers tapping into the Far-Speaking ring resting on the opposite hand to that brat’s more opulent wedding band.

The older Halfling blinks, a little stunned by the realization that she has had an audience this whole time. “Oh. She... she is beautiful...”

Those muttered words cause Thea to all but flinch. That Adeline apparently praised her looks in those letters shouldn’t be a surprise to the brat, considering that she read everything that the little bunny had written before even a single message could be mailed off. But hearing that said aloud – by someone she had never met before, no less – is a bit different from seeing it scrawled onto a page. Or maybe she was just caught off guard by that being what Adeline’s mother took away from everything that had been said about her?

Either way... a pinkish hue swiftly fills Thea’s face, her soft smile suddenly looking a little forced.

“A-a-an-nd...!” The bottom-heavy bunny-mouse gives her fellow fiancée’s hand a good squeeze before letting go of it and moving onto the next, her trembling little fingers so tiny compared to the big and bestial ones covered in beige-brown fur. “This i-is Khalia...!”

Adeline’s mother slowly lifts her gaze, up and up and up and up, wide hazel-brown eyes climbing the towering height of that Orc Were-Beast. “S-she...” This older woman almost seems at a loss for words, subtly shaking as she stares into that ferocious predator’s grinning face, sharp teeth and pointy tusks on full display. “She is... quite the fierce looking one, but...” Those anxious eyes just barely drop down, focusing on the sturdy leather collar with its metallic name tag... as well as the simple silver and black brooch dangling beside that. “I... I c-can see the... playful puppy... your letters m-mentioned...”

The steady wagging of that Were-Beast’s shaggy tail picks up in pace, sweeping side to side with even more happiness and joy than what can be seen on Khalia’s face.

The embarrassed blush colouring Adeline’s cheeks burns just a bit brighter as she turns towards the last, but far from the least, of her (present) lovers. “Th-then th-th-thi-is i-iis...!” She stifles a squeak as strong fingers gently grab onto her tiny hand, squirming slightly as the dark-blonde tuft sprouting from the back of it is gently stroked by a single black-scaled thumb. “K-krvavy...!”

That catches this older Halfling’s attention, her brow shooting up in surprise. “Your sweetheart...?” She asks her anxious daughter, getting a quick nod in response. Whatever cautious worries that this big barbarian’s presence may have plagued her with are quickly forgotten, her protective and motherly nature overpowering those instinctual fears. Her hazel-brown eyes narrow rather noticeably as she critically looks over that imposing Drakling.

Which is a little nerve wracking for Krvavy. Being judged by the mother of one of her loves is not something can just be brushed aside. That said... It is also rather refreshing, and is far better than having this particular future mother-in-law of hers be afraid of Krvavy right off the bat.

“Y-ye–”

Adeline’s attempt at answering her mothers question is cut short as her Draconic lover drops to a knee beside her, those strong arms wrapping around her trim waist.

A wide, arrogant grin finds itself plastered across Krvavy’s face, her faintly flushed cheek pressing into the top of her little bunny’s head. “Fiancée would be a bit more correct, Mrs. Stoutbottom.”

“Please, call me Loreen...” That older Halfling trails off, her mind catching up to what her ears just heard. She blinks, big hazel-brown eyes meeting the similarly coloured pair of her daughter.

“Eeeeeeiiie....” Adeline simply squeaks and squirms, dragging the Drakling’s hand up to her heavily flushed face and hiding behind it. But in doing so, the bracelet around her left wrist – a black onyx-like gem wrapped around that band of silvery metal – slides down to where her regal, layered sleeves split at the elbow.

Which catches her mother’s attention. “Oh.” The older Halfling glances between that bracelet and the near identical ‘ring’ resting around this Drakling’s lower right horn. “Oh...!” She gasps, her gaze darting towards the other pieces of Far-Speaking jewellery worn by both Were-Beast and brat. “So that is what those beautiful baubles are about...! And they all match...! How cute...!”

Despite her increasingly incredible stats, Thea’s composure cracks just a little as she hears... well, anything that she would willingly wear get referred to as a mere bauble. Her silver-blonde brow knits together, those kissable lips pressing into an adorable scowl as she... swallows her pride and remains silent. For now.

The pink hue painted across Krvavy’s otherwise pale cheeks shifts in shade, growing closer in colour to her crimson hair. “I... would like to get her a proper ring, at some point.” She slightly sheepishly states, seeing no point in bothering to explain the actual purpose of the practical jewellery that she and her girls wear. “Probably when the wedding rolls around...?” The Drakling lets that thought trail off, a bit of dread clinging to her heart as she sees this older Halfling’s face absolutely light up at the mere mention of a wedding.

“Oh?” Adeline’s mother fearlessly steps closer, her head still tilted back as she maintains eye with the barbarian who, even while kneeling, remains a good bit taller than she. “And when would that be?” Excitement and joy underlines that innocent question... somehow making it sound almost like a threat...

“Eeeeeiiieiee...!” That sharp squeak saves Krvavy from having to come up with an answer. “I-I-I...!” The incredibly embarrassed bunny-mouse slowly peels her barbaric lover’s big, black-scaled hand away from her heavily flushed face, mustering as much courage as could ever possibly fit inside her bottom-heavy body to say... “I d-don’t kn-n-no-know... Af-after Beryl’s wedd-d-ding...?”

Krvavy finds herself lightly chewing on the inside of her cheek.

The planning for her first wedding, to Thea, has barely even begun. There are an untold amount of details that still need to be ironed out... including the exact date it will even occur. And her second wedding, to her sweet berry, has had even less thought directed its way. So to try to even say when her third wedding, to Adeline, will take place...

“‘Beryl’...?” A floppy rabbit ear, its soft and velvety fur a slightly greying shade of dark-blonde, brushes across the coarse fabric of this older Halfling’s bright yellow dress as she tilts her head to the side. “That’s the Wood Elf, right...? It’s a shame that she doesn’t seem to have come... I’ve never met an Elf before...” She also never would have met an Orc – let alone one that is also a Were-Beast – or a Drakling before, but that is a bit beside the point. Which Adeline’s mother seems to think as well, those long ears of hers flopping around as she quickly shakes her head. “Oh, but still... when would your wedding be? Soon? Before the years end, or...?”

“Sp-pring...?” Adeline anxiously ‘answers’, her little fingers so tightly squeezing around the Drakling’s larger digits. “M-maybe...? I-if that...” Slowly, that strong hand is dragged back up, covering this embarrassed little bunny’s mouth and muffling her already mumbled words. “I-is... alri-r-ri-right... with... B-beryl...?”

“That would be wonderful...!” A bright beaming smile fills the older Halfling’s face, her hands gently grabbing onto Adeline’s shaky shoulders as she leans in and gives what little can be seen of her daughter’s forehead a soft kiss. “A bright and sunny wedding...! Surrounded by greenery and flowers...! Even if it is a bit of a wait, that still sounds so much better than rushing into a wedding at this time of year, with the weather growing so dreary and cold!”

Thea’s slowly fading scowl returns in an instant, deeper and even more annoyed than before.

But, luckily, that brat isn’t given the chance to speak up. If she was even going to. Which... she may well have. She can only restrain herself so much.

A busy, buzzing noise can be heard from not too far away, shouted words and raised voices blending together, growing louder and louder and clearer and clearer by the second.

“Oh!” Loreen jumps in place and almost steps back, reluctant to let go of her daughter’s shoulders. Her thin, fur-tipped tail twitches and flicks with a faint bit of frustration at that. “Georgie!” She shouts, leaning back a little. “Georgie! Come! Look! Our little Adeline has come home!”

The muddled mess of shouts and hollered cheers sweeps over Krvavy and her girls... along with a swarm of Halflings, all of whom bear striking resemblance to Adeline. A discordant cacophony of voices rumble and tumble through the air, those many emotions – most of which are positive, though seeing such sizable strangers so close does seem to cause a bit of stress – completely disorientating the Drakling.

“Oy!” That loud sound brings the barbarian back to reality, drawing her attention towards one of the men here. The oldest of those present, judging by the streaks of grey in his brownish blonde beard... if it can really be called as much, more so being some rather thick but short sideburns. A style that seems fairly common among Halflings, though a fair few of these men sport the opposite with just some hair on their chin and a moustache... “So you are our Adeline’s so called ‘sweetheart’, huh?”

“Fiancée!” Loreen excitedly corrects, finally letting go of Adeline to instead hug onto the side of what is undoubtedly her husband, a fit if slightly portly man. “Our baby will be married by next spring, Georgie!”

“Hmh!” The father to this Dragon’s third fiancée critically looks her up and down, hazel eyes lingering on Krvavy’s fancy jacket... as well as the slightly revealing top worn beneath it... and those all but skin tight pants. He remains silent for a good long second, the various other voices talking over each other and harassing Adeline with countless questions, before abruptly holding out his hand. “You must be... Krah-vy.”

“Kreh-vah-vee!” Loreen corrects her husband once more, bumping the side of her head into the base of his floppy bunny ear.

That Halfling simply furrows his brow, scowling slightly as the Drakling very carefully, but also rather firmly, takes and shakes his fairly small hand. “Krvavy... you can call me... George.”

Out of all the names that Krvavy has heard since, well, becoming Krvavy... that is the most plain and normal name she has come across. At least compared to what she was used to before. “It’s good to finally meet you, George. Adeline has said a lot about your family, even if she was a bit shy on the details.”

Still scowling just a little, George pulls his hand back and harrumphs again. “Hmh. I would invite you lot inside, but...”

“Pa!” Another Halfling butts into the conversation before that thought can be finished, his face clean-shaven except for a goatee. “What about the barn? It’s got a taller ceiling!”

“Archie! We can’t host guests in the barn!” Exasperation underlines those half-shouted words, Adeline’s father trailing a hand through his short hair. “The storeroom is better, but it’d be cramped...”

“Well,” Loreen weighs in, “its a bit chilly, but the weather is quite nice today. So why don’t we just set up table or two out back and have a bit of a picnic?”

George tilts his head to the side... and shrugs. “Guess that’d work. Right then.” He takes a deep breath and steps back. “Archie! Edmund! Winston! And Colby too! Go grab some chairs! Jessamine and Ermelinde! Your husbands too! Get some sheets and cloths and cushions! The rest of you’ll help me and Harold with the tables!”

“I’ll guide these lovebirds back to the old Rowan!” Loreen declares, grabbing onto Adeline’s wrist and giving the girl a light tug, encouraging Krvavy to let up on her hug. “Oh, and we’ll take the scenic route, so no need to rush!”

Thea simply stands there, still as a statue and more than a little stunned, as the swarm of Halflings that had surrounded her suddenly scatters and scurries off. She blankly blinks her soft-blue eyes, watching as only a few of these country folk squeeze their way through the open door and into that burrowed home.

The Drakling rises to her feet, grabbing onto her precious puppy’s paw-like hand as she does so. A soft, happy sound can be heard as those furred fingers interlock with her own black-scaled ones, holding on tight.