"White hair can do it."
I can't… I'm trying- I can't catch anything-
With her hands raw, lost skin on her hands ached. The palms of her hands, once pale white color, were peachy, unstuck skin popping up. Fei stared at them with a defeated look.
Her ears were flopped to each designed side, alongside her lips curling into a frown. She could hear the pitter patter of the rats around her, yet, she had found none; each one kept escaping her, she couldn't dive like Lucian. Nor did her physical condition allow her to run, to quickly duck and catch a single one.
Despite her knowledge of this, her will did not allow her to fall. The sun was nearing the center of the sky by the time she fell to her knees; why am I so useless…? Why can't I do anything…?
As her head began to swim, her hands were shaking. She felt an urge enter her heart, it was vibrating with familiar feelings.
I have to do this…
I can't… can't keep him back… can't… Fei clenched her hands, tightening to the point her nails dug into her skin. Ignoring the stabbing feeling, Fei visualized chains of ice in her mind.
As she did, she focused her ears on the scampering near her. Cold mist shot out of the ground, near her an ear piercing squeal rang out. Even with the success of her spell, Fei's mouth contorted into a deeper frown.
That's… I think… one… Her mind slowly observed; she wobbled to her feet, and followed the trail of frost. I.. I got one…
A brown furry rodent was being squished to the ground by two sets of crystallized chains. More squeals intensified as the rat pleadingly turned its head to Fei.
"I'm- I'm sorry…"
Without uttering another word, Fei removed one chain— dispelling one part of her magic. Now, she wielded the decently large net with one hand, then shoved the rat's upper body in it.
Upon the cancellation of her spell, she shot the net left, and yanked it up with two hands.
I-I got one..! Her chest was rising and sinking with fervor. Her hands vibrated as the rat fought for its life in the netting.
I- I managed to do it… I did-
Fei hurried the best she could. Nearly every footstep caused her to tumble over the air, but she stayed as steady as she could.
As the tall grass started to wane, she could make out the bald figure of the old man, and a tall lanky figure.
Lucian tilted his head when Fei came walking up unsteadily. His look caused her to look down, but she still walked forward.
"Did you catch one?" Lucian asked, curiously eyeing the net in her hands. By the time she held it forward, all movements within ceased.
"I-I di-id.."
"Hm? Ya got one?" The old man inquired with a head tilt. He eyed the squirming net in her hands. Underneath his inquisitive expression, there was a jolt in his heart, not an unpleasant or worrying one. "Good job, White hair!"
With a thumbs up on his right hand, and his left opening the container of critters next to him, he had Fei chuck the rat in.
"Fei, do you need help?"
"C'mon messy haired brat, ya see she got one?"
Lucian's eyes wandered to Fei's hands, the skin was a bright red; the latter caught his gaze, instantly flipping her hands to her body.
Lucian ignored the old man's remarks, his gaze was fixated on Fei. "Do you need help?"
"N-No… I'- I'll be- I'll be okay…"
Before Lucian could push his questions further, Fei bowed her head and turned tail.
"Alright…" Lucian muttered, his hand descending as he watched her disappear into the tall grass.
I got this… I can do this…
Every little movement in the grasslands around her made her ears perk. Within a few minutes, she made her second pounce; this time there was no squeal, the rat had been glued to the floor with no chance to squeal.
Time and time again, she captured a rat; until she captured the sixth one on her side. There was no pitter patter of footsteps, nor did the grass around her move.
Is- is that all…? Fei kneeled on the floor. Her hand swept across the floor, there were little pawprints that caught her attention.
There was a warm feeling in her chest, and a look of disbelief on her face. I actual- however, she felt a sharp pain pulsating from her backside— specifically the white fluffy tail connected to her.
"Ow!" She let out as she twirled her head to the culprit.
"F-Fei…?"
Behind her, Lucian had his foot raised; his mouth was open in surprise, as well as his eyebrows raised. He held that pose until the realization set in.
Due to the high grass, paired with Fei's abnormally short stature, he couldn't see where she was. And promptly, his foot fell heavily on her snow white tail.
As a final result, he fell to his knees, profusely apologizing with his head touching the floor. Repeatedly, he expressed his remorse, causing Fei to stare at him, then her tail that was twitching.
There was a dark brown streak staining the fur. Eventually Lucian raised his head, his eyes glistening with sorrow.
Fei glanced at her tail, turned to him and let out a small sigh. The pain disappeared a small lapse of time later, and Lucian's pleading ceased.
A small haze appeared over her tail, causing ice to crystallize on the muddy spot. Cracks began to form, then the mud completely shattered off her tail.
After they both calmed, they walked towards the old man; he was pointing his index finger into the basket, it waved, and he was mumbling the number of them.
"Thirteen… fourteen…" He muttered, and raised his head. "Oh, hello! Good work ya two!"
"Were those all the rats?"
"Yap, as far as my wife and I counted."
I only got six of them… Fei thought as she stared at the basket.
Suddenly, she felt something grab her hand. When her gaze lowered, Lucian's hand was wrapped around hers.
With a smile and a hearty tone, he said, "good work!"
"T-thanks…"
Without realizing, her lips morphed into a grimace; additionally, her ears flattened in response.
"Hm? Ya two remind me of me and my wife when we were younger."
"Eh?"
"Two little lovebirds.. haha…"
…
Within seconds Fei's face turned a beet red. Whilst Lucian next to her covered his face, but never removed his hand.
After a moment, the old man continued. "Anyways, join us for a little bit. I'll get ya both your reward afterwards." He pointed towards his home's door with his thumb.