SAO: Strawberry Bunny

They wandered through the quieter parts of Urbus, making their way to a peaceful garden tucked away from the bustling crowds. It was a serene spot, with a small fountain at the center, surrounded by benches and flowering trees. The sun cast a warm glow across the stone pathways, creating a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the intensity of Aincrad's daily battles.

As Strawberry and Quinella walked through the peaceful garden, their conversation shifted naturally toward the mysteries of the Dragon Huntsman's questline. The day was calm, and the quiet of the secluded garden contrasted with the hustle of the town streets.

Strawberry, who had been wearing her hood over her head to shield herself from the sun, suddenly felt a small movement behind her neck. Before she could react, a soft, familiar chirp came from beneath the hood.

Muffin, the small, horned bunny who had been napping under her hood, stirred from his slumber. He had been nestled comfortably against the back of her neck, hidden by the loose fabric, but now his tiny head poked out, his large eyes blinking drowsily as he adjusted to the light.

Strawberry smiled softly, her hand instinctively reaching up to scratch behind Muffin's ear. "Hey, sleepyhead," she murmured, amused by the bunny's timing.

Muffin chirped again, his little nose twitching as he crawled out from under the hood and onto Strawberry's shoulder. His fluffy white fur gleamed in the sunlight, and his tiny horns, though not threatening, gave him an odd but endearing appearance.

Quinella, who had been listening attentively to Strawberry's explanation of the questline, suddenly froze. Her usually composed, regal demeanor cracked ever so slightly as her violet eyes widened, sparkling with unexpected delight.

Her gaze locked onto Muffin, and for the first time since they'd met, her elegant composure softened into something adoring. The subtle shift in her expression was undeniable—Quinella, sophisticated and poised, had a clear weakness for small, cute things.

"Oh my," Quinella breathed, her voice taking on a gentler tone. "Is that… your companion?"

Strawberry chuckled, noticing the way Quinella's eyes sparkled with pleasure. "Yeah, this is Muffin," she replied, lifting her shoulder slightly so the little bunny could settle himself more comfortably. "He's been with me for a while now. Found him in the forest, and he's been tagging along ever since."

Quinella's smile widened, a hint of amusement in her refined voice. "Muffin? How adorable."

The way she said it—so delicately, with a touch of genuine affection—made Strawberry grin. "Yeah, I'm not the best at names, but he seemed to like it."

Quinella reached out slowly, her movements graceful, as though she was asking permission to touch the tiny creature. Muffin, always curious and surprisingly friendly, sniffed at her hand before nuzzling against her fingers, his nose twitching with interest.

"Hello there, Muffin," Quinella whispered, her voice warm. She gently petted him, clearly enchanted by his soft fur and small, horned appearance. The typically calm and composed woman looked as though she could melt at any moment.

Muffin, of course, loved the attention, chirping happily as he hopped from Strawberry's shoulder onto Quinella's lap, settling there as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Quinella laughed softly, the sound like a breeze passing through the trees. "He's quite the charmer, isn't he?" she remarked, her eyes twinkling as she continued to pet him.

Strawberry chuckled, finding herself surprisingly relaxed in Quinella's presence. The sophisticated woman's adoration for Muffin was an unexpected but welcome sight. "Yeah, he's definitely a little charmer," she agreed, watching the bunny contentedly enjoy the moment.

For a brief while, the weight of their quests and the dangers ahead seemed to fade. The garden was peaceful, the sound of birds chirping softly in the background as the sun began to set.

Quinella gracefully crossing her legs elegantly as she looked at Strawberry. "So, tell me about this quest of yours," she said, her tone gentle yet curious. "It seems to be more than just a typical hunt."

Strawberry hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal, but Quinella's calm presence encouraged her to open up. "It's part of a larger questline I've been following," she began, taking a seat beside her. "It started when I found a journal entry from someone called the Dragon Huntsman. Since then, I've been tracking down different dragons and trying to uncover what this questline is really about."

Quinella listened intently, her violet eyes never leaving Strawberry's face as she spoke.

"I just finished the first part of the quest," Strawberry continued. "It led me to a rogue dragon named Carsar. He had stolen the hatchlings of another dragon, Fuzziel, and I had to fight him to rescue them. That's where the materials for the scythe came from—Carsar's core, his blood, and Fuzziel's scales."

Quinella nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "And the gemstone you have—the Topaz Gemstone—it's related to the questline as well?"

Strawberry glanced at Quinella, surprised by her perceptiveness. She had been careful not to mention the gemstone before, but Quinella seemed to have already put the pieces together.

"Yeah," Strawberry admitted. "The gemstone is part of the rewards I got from the quest. I found one during my battle with Carsar, and Fuzziel gave me another after I rescued her hatchlings. But I still don't know their full significance. There's something more to this questline, but I haven't figured it out yet."

Quinella's hand moved to her inventory, and she retrieved the Topaz Gemstone that Strawberry had seen earlier at Kaelin's forge. She held it up, letting the soft orange glow catch the light.

"I found this during a quest of my own," Quinella said softly, her voice as elegant as always. "It seems we're both tied to the same mystery. I've been searching for answers as well, though I hadn't made the connection to the Dragon Huntsman until now."

Strawberry stared at the gemstone in Quinella's hand, her mind racing. Two players, two gemstones, and the same mysterious questline. It was no coincidence that they had crossed paths.

"You think they're connected?" Strawberry asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Quinella smiled faintly. "It would seem so. There's more to this world than just leveling up and fighting monsters. There are secrets hidden within Aincrad's depths—secrets that are only revealed to those who seek them out."

Strawberry couldn't help but agree. The Demon of the Mountains quest, the Topaz Gemstones, and the Dragon Huntsman's journal—it all pointed to something bigger, something more dangerous and complex than the usual quests offered to players.

After a moment of silence, Quinella turned to face Strawberry more directly. "So, what do you plan to do next? Once your scythe is ready, where will you go?"

"I'm heading into the mountains to start the Demon of the Mountains quest," Strawberry replied. "There's a creature called Gaindogrig, also known as the Demon of the Mountains."

Quinella's eyes darkened slightly, her expression more serious. "That sounds like a dangerous mission. Have you considered what you'll do if Gaindogrig proves to be more than just another monster?"

Strawberry nodded. "I've faced tough enemies before, but I'm not going into this blind. I'll have my new weapon, and I've been preparing for this."

Quinella seemed to consider her words carefully before speaking again. "Then, if you're open to it, perhaps I could join you. It seems our quests are intertwined, and I have a feeling this Gaindogrig is part of something larger. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of hands."

Strawberry blinked, surprised by the offer. She hadn't expected Quinella to offer her help, but it made sense. If their quests were connected, working together might lead them both closer to the truth.

"Yeah," Strawberry said, smiling slightly. "I'd like that."

Quinella nodded, her elegant demeanor never faltering. "Good. We'll meet again in two days when your scythe is ready. Until then, rest and prepare yourself. I fear this will be far more dangerous than we initially believed"

Muffin, clearly sensing the conversation had turned serious, hopped back onto Strawberry's shoulder and nuzzled into her neck, content to rest once more. Quinella, her usual composed self, stood gracefully from the bench, her gaze meeting Strawberry's with renewed determination.

"It was lovely to meet you Strawberry. And to you as well Muffin. Till we meet again in 2 days. Ah before we separate, can we form a party? That way we can continue to communicate."

Strawberry stood as well, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With Quinella at her side and her new scythe on the way, she felt more prepared than ever to face the challenges ahead. The Demon of the Mountains was waiting, but so were the answers they both sought.

After forming a party, they went their separate ways. As Strawberry and Muffin made their way back into the town, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets. The adventure ahead was daunting, but with Quinella by her side and her new weapon on the way, Strawberry felt more prepared than ever.

But still, why do I feel like I met Quinella before?

———

Here's a poll for my awesome readers. But this isn't a part of the story, I'm just curious 🤔

What's the best cake flavor?

Strawberry shortcake

Icecream cake (can it be counted as a cake though?)

German chocolate cake

Red velvet cake

Carrot cake

Cheesecake

Confetti cake

Tiramisu cake

Coffee cake

Vanilla cake.