[Gift] Unfamiliar Company

The ambiance of the bookstore seemed to shift as the light-crystals outside began to dim. It slowly donned on the few rabbits inside that they'd stayed in too late, and they would have to make their walks back home in the dark.

Of course, there were street lights to keep them from having to stumble the whole trip, but that wasn't what anyone was worried about… The recent news of more and more murders cropping up had put almost everyone in an uneasy mood. Some were bold enough to continue on as normal, but most were too rattled to walk alone at night.

Magpie set down their book and gave a big stretch, slowly standing up from the bean bag chair they'd been allowed to rest in while they read. They spared a glance at the other three rabbits in the store…

One was the doll working the cash register at the moment. Magpie knew her well enough to know she lived just across the street, and would have no trouble making it to a safe location. That fact brought them a little relief, but they knew the other two rabbits here were likely to be in the exact same bad situation as them.

The other two, Magpie didn't recognize at all. A curious-looking rabbit was still browsing the “science” section, pacing between the two ends of the shelves erratically. Their tail swished in clear annoyance, though no one else was around so it seemed to be directed at their own self. Magpie would hazard a guess that it was because they'd taken so long that the sky had gone dark and they still hadn't made a decision yet, but they couldn’t be sure. That other rabbit seemed to have a lot of energy, given how long they'd kept up their pacing and how quickly they moved.

Another rabbit wearing all black picked at the ends of their sleeves nervously and stared out the window. If they didn't seem so worried about going outside alone, Magpie honestly might have some suspicion they were a vampire, given how well they looked to fit into that mold. They even had a hat with a large brim on all sides that would most definitely shade them from the sun entirely. At the end of the day though, Magpie felt rather confident in their ability to fight off just one vampire, so even if that stranger had been turned… it shouldn't matter too much!

Still… just being in a group should dissuade any attackers, and Magpie felt the odds would be more stacked in their favor if they grouped up instead of each heading home individually. They hopped up and out of the beanbag chair, giving the energetic rabbit a visit first.

They didn't even manage to get all that close before they were spotted, the stranger turned and noticeably stared at them their whole walk up. That wasn't enough to get Magpie feeling bashful, though! They leaned up against a bookshelf and asked, “Hiyaaa… what's your name?”

The excitable rabbit extended a hand to Magpie and grinned, sharp canine teeth poking out and gleaming in the light. Their tail swished and Magpie could see there was a long, thick, red wire wrapped around it. They answered, “I'm Dynamo! Who would you be?”

“My name is Magpie. I'll admit, I kind of fucked up. I'm out here, like, waaay too late… when you're done looking, maaaybe… you, me, and that other guy could walk to our houses together? I feel like… we'll be safer in a group of three than alone.” Magpie accepted the handshake, though as soon as they did they felt a sharp jolt run from the tips of their fingers and up their arm. They only recoiled slightly, instead of pulling their hand away they simply raised an eyebrow and looked down, trying to piece together what had just happened.

“Oops!” Dynamo laughed and covered her mouth with one hand. Usually that gesture would indicate embarrassment or shame, but no hint of that was present on Dynamo's face and the movement seemed a little awkward. She explained, “I just keep so much tech on me… but hey, a little static electricity never hurt anyone, yeah?”

Magpie nodded and grinned. Their smile didn’t quite reach their eyes, which always looked a little glassy and dull. Her tail wagged slowly in an attempt to show there were no hard feelings despite her strange expressions and it seemed Dynamo got the point. 

“Well anyways, yeah! I think your plan sounds like a good idea. I’ll just… try to wrap up here… is that other rabbit on board? What’s their name?” She asked.

“Uhh, I’m not quite sure yet, I asked you first soo… yeah. I’ll report back in just a minute. You can keep looking at stuff while I talk to them.” Magpie pushed themself up and off from leaning on the shelf. They straightened their posture as best as they could but they couldn't help slouching a bit.

Dynamo cheerfully grabbed a handful of books and tucked them under her arm. She gave a little wave as Magpie walked away and then she headed to go officially purchase her books. Screw it, she would just get all of them she’d been considering- she read enough that it’d be a worthwhile purchase, and staying any longer would probably be unwise.

Magpie approached the rabbit dressed in all gothic attire. They gently tapped their shoulder to get their attention.

The stranger flinched and recoiled back, a frightened look flashing in their eyes for a second. They adjusted their hat and took a little breath, recollecting themselves shockingly quickly. They gave them a gentle smile and a cheerful wave, those earlier traces of fear having mostly vanished now. “Oh, hello there! Is there something you need from me?”

“Um, kiiinda? It's dark out and I think it'd be a bad idea for us to all walk home alone, sooo… I'm offering that you, me, and that other lady group up. What ya think?”

The strange rabbit nodded hesitantly. “Oh! I see… I think that sounds like a good idea. Since we'll be walking together, could I get your name?”

They grinned and patted him on the back again, this time less gingerly. “Magpie. Yours?”

“I'm Valanyth.” He stood up and took great care to push in his chair silently, not allowing its legs to squeak as they slid across the floor. “To tell you the truth, I was quite worried about how I'd get home today… so this is a nice solution, I feel!”

Magpie shot finger guns at him and grinned a wide smile. “Hey I'm always glad to help! The other rabbit’s probably almost done checking out her books so, come on!”

Valanyth followed them as they headed to the cash register. As they'd guessed, Dynamo slung a plastic bag over their shoulder and met the two of them. “Heya! Since you're here I'm guessing you're down for a little late-night stroll. We should get started now before we lose the last traces of extra light, yeah?”

They were in clear agreement on that and they left the building together without another word besides quiet mumblings about their various addresses and what route would make it to all three most efficiently. Dynamo led the charge on that conversation naturally and it passed quickly, with only the occasional comment from Magpie about a brief shortcut they could take and a few requests for pauses from Valanyth so he could write all the information down.

As they started, given they didn't know each other at all they didn't walk side-by-side, instead forming a somewhat awkward line. Dynamo gladly took the lead, Valanyth was behind her, and Magpie seemed to naturally shift to the back of the pack. Their movements were a little more languid and sluggish than the average rabbit unless they pushed themself, and they saw no reason to at this moment.

There was a bit of tension as everyone looked around at the dark shadows surrounding them. At around the same moment, an idea entered all three of them’s heads; what if one of us is actually a vampire?

Magpie had considered it briefly earlier but it seemed so silly then, in the warm light of the cozy bookstore… now, in the dark, where no one could be trusted? It no longer seemed such a trivial concern…

Valanyth had tried to ignore it, but the sharp canine teeth Dynamo had always on display with her eager grin and the unexplained exhaustion Magpie wore on their face… it sent a bit of a shiver down his spine. He forced it to the back of his mind, though… he didn't want to be rude, especially not when they both seemed nice and they'd chosen to trust him to accompany them.

Dynamo was the least worried out of them but she wasn't spared from becoming aware of that possibility. She didn't take it seriously, instead cackling and turning to face the other two. With a smile that looked like she'd just heard the funniest joke in the world, she asked, “Wouldn't it be fucked up if one of us was a vampire or like… a serial killer or something?”

Valanyth's pale yellow eyes widened in surprise. He took a step back reflexively, his heart rate sped up against his wishes.

Magpie looked between the two of them back and forth a few times. A nervous laugh escaped them, but they otherwise kept quiet, trying to just observe everything carefully.

Dynamo quickly realized that joke hadn't quite landed as she'd hoped it would. She quickly added on, “Just kidding! I'm not actually saying-” Her voice cut off as she visibly began searching for words that she couldn't find.

The slight flash of regret in Dynamo's gaze was more than enough to ease Magpie's nerves. They laughed too now, all the tension from that little scare leaving their body in one big, dramatic sigh. “You got me worried there for a second! But hey… at least I'm not the only one who thought it!”

Valanyth rubbed the back of his neck and added on, “I… will admit, the thought crossed my mind as well. But you both seem quite friendly, so… I'm choosing to trust that even if one of you was a vampire, you aren't going to do anything cruel.” His tail tucked between his legs and he looked quite ashamed that he'd even considered it.

Magpie giggled, “Aw, don't worry dude! It's normal to be scared when walking with strangers. You’re not rude for thinkin’ it,” They nudged Dynamo gently to try to encourage her to join them in that sentiment.

Dynamo nodded, “Yes, they are correct! You have been very polite. There's no need to be scared you've offended us, you're okay.”

Valanyth breathed a sigh of relief and a smile spread across his face. From that point forward, it seemed Dynamo's joke had actually worked in some odd way- with that worry off their chests, they all seemed to relax a good deal. Dynamo had shifted the conversation to their research in electronics, and everyone much preferred that topic over anything to do with nighttime or danger. 

Before they knew it, they had reached Dynamo's home, and Valanyth's was just across the street, so it was time for everyone to split off. Dynamo excitedly waved goodbye to them as she opened the door to her home, feeling a little sorrowful that she didn't get to properly wrap up her talk about her devices.

Magpie squeaked out, “Wait! Uh… hey, before you go… you think I could get your phone number? I don't… know very many people around this area yet and it was nice to talk to you.” They glanced over their shoulder at Valanyth, “Uhm- same goes for you as well, if you'd like to give me yours.”

“Oh! Yeah, sure!” Dynamo agreed without any hesitation, and Magpie had to bite their tongue so as not to sigh in relief. They knew they were quite awkward, so they really didn't know if their request was a normal thing to ask or not.

Valanyth smiled and nodded. He waited for Dynamo to finish putting her number in Magpie's phone and then offered his to both of them. They all seemed quite excited, making a sense of pride swell within Magpie's chest. They actually had a good idea in a social situation! To tell the truth, most of their pride came from their strength, so this was all unfamiliar to them.

They all said their goodbyes, and Magpie split off to make the last bit of their walk home alone.

They couldn't help feeling like something was watching them the whole time- it felt like hours, but truthfully it had only been about two minutes before they reached their home- Cumulus's apartment building. They hoped he'd be home, they definitely didn’t want to be alone right now. As they opened the front door and light washed over them, their anxieties finally began to melt away and they took a breath, the first solid one in the past thirty minutes.

Nothing could get them now that they were inside…

Right?