Guiltale

Chapter Twelve: Getting to Snow You

A peach-colored bunny lady stood stoically behind the front desk of the inn, smiling at my approach. Her whole business seemed the complimentary opposite to Tenshu's warm and homey storefront – the inn was spotless and seemed professionally run in spite of the kid bobbing up and down on his toes behind the counter.
"Welcome to Snowed Inn! Snowdin's premier hotel!" she called to me with a smile.

Drawing my attention from the child fishing lure, the rosy rabbit held out a confident hand. I shook it with as much matching energy as I could muster.

"Why thank you, ms... Okami!" I replied, squinting at the nametag on her blouse.

Mrs. Okami's smile brightened (which I didn't think possible) before suddenly darkening, her eyes moving to my hand in hers.

"Ma'am, are y'all from around here?" she said, tilting her head ever so slightly to the little boy next to her. I raised an eyebrow.

"I-"

"Because I've never met you before. Shall we go in the back and have a drink, share stories?" she pressured me fervently. I nodded.

"Sorry little buddy, guess I'm gonna be stealing your ma for a bit."

The kitten sighed dramatically. "Mama, you always do this when new folks' come in 'ere!" his southern accent was the strongest yet, and it was adorable.

"Well, you're just gonna have'ta wait, huh?" Okami scolded, pushing his head a little teasingly. "You run along now, I have some business to attend to."

Sighing heavily (again), the kid burst out the front doors like a flood. I squished my fingers, trying to placebo worry away – what if she was about to turn me in to more ruthless guards? Do they exist? Maybe she'd take me to the king?

Grabbing my hand firmly (in that way moms do when they're taking a young child through a crowd), mrs. Okami smoothly led me into the back room. It was a bit dim, but not creepy; there was just extra supplies and sorted keys back there. Okami led me to a table, grabbed a string I hadn't seen, and pulled it, turning on the small light. She coughed into a fist as she looked back at me.

"So, you're a human."

I spluttered a bit. "I-I-I... yes, I mean... you're not-"

"Goodness, of course not, hun. Just the opposite, actually. I'd like to help you integrate in this town. I saw y'all up an' wandern' around all skittish, and I want to help you." The more motherly rage she seemed to feel, the more southernisms came through her pro façade.

"I looked nervous?" I tilted my head to the side.

"Of course you did. You're human! You'd have'ta be nuts if you weren't. I know us Snowdin folk don' look that threatening, but King Asgore is likely to steal your SOUL if one of us happens to catch 'ya." She placed a knowing paw on my hand, giving it a squeeze. I stared at it, placing my other hand on top.

"...and you're not turning me in so a thousand can go free because...?" I sat back a little, facing her but not moving my hands.

"Well, you're just a kit, ain't'cha? I always said, 'I'd rather take from those willing to give and I feel like could', and I stand by that. You-"

"With all due respect, ma'am," I slid my hands gently out from under hers, looking away from her soft eyes. "I'm not exactly a 'kit'. I'm nineteen. That's why I'm so nervous... because y'all are justified in taking me, over most that came before."

She rolled her eyes. "...all you've done is prove my point, girl. Not only are you too young to die, you're also too reasonable... the world needs more people like that." She sighed heavily, reminding me of her kid – perhaps she doesn't realize that he got it from her? "I'd hate to see somethin' like that happen to a kit like you."