FTO Oneshots

Auntie P

"He's getting worse, David, I'm really worried," Lukas told the ice mage as they cooked dinner. The god slayer was, of course, referring to Ritchie. The bluenette had steadily gotten into worse and worse shape since Brandon had disappeared and it was worrying everyone. Especially Lukas as he knew that even while missing, Brandon wouldn't want his twin to be like this. 

David went to respond only for someone else to interrupt. 

"Whose getting worse?"

They turned to see Ms. P looking at them, her mouth in a small frown for once even as she sipped her tea. Normally, the two would probably dismiss her and say that it was nothing she needed to worry about, but seeing the look on her face, Lukas decided to actually explain. 

"Its Ritchie, ever since Brandon disappeared, he's been very depressed and drinking a lot, and it just keeps getting worse and worse. I'm scared that he's gonna get himself killed over what happened."

Ms. P's face went stark white, her eyes clearly showing her worry, which surprised the two mages as they did not expect her to have such a reaction to this news. She set down her tea before asking somberly. "Has it really gotten that bad?" To which the two could only nod. 

She looked visibly shaken and, before they could even question it, she walked out of the house in a hurry. Concerned, the two decided to follow her, not expecting her to walk straight to the guildhall. 

The two entered just in time to see her march straight up to Ritchie (who was surprisingly sober for once, though it looked like he was about to start drinking) and grab him by the ear. The ice and water mages could only stare in shock as she treated their guild leader as if he were a misbehaving toddler.

"Ow. OW. OW! Let gooooooo" They were surprised to hear their guild leader whine instead of just jerking out of her hold. 

"No, I will not. Look at you, your hair is a mess, your clothes need to be washed, and it looks like you haven't eaten in days. Not to mention your guildmates have said that you've taken up heavy drinking which just won't do at all." They could only stare in shock as the older woman gave their guild leader a dressing down. 

"But-" 

"No buts." She cut him off with a stern glare before she softened and said. "Look, I understand that you miss Brandon, I miss him as well. But Brandon would not want to see you wasting away like this, heaven knows I don't."

Ritchie started to tear up, causing her to pull him into a hug. Lukas and David were surprised to see her treating their guild leader almost like a parent would, at least they were until they heard what she said next. 

"I know it hurts, Ritchie, but please, take heart. I don't want to lose both of my nephews."

Ritchie nodded at that even as he pulled away from the hug. "I- Thanks Auntie P, I think I needed that."

"No problem, my dear nephew." Ms. P smiled at him. "You've had your guildmates helping me for years, the least I can do is help you to stop drinking your heart out."

"Might still do that." Ritchie said, but this time it seemed to be said in jest almost, a softer, less sad, smile playing on his lips. 

"You'd better not." She barked at him before saying. "Please do take care of yourself though, dear nephew, and stop by to have tea every once in a while, your mages aren't really good for tea parties."

"How 'bout you come over to mine? I'm sure you've made quite enough tea and your old bones need rest." Ritchie teased slightly. 

"Impudent youngsters! If it came down to it, I could beat you in a race, already beat your mages anyway." Ms. P countered. 

"Oh really? That true, David? Lukas?" Ritchie called over as he spotted them at the entrance, staring at the two in shock over the fact that their guild leader was freaking related to Ms. P. 

Lukas was the first to snap out of his shock even as he admitted with a small blush "Maybe."

"Don't feel bad, Auntie P could outrun most folks I know, even me when I'm using my magic to my advantage," Ritchie said a small smile playing on his lips. 

"That's... reassuring." Ritchie and Ms. P started laughing at that. When their laughter settled, however, Ritchie seemed to get a certain air to him, one they remembered from before Brandon disappeared. "Anyways, shouldn't you boys be working? Missions don't complete themselves."

"Um, yes sir, come on, David," Lukas said, pulling the ice mage up and over to the request board. The ice mage didn't object, though that may have just been because he couldn't believe that Ms. P was the one to bring their guild leader back to his senses, if only for a little while. 

AN: This was just a fun little one-shot idea I came up with. It's based off my personal theory that Ms. P could be Ritchie and Brandon's aunt who came over around the time they did. This would explain why they allow her to get away with sending in missions that are usually not S-class ranked missions and humor her instead of downgrading the mission/ignoring her requests as well as why she doesn't display any powers despite having several animals which clearly do. Ms. P is honestly just one of my favorite characters though even if she is more of a side character (unless we count "You and Me and Ms. P).