A Book of Strung Together Stories

Magic and Mischief [Moomins: BS AU]

Alicia drops a log into the dying fire, humming quietly as she does. Behind her sits Snufkin, reading from a spell book as a school child would read from a text book; only he's fare more attentive and alert towards what is written on the pages. It figures, really. She would never have taken him as a studious type, but she's found that mumriks tend to be full of surprises. Beside him, curled up into a tight ball and pretending to be fast asleep, lies Ami, who has taken to popping in and out of Alicia's lessons as she pleases (she claims it's to check the quality of them, but there's general suspicion that she's also trying to expand her magical skill set).

The witch sighs softly as she rejoins the two at the table. Snufkin glances up at her, a question in his eyes, but at a small shake of her head (paired with a small, uncharacteristically honest, smile) he returns to his book. There's a very relaxed atmosphere in Alicia's cottage and she revels in it - it's not often she gets friendly visitors. When she and Snufkin had first met and made that first agreement (to teach him and as such be left in peace) she would have never guessed she'd make a friend out of it - or even two, as she and Ami were growing far better acquainted with each lesson the Sun's spawn decided to slip into.

She's shaken from her mild reverie, though, by a sudden hiss. Alicia blinks in confusion before looking to Snufkin. The mumrik has silently closed his book and is now staring at a, suddenly, very livid Ami. The wish master is sat upright, back straight and watching the window without blinking. Alicia holds her breath as she listens. There's rustling coming from outside and far-off male voices. Deep, dark, gruff voices.

Unhappy voices. Unkind voices.

Enemy voices.

Witch hunters.

She sucks in a breath, pushing down a surge of bad memories as her hand flies to the pendant around her neck. Snufkin glances at her. He'd been watching the window in cold calculation but at the flash of fear across her face his features soften. He takes off his hat and places it over Ami before reaching over to take her hand. She stares at him in mild shock as he squeezes gently. "It's okay." he murmurs, an overwhelming amount of understanding in his voice (of course; he'd had a tough childhood too). There's a pause in which his hat rustles as Ami emerges, less stiff and slightly calmer now. The small creature comes over and places her paw over Snufkin's and her's.

There's a vow there, quiet but firm.

We're here. You're not alone.

Alicia gives them a wavering smile before gently tugging her hand away. She stands and they stand with her. "Let me get my things." she murmurs. They nod, Ami jumping up onto Snufkin's shoulder. Alicia picks up her satchel and begins grabbing what she needs. Not a lot, just the essentials; poisons, potions and spells used to help ward off unwanted guests. When she has a fair enough collection she turns to the other two. Snufkin's hat is back on his head and his knife is clutched loosely in his paw - Ami has slipped her wand out of her bag. They're both staring at the window in silent fury. Alicia allows herself a small smirk.

This'll be fun.

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The men are big, far bigger than any of them. They have guns and clubs and knives. They look menacing, with scars all over the visible parts of their arms and legs and faces. They are proper hunters - the kind you should fear.

There's tension among them. To the three magic-users it's almost tangible. Alicia represses a shiver as Snufkin lets out a low growl. Ami's tail is swinging unhappily, a stiff pendulum of unease swaying back and forth from where she's perched on Snufkin's shoulders. They're all positioned in a tree over the hunters' heads, ready to give them more than a good scare, but Alicia knows that the other two won't go until she's ready. She takes a quiet, calming breath.

"Hello there boys~" she calls out, more confidence in her voice than she really feels. The men whip around, drawing weapons as they spot the three dark magic wielders. The three friends do the same. There's a pause, thick with tension as the two parties size each other up. The men are quickly growing wary. They were prepared for a witch. A mumrik, let alone a Herald? Plus they're guide? That they weren't counting on. It boosts Alicia's confidence greatly.

They have the upper hand. It's now or never.

The men literally jump back as she and her companions drop from the tree. There's fear in them now; the odds are not in their favour. And, honestly, what did they expect?

A witch, a mumrik and a wish master make for a very bad omen.