Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 387: A Short Break To The Farmhouse - Part 1

Night had arrived and after an entire day of wandering to find the herbalist's house, the entire group heaved a tired sigh. Thanks to the monster girls and the warding runes on Brenna's doorsteps, it had taken far longer for them to get here than it did Raven when he'd visited on his own before.

Somehow, the mere presence of a monster was enough to disorient a herd, even the teleportation rings didn't seem to work, at least not when Raven tried to teleport the girls with him.

"Whoever crafted those runes knew what they were doing..." Rave sighed once more as he was greeted into their house by Brenna and Aerin.

"It's an heirloom of my clan," taking the coat off Raven's shoulder, one he'd worn to escape the gripping clutches of a forest's night winter, Brenna handed it to her daughter before gesturing to her to take everyone in. "We've kept it for so long, the knowledge of its working has completely escaped us. All we know is that it works."

With a smile on her face, Brenna turned back to her man. Motioning him to follow Aerin, she greeted the rest of her guests one person at a time. Being monsters, the girls felt weakened inside that runic circle surrounding the house, thus in an attempt to aid cure their headaches, Brenna promised to bring some tonic while they settled in the hall with their master.

'This is gonna be a problem, if only I knew that he was coming maybe we could've prepared something special...' A bit disappointed in herself, Brenna began walking away from the doorway and made her way towards her workshop. Once inside, she couldn't help but wonder if the night would bring any pleasant experience.

However, with a click of the tongue she had to let the thoughts go, after all, the monster girls were also present and doing anything with Raven with an audience watching them, Breanna was not at all comfortable with that idea yet. 'I'll try to get some time with him, I'm sure we can sneak an hour or two for ourselves.'

Already daydreaming about her time with whom she already considered her new husband, Brenna began working on the tonics, all the while, her daughter helped everyone settle in.

Mushrooms, leaks, sprouts and more, she sprinkled everything non-offensive until there was something for everyone in that thick cartilaginous broth. A mix of spices and paste came last, giving a tangy taste to the meal with a spicy kick enough to wake up a dead nuisance of a father.

'Why does this remind me of him?' The mere thought of her father was enough to foul Aerin's mood, he loved a good hotpot, but the wine that went along with it turned him as violent as an enraged mule. 'Haunting me from the grave or something? Ughhh, I still hate him so much.'

While finishing up the last of her preparations, Aerin's mind wandered through thoughts, thinking about everything her father had left behind to remember him by. Sticking out to her more than anything was her mother's engagement ring which now rested on the broken shrine of her father.

In its place, Brenn now wore the teleportation ring given to her by Raven--something that felt far more fitting on her ring finger than a memento of an abusive past.

"Time for dinner so stop thinking," shaking those thoughts out of her head, Aerin began carrying the hotpot towards the hall, stopping by her mother's room, however, she decided to get Brenna to join as well. "Bring the dishes, I'm gonna set everything else."

Catching a glimpse of her mother's hand under the table as soon as those words were uttered, Aerin pretended not to notice Brenna's shock and continued on her way to the hall.

"Wash your hands before you touch the plates!" She yelled with a roll of her eyes.

"Y-yeahh..." Replied the mother, ashamed she was caught by her daughter while touching herself.