winter

The morning on the meadow was so quiet that you could hear the sound of dew slipping off the blades of grass. The sun had just risen above the horizon, dyeing the entire sky in a honey-golden hue, and the small, winding dirt path led out into the field — right toward the single, lonely house on today's delivery route.

It was a tiny two-story thatched cottage with a mossy tiled roof and a leaning chimney that was puffing out a plume of purple smoke that no ordinary fireplace could ever produce. Dried bundles of herbs hung dangled from the window frame, while a few half-burnt candles on the sill blended the scent of sage and raspberry into the breeze. Ivy crept over one entire wall. In front of the door lay a worn welcome mat, the word "Welcome" faded to the point of being nearly illegible.

You were partway through your usual delivery route, holding the final package tied with twine addressed to a Ms. Catherine Midwinter. This was the last stop. Once delivered, you could head home.

You stepped up onto the porch, and the toe of your boot caught the edge of the worn welcome mat.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. You lost your balance, pitching forward as the box flew from your hands, and the unlatched door gave way completely under your weight. You crashed straight inside just as a blinding flare of light — white, gold, purple, then green — erupted in the middle of the living room, bright enough to force your eyes shut. A soft pop like a wet firecracker echoed, followed by a swirl of purple smoke rolling across the room along with the sharp burnt smell of paper and herbs. You went tumbling onto the wooden floorboards, your hands slamming down onto a chalk circle glowing with faint purple light, wiping away half of its strange symbols.

As the smoke began to clear, you coughed, blinked, and realized you were lying in a room packed with ancient books, dried herbs hanging everywhere, several candles that had just been snuffed out by a gust of magic, and an armchair by the window knocked over onto the floor. On the table, a thick spellbook was flipping its own pages, starting to smoke.

And at the edge of the chalk circle, a girl stood frozen in place, magic fumes still curling around her messy lavender hair.

She was tiny, barely five feet tall, wearing a tattered blue-purple witch's robe covered in patches, its sleeves scorched black at the cuffs. The gold-trimmed pointed witch's hat leaned sideways on her head, revealing messy plum-purple hair with singed, curled ends. Her cheeks were dusted with freckles and a streak of soot, while her large, round purple eyes behind silver-framed glasses widened to near-impossible proportions — glistening with the indescribable light of someone who had just witnessed the unbelievable, staring at you like you were the single most amazing thing she'd ever seen in her life. Her hands were still raised, fingers splayed, gripping a short wooden wand that was smoking heavily.

And that massive bust — bursting against a white corset trimmed with black lace, its row of black buttons strained almost to the snapping point — heaved up and down with every ragged breath, nearly spilling over the lace edge every time she inhaled deeply in shock, exposing her pale pink cleavage as she leaned slightly sideways toward you. She wasn't even aware of it.

She blinked once. Twice. Then scanned you from head to toe, taking in the delivery bag slung over your shoulder and your white-chalk-dusted boots.

A faint breath escaped her lips.

It worked... IT WORKED! For the FIRST time in my life!

Then she exploded.

"IT WAS A SUCCESS!!" she shrieked, jumping up and down with both hands thrown high, her wand nearly striking a shelf and causing several books to come tumbling down with a clatter. She spun around merrily on her bare feet on the old wooden floor, the hem of her dark blue robe fluttering wildly, before spinning right back to face you, her eyes brimming with tears of excitement.

"I... I did it! I really did it! Twelve nights! Twelve nights of failure! Twelve burnt cauldrons! And today... today you appear! Right in the light of the ritual! Right in the middle of the summoning circle!"

She paused right in front of you, reaching out a tiny finger to gently poke your arm as if testing whether you were a hallucination, then broke into a giggle, pushing up her glasses with one small finger.

"I thought the summoning spell would bring out a cat, or maybe a toad... but it doesn't matter! You're bigger, much more useful, and look, you can even walk! This is Catherine Midwinter's first SUCCESSFUL spell, take that, you academy witches!"

She rushed forward, kneeling down right in front of you and leaning in close, staring straight into your face as if inspecting a rare creature out of a legend. She raised a hand as if to touch your cheek, then abruptly pulled back, swallowed hard, and tried to adopt a solemn, authoritative tone.

"Ahem. Ahem. Welcome, my familiar. I am Catherine Midwinter, the greatest witch this meadow will ever see. From this moment on, you belong to me. Together, we shall cast spells that will shake the very heavens and earth! You... you can speak, right? A human form! Oh, a rare species! The books say only the most talented witches can summon this kind!"

She puffed her chest out triumphantly — the movement causing that heavy weight to lift and drop within the lace trim while a button creaked — then creased her brows as she looked at you.

"But... why are you dressed so strangely? What is this bag? Is it the uniform of... some familiar tribe?"

She grabbed your wrist with both of her small hands, tugging firmly with surprising strength for someone standing at just five feet tall, urging you as if terrified you might vanish if she let go.

"Hurry up, don't just sit there frozen. I have to record today in my book right away — the day of our soul-binding! Oh, right... you need a worthy name. From now on, you shall be... Mochi! No, wait — Snow White! Sounds elegant, doesn't it?"

She leaped back up, pacing a circle around you like an appraiser examining a piece of art, rubbing her chin with one hand while muttering absurd names under her breath. Her blue-purple robe slipped off her shoulder. Her short skirt swirled up with her steps, her round rear swaying under the fabric with every bare step. Her eyes shone with anticipation, her pouty lips curled in a smug smile, entirely oblivious to the crumpled delivery slip clutched in your hand or the door hanging wide open behind you.

"Cookie? No, sounds like food. Ash? A bit too edgy. Fluffy? No, you don't look like a Fluffy at all... Or maybe..."

She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor where the twine-tied box lay right beside your feet. Her eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Oh? What's this? Did you bring... a greeting gift? Do all familiars bring gifts for their master?"

She scurried over, snatched up the box, read the name "Midwinter," and frowned in genuine confusion for a split second — before quickly breaking into a brimming, confident smile.

"Ah! Ah, of course, my name is on it! It must be an offering directly from the universe itself! This ritual truly turned out flawless!"

She hugged the box tightly against her chest, beaming brightly as she stared straight into your eyes, filled with the sheer eagerness of a child receiving a dream toy. She took a sharp breath, and the edge of her corset slipped down just a little further.

"Alright, my familiar. Step one: you shall... sit! No, wait, you're already sitting. Then... say something! Let me hear your voice!"

She held her breath, waiting in silence, squeezing the box tightly while the pointed tip of her hat trembled softly with her quickened heartbeat.