SAO: Strawberry Bunny

Merry Christmas to my awesome readers. I hope it was a good one.

As the snow began to fall heavier outside, a gentle hush blanketed the streets of Snowfrost, but inside Frosty's Café of Ice Cream, the world felt warm and alive. Strawberry leaned back in her ice-carved chair, her pink hair glinting in the soft light of the fireplace. Quinella sat across from her, her violet eyes flickering with quiet amusement as she stirred her hot chocolate with deliberate elegance. Muffin had claimed his spot in the middle of the table, nibbling contentedly on a small chunk of strawberry from Strawberry's dessert.

Strawberry scooped a final spoonful of her chocolate chip strawberry ice cream, savoring the sweetness that mingled with the richness of the hot chocolate she'd been sipping. "Okay," she finally said, breaking the quiet comfort of their meal, "I'll admit it. This was a good idea. Who knew ice cream in a snowstorm could be so... comforting?"

Quinella raised an eyebrow, her mint chocolate chip ice cream halfway to her lips. "You doubted me?"

Strawberry chuckled, setting her spoon down. "Not doubting you. Just doubting the wisdom of eating frozen things when the world around us is already a freezer."

"Well," Quinella said with a sly grin, "a little indulgence now and then is necessary for survival. Even for you, oh fearless scythe-wielder."

Strawberry gave a mock bow of acknowledgment. "Fair point, oh queen of mint chocolate chip."

Muffin let out a squeaky chirp, wagging his little tail as he patted the table with his paw, clearly wanting more strawberries. Quinella reached out, offering him the cherry from her dessert, and laughed softly as the bunny snatched it up like it was the greatest treasure in Aincrad.

"You know," Quinella said, her tone softening, "watching you with Muffin makes me think you'd make a good mom someday."

Strawberry nearly choked on her hot chocolate, coughing as she set the cup down and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Where the heck did that come from?"

Quinella's smirk was impish, but her eyes were thoughtful. "You're patient with him, protective, and honestly kind of doting. Just an observation."

Strawberry scratched the back of her neck, her cheeks tinged with pink that had nothing to do with the cold outside. "Yeah, well... thanks, I guess? I've never thought about it, though, so..." She shrugged, leaving the rest unsaid.

Quinella laughed, the sound light and melodic, and Strawberry couldn't help but smile despite her embarrassment. Moments like this—simple, unguarded, and filled with genuine warmth—were rare, and she found herself treasuring them more than she expected.

The fire crackled softly in the background as the trio lingered, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. Outside, the snowstorm picked up, its swirling flakes visible through the frosted windows, but inside, the world felt safe and far removed from the dangers that awaited them in Aincrad.

As they finished their desserts, Quinella leaned forward, her tone becoming more serious. "You know we can't stay too long, right? This floor isn't going to explore itself."

Strawberry nodded, her blue eyes flicking to Muffin, who had started to curl up on the table like a fluffy white snowball. "I know. But let's enjoy the quiet while we can."

Quinella smiled, a rare softness in her expression. "Agreed. Just don't get too comfortable. I'm pretty sure there's a dragon or some other massive beast waiting to ruin our next meal."

Strawberry smirked. "Sounds about right. Let's hope we don't run into any legendary man-eating wolves while we're at it."

The two shared a laugh, their voices echoing softly in the cozy café as the snowstorm raged outside. For now, they allowed themselves the luxury of companionship and a brief respite from the relentless challenges of Aincrad. Tomorrow, the questline would resume, but tonight, they had this—warmth, laughter, and the unspoken promise of facing whatever came next together.

====

The morning sun cast a soft glow over the snow-covered streets of Snowfrost as Strawberry and Quinella stood in the middle of the town square, their breaths visible in the icy air. Muffin's disappearance had thrown a wrench in their carefully planned day, and now, instead of delving deeper into the questline, they were stuck chasing after their mischievous pet.

Strawberry rubbed her temples, her pink hair shimmering faintly under the sunlight. "Of all the times for him to decide he's an adventurer, it had to be today."

Quinella smirked, her violet eyes glinting with amusement. "You can't blame him entirely. Maybe he's taking after you—bold, curious, and absolutely terrible at sitting still."

"Ha-ha," Strawberry replied dryly, though the corner of her lips twitched upward. She adjusted the scythe strapped to her back and glanced around the bustling square. "Well, we've asked half the town already. No one's seen him."

At that moment, a soft voice piped up from behind them. "Excuse me, are you looking for a little white rabbit with horns?"

Both girls turned to see a younger player standing there. Her long, sandy-brown hair in pigtails framed a sweet, slightly nervous face. She clutched a small, feathered dragon in her arms, its teal wings fluttering as it chirped softly.

"Yeah," Strawberry said, straightening up. "Have you seen him?"

The girl nodded. "I think so. He was hopping toward the edge of town earlier this morning. I followed him for a bit, but he was pretty fast. Oh, I'm Silica, by the way," she added with a shy smile.

Quinella tilted her head, studying Silica and her companion. "And your friend there?" she asked, gesturing to the dragon.

Silica's face lit up. "This is Pina! She's my friend. We've been together since I got her egg on the first floor." Pina let out a proud chirp, earning a soft giggle from her owner. 

(I don't actually know when she got Pina. If anyone knows the actual time, let me know in the comments. I'll find time to correct this.)

Strawberry couldn't help but smile at their bond. "Thanks for the help, Silica. Did you see where Muffin went?"

Silica nodded. "He was heading toward the Starglades. It's a bit of a trek, but it's a safe zone, so you don't have to worry about monsters."

Quinella raised an eyebrow. "Safe zone or not, we should move quickly. Who knows what kind of trouble Muffin could get into."

Together, the three set out from Snowfrost, their footsteps crunching against the fresh snow. Silica proved to be a cheerful companion, chattering about her adventures with Pina and asking questions about Muffin. Despite herself, Strawberry found her mood lifting as Silica's enthusiasm proved infectious.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the tall pines around them seemed to whisper with the wind, their branches heavy with snow. The path was uneven but well-trodden, leading them toward the northern part of the floor. The cold air bit at their cheeks, but the promise of finding Muffin spurred them on.

After what felt like hours, the trees began to thin, and a soft, open glow illuminated the path ahead. The trio emerged into a wide, snow-dusted clearing—the Starglades.

The glade was beautiful in the quiet stillness of twilight, but as the sun dipped further below the horizon, its true majesty unfolded. Openings in the canopy above revealed an endless expanse of stars, each one shimmering like diamonds against the deep indigo sky. A planet with swirling clouds and an ethereal moon hung low on the horizon, casting a pale light that gave the snow a soft, magical glow. Tiny crystal-like formations embedded in the trees and ground glinted faintly, reflecting the starlight in a cascade of delicate hues.

Strawberry stopped in her tracks, her blue eyes wide as she took it all in. "Wow," she murmured. "This place... it's incredible."

Quinella's violet eyes softened as she gazed up at the sky. "I told you the fourth floor had its surprises. Not everything here is about danger and monsters."

Silica clutched Pina close, her smile as bright as the stars above them. "I always thought the Starglades were just another safe zone, but seeing it like this..." She trailed off, her eyes sparkling with wonder. "It's like something out of a dream."

For a moment, the group simply stood in silence, soaking in the breathtaking view. The harshness of Aincrad, the constant looming threat of danger, felt distant here, as though the glades existed in a pocket of peace untouched by the outside world.

A soft chirp broke the reverie. Muffin sat in the middle of the glade, his fluffy white fur blending almost perfectly with the snow. Around him were three other horned rabbits, their small forms bouncing playfully in the frosty clearing. Muffin glanced up as the group approached, his ears twitching in recognition.

"There you are, you little troublemaker," Strawberry muttered, though her tone held more relief than annoyance. She crouched down, holding out her arms. Muffin bounded over, nuzzling her hands as she scooped him up.

"Looks like he made some friends," Quinella noted, nodding toward the other rabbits.

Silica giggled. "I think Muffin was just trying to enjoy the view like the rest of us."

Strawberry hugged Muffin close, her pink hair catching the soft light of the stars. "Well, we've found him. Let's take a moment to rest before heading back."

The three girls sat together on a smooth, snow-covered rock near the edge of the glade, Muffin curling up in Strawberry's lap. For the first time in days, the weight of their responsibilities felt lighter, and the beauty of the Starglades seemed to infuse them with a sense of calm they hadn't realized they needed.

As the stars twinkled overhead, they laughed and talked, sharing stories about their journeys so far. And for a brief, precious moment, Aincrad's relentless challenges felt far, far away.