2 hours of gorgon sitting later, in Cynthia’s tent

Mimi was laying in a pile of plush animals, Jack and Toph darting around her, chasing the snakes around the pile.

John and Cynthia were sitting at a nearby table, John doing some maintenance on his gear and Cynthia doing some crocheting.

After working in silence for a few minutes, John looked at Mimi. “Mimi, can I ask you something?”

Mimi looked up, nodding vigorously. “Yes! Of course!”

“Well, how did you ever wind up with the hunters? Arnold gave me a very brief rundown, but it’s not really clear to me how you met Cynthia and the others. “

Mimi thought for a moment, looking at Toph and Jack playing with her snakes. “I guess I can tell you; you have cute pets, so you are trustworthy! Ok!” The girl stood up straight, looking very serious for a moment.

“When I was four years old, my family and I had to travel from our old home to a new home. However, on the way to the new home, I got lost. I had to go tinkle, and when I got back to the road, mom and dad were nowhere to be found. I looked for them, called for them, but I could not find them. That is when I met my best friend Dardar! Dardar found me, he showed me his cave, his vidyagames. He also taught me how to fly! But, after two months, Dardar had to go and science, he said it would be dangerous to take me with him, so he showed me the way to the place where Miss Artemis lives. And that is where I found Mommy Miranda, Sis Cyn and Daddy Arnold. They were nice to me too, but I could not come with them to this place, they said I needed to go to school! School was not fun, but now i’m here!” the girl spoke without even taking a break to breathe.

John looked flabbergasted at the amount of info the little girl pumped out. “Wait, you can fly?” was all he could find himself saying.

Mimi nodded vigorously, looking incredibly focused as her snakes started spinning. However no matter how hard she spun, she could not get off of the pile of plushies. “When I was with Dardar I could! Honestly!” Mimi pouted as she saw the amused looks on both Cynthia and John’s faces.

“Of course you did Mimi, we don’t doubt that at all,” Cynthia spoke with a smile. When Mimi smugly looked at John as a result of this, Cynthia slightly shook her head at John, then once more smiled and nodded at Mimi.

Mimi went back to playing with Toph and Jack after that, diving back into Cynthia’s pile of plushes.
“So, John, I forgot to ask, has the lady of snark given you a quest again today?” Cynthia asked as she returned to her crochetting.

“Yeah, it’s a silly thing, like most things with her.”

Hey!

He kinda has a point.

Aye, he does.

You two know I can beat you with my eyes closed right?

Aye.

Yup, doesn’t mean the boy isn’t right though”

John was about to yell at the gods to stop it when someone beat him to it.

Cernunos, Hemet, what do you think you are doing with my hunter? I don’t pay attention to Mr. Newman for two days, and you guys are swarming him like ants on honey? Cernunnos! You have an actual tournament to win! It’s not that I do not appreciate you throwing your time away, in fact I would prefer that you do. But if you are going to spend your time hounding a hunter, pick one of your own! And then you, Hemet! You told me you owe Mr. Newman a favour, then repay it and stay out of his hair. I don’t mind you taking a liking to one of my hunters, but do you really think that spamming him to **** with meaningless banter is any way to repay that favor? Did either of you think that distracting him is a great way to help him survive in the Abyss? You two realize he almost died yesterday, right?

The wall of text was not exactly what John expected. And then, it continued.

Mr. Newman, the others can not see this, well, except for Gaia, regardless. You chose to be a hunter in my name. I welcomed you, but you need to realize you are a very, very small cog in a very big machine. I hope yesterday’s encounter has shown you just how dangerous the world you have set foot in can be. I can understand you wanting to enjoy yourself with the skills you have been given. Though, do not let it get to your head. I expect you to make yourself a useful part of the organisation, the sooner, the better. You can have sex, you can have fun, but you are a Hunter, and I expect you to behave yourself like one. I doubt those two will be as active as they have been. Though knowing them, they will not stay fully quiet, nor should we expect them to. Now, go out and make me proud, Mr. Newman. Artemis.

“Well, I just saw something that was both scary and strangely sweet at the same time,” John mumbled as he scratched the back of his head.

“What’s that?” Cynthia asked, cocking an eyebrow at him.

“Nothing. I’m going out, going to do that quest now.” John waved the pets over, a pouting Mimi following them out of the pile of plush animals. “Mimi, I’m going to take Jack and Toph and go work for Artemis now, okay? They will be back later to play with you some more.”

Mimi nodded, giving Toph a lick and Jack a pat, then sat down on Cynthia’s lap, wiggling to get attention there.

“Take care, ok?” he said with a slight smile at Cynthia, but the moment he turned around his face became serious. He opened his quest window, looking at the quest Gaia had given him.

Daily quest
Level up 0/1
Level up a pet 0/1
Bonus: Level up two pets 0/2

Reward: 1 uncommon accessory
Bonus reward: 1 uncommon weapon

Nodding to himself, he patted Jack and Toph. “I guess that was my wake up call. I can muck about when I’m powerful enough to not die the moment someone ambushes me.”