Demons are Nice People

Astro and Midna head back down the path. Astro realizes he still has his hand on Midna's back. They both pull away, embarrassed. They keep walking but are stopped by a larger group of bunny-people holding similar sticks. They crowd around Astro and start hissing.

Midna pushes through them to stand next to Astro. Her spear appears in her hand, and she slams it on the ground. The bunnies stop hissing and stare at her, wide-eyed.

"Now you listen to me, bunnies," Midna pauses to give them a stern look, "Yes, Astro is a demon. Yes, many demons do horrible things,"

Astro crosses his arms, nodding.

"But we have no right to judge everyone, especially when we do not know them. I will admit that I have been rude to him. My own prejudices got the best of me, and I hope he can forgive me. His presence alongside me as actually been quite...nice... "

Midna smiles at Astro, and he smiles back.

"I instill patience and understanding into all of you," Midna raises her spear, and the soft glow of golden dust falls over the bunnies, "And next time you catch the smell of a demon, use rosemary. Takes the smell right out."

The bunny-people go back to their adorable demeanor and move out of the way to let Astro and Midna through. They all wave, and Astro waves back.

They step out from the forest, back into the field. Astro pulls out the Illiartite stone and rubs it on his hand, the residue making his hand grow purple, "Hold still."

Astro puts his hand on Midna's shoulder, "Wha-"

The purple glow envelopes them, and they're back in the tavern.

"It was that easy? Why didn't you do it like that before?"

Astro shrugs, "Pentagrams are more fun."

Midna rolls her eyes and looks around the tavern, the worn tables and chairs show the age of the establishment, and the dark and cozy atmosphere make her feel safe.

Astro picks up his towel and continues to clean the bar like ever nothing happened. Midna watches him and stands awkwardly.

"I accept your apology," Astro says.

"Oh yes, yes. I may have been...a little mean…" Midna says.

"I'm just so nice, huh?"

"Be quiet. I just didn't want them to kill you."

"Oh yeah, horrible little bunnies."

Midna huffs and turns away. Astro stops cleaning and throws the towel over his shoulder. He pulls the stone out once more, "Here," he sets the stone on the counter, "Insert in into your spear and it'll take you wherever you need to go,"

Midna carefully looks at the stone, "I-I can't take this…"

"No games, no dark magic. Remember how nice I am?"

Midna picks it up slowly, "Thank you, Astro,"

Astro smiles, "And if you ever need a drink, The Rare Cherry is always open,"

Midna puts a hand on her chest, "Alcohol? Oh, sweet heavens…"

"Okay...okay...we have uh...soda...and...coffee?"

"Ugh, caffeine? That stuff is horrible for you,"

"Fine. Fine. We have water. Sin-free water. And if you're feeling frisky I'll put a lemon in it."

Midna giggles, "I'll think about it."

They stay in silence, avoiding eye contact with each other.

"Well uh...I gotta go…" Midna says.

"Oh yeah, the children,"

"Yeah...see you around?"

"Sure."

Midna taps her spear on the ground, the golden glow taking her form once more. She disappears, and Astro stays smiling until an ogre stumbles out from the bathroom and throws up on the floor, "Oh come on!"