The morning dawned slowly with a pale sun rising and Tabitha was already wide awake cause the day had finally come. She gathered trinkets and knowledge for the last couple of years for this moment. She would finally open her shop. She would help the people in her town with her craft. That was her dream and now its about to come true. She grew up in a small town in the mountains and tabitha found her calling when one day a traveller passed through this town. An old woman who travelled alone but looked anything but frail and defenseless, she was journeying the mountains to gather ingredients for potions. Til that day Tabitha never saw a real witch, she heard stories of them and depictions, but none of them came close to describe what soon would be her first teacher in the arts of magic.

Many years passed since that moment, but she's as determined as the little girl that snuck away at night to take another glimpse at this mysterious woman that just radiated this new exciting sensation called magic.

The small mountain town started to get busy as well now and Tabitha already draws attention from various townsfolk. old people that know of the power of witches and seek their help, adults that are misjudging her craft as dark arts, but most importantly, the attention of a little girl that can't explain why she feels so attracted to this mysterious woman and just feels what she later will know as magic as well.

Tabitha’s daily work would consist of making tinctures for elderly people for their warts and arthritis, a few farmers that ask for a potent fertilizer for their crops and occasional visits of concerned righteous townsfolk who frown upon her witchcraft. That clientele was to be expected in the beginning, but after the first month, her vision of an exciting life being a witch, started to crumble.

If it weren’t for Casey, the daughter of the tailor. Her visits are the highlight of her days. Casey tries to sneak in and watch the young witch unnoticed - without much success tho - but Tabitha always plays surprised and let her watch. All with her father’s consent. After the first time Casey showed up on her doorstep, she walked her home and had a talk with him. He was almost apologetic for her intrusion. Casey’s mother died young and he can’t work and watch vigilantly over her daughter. Tabitha suggested Casey can visit any time she wants and she will teach her one or two things to keep her occupied. He knew he couldn’t stop Casey even if he wanted to, so he was glad she would be in good hands.

The witch's apprentice Casey would still come to Tabitha every day. But the practises and work she got introduced to didn't seem all that magical. When Tabitha noticed Casey's disappointment she got an idea what would spark her interest. She knows that the basics of any trade can be dry and boring. But without them witchcraft can be lethal to her and others.

So when she brought Casey home for the day, she consulted her familiar Nathaniel. He'd rather not show himself around kids due to bad experiences with the less evolved humans as he would say it. But he can sense Casey's potential too and trusts Tabitha that the kid is mature enough.

And so come tomorrow when Casey entered the witch's house, she was greeted by her familiar. A Stoat with ashen fur sitting on the table and fetching ingredients for the witch.

Casey was fascinated with Nathaniel. Tabitha explained to her that he is her familiar. A companion and guide in the magical and ethereal works or witches. So many questions ran through Casey's head but the loudest were if she could get her own companion and if she could pet the stoat.

Tabitha chuckled at first, but explained that it is possible to form a bond with a familiar. But the familiar chooses the witch. And about the pets, Casey has to ask permission from Nathaniel not her.

Casey was surprised to hear that he can talk. She believed talking animals only to be found in fables and fairytales. Of course Nathaniel would point out to her that such tales won't do him justice as he has far more knowledge to offer than morals and vague lores. He allowed her to pet him as he could tell she was more interested in this answer right now, than any other wisdom he had to offer. Tabitha continued explaining what would be necessary to form a bond and Casey listened carefully while petting a pleased stoat on her lap.

After a few weeks of internalizing the vocations and rituals needed to summon a familiar, Casey was excited to finally being able to form a bond. She told her father about it as soon as she came home the first day after she met Nathaniel. He wasn't sure if she would be ready for a pet, but after hearing the familiar wouldn't need to be fed and acts more as a guardian, he thought it might not be such a bad idea. The craft of a witch is tied with dangers and a protector would make him feel more at ease. He had only one concern as it shouldn't be too big an animal to not draw too much attention and to not take too much space in their already tiny, cramped house.

Casey already looked forward to tomorrow as she would finally call for her own familiar. She almost couldn't sleep, but thinking of all the possibilities of birds and cats and whatnot, she fell asleep with all sorts of animals on her mind.

Tabitha expected her apprentice to come in early. What she didn't expect was Casey already sitting in her shop before sunrise, every corner dusted, the shop stocked up and set up and everything for the summon readied, only awaiting her teacher to watch over her. So Casey began and after every step getting more excited, until she finished the ritual with no familiar showing up. The disappointment was clearly visible in her face, as she went through the ritual in her head again. Tabitha was surprised as well, since she did everything correct and showed so much potential in magical crafts.

But the summon was a success as there was a large canine sitting outside waiting to be let in.