Hibernal 🔮💘 𝓕𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓾𝓷𝓮 𝓣𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓣𝓮𝓷𝓽 💔🔮

[Chele]

The job was less than two weeks away, yet she had so many questions. Much of what she was to do was left vague, but she did know that she was to be protecting the daughter of the villa owner. Amber eyes stared blankly forward while she used a knife to cut away a piece of apple. With the juices clinging to the side of the tool, she lifted it up to pop the apple slice into her mouth. Slowly, she chewed but stopped when there was a door that suddenly appeared in front of her roughly ten feet away. A thin brow rose as others walked past it without even taking notice. Her chewing would continue but far slower than it had initially been. After a few seconds, the door swung open.

Swallowing the bit of apple, she shrugged her shoulders causing red curls to shift and fall down her back. “Why not,” she muttered. The apple was tossed over a fence toward the pigs that snorted and sniffed only to squeal at their small snack. She wiped the sides of the knife on the side of dark brown doeskin pants that covered the outside of her calf then pushed the blade into its sheath that hung on her belt. With a push to her feet, she languidly moved toward the open door and stepped inside. As she did, she heard the door shut behind her with a click. “Huh,” she said without much enthusiasm.

The dusty streets and cheap stone and plaster buildings were out of sight and out of mind. Instead, she stood in a tent. The dirt was even different. Her left booted foot toed at the dirt while her eyes trailed along the top of the tent. “Pretty fancy,” she mused. Sera wasn’t used to the finer things, though whether it was considered something finer wasn’t exactly on her mind. She’d let her gaze dip back down to eye level so it could scan in front of her. “Tell me I lucked out and got magically teleported to a nicer life,” she said quietly. The redhead could be hopeful, but she doubted that she was correct. Taking on a new life didn't seem so bad, all things considered.

No longer having to spend her days playing guard to travelers wouldn't be the worst thing to happen. Maybe a life where heavy concentration wasn't involved. Or just not being a glorified babysitter; wouldn't that be nice? Hands still sticky from the juices of the apple were pushed down the sides of her legs to attempt to rid them of that stickiness. At least she would be doing wash later that day. Unless ...

 

[GremlinSage]

Another chill runs fown Aimi's spine as she listens to the words spoken, somewhat cryptic and yet there's no denying how close to the mark that they hit. Her eyes widen nearly imperceptively as the shadows, gentle and yet chilling, brush a few rebellious strands of hair from her eyes. A part of her was sunk and she knew it. She had always been far too curious for her own good, even as a catfolk.

Before she can open her mouth to respond, the ruckus of the ducks making their exit temporarily steals her attention, her gaze shifting, albeit reluctantly, from the woman in front of her to the exit. She catches a glimpse of ruffling feathers, feathers that seemed an odd color for a duck, but before her mind can fully process many details, they were gone.

Blinking in a mixture of amusement and a bit of confusion, she shifts her attention back to Cordelia, the corners of her lips curving up ever so slightly in the hint of a smile. She should stand up and walk away, never looking back. It was most likely the wisest of options. There was something wrong with this place, something she couldn't quite put a paw on... But she had never been one to listen to her more logical side.

"Well," she softly purrs, "you know what they say about cats and curiosity... If I were to leave, would I be able to find this place again? I don't recall ever seeing this tent aside from today and, well... I'd hate for you to be reduced to a memory so soon..."

Cordelia

.

.

If only her smile could curl in the same way the Cheshire cat's did...

For Cordelia, it was a shame. She wouldn't be allowed to keep the neko, nor would it live very long if it stayed with her. Besides, one of these pests might take Aimi just to save her.

Cordelia feigned a quiet, sorrowful hum, giving a slow wave of her hand over the table. The bones slid obediently into place near her fingers.

"Unfortunately, kitten," She murmured, "the likelihood of finding this place again after leaving is... extraordinarily slim."

Cold shadows spilled across the cloth, dimming the scattered shapes until only pale fragments remained visible. Cordelia studied them with a softened expression, almost tender, and far more dangerous.

"The bones are kind to you," she said at last.

A pause.

"They say you will be loved for a very long time." Her gaze lifted to Aimi's face. "Long enough to grow restless." Quieter now, "Long enough to wonder what might have happened if you had stayed somewhere you shouldn't."

The shadows receded with a slow breath, as though the tent itself had exhaled despite the chaos surrounding them.

Her smile returned, indulgent. "But curiosity doesn't always kill the cat," she added softly. "Sometimes... it simply sends her home." Cordelia nudged the bones into stillness with one finger, the sound barely a whisper.

"Go back to the one who is waiting for you, before this place remembers how much it likes you."

With a final cant of her head, Cordelia's smile widened again, "And if you do find this tent again someday..." Green eyes glimmered faintly, "...come in quietly."

 

[MioBrave]

Max takes a deep breath, adjusting the strap of his guitar case on his shoulder. Amber eyes blink up at the massive tent in front of him, then they flick down to the flier in his hand. The Downtown Fair and Festival. Precarious rides. Concessions that are too sweet, too salty, too greasy or some combo of the three. Games which are certainly rigged. All made complete with the addition of a fortune tellers’ tent.

Now the freckled red head just needs to get up the nerve to go in. ‘Come on Maxie. It’s not like you’re directly confessing to the guy. You’re just here for some insight from a complete stranger. Or just a boost of courage. Something like that.’ He takes a deep breath, the flier crumpling in his hand a little as he braces himself.

The flap rustles a hello as he brushes inside. The young man’s eyes go wide as he takes it all in. This is certainly a lot more than he was expecting. A pug sporting denim. Duck in unnatural colors. Purple smoke and smiling shadows. He nearly stumbles as a woman with rich magenta skin passes by him. ‘What is this place?’

He tentatively steps forwardly, head swiveling as he tries to figure out where to even go in here. He feels rather basic and plain. He isn’t roughed up. No weapons. No magic. No scars or deep backstory. He’s just a plain human in worn jeans, a band tee and a hoodie with far too many tears from the years. Shoot, even his possible questions are basic. He just wants help confessing to the cute barista at the café he often plays at.