I turned to find a woman watching with interest in her dark eyes. Taller than I, with dark brown, almost black hair styled and cut just past her ears.
She wore a blue outfit best described as ’native’, thanks to this body’s limited mories, with a pattern resembling the shape of water droplets etched on the dyed soft leather. As well as frills and plentiful turquoise beads.
It wasn’t my style, but I was quite intrigued by finding such a different type of clothing than I’ve seen people wearing throughout the city. A subtle longing built that sothing cut and shaped more like what I’m used to from my world... may yet exist in this one.
"Yes, first visit. Is it that obvious?"
"Only to those of us who work here. No one else is paying attention with their noses in their own business."
She replied with a smile to my own forcibly pleasant expression - and I feel like I’ve finally gained a worthy opponent. Neither of us revealed anything about what we were really thinking of each other.
"I’m Ellie Rushwater, one of the... managers of this operation. Looking for sothing specific?"
"ATM. I seem to be going in circles."
"They’re toward the back in our establishnt, not the most intuitive location, I understand. I can show you if you’d like."
While I preferred avoiding more interaction with a mber of a pack I know nothing about, choosing to wander the floor alone again with only that small bit of direction would seem strange.
"That would be helpful, thank you."
"Right this way."
When she turned, I noticed that the front and sides of her hair may be short... but the rear has kept a length that moves toward the middle of her back. Bound together at the base of her nape into a single low ponytail.
> Reminds of a panther shifter I t in the palace once. Why pick only one tail when there could be two? I don’t understand other won sotis. <
Leading the way with confident strides and no strong wariness to makes think of that big cat even more. She occasionally greeted other staff mbers as we passed - a mix of humans and Ogas, from what I can tell.
At least none of them struck my Intuition as using scent blockers... however accurate that feeling may be at these distances. I followed a couple steps behind her, very aware of the unsubtle assessnts her comrades were giving .
Which suggests that she is at least a moderately important mber of their pack.
"Visiting Vossden?"
"Recently arrived."
"Business or pleasure?"
"Personal matters."
She nodded without ever looking back, untroubled by my short answers. It’s actually starting to annoy how like that person she is!
"Well, the city has a lot to offer beyond the usual tourist attractions in this district. Depending on what you’re looking for."
We eventually passed through an archway into a section much quieter in both sound and lights. None of the machines with their colors and flashes ant to excite humans were here.
Closed rooms were guarded by large n, so of them werewolves. Happenstance led to one such door opening, providing a short glimpse of several individuals wearing dark glasses indoors focused intently on their card ga.
Along the far wall stood a row of ATMs, exactly as described in the online reviews. I might have found this place eventually, but truthfully I feel better about being led here by soone officially... with all these eyes on .
"Here we are. Take your ti and let know if you need anything else."
I murmured a thanks while dipping my head and approached the first machine, aware that she hadn’t truly moved far away. It seed to that typical protocol would be to leave after providing directions with the person not asking them to wait.
Yet this woman lingered, clearly still interested in my presence and purpose. Opening the black clutch - out of her line of sight - I pull out Kyrie’s white bank card and slide it in the machine quickly.
Tapping the on screen withdrawal option and entering the maximum amount. The machine whirred briefly before dispensing ten crisp $50 bills. Before I was finished placing them inside the purse and starting a second transaction, the woman’s voice called out to .
"That’s an interesting hairstyle you wear. Not typical for Vossden. Really not that typical of anywhere except... you know."
I kept my expression blank even though I was actually incredibly curious what she ant! The stylist suggested it would look childish, but are there other adults that use this sowhere?
"I’ve worn it this way for so ti."
"If you don’t mind my asking, how did a Duskpaw that only recently went rogue get tied up in that sort of world already?"
> What sort of world does she an? Is she just feeling out with targeted phrases? <
"I’ve left that connection completely behind, so if you want to call a rogue that is fine. But please do not associate at all with that pack. They are no family of mine anymore."
The woman raised an eyebrow before studying with a heightened interest.
"Strong feelings. I respect that. It’s just not often I see soone enter this particular lifestyle... without connections. Who got you started?"
I continued to press the buttons to begin retrieving a second set of $500. Ellie seems to be the opposite type to ... speaking things so veiled that I can hardly understand what she is trying to say at all.
anwhile, even if I’m lying I am usually quite direct. Which is why I really want to just co out and ask what ’lifestyle’ was she even referring to - if only my pride would stop from pursuing this as a social ga.
"Who says I needed anyone’s permission to start?"
"Hmm... those who frequent the back rooms of our smaller establishnt often have rather specific tastes and expectations. Your look right now certainly fits the bill, but I have to wonder how far you’ve let yourself go. Are you a... maniac?"
Her emphasis on the last word made sothing quite uncomfortable settle in my stomach. I didn’t want to think it was possible, but has she been implying what I think she is?
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