First things first - I should scope out that eting location. Then maybe swing by the Oak Knot and gather my backpack of remaining things. After that, I can figure out how to live in a city where everyone else seems to know more about my situation than they should.
> Or maybe I should say a world that knows more than . Because the system and the Lunar Goddess surely both know way more than they are letting in on. <
In the case of the first ’person’... well, a day of silence without putting Tasks on my shoulders has not been the worst thing. For now, I had a new address that could be considered mine - and not wherever that mysterious person set up on my ID.
"Makes wonder if it doesn’t approve of my choice, though. Since it didn’t just give a sort of mission to do what I was going to do anyway this ti, did it?"
It could also be limited in how often it can offer them. I guess there’s not much point worrying about it, other than how it keeps from marching back in there and retrieving the phone. Actually...
> Maybe it would be smarter to just go without this ti. This person is clearly tracking with it and it would get rid of the temptation to read... ugh, right. The stupid thing is basically my key to get inside this building. <
My wolf huffs at my attempt to avoid the Alpha’s ssages. A closed door does not stop our werewolf quality hearing from noticing the chis of three ssages. Steeling myself as best as I can, I rush inside and quickly figure out how to silence notifications.
A quick fix, so that any new ones won’t break down my conviction. I need to start learning how to do that ’ignoring’ that I said I should do days ago.
⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖
I pulled open the door and imdiately noted how the space slled of coffee, juice, electronics in use, and... absolutely nothing supernatural. No werewolf scents and no heavy tallic tang of silver - just regular humans and their machines.
Rows of high-end monitors and computers casting blue-toned light across the faces of their users. Many of who were absorbed in whatever digital worlds they’d chosen to inhabit for the evening. The storefront itself promised [Gaming - Internet Cafe - Tech Support].
"Can I help you?"
A young man with elaborate tattoos covering both arms asked from behind the counter as I looked around. Seemingly because the other, older man working the kitchen area itself was elbowing him in the side repeatedly to get his attention.
"Just a juice to go, please. Whatever’s easiest is fine, I’m not picky. Just thirsty."
> I glanced at their online nu, and I really don’t feel like trying to rember all of those ga thed options. If it’s citrus, we’ll take a sip and toss the rest. <
While he seed to rack his brain at my open-ended order, I let my eyes wander back over the layout. Finding lots of open space that would make bolting for the exit easy enough. But the private rooms make a little nervous since they are on the farthest side
Vrika remained alert as I asked, picking up nothing that concerned the spirit. If this was a place already turned into a hunter’s trap, it was an elaborate one that involved an entire legitimate seeming business as cover.
"I think I’m going to just put you in for a Coconut Cooldown. Alright? That’ll be five bucks."
I handed over a twenty and told him to keep the change, earning a surprised smile. As I waited for him to return with a styrofoam cup and straw, I couldn’t help but watch the custors scattered throughout the space.
So were quietly working, others were taking a break for a al near where I was. But I was probably the only one in here that was just stopping by with plans to head right back out. Unlike the group that seed like they had been here a while and would be longer still.
Teenagers that were clustered around gaming stations at one end of the shop... with excited chatter punctuated by the rapid clicking of keyboards, controllers, and mice. They were playing sothing that involved teamwork.
> At least I hope that’s why that one is yelling at the other for a ’buff’ and requesting ’tighter rotations’... <
A hollowness ford in my chest as I watched them. When the endless winter of this apocalypse began, would places like this still exist in a year? Would there be ample electricity to power computers for leisure ti?
Community. Fun. This may be a higher tech version of it, but they are still the sort of simple necessary joys that children should have access to. Even as royalty, I was allowed - and made - to mingle with other young foxes.
Would the child I was carrying ever get to experience sothing as innocent as playing gas with friends? Or will it be only bleakness that awaits them as everything freezes.
"Here you go."
My spiral of dim thoughts was broken as the cup was place on the counter. I thanked him as I grabbed it and headed for the door, but not before taking one last look at the mix of teenagers.
> That’s what childhood should look like. Learning. Playing. Being safe. Safe enough to spend ti on things that don’t ultimately matter, just because they are fun. <
The city felt colder when I stepped back on the street - both evening air and chilled drink. I took a sip, the prickly bright hint of li made grimace... but the floral sweet of pineapple made hold off chucking the cup in the first trash container I passed.
Coconut was a creamy taste that cleansed at the tail end so of what might have been left lingering of the other two. Altogether it was enjoyable enough that I found myself draining it before discarding a few minutes later.
I’d been walking without a clear route, even if I knew my destination. Because every glimpse of normalcy made feel like I was carrying so terrible secret. One that would destroy all of that behavior for everyone.
> Because we do carry that information. We know what’s coming and they don’t. <
The understanding of that hit anew as I found myself turning onto a familiar street. Without intending to co by here at all. Ahead, I could see the signage for Silverton Won’s Health Clinic.
If even dical visits were becoming public knowledge in their social circles, continuing to see Dr. Lang here was too risky. I should probably cancel my follow-up appointnt at the clinic in the morning, even if that ant giving up prenatal care during a crucial ti.
"People had babies before doctors... and beasts know what their child needs. I’ll figure sothing out."
I turned away, annoyed by how things had just worked out like this. The way to get back on the quickest path to the Oak Knot was right here where I’d confird the pregnancy that was at the center of deceptions. Right where a set of rogues decided they would stalk after ...
> And Kyrie rushed to my rescue. Like a- <
Vrika’s sudden alertness made stand still. My wolf had detected sothing that made its hackles rise - even more than back then. Sothing that did not belong in this particular place. Didn’t belong in the city at all....
> Duskpaw. No... not just that. <
Chad.
Reviews
All reviews (0)