Just like Coco, Jacques was awestruck when she saw the sight that greeted her.
The mont they crossed the gates, Jacques’ sharp inhale was audible— her annoyed cloudy eyes widening as she took in the sight.
The city at night was breathtaking.
Before them stretched a cityscape that stole her breath away.
Twinkling lanterns hung between wood frad buildings, their golden light reflecting off fresh snowfall— several steam rose from food stalls where late-night vendors still conducted business, mingling with the laughter drifting from cozy taverns.
The light of the lanterns bathed the snow-dusted streets in a warm, golden glow, their light reflecting off the rooftops, that are covered with frost, and glittering storefronts.
It was a sight that made Jacques exhale shakily the most.
Not to ntion, the air was humming with laughter of adults and children, the scent of roasted chestnuts and spiced wine drifting from vendor stalls— it was completely different from the other cities and villages she had been in before.
People here walked around, wrapped in furs and embroidered cloaks, their breaths curling like smoke in the crisp air.
And Jacques stood utterly still, lips slightly parted in wonder.
Coco felt her lips tug upwards at the sight of her friend looking so awestruck because for once, Jacques wasn’t scowling or sarcastic or guarded or worried— she was just stunned.
"Geez.." Jacques breathed beside her, bright eyes wide with wonder.
The city’s glow illuminated her delicate features— the faint blush on her cheeks from the cold, the way her lips parted slightly in awe.
Coco felt her own heartbeat quicken at the sight of her beautiful friend.
Coco could only squeeze Jacques’ hand gently, leaning in to murmur with a cheeky smile. "Isn’t this place so different from Yogusho?"
Jacques didn’t argue and just stared, transfixed, at the winter wonderland before them because seriously? How can the city up north look so warm and welcoming with the frosty weather?
The city that stretched before them was like sothing out of a dream.
She turned to Coco, her voice suddenly hushed and feeling conscious of the stares that she had just felt that ca from the wagons behind them.
"What on earth is this place..?" The pink haired woman whispered, her hand squeezing Coco’s.
Coco laughed, the sound bright and unrestrained in the crisp night air, as she linked her arm with Jacques’, giving her an excited tug forward.
"I don’t know either!" She admitted cheerfully, not caring if she sounded dumb for her friend. "But this definitely has mama’s fingerprints all over it— why don’t we go over to her and ask?"
Without waiting for an answer, she tugged Jacques forward, the bottom of their boots crunching against the frosted ground as they hurried toward the older woman and the waiting carriage beside her.
The cold didn’t register to their system— not when the atmosphere around them pulsed with warmth, mystery, and magic.
Coco practically bounced with excitent as she pulled Jacques along towards her dearest mother, their hurried footsteps echoing through the enchanting city streets.
They skidded to a stop in front of her, with Coco slightly breathless and Jacques wide-eyed from the vibrant life around them.
Cleora’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Enjoying the view?" She mused, her voice laced with amusent.
Coco grinned and Jacques, who was still speechless, could only nod— who can even say sothing in this situation? The re sight of the happy people doing their own thing is different from the village she previously lived in!
Coco released Jacques’ hand, only for her friend to imdiately latch onto Cleora with surprising fervor.
Jacques bowed her head deeply, her fiery deanor softened by genuine awe and gratitude.
"Thank you so much." She breathed, voice uncharacteristically earnest and low. "For bringing and my husband here. This is.. Incredible."
Cleora blinked and was montarily caught off guard by the sudden display of gratitude— but then her expression softened, a maternal warmth flickering in her gaze as she reached out to gently pat Jacques’ head.
"There’s no need for thanks, child." She humd simply. "But I’m glad you’re enjoying it."
Coco watched, her chest swelling with fondness at the rare sight of Jacques showing such open appreciation towards her mother.
Sohow, this night just kept getting better.
Cleora continued to ruffle Jacques’ hair affectionately, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips before her gaze shifted to Coco.
"By the way, my love." She began, her voice dripping with honey— though the sharp tone didn’t escape Coco’s notice. "Do you know a cat nad Konoha?"
Coco blinked, but then, the casual question caused the girl’s face to lose color imdiately.
A mont of horrified realization flashed across her expression as the question hit Coco like a jolt of electricity, all the color draining from her face as a bolt of horror and realization slamd into her chest— her thoughts imdiately flickering to her familiar.
Oh no.. Coco thought, her heart dropping to her stomach.
She had completely forgotten about Konoha because of everything that had happened for the past couple of days.
Cleora observed the shift in Coco’s expression, her hand stilling in Jacques’ hair as she took in Coco’s horrified expression and with a slow exhale, she withdrew, folding her arms elegantly in front of her.
"So you do know her." Cleora mused, voice laced with disappointnt. "Well, that explains why the poor thing was hissing like a kettle."
Coco’s hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide with guilt.
"She was found tucked inside one of your traveling boxes— leapt out the mont my n tried moving them." Cleora stated, a disapproving look crossing her features.
Jacques gasped loudly, shoulders tensing. "Coco, you what—"
"Where is she?!" Coco exclaid, cutting Jacques off and wanting to lt into the ground from how disappointed she was at herself.
Cleora gestured toward the carriage with a sigh. "She’s sulking in the backseat."
Coco didn’t wait another second, she bolted toward the carriage, incoherent apologies already tumbling from her lips.
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