The sun had slowly begun setting and people were starting to get off work. Sitting on uneven rocks by the local park, she held a cup of coffee in her soft hands. In the distance, she witnessed parents wearing casual attire picking their children up after work and in the far background, a pair of youths walking past.
"There's someone sitting by the rocks alone dude! What is that style she's wearing!? Is she homeless? Her veil seems pretty long!"
"Right? Her dress is kind of rugged and filled with unnatural holed patterns, don't you think?" Unbothered by their chatter as they strolled along, she continued sipping the dark coffee.
"Slurp.. It's bitter.." Trying her best to finish the cup, it proved rather difficult. Taking a look around the neighbourhood from above, most buildings were made up of red bricks. The architectural designs of Stockholm were old dating back to the early 1900's compared to Tokyo. In comparison, high rising structures were almost not present at all deep within the city.
"I didn't have much luck in Japan.. Although I finally got my first customer, hehe.." Giggling to herself, it seemed that she finally managed to score a hit. Although the fleeting sense of satisfaction all became short lived. Sitting still, the winds carrying leaves kept scurrying forward, during which countless images she saw flooded in. Of which, one such fate kept her mind pondering.
"Shinano Yukihime huh.. On that day.. Against all odds, your life will be all but.." Closing her eyes momentarily, it closely resembled a prayer..
"..." Almost hoping for a miracle.
Shortly thereafter, she began gulping the coffee down at an alarming rate.
"A tragic fate waiting to befall.." Sipping the last drops of an empty cup, she finally finished her cup of coffee, the long ends of her veil moved to grab the cup and throw it into the bin. Standing up looking onto the horizon, she steeled her tenacity.
"I hope I'll get more customers soon." Holding her hands together, she closed her eyes and prayed once more into the sky.
…
As the moon fell, the scorching sun once again began to rise. Shining its bright lights through the large tinted windows, she found herself leaning on the wall, blinded 6 am in the morning heading towards an event.
"Heaughh.." The seats certainly are more spaced out compared to those on a Japanese bullet train, uh huh. Not to mention the frequent 4 blue seated compartments. Two lined up against each other alongside two more opposite to another. Most definitely not as space efficient as the ones on a bullet train..
"Sigh.. Then again, I'm comparing a commuter train to a premium travel experience.." Thinking out loud early in the morning. One of many habits she inherited after awakening. One of these resulting in not being especially strong during the early waking hours..
"Nästa station, Kista. Next station is Kista."
"Oh? We're here. I almost fell back asleep" Stepping out from the right pair of sliding doors. She made use of her smartphone for navigation. Although the phone appeared to have issues giving her proper directions. Shaking the phone several times, it didn't yield any meaningful change.
"Why's the device so messy? Is it jammed or something?" Eventually forfeiting the meaningless struggle, she decided to broaden her views and ask a bystander for directions instead.
"Uh, excuse me.." Lightly tapping the stranger's shoulder, his build would suggest that of someone that neither was malnourished nor overfed. Turning around quickly and putting away one earphone, he stared momentarily before responding.
"Ja?" For a moment, she froze. Unable to interpret the foreign language resonating in her sensitive ears.
"Ah.. Sorry- I mean.. För-loå?" Trying her best by responding in broken Swedish, quickly followed by an overcoming sense of shame. It didn't appear to be working in any lesser manner.
"Förlåt..? Oooh.. We can speak English if you're unfamiliar with Swedish." She let out a heavy sigh of relief, although if this was any indication of her interactions concerning Swedes, she wasn't looking forward to future encounters.
"Thank you, kind stranger." Evidently locking back in after her initial hiccup, it was finally followed up by the main purpose of their conversation.
"I was wondering if you knew a route to a comic convention here in Kista? It was called Comic-Convention." She held her veil up towards the clear sky, locking eyes with him indicating assistance.
"Oh, you mean Comic-con? If you follow the paved road ahead of us, you'll eventually reach a tunnel. You'll recognize it by the unique graffiti, pass under it and turn left. On the other side, the main building should be there. It's large and primarily made of a lot of windows. You'll recognize it as it stands out from the surrounding buildings"
"Okay. Thank you once again." Bowing her head slightly, they awkwardly nodded to one another in silence, during which he waved his hand to indicate it wasn't a big deal. Smiling in lieu, she asked one last question.
"What's your name?"
"Ness. Sans Ness"
"You have a beautiful name. May fate guide you towards a satisfactory conclusion. Goodbye." Waving her hand that had once held her veil up before walking through the appointed path, their albeit short but endearing encounter had come to an end. To which, she ascertained the necessary information of Comic-cons location.
"..."
In the distance, standing on top of a building, her dark crimson hair fluttered by the wind's will. Beneath the mask that neither resembled human or animal, her eyes are enchanted by the arrival of an interesting individual carrying a veil, hiding her abilities.
"Hoh.. This might be worth our time. Don't you think so as well?" Alongside, stood her most valuable marionette, devoid of expression.
Without answering back, he stared, uninterrupted by her question.
12:30 PM.
"...Hm. Is nobody interested in fortune telling at all?" I've been idly sitting by my booth for hours now and not a single customer has shown any interest at all! Every ten minutes or so, somebody will walk by and give a quick glance before hurrying away..
At first I didn't mind due to the thought that eventually, anyone around this massive crowd would take a seat.. Yet my break is coming up soon.. Could it be.. Because of my outfit..? Everyone in the convention around me seems to be wearing some kind of cosplay. It varies from famous inhibitors, games, movies, shows, animes and to be honest, it's very intriguing.
Or could it maybe be because of the way I set up my stall as well..? I only managed to set up a small table with a navy blue blanket alongside a deck of tarot cards spread out.. Compared to my neighbouring peers, who's booths showcase their works accompanied by prices.. Listings.. Custom commissions.. And much more.. Not to mention how much more vibrant the back is as well! They have banners and posters.. Meanwhile I've only managed to set up a small tent behind me..
"How embarrassing.." Burying my head in sorrow was my only option for now..
But that's besides the main point. If it keeps going like this, I'll bankrupt myself soon! Why won't someone like Shinano Yukihime be so open-minded..
…
"Acho!" Did it suddenly get colder?
"Are you alright Yukihime, dear? Did you catch a cold from our trip in Tokyo?
"I would hope not?"
…
"And just come sit down!" As I loudly exclaimed my struggles, it only appeared to have scared away even more people.
"Maybe it's the tent after all.. Perhaps it gives off some kind of evil energy.."
Continuing my own self deprecating sob of words. My break eventually came around, nevertheless due to not getting any work. My stomach had not uttered a single word. Maybe I'll sample a small cup of soba on the other side.. Were the only thoughts as I kept wandering around peeking at various stalls.
I've only attended a handful of conventions back when I was younger. My parents used to take me with them, since they were huge fans of comic media and animated shows. I admit though, the scale and popularity of these conventions have drastically changed since. Large tech companies have set up their own large booths, not to mention a heap of independent artists and even idols performing on the main stage in the building's center..
"It could even be heard from here." I paused briefly, staring towards the general direction of the show that had just begun. This would prove to be my fatal mistake, as the crowds started moving faster. Most likely in an attempt to witness the live performance.
"Wow there's so many people..! Eugh.. It's hard to move in this mess! Hey, stop shoving me!" Finding it increasingly suffocating to move around in the enormous crowd, I quickly tried to path myself into the sidelane to catch my breath.
"Ah.. The light of freedom.." Just as I reached my hand out in an extremely exaggerated manner, I felt a light but moving force hitting me, knocking me off balance.
"Guh!"
"Guh.."
Turning my head right, I saw a mature foreign face falling beside me in the same direction. Which would appear to be forward.
Before I had managed to notice, the ends of my veil were now in front of my face, and instead of a painful floor, it felt soft?
"Oh no. Did I just.." During the freefall, I must have instinctively controlled my veil to cushion my landing.. Dammit.
Turning around disappointed whilst glancing to my left, the foreign person was even luckier. Their partner seemed to have caught them just in the nick of time. Although, something about his plain expression felt off putting.. His emerald eyes felt devoid of life.. Furthermore, his white hair had a long yellow bang. Was he cosplaying someone with a Cosmo Nebulae? But I don't recognize who he's trying to represent at all.
Nonetheless, that wasn't the highest of my concerns as of this moment.. Did they see my veil moving unnaturally? After a brief moment of staring at them, they stared back. I'd be rude if I didn't utter a word at this point..
"Are you okay..?" I quietly ushered.
"Wh–t I –A–t h-E–r –U–!" What? I can't understand a single word. No, rather, I can't hear what they're trying to say.
"Eugh!" Suddenly, a debilitating pain hit my front lobe. Their mask began spinning, as did the crowd besides us. What an odd feeling.. My brain almost feels chained to some unknown force..
"Hey! Are you alright!?" Woah! Their voice feels clear now and nothing's spinning anymore? I'm already back to normal?
"Yeah.. I'm okay. Thanks for asking." It was only for a brief moment, but I snapped back now. What an unusual feeling.
"I'm glad you're alright. And thanks for saving my wallet!"
"Your wallet?" I don't have your wallet though? I couldn't have picked it up whilst I was falling did I?
"Do I have your wallet?" Was the brief sentence I murmured as I continued looking around.
"Your long veil has it. It was a lucky catch while flying out from my pocket. Look behind you." Lo' and behold, once again, without noticing, the ends of my veil had accidentally caught something. Resting near perfectly on the palm of my veils ends, their thick leather wallet laid, unscathed from a potential rumble by the masses had it fell into the crowd.
"Wow.. I do in fact, have your wallet." Gently picking it up and handing it back over to the rightful owner, this day has not only failed to attract customers, it may even have cut my life in half..
"Grab my hand. I'll help you up."
"Right, thanks.." As I got up, the embarrassment almost became unbearable. I'd just have to hope, I don't encounter them again in the future.
Although.. A real dilemma is that they've most likely seen my ability work now. It won't just pass as an odd excuse of a cosplay gimmick now. This could turn out bad if I'm not careful.
"By the way.." The unknown individual's hand suddenly grabbed onto my left shoulder. Their mood shifted abruptly.
"Yes..?" I nervously answered back. For some reason I can't explain it, but their presence alone makes me uncomfortable. It almost doesn't feel real. Their aura, or rather, energy doesn't feel normal in a sense. Almost completely distorted by some unknown factor.
"Are you by chance a fortune teller?" It's uncanny. Can no one else around me feel it? Could it be that their wave resonance can't detect it? Similar to me disguising mine.
"Ah, yes. How did you know?" For now, the best course of action would be to tread carefully around those two.
"Wow! I've always wanted to have my fortune read by someone like you, miss!" Her voice was extremely excited, compared to the man standing behind her whose expression didn't change at all. He's standing completely still as well, with no movements wasted.
Is he a doll?
"Haha, thanks.." I couldn't get my hopes up, despite someone showing interest in my fortune telling. A part of my body keeps repeating the same words. Danger. Get away, fast.
"Would you be so kind to guide us to your booth and read us a fortune, miss?" Now of all times?
But wait.. They might not be here tomorrow. It might be an opportune moment to call it quits for today.
"Sorry, I'm currently on break, and I'm likely looking to close down for today soon. Unfortunately-"
"You're short on customers aren't you? I saw your booth completely empty earlier today. Wouldn't it be a win-win for both of us~?" Their grip tightened around my shoulder. Earlier the touch around my shoulder felt soft and slightly inviting, instead it had now transformed into stinging pain that began slowly mounting. Are they trying to threaten me?
This can't be any good if it continues.
As the crowds stampede continued on our sides, we both stood in silence. One eagerly awaiting their predetermined answer. And me, who had no choice but to comply.
I let out an audible sigh. I'll get this done quickly and get out of this country tomorrow.
"My, I'm always so happy to have a new customer interested in my fortune telling. Follow me, right this way. Ma'am?" As I began walking towards my stall, the pair behind me followed closely, as to not get lost amidst the evergrowing crowd.
"That's right, the name is Lycoris. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Amomori Lucia."
"Right.." How does she know my real name?