***
Panting, hiding in the dark as she tried desperately to gather both appearance and wits about her. Calypso felt oddly nostalgic for what was once the worst period of her life.
The skeletal monster girl tried not to move so much, as she realized that she was in a bush. She didn’t know how far she was from “civilization” until the muffled folksy music and streams of conversation flowed between her ears.
She softly dragged her dainty fingers across the brim of her cloak. As easy and freeing as having the ability to essentially coast into the very night itself, Calypso felt herself… Slowly being swallowed by that darkness. It was getting harder and harder to maintain control, and equally disarming because this method completely didn’t show up using the ‘Shroud normally.
There’s also the fact that she’s trying in vain to maintain her human face. Making it the tenth thing she had to have swirling in her mind. Considering she hasn’t gotten more insane so far, Calypso now believes that she’s “smart”. At least in the sense of having so much brain capacity to even blink.
With a stifled breath, Calypso ripped the cloak away to dispel it, reconstituting into her shadow. She did her best to creep silently in her shrubbery cover, thankful for the noise pollution canceling out every twig she got caught on or snapped, for being clumsy.
Calypso managed to find a big enough hole out of the series of bushes, patiently climbing out of the open onto her hands and knees. Making sure that her dress wasn’t caught in the mess, and clearing any noticeable leaves, smears or dirt on the surface of it, Calypso rose in the shade of the night. Simply, if not typically stiffly regarding her, reacclimated with humanity by shamelessly walking on the tan brick pathway to her destination.
It was odd, seeing all of this as intended. Versus on the rooftops, salivating at the prospect of eating the denizens as they marched down this lane.
“Grand Standing Plaza”, they called it. Styled in Colonial Revival architecture, Calypso found herself in a massive circle—surrounded by massive buildings that served as the town’s federal district. These buildings had crowns, they had pillars—they had clocks perched on top in the center of the structure, smooth, flat steps that led up to the openings of said structures. Standing on these bronze-textured bricks, all coalescing into this simple mural of the town’s insignia. Complete with a rushing fountain in the center of it all.
As she stares at the beauty of the water cascading from the top of the spout, to the flow reaching the pool, Calypso walked around the foundation. Looking at the grand prize.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
A High Gothic Revival piece. A building that was majestic, truly earning the title of being the Town Hall. White trimmings and crests that were sculpted beautifully around and held together the orange brick that made the structure strong. Stain-glass windows that accented the four spires that donated each part of the halls. With the high, sturdy tower that overlooked the town itself, complete with a massive clock that was glowing yellow in the night.
Calypso stood before its magnificence, as everyday people walked around her. Entering the building, to the Founding Festival. To their possible deaths.
With a deep breath, the skeletal monster girl steeled herself. She was ready.
“Heeeeeey~!”
What she wasn’t ready for, was being pulled in with such vapid yet potent strength, Calypso meeped out as she was pulled in.
Of course, Calypso’s mind raced to figure out who would do this—and so brazenly… While she hadn’t seen this person in a good while in their first and then-only meeting, she realized who it was by the huge smile alone.
The dress was too good for her. It softly glittered, white, with so many flourishes that one would think would way down the gown. To heavily contrast the simple blonde hair that was down, wild bang that had a cowlick upward. The makeup barely covered the smug, self-assured expression as Hanna continued to grin at Calypso, wrangled her in a one-armed bear hug.
“Calypso Grimes, awesome last name! No one could forget both the name—and that hair, haha! It’s been a bit girl—and here I thought I came on too…”
Surprisingly for Calypso, she saw Hanna’s smile falter in real-time. An eyebrow raised, she slowly let the skeletal monster girl go. A genuine expression of concern on this vain girl’s face.
“Hey, uh… It’s none of my business if you don’t want it to be but uh erm… You look kinda ragged… You alright?”
Calypso laughed, so fake and short as she closed her eyes and felt her own cheek. “R-really? I-I guess that’s how nervous I am, haha…”
Once Calypso opened her eyes, she continued to not believe what she’s seeing. Hanna had her head tilted, her lips pursed in thought. Her brow furrowed in confusion, and her eyes searched Calypso up and down.
“It’s just that you’re sweating and look exhausted… Look, I can—I can walk to you a first aid thing if you’re feeling sick and junk—no bullshit or again, explanations—”
“Trust me—it’s just my nerves is all…” Calypso forced the conversation, then added a shaky breath for added measure. “Y-you know how it is, for-for a girl like me…”
Hanna let loose a very deep huff. Calypso didn’t know how to read that, but still kept the image she was building up regardless.
“Trust me…” Hanna smirked a bit. “They’re just people in there—they’re not out to get you. In fact, the creeps in there are too rich and sheltered to know what to do if they ever get you—Y’know, tell ya’ what…”
Hanna wrapped an arm around Calypso, the skeletal monster girl stiffening in response for an added bonus, “I’ll walk you in. We’ll be jointed to the hip, hell—first stop’s the refreshments table so we can get some sugar in you. And if this place blows? I’ll walk you out! Sounds good~?”
Calypso’s smile squirmed on her face. To Hanna, it was another example of how nervous this gal is. But in reality, Calypso was fucking fuming at the fact she was more or less trapped. Trapped, on a time table, with her friends currently MIA and the vain hope that they’ll make their cues.
But nevertheless…
“Sure… I’ll like that…”