[MAKE-A-MELUSINE] - A hot new product has hit the market and it's selling out quick! Customizable Melusine plushies for yourself or for a friend, and you can even dress them up! (for an extra charge, of course.)
there had been a child here only a moment ago.
kaveh couldâve sworn it was soâthe cyan-colored plushie in his hand is all the proof he needs. and more: it sports the tiny, pink cardigan heâd helped them pick out, the one heâd so carefully added pockets to at their request.
( a clientâs instructions are always to be taken seriously, after all. )
but they're gone now. most likely swallowed up by the crowd or plucked by a parent.
he stands there, somewhat awkwardly. eyes scan the throngs of people in front of him, searching for a way to pass off the toy. then, at last, kaveh spots anotherâhe assumesâyoungster.
âexcuse me,â he calls out, voice tentative.
he steps closer, raising the hand not holding the plushie in a friendly wave. then, with a slight shake of the item, he tries to catch her attention.
âwould you like this? it's in need of a good home."
The voice that calls to her is as careful as they come, retreating inward like a receding tide. Bailu catches it with pointed ears, turning curiously to meet its owner: a blonde man who gives her a small wave. She has to crane her neck up to maintain proper eye-contact, before aligning her gaze with the Melusine plush that he wiggles ever so slightly. The Healer Lady blinks, a bit owlish. Then she realizes why she's being treated as gingerly as she is. She pouts.
"Huh? I'm not as young as you think!" she says, a bit indignant, though her huffiness is softened by the way she hasn't stopped looking at the Melusine in his hand. Teal skin and a pink cardiganâthat was cute, she'll admit. Melusine were always cute. And he was offering the doll so freely, so sweetly. Surely even end-of-life Vidyadhara would hate to say no?
Something in her stomach churns. The longer she fixates on the doll, the larger the feeling grows. Oh Bailu⊠the Melusine seems to croak at her, You wanna get me so badâŠ
She squeezes her face, shaking her head as if to ward off some invisible demon. But she had already told him she was too old! Wouldn't he think she was immature if she took it now?
But Bailu, the Melusine whispers once more, it won't matter if you take it and run.
Now that's not such a bad idea⊠Yes, that's not so bad at all.
Before Bailu can truly register the movement, the Melusine is secured safely between two arms, settled in a tight embrace. She looks up at the blonde man, snapping out of her daze as her body freezes. Run, the Melusine urges. Make a break for it! But her feet stay firmly planted to the ground. A drop of sweat drips down her neck. Bailu swallows.
"But, uh, I won't say no to free things. Uh, thank you! Mercy?" Is he even Fontanian? Bailu winces, "Just, bye!"