La Luna

the vampire gave a firm shake, smirk never faltering even after he let go. she was rather interesting — well, everyone new around town was always interesting. but he had to know more, there was something about her and so, he just had to know. ardan chuckled at her request. “ of course love, of course. anyway, how are you liking asteria so far ? ”  

“--Asteria had been interesting, to say the least. Let’s just say, that I’ve lived an unimaginable life ever since I arrived here.”

It wasn’t an understatement. While she’s still trying to adapt to her new life, the small town has proven her wrong, when it comes to.. surprises.

“Ah. Doesn’t she have like a ton of money? I’m sure if this car got the slightest scratch on it she’d buy herself a new one rather than fixing it.” Oliver remarked with a giggle nudging his friend. He sat back in his seat for a moment watching her drive with the window rolled down. It was almost majestic the way she looked as the wind carried her midnight hair way from her bright smiling face. In the midst of her talking and focusing on the road Oliver brought out his phone quickly to snap a picture of her. He’d surprise her later by posting it on his Instagram. Boy was he sure to get a earful from her taking a picture without her permission, but it was worth it to capture her in the moment. “Really? I feels forever ago since after you moved out.” He frowned slightly as he suddenly missed her company. But she was doing far better and appeared happier to him and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He gasped at her taking a sip from the bottle. “Hey. Hey. no drinking and driving. We can hold off until we get there.. well you can.” He teased taking another sip. “Shit. That’s great to hear dude! And what do you mean? You blend in naturally. People like you and you have a great personality. Whats not to like?” He asked rhetorically. “Uh as for me nothing new. I got fired from my job for stealing even though I told them it was borrowing.” He laughed. “I work at the pound now. Taking care of the puppos and kitties.” He smiled. “That’s all that’s new with me so far. Say. Random but are you and Kita still a thing? I noticed you guys disappeared on Kira and me the other day? Hmmm suspicious no?”

“--She does. But, still. I’d rather keep a good care of something that was lent to me. That includes your jacket, the one that I borrowed during our first meeting.”

She murmured absently, as a small smile slipped from her lips. She doesn’t even know if he’s aware that she had bought one of his thing along with her, when she move out of his place. She wasn’t quite ready to part with it, yet she had vowed to give it back to him in the future. Whether she wants to admit it or not, her new apartment was more quiet, when compared with his and she missed having his presence within a few feet around her. As soon as they get inside, Luna parked at one spot on the side and sighed. At least they made it this far, without ruining anything. She stole the bottle away from his hand and take a sip.

“--Oh, cute. Say that I will definitely pay you a visit when I’m free from work.”

Reaching for a nugget, she munched before finally rolled her eyes merely over his concern.

“--Woah, I’m gonna stop you there. We’re never a thing. It was fun when it last and it’s only a one time thing -- well, two times now. But, it was nothing more than that.”

“But surprises are what keeps us on our toes. Sometimes they’re catalysts, and those are much needed. — There’s almost nothing I hate more than being stagnant.” From all the surprises she’d experienced in her life, Elsie has gained something. And whether it be good or bad, she felt that she needed them.

The female’s curiosity caused a smile to Elsie’s face. “Many things hold me back,” she began vaguely, “But certainly everyone experiences that as well with authority, expectations, fear… I believe with time, eventually, I will get what I want. I usually do.”

Luna tossed the young woman another grin. She was immediately perked up with her choice of words.

“--Oh, I like you already..”

It was quite rare for her to find someone who considers surprises as a pleasant thing to happen to one person, namely someone as bold as she is. It was unreal.

“--Can’t say I don’t adore your confidence. But, there’s no certain proof that you will get anything you want. Not that I’m aware of, I’m afraid. Do you mind showing me?”

“yes, of course we’ll go through what your day to day looks like today as well.” when she was asked if luna was going to be risking her life, a small smile curved her lips as she shook her head. it was a reasonable question. “no, no.” she reassured. “while we do deal with dangerous situations,you will not have to be in harms way. we’re both very well protected.” she explained taking another drink of her coffee. “the reason you’re well paid is because i want to take care of the people who work for me, and i expect absolute commitment- loyalty. you’ll hear some heavy information, and i need to be reassured that you’ll keep business matters strictly in the business.”

The small smile that appears on the other’s lips bring back the slight uneasiness that grows within her, since she had taken a leap of faith to come to her office at the very first place. She was.. partly right, about the danger that overshadowing her choice. Although that didn’t do much of a convincing for her to bolt away and leave.

“--Alright. I understand.”

She nodded, before clearing her throat and bring her gaze back to her employer.

“--I guess I’m ready to begin..”

maybe she should of asked someone to join her down here. the carnival was only going on for a few days so she would ave to wait another year til she got the chance again, unless anything similar came up before then. since being in asteria this was the first event of this kind that she had seen in town. she wondered how often things like this rolled through town. it looked like many people were making the most of it. sighing slightly she lent back in her chair slightly and before she could pull out her phone to browse katherine heard a voice come from above her. at her question katherine shook her head and gestured to the empty chair. “uh, no. it is all yours.” god, how long did it take to make a few doughnuts. the queue was pretty long still and there seemed to be a lot of people waiting just like her. they would be worth it. looking over at the girl katherine saw the pretzel in her hand; she would need to get one of those before this ended. “are you here for the really healthy food as well?”

“--Why thank you..”

She returned the curtsy in a rather polite way. A small smile fell from her lips as Luna took the seat next to the young woman with the funny accent. Her mind starts to wander, making a couple of theories regarding this mere stranger. One thing that she’s sure of, is that she’s far away from home. 

“--Healthy food? Hell no. While I’m not entirely picky, I prefer to shove my face with junk foods particularly during this kind of event. Come on, where’s the fun if you munch a portion of salad while queuing for a ride?”

The wolf grinned, before taking a bite of her food.

“--Now, now. Don’t tell me that you’re still deciding on which dish you are planning to get, because I can see that your hands are empty.”

“ you could say that. i have to know considering this is my home. ” 

my town, he wants to add but he settled on a smile. “ pleased to meet you, luna. ” he stated, extending a hand. “ coldwell. ardan coldwell, at your service. ”

“--The pleasure is all mine.”

Her steadfast gaze did not falter. It hadn’t slipped from her attention, about the way he addressed Asteria as his home. Even though she found his statement rather suspicious, the young wolf still returned his smile, while taking his hand and give it a firm squeeze. Thankfully, she could still hide her surprise upon feeling his cold skin contact with her warm palm.

“Oh excuuuuse me loaned.” He sarcastically rolled his eyes away from her with his usually goofy cackle. “Tomorrow afternoon!? That’s a lot of time to loan you a car? What could we do? Go on a minnie road trip?” He suggested strapping himself in with his seat belt as he got cozy and settled in the passenger seat. “Oh god I can smell the nuggies and i need them now!” He chuckled reaching in the back for them and spotted the booze just as she mentioned. “Holy crap Luna! You loaded up!” He sat back with a bottle of vodka in his hand. “I guess we are camping out in the car tonight uh?” He laughed opening the bottle. “I’m happy I get to hang out with you tonight.” He smiled taking a sip. “It feels like it’s been forever since you moved out. So… what have you been up to besides working at sin? You gotta catch me up on your life.”

The hint of his sarcastic remark brings a small smile on her lips.

“–You heard me right. As much as I love that, I’d rather not missed my first drive in experience. How’s the next month sound to you? For tonight, I’ll try to not busted this car, so hopefully Lilith will lend this baby to us for our upcoming plan.”

She manages a laugh, as she tilted her head when she take turns onto the wider path. Her mind was trying to recall the way that leads them to the open areas just at the border of the town, where the screening was held.

“–You can take a bite, if you like. I bought plenty of them. My, my.. We got drinks, movie, foods; I second this slumber party. And yes.. it’s been forever, I agree. Although, it felt like yesterday, when you carried me to your apartment.”

She shrugged nonchalantly, while watching him taking a sip from the bottle. That was fast, but living in his place, she gets the clear idea about his particular liking toward the booze.

“–So far, life has been treating me well. My employer is incredibly helpful and resourceful. I was afraid that I wasn’t able to blend in, but so far, things had been okay. How’s your life going? I expect nothing less than an adventure in a life of Mr. Oliver Carson..”

“yeah, i just walked out of the cafe into all of this madness.” she answered. more heards of people were coming through and she knew that they needed to get out of there fast. “come on let’s get out of here…” her hand locked onto the other girl’s wrist to ensure that they wouldn’t get separated. “my place is at the edge of town or if you know of anywhere closer that can work too. let’s buddy-system this though.”

“--But, these people.. They need our help..”

The young wolf trailed off, before she caught a glimpse of growing crowds. A few of them were seen wearing some questionable mask. From what her instinct tells her, they should flee from the scene.

“--My place is quite far from here, yours is probably the best option we have.”

Luna tugged the young woman toward a bridge, before they were confronted by two people with the said masks she saw earlier.

OLIVER: omw OLIVER: chill i’m out the door….. see the big goof w his backpack?

Oliver’s bag was filled to the brim with all the junk food in his cabinets could contain such as chips, cookies, snack cakes and anything you could think that was unhealthy. It had been sometime since he last hung out with the girl he saved forever ago in the woods, but he understood they were both busy with their lives to even have the time to see each other. He was happy to see his friend making her way in this town. Hell, she was doing far better than he hoped he ever could while living here. “Hey Scrub!” He greeted her as he opened the passenger door. “Did your boss get you a freaking car!? I need to come work with you. Jeez.” He laughed taking his seat and strapping himself in. “Check this out.” He unzipped his bag showing her all the goodies he brought. “We are set for the night fam. Got all the bad stuff that’s too good not to eat for us. Did you still wanna go to Mc Donald’s and get the chicken nuggies first or is it too late?”

A frown marred her features, before her eyes picked up a tall figure moving from inside the building and grew closer to where she stayed for the past five minutes. A hint of a smile appears on her lips as she took one last glance at her phone.

“--Hey Goof. The car is loaned -- ours for the night. But, I will have to return it by tomorrow afternoon.”

She replied, as she put on the safety belt and start the engine. She glanced at the sight of his bag filled with every single snack he could possibly put inside. An amused laugh slip from her lips as she gets her hands on the wheel and start driving.

“--It’s too late, because I already got them on my way here. Oh, I also asked for the bartender’s help to supply us with quite a selection of booze for the night..”

She gestured at the two paper bags on the passenger seat behind them, along with the sets of blanket and pillows that is still neatly folded just next to it.

“--I’m glad that you are free tonight, or I might have to enjoy the drive in on my own if you are not..”

“don’t even try to calm me down. it simply won’t work.” the pup grinned wide to the other. 

“yes, food sounds amazing!” she nodded her head at the wonderful idea. “i’m feeling a funnel cake right now. what about you?” she led them to the food stand and looked over the menu that was posted. “oh! they also have snow cones and brownies too. would you wanna split something?”

“--Do I look like I’m trying?"

She retorted playfully. Luna was worried about dragging her away from work, on the spur of the moment. But her concern was subsided when she saw the young woman sported a grin on her features. She smiled, as she allowed her friend to lead her to the stalls.

“--Well, I’m feeling for funnel cake too. How about we buy the three of them and bring them along with us on our quest to find the first ride we can hop on?”

kira was excited. blatantly excited really. she didn’t get to enjoy carnivals often. usually they ended in chaos and shambles. this time actually seemed pretty well protected. there was a definite sense of ease that she felt this time around. 

when she approached her friend and she could feel their plans start to come together. “isn’t this exciting?” she called to her friend with the widest smile her face could hold. “you wanna grab some carnival food, then play some games?”

“--My my.. Don’t you look excited?”

The young wolf teased lightly, with a smile rolled on her lips. Luna flung her arm around her friend’s, thus dragging her through the entrance. She began to think that it’s a great idea, to take a break from their routines and have some fun.

“--Either way, sounds perfect for me. How about some food before we get in line of our first ride of the day? I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

maybe she should of asked someone to join her down here. the carnival was only going on for a few days so she would ave to wait another year til she got the chance again, unless anything similar came up before then. since being in asteria this was the first event of this kind that she had seen in town. she wondered how often things like this rolled through town. it looked like many people were making the most of it. sighing slightly she lent back in her chair slightly and before she could pull out her phone to browse katherine heard a voice come from above her. at her question katherine shook her head and gestured to the empty chair. “uh, no. it is all yours.” god, how long did it take to make a few doughnuts. the queue was pretty long still and there seemed to be a lot of people waiting just like her. they would be worth it. looking over at the girl katherine saw the pretzel in her hand; she would need to get one of those before this ended. “are you here for the really healthy food as well?”

“--Why thank you. I won’t stay for long, I promise. Just until my friend comed around..”

It was partially true, since she wasn’t quite able to spot Kira in anywhere near her right now. She could’ve guessed that it won’t take her long, since they vowed to at least try all the rides before they closes for the day. Not even the growing line will be able to change her mind. Her eyes flared slightly at the question from the young woman, as she munched a bite from her food.

“--Ahh.. I prefer to go with whatever my heart fancies. This time, I can’t get my eyes off this wonderfully made dish. Who knew what I’m aiming for next..”

She manages a chuckle. Her brows furrowed together, after a quick glance over the other’s hands, which was still empty.

“--How about you? Have you made up your mind about what to get?”

LUNA : Where are you? I’m in the parking lot. LUNA : Hurry up or we’re going to be late and all the good spots will be taken.

Barely able to conceal her excitement from showing, Luna was more than eager to take in all of the experience from the Carnival itself. She can’t remember much about the last time she visited such an event, briefly than a glance of her eyes. Now here she is, standing in front of the entrance and waiting for her friend to arrive, with the tickets tucked inside her pocket.