Maomao

I wanted to introduce you to my OC, my leading character. Lunatta or Luny for short.

(Is it just me or has the image quality deteriorated significantly? Oh well, I'll probably normalize it later. For the first digital work it turned out more or less, but to spend 10 hours on it 💀)

The heavy door slams, and the apartment fills with a desperate sigh. Lunatta, like a wounded fighter after a brutal battle, drops her bag to the floor with a thud and collapses onto the couch.

– That's it. I'm gone. I'm dead, – she stretches out, spreading her arms. – I'm no longer a person, but a walking debt with a needle and thread attached.

At the other end of the room, nestled in a chair with a book, Lua barely dignifies her with a glance over her glasses. – You said that three days ago, – she remarks lazily. – Waiting for you to start decomposing.

Lunatta opens one eye for a second, then rolls her head back again, interlocking her fingers behind the back of her head. – This atelier is really killing me, – she complains. – Today, one lady spent two hours choosing fabric, only to be told at the end that she'd changed her mind and would be sewing with someone else!

Lua slowly closes the book, jamming her finger between the pages so she doesn't lose her place.- And you didn't think to say back that you changed your mind about catering to idiots?

Lunatta snorts, but there's a tiredness in her smile. – I wish I could. Although... – she rises and squints mischievously. - You gave me an idea...

Lua rolls her eyes. – Oh no. Another of Lunatta's brilliant ideas. Let me guess - something so crazy again that even the universe will begin to question its stability?

Lunatta sits back, her green eyes gleaming in the semi-darkness of the room. – Imagine: you are journalism's secret weapon. You write brilliant articles, commenting on everything with your trademark sarcasm, and I'm the charismatic face who delivers them! Together we can turn this boring city upside down!

Lua stares at her in silence for a while, then leisurely takes off her glasses and rubs the bridge of her nose.- So you're suggesting I do your job while you bask in the glory?

Lunatta raises her hands as if in surrender. – Well, if you put it that way, yes... But think of the possibilities! The exposure of weak-minded people! The influence!

Lua hums thoughtfully, her eyes staring into the void. – Lunatta, you know I hate pretense.

Lunatta leans closer, her voice softening. – That's why I'm offering you this. You're the real thing.

The room falls silent. In the silence, only the muffled hum of street traffic outside the window can be heard. Lua tilts her head slightly, her lips touched with something like a smile, barely perceptible, but warm. – Okay, – she finally says. – Just no conquering the world.

Lunatta, glowering, holds out her hand. – It's a deal! But... can we at least have a city?

Lua rolls her eyes again, but after a moment, as if reluctant, she holds out her palm as well. – Let's start with the neighborhood.

Their fingers touch, and the air between them fills with an invisible spark. They don't know yet that this promise will change everything.