Turning around, her eyebrow rose at the comment the other girl had to give her. “Face paint? I… Thank you. I think.” She cleared her throat before smiling at the other girl. “Was there something I can help you with?”

“You know. That stuff you put on your face,” Melisande clarified. “No, I only wanted to browse through... I can come back some other time... Thank you.”

Dorian stumbled into the streets, red moon foreboding the sky. He was drunk with glee, happiness for a plan gone right. He reached for the nearest person, smile wide and unnatural. “Isn’t it lovely? The sky? The people? Isn’t it?”

“Aren’t you that rich man? Hasn’t money allowed you to be on the moon already?” Melisande asked with a slight chuckle. She looked up to the sky and smiled. “Wow,” she whispered. 

Juno was already on her feet, sliding her laptop into her bag to make more room on the table. “Don’t worry about it. My order is kind of…long.” Which was true and honestly her exact order was something she didn’t care to divulge because it always made Juno feel a little well…basic. 

Without another word, she walked over to the barista and placed her order, casually glancing back at the other girl as she waited for it to be done. Once she had her drink in hand, she returned to the table and slid back into her chair. “So…you got a name?”

Melisande was tapping her feet to the soft music played in the cafe. She waited for the girl to return. As the woman asked the question, Melisande snapped out of her daydream. She smiled at her and said, “Yes, it’s Melisande... What’s yours?”

“Come, come, get your fortune read!” Dahlia called out over the crowd of people going by. “One-hundred percent accurate fortune telling!” She tried desperatly to wave people over to the small table she’d set up. “Half off if you come now. Please, I need buissness…” 

Melisande was on a stroll and woman’s voice piqued her interest. She followed it and saw a lady with a small table in front of her. She approached her with a smile and said, “I have no idea what this is but I’m in.”

Lyra: That tends to be the way of bullies.

Lyra: You are very right about that one.

Lyra: What can I call you, so I can stop referring to you as 'wrong number' in my head.

Lyra: Yes, but rude and ignorant people like to try and shame people for being sexual beings.

Lyra: You texted me, so I think I'm the one who should be asking /who/ you are.

Lyra: If you are, it's not from me. I don't own any watches.

Melisande: maybe they haven't discovered their sexualities yet? so they are jealous of others.

Lyra: It's- well- it's implying that I'm sexually promiscuous and trying to shame me for it.

Lyra: Have you never seen that before? People writing rude things in hallways or bathrooms?

Melisande: isn't sexuality important?

Melisande: i've seen some names get called 'ugly'. aren't people expressing themselves?

Melisande: It said 'text 4 a good time'

Lyra: Oh, uh-

Lyra: People write things like that as a joke sometimes...

Kaia was very thankful when it was time to close up the bookstore. She was so ridiculously tired after barely having slept with all of this nonsense going on and it could be seen on her features. Or at least it could have been before the makeup. As she was locking up the front door, she felt the presence of someone behind her, too worn out to turn around while the key was in the lock. “I’m sorry, but we’re closed now. You can come back on Monday.”

Melisande was on her usual sunset strolls. She was about to pick up a book when Melisande heard the blonde speak. “Oh... I didn’t know,” she answered softly. She looked up at the woman and smiled, “You have nice face paint by the way.” 

“Older man?” Roch frowned, it was true though. So maybe he couldn’t fault her for it. “I…what do you mean? I don’t need pity coffee. I’m fine.” Now, he was just being stubborn. “You didn’t hear?” He breathed out, “wolves attacked the Davenport party. 21 people died.”

Melisande blinked. “What is pity coffee? The bartender said this is frozen coffee?” She put her hands down in case the man would give back the cup to her. She didn’t really want it, and thought the man would have more use of it. She shook her head slowly. “I... must have left early...” She said. 

Melisande: I copied it exactly from the wall... where's the prize?

Lyra: From the wall?

Lyra: I'm sorry, but I really think you have the wrong number...

Melisande: How do I get the good time? Is it a watch?

Lyra: Um, I think you might have the wrong number...

“I…” Juno had seen a lot of strange things in her life but this took the cake, pun unintended. Was she seriously just offered cake by this stranger? It was almost like this girl was the human personification of a puppy. “I…I’m good thanks.“ The cakes in the cafe really did look good, but years of conditioning made it hard for Juno to openly accept food from anyone. Feeling bad about turning the girl down, Juno gestured to the free chair across from her. “But if you want, you’re welcome to sit and join me? I was just about to get another coffee anyway.”

Melisande knew not to push the girl in front of her, and the offer to sit with her was nice enough. To be honest though, Melisande would have sat down anyway. She set the marshmallow cupcake down and sat in front of the girl. “Oh... I forgot... I could get your coffee for you if you want...” Melisande offered. She had tried everything that had caffeine yet it proved to have no effect on her system.

Melisande: If I don't reply with 🌞 then it's not me ok?

Melisande: 🌞

Nora: Noted. But like... why wouldn't it be you?

Melisande: I can lose this thing, right?

Melisande: oops 🌞

Melisande: btw why were u exhausted?