The OC above is behind you...

Aiden blinked rapidly, flinching in reaction upon getting addressed. He turned his head so he could glance over his shoulder. He's in a suit; he must be important figure.

"Uhm, c-c-café?" He asked, beginning to feel more anxious after he asked in response. He blinked rapidly and glanced at the floor, letting in a deep inhale. After he exhaled, he glanced back up and blinked rapidly.

"Th-there's one I-I know; it-it-it's j-just, uh, uhm, uh, th-th-three blocks that way." Upon completing his sentence, he pointed at his right.

"Hhhopefully th-that, uh, hhhelps."

-------

Stepping backwards was a bad idea, but that was his first instinct when someone almost crashed into him. Next thing he knew, he had one misstep that lead him to plummet onto the concrete. He only uttered a yelp as this all unfolded quickly. He pushed himself up, grunting as he got back on his feet. He abruptly addressed the person that he was behind,

"Ugh, Jesus Christ. D-did you see that? What a jerk!"

Melantha walked past the scene without so much as batting an eye. She was places to be, women to see, and she wasn't about to let something to trivial-- at least, in her opinion-- sway her from her destination as she strutted down the side of the road. Though, she sent an amused glance to the person flying past her, pushing through the crowd as if fleeing from someone else. And, they might as well be, considering that they seemed to have slammed into... several people.

The young woman sneered, coming to a halt when she heard the stammering voice behind her. She turned to look up at the other party, offering him a shrug and maintaining that pompous smirk of hers. Calling the stranger a jerk was the least Aiden could do, in her humble opinion, and she... would have done the most, should she had been the one getting knocked over.

"I did, and it was funny, you know?" scoffed Melantha, "Talking to me about it tells me you're probably not gonna stick up for yourself the next time it happens." She turned, staring in the direction of where the perpetrator fled.

"If it were me they ran into, I wouldn't be talking about it to someone else." she boasted, "I'd just tackle him to the fucking ground." And with that, she gave him her unnecessary advice, "Next time that happens, you should just slug them in the face. You're pretty, tall, you know. And you look a bit on the muscly side. You could do it."

Huh. Wonder which relative she gets it from.

Melantha, who rarely had to wait for anything in her short, noble life, stood behind the other party. She tapped her foot, picked at her fingernails, glared at the floor. She wasn't paying too much attention to the line, mostly because it really was taking forever in her mind, as melodramatic as ever.

But then, as she flicked the skin from a hangnail off her finger, wincing as she did, she looked up to find the line looking a bit spotty. The obnoxious foot-tapping continued, growing louder with each second that passed. She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyebrows furrowed as she peeked over the person in front of her. Goddamn it, the space between them and the next person was huge-- or, it was to her.

Now, while she could cut in front of the other party, something told her to go for the arguably more polite route of calling them out, stamping her foot on the ground as a toddler would do.

"I didn't know there could ever be something slower than a snail." she said to them, a bit too loudly, "But some of us are hungry, so can you move?"

Waiting in line to order food was perhaps the most frightening thing Hopper had ever encountered. Not only was the idea of being surrounded by strangers-- possibly assassins scary as is, but he'd also have to order food?! He fidgeted in his spot in line, wide eyes staring at the menu from afar. It was so hard to see... Was that because of his spot, or were his eyes suddenly going bad?! Were they always bad and this was his first time noticing?! Oh God, the line's moving, and he still doesn't even know what's being served! Soon it'll be his turn and he'll hold up the line because he's too busy thinking and-and-!
Hopper quickly doubled over, his hands at either side of his face, and swirls replacing his eyes. This was WAY too much pressure! He should have just gotten one of his knights to bring him something instead, oorg...!
Hearing something behind him, the prince jumped with a shriek and turned around to look at Melantha. "Ah! S-Sorry, I just-- I, er--" Oh God, Oh Gooood, this was too much pressure... too!!! Look at her, she looked like she was ready to strangle him! Unless... Unless that was the entire reason she was in line?! N-No, that couldn't be. But right now... right now everyone was staring and it was ALL his fault and NOBODY would ever forget this embarrassing moment!
Unable to offer a rebuttal, much less keep his dignity for the upcoming pressure of ordering food, Hopper simply ran off with a hasty, "Sorry!!" shouted into the wind.

Okay... the first time was a fluke, a mistake. It was out of the way now, and there were, possibly, new people here. Besides... Besides a few regular customers... and the cashier... They were talking about him, weren't they? Laughing about how embarrassing that showdown was...
Hopper shook his head and slapped his cheeks. No! He'd order his food this time! He even asked his knights for advice! Granted, he originally begged them to get food for him instead, but they insisted it was best for him to get better at being independent and see that he could handle himself. When in doubt, order their special! Sound advice, good advice. He'd do just that.
... Whenever the person ahead of him moved, at least.
Hopper craned his neck to look past the person in front of him, noticing a decent gap between them and the person ahead of them. He gained a sense of deja vu.
"Umm, ex-excuse me," he stammered, reaching a shaky hand to tap them on the shoulder, but recoiling it. There's no telling if he'd set them off and get dragged into a fight! "Excuse me," he attempted in a stronger tone, but it was still frail. "The line's moving. C-Could you move, please?"

Today was just not her day. First at school, some new kid thought he had the right to speak back to her, let alone insult her! Then secondly she got an 85% on her algebra test, she studied hard! - it should most definitely had been at least a 98% (her mum was going to kill her...) And now.. now while she was in line at her favourite food joint where she least expected anything to go wrong, someone spoke to her.

"C-could you move, please" 

Heathers eye twitched slightly before she turned around and glared at the boy behind her. He was a little bit shorter than her, had black hair with green highlights, and most notably looked very anxious. "Excuse me?" she asked, eyeing him up and down, she stepped closer to him before he could reply "What makes you think I'd do anything for you?" , "C-c-c-could you move p-pp-please?" she mocked holding back a cruel laugh, "How pathetic are you?" she sneered.

"Ugh, can you hurry up?" Heather knew that made her a hypocrite - she not long ago had just made fun of someone else for asking the same of her - but did she really care? no, not really. "Like, now?"

Archer's torn wings twitched as he walked, admiring the city atmosphere as his mind wandered. A little street performance of his magical abilities around the square could be fascinating! No one here looked like  they would be used to real magic, he could really earn some cheers and a sizable crowd.

Then came the voice commanding him to hurry up and move. His ears twitched in annoyance, turning his small head and body around slightly to see the woman whom had addressed him so rudely.

"You could ask nicely, you know," The magician grumbled softly, ushering with his arms the pathway ahead, "Go ahead, then. If you want to be rude, why don't you go on ahead and see how much faster you are?"

Archer's eyes narrowed slightly as he motioned again, "No truly, go on ahead. You must have something important."

---

"Oh, excuse me," Archer's ripped wings flapped uselessly, "There's--- something on the shelf I need."

---

Archer be like 'why are you freaking out' FGHGFH)

Archer blinked once or twice as the man infront of him seemed to slip and slide around his words, almost nervous.

"Ah," The humanoid rubbed the back of his head, taking the eggs into his small basket with a smile, "Traveling does one good, helps build an audience."

With a flick of his free wrist, the magician summoned a small orange ball of magic, "See, doing little shows in various places is always fun. Seeing people's reactions is what I live for."

Beasts? Legends? What on Earth was this man talking about? He didn't look like a hunter, of course not.

"I will uh," Archer glanced up and down, "Take your word on their not being any beasts around, sir. Thank you."

Jack stared at the different preserving jars. Filled with beans, lentils.. Oh but also meat, spam, lard, the cheap kind of stuff. The werewolf's favorite!
The grocery store, if you could even call it that, in his village was small and a family business. Shelves like these filled with persevered goods, fresh cheese, eggs and some bread if your lucky. Turns out Archer was lucky. There were some eggs on the top shelf. Fresh, not jarred eggs.

Jack startled by the soft voice almost jumped a meter high, before turning on his heels. He looked at the smaller fellow. Blinking a few times as he did. What he saw wasn't..Well human. Humanoid yes, but something alien in this small forgotten provincial village. (Not that the shop owner noticed it though. But let's be fair, you see all kind of weird stuff when you work in retail. Fantasy retail was no exception.)
"Hu.." Jack said. The words slowly dripping into his subconscious like lard on a hotplate. "Oh, yes. Sure little buddy. You want some eggs?" Jack asked Archer. Before standing on the top of his toes to reach the top shelf. He grabbed the small basket of eggs and handed them to the magic user.
"Those are some pretty good eggs," Jack reassured him with a sheepish grin. "I eat them a lot." Like 12 a day. Jack scratched the back of his head. "So hey uh, I have never seen you.. What brought you down here, in this small village of all places?" Jack tried to ask as neutral as possible with little success. His suspicious almost dripped of his tongue.
"You aren't looking for something here right? Beside," Jack hastily gestured at the eggs he just handed over, "those. Of course. I mean.." The werewolf frowned. "A lot of people go down here into the valley to hunt for legends. Ghosts 'n ghouls and such, you aren't.. Here for that.. Right?" Jack preyed on. "I mean that would be silly. I'm being silly. You look like a performer. Not a beast hunter," Jack rattled on. Trying so desperately saving his own skin. "Not that there are any beast here, to hunt.."
--

"Oh hey, uh sorry," Jack said. As he softly tapped your shoulder. "Do you know a place were I can get something to eat around here?" the werewolf asked with a somber smile. "I'm quite uh hungry. The meatier, the better.."
--

Jack showed his long fangs in big smile as he rubbed his hands. He was ready for some yummy in his tummy. "Oh please, that would be great. I get easily uh, distracted, in crowded areas like these!" 

"Ah?" Shigehisa turns around, blinking wide purple eyes innocently at the werewolf. He doesn't seem to realize he's a werewolf at first, actually, or perhaps Shigehisa simply doesn't care, as it's really not in his nature to worry himself with silly things like that. Coming from a magical world himself, it's really not too big of a deal to him if someone is a little furrier than normal. "Oh, um, yeah, there's a lovely butcher shop right around the corner from my house! We get all our meat there. I can take you there, if you'd like?"

---

"Um -- I seem to have gotten lost," Shigehisa says to you. "I'm behind you, by the way. Do you know where I can find the nearest shopping center?"

"Huh?" Zinnia chuffed, whipping her head so that she could glance at the older boy behind her.

"Ooh, I think I might know about one that's nearby!" Upon completing her sentence, she turned so that she could glance around.

"Mmh, If I remember correctly, there's one where you have to turn at that corner over there, then you keep walking straight for a couple blocks. Hope that helps!"

----------------------

"Hey! Hey, I got it! I got one for you!" Zinnia gasped, running so that she could catch up to the second party. Upon reaching the second party, she reached an arm over to them, holding up a tiny chocolate cupcake covered in orange sprinkles perched on her fingers. She breathed heavily, allowing her lips to curl into a smile upon confirming that the second party took the treat.

"They taste really good; I just tried a vanilla one."

A small gasp escaped Blake's lips as she jumped a slight bit, caught off guard by the cheerful voice and the attention of this stranger. Turning around, her hood still pulled close to her face as her free hand held a basket, she looked over her new company. A smaller girl, much younger than her, it seem, bubbly and cheerful as she offered Blake... a cupcake? 

The woman in red didn't exactly know how to respond. This sort of scenario was new to her, and kids typically kept their distance from the "shady hooded figure," as their mothers would often call her. But this child didn't seem to be accompanied by anyone, rather, they had made a B-line, gift in tow, to her specifically. At first, there was fear, her heart still pounding slightly for the shock- which, she admitted internally, was quite cowardly of her. Who was spooked by a child, no less one holding dessert? And to think it might have caused her to corrupt and harm her... the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, which she quickly attempted to quell with a small smile at the girl. 

"...For me?" Blake eventually spoke, her voice gentle yet broken, letting go of her hood and allowing it to fall back a little bit. "I... are you sure?" Yet the little girl seemed undeterred, still offering her the cupcake. And so, Blake kneeled down to meet the girls height.

Slowly, Blake reached out with her corrupted hand, the only open one she had at the time. She hoped that the darkened claw tips, elongated fingers and spiny exterior wouldn't scare away the girl as she gently grabbed the cupcake, careful to ensure her touch was ginger as she offered the stranger a warm, genuine smile. "...Thank you. I'm sure it tastes lovely," She chuckled lightly.

"These woods are no place for someone like you," Blake hissed, coming up behind a stranger who seemed to be perusing the twisted bark of the Reach as she hoped the darkness would hide the splatters of dark crimson on her already red cloak. "I suggest you get out while you still can."

The humanoid had been wandering the deep woods for a short while now, only drawn in by sheer curiosity. 

One thing that held her attention was the odd, misshapen bark that the trees had - like something had taken them & twisted them up into a tree-pretzel. It was - strange, to her, but more than enough to keep her mind busy. Was this twisting natural? If not, what did it? Or who? 

Perusing the bark, trying to figure out answers to the many questions she was asking herself, the girl just barely picked up on approaching footsteps.

She wasn't alone, it seemed. 

Syra squeaked in surprise as she was addressed - turning in the direction of Blake's voice, lifting her hands from the tree bark. Hopefully she didn't have splinters... /m<<

Ah. That... that was foreboding. "Someone like me..." She muttered, echoing the phrase. Could mean a lot of things, but the consensus was clear - she wasn't supposed to be here. "Did - did I, like, trespass or something? Is this your place?! Oh my gosh, I'm, like, so sorry, I didn't know!" The girl turned on her heel, her apologetic chatter briefly pausing. 

"Ehh... where's the way out, exactly?" A partial truth - she did sort of remember where she came in, but the memory was a bit too hazy for her to count on - so she might as well ask.

---------

A human-shaped hand reached out to tap the other party on whatever the smaller humanoid could reach.

"Hiya! So, like, do you have a minute...?" The girl spoke, hardly leaving time for the other to answer. "Or directions? 'Cause this place is, like, really huge, I can't figure out where I've gotta be...!"

Yes, NV was lost. They stood at the middle of the sidewalk, gazing upward at the sky. There was something in that one visible eye, something that was yearning, tragic. They watched the birds fly together enviously. Even the animals had a group, had others that cared for their well-being and treasured their presence. What was it like...?
Upon hearing the comment, they slowly lowered their head to look at the young man. Small, frail, just like the birds above. What kind of group did he belong to?
"You would want to help me?" NV asked lowly. Someone as cute and innocent like Nico would dare dirty his reputation by even associating with someone was hideous as them? What kindness, what bravery. "Your heart is as warm as your eyes," they said. "Talking to you was help enough. Thank you."

NV watched you carefully, trailing behind you by a safe distance. Your features were beautiful to them. Every step you took, they wanted more and more to steal your looks and be adored like they knew you were.
However, they never seemed to be able to do it. Instead grunting an, "Excuse me" from behind you.

She could sense it. She had no idea how long it had been there— that presence— pestering, lingering, and then disappearing again. There was no shuffling of footsteps that a regular civilian would leave. No quiet tip-toes or dark auras that an assassin would typically have... This energy was grey-green. It almost seemed as if this aura belonged to a person that didn't... exist.

It scared her.

Xia shoved her hands into her pockets and clenched her fists. Her heart was struck with terror as she didn't know if the entity behind her would bring harm or help and so she tried her best to prepare to strike. But then... The voice

"Excuse me," it said. They were wrapped head to toe in bandages, and something eldritch lingered in their tone. Xia tried not to gawk at them. They may have wanted to just pass by— Xia knew she was a slow walker but this person (if she could call them that) seemed to want... More. And she was curious enough to oblige.

"Yes?"

It had been a while. Since she had noticed that spark. While constantly seeing the bright colours of people's energies would give Xia Argon a headache, she would never pass up the opportunity of getting to know someone with a peculiar aura. And that's what yours was: peculiar.

It gave Xia a tingle under her skin like magick— something that she didn't often feel during her practice. She had read about the kind of energy that you emanated in books but she had never seen a live example until now.

She stops in her tracks.

"Who are you...?"

"What the hell?!" Kandy yelped as she jumped in surprise spilling the insides of her coffee cup which smelled more like alcohol than actual coffee. 

"Has anybody told you not to sneak up behind people like that? You almost gave me a heart attack, geez!" Bunny girl was clearly annoyed by that strange-looking girl. What was her deal anyway? Who just goes asking random people who they are?! 

"Ugh...what a freak..." She muttered under her breath so that other girl couldn't hear it, not like Kandy really cared about her not-so-polite-phrase being heard, but still... 

"It's none of your concern who I am 'kay? So just give me the money I spent to buy that coffee  just spilled because of you and let's forget we've ever met!" 

"Excuse me?! Could you move away, please?"