The Cold Shoulder
It was a normal evening in the city, the guys were on a their usual nightly walk through the outdoor mall. The couple was eating when Ciro realized there was a new shop open, so he turns to his partner and decides to ask
Ciro: Hey Izee, there's a new shop open. You wanna go check it out after we're done here?
Izee smiles and eagerly nods
Once they finished their food, they walked over to the shop. The shop’s name was "Tribes n' Witches".
Ciro: Huh, what's a shop like this doing in a city? Weird, but eh, we could probably find some cool stuff here, don't you think Izee?
Izee looks over and hesitantly smiles, and gestures Ciro over to the window. There's a picture in the window advertising a fortune teller in the shop, "Come meet Grammama!" it read.
Ciro: Ay, whaddya so nervous about? She looks like she could be your mom! Baha!
Izee gives him a sarcastic smile and punches his arm, but agrees to go nonetheless. They walk in, taking a few minutes to look around at everything in there. From spell tomes with foreign names to unique weapons, there sure is a lot for a small shop. They finally go up to the cashier and Ciro says
Ciro: Hey, we’re here to see his ‘momma’!
Both Izee and the cashier give him a look
Ciro: Alright alright… we're here to see Gramma or whatever the hell the fortune teller’s name is.
Cashier: Uhh alright, she’s just through those curtains over there.
The couple shrugs and makes their way to the curtains, but before they go through
Cashier: Before you go, I must warn you, try not to stand out too much.
The couple look at each other and look back at the cashier, both giving her an annoyed look before proceeding. Through the area behind the curtains was a cold, dark room. It was dimly lit, the walls were lined with tribal imagery of what looked to be elementals hunting and fighting. At the end of a room sat the fortune teller, looking away. Ciro clears his throat and says
Ciro: Unless you have eyes behind your back, aren't you supposed to be facing us?
Fortune Teller: Haven't you ever heard the saying respect your elders, boy?
She turns around, eyes still closed
Fortune Teller: Now then, why don't you boys come a bit closer…
Ciro walks up, while Izee trails behind him slowly
Ciro: Aren't you going to open your eyes and greet your customers, lady?
Fortune Teller: Yes I will get there you little brat-
All 4 of the fortune tellers eyes are all on Izee, as she now has a scowl on her face. The last comment she made also seemed to annoy Ciro.
Fortune Teller: You, behind the fish freak, speak your name.
Izee tries to explain with his hand that he can't speak while Ciro tries to think of something to say back.
Fortune Teller: Such a disrespectful young man! You can't even speak your name to me without flailing your arms. Don't you know who I-
Ciro: He can't talk.
Fortune Teller: Oh? So what might his name be.
Ciro: His name is Izee, and are you like his momma or something?
Fortune Teller: I couldn't tell you if I am, but most Ice elementals are related in some way. But don't worry, you can still call me mommy sweety~
She cackles, then puts on the biggest shit eating grin she could give. Ciro retaliates
Ciro: Oh you’re so sweet eheheh… I would love to lady, but I'm already taken.
Fortune Teller: I'd love to meet her someday, she must be as pleasant as you.
Ciro: You've been staring at him for the past 5 minutes..
She scowls at Izee once again
Fortune Teller: You know the last time another elemental like us came in here, he bowed down to me like a good boy. So tell me, why aren't you doing that?
Izee nervously looks at Ciro
Ciro: I dunno, he didn't grow up under the guidance of a sweet momma much like you. And by the way, you never introduced yourself.
Fortune Teller: Oh! I am so sorry boys… my name is Skadi, one of the great leaders of the Ice Elementals. Known by all as Atall Blóm. Now why don't you introduce yourself since your…friend…can't speak?
(To Izee) Ciro: Eheh they shoulda called her "illr bikkja"…
(impatiently) Skadi: I'm waiting.
Ciro: Oh uh, I'm Ciro, and if you haven't already got it I'm his boyfriend
Skadi: And what is it exactly that you are supposed to be?
Ciro: a Daemon Shrimp, what about it?
Skadi snickers
Skadi: Oh its nothing... would you mind telling your lover to come out from behind you?
Ciro: For..?
Skadi: Unless you want me to force him out, I'd do it if I were you, shrimp..
Izee walks out from behind him and stands infront of Skadi, chest up. Skadi stands, revealing her large stature compared to the two, and begins examining him, Izee is sweating bullets now.
Ciro: Hey don't you think this is a-
Skadi: SILENCE, do not interrupt my process, got it?
Ciro moves a bit closer to Izee. Skadi puts one of her hands up to Izee's chin
Skadi: You're lucky my leading days are over, because if they weren't, you'd be dead where you stand.
Izee hurriedly runs back to Ciro's side
Ciro: Hey hey, what‘s with the vague threats?
Skadi: Oh I don't know, by the standards my mother’s mother set he's unfit, useless really. He could be a warrior if it wasn't for his lack of a voice. His cowardliness is cute, but pitiful. You could be with such better men yet you choose this thing. Better yet you could always be with me..
Ciro finally stops trying to play it off.
Ciro: Alright I'm done with this we're getting outta here. Oh and we aren't paying.
The couple starts walking out before…
Skida: Oh.. but didn‘t you want to know if I'm his mother?
They hesitate, but decline the offer
Skida: Too bad, I'll be keeping an eye on you boys either way.. Now get out. You’re holding up any other potential idiots.
A bit of time passes, but the couple makes it home, bewildered by the experience that they had just gone through.
Dw: You boys alright? You look like you ate a whole Schneeballen dunked in 3 different chocolate flavors in one swift bite.
Ciro: Yeah we should be fine Big Man, thanks anyway.
As the night goes on the couple is left to wonder why such a stranger like Skadi is so interested in them, and what her intentions might be.