before I made a proper ficbind, I wanted to practice on something that didn't matter as much if it failed. since we were already midway through 2025, I decided to make myself a 2026 planner!
This is A5 sized, 139 pages (35 sheets of paper)
all of the graphics are directly sourced from the 'stock' tool in affinity publisher, and the font is Bradley Hand ITC (which I've fallen in love with and will make more appearances in future books lol)
[also since this was the first ever thing - this is actually printed with regular ol' printer paper. you can see through the page on the last picture, which is why I switched to slightly thicker paper for everything after this]
“Hey, I have an idea - why don’t you teach me potions?”
It's another hot day in Vesuvia. The Masquerade is tomorrow, and the streets are filled to the brim. Every inch of shade is occupied by either merchants, shoppers, or wares. Those selling refreshments are definitely profiting in this heat.
Miraculously, Asra had found some time to chat. The last few times they had tried to hang out, one of them had been busy with customers. But your friend had soon discovered that right after lunch, everyone was so hot that no one wanted to wander down a narrow street for a card reading. Not now, anyway. Vesuvia’s night markets were another playing field, however.
“What? Me? Teach you?” You're taken aback, staring as Asra laid down, hands cushioning his head. How could you teach him anything? Thinking back to the short tarot lessons, he's always so confident and reassuring with you. Plus he also knows water magic and some basic illusionary magic. What do you know?
“I’m sure you could,” he says with a smile, absentmindedly stroking Oberon’s head.
You find yourself pausing. In order to personally deliver some orders to the palace, your aunt had entrusted the shop to you. While it's closed to any new orders, there are a few she had told you to prep for her to immediately put in a cauldron when she gets back after dinner.
“Uhhhh...” Your hesitation dumbly fills the air. On one hand, you could see yourself having a blast trying to brew a potion with Asra. But on the other…if your aunt found out…
“Oh come on, your aunt isn’t coming back ’til after dinner. That’s plenty of time to make something?” Asra tempted, as if reading your mind’s worries.
Maybe…
“Alright,” you sigh, giving in.
“Cool!” Asra immediately jumps up, excited. Faust also seems to perk up, curious at what you could offer.
You glance at Oberon, wondering if you made the right decision. He comes up to your hand, happily licking your fingers, before climbing up to your shoulder.
Asra rolls up his rug and gathers his things, to avoid theft. You lead the two of you to the back door to the shop.
As your hand grips the handle, embarrassment washes over you. The back of the shop is always so damp and rather untidy. Would Asra say anything? You desperately wonder if the two of you could brew something in the front. But all the tools and ingredients are safely stored in the back, and there is no way you could move the cauldron.
“Something wrong?”
You jump slightly when Asra asks so close behind you.
“Um, i-it might be a little gross. The back’s sort of ended up dark because of all the ingredients my aunt’s collected. So-sorry about that…”
“Don’t worry about it, you should have seen some of the places I stayed before Muriel found that hut in the woods.”
You smile, thankful. You had always been curious about Asra’s story. He had told you bits and pieces, funny tales and brushes with trouble, but not much else. Making a mental note to ask later, you open the shop door.
Once inside, you head over to the ingredient cabinet. Asra blinks a few times to adjust to the darker setting before looking around in slight awe.
“Wow, I can really feel the magical energy in here.”
“You can?”
“Yeah, especially around the cauldron.”
You hadn’t really noticed the magic before; it's just the back of the shop. But thinking about it, spending so much time here probably means that you're desensitized to the energy. To someone else who’s in the shop less frequently, they could probably sense it.
“We’ll have to prep the ingredients before we use that,” you say with a smile, feeling the anxiety from earlier melt away as you watch Asra inspect the stove salamander curiously. How is it so easy to be around him?
“What are we making?” he asks, turning his attention to the ingredient cabinet. Oberon is already out and getting ready to climb to the higher cabinets.
“Just a couple of cooling potions, to help with the heat. Not too hard either, my aunt lets me make them in the mornings to sell to customers.”
“Why aren’t you selling them now? I bet people would be dying for some.”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t trust me with handling money,” you explain with a self-deprecating chuckle. You turn to Oberon, asking him to grab an ingredient that lived up higher.
“Here, you can chop. Half the magic is preparing the ingredients,” you say, offering the prep counter to him.
“It is?”
You open a couple other drawers to grab the rest of the ingredients. “Yep. Here, why don’t you mince these?”
Grabbing the knife, Asra sets to mincing the ingredients. Meanwhile you pour some water into the cauldron, and politely awaken the stove salamander to light the charred hearth.
“If it’s a cooling potion, why do we need to light a fire?”
You let out a giggle, knowing he's trying to be clever.
“It’s still a potion so you need to brew it. It’s like the cold tea those merchants are selling - they still have to use hot water to brew it.”
“So we’re going to stick ice in the potion after?”
You let a laugh escape your lips, which makes Asra smile. If he was aiming to make you laugh, he succeeded.
“No, we just let it cool. The ingredients and magic will do the rest.” You hop over to grab the mortar and pestle, which are carved with symbols that helps channel magic.
“Now try grinding the ingredients down in this. The symbols are supposed to help you channel the magic through the pestle and into the mortar. As you’re grinding, imagine a cooling sensation flowing through your body to get the strongest energy out of the ingredients.”
“Kind of like reaching out to read the cards,” Asra states, looking to you to confirm his connection.
“Yeah, actually, kinda like that.”
With a nod, the white-haired boy turns to the mortar and pestle and let his energy flow. You notice a brief flash of purple from the symbols, signaling that Asra’s magic is being infused into the ingredients, as well as drawing out their properties.
Smiling, you go to check on the cauldron. The water is almost at a boil, you could hear it wanting to start bubbling.
The silence between the two of you is comfortable, the air filled with nothing but the quiet, crackling fire and the sound of grinding. Soon, the water begins to boil. Killing the heat, you call Asra over.
Peeking into the mortar, you hum in satisfaction at his handiwork.
“I did alright?” he asks.
“It looks perfect.” Asra smiles wide before carefully dumping the powder into the hot water.
The two of you use your magic to stir the cauldron, making sure the contents are homogenous. The roiling water soon thickens into what almost looked like dark blue molasses before thinning out into a bright blue solution. It emits a dull, playful flicker of light.
“Wow…this is amazing!” Asra breathes, making you smile.
“Here, you can use this to carry it with you,” you offer, grabbing two empty glass bottles. Grabbing the ladle, you scoop the potions and give both to him.
Asra meets your eyes inquisitively. “Isn’t one for you?”
“Oh, uh,” you feel your voice and heart stammer, suddenly nervous. “I-I figured maybe Muriel would want one? You always mention your tiny hut, so I thought it wouldn’t be too great in the heat…”
He pauses before smiling again. “You…thank you. I’m sure he’d appreciate them.”
I return the smile, feeling nice and warm.
Outside, we both hear the gradual crescendo of the market’s crowd, venturing out as the day cools.
“I better get back to my spot,” Asra says, breaking the silence. “With the Masquerade being tomorrow, there are desperate souls looking for masks, and I’ve got plenty left.” A mischievous smile graced his lips.
You’ve seen, and tried on, many of Asra’s and Muriel’s masks. They aren’t the most extravagant, but anyone could tell that they are each unique and well crafted.
“Hey, once the Masquerade is in full swing, let’s explore the market!” Asra suggests, halting his steps and turning back to you.
The invitation sends a wave of excitement through you. You usually either spend the Masquerade alone, or frantically helping your aunt with last minute orders.
A promising smile droops into a frown. “I don’t know…my aunt may need my help…”
“I can even try to convince Muriel to come along - you can finally meet him!”
You bite your lip, not knowing how to answer. If your aunt finds out…
“Alright, I’ll try to slip out once the sun sets.”
Having Asra sleep over was the best decision you had made in a long time. The first morning together was admittedly a bit getting used to.
You had woken up with your arm wrapped around something that you thought in the middle of the night was a pillow. But the pillow was certainly warmer than any pillow you had held before...and bonier? Opening your eyes, you found yourself latched onto Asra’s arm...with Asra’s amused face looking down at you, his eyes still hazy with morning drowsiness.
“Good morning,” he said softly, still very much amused.
Realization breaking through the morning fog, you jolted up, dropping Asra’s arm like it had been on fire.
“Asra, ohmigoshI’msosorryIdidn’tmean--” You’re cut off with the sound of his laugh.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s kinda funny.” After a good yawn and a stretch, he asked you what was for breakfast.
From there, the two of you had developed a nice schedule. After waking up, you had breakfast together before setting up the shop to be ready for the day. Then, the two of you would get lunch once the morning rush of customers died down after the heat set in. Usually Asra came to get you, setting his things inside the shop. Full from lunch, you two would go off to your respective posts until the sun set and the crowds meandered back home. Then a late dinner would sate your growling stomachs before reorganizing the shop after the day’s work. When the shop was finally clean, you would wash up before finding your night filled with chatter between you and Asra. Luckily the two of you would fall asleep before the sun rose, but it came close for a couple of nights.
From your late night chats, you learned a lot of things about Asra that you always wondered about previously. You had been disheartened to hear the circumstances of Asra and Muriel’s start to their friendship, but hearing how Asra met Faust, and her hatchday, was definitely uplifting. You in turn chatted with him about what little you remembered of your parents, how you met Oberon, and how your aunt taught you magic for potions and charms. You also learned how Asra learned magic.
“You were taught by what?” you blurt out
“Yeah...I remember my mom teaching me magic, and I was drawn to the cards. When I made my own deck, I...I spoke with one of them. The Magician.”
You stare at him, in shock. Was that possible? You only have an elementary knowledge of the Arcana and reading tarot, and while you understood that the Arcana use the cards to speak to you...but actually meeting them? And being taught magic?
“After my parents, they pretty much taught me all I know...maybe you can meet them one day,” Asra says hopefully.
“H-how would I be able to do that?” You couldn’t imagine that just anyone could communicate so easily to the major Arcana.
Asra’s hopeful mien drops to a puzzled one. “Hm...I...I actually don’t know...I just...kinda just speak to them,” he murmurs, stumped. His brows furrowed as he gazed into the ground, as if it held the answers.
A yawn from you breaks Asra’s thoughts, and he giggles. “I guess it’s time to sleep. I’m tired too.”
You smile. “Yeah. Maybe you’ll find your answers in a dream.”
You hear a hum. “Maybe…” He yawns before exchanging good nights with you and the familiars. Feeling his warmth beside you, you feel at ease and protected. You mumble a soft “good night”, before sleep embraces you.
~ ~ ~
Before the two of you knew it, the moon had reached the beginning of a new cycle. Tomorrow, your aunt was sure to come home. Neither of you said anything out loud, but both of you knew that it was time to go back as it was before.
Trying not to be too despondent, you keep your chin up throughout the day and do your best to help customers. To your pleasant surprise, you actually hadn’t gotten too many difficult orders. Granted, a few potions your aunt never explicitly taught you, but you are confident that your production of them are just as good as your aunt’s. But still, a small list sits behind the counter for your aunt when she returns.
Your mind wanders as the day creeps along. The new moon - making a basic panacea could be beneficial at the beginning of a new cycle. Maybe you and Asra could make one together, before your aunt comes…
The ring from the front door’s bell tugs you out of your daydreaming. You’re about to greet the customer, but stop in the middle of your words, laughing.
“Asra, what are you doing here?”
The boy grins playfully. “Nothing, I just wanted to see how you greet a customer. Didn’t know you laughed at them.”
You giggle some more. “Oh stop it, you. There’s still plenty of the day left, I thought you’d still be in business?”
He shrugs as Faust slips out to come out on the counter. “There aren’t that many people out right now. Besides, I thought it’d be nice to chat.”
It has been a rather slow day, not unusual after a big event. You smile, happy to have his company. “Alright, I can multitask while I put away some of these ingredients.”
Asra follows you into the back and proceeds to ask about several rarer herbs that he can spot. Some ingredients he says he’s seen Muriel forage, which only fuels your desire to meet his mysterious friend.
You walk back to the front of the shop to tidy up, but stop dead in your tracks. Dread makes your stomach drop to your feet.
Asra bumps into you as your aunt closes the front door. Your fear freezes your legs, and your hands clammy.
You can see your aunt turning red with anger as she does a double take between you and Asra.
“WHAT--WHAT IS THAT STREET RAT DOING IN THE SHOP?!”
“Asra, run!” you yell at Asra, pushing him towards the back.
Your aunt grabs the broom and furiously chases the two of you. Asra makes it to the door, despite almost tripping on his feet. He fumbles with the handle before swinging the backdoor open and jumping out into the street. You keep yelling to run as he runs out before feeling the shop broom slam into the back of your head. Letting out a sharp cry, you fall as you feel painful tears well up. Even though you had fallen, your aunt continues to berate you verbally and physically. You can’t register what she says through the pain, so you just curl up and cover your head, praying it’ll be over soon.
After what felt like an hour, she finally lets up. You can still feel anger flowing off of her like ferocious waves. The air is heavy with silence. Slow and cautious, you unfurl yourself and dare to look up at her. You quickly look back down to the ground, wishing you hadn’t. You were in so much trouble.
You hear the back door open, and your aunt mutters angrily, “Get to bed. No dinner.”
Still scared stiff, you try to get up without saying anything. But evidently, it wasn’t fast enough for your aunt.
“Now!” she bellows. Adrenaline kicks in and you race into the shop and up to your room.
~ ~ ~
The silence is deafening as you run up to your closet of a room. Making sure not to slam the door (your aunt hated that), you collapse down and feel hot tears. Why are you crying? You honestly have no idea, but you let your tears fall anyway.
Not after long, you’re pulled out of your thoughtless weeping when you hear...a voice? No, that couldn’t be -- there is only the occasional breeze and crickets in the air. But you heard something...in your mind?
Help!
Help? Who needs help? Was it Asra?
Who...who is this? You project your question in your heart and mind.
Friend!
Friend…?
Then it clicks.
Faust.
There was no time for him to get her when you forced him to run. Frantically thinking back, you last recall seeing the snake in the back room.
I...I can’t leave my room. But I can tell you how to get up here!
Ok… Your heart clenches. Her voice sounds so small, she must be worried, especially after the terrifying display downstairs.
You have to be careful of Lyra, my aunt’s familiar. She’s a pretty stubborn cat who’s always looking for trouble. There should be plenty of room under the cabinets for you to travel to the stairs. If you make it to the stairs without being caught, you should be ok.
Rather than a verbal confirmation, you feel Faust’s determination as she gets ready to head out.
You wait with bated breath. Should you send Oberon to help? Or would that attract more attention?
Ultimately, you decide that if she needs it, you’d send your familiar.
Faust -- if you need help, I can send Oberon. Just let me know, ok?
You feel her acknowledge your offer, then radio silence. Waiting with bated breath, you feel sweat trickle down your temples. Imagining the path up to your room, you try to imagine where she could be.
Here.
Immediately, you crack open your door and see her lavender scales slide in. Relief filling your body, you close the door and let out a sigh you didn’t know you had been holding.
“Faust, I’m so sorry,” you whisper, stroking her head. “I-I should have tried to get you to Asra...but he was in trouble.”
You feel her in your mind, saying it’s ok.
“How can I hear you…? I guess I’ll have to ask Asra...but we have to get you to him.”
You think to yourself now. Your aunt is probably going to have you work tomorrow, that was for sure. She’ll probably work you to your bone...you aren’t looking forward to that. But she’ll have to give you time to get lunch. There really isn’t much in the shop other than a quick bite for breakfast. Will she follow you to lunch? No, she usually works while you go eat…
Feeling the day’s fatigue get to you, you let out another sigh. “I guess we’re going to have to play it by ear. But I will say, I don’t usually return up here once I start work downstairs, so you’ll probably have to stick with me until lunch. Is that alright?”
She nods.
Resigning to leave it at that, you get ready for bed. Oberon curls up next to Faust in comfort. As you lay in your bed, the last thought you have before falling asleep is how empty the spot next to you felt.
Harsh knocking on your door jolts you awake. Feeling your body move faster than your brain can comprehend, you grab your clothes as your aunt yells at you to get downstairs.
Through your drowsy panic, you go to Faust. “Hey, ok my apron is downstairs, but you can chill in my shirt, is that ok? I have a high collar, so make yourself comfortable.”
Ok! She says before slithering down your shirt collar. You try to fight back a burst of laughter - that tickled! You really hope that won’t be happening too often throughout the day.
Oberon hops on your shoulder before you dart downstairs.
As soon as your feet hit the shop floor, your aunt barks at you to prepare ingredients for three different potions. You recognize some of them being for the list of those you wrote down for her in her absence. Wordlessly you slip into the back and drearily gather the equipment you need to prep.
This is going to be a long morning, wasn’t it?
~ ~ ~ ~
The answer to your question had been a resounding yes.
After you prepped all you could for the potions on her shortlist, your aunt had handled the rest on it, but also made you take inventory of materials for charms. Oberon had to sneak breakfast for the two of you while you kneeled down in the cabinets to check all the materials. Usually this meant she had you run around the markets to buy more of what the shop needed. But is she really going to let you out after her finding Asra in the shop? You had your doubts.
Lunchtime rolls around both too quickly and not quick enough. You finish your inventory, writing down the materials that needed to be picked up.
“A’right, here,” your aunt says brusquely, throwing you a pouch of coins. “Go get yer lunch then the materials we need. I’ve already had enough of travelin’ aroun’. And don’ even think about seein’ that fortune brat - I’ll make sure of it.” Just then, Lyra comes into view and gives you a pointed look.
You gulp before smothering any signs of anxiety. “Right.” Tense, you turn and leave out the back exit.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see a familiar head of white hair. But a smart nip to your heel tells you to keep moving.
Faust couldn’t slip out now, not with Lyra here. Worry knits your brows as you hear Asra calling your name. His familiar wriggles under your shirt, probably to poke her head out to see Asra, but you send the mental image of Lyra following you, and she stills. After a moment, Asra stops calling your name. You feel your insides twist in regret.
~ ~ ~ ~
The apprehension of Lyra following you around town had turned into almost unbearable anxiety. You couldn’t even have a break for lunch, you had just bought it and ate as you walked. What’s worse is that the shops that you need to get the materials from are scattered all around the market. It’s going to take you almost the entire afternoon to get everything, and your aunt’s familiar is going to be trailing you during all of it. Great.
Asra coming, Faust suddenly says.
Shock almost stops you in your steps, but you luckily cover it up with a fake trip.
What do you mean? You ask.
Meeting us.
Your thoughts are racing. How is he going to avoid Lyra? But then again, if anyone could do it, it would be Asra.
You step up to another shop, and you’re greeted by the usual shopkeep. After requesting the items you need, you notice a boy eyeing you from the shelves. At first, you give him a weird look, but then Faust chimes in.
Asra!
With a start, you glance back at the boy. He doesn’t have Asra’s white hair...but then your eyes meet. You find yourself gazing into familiar, violet eyes...
It is Asra.
You turn your head back to the counter, trying to act natural. Peeking up at the shopkeep, you notice he’s still gathering and measuring out the things you requested. He probably wouldn’t mind if you browsed a bit…
You pretend to look around the shelves, as if you debated on getting something for the shop just in case. You wander over closer to where Asra is, looking like you’re inspecting the prices of different products. Step by step, you keep ‘browsing’ until you meet Asra’s eyes across you from behind the shelf. Under your collar, you feel Faust wriggle.
Trying to think of how to get her to him, you put your hands up on the basket that held bat wings, pretending to get a better look at their quality. You feel Faust slither down your collar and up one of your outstretched arms. Asra reaches up to another basket next to yours, and in a flash, Faust darts from your sleeve to Asra’s.
Relief washes over you and you put the basket of wings back. Meeting his eyes one last time, the two of you exchange brief smiles before you hear the shopkeep ring up your order. Turning back to go to the counter, you thankfully see that Lyra had been lazily grooming herself the entire exchange.
You pay for your goods and head on to the next shop, acting as if it’s just another day.
“So, if the Masquerade was your first time visiting Vesuvia, where did you live before?” Asra asks as the three of you walk.
“I am from the North, a place called Prakra.”
“My aunt’s been there a couple of times to get some ingredients for our shop!”
“Oh, your shop?”
“Yeah, my shop is a little back past the bakery. My aunt brews potions and creates charms, and I’ve been, er, helping out.” You didn’t really want to say that you got stuck there under less than ideal circumstances.
“My, you’re a magician!” Nadia gasps, clearly intrigued.
“Oh, uh, n-not officially--”
“Oh come on,” Asra butts in. “You’ve said yourself that you could do most of what your aunt does. You really are gifted in magic.”
Turning red at the sudden wave of compliments, you try to direct it elsewhere. “I-If anyone’s a magician, it’s Asra. He’s done things I’ve never even seen before.”
“It’s nothing, just things I’ve picked up here and there. I’m sure you could do just as well if you’ve been taught what I have,” Asra says, waving his hand dismissively.
“My, my, two magicians. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon you two. I hope I’m able to see a demonstration of your skills one day.”
You brighten up at that. “Maybe Asra can give you a reading,” you suggest, excited to show off your friend’s talents.
“That does sound lovely.” Nadia turns her head to Asra, silently asking for his permission.
Seeing both pairs of eyes on him, Asra breathes out a chuckle and shrugs. “Guess I have no choice. Alright, Countess, you can expect one reading at the end of the day.”
Nadia clasps her hands together in delight. “Thank you, Asra.”
The street slowly gives way to crammed stalls and booths, full of wares, clothes, and trinkets. The ambling passersby in the street crescendoed into buzzing crowds, air filled with chattering. Nadia silently marvels at the never ending activity around her.
“Let’s start with replacing that headdress,” Asra suggests, spotting a booth that has scarves and shawls of all kind.
“Good idea,” you second.
The three of you weave through the crowd up to the booth. Nadia is careful to keep one hand on her hood to make sure she keeps a low profile. Even with her elegant clothing, everyone seems to be busy going about their own business.
“Something that doesn’t attract too much attention...aha!” Asra mutters before lighting up. He digs through a couple of head scarves before finding one in a muted orange color.
You give a thumbs up when he looks up to you for your thoughts. Nadia slips Asra a coin and he buys the scarf. After thanking the stall owner, you three slip a bit away, and Asra hands Nadia the scarf.
“Thank you,” Nadia says as she takes off her hood.
“No problem. It’s not exactly high quality, but it’ll definitely help you blend in,” Asra returns.
You offer to hold Nadia’s hood so she can put her new one on. When she takes it off, you marvel at how long her hair is. But she quickly tucks it into her new hood and adjusts herself.
“How do I look?” she asks.
“Better,” Asra says. You nod, but still aware that the rest of her clothes stand out. Looking around, you see another booth that sells flowing tunics. Tugging on Asra’s sleeve, you point at the stall. “How about we throw in one of those?”
He looks to where you point and smiles. “Perfect, it should fit over what you have on now, Nadia.” Nadia nods in agreement.
The three of you head over and you select a warm mustard tunic. With Nadia’s coin, you pay and you all slip away so Nadia can put the tunic over her clothes. It isn’t much, but it’s honest work now she has a better chance of blending in.
Proud of your and Asra’s handiwork, the three of you set off to properly enjoy the shopping district. You pass by more stalls with clothes, fabrics, and jewelry.
“Is it common for vendors to sell imitation gems?” Nadia asks, eyeing a few jewelry booths. She quickly averts her eyes right as one merchant catches her eye and barks at her.
“I’m not too surprised. Are there a lot of fakes?” Asra asks, peeking at the gems now.
“Quite, but I presume to an unknowing eye, they are passable.”
“You can identify gemstones?” you ask, impressed. Did all Countesses know how to do that?
“Well, I’ve seen my fair share when I was residing back in Prakra as a princess.”
Both your and Asra’s eyes widen. “You were a princess?” you both ask in unison, shocked.
Nadia glances away, cheeks warm. “Yes, the youngest of seven sisters…”
You glance at Asra. Seven sisters? You could barely imagine having a proper mother and father, let alone so many siblings.
“If you were a princess, then why leave? Isn’t it...a bit of a downgrade, going from a princess to a countess?” Asra asks thoughtfully.
To your surprise, Nadia lets out a huff. “I suppose. But my sisters are all insufferable. They always coddle me, thinking I’m simply a doll to be protected. I never could make a choice for myself. Then I met Lucio, and, well, here I am.”
Sounds like a whirlwind of a story, you think to yourself. Surely Nadia condensed it, but you’d love to know the details. Maybe some day…
As you travel around the shopping district, the three of you find yourselves chatting about your past, present, and desired future. You and Asra find yourselves steering Nadia towards the Temple District, grabbing some sweet treats along the way. You let Oberon have a lick, after he gives you his best begging eyes.
You join Nadia in admiring the different religious structures. You really hadn’t gone into this part of town (your aunt found no reason to let you in this part of town), so it’s refreshing to see something new. Lanterns sway lazily in the air as all of you explore the district.
After exploring the temples, the three of you head closer to the town square to find dinner. Nadia insists on treating for dinner, and while you and Asra politely decline at first, you quickly give in. A nice, sit-down dinner paid by the Countess is a rare treat to stumble upon, and your mouth waters thinking about what you could eat.
“I think I’m craving seafood - how about over there?” Nadia suggests, pointing out a restaurant by the canal.
Your heart feels too giddy in anticipation for the food. “Sounds great,” you say.
“Let’s go!” Asra agrees, and the three of you head over.
At first, you feel a little out of place, since many of the other patrons are older, but your stomach quickly makes you forget your doubts. Nadia orders one dish after another, and you and Asra can’t believe your luck.
“I think this is the best I’ve eaten in my life, ever,” Asra softly murmurs.
Nadia simply giggles. “You both are more than welcome to the palace - I’d love to shower your palates with more food.”
“Really? Oh, Nadia, you’re too kind,” you say between bites.
“It’s a shame however -- I have yet to see swordfish in Vesuvia. That is something I may have to request the chef at the palace to make.”
“Swordfish? Is that common in Prakra?” Asra asks after quickly swallowing another mouthful.
“It was available to me back home. Spiced swordfish is my favorite dish. One of the few things I miss about home,” Nadia says wistfully.
“Wish we could try some,” you say, portioning off some more food for Oberon.
“If I find it again, you shall be the first to know,” Nadia promises. You and Asra grin in return.
The three of you finish dinner before leisurely heading back to your shop, and Asra’s booth. Nadia’s tarot reading is the last item of the day.
Not too long after Asra had returned to his spot on the street, your aunt had also returned. Anticipating the last minute rush of tomorrow, she had you prep a myriad of ingredients before going to bed much too late in your mind. The morning of the Masquerade, a loud bang and a shout jolts you awake, commanding you to get up and make several charms.
This can’t be good for my magic, you think as you put on your apron. Quickly grabbing some stale bread and cheese, you eat while weaving charms, careful not to get any crumbs or oil on the materials.
Hours pass like this, peppered with heavy yawns and the constant opening and closing of the shop’s front door. You know your aunt’s shop was gaining popularity, but this is almost ridiculous.
The hottest time of day didn’t extinguish the persistent crowd, but it did dwindle. Much past lunch time, your aunt chucks a few coins at you and says to be back promptly. Ducking your head to avoid eye contact, you hurry out the back door, hoping to bump into Asra.
A small crowd flocks around the young magician’s rug, examining his wares thoroughly. Looking closely, Asra seems to never stop exchanging money with at least one pair of hands. To your luck, you are able to catch his gaze.
“Ah, sorry!” he shouts over the crowd between frantically exchanging cash. “Meet me after sun down!”
You nod, which he sees before turning his full attention onto the hungry crowd.
Wanting to get something substantial, you decide on getting some stew instead of bread, knowing there would be a full day ahead of you.
~ ~ ~
The traffic in the shop is just as you remember it being last year. People of all backgrounds and origins either wander into the shop with curiosity, or barge in with urgency. You didn’t really get a break the entire time after lunch. If you hadn’t been brewing, you were prepping ingredients. Your aunt had even let you handle a couple of transactions because she had been stuck in the back. But as the sun set and the Masquerade officially began, your aunt did something surprising.
With a tired huff, she closes the door behind the last customer and extinguishes the lamp that signaled the shop’s open hours.
“The crowd this year is bigger,” she observes roughly. “Pro’lly ‘cause of that supposed new Countess. Profits this year are greater too - so I’m closin’ up early. My back can’t handle any more of this - I need a drink. Here—“ she tosses you a small pouch of coins “—go get dinner. I’ll be back late - you better not be making a ruckus when I get back.”
Still a bit speechless, you nod, not trusting your words. You watch as she takes off her apron, dusts off her clothes, and exits the shop. The quiet that greets you is almost unbelievable, before a huge smile splits your face.
Quickly glancing behind you, you make sure everything is in order before throwing off your apron and rushing out the back as well. Locking up, you run over to Asra’s spot.
“Asra!” you shout, getting his attention.
“You made it!”
Stopping before his rug, you watch as he rummages around his belongings. Looking around, it looks like he had sold most, if not all, of his wares. Happy for him, you smile.
“Here, for tonight!” You look at your friend holding up two masks, one being handed to you.
Blinking, your mouth drops a little. “For me?"
“Of course - it’s the Masquerade! Can’t be going around bare-faced.”
Still quite speechless, you wordlessly accept the gift. You stroke the face of it, feeling Asra’s aura in the painted details of the mask.
“Asra…thank you,” you breathe, wanting to try and explain your gratitude. You want to continue, but the magician cuts you off, excited. “Come on, let’s go explore! I’m starving too.”
Guess you’d have to show your thanks later. Feeling the familiar grumbles of hunger, you are about to agree, when a thought pops into your head.
“Hey, where’s Muriel?”
Asra’s smile drops a bit before giving you an apologetic look. “He’s…not going to make it. I really tried, but he hates crowds. The forest is going to be especially quiet during the Masquerade, with everyone either being in the center of town, or at the palace. I think he’s going to just enjoy that.”
Feeling a bit bummed, you nod, trying to understand. Asra had always said that Muriel wasn’t the type to venture into the city, which was why he didn’t tag along with him. Instead, however, Asra has told you that Muriel has picked up quite some foraging knowledge.
“Guess that just means you’ll have to come visit us soon,” Asra says, perking back up to his earlier excitement.
The thought touches you. “I’d like that.”
Asra nods before slipping on his mask. “Come on, I think there was a vendor selling blue tongue skink - I’ve been craving it all day.”
Laughing, you slip on your mask too. “Ok, let’s go!”
~ ~ ~
The Masquerade is officially a party for the bourgeois of Vesuvia, along with invited guests. While Count Lucio loved to host extravagant parties for as many people as he can, he also is not going to have his palace overcrowded, and potentially ruined. So, while the elite of Vesuvia partied it up within the palace walls, the uninvited partied outside.
Usually you're careful with your purchases. Your aunt doesn't necessarily give you a cut of the profits at the end of the day; she gives just enough money for food. You had made a habit of tucking away one or two coins from lunches and dinners, just in case. But tonight, you had decided to let loose a little, and not worry about pinching every coin in the pouch your aunt handed you. The two of you hop from one food stall to another, grabbing various street cuisines. Once you both are full, you begin to explore game stalls with prizes, stalls with trinkets, and of course stalls with magicians for almost all kinds of magic. Between the two of you, you're able to spot all the frauds from the real magicians. Soon, it becomes a game of who could figure out which magicians are real or fake.
Since meeting after sunset, the sky has been painted into a rich blue gradient, with the faintest traces of the setting sun. You could spot the twinkle of a few stars that shines against the abundant lights in the street.
“Hey, you think Muriel would like this?” you ask, staring at a small bear statue made from stone. “I feel like they have similar vibes."
Asra stares closely at the bear’s expression before laughing. “Yeah, it does.” He digs through his pouch to give the vendor money. Meanwhile, you pick up some chatter in the streets.
“I hear the palace will begin fireworks soon!”
“Oh, we need to find a good spot.”
“I hope there’s still some left, it’s not too long now.”
“Let’s go!”
You turn your attention back to your friend, who is tucking the statue safe in his pouch. “Hey, Asra, apparently the fireworks are going to start soon.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, we better find a spot. I’ve never had the chance to see them clearly, until now.”
“I think I know a place. Come on!” Asra waves for you to follow before dashing off.
Crossing your fingers that he's right, you follow, excitement welling inside you.
~~
After twisting and turning through the crowd, Asra leads you to a tight alleyway, connecting to a dark street on the other end. Most of it looks like abandoned shops and houses.
“How are we supposed to see anything here?” you ask, watching with uncertainty as Asra scurried into the alley.
“Oh come on, trust me,” he reassures before peeling back a wooden board to reveal a hole in the wall of one of the buildings. It's just big enough for him, and you.
Surprised, you watch as he ducks into the hole. Still hesitant, you walk over to the hole, checking behind you to make sure no one is paying too close attention.
Peering inside, Asra is waiting, a small but strong orb of light in his palm. “Come on,” he encourages with a smile.
Well, he hasn’t failed you this far. But if this is some weird way that you were going to die, it can’t have been all that bad, with the fun the two of you had tonight. You duck your head and in.
Still smiling, Asra takes your hand and guides the two of you through the abandoned shop. It's dark and damp, but Asra’s light is enough to see where you two are going.
With a warning to be careful, Asra leads up you up a decaying stairway, then to a risky looking ladder. Without hesitation, he disperses his light magic before grabbing the ladder’s lower rungs.
“Don’t worry, I’ve done this before,” he explains, voice hushed. "There’s a door to the roof at the top - I’ll open it. Just come when I say so.”
You nod, forgetting he can’t see you. “Ok.”
In the darkness, you hear him climb up the ladder. Soon, the sound of chains rattling and scraping gives way to the ceiling opening up to show the night sky.
“Alright, come on up,” you hear his lovely voice call out, giving the ok.
“Coming,” you call back before taking a brief moment to stare at the ladder. After taking the first hesitant step, you feel yourself growing more confident that the ladder won’t break under you, and swiftly climb up to the top.
The wind, carrying the scent of the distant sea, greets you as you grab Asra’s hand, hoisting you up on the roof. Looking out, you can see the rest of the night’s market below.
“Wow, this is amazing! How’d you find this?”
Asra chuckles, sitting down. “That’s kind of a funny story.”
You take a seat next to him. “Well, I’m all ears.”
He laughs again. “Alright, so I was—“
A loud whine and crack interrupts him. The two of you whip your heads around to see the light of a beautiful firework sparkle before fading. Another follows it, then two more follow that.
You turn to Asra, the smile on your face so wide it may hurt. This is amazing.
