Chapter Text
The warm air of Summer seemed to be replaced with a more tolerable, chill breeze. Which meant one thing, Autumn was beginning to roll in, slowly. But that also meant Adore would be bothered by the unending talk from busy streets filled teens going back-to-school shopping and her least favorite: Halloween. The thought of walking through a pitch black hallway covered in fake blood and plastic gore, interrupted with flashing lights and the gargling of animatronic ghouls already irritated her, the cherry on top of it all was just to earn nothing from it, at most, bragging rights for 'surviving'. She kept her little Yorkie, Bebe, in her mini purse. Yapping at every stranger in sight as she strut past everyone in her wedge heels, head high. On her way to her job, at the pet shop, which she mostly tolerated. Caring for pets similar to her own, like Bebe. She honestly didn't have the patience for anything else, like reptiles for example. It was mostly because of the cricket and mice thing, but she'd never admit it. Plus, that was her coworkers thing, no need to worry about something that someone else would do for her. She enjoyed the simple things, nursing animals back to health, grooming their fur until her hands cramped and her legs became tired, and watching some get adopted and find their forever homes. It wasn't all that bad, other than the fact she had to work with someone she'd never imagine getting anywhere near.
Walking up to the store, it was the only one on the street newly decorated in tied, boxy haybales. A well carved pumpkin, resembling a spider in its web. Giant fake spiderwebs covering the windows, which were also decorated in small, gel stickers. To top it all off, the same barely functioning animatronic skeleton from last year, jerking back before lunging at the people walking by, which always gets a reaction out of them.
Adore stood outside the shop, admiring her coworkers obvious excitement towards her least favorite holiday, her eyes catching the movement inside the store. Charlotte, dressed in the closest thing she could get to her signature style. Black flats, covered by black layered skirts, topped with a black long sleeve that clung to her arms in order minimize claws getting caught on flowing sleeves, a thin, lacy black tank top and small silver necklaces and bracelets. Her face was clean of makeup, but her piercings laid intact. She was wiping down the counters with a rag, her other arm was occupied with a small, white kitten that laid there. Laying the rag off to the side before walking out of her sight, which snapped Adore out of her daze.
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Walking up to the glass doors, pulling them open. The familiar ring of bells fills her ears, and also the howling of the few dogs in the back. Triggering Bebe into a barking frenzy, which brings Charlotte back to the main room, now syringe feeding the kitten, holding it carefully in place as she slowly pushed down on the syringe. Which the kitten mewled, hungrily consuming the soft, wet food. Adore watched as she scooped her own dog out of her purse and into her arms like a small baby, which was still barking. She took a few steps over to Charlotte, who picked her head up slightly in acknowledgment of Adore. Still, feeding the kitten with her full attention, she waited for her to speak, ignoring her yapping dog in her own arms.
" What's up with the decorations today? " Adore asked, glaring down at Charlotte, who finally met her eyes. She adjusted, standing up more straight, her eyes moving between the kitten to her. Clearing her throat before speaking softly. " Halloweens coming up soon. " She answered, her voice low but smooth, like music. Sending a slight chill down Adore's back. " You mean in a month? " Adore commented, tilting her head. Her ginger hair creating a shade of warm amber in the stray beams of sunlight. " Close enough. " Adore scoffs to herself, opening her mouth to protest before being interrupted. " I have to, since I know you wouldn't. " Keeping her comments short, copying her coworkers head tilt, the eventual silence of Adore trying to come up with something else to say that wouldn't make her seem thankful for her coworkers decorating, and occasional eye contact between the two, lead to a staring contest. Adore slowly took another step closer. Leaving the two in the sea of howling and yapping, but it felt like muffled, useless sound. Smelling the mix of fruity perfume and sharp cologne, dark brown eyes meeting pitch black ones. The exact opposites, working in such warm, welcoming environment, still felt impossible.
" Don't you have to change? " Charlotte jumped at Adore, who jumped back. Blinking and stumbling back a step, almost dropping Bebe in the process, who is now silent for once, in fear. Adore breathes a sigh in relief before muttering a short line of curses. Recovering quickly as Charlotte looked down to check up on the small kitten again, who was content, already now half asleep in her arms despite the sudden movement. " I do. Why? " Adore glares at her, hard. " Then I advise you go, we're opening up soon. " Charlotte casually responds, but Adore snaps back. " I Can't. " Adore simply says, dramatically leaning on the counter, tilting her head away from Charlotte. Which made it barely audible, even worse in their pet store. " And why is that? " Charlotte leaned in, raising her voice, barely. Placing the almost empty syringe onto the counter, staying as still as possible. " I need Bebe to put on. " Adore lowers her voice to a whisper, hoping Bebe wouldn't hear it. " Her collar. " Which, of course, sets Bebe off again. Struggling in her owners arms, barking again. Adore then tries to shuffle the dog to one arm, trying not to drop her again in the process, clawing at her hot pink Haute Couture tracksuit. Placing her empty bag onto the counter with her mostly free arm. Pulling out a hot pink, somewhat bedazzled collar with a crown charm dangling in the front, 'Bebe' engraved into the thin, gold tag. Holding it in the air for Charlotte to see, before placing it on the counter.
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" Seriously? " Charlotte questions, taken back by the unserious request. " Yes. Seriously. I want her to keep the damn thing on, she just looks like a stray without it. " Adore complains, rolling her eyes. Holding out Bebe, waiting for Charlotte to do something about it. But Charlotte stares, not expecting Adore to ask for something so simple, holding back another question before speaking. " Alright, give a moment. " Before quickly turning around on her heels to let the kitten properly rest. Adore sat, petting Bebe with her free hand, rocking her as she calmed down for a moment. Charlotte came back empty handed, Adore scanned Charlottes outfit, noticing the lack of movement under her skirts, giving the illusion of her floating. Like a graceful black swan, sun rays shining down as she swum by. Her daydreaming was cut from by Charlotte taking Bebe from Adore's hands, gently rocking her.
" Are you ready? " Charlotte asks, her soft voice filling the room, barely. Adore was unsure if she was talking to her or Bebe, but she nodded silently. Reaching for the pink collar on the clean counter. Which Bebe notices immediately, and begins yapping in Charlotte's arms. Which she keeps her in place, rocking her once more. Adore unlatches the collar, inching closer to Bebe's neck, who is still alert, but less jittery. The collar wraps around Bebe's neck slowly, struggling to latch it in place as the small yorkie begins to figure out what's going on, beginning to nip at Adore, who jumps back as Charlotte gently holds Bebe's mouth shut. Adore steps closer to finally latch on the collar, then stepping back as Bebe lashes out.
Adore huffs, looking down at her hand, unharmed. " Are you alright, Adore? " Charlotte asks, her name fills her ears, making her heart almost flutter for a moment. She stays silent, unsure of what happened, before brushing it off as some heart palpitation, which she doubted. " Adore?- " Charlotte asks before Adore interrupts. " I'm fine. " Charlotte rocks Bebe, petting her with one arm, staring up at Adore with a bit a concern. " Go clean that off and go get changed. " She orders, sending Adore off. " I will. " Adore turns around, about to walk off before turning back. Charlotte notices, tilting her head slightly, humming in question. " Thank you, Charlotte. " Adore clearly speaks before turning back, not letting Charlotte respond back. Her bright tracksuit then disappeared from Charlottes view, for now.