Chapter Text
It’s summertime, the sun is up, and there is probably a light breeze, the one where it isn’t cold and the too-long grass sways like a musical promise.
And you’re hunched over in your room trying to figure out how to draw 4-way symmetrical patterns properly.
The inviting nature-green notebook you’re trying to decorate certainly isn’t helping your case of staying on track. No matter how much you want to, you cannot draw in this one. You need to actually make money, and need to keep some space in your bookshelf, which is already crammed with half-filled sketchbooks and folklore collections.
Your hand is as steady as you can make it as you lay down colored pencil graphite to mark the future gold embellishments. Still, the line comes out curved and jerky, eliciting a sigh of frustration. Why did this have to be so hard right now?
As if on cue, your door became a scratching post for a very incessant cat. Straightening out your sore back, you placed down your supplies on your organized-chaos desk and walked over. Careful not to squish Johnny’s paw- which he had been shoving under the door -you emerge out into the main room, slightly blinded by the setting sun.
“I know, I’m going,” you say, hearing a food bowl drag behind you, combined with echoey meowing. Fishing around in the cabinet, then in the backup-stash cabinet, then in your little hidden spot meant only for emergencies, you come up short for any of Johnny’s cat food.
Groaning, you turn back to Johnny, his little eyes staring expectantly back. It feels wrong to give him whatever person-food is left, but your stomach drops at the thought of going out shopping with such short notice.
As always, the adorable furball wins, and you trudge back into your room to get dressed. After pulling on some jeans and a t-shirt, you knock on Ava’s, your roommates, door.
“Ava! I’m going out to get dinner for Johnny, need anything?” You call, listening for any signs of life. Faint mumbling and cartoonish snoring reply, so you roll your eyes and walk out of the apartment.
Walking to the market is always nice, excluding the persistent stress of people. The sidewalk is cracked and gravely just enough to make a faint crunch as you stroll, and a few houses sport fragrant decorative flowers on their lawns. The one thing you miss the most when having an apartment is any access to the outside that’s still yours. But you can’t complain too much, since an entire wall of your residence being glass helps your house plants get by.
You subtly double-check your pockets for everything you need. Phone, yep, wallet, yes, mental grocery list: cat food, acceptable human food, and trail mix, check.
Reaching the mall’s entrance, you mentally prepare yourself to be a little stressed. Walking in, the noise of crowded public spaces greets you, with a particularly loud group of little kids running around nearby.
It’s fine. You can see the grocery store already, and you’re only getting closer. Constantly scanning your surroundings, you make it to your destination perfectly. You smile a little bit once you see that some cat food is on sale in an easily accessible location on the end of the shelves. You make sure to grab a few boxes, since you might as well restock the back-up stashes. Once the boxes are loaded into your cart, you begin to traverse the too-thin isles for some decent meal prep options.
After grabbing some microwave dinners, pre-made salad bags, and canned fruits, you head to check out with your goods.
A squeal from an unhappy toddler nearby causes you to jump, your hands instinctively curling around the handle of the cart. Your mind begins to race as you glance down, sharpened fingertips and scratched paint confirming your suspicions. Despite your increased heart rate, you try to return to normal as quickly as possible before having to expose your hands while paying.
“Next,” a tired cashier calls, signaling that it was your turn. You were in peril, and even that felt like an understatement. Shakily, you transferred your goods onto the conveyer.
“That’ll be 72.90, cash or card?” They asked, bagging your groceries.
“Cash,” you squeaked, trying not to show your anxiety.
After poking a few buttons into the register, they handed back your change.
“Have a nice day. Love your nails, by the way.”
“Thanks, you too,” your-what? Were they gone by now? Was the cashier a were-beast too? Before you could freeze up, the cashier called out for the next person, and you quickly took your bags and scampered away.
Checking your nails, they were undeniably still not human, but they didn’t look too far off from acrylics. If you squinted really hard. The elongated, sharp portions blended into a fiery orange at the tips like a fashion statement. However, the relief of not getting caught made them recede back into your normal, unpainted finger nails.
After the close call you just had, you decide to get home as quickly as possible, abandoning the serene sidewalk for the back alleyway to your apartment. While focused on a hasty return, you stop suddenly at the sound of voices ahead of you.
Straining to hear if they’re going to leave anytime soon, your jolted into action at sounds of distress. Rounding a corner, you spot five people standing around…Ava?! Without hesitation, you rush up to Ava’s side, but get blocked by one of the strangers.
You take a sharp inhale after realizing the feeling of a cold blade held to your throat. Eyes blowing wide, you take a good look at your and Ava’s attackers.
They’re all undisguised were-beasts.
It’s ok. You can get yourselves out of this, you just have to get the blade off your throat and Ava down from the tree. Why was she in a tree?!
“Stand down,” one of them called, draped in a red cape. Had they been talking this entire time? The ability to think semi-clearly returns once a knife is no longer against your neck.
“Asch, we need to get out of here before more humans discover us!” One called to the red attacker. Yes! They would leave and you and Ava could get back home safe and sound.
Who you assumed was the leader of the group thrust his hand towards Ava, causing you to lunge forward, certainly breaking your own cover, talons bared. To your astonishment, the tree behind Ava erupted in flames, but left her untouched and free to walk. What the- did he just do that? You’ve never heard about any were-beasts being able to do actual magic before. Was it just a match or something?
Ava was appalled as well, seemingly unable to form actual words. You both stared at the crumbling tree, with the leader of the group being chastised by a man in an ocean-blue robe.
You both turned when the fire-summoning one addressed Ava.
“The next words that come from your mouth better be-“ his threat was cut short by Ava tugging on his horns. You blanched, as did everyone but Ava around you. Was she trying to get hurt?
After a few agonizing seconds, Ava let go.
“They’re real,” she stated, sounding a little far off. No! Not here! If Ava faints, that leaves you alone to defend the both of you. The thought makes your ears pin back and- shoot!
Your situation becomes far less than ideal as Ava passes out, leaving you stuck between a rock and a hard place. At least she didn’t see you start to transform.
“You killed her!” A new voice called, higher pitched than the rest.
“No, no I didn’t!” the leader called, “there’s a second one right here, we’ll just take them!”
All eyes turned to face you, causing you to tense up. Take you? Where? To do what?
“Hey, that isn’t even a human!” The green-clad attacker called. You bristled at the sight of his blades still drawn, feeling the phantom of them across your neck. As if knowing their secret was revealed, your tail unfurled, lashing aggressively.
“What? I thought only humans inhabited E-urth,” the robed one pondered, seemingly to himself, “a shapeshifter perhaps?”
A loud meow caught everyone off guard, the attackers whirling around to find… Johnny. Despite your current situation, you huff out a laugh at the absurdity of him being here. Hungry cats won’t stop at anything, will they?
Just as quickly as he appeared, he walked away towards the apartment entrance.
“Was that a spirit?” The leader said, bewildered.
“It’s trying to guide us,” another responded. You used the distraction to sneak over to where Ava was collapsed, making sure that she was ok.
“It’s bad luck to ignore them!” The high-pitched one called.
“Grab the human and shapeshifter and follow the spirit,” the leader ordered. What? No, you weren’t going anywhere if you could help it! Stepping in front of Ava’s unconscious form protectively, you poised for a fight, talons ready.
“Ooo, I like this one,” you heard before you were promptly struck in the head, your vision blurring to darkness.