You know...Alex sometimes, I wonder if this is even a game...
I know right.
I replied absentmindedly, as I leisurely crossed the street, avoiding a horse-drawn chariot.
"Dagnabit! Watch where you're..."
I ignored the man's voice, as I continued to walk across the sidewalk, my hands in my pockets.
The other people across the sidewalk were given me strange looks.
Why won't they?
I literally looked like a madman.
The damaged fabric of the Veil of the Moon, my long unkempt hair, the wounds on my body, the dried stench of blood, my own appalling stench and the aura of death that lingered around me.
Pair all this up and you got a man who seemed like he escaped a mental facility.
Oh well...that's just others' perception...
A beastfolk mother who was walking with her child, gave me a look as she pulled her daughter away from my direction.
Cute kid...
I commented as I brushed past them.
You know...that's kinda sus...
Don't even go there.
My thoughts were cold and firm, causing my inner voice to go silent.
Well...about that ball...
You're going, aren't you?
I scoffed inwardly.
Quite obviously, I need answers...and my intuition is telling me that I'll get them there.
I replied, still walking.
So, what's the plan? You're not just gonna hide under a bridge till midnight, no?
How homeless do you think I am?
Yes.
HA...
I shook my head.
Obviously not, I'll need to prepare, clean up if I may.
I ran a hand through my hair, as I came to a halt, my gaze flicking to the corner.
TAK. TAK.
Another horse-driven chariot rode down the street briefly concealing what caught my eyes before revealing it again.
Across the street, parallel to my position was an upscale clothing boutique. At the entrance, mannequins draped in intriguing outfits while in lavish poses clung to the doors – two sets of wooden frames with glazed glass in its centers.
Above the doors was a long, rectangular block with the word 'Le Pompadour' engraved in it, serving as the name for the small boutique.
Le Pompadour...hmm, what is this? Mid-France?
I chuckled before taking a step forward, crossing the street right after a post-chaise moved past.
As I approached the boutique, my breathing began to slow, becoming low, my steps became measured and soundless, my posture relaxed and soon the system spoke.
[Skill: Invisibility has been activated.]
And with that, I slipped through the doors and leisurely walked past the well-dressed shopkeeper who was busy haggling with a noblewoman, too preoccupied to notice my presence.
The shop's interior was elegant; deep mahogany shelves lined with neatly folded garments, perfumes wafting from polished counters. A few customers browsed, nobles murmured among themselves, and other attendants flitted about like bees in a hive.
And yet, no one noticed me.
You know...I would have called this skill bullshit if not for the logic behind it...
I chuckled inwardly, as my hands surveyed the various wears in a cornered shelf.
Obviously, I couldn't become invisible. In fact, the system's naming was a bit too far-fetched. My [Invisibility] skill wasn't like a magical poof and suddenly no one could see me-no. It was much subtler.
It was something similar to how introverts could fade into the crowd but on steroids, much more comparable to a shadow merging with a dark alley.
The key is to become indistinguishable from your environment in the most subtle manner.
By controlling your breathing, hiding in people's silhouettes, mimicking someone's movement patterns and redirecting eye-contact.
One could literally make the world forget they were there.
And there's probably the influence of the Veil of the Moon, but I can't tell to what extent.
My eyes swerved across the racks, scanning for something fashionable-err...I mean noblesse.
Hmm...I think this should work...
My hand settled on a certain attire being hung from a rack—dark, tailored and seamless. Gold embroidery lined the sleeves, subtle but refined. A noble's attire.
I smirked.
This is gonna be good.
With a single command, I shattered the wear into countless shards.
Store.
[You have gained a Common Item: Posh Reverie.]
"Uhh-excuse me..."
A voice seemed to call out from the side but immediately, a man stepped in front of me, yanking the attendant's attention away from me.
"Miss, how about this?"
"Oh, that would fit you perfectly."
I didn't hear the rest of the conversation though because I was already gone.
With the same fluid manner I had entered, I exited, the weight of silk settling into my inventory like it had always belonged there.
PHEW...
I let out a sigh of relief, as I walked away from the boutique, my steps brisk.
That was close...
A lil too close, don't you think?
Hey, remember its not even actual Invisibility and besides, all that ends well is well.
Oh well... can't argue with that.
I continued to walk down the sidewalk, my hands once again entering my pockets.
You gonna try it on or something?
Not yet, I gotta clean up myself first...
I replied, as I turned down the street, accidentally bumping into a grumpy-faced man. My hands briefly slipped out of my pockets and then back while the man staggered back and hissed, "Watch were you're going, little lad!"
"Tsk! Young people these days.", he shook his head before walking away.
I walked past him, ignoring his scolding. Slowly as I walked, a small smile came to my face.
Damn, you smooth mf...
My inner voice said in amazement, as I pulled out a heavy gold coin from my pocket and flipped it up.
Hehe...I know, pickpocketing just so happens to be another specialty of mine.
I caught the coin mid-air, taking a moment to inspect it.
It was a well-minted coin, one with no jagged edges, perfectly circular. It had elaborate designs over it but none of them caught my attention as much as the familiar image of an ouroboros serpent on it.
This again...
I stared at it for a moment before putting it back in my pocket, feeling the weight of several others within it.
My gaze swerved across the sprawling city, just taking in the alluring aesthetic.
"Hahaha.", I chuckled softly, as I resumed walking.
You're right, sometimes I wonder if this is a dream or a game.
...
CLING. CLING.
A silver bell rung as I stepped into the store, trailing behind me were my companions.
"Mmm...how nice.", Laura commented after taking a deep breath, her goldilocks complimenting her amber eyes.
"Indeed.", I hummed in agreement. The jewelry shop did smell nice; it had an aroma of lavender and polished silver.
The male storekeeper at the counter smiled, the usual polite smile they all wore.
Laura and Nonia approached him, eager to survey his catalogue of accessories.
Stepping forward, I reached forward to a nearby rack and idly traced a finger over an emerald necklace, my thoughts elsewhere.
"He was interesting, wasn't he?", Nonia mused as she watched me from across the counter, her violet mane and playful eyes shimmering as she bared her fanged teeth.
I blinked, feigning denial, "Who?"
"Ah please...Elowen, your stoic poise might fool many but not me.", Nonia spoke in an endearing tone as she teased, her eyes not leaving mine.
I looked away, returning my gaze to the necklace, "I haven't even the slightest bit of what you mean, Nonia."
Her smirk widened, her amethyst eyes glinting. She opened her mouth to speak but Lirien shot first,
"The man from before. You've been distracted since we left the garden."
I scoffed, "Hardly. He was just… odd."
"Odd enough for you to think about him this much?"
I ignored them, pretending to focus on the bracelet in her hands.
"Fufu~ I wonder what Charles would think when he realizes you have eyes for ano-"
"Stop.", I clenched my fist, "Don't bring up his name."
Silence.
"Oh...", Nonia paused for a moment, her gaze turning to one of understanding, "Elowen, I'm sorry."
I let out an exhale, my grip weakening, "It's alright."
Laura walked up to me and smiled, "How about we pick out our bangles together? I saw this matching one, let me show you."
Before I could even respond, Laura pulled me along, dispelling all my hesitant thoughts.
Still, one lingered.
Who was he?
His torn clothes, wounded body and disheveled hair implied that he was likely an indebted hack but his eyes...
They seemed like they saw through the thin veil of reality.
I chuckled.
Since when had I become so poetic.
I shook my head, chasing away my thoughts on him.
Besides it was unlikely that we'd meet again and then, the ball was coming up.
That was what mattered.
With a sigh, I stared out the window, my eyes lingering on the ashen sky before I drew a circle around my chest and said,
"Hail the Drake."