Esperia
By Pika-ko
Chapter One: Odd one out
Feathers fluttered in the wind, pigeons took flight in the afternoon sky. Skyscrapers and other buildings surrounded the area, jutting into the sky above. Traffic lights blink, green…yellow…red…green…yellow…red…green…yellow…red. The crowd's ever sounding chatter and the honking of cars fill the air.
Silence
Looking around, she spotted a house. Around it, was a gate, and inside where cherry blossom trees. The roof was green tiled and were decorated with moon shaped weather vanes. The house had two doors, a sliding shoji on the side, and a red double door in the front. In the middle of a city, it was dwarfed by its neighboring skyscrapers. Stepping into the courtyard, she stares at the house.
Welcome
"Huh?" she spun around, her head darting left and right. "Who's there?" she called, once more facing the house. The doors slowly opened.
Welcome
A figure stood in the door way, a long black dress with a long cut reveling legs, black knee high socks, and black high heels. A long shadow cast from the door covered her face. White smoke trailed out from behind her. "Welcome." The wind picked up, sending a gust of wind through the courtyard. The women's long black hair flowed in the cherry blossom scattered sky.
"I-I'm sorry for trespassing!" she exclaimed, "I was wondering around, and before I knew it, I was here."
"That is because you were fated to be here. Come in." the mysterious women said before turning around and walking back into her house. The girl hesitates, taking cautious steps, she made her way into the house.
Immediately greeting her was a small green room. In the middle was a elevated hardwood floor, connecting to the rest of the house. The other half that she was standing on however, had a stone flooring and was on ground level. Shoes were left waiting in front of the borderline, waiting for their owners to return and claim them. Slipping off her own shoes, she steps onto the hardwood floor, following the vanishing trail of white smoke. Up the hallway, she peeked into the room connecting to the shoji. It housed a small round table and two chairs, facing each other from across the wooden table. And in one of those chairs, was the woman.
She had long raven black hair, snow white skin, and hazel eyes. Her dress had white embroidery in the shoulders, long flowing sleeves, and a low neck line. She wore a moon charm on her choker, and had her hair in a pony bun, held in place by a long rod. On the ends of the rod, were long white clothes, one for each end, both bearing a black crest of the moon.
"Have a seat." she said, gesturing to the seat across from her. The girl blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and sat down.
"S-Sorry for intruding in your home." she muttered, bowing her head slightly. Why…why does this seem so familiar?
"This is not a house. This is a store, a store that sells wishes, for a price." said the woman as a teenaged boy walked in. In his hands was a tray, holding a bottle of sake, a cup of tea, and light snacks. The boy himself was tall, had black hair and glasses. "Thanks Watanuki." she said, pouring herself a cup of sake.
Watanuki eyed the girl, for what seemed like hours. Their eyes interlocked, his reflected surprise, acceptance, and knowing; while hers reflected curiosity and innocence. He looked away, turned on his heel and walked out of the room, tray in hand. What was that all about? she wondered.
"So, what is your wish?" asked the raven haired woman, reaching over and pouring herself a cup of sake.
"M-my…wish?" the girl repeated, looking at her host in askance.
"Of course. This shop sells wishes, wishes of your heart. My name is Yuuko Ichihara and to some, I am known as the Dimension Witch. I have the power to grant any wish, for a price."
"…a price…" the girl murmured, staring at her reflection in her tea.
"You can't expect something for nothing. For a wish, you have to give me something of equal value." the witch further explained. "So, what is your wish?" Yuuko asked, her voice echoed and softened. The girl felt dizzy, the room spun and images collided; until finally, she fell and was claimed by the darkness.