Chapter: Velvet

"And you haven't asked him for a date?" Esmeralda asks, drooling.

Velvet laughs and tucks the photo away. "No! I'm pretty sure him and Blake are a thing."

"But are they really?" Esmeralda whines, reaching across Velvet for the photo. The human whines. "Come on Vel! If you won't introduce us, at least let me stare for a while."

"No way!" Velvet slips the photo away and swaps it for another. "And don't go stealing it!"

"Can you blame me, though?" the human pouts, leaning away. "I mean, just look at dat a-"

"Es!" Velvet laughs, muffling her friend. "Here. Have this one. It's of his whole team."

A couple people turn their heads at Esmeralda's squeal. She slaps a hand on her mouth, and then quietly squeals behind that. "Look at those angles. Those outfits! Those abs!"

Velvet laughs as her mind flickers to the soul mark on her bag. She can't help it. When her soulmate talks about her work…

'I'm sorry to be a bother, but I would be forever in your debt if you would agree to be a sitter for my art class this afternoon.'

"You should stop by the academy," Velvet says lightly. "More chance of running into them."

"I wish I could," Esmeralda groans, head dropping on the table. "My showing continues after the tournament, though, and I'm freaking out."

"Come for my match, please?" Velvet turns on the wide, innocent eyes.

The human peeks up. She groans and tries to bury her head in the table. "Just the first one, Vel. I really can't spend too much time away from the stalls."

Velvet feel her lips turn down, but nods. "Well, I'll just find you at the market, then! When do you sing?"

"Second day of the tournament. I'm doing tarot cards and palm readings for a few days after. Babysitting after that, and dance classes are on the last days."

"I will definitely be there for the dancing," Velvet says, nudging her friend's head off the table. "Maybe I can drag Coco with me."

"That will be a team effort," Esmeralda says solemnly, lifting her head. Her smile negates the tone. "The world may be better off if we drag Yatsu with us instead."

Velvet smiles.

Truly, her soulmate is the best.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I don't know what happened with the last chapter, but it was posted last week. even if it didn't say so. If the chapter is unreadable, please let me know.

Have a great May, everyone