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Anika & Natalya

Darkness fell suddenly, as if the sunlight had been cut off by a storm. Anika gasped and stopped in her tracks. Natalya came up beside her, her heavy breathing sounding in Anika’s ear. “What happened?”

“How should I know?” Anika started forward again, groping ahead of her in the gloom.

“We’ll get a tanning if we’re late.”

Anika forced the though from her mind. It was a certainty, but it was a certainty she had to ignore for now.

As suddenly as darkness had come, they stumbled into a patch of light. Anika blinked, but when she saw what the light had to show, she stumbled back, bumping against Natalya.”Quiet!” she hissed. Don’t move.”

Natalya held in a whimper and looked around.

Everywhere, there were new faces. People, whether cruel or kind they had no way of knowing. Natalya pressed herself against the wall, and Anika looked warily around. Slowly, she motioned Natalya back, and slowly, Natalya began to creep away. Inch by inch, into the dark tunnel from where they had come.

Where were they? How had they gotten here? Had anyone seen them?

Anika shuddered. I hope not.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed up beside them, too close to be avoided. Anika froze. Someone was here. They had been seen. She set her fists and stood, telling herself she was ready for anything. She and Natalya bowed their heads respectfully, but from the corner of her eye, Anika peered up at the person. It was a woman. She sighed in silent relief.

A woman with blue hair.

What went wrong back there?

The woman looked them over sharply. Anika kept her head bent without thinking. Long years had made it habit.

“Who are you, and how did you get here?” snapped the woman.

“Anika, ma’am. And this is Natalya.” Anika gestured to Natalya without looking at her. They both curtsied low.

There was nothing else to do, now. Anika kept her head bent, and waited. One eye on the woman, one looking for a place to run. She stood up from the curtsy and remained perfectly still, but every muscle was poised, ready to leap into action the moment the need might arise.

 

@rose-colored-fancy IDK if you want to interact, but I noticed that Cal was inactive, and thought I’d give you the chance.

@irishcelticredflowercrown, Lorcan and Daire are also inactive, and @calidris ‘s Valencia is pretty much inactive. If any or all of you want to interact, I’m down for it. 🙂