Shiori and the Novelite

Entry 23

A chilling, eerie silhouette stands ominously outside, hidden within the dark shroud of fog on this gloomy, moonless night. Your highness, seemingly unfazed by the eerie sight, casually remarks, "Who could be visiting at this hour?" She turns to you with a small smile, suggesting, "Can you please check it out?"

~~~~~

You look up at her from your place in the plushy, puffy leather recliner next to her, making sure to mark where you were on the page you were nearly sucked into, not literally this time, thankfully. That's still unpleasant. "I could, sure," you reply, looking out the window, wondering the same.

Moving toward the door, you pause, your breath catching in your throat. The darkness is making demons of the trees and every sound seems to be another creature of the night this deep in the forest, each one seeking entry into the Archiver's home. Placing your hand on the bolt securing the door, you slowly pull it back, and pull on the heavy oaken door. As it creaks open, you hold your breath as you see the figure outside.

Watching it, it seems to waver a bit as you call out, "Hello? Can I help you? This is no place for just exploring..."

The figure stirs slightly, and moves closer, encouraging you to brace yourself to shut the door if it poses a threat.

There's a slight groan and a mumble that you can barely hear, "Ugh, what a spooky house... That damn innkeeper and that weird lady... Why me?"

Hearing it, you start to get an idea of what's going on. "You're from the town? What are you doing here?"

The figure jumps, as if startled, "AH! Someone actually lives here? What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Well, yes, I live here. What are you doing here?"

As the figure moves closer, the light touches it, revealing someone you recognize. It's the hunter's daughter, who frequents the inn and the bakery in town.

Glaring, she almost shouts at you, clearly still unnerved, "The innkeeper and my old man made me deliver this bag to you. It's prepaid, just take it and let me leave."

She got me again, you think to yourself, reaching out for the bag.

"Yeah, alright. Sorry for the trouble, have a safe trip back." She just continues to glare at you, handing you the bag, and turning around to leave as quickly as she can.

"You live in way too spooky a place, y'know? Should clean some of this brush, it'll make it easier to get inside if a wolf or something is chasing you," she remarks without looking back, her concern belying her true nature. You smirk, knowing you're safe here.

"Thanks, I'll bear that in mind," you respond, closing the door.

"Happy, my lady? You got me again, that was a good trick though," you ask Shiori, who's cackling behind you at her prank.

"I am! Your response was great!" She continues cackling as she takes the bag and moves back toward the kitchen, "I'll put together our midnight snack, go wait for me, ok?"

You follow her with your eyes as you move back to your place on the recliner, feeling like you got plenty of exercise from how hard your heart's beating. Picking up the book, you smile softly, reassured by her behavior that she's happy again. You live for it.