Feral Daydreams 🎀

The Cost of Survival (🍋)

Sounds filled the room as a young woman stood in front of a mirror, her presence commanding attention. "I'm ready," she declared in a low, confident tone. The voice belonged to Mathilda Rowe, a striking figure with a style that was as bold as it was unique.

Mathilda's short blonde hair was styled in loose curls, framing her face in a way that highlighted her multiple piercings. Her blue eyes held a steady, neutral expression, but it was impossible not to be captivated by her edgy look. She wore a white off-the-shoulder sweater that contrasted sharply with the black fishnet stockings, matching shorts, and sneakers she had chosen. The combination of her attire and her cool, collected demeanor made it clear that Mathilda was someone who knew exactly who she was and wasn't afraid to show it.

Today was Mathilda's first day working at The Vale of Astral Shadows. Her family had always told her she was strong, especially after the time she protected her baby brother from a robber who broke into their home, ready to harm him. That memory had become a defining moment for her, a source of inner strength she carried with her.

After adding the final touch to her eyeshadow and lipstick, she left the house, stepping into her Jeep and driving to her new workplace. Upon arrival, she was greeted by a man she recognized from Instagram, where she had seen him associated with the company.

"Welcome, Rowe!" he called out as Mathilda stepped out of her car. They exchanged a firm handshake.

"We're thrilled to have another warrior join our team!" the man continued with enthusiasm. "I'm Thales Black, your new boss. I've heard good things—you're going to fit right in here."

Mathilda smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Thales."

Returning her smile, Thales gestured for her to follow him. "Let me show you around, shall I?"

The place was impressive—complete with a training area, a cozy living room, and even bedrooms for those who lived far from the facility. As they walked, Thales introduced her to several team members, all of whom seemed welcoming. Mathilda found herself liking the atmosphere, a mix of professionalism and camaraderie that put her at ease.

Her first training session was in the shooting range, where she was tasked with taking down a dummy target. To her surprise, and the surprise of those watching, she landed every shot perfectly.

"Impressive," commented a girl with half-shaven pink hair, her tone filled with admiration. Beside her, a boy with brown curly hair and freckles nodded in agreement.

Mathilda flashed a confident grin. "Thanks," she replied with a hint of sass. Feeling bold, she attempted a cool spin with the gun, but to her embarrassment, she fumbled and dropped it. "Oops," she said with an awkward smile.

Her teammates chuckled, the light-hearted moment breaking any tension. It was clear that while they took their work seriously, they also knew how to have fun—a balance Mathilda appreciated.

After their training session, the team gathered in the living room, each with their own drink in hand. Mathilda sipped her Pepsi, ice cubes clinking softly in the glass as she took a long draw from her straw.

"So, do you guys train to defeat the other team?" she asked, curious about the dynamics of the rivalry.

"Yeah," the girl with the half-shaven pink hair replied, swirling her Appletiser. "Our enemies are The Black Hand Tavern."

"We could probably win, but there's an issue..." her brother added, taking a sip from his cherry-flavored Hell energy drink.

Mathilda leaned in slightly, intrigued. "What's that?"

One of their teammates, who was non-binary with a red buzzcut and striking dark red makeup, chimed in with a deep, masculine voice. "There's this one member of theirs—Deimos Thornridge."