The Witches Hunt

10

Asteria walked through the dirty,cobblestone streets; the rocks slick from recent rain and the light that the posts lining the streets emitted glimmering off the puddles of water. Phoenix had given her enough money to buy a dress and two masks. He had carefully explained the different money to her

"This" he held up a round, silver coin that was about the size of a raspberry and it had the national Palisea animal on it,a snow leopard

"One of these is worth 10 of these" he held up a copper coin that was slightly smaller, it had the same emblem on it.

Asta looked at both of the coins

"What are they called?"

He pointed at the silver one and then the copper one

"Silvers and coppers" Asteria looked at him with a questioning look

"That's a bit basic, don't you think?"

Phoenix thought for a second, then said

"Yeah I guess so, I never really thought about it" his gaze fell to Asteria's and then he started to laugh, so did Asta. She tipped her head back and looked at the grey storm clouds, smiling at the memory. Snow had started to fall and dusted her hair and the temperature had started to drop, so Asta entered a small shop. The shop was warm and cosy with colourful, sparkling dresses lining the walls

"Hello there" a small,old lady said from behind the counter at the back of the room

"Hello i'm looking for a dress to wear to a masquerade ball and two masks" Asteria said sweetly

"Of course, what would your price range be?"

"about 10 silvers or under please"

"This way then" the short lady geasured to a rack on the left wall, and walked her to it

"All of these dresses are about 8 to 10 silvers each"

"Thank you"Asta said to the lady

The lady nodded and walked back behind her counter. Asteria started flicking through the dresses until she found a dark, blue one with teardrop gems that glittered in the orange light that lit up the room. Asta took the dress off the rack and held it up in the light, it had sheer, poofy sleeves and a slit at the bottom of the skirt.

"I would like to buy this one please"

"That's nine silvers"

"Here you go" Asta handed the lady nine silver coins

"And I found these two masks in the back" she held up the masks. They were both the same colour as the dress and had green gems. There is a gold trim along the edge and gold swirls at the corner of the eyes.

They lady spoke again
"I thought it bring out the colour of your eyes"

Asta looked at the lady and smiled

"Thank you"

Asteria left with a bag in each hand, and walked back through the streets, which were now covered in snow and ice. The howling wind pounded against Asta's face making her nose turn red from the freezing temperature, the moisture in her hair had now frozen into icicles that dripped from her hair. She flung the front door to their house open and slammed it behind her.

"It is crazy windy out there!" she turned around and her mouth fell open, Phoenix was wearing a white blouse and dark,blue dress pants. His hair was brushed back elegantly

"What do you think?" he asked gesturing to himself

Asta just walked forward, wrapped her arms around his waist and stood on the tips of toes as she planted a kiss on his lips