You have a past with Agatha, one as old as your age. Your roads often met, but she left you behind more than once. Now, once again, your paths cross, but this time, it is intentional.
It started as a one-shot on my Tumblr account (mr-ys-phantasma)...
The inside of the room reminded you of the top of a tower: no corners to be seen, and some tall glass-stained windows offered some light.
Everything had a very medieval feel, with old stones and banners, suits of armour, and an odd circular stone table in the middle, with two wooden chairs across from one another.
However, your attention quickly went to the new outfits the road chose for you and your companions.
Agatha had been dressed like the Wicked Witch of the West, with dark cliché witch watches and even a pointy hat. The skin had even been painted green, and the lips had a purple shade instead.
On the other hand, Billy resembled Maleficent, and you swore he didn't have that sharp cheekbones before.
You would not lie that it suited him.
And yes, despite your history, you had occasionally chosen to watch mainstream media associated with witches. What could you say? You grew lonely and slightly bored, and the Halloween costumes of certain kids had caught your interest.
"Oh! She's based on me, you know." Agatha suddenly said, posing and clearly enjoying her costume.
Billy was sceptical. "Prove it."
"Well, you are what you eat; so" you commented without much thinking.
Your comment and your tone surprised your companions and earned different looks from them.
Agatha parted her lips in surprise, a silent gasp leaving her as she eyed you carefully. She did not expect that from you, and a part of her wondered if this was creeping jealousy because of Rio.
Truthfully, she hadn't fully seen you jealous, but she knew it was there when you would kiss her with a little more force and snuggle closer to her on certain occasions.
It was always followed after talk of other people or even small socialising you two would happen to do; it was never planned, but you had to play along not to raise suspicions.
Not that you were always successful. Which was perhaps why you had ended up changing places of living quite often.
"Well, then I am curious what your preferences are then," she snapped back.
Her words gave you the courage to glance at yourself, hesitating to do so after the last trial. The Road hadn't seemed that favourable with you, at least not how you would have expected it.
Perhaps you were picky, wanting stability through familiar clothes and styles. It would be best if you weren't judged, though, considering how unstable your life has always been.
Constantly changing places to stay undetected, fake names and backgrounds. One should not mention the unstable duo of Rio and Agatha coming up into your life only to disappear soon after... only for the cycle to be repeated again and again.
This time, you wore a dress, long and heavy, reaching the floor. The basis was a light grey, and its pattern and material reminded you of a more medieval era which you had lived through. Yet it was the silver extras that got your attention.
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They were blended and placed to resemble some sort of fancy female cliché chest armour, while the skirt had a more scale-like design. You had a rather open cleavage, just enough to draw attention but not as dramatic as the one Agatha and Rio had during Alice's trial.
"Hmm," you hummed as you did a twirl around yourself, trying to catch a better glimpse of the full outfit. "Honestly, I am puzzled,"
As you looked at your companions, Billy's eyes lightened up in recognition. "You are the Ice Queen!" he exclaimed happily, the character most likely one of his favourites.
"Ice Queen?" You arched an eyebrow.
"Yes, an ice witch that used her powers to become queen. You even have the crown and everything. "
When the crown was mentioned, you rushed to the nearest shiny object and got a glimpse of your reflection. Indeed, a beautiful icy blue crown had been worn tightly, going down your temples and giving the impression of grown ice.
"It suits you. White has always been your colour," Agatha commented, having enjoyed watching you walk fast in that heavy but well-designed dress. The silvers on it and the crown reflected the light and gave you a more supernatural look.
An ironic fit in her mind.
You did not wish to continue this discussion, so you tried to find anything that would help you change the topic. Thankfully for you, Billy had started admiring his outfit a little too much.
"Well, you seem pleased with your look." You commented as he walked towards you, eager to see his reflection as well.
"Well, if the cheekbones fit..." he replied as he focused on the surprisingly good contour.
You shook your head, not really in the mood to be amused by his comments. He might enjoy the changes, but you didn't because of two things.
One, you had yet to start the trial.
Two, there was still no sign of Lilia or Jen, a worrisome thing.
In an attempt not to focus on those dark thoughts, you approached this mysterious table and tried to get any clues out of it.
You noticed the card-shaped carvings on the stone table. They had been carved to be deeper, acting like some kind of case or place for them to be placed.
You were familiar with the way they were positioned, recognising it as a tarot-spreading technique. You had seen it before but never truly focused on or bothered with it.
Tarot was never your calling, nor were you interested in learning about your future. And if you ever need any answers, you would turn your attention to the stars above.
They spoke of secrets that nothing else could, and they only spoke to you after years of training yourself to listen to their mystic, quiet song.
Your hand brushed over the cool surface and above some inscriptions at the side, all carved on the stone.
"Do you think this is important?" Billy asked him and Agatha, having chosen to finally join you and help you find out how the trial worked.
"Your path winds out of time." You mumbled as you read out loud, trying to get some sense out of this rather cryptic message.
Billy took notice of a stack of cards that had escaped your notice and grabbed it before flipping one to look at their design.
He could not help but smirk. "It's Tarot. I know this, kind of. I'll read for you, I guess." He said. "To any of you"
"Do her, though I don't think it will work," you admitted, and Agatha rolled her eyes.
"What is it now?" She questioned, one hand on her waist.
She loved you, but sometimes you truly were a joy killer, especially now. She wanted to get to the end of the road and consider how close you might actually be. She didn't want to wait.
"This is tarot. It's Lilia's trial, " you pointed out.
"But Lilia is not here," Billy commented.
Agatha did not share the worry. "The kid said he can do it; it should be fine. Come on, no time like the present."
Defeated, you sighed and leaned on the table, remaining by the side. Agatha occupied one chair and Billy the other while also shuffling the card deck a few times.
