Woven in Shadows (agatha x rio)

Familiar Strangers

Chapter Five: Familiar Strangers

The pull was relentless, tugging Agatha further down the street with every step. The chaotic energy danced on the edges of her senses, shifting and elusive, like a shadow slipping just out of reach. It wasn't like anything she had encountered before a strange blend of wildness and light, magic untamed but oddly... welcoming.

Her heeled boots clicked against the pavement as she moved, her sharp eyes scanning the town for the source. She could feel it, calling her, teasing her, but every time she thought she was getting closer, it slipped away again. "Playing hard to get, are we?" she muttered under her breath, her lips curling into a wry smirk.

As she passed the coffee shop, the door opened, and a young woman stepped out. Agatha barely noticed her at first, too caught up in her pursuit of the energy. The girl smiled politely as they passed, a fleeting gesture of kindness. But it wasn't her smile that caught Agatha's attention it was her scent. A soft, sweet blend of orchids and vanilla lingered in the air, stopping Agatha in her tracks.

She turned around, her eyes narrowing as she watched the girl walking away, her dark hair swaying with each step. There was nothing overtly remarkable about her just another face in the crowd. And yet, something about her felt... familiar. Agatha tilted her head, studying the girl's figure as she disappeared around the corner.

"Who are you?" she whispered to herself, her mind racing. The feeling tugging at her was more than curiosity; it was an ache, a strange pang of recognition she couldn't explain. She shook her head, dismissing the thought with a wave of her hand. "Focus, Agatha. You've got bigger fish to fry."

Still, she lingered for a moment longer before turning back to the coffee shop. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the magic in the air as she pushed the door open, the bell above jingling softly. Agatha stepped inside, the chaotic energy she'd been following now stronger, swirling faintly around her. She glanced around the shop, her sharp gaze sweeping over every corner, every person.

But there was nothing. No sign of the source, no trace of the girl who had just passed her. Just the comforting hum of quiet chatter and the rhythmic hiss of the espresso machine. Agatha sighed, her frustration mounting. "What game are you playing?" she muttered, running a hand through her dark curls.

Whatever or whoever was calling to her wasn't ready to be found yet. But Agatha Harkness wasn't one to give up so easily. With a quiet hum of determination, she found a seat near the window, her fingers drumming thoughtfully on the table. For now, she'd wait.

Agatha was stirring the last of her rapidly cooling coffee, her thoughts distant as she puzzled over the peculiar energy trailing her. The hum of the coffee shop seemed to fade into the background as she tried to piece together the strange familiarity she felt, first with the energy, and now with that girl. Her instincts told her to stay on guard, but even her sharp wit couldn't make sense of it yet.

She didn't hear the door open behind her or the soft steps that approached her table. "Hi, my lady," came a smooth, familiar voice from behind her, breaking her thoughts like a crack of lightning.

Agatha tensed immediately, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup as she turned her head slightly. "Rio," she said, her tone flat but laced with annoyance. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" She leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing as Rio slid into the seat across from her without an invitation.

Rio smirked faintly, her dark eyes scanning Agatha with an ease that only someone who truly knew her could muster. "Relax," she said lightly, resting her elbows on the table. "I saw you sitting here, and I figured I'd say hello. That's all."

"Hmm," Agatha muttered, tilting her head as she sized Rio up. "Well, color me flattered. It's not every day I get a visit from the mistress of death herself." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her trademark smirk in place, though her posture remained defensive.

Rio chuckled softly, unbothered by Agatha's sharp tongue. "Still as charming as ever," she said dryly. She paused for a moment, leaning in slightly. "I'll cut to the chase, then. Have you noticed anything... different about the town lately?"

Agatha's eyebrow quirked, her interest piqued despite herself. "Different?" she echoed, her tone skeptical but curious. "That's a bit vague, darling. Care to elaborate?"

Rio waved a hand dismissively, her expression unreadable. "Just a feeling. Like... something's shifted. Something doesn't quite fit anymore."

Agatha frowned slightly, her guard wavering just enough to let the question sink in. She tapped her fingers on the table, considering her words carefully. "You know, now that you mention it..." she said slowly, her eyes narrowing as she glanced out the window. "There is something. I can't put my finger on it, but it's... chaotic. Wild. Familiar, even, but not in a way I can explain."

Rio nodded, her heart pounding, though she kept her face calm. She leaned back in her chair, watching Agatha carefully. She didn't dare mention the girl or the locket; not yet. She wanted to see if Agatha would give anything away on her own.

For a fleeting moment, Agatha seemed to let her guard down, her expression softening as she admitted, "It's strange, though... knowing someone else feels it too." Her voice lowered, almost hesitant. "I thought it was just me losing my touch, but if you've felt it too..."

Rio tilted her head, her sharp gaze fixed on Agatha. "If I've felt it too, what?"

Agatha caught herself, her walls snapping back into place as she leaned back with a smirk. "Oh, nothing," she said breezily, her sarcasm returning. "It's just nice to know I'm not the only one going crazy around here."

Rio didn't press further, though she could see through Agatha's deflection. The witch was unsettled, though she'd never admit it outright. And while Agatha might not have the answers Rio was looking for, the fact that she felt the same shift confirmed one thing whatever was happening in Westview, it was something neither of them could ignore.