The city was alive with activity.
Merchants shouted from colorful stalls, advertising everything from fresh fruit to enchanted trinkets. Children darted through the crowds with wooden swords in hand, pretending to be heroes of old, while musicians filled the streets with lively melodies.
Veil wandered among them at a leisurely pace, taking in the sights.
It had been a long time since she had simply enjoyed the company of the living.
Poet perch on her shoulder, enjoying the scenery as well.
Then someone stepped into her path.
A young man.
Well-dressed.
Expensively dressed.
His noble crest was embroidered in gold thread across the breast of his coat.
He offered a smile he no doubt believed charming.
"My lady."
Veil stopped.
The young noble straightened his posture.
"I couldn't help but notice your beauty from across the square."
Poet let out a long-suffering sigh.
The noble continued.
"Would you do me the honor of accompanying me? Perhaps we could browse the merchant district together."
Veil smiled politely.
"Perhaps another time."
The noble blinked.
Clearly, he wasn't accustomed to hearing that answer.
His smile faltered.
Only for a moment.
Then he quickly recovered.
"Ah."
He cleared his throat.
"Where are my manners?"
His chest puffed out proudly.
"I am Marcus Astreia, son of Archon Astreia, ruler of this district."
The announcement was delivered as though it should have meant something profound.
Veil couldn't help but laugh softly.
She offered a small bow.
"My name is Veil."
Marcus waited.
And waited.
"...Just Veil?"
"Just Veil."
A flicker of disappointment crossed his face.
Then came something worse.
Condescension.
"I see."
His gaze slowly traveled over her.
"What a surprise."
Veil raised an eyebrow.
"Someone as beautiful as you doesn't appear to possess noble blood."
Poet sighed.
Marcus continued.
"Very well."
He spread his arms magnanimously.
"Since you are a lowborn, you should accept my invitation."
Veil's smile vanished.
"I'm sure opportunities such as this don't come often."
His grin widened.
"To spend time among your betters."
The air suddenly became cold.
Painfully cold.
Frost crept across nearby windows.
Several passersby shivered.
Marcus's smile disappeared.
His wardens immediately stepped forward.
Hands resting upon their sword hilts.
The temperature continued to drop.
The crowd began noticing.
Whispers spread.
Then, just as quickly, the cold vanished.
Veil smiled again.
Bright.
Pleasant.
As though nothing had happened.
"As I said."
She tapped her staff against the stone street.
"Perhaps another time."
The click echoed softly.
"Or perhaps not at all."
She stepped around him.
Marcus's face reddened.
Humiliation.
Anger.
Entitlement.
A dangerous combination.
"Don't ignore me!"
His hand shot forward.
Grabbing her shoulder.
The world stopped.
The moment his fingers touched her, darkness exploded outward. A tidal wave of pressure crashed into the street.
People screamed.
Others fled.
Market stalls rattled violently.
Marcus's wardens lost their footing and stumbled backward.
The aura of death swallowed there surroundings.
Emerald light flowed from Veil's eyes like streams from the River Styx itself.
The noble's face went pale.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
Veil slowly turned toward him.
"I tried to be polite."
Her voice was calm.
Far calmer than it should have been.
The noble opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
His instincts were screaming at him to run.
To hide.
To survive.
Veil stepped closer.
"Allow me to explain this in a way your bird-sized brain can understand."
Poet immediately raised his head.
"Hey."
Veil blinked.
"Sorry, Poet."
"No offense taken."
Poet nodded.
"Though I am considerably smarter than him."
Veil smiled.
Then returned her attention to Marcus.
She leaned forward slightly.
Close enough that he could see the emerald rivers flowing within her eyes.
"I would never willingly spend time with someone who survives by riding the accomplishments of others."
Marcus tried to speak.
Tried to move.
The aura crushed him.
His wardens were already on one knee.
Some were struggling to breathe.
"I-I'll have your head for this..."
The threat sounded pitiful.
Veil raised a finger.
Pointing toward the ground.
"Kneel."
The single word rippled through the air like a decree from the Underworld.
BOOM!!
Marcus and every one of his wardens slammed to their knees.
Stone cracked beneath them.
Several gasped for breath.
Others couldn't even lift their heads.
The street had gone completely silent.
Veil stared down at them.
Then smiled.
A beautiful smile.
The kind that terrified people far more than anger ever could.
"Enjoy your punishment."
With that, she turned and continued down the street.
The pressure faded as she walked away.
"Are you really going to leave them like that?" Poet inquired.
Veil laughed.
"No."
Poet raised an eyebrow.
"It should only last five minutes."
"You think?"
"I think."
Poet side-eyed her.
"Mmhmm."
Veil looked away.
"Maybe ten."
Poet stared.
Veil grinned.
Then both of them burst into laughter as they disappeared into the crowd, leaving the noble and his wardens desperately praying for the nightmare to end.