Chapter Text
The shop was a simple jewelry shop found in Shattered Slabs. It was open during the day, but had access to specialty items at night for those who needed it.
And Cyprus definitely needed it.
The growth of her vampiric insanity was apparently quicker than expected. She was indeed transforming already, more rapidly under stress.
And Thorne wondered why she was going crazy.
He knocked on the back door of the shop, and she watched helplessly. Her arms and legs felt covered in fur, and wolf-like ears were starting to sprout from her head. She couldn't get rid of these, no matter how hard she tried.
She was clutching onto herself, as if trying to contain her own insanity.
The door opens, and a pale woman in all black clothing with silver hair and red eyes opens the door.
"Fade!" Thorne greets. "Good to see you again."
"Didn't you say you just got rid of your old toy?" She asks, sounding almost... French? Maybe?
"Yes. But. Um... This one... She's kind of close to a full transition already, and she was turned less than a week ago." Thorne explains.
"... What kind?"
"Wolf."
"I meant species, not transformation type. The spell needs a different- Oh." She steps out to take a look at Cyprus, who is shivering from anxiety at this moment. It was a cold night, but she was covered in soft, thick fur. "I didn't know that kind had blood."
"She tasted wonderful." He says proudly.
"Why turn her?"
"... Curiosity. And I have control over her now."
"Knowing you, you're what's stressing her out. Come, dear. I would prefer to speak to you alone." Fade waves her in. She looks at Thorne, who nods before she moves. The simple act let her leave his sight.
She walks up the small set of steps and into the store. The main area was darker than she outside, but a room in the corner had a light on, though it was a soft, cool white. Made Cyprus think of snow.
"Come, come." She ushers Cyprus into the room. It had a few shelves with different pieces of jewelry, and a desk in the middle with a chair on each side. On the desk sat a candle, a tarot deck, a stack of lined paper and a pen. One page was already covered in scribbles.
"Sit down, please." She motions to one of the chairs, and Cyprus sits. The skirt that Thorne had put her in barely covered anything, and she was thankful for the fact that she was simply a silhouette. "So. May I ask for your name and pronouns? The ones you prefer."
"... Cyprus. Always Cyprus. And she/her. For now." She says softly. She was worried that Thorne could hear what she was saying. Her ears twitch a little. There was a tiny noise, repetitive. Annoying. Slowly happening more.
"Are you genderfluid?" She asks, grabbing the tarot deck and starting to shuffle it.
"Yes. Just... I don't know if I should say this..."
"As long as the door is closed, we can hear anything outside but nobody can hear in. Technology loses service. And magic disconnects." She reassures.
"Okay. He prefers that I'm female for when... He gets bored..." She holds herself closer.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear that. Just... I can't stop him. I'm sorry. Could you please draw three cards from the deck?" She puts the deck down on the desk in between them.
She draws the first card, and Fade begins to explain.
"The Ace of Wands." She states. "The Wands are always the first step in creation. This card represents the desire and first step towards your goals. You are truly immersed in your dreams."
This was... A little too accurate. Even after being taken by Thorne, she had persued her dreams of photography. She took photos of the nature and inside the building. Of the people around her. She had a burning desire to continue.
She draws another card.
"Death." Fade explains. "Despite what happens to you, you will prevail. The forest regrows more beautiful after a fire. Death brings a scythe, not only to reap souls, but to sow the next lives. Your time with Thorne will end in more relief than pain."
This also was a little too specific. Were these tarot decks really that accurate?
A little scared, she draws the third card.
"Six of Cups." She reads. "The happy ends of the past will come back to meet you soon. Could be nostalgia, could be simple memories, even old friends you haven't seen in years. However, these memories may take over, but don't let them overtake your current life."
Renzo had mentioned something about before they came to the Island... Maybe that Reece he was talking about? But... What were they to her? And, apparently, to Raven?
"To sum it up." Fade says happily. "You're determined to follow your dreams, you will prevail despite your current dark times, and a memory from long ago will return to you."
"... It's a little too personal, honestly..." She mumbles back.
"Interesting. Now, what kind of jewelry would you like?" She stands up and walks over to the shelves of jewelry. "Ring? Necklace? Choker? Bracelet?"
"A ring is okay." Cyprus mutters back.
"Alright! These ones are already suppressant enchanted." She grabs two displays of rings and puts them on the desk for Cyprus to examine. "Choose one."
One had already caught her eye.
"This one." She quickly said, picking up one of the rings. It was a simple gold band with a black heart. The irony was perfect.
"Really? Didn't think gold was your style." She takes the displays to put them back.
"I'm the leader of the Gold-Blooded."
"Touché."
"So... What now?"
"Put it on."
She looks at the ring. It looked unassuming. Bland. But once she put it on her finger, she could feel a wave of... Relief. She wasn't as panicked anymore. The sounds in the room weren't as loud. She felt a little cold.
She was back to herself.
"I'll be honest, I didn't expect that someone who was just a silhouette could be this pretty." Fade says with a wink.
"... Thank you. But I like men and gender non-conforming people. Like my partner."
"Thorne stole you from...?"
"Yeah... Yeah."
"Who's the lucky person? Are they hot?"
"Yeah. They're funny, and caring, and try not to trigger any PTSD. They've been through a lot too."
"They fuck good?"
"Yeah. They may not have been able to take my ability to walk yet, but I've taken theirs."
"Switch?"
"Of course."
"Well, you better get going. Thorne will get worried."
"Y-yeah." She stands up. "Have a good day."
"You as well." She smiles, waving as Cyprus leaves.
She's shivering when she walks out of the back door to see Thorne. As he sees her, he smiles wide.
"So. What did you get?"
"... This." She holds out her hand, and Thorne takes it before kissing right above the ring.
"You feeling a little cold?"
"Yeah... I don't exactly have fur anymore."
"True. Come." He holds his arm out, and she Leans against him. He wraps his arm around her, holding her close and keeping her warm on the way back to the car.