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“Thanks so much for inviting me out, Loba.” Tressa began graciously, eyeing the bejeweled contents of the glass case before them. Beside her stood the thief herself, already examining a ring she had asked to try on.
“Think nothing of it, beautiful.” Andrade offered in cool response, giving it one more look before taking it off. Returning it to the attendant behind the counter, she pointed to a bangle beneath the glass. Wordlessly, it was exchanged. Watching her slip it on, Catalyst let out a slight laugh.
“So, do you take all of the new Legends shopping?”
Loba regarded the way the bangle glimmered before she quirked a brow in her companion’s direction.
“Hm? Oh, no.” Andrade scoffed, “Only the ones who I think will appreciate it. Besides…” She sighed, looking away. “Anything is better than the night I tried to take Mara to dinner.” She muttered under her breath. Tressa’s attention centered on Loba.
“Oh. Right. I heard about your friend. Is he doing ok?” The question was innocent, but it still got Andrade to flinch.
“-He’ll be fine. They think.” She snapped, although catching herself just after with a sigh. “Let’s… talk about something else.” Offering a smirk over to the witch, the thief placed a hand on her hip. With a shift in weight, Andrade gestured to the glass case.
“See anything you like?”
Tressa smiled despite the small scoff she let out, before finally giving its contents a real look. Several pieces were on display, necklaces and earrings in gold and platinum, rings and chains, all perfectly lit to shine. It was then Smith noted the several dozen types of gems and stones that were set inside them. A necklace she looked at was shaped into a green and pink flower and wanted to curl around the wearer’s neck. The witch brightened; interest piqued.
“Oh… Is that necklace nephrite jade and kunzite?”
Smirk growing smug, Andrade tossed a braid over her shoulder.
“I was hoping you could lend me your… expertise.” She purred, holding out the glimmering bangle to the witch. It was studded with small crystalline emeralds. With an ‘ah’, Tressa gave her a smirk and a nod. Bringing a delicate grip to the piece, she studied it.
“Well, emerald is excellent for clarity, memory and protection.” She offered helpfully. At the mention of the last one, Andrade mildly straightened. Contrasting the emeralds, Tressa noted the darker shade of red the thief had painted her nails. It matched Loba’s lipstick. Smith blinked from the bracelet up to the thief. “Were you looking for something in particular?” She smiled. “I’m um, aware of your… blood-bond-feud thing with Revenant.”
At the simulacrum’s name, a piercing gold gaze met her own as Andrade grimaced, expression one of a wolf caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Tressa’s smile grew understanding.
“Maybe… something for protection?”
At this, the tension melted out of Loba like ferrofluid, letting out a genuine smile.
“That would be lovely.”
Smith pulled away, looking back over the case avidly. Reviewing, she spied a piece of interest. Asking the attendant to see it, she found herself wearing an elegant white gold chain that looked to be beaded but was in fact faceted with petite gemstones.
“See this one?” She pointed to a polished maroon stone, “Brecciated Jasper. It’s good for protection, as well as grounding and patience.” She offered, although the thief looked visibly put off by the word ‘patience’. The witch tapped another with her nail, cloudy with streak of darkness. “Clear Quartz and Black Tourmaline.”
Tressa caught Loba’s gaze directly once more. “This one provides extra protection, as well as grounding and peace.” As she explained, Andrade considered with a tilt of her chin. Smith pointed to a third, a deep stratified green.
“Most importantly. Bloodstone. It purifies energy and negates negativity.” With a smile, she gave it an approving nod. “This bracelet is virtually a protection charm.” She concluded.
Loba let out a hum, tilting her head until it brought her into a turn to face the attendant behind the counter.
“Add it to my tab,” She shot with a small smile before they gave her a nod, retreating to the back. Loba turned back to her companion.
“Thank you, Tressa.”
“Of course. ‘It’s my specialty’.” The witch returned, repeating the thief’s mid-match lines back to her. With a blush, Loba broke into a fit of giggles. Quickly joining her, Tressa giggled right back. Eyeing the bracelet, she took it off. Holding out her hand again, Loba graciously offered her wrist. Carefully, the witch cleared her throat.
“A word of warning?” She began firmly. Andrade’s brows furrowed. Smith’s smile flattened. “It’s useless to try to protect oneself without first properly cleansing any lingering negative energy.” Finishing the clasp, Tressa let the chain drop. “… Which could prove difficult when Death follows you.”
Loba, mortified, looked as though she wanted to be affronted as she brought up the bracelet to look at it. Brows knit, her lower lip on the verge of a pout.
The witch considered, studying the thief, before adding “-As does Luck. It is what you make it.”
Andrade let out a huff, continuing to look at the bracelet as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“So, how does one… ‘cleanse’?” She questioned, flat. Tressa noted how Loba’s eyelid twitched and let out a soft chuckle, smiling again.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s enough salt in the Outlands to cleanse the Apex Games.”
Loba scoffed a ‘ha’, easing up as her arms dropped to her hips.
“Well, it’s a good thing that you’re here. It sounds like we need all the help that we can get.”
Tressa brightened, warming considerably.
“I hope that’s true.”
At this, Loba softened and gave her another genuine smile.
“Did I not just hear you just say ‘It is what you make it?’”
Smith beamed under her gaze, smile breaking into a grin. Before another moment could pass, Loba was looking back at the glass case.
“That necklace was the one you had your eye on?” Pointing back to the green and pink piece, Loba waved over to the attendant again.
“Oh, I’m more partial to Agate myself. Cleo produces some of the most beautiful deep blue Moon Agate.” Tilting her head, she pointed to the galaxy blue gemstone in the shape of a crescent moon currently dangling off her ear. “For tranquility and abundance.” The thief’s eyes shone as she leaned in to admire it.
“How beautiful.” After a beat, her lips curled into a smirk, smoothly adding “Much like yourself.” Running a light touch along Tressa’s jaw, Loba took a step back with a wink. Letting out a breathy laugh, both Smith and the attendant blushed at her boldness. Before she could respond, Andrade wandered down to the far end of the glass case they stood before. Letting out an excited ‘oo’, she turned to the witch.
“Tressa, you must try this on.”
Already, the attendant was pulling out another necklace. As the witch approached, she knew exactly why this one had stood out. Silver, it was shaped like branches that came together to hold a full iridescent moon.
“How perfect! And that’s labradorite?” The witch exclaimed, before turning to the attendant for a confirming nod. Loba gave her a questioning look. Tressa smirked. “Moonstone.”
Loba let out a delighted giggle. Gesturing her companion near, she took the necklace in hand, already signaling the attendant that she’d be purchasing this one was well.
Practically alight, Tressa stepped up before Loba, nervously pushing aside a lock of hair. Smirking with a tilt of her chin, the thief ran her hands to the back of her neck.
“And moonstone is good for what?” Andrade asked innocently as she leaned in, taking the silver chain. A deep blush sank into Tressa’s cheeks, lips parting. Loba’s eyelashes fluttered.
“It’s… good for… inspiration.” The witch tried, far breathier than she expected. Then, the thief pulled back slightly, taking the ends of the clasp in hand.
“Oh?” Andrade raised a curious brow, blinking down at the witch.
“And revolution.” Smith offered with a smirk of her own.
Loba easily closed the necklace, straightening it along the witch’s collarbone.
“Sounds perfect. Looks even better.” Andrade purred, light touch lingering.
They locked eyes as Tressa realized just how Loba had been staring at her lips.
“Uh… I’m sure Valkyrie will like your new bracelet too.” Smith commented not-so-off handedly, gesturing to Andrade’s newest accessory. Loba let out a sharp scoff, withdrawing with a vague eye roll.
“I’m sure she would like a lot of things.” Loba quipped back haughtily with a shrug. She brought a hand back to her hip.
“Sounds like a good place to start a cleanse to me.” Tressa offered.
Loba’s eyes narrowed as she gave the witch a wry smile in return.