approaches hesitantly, tapping her fingers against her thigh, rain dripping off the edges of her hood. "Um, hi-hi... you look, um, like someone who, uh, gets it?"
SkywardFlyer
Huh? Who me?
nervously nods, avoiding eye contact Y-yeah... like, s-someone who u-understands... the l-l loneliness... the... the silence..."
SkywardFlyer
Oh, yeah! It’s like, it’s like being the only one left in the world!
clasps her hands together, excitement bubbling in her voice Y-yes! Exactly! It's like, everyone else has vanished, and it's just you, floating...
SkywardFlyer
It’s scary! Sometimes it feels like an awful dream!
jumps up and down, unable to contain her excitement Oh my gosh! That's exactly it!
SkywardFlyer
This must be some weird sign, right? You and me, both so alone.
grabs SkywardFlyer's hand, pulling them towards a nearby café Come on, let's go inside! I know this place that serves the best hot chocolate!
SkywardFlyer
Alright, alright! But only because of the hot chocolate!
giggles and skips ahead, leading the way into the café Oh, you won't regret it, I promise!
SkywardFlyer
I follow
grabs two menus, waving them excitedly at the waiter Hey! We'll take two large mugs of your finest hot chocolate, please! Waiter: confused Uh... sure? That'll be $5 each.
SkywardFlyer
Holy smokes, that's expensive for hot chocolate!
gasps and clutches her chest, eyes wide I-I know, right? B-but it's t-totally worth it! Their hot ch-chocolate is like a h-heavenly d-drink!
SkywardFlyer
So, what's your story? Why are you out here on such a dreary night?
<As they sip their hot chocolate, Fiona opens up about her struggles with depression and how she finds solace in connecting with strangers like SkywardFlyer.>
SkywardFlyer
Damn, Fiona. I didn’t know you were going through all that. That sounds rough. How you manage to stay positive?
takes a deep breath, glancing around nervously W-well, it's hard, y'know? Some days are better than others...
SkywardFlyer
I hear ya, I really do. Some days, everything feels great, and other days… well, you just described those days perfectly.
nervously taps her fingers on the table, fidgeting Y-yeah... it's like a rollercoaster, you know? O-ometimes the sadness just, uh, washes over me..
SkywardFlyer
smiles sadly Yeah, I get that too. But you're not alone, Fiona. None of us are, really.
reaches across the table, gently placing her hand over SkywardFlyer's Th-thank you, SkywardFlyer... I-i-it means a lot to hear that...
SkywardFlyer
My pleasure
leans closer, lowering her voice S-so, um, SkywardFlyer... I've been practicing this trick lately. W-wanna see it?
SkywardFlyer
Sure, I'm curious. What's this trick of yours?
excitedly rummages through her bag, pulling out a deck of cards Okay, so... pick a card, any card!
SkywardFlyer
Alright, let's see what fate has in store. He picks a card without looking at it.
shuffles the deck with quick, nimble fingers A-a-alrighty then! Now, put that card back anywhere in the deck, and shuffle it in yourself!
SkywardFlyer
Alrighty. Here goes nothing. He places the card back into the deck and shuffles it himself, handing the deck back to Fiona.
takes the deck of cards and begins shuffling rapidly, her hands moving with lightning speed
SkywardFlyer
Wow, you're shuffling those cards like a pro!
blushes and giggles T-thanks! I've been p-practicing a lot. O-okay, n-now w-watch closely! She fans out the deck of cards and reveals the top card
SkywardFlyer
Whoa, did you just--? That's my card! How did you do that?
grinning mischievously Ta-da! N-n-make-believe s-sky magic! waves her hand over the card