As Magus approached the steep precipice, overlooked by the Shadow Temple and tall wooden palisades, a spell of sagacity would quickly overwhelm him. The temple practically radiated with misfortune and doom—elements one normally didn’t sense yet somehow they seemed to tangibly pollute the air. 

An unnatural wind jostled the undressing branches of the trees that crowded the area surrounding the place. The reason no guards were ever stationed outside its walls went hand in hand with the reason people rarely ever ventured within a few feet of the Shadow Temple. It was excruciatingly clear why. Some inexplicable force naturally seemed to be acting as a deterrent and Magus could feel it pushing at his mind and persuading him to keep his distance. Nonetheless, he had a clear reason for being there and would soon feel the headache-inducing force fade before long. 

---

Felicia traced the swirling pattern of her thumbprint with her eyes. Repressing a sigh, she pushed against the malleable caramel of the candied apple once again, trying her best smooth out the nicks that had resulted from her three-minute escapade. Sitting on the opposite edge of the well from the pale, peculiar woman, she entertained the idea of heading home early. If she hurried she could probably do a small bit of fishing before she lost the light. Then again, even that brought her little solace nowadays. The water was nearly as dead as she was…. 

“Come.”

Felicia jumped. The poor, derelict apple rolled out of her hands and onto the leafy ground. She lunged after it, clumsily falling to her knees as she tried to retrieve it before it rolled too far, collecting bits of leaves as it went.

“We're gathered at the graveyard now. There's a fairy there who speaks in dreams. Believe me, she's even more irritating in person. I realize that this whole situation seems somewhat mad, but I do hope you'll give trusting me a chance.”

“G-give [i]you[/i] a trusting chance?” she stammered, exasperated as she stood up, apple in hand, “I don’t even know who—“ her voice fell to a whisper as a crowd goer raised an eyebrow in her direction, “or what you are!”

[i]Felicia, you’re going crazy. Your sister warned you, didn’t she? Your unhealthy habits have finally sent you to the edge of mental ruin. Tomorrow you’ll be dragged away shouting at nothing….[/i] She collapsed into her self, releasing a defeated breath.

“Can’t you bother someone else please?” she brushed a few strands of her strawberry blonde hair away from her eyes, “Or at least stop sneaking up on me.”

She mumbled the last bit, not really expecting a response. So far the voice seemed to just come and go as it pleased. Why should this instance be any different? She miserably peeled crushed autumn leaves away out of the apple’s caramel coating, looking exhausted and annoyed with herself.