[center][img]http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjQ4LjcyNmNjMS5RMnhoZFdSbGRIUmxJRVJsYzJOdmRHVmhkWGcsLjA,/mf-feel-my-heart.regular.png[/img]

[color=violet]❀[/color] [@Evil Snowman] [color=violet]🌹[/color][/center][hr]
The chirping of birds whistled through the quaint village of Krukow, only slightly muffled by the moderate gossip and bantering of the locals. Even on its busiest days, the local markets were tame in comparison to the hustle and bustle of Kuiper. Though if Claudette were to be honest, she much preferred the quiet. Her frequent trips to the markets would be quite stressful if she had to make her way through a large crowd. Straw basket in one hand, her holo-pad in the other, Claudette browsed through the list of supplies her mother had sent her to acquire. The transparent screen glowed a light hue of violet, projected from the small capsule which was nervously clasped in Claudette's delicate fingers. Of coarse she would be nervous; tonight her father was expecting company for dinner. This was a common occurrence in Claudette's family, yet tonight was not just any regular house guest.

Maria Greenwood was coming for dinner. [i]Maria Greenwood[/i]. Now, the lovely Miss Greenwood seemed all honey and sugar to most of the town folk. She was an elderly lady who regularly attended the Deacon's sermons and brought baked goods. Yet despite appearances, Miss Greenwood was a wolf in sheep's clothing. Her and Henrietta, Claudette's mother, did not get along. In her mothers own words;

'[i][color=silver]The woman's a smug, condescending old crow. And her quiche tastes like cat shit. I wouldn't feed it to my worst enemies.[/color][/i]'

Claudette could feel her face going red just thinking of the language her mother had used when complaining in the kitchen this morning. The thought of speaking like that aloud was inconceivable. Yet her mother was a proud woman, and she loved her husband. She put up with the evil Miss Greenwood; who Claudette also detested with a passion, for the sake of keeping the peace in the community. So it felt only right that Claudette, who was strolling through empty streets when she'd much rather be reading under a tree, did the same. Though she still didn't like it. The thought of Miss Greenwood talking to her with that insufferable forced smile while she made passing comments on how Claudette should be more devoted to the faith made her stomach churn. She briefly considered saying a prayer for tonight's dinner to be quick and painless.

As Claudette approached a small shop, a comfortable little place ran by a woman named Amelia, she felt a sudden buzzing in her ear. The droning only continued to grow louder; the earth beginning to rumble a little. Claudette turned around and looked up to confront the noise. Eyes wide open in concern, Claudette slowly reached for the doorknob of Amelia's shop and pushed the door open. Creeping inside, she quickly shut the door behind her. Her heart was racing like a hummingbird. What were Crucible ships doing in Krukow? Suddenly the dinner with Miss Greenwood seemed like a trivial matter. The Crucible frowned upon The Children of Aura, and Claudette had heard many harrowing stories from her father about how they persecute those who practice it. Before she could get ahead of herself, she stared forward to see Amelia minding her shop while dealing with another customer. Pushing off from the door, Claudette walked forward with shaky legs. She did her best to remain composed, but the second she reached the counter she just blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.

"[color=violet]Oh, Miss Crovus! Did you see the airships? Why are the Crucible here of all places? I just don't understand.[/color]" It was clear that Claudette was panicking. She had her free hand clutching onto her chest and her eyes were darting back and forth around the shop. She was seemingly having a little trouble breathing. However after a moment, her breath steadied and her stature stiffened. Claudette stood in silence for a moment before clasping her hands over her mouth in embarrassment.
"[color=violet]Oh dear, how rude of me. Good day, Miss Crovus. Blessings of the Mother to you.[/color]" Claudette bowed polite, forming her hands into a circle at her chest. It was a holy sign among The Children; used for greetings, blessings and pretty much anything else. It was rare for most people to see Claudette so flustered, but even so she made sure to remember her manners. Even though she grew more frightened by the minute.