Chapter Text
A bright light filters in through the windows, hitting Sage right in the face, disturbing her much-needed sleep.
“Ugh…”
A small weight shifts on her legs.
“Tobey…” she groans, half-burying her face in the pillow as the small dog happily climbs over her.
From the doorway, Mallow watches.
Judging.
She buries her face deeper into her pillow, but it's no use.
It's too bright.
Then the smell hits her.
In her sleep-addled mind, she can smell the delicious smell coming from the kitchenette in her small apartment.
“Mm bacon~”
The next thing she notices is the radio.
“Good morning, everyone! We have some exciting news–”
“Sage, are you up? Breakfast is almost ready. I made you some coffee too.”
“I'm up…give me a sec.”
She isn't.
She reluctantly leaves the warm confines of her bed and gets ready to start her day. Going to the bathroom, she does her regular morning routine.
Brushing her teeth, washing her face, doing her makeup, fixing her hair, getting dressed.
Now she looks like a functional human being. She doesn't feel like one, though.
She drags her feet slowly to the table, dropping into the seat with a heavy sigh.
“Good morning to you, too, sleepyhead.”
A steaming cup of coffee and a full plate of breakfast were placed in front of her.
“Morning. Thanks, Iris, this looks great.”
Iris, her roommate and best friend, sits across from her with her own plate, looking just as tired but definitely more alive than Sage right now.
“How the hell do you look so good first thing in the morning?”
She stared back, giving her a deadpan stare.
“Maybe because I wasn't the one on their phone until 4 in the morning again.”
Sage pauses mid-sip.
“Bullshit, I know you just got a new book yesterday. Knowing you, you refused to put it down and kept reading all night until you finished it.”
Refusing to even acknowledge that (correct) accusation, Iris focuses on her food.
“...I have no idea what you're talking about.”
They fall into a comfortable silence, with only the sound of the radio playing in the background. “–people are growing more uneasy after another reported disappearance. Authorities say she may have left town willingly, though some remain unconvinced–”
The girls realize the time and hurry to get ready to leave for work.
Tobey circles their feet excitedly as they grab their things. His stub of a tail was wagging nonstop.
“We’ll be back later, okay?” Iris pets his head.
Mallow doesn't move from her spot on the couch. She was perfectly content in just soaking up the sunlight.
She just blinks at them slowly.
Sage works at a bookstore, which is conveniently next to the cafe where Iris works. Every shift, they walk together to and from work, talking about whatever is on their mind, ranging from the latest shipment of books that Sage got first dibs on and the new drink menu at the cafe.
“-let me know if you see the next book in the series, I'm dying to find out what happens next.”
“Yeah, yeah, I'll get it for you. But I want that new latte again.”
“...I still don't understand how you can drink that sugary monstrosity.”
“He–”
“Get Out of Here, You Freak!”
?!
Both of them freeze in place, snapping their heads to the commotion.
A small crowd has gathered up ahead.
A man shoves a tall figure dressed in red to the ground.
“Ever since you people showed up, others have been disappearing!” the man shouts. “Go back to whatever hellhole you crawled out of!”
He raises his arm again.
“Hey!”
Sage moves before she fully thinks. Stepping between the man and the downed performer.
“Leave him alone!”
As Sage stops the man, Iris slips past her and stands beside the fallen figure.
“Are you okay? Here, let me help you.”
Iris gets closer to him, offering her hand.
He stares at her, still silent, before holding her hand and standing up.
‘Whoa.’
Iris blinks as he stands to his full height.
He was tall, like really tall. She barely reaches his shoulder.
Up close, she notices the blood.
A thin line running down his cheek.
“Oh, you're bleeding. Hold on.”
She digs through her bag before finding what she’s looking for.
“Is it okay if I put this on?”
He nods his head, staring at her intently.
She puts a pink cat bandaid on his cheek…or is it a mask?
Behind them, the man scoffs.
“Why are you getting in my way?! He deserves it! They’re the reason why that girl went missing! Can’t you see I’m trying to help you?!”
He snaps, reaching out and grabbing Sage’s arm.
“Don’t touch me.” Sage rips her arm free from his grasp.
“People go missing all the time,” she stares into his eyes. “They already said she ran off with her boyfriend. Why don’t you try using your brain for once?”
The man bristles, but there's something in her expression that makes him hesitate.
“If you keep this up, I'll call the police. Let's see what they think about your ‘vigilantism’. I'm sure they would love to hear what you have to say.”
For a moment, it looks like he might swing at her.
Sage stands her ground, not moving an inch.
Everything is silent until he backs off. “...Freak,” he mutters under his breath
He turns away, but not before throwing one last look over his shoulder.
“Hope you get taken too.”
Hope you get taken too.
Sage watches him go, jaw tight, eyes narrowed.
I’m not the one who should be worried.
She turns away, heading to the duo.
The crowd disperses just as quickly as it formed. Their entertainment had ended, and there was no reason for them to stay.
Of course they do.
Sage exhales sharply, irritation simmering under her skin.
Figures. No one ever steps in.
Her expression softens now that she has reached the two of them.
“That guy was just an asshole. Don't pay attention to people like that. They’re everywhere.”
She tilts her head. “Are you okay?”
Still silent, the performer nods.
“Yeah…and maybe avoid this area for a bit. He hangs around here a lot.” Iris adds.
Another nod.
His gaze never leaves them.
Not even for a second.
“Oh.”
Iris freezes, staring at Sage’s wrist.
A thin scratch slowly welling with blood.
An undiscernible expression quickly flickers across Iris’s face.
She quickly grabs a napkin, wiping it clean with careful hands before wrapping it with a handkerchief.
“This’ll have to do for now until we–”
Her phone suddenly buzzes.
She checks it. A message from her boss. ‘I need you here ASAP! Too many customers’
Iris sighs. “That's my boss, we should go.”
Sage nods and turns back to their silent observer.
“We’ve gotta run now. Take care of that, okay?”
“Goodbye,” Iris adds, offering a small smile. “I hope your day gets better.”
Pierrot nods, still entranced at the fact that not one but two humans just helped him. He stares at them so he can burn their faces into his mind (and into his heart).
The two run off to go to work, not noticing the intense burning stare from those heart-shaped pupils.
He doesn't move. Not right away.
He just stands there.
Watching.
Memorizing.
Every detail.
The sound of their voices. Soft, warm, kind.
He tilts his head back, breathing in deeply.
The lingering smell in the air.
Coffee.
Vanilla.
Pages of an old book.
And something else,
A faint metallic scent.
It smells…nice.
He remembers the way they looked at him with care and concern.
They were different.
Slowly, he turns. Walking past the flyers that were scattered on the ground. Only focusing on his target.
The trash can.
The crumpled napkin, lying right on top.
He picks it up in his claws, carefully.
Reverently. Holding it close to his chest.
His fingers tighten slightly around the faint dried blood.
His chest aches. A feeling bubbles up in him.
Something warm.