The longer her consciousness lingers and settles in this body, the more she recalls the previous Aster's memories. The familiarity in which she navigates this body as well still unnerves her, but she considers herself lucky to even have access to these. As she wanders through the black market, the sights, sounds and smells assault her senses. It was a curated chaos that would be overwhelming for any ordinary person, but for Aster it was pleasant and eerily comfortable as she relaxes and continues her languid search for a particular man. Even as she steps further into the black market, the rain hasn't stopped in the slightest. It makes her wonder if the weather of this world is affected by the phenomena of the cracked sky. Regardless of the drab weather, the black market was lively and full of people in very unique clothings or disguises looking about while the sellers called out to potential customers.
Aster takes her time glancing around with muted curiosity, tugging her gray hoodie over her head a little snugger. Although not the best for hiding her face, nobody pays any attention to her, especially in a place like this and before long, she finds the person she was looking for. He was quite eccentric-looking compared to the milling crowds, wearing a bright and pristine velvet-purple cloak fastened with a golden celtic brooch. The most prominent feature of this man was his elaborate jester hat, purple just like his cloak, but sporting golden spiral patterns that point out with bells attached at the end. It jingles everytime he moves in his tent, which he was doing a lot, animatedly trying to convince customers to stay and buy his items to no avail. The most eye-catching thing however was the white mask that the man wore. The area around the eyes, which was entirely black, was painted in purple and gold swirls with a dash of red on its lips in the shape of a heart. As if noticing her scrutiny, the man who was wilting as a customer left, suddenly turns to her and instantly perks up when she comes into view. The man, throwing his arms up and exclaiming in papable delight, rushes over to her.
"Is that who I think it is? You grace my humble longing with your presence, little star!" Fitting his attire, the man's way of speaking was eccentric as well. Aster finds it charming oddly.
"Hello, Jester. I've missed you too." The words tumbles out of her lips without her prompting. She blinks at the sudden emotions that washes over her briefly, but attributes the sentiments to the echoes of the previous Aster. The man laughs, tickled by her requited feelings and claps his hand together eagerly.
"Indeed! Now, what brings you here, little star? Are you looking to buy any of my items?" He gestured to his items that were faintly glowing white. "Or are you here for a game of wits?"
The man leans in, clasp hands under his chin.
"You know that I love a game of wits, especially if it's with you, little star! Oh the things that it reveals about us," The man shudders with anticipation and continues to ramble.
"I was quite astounded last time you see, which seems eons ago. You've been gone for far too long. Well, what was it?" The man hums and haws before snapping his fingers. "Aha, I remember!" He leans even closer and lower in his voice, as if imparting something significant, tone more serious than before. "The heart of Truth? It is closer than you think." Before Aster can process his enigmatic words, the man pulls back, acting his usual jovial self.
"But, really, none of that matters right now! Little star, command me! What is it you are seeking today?"
Taken aback slightly at the change of topic, she digs through her pockets and pulls out the red orb. Her silver gauntlet catches the man's attention which soon moves on to the red orb which she hands over to him.
"Would this be enough for a ticket to a C-rank dungeon?"
That was the true purpose of her trip here. She was going to enter a dungeon. Aster knew that after having killed that man in her apartment, she was no doubt going to be targeted by the guild for her apparent betrayal. Lotus Eaters, her mind softly supplied, as well as the lotus engraving on her gauntlet alluded. While her acceptance into the Steren Academy would guarantee her safety, the date of her enrollment was still about two months away and she wasn't going to be a sitting duck for those months. She needed to get stronger while also hiding from the guild and going into a dungeon would allow her to do both. Even as dangerous as it was, it was much better than getting caught by the guild, who was infamous for cruelly disposing of useless members. There were even rumors that they were farming from human corpses, for who knows what. The guild would find it inefficient to waste resources to catch her as well, priding themselves on that. The man pauses in his inspection of the red orb and gives her his full attention.
"Little star, do you know what you're asking me? A C-rank dungeon? That's signing your death warrant! Tell me, what troubles you to go this far?" The man asks in concern while also carefully dragging her deeper into his tent, making sure nobody was hearing their conversation.
"It's…it's the guild. I murdered one of their men." There was no need to beat around the bush with the man, Aster could trust him. From her memories, this man, despite his eccentricity and enigmatic personality, was the only one that was genuinely kind to her. He helped her in the past, no strings attached as well and a part of her wanted to know if he saw her as more than just a young customer. Maybe a friend, which she needs more than ever.
"I see. Little star, I'm happy that you escaped unscathed, for now." No question asked, the man just simply acknowledged her confession and even expressed his contentment at her survival. A warmth travels to her chest as well as bewilderment at how easy the man took her statement. She was surprised even further when the man reached his hand into the air and she watched as the space rippled before an item was pulled out with a flourish. It was pinkish-white ticket that had the luster of pearls. The man places it gently into her palm, curling her fingers around it.
"Here it is, your ticket out of this crisis or a push into doom, lives are easily snuff out; I hope it is the former, little star." The man adds on worriedly and implores her through the firm squeeze of his hands over hers.
"Will you promise me you will come back alive, little star?" The man pulls away and crosses his arms, staring at her through his jester mask. She swears she sees a flash of red. She tucks the ticket into her pocket.
"I'm going to enter Steren Academy." She simply said in lue of an answer, which seems to satisfy the man who huffs and ruffles her hair.
"Blessed be, then, Aster Klein."
She swiftly exits the man's tent, mingling into the crowds, hurrying to her next destination. The man watches until she disappears from view.
"It seems like the story is beginning…or ending really." The man sighs before being swept up in the atmosphere of the black market, stepping up to once again sell his items.