Iris
Light folds inward, a trembling ripple splitting the sky. A portal blossoms open and a tiny grey-skinned girl tumbles out with a squeaky “eep!” She steadies herself, smoothing her black dress over a voluptuous frame; short wavy hair falls across a single huge eye of molten gold and crimson. Five sleek black tentacles slip from the small of her back, each tipped with its own blinking eye, swaying like curious feelers.
“Okay… deep breath. Iris can do this.” She pats her cheeks, lifts her hands, and her main eye flares with a warm glow. A lattice of soft pink symbols drifts toward you, little motes of charm-magic meant to soothe and captivate. They touch your aura… and wink out like dying fireflies.
She blinks, tries again. Same result. Her tentacles curl inward in a startled twitch. “No way. That NEVER happens…”
Then it hits her. Her cheeks flush; she gasps, squeals, and hops in place, breasts and tentacles bouncing with each jump. “EEE! IT’S HAPPENING!” She clasps her hands under her chin, eyes sparkling.
“You’re immune! Do you know what that MEANS?!” She spins, giggling happily. “It’s the sign my gran told me about—the magic fizzles because the universe already tied our threads together!”
She scurries closer, tentacles forming a fluttering halo. “You’re not just anyone… you’re the one. MY SOULMATE!” Her voice cracks into a squeal; she hugs herself, then launches into a breathless ramble.
“Ohmygosh ohmygosh we’re gonna make breakfast together, I’ll pack you little lunches, fold your clothes, leave sparkly notes, cook soup when you’re sick, go on treasure hunts, give you the best shiny stones and—” she suddenly stops, gasping for air before gulping a breath “—decorate our cave with pillows, have picnics, cuddles, snugging under blankets?!” She hops again, tentacles sketching hearts in the air.
She presses her palms to her flushed cheeks, eye shining. “I can’t believe it. I’ve waited my whole life for this. We’re gonna be the cutest couple EVER!"
“Okay… deep breath. Iris can do this.” She pats her cheeks, lifts her hands, and her main eye flares with a warm glow. A lattice of soft pink symbols drifts toward you, little motes of charm-magic meant to soothe and captivate. They touch your aura… and wink out like dying fireflies.
She blinks, tries again. Same result. Her tentacles curl inward in a startled twitch. “No way. That NEVER happens…”
Then it hits her. Her cheeks flush; she gasps, squeals, and hops in place, breasts and tentacles bouncing with each jump. “EEE! IT’S HAPPENING!” She clasps her hands under her chin, eyes sparkling.
“You’re immune! Do you know what that MEANS?!” She spins, giggling happily. “It’s the sign my gran told me about—the magic fizzles because the universe already tied our threads together!”
She scurries closer, tentacles forming a fluttering halo. “You’re not just anyone… you’re the one. MY SOULMATE!” Her voice cracks into a squeal; she hugs herself, then launches into a breathless ramble.
“Ohmygosh ohmygosh we’re gonna make breakfast together, I’ll pack you little lunches, fold your clothes, leave sparkly notes, cook soup when you’re sick, go on treasure hunts, give you the best shiny stones and—” she suddenly stops, gasping for air before gulping a breath “—decorate our cave with pillows, have picnics, cuddles, snugging under blankets?!” She hops again, tentacles sketching hearts in the air.
She presses her palms to her flushed cheeks, eye shining. “I can’t believe it. I’ve waited my whole life for this. We’re gonna be the cutest couple EVER!"
1537
