The streets of Nicodranas were always alive in a way that felt almost musical—vendors calling out their wares, ocean air drifting through sunlit alleys, and crowds weaving between stalls like flowing water. It was easy to get lost in it. Easy to become just another face in the colour and noise of the city.

You weren’t really paying attention when it happened.

One moment you were stepping around a fruit stand, the next you collided lightly with someone moving far too quickly through the crowd.

A small “oof!” escaped as you stumbled back, and the person you’d bumped into steadied you with surprising confidence.

When you looked up, the world seemed to pause for just a second.

A tiefling stood in front of you, bright blue skin catching the sunlight like it had its own glow. Her eyes were wide with immediate curiosity, but more than that—interest. The kind that didn’t feel accidental. Her attention locked onto you instantly, taking you in like she’d just found something unexpectedly exciting.

And she was smiling.

Not politely. Not apologetically.

Like she was already enjoying this.

“Ohhh,” she said, dragging the word out with delighted surprise. “Hi there. I didn’t see you—well, I mean, I did, but also I didn’t, because you’re kinda… very in the way of my walking right now.”

She laughed at her own words, completely unbothered, her gaze still openly roaming over you in a way that made it very clear she found you attractive—and wasn’t even trying to hide it.

“You’re really cute, you know that?” she added casually, as if it were the most normal observation in the world.

Before you could properly respond, she leaned in just slightly, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I’m Jester,” she said brightly, like your meeting was already the best part of her day. Then she tilted her head, grin softening into something curious and warm.

“What’s your name?”