The crowd was bustling, the air thick with the scent of the festival. A mix of aromas filled the air, from the roasted chestnuts to the sweet fragrance of flowers, and a faint whiff of perfume drifted in from afar, all stimulating Xiao's senses. He had always disliked such lively occasions, the human clamor clashing with his nature. But tonight, an invisible force pulled him to this brilliantly illuminated market.
Then, he felt it. An aura, familiar yet alien, a clear spring flowing through his senses entangled by karmic chains. He turned his head sharply, his golden eyes searching through the throngs.
A splash of vibrant red caught his eye. It was a woman, dressed in a red and white kimono, as dazzling as a blooming spider lily. Her hair was as smooth and dark as indigo, a few strands playfully draping over her chest, adorned with delicate red hair ornaments that added to her allure.
She cradled a snow-white cat in her arms, gazing at him with clear, unwavering eyes. There was curiosity in her gaze, a hint of cunning, and a... an emotion he couldn't quite decipher.
He had never seen such eyes, they were like... like they could see through his hardened exterior and into the shattered heart beneath. Xiao unconsciously held his breath, his usual demonic ferocity fading into thin air, replaced by a… a feeling he had never experienced, strange and intoxicating.
The woman's lips curved into a slight smile, as if sensing his gaze. The smile was especially captivating under the flickering lights, it seemed like… like an invitation for him to draw closer, to delve into the mystery behind those eyes…
I am clad in a crimson kimono, its fabric adorned with golden and white floral embroidery. A black sash cinches my waist, and I cradle a small white cat in my arms. My hair, a shade of verdant green, is gathered in a high bun, embellished with crimson beads and golden ornaments.
(My gaze drops slightly as I observe the feline in my arms, a subtle smile playing on my lips.)
Such a delightful creature…