Laura and Olivia, life-long BFF's

(This branch will use AI generated images for the characters. Unless said otherwise, each image has been generated specifically for this story.)

Carefully, Olivia sets down the figurine to dry, right next to the other dozen. With a satisfied smile she scoots back and admires her work. Finally everything for her future campaign should be done, as soon as the paint dries on the last of the wildlife figures. Wiping a bit of sweat from her forehead, she stands up from her spot on the floor, before carefully moving around the mess of the livingroom to get something to drink.

Opening the fridge and grabbing a disposable water bottle, the young adult glances at the clock, her eyes suddenly going wide. "Agh- Shit!" Slamming the door shut she takes the water and rushes to the bathroom, making sure she looks alright. Taking a glance in the mirror she fixes a few things, brushes her unruly hair, puts on some needed deodorant, and finally wipes off her glasses. Taking one last look at herself, she nods, before rushing back to the livingroom.

Like a whirlwind, Olivia grabs a laundry basket, picking up every piece of clothing in sight from the floor. She hasn't gotten around to cleaning this place in ages, focusing on preparing that campaign with Laura...

*Ding-Dong*

Pressing the doorbell, Laura feels giddy with excitement, though she doesn't show it. Her and Olivia have been planning this get together for a couple weeks, now that they finally have days off from work at the same time. Though, that's not the only reason she's excited for today...

Readjusting her bag, she relieves some of the weight of the strap on her shoulder. She made sure to bring it, along with some other tools to help with the ritual...

Before long the door opens, and Laura is met with the casual smile of her friend. "Hey laura, come on in!" Olivia steps to the side, allowing the other half of the party inside.

"Just give me one sec to finish cleaning up! You can uh... find a place to sit, just make sure to avoid the figures, they're still drying." Olivia is energetic, as she always is on their days together. "So, did you bring it?" She asks, facing away from Laura to pick up a dirty shirt.

Sitting down, Laura sets her bag on her lap, a wide grin forming on her face. "Yeah, and the crystals... I think this time it might actually work!" Opening the top flap, she peers inside the dark container, catching just a glimpse of the mesmerizing pink glow that fades into view. "Daniel said it's very powerful, and he's never steered me wrong. Apparently his wife used it to cure her insomnia, and now her energy is through the roof."

"Oh yeah? Did you see her today?"

"No, he said something about her shopping for some new clothes, so she wasn't in today."

Olivia chuckles to herself, before finally turning to her friend. "Seriously? I thought she hated shopping..."

Laura beams back. "I know, hehe, even more proof that this thing is the real deal." She laughs to herself, that pink glow reflecting in her eyes before she shuts the bag once more.

"We'll see..." Olivia walks away to the laundry room, setting the basket down. "Man, she really thinks this one's gonna do something." She thinks to herself. "Too bad it'll just turn out like all the others." Ever since they were kids, Laura was obsessed with everything fantastical and magical, something that the two of them bonded over. It really was fun, the countless sleepovers they had, constantly trying to find real magic. Not an uncommon thing for young girls to be into, hoping that by mixing glitter and water you'll make a love potion, or scaring yourself half to **** by trying to summon 'Bloody Mary'... Yet when they got into highschool, when all that stuff obviously began to seem fake to her, Laura never really stopped believing.

Setting the basket down, Olivia heads back down the hall, hearing the shuffling of her friend digging im her bag. If she's being honest, that familiar excitement is welcome. While she doesn't believe in the supernatural much anymore, she doesn't have any less fun when Laura comes around. Afterall, she's been able to use all these crazy tools and ideas she brings over for some new spell ideas for her campaign character. "Alright Laura, you ready to set everything up-"

Right as she turns the corner from the hall, Olivia stops and stares, her breath catching in her throat. Laura sits there, her eyes wide and her mouth open in awe as she holds the book in her hands. The moment seems to last forever as they both lay eyes on the object, yet as soon as that moment passes, everything continues on like normal. Laura looks up happily. "Yep, ready~"