::1.1:: And They Were Roommates

Down in the bayou of a brand-new Twinbrook, there's a residence the locals call the Birdhouse. No one knows how long it's had that name—most believe that's been its title since the town's inception.

Though stilts protect it from the shallow floods that occasionally swell out of the surrounding swamps, the house is small, on the outskirts of town, and—well, surrounded by swamps. For most, it's not an ideal location, and thus has sat empty for as long as anyone cares to remember.

When two new residents arrive to the town looking for a place to stay, without much to offer in return, one city hall employee knows exactly where to put them.

The two women don't know each other at all. They both just so happened to arrive to town on the same day, at the same time, with the same unfortunate financial circumstances. The city hall employee had recommended they pool their resources, and neither of them could think of a better option.

Names and pleasantries are exchanged.

Staci Beck (nervous but friendly),

and Shari Yue (unfortunate victim of RBF.)

Staci is a witch, she warns Shari, though she promises her type of magic won't cause any trouble. 

Shari doesn't care what her housemate is, so long as they don't leave wet towels on the bathroom floor.

(The city hall employee hearing this, however, seems even more eager to help them purchase the remote property.)

With the exception of kitchen and bathroom necessities, the Birdhouse comes unfurnished, so the two spend the last of their meager savings on a table and some chairs, a bookshelf, and color-coded sleeping bags. Though they could've possibly afforded some cheap beds, the single-room shack doesn't have the space.

They also permit themselves one personal-choice item each. Shari, who came to Twinbrook to pursue architecture, indulges in a drafting table. Staci picks out a pretty floor lamp (not pictured), to give the place the beginnings of personal touch.

"I didn't really come here with a plan," she confesses over their first breakfast together. "It's the tradition of our coven for the young adults born into it to strike out on their own. I wish I already knew my path as well as you do."

"I don't think I'm as put-together as you think I am," Shari shrugs. "I just kind of chose something and am going with it. Do you think your path could lead you back to your coven, eventually?"

Staci remains thoughtfully silent for a moment. There's the faintest furrow in her brow. She almost looks confused.

"No," she says finally, "I don't think it will."

Twinbrook is a nice little town, in any case. And despite its size, the Birdhouse is functional, secure, and cozy. Neither are in any hurry to leave.

Staci can tell some of the other residents are wary to have a witch in town, and that makes her appreciate her new housemate's nonchalance even more. Shari can't give any particular reason as to why it doesn't bother her—she hasn't met a witch before, she says. The idea of magic just doesn't faze her.

Staci comes to find that Shari is unfazed by most things. 

The low creaking of the house during a midnight storm, for example,

or the small smokey explosions that plague their cheap oven. 

Things that have Staci curling up in a corner, Shari can either ignore or face head-on with ease.

It turns out that not all the other residents are perturbed by Staci's witchhood. A week or so after their arrival, Becky Baker knocks on the door with Marc Brandt—ostensibly as a neighborly welcome wagon, but actually with a proposal.

"Your guys' moving in is, like, so serendipitous," Becky gushes. "I just started a new business and your little witch friend would be a perfect addition to the team."

Marc, who seems to have tagged along with genuine welcome wagon intentions, nods along in confusion.

Shari frowns. "Staci is not a 'little witch,' and you can talk to her yourself about that."

"Fortune telling?" Staci echoes, after being coaxed out from her hiding place behind the bathroom door. "I'm just a witch, not a psychic."

Becky, momentarily distracted by the bad-boy-hottie she suddenly realized was standing next to her, turns back to Staci with a wink. "Neither am I, girlie. I'm not asking you to actually see anyone's future. I'm just asking you to help me sell it!"

Marc Brandt toys with the bouquet in his hands awkwardly.

With a little more persuading from Becky, Staci agrees to the job offer. It doesn't pay much, but it's something.

Besides, it isn't fair for Shari to be supporting them both with her entry-level design commissions.

It's also simple: promote the business using her magic. Her magic is real, which will give the fortunes credibility by association (Becky's logic.)

As a final incentive bonus, Becky sets up the fortune telling wagon in the swamps, conveniently close to the Birdhouse.

//

Oh my god they were roommates...

The first official chapter of the legacy! I've never played much in Twinbrook before. I'm enjoying the setting so far.

Staci Beck and Shari Yue's names were randomized in-game, so the similarities are just a weird accident. As always, the rolls page of this blog will contain minor spoilers, but if you want to see what I'm working with I have them listed there.

Thanks for reading!