Quote:
In Tribute (12) : In the days leading up to the Star Festival, small stone shrines began to appear randomly throughout Destiny City–on rooftops, in alleyways, hidden down long forest paths. They’re small, altar-like platforms with a little bowl in the center and a single glowing stone inside. There’s something peaceful, refreshing, about the shrine, even if no one seems to know who is setting them. However, if the stone is removed, the glow vanishes–along with your sense of peace. This was not your offering to take. Immediately, you feel something breathing on the back of your neck but there’s nothing to be seen. Returning the stone returns the area to an uneasy stillness, but if you attempt to leave without returning the stone, a mounting pressure and anxiety will grow within you. You never make it far from the shrine before some unseen force overtakes you. It feels like a great force collides into your back, and unconsciousness is quick to follow. When you awaken, the shrine is gone. All that remains is pain and fear. If you are tempted to leave an offering of your own, however small, you will find yourself feeling as though you have received the protection of something greater than you can understand. This strange blanket of security will last for the remainder of the day. A shrine never stays in the same place for long but no one ever sees who is setting them up or taking them down.

Wordcount: 511


Summer classes had started, not that Dawn was participating in the short term. She spent her summer running from job to job, saving up as much money as she possibly could so she could afford the next term. She was so close too. One more full semester, maybe two if she couldn’t get the one class she needed, and then she would have her degree. Soon. Soon. Soon. Soon.

It was almost a mantra as the small strawberry blonde hustled through the winding streets on her bike. She had started to pick up DoorDash gigs to pad her pockets just a little bit. It wasn’t like she couldn’t protect herself after all. She just wasn’t great at it, but at least being a glorified bike messenger definitely kept her in shape. So once she reached the app’s indicated end and looked up at the tenth floor the food was meant for, all Dawn did was sigh before moving. It took longer than it should have, mostly because the guy who was waiting for the food was a bit pushy, but she quickly found herself back on the street with a meger tip and a phone number tucked into her pocket.

With another order to get to she was about to jump on her bike and hurry over when she spotted the small little shrine that someone had set up in a tiny alcove. It was just a simple platform and bowl, a little glow in the dark painted rock. Nothing big or ornate. Almost a household shrine. Peaceful and quiet. Not really sure where the desire to make a small prayer came from, especially since she was on a ‘job’ already but Dawn detoured over to the shrine.

She made a quick prayer, silently hoping that she was able to finish up school without any issues. With that wish Dawn reached into her pocket only to realize she didn’t have much to offer. Just the dollar tip, the paper with the number on it, and the small little opal star charm she had. After a moment of contemplation she left the charm and was about to leave when inspiration struck.

Grinning, the young woman quickly turned back and made a second prayer, “May he learn humility and generosity,” before offering the number and dollar. The money wasn’t enough for her to feel bad leaving behind and it wasn’t like she was going to use it anyway. With a small bow the blonde put back on her helmet and mounted her bike. She had places to be, she just really did hope that her prayers would come true in some way. As she peddled away, picking up speed as she left the shrine behind, a strange comforting feeling settled over her. She knew in her bones that everything would be ok. School would be fine, she would graduate soon and all would be well. Dawn wasn’t even surprised when she got a notification regarding a tip from one of her deliveries. She didn’t know why but everything was going to work out.