Cirice eyed Elliot suspiciously. This had not been the first time he had used those words: step out from the shadows. But, previously it had been referring directly to themselves. He was tired of lying to his friends and colleagues, and at this point… Cirice could hardly blame him. She had finally caved and told her mother a few weeks ago for similar reasons after her mother had asked her for the third dozen time in as many hours what was different about her, and now was relenting and allowing the pair to finally meet. It had all been a relief, to stop hiding it, at least from one person. She supposed it was no longer fair to continue asking the same of him.
“You… you know I’m talking about the community right now, right?” he asked with a little playful smile.
“Yes, yes, I know,” she said quickly, turning to look out at the fields so Elliot didn’t see her blushing. “We can’t just decide that, though, Elliot. That kind of decision has to come from the higher ups. The Crown… the Ministry… that sort of thing. Not just a Headmistress.”
Elliot laughed. “Yes, if only we knew the Minister…”
Inktober 2025, Prompt #3: CROWN🧡🖤👻🎃


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