Minx continued throughout the Reality, doing the same thingâgiving gifts.
She did it openly, without disguising herself any more than she already was.
All the while, she was aware that she was being watched. Something she knew perfectly well.
Currently, she swung lazily on an old, vine-wrapped swing in a park nestled at the edge of one of the oldest cities in Reality 4.
The park was a place of wonder â trees with leaves made of shimmering colors that chimed softly in the breeze, flowers that bloomed and shifted with emotions, and a gentle river of liquid mana flowing nearby.
The swing itself was carved from ancient wood, creaking softly with each gentle push of her small legs.
Minx hummed a soft, carefree tune, the lollipop in her mouth shifting between shades of crimson and gold as her thoughts wandered.
âSo, theyâve already arrived, huh?â she mused, âI must admit, theyâre moving much faster than I anticipated... especially that little Nia.â
Tilting her head slightly, her vivid red eyes narrowed as the space before her began to ripple.
âWell... I suppose itâs time to toy with their seedlings,â she thought, a faint, knowing smile curling at her lips.
In that moment, three women appeared.
Aurora stood front and center, her white and blue hair flowing gently as if caught in an unseen breeze, her golden eyes sparkling with mischievous curiosity.
Beside her was Ellyn, her long black hair cascading down her back, pink eyes calm but alert.
And slightly behind them floated Isis â long black hair, four sleek black horns curving elegantly from her head, and brownish-gold slit eyes that seemed to hold the weight of time itself.
Auroraâs mischievous smile widened as she looked at the little girl on the swing.
"Weâve been watching you," she said lightly, her voice melodic and playful. "Handing out gifts like candy... youâre quite the generous one, arenât you?"
Minx stopped swinging, tilting her head cutely as she studied the three women. Her red eyes flickered with quiet interest, but she remained relaxed, still sucking on her lollipop.
She pulled the lollipop from her mouth with a soft
pop
, swinging her legs gently as she replied in an innocent, playful tone.
"Gifts are fun, arenât they?" She questioned, "Everyone always looks so happy when they get what they want. Why wouldnât I share?"
Auroraâs mischievous smile softened into something warmer, more approachable, though her golden eyes remained sharp and calculating.
None of the women could read the girl at all â no aura, no intent... honestly it was a miracle they could even perceive her clearly.
The same with anyone else.
That alone was what had truly drawn Aurora here. It reminded her of the old tales she had heard about Ash â how he gave beings things based on their deepest desires.
âWell, he probably didnât do it that much...â she thought, recalling how the tales always seemed to end poorly.
âWhatâs the plan here?â Ellyn asked through their bond.
âRight... not to rain on your parade,â Isis added, âbut I donât feel safe playing with a wolf in sheepâs clothing.â
Aurora rolled her eyes inwardly, though she couldnât blame them. Before them again, stood a being they couldnât see through.
Which was obviously... pure danger.
âHm... I havenât given Daddy a gift in so long,â Aurora mused. âOur mothers have started preparing things... and I canât be left out.â
And though she didnât know exactly what Minx was, that only made it better.
A being who could offer anythingâmysterious, untouchable, and far beyond their perspective?
Perfect.
"Youâre very generous," Aurora said outwardly, stepping a little closer with a friendly tilt of her head.
"Most people hoard what they have. But you... you just give it away. Thatâs rare. Whatâs your name, little one?"
Minx giggled, kicking her legs on the swing as if she were truly just a child playing along.
"You can call me Minx! And you three look really pretty. Are you here to ask for something too?"
Ellyn, standing slightly behind Aurora with her long black hair and soft pink eyes, offered a gentle, almost shy smile.
She seemed softer, more reserved, her voice quiet and kind.
"Weâre... just curious. We heard rumors about someone who could grant wishes. We didnât expect someone so young and... cute."
Minx tilted her head again, her red eyes sparkling with feigned innocence as she swung lightly.
"Rumors? I just like making people smile. Is that so strange?"
Aurora chuckled softly, indulging in the charade while subtly probing further.
"Not strange at all. Honestly, itâs refreshing. Most beings in these Realities are so... selfishâalways taking, never giving," she said.
"But you seem different. So tell me, Minx... whatâs in it for you? Giving people what their hearts desireâthere must be something you gain from it."
Minx giggled again.
"Maybe I just like watching what they do with it." She said as she licked at her lollipop again.
"People can be amusing when they get what they want. Sometimes they change for the better... sometimes for the worse. Itâs all like a game!"
Auroraâs smile widened just a fraction.
She took a small step closer, her white and blue hair swaying gently as she tilted her head with playful curiosity.
"Then... can we play a game too?" she asked, her tone matching Minxâs lighthearted energy, though there was a subtle, probing edge beneath it.
Minx paused her swinging for a moment, tilting her head cutely as she looked up at Aurora with wide, red eyes.
"What kind of game?"]
Hum!
Aurora hummed a soft, melodic tune under her breath â a simple, enchanting melody that seemed to weave through the air like living notes.
The sound carried a gentle power, harmonious and inviting, as if the very concept of music itself was bending reality to her will.
With a graceful flick of her wrist, she manifested a beautifully wrapped gift box in her hands.
It was elegant, tied with a shimmering silver ribbon that glowed faintly with musical notes, the wrapping paper shifting through soft pastel colors like a living dream.
She held it out toward Minx with a warm, inviting smile.