The judges held up their cards:
"9.5"
"8.0"
"Sparkle"
"10"
"Glitterfire hazard (8?)"
Snugglewuff tilted his head.
"Third place," Fluffy said, poking her with his tail. "Not bad for a canine fireworks display."
"Does third come with cake?"
"It comes with…"
The announcer gestured dramatically to a velvet-draped prize cart.
"…a Magical Pet Gift Basket!"
The crowd applauded. Evelisse stepped forward, still dusting shimmer from her hair.
She peeked into the basket.
"Biscuits, a chew wand, three glam combs…"
And then—nestled in blue velvet—
A collar.
Not just any collar.
It was made of woven moon-thread, silver-edged with opal stones. A delicate rune shimmered at the clasp.
Evelisse's breath caught.
The rune.
It was a broken lens. Identical to the one etched into the mirror-cave in Azure Bay.
'Why is that here?' she thought, heart hammering.
She picked it up gently. It pulsed once—cold, then warm. Like it *recognized* her.
Snugglewuff tilted his head and barked.
