"Death will search you out whenever the time is right. Trying to escape him or seek him is not worth it."

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"So, what according to you are the latest fashions of the human world," Clotho asked out of the blue, startling me. I was in the office area of the Fates. The room was lit in bright colours, quite in contrast to the things which happened in there. I was studying a magnificent abstract painting in every shade of green, which reminded me of the tidal waves.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I was distracted." I gathered my wits and swiftly scuttled over to where she was perching on the handle of a sturdy chair.

"We have Maya coming to pay a visit in three days. We want to look better than whatever magical costume she weaves from the yarns of nature," she informed.

"Yes, ma'am. So, colourful leathers are starting a comeback and so are 90s knitwear..."

"Take me through different styles. We cannot wear any material. They have to be celestial threads straight from the stores of Kuber," she gave a haughty laugh.

"The puff sleeves are the latest fad. Or you could go with the cap sleeves," I quickly switched my sentence. Mrithun's tutorial was actually benefiting me.

"I believe you three have gorgeous figures, ma'am," I paused.

"Go on," she gestured.

"I think form-fitted dresses will suit you more. Something like ribbed turtleneck and leggings..."

"No leggings please." Atropos appeared suddenly. I almost yelped. It took me a moment to find my breath again.

"Then would you like something voluminous, Madame?" I asked, my voice overly polite.

"Suggest high neck or A-line," Mrithun, who had been silent for a long time, whispered his ideas again.

"Sweeping lengths, high collar and long sleeves with form-fitted bodice would look perfectly formal and elegant," I said excitedly.

"Could you make them of this fabric? I love the threads from the clouds, but the oceans draw me more," Clotho suggested.

"Show interest in their dresses," Mrithun instructed.

"May I see the material, ma'am?" I asked, trying to sound professional.

Atropos gestured for me to come closer. I gulped, slowly taking a step forward. My heart was chugging like a train. I could almost sense a kind of earthly heat emanating from their bodies. They smelled of the ocean, salty. I dropped on my knees in front of them, lightly running my fingers over the skirt of Clotho's sundress. It was a beautiful teal, edged with detailed patterns similar to white frothy waves. The material felt fluid under on my skin, practically as if I had my hands dipped in the sea. Little pearl embellishments dotted the hem of the dress.

"Beautiful," I breathed. "I'm sure Mr Kuber could make something better than this."

Both their eyes glinted with happiness.

"What is happening here?" The calm voice of Lachesis sounded at the doorway.

"We were just getting our dresses finalized," Atropos and Clotho chirped together.

Lachesis turned her attention to me. Her honey irises shifted to liquid gold as she held my gaze. I felt fuzzy. It was as if someone was trying to invade my mind. Lachesis seemed to be sucking my soul out.

"Interesting," she mused, giving a sly smile. I was powerless under her burning stare. I had never felt so vulnerable, so exposed.

"I will give my best efforts, Madame," I stammered.

Lachesis didn't say a word as she strolled past me.

"I can see through you." Her voice was almost a whisper. Shivers ran down my spine. "If I were you, I would leave at the earliest, before someone else finds out."

The threat in her statement was clear. The other two Fates seemed unaware of this little exchange. Lachesis floated away slowly and took her spot in the corner of the room where her own personal computer sat.

"Come back right now," Mrithun hissed.

"Clotho, Atropos, would you give us a minute, please? I want some specific alterations in my dress." Lachesis flashed a smile at me. I stopped breathing. Atropos and Clotho didn't appear to have detected anything odd. They vanished just like they had appeared, leaving me alone with the weaver of our destinies.

"Who are you?" Lachesis got up from her place.

"I'm T-Tora," I stuttered.

"You are not a Yakshini," she said calmly. It wasn't a question, but a fact.

"I'm human born," I whispered.

"Human born or human, just a human," she laughed.

I kept quiet.

"What do you want from here?" She regarded me coolly.

"Tell her about putting your name in the system. Reveal the truth," Mrithun said from the other end. It was my turn to panic. How could I tell the truth?

"Whoever is speaking in your ear, tell them to shut up and let you speak for yourself." Lachesis shrugged. "You have a say of your own. Speak up."

The voice of Mrithun turned off with a pop.

"How did you-"

"I'm the creator of the lives and the destinies, child," Lachesis laughed. "I created you and I measure the thread of your life. What are you trying to teach me? I know all the tricks of the universe."

"I wanted to put my name in the system of the Fates. I am missing from the system," I confessed. "That's why I arrived at Pataal Lok."

Lachesis seemed taken aback for a second.

"You want to die when you don't have an expiry date? O foolish child!" she reprimanded.

"Yes."

"People come here in the pursuit of wealth or material pleasures, and to seek immortality. You came here to seek death. Why?" she asked.

"I have lost interest in life. Eternity would be nothing less than torture," I admitted, speaking out the thoughts I had kept stored for a long time.

"Isn't there anything above the ground, for you to go back to?"

"None that needs me or wants me," I hissed.

"I must say I'm surprised. So are you trying to hack into our systems?"

"No, I mean..."

"I'm interested to see what you can do, child. You've braved the dangers of Pataal Lok and stayed unfazed with all the wealth. You must have some purity left in this vile world."

There was a certain sense of pride in her voice.

"You mean you will not punish me?" I asked, surprised.

"I can't sentence you to a worse fate than the one you've chosen for yourself."

"What?" I was confused.

"You fell in love with Death. What could be a worse punishment for a mortal?"

Her trilling laughter echoed through my head, reverberating with my soul. I stood there, flummoxed at what to say next.

 
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A/N Is Lachesis letting Tora go?
What will she do now?