❣≽ 

        “Hard to say- ♣” A curl to the lips of the one with watchful eyes. “It certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility .. Though I’ve come to expect surprises when I surround myself with certain company. ♦ ” That hint of acknowledgement was all the magician needed- a step is taken towards the spider with a casual stride before coming to rest close by. He’d prefer not to have to shout, after all. “But what’s the fun in solving every mystery? ♥ ” 

❣≽       A second shadow accompanies your own on this dark and dreary night

  ‘Did you miss me? ♦ ” The voice of something mischievous creeps from behind you with a softened hummed. 

The beginning of her words made little sense to Jūjō. It might have something to do with how exhausted her body felt―being pulled like a force greater than gravity toward the floor―resenting even the slightest of movements. The fault could be put on her heavy head, swollen in air and pain, clearly a consequence of abusing Kagutsuchi’s power.

The screaking sound of rusted seal being dragged over humid sound hurt Mito’s head. Her primal instinct, the thing on her mind that pushed her for survival, made her contort in her place. Mito’s weakened legs tried to put a greater distance between her and the tall noble, only to find the coldness of the stonewall at her back.

She could never be… too relentless nor too careless.

Relief danced for a second in her eyes before turning into grievous mistrustfulness. In the back of her mind, Mito attempted to feel them near, sense the power of their Cursed Gears, the very last trace to tell her they were alive, but ultimately found nothing. She drained her demon’s faculties.

❝ How can I be sure you’re not lying?❞ Mito spurt out her mouth, without even looking at the offered glass of water. ❝ For all I know, they could all be dead.❞

   Another  vampire  might  have  lashed  out  at  seeing  a  human  trying  to  practically  crawl  into  the  wall  ,  or  for  blatantly  ignoring  the  offered  drink.  But  Horn  merely  remained  where  she  was  ,  composed  and  calm.  Unlike  MOST  of  the  others  ,  she  was  not  so  fond  of  the  brutish  methods  used  right  off  the  bat.

   “  You  can’t.  “  It’s  a  shockingly  honest  answer  ,  rather  than  an  answer  that  was  coated  in  sugar  or  tailored  to  earn  the  other’s  favor.  “  I  suppose  I  could  have  them  write  something  and  bring  it  back  ?  Perhaps  you  would  recognize  their  handwriting.  But  then  you  might  believe  it  was  a  talented  con  artist  ,  same  with  hearing  each  other’s  voices  and  it  being  a  mimicker.  “  The  progenitor  easily  presents  ideas  and  shoots  them  down  just  as  quickly.  “  I  can’t  take  you  to  see  them.  That’s  too  great  a  risk  when  you’ve  not  given  anything  in  turn.  But  as  of  now  ,  the  humans  are  not  the  primary  interest  of  much  of  the  council  at  the  moment.  “

   It  is  not  particularly  useful  information  ,  but  it  is  something  that  may  offer  the  girl  some  semblance  of  relaxation.  “  You’ll  just  have  to  take  my  word  for  it.  Isn’t  it  hope  that  humans  have  always  clung  to  ?  “  She  arches  an  elegant  eyebrow  slightly  as  she  lifts  the  cup  slightly.  “  If  they  are  as  I  say  ,  wearing  yourself  out  and  neglecting  yourself  would  do  no  good  to  anyone.  Not  me  ,  not  you  ,  and  certainly  not  your  teammates.  Though  those  demons  you  have  might  do  quite  well.  “  Horn  points  out  ,  her  voice  calm  and  steady.

     KAGURA DOESN’T KNOW WHAT POSSESSED HER to spill so much of her past, but she trembles at the thought of being denied. There’s a desperation to be accepted, even acknowledged, almost deflating from relief as Stheno claims to empathize. Oh, thank Kami. 

     But as the elder goes on, Kagura finds herself staring, eyes glazing with a thin layer of tears. She shouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed? Fingers play with the ends of black hair, lips pursing as she squirms. “  T-thank you. Your approval means a lot.  ” Her sisters live on through her. She exhales a full sigh, nodding in acceptance. Yes, that’s right. 

     Green eyes rise, a tinge of red shading pale cheeks. “  Well, I’m just trying to exercise my control. After meeting a certain man, I…  ” Oh, how can she boast about exploiting men and then randomly speak of being in love with one? Wait, no. She never claimed to be in love with Ishiguro. 

     Pushing that out of her mind, Kagura focuses on the woman before her, eyes widening. Wow, the snakes are her? Do they act on her emotions? Does she use them as a sort of expression? The first gorgon… the first. “  You’re quite far from home, then,  ” she says, lighthearted, stepping closer. Beaming at the sound of acceptance, joy flies through her veins. Yes, date scored! “  Why don’t we go for a walk in the park first? I’m getting an idea.  ”

   Had  she  done  well  or  poorly  ?  It  was  so  hard  to  tell  when  tears  appeared.  Medusa  had  been  the  best  at  such  matters.  It’d  never  mattered  to  the  eldest  unless  it  came  from  a  place  of  fear.  (  Or  her  sisters.  )  But  evidently  it  seems  she  has  done  well  based  on  the  comment  ,  and  she  nods  slightly  with  a  few  snakes  flicking  out  their  tongues.

   Oh.  This  sounded  like  the  tales  of  ancient  times.  A  declaration  against  something  but  allotting  the  exception  to  one.  So  often  a  man.  This  hero  will  treat  me  right  ,  THAT  one  would  never  hide  a  secret  ,  and  so  many  others.  Although  SHE  didn’t  appear  upset  so  perhaps  it  was  the  RARE  exception.  Maybe.

   “  I  am.  “  To  that  ,  Stheno  merely  nods  in  confirmation  ,  long  coils  lifting  and  moving  in  response.  “  I  have  always  been  the  most  independent  of  my  sisters.  And  .  .  .  times  have  changed.  To  not  keep  up  would  be  like  a  declawed  lion.  “  She  admits.  Immortal   as  she  might  be  ,  that  was  not  a  fate  she  wanted.

 " shhhh! I' m waiting for the bed monster . " Elyon whispered " i heard a tasty looking lady telling her kid that if he didnt go to bed the monster would attack him." The smaller blonde  explained. " so i think if we both stay up there will be a bigger bed monster to grab and nibble on.~ " the small wendigo concludes as she widdens her arms to make it look like she was showing the monster's size . Elyon then crawls to the edge of the mattress to try and get a glimpse of her would be ' bed monster snack' ( Elyon to Fenrir, im sorry he gets dragged in her chaotic planning XD No comments on her making opinion on people by how tasty they look XD ) 

   Her  presence  went  FAR  from  unnoticed  in  the  sparsely  decorated  bedroom.  It  would  have  been  impossible  to  pull  on  a  beast  as  alert  as  the  world-devourer.  So  instead  he  merely  quirks  an  eyebrow  in  her  direction  as  she  crawls  up  to  join  him  on  the  bed.

   “  Bed  monster  ?  “  He  inquires  ,  listening  as  she  elaborates  on  her  own  to  what  precisely  this  vague  creature  was.  “  I  see.  That  makes  sense.  “  Fenrir  decided  to  agree  after  a  moment  ,  his  back  leaning  against  the  headboard  while  observing  the  pup.  It  vaguely  reminded  him  of  the  stories  his  mother  and  father  would  sometimes  tell  -  unobservable  threats  that  would  be  a  danger  to  them  if  they  didn’t  behave  in  a  certain  manner.  It  was  so....innocent.  

   It  was  an  innocence  that  had  been  crushed  from  him  early  on.  But  for  her  ,  it  was  nice  to  see  this  little  pup  be  able  to  engage  in  something  so  childish  and  free  of  worries  for  now.  The  world  was  harsh  ;  there  was  no  need  to  rush  to  bleak  reality.  Unconsciously  ,  a  faint  smile  tugged  up  on  typically  stoic  features  ,  orange  gaze  seeming  to  glow  in  the  light  of  the  lamp  illuminating  his  bedroom.