#youkaicircle

“Then if thou hast no objections, wouldst thou consider accompanying me on a quest?”

She let her voice hang in the air for a moment before continuing on. Having given sufficient time for one to ponder the request, it would lie with her to convince. 

⊀ ✺ ⊁ –  There aren’t many places, Slaine thinks, that would qualify as safe, at least from what he’s encountered. In fact he’s traversing one of the barren ruins of the floating city of Ilmatar when he spots... a girl, about his age.

His instinct runs further than his restraint, and before he realizes it he’s grabbed ahold of her wrist and--

Welcome to the Kingdom of Ilaefaci!

I’m certain you will enjoy your stay here!

You will be housed in Ea and Hut number 1!

You’ll be receiving your prophecy soon!

Please do your best if you don’t wanna be punished ♥

The park district was as calm as it usually was during the evening. The cold air left an impact, as people constantly tried to remain indoors in order to remain warm. Zelda, too, felt that the cold was, for once, a bother. It's not really fun freezing your arse off, to be honest. Especially not in this darkness, either.

But to Zelda, not much of it was of her concern at the moment. Instead, the young woman looked out of the window, lost in thoughts and memories. The swirling flakes of white formed vague shapes, but only if one looked close enough. And that's what she did, and what she saw reminded her of a vague memory she had of her late mother during a rather snowy day. But was it even important by now? Or did she just try to remember the mother she knew so very little of?

Suddenly, a small nudge directed to her right forearm snapped Zelda out of her thoughts. The little thing that caused it? A tiny little calico cat that wanted her attention. Never in Zelda's life had she been interrupted by a cat before. Wow.

"Ah, sorry dear." And then suddenly Zelda's heart grew three sizes. She really loves cats. "You really wanted my attention, didn't you? You really are too cute to ignore."

Reading a book together

【♦】——It's been a while since Homura last had the chance to sit down and learn something new. She'd been reliving the same month over and over for what seems to have been years, by now... Yet for some reason, this time was unlike any other. It was bizarre and uncomfortable, but it was still Mitakihara, and she still had a job to do.

But this instance of Mitakihara was strange... Madoka was nowhere to be found, and instead there were plenty of new strangers that she'd never seen, even in the many times she's been sprinting back and forth. Akemi was sitting with one right now, after all.

Taki Tooru was older, but not by far. She had a kind voice and a gentle face and was too sweet for her own good, much like Madoka. That sympathy was loving and warm, but it was entirely too dangerous. That kind of softness got good people killed. She'd seen it all before.

Vaguely, fleetingly, while Tooru spoke of spirits and youkai and strength, leafing through a journal of her grandfather's, Akemi wondered if she could protect this girl, too. Madoka was her priority, yet she still hadn't saved her. Because she wasn't strong enough. But maybe she was strong enough for Taki, at least.

Still, they had time. Nothing worrying had happened yet, and although Homura truly wasn't accustomed anymore to spending time in leisure, she enjoyed these moments in between. When was the last time she had felt at peace?

Gotcha, Taki-mun! Although your summoning circle may have payed off with the next reserve in our ask... winks

Welcome to the city, Taki! I #wishyouthebest in finding your wish!