Preparation

Lunaira understood her mother's concerns well. She herself had been going back and forth on her decision. Constantly questioning if it was right or not. No matter how many assignments she took over the years, it was always a gamble when making hard calls. The consequences should she fail to properly predict potential disasters would be catastrophic. Forget the show, but the lives of her circus crew, Hollowcile's civilians and even her own would be at risk if she screwed up.

Stress stayed, a coating that slept on her skin. She rubbed the oily substance off her face with a sigh. However, in the end, she nodded, confident in her decision. For the first time in a while, there were more than two or three experienced pairs of eyes to watch over the latest recruits. The owners of those eyes also had enough wit to use their various magics should trouble brew.

"Before, I will admit I had doubts Mama, but while you were gone, I spoke to Marrow. Got a good idea as to how she ticks and the magical capabilities at her disposal. She feels lost as of this moment, something all of us felt. In time she'll change, adapting. If there's anyone here who I honestly believe can learn, adapt, and survive in this line of work, it's her." Ori still furrowed her brows, worried.

"Do they know why I started this circus?" It was a heavily loaded question Ori asked. Implications woven between the words that didn't even faze her second leading member. Since the beginning the older woman had always sought to make their circus a sanctuary for those in need of it. Always was she questioning if her efforts were enough or even the right thing to do.

Was she too pushy? What boundaries should she not cross? Do they feel safe? Those thoughts circled around and around. Ori had a thoughtful mind, so much so that it was full of them. Before she had her ability to read minds sealed away along with her powers, Lunaira was a victim of endless headaches from her. The relief she felt when she could no longer endure those a concern-laced questions was undescribable to say the least.

With that being said, she didn't assume those worrying thoughts ceased. If anything, Lunaira expected them to be overly filled with them as new members joined their group. It was pointless to attempt relieving the worry, it was just in her predessesor's nature. She certainly didn't do much to help free her mother from being a fretting mother hen when she was young.

That didn't stop her from trying from time to time. Words had the powers that could rival magic in the best and worst of times. Her reply did not come immediately despite forming on her tongue. Instead, she forced both of them to settle.

They lifted their gazes towards the sky. The sun for the moment was overshadowed with clouds. It was peeking from openings, shedding light where it could. A strong breeze flew past their clothes, their hair tried to follow it.

"Lunaira dear?" Her mouth twitched a tad bit higher when from the corner of her eye, she saw Graves and Marrow snatch the remains of the little cake slices right from under Bastian's nose. They resembled squirrels the way they smiled. Giddy like the children they never had the chance to be. It brought forth some peace in the white-haired magician. She closed her eyes, finally answering.

"I have no clue about Graves. Marrow is aware of all our backstories in the simplest terms, but yours. She saw me kill that Supernatural when we met her two weeks ago at our last destination yet hasn't cornered me about it." She had been waiting. It was close to a miracle that the incident two weeks ago was not so much as mentioned during their talk earlier.

That would change in time. The next few days…would decide just how strong those attachments Marrow and Graves were beginning to gain were. If they changed, by how much? Would it lead to more conflict? Lunaira could not tell as of this moment. In the end, they would find out. There was only so much preparation and damage control she could do.

"Mama Ori…whether she'll admit it or not, regardless of just how knowledgeable she is of our world, she's already aware of my job as a hunter. There were plenty of those dark abominations around her hometown. I don't need to get glimpses of the future like Momo to know she's going to want more answers from me, especially after our little talk..." Exhaustion had already crawled up her spine, there was just so much to do.

"In any case, despite still being cautious, she trusts the promises you made. She knows that we consider her family. Tonight, we'll truly see whether she'll stay or leave." If she wished to leave, preferring stability elsewhere, no one would question it. Should she desire to stay, protected by those not of her blood, no one would protest.

Freedom to many was considered a choice. To the albino that kept herself willingly chained, it was a path with its own set of obstacles that people usually talked instead of walked on. With one final inhale, Lunaira stuffed her own face with the rest of her food. Gleefully munching the ominous sensation away even when Ori gave her a stern frown.

"Must you always play the fool when dealing with serious topics? I love you my dear Luna, but I feel as though you don't take this life you live in seriously enough." There was no response from her companion, who was more occupied on properly swallowing her breakfast without choking. Almost immediately after, there was a shift.

A faint whirring in the air, an unsettling charge. Ori turned just as Lunaira finished. Those amethyst jewels glowed an unholy hue while her expression darkened. Nails lengthened, more akin to claws that contorted around petite embers. The temperature around them dropped a few degrees even with the flames.

"Oh, I am serious enough Ori. Sadly…there was one thing I had learned all that time in the village before your arrival. That it is better to play the role of a jester who is wise and aware of the situation, then a scholar who is foolish and arrogant. No one expects the prey to be a predator. Nor does one expect a silly albino to use their magic."

At that Ori's face dropped down. Memories of those harsh early days flashed in both of their minds. It took a few minutes for Lunaiara to calm herself. To lock away those painful parts in the deepest prisons of her heart. When she did, the atmosphere relaxed along with her. The fire in her grip was gone, her nails returned to their original length.

"If I am to be your star in the night sky, guiding a world that desperately needs light in the darkness…then I need to be able to shine that light in its darkest recesses. Even if that light is as tainted and cursed as the darkness it blinds." Lunaira took a deep breath, her gaze shifted to her arms. Her tattoos changed patterns, more akin to chains than the intricate, swirling lines that were usually there. She continued.

"The moment you adopted me I swore I would take any consequence, any burden to make your wish of making this realm a better place, a reality. No matter what though, I will not force anyone into that role."

She didn't know why she felt the need to say this. Why there was this anxious pit in her stomach that made her want to make her intentions loud and clear to her mother. Ori of all people would know how she was feeling. She was the start of it all.

The one who always sought to help those in need just because it was the right thing to do. She kept going anyways, if for nothing else than to make her conviction an eternal promise. Disintegrating all of her pain, strengthening her resolve with that unwavering dedication. She would live. They would live. For the happiness they were all denied in one way or another.

"If they willingly choose to endanger themselves by my side, so be it, but I will not take the matter of choice away. Fate's already stolen so much from our wonderful family; I refuse to take anything more."

Her stare was intense, her words strung with a never-ending passion. That desire to drive her thoughts on the decisions she would be making in the next several hours was loud and clear to her mentor just as much to herself. She had to be true to her intentions. Not just because she was the protector of the troupe, or because of her harsh childhood…but due to spite. Forever and Always, Spite.