“It might be. I’ve heard stories about my ancestors using magic to fight during the Crusades. After they ended though, it’s been frowned-upon for us to use it. My great-uncle Robert used to do beautiful light shows for me and all of my cousins, until one day he mysteriously died of sudden illness.”

Alice considered for a while, looking up at the lightening sky.

“It might be the dark magic ability that made them prohibit us from using magic. It seems dangerous, and dangerous is not what Crescentia stands for. Or...stood for. Now I guess it’s dangerous all over again.”

She paused again, turning her attention to Melissa. Her hazel eyes softened, and a smile played lazily on her lips.

“It’s okay, though. I suppose change is good, and I certainly don’t mind this [i]particular[/i] change,” she purred, enunciating each word intensely. Dim purple wisps swirled slowly and thinly, though Alice either didn’t notice or didn’t care, because her eyes were locked on Melissa’s. Her squeaky-clean innocences was gone and hidden away, and this version of the princess was not likely to back down. Her stare smouldered as her body slowly slunk itself a bit closer to Melissa, hanging loosely and carelessly. Ah, yes. Demure as she might seem, Alice had always been determined and headstrong, and this was no exception.

“Say, Melissa, what do you say we treat ourselves for accomplishing so much in such a short time?” Her voice was not sultry, but it was quiet and insistent, and Alice’s eyes wandered to the other girl’s lips for a while before meandering back up to lock eyes.