[h3][center][color=9e005d]Elaine[/color][/center][/h3]

	Despite her earlier beliefs, and to her disappointment, the door was not answered by the wild howls of a ranging storm, but rather a young man with the strangest hair color she'd seen on a male younger than herself. Not that El could say anything about strange hair colors, considering her own faded fuchsia locks, but it startled her nonetheless. In response to his respectful nod, the witch returned by flashing a brief smile, opening her mouth to greet the man... before closing it just as quickly. It wasn't right for her to steal his thunder, speaking before he had the chance to greet his visitor, so she chose to wait until he spoke first, as was respectful of a lady such as herself.

	...

	...

	...Was he a mute?

	Noticing the silence had passed from gracious to unnerving, Caliope took it upon herself to pull her master's ear, causing the woman to let out an undignified yelp before she finally understood the situation. [color=9e005d]"Oh! Excuse me, it is nice to meet you, sir,"[/color] El greeted the white-haired male, rubbing her abused ear and shooting the smug familiar on her shoulder a rueful look as she did so. Just as she did, however, a few women contemptuously took the man's place, the original greeter leaving with another that shared the hue of his hair. Siblings, perhaps?  [color=ed1c24]"Thank you Arden, such a well trained little monkey,"[/color] A woman with blood-red orbs remarked, taking the man's place as she turned her attention to the witch of fuchsia, who stood confused at the entrance of the castle. [color=ed1c24]"Hurry up then, we haven't got all night,"[/color] she continued, seemingly annoyed by El's arrival. Caliope, who still sat on her master's shoulder, mumbled incomprehensibly in a tone that could be taken as vexing. El, if she could understand her constant companion, would've agreed.

This woman didn't seem very fun to be around.

	The other, who wore a strange mask over her face, was a better greeter by comparison. Maybe the red-eyed one could learn from the same school that this one did, she could really use some more lessons in "etiquette" [color=BC8F8F]"Now, now Mirai, this girl is our guest, let's show her how hospitable we can be,"[/color] the masked woman admonished the mean lady, who was named as Mirai. As the obscured visage of the other woman turned away, El started to wonder about the disguise. Was it hiding a scar? Or maybe the woman was actually a chipmunk in disguise? It would certainly explain the kindness she seemed to exhibit. Or maybe...

	[color=BC8F8F] "And, who do we have the honor of meeting on this fine winter night?" [/color]

	Being brought out of her thoughts by the woman's voice, El quickly shook off her current musings. [color=9e005d]"My name is Elaine, but you can call me El,"[/color] she started, deigning to curtsey meekly towards the masked woman as a sign of respect. Internally, she thanked her maid for teaching her the proper way to enter a strangers home, else she may have been disrespectful to a pleasant figure such as the one before her. [color=9e005d]"May I enter your home? I... got lost in the woods, and I'm not quite sure where I am at the moment."[/color] As she said this, the fuchsia witch reached into saddle bag, pulling out a flask of liquid that shined a lovely red color. [color=9e005d]"I don't have much in coin, but I may be able to part with a few of my concoctions. This in particular is a mixture capable of mending superficial wounds within moments."[/color]

[@WeepingLiberty][@Ellion][@Rune_Alchemist][@Dark Light][@shagranoz]