[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/k4jcyNJ.png[/img][/center]
Kohaku wasn't the only one seeing the fairy. That much was clear from everyone else's reactions, save for Amber, who remained immersed in her work. Catching her breath enough to speak more than the odd spluttered word, Kohaku put her coffee cup down, particularly grateful for Shinobu's emotional support right now - if things got much weirder, she'd probably pass out. [color=DE554C]"What happened?"[/color] she asked, voice scratchy from coughing. [color=DE554C]"Who's in trouble?"[/color]

The fairy flew around the room in circles. [color=FFE926]"I don't know but whoever it is, this force, the Shroud got them and they're trapped in a pocket dimension and it's draining them and making a wraith outta the worst of their thoughts and feelings and if we don't act fast, it's gonna unleash it on everyone!"[/color] She waved her arms, the tips of her antennae glowing brighter and blinking like Christmas lights. [color=FFE926]"I sensed it in this very building! And you're the exact kinds of people who can save them!"[/color]

As the words poured out in a rush, Kohaku gave a bemused stare, thoughts whirling in her head faster than the fairy around the lounge. It was all rather much to take in, to say the least. She cast a glance at Shinobu, hoping the school counsellor would know how to calm the frantic fairy. [color=DE554C]"Ok, ok, first things first,"[/color] she said, turning her attention back towards the tiny girl. [color=DE554C]"One, who are you? And two, how can we help?"[/color]

Alighting on the desk, the fairy took a deep breath. [color=FFE926]"My name's Lux, and I'm looking for people who can fight back against the Shroud! It's this entity of pure despair and malice, it got sealed away a long time ago, but it wakes up every once in a while. It kidnaps people into these dimensions, Cocoons, and brings out the literal worst in them in the form of monsters! Wraiths! I can't do much against them on my own, but you can, if you become magical girls!"[/color]

Kohaku sat there in silence. Magical girls. Had she heard that right? Was this even happening, or just some elaborate prank like Andrew suspected, involving a tiny, winged, ultra-lifelike robot the more tech oriented students had put together? According to Izumi, some of the students had a particular gift for programming. She could imagine them having a major laugh at the expense of everyone gathered here.

[i]Tick-tock[/i], went the wall clock behind her. Kohaku clenched her fists on the table. No matter how mind-bendingly bizarre the situation, if someone really [i]was[/i] in danger, they couldn't just all sit here until it was too late. [color=DE554C]"Magical girls? You mean... Like in those children's shows?"[/color]

Yep, things certainly were getting weirder.