[center][img]https://s1.postimg.org/rchd7h70f/New_Header.png[/img] Dɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ Cᴏʟᴏʀ ✦ [color=#A641C8]#A641C8[/color][/center] [hr] [color=#A641C8]"I'm home."[/color] The words the young girl spoke upon opening the door of her parents' apartment were, of course, a formality. Kyōka knew full well that they wouldn't be answered, since, after all, nobody really lived here except her. Her aunt had driven into town to take her out grocery shopping and cook dinner for her two days prior, so, most likely, she wouldn't be having any more visitors for at least another week and a half. As such, it was obvious that nobody would greet her upon returning home, so the statement was really more for her own benefit than for anyone else's. At least, that's how it normally was, but now... [color=#AC1947]"Welcome back!"[/color] A cheerful voice greeted her as she finished kicking off her featureless white shoes. She felt something small alighting on her shoulder, and glanced over instinctively, only to find herself stared down by two large burgundy orbs. She hastily averted her gaze, her own violet eyes darting down to inspect the floorboards. [color=#A641C8]"G... good evening, Ariel-san,"[/color] Kyōka stammered. She'd called the tiny woman "sensei" out of respect when they'd first met, but she'd almost immediately shot this down, asking to be addressed by just her name. Kyōka hadn't been entirely comfortable with that, so they'd decided on this particular compromise for the time being. But, even if Ariel said it was okay, wasn't she being entirely too blase about chatting with a magical being of tremendous power and wisdom? She couldn't help but worry that she was already getting a big head just because five days ago, she'd become... [color=#AC1947]"Ah!"[/color] Ariel exclaimed, evidently noticing the girl's discomfort, as she hastily sat down atop her shoulder and glanced away, looking only sidelong at her partner. Kyōka blinked a few times, her eyes refocusing as she shot a furtive glance back to the fairy, who dangled her legs idly from her shoulder, lounging comfortably on her new perch. [color=#AC1947]"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you like that."[/color] Ariel smiled apologetically. [color=#A641C8]"No, it's fine."[/color] Kyōka shook her head sheepishly, standing up and wandering through the entryway and into the living room and kitchen of her two-room abode. It was her fault for being so timid, so there was no reason for somebody like Ariel to apologize to her anyway... In any case, the fairy didn't seem inconvenienced by it, as she fluttered once more off her shoulder and circled absentmindedly around the room. Kyōka breathed a sigh, tossing her bag down on the table at the room's center and tracing the fairy's aimless flight. It had been like this for the past five days. Ariel had shown her how to transform already, and had given her a few tips on using her powers, but the first time she'd so much as tried it out, Ariel had stopped her, saying that she was calling on too much energy. She'd tried again several times, but each time the fairy had called out for her to halt. It seemed like she had absolutely no control over her transformation's energy, which meant she couldn't use her powers without damaging her surroundings or hurting herself - at least, not without Ariel holding her output back. But now, even that her limiters were safely in place, she couldn't help but worry about what might happen if something went wrong. She hadn't even gone "on patrol" yet, as Ariel put it, and already, she was afraid? What good even was she? And the worst part was that Ariel wasn't even nagging her about it. She'd always say things like "Take it at your own pace" or "It's dangerous to push yourself too hard," and then just wait around. She might have been trying to accommodate Kyōka's insecurity, but that only made it worse, since it became plainly obvious that she was just wasting Ariel's time. She grimaced. She hadn't eaten since lunch, but right now, she felt too nervous to be hungry. She hadn't been assigned any homework beyond reading she'd already done a week in advance, so there really was nothing on her schedule that evening. If now wasn't the time, then when would it be? She couldn't just fret about this forever. It didn't have to be anything major. She didn't even have to actively go looking for threats to fight against. Right now, it was just important to get a good idea of the ground she'd be covering, and to get used to moving in her Magical Girl form. Thinking about it that way, it wasn't so scary after all. Right, she'd just tell Ariel, and then- [color=#AC1947]"Erm, Miss Kyōka?"[/color] Ariel's voice came once more from her shoulder, snapping her back to the present. How long had she been standing there spacing out? [color=#AC1947]"If you don't mind my asking, why are you pumping your first and glaring at the wall?"[/color] [color=#A641C8]"A-Ariel-san!"[/color] Kyōka blinked. She told herself she wasn't nervous, but the way her voice was coming out only in gasps and squeaks spoke a different story. [color=#AC1947]"Y-yes? Is there something wrong?"[/color] Ariel asked, blinking as if to ask "Me?" The young girl took a moment to compose herself, clearing her throat and then trying again. [color=#A641C8]"Ariel-san, I want to go on patrol tonight!"[/color] And just like that, it all began.