[center][h2][color=crimson]♥[/color][color=black]♠[/color][color=crimson]♦[/color][color=black]♣[/color] [color=darkmagenta]Ayumu Harasawa[/color] [color=crimson]♥[/color][color=black]♠[/color][color=crimson]♦[/color][color=black]♣[/color] [color=darkmagenta]Phantasmagoria[/color] [color=crimson]♥[/color][color=black]♠[/color][color=crimson]♦[/color][color=black]♣[/color][/h2][/center]
[@SimpleWriter] [@KoL] [@Lonewolf685]

Ayumu, now dressed in pyjamas instead of cake-covered clothes, smirked at Seyrun's deer-in-the-headlights expression. The new girl didn't know how good she had it, finding out this way. She hadn't been presented a picture-perfect image of magic like so many of them had.

[color=darkmagenta]"Aw, well that's kinda rash,"[/color] she told Machiko. [color=darkmagenta]"Let's at least give her a chance."[/color] She couldn't deny Seyrun gave off an unsettling feeling, but the Detention Club needed all the allies they could get against Aegis. Standing up, she transformed in a rush of red and black swirls, playing card symbols dancing along them. 

Phantasmagoria sauntered over to Seyrun, raising her top hat headband. [color=darkmagenta]"Welcome, and thank you for being here tonight!"[/color] she said in that dramatic stage voice. [color=darkmagenta]"You see, it's a non-stop party, with much more than cakes to feast on. Allow me to demonstrate!"[/color]

She put her hat back on and clicked her fingers. In one corner of the room, a shadow welled to life, several skeletal arms and a white mask sprouting from its blob-like body. [color=darkmagenta]"No need to be scared, this one can't hurt us,"[/color] she reassured Seyrun. [color=darkmagenta]"Besides, actual Nightmares have more reason to fear us than we have to fear them."[/color]

A figure appeared in the other corner, one everybody in the Detention Club save Machiko would recognise as the likeness of Kiru. The illusory dark girl sped at the Nightmare, a maniacal grin on her face as she whirled her ringblade in a blur. Lumps of goo flew everywhere, pooling on the floor. As if reaching for a gourmet snack, the image of Kiru stretched out her hand. The ooze evaporated to black streams, surging into the girl, becoming part of her essence.

[color=darkmagenta]"And that,"[/color] Ayumu announced, the illusions vanishing with a wave of her hand, [color=darkmagenta]"is how it works. Hope you enjoyed the show! If you want to experience the real deal..."[/color] Her eyes shifted to the catgirl, the slightest steely glint appearing in them. [color=darkmagenta]"Just tell our mascot over there."[/color]

As adorable as Kuro was, could mascots be fully trusted? Wasn't the entire world of magic just as deceptively cute on the surface? At least this was the Detention Club mascot, hopefully on their side for real. Even so, now the cat could speak, Ayumu had a few questions to ask her later on.

She turned back to the newcomer. [color=darkmagenta]"So, what do you say? I say it's better to own the darkness..."[/color] Her voice took on a trace of wistfulness. [color=darkmagenta]"Than to fall for a trick of the light."[/color]

Instead of a reply came a juddering smash, followed by a roar that chilled Ayumu to the bones. She leapt out of the way as glass shattered all over the floor. [color=darkmagenta]"Ok, this isn't one of mine,"[/color] she warned, cards at the ready as she stared at the gargantuan creature. Spotting the tiny, mangled carcass between its fangs, she winced. Trustworthy or not, the mascots didn't deserve this. [color=darkmagenta]"The real thing's just crashed the party."[/color]

As it set its sights on Kuro, Phantasmagoria stepped in front of her. [color=darkmagenta]"Why don't you pick some easier prey?"[/color] As the magician spoke, three wounded mascots, each one sporting a cracked and dented head, frantically dragged themselves away from the monster. Mere illusions, of course, but maybe they'd distract the Nightmare long enough to give the club the advantage - especially as they swelled and twisted into [url=http://tinypic.com/m/k2h193/3]giant demonic felines[/url], their sinewy bodies more shadow than flesh. They crouched, hissed, then pounced.

Now was the dark girls' chance.