[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/zyLlgJG.png[/img][/right][hr][i][color=violet]Evening[/color] | [url=https://animesolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Gekijouban-Fate-Kaleid-Liner-Prisma-Illya-Oath-Under-Snow-_00.06.02_2018.03.31_14.06.55.jpg]Itoshi Estate[/url][/i] | with: [i]Jun[/i][sub] [@SilverPaw][/sub][hr]
Ah, rain. While usually weather such as this would keep most in doors, the grounds of the Love Pillar's estate were bustling with activity as usual. People dressed in all kinds of garb; yukata, cassocks, haori - uniforms both Eastern and Western - moved about from building to building within the walls of the estate. The health of the members of the Demon Slayer Corps were taken very seriously, and a lot went into keeping them in top shape... though the need for that was slowly coming to an end. The need for demon slayers was coming to and end. It was a good thing. 

A tall blonde woman in a habit stood under the eve of the reception house, looking idly out over the estate. She was the estate's owner, and the Love Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps: Maria Itoshi. Something nagged at Maria today, something she couldn't pinpoint. This morning she'd awoken to a bird flying into her window. This afternoon, her teacup had cracked just as she'd brought it to her lips. "Superstition" was not something she would say she believed in, but the country of Japan had a spiritual power to it, and the Lord [i]did[/i] work in mysterious ways... perhaps these were an omen of some sort. This strange feeling led Maria to patrol the area, keeping an eye out for anything amiss. Nothing was.

So now she found herself watching over a pair of young recruits as they sparred in the open area between the reception house and the on-site church. The estate did not have a proper training grounds - most students made use of the surrounding landscape to practice - but on days like this when the hearty bustle of people slowed from very busy to only slightly busy, they would use the open space for exercise. 

Maria spotted something in the air out of the corner of her eye and glanced up. A Kasugai crow. Maria clicked her tongue, extending an arm for the bird to perch on. As expected, a message was attached to leg. 

[color=lightslategray]"Oh, Itoshi-sama! Are you headed on a mission?"[/color] One of the young men called, the two having stopped their spar at the appearance of the crow. 

[color=deeppink]"I guess we'll see,"[/color] Maria responded, opening the scroll to read it. Nothing except the smallest twitch of her eyelid told anyone about the contents of the message. Without looking at either of the students she addressed them, [color=deeppink]"Go now and fetch Sakai. Quickly."[/color] The two men were gone before she looked up.

When they returned with the young woman in question, Maria had donned her uniform over her habit, the bold white kanji on her back comforting. She glanced at the red-headed slayer, taking in her condition before speaking.

[color=deeppink]"Sakai-chan,"[/color] the Pillar began, her tone offering no room for arguing, [color=deeppink]"I'm taking Gerard-kun and going out for a bit. Watch over the estate. Don't let anyone in until I get back unless they're on the verge of death."[/color]

She looked over to the two younger slayers behind Sakai. They exchanged worried looks with each other, and it occurred to Maria that perhaps she'd startled them with her sharp tone. Giving the whole group gathered - Sakai included - a small smile she continued, [color=deeppink]"Not to worry, we'll only be a few hours ♥"[/color]

[hr][i][b][color=darkmagenta]Night[/color][/b] | Storm Pillar Estate[/i] | with: [i]Gerard[/i] [sub][@ERode][/sub][hr]
Normally Maria wouldn't have minded a long walk to the elder pillar's estate, but the urgency of his message combined with the unrelenting rain did not make for good walking conditions. Even more so that said walk would have taken days. After locating Gerard and briefly, though vaguely, explaining the situation, she'd called for a carriage. The pair of Christians spent a few hours pulled by horses through the muddy roads before they arrived at the large building. The sister held a hand above her eyes to block the rain as they made their way through the estate's gate and up to the door. 

[color=deeppink]"Gerard,"[/color] she said, looking up at the large man's face, [color=deeppink]"Minatozaki-san <<[i]won't want any interruptions. Please wait here.[/i]>>"[/color] She'd spoken in English to so that there would be no confusion as to what she was asking of him. The thought of the young European bursting in during their meeting and making the veins on the Storm Pillar's head pop out was mildly entertaining, but this wasn't the time for games.

[color=deeppink]"Practice your Japanese with the others,"[/color] Maria said over her shoulder as she entered, though it was a suggestion rather than an order. Not that the church representative was under any obligation to follow her orders, but he was a good boy who usually did as asked. 

Inside, Maria sat herself down amongst her fellow Pillars and listened intently as the Storm Pillar explained in detail what had happened. It was disconcerting. She hadn't been close to the River Pillar, but such action from him was still surprising. They'd all suspected that there may have been a traitor among them, but she'd hoped it wasn't actually true. She'd kill the demon responsible for this without a doubt. 

[color=deeppink]"I agree with Kiyoura-kun,"[/color] Maria said, keeping her voice low and calm, [color=deeppink]"If the River Pillar has truly betrayed us, our response must be swift - but [i]subtle[/i]. We must also consider that Tamagawa-kun was coerced somehow. The remaining demons may be taking any number of vile, wicked actions to keep themselves alive a little longer... however foolish that notion is."[/color] Merely considering that a demon could have used it's Blood Art for something so devious made the Love Pillar's skin crawl, and though her face and body were the picture of composure, her aura seethed with violent intentions readable to all present.