[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PrhlkOA.png?1[/img][h2][color=bc8dbf]Minamoto no Raikou[/color][/h2][/center]
Raikou’s eyes shimmered with tiny tears of joy. [color=bc8dbf][i]Even though… Even when I’m in such an unsightly state…[/i][/color] Yes, even though she’d manifested as a Berserker, this innocent child had accepted her without question. And Raikou was so overcome by this simple act that it took all her willpower not to melt into a crying mess and hug Akari tight to her chest there and then.

[color=bc8dbf]“Master, I… if it’s really all right with you, then…”[/color] She sniffled a little. [color=bc8dbf]“Then I will be your sword, and your guardian. You may leave the battlefield to me.”[/color] Somewhere amidst those two sentences she’d regained her composure, a samurai’s confidence and austerity returning to her posture. Yes, a delirious happiness still fluttered about inside her, but it’d be embarrassing to openly display such juvenile emotions as that. She had to set a good example for her Master, no?

[color=bc8dbf]“It’s true that there will be others like me roaming about,”[/color] she said, her eyes flicking to one side as if worried some horrible insect might be creeping upon them there and then, [color=bc8dbf]“But I’m sure they’ll have no good intentions where you’re concerned. Therefore, I will be staying close with you at all times, understand?”[/color] As for the name… Akari had done well to remind her of that. Normally a Master would refer to their Servant by their class, but the thought of being called a ‘Berserker’ by such a sweet little girl made Raikou want to start crying again. [color=bc8dbf][i]No,[/i][/color] she decided, [color=bc8dbf][i]that will not do. I’ll have to come up with something else.[/i][/color]

[color=bc8dbf]“As for my name,”[/color] she slowly began, studiously ignoring the cat curling itself around her legs, [color=bc8dbf]“Well, you’re quite young, so… would it bother you to call me ‘Mother?’ I could treat you as if you were my child, and no onlooker would suspect a thing.”[/color] Yes. This was the perfect plan. Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner? [color=bc8dbf]“I-it might be a bit embarrassing,”[/color] she added, turning a little pink, [color=bc8dbf]“But as a general, I think it’s our most advantageous option.”[/color]