[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zLmcB5Q.png[/img][/center] [center][@Ariamis][@Card Captor][/center] [color=fff200]"Hmm...Let’s see..."[/color] For a long time, Lily was curled up on the couch, holding a slip of paper. She repeated the words and numbers in it in her head, thinking of the ramifications. It was a life-changing decision that she shouldn’t do lightly. But, she knew that she would need a Patron if she were to carry on Ixion’s wish, and fight to protect the world. And as it happened, someone had already expressed interest in her. She typed the number into her phone, and then called the number. [color=fff200]"H-Hello? This is Lily Hanson. Is Mr. Umu there?"[/color] She asked, sounding a little nervous. “Greetings.” said a voice. But not coming from the phone. Rather from Lily’s feet. The tiny fur ball was pretty good at moving around. The creature’s eyes looked at Lily, as he tilted his head. “I have answered your summons, Lily Hanson. What do you require of me?” Lily yelped in surprise, and her eyes opened upon seeing Umu. [color=fff200]"Oh wow! That was fast."[/color] She reached down, and gently picked Umukamui in her hands, placing the cuddly critter on her lap. [color=fff200]"Well, uh...As you know, I’ve recently become a Solo girl due to...circumstances."[/color] She sighed. [color=fff200]"It was nice for a while, but...If I really want to protect everyone, like Ixion wanted me to, then I shouldn’t do that alone. I need someone who understands what I’m going through, and who can guide me whenever I’m lost. Then I remembered that you gave this to me last time. Could you tell me about the contracts you make with magical girls, for example the pros and cons?"[/color] Umu looked at Lily. "For starters, I shall give you a new motorcycle, but that much is granted. I do have a wide network of supplies and contacts, going so far as to have a working relationship with Beacon. Unlike other puuchus I rarely withhold information or mince words." The small creature blinked . "But I do expect you to pull your own weight and I like to keep a good grasp on my agents' actions." The creature said in an attempt to make a pitch. "Plus you would be alongside Sakura." Lily gasped upon hearing the first benefit. [color=fff200]“R-Really? Can it still have the jagged horn on the front? I-I would love that.”[/color] She also nodded at the other useful sides to working with Umu. [color=fff200]“I’d also love to have new friends too.”[/color] She averted her eyes. [color=fff200]“And I’d get to see Sakura more...That doesn’t sound too bad. But, what do you mean by a good grasp? Do you want to see me every day, or something like that?”[/color] Umu said,”The horn is no issue. The color scheme will be kept too.” He said in relation to the bike, and proceeded to answer the other question. “Just regularly. I do want to know the shape and state of my agents at regular intervals.” The creature stirred. “It makes for smoother operations.” He said. [color=fff200]"O-Oh. I see,"[/color] Lily said with a nod. She flashed back to the times Alex and others offered to help her with getting a new Patron. But while they seemed decent enough choices, they all seemed so different compared to Ixion, and that scared her more than anything else. In comparison, Umu had simple conditions, and provided anything she could ask for in a Patron. She nodded to herself; she could spend more time with Sakura, protect her…She made her decision. [color=fff200]"I-In that case...I would like to make a contract with you."[/color] “Excellent.” Umukamui said… as he leapt from Lily’s arms, and focusing for a second, made the magical girl glow anew, imbuing her in the powers of his contract. Lily’s motorbike materialized… In a shade of pink. “Force of habit.Let me fix it.” Umukamui said, as he applied the right colour scheme. Lily closed her eyes as she felt the Puchuu’s magic grace her, forming a new bond. When she opened her eyes, she opened her palm outwards, and her motorbike appeared, if initially a bit mismatched in color. Lily smiled, but there was also a hint of sorrow in it; even though the vehicle resembled Ixion in design, it no longer carried his spirit like before. But, it was also a reminder to her of the promise she made. She would be able to continue Ixion’s legacy. [color=fff200]”It feels different...But not too different,”[/color] she spoke out, looked down at Umu. [color=fff200]”Thank you, Mr. Umu. I promise I’ll do my best as a magical girl. But, now I gotta tell Alex. I hope he’s not too surprised.”[/color] As if right on cue, Alexander arrived home. Currently in his Beast mode, he quickly dropped his transformation upon getting inside “[color=aba000]-way too much of a mess. Nothing that small should explode into [i]that[/i] much blood when it gets popped. It’s just-[/color]” Then he noticed their guest “[color=aba000]um, what’s going on?[/color]” Lily looked like a child with her hand in the cookie jar, and gave an uneasy smile. [color=fff200]”Oh, Alex! You came back early, hehe~”[/color] She summoned the motorbike and put her hands behind her. [color=fff200]”So, umm...I decided to get a new Patron.”[/color] She picked up Umukamui in her arms, as if to show the critter to him. [color=fff200]”This is Mister Umukamui. Isn’t he so cute?”[/color] Alexander was surprised “[color=aba000]Oh. It’s great to see you getting back in the metaphorical saddle, but what made you go with him?[/color]” He was also bothered by how familiar the small creature was ‘[color=aba000][i]Where have I seen him before?[/i][/color]’ “Greetings, Alexander. I am now both Sakura’s and Lily’s patron. We met back at the scrapyard.” The small creature droned, unbothered by the handling of Lily. Lily nodded, and petted Umu. [color=fff200]"Umu gave me his contact info the last time, so I talked with him, and...Well, I decided to go for it, heh~"[/color] She averted her eyes. [color=fff200]"I mean, he even lets me have my motorbike again, and I can be there for Sakura, you know. I hope you're not mad."[/color] “[color=aba000]I’m...[/color]” To be honest, Alexander was a little disappointed. There was a small part of him that thought the idea of them having the same Patron was...exciting. However looking at her kept even the smallest mote of anger from forming ‘[color=aba000][i]She’s starting to look like the Lily I know again[/i][/color]’ he sighed, and then a small smile formed on his face “[color=aba000]I’m just happy to see you recovering.[/color]” Umukamui swished his tail thoughtfully, his expression unfazed. "I expect good things from Lily. Now, is there anything else you want?" Lily gave a sweet smile. [color=fff200]"Thanks, Alex. I'm glad we don't fight over this stuff like in MWJ,"[/color] she would say, before she realized the reference she made. [color=fff200]"...To be more specific, the show I watched the other day."[/color] Lily then heard Umu speak, and immediately lowered the Puchuu down to the couch. [color=fff200]"Oh, sorry! I, uh...I guess you'll appear like this when you want me to fight, right?"[/color] “[color=aba000]I mean, I’m not sure why we [i]would[/i] fight over something like this[/color]” Alexander shrugged “[color=aba000]Besides, it’s your choice. No one else can make it for you[/color]” “I will appear on a suitable form.” Umukamui tilted his head. “Now if you will excuse me, I have other things to do.” The little creature added, and began to walk away. Lily watched as the creature disappeared from view, waving a bit of her hand for goodbye as she did. [color=fff200]”Yeah...You’re right, Alex. But I have a good feeling about this. I bet we’ll become great friends.”[/color] “[color=aba000]Well if anyone can, it’s you Lily.[/color] Alexander said with a nod.