Warning

In a sort of way, my characters are free right now due to the fact that I can't really continue with them right now. Perhaps Gardsorm will not be back so yeah. Florence, Warning and ARA are technically free unless I leave them locked due to current development.

Mao listened to everything, nodding to Pelintira as well as the idea that it could be a harmless potion made sense. All the catgirl had to do was to look around and make sure that the student who drank it didn't suffer anything wrong from it. At the same time, even if she didn't find the actual drinker, a simple patrol around the fortress would do well to find if anyone is in a bad state or not. It probably was not anything to be alarmed about since she had found the potion the day before, only a few hours past before she went to bed herself. Now, for the potion merchant, Mao would have to see if such a character was still in the fortress or not but again, nothing that some patrolling around the fortress would not give away, assuming that they were still around. Surprisingly, the catgirl didn't exactly visit every areas of the fortress and some areas just were not needed for her to go. She usually enjoyed the library itself but also patrolled the dormitories at times or any other studying spaces. She was not really required to be anywhere else but this one time, she would be to find her. With this, Mao bowed lightly to the old witch. "I will find them, mistress. I will report if I find anything.", She said before she teleported.

Guilty and I loved it! I am someone who likes electronic music a lot so I had to try once. I'd go back, maybe one day. Next poster, uh... wishes to go to space and might even succeed to do so one day.

Mao heard about this resident potion expert but she was not sure she had met with her directly. What she knew is that it was indeed odd that a potion was left randomly by a potion keeper on a table unless it was left by a student instead. If that student had also drank from the potion then... Her eyes widened suddenly with concerns and more so as Pelintira explained what the potion might be but was not necessarily what it looked like, especially if the bottle was made to fool the one drinking from it. Unless identified, potions were as vague and volatile as spells... But still, if it was from a trusted potion maker, even Mao doubted that such a person would leave poison laying around where curious students could go ahead and test them out. It did not look like it was made by a student at least. The catgirl had an idea, however. One that even Pelintira herself probably thought about before she did herself: "Mistress... Should I find the one who made this potion? You could ask them yourself. Also... Should I also try to find the student who may have drunk from this potion?", she asked, feeling that both were good questions...

Mao remained still, listening to the statement made by the witch, which made her glad to know that Alenia was actually doing fine. Even if it was not in very good manners, so to speak. And yet, the sacrifice and body manipulation gave the impression of being a completely normal thing within these walls. This was not a surprise to Mao, considering her position, but she was not necessarily comfortable with it. The first time she had met with Alenia however, it was worse for her, to the point that the catgirl had to step up to be close and comfort her. Things had changed. When the question about the bottle came up, Mao looked down at what she had in her grasp then back up to the old witch before she replied with a nod first then followed with an actual answer, "I found it in the library, on one of the tables. I think it's been opened and someone drank from it. Unless it should not be full." The bottle actually looked half full but otherwise, the cork was set tight in the opening. The only identification on the bottle was this red heart on it but for reasons, no words or anything were actually written. In symbol terms, it could be love related...?

Not assuming anything but I do think she would be fine with it, even if for one turn. The posts DID seem relevant between the two. I do believe we did say before that sometimes characters may pass if they lack relevance. Which I am fine with if it was me, too.

I do not mind, if Satai is alright with it. I would gladly have waited for the sake of creativity from everyone but yeah, I CAN post another time. (In this case, I just could since it was your turn and you openly passed.) I will be trying another post. Unless I see an objection as I write.

Mao would wake up the next day, stretching on her little bed made for her size. Making sure to do her bed, she then left floating to look for something to eat, mostly at the same place students went to get their food. Picking just some things that would serve as a breakfast, she ate rather quickly as she wanted to do other things, including going to see her mistress and perhaps hear of what was happening with Alenia in the same mean time. After she was done, Mao would first go for a lap around the fortress to see that everything was going alright but also to pick the potion she had found last time, just out of curiosity for it. With all that done, the catgirl would then use her magic to teleport away. She would then appear to where Pelintira was, taking a look around but not really minding whatever could be seen there. For now, she was remaining quiet and waiting but inside her grasp was the heart sticker bottle that that was bigger than her paws, forcing her to carry it with her two hands. For the time being, Mao simply observed as she preferred to wait that the witch would notice her first and speak to her.

Meanwhile, Mao did as she said while trying to forget some of what happened back in that room, having teleported to another part of the fortress and patrolled around to see if she could make herself useful to anyone. She particularly liked to check the library whenever she was free and it sometimes happened that she was approached by curious others who wanted to see her from closer or even touch her, which she reluctantly allowed before continuing her business. Like students there, Mao had the habit to check out books for information or for curiosity. This time, while flying away, she noticed a small bottle on a table. It was not like one she usually had seen before. A red liquid bottle with a heart sticker on it. The purpose could be more or less obvious, considering what it showed but still, it made the catgirl question herself about who put it, or rather, who left it there as there was not anybody around who seemed to care about it. Shaking her head gently, Mao picked it up to go put it somewhere else in case someone would have the funny idea to drink its content without knowing what it was. Then she moved on. After she was done patrolling and putting this mysterious bottle away, Mao went back to finish some tasks before she would finally take a rest in her own bed, magically discarding her clothes where nobody would see her without them anyway. She would relax for now until she was needed or otherwise until she would go see Pelintira later again, to see if the legendary witch would have anything for her to accomplish then.

Mao looked surprised at the explanations given even if not directed at her. She was curious about what that body could do but otherwise, it was now Alenia's businesss to deal with. She, in her case, had done what she was supposed to and even cleaned the room a little for it to be ready for next time. As the catgirl was eyeing at the young witch, she figured that this magic would not be all that peaceful and easy to manage. It would surely be interesting to see what comes out of it but it was not Mao's business, the catgirl preferring to leave for now. "Mistress, I'll be going to attend other business... Please call if you need me and I'll be right there.", she said, giving a last look at the body then at Alenia, remembering when both of them hugged in times of need however this certainly didn't look required right now. Unless anything else was needed from her, Mao would take her leave, teleporting away with her magic and leaving the both of them be for now.

Mao had listened carefully to what she was told, learning how seemingly important this soul had been to at least one of them. She just knew she has to protect it for the time being. She could always summon it back later for if they ever needed it. As Mao was told to keep it for now, the cat nodded and sealed the soul in a crystalized form before she sent it back to where she had summoned it from. Afterwards, her eyes shifted to the body, making her wonder what that body could do to Alenia. The power of death was as strong as life itself, being two very opposites. If the dead was to attack the young witch while she was vulnerable, it would not be very good. Hopefully, things were under control. Mao did not quite understand either why the soul would be attracted to Alenia and that made her curious as well. Well, it probably would not be while it was in her hands but even souls could have strange behaviors. For now, she looked toward Pelintira for an answer.

Mao waited that Alenia would be finished so her hands were free, as she thought about something that Pelintira said to her student. Once she was done with dressing her up, Mao moved back, being a little more comfortable in front of a covered body, a thing she was only really uncomfortable with for personal reasons. Something that didn't really matter right now, anyway. She just didn't really like it but also she did her best to not question anything about it as it was not really her place to do so. For the time being, there was something else on her mind. Using a small bit of magic, Mao brought out before them from seemingly nowhere a kind of ball of soft light, moving oddly with spiritual energy. It looked more or less alive but any good magic eye would know what it is, especially coming from her. "Mistress... I still have her soul, if you have a use for it.", she simply said, wanting to show it to them visually. The catgirl knew the importance of a soul in some magic spell or even alchemy. The fact that the dead girl was currently without soul may or not be an issue. Her collecting it made sure it was being preserved.

Mao came back soon after, bringing her washing tools with her to begin on the room right away. Using of magic and soapy water, she was capable of scrubbing the altar without damaging it to erase the blood and any dirt left behind. It would even only take a moment to finish, leaving the altar wet but clean, ready to dry off on its own with time. Discarding her tools thereafter, Mao looked at the two others and eyed the nude but dead girl, staring at the scar a bit. The sight would make her look away, seemingly bothered by the sight somewhat. Not too long after, she would teleport herself away again, this time to find clothes for her, which should not be too hard to do in a place with many witches. She had memorized her size or about and decided to simply take something for her from inside the fortress, where she could find them. After Mao finally reappeared again in the altar room, she offered to Alenia a small pile of clothes that would dress up the girl from head to toes, minus shoes. Only soft clothes were offered from where she could find them. Her eyes however made sure not to look at the girl while she was holding the clothes in front of her for the young witch to pick them up. "H-here. This is what I could find. They should work for her."

Mao considered the responses given to her and she nodded, first to Pelintira. She did not have to dirt her hands so much if she proceeded to clean the room with magic. It had to be done anyway and she did not want to leave it to the old witch to do so in her place. Personally, she was not too certain about being the one to wash a dead woman. Even she had a certain limit with how far she could play with a corpse. Mostly a puppet but in necromancer term, she was still made of flesh and bones. Mao had a preference for touching actually alive beings rather than dead ones. She did want to help Alenia but it was going a little beyond her usual scope of things to do. Still, she would be capable to find replacements for clothes easily, at least. This was the least she could do. "I will take care of this room, first...", Mao said, implying that she would clean it. All she needed to begin the magic was still some water, soap and a sponge or brush to use in magic to start cleaning the place. Her eyes shifted to Alenia next. "I will find new clothes for her but... maybe we should find a way to heal her wound as well.", eyeing the stab wound on the girl's body. The catgirl was trying to think of ways to at least give her some humanity despite being dead. A murdered victim look would not exactly be pleasant for anyone to see if she was spotted by anyone. It did not make her comfortable and something about her own body bothered her as well, with this sight. Her hand moving to touch her chest hidden by her robes. She shook her head and teleported. Mao left to get a bucket, some water and a brush to start her task. After that, all she would need to do was clean the altar room a little to ready it properly for when it was needed.

Mao watched the body mostly and pondered what use it could have but at least it looked harmless, Alenia even seemed to adapt slowly to control it. Soon elevating herself in the air again, she eyed the both of them. "If she will not decay, I believe she will still need, um... To be washed.", she stated, pointing with her small finger at the state of the body with the consequences of being stabbed and the blood that probably caused a mess on both herself and her clothes. "Also, what are we going to do with her while Alenia must sleep or have some time on her own?", she asked curiously. Mao knew how death worked but necromancy itself was not something she was really comfortable with, oddly. At least she did not have to witness it that often within the fortress. At the same time, she still had the soul of the girl and strangely, it was not lost to the void or anything. Every souls that Mao collected were stored somewhere, in case it could be used later. But for now, Mao looked at the Altar as well, wondering if it required to be cleaned due to the sacrifice. It seemed like much needed to be done before the day ended. That is, if she was tasked to do anything. Looking at Pelintira, she proceed to ask. "Is there anything that you would like me to do, mistress...?", she simply queried. Question implied any task that she could do.

Mao's eyes widened at the sight of what was happening. While she was not unused to see necromancy in action, it was still impressive to see what Alenia was managing to do. The explanations of Pelintira seemed to have done well for the young student to apply the magic correctly. A part of the catgirl still felt strange about what Alenia had become but such was the way of learning from the mistress... In one way, she saw reaping and collecting souls as something less... nasty, so to speak. The realm of spirits was clean and without flesh. If not her own in the equation, at least. Being a magical creature did not change the fact that she was still very real in this universe. She also was capable of feeling just like any other alive beings. This soulless corpse however had lost that. Despite the fact that Mao felt slightly different about the girl that she had once hugged before, she now hoped that Alenia was capable to keep control of this undead. While it was reanimation, she did not know for sure what could happen but of course there was nothing to worry about with Pelintira there with them. Or herself, if things became awry. And so for now, she watched but still remained ready to act if something wrong happened. For the sake of not wanting to distract her, Mao also remained quiet for the time being but kept her attention on Alenia and the dead.

My partner disappeared, unfortunately. I hope they're doing alright, whatever is happening on their side. If they were not to come back, it would mean that Florence, SRK and ARA would be free for roleplay. I kinda enjoyed what I was doing so far so it's a bit depressing. x.x

Mao watched them both and couldn't help frowning a little at the sight of blood drinking but said nothing of it. The young witch was trying to be strong and it showed but obviously, it wasn't something so very easy on her. She had gone too far to step back now. Alenia had changed since last time, growing more tough to deal with this. Meanwhile, Mao had something to do with this one as her soul had freshly left her body for the sake of sacrifice, which meant that it was the perfect moment for her to collect it. Summoning it from the body would cause a spiritual light to float above the altar, right in front of Mao who would use her scythe thereafter to reap it, magically sealing and collecting it for herself. Once the process was done, her scythe would vanish. The cat familiar then floated around them again and landed on her paws behind them to rest, watching as she knew the two's experience was not over yet. Alenia still had to prove thta she could commit to learn the magic taught by Pelintira as a result of this sacrifice. She couldn't help but feel a little curious about what the older witch was going to teach the apprentice, too.

As Mao watched the conversation between the two, she saw that the time Alenia had taken did well to prepare her, somewhat. As they moved to the altar room, she was taken along to where they were and the catgirl remained silent for the time being. The big moment was happening again yet this time was with a less panicked Alenia. That was it. Despite Pelintira's explanation and time allowed to the young witch, she had looked like she had prepared for this. Mao herself was only there to see how well the ritual would go. She was not going to interfere in any ways, this time. It did not seem like that was required, anyhow. As she had guessed, Alenia was actually able to pull it off and without much hesitation either. Mao still wondered if the girl was completely fine with it. Floating there as she watched the scene unfold, the deed was soon done. Her golden eyes shifted from one witch to another before she floated closer but still remained at a distance. Mao wanted to see how well Alenia would react after what she had just done. And yet, the end was just the same for the sacrifice, a soul had now lost its life at the hand of a witch. Forming her scythe, Mao floated around them to behind the altar but did nothing yet, watching for now how this would end and what they both planned to do after the young one finally accomplished the one task.

Mao was considering what she was told but she did not exactly have a personal attachment to Alenia even though she did not dislike the hug she was given. Perhaps she could at the very least check on her from times to times until she would be ready to come back. Pelintira was right, she did not have to feel bad or anything. She had protected that girl from herself this one time but it would be the girl's choice from there to come back ready, whenever she would be. "Very well, mistress. I'll be going... If you need me, please summon me anytime.", Mao said before she snapped herself away, disappearing with magic. The catgirl would not be going very far, staying within the walls of the fortress to do what she usually did daily. Checking on students and Alenia from times to times, she let the time pass, never moving too close unless she was allowed to. Her curiosity was mostly for finding out how the girl would evolve from her first experience with Pelintira. When the young witch would come back, Mao would already be in the study as usual, floating and relaxing while she had no current task at hand at the moment. Alenia seemed to be a little more confident already, perhaps ready this time to face the horrors of the dark ways. Even Mao herself was not very participating into these rituals as she had her own magic style but it didn't stop her from assisting Pelintira at times. As Mao saw the young one in the study, she would mover closer to her but like in the past, she did not interfere between her and the older witch's communication. To come back a second time, Alenia must have really wanted it, especially as she was being less hesitant about it. The catgirl's eyes shifted toward the mistress, watching for now.

Soon letting go of Alenia, Mao still remained close for the moment. Once she was ready and stood up, the catgirl finally floated away. The explanations of Pelintira regarding her own experience had much to think about, hopefully it would allow the young witch to take what she was told in perspective for what to do next. The day, as short as it had been for her, clearly had exhausted her. Watching her leave after a moment, Mao remained floating above the floor as she did not really have anything else to do regarding the girl. leaving her alone was for the best. Her eyes shifted to the older witch, wondering what would be to happen now that they were back to being two alone again. She had went to look for a sacrifice willingly while she had no idea how badly it would impact Alenia in the process. Now that it was over and the girl finally went to rest, Mao was out of tasks to accomplish for the day and she had no real plans otherwise. Therefore, she waited in case there was anything.

Mao held Alenia for as long as it was required, despite not being used to that kind of contact. When Alenia seemed to be surprised about it, her eyes shifted to observe her to make sure she was alright, nodding when she was asked if she was the one who did that for her. Pelintira's expected interruption then kept the catgirl quiet from saying anything as the witch addressed the student. The tighter grasp onto herself from the girl could reveal how scared she seemed to be yet Mao didn't try to push her away or anything. As soon as the girl started with her barrage of questions, the catgirl's eyes shifted toward the other witch. It was an odd moment for her, serving as the plushie of comfort for the younger elf but it wasn't something she could not deal with, at least. "Maybe you should take a rest...", Mao suggested without meaning to interrupt between her questions and Pelintira. She thought perhaps the girl would need a moment to rest her head but at the same time, she probably required to hear what the witch had to say before she did. Still, there was lot of other magic spells that she could learn that did not require sacrificing someone and her humanity for it but Mao had no real say into it. It was something that Alenia would have to find on her own, in due time. The short neko still felt like she did well to protect her for now.

Mao's eyes widened as she found herself hugged by nothing less than a completely terrified girl. Normally, she never really got to touch anyone this closely or at least nobody ever touched her this closely but the catgirl would not push her away. Gently holding her as well, even she started to wonder if it was wise to push her this far. Pelintira was a master witch of her own making but this girl was fresh new at this and really not anywhere close to be capable of committing such act. Mao could solve this by simply taking her away but her hesitation was palpable. Witches had the freedom of learning whatever they liked, no matter what form of magic that it was but this young elf would not be able to handle this without breaking her own mind. Even if the test was not what it looked like, this was already putting a toll on the girl. Closing her eyes for a second while Alenia was still in her grasp, she soon opened them to look at Pelintira. "I'm sorry, mistress...", Mao simply said before her magic snapped and teleported both herself and Alenia back to the study for now, knowing fully well that Pelintira could join them as quickly. The idea was not to try to escape but at least to give the young elf a moment of respite, to collect herself. She had made the choice to meet with the legendary witch, to request personal teaching from her but Mao had a feeling that Alenia had gotten more on her hands than she really bargained for. Something that Pelintira was more than aware of, certainly. It was a test but Mao couldn't handle leaving her like this, even still holding her if she did not let go. The catgirl would take whatever fitting punishment for her action if that was required but she still felt that giving the girl a moment to breathe was more important right now. She wouldn't normally care so much as she even had went to pick a sacrifice for it but this proved she still felt concerned.