Luminara moved first. She reached for Quinlan's arm. "Quinnie, let the girls return to your soul realm."
Miri nodded beside her. The human primordial's expression was uncharacteristically serious. "Even with our coating, they shouldn't be present for this. When Lilyanna enters, the realm will be overwhelmed by her energies. It's not safe."
Quinlan hesitated for only a heartbeat before giving a short nod. He turned toward his wives and allies. "You heard them. We'll resume the party soon. It probably won't take longer than a few minutes."
"Okay," Black Fang said, instantly slipping out of Hanae's clutch. She didn't need much convincing. But unlike the ancient lady's accepting attitude… Quinlan's words had barely settled when Rosie reacted.
She tightened instantly, arms locking around Luminara's waist as if the idea of separation had physically terrified her. Leaves shook loose from her hair as she buried her face against the elf primordial's side.
"No!" Rosie said, muffled and firm. "Tell her to e back later!"
Luminara blinked, then laughed softly, one hand ing down to cradle the girl's head. "Oh my," she murmured, fingers smoothing through leaves and strands alike.
Ayame stepped in with the quiet decisiveness of someone who had already accepted this would not be simple. "e, Rosie, we'll get killed just by proximity. Vitality alone doesn't protect against this."
She reached for Rosie's shoulder and tugged.
Rosie clung harder.
"Rosie has decided to stay!" she declared, voice strained with effort as she grabbed fistfuls of Luminara's long hair for leverage.
Ayame pulled again. "I'm so sorry…" she apologized to Luminara as she pulled for a third time.
Nothing.
The samurai narrowed her eyes.
Luminara showed no disfort at all. If anything, her smile softened further. She rested a palm on Rosie's back and stroked slow, reassuring lines. "It's all right," she purred gently. "You can go for now. I will play with you again very soon. I'll pamper you twice as much!"
Rosie hesitated. Her grip loosened just a fraction. "Promise?"
"Promise," Luminara replied without pause, eyes warm. "As much as you like."
Rosie nodded. "Okay."
Instantly, her attitude changed. Gone was the whiny girl, replaced by a satisfied one. After all, she'd already secured the trade deal she was looking for.
With her business concluded, the cheeky existence was ready to leave and cash in on her rewards soon after.
Ayame, however, didn't stop pulling before Rosie's rapid shift in attitude occurred.
She pulled, and the sudden loss of resistance sent both of them backward. Ayame twisted mid-fall on instinct, body flowing through the motion with extreme grace and agility, as well as high and precise reflexes. She planted one hand, flipped cleanly, and landed on her feet with Rosie tucked securely under her arm.
Rosie clapped enthusiastically. "Hehe! Ayame Mommy is amazing!"
Ayame's expression did not change.
At all.
Rosie stiffened. Her ears flattened slightly. "…Oh."
A beat passed.
Rosie's eyes widened. "Rosie is in trouble."
"You don't even know…" Ayame replied flatly, already turning away.
She walked off with the leafy girl under her arm, posture straight, steps measured.
User Comments
0 comments from readers