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[center][sub]Interacting with: [@PrinceAlexus], [@Qia][/sub][/center]

[color=lightgray]Katherine’s dark eyes followed Daphne’s every movement, watching as the firelight returned and flickered across her skin. Despite that much of her body was hidden, there was something hypnotic in Daphne’s movements. The gentle sense of urgency that came of bare feet on a cold floor, the gentle shiver of her body in the cold morning air, and the brief glimpses of her curves beneath heavy furs all brought a warmth to Katherine’s chest. It wasn’t just desire, though that was certainly present. It was something more innocent and genuine, a pull that made her want to reach out and to hold onto this moment of warmth, and to keep it from slipping away.

[color=19CACA]“Then come back here,”[/color] she spoke with a warm, almost sultry voice that surprised even herself, [color=19CACA]“It’s getting cold without all of your muscle in here.”[/color]

It quickly dawned on her that Daphne wasn’t returning as quickly as she wanted her to, and though it required getting out of bed, Katherine mustered the willpower to stand and approach Daphne after wrapping herself in the remaining furs.

[color=19CACA]“It’s a deal… though keep dreaming if you think this gown is coming off in this weather.”[/color] Katherine shot the squire a mischievous grin, the growing flames dancing in the reflection of her eyes. She plopped herself down onto her knees just before the fire, once more leaning against Daphne as she let the wave of heat fight off the small chill that had wrapped itself around her neck.

The priestess slowly became aware of the growing emptiness in her stomach as a quiet, but insistent growl came from within. She pressed a hand lightly against her abdomen as if it might subdue the complaint, but the hunger only grew more demanding, gnawing at her with renewed urgency.

[color=19CACA]“Maybe we grab some food from the Eye? I’d cook you breakfast here, but I’ve not had a chance to fill the pantry.”[/color]

Katherine didn’t wait for a response before rising in place again and pacing over to the large wooden crate of her belongings.

[color=19CACA][i]Perhaps it’s time I made an effort to actually look the part of a Seluna priestess.[/i][/color] She smirked to herself at the thought, bobbing her head back and forth a moment as if swaying to a song only she could hear. Momentarily lost in her own thoughts, she began laying out her clothing on the now-bare bed before her gaze returned to the leather armor she’d worn the day prior. Brown eyes flicked back and forth between the black and silver robes on the bed and the armor of the same colors.

[color=19CACA][i]Maybe both?[/i][/color] She raised a brow at her own proposition, tilting her head to the side as if it would help make the decision clearer.

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A few minutes of shamelessly changing outfits behind Daphne’s back later, Katherine had dressed herself back into her leather armor, while now also donning an inky black cloak trimmed in silver and adorned with a sterling symbol of Seluna across it’s back. A hood fell from the back, leading around to the metal clasps beneath her neck that kept the entire ensemble in place. An equally dark, thick leather belt brought the cloak tightly around her waist and let the bottom of it flow much like a skirt.

There, she nodded to herself in self affirmation.

Mixed memories of years prior filled her mind as Katherine habitually ran her hands down the fabric. The day she’d almost died, the day she’d been brought to the temple, and the day she’d devoted her soul to Seluna and had this very same cloak draped around her shoulders for the very first time.

The priestess let out a long breath, before turning to face Daphne once more, [color=19CACA]“Well, how do I look?”[/color] She grinned, before her attention was caught by the sound of knocking.

Katherine stood frozen for a moment, eyes locked in the direction of the temple doors, before letting out another long breath. Surely the threat of an assailant had passed and this was just a commoner looking to commune with their goddess. For good measure, the priestess grabbed her shortsword in its scabbard before nodding to Daphne and leaving the room.

She placed a hand on the door and whispered a few silent phrases. The inky black crescent moon on the door responded, pulsing with every word before slowly fading away into the darkness from where it had come. Then, with a shaky hand, Katherine slowly opened the large wooden door.

An unfamiliar, slender and snowy-haired woman stood outside, wrapped in a cloak that looked far too large for her. Katherine took a moment to glance around at their surroundings as if assessing for threats, before her attention returned to the handmaiden.

[color=19CACA]“Good morning,”[/color] she smiled warmly, [color=19CACA]“Please, do come in.”[/color]

After pausing a moment to let the woman in, Katherine gently closed the door behind them. The main hall of the temple still laid in slumber and its candles that had normally left the room in dim illumination had not yet been lit.

[color=19CACA]“I do apologize, I haven’t yet had a moment to make preparations for the day. Last night was…eventful, to say the least.”[/color] She let the last words linger for a moment, her eyes briefly landing on the remnants of yesterday’s victims, before returning her attention to Elara. 

[color=19CACA]“How can I help you, miss?”[/color][/color]