@VitaVitaAR @QuartzKaida was mid-dance practice when the familiar alarm sounded.
What was meant to be a slow and fluid spin became a stumble.
"Waugh!" Acting on instinct, she twisted her body and bent her knees, landing in a catlike crouch. Her face burned as she stood and hurried from the training hall.
"Kazemi-sama... If you saw that, I meant to do that." As she sent the thought, she rubbed the back of her neck. She doubted Kazemi had seen, doubted that mere training connected her to the spirit realm in the same way true rituals did - she didn't get that telltale tingle of energy throughout her body, or that sense of serenity. And she knew Kazemi wasn't easily angered, ever since the dragon had reassured her all those years ago that there was no need for excessive formality when talking with her. Still, any mistake felt like letting her down.
"Also, we've got a demon alert."Now she could pick up on Kazemi's presence, like a gentle sea breeze.
"You don't have to punish yourself so much," replied that voice in her head.
"But tell me as soon as you need my assistance."Heading straight to the briefing room, she nodded. Two new people stood there with the others, listening to Ayako's announcement - a fashionable teen whose gender she couldn't discern, and a Western-looking woman with a missing arm and a goth aesthetic. Talk about trial by fire, even if luckily for the newcomers, most of the demons were only beast class. She probably wasn't making the best impression on these two in her tank top and yoga pants, and would earn a disapproving look from Emi for sure, but changing clothes would have been a waste of time, since her outfit would transform along with her.
"I will," she told Kazemi,
"and we've got quite the sizeable team this time."
The journey was quick, uneventful save for the adorable cat popping into existence near the new boy Kaeru with a bag of cinnamon rolls. Watching the scene, Kaida chuckled. He and Rika seemed like they'd be good company, but currently they were engaged in conversation with each other. So, Kaida spent the trip the way she normally did, trying to get Emi to open up and cracking silly jokes, but her comrade's gaze remained unfocused. Either she was ignoring her, or talking with her own contracted spirit.
When the vehicle pulled to a stop outside a construction site, a Demon Denial Field shimmering around it, Kaida climbed out, hurried inside the barrier and started the possession ritual. Two-two-one. Two bows, two claps, then another bow.
"Kazemi-sama," she called in her mind.
"I'm ready to throw down." Her body rippled like a reflection in water, divine power flowing through her as her skin turned silver blue, hair changed into fins, and a tail extended from her lower spine.
"I'll help out," she announced to her comrade who'd just done a similar ritual - Natsumi. Wind whirled around her, making her fins rustle, and she rose high into the air.
"If any demons take notice, I'll distract 'em." Attackers would have more trouble with two moving targets than with one. Especially ones who could attack from above.
"Kaida-san..." came that long-suffering voice in her head.
"I appreciate your thinking, but advise you come up with a plan along with our comrades."Glancing down as Rika sent forth several clones of herself, Kaida grinned.
"It's alright. That's exactly what we're doing."The only response was a low, sighing grumble.
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