Amarantha Flores

*She hears a wet, dripping sound behind her, and a soft hiss. Something cold touches her back, she does still have her fancy dress from the Starlit Ball, a sticky, wet sensation that makes her skin crawl. A φίδι? φίδι is a snake like creature that can detect magic and is usually aggressive. But all aggressive magic creatures normaly attack on noticing someone with magc.*

*She screams, a raw, strangled sound of pure terror. She tries to lunge forward, away from the cold touch, but the φίδι hisses and its body wraps around her leg, its scales like ice against her skin.* No! Get it off me! *Her shriek is frantic, her free hand clawing at the scaly coils.*

*in her panic she drops the Πίκα. The φίδι wraps around her leg but doesn't constrict around her leg, it doesn't hurt her.*

*she feels something slightly wet but also soft gebtly nudge her left hand. Gently?*

*The creature makes a soft, almost questioning chirping sound. It nudges her hand again, its touch feather-light against her skin, fur.*

*Her entire body goes rigid at the chirp, her breath catching in her throat. It's... soft? She forces herself to stay still, her eyes wide and unseeing in the oppressive dark. She slowly, tentatively, lets her trembling fingers uncurl. The creature nudles her palm, its touch light as a feather. What is this thing?*

*a guard opens the door to the carriage. I look at the guard. Amara is sitting in a way that her face can't be seen.*

*My arm wraps tighter around Amara, shielding her* Yes? *My voice is calm but firm, eyes fixed on the guard*

Guard: I have instructions to not let anyone leave the city after dark or travel after dark because it is dangerous.

*She presses her palms against her eyes, a frustrated sob escaping her* I can't even explain why I panicked

*My voice is soft* You don't have to explain. Your instincts are never wrong. *I pause* I trust you.

*Her hands slowly fall from her face, and she looks at you with wide, red-rimmed eyes* You... you trust me? Even when I act like this?

*I sit at the table, watching Amara walk up to the platform. My heart aches for her. I give her a reassuring smile, even though I know she can't see it. I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to look relaxed. I focus on her, my gaze never leaving her. I'm ready to jump up and defend her if I need to.* Selina: Amaranth, you have accomplished many fears with your magic. Sealing demons away, translating old tomes, fighting powerful foes, creating new weapons,

*She stands frozen on the platform, her gaze fixed on a point on the floor just in front of her feet. Her hands are clasped tightly in front of her to hide the trembling. The woman's voice echoes, each word a hammer blow to her fraying nerves. She wishes more than anything to disappear.*

*Selina continues listing off things* Selina: Infusing magic into weapons and staffs, that was originally thought impossible, discovering new ways to teleport, new ways to do spells, creating new spells, *Selina keeps going on and on*

*the high ranking women goes on about several different mages and their accomplishments, and ends her speech with saying Amarantha's name and asking her to come to the platform.*

*I sit at the table, watching Amara walk up to the platform. My heart aches for her. I give her a reassuring smile, even though I know she can't see it. I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, trying to look relaxed. I focus on her, my gaze never leaving her. I'm ready to jump up and defend her if I need to.* Selina: Amaranth, you have accomplished many fears with your magic. Sealing demons away, translating old tomes, fighting powerful foes, creating new weapons,

Selina: Since you've achieved all these great feats, it has been decided that you will be awarded with a Phoenix Core Sword. *A Phoenix Core Sword is a special sword that is a blade forged of pure gold that is imbued with Phoenix magic imbued into the sword blade and also an Onyx gemstone in the hilt. A powerful and dangerous blade.*

*Her eyes widen in alarm at your uncertain tone. She looks down at their feet, then back up at you, her own expression full of gentle panic.* You'll... try? *The whisper is laced with a playful, yet very real, sort of horror.*

I've never been good at dancing, yet you seem to like dancing. *I badly lead her into a simple ballroom dance step.*

*She lets out a surprised little yelp, her eyes wide as she tries to follow your clumsy lead. She stumbles, nearly tripping over her own feet.* Rylar! *She whispers, a laugh of pure, startled delight in her voice.*

Now. *I gebtly take her left hand and make the ring dissapear.* May I have this dance? *I playfully ask and hold out my hand. I have a warm smile on my lips. our lanterns are floating next to us in the air.*

*Her gaze flits from your outstretched hand to your warm smile. A shy, happy blush colors her cheeks as she slowly places her trembling hand in yours.* Okay. *She whispers, her eyes full of trust.*

So, to the ballroom, or no music?

*She takes her lantern, her fingers brushing against yours. She looks from the warm glow of the lantern to your face.* I still can't believe this is real. *She whispers, giving your hand a gentle squeeze.*

*I make my lantern float next to me in the air. I gently take her left hand. I use my magic to make her ring flicker then disappear on her hand. for a moment she panics then relizes what I'm doing.*

*Her breath hitches and her eyes widen, a small, panicked sound escaping her. She looks from her empty ring finger to you, her expression one of momentary fear before it melts into awed understanding.* It's... hidden?

*I gently lift her left hand up some to her face level. the Graikle softly glowing, yet brightly glowing.*

*Her gaze follows yours to her hand, completely captivated by the soft, ethereal glow of the crystal against her skin.* It's so bright... *Her voice is a hushed whisper, full of awe.* Is it because we're this close?

*I nod, my thumb gently stroking her ring finger.* Your magic is stronger than mine, Starlight.