[A spider's web spreads wide and far, and no matter how careful one is, how determined one might be to cut the strands and loosen its control, eventually, they'll become ensnared.
Kanade is a formidable witch. Despite her rather frail demeanor, when she sets her mind to something, she'll see it done. She may be terrible at taking care of herself and standing up for herself, but when it comes to those she cares about? She'll fight with every scrap of energy left in her body. That's how it's been for months, now; when her dearest friend had shown up on her doorstep one night, soaked to the bone and shivering from a mix of chill and overwhelming emotion, Kanade had switched herself into full Protect mode. She'd warded her little cottage far out in the woods with layer upon layer of spells, spreading them out even into the woods surrounding them. Alarm spells were set, spirit and animal familiars were on alert - nothing could step foot in this forest without her knowing. All to protect Mafuyu.
But Kanade had made a mistake.
For all that she'd done to keep Mafuyu protected, she hadn't afforded the same care for herself. Kanade never does. Without any wards around her mind, she's easy prey. Especially when she received a letter from the Lady Asahina; an attempt to parlay, to discuss in a civilized manner the topic of the girl currently living with Kanade.
Kanade had been alert when they met, but it wasn't enough. She had been expecting a normal human, or one with only budding magical potential, like Mafuyu. But the moment she'd been left alone in a sitting room in the mansion that had acted as nothing but a gilded bird cage for her dearest friend, she'd felt fingers in her brain and fangs at her ear. Kanade had barely a second to realize what was happening before that sweet, poisonous fog had filled her head, and all that resonated in her mind was a deep, alluring voice...
"All I want is for my dearest child to return home, safe where she belongs. She won't listen to me - but you. She'll listen to you, my new pet. Do your best to convince her, won't you?"
The voice was like honey, sickeningly sweet but leaving a heavy, syrupy feeling in her head. Despite something nagging at the back of her mind... yes. It made sense. If she could guide Mafuyu home, if she was given the chance to stay with her... everyone could be happy, couldn't they? If she can prove to Mafuyu that she can make her feel good, it doesn't matter where Mafuyu is, as long as they're together, right?
It's that thought, not that scratching at the back of her mind, that sticks with Kanade as she makes her way home. Past the wards and the guards, straight through the front door. Her home isn't particularly large, but she still has to look about to search for where Mafuyu has squirreled herself away for the day.]
[mafuyu; something something Witch AU as discussed and also sorry for this novel of a starter-]
Kanade is a formidable witch. Despite her rather frail demeanor, when she sets her mind to something, she'll see it done. She may be terrible at taking care of herself and standing up for herself, but when it comes to those she cares about? She'll fight with every scrap of energy left in her body. That's how it's been for months, now; when her dearest friend had shown up on her doorstep one night, soaked to the bone and shivering from a mix of chill and overwhelming emotion, Kanade had switched herself into full Protect mode. She'd warded her little cottage far out in the woods with layer upon layer of spells, spreading them out even into the woods surrounding them. Alarm spells were set, spirit and animal familiars were on alert - nothing could step foot in this forest without her knowing. All to protect Mafuyu.
But Kanade had made a mistake.
For all that she'd done to keep Mafuyu protected, she hadn't afforded the same care for herself. Kanade never does. Without any wards around her mind, she's easy prey. Especially when she received a letter from the Lady Asahina; an attempt to parlay, to discuss in a civilized manner the topic of the girl currently living with Kanade.
Kanade had been alert when they met, but it wasn't enough. She had been expecting a normal human, or one with only budding magical potential, like Mafuyu. But the moment she'd been left alone in a sitting room in the mansion that had acted as nothing but a gilded bird cage for her dearest friend, she'd felt fingers in her brain and fangs at her ear. Kanade had barely a second to realize what was happening before that sweet, poisonous fog had filled her head, and all that resonated in her mind was a deep, alluring voice...
"All I want is for my dearest child to return home, safe where she belongs. She won't listen to me - but you. She'll listen to you, my new pet. Do your best to convince her, won't you?"
The voice was like honey, sickeningly sweet but leaving a heavy, syrupy feeling in her head. Despite something nagging at the back of her mind... yes. It made sense. If she could guide Mafuyu home, if she was given the chance to stay with her... everyone could be happy, couldn't they? If she can prove to Mafuyu that she can make her feel good, it doesn't matter where Mafuyu is, as long as they're together, right?
It's that thought, not that scratching at the back of her mind, that sticks with Kanade as she makes her way home. Past the wards and the guards, straight through the front door. Her home isn't particularly large, but she still has to look about to search for where Mafuyu has squirreled herself away for the day.]
Mafuyu? Are you here?