Homecoming

Confusion turns to utter disbelief as the summoned girl collapses. The homunculi watch, bewildered by all that had happened in such a short time, as their mother tends to the red-clad beast. Beast was wrong — she was their sister. Presumably, also their protector. Amidst the whirlwind of emotion that each was experiencing, what stood out most was the underlying excitement they shared. The situation was so novel that even the most stern of them couldn't help but be somewhat thrilled about what was unfolding. It wasn't every day that they were gifted with a sister, after all. They're so swept up in the moment that they barely notice the seal materializing on their backs.

Nihil examines the Red Spirit, a slight frown on her face. Her daughters had chosen well, but she failed them. The cost levied against her was great, and now this child was paying it as well. It was something that would have to be dealt with later, however. With how much energy had been expended, it would shock even her if no one noticed. With a gesture, the spirit is swallowed by a sea of rainbows and Nihil commands the trio to follow her.

Deeper and deeper, the group travels into the belly of the ship. Nihil calmy leads at a steady pace as they pass by cabins with the lights shining out and the odd person up to their own late-night business. While her daughters keep their guards up and eye every corner suspiciously, she seems unconcerned with being seen now that there is some distance between themselves and the summoning site. There were quicker ways to travel if she was overly worried about secrecy, but as long as she could avoid dealing with any magus, whether her presence was known by some humans was inconsequential. More importantly, she needed to adjust as best she could and do so quickly. As much as she desired to limit her exposure to the outside, that would not always be a luxury she was permitted. It was then better to grow accustomed to managing herself while she could, lest she become a hindrance.

Past the rooms and closer to where the engines lie is their destination. Nihil says nothing, but the slightest of changes in the air and the following shift in their surrounding signifies the group's passage through a barrier. It's similar in appearance to the territory created for the summoning, but more time and care was taken in its creation. It was made to last. Its technical aspects were not what caught the interest of the homunculi, though. Its interior could only be described as 'homely' — or at least an attempt. Beds, a flower-filled vase, tables and chairs, and other things that the Witch understood belonged inside a home all resided within. Of course, It would have to serve as an atelier of sorts as well.

Nihil deposits the Spirit onto one of the beds. To her, it should have felt as if only a few seconds had passed between their initial meeting and now. Being within the bounds of the territory would supply her with mana, but not seeing any reason to wait, Nihil makes use of a more immediate solution. She wiggles her in the earlier cut, widening and deepening as to make a proper meal before bringing her hand to the resting Spirit's lips.

The reaction is almost instant. Nihil was not the most desirable target for the beast within, but she nevertheless found her hand caught in its maw, teeth digging into her pale skin as it drank in her essence.

Miden: "How dare you!"

The eldest of the sisters is the first to respond. She strived to act out their mother's will and believed in her wholeheartedly. However, she knew well just how unbothered she could act despite a situation. So she could not and would not wait to be ordered when she could see the danger for herself. Her sisters take her lead as all three come to their mothers with blades drawn. If their mother wasn't positioned in a way that obstructed them, emotion may have led to more.

Nihil: "Calm yourselves. You might scare her."

Nefer: "Scare her? She's the one scaring us!"

Their mother told them she was a new addition to their family. The Spirit's own words seemed to confirm this. Nulla finds herself unable to come up with the words to express her frustration with the situation and with her creator's unwillingness to explain at all. Despite her usual coldness, it was clear enough to all three that Witch was pursuing the concept of a family — an idea that they had long adopted — with earnestness, and this girl biting her was a part of it.

It was no doubt painful. If the Spirit had so wished it, then Nihil was sure that the bite would have crushed the appendage or bitten clean through. Yet, she hadn't. Perhaps a part of her did desire to, but it seemed to the Witch that even more of the girl's being wished against it. Her free hand moves to the girl's head, stroking it.

Nihil: "Your sisters are...unsure. They do not know you, and you do not know them."

She nods to the three standing at her side. They reluctantly put their weapons away, but the tension and readiness to attack don't quite leave their posture. Nefer does her best to give a friendly smile while Nulla wears a slight pout, and Miden has no issue fixing their sister with a hard stare.

Nihil: "Miden, Nulla, and Nefer art their names. I am Nihil. Names make people closer, so tell us yours."

The Witch's hand is freed and Miden sets about wrapping it. Nihil gives all her focus to the Spirit as she awaits an answer. The red-cloaked girl stares at the surrounding her, lips slightly agape. With a line of blood trailing down her mouth, it seems equally likely that she's sizing up potential meals as she is collecting her thoughts.

Carmine : "...Carmine."