AN at the end!
Life's been super busy
Rin's forehead crinkled in concentration. Slow breaths she thought to herself.
In.
Out.
Repeat.
In.
Out.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Her blue eyes widened in anticipation as she felt her mana flow. Fighting a frown, she edged out her mana slowly.
Slowly.
SLOWLY.
She could see form taking shape under her hands. This was an old practice. One her father had taught her early on. Reshaping crystals to control and hone her mana usage. But here, her mana was constantly out of whack. Flaring and almost overwhelming sometimes. What was worse when she didn't even realize her mana was lashing out. Rin wondered if it was due to the fact of the heavy ambient magic that trailed through the air. Normally, it'd be used by magi such as herself on a day to day basis but with so little humans left; it was like catnip to a magi like her. So much extra kinetic energy leftover from a bleak future. Always swirling around her asking to be used. It was like an instant pick me up every time.
Please. Please. Please! Rin said to herself as she started to remove her hands. She really didn't want to go back and ask Gil for more crystals. As it was, she was pretty sure that she was running a pretty high tab with him. Not that he complained but still! In fact, he seemed really happy to help her out. She wondered wistfully at all the gems he could probably give to her! It would be so much easier than having to go and bargain for them.
Rin held her breath in anticipation and let out a loud sigh of relief.
SUCCESS!
Giddy with happiness after so many failed tries. Rin instantly turned to a grab a brightly colored ribbon. Practically bouncing with glee, she skipped all the way to the cafeteria. It was crowded but her eyes quickly found its target. Normally she'd stop and speak to various heroes that called out to her but not today. Darting around legs she quickly threw herself into Atalanta's arms who seemed pleasantly surprised. Though Atlanta quickly started cuddling her in her lap(which was ONLY allowed do be done by Atalanta).
"HERE!" Rin said she practically shoved the crystal in her hands. " I made this for you!"
Rin rolled her eyes and ignored the sudden surge in heroes around them who were wondering what was happening. What a nosy bunch! Unable to contain her excitement- she blurted out.
"It's a cat! Just like you!"
Atalanta's green eyes slowly looked at the small crystal cat with its bright ribbon around its neck and then back down at Rin several times. In those moments, Rin wondered if maybe Atalanta didn't like it. Technically she wasn't actually a cat after all. And maybe it was a insult to keep calling her as such. UGH! Maybe she should have just give her a flower. Everyone likes flowers RIGHT? She was an IDIOT. Did she any more crystals left in her room? She'd definitely have to ask Gil for more. And she should have waited till it was just them! She shouldn't have given it to her in front of all these heroes! ARGHH! She was such an idiot! Rin's mind kept ranting at herself until she heard the sharp intake of Atalanta's breath.
Ever so slightly Rin looked up ready for rejection. Instead she looked into a to a watery smile and bright green eyes.
"...So you like it?"
At her question, Atalanta's arms wrapped around her and pressed her forehead against hers. Long blonde hair brushed against her nose tickling her. Rin scrunched her nose to avoid giggling when Atalanta's melodic voice purred into her ear.
"It's beautiful "
...So somewhat for a belated Mother's Day theme ish. Hopefully this chapter sorta came out okay
Work has been really crazy. I've been putting in 10+ hrs days about 6.5 days a week recently for work projects(I even worked on actual Mother's Day). So my postings will be even more sporadic! Sadly, I don't have a lot of free time to write/post in the foreseeable future. I'll do my best though! I will come back :).