The man known as Augustine Adelfikos loaded Eva's luggage onto a horse-drawn carriage and soon after helped her into it.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG6ooHYsQa
"I assume that this is the first time you've seen such a busy city?" asked Augustine.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadm7uYLmee
"Yes," responded Evangelique. "I was born and raised in Aleiliyo, so it's rare to see commotion like this."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHljnVGdeF
"Midsummers being the only exception, correct?"446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXqoKdaOMI
Eva laughed softly.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCkQMz2MVY
"Yes, that is correct."
The fond memories Midsummers Day steeped in Evangelique's mind. The brilliance of the nymph's skylight parade always excited her.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4DptXeKd6
The tales of wonder and glory told by merchants who came to Aleilyo for the celebration unfailingly captivated her.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI5UqFxhsk
Everyone in the surrounding towns and villages would gather to watch the flowering fairies dance and sing. It was a diversely celebrated holiday that symbolized the peace between men and fae in the present day, and Eva treasured it with all her heart.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNqHxGszIL
"This town is certainly more industrial than rural Aleilyo," started Augustine. "However, you will find that in Mumei, there is quite a bit of fantastical life here, just like your homeland."
The carriage arrived stopped at a tall, dark, gothic building.
"This is the dormitory where you will be staying," stated Augustine. "The other team members live here, as well."
Eva set her eyes upon the vast height of the building. It looked just like dormitories of universities that she had read about, only much more lively.
Perhaps the mixture of clear and stained glass in the building's design captivated her. Maybe it was the nearby foliage that grew in the frigid winter. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the intricate architecture of the building.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwp0WQtZWq
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Whatever it was Eva found the beauty of her new home magically welcoming.
Augustine led Evangelique into the building, where the warmth of what seemed to be a thousand candles greeted them.
A delicate glass chandelier hung from the light cream ceiling. A cherrywood-colored staircase stood politely to the left side of the entrance as a gentle, golden light shone on it.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFLuDDyRAP
A grey marble floor reflected the soft light, just like the reflection on the surface of water.
"She's here!" called Augustine. His voice wasn't very loud, but the acoustics of the entryway amplified his voice so that even those in the farthest corners of the dormitory could hear him.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" bellowed a voice. The sound of footsteps running echoed in the building.
Two young women rushed down the stairs while a young man slid down the stair railing. The rambunctious trio quickly made their way to Eva.
"Wow, an Aleilyian!!" exclaimed a young woman with dark teal hair. Her skin was of a warm umber color, and her surprisingly strong hands gripped onto Eva's tiny hands.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0EnsKfIHl
The woman wore a dusty, white button up shirt under a pair of baggy pants that tucked into large brown boots with faded gold designs embroidered on them.
By the way she held herself up, Eva could tell that she worked with the Perithalpshi; a group of people who worked on restoring homes and helping citizens affected by tragedy.
"How was your trip?" asked the young man with great enthusiasm. His skin was of a sepia tone, but patches of pale skin covered his face as well.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIZVTbk2cX
Straight locks of dark violet hair brushed against the large gold earrings he wore, and his bangs hung symmetrically above his eyes.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ032BjOl0DX
He wore a red, velvet tunic that went to his mid thighs. The tunic rested over a white, frilled shirt. Under the dress shirt and tunic, he wore a pair of tight, leather slacks.
There was no doubt in Eva's mind--the young man she saw was most definitely a minstrel of some sorts.
"Is your health is in top shape?" inquisitioned a girl with short and curly white hair. Her salmon-colored eyes gazed in Eva's with an innocent curiosity.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqChpC72LX
She was a dainty girl, with pearly skin and porcelain doll features. A white and cherry blossom pink nurses dress that went to below her knees was what she wore. Frills of lace hung from the end of her uniform, causing Evangelique to think of the girl as a princess.
"U-Uh...I, umm.." stuttered Evangelique. She was overwhelmed by the amount of attention directed towards her and wished it wouldn't show.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ65XlgHYJ
"You three, please, calm yourselves," said Augustine in a calm tone.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyxFJXYGHL
"I'm sure the young lady is quite exhausted from her trip, so perhaps introducing yourselves would be a more relaxing way of letting her feel welcome."
The trio backed away awkwardly.
"S-Sorry about that," stated the strong woman, fumbling with her hands. "I'm Yasha. Yasha Tenn."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXYGJ956PM
Her hands made her way closer to Eva, and in acceptance, Eva took it and shook it.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohuBDbcPQc
"I'm Althia Alcott," said the pale girl with a curtsey. "I'm sorry if I overwhelmed you before."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLrTrGAvJE
"It's no problem, really!" replied Eva happily.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnmcRz2uDV
"And I'm Cyril Adelfikos, Augustine's musically talented baby brother!" added the young man. He grinned ear to ear.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAeYZlyDrD
"It's very nice to meet you," giggled Eva.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eW6IjMh8Q
"Is Ago not here?" asked Augustine.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPccLpzv6oe
"Nah, he left an hour ago," responded Yasha.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGE6URzi2V
"Yeah, you know how the misses can be," mocked Cyril playfully.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmzXgM4bjV
"Does she worry about his timeliness?" asked Eva.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw80NUt7Qva
"It's the complete opposite, actually" replied Cyril. "He just worries so much about worrying her that he ends up leaving here before it gets late."446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyRPnoWHC8
"He's always so worried, while his wife is usually so calm," added Althia, giggling. "It's rather amusing to us!"
Eva laughed alongside them. She had only met her team, but she already felt so at home.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFAl5zPkeH
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The rest of the evening consisted of a tour of the dormitory, a hearty meal, and a lively conversation.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1AzJEWrTD
Evangelique sighed happily, as she closed the door to her new bedroom. She was exhausted and ready for a good rest.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXgy0lGhsf
She blew out the candle that lit up her new room and crawled into her own bed.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Mx29RTII
From the window beside her, she sleepily watched flurries fall to the ground. They calmed her and made her heart feel warm and peaceful.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7VScubSor
Just as her heavy eyes prepared to close, something caught her attention.
Eva quickly sat up on her bed, rubbing her eyes. She peered out of the window to see the most peculiar and magical sight.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWVZY0uo8F
A golden fox stood in the snow, looking directly at her. It waited in patience, watching Evangelque with sharp eyes.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqz9kG9KfA
Mesmerized by the animal's beauty, Evangelique jumped out of her bed. She quickly put on her soft, white slippers and grabbed her warm, light blue robe.
Before she knew it, she was out in the cold snow, running after a magical fox and the trail of camellias it left behind.446Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDGrW8h0vi
