2024-02-23 - Stepping Up

Title: Stepping Up
Summary: There are serious things afoot, and Raiko knows she needs to step up so that she can do more to help Yumi. So she does something she's been putting off for a while...
Who: Raiko Takashima, Akinori Ayase (Takashima family friend)
Where: Raiko's Home (Chofu Suburban District)
OOC - IC Date: 2/23/2024 - Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Raiko fidgeted and got up to take one more pass through the small living room of her house. She had spent the morning cleaning, dusting, and tidying up as much as she could, and everything was in absolutely perfect condition.

Almost.

She frowned to herself, muttering, "I think I missed the spot, I bet I could do one more pass with the vacuum..."

"Dear," said Shiori gently. She was sitting primly upright on the back of a small stuffed chair, watching Raiko work. "The carpet is fine. It is good that you want to present yourself well to Ayase-san, but he is also a trusted friend. He will not be offended if there is one speck of dust out of place."

Raiko sighed and turned to her familiar. She was dressed in a simple black dress, over a white shirt with a black ribbon tied in a bow. This was specifically her witch's dress, that she used for conducting official Witch Business, such as when she was performing shifts at the Magic Academy. She had made sure to brush her hair out and braid it, tying off the end with a matching black bow. It would have been easier with her telekinesis, but she had done it all by hand. Some things were too important not to do them Right.

"I know, Shiori, but this is important. I have to make a good impression. To make up for... all of the bad impressions."

She'd managed to bring her grades up some, but... they were still nowhere near where they could be. She did, however, have one important advantage on her side.

"Raiko, dear, I have every confidence you will succeed. Remember--" Shiori stopped, and she flicked an ear sideways towards the door, then turned her head. "He's here. Remember, you are ready for this."

Raiko nodded. "Right. Thanks." A knocking came from the front door, and Raiko opened it with a smile. "Ayakun!"

Akinori Ayase was an easy-going man in his late 20's, with shaggy gray hair, and a perpetually relaxed smile. His grin broadened as he saw Raiko and exclaimed, "Hey, Takachan." He was dressed rather casually, in slacks and an untucked, short-sleeved shirt. He looked over the apprentice witch, and the smile faded slightly. "You're dressed up."

"Yep," said Raiko as she stepped back from the door. It was an implicit invitation, but not an explicit one. Thresholds were important, and she couldn't be too careful, after all. "I wanted to discuss some business."

"Ahh, I see..." Akinori stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "Then please allow me a moment to change." He snapped his fingers, and in a soft flash of light his appearance instantly changed. He was wearing a black robe now, the shirt now had a simple black tie, and his hair had been parted and combed out. "There we go. Thanks for waiting."

Raiko let go of some internal worry as Akinori entered the home without issue. She hated needing to be cautious about her friend, but in these times she couldn't be too safe. "Of course!" she said cheerfully. She turned and gestured to the kitchen. "I have some tea prepared."

They retreated to the kitchen, and Raiko served tea and cookies. Shiori joined them, laying primly on the tabletop as the two mages talked. They chatted for a while, catching up on various matters: how Raiko was holding up at Infinity (she was coping, thanks to some good friends), her grades and entrance exam results (Akinori was much delighted to see the improvements), and some other matters (such as Raiko showing off her enchanted phone case that would magically charge a phone; Akinori excitedly peppered her with questions about its workings.)

But once they had exhausted the small talk, Akinori's expression grew more serious. "If you want to ask about your grandfather, I'm afraid I don't have any news for you. But rest assured, we are sparing no resources to locate him."

Raiko sat up straighter, and Shiori did as well, curling her tail around her paws. "Actually," started Raiko. "I did want to discuss my grandfather, but about something else." She cleared her throat. "I know about his work. His real work, combating The Hungry Queen."

Akinori fumbled for a denial, but Shiori spoke up. "There is no need, Ayase-san. I have explained matters to her."

The older mage frowned softly at Shiroi. "Please forgive my rudeness, Shiori-san, but why would you do such a thing?"

"Because I found out about the Staff," interjected Raiko. "She had to explain about the Staff, my grandfather, and... my lineage."

The furrow of Akinori's brow deepened as he studied Raiko, then looked to Shiori once more. "Was this wise?"

"It was necessary," replied Shiori. "The details are not important at this time, but suffice it to say she entered the office due to a lapse in my vigilance. The Staff reacted to her presence, and the release of magic destroyed the wards protecting it."

"It what!?" The mage sat up suddenly, "Why didn't you report this? We have to protect the staff at once!"

"Ayakun," said Raiko softly. She put on a smile to try and reassure him. "It's okay. I have the staff now, and it's safe. I repaired the wards, too."

"But those wards were set by your grandfather, a mage of tremendous power and skill. I know you're skilled with enchantments, but there's no way you would have the strength necessary. Not without..." Akinori looked between witch and familiar as realization struck. "... wait..."

Raiko's smile broadened into a grin as she quickly slipped out of her chair and wordlessly held out her hand. The staff appeared in a shower of soft yellow sparkles of light. She grasped it tightly in her hand, feeling the power and the connection with the staff flowing through her. "Staff of Wise Levin, hear me! In my hand discovered be!"

She was engulfed in a bright light, and with a small roar of thunder the light burst to reveal The Witch of Wise Levin in her full regalia: a shirt and vest, cloak, frilly skirt, buckled boots and gloves, and of course, her witch's hat. She did a little pirouette and then posed with the staff. "Swift as the wind and powerful as a storm! The Witch of Wise Levin is here to help!"

Levin stood up from her pose, grinning. "Okay, I added that last part. I'm still working on it."

From the table Shiori just sighed quietly and shook her head slowly. It was one of her better attempts, at least.

Akinori was halfway to his feet as the surprising transformation took place. He stared, wordlessly, between Levin and Shiori, as if unable to believe his eyes. "But... you have not yet come of age..."

"As you can see," said Shiroi. "The Staff felt otherwise. And it is the final arbiter, in the end. While it has not been... customary for an inheritor to take up her staff so young, apparently there is nothing in the Staff's magic that specifically forbids it."

Levin let the staff go, which remained standing upright as she retook her seat. She carefully took her hat off and set it on the chair next to her. "You're right. As Raiko Takashima I couldn't have restored the wards. But as the Witch of Wise Levin, I could."

"I don't believe it..." muttered the older mage as he sat down again, holding a hand to his forehead. "I always knew you were a bright kid, but I wasn't prepared for... this."

Levin sighed. "It was... quite a surprise to me, too. It was kind of a day full of surprises, in fact." She sat up straighter, trying to project confidence and maturity, though plenty of her excitement showed through still. "But, well... I'm a magical girl now. And I want to register as one with the Magic Association. I know it'll mean more responsibilities, but... I think I'm ready to handle them."

Akinori's expression grew more somber as he considered the request. "Well, the Staves are certainly of interest to the Association, and I can clearly see that you are, in fact, a magical girl." He rubbed his chin softly as he thought. "We weren't planning on this happening quite so soon, but... I'll talk to the higher-ups and we'll sort this out." He studied Levin for a moment, looking her over. "How long...?"

"Almost four months," admitted Levin.

"Why now?"

Levin's hands figited in her lap as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "Several reasons. I guess I just... needed time to come to terms with being a magical girl. I never thought I'd become one, and well... I guess I wasn't really sure if I deserved to be one at first." She looked up. "But I've been working really hard to deserve it. My grades are better, I'm getting better at controlling the Staff's magic. And... well, there's people counting on me, too, who make me feel like I really can do this, so I don't want to let them down, either."

She took a deep breath. The next part was still concerning, but her staff lent its support, which helped steady her nerves. "There have also been some troubling developments in our fight with The Hungry Queen. We need more help, and more resources."

Steepling his fingers together, Akinori contemplated something silently for a moment. "That is troubling to hear. Your grandfather had a lot of plans, but I think we may have to go off-script from here on out." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a note, sliding it across the table towards Levin. "Take this. I was to use it in case... well, nevermind that. I think under the circumstances, you might make far better use of it than I could."

"What is it?" asked Levin as she accepted the note and looked it over. Shiori padded over to look, and they both frowned in thought as Levin turned the note over. There were several workings present--one of which Levin immediately realized was flawed, but the flaw seemed intentional. On the reverse side were several cryptic diagrams and several strings of magically encrypted text.

"I'm not certain," admitted Akinori. "But if it's tied to your grandfather's work, it will undoubtedly help you with The Hungry Queen as well."

"Thank you," said Levin quietly. The note vanished from her hands in a small spray of magical sparkles for safekeeping.

Akinori stood, and gave Levin a nod. "It was a surprise, but certainly a pleasure to meet you, Witch of Wise Levin. I'll go make the arrangements with the Association and get back to you."

Levin quickly rose from her seat and offered Akinori a formal bow, which the older mage returned. "Thank you, Ayase-san."

"Hey," said Akinori gently as he stepped forward to place a reassuring hand on Levin's shoulder. "I want you to know, no matter where your grandfather is, he would be so proud of you."

Raiko let her henshin go, her clothing replaced with her simple black witch's dress from before. She looked up to Akinori and nodded with a small smile. "Thanks."