Preparation

"Oh Lunaira…Did William say anything to you?" Of all things that had to be brought up, it had to be him. Honestly she wanted to laugh at her mother's question. Did he say anything? If only. Her job would be ten times easier if the man bothered to give his opinion or make decisions.

Anything would be better than him staying mute to the ongoing disputes and issues she had been forced to deal with. Not that there was any problem with the man himself. He was a nice guy once one had the pleasure of interacting with him. Rather, it was his organization that left a bad taste in her mouth. Things have flown south since its foundation a decade ago.

Not that she wanted to admit such a thing to her mother. She had retired from the irritating counsel meetings and slurring comments a few years ago. There was no need to drag her back into the hostile mind games that loved to cycle. So she paused, collecting herself. Sadly though, even when she took a moment, her response still came with an exhale full of flames.

"Let's just say my fellow hunters and I aren't getting along, still. For an alliance, no one seems truly willing to work together. Hate to say it, but he should've named it the Supernatural Solo Search instead of the Supernatural Assassination Alliance."

She had been part of the group from the beginning. Loyally investigating on top of physically stopping the ongoing outbreaks of Supernaturals that caused endless hardships for all manner of the living. Yet despite her sincere efforts, she was still constantly being ridiculed the moment people, both human and magician, believed they were out of her hearing range. Which wasn't a problem. She didn't care what they thought about her.

The world was so cruel and uncaring regardless of Lunaira's existence. There was no changing that unfortunately no matter how hard her efforts were. Not to mention her entire childhood was full of death wishes. What she was currently dealing with wasn't new in the slightest. With that...It was a different matter entirely when it came to the people she came to cherish.

The albino could not hesitate to pull punches against the danger she faced. It would be a lot easier to dish out those punches if she and her allies were on the same page. Something she had been trying to settle for ages with little hope in sight. She had to be Ori's Starlight Circus' first line of defense.

If she was left in the dark about everything due to their uncooperative thought process, that would spell far more risks, additional casualties Lunaira had no intention of allowing. It was ridiculous how they were behaving. Her being judged like an evil entity ready to be put down was an exhausting stigma she didn't want. They didn't even mistreat her due to her past, but simply because of what she was.

Just like how the relentless strain between humans and magicians was still prevalent despite the treaties that were made throughout the vast territories of this continent, that unlining frustration was there. Now granted, she understood the concerns. Magic was dangerous. It could do massive harm, hell, the manipulations of magic was what brought forth Supernatural's creation to begin with.

An albino spellcaster, who due to her massive amounts of magic was a walking explosion ready to go off. Yes, people should be terrified of the potential catastrophe she could bring. Anyone who wasn't was either a fool or arrogant, but still there were limits to the paranoia. Holding back vital information and refusing to properly communicate was a recipe for disaster.

It made Lunaira wonder about the meetings she was forced to particpate in. A bunch of different people arguing with one another only for a new rule added or change in the laws. Was that right? Did it solve anything? Frankly, she didn't believe so.

The SAA was supposed to guarantee the safety-protection, to not just those that were a part of the group but also those associated with them as well. The people Lunaira traveled with did not deserve the cards they were dealt in their lives. Her joining their ranks should've ensured that her companions' paths be a little smoother. Back then that was the deal. The status quo.

That didn't seem to be how it was now. Although William, despite Mama Ori's concerns, hadn't spoken with Lunaira per say, there was no denying that there was news of yet another set of revisions that would be brought up in the next meeting. Unfortunately, not a single draft as far as she knew carried favor for the magicians across the territories. Though the various towns and cities got their say on how severe these new laws should be reinforced, all of them would have to obey.

Unless overwhelming complaints flooded in time for another meeting, or William himself decided to take part in the discussions, it seemed their hands would forever be a losing one with their powers. She didn't join for the sake of a power struggle. Not wanting to cause further tension left her unable to voice her opinions and stand up for herself. Nothing was simple anymore, if it ever was.

"Lunaira what's-"

"Hey, Luna, Mama Ori, stop slacking off! We still got things to do right? Get over here!" At that both women turned, following Coco's shout. The redhead in question had her hands on her hips but had an upturned grin that was full of excitement.

All too easily, Lunaira's worry lines faded as she forced her current issues away. She could let her mind run off another time. Both her and her mother saw the others standing before them, beckoning them forward. Excitement with a hint of wariness hung from their waiting figures.

"We doing this or what?" Dusty of course had to put his two qios in. Lunaira chuckled to herself, her keen purple orbs finding bellies stuffed with determination embedded into the rest of their eccentric gazes. Even Marrow and Graves looked at her in anticipation, awaiting orders. She crossed her arms, casting a side glance her mother's way. Later...they would talk more later.

"You hear that, Mama Ori? These brats think they run the place."

"I suppose we'll have to remedy that."

Their conversation was temporarily put on hold. With each advance of their steps they got closer to those upbeat, bright-eyed faces. Lunaira sucked in a breath, releasing it as she bowed her head, taking a moment to regain her composure. All of her negative thoughts, each and every bit of discomfort was shoved into the deepest parts of her mind. They were locked away, sealed until the need to reopen them returned.

One breath, two...When she brought her head up, her mouth twitched into her typical smile. Her aggravations gone as if they were never there to begin with. She glanced between them and the tent. Her mental checklist fresh in her head while she shrugged at them with a nonchalant shrug.

"Well…If you all are so eager to get started, then I guess break time is over. Graves, stick with Kail, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Dante lead your boys to get our outdoor decorations, get a fire set up. Illese, you got the twins, decorating the inside of the tent. Marrow you're with me, we're getting Mama Ori's books to summon some of our animal friends for the show."

Each of them nodded their heads. Not a single complaint to be found, despite some of the obvious disappointed frowns that formed. Ori clapped her hands in approval. Later on, the two of them would hash out the roles each person would take on for the show. One step at a time, however. If they didn't get things properly set up there wouldn't be a show.

"You have your jobs; we've got a circus to run and very little time to get things done! Let's make some magic!" Lunaira raised her hand into a fist, her nails shone in the light that beamed down on her. Together, the rest of her troupe followed suit, their curled hands high into the sky. Their hair and clothes flapped alongside a short gust. Whatever ever had to be done, she would do.