Camilla & Kara: Coming of Age

Miki sets the homemade cake down in front of her daughter, lit with a single candle, just as everyone in the room yells: "Happy birthday!"

The mio winced from the noise, despite knowing it was coming. "Thanks, everyone." She looks around the room, filled with her family, Camilla, William, and a handful of her other friends. She knew I was there possessing Camilla, thanks to her experience with us like this. "Thank you for being here." She bows her head. "And thank you for sharing this life with me." She slowly raises her cup of tea, and everyone else does the same.

Miki steps back in, now sitting on her feet. "Eighteen years have passed in the blink of an eye. Despite our disagreements, I don't think I could be prouder of your growth." Her gaze passes to each partygoer. "Each and every one of you have contributed to that growth in some way." Her stare falls on you and Camilla for a bit longer than the others. "I give thanks to you for aiding my daughter in becoming the best she can be, and humbly ask that you continue to do so. Cheers."

"Cheers!" Everyone yells as Kara blows out the candle.

. . .

"How are you feeling?" I ask Kara after nearly everyone else has left.

"Tired." She leans her head against my shoulder. "I may have gotten a bit better, but keeping things together for that long is..."

"Exhausting." I chuckle. Kinda reminds me of me back in the day... "Don't worry. I may be in Recuan, but I'll still be here if you need me."

'My' eyes roll. "That makes it sound like I'm not here..." Camilla intertwines her fingers with Kara's.

The kitsune giggles. "I'd never forget you, Cammy." She pauses a moment before continuing. "I'm sorry your 'big plan' for today isn't working out."

"Don't you dare apologize for that. I could've carried you around if it weren't for these damned fainting spells..." I feel a bit guilty at that, and Camilla pounds her thigh. "And stop feeling guilty! I already told you it's not your fault!"

Miki glares from across the room as she continues cleaning up. "Need I remind you that our ears are more sensitive than yours, Camilla?" Her fox ears twitch, having dropped the illusion since the last partygoer, William, had left.

"Sorry, sorry." Camilla reaches up and rubs behind Kara's furry ears, before whispering. "You know, if you'd told me when we were kids, I'd have gotten used to it a lot sooner." The couple giggles.

"I heard that!" Miki looks again, a curl in her lips, causing the girlfriends to giggle even more.

Satisfied with the situation, I de-possess Camilla before our timer causes another bout of headaches.

Camilla feels his presence leave and...a wave of exhaustion passes over her. She holds her head, her vision going double. "Miki..."

"Sleep well, young one." The matronly kitsune, hearing the changes in Camilla's breathing, had already begun to walk over. With her daughter's assistance, she gently lowers the brunette's head into Kara's lap. "How many is that, today?"

The mio pushes some of her girlfriend's hair out of her face. "Seven... They're getting more frequent..."

Miki purses her lips. "...I'm sorry, Kara. Between Gilford and myself, we should be able to do something, but-"

"Mother...I'm sure she'll be fine." Tears form in the young kitsune's eyes. "She's a fighter... She'll get through this..."