Through a teleport circle, to meet our Lady

Picking up Ichika on my shoulder, I follow closely behind Nanase as the leads me through the cobbled streets. Eventually, she brings me into an unassuming windowless building with no labelling that I could see. I would have assumed that it was just a warehouse for something. That impression soon went away once I had entered. There were several armed man around the room-they seemed to look past me to share a set of glances and nods with Nanase. They seemed to have much more professional and heavy-duty gear than that the local guards had. Proper soldiers, not the slightly-promoted thugs on the more local level. And, more relevantly, is what they were watching over-a circle on the ground. Judging by the intricate patterns within it, and the fact it glowed a very specific bright blue, it had to be magic in some way. In my last life, it was the color of my favorite types of lamps-xenon tubes. In this one, it appeared to be the color of raw mana-like the potion I could store my own in.

Not sure how to use it, I just alternate between looking at the middle of it, and looking at Nanase. A few seconds of this, and she shoves her way past me to step into the middle-where she just fades away until she's no longer there. Seeing nothing else to it, I soon stand where she was. The process is...a bit odd. Honestly, a bit like what reincarnating while concious was like. Everything around me just seems to transition into a new environment, replacing what once was there.

At first, could have been mistaken for not noticing. One dark place with a circle and arm soldiers standing about was much like another. However, there were differing details. Like the floor being some cloth instead of stone, and the ceiling being some kind of dark canvas. It looks more like we'd entered some massive tent. Walking out through the front of it, I find Nanase waiting impatiently-and more interestingly, also that assessment was incredibly accurate. Not only was where we'd come from a tent-but there was practically a sea of them as far as I could see. If there had ever been any grass in this field, it had long been trampled underfoot to reveal only bare earth. Off in the distance, there was an imposing set of stone walls. Combined with the soldiers swarming the place, my mind put two and two together: looks like we're some kind of temporary ****. I'd need to see more to say if we were on offence, and this was a siege encampment, or if we were on the defense, and this was a garrison reserve.

Walking along with the assassin practically without thinking about it, I mostly look around, trying to take in anything about my environment. Whatever the purpose was, things seemed quiet for now. Eventually, we're brought to one tent easily distinguishable from the rest-a resplendent red instead of a more standard dun and tan of raw canvas marking it as something important. Stepping inside, I feel inexplicably disoriented. Scanning my eyes around, it takes a moment for me to piece together why: space here is...off in a way that's unpleasant. Bigger on the inside. TARDIS logic. Frankly, this place looks more like a study from a castle than something you'd find on a battlefield. Nanase holds out a palm, indicating for me to hold still, while she enters another room to chat with several others.. At least three others, judging by the voices-muffled as they are. Eventually, two left, one tapping me on the shoulder before pointing inwards.

My impression earlier was only strengthened was Orchid sat there, seemingly more absorbed in writing something down, while a large table covered in letter and a few maps stood in front of her. Like me, she appeared to have taken on a human disguise-albiet, hers was a lot closer to resembling her actual shape than mine did. Not knowing why the heck I was there, I just waited mutely to be spoken to. For once, I was in the presence of something I knew was more powerful than myself-and almost instinctively felt anxious because of it.

She doesn't even look up as she finally addresses me. "You're young, so I'll forgive the faux pas, but its rude to not show your real face." In a poorly thought-out move, I shoot back, before registering my mistake halfway. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours-er, I mean, sorry, wasn't sure how well your troops could be trusted in my presence." Complying with the implied order, Ichika's weight suddenly feels a lot lighter as my tentacular form shapes up-making the fit a lot tighter, a hairs away from being stuck in the door to this section. My favorite ability now activated, a suspicion I had was confirmed as I looked at Orchid-and got a good look at the snow-white ears and set of tails that she had kept from normal sight, now all to clear to mine.