<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/8zJR0PD_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&amp;shape=thumb&amp;fidelity=high)</div><br/>Light.<br/><br/>The air shimmered. It<em>blurred</em>. Motes of radiance, swirling, coalescing, taking form...And<em>what</em>a form it was! As the sacred radiance gathered, falling upon itself, a silhouette emerged - Streamers of light drawn to it, solidfying...Gathering itself~!<br/><br/>The<em>first</em>glimpse they would have of the new arrival: Long, shapely legs, sheathed in dark stockings - full curves, concealed beneath the black fabric of a school uniform, a pleated skirt fluttering in the breeze. Elegant features, calm and collected - and then deep purple eyes framed by midnight hair, glossy black tresses caressing slim shoulders, the supple arch of her back, in cascading waves!<br/><br/>"Where...?"<br/><br/>It was a soft whisper, in a voice as clear as a clarion bell - Pitched to carry, as long, long lashes fluttered...Lissome legs crossing with a supple scrape. Slim fingers clasped the strap of a sword-bag, the mouth drawn closed by a<em>himo</em>chord - Full lips shaping a thoughtful pout of surprise, that violet gaze taking in the scene before her...<br/><br/>Now, *this* was new.<br/><br/>As the heir to Arai Heavy Industries, Shizuka's (https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/641743) life was a carefully regimented one. She'd awake at 6 AM - Sword practice for precisely one hour, then another hour for her daily ablutions...After which the black limousine would be waiting to take her to Reien Academy. And all the while, she would be expected to conduct herself with the dignity, the poise, expected of a lady of proper breeding...<br/><br/>She'd absolutely<em>hated</em>it.<br/><br/>She'd been in the limousine, when it'd happened. Sitting ramrod straight, her hands folded on her lap, watching the scenery blur past through the tinted windows. It'd begun as a glow, around her, beneath her skin...Then there was the strangest sensation of tumbling, of falling sideways, before everything had gone black...!<br/><br/>And now...<br/><br/>She rose from her kneeling position, with a dancer's easy grace...Her midnight tresses swaying - A hand coming to rest on her hip! "...Where am I?" Shizuka murmured - Her gaze taking in the royal court, drawn inexorably to the King, as her slim fingers tightened slightly on her sword...Wary, but curious!<br/><br/>"What is this place...?"