In a short moment, a miniature, lifelike 'Cloud Circus' was born in the clearing beside the bonfire.
They possessed no true life, yet because of Seraphilia's meticulous control and the subtle intent she infused, they appeared full of spirit. The cloud pig rooted in imaginary'soil,' the cloud fox elegantly licked its 'paws,' the cloud tortoise stretched its 'neck' to reach a falling leaf, and the cloud rabbit curiously hopped to Robin's hand, rubbing its fluffy cloud head against her fingers.
A cool, soft, fluffy, and light touch reached her, carrying the reassuring, fresh scent unique to Seraphilia's ability. Robin finally couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
The laughter was light, like a feather brushing the tip of her heart, washing away the lingering gloom.
Seraphilia looked at her, feeling a sense of satisfaction greater than completing any mission surging in her heart.
This was the meaning of her fighting; it was the full reward for enduring Garp's hellish training and studying late into the night in Tsuru's classes.
She controlled the cloud rabbit to roll in Robin's palm, then made the cloud pig and cloud fox perform a 'chase.' Under her direction, the cloud lark flew a beautiful figure '8.'
Robin watched, captivated, her Violet eyes shimmering with a pure joy belonging to her age, a joy she had almost forgotten.
She stretched out her hands, and the little cloud animals affectionately gathered around, rubbing against her palms and arms, or frolicking beside her.
This quiet forest clearing, because of the presence of these cloud creations, seemed to transform into a fairy-tale corner temporarily detached from real-world troubles, a dreamscape belonging only to the two of them.
Little White also 'woke up' and floated curiously among its 'kindred.' It seemed very interested in these simpler, more 'childish' cloud creations, gently touching this one and poking that one with its cloud-vapor tentacles. The kaomoji on the screen constantly changed: ( ⊙ ˍ ⊙ )? ( ◕ ᴗ ◕ ) New friends! ( ～ ￣ ▽ ￣ ) ～ Play together~ It even tried to imitate the cloud rabbit's jump, resulting in it bouncing into a ball.
Seraphilia looked at Robin's relaxed smile, at the rare ease and pleasure in her eyes as she interacted with the cloud animals, and felt the fatigue from days of travel and the lingering soreness from training vanish into thin air.
She was willing to conjure these small, silent miracles for her every night, as long as it could earn her smile in this moment.
After playing for about half an hour, Seraphilia noticed a hint of weariness creeping into Robin's eyes, and her movements slowed down.
With a thought, the lively cloud animals successively dissolved into wisps of light mist, quietly vanishing into the night, leaving behind only a faint, moist freshness in the air.
"It's time to rest," Seraphilia whispered softly.
Robin was slightly reluctant but still nodded. She rubbed her eyes; as the forced alertness subsided, the sleepiness became more apparent.
Seraphilia reorganized the simple sleeping arrangement inside the shack, spreading out the thick new blanket bought that day.
Compared to the previous thin and worn one, it finally looked a bit like a 'bed' now, and it was warmer and more comfortable.
After a simple wash-up, Seraphilia extinguished the bonfire, leaving only a small, safe ember for warmth and insect repellent. The inside of the shack fell into darkness, with only slivers of starlight filtering through the gaps in the foliage.
Just as Seraphilia lay down on the bedding, a rustling sound came from beside her. Robin leaned over almost instantly, without hesitation, seeking the warmest and most comfortable spot, just like every night for the past two years in Black Iron Town.
But something seemed different. Perhaps the lingering effects of missing her for three months were too strong, or perhaps the reunion and all the care today made her cling to this sense of security more desperately, Robin nestled closer than ever before.
She first turned sideways, wrapped her arm around Seraphilia's waist, and buried her face in her shoulder socket, taking a deep breath of that reassuring scent, a mixture of faint soap, fresh cloud vapor, and Seraphilia's own aura.
Then, her hand fumbled, accurately finding the hem of Seraphilia's sleepwear, gripping it tightly.
The force was strong; her knuckles were slightly raised, like a drowning person grasping their only piece of driftwood.
She was afraid this was just too beautiful a dream, afraid that if she let go, she would wake up to the cold bedboard and boundless solitude again.
Seraphilia's body initially stiffened instinctively for a moment, then quickly softened. She turned sideways to face Robin, opened her arms, and pulled her more steadily and tightly into an embrace. One hand gently patted her back, while the other covered the hand gripping her hem, enveloping it gently.
She could clearly feel the subtle trembling in Robin's body, and the intense dependence and silent plea of 'Don't leave again' conveyed by the way she clung so tightly. Her heart melted completely, while a fine, dense ache arose.
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