World 1.10

The next morning finds Yuri in a completely different part of the temple. She wasn't a hundred percent sure where she was supposed to go, even with Kaoru's directions, but with Andromeda's spectral form scouting ahead and leading her along, she made it.

Thus far, what she'd seen of the temple had been decorated with warm, bright colors- earthy reds and browns and yellows, mimicking a welcoming fire.

But the corridor she stands in now is adorned with cool colors- predominantly blue, with touches of purple and turquoise- lending it an air of mystery. If the warm section of the temple is a cozy hearth wherein one is surrounded by family, then this place is a library where one can relax without having to be sociable.

So, this is it? Yuri questions.

Yeah. Andromeda answers, having returned herself to Yuri's mind.

Yuri herself stands before a silver door- well, silver to her anyway, assuming it's the same as what she's thinking of. It looks innocuous and doesn’t really stand out from the other doors along the corridor.

So why am I so anxious?

Because, Andromeda answers unprompted, you’re about to meet someone potentially new-to-you, and don't want to make any mistakes.

Yeah...that sums it up... Yuri agrees awkwardly.

Don't worry so much- you'll probably never see them again after this. Plus you do need to get your clothes back, right?

Yuri nods, swallowing down a nervous lump in the back of her throat. Yeah. You're right.

She takes a breath and without giving herself time to think, opens the door.

The room she steps into is round. The walls are lined with all kinds of books, and across from the doorway is something that looks sorta like an atelier.

And standing in front of it, looking up as the door opens, is an unfamiliar woman with bright blue eyes and a wild mane of long blonde hair. Does she even brush that thing?

A light laugh, like tiny bells, and Yuri's cheeks flush as she realizes she'd said that aloud.

"I-I'm so sorry! What I meant was, um, well...ah..."

The woman waves her inside.

"Don't worry your cute little head about it," she says with an easy smile. "That's the whole point- to surprise people, y'know?" The door shuts as Yuri enters the room. "Now, you're here for your clothes, yes?"

Yuri nods. "Yes, miss..."

"Tilda. Just Tilda. Mistilda was my grandmother."

"Ah, T-Tilda then. Um, I would like my clothes back, please- if it's no trouble."

Tilda laughs again, more boisterously. Yuri almost swears she sees shark teeth in Tilda's mouth.

"Ohoho! When you say it so shyly like that, I can't possibly say no! Gimme just a sec!"

Tilda returns her attention to her workspace while Yuri stands there uncertainly.

"Just gotta tweak this itty bitty bit here...done."

She turns back around, showing Yuri just what had become of her former sleepwear.