The magic is subtle at first, soft threads of yarn slowly spiraling from the candles towards the center as the ritual progress, and as the last words are spoken they all connect at the center, under Selena.

The threads are the colors of the full moon, of the new moon, of the blood moon, and as they reach the center they start slithering over Selena, covering her in colored spirals, all over her body, over her head.

They start to strain until, as they finish enveloping her,  they snap from the candles, snuffing them out. They briefly collect in a circle above her head, then fly out of the window and start towards the moon.

And then, too faint to be perceived by human ears, "Thank you, sisters. My light will guide you."

She's watching the magic flow intently, when suddenly her ears perk up.

"-Ah. Luna." Pause. "You don't sound like the moon I know, but you're welcome."

Then she claps her hands.

"Good news! You're not a witch. You're a priestess. Bad news! I absolutely can't help you with magic!"

"What do you mean? You know I don't worship the Church's god! And besides, they only have male priests, they would never allow a priestess."

"I heard a goddess, just now."

She shuts her eyes and plays the message at human volume with an illusion.

"Swear on my tail it's not a prank or lie. One hundred per cent serious."

"She... thanked us?"

"I feel so... inadequate. Even this ritual is... a mash of things I tried and yet... She has seen us."

"Why do you say you can't help with the magic? You just did, She thanked us both..."

"I suppose so... But I mean, your magic is not the kinds I'm used to. It's going to be... A conversation and understanding between you and your goddess. Not something I can poke and prod at. That's how these things worked at home, anyway."

"I see."

She sits in silence, her eyes on the moon, letting her mind be free of worries for a moment.

Selena puts away the candles and clears the floor of all the signs with practiced ease, then gestures to follow as she goes back into the kitchen.

"So, what did you see?"

"Mm! So- It was pretty... Slow? There was a lot of magic in the outer circle and the magic reached inwards from the candles, but very slowly, moving from each candle in a sort of inward spiral..." She illusions up a display. "It all met in the middle when we said the final words, then burst out and I couldn't follow it after that."

"Ooooh, pretty... hope you enjoyed the view! I think it goes to Her after that..."

She sighs contentedly, and slumps on the chair.

"I have a question for you, but don't know how to phrase it. Let me think."

"So. First thing first. I'm really happy with hosting you and would be happy to do that for a long time, even before considering that you're already pulling your weight, your hunting is more than enough to cover any expenses we may have - for the both of us, really."

"That said, what are your plans? Are you leaving soon? Would you like to stay for long? Mostly to understand if I should be planning for two for the winter. Again, I'd be happy to host you." Please just stay forever.

"I dunno. I mean, I should think about poking around for the way home- Rift or no rift, the Spirit World always has a way home, eventually- But I'm not really in a hurry? And it sounds... Nice, to just take a break and do not much for a while. Not forever, but, a while. I like travelling. I think I'll like basking in the peace, there's not even a tiny whiff of curses around here, so thank all the gods for that..."

"It's definitely a good place to settle and thrive. The earth is generous, the people are kind - well, mostly kind - and the weather is mild."

"Mmm. I'm not a settling type... It's, I can't remember the poem, but there was this saying about - wings and roots. Some people are birds, and some people are trees, and they can complement each other. I'm definitely more bird-like than tree-like."

"Well, then feel free to perch here while your wings are not calling you away. I think I'm a tree, I like being here, being part of the web of life, nourishing and being nourished."

...This calls for a hug, complete with tail wrapping around legs.

Hugs are good. Hugs with fluffy tails are the best.

She'll lean into the hug, feeling utterly safe and comfortable.

Maybe a bit too comfortable, as she falls asleep for a split second before catching herself.

"Uh, whops. Guess I'm more sleepy than I expected. I should probably embed soon."

"I guess it's about that time, yeah. Tomorrow's a new day and all. Same sleeping arrangement as before...?"

"If you want, I'd love that."

Good thing the room is only lit by moonlight, so it's harder to see her blush.

"It's comfy, warm, and helps me build magic up... What's not to like. I mean, if you're comfortable with it."