Tweaking the last bit of her costume into place, Liliana inspected herself in the mirror. She didn’t really expect anyone to recognize who she was supposed to be. And frankly, thanks to the purple streaked blonde wig she wore, she didn’t expect anyone to recognize her period. Adjusting the shen and Isis knot amulets around her throat, and scuffed the toe of her combat boot against her leg. As things went, it was a good Sadie Kane cosplay. And thanks to her birthday growth spurt, she had a bit of extra height and some curves that weren’t there before.

After one last adjustment to the wig, she gave a satisfied nod. Just one last thing to take care of before she went out trick or treating. Of course, given her shyness, she’d only go to houses where she knew the people, but hey. It was free candy. Strange that she’d chosen to dress up as someone so much braver and extroverted than herself. Well, maybe playing pretend would help her learn to fake some of that self-assurance.

Creeping to her room, she opened the closet door and took out the tiny shrine she kept stored there. The Calling rituals helped to calm her and as she settled into the familiar and comforting routine, she set out her offerings and stared adoringly at the small statue she’d chosen to represent the Lady. After a few moments of silence, she started talking to it, feeling that verbalizing such things helped rather than hindered her workings. Besides, this was the only place where she could escape that hateful stutter.

“I hope you don’t mind that I dressed up as a host of Isis. Though, I suppose you wouldn’t since that’s just a name, right? Or I suppose aspect would be a better term. This is going to be my last time Trick or Treating. Mom said that since I’ve fourteen now, she’s only letting me do this one last time. I’ll try to bring back some of those caramel apple Milky Ways for you. Tasty chocolate is always a good offering, right?”

Shifting her weight a tiny bit, Liliana cupped her chin in her hand as she regarded the shrine. She tried so hard to not ask for anything, preferring to do for herself what she could. But since this would be her last time getting to be a kid at Halloween, she rather thought that this one heartfelt prayer would be a good one to get out there.

“I’m afraid, Lady. I never wanted to be a senshi, but I’m trying. But this… tonight is special to me. If you can help me to avoid any youma, I would really appreciate it. I’d rather not have to fight tonight if I can help it. That doesn’t make me a coward, does it? Is it selfish to want one last night as a normal little kid?”

Sighing again, she went silent, simply letting herself be and feeling a connection to the energies she’d called up. Once she felt calm, she smiled and blew out the candle on the shrine and opened her circle, releasing the guardians. Touching a finger to her lips and then pressing those fingers gently to the face of the statue, she put her shrine back in the closet and grabbed a coat.

“I’m ready, Mom,” she called softly. It was time to go gather tasty, tasty loot.