As they both left the café together, the sun had already started to set, and the air was a bit colder, which had been why Lei had given up her coat to Yu.

This had been to warm her up, but regardless, her nose was rather red. It was amusing to see, since she already knew, Yu to be a night person and she kind of wondered, not wondered per sé, she just thought this to be rather ironic.

It was currently summer. She wondered, what she might look like in winter? However, in Yu's defense, this coldness was a bit unusual, and mainly due to the breeze that consistently blew from the pacific.

They went a bit aimlessly for a while, but as long as they were side by side, they also did not feel the urge to talk too much. They just enjoyed each other's company and felt content that they were near each other.

"Isn't this strange?", Yu whispered softly and stopped in her tracks. "I'm sorry, if this makes it more awkward for you… I should just shut up and enjoy that this feels so easy. But..." - "No I get it, it was always so straining, or somehow obstructed beforehand… Honestly, I'm also a bit confused, but I don't hate it, and especially that you assess it as such, really doesn't bother me. Still what bothers me is that, that… I don't know, how fast I can go.", Lei admits, a smile glittering from her full lips to her beautiful golden eyes.

"Yeah I know what you mean... I'd probably marry you on the spot, and we don't know each other at the moment. Maybe you snore, or maybe you don't want kids. Or maybe when my parents really meet you, they will be opposed, because you are a dragon...", Yu again babbles her thoughts out loud that had been swirling in her mind, and feels a bit embarrased, while doing it.

This is indicated via a hint of pink colouring her cheeks and the tips of her slightly pricked ears. These string of phrases cause both of their hearts to quiver, and Lei due to this, while she looks visibly shy, avoids Yu's sparkling glance. Lei lowered her long lashes and pressed her lips together, and it was a rather telltale sign, for the butterflies swirling in her stomach.

Yu's eyelids flutter a bit, as well, while she is beaming excitement mixed with embarrassment, but also with unbridled joy.

"As far as I know I don't snore, but I also don't sleep very long. I do want kids, but yes cross species off-spring, will be a challenge. I would have to ask my father about it, or maybe a witch, what the easiest way would be and how to go about it...", Lei said and then she was biting her lip, as she realised that, she too, would marry the other right away.

Not because any other partnership was insignificant in comparison, but because she really felt, how she wanted to lay claim on this fox. It somehow felt right, and how she wanted to feel, when getting to know someone.

Her instinct, which was usually rather quiet, now raised it's head and glared at the mammal in front of it, like a predator would.

Yu wasn't better off as well, for a fox, she did not lack cunning, but she only used it if necessary, and maybe choosing to not use it, was cunning in and of itself.

The fox spirit felt a strong urge as well, to stay with the other and wrap her tail around her, and take her to her pillow cave. So that she would never have to let her go.

Admittedly it was a bit scary, but also whatever connected them, also calmed them and when they each consulted their hearts and minds, there was not much opposition to be spoken of.

"What now?", Yu looked at her a bit hesitant and her smile faltered slightly, as she was overwhelmed by awkwardness.

"Well...", Lei looked up to her and resisted to take her hand. "We could still start dating.", she whispered. They stood near a street lantern and the pavement was mostly empty.
Yet, even though PDA was quite common in France, she was still very aware of differing customs, due to her travels, but also because of her Zhōngguó rèn father.

"Will you go out with me?", she used the typical Nihongo phrasing from a confession and smiled, her voice very low, but both of their gazes locked now.

Yu was tempted to say no, not because she didn't want to date Lei, but somehow this was just so fast and weird.

However instead she nodded in agreement.

"Technically, we are going out, already. You took a bit long to officially ask me, how dare you.", Yu joked, the pink of her cheeks and ears turning scarlet, when she avoided the gaze of the other again.

"Apologies. I'll send 3 letters next time.", she chuckled and then both started to laugh, gazing at each other again, narrowing their eyes, before they had to close their eyes from the laughter that still emitted from them.

This moment really encouraged them. They seemed to be similarly weird, so why should they hesitate? However, they wouldn't dare to do anything other, before asking their parents' approval.

Because they wanted them to be on board, and they also believed that they would be.

In the rare case that they wouldn't be, they would probably find it very hard to not stay together.

It was likelier that they would put a lot of effort into convincing them, instead of dating regardless of their blessing.

This was what they would both be more comfortable with, and if nothing worked, then they probably would not stop seeing each other… still… it was not what they wished for.

Maybe they would try, to not date, but in the end.. Both were aware that this was very strong.

It was not uncommon albeit very rare, even in the Magick community.

There was no reason for them to be opposed, though.

Why? Technically both of their parents had already been in the know that something was about to happen here, why would they oppose now?

Also, why should they test their determination? Yes, they did prefer a forever kind of approach, but Lei's grandma had also had someone else, Lei’s father, before settling on a european phoenix.

And who said it would not be forever? Just because it was this recent... Sometimes it didn't need so much time.

"I could also ask my father for tips... My parents will be back in this timeline in a few days, we can meet them then.", her blush was so heavy now, so Yu hesitantly grabbed Lei’s hand.

"Argh... What should we do? The day is so long? Did you have anywhere we should go to?" - "Hmm I was thinking maybe a museum. There is one exhibition about ancient music instruments... And new ones, and maybe you would be interested. You told me that you played the Seul back in the day. So, I thought you would like to see it." - "Yes, I also still own one, but it is mostly obsolete, because they added strings to the Gayageum. I can also play the Biwa and I ... ", Yu beamed her cheeks flaming even more now, not from the cold.

Lei smiled and her eyes sparkled with happiness.

She let go of her hands though, but then she held out her elbow.

"I hear they also have a section with European instruments. Maybe even a Stradivari.", Lei pressed her lips together tentatively and Yu happily put her hand on the inner side of Lei's elbow.

Her fingertips grazing the fabric and vaguely hovering, before she nodded and followed Lei to the museum.

They walked.

Not only because they were fast, or liked to be alone together, but also, because they really liked to look up into the stars and watch the moon slowly filling up, which was about to turn from a waxing gibbous into a full moon and then into a total eclipse - in the next few days that is.

The breeze grew warmer the moment they passed an open door. The smell in the air differed, it smelled of food near stalls and restaurants. Or a faint hint of flower's overcame them, when they neared parks or overgrown buildings.

And when they neared the museum, they could smell various colours and parchment.

It was tantalising and though, both of them already had acute senses, they seemed a bit more on edge right now.

Both of them still carried faint smiles on their faces and as they had talked, sometimes, they cracked a laugh again and again.

They entered the museum and followed the signs to find the beginning of the exhibit, which they had wanted to visit.

It was not allowed to make pictures. But there were professional pictures on the website with descriptions, for after their visit.

The museum was not empty, but also not full.

Lei paid closer attention to the signs, so that she could lead Yu from piece to piece, and also to keep to themselves.

Yu had soo much trivia about the instruments and sometimes Lei also had some, when it came to french and Zhōngguó instruments.

It was nice to talk about the connections and similarities or differences, since technically instruments, in their original form were kind of similar, and if someone invented a new version and shared it, of course another person would adapt it to their preferences.

If this happened from person to person, it was only natural for it to happen between cultures.

"I was mostly focused on the history of art, but at the same time art often references instruments, which helps us date it back to the approximate time of the invention. And construction designs are even more valuable.", Lei says, even though aware of it, she was still a bit in awe of all the pieces in the museum, because she had previously not put a lot of thought into it, during her university courses.

"When did you finish your MA?" - "5 years ago.", Lei answered. "It's also a habit of mine to occasionally restudy, see what the mortals found out, and where they are still wrong and what is new." , Yu nodded to Lei's statement. "I'm the same. It's fascinating and it helps to acclimate to the current times. Especially, the contact to the Youth and it is more useful to achieve certificates in the classical way.", Yu needed to laugh and put a hand in front of her lips. "Now, I sound so old, sorry." - "What should I say?", Lei inquired quietly bringing a rasp into her voice to sound even older. Both laughed together and hid this behind their hands, to be not too disturbing.

After almost two hours, they left the museum and Lei suggested to bring Yu home. She shook her head though, and insisted to bring Lei back instead.

After a small discussion Yu convinced Lei, and Yu brought her to the hotel, which Lei had checked in to. Lei took back her coat after she had insisted that Yu keep it, but she had declined.

"Can I at least call a cab for you?" - "Don't worry about me. I'm warm now. I will head straight home. Besides I don't live too far away from you.", Yu promised and Lei nodded.

Yu slightly brushed her knuckles against Lei's shoulder, before turning around and leaving.

Lei watched her for a long time and was glad that the shoot tomorrow was at a later juncture.

Since she was still a side character, she didn't have that many scenes.

However, this might change, once she told the director the idea that Yu had come up with. If he hated it that was fine too, but if not, why not?

How was Yu supposed to be at two places at the same time, though? Or maybe she had off days from uni? And she did say that she and her family dabbled in chronomancy.

Lei was sure that if the director liked it, they would find a way!

After Yu disappeared, Lei also turned around and entered the lobby.

Mini Theatre: If Yu had been integrated into the world, she had stumbled into via a wormhole Part II

Around season three, which played in Montpellier in France: The subtext remained for the most part, well subtext, but was also gradually increased to text. This had started in season 2 and the show had started to become more of a treasure hunt/found family kind of story.

The vibe resonated a lot, and guest stars from previous episodes and seasons were mandatory.

In real life Draciáne had revealed her identity to Yu and introduced her to her fathers.

The revelation of that and that she had immediately wanted Yu to wear each and every of her designs, had made Yu blush heavily.

Lei's parent's lived in Montpellier, so it was a good occasion to introduce them to one another. One of her fathers was a jeweller, while the other had a tea house. They spent mostly peaceful days at the coast and in the old house.

Even though Yu sometimes felt misplaced, this was as happy, as she could be in a reality that outright rejected the idea of it.

Lei on the other hand was used to ignoring it, not interfering unless for self-defense and suggested they leave the biz soon.

It wasn't easy though to find somewhere to settle. Her father's territory was too vast, and bordered Lei's grandmother's and her wife.

Her siblings and her other father's siblings, also had taken most of the other territories, and who would share? She would marry a fox, this didn't help. They all tried to get to know her regardless of the prejudices, but they still remained somewhat distant.

In the end, what choice did they have, but to settle in an illusion designed bei Yu?

However, they stayed on earth for about 10 years before that, and they went to Kyoto to meet Yu's parents.

The illusion and pocket dimension was not for her and her parents, but they visited later on.

What could they do with this world? What should they do?

Everyone brave enough tried their best, and among those were some of the many siblings of Lei.

However, it really took until the firstborn children from Lei and Yu, before change started to occur and as it did not happen linearly, but in bursts and withdraws, as the ebb and flow of the ocean, it was awfully slow and fragmentedly fast.