When feasting her eyes upon the prize laid within her hands, Alena's eyes were filled with wonder.
In the small, neatly crafted box was an elegantly displayed necklace, which was nestled in a protective and spongy, silk covered fabric. It was a charming little necklace, where hanging off of it rested a large, beautifully polished gemstone which was bound in a decorative wire-like casing.
The site of the gemstone was somehow tantalizing. It was as if one could be lost observing it. When removing the necklace from the case, Alena examined it with awe.
"It's pretty," she muttered.
Sem placed his hand over her shoulder as he began to speak to her in warm, calm voice.
"This necklace had belonged to me and my mother before me. It's our treasured, family heirloom and has been in the family for many generations. It helped guide each of us on the correct path, but now my dear, this necklace belongs to you."
Sem couldn't think of a better gift to bestow upon his daughter, as she would soon begin a new journey that is all her own.
Alena slipped the chain on around her neck, as she turned to hug her father, overwhelmed by the significance of the gift. It was like her father told her he was proud of her, and he was. Alena was ever grateful.
"Thank you daddy," she cried to him humbly.
As he removed his hand from Alena's shoulder, Sem stood straight, taking his wife's hand.
"Now dear, you've got a long day ahead. It's almost time for your first class. Are you ready?" he asked his daughter.
Alena closed her eyes, nodding with a hum and a smile. Elijah contently waved his tail in a squiggly motion, as he could sense that she was happy.
The four of them left together as they made their way to meet the man who would be teaching Alena, preparing her for the extent of her initiation, over the course of the following two years.
When they arrived, Sem entered the temple's dojo and met with a man named Kenrir. He was another strongly structured man, who had long and spikey grey hair. He wore black robes the were suited for combat, and around the neck of his robe was a large, fluffy grey cuff, like a sort of animal was wrapped around his neck, and his eye brows were brown and bushy. A silver ribbon hung from the back side of each of his sleeve cuffs, and those cuffs were filled with white fluff. His nails were long and pointed, much like Alena's fathers. His tail was grey, long and overly fluffed out.
Upon approaching Kenrir, Sem bowed as to show a since of respect.
"Kenrir, I've brought my daughter Alena to join your class. I'd like to personally request that you look after her as though she were your own desciple," Sem said to him.
Kenrir's voice was long and deep.
"And under what conditions have you determined to bring her on this day?" Kenrir inquired.
After Sem explained Alena's situation, the two had discussed the terms under which she would be joining his class, and receive additional education. Thankfully, the two nekomata has a great respect for one another. After all, it was uncommon for a nekomata to be born male, and both in their lifetimes had achieved accomplishments of grandeur.
"Your daughter may join my class. I will do everything within my power to ensure she has the knowledge and resilience she'll need. And I'll do my best to sure she's ready for the road ahead," Kenrir proclaimed as he bowed with earnesty.
"Thank you," Sem replied, returning the bow.
At that moment, Sem walked away to retrieve his family who were waiting respectfully outside. As he returned with Alena, Sem formally introduced her to Kenrir. Kenrir was kind as he introduced himself to Sem's daughter and Elijah stood on her shoulder at attention.
"And who's this little one?" Kenrir asked.
"Elijah," Alena answered.
"Will he be attending with you?" Kenrir followed.
"He goes everywhere with me. We're best friends," Alena explained.
As Kenrir looked into the young girl's eyes, he saw her certainty. He blinked to her in a bow.
"I will allow Elijah too to fall under my wing, just as long as the two of you together agree to do your best," Kenrir informed her.
"We will!" Alena declared, pumping her arms into her chest with conviction.
Elijah waved his tail in agreement.
"Then with that, say your adieus and your class will begin." Kenrir was firm in his decision, and gave Alena the time she needed to say her goodbyes.
Alena turned back to her parents, and with a sparkle of determination, she bowed to her parents. In turn, they both knelt down in front of her.
"Now my dear, you be a good girl for Sir Kenrir and study well," Tatalia instructed her.
"I will mommy," Alena replied with sincerity.
"And don't forget to keep your chin up. You're stronger than you realize," Sem assured her.
Alena reached in to hug her family, as they held her close, together.
"I love you mom, and I love too daddy," she said to the both of them in a most heartfelt manner.
"We'll always be with you," Sem promised her.
As they let go, Alena took a few steps back, and curtsied to her parents before turning away and running up to Kenrir.
"I'm ready!" she said to him proudly.
Kenrir nodded in response.
"Then let us be off. There's much to catch you up on," Kenrir said, as they walked together into the dojo's main hall.
As they walked, Alena waved back at her parents, and they waved at her as the left the building.
The temple grounds were spacious and weeping sakura trees were neatly grown in the courtyard. The outer temple walls were white with red tile roofing, and had matching round, woven windows. Red, round pillars were built along the buiding to for a neatly aesthetic porch. Some weaving stone hedges lined the architecture around zen gardens which were kept nice and neat.
The dojo, which was off to the right side of the courtyard, was like any ordinary dojo. The most interesting detail, was a great metal sculpture that could be seen at the back wall.
"Hey, I haven't seen you around here before," remarked a young nekomata who's hair was split between black and white. She was a bit taller than Alena, and gave a tough impression as she approached her.
"Oh, hi! Yes I'm Alena! My parents sent me here to join your class," she introduced herself. Alena was a cheerful as ever when approached by this other student.
"Alena, this is Kara. She'll be one of your fellow students for the time being," Kenrir introduced.
Kara wore her hair tied up into buns with kanzashi, or rather, hairpins holding them in place. Two locks of hair hung down on either side of her face along with short bangs in the middle.
"Delightful," Kara stated sarcastically, "You better not hold the rest of us back," she said to Alena, "We've all worked hard to get to where we are now and there's little time for lollygagging."
As Kara walked back to join the rest of the class, Alena was left speechless as she wasn't sure how to react in the moment.
"Don't worry about Kara, she's a bit older than you are, and her own initiation will be starting soon, so she has been pushing herself and her fellow students so they can be prepared. She means well," Kenrir explained.
"Please stand in line with the back of the class. That's where I desinate the younger students," he instructed her, "I'll have a uniform set for you in time for the next lesson."
"Okay," Alena replied with a nod, before trotting over to the back row with her arms swung out.
It was now time for Alena's lessons to begin.