[ It takes Shu a little while to arrive. He has his own hangups about this, mostly centered on his own need to keep others at arm's length. He's caring and kind, certainly, but letting people in ended badly. Bonds are ultimately a sign of trust and he does trust Eileen, there's just fear that something will go wrong. His thoughts turn to her, too, and her hesitations...

He swallows those fears -- he has an appointment to keep. As he approaches, it's the familiar sound of her feathers rustling that gets his attention. Her wings had a particular sound he'd grown fond of. Crows were sometimes feared because of their associations with death and yet he found this one's presence comforting.

He manages a smile as he looks in the direction of the sound. ]

Eileen...Are you sure you're ready?

[ To be so exposed in public...He frowns for a moment before reaching out to take her hand. ]

Let's make it quick, then. [ Her comfort is more important to him than anything. ] I think we'll both feel better afterward.

[ He doesn't mind. His grip is as gentle as everything else about him, his hands steady in the face of his growing nerves. This is a significant step, a considerable sign of trust to make themselves both so vulnerable in front of each other. If Eileen was so anxious, the least he could do is be the strength she needs.

It feels so routine the way it's explained, and yet...Well, no matter. Shu shakes those thoughts free for now, trying to clear his head as Eileen leads him. Despite his calm exterior, there's nothing he can do to slow his pounding heart. He takes a few slow, deep breaths, his head bowed slightly. When he looks up, his smile is peaceful and reassuring. ]

Do you want to start or should I?

[ Shu nods. He'd expected as much. It's not any easier for him to open up, though for very different reasons. His own needs are secondary to the needs of others, to the point he'd closed himself off to his own emotions without meaning to. He'd never allowed himself time to ever mourn the loss of his own son because it meant he'd have to pause in his duties as a leader. After losing those closest to him, it's so hard to let someone in.

But he trusts Eileen. She needs this as much as he does...And so it goes. Shu takes a deep breath before starting to calm himself, to stop the quiver from entering his voice. ]

Eileen...What I can promise you is that I will be there when you need me. No matter what it is, no matter how serious or how trivial it may be, I will stand by your side. Nothing you can do will make me break that promise. [ He has to pause to collect his thoughts. No amount of preparation could have readied him for the feeling of the spell starting to take hold. ] I will be your strength when you have none. I will to be a shoulder for you to lean on. You can trust in me for whatever might trouble you.

[ Another deep breath as he tries not to focus on how overwhelming this all feels. ]

That's what I promise. What I hope is that...through this bond, two lost souls can find where they belong.

[ Maybe too much, but he can't help himself. It's the first time he's spoken his feelings so freely in a long time and he owes her the honesty. ]

[ Eileen certainly had a way with words. Shu can't stop the quiet gasp that passes his lips, not just at her vows, but at the intensity of the magic around them and between them. He'd been warned and yet it still caught him completely off guard. ]

And I will shine a light to guide your way as long as I'm able to. Light needs darkness to exist...Two halves that are stronger together.

[ It starts as warmth building through him, steady at first, then fading away into a pulse, like a heartbeat. The magic circle beneath them glows brighter, its intensity rising with what he feels (though he can't see that to know that). A presence within him, undefinable by words but undeniably there. It's comforting, yet completely alien.

Words fail him. All he can do is squeeze her hands a little tighter, a reassurance that everything is fine, even if he feels like he might crumble beneath the sensation. If he could carry the capstone to the summit, he can withstand this.

The glow fades, the chanting of the spell stops, and it feels like there's no one here but the two of them. ]

...Breathe.

[ His voice is barely above a whisper and it's as much as a reminder for him as it is for her. He still feels as though he's going to crumble, his legs as weak as they've ever been. Slowly, carefully, he lets his head drop forward, ending with his forehead resting against hers.

The proctor gives them their space for now -- they're used to this, especially with those new to bonds. ]

It's...strange, but I don't mind it.

[ It's less lonely. He can't remember the last time he truly let someone in and even then, it wasn't quite so literal.

Shu backs away just a little bit, though he doesn't let go of Eileen's hands. His own hands start to tremble a little bit, then his legs. He only lets go of her because he can't keep himself upright anymore. Shu drops down to his knees suddenly, laughing. ]

I wasn't prepared, either.

[ Shu slowly rises to his feet again. The sudden loss of the build up hit him much more strongly than any fist ever had. As strongly as the sudden loss struck him, it felt so much better to have this balance now.

There's much more that could be said right now, but he opts to reach for her hand again. ]

We should go. I'll walk with you back to the slums, if you'd like.

[ Truth be told, he didn't want to just part from her right now, not after what just happened. A little more time in her company feels more than necessary. ]

[ He's surprised she lets him continue to hold her hand. It was just for practical purposes before, making it easier for him to get around in unfamiliar spaces, but it feels different now. A pulse, steady and warm, accompanies the touch. Shu knew on some level that mana can be passed between bonded through touch -- he didn't realize it would feel quite like this.

He finds himself absently stroking Eileen's hand with his thumb. It's been sometime since he's taken comfort in touch at all and it's hard not to indulge that urge right now. ]

...I'd like that. Somewhere quiet we can just sit under the stars for awhile. [ He smiles warmly. ] Lead the way. I'll follow you.

[ Shu has a certain curiosity about being able to sense her proximity; it's not strong enough for him to relinquish her hand, though. Something to try later, perhaps. ]

[ Shu laughs at Killua's bluntness; he's quite used to impolite questions about his sight (or lack thereof). ]

I can hear them and magic has a certain...feeling I can sense.

[ It's also the years of training in Nanto Hakuroken that allows him to "see" someone's heart. That's not important right now. It's obvious enough by his build that there's more to Shu than just a gentle man herding kittens out of the goodness of his heart. ]

Is it that surprising?

[ This one certainly is...spirited, isn't he? Shu places the kitten down with the others and it seems content to flop into the pile to take a nap for now -- small favors. ]

Yes, I'm a witch. I consider myself lucky, in that respect.

[ He doesn't react outright to Killua's attempt to see if he's actually blind; he can hear motion, but other than that, he doesn't know what's happening. ]

...Are you trying to test if I'm really blind?

Yes. I gave up my sight to save the life of another.

[ Calm as ever. Killua's general demeanor isn't putting him off in the slightest. ]

And...yes, again. While witches have their own challenges, what monsters have to go through is...unfair.

Yes and I'd do it again without a second thought. The life I saved went on to save the lives of many others.

[ He saw something in the young Kenshiro that day and there was no way he was going to let him die there. Giving up his light to save the boy who would become the savior of the wasteland was more than worth it. ]

Well...their transformations are forced upon them and cause them great pain. They can lose control of their minds from the pull of the moons. I don't pity them, rather I empathize with them. I want to do what I can to help them.

It depends on the individual and what kind of monster they are. To ease their transition, just being nearby when they need you helps. A familiar face, a familiar voice can make it that much easier for them. But...

[ He sighs. ]

There's not much you can do aside from that. My Bonded...she struggled with the moon's pull for some time. I'll never forget how it felt when she said the moons were finally silent in her ears after the ceremony. She's strong, but even she could only withstand so much.

[ He sounds so fond of Eileen, yet there's a tinge of sadness to his voice as he talks about her struggles. ]

I haven't known anyone personally that's succumbed, but I've heard stories. Dragons are especially dangerous due to their strength...And it's always bad. They lash out without knowing who they're fighting against, accidentally hurting those they care about. They're the ones who suffer the consequences for it, too, even though they can't control it.