Unaware of commonplace practices regarding the idea of familiars, Alexis' request struck me off guard. What use did I have for a familiar? Granted, I didn't particularly know the specifics of the request, or even how one went about acquiring a familiar and so any idea I might have might be... strange, really. In all reality, what did I know about the practice? Taking a moment to digest her request and contemplate what that might require of me, I felt my eyebrows rise and an expression of minimal to moderate surprise arrange my features. I had nothing to say to her first comment, her words enough to assure me that there was no gaggle of psychotic suitors following her to my door â€" it reminded me to allow her to step inside my home and lock the door behind her.

"Alexis, have you actually thought this through?"

My voice teetered on exasperated, the air of a tiresome scrutiny bordering my words. I wasn't irritated with her presence (I would have been minutely annoyed with anyone, lets be honest) per se, but more annoyed that she seemed to feel in debt to me after what I'd done for her by showing up in the nick of time and brutalizing some predators. Could the young woman do much for me in the way of protection â€" isn't that what familiars help do? Little furry animal body guards, at least that was my impression granted I had seen so little of the practice in action. Raven and Serafina were my only examples; examples that might not portray the idea in a positive light.

Gracelessly, I passed Alexis to find a place on the couch to sprawl haplessly and shut my eyes for a moment to contemplate her request further. Obviously, I wouldn't have an answer for her then and there... but it was wrong if I ignored it all together. When her gaze reached mine, I blinked as if to let her know there was a sense of domesticated docility being exerted. Flighty and nervous, I'd come to think of Alexis as a flight risk rather than a fight risk. Would that ever change? Doubtful, and without any malice did I think of the woman as something to protect rather than exercise my magic beside.

"I hope you're not expecting an answer right this moment... But tell me, why do you want this? What made you want to offer yourself like that?"

Inquisitive and curious, I let my heavy crystalline gaze rest on her as if to attempt to force a long winded answer. After all, she seemed to know more about this than I did and I was rather interested to hear her out.