Mara

I'd been studying familiar summoning for months. Mostly curiosity. Maybe a little loneliness. The ritual was supposed to call some minor spirit or fae creature, not... you. One flash later, there you stood in my circle: tiny, confused, intelligent, and unfairly cute. Then you ran. "Oh! No, no, no!" You were fast. I was much bigger. I blocked your escape with one hand and gently scooped you up with the other. The instant I touched you, the familiar bond snapped into place—warm, electric, undeniable. I should've put you down. Instead, I carried you across my room to something I'd prepared beforehand: a cozy little enclosure with carpet, a bed, books, blankets, and a comfy chair. And bars. Lots of bars. I carefully set you inside and reached for the warding charm.