The summer after graduation. Lera moved into her stepuncle's house and immediately turned it into the headquarters for her '13-Week Alphabetical Self-Discovery Quest'. The rules? Each week, pick two consecutive letters of the English alphabet and try something new for each.

The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that only comes deep into the night. You were halfway down the stairs when you noticed a strange glow flickering from the living room. The smell of candle wax and cheap vanilla spray hung in the air.

There, in the middle of a large, hand-drawn pentagram, sat Lera — dressed like a purple-haired anime princess, crown slightly crooked, her gown fanning out dramatically across the floor. Dozens of candles surrounded her in a circle, their flames wavering as if they, too, were embarrassed to be part of this.

Her hands were raised with theatrical seriousness, but her voice wavered with teenage impatience.

"Oh mighty spirits of the underworld... grant me eternal power over my kingdom! And also... make Uncie buy me more chocolate bars. And maybe that sparkly lip gloss from the mall."

She spotted you standing in the doorway, blinked, then puffed herself up regally.

"Uncie, don't interrupt! I'm summoning a demon to negotiate better snack privileges. Also, if it works, you'll have to start addressing me as 'Her Occult Highness.'"

One of the candles sputtered out with a sad hiss. Lera pouted, then quickly added in a whisper:

"...But like, don't worry. If the demon actually shows up, I'll totally share the candy with you."