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Welcomed and Unwelcomed Things It was Tenou Haruka who opened the door. She gave the American a piercing look as she stood in the doorway. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to see Meiou-san,” Celeste replied. “Really?” Haruka said, not budging. “Please, I need to see her. I need her help.” That admission seemed to surprise the blonde. She studied the American for a long moment. “Wait here.” Celeste was grateful that the door wasn’t exactly slammed in her face. She studied the door as she waited. She fought the urge to rock on her feet. The door soon opened. Setsuna had a coat in her hand as she stepped out of the door. Someone spoke from inside and she leaned back in to reply. She quickly shut the door and faced Celeste. “Thank you for seeing me, Meiou-san,” Celeste said, bowing. Setsuna returned the bow. “I am always happy to see you. But this is not a social visit, I think.” “No, it is not,” Celeste admitted. Setsuna put on her coat and guided Celeste away from the residence. “Let’s go for a walk. We won’t be able to speak privately here.” They walked for quite a while in silence. Celeste doubted that Setsuna wanted to have their conversation on a public sidewalk. The Japanese woman led them to a park, quickly finding them a bench in a relatively deserted area. “What brings you here?” Setsuna asked in English. Celeste pulled something out of her pocket and placed in the other woman’s hand. “I was hoping if you can tell me something about this.” “It’s pretty,” she murmured, studying it for a moment. She glanced up at Celeste. “Where did you get this?” “From the ashes of a cat creature I defeated over a day ago.” “What are you not telling me?” Celeste sighed and leaned back. “There has been a string of attacks in the city. Teenage girls of average height and dark hair are being attacked and sometimes killed. I have encountered several creatures of different kinds, but they were all too stupid for this kind of planning.” “Someone is searching for a specific person or thing.” “Exactly. But the only thing I have that may help me is that black disc. Selene was unable to find out anything about it. I’m hoping you can.” Setsuna studied the disc, running a fingertip over the glossy surface. “I know how difficult it is for you to ask me for help, so the situation must be looking quite bleak. But I am able to help somewhat.” “Really?” “Yes. Watch.” She ran a fingertip in a deliberate pattern over the surface. The disc suddenly flared with black light. Celeste gasped as she peered closer. “Not too close,” Setsuna warned. Celeste pulled her head back. Setsuna traced another pattern. The light vanished and the disc resumed its normal form. “What did you do?” Celeste demanded. “There is nothing special about this disc,” Setsuna said, “in and of itself. It has been infused with dark energy. That’s not a common ability.” “Why fill it with dark energy?” “The monsters are unnatural. There would be a tendency for them to fall apart. By placing a source of dark energy in the creatures, they would last a little longer.” “Wonderful, monster preservative.” “Exactly. You are making your enemy change his tactics. Things are not going as he planned.” “You think.” Setsuna shrugged. “You have not found one of these before. I imagine that the creatures are becoming more difficult to defeat.” “Can you tell me anything else? Can I use this to track this guy down?” “No,” she said reluctantly, “on both.” She placed the disc in Celeste’s hand. “But don’t become discouraged.” Setsuna rose to her feet. She took a step away from the bench before turning to Celeste. “That disc still contains quite a bit of dark energy. I would not hold onto it for very long. It could have unpleasant effects.” “Thanks for the warning.” “I know we have our issues, Celeste. And I know what it was hard for you to come here, especially to ask for help. Please, if you need my help again, all you have to do is ask.” The Guardian of Time turned and walked away. Celeste watched her until she vanished from sight. Then she stared down at the disc in her hand. She had gotten some answers. But not the answers she was hoping for. She still didn’t have a way to find the person behind the attacks. She stood up and headed to a more deserted part of the park. Lingering in Japan any longer would not provide any additional benefit. In a flash of orange light, she disappeared. |
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