ONE

Who knows fate's grand plans? Who is in control of their own life? Who understands the so-called meaning of life?

She doesn't care. It's not a question of destiny, of preordained paths, or even of humanity's lauded "free will." Ultimately, those questions do little more than bind and incense people (this, she learned the hard way). That line of thinking is best left to "the good guys," those who need such things to keep them sane; otherwise, worrying about fate is pointless. Regret is the only measurement by which one can begin to determine whether they lived a "worthy" life or not.

So, when she finds Izak's two daughters bickering over "the right thing to do" and sees her erstwhile protégé frantically making her way up the street—well, lying low (fighting for her life) has not diminished Finé's penchant for cruel mischief, and she didn't have to lift a finger for this to fall into place. It's an opportunity too good to resist. After all, from her point of view this counts as minimizing her regrets.

(She'll leave a note for them, alright? Let them stew for a couple of hours, let her reconfigure her plans first, and then she'll let her cute protégé and the would-be heroes know that the kids are fine, they're just catching up with their long-lost godmother. It's just a bit of harmless fun.)

Her wide-brimmed hat, haughty sunglasses, fashionable long coat, and bold red lipstick makes her easy to spot and easy to dismiss. She steps into the little convenience store moments before her dear protégé rushes past with little more than a harried glance; she'll let the mistake slide because it suits her.

Both of Izak's daughters remember her vaguely.

(That is to say, they vaguely remember Ryouko Sakurai. She keeps a cocky, unaffected smile despite the unpleasant reminder: "Call me Finé, darlings. 'Ryouko' is such a boring name for a personality like mine, don't you think?")

"You were little more than toddlers when I saw you last," she tells them, affecting a far-away, nostalgic, regretful gaze, "but Izak never failed to send me pictures. Naturally, I took notice when they stopped coming. I would've come sooner for both of you if I could have." That last part isn't even a lie.

"…He sent pictures?" the louder one (Carol, probably. They're twins and she's only been reacquainted with them for a few minutes, okay? Give her a break) mumbles, lagging behind the conversation.

They are quiet little things. Nothing like her Chris-chan, whose rage burned bright and grief bellowed loud. They don't even notice when she leads them out of the store—Izak left them a void to fill, a hunger for resolution, a desperation for answers. Maybe, under the right tutelage, the proper guidance, the fitting supervision, they can step off the cliff. It won't take much; disillusionment lends itself easily to bitterness, and they're at that age where they're so malleable and receptive to machinations.

Except, of course, that Finé is technically honor-bound to not corrupt youngsters anymore (she's supposed to be on the "road to redemption," like some twelve-step program, because one particularly foolish hero keeps dogging her dreams and her thoughts and it's seriously putting a damper on her fun). That sort of shady business is a thing of the past.

Still, it's almost four o'clock on a Monday. As she leads a couple of impressionable, naïve orphans further away from "the good guys," Finé figures that even with her limitations, this particular Monday has worked out quite well for her.

Maybe it is fate.

a/n:

A year late, but I'm back to finish "Counting Stars." If there's enough interest, I might expand this story, but I'm aiming for fifteen or so chapters to wrap up the series. This story will mostly consist of a quick plot line, my signature character and relationship introspection, and some slice-of-life scenes. Mostly, I want to complete this project to the best of my ability. I may or may not continue writing for Symphogear after this story; who knows at this point.

Feedback, comments, etc. are really appreciated! I'll even take requests if you've got anything you'd like to see.

P.S. I've made slow progress in replying to everything in my inbox; I want to get to everyone's messages despite the time gap.