"Hello? Celeste?" Alice asked, concealing her excitement in her voice. She didn't want to sound overly excited. Alice's heart bloomed when she heard the voice on the other side. It was feminine, silky, honeyed, and beautiful...

"Hey, Ally." Celeste purred over the line. "What's up? I heard you found a demon sword..."

"Oh yeah, it was pretty crazy. We're heading back soon. I think. I mean if me and Iris stop fighting." Alice's voice slowed at the end when she mentioned Iris. She already missed Iris's company. She wasn't used to being alone so much. Iris would normally stick close to Alice, even when cooking.

"You two had a fight? I'm so sorry." Celeste sounded sincere. "You could always come back to us, you know. Our door is always open."

Celeste's voice lulled Alice's thoughts. She almost agreed immediately. Alice chose her words carefully before answering. "I don't think I can. I mean, I have to kill the demon sword and stuff."

Celeste took advantage of Alice's indecision. "You know I'll be here if you come. We haven't each other in ages... I miss you a lot."

Alice glanced at Iris's closed door, and sighed. Then she smiled. "I'll pack tonight."

"Wonderful! I'll wait for you tomorrow. At the gates of Death City." She could hear faint static at Celeste's end. Celeste must be sparking with energy at the moment. She heard the connection click, and knew Celeste had hung up. Butterflies swarmed around in her stomach and she drifted to her room. Alice took out a medium sized suitcase and put her belongings in it. She left all the things she didn't care much for, and purposefully left the cloak Iris had given her. Alice would get the last word with this.

Alice hid the suitcase under her bed. She crawled into bed, but couldn't fall back asleep. She was too elated, her thoughts racing around her head. She took in a deep breath when she saw sunlight filtering through her curtains. Celeste would be waiting for her. After so many months, she would see her beloved again.

Alice waited for Iris to go to work. Iris had gotten hired at a bar by accident when she was covering for the bartender, who had passed out drunk.

"I'm heading out Alice! Remember Sarah's funeral is tomorrow!" Iris yelled as she headed out.

Alice waited three minutes before checking the apartment. She grabbed her suitcase and raced to the door. She jerked it open and flew through it. Alice ran down the streets, grinning like a madman. She ran for an entire thirty minutes before she arrived at the gates of Death City. She barreled into Celeste, who picked her up and swung her around. Celeste landed a kiss on Alice's cheek. They embraced for a long time. Alice ran her hands through Celeste's red hair. She stared into Celeste's stormy gray eyes. Celeste laughed and spun around. "Let's go, Ally baby!"

They walked away from the city, hand in hand.

It was one of the best days in Alice's life.

(Iris's POV)

Iris was enjoying herself. It turned out that she was great at running a bar. She set out drinks and entertained customers with wild stories and silly songs. She had a work partner who grumbled a lot, but for the most part she found him amusing. Iris didn't bother learning his name, she just called him Cranky.

Sure, there were strippers in the bar, but they only came out at night on Saturdays, and she didn't work then. So it made the work experience that much better.

Iris thought she might just stay with this job, it even payed well.

Cranky was calling her name across the room. He was talking over a phone hooked to the wall. Iris twirled her way over to him, winked and said a thank you. It wasn't a flirty wink, just a weird Iris-y wink.

"Hello?" She spoke over the music blaring behind her.

"Is this Miss Purefoy?" The monotone voice asked over the other end.

"Yes sir, it is!" She stated proudly.

"Miss, have you seen your friend Eli lately? He went missing a few days ago, and we can't find him."

Iris was shocked. "Uh, no. I haven't. Sorry."

The line went dead. Iris stood there for a moment. She decided to leave work early so she could tell Alice the news. She didn't bother saying goodbye to the customers or to Cranky. Why would Eli be missing? How could he be missing? Sarah's funeral was tomorrow, he wouldn't miss that, surely?

Iris started running once she made it outside. She darted through the streets, weaving and ducking through crowds of people making their way home from work. Her hair streamed behind her as she ran. She looked around for Eli as she ran, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she would find him while running home. That could happen, right? Iris thought so.

Iris stopped running once she reached their apartment. She climbed the stairs two at a time. Iris hurried into the apartment, only to find it empty.

"Alice!" Iris called out into the darkened apartment. No answer. Not even a small noise.

Iris walked into Alice's room, think she was being ignored. Her stomach lurched when she didn't see Alice, or half of her belongings. Iris searched the rest of Alice's room only to find a suitcase was missing, her clothes gone, and her favorite belongings missing. The only article of clothing Alice had left behind was the snowy white cloak that Iris had sewn years ago. Iris choked. Did Alice leave her? Did that mean they weren't partners anymore? Not friends anymore?

Iris took a deep breath and called Alice's number and it went to voicemail. She listened to the recording of Alice's voice play out, and hung up once it said to leave a message. Iris sat on the edge of Alice's bed and sniffled, a tear welling up in one of her eyes.

Where was she?