"Come on, Anne, just one more episode!"

"Lulu, it's three in the morning, I am tired."

"You always say that when the show is getting interesting."

"You have no idea what you're talking about. It's not as if I can choose when to be tired. Despite that, I need to go to work tomorrow."

"It's only twenty minutes."

"No."

"I'll continue without you."

"You don't dare!"

"Then watch it with me now."

"Please, for heaven's sake, let me sleep!"

Lulu gave in and left her friend and flatmate have some rest. Anne was a good companion. She showed understanding for most of the schiff's needs and accepted Lulu as she was. Unfortunately Anne had her own needs and sleep was the one Lulu struggled with the most. The long hours of the nights, that she like best, since she did not have to fear burning her delicate skin, were the ones she spent in loneliness and boredom.

Anne was working in the cafeteria for the researchers at Red Shield's main base. Lulu had met her four years ago when she had accompanied a queen to her hibernation place. Back then Anne had still been a child: a nurse's daughter, who had grown up in the solitude of the Antarctic. She had seen little of the world; neither big cities nor prosperous summers. Therefore she loved to chat with the schiff who had travelled across the continents. Lulu on the other hand enjoyed playing with a young friend without having to hide her identity.

Ever since, Lulu had spent the time from April to September with Anne, while for the rest of the year she moved to Iceland, avoiding the sun and seeking the moon as much as possible.

It was always a big event, when one of the few queens awakened. It offered a change to the lonely life at the research centre and it was celebrated accordingly. Lulu had hoped to welcome Saya from her latest hibernation, but unfortunately it had been in November.

The worst thing about Anne's sleep was that Lulu had to be quiet: TV and music only with headphones, no ball games or running around in the house. She was not even allowed to do the dishes (not that she wanted to anyway). At least Lulu did not mind to keep the lights off; the moon that was shining through her window was more than sufficient for her eyes.

Back in her own room Lulu was scrolling over a blog of some conspiracy theorist who claimed to have proof for the existence of vampires. "Definitely made up", she concluded, since none of the descriptions came even close to chiropterans ("No reflection in the mirror" and "afraid of crosses" it said in the blog.)

As she was reading Lulu got scent of something that she recognized as chiropteran. She jumped in excitement. A queen or chevalier had to be close. A second later she heard a knock at the window. When she turned to see what it was, a face was staring into her second floor room.

"Haji? Don't do that again, you scared me", she said, as she opened the window and invited him inside. She had not seen him in a couple of years. Though he had not physically aged, something in his expression made him appear older than she had remembered him. He seemed to be somewhat worried and worn out – something that she would have interpreted as fatigue in the face of a queen or human.

"Should I have rung the bell and waken up your flatmate?"

"No, but instead of showing up in the middle of the night, you could have called or written a mail. Don't get me wrong, I am glad you are here. You have no idea how boring this place is at night. That's what I like better about big cities, they never sleep. Still you could have told me." She was about to suggest a bunch of fun activities to do, when she noticed his serious expression. Had something happened? Surly he did not just came to drop by and say hello.

"Saya's waking period is coming to an end", Haji explained, "She would like to see you before that."

"Then why didn't she come herself."

"She is very tired and would appreciate, if you could come to see her."

"Right now?" she asked. Something in his voice made her feel uneasy.

"As soon as possible."

"Where is she? Do I need to take anything with me?"

"She is in Okinawa. I can bring you to her place, if you want to come tonight."

Lulu immediately began packing. In other words: she grabbed a parasol, sunglasses and an extra robe to change and proclaimed: "Ready. Let's go!" She had never really felt bound to any home and did not mind spontaneous journeys.

She locked the window and on her way towards the door typed an absence note to Anne to not make her worry. She was looking forward to meet Saya again and to visit Okinawa, but Haji's sudden appearance concerned her. This had not been the invitation to a happy family reunion. Something must have happened.