Amara parked her bike in front of the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago and they went in. Serena couldn't help but look around the lobby in awe. Decorative lights ran the length of the room attached to wall with a vaulted ceiling, a fountain sparkled in the center, bus boys escorted opulently dressed couples, Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" played softly in the background. It was picturesque. It was classic. It was a spendthrift's dream, and it had to cost a fortune.
"Where do you get the money to stay at a place like this?" Serena asked, then flushed in embarrassment for being so intrusive, especially considering she hadn't seen Amara for more than a year. "Oops, you don't have to – "
"No, that's alright," Amara assured her, the usual amusement in her tone, "We don't have to worry about money. We have patrons."
"Then Michele's here too?" Serena knew she didn't have to ask, but it seemed like the easiest way to start probing for where they'd been for all this time and what they were doing here now. (AN: let's get this straight right now, I don't agree with homosexual relationships and none of my stories will have them. Amara and Michele will be very good friends, that's all. As for the cousins thing, I don't think that matters much anyway. Sorry to anyone insulted or otherwise offended ~_~ Now on with the story!)
"Yeah, we're playing with the Chicago Symphony," Amara said casually, as if it were nothing. "I could ask why you're here, though…" She added pointedly, glancing at Serena out of the corner of her eyes as they headed toward an unoccupied elevator. Serena stopped dead. She couldn't quite recall just why she was here herself…wait…Darien, of course, she had come to see Darien. It didn't sound entirely correct, but it was the only thing that made sense. Amara turned to regard Serena, hiding her concern. Serena came to her senses and noticed there were people behind her that wanted into the elevator.
"Gomen!" she said to an impatient looking businessman. He brushed past her muttering something about foreigners. It was only then that Serena realized she couldn't understand what all the people where saying around her in English. She had taken a few classes, but languages had never been her strong point. However, what really confused Serena was how wrong not understanding them felt. For a moment, she was dizzy and Amara had to reach out a hand to steady her before she fell. They got on the elevator, Amara still holding onto Serena.
The hallway was deserted on the fifth floor. Serena had recovered enough to move on her own, but Amara watched her carefully all the same. When they reached the suite, Michele was by the window practicing her solo in the piece that they would be playing with the symphony that evening. The vociferous sounds of city life fell away from her as she played. She was so caught up in the music that she didn't hear the door open. Amara, who had taken Serena's bag, felt to throw it in a side bedroom off of the central living area they were in. Serena moved to look out the window and tripped over an ottoman. Michele laughed in that way unique to her alone that doesn't leave one feeling abased. She helped Serena up and they both stood quietly looking out over the buildings. Michele spoke first.
"Have you been to see Darien yet?"
"No, have you?" Serena turned to face Michele. In the old days, Amara and Michele never made their presence known to anyone. Serena wondered how much time had changed them.
"No, actually we've been busy with the symphony," she lied, but Serena remained as trusting as ever and didn't even think of questioning her. There was another thing that had not changed about them; they didn't go anywhere without a purpose. They knew something was going on in Chicago, Serena just showing up suddenly verified that. "Where are you staying?"
Serena tried to recall what travel plans she would surely have made before taking off for America. The more she pressed the issue in her mind, the more lightheaded she felt until the point where she had to sit down. Michele watched with concern and made a mental note to not ask Serena any questions. She moved to help support her. Amara had come in a moment before and stood silently off watching the both of them, now she stepped forward.
"She's staying with us." Michele looked dubiously at Amara, as if to say how can she stay with us if we're investigating a disturbance we don't want them to know about? Amara just shrugged and suggested Serena go lie down to rest. The suite had three bedrooms, one of which they had been using as storage space, not that they had much to store. Coincidences just seemed to occur with this particular pair around, or maybe it was a conspiracy. Serena left the room. Amara and Michele sat down to work out a schedule that would allow one of them to watch Serena at all times, and to decide what to do when the other Senshi inevitably arrived. Where Serena was, they were never far behind.