After the brilliant light explodes from my body, everyone and everything always disappears… I drift alone in the darkness… alone in the void, left behind… cast out from the world….
Star awakened to the sound of soft voices.
Jump was pulling on his shirt and talking with Mahoja. Gaia slept on the pillow beside Star's head wrapped in her colorful wings.
"Rise and shine, Princess Exorcist," Jump cajoled. He brushed his sheared hair with a soft bristled brush, bringing out the shine of his auburn waves. Tallish and lean, he looked even taller than he was from her prone position lying on the bed. His light hazel eyes fell on her. "I know you're awake, Star. Stop faking."
Squinting into the daylight filling the room from the window, Star poked out her lip and shrank back under the sheets.
"Good morning, Star," Mahoja smiled. "Sorry if we woke you." Without her Finder's gear on, she was dressed in a simply embroidered tunic and leggings. Mahoja's hair was as short as Jump's and dyed a lavender-periwinkle color. The extremely short hair and her hoop earrings drew attention to her high cheeks, smooth brown skin, and the gorgeous shape of eyes and mouth.
"Did you two stay in here all night?" Star muttered. They had been there when she fell asleep so she didn't remember them leaving.
"No, we came back at dawn."
"What'd'ya want?"
Jump and Mahoja both gave her looks. Gaia slapped her in the head with one of her wings.
"Right, right. Mission." Star pulled herself up in the bed. There's really no avoiding it, is there, she thought. "What'd the Chief say?"
"We're leaving this morning," Mahoja replied.
Once they were all dressed and washed up (Star donning a pair of big cat slippers and a male Exorcist uniform while Mahoja and Jump put on their Finder coats), they went to the dining hall for breakfast. With her spread of food laid out on the table, Star noticed that Jump and and Mahoja hadn't gotten anything. Instead, they nursed mugs of coffee while she ate.
"Why are you still here? Looks like you've had breakfast already."
"There didn't seem to be too much of a hurry. Komui said we could as soon as we finished breakfast and wrapping up any other business. So we waited around for you to get up."
"You wanted to see what I was eating for breakfast."
"I mean, there is that," Jump admitted. He tied a green bandanna loosely around his neck.
"That's totally it." Star shook her head at them. Then she dug into a huge stack of pancakes half dripping in butter pecan syrup and half boysenberry syrup.
After she had her fill, they convened out front in the warm sunlight and clear day.
Mahoja and Jump stared up at a small white spot in the blue, blue sky. It was easily mistakable for a cloud…only it wasn't traveling with the rest of the clouds across the world with the wind.
"We're going to find it, Star. Be ready to come and back us up," Jump said.
"Right…" Star glanced away uncertainly. Everything was moving so fast. Again. I know I'm not on vacation but…I only wish I had more time.
Jump frowned at her. "Seriously, Star. When Chief Komui sends you along, don't drag your feet." He turned to Gaia. "G, let me see the book real quick." Gaia flapped over to them and opened her mouth wide, spitting out a book. The average-sized volume was completely white and blank. "None of it is back yet… This is their world-permanently—if we don't finish this soon. Don't forget."
"Alright, alright, I get it," Star said.
Understanding the situation completely but always careful of pushing Star unnecessarily, Mahoja said, "We'll be waiting for you. You are the Holder this time. You've got the [bLaNk] so we can't do this without you."
"Right. I'll be along soon," Star said with a nod. In an attempt to lighten the mood, she added-
"Question: Why don't either of you wear the new Finder uniforms?"
Mahoja and Jump pulled their uniform hoods up and tugged their bandannas over the lower half of their faces.
"Hoods are cool."
"Hoods are what's happ'nin'."
Star stared at them. "Okay… You two are too much…" As they departed, she said, "Be careful, both of you. I'll see you soon. Don't do anything serious until I get there."
Star stayed outside with Gaia for awhile, just staring up at that white spot marring the sky. Then, with the golem flying after her, she went back inside. With nothing to do but wait, she wandered the halls, waving at people she had met last night. She thought of Mahoja and Jump, knowing they couldn't be in any trouble yet but hoping they were safe.
We are the Bookman of the worlds. Belonging nowhere and everywhere. Learning histories as they are written. Protecting and preserving those histories against the damages of outside forces.
Star waved at Johnny Gill as he passed on the hall in front of her.
But they're not supposed to know that.
She found her way to the platform that would take her to Hevlaska's chamber and went to greet the other Exorcist.
"Star Johannes," Hevlaska said in some surprise.
"Just Star, please." Staring up at that huge, decidedly feminine face, Star wondered, Just what does Hevlaska do all day when she isn't probing people's Innocence? Where does she sleep?
"Did Komui send you? I wasn't told anyone was coming."
"No, it's nothing like that…." Star fiddled with the hem of her uniform jacket. She thought, It's quiet here…
"Hevlaska…is it okay if I stay here with you a while? To talk, maybe. I mean, if that's okay?"
Hevlaska only smiled.
"I would not mind your company at all, Star."
Managing a small smile, Star sat down cross-legged and started blathering, feeling a little better in the process. Thanks you, Hevlaska-sama, Star thought.