Since she had neither school nor work the next day, Saya spent the night at Aoi's house. Clad in a frilly pink nightgown she hadn't worn in years, she curled up in bed, clutching a tie-dyed throw-pillow to herself. Lying on the nightstand was her father's notebook, which she had spent the last few hours pawing through, fueled by her new understanding of Kings and Clansmen.
"So it never was a legend," she mumbled into the pillow's seam. "But what about Atlantis?"
You shall keep the tragedy of Atlantis from occurring once more.
She struggled into a sitting position, sliding on the sheets and blowing a stray strand of hair out of her face.
Do not worry, child. We shall not harm you, for you are a part of us.
"What? No, wait, I... Okay, I'm going to ask some questions, and your going to answer them."
We shall answer the questions that must be answered, but you do not need to know all as of yet.
"Okay, well, you are the Dresden Slate, right?"
Yes. Or what those of you in the modern day refer to as the Dresden Slate. As time progresses we are referred to by many names.
To Saya, the voices sounded almost like they were...sulking at being called the Dresden Slate. It must have been her imagination.
"... Alright. What are these symbols on my wrist?"
They are your physical manifestation of your connection to us and to the Kings. Your proof of being our vessel.
"Vessel? What do you mean?"
You can wield our power, to a degree. You can undo that which with we have erred.
"But your some sentient all-powerful ancient... thing. What could you possibly make a mistake about?"
We can give power, but we cannot control how others use it. If the power is used incorrectly, it can be broken. And those we give power to do not always meet our expectations. We believe we may have made such an error during your absence, but as we were missing a piece of ourselves, you, such things can not be helped.
"You mean my trip? But earlier you said you didn't doubt me anymore."
You are not the error, child. Perhaps you felt discomfort at the time of our decision.
"You mean when I was on my trip and the symbol lit up and was painful and... You picked a new King, didn't you? The Colorless one?"
Yes.
"But why haven't you spoken to me all these years? You used to when I was little, right? And how are you even doing this?"
Telepathy is but child's play for us. And we have delayed contact with you to... avoid causing too much stress during your difficult time of human grief. We did not want you to resent your role.
Reading between the lines, Saya felt her eyebrows raise in shock.
"So you were afraid I'd be mad at you after the Kagutsu Crater Incident?"
We are the unimaginable power sought by countless heroes through the ages! We did not fear the wrath of a single human child!
Saya snorted. Defensive much?
"So what were you saying earlier about Atlantis?"
That is a tale for another time, child. For now, you should allow yourself to rest.
"But I still have questions?!"
Later, child. Now sleep.
As the Slate's presence slipped out of her mind, Saya found herself overcome with exhaustion. She flopped back, allowed her eyes to flutter closed, and slid into a peaceful slumber.
...
When her eyes flicked open, she was completely awake, which was odd; she could normally lay in bed for an hour, wavering between consciousness and unconsciousness. Her conversation with the Slate ran through her mind, and she staggered to her feet, wanting to do something but having no idea what. Instead, she shuffled into the bathroom and spent an hour freshening up. Bare feet padding softly against the teal carpeting, she walked up to the wardrobe and rummaged through to find a gray tank, green gym-shorts, and gray thigh-high stockings printed with cartoon dinosaurs.
Downstairs, Aoi was making breakfast, pancakes accidentally burned along the edges, and humming his favorite T.V. show's theme song. As she came into the room, he set a plate in front of her chair, a glass of milk and silverware already waiting.
"Thanks, Aoi."
"How did you sleep?"
"The Slate started talking to me again. It's weird, but it's like it has a personality. Oh, and it said it chose a new Colorless King while I was on my trip, one it thinks it might have made a mistake choosing. And that I'm some sort of vessel? "
Aoi sat across from her, a purple-and-white-polka-dotted coffee mug she'd made him when she was twelve clasped between his hands. His hair was damp and uncombed, curled up like a breaking wave. He wore a stained beige long-sleeved tee, the collar stretched, little strings hanging from the sleeves. It was one of the comfortable items of clothing he chose to wear when not in public, and Saya knew she was probably the only person he let see him so frumpy-looking.
"I thought I heard you talking to someone, but I assumed you were on the phone."
"Nope. The Slate was doing its creepy telepathy trick."
"Hmm. So, Saya, I've been thinking, and I want you to hear me out. Perhaps we should tell the Gold King about you."
"But what about the research program? The one with human experimentation?" Saya reminded, an involuntary shiver going down her spine. Her pancakes had been delicious moments ago, but now it was tasteless on her tongue.
"That program was done away with after... certain events a few years ago. The only thing you'd probably have to worry about now is abuse from Scepter Four, but they're typically more restrained now under Munakata, and if you had protection from the Gold King, they wouldn't be able to touch you."
"Why would the Gold King offer me protection?"
"Because you are apparently the vessel of the Slate he guards. Plus, I know he feels guilty over the demise of the Konohana family, since he didn't step in when they were obviously being persecuted."
"But why do we have to tell him? I mean, the only thing that's really changed is that the Slate is talking to me again. It's nothing I can't handle."
"The change is that now we know you can repair a Sword of Damocles, Saya. That means you can stop a Damocles Down. You could prevent another Crater Incident."
The seriousness in his tone terrified her. The truth behind his words made her want to pass out. A sudden weight, a responsibility, began to crush her, coiled around her shoulders, suffocating her, like a python that would swallow her whole if she wasn't careful.
"But... But I can't possibly..."
The Slate's words pounded in her head: You can undo that which with we have erred.
"We won't do anything today, but tomorrow my work will bring me by Mirashira Tower; it would be the best time for me to talk to Kokujoji-sama. You should spend the day considering it. Oh, but if you feel like doing anything fun, I've cleared my schedule today, to Shouda-san's dismay, and we can go out to eat."
Despite her stress, Saya nearly snickered at the thought of Aoi's secretary, Shouda Mayu, pulling at her auburn highlights in frustration. Just a few years younger than Aoi, Mayu-nee-san had made it no secret to a young Saya that she had a massive crush on her emotionally-restrained boss, openly telling the child once when she was babysitting her that she wanted to be her new mother. To further her agenda, she had massive breast implants, short pencil-skirts, collagen-filled lips, low-cut blouses, high-heels higher than Mt. Everest, make-up thick enough to stop a bullet, manicured nails so long it was an absolute mystery how she could hold a pen, and long fake eyelashes constantly being batted in a flirty manner. Despite all this, Aoi seemed to remain completely oblivious to his employee's advances. He was by no means cold, especially since Saya loved Mayu like a crazy aunt, but he showed no interest in her as a woman. But then, Saya had never seen him show such interest in anyone.
Personally, Saya thought Mayu-nee-san was much prettier when, during nights when Aoi had to stay out for work, they would have a slumber party at the older woman's apartment, slobbed out in old sweat-pants and t-shirts, hair hastily pulled into something resembling a ponytail, all traces of outlandish make-up swabbed away, gobbling ice-cream out of the tub, laughing so hard it came snorting out of their noses while watching the ornery comedy shows Aoi refused to watch with his child. It was Mayu-nee-chan that had taught her how to put on lipstick, got her her first bra, took her to get her ears pierced, and had explained the birds and the bees to her.
"Oh, right, that reminds me; Shouda-san wants to go to the salon with you soon. You should call her to set up the details."
"Yay! Going to the salon with Mayu-nee-san is the best! She always picks the best colors for my nails."
Aoi looked like he wasn't sure what to say, but he was saved by his cell erupting into the same theme song he'd been humming a minute ago. Glancing at the screen before he lifted it from the tabletop, and saw Mayu's picture grinning up sultrily.
"Speak of the devil," she mused around her last mouthful of pancake. Aoi shot her a look between amusement and reproach as he lifted the phone to his ear.
"Hello? Yes, Shouda-san? I thought you understood I wasn't going to work today. Saya- ... What? Are you sure? Alright, I'll be there within the hour. Keep everyone calm."
Aoi shot up from his seat and cleared the table as he explained the call to Saya.
"Something is going on with the Kings. The Gold King just gave Scepter Four temporary permission to use a system that would give them practically everyone's personal information. I have to go for a few hours. With this happening... Just stay here, Saya, please. We can go for food when I get back."
He vanished up the stairs, and fifteen minutes later he reappeared, once more sharply dressed in a black suit and olive tie. His hair was combed back smoothly, not a strand out of place. A briefcase hung from his left hand, his keys clinking in his right. As he reached the door, he looked back at her worriedly, her chin resting on her knees as she curled up in the corner of the couch.
"Remember, stay here. And consider what we talked about."
And then he was gone, locking the door behind him. A moment later, she heard the car Mayu-nee-san must have sent to pick him up.
Left alone in the empty house, Saya rolled upside down, her legs flung over the back of the couch, and punched at the remote buttons until the T.V. flickered into life and flipped to a news. This took a few tries, as the remote needed new batteries. She wanted to see if the news anchors would mention what Aoi had mentioned about Scepter Four using everyone's personal information, but the reporter on screen was far more concerned with a penguin at the zoo that did abstract paintings with its feet.
Wait, Saya suddenly realized. No one seems concerned with the two massive swords that magically appeared in the sky downtown, which was witnessed by at least a hundred people.
Pulling her phone out from her bra, she clicked to several message boards and blog websites. There were a few people talking about them, but not even a fraction of what she expected. With this little coverage, Saya would have thought it was some urban legend if she didn't know any better, like a sewer monster or a U.F.O. sighting.
"What the hell?!" she hissed quietly, searching several other social media sites with similar results. The news reporter was now going on about some mafia group that had suffered serious setbacks due to some vigilante group. With her phone already so close to her face, she was horribly startled when it began to scream out her ringtone, a chorus of kittens meowing Mozart, and slid, headfirst, to the floor. The number was one she didn't know.
"Hello?"
"Saya-chan!" the person on the other end sobbed.
"Yui-chan? What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I got mugged!"
"What?! Where are you?! Do you-"
"I'm okay, unhurt. They stole my purse, but I'm in the police station now. I just finished filing a report."
"Did they steal anything important?"
"My phone and wallet. I've already cancelled all my cards and didn't have much cash on me, so I guess that's good. They didn't get my keys 'cause I keep them in my pocket. The phone was new, which sucks, but the police say that's good because it means I didn't have as much personal crap on it, like passwords and stuff they could use to steal my identity."
"Yeah, I guess that's good. Is there something I can do to help?"
"Well... I'm still feeling a little freaked out, and I don't want to walk home alone without a phone. (By the way I'm borrowing a particularly cute officer's desk-phone right now.) My parents aren't answering, and I just remembered they're both out of town on some sales associate workshop, so, if you're not busy, would you mind..."
Knowing what Yui was asking, Saya thought nervously back to Aoi's plea for her to stay in the house. But her friend needed her right now.
It's not like I'm in any actual danger right now anyway, she thought to herself. Aoi's just being a little paranoid.
"Sure thing, Yui-chan! Actually, since your parents are out of town, how about we swing by your house, swing by my apartment, and then spend the night at Aoi's house? He wants me to spend the night, and this way we can walk to school tomorrow, too. Your sketch class starts at eight, right? Same time as my lecture!"
"Really? I mean, that sounds great, but I don't want to impose on Ikeda-san!"
"Aoi would be overjoyed to have you as a guest, Yui-chan! He always is! He thinks you're a good influence on me."
"Oh, why in the world would he think a silly thing like that?"
"Well... He once said you're very feminine."
"Feminine? Oh, no, no, no, baby! There is quite a bit of difference between being feminine and the glittery, colorful ribbon party that is Asahina Yui!" Saya could hear the mischievous smirk in her friend's voice, could picture her gesturing theatrically as she talked loudly on the phone. Hopping into the kitchen, she hunted for a pen in the drawers and proceeded to write the address of the police station Yui recited onto her inner arm.
"Be there soon," she promised her screen before hanging up and placing the device back into her bra. Using the same pen she used on her arm, she scribbled a quick note on a napkin and left it on the coffee table.
Sorry, Aoi, but Yui needed my help! She and I will be spending the night! We're gonna head to both our places to get clothes and stuff before we come back here! Don't be mad! Lots of Love -Saya
Hoping she'd get back before Aoi even had the chance to read the note, she slid on her burgundy jacket and converses, pulled her bag's strap onto her shoulder, and walked out the door.
...
Yui was unabashedly flirting with a young policeman, presumably the one who's phone she'd borrowed, behind the desk as Saya opened the station's glass door. Seeming to catch sight of Saya from the corner of her eye, Yui hopped over the desk, ignoring the various papers she displaced doing so, and ran through the lobby to her, wiggling her fingers at the officer over her shoulder. Her ensemble today consisted of a baby-blue high-waisted skirt, a bright-orange tee, neon-green suspenders, rainbow stockings, an emerald beret, and green galoshes. Jumping, she wrapped her arms around Saya's neck.
"You're a lifesaver, Saya-chan!"
"Hmm. I'll have to start charging you. So I guess it's safe to say the police definitely treated you... with the utmost respect?" she assumed, eyes dropping to the phone number penned in red on the back of Yui's hand. Giggling, her friend hid the digits behind her back. "Gee, you seem really traumatized."
"I am! I swear! I am the traumitized-iest! I am trauma incarnate!"
"Excuse me, ladies," apologized a voice just before two men in long blue coats brushed past them. Shiny buttons and chains decorated the coats, making the men seem imposing and distinguished; professional. Yui, quite a bit shorter than her, leaned up to whisper in her ear.
"What's up with the swords?"
Indeed, the men had traditional Japanese swords, with decorative gold handles and blue sheaths, strapped to their hips. They were quietly demanding something from Yui's officer at the reception desk. The officer, a plucky-looking kid who couldn't have been on the on the job very long, looked thoroughly stressed at what they were asking, holding up his hands defensively and smiling awkwardly.
Shrugging dismissively, Saya turned to follow Yui out the door. Her body stilled like she'd been put on pause as she heard the taller of the swordsmen raise his voice.
"You will hand over the information, by the command of Scepter Four!"
Glancing back at them for half a second, memorizing the looks of them, she zipped out into the sunset-lit street.
...
Yui's house was closer, so they had gone there first, where Saya was absolutely stupefied by Yui's teddy-bear backpack, which could apparently bend space and time, since Yui was able to able to force massive amounts of stuff into the tiny space.
"You realize your only gonna be gone for one night, right? You don't need a week's worth of clothes."
"Poor, naive Saya-chan; An artist, especially a young, beautiful, debutante artist such as myself, never knows when a messy tragedy, be it a spur-of-the-moment flour-and-water sculpture of a puppy or a full portrait of your neighbor's elderly Russian great-aunt Bianca, will cause need for a change of clothing to remain fabulous!"
"Your neighbor's have an elderly Russian great-aunt Bianca?"
"No, her name's Mildred and she's French. Nice lady; gives me candies."
They then dashed off to Saya's apartment, where the brunette stuffed an extra outfit and the supplies she'd need for her lecture into her satchel. They swung the next train to Aoi's neighborhood, clutching at the overhead safety straps as Yui regaled her with the details of her mugging.
"The guy had a gun! Can you believe it?! A gun! He got me on a street corner and was like 'Give me your purse, girl!' and I was like 'Sure thing, pal!' Then he just ran off, and I hightailed it to the station. He was kind of tall, but really skinny, with oily black hair. I didn't get a good look at his face since he was wearing a hat and kept his head down. His shirt looked kind of old and faded, but, get this, it looked like it might have had our university's trademark on it!"
"An old student?"
"Maybe. The police said there were a few reports matching mine, and, while they can't name names, his other possible victims were Shizume City University students too!"
"What?"
"You'd better watch out, Saya-chan! He might target you, too!"
"I'll keep an eye out."
Another thing to worry about in all this craziness. And I'm supposed to be thinking about letting Aoi tell the Gold King about me.
"Saya-chan! Saya-chan!"
She snapped out of her thoughts to realize Yui was looking back at her worriedly from the open train doors. They'd reached their stop, and she was just standing there oblivious. Blushing, she rushed out just as the doors hissed shut behind her.
"Sorry! Just thinking, you know?"
"Oh, sure, Saya-chan. I know I just keep going on about my own stuff, but if you have something you need to talk about, just shut me up, and feel free to tell me about it. Okay? I'm here to hear!"
"It's... complicated. Nothing I can't handle though. If it gets rough, I'll spill my guts."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Though I hope it won't get that rough.