Removed and re-added this chapter to correct an age discrepancy found by a reviewer. Thank you again Chase for finding that issue this should be correct now! -V

Chapter 2

The Interceptor would be in Asakura by now. Coming from the North that meant within the hour it would arrive. The transport was extremely fast when compared to conventional modes of transportation. To those without the technological advances of the genetics facilities there wasn't even a comparison. It served as the primary transport for Chevalier forces. Chiffon was thankful for the speed that the vehicle had behind it. She was anxious about a good number of things. First in her mind was her Limiter, the Justicar who was on board the Interceptor returning home.

She leaned forward resting her head against the wall of the shower. Water spilled down either side of her face as she watched it splash down to her feet and swirl slowly into the drain. She brought a hand up brushing it through her shoulder length blonde hair. The warm water helped to ease some of her tension, but the past three days had been stressful. Varen's absence affected her more than she figured before he left. Their connection through the stigmata most likely attributed to a lot of the anxiety, but now that he was nearly back the feeling was magnified.

"Ugh, love sucks." She muttered jokingly to herself. All her impatience and anxiety was caused by one single thought more so than the medical reasons. She missed him. Since his arrival a little over a year ago they had not spent more than a day away from one another. For over six months when he first came they developed a strong friendship finding comfort in each other.

Before he became the Justicar he was outcast by much of the student body. He was older and assumed to be incompatible as a Limiter due to age. Chiffon, however, made the decision early on that he would be her Limiter. A decision she kept hidden for many long months until she felt he was ready. It was her belief that he would need to face his fears of acceptance, and overcome the desire to prove himself. Only once he truly believed in himself regardless of other's opinion would she tell him. The awakening of his strange and still unanswered powers accelerated everything rapidly. It culminated with him challenging Chiffon to a duel to prove to himself that he was something more. That day, he proved to the world he was in fact something more than they thought, and for Chiffon she gave herself to him completely.

Her world began a rapid transformation from that day onward. She was always happy being a Pandora, but a constant stream of new experiences assailed her faster than she expected. Not counting the whirlwind of changes her Limiter was enduring, she found herself thrust into a war with the Novitiates. Survived the first Nova attack on a Genetics facility. Founded the first special operations group within the Pandora ranks. She also aided in stopping the Novitiate assault on the port city of Kaizu last year ending their threat. All while just a second year Pandora. It would have been rare for even third years to be part of such operations. Her Limiter made it all possible and surprisingly convinced Chevalier to give them a chance.

An involuntary smile spread across her face at the thought. She grabbed a bar of soap running it down her arms. She blinked her eyes a few times to clear the water from them. Since returning from Kaizu she kept them open. For a long time, she would always keep them closed using her stigmata to see. She was the only known natural born Pandora in the world. From birth her eyes had glowed a slight yellow color with lines of Nova energy dancing through them. Out of fear of judgement she hid them. Only after Kaizu did she finally free herself of that secret and trust fully in her fellow companions. There had been no judgement or questioning from anyone. Only acceptance.

"Half an hour." She said looking up at the digital clock embedded in the shower wall. She grabbed a small cloth rubbing the soap into it. She lifted one of her legs up onto the side of the shower running the cloth along her leg, before repeating the process with her other. Chiffon never thought of herself as a girl concerned with vanity. She served as the student body president since she began her second year at West Genetics so she was always sure to keep up her appearance. Her reasoning at the time was simply for presentation. Her position not only as the president, but also the top ranked Pandora in the entire school meant very few of the aspiring Limiters approached her unless strictly school business related.

Back then Chiffon's very name was intimidating and unapproachable. She was a model student, with leadership qualities found rarely in others of her age. Aside from her roommate Ticy Phenyl she had very few friends. Love wasn't even a concept she began to fantasize about. No boy wanted the responsibility and commitment to someone of Chiffon's caliber. Perhaps that's why her and Varen fit so well together. At first friends were nonexistent for him and no Pandora would ever try pairing with someone of his age. He was 24 when he first came to West Genetics and she was 16 then. Over a year later and now 17 her routine was different.

She put the cloth back up on the hook and opened a small container stuck to the wall with suction cups. She pulled a small black handled razor free and closed the container. Now, she loved these moments where she could put extra attention towards her body. She had a reason to ever since her and Varen became a pair. Not that he ever made her feel inadequate as a woman, but she liked the excitement. It became a game to her to try and make him do a double take when he looked at her. She held back a laugh just thinking about it as she ran the razor across her legs.

"Fifteen minutes." She again said out lout keeping an eye on the clock as she finished with her legs and underarms. She flipped another compartment open on the wall revealing a mirror. She looked over herself carefully finally happy with her appearance and closed the compartment. The turned the knob stopping the flow of water and grabbed a towel as she exited the shower. Within ten minutes she had dried her hair and body and dressed in a fresh Nightingale uniform. The last five minutes she spent brushing her hair down tying a ribbon in a strand of hair on either side of her face.

"Done." She said happily looking in the mirror one last time. She spun around looking over herself in the mirror. A black long sleeved shirt with white trim draped over her torso. It was loose enough to be comfortable with a series of buttons up the front. A similar color and trim skirt dropped down a bit above her knees. She lifted her skirt slightly and pulled her black leggings up to just above her thighs before brushing the skirt flat again. She left the bathroom grabbing her pair of black flats and slipped them onto her feet as she walked. A beeping sound made her look towards a console on the wall. A red light flashed on it accompanying the beeps as she approached it.

"Yeah?" She said pressing a button on the console. A screen flared to life showing Arnette's face staring back at her.

"Hey Chiff, they're here." Arnette voice said clearly through the video console. Chiffon nodded trying to hold her smile back.

"Thanks Arnette, I'm on my way." She replied.

"Looking good captain." Arnette grinned as the screen went black. Chiffon laughed and walked out of her home fighting the urge to run.

"Clear sir thanks for flying air genetics." A voice said through the headset Varen wore. He chuckled lightly shaking his head.

"Service sucked, but it'll have to do. Good night." He answered back into the radio to the pilot. The man laughed waving a hand as Varen turned off his communication equipment and slid the transport door open. He grabbed his duffel bag throwing it out the door onto the tarmac before jumping down himself. He turned grabbing another bag and set it down on the ground. He reached up and took the girls hand who was crouched down at the door of the transport. He helped her down and they both picked up their bags walking towards the doorway that would lead into the Nightingale flight lounge.

"Let me guess. Surprise party?" The girl asked looking over at Varen. They were both out of their cold weather equipment and back into normal uniforms. Varen's Nightingale uniform was slightly different than the others in that a braid of red and black cord wrapped over his shoulder and under his arm. It was given to him by the high generals of Chevalier following the attack on Kaizu. The braid marked him as the commander of the special forces group from then on. Chiffon was awarded a similar braid, but colored black and white giving her the rank of captain. Arnette, Attia, Elizabeth, and Andre were awarded a red stripe that wrapped around their left arms. It was a decoration that showed they were the first of their kind and the color symbolized the sacrifice they all endured.

"Of course. Chiffon wouldn't have it any other way." Varen answered. The girl who walked beside him wore a standard purple and white West Genetics uniform. Free of the confining winter clothing she was happy to let her long black hair free. She ran a hand through it making sure all the knots were out. She kept step with Varen walking with confidence and to the trained eye a swordsman's step.

"Still the same Chiffon." The girl laughed and Varen nodded.

"Excited?" He asked.

"Very. It was a hard bunch of months last year. Second they approved the expansion and the opportunity presented itself I applied. Surprisingly I was very quickly chosen as a candidate." The girl said nudging Varen.

"I might have pulled some strings here or there to bump you up the list." He answered giving her a wink.

"Just glad I passed." She answered and Varen laughed.

"Was their doubt? You are a top ranking student here. A member of the student council, and Chiffon's best friend. It was all but assured Ticy." Varen said. Ticy Phenyl, the third ranked Pandora at West Genetics had been the Pandora who saved Varen during his first carnival. If not for her Arnette likely would have killed him. Ironic that now Arnette and he were very close friends. When Chiffon and he became an official pair she began to spent most if not all her time at Varen's room and eventually was officially moved with the rest of the Nightingales to their section in West Genetics. It had been hard for Ticy losing her best friend as her roommate, but for her sake she accepted it and wished only happiness for Chiffon.

"I was still nervous." Ticy answered. Inside she was far more excited than she let on. With Varen's blessing she would be added to the ranks of the Nightingales and be back beside Chiffon as opposed to only seeing each other sparingly during student council duties or in passing. For Varen he felt like he was repaying her for all she had done before and in truth she deserved to be with them. Her combat prowess was second only to Chiffon, and her light hearted, kind attitude made her an excellent diplomat.

"Well, it's done now so relax and pretend to be surprised." Varen said. They were just about to the doors that would lead through a corridor and into the flight lounge. Since their return from Kaizu and their success, Chevalier had approved the Nightingales continued existence and funneled large amounts of funding into proper facilities for them. It was Varen's decision that they remain within West Genetics location wise. In response Chevalier approves an expansion to the facility be added to accommodate current and future endeavors by the group.

Thus, the Nightingales went from having two repurposed buildings to an entire self-contained compound. It attached just off the northern end of West Genetics via a large archway with the Aquila symbol over the top. Two Chevalier Pandora's were stationed there at all times. Originally it was ordered the compound would be restricted to only Nightingales and Chevalier administration, but that lasted for no more than a week before Varen ended the lockdown. He didn't want his people separated from the rest of the student body. He also wanted the rest of West Genetics to feel welcome to visit them whenever they could. He believed that through strong bonds of friendship and cooperation everyone would continue to grow and improve as students.

Past the archway there was a decent sized courtyard with a marble statue in the center of a fountain. It was a simple four sided column that ended in a point. Etched onto it was the names of all who had died in the Nova attack on the facility last year. A constant reminder to why the Nightingales were formed, and what the continued to fight for. The student body treated this courtyard as holy ground and would regularly visit to pay respects to those who were gone.

Pathways led off from the courtyard to various areas of the compound. Two large structures comprised housing for the Nightingales as well as a dining and food preparation area. Another pathway led to the administration building where the command center was located as well as Chiffon and Varen's offices. A third path led North toward the flight lounge and armory where the Nightingales prepared equipment and waited for Interceptor transports. The last walkway was for recreation purposes and included buildings for a library, gym, lounge, etc. Nightingales still attended normal class schedules with the rest of the facility students, but were exempt should Chevalier require their presence.

Ticy had been amazed at the transformation the facility had undergone following the Nova attack. The central plaza was rebuilt and all damage repaired. She had found it funny that for a few weeks after the Nightingale expansion was complete it only housed Varen, Chiffon, Andre, Elizabeth, Attia, and Arnette. Six people in such a large section was simply silly. Chevalier Pandora were assigned to perform much of the workload in the area as well as upkeep. They were not actual members of the group and retained their Chevalier uniforms, but worked alongside the Nightingales in a support role.

Now, the section was regularly busy with people moving about it passing through or working. With students given access to the area it increased its exposure and was busier to the point of crowded at times. It was nice just thinking about it to Ticy. After tonight it would become her new home at West Genetics. It filled her with excitement to be part of the now famous Nightingales of West Genetics and it gave her a sense of pride.

"Alright, remember, you had no idea this party was happening." Varen said as they reached the doors leading into the corridor. He opened them and they began walking towards another set of double doors attached to the flight lounge.

"Oh my! I had no idea!" Ticy exclaimed happily holding her face with her hands. Varen laughed putting a palm to his face.

"Yeah, just like that." He answered opening the doors into the flight lounge.