Notes: Episode 115, "Shadow of Silence! The Pale Glimmer of a Firefly". Or, "The one where everybody learns Hotaru is kind of creepy."
Episode 115
Michiru and Setsuna sat by the window of their favourite coffee shop. It was warm and well-lit, and the low murmur of quiet conversation droned in the background.
There was no conversation at their table, however. Michiru had a fragrant green tea in an elegant cup, Setsuna an almost comically large mug of coffee. Michiru noticed that Setsuna never took her coffee the same way twice. They'd begun making regular visits to this shop, just the three of them, and every time it was something different. Perhaps a small black coffee with no sugar, then the next time a latte with a splash of hazelnut, another time just an espresso.
Today it was the over-large mug. Dignified, austere Setsuna and a mug the size of her face. Michiru hid her smile in her teacup.
"Do you think she's watching the child now?"
Michiru had wondered which of them would break the silence first. Unlike Haruka, silence never bothered Michiru, and she suspected their new friend felt the same. If a question was being asked, then, it was for a reason.
But Michiru had her own reasons.
"Don't you know?"
That Setsuna was also Sailor Pluto, the guardian of time, was not something Michiru questioned. The discovery of and subsequent reuniting of their talismans had unlocked doors in Michiru's memory. She knew more now, understood better. Pluto was her ally, her comrade, her friend.
Her most intriguing mystery.
Why was she here, and why only now? How was it possible?
Setsuna was playing a game. Haruka sensed this as well, but whereas Haruka was aggravated, Michiru was only intrigued.
She liked games, very much.
Setsuna still hadn't answered the question, which was fine; no answer was an answer all the same.
The two women merely sipped their beverage, considering each other over the rim of their cups.
The unknowable force meets the inscrutable object.
Yes, Michiru was very glad Setsuna had come into their lives.