"Thanks for the help, Dan Heng. Because of you we can continue our journey again"
"You're being generous, Himeko. You're the one who did most of the repair"
"True, but your help is indispensable. Well, I won't bother you now so take a moment to
rest. We won't be arriving until tomorrow"
"Sure"
Himeko gave Dan Heng a warm smile he returned with a clipped nod as he returned to his
quarters. The door slid closed leaving her alone in the hallway. Steady, faint humming of
the Warp engine drowned the silence but even from this far her well-versed ears could hear
the strain in its operation. Nothing she could do for now so Himeko was forced to push the
concern to the back of her mind.
Priorities reassessed, she had another concern to deal.
After doing a quick check-up on her own room to make sure nothing was damaged in prior
incident, Himeko skipped towards the second passenger carriage. Aside from a few strewn
mugs and coffee packs, none of her stuff was out of place. She made sure to give her
beloved coffee machine an extra attention, though, because it was probably her most
valuable belonging onboard the Express.
The prospect of losing her coffee was comparable to death itself.
Passing by Stelle's room, Himeko blinked and took a step back when she saw something
through the corner of her eye. The door was ajar and a series of soft clicking noises could
be heard from the inside. Curious, she changed direction and peered into the room.
Stelle was sitting behind her personal computer, typing something to someone and Himeko
could see her frustration and exasperation from this far. Balling her fist, Himeko rapped her
knuckles against the doorframe, smiling all the while.
"Something the matter, hun?"
Stelle twirled on her seat and pouted. "Herta is being an ass, per usual"
She chuckled, stepping inside once she got a verbal permission from Stelle. Nodding to the
terminal, Himeko crossed her arms and sighed tiredly. "Sorry about that, the main comm
relay is busted so the Express'
native network is down. You'll have to use your computer for
the secondary relay"
"Nah, it's okay" Stelle waved her off, smiling a reassuring smile. "I needed to sit down,
anyway"
"What are you talking with Herta, by the way? She doesn't really speak to people unless it's
in her interest"
Stelle ran a hand through her ashen hair, clear aggravation in her tone when she answered.
"You remember the Simulated Universe thing she's working on? She wants me to test on it
further, but—" She yanked the monitor to face Himeko and the redhead leant in, her golden
eyes narrowing to read the chat. "Just look at it yourself"
The conversation was, for a lack of better term, very Herta.
It began with the genius scientist asking if Stelle was there, a noticable time gap between it
and Stelle's own reply because of its concurrence with the incident, and then it continues
with Herta pestering Stelle to return soon so she could do some test on her.
But it was the last two messages that really caught Himeko's attention.
Stelle: Look, I want to help but we're kind of stranded right now. The Express ran into some
trouble and we're in no position to do a quick transfer with the Fast Beam because the
hyperdrive is busted. If I use the Space Anchors, I might come in
pieces , disregarding the
fact I'd be dead I'd also make quite the traumatic view for your people.
Herta: I miss the part where that's my problem.
It was followed with an automatic reply from Herta, signaling she had pretty much signed
off and wouldn't want to be bothered. Stifling a laugh, Himeko ruffled Stelle's hair
affectionately. "Don't risk yourself. Herta can be rather persistent with her request but she
won't hold it against you if you really can't"
"She could've said it herself..." Stelle muttered and Himeko chuckled in response.
"I'll have our Fast Beam fixed as soon as possible once we arrive"
"Take your time" Stelle grumbled. "I'm not really that enthralled with Herta's schemes,
anyway"
Smiling a fond, albeit amused smile, Himeko asked if Stelle felt okay after the incident.
The girl pondered the question for a moment before she nodded, voicing her concern about
the newcomers instead of her own well-being.
"I'm fine. You might want to check on those two, though. They thought I didn't notice but I
could see something was troubling them"
"What's your thoughts on our new guests?"
Stelle hummed in thought as she shut down her computer, swiveling her chair around
slowly all the while formulating her words. "They're Welt's friends from his world so I
don't think they're a bad people"
Himeko nodded. "I can see Welt views them in high regards"
"Yeah, it's as they said; went through some stuff and fought together. Bronya in particular
seems to have a close relationship with him"
None of it was clear but seeing how they interacted it was obvious Bronya and Welt were
very close. In both of their accounts, they were sort of mentor and pupil with Bronya being
the golden child. Welt didn't give out the vibes that he would take just anyone under his
wings so it was unknown how many of his so called successors were there back in his
world, for all they knew Bronya could be the only one.
"I recall he once told me about them" Himeko began, catching Stelle's attention and she
stopped spinning at once. An intrigued eyebrow rose up as she fixed her gaze at the redhead
who crossed her arms as she delved into her own memories. "But he was very vague about
it. He told me of a group of kids who lived an imperfect life but still found companionship
on the others, how that life was torn from them by a cruel fate and how they had to fight for
their happy ending"
"One lived a soldier's harsh life, one suffered from her inability to protect those she held
dearly, and one aspired to burn as the brightest alone. It's a story of regret and despair"
Himeko recited what Welt told her some time ago. "Yet they prevailed and emerged as
Humanity's heroes in the darkest of time. Their trials were forged with sharp glasses and
each step ahead was more painful than before, but they had never given up once because
they believed they could end their wretched story the way they wanted"
"Did they succeed?"
Welt smiled his rare smile, big and unreserved. "They did"
"Did you?"
Deep, icy cold voice echoed in her head, bouncing all the way from her chest to her skull.
A feeling of frustration welled up from her distant heart, one she forced to swallow through
her borrowed throat to the pit of her stomach where it then rested like an overweight
anchor.
"Did you really think she's not ready?"
A snarl of anger, before her jaw clenched painfully it made her teeth creaked. The question
had no malice in it but it still made her upset regardless. They were one and the same, one
more direct than the other yet they knew one another better than anyone else.
"Answer me, Thunder"
Glowing amethyst eyes snapped open to stare at the woman laying on the bed, a hand
reached out towards a limp one belonging to said woman, a pair of silver rings brushing on
each other when their fingers connected.
"I do not wish to see her like... that again" Thunder admitted softly, like a moth her gaze
was glued to that glinting ring on Kiana's finger. "I'm scared"
There was a long pause from the rightful owner of the body she insisted on borrowing and
Thunder used the opportunity to bring Kiana's hand to her face, inhaling the sweet familiar
scent she hadn't smelled in years. Despite the situation, a smile curled up on her lips as she
continued to held it close.
Mei, currently on the backseat after giving Thunder control, watched it all played out from
her eyes. It had always been weird to see everything going on with the sense of passenger
in her own body and it took a moment for her to get used again after the years. Still, the
feelings were the same, the sincerity was unmistakable so was the vulnerability in
Thunder's voice.
After all, Thunder had been in this position before back in Nagazora when Mei had less
than a fight but more to a quarrel with Kiana atop their old school. The helplessness must
have been immense she was desperate enough to relinquish her power over to Mei so she
could succeed in getting away.
Thunder, the ever steadfast and unshaken version of herself, was scared her resolve wasn't
big enough in the face of a certain white haired girl. Kiana had certain ways to shake their
grounds and plant all sorts of doubts to their intentions. Thunder had all the rights to fear
that Kiana would do it again with how easy she tore down that steel wall in their first fight
and meeting.
It would've been odd to hear Thunder being so open but ever since they had their fight back
then she saw Mei in a more respectable light. Not only did Mei beat her in pure prowess
but also resolve, because for once their resolves clashed against the other. Mei's desire to
protect Kiana was the same as Thunder's, but wherein Thunder wanted Kiana to not get
hurt Mei believed Kiana should make her own choice and that she should be ready to help
her instead of dictating her decisions.
"She has grown" Mei explained softly, pacing around in the domain of her mind just to
shake the need to move off her spiritual body. "She will be fine"
"Throughout the years I was deep in slumber not knowing what happened afterwards"
"But our memories have reconnected when we met again, right?"
"It was... a lot. I have your memory but I still don't know the current her" Thunder admitted
and Mei was compelled to listen. It was rare to see Thunder being sentimental because, just
like Mei, she also closed her own heart from the world. The difference being how extreme
Thunder took her silence, wherein Mei had learned to open up to her friends and family
Thunder still held her gate under locks and keys.
"I can help you to know her again"
"I don't need your pity"
"I'm offering not out of pity" Mei began with a chuckle and Thunder scoffed. "You deserve
to love her as much as I do, to know her by your own accord. To be on the sidewalk and
watch is the most unpleasant feeling, especially if that desire is fueled by love. Kiana
doesn't hate you, you know? She never did"
"What's the point? Once all of this is over, when you return, she'll have to take what she has
given back. Without Honkai powering my Core, I'll be gone again and all of it will be a
waste"
Mei fell silent at that. Seconds ticked to minutes without her saying anything. Thunder, still
holding Kiana's hand, held her hard gaze on Kiana's face as if to commit every soft curves
of muscles to her memory. Had Kiana been awake and looked back, she would've seen the
sadness in those amethyst orbs.
"To be with the person you love is not a waste" Mei whispered in her head, using her power
to project herself to reality behind her real one. The faux body moved to sit on the edge of
the bed, dipping it under the weight slightly. Thunder saw her on her periphery but didn't
react to her physical presence. "It's not a waste"
Mei put her projected hand on top of her borrowed ones still curled around Kiana's and
continued.
"You are never forgotten as long as there's people to remember you. The memories you
make are not your own to know if you share them. Kiana loves you like she loves me, and
we love her as much. I do not want you to have regrets because I know you have a lot about
Kiana"
Two pairs of amethyst met.
"You let her go once" Thunder began with a growl and Mei's smile widened.
"I believed in her. That's the first step you must take to love someone"
"I won't let her go like you did"
"That is the first step you take when you have loved someone" Mei brought her second
hand to join the first one around the ones Thunder borrowed and pressed her forehead
against Thunder's, still smiling. "You learn to believe and accept, and then you learn to not
let go"
Thunder's expression didn't change a bit. Her usual sharp edges remained as she stared into
Mei's eyes right in front of her own. It was a fake body made with 100 percent accuracy of
Mei's own so Thunder had all the access to Mei's soul as she stared into her windows.
"Someone is coming" Thunder warned and Mei nodded, sending the movement through via
their connected foreheads. "Take over"
"We'll talk more later" Mei promised.
Mei disappeared, the fake body dissipated like a burned leaf in a purple fire. The embers
rained around Kiana until they were also gone without a trace. When she opened her eyes
again, she was staring through her real pair, hands still clasped around Kiana's own.
Humming a comforting hum deep into her chest, she turned around in her seat to face the
door, ignoring the scoff that reverberated from her Core.
Not a second later there was a series of knocking from the other side.
"Enter"
The voice was soft and light with certain kindness in it. Himeko was not sure what to
expect, some rough edges here and there perhaps since she learned the three guests were
war veterans in their home planet, but the feminine voice was definitely anything but. She
pressed the door open and stepped into the room, an easy smile on her face that faltered
when she saw the woman sitting on the stool beside the bed.
She was beautiful in every sense of the word. Long dark purple hair that reached all the
way to her back behind her white and purple suit that had dark undersuit beneath it, black
stockings, one light blue glove on her right hand and black heeled boots. It was not the
outfit she had when she first came onboard and her confusion must have been obvious
because the woman smiled a bitter smile.
But she didn't say anything. Instead, the woman spun on her stool so she was now facing an
unconscious Kiana on the bed. Slightly more confused, Himeko approached her slowly,
making sure her steps were loud so she knew.
"When I first agreed to join in this journey..." Mei began just when Himeko stopped a few
feet beside her, still not looking up. "I have prepared myself for this possibility. The
universe is vast, there's a lot of people living in the different leaves of the Imaginary Tree.
I'm sure you know because you travel in a train between the stars"
"Long time no see, Miss Himeko"
Gold met amethyst, the former were wide open when they noticed the tears welling in the
latter. Mouth agape, Himeko could only watch as the woman before her hastily wiped the
tears from her eyes with a wet laugh.
"How odd. I thought I was ready yet here I am crying over it again" Mei's voiced quivered,
breath hitching as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "I'm sorry"
She didn't say anything. Allowing Mei to calm herself. When her shoulders stopped
shaking did she begin, voice even with obvious playfulness.
"I don't recall giving my name yet"
Mei's chuckle was accompanied with another warm tears but when she looked up again she
had a smile on her face. "Yeah, that you have not" Mei extended a hand, succeeding in
keeping it still as the redhead grabbed it. "I'm Raiden Mei, Schicksal's 3rd Squad leader"
"Himeko, Astral Express Navigator"
Mei hummed, letting go. Himeko didn't miss the way Mei's fingers flexed on her lap once
she settled back, as if to test what she touched was real and not an illusion. "It's good to
know you"
Somehow Himeko could hear the double meanings behind those simple words, moreover
when Mei fell quiet after that. Nodding even though Mei couldn't see it, she dragged
another stool and sat a bit behind Mei instead of right beside her, palms on her thighs.
"Thank you for taking Welt on with you, by the way" Mei said with a glance, an
unmistakable friendly smile on her lips. "He's a good friend for us and I hope so too to you
and the rest"
"Indeed. He helped us plenty and the Express—" Himeko gestured to around her loosely.
"— Welcomes all with good intentions"
Himeko's eyes drifted from Mei's face to her hands, watching them tracing a lazy pattern on
Kiana's hand. She didn't miss the glint of silver rings around their fingers.
"That's Kiana, huh?" Himeko implored, cocking her head slightly to the side. She knew the
answer so it's practically a rhetoric question.
Mei, however, indulged her still. "Yes. I presume Welt talked about us?"
"He did" Sensing the gentle nudge in Mei's stare she continued. "He talked a little but I can
tell you girls have gone through a lot"
"A lot..." Mei muttered to herself with a sigh, hands stopping to rub her face instead.
"That's an understatement of the century"
"Sorry"
"No" Mei quickly reassured softly, turning her whole body around so she was properly
facing Himeko. "It's just... Too much"
"Never enough?" Himeko added and Mei nodded. "It's always been like that, hun.
Sometimes we feel like giving up, too drained to continue or too burned out to care. But
you lots persevered and that is what mattered the most"
"Our stories are hardly heroic. Bronya and I, we simply tried to protect what dear for us but
Kiana..." Mei trailed off as countless memories of Kiana throwing herself into dangers
popped up in her mind. "She has always been the righteous one. Always fighting for what's
right protecting the helpless and innocent"
"The one who burns the brightest..." Himeko drawled, piecing together Welt's words. Mei
eyed her with the same sadness she had earlier and nodded.
"Burns the fastest. That's our Kiana"
A solemn stillness filled the air. They both had had their fair share of meetings and
goodbyes. Mei lost a lot in her life against the Honkai. Materials or sentiments didn't matter
because they equally disappeared and never returned. Himeko herself understood the pain
of departure with countless faces boarding the Express and leaving once they arrived at
their destinations.
Parting was normal. A fundamental belief of life. What existed must go, similar to how
what lived would one day die. Yet here they were, standing tall and strong despite the pain.
For a tree to grow it must first withstand the merciless Mother Nature, sprouting until its
roots were deep and strong to support itself reaching the heaven above.
To rise was to first survive and to survive was to first know the pain and hardships.
Growing up was never easy, even a baby must first fall and bleed before they learned to
walk.
Both women basked in the silence, content to let their thoughts adrift. Himeko couldn't help
but to stare at Mei from time to time, noting the tender way she stared at the sleeping
woman on the bed. It was very obvious Kiana meant the world to her from that stare alone.
She needed not to learn their story.
But Himeko knew, thus it was inevitable for her to bring it up.
"I'm not her" She said suddenly and Mei blinked before she turned her head to look at the
redhead. Himeko was smiling a rueful smile when she continued, yet it held no spite. At
least not one directed at Mei or Kiana, only fate. "I hope you understand"
"Of course" Mei responded resolutely. "She's dead"
A gust of cold wind from nowhere. If Himeko didn't know any better she would've thought
the life support system was troubled but she knew it wasn't in physical level but rather
spiritual. The way her heart skipped a beat as cold ichor flowed in her veins couldn't be
ignored.
"You can't treat me like you would her. It would taint her legacy"
"I know" Mei agreed. "She was the one and only that burned her soul to save her student
because she believed said student could achieve great things. We did what she taught us to
do, we fought for the beauty of the world and we've had our goodbye with her"
"Hence..." Himeko prodded and Mei sighed.
"Hence why Kiana will do everything in her power to protect you this time"
Truth and reconciliation, those would be the first two steps they would need to take
foremost. Being honest about each other's thoughts were the key to communication. Mei
had no doubt Kiana would understand that once they talked, but the shock from the first
meeting wouldn't just disappear because of it. Thunder didn't know the current Kiana so
even if she doubted her, Mei wouldn't.
"You girls owe me nothing" Himeko stated gently, frowning. "You don't have to protect me
because you feel indebted"
But Mei shook her head, a grimace pulling her lips. "It's not about debt or such" She
explained. "The bonds we had with our teacher were special. Even if you're not her, you're
still her in appearance. That itself will elicit certain feelings we have deep in our hearts.
Even now I'm holding myself back from hugging you"
"If I can be of help, then I'll allow you" Himeko offered with a smile. Mei stared at her
open arms and bit her inner cheeks, slowly shaking her head.
"I'm afraid I'd lose myself if I do. I'm not Bronya who can keep her emotions in check"
"You're managing well" The redhead joked and Mei laughed softly in response.
"I'm actually on the verge of crying again"
Himeko smiled a sad smile, offering her hand to the distressed woman. This time Mei
didn't refuse, taking it with a shuddering breath and holding it tight. As if to ensure I'm real.
"I'd like to know about the three of you more"
Mei nodded, a stray tear ran down her cheek she hastily wiped with the back of her gloved
hand.
"Well, it's a long story..."
It was a long story indeed but one she remembered with a crystal clear clarity. One starry
night in a city destroyed by a calamity a woman in red faced a god in all her fiery glory for
the first time.
That's a story she would never forget, and what after.
Mei sparked the fire and talked.
"Hey"
A push to her side and she groaned, batting the hand away and turning from the source of
her annoyance with a deep exhale.
"Hey, wake up!"
The same appendage returned, this time poking her back and she groaned, again.
"Five more minutes..."
"Seriously?"
"Yesss... Now hush..."
A dead silence. She waited for precisely three seconds before making herself comfortable
on the bed, thinking she had won. Only when she began to drift off again she heard another
shuffling and the thudding of bare feet in the empty void.
"You asked for this"
Kiana grunted in confusion, her muddled thought trying to decipher the meaning behind
those words and failing miserably. She was just so sleepy to simply think. "What do you—"
She cracked open an eye just at the right moment the bed was flipped with her still on it.
Yelping in panic, she scrambled at the frames as she felt gravity being reversed around her
before the effect dissipated, throwing her and the bed down onto the 'ground'
where it
landed with a loud rattle and pained groan from Kiana.
"Sirin!" Kiana whined, climbing down now she was wide awake with a hand on her aching
back to stalk towards Sirin. "What was that for?!"
Sirin harrumphed, pouting an adorable pout that had all Kiana's exasperation gone down
the drain immediately. "I tried to wake you up for almost an hour now and all you said was
five more minutes! I'm tired!"
"Okay! I'm sorry, please don't be upset!" Kiana grabbed the girl and enveloped her into her
warm embrace. Sirin's purple hair barely reached her breasts, allowing Kiana an unlimited
access to the crown of her head as she stroked her lovingly. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm just so
tired for some reason"
Sirin didn't respond verbally but Kiana could feel her small arms looping around her lower
back. Smiling a fond smile, she held the younger girl close until she saw her nodding
against her bosom.
"I want Mei" Sirin said and Kiana had to suppress a laugh but she couldn't stop her body
from shaking in amusement. Sirin retreated slightly to look at her with the most adorable
glare Kiana had seen from someone. "What's your problem?"
"Nothing!" Except you being so sinfully adorable. "You okay, right?"
Sirin rolled her eyes in what Kiana discerned as disbelief, a disbelief towards her and her
action most likely. "I wasn't the one who jumped and got hit by a train"
Kiana laughed sheepishly. "Yeah"
The young girl in her embrace was her other half so Kiana knew her as much as she knew
herself. Sirin, whose persona was suppressed by the hatred that was Herrscher of The Void,
began to appear in Kiana's head shortly after she departed to the Moon. Her appearance
was what Kiana remembered from her other half during her happier memory she shared
with her late mother Cecilia in the illusion created by Fenghuang Down's power; long
sleeved white dress and black skirt that reached up to her thighs and a twelve year old body.
At first, Kiana thought she had lost her mind when she saw flashes of purple among the
white moon rocks on her periphery but her suspicion was quickly squashed when one day
she woke up with a pair of golden eyes staring at her blue ones on the bed. Kiana didn't
even scream, she silently grasped for a sleeping Mei beside her and said the first thing that
came to mind that morning.
"I think you fucked me to death last night"
Since then, Sirin kept appearing again and again and Kiana had been trying her best to
appease her whenever she showed herself up. Her friends and family were surprised when
she told them of the girl in her head with Siegfried feeling concerned more than anything.
Kiana assured them Sirin did not want bad things and that she was just curious than
malicious, she also told them she was not the same as Herrscher of The Void.
"Her whole life she spent as a test subject. She doesn't know of the outside world and has
been wanting to find out. I want her to feel happiness"
Mei, unsurprisingly, was the first one to support her. Even though she hated Void for what
she did to Kiana, which was a sentiment she shared with Thunder, she didn't blame this
new personality for all the bad things that befell them. She learned this when Kiana allowed
Sirin the control of her body, that even though her eyes turned gold her personality was
anything but destructive. Mei found Sirin to be lovable and Sirin enjoyed her company
more than anyone else's she often asked the woman for a cuddle at nights and Kiana had to
sacrifice her precious time with her beloved Mei because of that. Needles to say, Mei loved
her.
The Doctors were tentative and very confused, trying to figure out how it was even
possible. But the K-series Experiment itself was an enigma with a lot of black inks
covering the crucial information, almost as if Otto didn't want someone else to recreate
what he procreated. That added with the fact a Herrscher Gem itself was like an organic
memory chip probably gave birth to this new personality deep in Kiana's consciousness.
Probably. Yeah, right.
So they reluctantly agreed to overlook this happening after holding Kiana under
observation for a whole month, obviously not wanting the evil persona to do what she did
in the past again.
One evil Sirin was enough. At least in that regard Kiana agreed wholeheartedly.
"I'm going to wake up now. Are you okay if I leave you alone?" Kiana gently asked,
squatting down so now she's on eye level with Sirin. One thing Kiana learned about Sirin
was she could be rather clingy at times, but Kiana wouldn't blame her especially once she
learned she still dreamt of her time in Babylon. She also didn't age whether physically in
appearance or mentally, making her eternally a kid in Kiana's head even after almost a
decade she knew her.
Sirin huffed, blowing a strand of purple hair off her face and instinctively Kiana reached
out to tuck it behind her little ear. "Let me talk to Mei later"
Kiana grinned and nodded. "Okay, but I will have to have her for a little longer. There's
something I need to discuss with her"
"Whatever, Kiana. Just remember you've promised me"
"I know you miss her. It's been a long time since you two talk so I will give you control as
soon as possible. Just not now, okay?" Sirin grumbled something under her breath but she
nodded anyway. Smiling a grateful smile, Kiana patted Sirin's shoulders and stood up, a
portal opening behind her waiting for Kiana to enter. "Catch you up later, kiddo"
"Mhm, later"
Giving the girl a parting wave of her hand, Kiana stepped back and entered the gaping void.
Almost immediately, her guts twisted as the feeling of free fall assaulted her sense. Kiana
didn't react though, simply shoving her hands into her jacket pockets as the darkness
around her quickly receded in a blinding white light.
She felt a warm hand on her own and she chased after it, squeezing the appendage and
receiving a squeeze in return. It was the first of her sense to return, followed by her hearing
and sight.
Blinking her eyes to protect them from burning at the sudden explosion of light, Kiana took
a moment to adjust to the new environment. The place was different to her mind's domain,
well lit and colorful instead of the dark emptiness of oblivion.
When her eyes finally stopped hurting from the light, Kiana could see the face she admired
the most leaning down to cast a shadow and protect her. Mei's purple hair seemed to glow
under the light, radiating a halo above her crown as her amethyst eyes met blue orbs.
Kiana smiled lazily and looped her arms around Mei's neck, bringing her down for a quick
peck. "I'm glad you're okay" She whispered hoarsely against Mei's lips.
"I'm glad you are okay" Mei repeated and Kiana giggled. Up close, Kiana could see Mei
clearly and that including the dried trails of tears she valiantly wanted to hide from Kiana.
Clearly a failed attempt from the way Kiana frowned.
"Have you been crying?" Mei didn't bother to lie because it would only make Kiana worry
so she nodded with all the honesty of her heart. Kiana's expression changed from happy to
sad and worry, feeling Mei's own emotions through their bonds. "Why? Bronya is not dead,
is she?"
An attempt of humor and it earned her a chuckle from Mei. They both knew Bronya would
be the last of them three to die in a suspenseful situation since she was the most rational
one. Still, Kiana internally sighed with relief at the knowledge that her best friend was
alright.
"Bronya is fine" Mei whispered. "She took us in to the Express"
"I expected nothing less, honestly" Kiana paused, mind catching up to what Mei said.
"Wait, what do you mean she took us in? Are you okay?"
"A certain someone protected me" Memories of them traversing the Imaginary Space
returned to Kiana's mind and she chuckled sheepishly. "Even though she risked my ire at
the cost of her recklessness"
That chuckle changed nervous when Kiana saw the fire behind Mei's eyes. Twiddling her
thumbs, she gave the best puppy eyes as response. "Um, sorry?"
Mei's disapproving look disappeared as she captured Kiana's lips into a kiss. The Kaslana
returned it immediately, nearly chasing after Mei when she retreated back. Too soon, too
short but then again, she never had enough when it came to Mei.
"Apology accepted"
Kiana grinned slyly, moving forward for another kiss but Mei put her index finger on her
lips. If that hadn't stopped her, the way her purple eyes drifted down would've. "What's
wrong?"
Mei bit her lower lip anxiously and Kiana followed the movement with a concerned dip of
her eyebrows. Sitting up straight on the bed so she was now facing Mei fully, Kiana
grabbed her hands and gasped at the coldness in Mei's digits.
"Mei, what's the matter?" Kiana rephrased, holding those fingers and interlocking them in
her own to spread her warmth. One quirk she picked up of Mei was that her fingers would
turn cold whenever she was deeply anxious as if the blood had stopped flowing altogether.
She spent countless nights holding Mei's hands back in Nagazora whenever she had her
episodes, sharing her warmth with her. Now was not much different.
Still chewing on her lip, Mei shook her head. "I... There's someone you must meet"
Confusion bloomed in Kiana's chest and she tilted her head inquisitively. "Okay?"
"You might know her, but she's not the someone you know"
Now it was a tentative suspicion that nipped on her heart. "Okay...?" Kiana drawled, still
watching Mei closely. The latter inhaled a deep breath before she released it in a long,
steadying exhale.
"Come in"
Not a second after Mei uttered those words, the door on the far side of the room opened
and Kiana lost her ability to breathe.
Himeko watched the two women with an easy smile, hands crossed over her chest with her
hips cocked to the side, leaning against the doorframe. Kiana's eyes went wide at the sight,
mouth opening and closing as words failed her. Stepping inside, Himeko gave Kiana the
friendliest smile she could muster.
"Hello, Kiana"
"Kiana, wake up girl! It's time for school!"
"Kiana, have you done your homework? It's due tomorrow and you better hope you have it
done by then!"
"Kiana, stop lying on the floor! You're gonna get sick!"
"Kiana! Did you climb off the campus wall again?!"
"Kiana!"
"Kiana?"
"Kiana..."
"Live, Kiana. That is... My final lesson for you..."
Thousands of emotions flashed in Kiana's eyes as she climbed down the bed to approach
the redhead. Memories flooded the forefront of her mind, drowning the woman in an
incessant river of time. She had seen that face in various states of expressions, the hopeful,
the sorrowful, the joyful and the loving and caring. Now that face was looking at her again
with the same open friendliness she saw when she first met her dear teacher shortly after
Nagazora.
Himeko stayed silent, letting the white haired woman poked her arm once and then twice.
Each time Kiana did, her expression twisted as if to discern whether she was real or not,
still looking lost. When she did a third time, she suddenly stepped back and clutched her
finger, a nonexistent flame burning the digit.
Himeko subtly peered towards Mei who had a tight expression herself.
"Hello, Kiana" Himeko repeated and once again Kiana jumped back, surprised. Her
ponytail whipping back and forth as she looked towards Mei behind her and Himeko. A
silent communication, one they shared deeply even without their Herrscher link connecting
their words. After going on about another half a minute and out of concern Kiana might
hurt her neck, she uncrossed her arms and extended a hand. "That's your name, right? Mei
told me about you"
It wasn't pity or regret that Himeko felt when Kiana's eyes settled on her for the nth time
but the hurt in those blue orbs were so potent she had to fight the urge to recoil and
grimace.
"Miss... Himeko...?" Even her voice was timid, eyeing her face and hand with tenuous fear.
"You're here...?"
"I'm here as ever I've been" Himeko joked lightly but her tone turned somber almost
immediately, shaking her head sadly she said. "But I'm afraid I'm not your Himeko"
The fragile glass of dashing hope shattered. Kiana's expression drew blank. The gears
working in her head grinded to halt as her thoughts escaped her. In the end, one word
prevailed over the mess of confusion.
"What?"
Mei moved from her seat, wrapping her arms around Kiana's middle from behind her and
resting her lips against Kiana's scalp, inhaling the familiar scent with a shuddering breath.
"She's not her" Mei croaked out, repeating the words like a mantra.
Kiana was as still as a statue in Mei's embrace, still staring ahead and still silent. Himeko
was genuinely worried for the woman when she suddenly shrugged.
"Okay" Kiana said loudly and it was their turn to be confused. Smiling to herself, she put
her hands on Mei's and patted her there. "Okay, I understand"
The surprise was obvious in Mei's eyes when she stared at Himeko's. Chuckling, the
Navigator extended her hand again and this time Kiana took it. "Nice to meet you"
"Yes, nice to meet you. And, um, thank you for taking us in"
"That's no problem. You're Welt's friends, right? You're welcomed aboard to stay as long as
you want. I'll have Pom-Pom prepare you the Express'
boarding passes so you are
recognized as the Express'
crew. That should give you unrestricted access to our facility
onboard"
"Sounds good. Where's the rest of the crew? I would like to introduce myself to them"
"Oh, just go to the Parlor Car. It's our lounge site and we spend most of our time there
getting along with each other"
"Oh, okay then. How many people are there?"
"Well..."
Mei was speechless. Looking blankly as both Himeko and Kiana talked with each other so
casually like a pair of long time friends. They talked about some trivial things, like the
bathroom, kitchen, the Express and an appointment of coffee time together.
What...
After what felt like an eternity, the redhead excused herself from the two. Mei, despite her
astonishment, still caught the glance Himeko shot her on her way out. Finally, they were
alone again and it was Kiana who broke her silence.
"You sure were worried" She began, turning around so she was facing Mei. A sad smile on
her face as she traced her fingers on Mei's jaw. "Thank you"
Mei looked down towards Kiana's tender gaze. "I thought you would be..."
"Surprised? Shocked? Sad? Well, I most certainly was" She admitted, sighing tiredly as she
slumped against Mei who instinctively caught her and held her upright. "She was
everything Aunt Himeko dreamt to become"
The clear pain in Kiana's voice prompted Mei to tighten her grip around Kiana. She rocked
her body back and forth when Kiana began to sob on her chest, a weight dropping to the pit
of her own stomach at the sound the smaller woman let out.
"I couldn't let her see me cry" Kiana continued between sniffles. "I didn't want her to see
me cry. I've found my happiness and it would feel like I've... I've..."
"Flawed her expectations...?" Mei offered helpfully and Kiana nodded.
"Yeah"
"You don't have to hide your sadness, Kiana. Please, never do so"
"I won't" Kiana assured. "I don't. It's just, well, it will take me time to get used to this. To
her. I will talk to her again and tell her how I feel about her"
"And what do you feel?" Mei asked tenderly and Kiana looked up with a blossoming wet
smile.
"Hope. That she can still end her story the way she wants"