Since learning about just what she was and the legacy she was a part of, Hoshi had always walked with a certain sense of purpose. She felt compelled to do something with her life to make up for the mistakes of her mother, to be worthy of the mercy her aunt had showed them. She was confident in who she was and believed that what did not come to her naturally, she could learn and master by sheer force of will and a little time. So the sense of awe and humility that hit her when she realized she was in a room full of women who were hundreds of years older than herself… Honestly, it made it hard for her to breath without feeling like someone was scrutinizing even that aspect of her. The looks from the various Queens ranged from genuine interest to complete apathy. At least it didn't seem like anyone was going to be openly hostile, but she wondered how much of that was due to Farah's influence. With an easy smile and relaxed demeanor, their hostess had introduced the five other Queens, briefly going over names and lands of origin. Hoshi stored them away the best she could, but she'd have to tread lightly. The one thing she knew for certain is that she did not want any of these women as an enemy. Any creature that had lived as long as some of these women undoubtedly had far more ability and knowledge than she could fathom. They could be a wealth of information waiting to be harvested if she played her cards well.

With all these thoughts in mind and Kei close at hand, Hoshi took a deep breath and approached the buffet table, her stomach rumbling. At least food was always a good way to keep from saying something thoughtless. Hoshi reached for the serving spoon to help herself to some fruit when a delicate hand moved faster than a breath, filling the spoon and scooping a heaping serving of both familiar and exotic fruit on her plate. Struggling not to look as surprised as she felt, she followed the hand to its owner and found herself wishing she'd paid more attention to introductions…

"Astrid, in case you were struggling to remember," the lithe woman with impossibly pale skin said. Her voice was musical to the point where Hoshi wondered if it was a genetic trait among their kind. "Did you want more…?"

"Oh, no thank you," Hoshi replied, pulling her plate and her mind back before it ran off on a tangent.

She continued to consider this Queen who didn't look any older than herself. Her hair was a dark blonde, brown in some parts, and her eyes were the color of the ocean. When they met her own, she had to look away because she wasn't quite prepared for the depth and time that was reflected within them. Astrid helped herself to some fruit and a couple of small pastries before moving out of Hoshi's personal space and considering her as well.

"To be honest, I usually avoid events like these since I'm not quite sure what to make of some of the others," Astrid said, her voice lowering slightly as though she didn't want to offend anyone. Probably a wise idea, considering the company they kept. "I've called this country home for the past century, but I can never quite get over how much older some of them are. Rather disconcerting at times…"

That was an understatement, especially considering how much older than herself this Queen was, and Hoshi was certain Astrid was one of the younger Queens present.

"Disconcerting is probably the best word I can think of," Hoshi replied, looking down at her plate and picking some melon to nibble. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Kei scooping some bacon and toast onto his plate and quickly finished chewing her small mouthful.

"This is Kei, my Chevalier," she said, not really certain how to go about introducing him.

"You're quite young to have a Chevalier," Astrid replied, nothing in her tone pointing towards condemnation or praise.

"Do you have any?" Hoshi asked. Farah had only introduced the Queens, clearly leaving any further introductions up to individual parties.

Astrid's eyes immediately darted to a corner of the room where a few men and women mingled amongst themselves. Almost as quickly, a young man looked up, turned towards their direction, and sketched a bow before returning to his conversation. Hoshi was taken aback by the carefree smile he beamed their way. That, and how young he appeared. He couldn't have been long out of puberty when he was made, and Astrid smiled with a mixture of affection and sadness before clearing the expression off her face.

"My Chevalier, Randolph. He's been with me all his life…"

"You raised him from infancy?" Hoshi interrupted, shock removing any better judgment from her mind.

Astrid nodded, picking at her food slightly as if she'd lost her appetite. "My mother brought him home from a battle one day. My twin had been killed during a struggle with another Queen and her entourage before we'd matured, so I would never have been able to have children even if I'd wanted. One year, during my second century, she came home with this babe in her arms. He was one of the few survivors, she said, and she wasn't certain how much longer she could keep flitting about battlefields with the world changing. At that point, people still believed in valkyries." Astrid gave a small laugh. "She told me that if I preferred a girl, she could try again, but by then, he was in my arms, and I never wanted to put him down. He is my everything…"

So, there were even relationships such as theirs. How must it have been to be a human raised by a Queen? Hoshi wondered if it was a harder choice to make when both parties were able to discuss the matter beforehand instead of have it forced upon one by the whims of the other. True, she'd turned Kei to save his life, but it had still been without his permission…

"You know, it was both the happiest and saddest day of my life when he came home and told me that he wanted to become my Chevalier," Astrid continued. "I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adamant. He was so happy when he woke up, but I've always wondered if I did the right thing. I think we all do, even if the reason varies."

Hoshi resisted the urge to look at Kei, even if she could feel his eyes on her back. He'd told her that he did not regret this life, but that does not mean he would've chosen it for himself. And if she was honest with herself, she wasn't sure if she had the courage to find out what his answer would be. And while she did not regret saving his life, she would be kidding herself if she said she didn't regret forcing him into hers.


Saya was admittedly overwhelmed. She'd never been any good at these social gatherings, if she was honest with herself, and she'd always felt some sort of way about doing parties and such when she had to go undercover. It was another matter if she was with people she knew and trusted, but her history was too full of betrayals and questionable motives for her to not wonder what hid behind all the smiles and pleasant talk that happened at times like this.

"Saya, dear, let me introduce you to the two Queens I've known the longest," Farah said, looking to the two women that stood at her side. The one on her left could've been related to her. They had the same, beautiful, chestnut skin tone, but her eyes were a deep, molten brown instead of Farah's hazel green. She smiled graciously at Saya, holding her hand out.

"I'm Sakina, Farah's cousin," she introduced herself.

"Cousin?" Saya repeated, uncertain if she was missing something.

Sakina laughed lightly, a delicate sound full of a child-like mirth that Saya found herself envying. She looked at Farah, fondness on her face, as she nodded. "Yes, actual cousins. Her mother was my aunt. I'm quite a bit younger, but that is another story entirely. Let's just say that my mother had a healthy skepticism about both humans and Chiropterans, so she mostly kept to herself and explored the world."

"Sounds like a fulfilling life," Saya replied. She found herself liking this woman despite her instincts telling her to be wary of her.

"The last time I saw her, she seemed quite content with herself and what she'd accomplished," Sakina answered, and Saya couldn't miss the hint of sadness in those words.

"Humans came for her, and then my own mother afterwards," Farah huffed, finishing the story. "Organisations like Red Shield have always existed in some shape or form, at least as long as they've feared us. My mother used to love talking about the days when our kind was revered as deities, but that mindset had its own unintended consequences."

"Indeed," said the other woman Farah had yet to introduce. "These two will talk amongst themselves all day, if you let them. I am Amare, and I will be frank and state that knowing your history with Red Shield, I am not inclined to fully trust you. You would not be the first of our kind to work against us."

Saya couldn't even be offended by the statement because it was true and there was no malice present. If anything, her tone was conversational, despite the clear distrust. Farah simply looked amused at her companion's words. Amare was clearly of African descent, her skin the color of rich, fertile earth and her eyes the same shade. Her hair was in long dreads, decorated with metallic cuffs and charms. Her clothing was simple enough, an overcoat with embroidery around the edges and a matching set of pants, but even Saya could tell that the fabric was most likely silk or something equally high quality from the sheen it gave off. The Queen managed to be both elegant and imposing by simply standing there.

"I suppose if we had roles here among us Queens, Amare would be our gatekeeper, of sorts. She tends to have a keen instinct about people, given enough time in their company, so we give her words and thoughts more weight when it comes to who we keep and who we send back into the world."

"Then I suppose I will have to be sure to stay in your good graces, Amare," Saya said, bowing her head in a gesture of respect. A full bow didn't feel quite right under the circumstances, in this foreign land with its own laws and customs.

"That you shall," Amare replied, and Saya thought she felt the air lighten a little. The look in her eyes became slightly less intense, at any rate.

"Amare and I met during our days as priestesses for our mothers," Farah said. "Tribute exchanges and the like."

The two shared a smile that spoke to a bond that Saya was not privy to and could not begin to understand. Just as Saya began to feel particularly awkward, Sakina turned her attention back towards the young interloper and seemed to notice her discomfort.

"Do you have any other family? Related or otherwise, of course…"

"Of course," Farah added, a look that managed to be both sheepish and apologetic crossing her face while managing not to take away any of the authority she radiated almost naturally.

"Ah, yes," Saya said, and felt her heart constrict before the words even left her mouth. "Hoshi's twin, Tsukiko, is most likely with the King at this moment. And Kai…"

It was all she could do to get his name out. She didn't think it would hurt this much to be separated again after spending so long apart. Had he even escaped from Red Shield at all?

"I'm sorry, but we've heard no word," Farah murmured. The gentleness of her words almost undid the brave front Saya was working to maintain. Somehow, she felt Haji's attention focus on her from wherever he was in the room. No, she wasn't alone. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"There was a period of time where I lost my memories. At that time, I was raised with a human family, and Kai was my older brother for many years until I recalled who and what I was. Even then, Kai continued to support me and treat me like family. We had agreed to leave Red Shield together, so I only hope that he managed to find a safe house or something at this point."

"I may have some eyes that I can spare to search for him," Amare offered. "I dislike the idea of having a loose end out there, and I'm sure few know the inner workings of Red Shield like the two of you. I would love to take them down, once and for all."

"Wouldn't we all," Farah sighed, nodding at the plan. "I approve, so if you do as well, Saya, I'm sure we can have them searching before the day is over. However, understand that if we suspect he may not be as loyal as you think him…"

"Could we at least bring him back here?" Sakina interrupted. "Let Saya decide how to proceed from there?"

Saya could've hugged the woman for suggesting a more lenient route, even if it would have the same outcome. Even in the small glimpse of this country that she'd seen so far, Saya could not blame these Queens for doing what they must to protect themselves and the lives they'd built here.

"Very well," Farah said, much to Amare's clear dismay. "If you can, bring him back alive, regardless of where his loyalties may be. We shall let our little Queen decide what matters more to her."

Suddenly, Saya wondered if such a path would be more lenient in the end. Either despite or because of Saya's shift in mood, Farah clapped her hands together, the sound finite as she looked Saya over.

"Until we have heard something one way or the other, let us continue to introduce you to our small nation. Feel free to wander the gardens or relax in your rooms, but tonight, we shall all go see the Night Market together."

The tone of her voice left no room for argument, and Saya finally allowed herself to seek out Haji's eyes in the room. He simply nodded, looking more relaxed than she'd seen him in a while. Perhaps, she should try to enjoy herself as well. At least for his sake.


Tsukiko didn't know what to make of any of this. It was only when she saw the quaint village from some Grimm fairy tale, bustling with children and lively voices that she realized she'd somehow imagined Sho ran a dictatorship. And perhaps that was still the case, but her eyes told her otherwise. On the contrary, people of all ages and sizes ran up to Sho, sharing tales and stories of what he'd missed in the time he'd been away. This Sho was the person she'd grown so close to over the past weeks, had opened up to when she was feeling uncertain about her place in everything. It was driving her up the wall, trying to reconcile the person in front of her with the person who would turn and throw away others for the sake of testing her and the others. The person who knowingly turned an audience of people into Chiropterans, knowing the bloodshed and horror it would unleash. The same person who had let her beat out her frustrations on a drum set just days ago now kept her prisoner like a somehow darker Beauty and the Beast. At least she knew what he wanted from her and didn't have to wait until some distant future to figure out the plot twist.

Over the past few days, she'd scoured the room, trying to figure out any blind spot where the cameras wouldn't reach, and presuming that the lenses on the cameras weren't using fisheye lenses, it still didn't give her much to work with. Maybe some small space to hide a tool or something, but to what end at this point? There were metal detectors outside of her room, bars on the windows behind shatterproof glass, and guards posted throughout the large home he kept at the top of the hill that oversaw most of the hamlet. She hated to admit it, but Sho had been very, very smart in his planning. Or whoever had planned this town and home. True to his word, Tsukiko could come and go as she pleased, but never went anywhere without at least two guards, one of them Chiropteran in case she decided to try anything. Hell, he should've picked Hoshi, as calculating as he was. She might've been able to figure out some sort of weak point; she was always able to see the trees as well as the forest.

She hoped they were well. Biting her bottom lip to keep from thinking about them too long, she looked up at the sound of a little girl of maybe 5 or 6, crying in the middle of the dirt road. Even before she could think to go to her, the child looked up to see Sho and launched herself towards him. He kneeled down just in time to open his arms for her to jump into. Tsukiko watched as he patted her back, shushing her softly until an older man came over, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

"I'm sorry about Becca here," the man said. "Some of the kids were teasing her about how you weren't going to come back and made it a big deal that you hadn't been to town since coming home."

Sho chuckled a little, as if none of this surprised him, and carefully pulled Becca away from his chest.

"You know you can't believe everything you hear, Becca," he said, smiling as he wiped away her tears. "I was just a little busy with my new friend here, so I haven't quite had time to come say hi to everyone."

At that, Becca finally looked over and noticed Tsukiko, and somehow managed to glare slightly through her red, puffy eyes. "Who are you?" she asked.

When she realized Sho was trying not to laugh, Tsukiko felt like she was missing several inside jokes. She was, again, the outsider, as this girl so clearly reminded her.

"My name is Tsukiko, and I'll be staying here for a little while," she said, closing some of the gap between them. She extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Becca."

Becca clung to Sho's arms, eying the offering with as much suspicion as her small face could muster.

"I don't like you!" she declared quite loudly, and ran over to the older man, who picked her up and looked over at Tsukiko, mouthing an apology before carrying away the small ball of emotion.

Once they were out of earshot, Sho all but doubled over laughing, eyes wet as tears threatened to fall down his face. Even one or two of the escorts struggled to hold back their amusement, although one had already hidden behind a building at some point during the exchange, and she was holding her stomach as though it ached. Tsukiko stood there, feeling increasingly more awkward as Sho took a couple of breaths and wiped at his face as he met her eyes.

"That little lady is Becca Peters, and she is my self-declared betrothed," he managed to get out, even as his shoulders shuddered from the strain of holding back the laughter. "And she quite obviously sees you as a threat to her claim on me. I apologize on her behalf for today and whatever the future may bring, since I've seen firsthand how creative her pranks can be."

"Is that so?" Tsukiko replied.

She wasn't sure what to feel as she looked at Sho and then in the direction the man had taken Becca. To the evergreens in the hills high above them or the simply dressed people around her, simply living their lives. None of it was what she had expected. But as she continued to walk through the streets of this town with no name, Tsukiko found herself feeling increasingly more homesick for a home she wasn't sure still existed. She missed the gentle laughter at the breakfast table with Hoshi and Uncle Kai. She missed the thrill of missions and the pleasure of cutting down an enemy after a long hunt. She even missed the comforting, steadfast presence of her Aunt Saya. But they were gone to some distant land, and even when...if she got out of here, she had no clue how to find them. A feeling of despair sank over her so strongly that she stopped right where she was, her feet too heavy to continue walking.

"What is it?" Sho asked, immediately sensing the shift in her emotions.

Tsukiko looked at him, and the concern in his eyes looked so genuine, so much like what he'd shown the townspeople all morning and so much like what he'd show her every day she'd showed up at band practice that she struggled to remind herself that it might not be real. That Sho may just be the greatest con artist she'd ever come across. Even so...even so…

"I feel so lost," she whispered, her voice as light as the air itself.

He stood there, several emotions flashing over his face, but all he did was nod before turning back around.

"Sometimes...you've got to get a little lost in order to find out where you're supposed to be," she heard him say, his voice as soft as hers had just been. And as much as she hated to admit it, with everything that he claimed he'd been through, Sho may be the only person she could talk to who knew exactly how she was feeling right now.