Toro nagashi… The paper lanterns that float far from shore. They guide the spirits back to the other world. Ever since Sophia was very little, she would come to watch the lanterns flow away from the shore. Back then, she would get teary but mesmerized by the sight of the lights. This time she isn’t crying, but more by the fact that isn’t physically capable anymore. Her eyes are red and puffy. Her hands set two of her three lanterns on the water. For those who had died and for those who will. These days, Sophia thinks the light pollution ruins them. How could the spirits find their way if everything else was so much brighter? She wants everything to go dark, so she could focus on the candles moving further and further away.

She looks at the third lantern. She is pretty sure she shouldn’t be staring at the small flickering flame inside for so long. What did it mean to die? Could the soul leave the body, making the body no more than a hollow husk? She isn’t sure what to do with the third lantern. She doesn’t really want to send it off to the person she had in mind, guiding his spirit further off. Maybe that was a selfish thought…

She sets the third lantern down, but not for the same reason. For something else. For things that were lost.

She thinks vaguely that she should go home. Maybe even turn her phone on. She wouldn’t be surprised if her parents called the police already to look for her. But she has no clue what to say to them when she gets back though. Feinting happiness and cheerfulness is far beyond her right now. Besides, she didn’t really want to go home. She rather just join the light of the lanterns.

Valdis strolled down the harbor; her violet eyes looking around at the people gathering at the harbor. Val had a calm expression on her face, so many people came here to honor loved ones passed and she was no different. Valdis carried a large bag holding multiple lanterns. This was a tradition in Japan that she approved of. It gave chance for the ones who were left on this earth to honor the memory of those who passed.

Valdis was wearing a long black dress like coat; the hem of her skirt just poking out above her knees. She wore black wool tights and knee high boots. Her hair was left down, the long purple tresses reaching down past her waist. Her hands were covered in black gloves, appropriate attire for the festival…or at least the right color.

She came to a stop when she saw little mouse, to her she merely nodded before going to the waters edge and bending down to one knee. Where she began to prepare the lanterns…she had quite a few.

Sophia looks over to see Valdis. She didn’t really want to run into anyone who actually knew her. She figured only strangers would be around this late by the harbor.

She sort of stares as Valdis as she puts the lanterns in the water. “So many lanterns,” she says. Her speech is slow and so are her movements. She turns back to face the water as she tries to will herself stop sobbing. The third lantern is moving slowly away. Things lost. And there they would go forever. She could probably still catch it.

“You’re a good person. I’m really selfish actually,” she says before, jumping into the water. She grabs the lantern, and takes it back to shore. The flame had gone out. She vaguely realizes it is pretty cold and she is soaked through, but she just keeps sitting, staring at the soggy lantern.

Valdis shrugged at Sophias comment when she began to place the lanterns in the water. She did have quite a few but they were for people she knew, not particularly close to but…who else would remember them if she did not after all there was no one left.


”One is for my mother; she was sick for so long, her body eventually lost the battle… The others are for my village…the covenants first up rising and slaughtering was in my home town. I lost many friends…and there families went with them.”


Valdis voice held no sadness, nor joy, it was void of any emotion; she just stated a fact. Her face matched her tone; as she stared out at the lanterns. Val had come a long way with living with the burden of those memories. They had shaped her into who she was today. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath; she hated moments like these…the air was heavy with burdened hearts…Even the cheerful Sophia brought no light into the situation.

Val blinked when Sophia suddenly ran into the water…she had experience with how damn cold that was…but she seemed unaffected. Valdis mask broke into a frown, a worried glance at the formerly cheerful girl. This wouldn’t do…she hated to see someone loose to there own heart ache. Val sighed before removing her coat and walking over to Sophia wrapping her coat around her. It was fur lined so even if she was wet she would still be kept warm by it.


”Why take it back? This moment is for remembering; remembering so things and people are not forgotten.”


She patted the girl on the shoulder.


”Being selfish is not a bad thing; if we are not selfish sometimes then we loose ourselves to other people. Its alright to want something for yourself…”

It was odd to be referred to as a good person….not many people thought that nor did she really promote it…but then again Sophia had a talent for seeing the good in others…something that this cynical world probably needed. Val didn’t like this drastic change in the normally overly perky girl, it wasn’t her.

”Little Mouse I find when emotions are overbearing it helps to find an outlet; or concentrate on something else…”

Valdis looked around and was quiet for a bit; she did this every year and every year she sang the lanterns off. Maybe it would be good if Little mouse joined her. Val began to hum quietly, slowly turning into a soft lullaby. Eventually her voice grew, and the people around her one by one began to join in. Val didn’t like to send the lanterns away with such heavy hearts… It would hurt those in the next life to see there loved ones suffer so.

(WORK POST HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA)

Sophia looks up from the ruined lantern. “Thanks. I am sorry that you have lost so many… But I honestly don’t think I could forget if I wanted too… I am just not ready to let go of some things, I guess.” Part of the issue was it wasn’t easy to explain why she was so distraught. Sure, there was one very big reason. But there were a countless smaller reasons as well, and their presence couldn’t be ignored. About 60% sadness and confusion and 40% existential crisis. “I am unsure if I should send out the lantern or even if I really want. I feel like I would be giving up…” However, it seems to her that her current attitude upset Valdis somewhat. She really didn’t want anyone else to worry or concern themselves with her issues. She makes an attempt at a smile, “Sorry for acting strangely. Thank you for the coat.”

She starts to sing along with the voices as the lanterns float away, adding her voice into the choir. It is somewhat comforting to hear a ton of voices in singing even if the melancholy tone was still there. Mostly, it drowns out the multitude of thoughts, so she can at least feint some composure. After the song, her eyes seem pretty focused on the lights in the far distance, and she enjoys some relative silence in her own mind rather than tons of overbearing emotions.

Valdis gently takes the ruined lantern, removing the candle and tearing away the soaked soggy areas. She pulled out some extra supplies from her bag and began to patch and transform the lantern into something else, it turned into a water lily. Placing a new candle with in it, and handed the lantern back to Sophia. She really didn’t have a response for Sophia about her own loses… Val hadn’t really encountered a moment where someone actually felt sorry for her loss… So the moment was one she really didn’t know how to respond to.

”Giving up on what?”

As the song ended, she stopped singing, but others continued. She did this every year, she came she sang…it was tradition now. Valdis didn’t respond to the thanks either, Sophia would suffer from the cold more then she would. So it was only logical that she gave the girl her coat. Val nodded in approval as the girl seemed to gain control of her emotions once more. An idea hit her and she pulled a bit of mascara out of a pocket, opening up and putting some one Sophia.

”My father always told me, keep your head up, do not let the people see your pain. If you are in a position where people look to you for leadership then you must not show them your broken. You my Little Mouse are now in a position where people will look to you, in our small group and in the masses whose eyes will turn to you. Do not let your light be extinguished because someone might need it to find their way out of darkness.”

She closed the cap to the mascara and winked with a small smiley on her face.

”This is a trick I use; you can’t lose your face when you have a mask yes?”

She patted the girl on the shoulder; she was going to get sick if she stayed out much longer.

”Come….let us go somewhere warm. You can come to my house…I will give you something dry to put on….”

Valdis scratched the back of her head, thinking about the advice she had given. While it made sense in public Val first hand understood that way of thinking tore a person apart silently. It wouldn’t help Little Mouse in the long run. Little Mouse seemed to be the type to wear her emotions on her sleeve.

”I will not object if you use my shoulder to lean on…I will listen and you will receive no judgment from me..You have my word.”

Valdis turned to go; only pausing to make sure Little Mouse fallowed.

“You’re right. I really should be distressed like this. Funny… my mom said similar things to me once,” Sophia says, letting her apply the mascara. “However, I wouldn’t say the rest of the group looks to me for any sort of guidance. I think Amarissa is acting like the leader. Which I suppose is good, she is fairly level-headed and a far better fighter than myself.”

She thinks back to the time on the roof, “Still, we don’t feel the same way about what we see as the same situation. I think I both admire her and dislike her attitude at the same time...”

She then looks a little surprised that came out of her mouth. “Not that I dislike her. I like her just fine. She seems like a good person, if a little aloof. And, she promised me that she would purify any youma we encounter. But, I guess I tend to disagree with everyone else, and I’m sure you noticed. ” When Valdis is done, she smiles back at her. It’s fleeting though, and she just resumes a neutral expression. Valdis words seem to sink in because she seems normal enough to people who don’t know the girl.

“Umm… sure. But my home isn’t far away. I was just avoiding it. Because I couldn’t… I don’t think I can keep up the impression that everything is alright or I don’t know more than I am letting on. My parents may or may not think I am dead at this point. I told them I was going to see the art exhibit in Shibuya… I am guessing that has been on the news.”

She shakes her head. She hardly wanted to be a burden on other people’s shoulders. “You really don’t have to. I’ll be ok. Besides, I don’t think I can without losing it.”

Valdis shrugged, it was a tough life for people who were expected to be the backbone of society. They couldn’t lose face otherwise things would crumble.

”You bring something to the group, there are bound to be moments when the others loose themselves…it’s the nature of what they’re up against. As irritating as it is sometimes your able to see the good in things, the group will need that. They may not acknowledge it but you’ll lead them to a better place.”

When mention that Ama was the leader Val shrugged. She could care less who was views as the leader and who was not.

”A good leader isn’t always the one who puts themselves out front, a good leader is someone who is able to support the team and nudge them in the right direction. Although if you guys willingly fallow her it is a start.”

Valdis did see that Ama seemed to be the one to take the first step, and others followed suit…but other than that Val had no knowledge of her capabilities. Valdis chuckled at Sophia’s back track.

”Ahh so Little Mouse does get annoyed”

Val looked over at Sophia.

”I am unable to give opinions on Ama, or the others. I’m not exactly included in your inner circle. You and Nazo were the only ones to include me in this little escapade…and Kail through association.”

Valdis eyebrow raised at the mention of the art exhibit and news…

”Was there another attack?”

Valdis stopped when Little mouse tried to decline her invite.

”Why do you think I’m inviting you to my house….you can lose it there. So your coming you need it.”

Val spoke in a tone that really left no room for argument; this girl’s politeness was annoying.

“I really doubt my ability to lead anyone to better place. You seem to think the team would actually want to listen to me about that sort of thing,” Sophia responds to Valdis’ assertion that she would guide the team down some better path. “I think without Luna being there to say something similar to me, they may have killed the girl even if I screamed at them not to. I suppose that is the only thing I am thankful about... I don't think I could stand it if more than one innocent person got hurt...” She rubs her eyes a little, smearing the mascara. "I don't think this is working."

Sophia shrugs. “She seems to want the job. She can have it, I guess. But I don’t think we should have a leader, honestly. People’s opinions get drowned out that way. Better to discuss our plans as a group. That’s why I invited you. You seemed like you wanted to involve yourself in this, so we might as well hear what you have to say about the situation. As for an inner circle, if there is one, I don’t think I am a part of it either.”

At the mention of another attack, Sophia looks distraught for a second before casting her eyes down toward the ground. “Yeah. Something like that.”

“Alright, lead the way home then. I only remember to get there by horse-drawn Hearse,” she says, sounding none too excited.

”Doesn’t matter whether they want to or not, if it’s said then the suggestion is there, and unless they have their heads so far up their ass’s they would have to acknowledge you make some good points. Saa but alas tis the misfortune of our fates being left in the hands of us teenagers, listening is not always our strong suite.”

She shrugged taking on Nazos favorite saying, her eyes gazing at their surroundings. Leading them both to the train to take them home. Once they were at the train center Val would make a call from a payphone requesting a car to pick her up at the station. Normally she would have taken the long hike home but without her jacket and with Little Mouse being wet that would be risking hypothermia. Valdis could tell Little Mouse was suffering, her ideals would make it that way…Valdis had already guessed this would be the result as soon as she found out Little Mouse was one of the Senshi.

”I see one innocent suffering right now; but sadly those with power have to dirty themselves in order to preserve others. More innocents may suffer, sadly that is the way of life, I believe the others are focusing on the larger picture. They want to stop the cause of the suffering for many, but the forget about the small details in-between.”

Val had surprising insight but that was more because she was held at a distance from the group. Seeing only bits and pieces here and there. Some from being there, and from visions, and others from personal experience. Valdis looked over at Sophia and chuckled when she made the comment about the mascara.

”Yes it is, it just takes practice. The fact that you thought about it means its working. It takes your mind away from your thoughts even for a moment to at least give it a break.”

Valdis listened to Sophia’s opinion on whether or not they needed a leader, she both agreed and disagreed with that statement.

”You do need a leader, but a subtle one. Everyone in the group has strong personalities; most of them are hot heads that are highly independent. You need someone who is able to take each of your talents and discretely nudge each of you in the right direction. If someone is lost and looking for direction that leader needs to know when to step in, and when to let things run their course.”

Valdis had many lectures on what made a good leader, and she had her father as an example. There was a reason why so many people loved him as the president.

”A leader is also someone who can listen and then take everyone’s opinions and reach a compromise, in a group you need that one person to make a fair final decision. In a good compromise no one is left happy….But it sounds like Ama did attempt to include your opinion by trying to purify her targets before actually killing them. To me that sounds like a reasonable final decision. It will cost the others time taking the thing down, but its not lacking in action to where it could cause more than unnecessary harm. In this I think Ama made a good decision. If she continues on that line then she may very well be the leader you guys need. But my only experience with her was when she blinded me at the park when she first awakened, at that fight it was mostly the amazing jumping bean giving the directions.”

Valdis paused in her speech when they got to the train station to make the call she needed before going to board the train. During this time of day the car was pretty much empty.

”But that is my opinion what Little Mouse is a leader for you?”

Val was happy that Sophia had included her during that meeting.

”I was appreciative that you invited me, so far the only ones who wanted me to help were Nazo and Rei….Of course they said I was suppose to accomplish something, not sure what but I gave my word that I’m going to try to help in any way I can. Including making sure lost Senshi don’t stay lost very long.”

When they got to the station on the outskirts a black car with tinted windows was waiting for them. She noticed a change in Sophias facial expression when she mentioned the attack. Something had to have happened at the attack.

”I will wait until we are in my room to have this conversation”

It was better to have that conversation in private, especially since it would seem that was what triggered this mood of hers.

Dirty themselves to preserve others. Sophia rather not admit it, but it seemed true. She nods to that. “After the first battle, I figure I would have to hurt a lot of people… It isn’t something I want to think about. Personally, I would’ve liked to have held something like a funeral for the blue lady in the theatre. It’s really sad to die alone and in pain like that… You know, she said thank you… I know that should make me feel better like I did something right. But I hate how the only end to her suffering was with death. Maybe I am stuck on what their lives could have been…”

When she talks about leaders, she shakes her head a little bit. “First, as for nudging people in the right direction, I doubt anyone can stop Kishin from acting so suicidal during a fight. I don’t think he realizes how close he gets to death. However, if someone actually managed it, then perhaps I wouldn’t feel too bad about them leading the group. Second, as for understanding everyone’s talents, I don’t think people know the full capacity of what they can do, so I don’t think anyone else would know the answer to that. Admittedly, we are really bad at coordination. Myself included in that. Maybe we should aim to get everyone better at that… We’re likely to all die if we are always guessing what the other is trying to do. The people we fight are vastly more coordinated than us with more experience. We don’t have the advantage.”

“You know what kind of background I come from. Leaders are someone you can place your decision-making power in. You put your life in their hands sometimes. You trust them to an incredible degree to do the right thing. However, I never really liked strict hierarchies or structure, so the military life never was for me.”

“Back to Amarissa though. Ama’s a good listener. And a good compromiser. However, the other senshi have good qualities as well. Kishin’s quick thinking. Yuki’s power. Kail’s convictions and drive to protect others. I don’t know too much about Keitha but I am sure she has good abilities in a leader as well. So really all of them would be just as good to the lead the team. Not one of them stands out to me as a superior option or choice. Also, all of them could take the same position as leader, and I would still always be unsure whether I want to place that much faith in another person to guide me in the right direction. None of us have fought a war before. None of us have seen battle before a week ago. It’s mostly like the blind leading the blind.”

As Valdis says that she was told that was going to accomplish something, she gives an actually genuine smile as some of the original hopes that she held before for team senshi come back. “Probably something great. You have a far better mind for all this. If you had senshi abilities, you’d probably put us all to shame.”

As she gets into the car, she realizes just how tired her body is. She sort of sinks into the seat. “Is it ok with you if I never move from this spot?”

”Funeral? I suppose we could still do that, its only been a couple days….out further on my property there’s an abandoned shrine. We can put something together there….Although Little Mouse…there may have been a reason she said thank you…she was about to commit a mass murder, who knows what else she might have done before she went to the theater…if she had returned to humanity do you think she would be able to live with herself? Her anguish wouldn’t know an end…there are times where it’s better to put them to rest to put an end to their torment.”

Val frowned a bit, was little mouse emotionally strong enough for this role? Perhaps not…it was just another reason why this group needed to come together more…otherwise they would lose pieces of their whole by letting it slowly rot itself away….and the one person who probably could annoy them into it was the first likely to go…She chuckled at her comment about a suicidal fighting style, she could understand that completely.

”Then he makes good Youma bait, me and him have something in common. Suicidal fighting has its uses, you put him on the front lines, half the time if its random enough it will create an opening for the more tactical fighters to move in. Like you and Ama with your long range attacks, get a youma to pause and it might be that split second you need to hit it. But you are right you guys do need a way to coordinate your fighting. I will research some and maybe offer suggestions at the next meeting if I’m invited.”

Valdis shrugged at Sophias response, it was understandable not to want to put your life in someone’s hands, really it would come down to how much trust they all could develop in one another. Honestly some whacka do should put them all in the room and force them to do some trust building excercizes….

”….Hmm maybe I should ask Nazo to port you all in some random hole and not let you guys out until you complete a large set of trust exorcises…”

That was more of an inside thought spoken out loud but to her it sounded like a reasonable idea. Though they would need a lid on it or something to keep the jumping bean in…. Though Sophia spoke about everyone’s qualities, everyone had good ones…but where was the lynch pin?

”Is there anyone who you think has the capability to manipulate all those wonderful qualities into places where they should be?”
Honestly if even one of them was able to act as a puppet master that team could be quite strong. What one lacked another could make it up.

”As for battles…perhaps we can form a study group. Nazo suggested I look into some tactical theories and what not. I’ve been reading up on it before bed, I can share the books for you guys to use. Maybe someone will step up and begin setting up drills. After all like you guys said you just saw battle for the first time last week, you need all the practice you can get.”

Valdis scratched the back of her head at the surprise bit of acknowledgment. Unless they could see into the future Val figured people wrote her off as a whack job.

”I’ve just had more time to wrap my head around this covenant stuff….I already know how to cope with the emotions your feeling and In a odd way all this is comforting in some way to me.”

She knew it was warped but she did find some comfort in the battles.

”And if I had Senshi powers then Nazo and Rei wouldn’t be worried of me going to the dark side. They don’t really appreciate me tapping into Chaotic energy….”

Valdis chuckled when Sophia didn’t want to move, she made sure the sound proof window was up before they had continued there conversation. She blasted the heat to make sure Little Mouse would be warm in her soaked clothing.

”You’ll feel better in something dry”

Much quicker than the horse drawn hearse they pulled up to a back entrance which was less of a walk. Valdis got out and lead the way inside heading straight to her room where she went to her dresser. After rummaging a bit Valdis pulled out a pair of jeans, and a white sweater shirt and some dry undergarments…along with a sports bra…it would be loose but it would at least help a bit. She tossed them to Sophia.

”Go on and change, feel free to use the hair dryer. I’ll go make us some warm beverages.”

With that Val walked off, she wasn’t one to have the servants make her food….she was pretty sure a couple of them wanted to off her….So she made her own food and drinks most of the time. Valdis made a pitcher of coffee and grabbed some cream and the silver container of sugar and put it on a platter with a set of mugs. Then carried them back to her room placing it down on her large desk. While Sophia was busy she pored herself a cup of coffee putting a good amount of cream and sugar in…she liked her coffee sweet. Valdis took a sip and sat down in her chair picking up a wooden figure and a small knife, slowly carving small pieces away.

“I’d appreciate it. And I don’t know… I think being mind-controlled makes them as much victims as the people they hurt under that effect. However, I guess it is possible no one would want to live to have a second chance with that much guilt. Though, I think if this world is to move forward in a good direction, then we all need to help each other through the emotional scars that all of us have accumulated to this point. All survivors, not just the ones we seem to deem more worth saving. And I don’t think ALL of them would want that, and I don’t think any living friends or family would want that for them. Imagine if you will, if she had a husband and children. Would they count us as murderers? If we find out all of them could of have been saved tomorrow, then would we be put on trial as such?” It was a moral question that she had been grappling with.

Sophia stares at her with a panicked expression, “Never fight like Kishin. Never put yourself in that situation. Don’t underestimate the power of what we fight.” The dark archanid humanoid fills her mind, and she takes a few deep breaths. “The idea that we’re invincible, that we can’t fail is false. And that belief will get someone hurt or worse. It endangers not only yourself, but everyone around you.” It was terrifying… and he was only the first of many. How could they stand up to a challenge like that. It takes her a few moments to get through a panic attack. She comes around, but still looks shaken.

She laughs a little as she manages trust exercises, but it doesn’t sound quite right. “Drills would be better… We could do with some more preparedness.”

“Manipulate?” she repeats. That was an odd choice of words. “I think I would prefer being sought for my talents rather than being manipulated in to someone’s will. But I guess that’s just semantics. And no, I don’t think so.”

“A study group might be a good idea. Drills and the study group. And yeah, we do need practice. I’m unsure whether practicing everyday would be enough.”

As Valdis mentions chaotic energies, she gives her a confused look. “What do you mean by that? Chaotic energy? Can you be tainted without being a youma? I don’t think you’ll go to the dark side. I don’t think most people would willingly give up everything they are and all hope, love, positivity in their lives for that. I wouldn’t tell the others though. I’m unsure how they would respond. We need you. You have good ideas.” She didn’t want to see Valdis get kicked out of the senshi group or have them distrust her. She was a valuable member as were the rest of the senshi and knights.

Valdis’ house lost its charm this time around. Or maybe Sophia just wasn’t in the mood to appreciate it. “Thanks again,” she says as she takes the clothes, and moves off to the bathroom.

After putting on the new clothes and drying out her hair, it did feel nice to be warm. As she walks out, she is greeted with the scent of coffee. “I suppose it is a good thing that I wasn’t planning on sleeping,” she says before taking one of the cups. She is pretty sure she could only dream of things like Orion poisoned by a Giant Scorpion.

Once more Valdis found herself shrugging, these types of moral questions you had to come to your own conclusions on. That was just the way things worked.

”It’s a risk that we’re forced to take Little Mouse, if we are murderers then so be it. Again we’ve been put in a position where we are forced to make these decisions regardless of the consequences on us afterwards. We either stop them or this world die, every innocent and living being will be gone. That is what we are up against, and we have very little time to do it in. We’re coming in towards the beginning of the climax. Quick decisions are going to have to be made resulting in less than desirable results. That’s the cold hard facts”

Valdis raised an eyebrow at her panicked expression, she was a bit late to jump on this band wagan.

”I’ve already monkey attacked a Youma and got shot at my Ama, and did a flying kick at Squid man who happened to be a Zodiac named Scorpio. You’re a little late on your statement. So far the only thing to actually try to kill me was Scorpio…he’s getting a wedge next time I see him…I swear it…and the other damn youma caught me then tossed me aside…”

Valdis sighed, she supposed if you did something random like that with out it being planned then it would be endangering others..

”There is a way to direct the crazy fighting, if given direction it would be more useful then harmful. Don’t cross off his way of fighting just yet, it has its uses even if you can’t see them.”

Valdis just cocked her head to the side, was her wording off?

”Isn’t that the same thing? If someone is seeking you out they obviously want you to do something. No matter what pretty words you put around them manipulation is still manipulation even if the intentions are good. A leader would want to have the group fallow there direction, to be able to do so smoothly they would need to be able to manipulate the ones who are fallowing. Any leader has to be able to manipulate, otherwise no one would fallow them. “

She didn’t see any issue in the word manipulation, it could have many outcomes even if it was normally viewed in a negative sense.

”Practice is still practice, it will help even if its minuscule.”

Valdis shrugged at Sophia’s comment, she was unsure of all the details herself, considering there were still loose ends.

”I had the same question, apparently someone can be tainted with Chaotic energy and then have it turn them into a youma. But it didn’t quite explain how I have it, Rei called it a dark seed. I don’t know whether it formed or I was born with it but it’s there. Its why I’m at the shrine, I’m suppose to rid myself of this tainted energy before I can be much of a help. We hit a bit of a snag when I went in the opposite direction and ended up burning the ofudas and brooms. I would show you but I gave my word I wouldn’t use it again. So really all I’m good for is the fast healing, and visions”


Valdis continued to carve and sip her coffee, the figure was obviously male, its body was beginning to come along nicely. Now that Sophia sat Valdis figured they were able to talk about what had Little Mouse troubled. She was obviously distraught.

”Are you worried about nightmares?”

Sophia shakes her head. “You misunderstand me. I helped take the blue lady in the theater down. I am not saying not to stop them. But we should consider them people worth saving. And we shouldn’t look at it as us versus an ultimate evil to be destroyed. Any time we take a life, we should understand it as a justifiable murder, not slaying monsters. And we should seek alternative options where we can even if they aren’t easy. While those beliefs aren’t good for preserving one’s own sanity, I feel as though they prevent me from becoming something terrible. I am willing to take this burden on myself because someone should. Someone should mourn them all, and someone should advocate for those who have lost themselves.”

At the mention of Scorpio’s name, Sophia half shouts, “You almost died from what Nazo told us. And he can easily kill all the senshi and knights. That’s not something that you don’t handle with seriousness! You can’t take him or the others lightly!” She turns a little green like she may vomit in the car. Scorpio was a name that she didn’t need to hear right now. She realizes that this maybe an issue later, but for now, she would prefer not to think that such a force existed in the world. “Just… let’s table this discussion for now,” she says with some finality.

On the subject of manipulation, she looks out the window. “You shouldn’t need to manipulate them to get them do what they need to. A leader is someone you trust yourself to follow. They shouldn’t have some kind of control over you. You listen to their decisions of your free will.”

She feels a little bad that Valdis is tainted. She looks a little distressed as she says quietly, “I am sorry that you have to deal with that. It seems like it would be terrible. All the youma seem void of anything happy, I can only imagine such a thing is a source of anguish.”


Sophia downs the mug of coffee. She was somewhat thirsty. She hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since before going to the art exhibit. That was quite a few hours ago though. “Nightmares are a given, but I don’t think I could will my body to sleep either.”
She looks over at the figure, “Who are you making this time?”