It seemed like senshi business always took so much time. However, Sophia knows she probably should inform other people about car ride yesterday afternoon. She stands by her bike, which still needed to fix, around Hikawa Jinja and calls Valdis, “Hey, it’s Little Mouse. You’re not going to believe what happened to me. Actually, you probably will because it’s less strange than the talking cat thing. But still. I’m at Hikawa Jinja since seems like one of the safer places to talk. Can you get down here?”

A look of pure horror, that was all it could be described as, was on Valdis's face. Her eyes bugged out like a cow lined up for slaughter as she eyed a little coffin line box buzz along her desk. The coffin was wrapped in ofuda with rosary beads wrapped around that. Seldom opened and always resealed once it was. Now the beast was alive once more.... buzzing like the little angry devil it was. She placed down the carving knife that was in her hand and gingerly picked the coffin up, like a dirty tissue tossed on the ground. Her face turned into a sneer as she unwillingly released the beast from its confines.

'flip'

She opened the phone to reveal Sophia's number popping up...why couldn't she just use the house phone? A large sigh escaped her lips as she pressed the button to answer the phone.

"Hello...."

Amused she was that Little Mouse had taken up referring to herself by her nick name that she so protested when first given. But it seems she had collected something interesting to call her over to the meeting place.

"I'll be there shortly"

'click'

Valdis placed the phone back in its confines and reapplied the ofuda and rosary...Then proceeded to go wash her ear and hands. She braided her hair and proceeded to get changed into her normal cloths; today was planned to be a lazy day and she had been wearing pajamas all day. She pulled on some thick white tights and a long white turtle neck dress, topped with a lacy dress that gave the whole outfit a flirty flowy feel. Grabbing her long trench coat and purple scarf she dressed up for the trek over to the shrine. She pulled on light laced up brown knee high boots.

"DAD GOING TO THE SHRINE"

She called out before leaving; It was about a half hour later that Val showed up at the shrine.

Amusing herself during the wait, Sophia starts singing a variety of songs along the steps to the shrine. Some in Japanese. Some in Spanish. Some in French. Some in Chinese. However, most are in English. It’s almost astounding the variety of American pop songs from before the Obelisks came down that she knows. Somewhere in between of her rendition of the song “Skyfall”, Valdis shows up. She stops immediately, and walks down the steps to meet her.

“Alright. Big news. So I got taken by the American military in a black car to some random estate. And originally, I was scared that they figured out my identity or something. But I met the president of the United States today. Also, I think he is meeting with your father on the 25th,” she says excitedly. “I mean, I guess it makes sense for President Castor in be outside the country. It’s not exactly safe back there…”

She shakes her head, “Anyways, I think the American military will be more cooperative than the JSDF. They don’t seem so apprehensive about us at least… more curious. I still need to figure out how to smooth things over with the JSDF
though. Evidently, Kousuke got into a fight with one of the Lieutenants.”

“Oh… I don’t think I mentioned this before, but I also learnt I have a magical castle over Venus. Surprisingly nice weather there. And there’s a pixie that looks like me named Aglaea. She did give me something to help the Silver Princess.”

She takes a breath, “So how are you doing?”

Alarmed was the look on Valdis face when Sophia announced she had been taken by a creepy black car....a high school girl taken off the streets by a black vehicle. What to go American government you're sketchy as hell. Then there was something about a fairy and such; all this news took Valdis a minute to absorb as she stared at the bubbly girl as if she had two heads. Valdis held up a hand and motioned her to fallow her to a more secluded part of the shrine.

"First off; why did the American Military single you out? Forgive me if I'm a bit alarmed at the motivation behind randomly taking a teenaged girl for a meeting with the leader of there government. What did he want exactly? Go slowly and tell me every detail even if you think the details unimportant."

It defiantly seemed that Sophia had gathered a very interesting tidbits of information.

"Secondly you feared for your identify but didn't think to text one of us?"

It alarmed her she was just finding this out now.

"As for the JSFD I'm working on that, I revealed to my father what I am and he knows I've been involved with recent events. Knowing him he'll meddle a little on that end in fear of me getting myself blown up. As for the lieutenant it wouldn't happen to be that one at the fight with Scorpio? Cause I happen to know him personally."

She blinked once again when she heard that there were magical castles floating on planets....how did NASA or any other space program not find out about this by now? But she had seen stranger things lately but nothing so strange as a fairy...She couldn't help but imagine Sophias first reaction was probably to build it a little fairy house.....

"Makes me wonder if there are similar castles on each Senshi's respective planets. But I would like to meet this fairy of yours; but that aside what did she end up giving you?"

A small smile broke her serious face as Sophia asked how she was.

"Less busy then you evidently; I'm doing well I passed my GED with flying colors and will start going to the college in a couple weeks. Last night I got scolded for forging my dad's signature on the GED document...and then I scared the shit out of him and then was forbidden from involving myself further in this whole situation. We both know that's not happing."

Sophia follows Valdis to a different part of the shrine. “Confusing, right? Imagine going through all that stuff this past week.”

“The American military was responding to things I said to my dad about the Art exhibit. It was pretty clear that the JSDF doesn’t share much with them or else they would have known that was a Covenant attack. Also, they didn’t seem to know much about the senshi either despite the fact that a few people have had run-ins with the JSDF. I don’t know why they don’t deem that important to share, particularly since President Castor is in the area. It’s a little weird.”

“They asked for more information. I basically said the kinds of things the senshi wear. So… maybe they’ll be helpful when it comes to go to Virgo’s Citadel. Rather than the JSDF which seems to be cautious, but I can’t say that’s entirely their fault.”

She shakes her head about the texting thing, “Text one of you in front of a bunch of marines? I was being watched way too closely for that. They probably would have took my phone. But thankfully, everything turned out to be fine. And if I didn’t come back, Artemis would probably have contacted someone about it.”

She tries to think back to the battle with Scorpio, but she doesn’t really remember who was there too well. “I have met a few of the JSDF on base. Part of just being in the area. But I don’t think I have met him. Is his name Lieutenant Saeki? If so, that’s the one that Kishin had an altercation with at Shinjuku Memorial Hospital. I don’t know the specifics about what happened, but one of the doctors there was pretty upset about it.”

Sophia shrugs, “Aglaea is a little insistent that I’m Princess Venus and have returned after hundreds of years even though I’m clearly not anywhere near that old. It could be all the senshi are princesses and have their own castle with their own power guardian. I didn’t ask. I couldn’t spend too much time there, unfortunately.”

“She did give me a pendant though. To see people’s hearts. I was told that the Silver Princess has the most powerful heart. Hopefully, it’ll help in our search.”

She laughs of the mention of being less busy, "I don't go looking for all this stuff. It just seems to happen." She cocks at eyebrow at the mention of her father, “How much did you tell him? You don’t think he’ll try to stop us, do you?”

Valdis remained silent, yes it was a lot to take in for the past couple weeks, but it wasn't the first time her life had gotten turned upside down and inside out. But when Sophia answered her question about why she had been singled out a look of interest crossed her face.

"You never updated me on what you found out from your parents. It sounds like you hit a few key subjects if the word spread to the president. As for not sharing...I would imagine they are more concerned on keeping the attacks hush hush. Japan's suppose to be the last safe place; there would be a wide spread panic if the army was exposed to have even less control then the act they have been putting up."

A small smile graced her lips as she gazed around the shrine.

"The American Military will be with us; Nazo made sure their battle front did not meet to many losses. They will march with use when we go to the citadel...but perhaps you will need to put that suggestion in their heads. We will need Japans army as well; I'll be working on what I can on that end."

She disliked the fact Sophia had been put in a position like that. But she out right laughed when she found that they had annoyed Kurio.

"Yes I know Kurio; he is the brother of one of my friends back in Transylvania...Well she's here now but I'm afraid she's been in the same state as your previous knight...Perhaps I will have to pay dear big brother a visit as well."

Valdis was now intrigued about this pendent.

"Really; who's hearts have you looked at so far my Little Mouse....and how does one have a powerful heart? What makes it stronger then another's heart?"

Valdis frowned when she asked whether her father would try to stop them.

"He'll certainly actively try to stop me from being involved....and I drove him to drink after transforming in front of him. That part was humorous; he fell out of his chair like a fish flopping out of water. As for how much I told him I just revealed myself; thing I neglected was the fact I have visions of the future....there was no physical proof and without physical proof it doesn't exist for my father....he is having a hard time believing Youma are supernatural..."

Sophia slaps herself in the forehead, “I somehow forgot to mention that. The U.S. military knows that the JSDF aren’t really being upfront with them. They keep saying Covenant attacks are accidents or crimes. And then there was the part about Alpha Eagle, which I assume to be the president. I mean, who else would be Alpha Eagle? And he’s meeting with your father on the 25th to discuss the increase in Covenant activity as well as possibly the fact the JSDF hasn’t been exactly honest with the American military. Also, there was some news about battlefronts. Basically, they mentioned a few fronts in the U.S. All the fronts were falling back before Scorpio’s death. Florida and New England was stable. West Virginia reported high casualties. Afterward, President Castor informed me that they have been able to make some progress. Aquarius killed Brigadier General Arizona in Arizona, which made them lose a lot of ground there. Leo attacked Nevada company, killed about 15% of them. And that’s all I can remember. I can sort of draw a picture of the U.S. if you need me to tell you about the geography.”

She rubs the back of her neck, “I’m not sure if Nazo is the best person for the U.S. military to meet first. They were a little creeped out by him. I think he might be Hades… like the Hades. Aglaea said something about the Moon Kingdom inspiring Greek civilization. I sort of hope that isn’t true though.”

“Well, Kenji, the first Venus Knight, just woke up. His life was tied to Scorpio’s, so with his death, he regained
consciousness. I don’t think I can do anything to help Kurio’s sister though,” she frowns.

An idea forms in her head. “Do you think you could get a meeting with Kurio and me? Well, not Sophia me, but Sailor Venus me. I think the JSDF will continue to think that we are up to no good unless they actually talk to one the senshi in a neutral environment. Unless, you have a better plan for dealing with them?”

Sophia looks in the direction of the shrine where she left an offering earlier. “I looked at Scorpio’s heart. That was about it. Most of it was filled with negativity, but there was a small pebble of humanity deep inside, tucked away. When Ama launched her arrow, I just saw all the bad things burn away… It was a little amazing actually. But I haven’t gone around just looking at people’s hearts. And I don’t know what the power of person’s heart means. Is it the most noble? The strongest willed? The more courageous? I am hoping that I’ll know it when I find it.”

“I did have a theory though. The rest of the planetary powers are split into one female and one male. What if the Silver Princess is also split in some way? Aglaea said she didn’t know whether that was true or not, and to assume that she was just a single person. But for all we know, we could be looking for a Silver princess and prince or a bunch of Silver princesses or something.”

She smiles at Valdis as she talks about telling her dad, “At least, it is something you can discuss with your father. I’m unsure how my parents would react if I told them. And I think it might be better if I never bring it up. I’m sure that he’ll start to understand if you give him enough time though. Admittedly, learning that magic exists is a lot for a person to take in.”

"Out of pure curiosity can I ask what was said about 'Alpha Eagle'...As for the JSDF I'm getting the distinct feeling they are not honest within their own ranks. So this meeting with my father will prove interesting."

A devious grin was on her face; perhaps they would have the meeting at home. If so she had an air vent with her name on it.

"Wouldn't happy to get the time of that meeting would ya?"

Her face lost its amusement as she listened to the losses that had been going around...

"It sounds like the covenant has a Zodiac overseeing each main battle front. The fact we took out Scorpio should be a spark of hope for the rest...Although if things are going well for the covenant on other fronts we may be seeing some of their Zodiacs come to us...whichever front just took the biggest hit on our side is the Zodiac we'll most likely see next."

She chuckled she didn't see what was so creepy about Nazo. He had a fun personality...though then again he looked like the grim reaper.

"Well that's amusing, Nazo being Hades"

It was funny that he had gone on a date with her name wise, since she was named after the goddess of death.

"You could be right, Nazo was behind the ghosts making an appearance at the sleep over. He's a blast to include in pranks. I like his sense of humor."

It was good to hear that her knight had made a recovery.

"If Kasei ever does wake up it will be plenty hard for her to adjust. We were both little girls when the village was attacked...I have doubts she'd be able to make such an adjustment."

Valdis raised an eyebrow when Sophia wanted to meet with Kurio; she shook her head no.

"Yes I could get you a meeting but I certainly won't, not yet...It's a bit risky to jump into it that quickly....I have my suspicions with the military. I'm not about to let them get near you guys especially through me. I will meet with Kurio and try to get an idea of what's going on; if I feel like he would be an ally THEN I might make the decision to set up a meeting on neutral ground."

Valdis wasn't about to betray the senshi, much like her father she preferred to go the cautious root when it came to delicate matters such as this. There was a time to strike fast and then there were times where you had to be patient and wait for the cards to fold. When Sophia spoke about Scorpio's heart she nodded.

"That's because he use to be human, he was a general in a grand army....him and many others were led to believe that the moon kingdom was out to destroy the earth...much like how the covenant is doing now. Scorpio help lead an army to attack the moon kingdom, a kingdom which they had no contact with beforehand. To think one woman's illusions of betrayal could cause so much pain...He use to be a good person who believed he was protecting his home....So little mouse you were right that these people are indeed people....very very very old people."

Valdis still had to wonder what this silver princess was suppose to do.

"What is the princess suppose to do? If you know what she's suppose to do you may have an easier time finding her...him...it"

When she said it was nice that she was able to talk to her dad she shrugged.

"I've developed an honest relationship with him; if I'm off the handle most of the time it helps to have him know he'll get a blunt honest answer from me no matter how wacked out it sounds. Its beneficial to me in the long run. It may be beneficial for us as well; with him I have more access to resources."

Sophia shakes her head, “About Alpha Eagle? Mostly, that no attacks have been close to where he is staying. And no, there wasn’t a time or location attached. I was hoping maybe you had more information.”

“I’m unsure how much information I can get on the fronts.” She pauses for a second, “I’ll see what I can do. I’m considering meeting with my own father as Sailor Venus. We can see how that goes.”

“Listen, he has a crazy army of the underworld. The American government has footage. There were skeletons and more hellhounds and stuff. They said they couldn’t find any trace of any Covenant after that… Sounds like Hades to me.”

“Don’t eat any pomegranate seeds he gives you,” she jokes, “Or we won’t get to see you half a year.”

She shrugs when talking about Kurio, “I suppose you would know better than me how to proceed with him. I’m hoping this hostility is more the result of a misunderstanding than him working for the Covenant.”

She smiles when Valdis says that they are people. “Hmmm… I don’t really know what to do now that someone agrees with me. I do wish there was some other way that didn’t end in death though. If someone like Scorpio could resume his old job of protecting the Earth, I think he’d be able to do a lot of good.”

“I don’t think Ama realizes how wonderful the power she has is. The ability to save people that most may think are beyond all redemption. Well, maybe she does now.”

Sophia starts to look excited at the mention of the Silver Princess. “Aglaea told me she was the Princess was reincarnated by Lady Serenity during the Silver Millennium. And well… she can do everything I can only dream of doing. She can bring back all those who died in this war. She can return to human those who were changed by the Covenant. She can remove the influence the Covenant has on this world. She’s the only one who can use the Silver Crystal to get rid of the Covenant for good. She’s the key to saving the world.”

"Not yet, but now that you've given me a heads up I will do a bit of digging...As for meeting with your father as Sailor Venus be prepared for the worse."

She looked at Sophia with a serious expression.

"As Sailor Venus your father will have no emotional attachment to you; you will not be something that he cherishes anymore. There is the possibility that hurtful things will be said and done."

Then there was the fact that if she ever did decide to reveal her identity, if things had gone sour at that meeting she would imagine the father would feel guilty. It was that reason why Valdis revealed herself to her father from the get go. Them meeting while she was meddling in the covenant affairs was more than likely. Best save him from actions that would cause him more pain in the future. Then again most people didn't see thing like a giant chess board as she did. Planning several moves in advance and predicating all the outcomes.

When she talked about Nazo Val's eyes lit up in amusement that would have been hysterical to watch.

"Is it bad Nazo just became ten times more attractive to me?"

She gave a lopsided smile.

"I ate a kabob he gave me once; no pomegranates yet..."

She scratched the back of her head when Sophia reasoned it was a misunderstanding between Kurio and them.

"I do doubt he's working for the covenant, but doesn't mean he's being manipulated by it. You have to understand Kurio's sister is like the way she is because of a covenant attack. My home town was the first to be hit by the covenant's Youma, my village was massacred. He owes his sister's vegetable like state to those with supernatural powers. I am afraid the senshi can easily be confused with a high class covenant member. You can understand why he'd be hostile."

Valdis nodded agreeing with Sophia, if there was a way to turn the covenant members into returning to protect the earth that would be beneficial for all.

"Well this information does show you were right about them being good once; however they were manipulated into what they are now. Perhaps the others will work towards finding a way to turn then back more now that there is proof...However the only solution I can think of now is if someone planting the seeds of doubt in their cause."

That was a thought, finding a way to have the covenant turn on itself. When she described the Silver Princess a sad look came upon her features.

"To remove all traces that the covenant existed would mean turning back time. We would have to restart without any memories of what occurred, our ties to each other would be nonexistent, the people we've met, the people we've come to love, our growth in ourselves all of which had ever been caused by the covenants destruction would be erased. This part in History would be lost in time; much like the earth kingdoms betrayal and the moon kingdoms destruction. To forget our history is to forget our lessons learned by the mistakes, dooming us to repeat them."

She didn't like the idea of this silver princess that Sophia seemed so excited about. She disliked the idea of having everything she had fought tooth and nail for be erased.

Sophia nods, “I don’t expect it to go perfectly. Actually, I’m not sure how things will go at all. Still, I think I prefer this. I think telling him would put him in a very tough situation.” Do you do what’s right for your country and world or do you try to protect your daughter? That wasn’t a fair dilemma for anyone.

Sophia laughs as Valdis admits liking Nazo. “I don’t think you have any competition there. Do you think he’d take off the mask if you gave him a heartfelt confession? If he ever does, tell me. I always wondered what he actually looked like.” She had plenty of theories which ranged from something like a normal human male to a skeleton. However, for Valdis’ sake, she would hope for the former.

As Valdis explains Kurio’s situation, she lets out a sigh, “That makes sense. Hopefully, he’ll come to realization that we are on the same side. I wish something could be done about his sister. That wondering whether they’ll come back or not… it’s a terrible feeling.”

She shrugs at the mention of planting doubt, “I think being that corrupted sort of makes one blind to reason. Scorpio wanted to protect the Earth, but in the ended up trying to destroy. With too much pain for too long, I don’t think anything we could have said would have made him realize that he was going against his own morals. And the purification process cleanses taint, erasing it. However, when someone’s heart gets very corrupted like that, there isn’t much left. Maybe not enough to continue living. What we need is some way to reverse the damage done to them, then maybe they can continue be purified without dying. Some way to restore the heart and lift the cloud over their minds. To be able to feel and think again…”

Her face turns to confusion as Valdis disagrees. “That’s a lot of people who have died or got hurt… It’s true that perhaps we would have never met by turning back time. But, I would gladly trade anything to ensure a happier of life free from all this death for everyone.” Valdis would live happily in her village on Transylvania with all the friends that she had over there. Kurio’s sister wouldn’t be in a coma. David wouldn’t have had to endure everything he had.

“Ignorance is bliss,” she quotes. “So is it more important to remember or be happy? However, I guess at the same time, pain makes us stronger. The ability to forge ahead to a new, different future.”

She shakes her head, “This has gotten so complicated… The bottom line is we need her to actually get rid of the Covenant. Anything that happens besides that, I suppose is up to her.”

Valdis nodded, she could see the point that Sophia meant, but that's when it came down to a deference of opinion. It was more useful to have her father know of her abilities before hand, rather then it come out later in some press release. She laughed when Sophia asked if Nazo would take off his mask if she told him that she was attracted to him.

"No; his mask is serving a purpose at the moment. When we end the covenant that's when he'll take off his mask. However I can tell you he had a nice body under all that armor; I saw a vision of him. Sadly it ended before I saw his face. His doll will remain incomplete until I see his face. Though I do wonder what he would do if I told him I was attracted to him; I don't think he'd have any clue how to handle that."

Valdis frowned, she wished she was able to do something for his sister as well. It had been a subject she had thought long and hard about.

"Kasei was very young when she went into a coma; she has missed almost her whole child hood...if she were to awake I think it would be very troublesome for her indeed at the moment. Unless this silver princess can reverse the aging process I think it is better if she doesn't wake up at this point. Yes if she woke up she has the rest of her life, but that is if she can overcome the mental hurtle. If she doesn't she'd just live a tortured life... "

Well that was interesting, Sophia had come to the conclusion not everything could be saved. That was growth indeed.

"If we are unable to reverse the process at least they will die in peace yes?"

Valdis shrugged when Sophia said she would rather forget and live happily.

"There will always be death and accidents in this world that rip us from the ones we love. If we have found our peace with our losses then many others are bound to as well. Seeing how this has happened once before...and we were made to forget or so it seems then perhaps it is more important for us to remember. Let our time remain broken so the one in the future may be a bit brighter. But let us agree to disagree on this subject, after all who knows in the future if we'll remember ever having this conversation to begin with."

“You know about his body, eh?” Sophia teases. “Well, maybe one day we’ll all learn what he actually looks like. And I have trouble imagining him confused as to what to do if you said you liked him. He has so much advice and opinions normally.”

She looks quite depressed on the subject of Kasei as well as a little resigned. “I suppose you’re right. It wouldn’t be fair if she woke up after all this time.”

She nods about the dying in peace, “Yes. That’s better than the alternative. I’ll keep hoping a reversal process comes along though.”

On the difficult topic of forgetting versus moving forward, she’s incredibly conflicted. She rubs her left arm a little, and answers, “Well, I don’t disagree entirely. I’m just not sure what the right answer is for that one. I guess our losses give us room to build something new. With so many things destroyed, we are allowed a fresh start. And perhaps, the world needs that more than peace of mind. I’m unsure.”

"Nazo doesn't really have much well any experience when it comes to emotional matters that you and I like to meddle in so much. However for someone who doesn't know much in that area he certainly goes above and beyond planning dates. A couple weeks ago he de thawed a part of a beach, had a bonfire with cheesy music playing, a bunch of lawn chairs, and even food. It was cute."

She smiled at the knowing his body comment, who would have thought Little Mouse would make those sort of comments.

"Yes I know his body as I know yours and the rest. When I see a person I memorize there bone structure, from there it's easy to memorize details. Its why my dolls look so realistic; plus it's a good memory game for myself. It allows me in a fight to scan my surroundings and easily pick out details that I can use to my advantage."

A small laugh came from Valdis, Sophia was probably the first person she ever talked about boys with. Rosa wasn't really the giggling over boys type, and Nazo...well Nazo was Nazo....Wow her friend base was smaller than she first thought... When Sophia looked depressed over Kasei's situation she patted her shoulder; it was a depressing subject with no happy ending in site. When the subject moved to the moral question that was brought up Valdis shrugged.

"It's a moral issue, there is no right answer. There will always be someone un happy with the answer. I do not envy this silver princess for having to be the one to make it. It will be a heavy burden to bear indeed. Much like it is our burden to be the ones to decide the fate of the Zodiac....This whole mess is full of moral issues. Such as is one to use chaotic energy to fight against Chaos....I'm afraid granny and Nazo are displease with my decision to use it during the fight with Scorpio."

“Who knew Nazo was a romantic… I think that’s better than most people’s first dates by a long shot,” Sophia smiles as she recounts the date. “I think he’d handle it well enough despite the relative lack of experiences in the romance department. And no one’s born with all the experiences necessary to handle every situation. Gotta start somewhere.”

She thinks back to the dolls at Valdis’ room. They were all very accurate. “That makes sense. We have a few new knights like Lance and David. Going to add them to bunch as well? Not that Lance wants to join our group. He seems pretty content to do his own thing. I just hope he doesn't get himself hurt. Sometimes, I think he wants that though. He definitely doesn't seem to care about his own existence much. But David wants to help out. He’s a little shy I think though. So it may take him awhile to warm up to the rest of the group.”

She shakes her head, “David is so much different from Kenji. Not that David isn’t a good person. I think he’ll be a great knight. Just… Aglaea said he drew upon the negative aspects of Venus. Hate… suffering. She seemed a little worried. And I can’t really establish the same powerful connection or resonance with him as I could with Kenji. Supposedly, it has to do with personal compatibility. Hopefully, we’ll get to that level, but it would be so much easier if it came instantly like it did before. Maybe I should try a little harder.”

She hadn’t really thought about Valdis using chaos energy before as a problem. “I trust that you know when to stop if it becomes an issue. I also believe you’ll be fine. However, it gives him peace of mind, I can monitor how the chaotic energy is affecting your heart. I should be able to see if there are large changes.”