• Introductory Post

    Well, I suppose I should use my first post to introduce myself. I'm Karen Yaniya, newly graduated from the Spirit Retrieval Agency's training unit. I probably shouldn't be writing about myself in the human world but...it's not like anyone would believe the truth anyway so just take this as a good story about things unseen.

    I guess I should explain where I come from, since you must have gotten the idea already that I'm not one of you. First of all, for you humans, you have to know that there are actually 4 worlds hanging in balance at all times. Your world is one, and the world closest to yours would be, naturally, mine. I guess you could say it's the world where spirits come from, as well as the world where they dwell. Well, even if you don't believe me, I think I should keep the explanations short. I don't want to get myself in trouble. As for how I can write here, in a place far from my own world.... it's a SECRET. Let's just call it one of the mysteries of life.

    Please take good care of me from now on.

    First Day at the SRA

    Today was my first day at the SRA. I walked into the Spirit Retrieval Agency's 11th Detachment and found a gaggle of people. I looked around and if it hadn't been for the blacks that the agents wore, I'd have been hard put to tell the retrievers from the retrieved. So much for my first impression.

    Are you lost? a masculine voice demanded. The voice in my head startled me.

    I looked around the room, confused when I saw no one who was paying any particular attention to me, and then looked down when I felt something nudge my leg. A fire-cat with playful green eyes looked up at me.

    I hastened to introduce myself, wondering if he worked in the 11th Detachment or if he'd tagged along with a member of his host family. "I'm uh... the new retrieval agent." I brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen from my bun. It's a nervous habit I indulge frequently.

    The fire-cat turned it's back on me. Oh, so you're the rookie huh? This way.

    I followed the flare of the fire-cat's fur through the crowded room, wondering if it was always this way.

    He glanced back and seemed to feel pity for me. It's not always this way. But THOSE TWO are here.

    I had no idea who he was talking about, though I was sure I'd eventually find out.

    He paused outside a door that had "Commander Brill" written on the frosted glass in bold, black letters.

    I took a deep breath to contain the twitter of nervous feelings in my gut and glanced down at the fire-cat. "Thank you very much, Mr...?"

    He flicked his tail in amusement. Xan, simply Xan is just fine.

    I nodded politely and smiled. "Xan, thank you," I told him. I turned to the door and knocked boldly. A sharp, "What is it?" was my reply. I cracked the door open and peeked in.

    Xan slipped in between my legs and scolded so that I could hear. Commander, if you scare away such a pretty new agent, the others will get angry at you. He hopped onto the edge of the commander's battered desk gracefully, his fur pressed against the wood made it appear as if the desk was on fire.

    The commander looked up from his papers, taking in my slender figure, sharpish features, and dark hair. He snorted derisively. "Like we need a pretty face around here to cause trouble."

    Xan twitched his tale and his eyes laughed at the commander. Commander Brill seemed not unaware of this. He glared at Xan and then cleared his throat. "Well, our female agents all have partners, unfortunately, so I've decided," he glanced at Xan, a smile quirking his lips, "to make Xan your partner."

    Xan's ears flattened as he looked at the commander and this time, I couldn't hear what he said. Commander Brill picked up a stack of papers on his desk and smacked the bottom against his desk, forcing them into alignment. He said, "I'm afraid that this is the best choice. I can't have a rookie paired up with one of the guys, those that don't have partners don't have one for a reason. Besides, you said you wanted a partner who could help you write reports didn't you."

    I supposed I had my answer to whether Xan worked there or not. It seemed he did and had been working at the 11th for some time.

    Xan hopped down off the desk and sauntered over to me, his tail up. He told me, I'll show you around and commandeer you a desk. Follow.

    I wondered what other surprises this place would have in store for me as I followed him from the commander's room. He glanced back at me once we were out, as if he weren't quite sure whether to accept me or not. He lowered his tail, since the commander could no longer see his taunt. I suppose I might as well introduce you to a few people. We'll start over here. Come.

    I followed him toward the back of the crowded room and was finally able to see the center of the commotion. Two retrieval agents were sitting in the center of a rather large group, telling a story that sounded both outrageous and unbelievable. One of them was a clean-shaven blond with tousled hair and handsome features, the other was dark haired and broad-shouldered, with a sort of rough appeal. Both had athletic figures, though the dark haired agent had broader shoulders and bigger muscles. He looked between five and ten years older than his partner too.

    Xan's voice in my head interrupted my thoughts. That's THOSE TWO. They are always causing a ruckus, if not here then elsewhere. Ignore them.

    I nodded and turned away from them, trying to ignore the conversation behind me as I followed Xan to an island formed by four desks pushed together in front of a window. An agent in perfectly fitted blacks looked up from a newspaper as we approached, glancing at Xan.

    "What's that? Partner?" He asked. He looked at me with a critiquing eye. "I hope you can move fast. Xan is hard to keep up with."

    I glanced at my new partner. He didn't deny the accusation.

    Xan told me curtly, His name is Nathan, I've told him yours.

    I nodded at Xan. "Thanks." I looked to the agent. "So your name is Nathan? You seem a little different from some of the others I've noticed so far." He was also a bit older, but I didn't mention that.

    He smiled and folded up his newspaper. "Well, the youngsters get a bit rambunctious sometimes. Don't let them give you too hard a time. They mean well. Although, I wouldn't worry too much today. Right now they have other entertainment." He nodded toward the ones that Xan had referred to as "those two."

    I glanced at them again and then turned away when I realized the blond was looking at me. "Well, I guess that's good. Should I do anything else today?" Nathan sat down the paper and got to his feet.

    "Yeah, we'll issue you your weapons and stabilizers. I'll take you to the armory, unless Xan wants to do it?" He looked at Xan.

    Xan was laying on one of the empty desks in the sunlight, eyes closed, either sleeping or ignoring us.

    Nathan motioned to me. "Let's go."

    ***

    The armory was downstairs, a sleepy guard sitting outside. Nathan motioned to a selection of swords and guns along the wall. "Pick whatever you like. I'll grab your stabilizer."

    I looked over the collection and finally chose a short, sleek blade and a gun that felt easy in my small hands. When I turned around Nathan clapped a metal ring around my upper right arm. I felt a tingle of energy run through my body.

    Nathan smiled and looked mildly amused as I shook my arm, trying to make the feeling fade faster. He offered me two slightly more battered rings and I accepted them, hooking them to my belt.

    "You do know how to take that one off if you need to right?" he asked.

    I nodded. "Of course," I told him. Obviously, anyone who went to one of the Defense and Enforcement Academies with the intention of being a retrieval agent knew how to use stabilizers. They were what kept retrieval agents from fading or partially dissolving when they went to the more spiritually dense human world. The extras, of course, were for those they retrieved.

    Nathan smiled and told me, "You'd be surprised how many people forget the basics. Well, let's see if Xan is ready to get up. If not, you can help me write up some reports, it'll be good practice."

    I followed him from the room and asked, "Do you have a partner?" I wondered if it was too bold a question but he didn't seem to mind.

    He shook his head. "Not me. I'm just a desk monkey these days. I write up reports for our agents like Xan or help those who have fallen behind."

    I didn't think it sounded like he had a pleasant job, but I didn't want to say so. Instead I said, "Well, I'll leave myself in your care for now then. Xan seemed a bit annoyed to find out he has a partner."

    "Don't worry, he'll get over it by tomorrow. He's never been one to sulk for long."

    I hoped he was right, and am still hoping. The rest of the day was boring. It seemed that to my fellow agents I was just another new face. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

    Day Two

    Well, I have to say, today started out nothing like yesterday. I arrived at the office early to find a definite lack of people compared to yesterday. And it was a heck of a lot quieter too.

    I found Nathan sitting at his desk by the window and took my seat at my desk across from him. He was busily typing away and didn't seem to notice me at first. I didn't see Xan anywhere either and wondered if maybe it was typical for the 11th detachment's retrieval agents to show up later.

    Nathan sighed and sat back in his chair. He looked tired even though it was so early still. He noticed me sitting across from him and sat forward with a smile. "Karen, since when have you been there?" He asked.

    I returned his smile. "I just got here a little bit ago. You looked busy so I didn't want to disturb you. Um... when does Xan usually get here?" I asked.

    He looked around the room. "He should be here any time now." He stretched his arms over his head and yawned.

    "You look so tired. Is it because it's so much quieter today than yesterday? Xan was saying something about the two retrieval agents who were causing such a commotion yesterday. Are they really popular or something?" I asked. I had been wondering about it since yesterday and seeing the practically deserted state of the 11th detachment today I was even more curious. Was it really so crowded just because of those guys yesterday?

    Nathan chuckled. "Those two are pretty legendary for bringing in the big ones. Not to mention popular with the ladies. They used to be part of the 1st Detachment but I guess they caused too much of an uproar there so they were sent here. Supposedly they've even got connections among the dragons but who knows how accurate that rumor is. On days when they're expected to show up with their latest catch this place is always filled up with agents who completed their assignments in a rush or hurried back from time off just to be here. It's like a circus."

    I couldn't help being a little impressed. The other worlds have things like ruling councils, lords, religious leaders or even presidents. In the spirit world there is only the dragons. They're sacred, holy beings who control everything about our world. They're the absolute height of authority and yet they are greatly loved and revered. "I guess I can see why everyone would be impressed if that was true." I commented.

    A voice in my head caught me off guard. Don't be so easily impressed.

    I turned as Xan hopped up onto the desk beside mine. He sat down and told me. We have a short reconnaissance mission today in the human world. You up for it newbie?

    I have to admit, when Xan said this my heart began to beat a little faster. My motives for becoming a retrieval agent weren't completely pure. You could say that I have a fascination for the human world and have for some time. Normally residents of the spirit world can't legally go to the human world. Retrieval agents are the exception.

    "Of course I'm up for it. This will be my first job in the human world." I smiled brightly.

    Nathan chuckled. "You're so enthusiastic. Well, I suppose that's to be expected."

    Xan flicked his tail. Don't get so excited that you forget how to do your job, all right newbie? And we're just going for some recon today. Don't get ahead of yourself and try to capture anyone. All right?

    I smiled. "I understand. I'll do exactly as you say."