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The start of the year was oft the start of new productions. The theater district, with its lights and marquees, was one of the few warm feeling places even in the dark evenings of January and February. It was earlier than his usual jaunts- but still black-dark and falling gentle snow. There were a few gentleman and ladies in evening wear down below the overhang and the smoke of their cigarettes spelled the story of why. The chatter seemed amiable- the intermission was underway and suits and gowns were refilling on liquor candies and drinks for the fifteen minutes before they returned to their seats. The symphony was doing well.

The modern dance stage across the way was just letting its crowd inside for the start. Ushers and doorman looked smart and turned out in their red jackets with gold ropes. The metallic caught the incandescent light in ways that explained why none of the companies had switched over to LEDs. The light didn't catch on Captain Titanlåvenite's uniform, standing in the shadows of the service grate walk used by maintenance workers behind the glowing art deco rectangle. He didn't need to complete an energy quota, but had come more out of habit. There were lots of people, so Lieutenants could have been gathering and needed to make turn ins. There was the vague possibility of seeing Colin in some hours, exhausted from performance and on his way home.

They almost never saw each other anymore. It was barely different from when the other had been overseas. Putting it that way is unfair. It isn't a fault of his. He has hours free, and I'm the one who is out all the time either at my job or on this dark business. The Negaverse. And all these people really no more than chattel to the throne? They are living. They are part of the prosperity of the Earth.

Standing in thought, he wasn't careful of the auras around. There were no other Lieutenants, Captains, or Generals near. Others could attack or approach as they wished. His heart was too much in sifting dream against what reality he had experienced.

When aura there did appear, it wasn't one of the Negaverse. A Dark Mirror Eternal hardly had any reason to need to see a captain, certainly not for energy turn ins. Maybe it is Nischal. It woudl be heartening if he is finally getting out of his room. Maybe he has come? Or maybe Remarque to ask after him. I could tell Remarque about his noble- he needs guidance and one of them to help him. They must have noticed by now how he never appears. Remarque seemed a fair lord to keep.

So he paid the aura near no heed of danger or subterfuge and still waited. The rest of the Negaverse may have soured relations with the mirror, but Titan lived with one of theirs. He was, so far as he knew, still allied with them on a personal level.

It was an unusual greeting, her staying at his back and what seemed...no, really were threats made no real sense to him. But it was a her, which was neither of Avior or Remarque. He didn't know what Dark Mirror Senshi it was, and less with her being behind him. And threatening if he turned around, essentially. "Hallo. You have whatever answers I can give you, if you ask. There is no need for threats. "

"When I felt you near, I'd hoped to speak with you- well, I'd hoped it was Remarque or Avior. Do you know them? They are Dark Mirror Senshi. I live with Avior, but he doesn't come out. I've been worried, but I can't command nobles. You could try, being of his court. Being a noble yourself."

He lifted a hand, facing the palm back to her, "Titanlåvenite. Or 'Titan.' May I have your name? "

She said her name, and he turned on his heel, to look at her. 'You could've made a fortune modeling for book covers, my friend.'

It was her. She wasn't a princess, and it wasn't one of the Guards' Barracks for those without the want or ability to keep their own quarters, but it was her. He had never met her, knew he had never met her, but he knew she liked drinking and dancing. He knew what tattoos to expect to see. She had been a friend to Nærøyfjord in those forward days. Her children had laughed and played at his side or clambering on his shoulders. "The formal alliance may be drowned between the worthy of our thrones, but I still count your people friends. "

It was safer not to offer direct gainsay of her feelings about herself or her companions-in-arms. Though it was disparaging to hear her abandon one so easily and summarily. It didn't sound like the woman in memory fighting beside them in the shadows. It didn't sound like the woman who made such a point of lifting Ida up when she grew too dark and closed. Time grows so near. I have to be careful not to give much away. Maybe she doesn't know things. Maybe she doesn't agree with them. Maybe she just doesn't care. She speaks of not caring. " It is good to meet you, Chariklo. What information were you looking for? I am not so good with information always...it isn't my branch. But I can try."

If she was as confused as she seemed, it was a catching thing. Stalwartly declaring enmity, complimenting manners and then going back to threatening someone's liege city was too much of a game of back and forth of friendly and hostile for Titan to sift through. It seemed wiser, at maybe safer, to take a step back and away from her. Eternal senshi had powerful magic, and while he could weather the effects through to the other side, he didn't prefer to risk it in proximity.

His mouth pulled into a line. I am your enemy. Alright, you have made that clear. What is one senshi as a threat, when a city of them in years has not touched the cloth hem of Metallia's power? They've not breeched fortress as a group. Even their royals. Even Princes and Princesses are insects. What can Chariklo do, except kill some agents. Just as all the Guard fell, unable to protect so many.

It must be she is worried, and lashes out with violence. That is not unusual. Many people do that. " You do not make sense. You want an answer or you threat against my queen, my city and lands. Why would anyone answer, unless they were a coward? You say you aren't in battle shape. But I will answer you. We have not met, but I know what you mean of meeting and knowing. An Earth Knight. "

Titan's expression gentled, though his brows remained knitted. "Allies came to rescue captives. She might be at a house with visiting nurses or at a hospital now. She escaped."

Knowing and being. I am not sure which it is anymore myself. I thought it was 'know.' Kairatos seemed to understand it that way. Maybe. Hvergelmir spoke of it differently. Ida...I just don't know. And here is Chariklo, but she doesn't recognize him in me. So ...maybe it is to find the truth of him. If I can find some proof of knights in the RIft. There must be something, somewhere. Written or carved or something. I.....what language would it be in? That was an oversight he hadn't thought of before. What if the old Earth kingdoms spoke Latin like all history classes seemed to be?

Her breakdown and leaning into him was doubly unexpected. Titan lifted a big hands to cup around her shoulders, though. If she needed reinforcement then it was simple and right to give it to a Lady of her station. Even supposed enemies could understand each other as people outside of the fight- used to allow nightly truces to bring the fallen from the battlefield. He fished in his sleeve a moment, drawing out a handkerchief. The upgrade from regular disposable tissue was, amusingly or sadly, a result of Hvergelmir's own need at her glimmering cauldron. "Her smile remains pure and unmarred. She does not wear the nightmare. "

He offered the Dark Mirror Eternal the kerchief wordlessly.

Titan quirked, a thin smile trying to ghost its way onto his mouth. She was demanding even in her offering favors. Maybe there is no asking at all, when it comes to any time and the Lady of Gulls, whoever it is, whatever the time, and whether it is dream or reality.

The arm from her shoulders was repositioned in her hugging to around her person gently. "Some of the Negaverse has had the dreams that trouble you. They trouble Lady Ida. And Lady Hvergelmir. I know the Hersir of Nærøyfjord from the same dreams. I will look for him soon, if I can find him or evidence of him. If it is real."

"You should get at least a shift of rest soon. Your strength will be needed. I think the escaped will want steady, quiet and comfortable company, not tearful or frantic. They will have enough fears and joys already storming in their own chests to turn from crying to laughing at a moment. They have been through very hard time." It felt so familiar, trying to brace her in her grey tempest. 'Your work, Our work, is not done yet.'

"If I find him, maybe you will have chance to tell him yourself. " He didn't make any sudden moves as she pulled away. It sounded like intents to go, and he had no plan to hinder her. "If we must meet on field of battle, don't hesitate. It would be my honor to face you truly in battle. "

Girlfriend. They are not married yet. No children. Is it strange to miss the sound of voices that have never been heard yet? Or if they never are, to miss souls that haven't been? "I send her my best regards. And to you, Lady Chariklo. May your rest be at peace and not worry."