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Sextant
noun
an instrument with a graduated arc of 60° and a sighting mechanism, used for measuring the angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation.

One of the things Sutai promised herself was to learn to utilize the instrument she had been carrying dutifully for years. Despite not having a real use for it, the squire found the history behind it to be fascinating at the very least. No, she was not on a wooden ship sailing the darkened sea with a blanket of stars overhead. No, the sharp, cold winds from the north were not tangling her hair with a crisp sea breeze. Nonetheless, Sutai found it oddly humbling to use such an instrument - one that has been since replaced by technological advancements of centuries.

The bubbly squire would pick out a small satellite perched atop a radio tower, or a billboard sporting the latest soft drink, or an airplane beacon blinking atop a skyscraper. Her boots crunching against the textured rooftops, she would take measurements and jot them into a tiny notebook. No, they were not useful. No, she would not need them for any reason other than her own sense of duty and pleasure. Smiling, Sutai continued to scribble away, pausing to gaze through the scope of her instrument for a moment, charting the landmarks so few people knew about or appreciated.

She performed a scan every so often, when her mind drifted to that part of her duties. The squire was situated atop a nondescript office building, nestled in the heart of downtown Destiny City. There, she could listen to the music of the bustling nightlife. Destiny City didn’t even seem to slow down in the winter.


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Winter was her thing, it was in her name, and her uniform was suited for it. The snow crunching under her boots was ignored, her boots were meant for this sort of thing, as she made her way across the rooftops of the various buildings which lines the street she was moving down. Her weapon, though it was more a magical instrument, was hidden for now - banished to wherever they went to when not in hand or in use.

Pausing, as a particularly harsh breeze ruffled her uniform and sent her hair whipping about her frame and face, she had to turn her face in order to see properly and clear her face of her own dark hair. As she stood doing this she felt it - an aura. There was another squire nearby...but who?

Standing there she felt for it, trying to figure out which direction to go in. Would they run from her? Stay where they were or would they head to her? She had no idea and for a moment stood and waited to see what they would do. That would decide what she did next.


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Calculating angles was not so difficult now that she had plenty of practice. With a smile of self-satisfaction, the squire had successfully calculated the angle from her current position to the Stay Frosty Icee billboard. With a giggle, she jotted down the numbers and turned to find another object with which to practice and… had felt an aura. A familiar one.

While she did not see who it was that possessed the aura, Sutai turned to face its general point of origin, squinting in the winter breeze as it blew about her face. It was friendly, whoever it was. A knight or some such thing, like herself.

What would that be like, to see them again after so long? “Hellooooooo~!” she cried, waving her free hand to and fro. Her accent was thicker than when she left Destiny City. Hopefully that would wear off soon. “Are you on patrol? Can I join you, please?”


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Noting that the aura didn’t run away, though it didn’t come closer, she made her hair closer toward it. When she heard the voice, belonging to the other squire, she called out in return. “Evening!” Closing the distance, with practiced ease, Delphi landed on the same rooftop as the other.

“I am.” She answered the others question. Lavender eyes looking the other over. Another Polaris knight, one she hadn’t met, but they shared a homeworld and a princess. This poor squire though in a tutu of sorts, oh how the cold must be a nightmare for her.

“You can join me.” Nodding her head to the other. “I don’t think we’ve even met.” She was sure they hadn’t, a shame really. “Delphi, of Polaris.” The last part was obvious, but it seemed proper. Holding out a hand to the other squire.


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Delphi, of Polaris.

Sutai’s eye lit up when the knight introduced herself. Had she been away that long, that Princess Polaris’ guard had expanded? What wonderful news! Forgetting how cold she was, the squire rushed to her fellow and gave an unsolicited hug, bouncing up and down in place. “How is the Princess? I haven’t seen her in so long, I hope she’s okay! I’ve been away on family business, you see, and I have to tell her how sorry I am to be gone for so long! It’s a pleasure to meet you too, a real pleasure, Miss Delphi!”

Taking a few steps back and straightening herself out, Sutai gave the knight a little curtsy. While away from Delphi and her lovely, warm coat, Sutai realized just how much she wanted to crawl in Delphi’s arms and take a nap. With a frown, the squire squeezed herself as close to the Delphi as was comfortable. “Ah… I do not mean to intrude but… you coat is very nice. I should have thought of that.”

Frown.


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“She was well the last I saw...but that was over a year ago…” She answered honestly, though surprised by the hug and standing stiff in the others hold. “She married her fiance. A wedding here, in another state, and up on Polaris.” But she hadn’t spoken to nor seen her in so long, she worried and didn’t know what was going on.

“It was around then that I got running water, and from that heat, at my wonder.” And when she had met Hyperborea, a Cosmos knight, from there things had changed in a good way. Laying her hands on the others shoulders she smiled gently. “You don’t need to add the miss. I don’t think we are far off in age.” And it made her feel older than she was...plus it was a bit too formal for her.

Laughing she opened her coat further and wrapped as much of it around the other as she could. “It’s perfect for the winter here, horrible in the summer though. I don’t know how none of us have dropped from heat stroke yet. Though I’ve only met two other Polaris knights, and one of them I only spoke to once.” She knew there were more though, there were several of them by now...and Polaris was gone. She would be proud to know and see them each, she knew it, the white haired woman was very warm and caring. She hoped the other knew how many of her knights were awakening and would return soon, from wherever she was.

“We should find where warm to speak. You have not been around in a while, as you said, and it is cold out.” And the other was certainly not dressed for it.


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Sutai couldn’t stifle the giggle that escaped her. “Oh, I am sorry, Miss Delphi. It is a habit I have, you see… I call everyone miss or mister. It is polite, and Mama raised us to be polite. Yes indeed.” Even the Princess didn’t escape being called Miss Princess Polaris though Sutai then realized she probably should have used Your Royal Highness or something to that effect, but it simply didn’t occur to her at the time.

The details about Princess Polaris’ wedding made Sutai quite gleeful. “I am so happy for her!!” came an excited shriek. “I am so very sorry for missing it, but very, very happy for her nonetheless. Did she marry that man, oh… what was his name…” She’d met the Princess’ love interest but a handful of times, and could recall vaguely what he looked like, but not his name. His outfit was strange and foreign to her, dark in palette. He had dark hair as well. “A man of Saturn, I think? Regardless, I certainly hope he is treating her well. He had better, or else Princess Polaris’ Brigade will have something to say about it, yes?”

Keeping herself parked firmly beneath Delphi’s luxurious coat, Sutai shuffled along as they moved, blathering away as if it wasn’t Way Too Cold outside, in the middle of the night. Nearby, there was a single-story 24-hour coffee shop, with a warm and inviting vent letting out heat from the shop’s interior. Even at this late hour, the people of Destiny City were seeking escape from the harshness of winter with a warm cup of delicious coffee. It was one of those mom-and-pop small businesses where the building lacked not charm, but the cookie-cutter sameness of most chain stores. Sutai pointed to it as a possibility. “Are you hungry, Miss Delphi? I’m sure they have muffins and things… I could get one for you?”

With a smile, Sutai realized she had not sufficiently explored her own Wonder. It was a tall, daunting mountain, that much she knew. But beyond that…? “Oh and Miss Delphi, I’d love to hear about your Wonder, please. I have been… neglecting mine, and am afraid that I may have been slacking in my duties…”


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“Yes, that was who she married. It was a nice affair on Polaris though brief.” Which suited her just fine. She had however come away from it with a friend made, and from that many things had come with the biggest being a brigade. It might be a small group of four but it was good - it worked. “I think she can handle herself just fine if he were anything but nice to her. But yes, I’m sure if it were to get out that he wasn’t several of her knights, and friends, would have something to say about it.” She doubted anything bad would happen between the two however.

“If we go in we should power down and find a table away from everyone. Then we can talk properly. I’ll tell you about my wonder and you can tell me about yours.” That said, as they reached the vent, she was able to power down safely. She had waited till they reached the vent, and the warm air it offered, so the other would be warm when Delphi powered down as the coat would no longer be there to offer it’s warmth to the other.

“I know a knight of the Cosmos with a lovely wonder, a hot spring of sorts. She and I, along with two others, have formed a small brigade. It’s just a fledgling thing but perhaps in time we shall find more to join, more people who want to help repair and grow our wonders - for the future generations.” That was one of the biggest things for Delphi. She wanted to restore as much of her wonder as she could in her lifetime, so the next knight with her name would have something waiting for them. They would have a foundation, made by her, to continue from. Eventually her wonder might be restored fully but it was up to her to set it up on that path. She would help her fellow brigade mates do the same, and Sutai as well as she was a fellow Polaris knight. There was also the Mercury knight - Slidr.


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Sutai nodded with renewed enthusiasm. “I don’t mind powering down, Miss Delphi. But… you would have to tell me what to call you aside from Miss Delphi!” With a giggle, Sutai rushed to the edge of the building on which they stood, and carefully planned her jump. She couldn’t power down beforehand, not without risking serious injury from the fall. “Oh, a hot spring sounds just wonderful! So relaxing, like a spa!”

Touching down in a side alley, next to a small business’ dumpster, the magic that created Sutai’s silly tutu had all but faded. With its passing stood a young lady dressed in a heavy sweater and furry boots. She waited until Delphi was within hearing range to introduce her civilian identity with a small curtsy. “I’m Anandi Rai! But you can just call me Anandi. I can order us something delicious while you pick out a table!”

Honestly, something as mundane as ordering coffee was such a relief to the squire.


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“Winterlynn is my civilian name.” Or as her family members called her - Winter. She doubted the other squire would call her that, she couldn’t picture it from the other. Actually no one outside of her family called her winter, even if it was easier. “Yes, like a spa.” Following the other to the edge she jumped down before powering down, which she did as soon as she landed.

Her own uniform was replaced with a long sweater skirt, long pea coat, and heeled knee high boots. It wasn’t a bad look really, though the dress wasn’t visible until she walked into the cafe with the other. “That’s a nice name.” She wouldn’t have an issue remembering it, it was rather unique.

“Something with vanilla in it should be fine for me. I’ll go find us a table.” Nodding her head she went to go do that. Her coat unbuttoned and unzipped along the way as her heels clicked on the floor of the cafe. Bringing herself to a table in a corner, one that was empty, she plopped herself down after hanging her coat off the back of her chair.


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Anandi was more than happy to order and pay for some drinks for a new friend, especially a fellow knight of a fellow Princess! She was so pleased, she almost skipped into the coffee shop, called The Steam Room. The heavy glass door had a bell hanging from the ceiling, which rung when new customers came or went through the door. The dark-skinned young lady held the door open for her new friend -- Winterlynn! What a lovely name -- and trotted up to the small wooden counter with her pocketbook in hand.

One hot vanilla chai and hot cocoa, made to order. The elderly man seemed happy to have more customers at this time of night. They must be receiving more business due to all the snow! The man said he would call Anandi’s name when the drinks were ready, so the girl bounced her way over to the nice corner table Winterlynn had found for them.

Giddy, she plopped herself into a chair across from her fellow squire. “Winterlynn is a lovely name too! I’ve never heard it before. What language is it?” Poking her cheek, Anandi giggled. “Mama named all of us, and my name means joyful. I think Mama knew. Mama insisted that all the children have traditional names, even though we grew up here in America. She says it preserves history, but I don’t really know about that…”

She shook her head. Onto more important topics! “Please, if you would, Miss Winterlynn, could you tell me about your Wonder? Honestly… I’m kind of afraid of mine. It is a very tall mountain with a very long staircase, but I have not climbed it. It is very cold and you cannot see the top! How scary is that? Is yours much safer?”

Anandi’s name was called then, and she bounced up to retrieve the drinks. Nice and hot, just like requested. Anandi was asked to spell Winterlynn’s name and… well… the best laid plans of mice and men. The poor girl’s name was spelled W-I-N-T-E-R-L-I-N. Close enough, right?


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The other was so bright and cheerful it was something she wasn’t used to. It wasn’t that she didn’t have friendly people around her, she did, but so bouncy and cheerful - so much energy. It was new and not really unpleasant though if enough time were spent with the other, all at once, it might become a bit much. But it wasn’t bad really.

Watching the other bounce over and plop herself down she smiled over to her. “American, though my family is from Russia. My mother wanted something to remind her of the Russian winter, or something like that.” She’d been told that growing up along with a few other similar reasons. She figured it was one or more of the reasons she’d been told, perhaps all of them, it didn’t matter much to her - she liked her name either way. “Where is your family from? If your name is traditional and not from here.” Which she could appreciate, having a traditional or cultural name - something with meaning. She liked her name, she really did, but having a Russian name wouldn’t have been bad either.

“My wonder is...I suppose a complex of sorts.” Looking around, making sure no one else was close enough to hear them. “Two libraries, a court building for cases kept to Polaris and it’s people and two for those that dealt with Polaris and other planets, stars, ect…” She explained, wanting to keep it simple. It was a lot to take in really.

Moving one slender finger tip to the top of the table. Making a rectangular box. “It’s all shaped like this with a big open area of cobbled ground - the ice and snow melted from the heating.” She explained, still so very proud she had eat and running water at her wonder! “To this side and this side.” The right and left. “Are the courts that dealt with things for Polaris and other places.” Then she moved her hand to the ‘top’ of the rectangle and over to a corner and drew out a circle. “One library tower here. Law books for Polaris’ laws for the planet. In the other corner at the top is the other library tower with books pertaining to the laws of other places. Between them is the courthouse for Polaris only issues.” She explained before lifting her finger from the table top, where she had mapped out where the last court building was.

“They are metal but look...greek or roman in design. It’s an odd mix of looks and materials.” But it somehow fit the planet, given what their princess’ sphere was.

“A mountain...maybe we should go together if you are scared. I can assist you in getting to the top and we can see what there is there.” It would be interesting. Just as she may have said more the other's name was called. When Anandi returned she quirked a smile at seeing her name spelled, she wasn’t upset. She knew her name was a bit of an issue, at least it wasn’t her last name though.


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Anandi was fairly overwhelmed by Winterlynn’s description of her own Wonder. A courthouse? Metal buildings? Bureaucracy? Unknowingly she had assumed that, since her Wonder was a geological formation, everyone else’s was too. To find that other Knights had buildings, had libraries and towers… what a discovery!

Absently, while Winterlynn was drawing out the layout of her Wonder, Anandi replied, “Oh, my family is from India. Grandpa and Grandma and their parents had immigrated to the US many, many years ago. My family and I had to go back to India to settle their affairs when they were put into hospice a few years ago…”

Stifling a sniff, she concentrated on Winterlynn.

“So… if your Wonder is a courthouse and library and everything… Miss Winterlynn, were you in charge of it? Like a librarian? Did you have to work there?” Anandi remembered Camelot mentioning that sometimes, knights were reincarnated, and sometimes it was a lineage. Sometimes a knight was the descendent of the knight who lived at, or worked in, the Wonder. Which one was Winterlynn? “Or, was your long-ago ancestor the one who was also called Delphi?”

Taking a sip of her hot cocoa, Anandi then wondered if a visit to Delphi was out of the question. No doubt it would be good for the squire to reintegrate into the ‘magical warrior with an ancient duty’ thing.


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“I’m honestly not sure what I was back then. I’ve only had one memory and it didn’t deal with that. I’m hoping to find out, though I would rather somehow learn to read the books in the libraries.” That would be nice but she doubted that would happen any time soon - if ever. She was fairly certain no one could read any of the languages from space, though she was also sure if anyone could it would help in some way...even if only to give a glimpse of the ancient past.

“I don’t have an ancestor, at least I’ve not seen anyone else there. No spirit - just me.” So she did figure she was descended from the last knight of Delphi. Though how that line continued on Earth was beyond her. She could only assume her previous self had for some reason had a thing with someone from Earth, whether it was a relationship or not she didn’t know. Maybe she’d find out one day and would understand this confusing bit.

“Ah! That would explain the accent and your family being from India is interesting. I’m sorry your grandparents are in hospice.” And she was sorry to hear that. It wasn’t something you ever wanted to have happen to family - ever.

“My parents came here from Russia before I was born, we used to visit all the time. Two years ago the rest of my family moved here.” So now she had to suffer her grandmother all the time, though the woman had been letting off just a bit on the marriage and children bit...she doubted it would last long.

Sipping her drink she smiled at the other. “It seems we are both from families that are fairly new to this country.” She said to the other.


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Anandi shook her head. “Grandmother and Grandfather passed away last year, but it’s okay. They were surrounded by loving family and friends. I’m sure they were very happy, and at peace.” With a nod, more to herself, she smiled.
The story about Winterlynn’s parents coming from Russia was fascinating. Anandi obviously knew where Russia was, but had no concept as to what Russia was like. In her mind, it was very cold due to being so far north. But other than that? She had no idea. “Miss Winterlynn, do you think I could accompany you to see the buildings? I’d really like to go back to Polaris but… the mountain is rather scary… a building sounds much more suitable. If you don’t mind, that is!”

She poked at the table rather skittishly. “...truthfully, maybe going back with someone else will make me brave enough to see the mountain. You seem very brave and very wise, Miss Winterlynn. In India, I powered up sometimes, but the Negaverse was not as active there. There were youma but they were very rare, and people thought maybe they were rakshasas, which are like…” Anandi tapped her chin, trying to come up with an easily-described analog in English. “...they are like nasty, man-eating demons. I think that’s an accurate description of what they do, but not what they are…”

Sutai’s attempts at educating what little public she interacted with while in India proved fruitless, as the rumors of live demons devouring men superseded any information she could disperse. Anadi sighed. “Anyway, I guess I’m… rusty? Would you mind? If you’re not too busy, of course!”


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“That’s good - that family was with them.” It might not be something she’d care for herself, if she had to decide right now she knew she’d prefer to be alone...without family and friends. It would be scary, in a sense, as it was the unknown and feeling yourself dying and knowing it as well. But the idea of seeing people all upset who know the same thing you do, who are unable to stop it, that she would want to avoid. It would only hurt her more. She wasn’t as cold as people thought she was...she just didn’t do what most people would do or what most expected. She didn’t like to be hurt so she kept people away, such as she would in such a case.

“Of course, we can go together to my wonder. It’ll be warmer for you also since I have heating. It seems that the walls have pipes running between them and they move hot water around so that’s how the buildings are warmed. It also, I’m guessing, runs under the square so that people can walk around without fear of tripping on snow and ice.” Which made sense honestly. If people were coming and going all day, due to the nature of her wonder, and the ground was covered in slush, snow, and ice it would be unsafe and people would get hurt. There would have had to be a way to keep the ground as dry as possible and clear of the hazards Polaris as a planet presented. So the piping and heated water fit as a solution - it was smart.

“You are lucky. I’ve heard we are the only place they have not won yet...that everywhere else they rule.” Although rule was perhaps not the correct term. They had won, yes, but they didn’t run the governments and such. At least not completely, she hoped anyway. But between order and chaos they ruled. “You are lucky you did not get caught or that they are not that active there.” She said again, so glad the other had not come to harm. Had she and Polaris herself found out...she wasn’t sure what their princess would do. She knew there would be sadness, and perhaps guilt, but anger also was likely to be there. But as to what Polaris would do...Delphi didn’t know but she knew she’d follow in order to try and keep their princess safe.

“I will go with you to your wonder as well, whenever you are ready.” Taking a long drink from her cup she smiled slightly at the other. If she could give her strength and help her - she would. “Youma may have given rise to those stories. If it’s true and the war has been dormant for so long, and youma have been around for so long, I can only assume the youma may have been active and without officers around to control them...well.” Trailing off, not figuring she needed to finish the idea, she shrugged. If youma were around for so long, even when officers were not, they had to go out and feed - right? So stories of such demons and things...could have been stories of youma - right?


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A nice, safe and warm building sounded like the perfect first step to Sutai’s reintroduction into knight duties. Anandi clapped her hands in excitement and dug through her purse for her cellphone. “Miss Winterlynn, if you don’t mind, I’d like to exchange numbers so we can arrange when to go to Polaris... I don’t know your schedule but it would be very rude to call you at an inopportune time, so…”

With just a few moments, the pair had exchanged contact information and arranged good times of the day in which to call or text. Anandi seemed ever so grateful, and incredibly pleased.

“I feel quite blessed, Miss Winterlynn. Here I was, thinking I might be all alone when I came back to Destiny City, but the Princess seems to make sure we’re never by ourselves for very long.” Anandi was ever so happy to have as wonderful a Princess as Polaris, and hoped that other knights felt the same way about the royal they served.

Looking down at her watch, Anandi had overestimated the time. “Oh no! It’s very late, I should be going. Mama will be very upset if I can’t do my chores tonight. I’m very sorry to go so quickly but I promise to be in touch, Miss Winterlynn. Please have a good night!!”

In a bubbly frenzy, Anandi bounced out of The Steam Room, hoping her mother wouldn’t be too terribly angry that the laundry got started so late!


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“Of course.” Pulling her own cell phone out from the pocket of her coat she offered it over to the other after unlocking the screen. “You can put your number in for me as well.” Reaching to take the others phone so she could put her number in. “We can arrange for it soon. I can travel right now.” Meaning she hadn’t visited in awhile, a few weeks. She could take them both and would save her next trip until the other was ready to go, just incase the other asked when she couldn’t go.

Once she had her phone number saved on the others phone she was offering it back, while taking her own phone back. Closing her screen she pocketed her phone again.

“Indeed, there are a few of us who are under the sign of Polaris. I know another knight...he has transcended. I’m part of a small team which has formed. Perhaps if you’d be interested.” She offered, slowly, willing to bring the other into the small group. As the other seemed to realize the late hour she nodded. “Don’t panic. We will talk more soon - text me. Be safe on the way home.” She called while the other was already leaving hastily. She did hope the other would be alright, it would be a shame if something were to happen to her.

She’d let her own little group know about Sutai, just incase the girl decided to join...or at least look into the group. Perhaps she could get her and Hyperborea together and together the three could do a spa thing….it was a nice idea. That in mind she finished her drink before heading home herself, a nice hot bath on her mind the whole way home.