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The Fireflies (6) : In the warm summer nights, little glowing lights begin to bob and dart through the city. Fireflies are mating, so this isn't uncommon in itself; in the past few days you've probably seen hundreds of fireflies. What makes these lights so unique is that they seem to change color; you might see a blue one, a green one, a red one. They flicker randomly, and something just seems off with them. If you come into contact with one, you will find yourself with a strange electric jolt. They cannot be caught, and will flicker away if you pursue too aggressively. This isn’t the first time they’ve appeared in Destiny City, but no one’s been able to tell where they came from or where they’re going. No matter how quickly you chase them, they always seem to disappear before you can find any answers.
Courtney didn’t go outside at night very often anymore.
It was something that made her feel terribly guilty. The fact that she was utterly neglecting the duty she had been given. Utterly turning her back on something she had been chosen for. Born to do. It was one thing to simply ignore a duty given by a stranger, by a teacher, by your family even but. When that duty is something life changing. Something that could tip the balance in an actual war...you shouldn’t ignore it.
But then again, she reflected, walking through the playground that was down the street from her house and taking a seat on one of the swings.
Literal children shouldn’t be dragged into wars. Not just dragged into wars, but dragged in with the promise that they can help turn the ties. That they can make a difference.
Truthfully, Courtney didn’t know if that was true but. She knew that recruiting a twelve year old into a war was…
Sick. Especially when they weren’t given the same tools as the older people brought in. Of course they were punished for being child soldiers but.
…the punishment had never seemed fair. Here, risk your life but your magic is going to suck, good luck out there!
It…boggled her mind.
She was seventeen now, and honestly hadn’t become Sailor Mary since the few times she had powered up when Etoile had first awakened the magic inside of her. And the one time last winter but. Who was really counting.
Perhaps…it had been enough time. Perhaps now she was old enough. Strong enough to really make a difference. Truly, Courtney didn’t believe that but…
The flickering lights broke the teenager out of her heavy thoughts, and Courtney stared, confused for a moment. It was too early for Christmas lights. Too early for even someone trying to celebrate Christmas in July…but…
There it was again. A small blinking red light. A blue light. A green light…this.
It took until Courtney finally saw the flickering yellow light for her to realize that they were fireflies. This. Wasn’t normal obviously but. When had the city ever been really normal. But…rainbow fireflies. That was a lot even for the city.
She continued watching, gently rocking herself on the swing and allowing the lights to lull her into an almost trance like state as she got lost in her thoughts once again. Was this perhaps a call to arms? An invitation to return to her duty? Her destiny?
Holding out a hand, Courtney half hoped that one of the insects would land on it, but when a green one seemed to float over, it stung.
Swiftly she withdrew her hand, scowling and shaking her arm for a moment, huffing.
A call to arms indeed. A promise of pain to come if she took up the mantle once again. But. if strange insects had found her…it stood to reason that other things would too. That she would be involved eventually no matter what happened.
With a heavy sigh, Courtney got up from the swing and began walking back towards her house.
…She had a henshin pen to find once again.
