Wish You Were Here

[Casey]

My first thought was ‘Oh my God! He shot me!’ In fact I was so caught up in the fact he shot me, I failed to realize he’d shot me. Weird as it sounds it’s true. I was in shock. I couldn’t feel anything, just a vacant head looping on the fact he shot me. Heck, I barely flinched as smoke poured out of the demons mouth.
He shot me!

Then there was cold water in my face. Serious insult to injury there buddy. I blinked at a new form of shock and saw the boy’s face change, becoming more concerned and gentle in his tone. He helped me up and I’m sure my face looked blank complete with big eyes and a slack jaw. The hand around my stomach tightened and before I knew what I was doing I had back handed him across the face with a closed fist.

“Of course I’m human dumbass,” wow I was swearing a lot today, “I have no clue how I got here and you shot me,” I paused and motioned to my stomach, “You. Shot. Me. I am twenty six types of not alright.”

With that final yell some of my Adeline dropped and suddenly I realized I was shot. My stomach ached and I wrapped an arm around my stomach and used the other to brace myself against the wall. After a few deep breaths I opened my eyes and spotted my backpack. Carefully I bent over, wincing, and picked it up.

“Could you please tell me where I am and who you are?”

[Aiden]

Actually, people did just appear randomly in places and not know how they got there, apparently. I know this couldn't be a dream, because I had been awake and conscious all day, there was just no way. As I stood there in my blue, long-sleeved button up shirt, apron, black Dickies, and worn, uncomfortable Shoes for Crews (which to be honest, should have been replaced long ago, but I just never got around to it), it dawned on me that I was needed elsewhere. Heck, wasn't I supposed to be getting hours to save up money and all that jazz? And this was Lance we were talking about, not Bridget. Lance would blow a gasket, take me off that day, probably tell me it was another learning lesson. Crap. I needed to figure out where I was, and how to get to Main and Rincon, right behind Carrow's.

I stared at this girl, my face giving off that 'Really? Really?' vibe as she held out her supplies to me. "Look, I've got places to be and I--" I paused as she continued, mentioning Oregon. So this...really was Teagan? No, this was some elaborate prank, Felicia had gotten ahold of some money, and contacted the play by or something. Then they drugged me...but Felicia didn't seem like she would go that far. Mariah, maybe, but she was in Arizona.

The most unexpected of reactions happened. I laughed. One short, defined, incredulous laugh. No way. This wasn't possible. These were text based characters, they weren't even physically real. In the back of my mind, I knew I should call work, or my mom, or something, but there were really only a few people that I wanted to call. "You know what? Hold on a second, I'm sure Aiden won't mind if I get a phone call in, right?" he said, jesting at my character's name. I pressed a few keys, and opened up my address book. If I called Gina, she either wouldn't know what was going on, or she might play innocent. Same with Mariah. And since this was Felicia's character, after all...a few dial tones later, she answered.

"Hey Felicia..." I said, a little hesitant. "Do you mind telling me why, or even how, I'm in the Crossroad's Tavern with Teagan?"

[Yuki]

The nerve of that child, to just walk off! Blatant disrespect! The sniveling girl obviously has no idea who she's dealing with! Yuki was fuming, and she brusquely walked towards her, but then stopped in her tracks. The crowd around her stared back blankly in utter confusion. Turning around, the band was equally lost. She looked back in the direction of the door, but the girl was no where in sight.

"Oi, Yuki! ...Er, Haruhi, is everything alright?" asked "Kyon" from the stage. Yuki glared at him from afar, put off by such a stupid question. Everything was NOT alright. Their show had been ruined, and that rotten little kid was the source of the problem. And now she was gone. She wasn't in the mood to continue like this. It was a waste of time. Besides that, the girl was utterly suspicious. People--humans--did not spontaneously vaporize from thin air, and then leave without so much as an adequate explanation as to why or how. She was definitely up to something.

Yuki closed her eyes and pinched the nose of her bridge. A minute or so passed, then she spoke. "Gommenasai, everyone!" she began, yelling as loud as she could so everyone in the room could hear. Making her way back on stage, she signaled to the band members that the show was off. In one graceful movement, she grabbed the microphone and bowed apologetically. "We're deeply sorry for the inconvenience, but it seems we've run into a bit of a problem." The crowd muttered in disappointment. Luckily, these people were regulars, they knew they would be able to see the same show again, so no one was going to make a huge deal out of it. At least, Yuki hoped they wouldn't. "The show will be cancellled for today, but we'll be lowering the projector for the stage so you can still catch the song, directly from the anime! We'll be playing next week, same day, same time, if you really want to catch the show. Until then, we hope you have several "Hare Hare Yukai!" Arigato gozaimasu! Haruhi Suzumiya, out! Long live the S.O.S. Brigade!" she concluded, holding up her S.O.S. badge, and the people in the crowd did the same.

Without a moment to spare, she asked "Mikuru" to take her guitar to the back, and bid the band farewell. Yuki had more important matters to attend to. She bolted for the door, smiling politely at the customers who said hello, but disregarding those who asked any questions. Pushing open the door, she stood outside, looking left and right. The girl was gone. Kuso, she mentally cursed. But then...she heard a voice.

"Um, sure. I'll call once I figure out where I am. And then I'll see what I can pull off. And, what was your name again? For real...because if Gina's in trouble, it's not the time to mess with me.” "

It was the girl...the voice was coming from around the corner. Yuki walked silently, hoping to eavesdrop in her conversation. ...And then I'll see what I can pull off? What did she mean by that? And who is Gina? She peeked around the wall, and saw that she was talking on the phone with someone. A man's voice resonated through the phone. The girl had her back turned to her. Perfect.

"And I swear, if this is some sort of prank..."

Prank? Yuki blinked in confusion. Why would someone be pranking the girl? Clearly, she was the one causing trouble, not the other way around...

"Sure. Let me guess. You have a brother named Art. And work at the Wesson. And have extremely crazy family relations.”

...Nande?! Yuki turned the corner slowly, and leaned against the wall with the left side of her body, arms crossed, facinging the girl. Deacon. He definitely sounded like the type of person to pull something like this off. That man was almost as bad as Teagan, with his pestering and annoying nicknames. If he was involved, that would definitely explain this entire situation. Who knew how much he was paying this child for her to cause such a distraction in the middle of her concert. Or perhaps he was blackmailing her. But how did this...did this girl know Deacon, or had she just met him? And how had Deacon found about Yuki's..."excursions"? This matter needed investigating.

"Fine. If you want to pretend, do so. I'll call you back when I get a chance...bye,"

Yuki heard the click of the phone as she hung up. The girl chuckled, and then turned around, her smile quickly turning into a frown. The girl obviously did not like her. At least the sentiment was mutual.

"Deacon Rook put you up to this, did he not?" Yuki said cooly from her place against the wall. "You can tell him that his little pranks are foolish and childish, and that he should not be wasting his time playing games." Yuki approached the girl, arms still folded, and glowered at the girl. "Neither should you, child." She stared icily at the girl, this...Felicia. "Now I shall ask one more time," Yuki hissed, "and if you do not answer properly, I shall see myself forced to take appropriate--potentially harmful--action, if necessary, in order to obtain the information I desire: what are you doing here?"

[Teagan]

I stared in disbelief at the oriental witch in front of me. Was she serious? Her eyes shot daggers in my direction, daring me not to answer. Searching her eyes, I tried to figure out what her problem was. For no reason should an ordinary person have followed me outside.

“Deacon Rook has nothing to do with this. It’s just a coincidental name of someone who’s with my friend, who’s potentially hurt. So if you would be as kind as to get off my back while I figure out where I am and how I can get to her, it would be much appreciated,” I shot back at her, gritting my teeth by the end of it. You knew you worked too long in customer service when you couldn’t completely vocalize exactly *how* you felt about another person. Wendy’s was rubbing off on me, and not in a good way. “And while I realize it is completely strange that I appeared here, you are obsessing over it.”

The phone in my pocket vibrated, interrupting me for the second time in one night. “Let me give you some advice,” I said, glancing down at the caller ID. “Get some help.” Blaise was calling now? Maybe “Deacon” had called him too. “Hold that thought-Blaise? What’s up?”

"Hey Felicia..." Did he sound hesitant? "Do you mind telling me why, or even how, I'm in the Crossroad's Tavern with Teagan?"

“Ha, very funny Blaise. Who are you pretending to be this time?” Prank calls between our friends were very common. Most of the time we remembered to block our numbers to add a dash of reality.

“No, seriously. I’m literally standing here, looking at Teagan and her prank. Collapsing chair sound familiar?”

Had I written that anywhere yet? The only thing about chairs happened in Demon. “No, not really. But I wouldn’t put it past her. Are you saying that you found someone who looks like her?”

“Looks like her? If you could get picture messages, you would see that it is her. Dude, really, how did you get me out of my car, and into some replica of the tavern? I'm late for work now."

"I didn't do anything...I was about to ask if you had. I just got a call from, well, Deacon, or someone pretending to be him. And, you may not believe this, but I was in my room a second ago and now?” I threw a glare at the cat-suited freak. She could at least pretend she wasn’t eavesdropping. “Now I'm not sure where I am. Some cafe.”

"Wait...what? So you suddenly popped up somewhere SNS related too? Black smoke kind of thing? So...it’s not you pranking me, getting me back for your car?"

"I dropped that idea weeks ago, Blaise. Your fear of wondering when I'm going to get revenge is funnier than pulling something on you. I don't know if I've popped up somewhere in SNS or not. I've only received a call from Deacon, haven't actually run into any of the-oh crap."

The odd dress style, ridiculously structured sentences, and icy glares finally made sense. Eyes wide, I turned to take a better look at the singer I had brushed off carelessly. Dark, piercing eyes, impatient frown, long orange hair and wearing an anime costume?

"What? Felicia? You there? What's wrong?"
My voice dropped to a whisper, so the girl who suddenly seemed way bigger couldn’t overhear. "I...I...I think I'm standing next to Yuki. And she's kinda pissed at me."

A round of laughter burst from the other end. This wasn’t funny! YUKI WASN’T FUNNY! "You're with Yuki? Uh, don't do anything...” He took a breath and started laughing again. ”…stupid, okay? If we really are in Portland, maybe we can meet up. Should I meet you somewhere, or do you want to come to 'the tavern?'"

Deeply breathing, I struggled to control the burst of adrenaline that had consumed my system. How did I get stuck with here? With her? Out of all of the characters, Yuki was the one I would have nothing in common with. Except the guitar, maybe. But the cons would outweigh the pros between the two of us, as we had already proven with earlier dialogue. The girl’s earlier threats of violence now made sense. And I knew, unlike a majority of the population, exactly how qualified she was to carry each and every one out.

As much as I wanted him –or anyone, come to think of it- to prevent me from being alone with the most uptight character in the rpg, I refused. “Stay there, I'm sure I'll find my way to the Tavern.” Through Yuki, no doubt. That seemed the most logical way. “And Blaise? When I get there, we are going to have a stern talk about what is and isn't comical.” Because this situation? So not comical.

“Okay then, bye.”

And just like that, Blaise left me alone with Yuki. If she didn’t hold the only key to making sense out of everything, I would’ve picked door number two.

Scratching the back of my head, I put on an apologetic smile. “So, your last question about what I’m doing here? Still can’t answer it, but I know where I’m supposed to go. Crossroad’s Tavern. You wouldn’t happen to know where that is, would you?”

Please say no, I mentally added.

[Aiden]

Shit. Shit shit shit. The girl was a human. That didn't make sense, she had arrived in a cloud of black smoke--that screamed demon. But both the salt and the Holy water proved that she wasn't anything out of the ordinary, like the demon that was now gone from next to them. He was thoroughly confused, and as he knelt next to her, trying to inspect the damage he'd dealt. He felt...guilty, ashamed, like he'd broken his vow to protect society or something. She didn't even look that old, what if he permanently harmed her? That would never change. He sighed, waiting for her to say or do something, so when she backhanded him, he was definitely surprised.

Blinking a few times as he felt the stinging sensation on the side of his face, he turned back to face her after a moment or two. "Look, I'm fighting a demon, and someone appears in a cloud of smoke. I'm perfectly justified to shoot at it, alright? How was I supposed to know you were really a human?" he asked, standing up. "I couldn't just take your word for it, it doesn't work like that."

Furrowing his brows, Aiden studied the girl furtively. "How do you not know how you got here?" he asked awkwardly, trying to figure that one out. He watched her clutch her stomach, and he frowned. "Come on, follow me to my car, and I'll get you some pain killers," he said, leaving his name out.

[Casey]

Deacon looked down at the phone in confusion. Defiantly one of the weirdest conversations he’d ever had. How was he not real? Seriously, teenagers dude they made no sense.
He looked down at the unconscious girl who he was assuming was Gina. Weird ass freakin’ day. He walked over the bar and grabbed a glass before filling it with ice water. Taking on last look at the glass he sighed and poured the water over her head.

“Wakey-wakey sunshine,” Deacon muttered.





Art hid the shotgun under his heavy jacket. Well techniquely it was Deacon’s jacket but the fact he was almost swimming in it made it easier to hide any weapons. He heard a voice and stopped at the corner. Pushing his glasses up his nose he took a breath before rounding the corner with a hand in his jacket just in case.

“Problem?” He asked the teenage boy standing in front of the Wesson.

[Jefferson]

The idea that I was in front of the Wesson still did not completely sink in. I checked my cell phone, wanting to tell someone the great news. The only two numbers I had were from Mariah and Blaise. Blaise was probably working and Mariah would just ask why he wasn't in class. Not the greatest of people to turn to this time, but the urge to tell someone that I had ended up in th Supernatural Salvation universe was immensely overwhelming. Highlighting Mariah's name on my phone, I was about to hit send button when a voice called out to him. Looking up, I noticed Art standing in front of him with clothes that were way to big to be his. Dropping my phone on the ground, I slowly walked up to him.

"Problem? Yeah I have a problem. One second I'm at my house all the way in Corona, California. The next second I'm miles away in Keystone, South Dakota; in front of a bar that I have no idea how it came to be. To add to my problem, I'm talking to you Art." I stopped short there. Crap,was my next thought. How could I explain to the guy that the only reason I knew him was because he was a made up character of my friend's sick twisted mind. I was so dead, and that totally sucked. Frozen stiff, I couldn't help myself from darting my eyes back and forth, to find anything else to talk about. Oh man, I am so freakin dead. At least it's Art, and not Aiden. Why did Blaise have to make him so damn insane?I couldn't help thinking those thoughts. Then I thought about how I was going to miss Supernatural on Thursday even crossed my mind. Life was so much simpler when all this just lived in my head.

[Teagan]

As the conversation between the boy in front of her drew on, the more confused Teagan became. So he wasn't the only one to appear somewhere, she assumed. His friend as well? She eyed him carefully, wondering exactly who he was. He knew Aiden, from the use of his name without needing her to supply it...and did he just mention Yuki? Who laughed and put Yuki's name in the same sentence?

Taking precautions, Teagan slipped out her phone and quietly sent a message to the rest of the faction. Something's happening. Keep your eyes open for suspicious activity and get back to the tavern asap.

She closed the phone and stuffed it into her pocket right as Blaise ended his call. She frowned at him, "Care to elaborate on the conversation? Like why you speak so casually of Aiden and Yuki, who your friend is you're going to meet here, and why she'd be surprised I'm standing next to you?"

From the sleeve of her jacket, a silver dagger slipped into her hands and she twirled it dangerously. "I'd choose your words carefully, if I were you."

[Casey]

“Simple, Witch doctor forgot to inform me of that side effect when he was chanting,” I said casually, “Was just in for a tooth ache.” I paused before adding, “I’m kidding by the way. I was doing homework, which I can’t do at the moment and is due tomorrow.”

I stopped ranting as he mentioned medication, “Yes drugs please, got IB profin? That stuff always works for me.” Carefully I began to follow him, “I’d say you were a life saver except for, ya know, the fact you shot me.”

Had to admit he had a cool car, which of course reminded me of the fact I didn’t have mine. That sucked epically. I also noticed he hadn’t given his name. While I may not be the most observant person, I’d like to think I’m smarter than the average bear.

Attempt at name take two, “My name’s Mariah. Figure you should know who you unloaded you gun at. Mind if you share the same curtsy?”

[Aiden]

I could feel the girl's eyes burning on me, my conversation with Felicia proving that whoever had caused this, it wasn't just me. Still, though, the fact that we were both teleported was strange, I mean, how was that even possible? I knew that Teagan was drawing in every word from my conversation, and I knew that if I tried to move away, she would only follow me. Frowning, I continued until the conversation finished, and I slid my phone down.

I sighed as Teagan told me to elaborate. I couldn't really flat out say that she was a fictional character brought to life in some strange way, that wouldn't help anything. But I couldn't say that he knew Aiden and Yuki either. I took a split second to try and figure out what to say before I decided that being vague would probably be the best way. "Don't worry about that," I said, turning back to face her, and being met with a knife in my face.

Frowning again, I stood idly by. Never before in my life had I had my well-being threatened, so I knew not to do anything hasty. But at the same time, this was Teagan. "Come on, Teagan, we knew that you won't hurt me, you still don't have the confidence to do it," I said quietly, raising my hands into the air, and waving them around as I spoke. "Look, I just need my friend to show up, and then we'll get out of your way," I added, watching her carefully.

[Yuki]

Get some help?! Yuki seethed at the girl's comment, and advanced towards her. I'm sure pinning her to the ground may prove therapeutic, if that's what she--

The sound of a ringtone. She was left midstep. If it weren't for the fact that Yuki was interested in what information was about to be exchanged, and if in fact, the Deacon Rook that had contacted the girl was the same as the one she knew, she would have taken her phone and catapulted it into the street.

...Blaise? So it was not Deacon. Another prank call? Indeed, this was almost as bad as a scenario with Teagan. And...the girl had been in her room before arriving here? Yuki bit her lip. Perhaps the girl had experienced a supernatural phenomena. Perhaps she was the side effect of such a catalystic event. It would make sense. If the girl sincerely did not know why she was here, or how she had been transported on stage, then clearly, someone or something was controlling this from elsewhere. But why? And how?

"I don't know if I've popped up somewhere in SNS or not."

SNS? What's SNS? That it was an acronym was transparently obvious, but what could it stand for? A place? An organization? Secret...Nuetral...Society? Selective...Nomadic...Snow....System--

Suddenly, the girl stopped talking and, eyes widening, looked at her wearily. Yuki glared back coldly. It was that look that people often gave her, except this one was more intense than the others. Then, the child lowered her voice. Yuki attempted to hear, but all that she caught were muffled sounds. Then, laughter on the other end.

The girl was taken aback by the reaction of the male who she was talking to. Then, she said something about making her way to "the tavern." Yuki tried to make heads and tails of the situation, but hard as she tried, she did not understand what was going on. If the girl had appeared on stage, and did not have an explanation for it, yet recalled that she was in her room seconds ago, then it had to be a supernatural happening. It had to be some creature that had teleported her here. But...then...assuming Blaise was an acquaintance of her, why did he laugh when the girl's tone had been alarmed, confused, and annoyed, all at the same time? Was this indeed an elaborate prank? And how did she know about the tavern? Yuki knew the regulars. The girl wasn't one of them. But...she spoke much too casually of it to be a visitor to the city. And what or where was SNS?!

Suddenly, Yuki's phone vibrated from within her heel. She bent down, took off her shoe, and pulled it out. A text from Teagan.

Something's happening. Keep your eyes open for suspicious activity and get back to the tavern asap.

So Teagan must have been experiencing the same dilemma. Yuki closed her phone and placed it back in her heel. Looking back up, the girl had put away the mobile phone and was now facing Yuki, smiling with a somewhat repentant countenance. Yuki hoped her threats had finally gotten to her. Either way, it didn't matter if she didn't explain the situation anymore, because Yuki planned on taking the girl back to the tavern, whether the girl complied to it or not. She needed to discuss this strange phenomena with Aiden and Teagan, and the physical evidence would be needed in order to adequately explain it.

"So, your last question about what I’m doing here? Still can’t answer it, but I know where I’m supposed to go. Crossroad’s Tavern. You wouldn’t happen to know where that is, would you?”

Perfect.

"Yes, I would. As a matter of fact, the Crossroad's Tavern is where I spend much of my time. It is apparent that you are so painfully unaware of what has happened that it it's pathetic...wait here just a moment," Yuki said abruptly, and then passed the girl and went inside a door. It was a quicker entrance to the backstage area of the cafe. The thought had occurred to her randomly, but it was a good thing it had. If they were going to go back into the tavern, the bunny-girl suit was out of the question. She needed to change back into her regular clothes.

Within a few short minutes, Yuki came back outside, dressed in her plaid skirt, multiple-layered shirts and typical boots. Yuki approached the girl once again. "As I was saying," Yuki continued, clearing her throat, "My...colleagues...and I handle these types of occurences on a daily basis," Yuki paused, lowering her eyes darkly. "You will accompany me back to the tavern immediately, without complaint." Then, she crossed her arms casually and turned around, her back facing the girl. "In doing so, we will be able to examine your situation and transform it into a more lucid one, if possible," Then, she paused and slowly craned her neck around so that one eye was on the girl. "I must add that the only way you will make your way to the tavern is through me. Comply in a negative manner or attempt to go alone and the consequences shall be dire."

Yuki continued walking foward, knowing that the girl would not dare go elsewhere.

[Yuki]

I wasn't sure where I was, or what was happening. Actually, that's the wrong word choice, because I knew what was happening. I was in that state of mind between sleep and reality. the one where a person is kind of awake, but not awake enough to actually wake up. I couldn't really do anything about that, except wait until my eyelids felt like opening, as was always the case. That being said, I didn't know where I was. My memory was fuzzy. Then again, I was asleep. Or at least, it felt like I was asleep. So, I probably wouldn't recall where I was, even if I technically knew. Although, something in my mind told me I didn't.

My cluttered thoughts were interrupted by an ice cold sensation, upon which my eyelids jumped to the abrupt decision that they did indeed want to open, albeit slowly, considering that freezing water that was running down my face. At least, I thought it was water. I wanted to jolt up in reaction, but I couldn't make myself. My body wouldn't respond to the command's of my brain.Why am I always so out of it when I wake up?

"Nnn..." I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. I looked up and saw a guy hovering over me. ...Bryan? No, this person was older...Dad? Wait, why is my vision so blurry? ...Ah, my contacts. Of course. Why had I fallen asleep with them on? That couldn't be good for my eyes. I blinked, and my vision adjusted.

...The man in front of me was not my dad.

And then, everything came back to me in some odd, cliche movie-like flashback. I had been talking to Felicia. And then I was in that place--THIS place--and I had freaked. Of course I had freaked. Who wouldn't freak? A gun was pointed at me. And then, after that--

Finally, my body, by some delayed reaction, responded to what my mind had been telling me to do for quite some time now, and I bolted up. I saw little spots of black across my vision from moving too fast. I hated when that happened.

"Where am I?!" I asked, exasperated. Then, I stood up, feeling light-headed. I could see that I was in a bar of some sort, and I backed away from the man. "Who are you?!" I demanded. Actually, I didn't care who he was, so I didn't really know why I had asked that. All I wanted to do was go back to my room, go back home. I had to find a door and get out. I needed my phone. I had to call someone, anyone. My mom was probably freaking out. How long had I been unconscious? ...Is that my phone in his hand?!

I breathed deeply, trying to pull myself together. Okay, Gina. Okay, okay, okay, just be calm. If he has your cellphone, maybe he already contacted someone for you. If he was some serial killer, he would've already killed you. Which, as I thought about it more, was actually true. I had fainted, for crying out loud. If he had ill intentions, surely he would have done something by now. I wouldn't have woken up. And he didn't look that threatening. Just a little. Except for the fact that he had aimed a gun at me. But now that he didn't have it, he didn't really freak me out as much as he had. Why had he pointed a gun at me, anyway? He must've seen me as a threat, for some crazy reason. The idea was almost hilarious. I had never been seen as a "threat," as far as I knew.

"...Wait, wasn't there someone else here a little while ago?" I asked, in a much more relaxed state than just seconds ago. This guy was gonna think I was bipolar. It wasn't that I was calm about the situation, I was just hiding how much I was really freaking out. Honestly, I didn't know what to think. There was just one more question I needed answered, which I hadn't asked. I should've asked it from the beginning, instead of wasting my breath on all those other questions, because it was that one crucial question that, if he answered it adequately, would explain everything.

"What on earth is going on?"

[Teagan]

“Pathetic?” I lifted an eyebrow as Yuki turned to head back inside. I was pathetic because I didn't know where I was? If she only knew the half of it. The door closed shut, leaving me truly alone for the first time.

“Holy crap,” I whistled, staring after her. It was Yuki. Yuki. As in, ‘I-glare-at-everyone-and-have-a-thorn-in-my-rear’ Yuki. On the bright side, I had somehow entered a world previously barred from me by the fourth wall. I’d get to meet Teagan later on, and maybe Art and Deacon if Gina was with them. Like I would leave Gina alone. At some point, we’d have to go get her. And well, if we dragged our characters along, that might be a bonus too. Then I’d get to show Gina exactly why we don’t create icy charac-

The door opened again, and Yuki returned in a normal outfit. I briefly wondered what her reaction would be if I casually let it slip around Aiden or Teagan how I had met Yuki. On second thought, she’d kill me. Scratch that.

As she started to describe her ‘job’ and ‘colleagues’, I wrestled with the question of how far I could toy with her. Play it ignorant and laugh at her, or…

Mwahahaha.

“Like I would leave the only person who could get me somewhere,” I remarked sarcastically as I caught up with her. Dang she took long strides. Taller than most girls my age, I usually had to hold my natural walking speed back to accommodate friends. Yeah, none of that in this situation. “Just putting this out there, I am doing this of my own accord. Not because you ordered it.” We stopped at a traffic light, waiting for the walk sign to light up. Time for some fun. “So you deal with people popping out on a daily basis, you said, right? How curious. Sounds like what a couple friends and I do in our spare time too.”

Chew on that, ice princess.

“But I’m sure you don’t care about that, and it would be dumb and impolite of me to continue going on without asking your name.” I let the statement hang in the air as I took the moment to adjust my hair, making sure this one annoying strand wasn’t in my eye.

Mentally, I shook my head. Yuki…if this is what it was like to meet her, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to meet Aiden. “So are we going to a car or walking the whole way?” Because if I recalled right, it was a long walk up the hill to the tavern.

[Yuki]

As they proceeded through the street, the girl began talking. Yuki tried to ignore her, but it was difficult considering the proximity of where she was walking.

"I said no such thing. I only stated that I deal with such occurences, meaning happenings that appear to have little to no explanation. We are detectives, of a sort," Yuki said, hoping that would satisfy the girl's so-called curiousity. "And you are correct: what you and your friends do in your spare time is of no concern to me. Save your breath," Yuki snapped, as they crossed the street. Truthfully, the girl's statement only made Yuki more suspcious. A part of her wanted to keep questioning the girl, but Yuki decided against doing so. Questions could be reserved for later, when they arrived at the tavern.

"My name is Yuki Oshiro, of Okinawa, Japan," Yuki replied apathetically. Then the girl asked another question. Annoyed by the combination of the heat and of the girl's constant pestering, Yuki turned around and glowered at her. "We. Are. Walking." Then, she turned back around and continued up the hill. Honestly, she didn't know who was worse--Teagan, or Felicia.

[Teagan]

She didn’t have the confidence? Teagan internally fumed, allowing only a small twitch of distaste to cross her face. She should show him right then and there exactly how much confidence she had. But, the problem was, the dagger she had slipped from Yuki’s room, and she really didn’t know quite how to use it yet.

“For the record,” Teagan leveled her gaze with Blaise’s, “I’m not lacking in confidence. Ever.” Yet the knife slid back up her sleeve, harmless. “But I suppose if Yuki arrives and I’ve already marked you, she’ll complain about the blood on her knife.” Teagan uncharacteristically snubbed. “Fine. But make yourself useful and fix this. I was really excited about it.”

“Don’t think about trying to back out of this one. If the others get here and see this, they’re going to be ticked. And we don’t want them in that mood when we introduce you, do we?” Teagan grinned, then hopped off her chair to start. “Come on.”

Teagan wasn't really worried about the kid in front of her. Besides, there was always the hidden gun she kept in the back of her sweatshirt if things got out of hand.