Silent Waves

An hour Later…

Life on the busy streets continued as normal, with Reina and Eleanor standing on a sidewalk. A piece of paper in Eleanor’s hand as people casually passed them by. The Center ruled area was well kept and safe, with crime rates being exponentially lower due to the security and safety focus of the Police than any other area controlled by other Families. However, the building in front of them was simply a small shop on the borderline between the central area that would enter Calicio territory. It was nothing magnificent and the area was considerably less financially taken care of by comparison to large parts of Central. Reina glanced around at the area, taking a mental note the area seemed to sustain middle to lower-class people.

“It’s a bookstore.”

Reina openly noted to Eleanor.

“I wonder why a book store is important.”

“Well if Mister Calicio insisted on the importance of this place, maybe it’s the people inside who are important?”

“It makes sense. I was considering the same. I was just expecting…”

“More?”

Reina finished with a giggle and a smile towards Eleanor, prompting a smile and giggle from her friend herself. Eleanor placed a hand on Reina’s arm, playfully nudging her.

“Indeed Reina. So let’s go in here and show them the great future leader of the family and her best friend right hand!”

Eleanor exclaimed, raising her fist in front of her with determination. A confident smile and nod came from Reina.

“Yeah!”

Reina said in agreement before the two began walking towards the entrance and entering the building.

The two were now inside the store, each wall to the left and right were shelves filled with numerous books, neatly shelved. With the relatively small size of the shop compared with its heavily stocked shelves, it would appear more like a miniature library. Standing at the entrance, the girls would see a woman to their left further into the store. Standing on a stool in front of the high bookshelf, with a small stack of books curled in between her arm and her chest while her right hand reached up placing a book back onto the shelves. The woman had long black hair, sporting a brilliant headband. A thin light blue sweater covered her torso, coupled with a blue skirt. If anything this woman’s appearance and actions would scream librarian to the girls who had entered. Directly ahead of them at the far back was the checkout counter yet the seat behind it was empty. Clearing her throat, Reina would announce their presence to the girl who seemed to not have noticed them yet.

“Excuse me”

Reina said politely yet loud enough to earn the girl's attention. The woman quickly turned her head, her glasses had slid down her nose.

Polite Employee:“Oh! My sincerest apologies!”

She said in an ever so soft and sweet voice. Yet her physical expression revealed she was slightly panicking to the sudden arrival of guests, nearly falling off her standing stool in the process. Slowly stepping down and sitting the books on the stool, the girl shyly made her way to Reina and Eleanor. Her cheeks were red from being shy. It was obvious to the two that she was shy but the adorable nature of the girl introducing herself brought a smile to Eleanor’s face.

Kana Saiyuri:“Greetings. My name is Kana Saiyuri…A-a-and-”

Kana’s face grew even deeper red at the thoughts in her head. She seemed to struggle to bring herself.

“W-welcome to The W-world of Curiosities!”

Her eyes shut from embarrassment as she spoke more loudly, tossing her arms into the air as she spoke. It was obvious she was uncomfortable saying it. Eleanor covered her mouth with her fingertips to hide her smile of hidden laughter; Reina’s eyes widened and blankly looked at Kana. Kana quickly dropped her arms back to her side and she opened her eyes once again. However, she began to nervously twiddle her fingers.

“H-how may I help you today?”

She asked. Eleanor lowered her hand from her mouth and noticed Reina had not spoken a word, seeing Reina’s face Eleanor’s smile grew because she knew what was running through her friend's mind. Even now Reina’s face was equally as red as Kana’s

(Soooo cuuuute!)

Kana looked curiously at Reina who watched her admirably.

“She thinks you’re adorable.”

“Eleanor!”

“What? It’s just her here. I guessed you wouldn’t care for her to know your…thing.”

Reina quickly placed a hand over Eleanor’s mouth, trying to play off what was just revealed. Kana tilted her head in curiosity at what they were doing or what she had missed but in the process, her eyes caught a glimpse at the metal insignias pinned to their chest on the clothes they wore.

“Oh! Would you two happen to be our special guests? Master said we would be receiving honorable guests today.”

Kana said, her smile radiant as if her nervousness had instantly faded away.

“Master?”

Reina questioned, removing herself from Eleanor in the process. Eleanor and Reina’s minds analyzed the word in the same manner, it is obvious by the incredibly serious tone of expression their faces had shifted at the mention of the word master. Eleanor took a step closer to Kana.

“What the-? The Calicio specifically abhors slavery of any kind, I will-“

“No no no! You have it wrong W-well we h-honor him as our m-master with the title.”

Kana said flustered, waving her hands frantically to dismiss their conclusion as false. Suddenly behind Eleanor and Reina, a face peered between them without their notice. A piercing demonic gaze with eyes of red looking at both of them as the girls faced Kana. Quickly Reina’s face shifted to one of shock and fear.

(What the- What is this heavy presence? This heavy pressure on my shoulders…this feeling I…like a weight on my body.)

Reina launched a kick behind her, a drop of sweat dripping down her face, quickly turning around to face what she had sensed. Her quick reaction earned Eleanor’s delayed turn as well. Instantly knowing if Reina thought there was a danger she was not aware of, She had no doubt the threat was real and quickly turned to face the direction behind them as well. Yet once she had looked, she saw nothing but the air pressure from her kick. Reina’s eyes scanned that side of the room, raising her guard and placing her feet in a defensive stance.

Female Voice:“Kaaaaaana, what lustful thoughts about the master have you gotten into their heads? Hee-Hee!”

At the sound of the new voice coming from the direction of Kana now, Eleanor and Reina quickly returned to looking in that direction. Their faces expressed their shock to see a woman hugging Kana from behind. A woman with long raven hair, her princess bangs similarly covering her forehead compared to Reina’s own hair. The woman was a beauty, her soft cheeks pressed against Kana with her head resting over the girl's shoulders. Her arms wrapped around Kana’s waist.

“I-I'm trying to tell them Asuka-chan.”

Kana said, her face flushed red again, feeling embarrassed by the way she was being held. The woman Asuka giggled before speaking once again.

Asuka Sashio:“My dearest apologies then Kana, please continue by all means!”

Kana Saiyuri:“O-ok. Thank you”

Reina and Eleanor seemed to ease themselves with Reina relaxing her stance and fists, seeing how this sudden mysterious woman was someone the girl Kana seemed to know well. Kana was clearly embarrassed by the way she was being held by the woman but to both Eleanor and Reina, it clearly didn’t bother Kana much outside of that. With a smile, Kana continued.

“We’re here on our own choices a-and the master is our protector. We are grateful, he’s helped us all more than we could have thought possible.”

“All because of the people who run the city, such as the families, nowhere out there is truly safe. When you’re out there in that city, there’s no real home for most. There are even plenty who’ll lead you to believe you’ve found a place to belong with them or for yourself but that’s a too common story for this city.”

Reina, Eleanor, and Asuka’s eyes drew to Kana, whose own eyes looked down at the ground, saddened by the thought of what led her to where she is today.

“Let us just say it scars us all in one way or another. Us here, The master gave us all a new beginning and the opportunity of choice with our lives.”

Quickly Kana’s face went from sad to solid determination, taking over the conversation with confidence in her eyes.

“Freedom of our own beliefs and freedom to choose for ourselves who we want to be, without the influence. With that, we all choose to follow the Master with no regrets!”

Her confidence caught Reina and Eleanor off guard but in the end, it made all of the girls smile in acceptance

“It is great to hear your master is such a sweet and gentle person.”

Hearing Reina's statement, Kana and Asuka looked at her curiously before their eyes looked at each other. Suddenly they would begin giggling to themselves. Reina and Eleanor looked at them curiously, questioning why they would laugh at the compliment. Kana scratched her cheek nervously

“Um- I wouldn’t say all of that. Master is of course great and kind but he’s not your regular gentle I could say heh heh.”

Kana seemed rather embarrassed to admit it but she was being completely honest with the two.

“He is indeed an interesting person with a large quantity of an aggressive appetite”

Asuka chuckled at the statement she just made, her arms still wrapped around Kana, and began to hold onto her tighter, her arms resting across Kana’s stomach, a hand on each of her waists.

“He’s the one who told us they title people after a government file called Alpha, yet the true name which we go by is Sin.”

Asuka began to smile, thinking of their Master, her black eyes shifting to a blood crimson red, her smile grew further.

“He’s given us the choice not to live in the unknowns and known influences of this city. Together he allowed…no. He allowed us to see and choose our own way. A master of ambition, a master of the truth, the satisfaction it is serving him. Aaah!”

As she spoke, her eyes shined the brighter shade of its color, a piercing gaze not looking at the two guests of the shops, but a gaze which looked through them, her mind completely taken over by her thoughts. One hand slid inside Kana’s shirt and began slowly moving up along Kana’s stomach as Asuka continued, seeming to have lost herself in her thoughts and the fantasies inside his head. Seeing her hand under Kana’s shirt and slowly going up caused the other three girls' eyes to widen, their faces blushing from the unexpected scene. Kana as well was caught off guard. Her shy nature combined with her blush fully displayed her bodily sensitivity for she did not appear to fight it aggressively, her body wiggling around during the process.

“He’s a Sin just like the three of us.”

A brief moan came from Kana as Reina and Eleanor could see Asuka’s hand making it to and began fondling one of Kana’s breasts right in front of them. Both of their eyes were held wide and their faces were as blushed as Kana’s. Eleanor held her hands to her cheeks but her eyes were glued onto the two girls in front of her, while Reina covered her eyes with her hands although she continued peeking through her fingers.

“Someone strong, powerful, brilliant, and firm. He made us stronger, he unlocks the secret to us only a literal few in the city knows that can be tapped.“

Asuka’s hand continued to fondle away, saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth, and her touch leaving Kana too weak to fight back although as embarrassed as she was, to Eleanor and Reina it looked like part of her enjoyed it even though her words and embarrassed look would speak otherwise as if she was ashamed that she enjoyed it. Suddenly, the bright blood crimson-colored eyes stopped gazing through the two and quickly shifted over to look Reina in her own eyes. Sending a sensation through Reina, the same sensation she had felt when she felt the presence behind her.

“He could make you stronger as well. The power to protect your friend here, the power inside that can defend yourself and loved ones, guard them as an absolute shield. Let’s just say I’ve gained Masters eye for unseen potential.”

Another moan came from Kana, this time more audible than the last one as Asuka began to squeeze her chest, transferring to her hand from the intense feeling she spoke with each word. To them and her grand lustful facial expression, Reina and Eleanor came to the same conclusion.

Reina Lionhart:(She was so kind earlier, but now-)

Eleanor Calicio:(This woman is off her rocker!)

Kana Saiyuri:“A-a-Asukaaa!”

Suddenly the crazy intent face of Asuka began to fade along with her eyes, becoming less wide and the bright crimson fading back into her normal black. She giggled as she slowly removed her hands and body from Kana. Who seemed relieved at her freedom but a little weak in the knees.

“Asuka, you’re just as bad as the master with personal space.”

Kana said, pouting out her cheeks.

Reina Lionhart/Eleanor Calicio:“Whaaa?”

A sparkle came to Asuka’s eyes, it being a high compliment to her.

“Aww, how sweet of you Kana! Would you like to get the books from the back we have ready for our special guests?”

Kana sighed, her comment not an insult but not necessarily positive either, but it seemed like she wasn’t surprised at all of Asuka taking it as a complete complement of high regard. The statement proved to be enough to persuade Asuka to take her hands off of her. Kana nervously turned back to Eleanor and Reina, still blushing and looking rather embarrassed for what they had to witness.

“Oh! Sorry about that. Master told us two important people would be coming today so we’ve prepared some books and files we were told would prove useful to you!”

Kana quickly spun around on her toes and moved quickly to head towards the counter at the back of the room, heading through the open doorway behind the desk in search of the books.

(Who is this master of theirs, and what kind of power is Asuka talking about. They know what I am. Not a surprise since they are one as well. I can’t shake this feeling, there’s something about this woman)

Reina thought to herself as the three patiently waited for Kana to return. Her eyes looked at the side of Asuka’s face as she thought. It was then Asuka, turned her head to see Reina looking at her. Asuka looked upon her curiously, surprising Reina but Asuka returned a cheerful smile in return.

(She seems so harmless enough but I can’t shake the feeling…a difference in her than others like us…)

Kana came back into the room with a satchel of books on each shoulder, returning to the group and handing one of them to Eleanor.

“These books are for you. These are collected at the request of one Vergil Calicio.”

Kana then handed the second satchel to Reina which only held a single book inside, which by her expression had caught her off guard.

“These are a little old it looks like, so please take care of them. These are collected at the request of our Master to aid you with information.”

Reina Lionhart:“Information?”

Asuka Sashio:“Indeed, The only known copy. Mister Calicio must have a serious desire for you to read old files on the city. After all, we who work for Master are the only ones in the city to have laid eyes on those. It normally wasn’t even held here. Master keeps it somewhere for himself but had brought it to us today to give to you. He must have very high hopes for you!”

“Hopes for what?”

“Hee-Hee, the future!”

“Asuka?”

Kana questioned, looking at her companion. Asuka held her cheerful smile and nodded to Kana of which Kana returned as well.

“Master told us that the city is becoming more and more dangerous so he and Mister Vergil Calicio knew something, the Master would not share with us of what path they think the city is on.”

“Whatever is happening in this city…it’s making even the leaders of the families uneasy.”

Eleanor and Reina looked at each other with determination in their eyes. They had only just met these girls but they could feel the truth in their words, with even a hint of concern in their voices. With a smile on her face, Eleanor spoke.

“We really appreciate your help.”

“Of course! It was our pleasure. I love books but it’s nice to meet actually nice people in this city. Please visit again if you ever need help learning something, I’d love to help!”

Kana brightly smiled at the two. The four of them exchanged farewells, Kana and Asuka waving them goodbye as Eleanor and Reina left the building. The two now standing on the sidewalk in front of the book store.

“Something is going to happen in this city huh? Let’s not take the chance and learn all we can from these tonight. There has to be something in these to help us figure out what’s going on. What did my grandfather want to make sure we’re prepared for?”

A person caught the attention of the two girls, standing on the sidewalk near an expensive-looking car.

“It seems Sir Vergil planned a vehicle for us.”

“That works out just fine! Thank you, Vincent!”

She said gratefully to the man who had whistled, one of her regular known drivers of the two girls. The two girls nodded and happily took the ride.

Flashback…

A heavy downpour of rain poured down on the city. Most were in their homes or a building during this night, leaving the streets mostly emptied. In a back alley, a girl cries of pain, and the laughter of several young boys can be heard laughing.

A young twelve-year-old girl would fall onto the ground, surrounded by two boys. Her face was bruised as one of the boys kicked her while she was down. A small bird trinket fell with her onto the ground. Opening one eye, the other wincing in pain, both eyes flew wide open seeing the bracelet. She reached for it but her hopes were crushed as a boot came down onto the trinket and crushed it before her very eyes. From her face, it was easy to tell that hurt her far more than the bruises they gave her on her body.

Boy A:“You’re a monster girl! Monsters don’t get to have things!”

Boy B:“Yeah! Only pretty normal girls get nice things haha! You’re just monster girl, your kind don’t need our people things!”

Broken on the inside and tears streaming from her eyes the girl sat up. Yelling out in anguish.

Young Girl:“I am a normal girl!”

Boy A:“Liar! You’re one of those freaks, you could never be a normal girl!”

Boy B:“Normal girls have families, where’s yours? You’re just a monster street bum.”

“What’s wrong with you people?!”

She yelled through her pain and tears, rising to her feet in the process.

Boy A:“I think we upset the poor orphan monster girl!”

The girl now stood facing the boys, barely audible words coming out of her mouth. The boys looked at each other then back to her.

“What you say Monster-“

“My name is Reina! Not monster girl!”

Through her tears, a fury was held in her eyes.

“Well monster girl what are you going to do about it?! You know the rules, you hurt us and we’ll tell our parents!”

“And they’ll call the police! All of you monsters know the new three laws! You hurt us and you’ll die!”

The boy finished, grabbing the girl's rather long hair and pulling on it as the other punched her in the stomach causing her to fall to her knees, spitting up. Her breath was quick and raspy as she sat there, the laughter of the boys filling the air.

“What’s with that hairstyle? Only cute normal girls can have that hairstyle. You can’t be pretty because you’re a monster.”

With those words, several flashes of images flew into Reina’s mind. Her dreams of being a beautiful woman who people looked up to, marrying the man of her dreams, then the sight of her home being burned down by rioters who detested Alpha’s and went to the extreme, killing both her parents and putting her on the street at a young age with no family or anywhere to go. Visions of her dirty and in rags on the street with a pair of scissors and a piece of broken glass attempting to cut her hair into a cute style. It wasn’t anywhere near professional but it was good enough to fill herself with absolute joy in her new look.

“I can look like the normal girls! Maybe tomorrow I’ll find someone to be my friend now, and we can share cute things”

She said to herself just thinking of all the things that could change in her life but as she looked at herself with a smile, she cried for no matter how much she hoped, she knew deep down she couldn’t believe even herself on those things.

Suddenly Reina clenched her teeth and one of their expressions changed completely as his laughter was put to a stop, Reina launching her fist into the boy’s stomach, lifting his feet off of the ground and sending him back into a wall. The other filled with fear and began screaming, running out of the alley, and yelling for help. Reina snapped back from her anger and saw the boy she had hit slouched on the ground with his back to the wall, blood seeped from his mouth, and suddenly fear took over her. Seeing what she had done. The boy was unconscious but coughed and spitting blood on his shirt. With her heart racing, Reina quickly ran away in fear for her life.