Content warning:
-Cursing
-Sexual themes
-Sexism
It was snowing that night, six months ago. Colourful lights reflected off of the snow, turning Tsuno into a light show. Moma stood outside of a decrepit, three story building by the fences separating the city and the beach.
The building's name was the 'Knitting Hands'. As the last customer left the place, Moma looked up at the building and RANG A LOUD BELL.
She heard quiet cheers throughout the building, but one louder than others. A young woman leapt out of the third story.
"I'M OFF THE CLOCK!" she exclaimed, her voice like an excited doxiepoo.
She wore a torn, dark blue yukata with gold accents and a fireworks pattern. Beneath that was a bright pink shirt that showed off her slim, almost pointed figure. She had bright, golden yellow eyes, and long, salmon hair. She landed on the ground and dusted herself off.
Moma chuckled, "You don't want to wear something warmer Ana?"
"Warmth?! I could warm myself up better(even naked)," she confidently exclaimed, spinning around with her hands in the air.
"Well don't get too-," Moma responded.
There was a tremor. They both stopped.
Another tremor. Bigger.
They looked out tot the sea. It was shaking like it was boiling. Below anyone could see a faint light of white, red, and blue.
"Ultima Exitium," they both acknowledged with dread.
The Triquake began.
Chapter II
Home in the Horizon
[Darkness broke. She was thrown through the freezing cold water. It was pitch black, with only faint lights within. She struggled against the force through her around, but it was helpless.
...….
In a blink, she was on a beach, and two women watched her with surprise and dread].
Setsune awoke in a cold sweat. She gasped for air, a searing pain on her chest, and terror flooding her eyes.
"Sh…," Ana. "It's okay,"
Setsune lay in her work bed. The room was dark, only lit by light sneaking past the thick curtains. The light reflected off of Ana snuggled up to her. She was only wearing her pink shirt.
Setsune took steady, deep breathes. It wasn't long until she calmed down.
"Good morning, Setsune-nee~," She greeted.
"Good morning, Ana," Setsune responded, breathing a sigh of relief.
There was a knock at the door, "No customers today,"
Ana smiled energetically, laying her head partially against her pillow, "Looks like we have the day off,"
Setsune smiled back, doing the same, "Interested in having a lesson?"
Ana rolled on top of her, and spread her legs, "If you're up for it?"
Setsune laughed a little, took off her broach, undoing the cloth around her body. She smirked and tilted her head, looking at Ana with eyes that said, "what are you waiting for?".
With an confident nod, Ana dropped her night gown. Setsune gave an eager look of approval.
As they went on, Ana let out a heavy moan and almost lost her balance, her face falling into Setsune's chest. Setsune placed her hands on her hips, keeping her steady. They both began moaning intensely.
Their moans echoed through the empty, dark halls of the brothel. Aside from Moma, they were the only two there.
...…
Setsune and Ana walked out from the brothel. Ana looked out at the water, taking in the sea breeze, the light of day on her face.
"Feeling this weather makes you forget about the attacks!" Ana exclaimed, arms raised.
Setsune sat on the white fence between the city and beach, her back to the water, "Beautifully said. This breeze is like art,"
"Why not stay then?" Ana asked with a giggle, brushing some of the hair out of Setsune's face. "can't keep sitting on the fence,"
"Maybe-," Setsune responded, plopping back on the ground and giving Ana a warm smile.
Footsteps echoed closer and closer to them. It was a long haired woman in a white suit, glasses, and bowl cap.
"Whores," she greeted with a judgmental ton and a tip of the hat. "Is Nina here?"
Setsune smiled, her eyes closed, and hands behind her back "No Kira, she's out for the week,"
"T-that's right," Ana responded, mimicking Setsune's gestures. "S-since we've been short on work, she thought she might go-,"
"Ladies," Moma called out, stepping out the door. "Stop lying to the landlord,"
Setsune sighed, "That's not Nina, that's her cousin, Mina,"
Ana stared at Setsune in disbelief. Ms. Kira glared at her. Moma face palmed.
"I hope your 'condition' kills you faster," Ms. Kira growned, turning to Moma.
Ana pulled Setsune along, "Come on, we don't always get to go out like this,"
Moma looked out with concern as Ms. Kira entered the brothel. She closed the door behind them.
...…
The city streets were dead silent.
Guards were still cleaning up from last night. They picked up rubble, blood, guts, and carefully handled black fragments. The city was covered with them, even many people had them. Guards were careful, cutting around the black to remove it, then putting it in sealed bags.
But none of that stopped Ana from energetically running around. Even Setsune couldn't help getting caught up in her excitement. They ran from street vendor to street vendor, stahl to stahl, store to store. The pair shared some persimmons, Ana only took one, but Setsune took about an armful.
Ana played a piana while it was being moved. As the movers were straining, she jumped off, clapping as she dashed. Setsune watched her, eating persimmons with a relaxed smile on her face.
Ana grabbed one of the nearby civilians and pulled them into a dance. As she ran around, even people around the street couldn't keep their spirits low. It wasn't long before people moved past the events of the night.
Footsteps came near, "Kumamoto Setsune,"
"Lena," Setsune responded, narrowing her eyes.
Everyone stopped.
"Why are you still running around Tsuno?" Lena groaned.
"We're just having a good timena Lena," Ana exclaimed, jumping over and leaning on Setsune's shoulder. "You should tryina Lena it sometime,"
Lena groaned. Setsune tilted her head.
"Is it really so much trouble?"
She handed them a note, "Just pay the fine, and there won't be any trouble,"
"Come on-ena Lena, we can't afford these prices," she growned, taking the note.
"Then don't commit the crime," she snapped.
"But why is it a crime?" Setsune asked, taking the note and giving it back. "The fine barely effects your bosses and they make the rules,"
"Please, Setsune…," Lena groaned, looking down. "Captain Ino doesn't take exceptions,"
Setsune narrowed her eyes. Lena flinched.
"Fine, I'll pay this one, but I'm keeping an eye on you two,"
She smiled warmly, "thank you,"
"Threesomena Lena?" she asked with a wink.
"I'm gonna regret this," she resp
...…
Another imitator stood up on stage in the streets. She was dressed in a chequered suit, with a big top hat, and the classic statue face paint, "Come one, come all. Tis' I, the Tale Teller, here to wow you all with an old favourite!"
The Trio stopped, looking up at the stage. Ana crossed her arms and pouted. Setsune tilted her head back and forth, her eyes narrowed, unsure what to think. Lena watched Setsune with curiosity.
"Let me tell you of a city called Rem. It's big. It's bustling! it's BRILLIANT! It's a city of OPPORTUNITY!
The Three Carriers that rule over Owl Territory are always looking for more people to build up their great Micro City of Urbs Trium. More than ever, there'll be career options and wealth that'll getcha further ahead faster. Why I tell ya, the Third Carrier has no problem investing in any Daimyese businesses, the Second Carrier loves us humans so much, she even adopted them. Then the First Carrier, 'Takeda Iroha' herself, handpicks any talent she finds no matter their walk of life.
Don't want to work for an Aeternum Lord directly? What the fuck is wrong with you? Don't worry, there's a place for you too.
The Great City of Rem has enough wealth and technology that'll make even the poor live like the rich. The average citizen has within their possession, a radio. And if ya make it big, ya might even be able to use one of these new fangled moving pictures called 'moveis' or perhaps you'll be able to ride in a carriage.
Don't care for the technology? Your a complete dumbass, but there's EVEN MORE. The city's walls can keep everything out. No more attacks, no more Corruption or Corruption Beasts. Even people waiting in line to enter the city get protection from war. The walls are *just* that good.
So sign up today, and you'll be added to the waiting list for shipment to the BEAUTIFUL, PORT CITY. Don't wait until it's too late, because travel into the city does have to be approved by the scum of Triginta Octo LIV, Twilight Holdings,"
The audience cleared the streets. Ana hunched over, eyes narrowed.
"Sounds like a box?" She grumped, her fists on her hips. "You can't see the dead oceans or feel the breeze,"
"Being a port protected from the corruptive water is part of the appeal, Ana," Lena commented.
"(City of opportunity, huh)?" Setsune muttered, looking up at the sky. "(Is it still the same con, Taipan)?,"
"Aren't you on the list?" Lena asked.
"It was Moma's idea, I'm just….,"
Ana looked down.
"Just?" Lena questioned.
"Just in case the three of us elope together," Setsune responded, bending over and looking up at Lena with a cheeky smile.
Lena became flustered, "I shouldn't have-,"
"I heard from a client that they'll be opening travel to immigrants sooooon. Could be next month even.," Ana commented, making a similar, cheeky smile, and pointing at Setsune's head from both sides like she's a sign.
Setsune leaned back, her cheek pressed against Ana's as she held, "Next month would be a lovely time to travel, nice and warm…,"
"You….," Lena groaned, looking the other way from the two beauties.
---
"So what exactly was it that you shits saw?" a voice like lightning captured in ice asked.
On a wooden pier, two of the warriors from last night were hung upside down over the water. The water below them was foggy and dark. There were lights all around them like eyes in the thick fog.
Walking along the deck was a large humanoid creature. It resembled a viking in full, gold armour, with a body of ice. Icey fog breathed off of its every movement. The fog even came off its face like a beard.
In its hand it held a mighty hammer.
"W-we told you before! We don't know!" One of the warriors yelled.
"Perhaps. Perhaps you shits pussied out at the last minute and deserve death for abandoning yer jobs, but I've heard many, many of the same tale. So how about we jog yer memory," it threatened, readying it's hammer.
"NO WAIT, PLEASE-!" the warriors exclaimed, wiggling around as its hammer quickly grew closer.
"You're in luck, Tempestas glacies," a voice like the night sky and a metronome called out.
Tempestas looked in surprise as there was someone standing next to her. She was a tall woman, exactly 219.456 cm tall in fact, in a purple-red suit with six buttons, a little blue gem around its neck, a black shirt, and a snake scale mask that covered her face, not even allowing space for the senses. She had no shoes or gloves, but her black, crystular claws almost looked like them.
"your-?" it questioned in surprise.
"A simple businessman," She responded. "What if I invest in your business,"
"It's not a business, it's a war," Tempestas argued, pointing the hammer at her.
"Yes, of course it is. And war often requires influence and resources," the mask explained, waving away its response.
"We don't need money, buzz off," it responded, turning back to its subordinates.
"What about Under Umbrella or Omnes's Orphans. What if I could get you their support and influence," she suggested with a shrug.
Tempestas turned back, "Tell me more,"
---
[A pair of black hands wrapped around her throat. A being with white and black eyes loomed over her, filled with hatred and spite. She struggled, trying to break free, but the hands felt like an immovable object. No cracks. No weaknesses, no escape].
Again, Setsune awoke in a cold sweat. Sitting at her bedside, with a lamp and novel, was Moma. There was a sad look in her eyes. She heard crying outside the room.
It was Ana.
"I'm sorry, Setsune…," Moma exclaimed, looking down.
---
Lena looked out at the horizon. She looked down at the fine in her hand. She took a deep breath and let it flow into the wind.
...…
The city was bustling. People carried their luggage in and about.
Ursa stood in the Colour Relam. In the distance, she saw a white light like a star. She raised her claw and reached out to it, a sad smile on her face.
As she dry cried, she returned to the Reflect Realm. [Down on the beach, she saw herself, sprawled in her black cloth, a red string held tightly in her hand, and black corrupting her body].
"It was…nice, having you here," Ana interjected, her hands together, her eyes looking up and her head down. "I-I learned a lot. You were a great-,"
Setsune reached out her hand. Ana smiled and reciprocated. Setsune pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her and pressing their foreheads together.
"Goodbye doesn't have to be,"
Ana took a deep breath. She looked out to the sea.
"Can they really compete with this view?"
"From the walls maybe? And the breeze?"
Ana slipped out and placed her hands on the fence, "Tsuno is my home Setsune-nee. Rem is yours…I can't say no, but its not…,"
"Thank you. For everything," Setsune responded, giving a bow.
Ana bowed, her back still to Setsune. She waved, but she didn't turn.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Moma called out, carrying a knapsack. "Its time,"
Setsune quietly followed her through the crowds. She reached for the knapsack.
"No need sweetie, I'll carry the rest of the way for you. Its the least I could do,"
"This wasn't-,"
"Don't worry, I know…," she responded, furrowing her brow.
"Its a shame to see this whore house getting closed down," Ms. Kira commented, approached the pair with an evil smile.
"Fuck off, Kira,"
"You lot are lucky I'm not-," she mocked, looking Moma in the eyes.
Suddenly she was pulled up into the air, hanging by a strand of red cloth. She yelled and hollered.
Setsune reappeared out of an alleyway. She looked up at Kira in surprise.
"What happened there?"
"Nothing important Sweetie," Moma stated, pulling her along. "We don't have time to help this one,"
"OYYYYY! GET ME DOWN!" Kira screamed.
...…
The docks were lined with airships. Captain Ino and many more directed guards to put everything together as people stepped aboard. Amongst them, Lena worked like a dog, helping carry crates and such.
She was near a gangway when a familiar young woman walked up. Her eyes widened.
"Setsune!" she called out, jumping onto the gangway and grabbing her hand. "I'm sorry,"
She turned and placed a hand on her cheek, "I'll be waiting for you…all three of you, at my home in the horizon,"
"I'm-I'm going to-,"
Setsune gave her a kiss on the hand. She gave a nod and a warm smile.
...…
Setsune boarded the ship. As it took off, she watched Tsuno.
Moma was watching from the crowds, waving at her. Kira was still hanging, people trying to hit her with a baseball bat. And then Ana.
She was crying, but not alone. Lena held her from behind, her helmet and armour off.
Slowly, Tsuno disappeared into the horizon.
To Be Continued...…