Visiting Old Friends

Backlund Bridge Borough, Bravehearts Bar.

The bar was quiet that afternoon. Only a few drunks had gathered to make a racket.

Luther appeared silently at the street corner, carrying the black cat Luna. She had been so unruly that she had even pounced at a bird, so he had temporarily restrained her.

After glancing inside the bar, he walked in. Under the effect of Psychological Invisibility, everyone ignored his presence. Not a single person looked his way.

Luther had come to find Sharron and Maric.

Now that he was back in Backlund, he needed to rebuild his social connections. He was on friendly terms with the two of them, and they had important ties to the Rose School of Thought. He had to see them.

He had met them here before. Coming back now, he could only hope they were still around.

Fortunately, the moment he entered, he sensed two faint fluctuations of Spirituality. They resembled those of the Rose School of Thought's Beyonders, but lacked their flamboyance. Instead, they felt restrained and controlled.

That should be them...

Luther went around the counter and straight to the card room where he had sensed the fluctuations.

Knock, knock.

He could have gone straight in, but he observed at least a little courtesy and rapped on the door.

"...Who is it?"

The room beyond the door was eerily quiet. After a moment, a cold voice sounded, its malice held in check.

"It's me."

Luther spoke in his original voice.

Silence returned to the room. Before long, a cold wind swept down the corridor, and a translucent figure passed through the door to appear before Luther.

She wore a small hat and a black court dress. With her exquisite features and icy air, she looked just like an emotionless doll.

Sharron.

"...Kafka Anderson?"