Contact, Part Two

"I need to take a call."

Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. branch, Annie spoke to Natasha beside her, then headed toward a corner.

The argument on the other end of the line was still going on. Annie waited until it gradually quieted down before saying, "My phone is very likely being tapped. If there are any secrets, don't discuss them over the phone. I'll come find you, and we'll talk face-to-face."

"Tapped? Who has the audacity to do such a thing? I'll kill them all for you... Mm, you little runt! What are you doing?!"

"I should be asking what you think you're doing! Acting on your own without orders—I don't want to get scolded by Lord Ryan because of you!"

"What did you say?!"

"..."

Another round of arguing broke out on the other end. Annie rubbed her brow and asked, "Why did you come to Earth?"

Back in Nazarick, the two had never gotten along. Even a tiny matter could keep them bickering all day. If she did not interrupt them, Annie suspected they would not stop until the phone ran out of battery.

The arguing abruptly fell silent. After a few seconds, Aura honestly replied, "Lord Ryan promised Mare that he would take him to an amusement park on Earth. Lord Ryan mentioned it today, so we all came along."

"So that's what happened!" Annie suddenly understood. She remembered that incident; she had been there at the time too...

"Then did you call because you missed me? Where are you? I'll come pick you up!"

There was a hint of excitement in Annie's voice. She was quite happy that her playmates had thought to look for her after coming to Earth.

"Uh, well, it's true that we missed you! But... Ah, Shalltear, you tell Annie yourself!"

Aura's hesitant voice