The Knights Himura

#44: Aqua Regia

Summer had taken its toll on the Damascenes. The fans hanging on the ceiling of their abandoned warehouse were at full speed. Some of them shook violently, as if their blades would fly off at any moment.

Tsukiko stared up at one of them as it seemed to move from side to side. It teetered away, inches from breaking away from the scaffolding holding it in place.

"God, can't you find a better place?" Haruka complained.

"This is the only place with electricity." Sylvie replied.

"Times like this, I wish I had shorter hair." Shizuka frowned, adjusting her hat.

"You'll be fine, quit whining." Sylvie brushed the comment aside.

"We really couldn't meet up anywhere else? Aurelia's shop, Tsuki's place, Shizuka's? Fucking anywhere but here?" Haruka groaned.

"We spend too much time at Aurelia's. Tsuki's place is weird, and Shizuka's place creeps me out." Sylvie looked up toward a large window. "Besides, I'm proud of this place."

"My place is weird?" Tsuki asked.

"Who still listens to records? Also, bunk beds? You two had a bunk bed?" Sylvie walked around, pointing at the group as she criticized them.

"Listening to old records is a Himura family tradition... but really? Records are too out of date for you? Shizuka's still got a PC-98 buried in her house somewhere." Haruka's voice grew more and more annoyed.

"Don't drag me into this." Shizuka complained.

"What's creepy about her place anyways? It's just a house." Tsuki grew more and more upset.

"Okay, so what's the real reason you brought us here?" Shizuka cut in.

"I... well... I, uhhh, think the Shakudos are coming here." Sylvie admitted.

"Really?" Tsuki made her right hand into a fist.

"Well, I'm not too sure, but I thought I'd rather be safe than sorry." Sylvie shrugged.

"Couldn't have told us?"

"I dunno, I didn't wanna piss you guys off."

"I'm already pissed off, it's hot as hell!" Haruka fanned her face with her hand.

"I don't know why these idiots are still wearing their masks. I would've taken mine off hours ago." Shizuka pointed to the leftover Damascenes.

They were all drenched in sweat, but they stood strong. Well, at least most of them did. A few of them stuck their fingers under their masks to lift them up to let air flow underneath.

"These guys must hate you, Sylvie." Haruka laughed.

"They... actually insisted on staying." Sylvie seemed to doubt her own words.

"Sure they did." Haruka spoke with a deep sarcasm.

"Whatever." Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Just be ready for anything."

"You'll owe us one." Shizuka smiled.

"I dunno, what do you--"

"Something cool and refreshing." Haruka smiled with razor sharp teeth.

"I'm not buying you liquor." Sylvie sighed.

"You hurt me, Fontaine, you really do." Haruka chuckled.

"I'll get you guys something from a vending machine." Sylvie pulled out her wallet.

"Convenience store." Shizuka countered.