Chapter three, I don't know what's going on anymore

[therealkaichan]

Chapter Three
Meeting Place


It was the fifth day since Celine had met the black haired girl and experienced pain for the first time. It was two days since Celine had refused the treatments and decided to face an undiluted life.

And she had one day until the agreed date, in which she and Elimiel would start working in their plan to draw the girl.


Celine had slept like a baby last night. Her Mother and Father were glad to see her in better spirits, and they even told her that she had received several calls from her classmates while she was out. Well, it made sense that they would be worried, but she didn’t expect more than one or two calls.
Her closest friends had also left her copies of their notes, and of course notes on the homework she had to do in order to get up to date. She could do that today, it would be good to keep her mind away from stupid thoughts.

“Celine?” Her mother called from outside the room.
“Yes mom?”
“You have another call. It’s from Nate, I though you’d like to pick this one up.”
“Sure, just a second.” Celine got up and ran to the door, opening it.
“Here, you go.” Her mother smiled, handing her the phone.
“Thanks mom.” Celine grinned at her, closing the door after she was gone and running to lie in the bed. “Hey there.”
“Man, I’m glad to know you are still breathing.” Nate’s familiar voice came from the other side of the phone and Celine chuckled.
“I am, and breathing quite well, mind you.”
“Well, that’s good. How would I explain to Lissa that her best friend had gone and died?”
“I’m pretty sure Melissa can perfectly handle this on her own. She’d drag you to my funeral.”
“True that. But still, she wouldn’t like it.”
“But no need to worry, I’m alive and kicking.”
“Good to hear... So, when are you coming back to class?”
“Probably next week. My Counselor said I should take the week off.”
“Okay... Will you be up for a visit?”
“I don’t think so... But I am up for a call or two.”
“Or ten?”
“Ten too.”
“Awesome. Next time I’ll tell Lissa and we’ll conference you. It will be fun.”
“All right. I’ll wait for that call.”
“Now go back to resting, okay? Call me if you need anything.”
“Sure will.”


Celine didn’t feel too happy about lying to him, but she knew well that it was for the best. There was no point in getting her friends in trouble, and even more when there was a dangerous irregular loose and hurting people. She left the phone in the night table and sat on the bed.

She still wasn’t sure what they were supposed to be doing, but she did remember that she had to inform Nanael about her appointment tomorrow. Two pushes of the panic button, and suddenly the Angel was sitting in the bed by her.

“Hello!” Nanael smiled.
“Hello.” Celine chuckled. “Before you ask, I still feel talentless.”
“Oh. That sounds pretty sad. But don’t feel bad, you’ll find it eventually.”
“It was just to let you know that I have another appointment tomorrow.”
“All right, just push the button and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Perfect.”
“And how did the meeting go?” Nanael was all grins.
“It was fine. Saelel really helped me out, and the Interrogator wasn’t pushy at all.”
“Oh that’s good, good!”
“Yes. I guess I got lucky with that.”
“That’s something that doesn’t happen too often.”
“Me getting lucky, or the interrogators not being scary?”
“Both.”
“Oh. That sounds a little depressing.”
“No point in worrying for what cannot be fixed. So other than that there is nothing special?”
“Not really other than the appointment for tomorrow.”
“Well... No news is good news then! Are you planning on going out today?”
“No. I’ll take the chance to rest like Iofiel said I should. I’d rather be really healthy for when I have to go back to class.”
“All right then.” Nanael jumped to her feet, brown hair flying all over. “I’ll be going then. Remember you can poke me anytime.”
“I will, thanks.”

And with that Nanael left the room. Celine got up from the bed, and got closer to the mirror. Elimiel said that she had to wear something comfortable but not too notorious. He also said they would have to go to places in the city where she had never gone before. She stopped in front of her closet, looking inside for the right clothes. She also took her time in choosing what she would do with her hair, and if she needed any kind of accesories or weapons. Not that she had any weapons other than whatever things they had in the kitchen, so she had no idea why such a thought would cross her mind, but she blamed it on the fact that she had been stabbed not too long ago.

Being done with that, there wasn’t much point in doing useful things, so she just went to her desk and to check the homework.


While tuesday had been a pretty normal day for Celine, wednesday was shaping up to be the weirdest day since the stabbing day, not that she minded. Well, she didn’t mind as long as it didn’t end up with another stab at least.

She dressed with the clothes she had chosen the previous day, braided her hair, and put the panic button on her pocket. She did look pretty normal with her leggings and tshirt, so that part was good. She also was comfortable to move, and she had half an hour until the meeting time.

Celine made her way downstairs and smiled at her parents. They knew she had an appointment so they didn’t insist too much in having her over for breakfast. Before leaving, she pushed the panic button twice, and waited.

“Hello! We’ve seen each other so much lately.”
“You were the one who said I should push the button as much as I could. And even then I have only pushed it when it was really needed.”
“Is it me, or are you getting more and more party pooperish.” It wasn’t a question, so Celine didn’t grace it with an answer.
“Let’s go or I’ll be late and the Interrogator will get mad at me.”
“Going, going!” Nanael chuckled, walking by her side. “It’s so rare to get an Interrogator who doesn’t ask lots of questions...”
“Is it? He was very polite, he let me tell him all of my story and only then he asked a few questions, and none of them were really uncomfortable.”
“Probably because he knows you are boring and a fan of the rules.” Celine wasn’t really sure if Nanael was joking or not, but she wondered how much the Angel really knew about her Interrogator, considering Saelel’s words about him being a pretty important person.
“Well, that’s better, is it not?”
“Yeah, I guess. Boring but better.”
“You probably got appointed to be the guardian of the most normal human ever.”
“Yep. Here I went, all happy because I thought I'd get plenty of action and danger, and look at us. Chatting on our way to the Transformation Center and not one single murder attempt.”
“I’d rather pass on that, anyway. I know it’s more boring for you, but getting murdered is most definitely not my thing.”
“But you wouldn’t get actually murdered. I would stop it, that’s the reason why I am here, after all.”
“Getting almost murdered is also not my thing.”
“Oh.”

There was a moment of silence before Celine chuckled.

“When we are done, I will send a letter to the office so they will assign you a more active person to guard next time. Maybe that will help.”
“At least you are a good person, I’m okay with that.”
“Wonderful. I’ll also tell them you did a good job and those things.”
“Yeah, that’s okay, but the fun is more important. Life is too long to make it boring.”
“There is the Center.” Celine pointed ahead. “I guess that’s it for your fun day. I should be going back by tomorrow afternoon, should I call you?”
“Yep. I’ll take you back home. And remember to push the button if the Interrogator gets too annoying, all right?”
“I won’t, but I will push it if anything bad happens.”
“Here’s to hoping.”

Nanael grinned, stopping a little before the door of the Center. Celine smiled as well, before saying goodbye and going in.


The automated reception system was looking shinier. Maybe it had been polished?

“Welcome, miss Celine. Do you have an appointment?”
“I do.”
“Thank you. We have found you have an appointment with Interrogator Elimiel. The appointment will take place in Chamber two. Would you like to have instructions?”
“No, I’m more than good.”
“Thank you. Are there any other actions you wish to take, miss Celine?”
“Not at all.”
“Thank you. Please have a good day, don’t forget that you can use the portable terminals by the elevator on each floor to get further information.”

On her way to Chamber two, Celine wondered who the hell wanted to have a meeting in one of those rooms. Weren’t they supervised anyway? It wasn’t as if they kept their conversations a secret.

“Excuse me.” She chimed in as she opened the door to find Elimiel happily standing on the console. “I know you are weightless, but isn’t that dangerous anyway?”
“Welcome, Celine.” Elimiel completely ignored her worries as he smiled. “Are you ready for a fun day?”
“Fun is a way to put it, but yes, I am.”
“Good. Now, let me give you some last hour instructions.” He said, skipping down from the delicate piece of machinery.
“I’m listening.”
“You’re about to go into the deeper and most horrifying piece of the world. There, many people who have empty spaces in their hearts go fulfill their needs for a better life. Most of them are children with moon or sun names, that is resistant to the treatments, and others are just special snowflakes leading special lives. Some were denied the treatments as children and chose to take them as adults, and are now a little unstable. And finally, some are in the middle of abstinence, trying to get over the treatments but afraid of the strong feelings they are experiencing.”
“That sounds scary.”
“It isn’t as bad. Most are really supportive of each other and they reject aggressive irregulars. They are just unsettling and touchy.”
“I’m still not sure if that is good or bad news.”
“It’s usually both.”
“So... What is the place exactly? Are there many of them?”
“No, not really. It’s just their meeting place, they get together and talk, or share experiences... There are also a few rebel angels, but those are usually polite and inoffensive.”
“So... Rebels are inoffensive?”
“Most times, yes. They are just Angels who do not approve of the current order, or do not feel like working, but at the same time they do not wish to leave this world. So they are allowed to stay as long as they behave.”
“I see. It sounds complicated.”
“It’s not that terrible. The Mother has them report to her often, and we all make sure of reporting any irregularities to her... Though I can’t say if she truly knows exactly what happens here. It’s possible to think that she doesn’t care.”
“I understand... So the important thing is to keep an eye open and that’s it?”
“Correct.”
“I can do that.” Celine nodded, smiling a little.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“It’s very likely that we will find your black haired girl there. You are the only one who has seen her face, so you can confirm which one she is as soon as you see her.”
“Understood. So I just tell you when I see her.”
“Don’t forget to be subtle. I don’t think she will attack you again, but you never know.”
“Okay. I’m ready.”

Celine had never experienced the wonders of body relocation before, so she couldn’t help but feel a little dizzy when Elimiel put a hand on her shoulder and teleported them away from the center.
“Was that strictly necessary?”
“Not really, but it was faster, and it helps us escape from Nanael.”
“Do we really need to ‘escape’ her?”
“Absolutely. The less people aware of where this place is, the more chances of the humans growing apart from the Angel’s protection.”
“Got it. Then I won't be saying a word...”
“Good.”

Now that the world had stopped spinning, Celine decided to take a look around. They were in a place that looked pretty normal, all the houses were the standard model for all the houses around, so she couldn’t quite point out in which street they were. She could see, however, the numeration on the closest door. 321.

“This way.” Elimiel smiled, walking to a house, numbered 318. Other than that there were no particular signs to differentiate the house from others. The Angel knocked two times and a large man in his thirties opened. He looked terribly bored, and he eyed Elimiel from head to feet without much attention.
“Password.” The man said in a rugged voice.
“Since when do we have a password?” The man chuckled, moving aside.
“Is this one yours, Eli?”
“Yes. A newcomer, so don't be too creepy with her.”
“Welcome, little miss.” The man smiled at Celine, a smile that would have been a little scary had it not been for Elimiel’s laugh.
“Thank you.”
“It’s pretty normal to be confused at first. You will have fun, you’ll see.”
“I’ll try.”
“Now if you excuse us.” Elimiel interrupted, going in and waiting for Celine to follow him. “We have some things to do.”
“Hey Eli. Mind giving me a small shock?” The man said as he closed the door behind Celine.
“Later.”
“Later it is. Have fun you two.”

Elimiel chuckled, walking and checking behind himself for his companion. Celine however, wasn’t particularly paying attention to him, far too busy looking at her new surroundings. The place inside looked much larger than she thought it would be. It was a large room, well lit, with plenty of different decorations, several tables with chairs, and a few sofas as well. All over the place, people were talking or reading. For the kind of warnings Elimiel had done, Celine had expected something a lot more dangerous looking, maybe darker?
“It looks nicer than I expected.”
“Well, it is a meeting place, making it creepy would have no point.”
“I suppose I have an overactive imagination.” Celine chuckled. “I’ll try to tone it down.”
“It’s fine, as long as you don’t feel too disappointed.”
“I’ll survive.”
“People come here to meet others like them. People who want to love find each other, and people who want to share their stories or even share emotions are always around.”
“So they fulfill each other’s needs, right?”
“Yes. There are also rooms upstairs.” Elimiel said. “That’s where most of the dealers are.”
“Hey Eli.” A woman in her late twenties who was carrying a glass with some caramel colored drink smiled at the Angel. “Are you working today?”
“Not really, just introducing a friend.”
“That’s too bad.” The woman smiled at him, and then at Celine. “Welcome. Hope you find what you are looking for.”
“You said there were dealers here. What do they deal with?”
“Feelings. Several Angels know the way to incite a feeling and cause it in a human.”
“So... The people here stop their treatments and then come here looking for feelings?”
“Basically yes. Remember that experiencing such things helps remove the effects of the treatments... Some people have also grown unfortunately addicted to the rushes...”
“Are you a dealer too?”
“I am.”
“What do you deal with...?”
“That’s for you to guess.” Elimiel chuckled, guiding Celine to the bar on the right side of the room.
“And what do you obtain in exchange?”
“Well, for most human dealers, the actual fact of providing is usually pleasurable... For Angels it becomes a little more complicated. Most younger Angels are hardwired to obtain satisfaction from pleasing humans. So for them anything they deal is a good thing. For older Angels its more of a personal motivation, be it rebellion, personal plans, or anything.”
“And you? What do you obtain?”
“Isn’t that question a little too personal, Celine?”
“I suppose... So... When do things start happening?”
“As soon as your dearest black haired girl appears.”
“So we depend on her deciding to appear?”
“Basically, yes.”
“It sounds like a very far shot...” Celine wasn’t truly convinced that this was a good idea, or at least an effective one. It was far too contrived to work, and she liked sure things too much to be a good gambler.
“It’s our safest bet. If she does have a weapon capable of causing pain, it makes sense that she would be the kind of person who would be here.”
“Do you think she got it from that angel she mentioned?”
“Yes, it’s very likely.” The Angel shrugged. “Usually humans don’t have access to that kind of devices.”
“I understand... I still think it’s a far shot. Why would she be here today of all days?”
“Because today I’m here.”
“So you are as much of a decoy as I am?”
“Absolutely. Do you want a drink?”
“I suppose it can’t hurt...”
“Not if you ask the right drink.”

The bar looked pretty nice. It was small, but it had a few empty chairs where both could sit. Elimiel smiled at the bartender, a woman in her early thirties with tired grey eyes who looked quite entertained with observing the people around.
“You got bar duties, Haziel?”
“You know how it is... The owner is a lazy bastard.” The woman laughed. “Do you have a new friend, Eli?”
“She’s Celine. I’m just showing her around the place.”
“Why hello, Celine.” The woman smiled, offering a hand. “Welcome, I’m Haziel, I bartend more often than not around here.”
“Nice to meet you.” Celine shook the woman's hand with a smile. “And thank you for the welcome.”
“If you need anything you just have to let me know. I’ll kick things in motion.”
“Have you seen anything suspicious lately?” Elimiel interrupted the conversation, and the other angel chuckled.
“It depends on what you would call suspicious.” She answered, and turning to Celine added. “Don’t mind him, he’s pretty rude all the time. I guess you know by now.”
“He wasn’t that terrible with me.” Celine chuckled. “But maybe it is because we have barely met?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.”
“Calling someone rude to their face isn’t particularly nice either.” Elimiel interrupted once again, rolling his eyes.
“They don’t pay me to be nice.” Haziel smiled, pouring some drinks on two glasses and putting them in front of the two guests. “They pay me to serve drinks.”
“That much is true.” Elimiel laughed, taking his glass.
“And you, Celine? Do they pay you yet?”
“No, not yet.” Celine shook her head. “I’m still studying.”
“Oh, a student... Do you get good scores at least?”
“I do. Pretty high ones.”
“Your parents must be very proud.” Haziel smiled, leaning on the bar to chat.
“They are... They always worked really hard to help me with my studies, so I’m happy of giving something back to them.”
“Elimiel, you brought a very cute one! Nothing like the last brat.”
“You're going to scare her, Haziel.” The angel took a sip of his drink. “Feel free to drink, Celine, this won’t get you drunk or anything.”
“Oh... Sure.”

Celine took her glass, and brought it close for a sip. It wasn’t like anything she had drank before, the taste was sweet, and the aftertaste wasn’t that of alcohol.

“What is this?”
“It’s the specialty of the house. We like calling it ambrosia, but it’s a bit of a secret recipe. Zero secondary effects, so it’s very popular.”
“So you can’t really get drunk on this?”
“Well, you can get drunk if you want to. Ambrosia just fulfills your wishes, and what kind of weirdo would want to have a hangover?”
“I understand.”
“They have several things like this drink here.” Elimiel intervened. “This place is all about the experiences, after all.”
“So do you make it here, Haziel?”
“We do. It’s pretty fun, a shame I can't show you.”
“It’s fine. I’m entertained enough.” Celine smiled at the woman. The whole experience was the weirdest thing in her life, so seeing so many nice people was always a good touch to calm her insecurities.

They spent a little more talking to the bartender. The angel seemed quite curious in learning more about Celine’s life, and she didn’t mind talking about it, so the conversation jumped from one topic to the other like it was noone’s business. However, the warm conversation didn’t last forever.
“Eliiii!” A female voice, far too familiar for Celine's taste, came from behind them, and as she turned, Celine found herself face to face with the black haired girl.
“Elena.” The Angel smiled.
“Oh!” The black haired girl, Elena, moved closer to them as soon as she noticed Celine. “You found her Eli!”
Everything was silence for a moment that could’ve lasted forever had it not being for Elimiel’s loud sigh.
“It was her, wasn’t it, Celine?”
“Y-yes.” Celine frowned. Did those two know each other from before?
“Elena, I warned you against following the children with moon names.”
“I didn’t hurt her or anything! And I took her to the doctor... I didn’t know she would black out!”
“You can’t just go around doing that.” Elimiel’s voice was stern and he was being quite serious.
“But the Angel in the dream said I should meet her.” Elena frowned, moving even closer. “My Angel is never wrong.”
“I already told you that you shouldn’t listen to anyone in your dreams. You've hurt this child, and you made things really complicated for her.”
“I... I did?” The black haired girl’s happy mood fell immediately, she looked sad and immediately worried. She turned to Celine, and bowed. “I’m sorry...! I didn’t know it would give you trouble...”
“It’s... It’s fine.” Celine was taken aback from the girl’s reaction. She had expected anything but this, to be sincere.
“Really...?” The girl’s eyes lighted up a little.
“Yes... What’s done is done. We can’t go back in time...”
“That’s right...!” Just like it had left, Elena’s good mood was back, along with her smile. “You forgive me, then?”
“Celine.” Elimiel interrupted them. “I think we may need to talk before you go around forgiving anyone.”
“I understand...”
“Elena, you wait here. I need to have a small exchange with Celine here. She will answer once she comes back.”
“All right...” The girl nodded, standing exactly where she was.
“Come, Celine.”

Elimiel guided Celine to one of the further places of the big room. He was frowning, and Celine wasn’t sure if that was good or bad news.
“Listen to me.”
“I’m listening.” She frowned.
“Why are you willing to forgive her so fast?”
“I sincerely don’t think she’s to blame. You said that she often gets dreams that tell her what to do... I dont know if it is a real angel or a mental illness, but it wouldn't really be just her to blame if either is the case.”
“Well, that’s another smart answer.” Elimiel chuckled. “I can’t tell you exactly what happened to her, Elena is a very special case, but I can tell you that she is truly sorry. However it doesn’t mean she won't do this again in the future.”
There was a pause. Celine’s brow furrowed in thought. If the girl was genuinely sorry, then maybe something could be done.
“What if I asked her...? I mean, I don’t think it would truly stop her if that so called angel of hers asks her to do something, but it could make her doubt enough for a victim to escape.”
“Adding another variable could help, yes. Still, there are quite a few things we would have to solve, regarding the investigation.”
“Then let’s wait and see her anwer. With that maybe we can come up with something.”
“You’re well on your way to becoming my favorite human.” Elimiel smiled at her as he turned to go back.
“Well, you will have to do much more work than me to get even close to Saelel's position as the best angel ever.”
“Being against a counselor is like a lost cause.”

It took them a few moments to take their seats back at the bar. Elena looked at them curiously, but didn’t say a word.
“All right, I have made a choice.” Celine declared. “I will forgive you, but...”
“B-but?”
“There is one condition. In order to really get my forgiveness, you have to promise you won't hurt anyone else.” Celine was going to leave it at that when she remembered the small detail of what the people in that place usually looked for, and she decided to add a small clarification. “That is unless they tell you that they don't mind.”
Elena fell silent, giving Celine’s words some thought. She seemed to be balancing the pros and cons of this.
“Fine.” She agreed in the end. “But I can't help it when it is not intentional.”
“Then we can change it to ‘intentionally hurt’, how about that?”
“That’s good.” The girl gave Celine a big smile.
“Now this is a much better way for you two to start a relationship, isn’t it?” Elimiel was pretty amused over the whole discussion. “How about some nice, friendly introductions then?”
“Oh that’s right! My name is Elena.” The girl smiled, offering a hand. “Nice to meet you!”
“And I’m Celine... It’s good to meet you as well.”
They both shook hands, and Elena took a seat in one of the empty chairs by Elimiel's side.
“So... Am I in trouble?” She asked.
“Celine did give her version of the story... On the good side, she couldn’t give much of a description of you. So I suppose she’s the one who will get to choose if you are in trouble or not.”
“Oh... Am I in trouble, Celine?”
“I’m not sure.” Celine admitted. “You didn’t really come up with that idea, right?”
“I didn’t. But I’m not giving my Angel away.”
“Now that’s troublesome, there is already a search underway, so if you don’t give away that angel of yours you could end up taking their punishment.” Elimiel leaned in the bar. “Haziel, I’m going to need another one of these.” He said, pointing to his empty glass. The bartender shrugged, moving to prepare another drink.
“I don't want to be punished.” Elena frowned. “But I’m still not telling who it was. I made a promise.”
“Elimiel... Is there any way to stop this investigation without finding that angel or Elena?”
“Well, we could do something, I suppose. Though it wouldn’t be too correct.”
“I don’t care too much about correct, as long as it doesn’t harm anyone.” Celine shrugged.
“Then maybe we do have a small solution. But it will involve getting you into a bit of trouble, Celine. Are you willing to do that?”
“What is it?”
“The Mother started this investigation, so only the Mother can stop it. Usually that would be bad news, since the Mother rarely stops something without a good reason, but since you have a moon name we may be able to talk her into dropping this.”
“And how could one even convince her?”
“Well, that’s your job, Celine. She wouldn’t listen to me, but maybe she would listen to you. You are a young, well behaved lady, so the most dangerous thing that could happen would be her rejecting your idea.”
“I suppose it is worth a shot...”
“Would you... Really do that?” Elena interrupted, a little perplexed. “We barely know each other... And I hurt you.”
“I asked you to do something, and you said you would... I don't have the right to ask something like that if I’m not willing to help you.”
“Thank you...”
“See, Elena? Celine is really cute if you get to know her.”
“She is! I never expected her to be so kind.”
“Goes to show you that children with moon names are so much better than others.”
“Elimiel, that’s mean.” Celine chuckled, hoping deep inside that it was just a joke.
“So, do you two have any plans on how you are getting the Mother to agree?”
“Not at all.” Elimiel smiled. “So here’s to hoping we will discover something soon.”
“All right... I’m usually around here at night. So if I can help with anything, Ill be available.” Elena smiled at Celine.
“That sounds good.”

It was late in the night when Elimiel returned Celine to the Transformation Center. There she called Nanael to go back, and together they walked back, in thoughtful silence.


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Notes:

I think there is a plothole there somewhere. I'll fix it in june :D

Needs moar michael.

Comments

[carricklysmic]

I still want a Nanael plushie.

And Celine is so cute.

needs moar michael.