*It is the Monday after the shooting. The weather is cold, damp, and generally unpleasant; even those who enjoy rainy weather are becoming depressed. It has been a long, stressful day for everyone. We fade in on Shalohim, just reaching the broken-down front steps of the abandoned house he haunts.* Shalohim: *going up the stairs, stops suddenly; can feel that someone has been in the house, and sees that the front door is now hanging on only one hinge* !.! Shalohim: *goes inside, fixing the door absent-mindedly as he closes it* *The inside of the house is covered with fresh graffiti, all of it rude, most of it disgusting, and some of it homophobic.* Shalohim: *looks around, horrified* Shalohim: *wants to erase the graffiti, but isn't sure where to begin, there's so much of it* Shalohim: *for the moment, just stands, unbelieving* Quiet Voice in Shalohim’s Head: "Shalohim... You must hurry and finish your observations in your area. You are being called back. You must come at once, as quickly as you can." Voice: *contradicts itself shamelessly* Shalohim: !.! Y- yes, sir... Voice: "That is all." *fades away* Shalohim: *looks at the graffiti again, not seeing it* But - but no one ever hurries observations... It doesn't make any sense... *Meanwhile, in San's apartment...* San: *reads calmly, totally undisturbed and serene* Different Voice: *speaks into San's head* "Sanshoar. Finish your observations quickly and return to us. There is no longer a need for divine observation in this city." San: !.! *sits bolt upright, dropping the book* Yes, sir. San: *has always been an obedient little angel* Voice: "Good." *disappears* San: *falls back in his chair* Hmm... San: *gets up, leaving his book on the floor* I should discuss this with Shal... San: *grabs his car keys and leaves* *And, heading back to the abandoned house...* Shalohim: *hears the car outside, goes on alert* San: *managed to get there at ninety mph without worrying about any stoplights or cops* Shalohim: *recognizes the sound of San's car, relaxes somewhat; goes into frantic spurt of housecleaning, neatening some of the junk on the floor* San: *knocks politely before Shal has the chance to get rid of the graffiti* Shalohim: *opens the door and looks at him* Anou... San: May I come in? Shalohim: Yes, of course - I mean... *blushes for no reason, stands away from the door so San can come in* San: *Comes in and looks around, is shocked and more than a little angry. Forgets the purpose of his visit.* Who did this?! Shalohim: Oh... anou... 6.6 I don't know, it was like this when I came home... San: *Realizes what the place is* Don't they give you money for a living place? Why are you living here? Shalohim: 6.6 I - it seems right, somehow... San: You shouldn't be living in a place like this, Shalohim... San: You deserve better. Shalohim: o6.6o Anouuuuu... San: *shakes his head before he loses it completely* Listen, I got a summons a few minutes ago... I was wondering if you'd - Shalohim: Me, too... They told me to finish my observations quickly and come back as soon as possible... San: It's so strange... Shalohim: *wide-eyed, looks as innocent and bewildered as can be* It doesn't make any sense - I've never heard of anything like that happening before... San: I heard of something like it - once. Shalohim: ?.? San: Around the time Jesus was supposed to have appeared... An agent told me he was around that area, and he and all the other agents got urgent summons to get out of that area very soon... San: When they came back, the entire New Testament had supposedly happened. Shalohim: That's - really strange... *shivers a little* San: Do you think maybe this is the "big thing" Kal was hinting at when she first came? Shalohim: Maybe. But why would it happen now? And here? San: *goes over to the wall and sits down, stretching his legs out, thinking* San: I don't know... Maybe it's connected to the shooting somehow...? Shalohim: 6.6 Miss Alison was really upset. Shalohim: *shivers again* San: *looks very sad for her* Yeah... she really was... Shalohim: *hesitates one moment, then sits down between San's legs and leans back, so he's resting on San's chest; an old habit the two of them used to have, a long time ago* San: *absent-mindedly puts his arms around Shal and rests his chin on his head, like in the picture* Hmm... Shalohim: *relaxes* San: *closes his eyes, thinking very hard* Shalohim: *has been cold and tired and miserable all day, scared and confused for the last half hour, lonely for the last twenty-five hundred years; closes his eyes and falls half-asleep* San: *slowly begins realizing what's going on, but instead of jerking away or something similarly nasty, wraps his arms a little tighter around Shal and cradles his head against his chest* San: *and even though he hasn't admitted it to anyone except his subconscious, has also been lonely for the last twenty-five hundred years, regardless of the amount of people he's known* *Fade out.* *Fade to the morning after, half an hour before school starts; San and Shal are still asleep together.* San: *shifts slightly* Zzzzzz... Shalohim: *wakes up slightly* Nnn... e.e San, I thought we swore not to do this again, I've got a crick in - *comes fully awake* !.! Shalohim: *realizes San's still asleep, doesn't want to move but knows they need to be at school SOON* San: *stirs* But it's so comfy like this... Shalohim: *tries to think of what he should do* San: *wakes some more* Hmm? San: !.! Shalohim: *starts blushing, but doesn't move* San: *isn't sure what to do* !.! Shalohim: A- a- anouuu... *blushes furiously* San: *blushes furiously also* Shalohim: Anou - anou - anou... Shalohim: Anouuuuuuuuu... Shalohim: *still not moving, would almost rather die than move* San: *softly* It's been a long time, hasn't it? Shalohim: Un. Shalohim: *snuggles closer suddenly* Forever... San: *still softly* I can't say I haven't missed it... Shalohim: *smiles sleepily* Even if it sleeping sitting up does cause back pain... San: *chuckles* Yeah. Shalohim: ^-^ San: *clears his throat* We should probably get to school... Shalohim: Oh... yes... *still not moving, putting it off as long as possible* San: *is reluctant to move, but really has used up all his sickdays* San's Car Alarm: *goes off* Shalohim: !.! San: *sighs and detangles himself to go deal with it, leaving Shal to sit on the floor alone* Shalohim: *sits for a moment, dejected* Shalohim: *then, remembering he had a whole night of being with San, feels better; gets up and gathers his school stuff, getting ready to leave* San: *deals with a thug who tried to steal his car, then pokes his head back in* Uh... D'you want a ride? That way you won't be late... Shalohim: Anou - anou... Hai! ^-^ *grabs his stuff and goes with San to the car* San: *opens the door for him, then slides into the driver's seat and heads for school* Shalohim: Thanks. *sits back and enjoys the convertible ride* This is a really nice car... San: *smiles* Yeah... It's good for stargazing. San: *puts on a pair of shades and relaxes into a pose, his hair streaming out behind him, one arm resting on the car door* Shalohim: *appreciates pose, exudes happiness like the sun shines* San: *is happy that Shal's happy* Shalohim: *tentatively, just before they pull into the teachers' parking lot* Anou - maybe - maybe we could take Miss Alison stargazing sometime... I think she might really like it... San: *contemplative* That's a good idea... I bet she really would. *smiles at him* That's a great idea. Shalohim: ^-^ *The happy cuteness scene fades to History class.* Shiko: *sitting in class, enjoying being Kal's "student"* Kallahandra: *is demonstrating some of the more complicated sword techniques she learned as a mercenary (although that isn't how she says she learned them)* Alison: *watches, interested* Male Student: *helps demonstrate, is very obviously in heaven* Kallahandra: *has fun disarming and near-decapitating the student as part of the demonstration* Male Student: *still enjoys* Bell: *rings* Male Student: ;.; *goes to pack up* Kallahandra: *carefully puts the sword back in her briefcase* Have a nice day, everyone! Remember, there's a quiz on the Four Ways of Disarming on Friday! Shiko: 9.9 Hai, hai... Alison: *waves to Kal as she leaves* Shiko: *grabs her bookbag, is on her way out* Kallahandra: *stops her* Hey, Shiko... Shiko: ?.? Un? Kallahandra: *drops her voice to a whisper so the last departing students can't hear* Did you get a message yesterday? Shiko: No - did you? Kallahandra: I mean... not a regular message... a "special" message... Shiko: Well - Josh said "some guy" called wanting to talk to me, that might have been Tim... ^-^;;; Kallahandra: *very serious* We're having a meeting after school. Tell Shal and San about it. Shiko: Okay. Kallahandra: I've already spoken with Shunpei. Kallahandra: And don't tell Alison or anyone else. Shiko: *nods* Kallahandra: *jots down a quick note as the bell rings to start the next class* And this is for your teacher so she won't think you were late. Shiko: *grabs it* Doumo! *disappears on her way to class* *And - fade to Latin class.* Alison: *turns in her homework, starts on classwork* Shiko: *writes out a note to give to San, turns it in with her homework* San: *looks at note* ?.? San: *reads it* ?.? San: *looks at Shiko* ?.? Shiko: *mouths "later" in Latin at him* Shalohim: *confused* ?.? Shiko: *whispers quietly to him* We'll meet after school. Explanations then. San: *shrugs and proceeds to teach the lesson* *Fade to the meeting after school. Shiko, San, Shal, Shunpei, and Kallahandra are in the Latin classroom.* Shiko: Right, I kinda missed the message. So what all's going on? San: *has guessed by now what this is about* Kallahandra: Yesterday, Shunpei and I received messages from Tim saying we were supposed to wrap up our observations and get out of here. Shalohim: 6.6 *doesn't want to say what happened to him and San yet* Shiko: Hm - that's weird. Why would Tim say that? Shunpei: *shakes his head* He didn't give a reason. Kallahandra: *turns to San and Shal* What about you two? Shalohim: Anou... San: *looks over at Shal, then back at Kal* Shalohim: Anou... 6.6 We - we got the same message... San: *nods, silently* Shiko: 0.0 Okay, we are getting into serious weirdness territory here. Kallahandra: *crosses her arms* I'm getting a very bad vibe from this. Shalohim: *nods* Kallahandra: First of all, this in conjunction with the shooting is strange. Shiko: Amen. Kallahandra: Second of all, I don't want to leave. Shiko: Triple amen. I like it here, no matter how much Tamisha disses it. ^-^;;; Shiko: I like Alison, and I like having a chance to hang out with everyone at once - we're usually all too busy to get together... @.@;;; Shalohim: Un... Kallahandra: Exactly. Shalohim: I - I don't want to go either... *sounds slightly defiant* Kallahandra: So... How are we going to remedy this situation? Shiko: ^-^ Stay. Kallahandra: ^__^ Sounds good to me. San: *has been silent the entire meeting, now speaks* I don't think it's nearly that simple. Shunpei: ?.? Shalohim: *looks at him, eyes open and trusting that he knows what's right* What should we do? San: *thinks some more* Mmm. I think that, for now, we should stay. It may not be the best choice, but... I think Kal is right. There's something strange going on. Shiko: *nods* San: And I'd rather find out what it is now than look back on it years from now and wonder if I should have stayed. Kallahandra: *claps* Well-said, San! ^____^ Shalohim: Hai! *looks happy* San: *blushes slightly* Thanks. Shiko: ^-^ Good. We're staying, then - with other measures to be taken if necessary. *Fade to a day or so after the meeting, in Latin class.* Shiko: *doodles on her homework, this time chibis of Shunpei and San dueling like knights over a chibi-Shal-princess* Shalohim: *oblivious, works on the new homework* Alison: *peeks over Shiko’s shoulder and stifles a giggle* Shiko: ^-^; San: *gives them both a warning glance* San: *then smiles indulgently* Shiko: *smiles back* Alison: ^____^ Alison: *goes back to her schoolwork* Shalohim: *thinks for a minute, then writes a quick note to Alison* "Miss Alison, the weather is going to be very clear tonight. Would you like to go stargazing with San and I? Homework permitting?" *passes the note to her* Alison: *reads note, writes a quick response and hands it back* "Sure, I'd love to!" Shalohim: ^______^ Shalohim: *happy, writes another note - this one for San* "Miss Alison said she would go stargazing with us tonight - is that all right?" Shalohim: *passes up note* Alison: *does classwork with a small smile on her face, can't wait for nighttime* Shiko: *wonders what all the smiling and happiness is about, but is mostly just glad to see everyone in a good mood; beams herself* San: *reads note, nods to Shal, smiles, then continues correcting papers* Shalohim: *practically explodes from happiness, but manages to go back to doing work* Shiko: *when class lets out, goes with Shal and Alison to the front of the school, chatting* Shalohim: *chats happily, hasn't talked this much in days* Alison: *chats just a little, has gotten quieter and more brooding since the - "incident"* Shiko: *as she steps out of the building, sees three guys standing between a veiled girl and her car* Girl: *is obviously trying to politely get them to move* Guy 1: Whatcha gonna do, raghead? Gonna go home and send us some fuckin letterbombs, huh? Huh? *pushes her, not very hard but a definite push* Guy 2: *gives her another push, harder* Gonna put a fuckin bomb on the schoolbus? Girl: *is a little angry, but a little more scared* I just want to get in my car and go home. I have no intention of sending a "letterbomb" or destroying a schoolbus. Guy 3: *speaks very quietly, which makes him even more threatening* Go home to what, you fuckin camel-lover? Your fuckin terrorist family? Maybe you're gonna blow up the fuckin Empire State Building this time, get rid of my other aunt, too. Guy 3: *shoves her into her car, very hard* Shalohim: *looks nervous* Girl: *remains calm* It is not my fault that what happened happened. I lost a relative too! Guy 2: The fuck you say. Alison: *has been watching silently, now steps forward* Stop it. Guy 1: *looks at Alison with disdain* You wanna fuck with us? We're just stickin' up for our fuckin country, you don't wanna fuck with us. Alison: *glares at all three of them, her voice gradually rising as she talks* Sticking up for your country? By spreading hatred like a disease? By putting people into neat little categories so you don't have to think of them as people?! By threatening someone you don't even know because of how they look?! HOW THE FUCK DOES THAT HELP OUR COUNTRY?! HUH?! *steps forward again, enraged* ANSWER ME!!! HOW DOES IT HELP?! Guy 2: *finds voice* 'Cuz - 'cuz we're gettin rid of the fuckin terrorists! *sounds weak, even to himself* Alison: There aren't any terrorists here. Except maybe you. *voice is quiet and steely, like the edge of a knife* Shiko: *steps up beside her, eyes burning* Guy 1: *looks at the other two guys* Guy 2: *looks at the third guy* Girl: *petrified* Guy 3: *looks at Alison and Shiko, then at the other two guys* Guy 3: F- fuck this. *turns and nearly runs away* Other Two Guys: *follow, looking slightly relieved* Shalohim: *relaxes* Shiko: *lets out a breath* Girl: *also relaxes, then turns to Alison* Thank you. Girl: They... probably would have hurt me if you hadn't stepped in. Alison: It's okay... I just can't stand people who do stuff like that. *smiles, relieved* I was almost afraid they were gonna hit me or something... Shalohim: I wouldn't have let them. Girl: *smiles back* Thank you. All of you. When my father hears of this, maybe he won't lose faith in Americans after all. *thanks them once more, then climbs into her car and leaves* Shiko: *puts one arm around Alison* That was really brave, Ali. Shalohim: *nods in agreement, doesn't quite dare put an arm around her himself* Alison: *takes a deep breath and lets it out again* Come on. Let's go home. I have homework to do. *can't quite hide the teeny bit of triumph in her voice* Shiko: ^-^ Haaaaaa~i! Shalohim: ^-^ *And - fade out.* *That evening, promptly at seven, San's convertible rolls around to pick up Alison at her house.* Alison: *Comes outside, waving to her mom, then runs to the convertible. Is dressed in a red sweater and calf-length skirt. Jumps into the car.* Hi! San: *smiles* Hey. *drives off towards Shal's house* Alison: *Marvels at the luxury San lives in. Last time she was in his convertible, she didn't know him well enough to relax.* San: *pulls up to Shal's... house a few minutes later* Shalohim: *is waiting outside in his normal clothes* Alison: *Waves excitedly* Hey! Shalohim: *smiles, waves back* San: *smiles over Alison's head* Shalohim: *smiles more, gets into the backseat* San: *starts the car up again and heads out of the city* Alison: So where are we going? Shalohim: To watch the stars. Alison: *giggles* I already know that, silly. I mean, where? Shalohim: Oh - I don't know, exactly... San: There's a small meadow outside the city that's perfect for watching stars. We should be there in fifteen or twenty minutes. ShirouHokuto: ^-^ Alison: *settles back against the seat* Sounds great. Alison: *looks out the window as the scenery gets progressively more rural and dark* San: *turns the radio on, but keeps the volume low, so the music is background noise* Alison: Oh! I love this song! *turns the volume up and sings along* Alison: *has a lovely singing voice* Shalohim: *listens, doesn't interrupt* San: *Also listens without interruption. Has always enjoyed music of all kinds.* Alison: *when the song is over, turns the volume down again and blushes* Sorry. I really like that song. Shalohim: That's all right... *big smile* You have a really pretty voice.. San: *smiles* Yes, it was quite lovely... Alison: *blushes to match her hair and looks out the window* Shalohim: ^-^ San: ^__^ San: *After another ten minutes or so, pulls off the road, which is now just dirt, and turns the car off. Gets out and opens Alison's door for her.* Alison: *gets out* Thank you. Shalohim: *gets out of the car on his own and stretches, looking up and smiling* San: Come on. San: *leads the way through some trees and up a hill, which is high enough so they can see the tops of the trees and the city lights in the distance* Alison: *gasps* Wow... It's so pretty... Shalohim: It is... Shalohim: *very quietly* Humans have so much potential... San: *nods* Alison: What do you mean? San: *returns to the car, gets a blanket and spreads it on the grass at the top of the hill* Shalohim: *sits down on the blanket* Humans have so much that they can do... so much that they can work with... They have hands and eyes and beautiful brains and the resources of an entire world... Alison: *can sense a but coming, sits down also* San: *stays standing for a moment, looking at the lights a little longer* Shalohim: *can tell Alison is expecting a but, reluctantly says it* But sometimes what they make isn't always beautiful... Alison: That's true. *falls onto her back and looks up* And when I look at the stars it makes me think maybe dictators and world leaders would benefit from looking up at night and thinking about how much wars and politics really mean. Alison: When compared to the stars, I mean. Shalohim: *lays down next to her and looks up also* San: *stretches out on her other side* They probably would. They'd also benefit from having a mind as open as yours. Alison: Can I ask you guys a question? Alison: If you can't answer, that's okay. Shalohim: Go ahead and ask... Alison: Are there other worlds out there with... other beings? San: *just listens to them chatter, content to lie there and listen for once* Shalohim: *innocent happy smile* Oh, yes... there are lots! Alison: Really? Shalohim: In fact... there are so many other worlds out there... Sometimes, when I was home, I would wonder why God would spend so much time worrying about this one... Alison: Hmm... *thinks about that* Alison: Maybe He... or It, whatever... just likes playing favorites. San: Maybe so. Shalohim: *wide-eyed* But It's not supposed to do that... It's supposed to be neutral above all else... You remember, San, right? San: *Silence, then...* Yeah. Neutral. I remember. Alison: *hears something like vague sarcasm in San's voice, but dismisses it as her imagination* Shalohim: *isn't looking at the stars much, preferring to concentrate on San and Alison* San: Alison, what's your zodiac sign? Alison: Cancer. San: *points* Cancer, a water sign. The crab. *becomes more like himself* Wanna see a trick? Shalohim: Hai! Alison: Sure! San: *traces out a design in the air, which glows, then rises up until Shal and Alison can see the crab picture over the stars* Shalohim: Subarashii... *looks at it for a minute, then across Alison at San* Alison: Ooh... Shalohim: *Unusually bold, puts one arm around Alison - but leaves his hand free, so San can take it if he wants...* San: *decides that's a good idea and also puts his arm around Alison, then takes Shal's other hand* Alison: *all too happy to be in the middle, is comfy* Shalohim: *closes his eyes and smiles, feels home* San: *watches the crab fade, then looks over at Shal* Shalohim: *looks back* Alison: *falls asleep, having forgotten just how tired she’s been lately* Shalohim: *smiles at Alison sleeping* San: *quietly and regretfully, to Shalohim* Much as I hate to break this wonderful silence, I think we should take Ali home. Shalohim: I - guess... Shalohim: *of course, does not want to stop being with San, ever* San: But... I guess we can wait a little while... San: *is also not willing to let Shalohim go* Shalohim: *smiles, just at San* For a little while... *settles down for a few minutes of not moving* San: *closes his eyes and just savors the moments* *Fade out.*