More than a few hours were quickly eaten up by their conversation, animatedly chittering about the first things that would appear in their heads. They hadn’t changed much in the years they’d been apart at all. Mocha did talk a lot about some new annoyance she’d encountered on a hat-mission, but Kiki had never seen her get so worked up about a guy in her life, and smiled discreetly. If anyone could get Mocha’s emotions on high, they were likely a good match for her. The jealousy she felt was easily dissolved by a real hope that they might actually be compatible with each other, and Mocha really did deserve someone too. The brunette checked her watch, slipping her hand back into her coat pocket.
“Well, I better get going if I want to get back before nightfall. Driving in town at night is a disaster,” she complained, her tone still light and joking. Kiki wrapped her in a farewell hug, relishing in the contact again, one she knew she wouldn't be able to get again for a long time.
“Gosh I wish I could see you more often but we can’t just abuse our magic for inter-city travel…”
“Amen to that. As if college doesn’t eat up enough of my energy. Thank god for coffee!” Just as she turned around to make her exit, Mocha paused, turning back to Kiki. “You know, take a break, would you? You have your whole life to find what you’re looking for, just give it time.” With a subtle motion towards her own heart, Mocha glided out of the restaurant with a grace she shouldn’t have had in those high-heeled boots. Kiki shook her head, thanking the waitresses and leaving as well, heading back up towards the University as Mocha sped away in the other direction. The sun had yet to set, so it was still slightly warm, although the chilled wind had Kiki drawing her coat tighter around herself. She was halfway back to the campus when she stopped in the middle of the empty sidewalk, scanning the area with her eyes. She felt an all-too familiar curling presence in the back of her mind; Chrono alerting her to something abnormal in her immediate environment.
“Hello?” She chanced, not actually expecting an answer. Whoever it was remained well-concealed, to the point that she couldn’t even pinpoint their general existence. She very nearly took a step, hoping to get to her dorm in time to lock up so that she could at least be safe if this disturbance was malicious, but there was a clatter behind her and she turned around. She met nothing but the other side of an empty sidewalk, her collar gently swaying against her neck in the breeze.
“Sorry to bother you,” the voice barely reached her ears, as slight as the whisper in the wind itself, but her entire body went rigid at the sound, “but you wouldn’t happen to have seen a cute, little blonde woman around here, have you?” It was closer now, and she definitely wasn’t shivering due to the wind. “I’ve been gone a long time and I thought I should find her quickly and say hello.” With a ragged gasp she whipped around, eyes wide like a startled child and met his own deep hazel irises. She could barely even manage to breathe out,
“Buriel…” There was the slightest of smiles gracing his lips and…
Then she punched him right in the teeth.
