Reina grimaced.

It was too bright, too glaring. It drew her toward it like a moth to its flames.

She’d hoped she could resist it. After all, it’d been three years since she had last encountered it. But even now, after all that time and growth, she was still putty before it.

Reina clenched her fist, vibrating from anger. Perhaps it was foolish to think this way, especially considering the circumstance. Still, she wanted nothing more than to show it who was the boss around here.

Reina checked to make sure nobody was paying attention to her as she snuggled into her hood even more. She’d purposefully gone to the back corner, coincidentally the farthest area from the device.

However, 1/4 of the once mighty structure had been obliterated straight off the mountainside, leaving a huge gap for anybody wanting a quick death to jump into.

Part of the dome was melted, and the wood planks were splintered near the destruction zone. Reina briefly played with the idea of going onto one of the few planks that hung directly over the hole.

Reina sighed and moved away the slightest bit. No doubt that idiot Sir Neptune would interfere. Then she would have more attention brought to her, the very thing she didn't want.

Reina’s eyes narrowed as she took in Sir Neptune, dancing away like a fool. Sure, she’d once liked how energetic and eccentric he was, and during birthday parties, he had been a hoot. Now though, whenever she looked at him goofing around, it only brought back memories and a boiling rage deep within her.

Reina took several deep breaths in and out. If she got kicked out (not that she could), then the chances of her succeeding in her goal would decrease dramatically. No, she could do this.

As long as she didn’t fall back into the trap of this place, she could manage.

“Reina!”

Reina grunted. Apparently, she’d failed in hiding. Still, she reasoned with a small smile on her face, Felicie was good company.

As her friend approached though, Reina was shocked to find she wasn’t alone. Well actually, not shocked she wasn't alone. It would be better to say she was shocked to find not Angel, but a competent stranger next to her.

They were chatting away like best buddies and were steadily making their way towards her. Just as Reina wondered if she could slip away (she didn’t want to deal with this new girl), Felice beamed and waved at her again.

Reina sighed as she waved back. Maybe this wouldn't be bad. After all, friends were needed.

Felicie and her new friend stopped in front of Reina. Immediately, Felicie wrapped her arms around Reina, and she tensed. When nothing happened, she relaxed and hugged her back.

She noticed the girl’s eyes on her. She’d obviously seen the temporary hesitation. Hopefully, she would just think Reina didn’t like touching.

Felicie finally let go, holding Reina at arm’s length. “Reina! I missed you!”

Reina smiled. “It hasn’t even been 10 minutes, Felicie.”

Felicie paused and tapped her chin. “Are you sure? It feels longer.”

Reina stifled a chuckle. “Positive.” She turned to the girl and took her in. Was she a threat?

“Um-uh,” the girl stuttered, apparently unable to form a sentence because of Reina’s gaze. Reina raised an eyebrow as a test, and she gulped.

Hm. So far, not a threat. Then friend?

“My name is Reina Romane,” Reina said, sticking out her hand.

The girl looked at it warily, before grasping it. “I’m Dawn.”

Reina nodded before letting go. “Dawn. Daaawn.” She let the name roll off her tongue. “That’s a good name.”

“Thanks?”

Reina smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s a compliment. Dawn is my favorite time of the day.”

Dawn perked up. “Why?”

Reina frowned as she recalled exactly why it was. “Because that’s when the sun goes down.”

Dawn blinked several times. “Ah,” she finally said. Reina exhaled.

“Sorry about that, I know I’m not the easiest to talk to.”

Dawn shook her head emphatically. “Oh no, it's not that! I just really like the sun, that’s it,”

“Well, to each their own, am I right?” Reina asked. Dawn nodded.

“Absolutely!” Dawn replied energetically.

“Yay!” Felicie said, hugging both of them. “My friends are now friends with each other!”

Reina laughed alongside Dawn. It felt good to be around people. Speaking of-

“Hey, where’s Angel?”

Felicie froze mid-laugh. Reina deadpanned. “Felicie, do not tell me you lost Angel.”

Felicie giggled nervously. “I mean if you don’t want me to tell y-“

“Felicie!”

Felicie jumped in terror. “Okay, yes, I lost her, I’m sorry! She’s just too short, you know?”

Dawn hit her over the head. “Don’t say that! It’s so mean!” Then she paused. “Wait, was Angel that girl with the sarcastic look on her face?”

Felicie struck out a thumbs up.

Dawn clapped her hands. “Oh yeah, she was so tiny and cute! I wanted to put her in a dress-“

WHAM!

Dawn whimpered as Reina’s hand left her head from where she chopped it. She dropped to the floor, cradling her head and looking up with teary eyes.

Reina groaned. “Oh, don’t give me that. I can't believe you're so mean to her. You know, being short doesn't mean you should underestimate them.”

“Got it!” Dawn squeaked out.

Reina nodded, satisfied, and turned around, only to find Felicie right in front of her. She had to lean back to avoid their noses touching.

“Hi?” Reina offered. Felicie narrowed her eyes and hummed.

“Look, what is it?” Reina asked after a few minutes of this. “Because as much as I like you, being this close isn’t very fun. No offense.” Reina added as an afterthought.

Felicie tilted her head and Reina followed. Then she pushed her head even closer to Reina.

“Hey, what in the world?” Reina cried as she stumbled back.

“You’re. . .different.” Felicie finally breathed out.

Reina tensed. “What?” she whispered with bated breath. Could it be possible? Not Angel, but Felicie figured it out? Innocent, naive, friendly Felicie?

“You seem a bit. . .meaner?” Felicie stated.

Reina scratched the back of her head and looked away. No way. NO way. “Just, the altitude messing with my head.”

Felicie studied her a tiny bit longer before bouncing back with a grin on her face. “No problem! I know, I almost fainted climbing up here! Weird, right? Why is this place so high? Also, don't you think it’s interesting there aren’t any clouds?” Felicie rapidly fired.

Dawn seemed to have gotten used to this while trekking because she calmly and easily answered all of them. “No, it’s pretty normal. I mean, we are on a mountain. And we’re underground. You won’t find clouds here.”

Felicie crossed her arms and grumped. “But what if we do?”

Dawn crossed her arms as well. “What if we don’t?”

Felicie stepped in closer. “What if we do?” Dawn did the same.

“And what if we don’t?” Meanwhile, Reina gazed at them both with an incredulous look on her face.

There was a brief moment, the calm before the storm, you could say, where they both simply stood there. Then it began.

“What if we do?”

“What if we don’t?”

“What if we do?”

“What if we don’t?”

“What if-“

“Ah, stop it! My ears!” Reina clamped her hands over the poor appendage. Normally, she would have her headphones, but unfortunately, she hadn’t found them yet. Hence, her hands.

Dawna and Felicie stopped, but not before shooting each other a wary look. Reina seriously considered taping both of their mouths closed. She started rummaging through her cloak. Surely there must be something here.

CLUNK!

Both of her friends stared at her. “What?” Reina wondered.

“What was that noise?” Dawn asked. Reina shrugged nonchalantly.

“What noise?”

“The noise, Reina! The metal noise!” Felicie exclaimed.

Reina adopted a confused look. “Um, I don’t know. I don’t have anything mental on me right now, except for my boots.”

Dawn didn't seem to buy it, like Reina had expected, and continued staring at her pocket suspiciously. Felicie on the other hand. . . .

“Oh yeah, those boots were heavy! How can you walk in them?” Felicie asked.

Reina smirked. “I work out.”

There were actual sparkles in Felicie’s eyes as she gazed at her like she considered Reina a goddess. Dawn pouted.

“What’s up with you?” Reina asked. Dawn looked away.

“Nothing!” Reina sweat-dropped. Did she seriously expect Dawn to believe nothing was happening?

Felicie sidled up next to Reina and in an exaggerated whisper, said, “I think she’s jealous.”

Dawn turned the color of her namesake. “I am not!”

Felicie gaped. “Wow! She changed colors! How did you do that?!”

Reina and Dawn looked at her in disbelief. Reina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was she for real?

“HEY! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!”

Reina, along with pretty much everybody else, spun around to find the source of the exuberant noise.

And to say the least, Reina was surprised to find it was the normally quiet and introverted Angel, pointing at the device that started it all. The clock

Reina sighed, covering her face. Great. More drama.