Chapter Text
The walls towered over the crowd, candles casting a dim light along the crowd, making it nearly impossible for the navigator to identify the subjects around her. The woman released a gentle sigh, swirling the champagne in her flute glass gently before tilting her head back to quickly down what remains of the bubbly drink. The warmth slowly ebbed down her throat as she released a gentle hum of satisfaction. It was evident that the host put quite the pretty penny in setting up this party. She listened to the conversations that echoed off the crowded room, easily overpowering the classical music played by the band. Himeko's smile faltered as a faint memory threatened to resurface. Memories of a certain woman preforming the same piece for one person only. The navigator simply shook her head, she had purposely forgot those years for her own sanity. Himeko stood near the stairwell, her golden eyes searching all over the room. Masks were everywhere, supposedly concealing the identity of the attendees. That would be the case if most participants hadn't intentionally designed their masks to resemble them in every way.
Despite Himeko's height, numerous participants remained hidden from her. The woman had almost instinctively glanced up to let out a hefty sigh when her eyes caught on a platform high above. A balcony that would grant her visuals of all the party members. Himeko wasted now time, setting the flute glass on the nearest tray before she lifted her skirts and began her ascent. The staircase had lovely architecture, stone carved into the smallest little details. It was too much for Himeko's personal taste, however she refused to let it deter her.
The first staircase lead the navigator to an open set of doors, she slowly stepped out and straight to the railing. The gardens stretched on for what seemed like an eternity, filled with rarities from across the cosmos. Himeko allowed herself to be distracted temporarily as she felt the stars shine down on her. A smile slowly spread across her face as she watched the distant galaxies twinkle. She almost felt at peace. Almost. She needed to find this criminal soon, or else this whole masquerade will turn into hell. Slowly, her hands found the vine covered railing to the second staircase. The stone was pleasantly cold under her warm hands as she slowly trailed up the carved path until she finally saw the light of the candles in the open doorway of the balcony. Carefully, the woman stepped closer to the edge of the balcony, leaning over to peer down, observing the moving bodies below. Himeko chewed her lip as she scanned the moving crowd. People laughed, danced, and conversed with no concern. Smiles on their faces as they remained ignorant. Himeko identified Stelle, standing near the food with March, nearly bouncing off the walls in excitement of the provided options. Her eyes also found a familiar set of hats, Madame Jade and Herta. Neither of them made any attempt to conceal their identify, considering that they were the hosts. Himeko continued to search, easily identifying numerous others. The two women dancing on the floor were easily Black Swan and Acheron, quietly speaking to themselves as others observed their dance. Himeko did her best to search for more of the purple color. This criminal was very unique in her hair color, surely it would be easy to find her.
“Humans are very social creatures, no?” A low voice suddenly spoke, Himeko immediately recognized it. The deep and seductive voice with a slight rasp when she pronounced her vowels. The criminal Himeko had been looking for. “Then again, the path you walk is quite the lonely one - according to the script -”
“Don’t speak as though you know me, criminal” Himeko quietly responded, her tone filled with a bit more venom than she originally intended, yet she couldn’t find it in herself to regret it. “Just what do you think you are doing here, Stellaron Hunter?”
The woman let out a low laugh, finding a spot right beside Himeko, her gloved hands resting on the carved railing far too close to Himeko’s own. Despite every warning telling Himeko to walk away, to ignore this woman, to look the other way, Himeko disobeyed every mental warning. She instead looked at the woman, her eyes trailing from the unnatural burgundy of the woman’s hair, along the neck decorated with shimmering pearls, down the woman’s suit. Himeko let herself be distracted for just a moment to appreciate the details to Kafka's attire. The high collar of that frilly undershirt that poked through the blazer Kafka lazily wore over her shoulders, adorned with pink thread that stretched out in such a way that just fit for Kafka. Almost resembling a web.
“You’re staring, Miss Himeko,” The criminal spoke, adjusting the cuffs of her sleeves with a smug grin. Himeko absolutely hated how easily she let herself be distracted by some cloth and a deep voice. “If you wanted a close-up view, you should have just asked.”
Himeko felt the cold, silky fabric touch her hand before she realized what the woman was about to do. She watched as Kafka gently lifted their hands up, her dull eyes never leaving Himeko's.
"Kafka, don't-"
It was far too late, Kafka's cold lips had already found themselves perfectly placed on the two middle-most fingers of Himeko's hand. (yeah because that makes sense.) The red haired woman stared at the other woman in absolute horror for a long while before she felt something burn in her chest. Kafka simply squeezed Himeko's hand as she watched Himeko, her cloudy lenses staring right through the dark bangs and into Himeko's soul.
"May I have the honor of your first dance, darling?" Kafka hummed softly, her gaze almost gentle as she observed Himeko with such care. The navigator let out a frustrated huff, her fingers already twitching as she glared at the criminal before her.
"Just what makes you think I have not already danced?" She bitterly asked, attempting to pull her hand from Kafka's grip. Kafka only seemed to squeeze Himeko's hand in response before clicking her tongue.
"Well, the script says I would be your first, of course," Kafka's smile seemed to grow as she stepped closer to Himeko. Himeko pressed her hips against the railing behind her as her other hand found Kafka's shoulder to block her from getting closer. "That and I know you all too well. A woman such as yourself has no idea what fun is."
"Kafka." Himeko shot the other woman a hateful glare, Kafka remained unbothered by Himeko's tone and her hand. Instead, Kafka moved closer, interlacing their fingers together while her other hand snaked around Himeko's waist. Himeko inhaled deeply as a cooler body pressed against her front, leaving absolutely no space for Himeko to think.
"Relax, Miss Himeko," Kafka teased slowly, already tugging Himeko away from the edge of the balcony and to the center of the platform. "I just want a dance."
"I have no reason to believe you, Kafka."
"Have I lied to you before?" Kafka let that foolish grin find her lips as her hand trailed lower on Himeko's waist and to the woman's hips. Himeko refused to answer as Kafka began to sway to the faint music of the ballroom below, Himeko did her very best to hold still against Kafka, holding her breath each time Kafka moved closer. With their proximity, Himeko finally allowed herself to finally scan over Kafka's face, lingering on the eye mask that was meant to conceal the identity of the wearer. The mask itself was beyond beautiful, though Himeko would never admit such things aloud. Dark lace covered part of Kafka's velvet mask, adding distracting details that were only visible up close. Pink accents lined the mask, stretched into a web-like pattern with tulle erupting from certain parts of the mask. It was enchanting with the smallest gems catching the candle light and the soft and open feel of the mask. Himeko felt herself losing to Kafka's pull.
"I hope you are aware that the masks were intended to conceal your identity, criminal." Himeko finally spoke, her body acting on its own as she tapped her foot at each beat and reluctantly followed Kafka's lead. Kafka seemed amused at Himeko's words, her grip on Himeko growing as their dance grew in confidence.
"I am fully aware, Miss Himeko. What gives you the idea that I am not?" Kafka was teasing her, Himeko knew, but she took the bait anyway.
"Everything about your mask just screams 'Kafka"'
"Do you think about my name a lot?" Kafka looked genuinely surprised and almost innocent.
"Naturally, You're a wanted criminal across the cosmos, Kafka. Not to mention your involvement with my crew. You cause quite the reason for concern."
Himeko's words escaped from her lips before her mind processed what she was saying. Unfortunately, it was far too late to take anything back.
"Oh? Miss Himeko surely you don't mean to say that you are worried for me?" Kafka was leaning in, her hand squeezing Himeko's before sending Himeko out for a disorienting spin. "You're such a sweetie, really"
Himeko managed to stop herself from spinning by stepping out, her hand instinctively squeezing Kafka's as she tried to steady herself. Both women stood at arms length as Himeko attempted to regain her composure, inhaling deeply as she felt a sudden tug of her hand. A sharp yelp escaped Himeko's lips as Kafka pulled her in before twisting her at the last second, causing her back to thump against Kafka's front. A gloved hand found Himeko's chin, forcing Himeko to look right at Kafka.
Himeko could feel her heart racing in her ears as she stared at Kafka, who was now so close that their noses were touching. Himeko felt her body freeze up as she stared at the lavender lenses before her, which seemed to be distracted by something lower than Himeko's eyes. Himeko couldn't think this close, she was dizzy, out of breath, and absolutely frozen. They stayed like that for quite a while, simply staring at each other whilst sharing the same breath. Himeko finally felt her ability to speak return to her.
"Kafka, what the hell-" Himeko's voice was shaking, something she rarely allowed to happen. Kafka's other hand snake across her stomach in a gentle caress before slowly trailing up to the navigators chest. Kafka just hummed before leaning in to almost line up their lips.
Oh
Oh, Himeko knew it would have been a horrid idea to look at Kafka. She should have just reported Kafka's presence. She should have stood her ground. If she hadn't let herself be distracted, this wouldn't be happening. If she had acted smarter, she wouldn't be frozen in a criminal's arms as they shared the very same air.
"I have a hotel room, a neutral building. No cameras, no records." Kafka's voice was raspier than usual, her eyes clouded with something Himeko refused to put a name to. "Just us and some wine, what do you say?"
Himeko hardly believed the words at first, her golden eyes wide as she stared at Kafka with a mix of horror and disbelief.
"You're out of your mind, Kafka. I will not have sex with you-"
"I never said anything about sex, Miss Navigator." Kafka's smile grew into one that was far more smug than it should have been. Himeko felt something forbidden burn in her chest. "Just where is your mind at? First you're worried about me, and now you're thinking my polite invitation for a conversation is for sex?"
Himeko is losing.
She's losing bad.
"It has always been sex with you, Kafka." It was a place Himeko didn't want to go, but Kafka had her cornered. Like always, Himeko just can't seem to help herself when it comes to Kafka's traps.
"Nonsense, we were serious at a point." Kafka's eyes shut as she focused on something, her hand shifting against Himeko's chest. "Are you nervous, Himeko?"
"Don't- Please don't say my name, Kafka." Himeko felt her cheeks burn as she stood up taller. She needed to compose herself again. She was losing miserably.
Kafka instead leaned down, her breath warm against Himeko's neck. "Why, Himeko? Does it do something to you?" Kafka whispered, already having her answer. They both knew what it did to Himeko.
Himeko opened her mouth to speak, but only a heavy breath escaped her. Kafka's lips had shamelessly found Himeko's throat, already leaving smudges of lipstick across the skin as Himeko could only straighten her back and quiver at the action, her voice lost somewhere deep in her throat.
Kafka's hands refused to give Himeko any escape, one gently massaging at the skin just below Himeko's collar bone whilst the other squeezed Himeko's hands at intervals of three. Himeko felt dizzy, almost drunk, despite only having one glass. She was burning up, somewhere, everywhere. Kafka seemed to notice because at some point, Kafka hissed and suddenly jerked away. Himeko's hands instinctively found the cold railing to catch herself as she crouched down in attempt to collect herself.
"That was new." Kafka's voice felt far away, and yet, felt like it echoed in Himeko's own brain.
"Shut up, Kafka." Himeko managed, her eyes slowly opening to glance down to the lives down below, unaware. The party was still in full bloom, ignorant of the criminal.
Himeko managed to collect herself just enough to speak up once more, "We received some Intel that you would bring destruction to this planet, Kafka. Just what are you doing?"
"No, you received word that 'A world will fall apart'. Nothing was ever said about this planet, Himeko."
"Why are you here, Kafka? Just to mess with me?" Himeko snapped, standing up tall before facing the Stellaron Hunter.
"Take a guess," Kafka softly hummed, her hands resting at her own hips as Kafka watched Himeko. "The script, of course."
"I swear, all you care about is that script."
"And you the machines."
"What?" Himeko felt herself suddenly go cold as her eyes found Kafka's. Kafka shrugged before approaching the railing once more. The navigator tensed as Kafka confidently perched on top of the railing, having absolutely no regards for the large drop below.
"We are quite similar, Himeko," Kafka glanced over her shoulder, those dull lenses flickering over the crowd. "Our worlds are saturated with something inhuman. Your machines, the script... Among other things."
Kafka was being far too smug, as if she was reciting something obvious to someone lesser than herself.
"We are nothing alike, Kafka."
"We are destined for loneliness. Destiny decided it long ago. The only difference is that I don't bother hiding it. You, on the other hand, try to fill in holes for other people, you try to make other people... less lonely. Knowing it will burn you in the end."
Himeko did not like this. She did not like anything Kafka was saying.
"You're out of line, Kafka."
"Maybe, but you know I am right. I am always right."
"What world is it?" Himeko glanced up at Kafka, a frown on her lips.
"Does it matter? It's too far away to affect us here."
"Kafka!" Himeko scowled, her palm striking Kafka's arm with as much gentleness as she could manage
"Relax, you're always so uptight." Kafka laughed, her gloved hand finding Himeko's wrists.
"Can you blame me? After what you just did?"
"Guess not," Kafka hummed, her fingers gently rubbing circular motions of the navigator's wrist. "Say, you want to ditch this place?"
"I'm not going back to a hotel room with you, Kafka."
"We could go to your beloved train, I'm indifferent to either, as long as I have your company." Kafka winked, a smirk stretched across her face as she watched Himeko