“Take off the tie if it’s bothering you.”

Rai continued to wrestle with the strip of black hanging from his throat.

“You look fine,” Sao said.

Though there would be no flattering Rai out of his predicament, it was not a lie. Sao had come to dinner cheerily prepared to tell Rai that the man made the clothes and not vice versa, but the ensemble Rai had come up with was genuinely slick: a trim silhouette, navy blue with dark lapels. For something its owner clearly did not often wear, there were no hard creases that would indicate years in the bottom of a drawer. The fabric was intriguingly supple. Intrigue was the word, Sao thought, there was something that sparked the imagination about someone sporting an immaculate suit while loathing every second in it. Someone unconcerned with looks, yet looking as he did, could only be a person of great significance. With a proper blazer - vintage, perhaps - even the obtrusive thick gloves, a shady addition to his normal attire, were transformed. There was an impression of restraint, yet at the same time an undeniable mystique to hidden hands.

Sao smiled. He knew Rai preferred to avoid such comparisons, but framed in dark silk and a frown under a thin streetlamp of Central’s arts district, one could very much tell he was descended from stars of the black-and-white film era.

“Well, then,” Sao said as Rai finished strangling himself, “where did you find that suit?”

“Old man Cadmus was holding onto it for me.” Rai smoothed out his jacket, glaring at it as if it were guilty of a crime. “The whole suit used to be his, but he got it re-fitted for me when I graduated. That was years ago. I’m surprised it still fits.”

Cadmus was a mentor of Rai’s; a hospital administrator and 300-year-old Life Fountain. So the suit really was vintage. “Life Fountain immutability for you.”

Scoffing noncommittally, Rai punched the button to call an elevator.

From ground level, Alga’s address was nothing more than an apartment block of middling size, a quaint building with a pale coloration and balconies of stingy proportions. But it was all a facade, the whole neighborhood was. There was no honking traffic, no furniture slumped on stairs, no bins on the sides of roads. The hedges were trimmed so sharp their corners could cut. The cars parked in the carefully marked spaces were too expensive, and when you looked up the window frames were a little too ornate to be those of studio bedrooms and kitchens. It was also far too quiet.

The elevator cut the silence when it opened, a jazzy tune.

On the third floor, the doors opened up under a golden arch trailing strings of lights over a lacquered stretch of hallway, lined with unmarked white doors and peculiar decor. They stepped into the hall gingerly and were greeted by a hostess with an absolute null of expression. Who could blame her? Compared to the sensory deluge that was Alga, he and Rai were hardly impressive. 

The design of the main hall was part world-class museum, part childrens' kitsch. Holiday string lights trailed over tulip sconces. Elaborate paintings of women in regalia sat in gold frames among fake carnations and model trains, a stuffed pheasant stood guard outside one of the doors and a bronze suit of armor outside another. It was impossible not to stop and stare, yet at the same time impossible to think of anything to say. It took a good few minutes for them to reach their destination. Like all of the doors, it was unmarked, but the frame was embedded with seashells.

The room they found themselves in was the color of the deepest ocean. As a flurry of dark shapes swept over them as they crossed the threshold, and Sao realized the entire room was enclosed by several tanks filled with water, behind mosaic walls of frosted blue glass. The tanks were bustling with kelp and tiny fish. The roiling shadow coated everything except the very center of the room, where a large glass-top table was set under bright white light - a beacon in a relentlessly shifting expanse.

Sigma, Kiria and Delta were admiring one of the walls; Kiria encased in black crepe and minimal makeup, Delta in a long wool coat, grey of course. Despite their modest outfits they glimmered opalescent under the light coming through the water. Streamers of light flowed over their darkened forms, twinkling off tiny buttons and jewels. Sigma was in a jacket of almost-obsidian purple, the shade a compliment to his new reddish hair tint, which must have been touched up since they last met. In fact Sigma’s entire person had been touched up, sharpened, recharged. The airy, insubstantial aura of exhaustion was gone, replaced with a man upright and smiling with all the force in the world; a force even the best cameras couldn’t capture. His eyes had regained clarity, though the power he’d been using to stare into the distance was now focused into searing points. Locking gazes was electrifying.

Kiria and Delta turned when Sigma called out a greeting. All shook hands with Rai, exchanged nods and chuckles with Sao, and were seated. Antipasto arrived in the form of baked scallop and mushroom which resembled huge pearls.

Rai tore through his serving, accepting a glass of wine from a whispering waiter. Kiria and Delta did too. Sao opted out, and so, he noted, did Sigma.

Sigma may have been watching in solidarity because his eyes were fixed steadily on Sao as he sent the waiter off. “I hope this dinner situation wasn’t too forward,” Sigma said, raising his glass of iced water. “But my conscience couldn’t just let things slide without apologizing for being a less-than-stellar host on your last visit to the grounds. No, that’s bigheaded of me - let’s be honest: I was outright rude.”

“Hardly, and even if you think it, a trip to Alga is an all-too-generous apology.” Sao watched a particularly large school of fish pass overhead.

“Kiri suggested an outside venue and I thought we hadn’t been here in a while. Alga’s got some surprises - I’ve only ever seen this room once. They’re all different. Kiri’s favorite is the green room.”

Kiria, didn’t smile. Sao thought back to Rai’s theory of Kiria feeling out of place among the other residents in their sunny laughter and gilded bodies. But removing her from the Lodge did not seem to have helped.

“I need to apologize as well,” Delta said. “The whole misunderstanding would not have happened if it wasn’t for me.”

Sigma scoffed. “I’m not upset, and would I have any right to be? A resident - someone I had taken upon myself to accept and support - died on the grounds. You were concerned and I was flipping it all off.” He smiled at Sao, radiant. “Delta can’t help but work. He hates things out of order. What was it they called him - the old vampire. Up all night working like a superhuman. Only problem is, this vampire’s too kind to take blood, so he just works himself to the bone.”

They laughed, or most of them did. Rai’s chuckle was curt. Kiria’s was nonexistent.

Sigma stopped and put a hand on hers. At that point, Sao expected her to pull away, but she grasped him back. Sigma’s voice softened. “I also realize that I didn’t clear the air entirely the last time you visited. That’s another reason for this slightly more private meeting space.” With his free hand, he reached into his jacket, pulling free a drawstring pouch. “Poor Racer’s story was thankfully closed, but I expect my actions raised a few extra questions.” Out of the pouch came a Bell, marbled rainbow under the light thrown through the stained glass.

As Sigma got his bearings, one contemplative hand caressing the Bell and the other grasping Kiria’s fingers, Sao thought back to Sigma standing alone between the open gate posts, holding the Bells over his face and whispering frantically. Wait - he hadn’t been alone, had he?

“I suppose the police have always had questions about Bell. Since I trust the two of you, I’ll tell you all I can, though I can’t guarantee what I say will paint a perfect story. There’s some conspicuous holes in my own memory of it all. I’m actually hoping you’ll be able to help me, in a way.” He frowned. “You see, the therapist...”

Using the pause, sensing unpleasantness on the way, Sao quickly downed his scallops. “That’s a private matter, is it not? You don’t have to tell us. Rest assured there’s no shame in seeking help when it’s needed...”

“Yes.” Sigma glanced at Kiria. “I know.”

The conversation paused again as the next course was set before them, trays of pan-fried shrimp the color of fall leaves, drizzled with a sable sauce.

“First things first,” Sigma said. “The counseling. The appointments began last year, because I was having intimate affairs with some of the residents. To put a fine point on it: I was cheating on Kiria.”

Rai bit down on a chunk of shell. Delta averted his eyes. Though Sao had prepared a number of platitudes, none fit what had been unloaded on the table before them. But this finally seemed to shift the unnameable weight off Kiria, who squeezed Sigma’s hand hard enough to whiten the knuckles and said, “What’s important is you came and told me yourself.”

“It’s still nothing to be proud of. I was surprised the residents didn't immediately all jump ship. But what ensued was still difficult. Couples counseling saved us. It was your idea,” Sigma tilted his head toward Kiria. “So fair to say, you saved us. Frankly, I can’t believe you gave me another chance.”

“That explains the trail-- uh, you in the carriage house,” Rai stuttered. He gave Sao something to stare at that wasn’t Sigma. The bravery Rai possessed was stunning at times. Stunning, like falling on one’s head.

“Moving into the carriage house was my own idea,” Sigma said. “Kiri didn’t kick me out, though she had every right to. She’s just not that kind of person. She’s a go-getter, problem-solver, while I always seem to be stumbling around with my head in the clouds.”

“It’s always been like that,” Kiria sighed, though it was a dreamy sort of noise.

“She let me choose it as retribution and I’m grateful for it.” As if finally signaled approval, Sigma finally took his hands off Kiria and the Bell to lift his fork and knife. “Counseling was a revelation. While Kiri and I continue with bi-monthly sessions, I also began individual therapy. I think I relayed the schedule to you - it might sound a bit extreme, but it’s amazing how much it helps to simply talk through things. I’ve been asked about going on to meet a psychiatrist too, but I’m trying to avoid any sort of medication. I don’t think I deal well with...” He swirled the fork through the dark sauce. “... substances. Perhaps in the future.”

Before Rai could comment again, Sao stepped in. “I’m glad you’re comfortable enough to share with us. A- and naturally, I’m glad it’s helping.”

“It really has. Would you believe, I hadn’t considered my childhood for decades until it came up in therapy? Oh, the gossip rags and television bios always mention the old military fosters of Judgment Street, but none of them would think to write anything past the most banal of tragic orphan stories.” Sigma shoveled his prawn shells to the side of his plate. “What did my room look like? Who were my closest friends, back then? What did we eat, play, talk about? What did I think I’d become? It’s been helpful, but it’s also haunting how much I forgot - that I tried to forget.”

Rai was fidgeting in his seat. Sao imagined the melodrama (and the stranglehold of the tie) was getting to him. 

Sigma continued. “I found that I’d always had a problem with impulse control. Drinking isn’t good for me. I wish I’d learned that before I freaked you out at the dinner, when we first met.” He smiled at Sao. “I had to recall that I was a miserable foster child. Aggressive, often violent, toward mother, the old neighbors, the really little kids too. Delta wouldn’t have put up with me, if we had met back then.”

“You grew up in similar conditions though,” Sao said.

“Nearby neighborhoods,” Delta corrected. “It’s all military residences, but the North and South ends of Judgment Street are like oil to water. I was lucky, I was adopted into a mansion owned by rich old women on the North side. Sigma… he did not have it easy.”

“Eleven kids to a three-bedroom house. Even so, among all the children, I was one of the worst.” Sigma studied his hands against the tablecloth. “I remember getting warned strongly and often - even being afraid whenever it happened - but I don’t remember heeding those warnings a single time. Until the Bells came.”

Rai could not help himself. “When did you first make contact?”

“‘Make contact.’ A man of science, are you?” Sigma's smile imparted nothing but approval. “Or a fan of the movies.”

Rai did not deny or confirm.

“When was that? I guess that’s the true beginning.” Sigma continued to muse as the aroma of the next course filled the room. Spare ribs in a sauce of cooked cherry and hawthorn, the waiter announced. It was a delightfully messy platter, which meant Rai had to give it a lengthy glare of suspicion before sampling.

“Were you out of Judgment at the time?” Rai asked, while everyone else dug in.

“A good question - no. I lived on Judgment Street for ten years, and met the Bells when I was in middle school, I think. Thirteen - perhaps twelve?”

“That would be long before meeting me,” Delta said.

Sigma laughed. “I remember having a fight with, ah - mom and -- the foster parents. A blowout, and I ran out of the house. I have no recollection of what it was about, but it was likely a common occurrence, knowing me.” He laughed again. “I wandered around the neighborhood for hours, settling in a vacant lot. Judgment’s South side was full of those lots; they were extending the place, extending it too fast, in fact. Zoning issues, noise complaints, locals stealing anything the crew left out - the companies just gave up on a lot of them. Anyhow, I was sure I wouldn’t be found. I was there until nightfall, just lying on a pile of pipes, kicking the sand, feeling sorry for myself. When the sky grew dark I remember thinking for the first time how amazing it was, that there were so many stars. Maybe the boredom of staying out so long made me desperate for distraction. That’s when I heard them.”

A long pause. “What did they sound like?” Rai asked.

“White noise. No, a slower vibration, the feeling of sound. I knew I was being watched and sensed all over by some great and unfamiliar power. I was hungry and exhausted after sitting in an empty lot all day, but I was compelled to respond. Four of the stars had expanded into larger orbs of light - well, light’s the best way I can describe it - and they were close.” Absently, Sigma lifted the Bell sitting beside his napkin, as if its weight brought recollection. “They were curious. I sat up and watched them, and they watched me, watched so hard I felt the pressure against my skin, almost through my clothes. Then they left. I felt better, after that, and went home. That had been the plan all along but I expect I would have gone back in a fouler mood had the Bells not been on my mind. I didn’t learn to call them that until later, though.”

“You said that was their choice of name,” Rai said.

“It was. I didn’t think to talk to them until the third or fourth time. Not because I was afraid, but because I didn’t think there was a need.” Sigma set the Bell down again. “I snuck back to the lot several times, only caught them there a few times a month, though. But one day, walking to school, I saw - heard, sensed - them in broad daylight. I must have uttered something because that was the first time I heard them speak.”

“Heard, or sensed?”

“It’s difficult to explain. A better word is ‘communicate’. It was a bit like a dream, you somehow pick up a narrative, even if it’s not literally spoken. And like a dream, time seemed to get lost. Although, having the universe explained would take a while. I didn’t understand what they were telling me, but suffice to say, I missed school that day.”

Sao found himself exchanging blank stares with Delta.

“At first, it was all images of the galaxy. Places they’d been, or were heading to. Spectral clouds and ancient stars,” Sigma said. “It was very calming, and the strange sensation of being scanned was almost like a massage. But after a few more meetings, I learned that the Bells were embroiled in conflict with another form of alien named the Greys. Horrible creatures, again somewhat abstract, but still capable of harm. Had a run-in with them late one evening; they conveyed the same inexplicable pressure, but it wasn’t just curiosity and outward pressure; they intended to get through and under the skin. The Bells were with me at the time, they advised I stay still, and not to let fear overtake me. I’m not sure what the Greys do to victims to succumb to their touch, in fact my experience with them overall has been limited. But from what I felt at the briefest contact, their power was even greater than that of the Bells. The advice to stay put most likely saved my life. Impressive stuff, for four intangible beings calm a raging, terrified teenager.”

Sigma laughed again and Rai put down his fork, plate forgotten. “So multiple types of potentially deadly aliens are wandering the earth. Did you ever share this with anyone, find anyone else who witnessed the same?”

“I wouldn’t know if they reached out to anybody else. Perhaps like me, the other witnesses were brutish hardheads who thought talk of stardust and cosmic shoulder rubs were not to be shared.” Sigma sighed. “I theorized that the Bells and Greys shifted between planes. Somehow, they could communicate across them, but they could just as easily use them to hide. My running into them was just luck. I read the theory in a book - I picked up a lot of books on space travel and extraterrestrials at the time. That’s another thing to credit the Bells for - motivating me to learn to read. Starting with My Little Spaceship - not exactly academic text. Everyone starts somewhere, but you can bet a middle schooler didn’t want to be seen toting picture books.” Sigma laughed, softer now. “And most embarrassing of all - I think I liked the feeling of someone reaching out to me. There were eleven children living in the house at the time, assigned letters as names for easy recital. Foster mom and pop were stretched thin and...” He shook his head. “You get the picture. Fuzzy feelings weren’t the custom. And I didn’t want to share.”

“Makes sense. It’s easy to judge in retrospect,” Sao said quietly, “but a child doesn’t have such luxury.”

“Precisely. As time went on, the Bells occasionally wandered into my room, into the yard. Helped me get to sleep a few times, calm down after getting busted up at school. Oh, and a few times I saw them while staying over at Mr. D’s. He was a babysitter. Alright, the majority of us weren’t babies, but the mom and pop certainly needed a sitter at times.” Sigma frowned. “He was a neighbor. An ex-special operations guy for the army, I think? I suppose that gave him the bravery needed to herd around a group of teens, even though he was thin as a rail, paper-thin skin, often inflicted with rashes. I gave him a hard time, like I did everyone else, but he was alright. Having retired from an upper unit, he was well-off for that part of town, and he always had snacks on hand - another thing that wasn’t commonplace in the main house. He also had an incredibly baroque van...”

“The TPP?”

“That’s it. The one on the Grounds is the same model, but it’s not his. Of course.” Sigma swallowed. “His van was taken along with him by the Greys. The last time we saw Mr. D was the day the Bells lost their power. This is the part where I’d like your input. As investigators and friends.

“Mr. D took five of us camping one night in June - three of my siblings, one child from another house on the same street, and myself. I was the oldest - fifteen or so, and the youngest was 8. It wasn’t the first time - we had gone for the last two years, it was always something of a highlight. We slept over at his house day day before, so we could leave bright and early the next morning. Although, we didn't leave as early as we hoped - I woke up late and held everyone up."

The distant look had returned to Sigma's eye. Rai poured himself another glass of wine while waiting.

"After a quick packing job we bundled into the van, which was big enough for at least ten kids more. Although, perhaps I shouldn’t say that. We’re lucky Mr D always drove slow. You’ve heard how the TPP Honor model suffered a litany of defects and lawsuits?”

“Yeah,” was all Rai said. “But you got to where you were headed?”

“We did. A campsite on the far West, at the foot of the mountains. Watchers’ Wood. Not a popular place but quite striking. A massive pine forest, a place you could really lose yourself.” Sigma stopped. “A terrible way of looking at it, considering what happened. I haven’t gone camping since...”

Recalling a fatal camping trip of his own, Sao’s heart dropped.

“It was already past noon when we arrived. We spent much of it setting up tents, attempting to get a fire started, though somebody just used their lighter in the end. We took a short walk, but it was too muddy to go far. In the evening we heated some cans of beans and soup. Mr. D headed into the van for some early shut-eye, while we told scary or crass stories. Gradually, we each dropped off to sleep.”

All forks and knives were still. 

“We woke sometime during the night, under attack by the Greys. We were all frozen and the pressure had progressed further than it ever had before; it was painful in a way I can’t explain, like needles slipping under the skin, needles the width of fingers just ripping holes through our very being. I remembered just in time not to let the fear overcome me, to think of anything else, and I wanted to tell the others but I couldn’t breathe and my legs were numb from my toes all the way up my gut. I could tell we were somewhere unfamiliar; a ship or workshop or some enclosure but the walls were transparent, or on a plane I couldn’t see. But I did see stars, they weren’t just above us anymore but below, around, and within…” Sigma shut his eyes. “We were being taken away, I don’t know how or why but we weren’t in the forest anymore. In the blinding pain I heard the Bells, they sounded so distant that the voice of four had become just one. They were reaching out to me and this time I grasped on for dear life and begged them to take us back. Maybe I shouldn’t have.” His eyes opened slowly. “I didn’t know what it would cost them.”

All eyes turned to the small grey shape sitting on the table.

“The pressure lifted, so suddenly that it was like being skinned - but then it dissipated, and I saw the tops of the trees again. Then there was a blast of energy, flames, and something flew into the air, trailing a column of smoke and fire. 

"I realized I was breathing again, and the four other campers were there beside me, all of us coughing and scrabbling through dirt to get away from the incredible heat and light. I was left with a small burn on my arm. Though that paled in comparison to what became of the Bells. They had begun as orbs of light, ethereal and all-powerful. Whatever vessel or passage they had been traveling in was destroyed, perhaps in the fire. 

"The Bells themselves were left dormant, physical bodies exposed. I stowed them away. They were unusually quiet, but everybody else had greater concerns. In addition to the attack, Mr. D was gone and so was the van. The other campers and I managed to make it to a road, and flag down a commuter, who called the police. We got many strange looks for our story, but they were largely concerned with the disappearance of the sitter.” Sigma frowned. “In a way we hoped it was a dream, and that he was just lost in the woods somewhere. Mr. D was quite old. I never heard much more from the police, but I do know they never found him or his car. Word is, it was suicide.”

Echoes again.

“I can’t know for sure, but from what I saw, my guess is this. After the Bells and Greys clashed, something took off into the sky that night, a huge jetstream, possibly something large enough to bring a van with it. The remains of the Bells were left behind, but no sign of the Greys or Mr. D. I had to wonder if the Greys took him as they fled.” He pulled the sleeping Bell from the prying eyes of the table and cupped it, touched it to his forehead. “The Bells would know more. If they were revived, able to recall their vessel, they might even be able to help find him again. If he’s still alive...”

Rai coughed. “Sorry, on the Bells. Uh, I wanted to ask - so you think they’re dead?”

“Not dead! If they’d died, it would have been over for me. No, in their final moments of full power, they imparted on me the advice to stay calm, kind and fearless as I could be. To be good, that was it. Be good, for them. It could have been a repeat of how to face the Greys, but it felt different. Feeling was all I had when it came to them...” Sigma smiled. “I choose to believe that I am not only protected by being the best I can, but helping the Bells, acting on their behalf, and hopefully solidifying our partnership so that when they awaken, they will help defend humanity from the Greys again. There is no way humans would be able to face those creatures on our own. Even if it takes my whole lifetime, they gave their souls for me to be here today, why not do what I can? It sounds sanctimonious, but I actually have some amount of proof for that.” The smile was passed to Delta. “You remember?”

“Yes.” Delta turned to Sao. “Sigma and I had gone to the same high school, and wound up in the same college, same dorm, though we knew each other’s names and nothing else. It was in the dormitory that I heard whispers coming from the stars. I walked out to see if someone was just having fun in the halls, but came across Sigma. I thought it was nonsense, talking to aliens, but he put one of the Bells into my hands and...” Delta’s dark eyes went distant. “It was very quick, but it matches what Sigma described of his first meeting - a flash of the universe. Despite the confusion, I found it quite calming.”

“That was the first time the Bells woke up after the camping trip, though it was brief. And I made my first real friend.” The shadow of the camping trip had faded and Sigma reached over to Kiria, brushing her face with a thumb. “And then Kiri happened.”

“I heard them three or four times,” Kiria said, her face pink with pride and wine. “I was an assistant on the set of Attack of the Revenge. His first big role. I spoke with Sigma here and there, but one night I heard - felt them too. The sensation grew strongest when I was with him and he finally spilled the beans. I was curious, it was like a movie come to life. The next night, I checked in again...”

“Best consecutive nights of my life,” Sigma said.

“And that’s how we got here,” Kiria said, giving Sigma a knock on the shoulder.

“You were my good luck charm. Once we moved in together, I suddenly had much better luck getting roles. Your movie know-how and the old casting office at the strip mall.” Sigma laughed. “The one by our first apartment. They must have been desperate, but what can I say? Suddenly I was getting everything I tried out for.”

Rai had started gnawing on the tip of a spare rib. “Sounds like everything turned out fine. What was it that you wanted us to give an opinion on?”

“Well, I thought the same but things haven’t really turned out fine.” Sigma stopped his play-boxing with Kiria to face Rai. “My old impulses have returned, I nearly ruined my partner and a long-standing friendship, and that’s what I’m in therapy to fix. However, the therapist seems to think I’m suppressing something. That the camping trip, and perhaps all my interactions with the Bells, never even happened. It’s all suggestions and retractions at the last second, but relaying the events to a skeptic made me doubt a few things. At the same time, I don’t want to doubt the Bells, and even if I did, why should I stop trying to do good?”

“Yeah.” Rai tore at the soft meat of his meal and frowned. “I don’t think we’d make good ammo against your shrink.”

“Again with the humor, investigator.” But this seemed to settle Sigma. He set his knife to his plate as well. 

“I mean, it’s not our place. It sounds like this comes down to your memories, and we can’t remember for you.”

“Maybe you’re right. It’s just so easy to forget. After I met Delta and then Kiria, and began acting, life changed. My childhood on Judgment Street was something I thought had left behind forever. But my recent actions, the cheating, the caginess, the fear of reaching out… I realize that I’m drowning in unresolved remains.”

Rai waited.

“The thing that keeps me in place is the Bells. But the change only came after the camping trip. I was fifteen then, which means for the nearly a decade prior, I was a monster to my fosters, many of my siblings, Mr. D and the people around me. I never made amends for that.” Knife scraped ceramic. “I’ve never been a very insightful person. Inner peace and forgiveness don’t work well for me. So I’ve been building up a plan with the therapist. I want to return to Judgment Street and make a large donation toward renovating the South side, and supporting the children who are being cared for. I’ve been saving a while, and it will be the largest donation yet. Reflecting on my time there has been stressful, but I know now that I can’t rest until this is done.” Sigma inspected the strip of perfectly braised pork. “I just hope I can be trusted not to blow up, disappointing them. The Bells.”

“Thus spoiling the additional mission of maintaining relations with them.”

“Yes.” Sigma sampled the rib. “Oh, this is delicious.”

“Racer was a reminder, wasn’t he?” Sao said.

Sigma froze. “What?”

“Whatever happened in the forest, you suffered some level of trauma. Racer was an older man, spirited enough to live among the young. It just occurred to me.” Sao fidgeted with his cuffs. “Perhaps Racer reminded you of this Mr. D, and that’s what’s raising some unpleasant memories. And the rumors of how he met his end...”

Sigma was pale. Sao wished nothing more than to retract his words and disintegrate on the spot.

“What was D’s name, anyhow?” Rai asked.

Sigma blinked rapidly. “Des… Desmond something. Surname began with A. A______? Like the river.”

“I see.” Rai’s hands were pulled from their gloves. “Well, if you want, that is something we can look into.”

Sigma had forgotten his meal again and was cradling the Bell in front of him. “Thank you, investigator. And thank you, Sao. I think you’re right.”

“Um. Glad to help.” Sao quickly picked up his glass to look busy.

But he was at no risk. Sigma was preoccupied with the seemingly infinite blue around them, his eyes glazed and distant. Once again nobody was willing to interrupt but Rai, who had his phone out. “Another thing - what was the address of your foster home?”

Sao nearly gagged on his sparkling water.

“Are you planning a visit?” Blankness coated Sigma’s face, then broke into a sad smile. “Number 225, Judgment. South end, naturally. The couple there were named Joy, Mr. and Mrs. And before you say anything more - I’d actually appreciate you dropping by. My bravery isn’t up to snuff to visit myself - not yet - but if it helps, please use my name. Say I sent you.”

“Thanks.”

“And apologize in advance for me. If I never make it.” Sigma traced a finger across one of the Bell’s gemstone streaks. “It could take a while to retrace my steps all the way back.”

There was a knock on the door. Dessert had arrived. The chestnut puree was the second most heavenly thing Sao had ever smelt in recent memory (the lingering aroma of chili oil had not yet purged from his system).

The ivory colored puddings were definitely more to Rai’s taste. It was gone in seconds. Invigorated but not yet satiated, Rai then gulped down the entirety of his stemmed wineglass, the same way he disposed of coffee in mugs. It was the most horrifying thing Sao had seen all night. But he had to wonder if it was intentional. Brutish and indurate was Rai in his everyday sweatshirts and fieldcoat, but Rai in a fine suit was a different person entirely. This person could play a room.

The last traces of melancholy blown back, Sigma held up his glass of soda water and laughed out a toast to friendships, new and old.

---

The sky was carpeted with stars. After emerging from the waterlogged dining room, the clarity of the open air felt crystalline, almost cutting. Fresh chatter had broken out. Kiria and Rai were engaged in rapid-fire exchange over the Witch movie series. Sao had gotten into an argument with Rai about the sequels once, and would never have wished the experience upon anybody else, but Kiria was putting up a hell of a fight.

Delta was arbitrating the match. When had he learned so much about the practical effects of horror films?

“I love them both,” Sigma said.

“Witches?”

Sigma gestured toward his Delta and Kiria, and Sao supposed Rai as well since he stood between them. “I feel bad for how I’ve behaved recently. It would be awful to regress back to how I was before I met them, but the descent feels uncontrollable. Racer was a punch in the gut, you are right. But that’s not all. It seems everywhere I look now, there are reminders.”

His fingers played at the satchel hanging from his neck.

“I suppose everyone who has darkness in their past feels that way.”

“True.” Sao let his eyes fall to the silhouette of a distant bridge, its supports soaring high over the skyline as if reaching for the stars. “Humans are trained to see patterns and similarities. We’re nostalgic. Emotion gets tangled in and it’s a deadly combination. A road that led to pain is never forgotten, you'll see signs of returning everywhere. But you haven't really sunk back into the past. What I do is look for the differences. It’s not the same trees or the same road after all. These aren’t the same creatures who lurked in the dark of those uglier times. People are key. They're infinite wells of endlessly shifting detail, and always different if you look long enough.”

“I’m a visual person, but unfortunately, I lack an eye for detail.” Sigma smiled. “Old life, new life - it all just looks the same to me. My imagination tries to make up for it, and the troubles begin. I see the mistakes I’ll make before even trying.”

“You’re talking about the planned visit to your old foster home?”

“Do I really seem so anxious? Well...”

“You’re someone who sees the big picture.” Sao mused. “But everyone needs some form of retreat. A change of scenery.”

“Isn’t that what Alga is?” Sigma laughed. “Although, true, I think I’ve seen all their rooms now. Twice, after tonight.”

“In all honesty, I think you should take a vacation. Go to the beach, scuba dive. Or up north and go skiing. Take Kiria, or Delta, or nobody. See a big picture truly, entirely different from what you get here.”

“Not a bad idea. But I can’t, not until...” Sigma stared into the sea of stars. “I’m sorry. All this drivel about myself -- I just realized you’re also speaking from experience.”

“Meaning?”

“You have your own sticking points. A camping trip too, perhaps?”

Sao said nothing.

“Me and my big mouth. I’ll stop while I’m ahead this time.” Sigma pulled his gaze from the stars at last to admire the town below, and the people who approached them.

Kiria draped herself in Sigma’s arms. Delta grinned, a saintly look that pinched the corners of his face. Sao wasn't sure he'd ever seen Delta smile with such outright pleasure before. “Rai is a very entertaining fellow,” Delta said. “I wish I’d had an opportunity to meet him in person before I left the force.”

Sao smiled back. Falling out of their prior conversation had left him dazed. “Opportunity came regardless.”

“I suppose it did.” Delta held out his hand and they shook, firmly. “I'm very glad I went to see you. No lingering regrets this time. But of course, please know that Bell’s gates are still open to you, if ever you need it.”

---

“Rai, take a seat on that bench. I’ll call a taxi.”

“Why?”

Rai had one foot in the car already. His bruised sedan certainly looked as if it preferred they find another way home, but that was not the primary reason for Sao’s offer.

“You drank a good half bottle of wine.”

“I don’t get drunk.”

Sao flashed him an incredulous smile. “You don’t sleep. Now you don’t get drunk?”

“Not on that weak stuff. It’s that Life Fountain immutability, as you said.” Rai pressed against the door, his tie loosened, his expression as always stamped deep with discontent. He looked very grey, the shadows on his face near black. A pastiche of noir cinema - only a funny thought in isolation. Noir tales were full of self-destructive detectives. Sao pointed again at the nearby bench and Rai grunted. “I’m not kidding. My resistance to alcohol was tested extensively in college. But if you wanna call a taxi for yourself, go ahead.”

“Then I may as well get one for you in the process.”

“I can’t leave this thing parked out here all night. And I gotta come back and get it… and in the meantime, what if someone, er, breaks into...”

The hinges of the car door squealed, evidently excited by the prospect of being claimed by anybody else.

“Rai,” Sao sighed. “How about for some peace of mind, then?”

“What, yours?”

“Yes. And the Bell folk. If anything were to happen right after we met them, they’d feel awful.”

“You’re assuming I’ll get into an accident.” Rai rolled his eyes and let them settle into a scowl. “Raph.”

“Well, of course it would trouble him too. He’d probably call conspiracy--”

With his jaw set, Rai hopped out of the car. Sao braced himself for another protest but Rai stalked past him, burning eyes aimed at a pillar by the edge of the lot. “Fucking Raph - what the hell are you doing? You can’t be here.”

Despite having hidden himself, Raph emerged without a hint of remorse. “Why not? You asked me to help.”

“I just told you where we’d be as a safety precaution. You could get nailed by HQ for being here in person.”

“Relax, I’m not on any particular job. I came here on personal time. You’re a Level 3 Investigator, what are you so worked up over? It was already a favor I did you by giving you all the info I know, and doing your checkup calls. But now you think you can tell me what to do on my time off?” Raph picked paint chips from his long slender coat. “Ah, but speaking of personal, your assistant sounded very close to several of those Bell higher-ups you were dining with. What was that the tall one said - the gates are open if you need it?”

Rai scowled. “It was just typical culty talk, probably thought they were being friendly.”

Sao was not sure he’d have given the same answer. Raph’s smile was metallic.

“It certainly is culty talk. It sounds very much like what the Order elders said when they were expecting people to want to leave.” Raph took a step forward. “You never exactly told me why you had to come to this dinner in the first place. Being treated to a five-star meal by a suspect doesn’t sound like an investigation to me.”

Sao sidled back. Rai did not. “It was a personal invitation. We learned a bit more about Sigma that you’ll be interested in hearing.”

“More glowing reviews and exonerations, like how you 'solved' Racer? I thought you were one of the good ones, Rai. Someone who could see through the bullshit. But here you are, cozying up with Sigma and holding any and all info over my head--”

Raph took another step forward. He and Rai were now within throttling distance. Sao took another step back for good measure but found himself pinned against the bumper of Rai’s car, which squeaked in protest.

A blast of light saved the day. The beam split into two, and the conversation went silent over the noise of an approaching engine. A polished silver car pulled up, headlights trained on their awkward little assembly. Sao thought Raph was about to slip back behind the pillar, and was prepared to make a break for it himself, until he spotted who was in the drivers’ seat.

A sleek door clicked open and out stepped Sigma, peering through the glare of headlamps. “Investigator? Sao? Fancy seeing you again so soon.”

“Why?” Raph said, as if he had been conversing with Sigma all along. “Were you waiting for them?”

“I thought they had headed home already.” Sigma’s puzzled look turned to Raph. “You look - I'm sorry, sound - familiar. One of the detectives I met at…?”

“The raid. I’m Raph.”

Sigma clapped his hands together. “Raph? Is it true? Were you here the whole time? You should have said hello. You haven’t called in years. I asked Rai and Sao how you were doing.”

Raph was thunderstruck. Sao could not have imagined his fine bones were capable of such an expansive drop of the jaw.

“I -  I thought you were kidding about that,” Raph sputtered at Rai.

“I expect you’re here on business. Don’t let me keep you. Though if you’re free, why don’t we catch up? Not that we ever got to know each other well, despite some very personal conversations.” Sigma laughed, a sound as clear as the night sky.

“No problem, I’m off the clock. Just happened to run into these two on the way back from a job.” Raph no longer had a shred of regard for those two. He was on Sigma’s offer like a ravenous dog. “You have a space for one more? I don’t have a ride myself.”

A second door clicked open. “Why don’t you take the front seat? Keep it down, though. Kiri and Delta are resting in the back - too much wine, I think.” Sigma smiled. “I’m the designated driver.”

Raph was already fastening his seat belt.

“Raph,” Rai said. “I have to report this. You know that.”

Sigma tilted his head to speak into his car. “Are you sure there’s no business to attend to here?”

“You’re not armed, are you Raph?” Rai asked, loudly.

“No. Like I said, I’m off the clock. This part-time Investigator isn’t going to tell me to turn down a friendly, personal invitation, is he?” Raph’s smile was serene, a marvel of self control. “Don’t be so serious, Rai. Let’s compare notes tomorrow.”

Sigma let Rai digest that before returning to the driver's seat. “If it’s alright, Investigator?”

“It’s not up to me. Have fun, Raph.”

Sigma smiled, and nodded; gave Sao a little wave. “See you soon, perhaps.”

The silver door slammed shut. Sigma turned the corner and darted into the night, leaving Sao seeing stars. But rather than dreamlike wonder, it was more like the stars one saw from being socked in the nose.

“That idiot.” Rai kicked a chunk of gravel as far as he could. “He could get suspended. Or fired.”

“Should we have an officer go check on him?”

“He might actually kill me for that. I’m going to report him regardless. Might get me in trouble for dragging him this close to Bell again in the first place, but this vendetta he has with Sigma isn’t healthy. I didn’t take it seriously enough.”

Gritting his teeth, Rai set a gloved hand to his neck and finally yanked off his tie. The circles under his eyes were dark and deep as canyons. 

“It's alright," Sao said. "You knew he’d find out and get worked up.”

“Yeah, but...”

Sao waited.

“Just for... peace of mind,” Rai grumbled. “We could all use some of that.”

Sao lifted his phone and dialed the local taxi service.