"Would you look at that, I'm in the same abyss as last time."
"Well, you are Kuroryu Jin. Your subconscious isn't grounded anymore."
Jin Glares at Aya. Jin crosses his arms.
"Sounds like an excuse to see me."
Jin smiles and laughs.
"That's something for the records, I saw Jin laughed."
"Oh, very funny!"
"So is there anything you wish to ask me, Jin?"
"I want to know how the war started."
Jin sees the war burning in reverse—soldiers rising from ashes, gods weeping blood—but can't hear a thing. Aya is mouthing the story in silence. A test? A curse?
"What the hell! What are you doing?"
"Jin? Wow, what a surprise!"
Jin jolts awake, sitting in a dark alley near the hotel.
"Sylph? What are you doing here?"
Jin stands up and stretches. He then roughs his hair just a little.
"Well, I was taking a walk when I saw that BEAUTIFUL silver hair in the alley."
Jin yawns. Not thinking about anything she's saying.
"What time is it?"
"It's half past nine."
"Alright then, I guess I had better get going then."
"Wait, where are you going?"
"I'm going to find the Dragon Spirits. For whatever that's worth."
"WAIT!? I WANT TO GO!!"
"Uh, isn't your dad gonna be upset? You did say he was important."
"Well, as long as you aren't some old creep, he won't care."
"That was hateful. I'm only seventeen."
"Wait? You look about 21. What have you all been through?"
"It's a long story."
"Why are you going to the Dragon Spirits if you say you aren't one?"
"I need some answers and confirmation on a few things."
"Couldn't anyone do that?"
"Not for these questions, at least I don't think so."
"OH, I KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD GO DO!!!!"
Sylph starts jumping up and down in excitement.
"And what would that be?"
"Let's go get something to eat! I know a WONDERFUL diner!"
"Uhm, sure, let's go."
Jin trails behind Sylph as the two head into a nearby diner.
"We would like a table for two."
Sylph was bouncing with excitement.
"Aww, what a cute couple, right this way."
The two follow a waiter and sit down at a table in the back.
"Are you not going to correct them about me?"
"Why would I do that? It's no real harm, right?"
"Whatever suits you, Sylph."
The waiter returns, his clothes ridden with wrinkles and some small stains.
"What would you two like to eat?"
Jin glances at a small paper menu.
"Ya, I think I'll take a steak."
"Just a fruit bowl for me, I'm not too hungry."
The waiter hurries away. Jin looks at Sylph with a small amount of confusion.
"Do most elves like fruit bowls and such for meals?"
"Well, it depends; everyone I've known has always done it for things like breakfast."
"Wow, that's pretty cool. Where I'm from, we often eat a harmony of foods with things like rice and soup with a main course of fish."
"Oh wow, rice is typically considered a luxury food here."
"Where I'm from, it was the food a poor man ate because he couldn't afford any better."
The waiter returns with food and Jin chows through his steak, leaving Sylph in utter shock.
After eating, the two leave the diner, heading for the carriage yards.
"Are you sure your dad is OK with you going way up North?"
"Well, ya of course, as long as you're there, I'll be perfectly safe."
"Is that so?"
"Before we go too far, Jin, I want you to promise me something."
"And what would that promise be?"
"I want you to promise not to abandon me."
Last time I made a promise like this, it was to Mori.
I made a pinky promise, and this time I think I'll try harder to keep it."
Jin lifts his hand, putting his pinky out for a pinky promise.
Sylph looks at him, confused.
"It's a pinky promise. Where I'm from, we do these with those closest to us as a pact to hold a promise."
Sylph raises her hand, copying Jin's hand.
Their pinkies interlock.
"I promise not to abandon you."
The two separate their hands. Jin smiles at Sylph, who smiles back.
"ALRIGHT!!! Let's get going, Jin!"
The two start walking. Jin slings his katana over his shoulder. A feeling of satisfaction crossed over him.
The two walk into the carriage yard. Sylph grabs Jin's arm and drags him to a luxurious carriage.
Sylph shoves Jin into the body of the door to speak with the coachman.
A bystander was looking suspiciously at the two.
All Jin can hear is muffled talk with only "North City" and "Yes, m'lady" because the coachman yelled it.
Without any warning, Sylph opens the door, jumping in.
"So is this your dad's carriage?"
"Nope, it's the one my dad gave to me for my travels on summer break."
"You're in school? That's interesting. I haven't been since my first year of high school."
"Trust me, it sucks. We are stuck in school until nineteen to make sure we know everything possible about elemental magic."
"Doesn't sound all that bad."
"Did you drop out or graduate early?"
"Oh, I just quit showing up… I found it insignificant for my goals."
The carriage begins to move. Jolting forward as the coachman says goodbye to a few friends he had made along the way.
"I hate to do this, but I'm going to drift to sleep here. Wake me tomorrow morning, alright?"