Utena sighs, slowly opening her eyes as the first weak rays of sunlight
poke fingers through the half-curtained window and fall along her tired
face. Her eyes feel so heavy... her heart is heavy too.. everything seems
weighted.. 

That heavy feeling is Wakaba.  She's laying half atop you. z.z

Utena blinks, rubbing one hand over her eyes wearily... momentarily
confused as she doesn't remember what she's doing here... but then it
comes back to her, much too quickly... Nanami, Juri, showing the Arena to
Wakaba.. 

Wakaba-chan snores and grabs you around the waist. *squeeze*

Utena... nudges Wakaba gently... "Wakaba... "

Wakaba-chan z.z's and *squeeze* *mumble* "n'yet... Sayuri-chan... got 5
minutes.. z.z" 

Utena pikus and SWEATBEADS faintly. . o O ( Sayuri-chan...? )

Wakaba-chan *clings* "Nooooo, don't drag me outta bed... s'cold out....
z.z" 

Utena sits back, sighing as she rests that pale-pink head on the pillow...
no heart to wake up Wakaba.. and wishing she could just go back to sleep
herself.. but she just can't. Too much on her mind, now that she's
awake... 

Utena rests one hand lightly along her friend's shoulder and stares at the
ceiling. . o O ( Himemiya... ) 

Wakaba-chan *jerks* and *SQUEEZES* "Iya!! Not the hot pepper oil!" z.z

Utena PFFTS as Wakaba SQUISHES her RIGHT around that sore spot on her
stomach and YELPS... 

Wakaba-chan sits up, rubbing her eyes.. "... ara?"

Utena says, "Wakaba..."

Wakaba-chan eh-hehs, "... ara... did I squeeze too hard? n.n'"

Utena's eyes narrow. "Hai.. and you were talking about hot pepper oil,
too.." 

Utena rubs her stomach.

Wakaba-chan BLUSHES. **-.-** "Well, uh,shallwegetdressedhmm?Bigdatoday..." 
*poof*

Utena blinks and sits up.. her eyes moving to meet yours.. "Wakaba.." she
says again, softly.. 

Wakaba-chan isn't there.  Yet.  She comes back all dressed, "So ne.."

Utena never UNdressed, so she simply sits up and swings those slender legs
toward the floor. "Do you want to..uhm.." she pushes her hand through her
messy pink curls and sighs. "I don't care if I get in trouble.. I can't
cope with class today.." 

Wakaba-chan says, "Play hookey? o_o"

Utena nods, muttering something about "wouldn't be the first time" under
her breath. "If you want to go ahead to class.. it's okay.. I'll find
something to do.. but.. you wanted to know everything.. and I think it
might take me a whole day to explain it all."

Wakaba-chan blinks. "I can skip today.. there aren't any tests..."

Utena nods.. "Why don't we get some breakfast then.. nothing I'm going to
say will be any better on an empty stomach.." 

Utena's voice is forced to sound light; she's putting on a good face for
you, trying to make it easier. 

Wakaba-chan nodnods. "hai!"

Utena asks, "Guess I should shower or something.. What do you want to do
about food.. go to the cafeteria, or what?" 

Wakaba-chan says, "Whatever is fine.. with all the rumors flying around..
maybe if we can sneak offcampus..." 

Utena asks, "Do you have any objections if we pick up Kei, too?"

Wakaba-chan says, "I dunno Kei... but sure..."

Utena says, "She needs to know this stuff as much as you do... and I'd
hate to have to say it all twice.." 

Utena says, "Okay."

Utena asks, "Mind if I use your shower real quick?"

Wakaba-chan says, "No problem.."

Utena claps her hands together. "Arigato..." bowing her head before she
stands and ducks into the bathroom, disappearing behind the door, a hiss
of water starting a few moments later... 

Utena steps out, exhaling deeply.. her eyes are rimmed with red, and so
are her cheeks, but... so's the rest of her skin... it looks like she put
the water on FULL BLAST HOT, almost searingly.. shiny hair still damp, it
clings to her neck and shoulders as she rebuttons her jacket..

Wakaba-chan rocks on her heels, waiting, and waiting...

Utena says, "Gomen, gomen.. Sorry to make you wait."

Utena offers a smile and holds out her hand. "Ready to go?"

Wakaba-chan smiles. "Hai!"

Utena leads Wakaba through the early morning hall by the hand, the two
girls moving together blatantly AGAINST the flow of the other students who
are heading to class FROM the dorms... but of course, no one would
question Utena, rumors or no rumors, her standing is still high in the
campus. So she makes her way with Wakaba to Kei's room and bangs on the
door a couple of times.. 

Kei finally calls out, "Come in...?"

Utena puts her hand on the knob. "Gomen nasai.." calling out softly as she
pushes the door open. "It's me, Kei... I brought Shinohara Wakaba with
me.." 

Wakaba-chan flashes a Genki Smile at Kei. ^.^ v

Kei turns around and bows slightly in greeting to Wakaba.  "Welcome..." 
She glances over at Utena questioningly. 

Utena meets Kei's eyes and nods slightly, in response to the unspoken
concern. "Kei.. Don't go to class today.. come with us. I'm going to
explain everything to Wakaba... she's been my friend for two years here...
and I want you to hear it too.. some of it, I don't think you know. We're
going to get off campus for the day.."

Kei hesitates for a moment, but then nods.  "Hai."

Utena says, "It'll be okay. If anyone questions us, we can say it's
Student Council business.. since you're both on it." 

Wakaba-chan noddles, twisting her signet ring..

Utena says, "How fast can you be ready? We'll be getting breakfast in
town..." 

Kei says, "I can be ready in just a moment..."

Utena says, "We'll wait."

Utena turns back to Wakaba. "You okay with this?"

Kei closes the book she had open on her desk; an old, leather-bound tome
full of handwritten pages. 

Wakaba-chan exclaims, "yeah, yeah, fine, of course!"

Utena twitches slightly, taken aback. "So ne... just that... after last
night.." she glances at the ground. 

Kei glances back at Utena questioningly, trying to determine if her friend
is all right. 

Wakaba-chan 9.9's "I'm -fine-, Utena-sama..."

Utena gives Kei a brief and typically hard-to-read glance in response... a
flickering of concern and embarrassment and anxiety; her hands tap against
her legs idly, rhythmically. 

Utena says, "Hai..."

Utena . o O ( I wish you were here, Himemiya... god.. what's become of
you...?  ) 

Utena's breath catches in her throat for a moment, she winces and coughs
to cover it. 

Wakaba-chan asks, "Utena-sama? Daijoubu?"

Kei stands up, moving next to her distracted friend.  "Shall we go, Utena?"

Utena blinks, blushing at Kei's sudden closeness.. nods in a haze,
gathering her thoughts back to herself. "Uhm.. right...  okay, Wakaba.. I
think you're the better of us at sneaking off campus.. show us the best
way." 

Wakaba-chan n.n;;;; "Does it really show, Utena-sama?"  Then, after a
moment, she leads us off (and, time-cutting, unless you had an idea for an
interruption), we find ourselves off-campus, Wakaba using her Student
Council ID and balls of brass to get us out.

Shortly, the three girls find themselves away from the fortress that is
Ootori, breathing in the sweet air of the outside world sitting at a table
in front of a street corner cafe, with a rather LARGE breakfast spread out
between the three of them..

Wakaba-chan *.*

Utena looks toward the other girls.. the bright sun having no real warmth
for her as her heart is full of the cold business of the duels.. but she
eats quietly and waits for someone else to ask HER first... not wanting to
be the one to completely ruin the moment.. part of her desperately
clinging to this moment, when she can pretend to be a normal girl, just
cutting class with her friends for no other reason than to soak up a
beautifully clear day. 

Wakaba-chan smiles at Utena. "Ne... Utena-sama... I love you..."  Her hand
creeping towards one of the plates closer to Utena... 

Utena BLINKS. 

Kei smiles over at Utena in a casual manner, her eyes touched with
worry... until she blinks at Wakaba in surprise. 

Wakaba-chan creepcreepcreep...

Utena *gapes* at Wakaba for a few seconds, blood running to her cheeks...
predictable, really. "..." 

Wakaba-chan smiles.. *.*

Utena is so stunned she doesn't even NOTICE Wakaba's creeping hand moving
toward her danish plate. o.O

Wakaba-chan . o O ( ALmost there.... )

Another emotion, unreadable, touches Kei's eyes.  . o ( Another one of
those you've saved as a prince, Utena?  I wonder sometimes why you think I
have it in me to equal you... ) 

Utena finally notices Wakaba's creeping hand and her eyes change to narrow
slits. "Hey, that's MY danish!" 

Wakaba-chan u.u

Kei likewise doesn't notice the Danish-snatch-n-grab attempt.

Wakaba-chan withdraws her attempt. "I had to try, you know.  It wouldn't
be a meal if I didn't try. n.n" 

Utena *SNATCHES* the pastry. "Hidoi. This is mine... -.- Don't you know
that playing with my heart is dangerous?" 

Utena takes a BIG bite right in front of you.. then ponders and sighs,
breaking what's left in half and offering the unbitten half to Wakaba.
"Here.." she groans. 

Wakaba-chan wais! and her eyes light up, as she grabs half the danish. *.*

Utena asks, "How could I say no to you?"

Wakaba-chan says, "I dunno, but the day you figure out, I'm in big trouble
;)," around a mouthful of danish. 

Kei just... blinks, then smiles.  "Why not just order a second danish...?"

Utena finishes off her half and looks toward Kei. "Sorry... we're acting
like jerks, aren't we? I've known Wakaba longer than anyone else at the
school.. we were originally dormmates." She shrugs a little, "It's better
to make her work for it.. besides, I like sharing."

Wakaba-chan smiles at Kei. "Gomen! I've been rude. Shinohara Wakaba desu." 
She offers a hand. "I've... heard quite a bit about you." 

Utena exclaims, "Wakaba..!" Her expression falling. 

Wakaba-chan >.> at Utena, "Nani? It's true!"

Utena hisses, "Don't you DARE say it.."

Kei smiles and shakes Wakaba's hand.  "Yamaguchi Kei.  And I hope
everything you've heard has been good... I'm afraid I'm nowhere near as
famous as Utena here." ^_^; 

Kei blinks and glances over at Utena, puzzled.

Wakaba-chan blushes. "Not -that-!"

Utena busies herself with picking at some unfinished bit of food on her
plate suddenly reddened from scalp to jaw.. 

Kei . o O ( Was it something I said? )

Wakaba mumbles, "Although you two do make a cute couple.. n.n" to you. 
Wakaba mumbles, "Although ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... n.n ."
to Utena. 

Utena ERKS! at Wakaba.

Utena says, "That's *NOT* even funny..."

Wakaba-chan giggles! and pops the last of her danish into her mouth,
chews, and swallows.  "I think it is. ^.^" 

Utena shoots a nervous glance at Kei. . o O ( A cute couple...? *o.o* )

Utena says, "You *would*...."

Wakaba-chan says, "Anyways..."  *shoots Utena a glance* "It's nice to
finally meet you." 

Kei smiles.  "And you as well."

Utena busies herself with her food some more... head definitely DOWN in
her chest. 

Wakaba-chan pafs Utena's head with a crumpled-up napkin. n.n

Utena . o O ( ... how can I even be thinking about this when Himemiya is...  )

Utena is completely startled out of her thoughts by Wakaba... "Oi.."

Wakaba-chan says, "Wakey wakey! n.n"

Utena says, "Nani, nani."

Wakaba-chan pafs Utena with another napkin!

Utena says, "Ack! Yamete.."

Wakaba-chan asks, "So ne... what'd you want to tell us?"

Utena says, "You asked me what I could tell you about what was going on."

Utena says, "So... whatever you want to know.. I'll tell if I can."

Wakaba-chan nods...

Utena sits back in her chair, closing her eyes briefly, letting a sigh
escape her. Here it comes... 

Utena says, "I already explained the Duel game that the council plays...
but... oh, damn.. Kei... *Nanami* was injured last night in her home. I
was there.. but she still had to go to the infirmary." 

Utena says, "From now on.. *BOTH* of you.. I don't want you being alone."

Wakaba-chan says, ".. uh..."

Kei blinks.  "So... they -are- coming after Duellists?"

Utena nods bitterly.

Utena says, "It's because of us, I'm sure, Kei."

Kei sighs.  "You can't blame yourself, Utena."

Kei . o O ( But maybe if I hadn't gotten involved... )

Utena says, "Watch me do it anyway."

Utena sighs and rubs her forehead. "Wakaba.. what exactly more do you want
to know...?" 

Wakaba-chan says, "Why're 'Duellists' being targeted?  For that matter..
why'm I a Duellist?" 

Utena says, "I guess I haven't told you about the ... 'sekai no hate'..
the 'ends of the Earth'.. have I..." 

Wakaba-chan says, "Uhhhhh... no."

Utena takes a LONG breath. "From what I've been able to figure out.. the
Duellists are controlled by some group or person.. and I don't know a damn
thing about them... they call themselves the "ends of the Earth". And.. 
whoever they might be.. I know that at least Touga is completely under
their power. They direct the duels by sending out letters marked with the
rose signet..." 

Wakaba-chan holds up her beringed hand wordlessly.

Utena nods.

Kei echos Utena's wordless nod.

Wakaba-chan munches a wedge of orange.

Wakaba-chan asks, "Why me, though?"

Utena says, "When the letters arrive.. usually a duel happens not too long
afterward..." 

Utena stares into the sky and crosses her thin arms over her chest. "How
exactly where you invited into the council, Wakaba?" 

Kei says, "Because you're Utena's friend, I suspect."

Wakaba-chan says, "... but... Utena isn't..."

Utena nods quietly to Kei's low comment. "I figured as much.. they
probably wanted to put me in a duel with you at some point, Wakaba.." 

Kei says, "The Council is good at manipulation.  And Utena is..."  She
trails off, glancing back at Utena.  . o ( No, that's her place to
explain. ) 

Utena says, "I'm not on the Council.. but I *AM* a duellist, Wakaba."

Utena says, "I told you how I got involved with their games..."

Wakaba-chan says, "... yeah.... yeah."

Utena says, "I don't get the letters from the Ends of the Earth, either,
but I know about them from Miki and Juri." 

Utena says, "I got my rose signet from... from my prince..."

Wakaba-chan 9.9 "Maybe I should change my address..."

Utena says, "It wouldn't matter... they could find you."

Wakaba-chan sighs. "From what you're saying, yeah..."

Utena says, "The point is.. I'm the Victor of the Duel.. I'm the one
engaged to the Rose Bride and no one's been able to defeat me... except
once.. since that initial win.." 

Utena says, "So... a lot of this is my fault..."

Wakaba-chan says, "Bah...."

Wakaba-chan asks, "What kind of friend would I be if I couldn't help?"

Kei says, "No, it isn't your fault, Utena."

Utena blinks at Wakaba.. "What exactly are you saying? I have to remain
the Victor.. not that... that it matters with Himemiya gone.." 

Utena quite without realizing it finds her hand drifting toward Kei's...

Wakaba-chan grins. "I may be on the Student Council--but I'm still your
friend." 

Utena says, "Hai, Wakaba... but.."

Utena shakes her head. "If we have to duel each other.."

Wakaba-chan says, "Then I'll lose."

Utena says, "Wakaba..."

Wakaba-chan says, "I'm no 'Duellist', Utena... I'm just a girl."

Utena shakes her head.. "I just hope it doesn't come to that.."

Utena says, "EVERYONE is a duellist. They just don't know it."

Kei gently places her hand on the other girl's.  "It's their fault, not
yours.  If you hadn't gotten involved, they'd still be manipulating others
even without you.  You've done the best you can to try to save those
they'd control and use..." 

Utena hangs her head. "And what good's it done anyway, Kei? Nanami and
Juri were beaten up so severely they're in the infirmary.... and
Himemiya... Miki... Touga... " 

Wakaba-chan says, "Boy, there sure are a lot of duellists around here.. no
wonder the fencing club does so well." 

Utena nods faintly, her eyes drifting to the sky.

Wakaba-chan munches on a slice of toast.

Kei reaches over, gently forcing Utena's head up, forcing the pink-haired
girl to meet her gaze.  "You can't blame yourself; whoever is behind all
this was manipulating others LONG before you stepped in.  Look at all the
records I've been sorting through. "  She grimaces slightly.  "If there's
blame to be had, there's plenty to go around.  If I hadn't gotten more
directly involved, their hand might not have been forced." 

Wakaba-chan mumbles, "Geez... gimme a bucket of rose petals..  Look, you
two... forget about blaming.. blaming isn't gonna do any of us any good." 

Utena's eyes meet Kei's; her cheeks pinken at the other girl's
*forwardness* and she sighs softly. "Kei... it's all becoming
meaningless.." 

Wakaba-chan 9.9's and contents herself with winging toothpicks between you
two. 

Utena *o.o*'s and pulls her chin back from Kei's hand... embarrassed to
be caught in the middle like this, fidgeting. "Wakaba.. I have *NO IDEA*
what to do now. You don't... I don't think you understand how *bad* this
is yet.." 

Utena says, "The Seitokaichou lost his soul... I know because I SAW IT
HAPPEN to him.. he's not even a human being any more.. just a pretty
corpse.." 

Wakaba-chan exclaims, "Bad, bad, geez!  I never pegged you as a pessimist,
Utena!" 

Utena says, "He told me that we'd done something that angered the Ends of
the Earth and that they would strike back against us." 

Wakaba-chan jabs Utena in the nose with a toothpick. "You need to start
focusing on what -you- can do and not on what could possibly happen." 

Kei sighs.  "Utena... someone told me once that as long as you don't give
up hope, you can do anything.  If you give up hope now, the Sekai no Hate
has already won." 

Utena cries out, "What've I got to hope for? You tell me! Himemiya is
gone.. my BRIDE.. the whole REASON for me fighting in the stupid duels is
GONE... I can't find her.. I don't know WHERE to look... and it's tearing
me apart... my friends are getting their heads kicked in or changing into
different people right before my eyes..."

Utena says, "*I'm* turning into someone *I* don't recognize..."

Kei exclaims, "So go looking for her!  You're her prince; go rescue her!"

Utena says, "I.. I'm not Himemiya's prince."

Utena says, "If I was.. I would never have left her alone..."

Kei reaches over.  "You are still her prince, because you hurt and want to
help her.  When seeing others hurt stops hurting you, then you'll know
you're no longer a prince." 

Utena slumps back to the table and covers her eyes with her hand, leaning
forward, almost sticking her elbow in a plate. 

Wakaba-chan says, "If you're not careful, Utena..."

Wakaba-chan says, ".. you'll put your elbow in a plateful of butter."

Utena sighs and sits back.

Wakaba-chan says, "And if you're not even MORE careful..."

Utena nods to Kei... and looks back to Wakaba.. "If I'm not even more
careful...?" 

Wakaba-chan says, "If you're not even more careful, then you really -will-
lose everything to fight for.  Act--don't react.  Don't go hunting for
Himemiya... make them come to you.  You know.  That kinda stuff." 

Utena nods slowly... listening, and more importantly *hearing* her
friend's words. But.. she still adds in a slow voice.. "But they are
coming to me.. they're attacking my friends." 

Utena says, "Truth be told.. the attacks always happen when I'm near.. it
makes me think.. maybe I shouldn't go near anyone.." 

Wakaba-chan says, "Or... maybe you should be near with everyone around."

Utena says, "Hai."

Wakaba-chan says, "Strength--and safety--in numbers."  This probably
sounds strange, out of WAKABA's mouth... 

Kei nods quietly.

Utena says, "You two are all I have left..."

Utena says, "I can't lose either of you."

Wakaba-chan says, "Well... we'd better not slip up, then."

Utena turns her eyes toward Kei's for a moment.. "We've lost Miki.."

Utena says, "If it were up to me, none of this would be happening.. the
school'd be safe, and everyone would be living normally.. no duels..." 
She takes a VERY long breath.. holds it... counting to ten maybe?
Must be something like that... before exhaling. "Alright..." 

Kei looks at Utena.  "Have we?  I don't know... I think Miki-sempai might
just need some time.  Look at it from his point of view; he may not be
ready to return yet." 

Utena says, "But his... he was so cold about Arisugawa-sempai.. when we
took her to the infirmary, he just... he turned and walked out.. he said
there wasn't anything he could do..." 

Utena asks, "Damn it, why'd he come back if he's not READY?" 

Wakaba-chan slumps over suddenly... snoring lightly.. z.z draped rather
unladylike in her chair... z.z

Utena o.O's at Wakaba... then grins faintly. "Too much rich food. ^_^'" 

Utena says, "I don't want to see him turn into another Touga... Kei, the
Seitakaichou.. it's like someone went into his head and hollowed him out..
I *FELT* it." 

Kei says, "Then we should find Miki-sempai and talk to him, before he's
'hollowed out' as well." 

Utena turns fully toward you, as Wakaba has drifted away... not meaning
to, but it's easier to talk to her other self.. the only one who *really*
could understand the complicated web we're all trapped in. She nods
thoughtfully, her hand on her chin... ".. Have *you* found anything at ALL
useful in the books?.." 

Kei says, "Lots of statistics, lots of names.  Wins, losses..."  She
shakes her head.  "A lot of it, we'll have to go through and read between
the lines." 

Utena sighs, nodding. "Damn it.. handed a key that opens a door we can't
FIND." 

Kei says, "The records do list you, though."

Utena blinks. "Me?"

Kei nods.  "As the current prince.  And they list the previous prince as
someone named 'Dios'..." 

Utena says, "As the.. prince.."

Utena blinks. "Dios?"

Utena asks, "As in, "Sword of Dios"?"

Kei nods.  "I'd bet there's a connection."

Utena says, "When we get back.. I'd like to see that."

Utena shuts her eyes for a moment. "Dios.. the name suits him.."

Utena says, "I can still see him sometimes... smiling at me.. but.. it's
like a picture fading from age... it's been so long." 

Utena stirs, heavily, a thought coming to her. "Have you heard... " she
fidgets again, scratching at the back of her neck. "Is there any mention
of 'Lucifer' in the records..? I've been hearing the name.. in my dreams..
and I asked... Himemiya.. about it once.. she said it was the name of a
legendary demon of temptation..'"

Kei shakes her head.  "No..."

Utena sighs and picks up her empty water glass, looking into it. "So much
for that idea..." 

Utena moves some of the plates away from a section of the table and leans
over it, crossing her arms over the table and resting her head on her
arms.

Utena says, "You know.. I thought we were really going to change
something.. you and me... but.. we didn't change anything at all." 

Utena lifts her head enough to free her left hand and gazes at the shining
new ring on her finger. 

Kei asks, "Didn't we?"

Utena says, "No.. everything's the same as it was before.. maybe it's
worse now.. but the duels are still going on..." 

Kei says, "They certainly seem worried.  The Seitokaichou has tried to
bury me under these recordkeeping tasks.  Perhaps we've come closer than
you think." 

Utena says, "Closer to *what*? It feels like we're just as far away now..
maybe even farther.. just running in circles... and never getting close.." 

Utena says, "I've been trying and trying to think of something.. some way
out.. but I can't even figure out how to reverse the direction of the
circle." 

Kei says, "No great change ever came easy."

Utena leans her head back on her hands... closing her eyes again, as her
shoulders tense. "I.. wanted to tell you something.." 

Kei blinks, gazing back at Utena.  "Hai...?"

Utena rubs her forehead against her arm, in a slow 'no' pattern, until the
skin above her eyes is red... she lifts her eyes back to yours with a
weary smile.. ".. I'm sorry. I.. forgot what it was now..." Not having the
guts to go through with it.. even though in a way, she's more sure now
than she was before.. Utena . o O ( I can't do that to her.  )

Kei blinks, then regains her composure.  She smiles at Utena.  "I guess it
can't have been something vital, then, ne...?" 

Utena says, "I.. guess not.."

Utena's eyes linger on you a little longer than they should... practically
screaming, inside, if you could hear it.. 

Utena . o O ( How can I think about this while Himemiya's... but...  )

Kei looks like the words don't quite touch her eyes.  . o ( Utena...
what's wrong?  I wish I knew how to help. )  She looks almost like she's
ready to reach out and try to comfort Utena, but isn't sure if it's the
right thing to do. 

Utena looks like she wishes you would.. but at the same time.. oh, that
fear... the fear as intense and sharp as any sword of hate could be,
driving through her heart... at least, with Akio.. it was... 'natural'...
even if it was wrong.. and yet.. so is this. It's not fair, she thinks to
herself... drawing in her breath as if to say something more.

Kei glances down at the table for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. 
"Should we get back to the school before we're missed?" 

Utena says softly, "I'm not in a hurry."

Utena says, "I don't really care if they punish me, I don't care if they
notice I'm missing in class.. I can't cope with it today." 

Utena asks, "Kei.. what'll happen if we have to Duel..?"

Utena says, "We're both the Victor.. and we have no Bride.."

Utena says, "I've been thinking about that a little.."

Kei says, "I wish I knew."

Utena clears her throat, and manages to get out the words without looking
directly at you.. otherwise she could NEVER say them at all. A false start
or two as she gathers her breath... ".. I'll become the Bride." 

Kei stares for a moment, completely taken aback.  "But... why?" 

Utena adds in a softer tone, almost a whisper.. "... for you." She shakes
her head. "Someone has to.. and you can't draw the Sword of Dios from
me... only Himemiya can do it.." 

Kei asks, "But... if the Bride has to draw the sword from the Victor will
you be able to do it?" 

Utena blinks, NOW meeting your eyes. "What do you mean...?"

Utena says, "The Bride protects the weapon for the Victor.."

Kei shakes her head.  "Not always."

Utena's pink brows sculpt into a delicate but worried frown.

Kei says, "In the records I've been reviewing... they speak of times when
the Bride draws the sword from the Victor.  Apparently, the sword of the
Bride is a placeholder... eventually, the true sword has to be drawn from
the Victor." 

Utena *blinks*.

Utena bites her lip, suddenly thinking.. and *wondering*. "I've been a
Bride before.." she murmurs softly, after a pause. ".. for Anshi. And she
drew the sword from me.." 

Utena says, "Which sword did she draw... the Victor.. or the Bride...? o.O"

Kei shakes her head.  "I don't know..."

Utena says, "We'd better find out BEFORE we get challenged if we can do
this or not, Kei." 

Utena says, "If not.. we have an even bigger problem than we thought"

Kei nods.  "Hai... I suppose that's true."

Utena says, "And I know a place to try it."

[Utena logo- 'to be continued']