Remy made her way to Celly's room confidently. She still couldn't believe what she had seen in Dionysus' mind. Celly was suffering terribly, she knew that much, but Dionysus was suffering just as much. Stupid baka males, she thought to herself. Always doing something to set us off. Remy saw the closed door in front of her and could hear the muted sobbing coming from within. She turned the doorknob and entered the darkened room.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see two figures on the bed. Nyx was sitting, calmly stroking Celly's head. Celly was half lying on the bed, sobbing in Nyx's lap. Nyx looked up quickly when she heard the door open. Kuso... if it's one of those... males... I'll definitely kick his ass! Instead, her eyes widened as she saw Remy enter the room. Nyx shifted her position, placing Celly slightly behind her and reaching into HammerSpace at the same time.

"What are you doing here?" Nyx demanded, albeit in a low tone of voice. She didn't want to risk upsetting Celly any more. "Are you a vulture now, preying on the weak? Those unable to defend themselves? Che, you've got something else coming then." Nyx smoothly pulled her gun from HammerSpace, holding it ready.

Remy stiffened, but took a deep breath. "I'm not here for a fight. I'm here to help Celly. I told you before, I'm your ally now. Dion--"

"Don't speak his name in this room!" Nyx interrupted.

"N-nani?"

"Don't speak that man's name in this room... if you could call him a man after what he's done. Hearing his name just sets Celly off even more." Nyx looked down to the gril who was still in her own little world, crying her heart out. She appraised Remy for a moment before tossing her gun back into HammerSpace. "I suppose I can trust you... you haven't tried to kill me yet."

"Well, gee, thanks for that vote of confidence." Remy approached the bed and quietly watched as Celly sobbed. "How long has she been like this?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the fuku-clad girl.

Nyx frowned. "Ever since I got here. About an hour. She doesn't let up. Sometimes I think she's gonna stop, but then she just keeps crying more. When I first came in, she was able to tell me what happened, more or less. I then proceeded to kick you-know-who's butt across the room."

"You did too?" Remy asked. She lowered her self to the ground in a half-kneeling position. She propped her elbows on the edge of the bed. "When I got here Di--you-know-who was a wreck. Almost as bad as her. I chewed him out a little then came up here." Remy reached out a hand and gently touched one of Celly's...

Flashes of images assaulted her mind. The argument between Celly and Dionysus... a sunny, wooded area... Castle Anthrax... a girl getting beaten black and blue... more memories... farther back... sitting in a classroom... a table in a club... a party... farther back, farther back still... the Earth hanging in the sky... a midnight masquerade... the swinging arc of a sword... the splatter of crimson blood on polished marble floors...

Remy jerked suddenly, hurriedly taking her hand off Celly's. The bombardment of images stopped, but Remy still felt dizzy. She placed her hands on her head, moaning a little.

"Are you okay?" Nyx asked. She had seen the other Otaku go into a trance for a minute before snapping out of it.

"I'm... I'm going to be fine. My powers went haywire for a minute there." Why did I see into Celly's mind? Remy thought worriedly. I don't trust her enough for that...

"Powers? What kind of powers?" Nyx asked. She looked rather interested.

"Umm... it's sort of like telepathy and empathy... ESP. I can see into some people's minds."

"You can read minds? Neat! Read mine. What am I thinking right now?"

"It doesn't work like that," Remy said, grinning. "I can only read people I trust."

"Oh." Nyx was quiet and both girls turned to regard the girl still sobbing on the bed. "How long do you think she'll stay like this?"

"I'm not sure. It's like she's in shock. She's wrapped herself in a shell and won't come out to face the world. Who knew this would happen?"

"I wonder if this happens to all Guardians and Otaku..."

Silence prevailed once more as the two allies offered their friend their silent support.

TBC...