"Back to the Mori," Celly answered shortly.

"The Mori? Where the hell is that?"

"Konan."

"Is that near Bristol?"

Celly just looked at her, saying nothing.

"Some answers, information of some kind would be nice-- whoa, wait a minute here..." The scenery had changed before she had noticed. When she looked back over her shoulder, she could see London disappearing in the distance, but ahead of her, instead of the familiar English landscape, was a wilderness. It looked barren and desolate. The few trees that grew were stunted and skinny. "Let me guess. Palm Springs is right over that hill there, right?"

"Shut up, just shut up."

"I will when I get the whole story! I-- now where did THAT come from??" The three girls stood in front of a place that looked like... well, a bar. "Is that there written in Japanese?"

"It says 'Otaku no Mori'."

"And that means what?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?"

"A few. My teachers say it's an admirable quality."

"They're wrong."

"You two! I thought we came here to discuss some things, not argue like kids!" Nyx positioned herself between Celly and Susanne, more than frustrated with this. Nothing would ever get done this way.

Unfortunately, the other two didn't seem to hear her. They both stepped aside so that Nyx was no longer between them.

"What, don't you know? What kind of place is this, anyway?"

"It's the bar that I own!"

"Oh, that's just fine, you own a bar, and you don't know what the name means!"

"Shut up!"

"Make me!"

"I bring you here to help you, and this is how you thank me?"

"Help me? Help me? Don't you think I might be helped more by being left alone? I've got studies and responsibilities!"

"You live in a pretend world! You think you know everything, or that if you don't you soon will! Give it up!"

"Get stuffed!" Susanne shot back as she stormed away, finally getting frustrated and tired of fighting.

"Yeh, see how long you last out there! You have no idea where you're going!"

Susanne ignored her and continued on her way. True, she had no idea where she was going, but she had a very good sense of direction, and she was confident that she would be able to find her way back. In the meantime, she needed to think.

She normally avoided confrontations altogether, not even getting into an argument with anyone. She wasn't worried about holding her own in an argument, she just didn't like to argue. But for some reason, Celly made her mad enough to argue.

Then there was that thing this morning, when she had blasted Bob out the window. What the hell was that?

Susanne stopped walking, realizing that she had somehow reached a forest. She sighed and sat down. She wished she had brought her guitar. It was so calming to play.

She closed her eyes and held her hands as if she were playing--

"What the hell?" She said as she felt the guitar in her hands. And it was hers, all right. The ribbons tied to the top of the neck, the peace sign sticker on the back. "How...?"

"From your HammerSpace."

Susanne jumped up, almost dropping her guitar. "What? HammerSpace? Who's there?"

"Relax," the voice said. "Everyone has a HammerSpace. That's where Celly gets all her Bobs, her Base Ball Bat of Doom, and all that. I took the liberty of packing yours for you. You'll find your laptop computer, a jacket, your walkman, and your tapes in it, to name a few items."

"That makes no sense."

"Your science professors aren't always right."

"But it makes no sense."

"Sure it does, if you look at it from a certain point of view."

"Certain point of view?"

"You'll find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. Just accept this unquestioningly. It's real."

"Ohhh-kay," Susanne said slowly. "Okay, I guess that answers my first question, but who are you? Why can't I see you?"

"For one, because I wanted to talk to you first. My name is Roger, and I'm here to look out for you."

"Roger? Well, where are you?"

After a moment of silence, a tiger stepped out from the shadows. Susanne took a step back. A tiger? Wasn't I just in England?

"I am Roger," the tiger said. Susanne stood silently, in shock. "Don't be afraid, Sue, I won't hurt you. It's okay, you'll find that guardian cats are quite common."

"Guardian cats?"

"Yes. Another thing your professors would never believe. But here I am."

"Okay... what do you do?"

"I guard you."

"Oh, really. I'd never have guessed."

"Seriously, that's what I'm here for. I keep an eye on you. Like a Watcher."

"Okay... what if I go back to London? What then?"

"I follow you."

"You're gonna have a hard time walking the streets of London, pal."

"No I won't, trust me."

"Whatever." Susanne looked at the tiger sitting in front of her, trying to comprehend it all. "So what do I do now?"

"Offhand, I'd say put your guitar away, and let's get back to the Mori."

Susanne sighed. "Okay, but if you're around to guard me, just keep that freak away from me."

Roger chuckled, a low, deep rumble, and started walking in the direction of the bar."I'm serious! Hey, wait up!" She ran to catch up with him.

TBC......