Wakaba looked at the blonde in surprise, "Kiryuu-san?" "Call me Nanami," she corrected her as she gently guided Anthy and Wakaba down the hallway. "The student council office should be empty now," she explained, "we can use that to talk about the vampires." "How do you know about...?" Anthy frowned, her eyes flashing. Nanami used her key to unlock the room then ushered them inside, re-locking it behind them. "That's better," she nodded before looking towards Anthy and explaining, "Utena-sama saved me from an attack, of course." "Of course," Wakaba sighed in resignation. She shook her hear, "I almost wish Utena could do that vampire-whammy on people." "Vampire-whammy?" Anthy looked amused. "Tampering with people's minds," Wakaba explained, "I heard that Akio and a few others like Juri could do it to people." "Anyway," Nanami waved that aside as she asked, "why hasn't this sort of information been spread around the school?" "Do you really think most people are going to believe it?" Wakaba countered. She sighed softly, "Besides, what can telling people do other than cause a panic?" "They could protect themselves!" Nanami burst out. Anthy looked over at her with gentle sorrow as she explained, "It's not that easy, Kiryuu-san. I have fought against vampres, and most of the traditional 'defences' against vampires like crosses and garlic are just myths, nothing more. Vampires can't enter uninvited, true, and they can die from a stake to the heart, but that's all." "And sunlight," Wakaba reminded her. "A strong enough vampire can even overcome that," Anthy said grimly. Nanami... deflated a bit, puffing out a sigh. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I'm still trying to digest everything I've found out recently." She walked over to a round table, one usually used for meetings, and sat down with a sigh. Refering to the conversatio she had interupted earlier she asked, "You were talking about searching for a vampire?" "Kiryuu-san, I can't really involve you in..." Anthy started. "I'm already involved in this," Nanami answered, eyes flashing with anger as she clearly tried to restrain her emotions. "And that sounds very good coming from you," Wakaba muttered, "comnsidering you were threatening to bring Kozue into this." "Kozue knows too?" Nanami blinked. "Another Utena rescue," Wakaba explained. "Ah," Nanami nodded. Anthy rubbed between her eyes, feeling a big headache coming on. "God save me from well meaning amatures," she muttered. Wakaba gave Anthy a wary look, "You said that some vampires can manage in daylight, so isn't it dangerous for us to investigate where the vampires are?" "I'm not afraid," Nanami answered softly. "You should be," Anthy frowned, disturbed by a sudden flash of memory... London, several years ago. "I can't believe we're investigating this rumor," Constance 'Contrary' Terry said, the redhead sweeping the street with her eyes. She walked with confidence, the tall athlete cutting through the crowded street easily in her comfortable clothes. Dressed in a similar baggy sweatshirt and jeans Anthy worked to keep up, lugging a slightly larger than average shoulder bag. "There's been several bloodless bodies found by the Thames," she frowned, "all of them associated with this club." "Club?" Contrary scoffed, "You mean a brothel." "The Commander thinks it's worth while to investigate," Anthy said firmly. Contrary nodded slightly, her green eyes softening a bit. The young woman had been a long time member of the Royal Order, and had been assigned to mentor Anthy as she was being trained. They had clashed at first, personalities warring, but the young lady had quickly sensed her commitment, which helped a lot. They reached the converted brownstone, both of them watching the nearly silent building thoughtfully. "So how would you recomend we do this?" she asked Anthy curiously, looking at her with a calculating expression. Anthy didn't hesitate, "First, check for other exists and access ways. If possible we go in through the front door, generating as much chaos as we can to disrupt their attemps to defend the building, then find the vampires." "How are you armed?" Contrary asked Anthy, though she likely already knew the answers already. Still, as the senior field agent she had to check. "Magnum loaded with blessed silver bullets," Anthy replied promptly, "along with several wooden stakes in reserve." "Me too," Contrary patted the shoulder bag she carried. She lead the way out of the corner they were talking in as she continued to say, "We'll split up once we go inside, you get to take the upstairs and I'll check down." "That's against standard procedure...," Anthy started. "At best there's one vampire, considering how few bodies have been found," Contrary said to her confidently, "we can handle it." She flashed a grin, "Besides we've got radios, we can call out for help if it's needed." "All right," Anthy nodded reluctantly, defering to the more experienced agent. Together they quickly confirmed there was only one door in or out, and that the windows on the lower level were sealed, intended for the look of the building rather than for practical use. Contrary tried the front door, and finding it unlocked they strode inside, scaning the dim inner hallway. Drawing her pistol from the bag she checked the black painted weapon over even as she said, "The plans show the up stairway is over there, good luck." "You too," Anthy nodded as she headed up the hall to the stairs. She went up to the second floor and began to open doors, checking for any signs of the vampire or vampires. The six rooms on the top floor each contained a comfortable bed, decorated in a simple but stylish short of way. Laying on the beds and sleeping so deeply that one might think they were in comas were lovely young women, the clean scent coming from them telling her that they were still uncorrupted by a vampire's touch. On the first floor there were fewer rooms, and all of them were empty. 'He's not here,' she felt a stab of worry as Anthy walked to the stairs going down, 'which means the vampire is in the sub-basements just or not here.' Just then, a cry rang out. Swearing under her breath Anthy bolted, racig forward down the hall... and into a scene from her nightmares. Contrary was dead or as good as, held in the arms of a older male vampire. He tore his mouth from her bloody neck, fluid dripping and grinned at her. "Well, another for the party," he laughed, jeans and t-shirt wet with blood. Another body lay slumped nearby, drained messily much like Contrary had been. He tossed the still weakly moaning woman aside and fixed her with a intense gaze, "You'll be easier than her." Part of Anthy wanted to make a speech, to condemn the creature ahead of her... but she knew better. Without hesitation she drew and fired, punching her first bullet right into the startled vampires face. Part of his skull exploded, red gore splatting the walls as his body staggered, still vital even with the damage. Her next two shots destroyed the heart and the vampire dropped, a wet sack of meat. "Contrary," Anthy ran to the young woman's side, lookig down at her in agonized horror. "Good job, newbie," Contrary managed, her skin bone pale and eyes filled with pain. Anthy knelt down, cradling Contrary's head in her lap as she softly said, "I'll get an ambulance, you'll be all right." "No," Contrary managed, "I'm already contaminated. The wound's too bad...." She winced in pain, "Promise me you'll make sure I don't rise." "Constance, I can't...." Anthy managed. Contrary grabbed her hand with the last of her strength, "Promise!" "All right," Anthy said, eyes swimming with tears, "we'll cremate your body." "Good," Contrary slumped, her eyes drooping closed. Back at the student council both young women looked at her in concern. "Are you all right?" Wakaba asked reluctantly. "Yes," Anthy said, deliberately setting the memories aside. She looked at both young women as she added, "I was just reminded that working alone on this job is dangerously foolish." "So you'll let me help?" Nanami asked eagerly. "If you'll agree to follow my orders," a serious Anthy agreed, "I want to do everything I can to keep you safe."
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