//GLINTS, GHOSTS & FIREWALLS: v2.0

<CHAPTER 2: RETICENCE> [Previously on GG&F, Glint and Reika were standing at the threshold of the Temple‑server's main building, still processing what they had witnessed tonight...] A tenuous calm had returned to the Temple-server. Both Glint and Reika were gazing pensively off into the distant haze, a shower blanketing the night with a peacefully dull, sonorous roar. Every so often, the twilight's elemental lullaby was accompanied by the sleepy chirping of their latest guest... The Chief Miko smiled faintly at the sound, her eyes drifting away from the darkly glowing sea of Neo‑Tokyo's city‑centre as she walked back inside toward Enji. He was warmly napping atop Ruri's many furled tails as Reika kneeled beside them. "The poor little thing must be exhausted," Reika thought adoringly as she ran her hands over Ruri's ethereal azure fur. A tingly sense of gratitude washed over her. "He'll sleep it off soon. Until then..." Ruri intercepted her Miko's curious gaze and raised an eyebrow as she subtly put the finishing touches on Enji's containment seals with her tails. Just in case... "Really? Him?" The kitsune's brows furrowed. "You can't be serious." Ruri had been Reika's kitsune ever since she had come of age and taken up the role of Chief Miko after the events that happened a year ago. But she had known her long before then. Her sister too... The bond shared between the Temple‑server's resident Guardians meant that not only could they sense each other's thoughts and feelings, but also predict them to an extent. "Why not? We can trust him, can't we?" Reika thought cheerfully. "It's just a story." Ruri began scrutinising Glint, narrowing her glowing amber eyes once again; spiritually scanning the druid who was seemingly minding his own business. Transfixed, he'd barely moved an inch from his spot on the threshold, dark robes the only thing visibly shifting from the low‑pressure system above them. His eyes though... "He's doing a very good job pretending he hasn't noticed us communicating." "So?" Reika replied. "So that means he is dangerous, Reika," Ruri snarled silently. "You didn't see him in there like I did," she warned. "He's up to something. He's highly skilled, a terribly meticulous planner, and very greedy—" "Which means he would be a good person to help us with, you know..." “Don’t be naïve, Reika. He’s a mercenary — they only care about money. He wouldn't do us a favour like THAT, nor would we want to owe anything to anyone like—" "Like what, Ruri‑chan?!" Reika interjected impatiently. "A person that respects spirits and doesn't try to kill them on sight?!" The great blue kitsune's mouth dropped open a little at that, looking down at Enji. Reika stepped closer to her best friend and continued, as if pleading her case to a judge. "Ruri‑chan, mercenary or not, he respects our Temple‑server rules to the letter and has never been anything but polite to all of us. Surely we can give him a chance?" Ruri pretended to inspect her fur; she knew a losing battle when she saw one. "Even the patrolling torii kitsune don't mind him, and those guys hate outsiders!" Reika's eyes widened, scrunching her face up a little bit the same way she does every time she's done making her point. Ruri flicked some imaginary dust off her tail. "Well?" Reika asked finally, her pout slowly brightening into a smirk instead. Ruri rolled her eyes, gave a little sigh of resignation, and nodded. "Ok, fine. One chance, that's all." The Guardian surrendered, laying down to more comfortably wrap her tails around herself and Enji with a gentle gust of movement. "Be careful, Reika. Wake me when you're done giving the Shell a history lesson." One tail‑tip gracefully landed over the blue spirit's eyes, flicking back up for a second — just in time to catch her Miko finishing a tiny victory dance and giving the reclining kitsune a sarcastic little ritual half‑bow. Ruri snorted in amusement, closed her eyes and snuggled up to her new captive. "She doesn't like me very much, does she?" Glint asked the Chief as she approached him, turning and tilting his head slightly at the azure mound that was the resting Temple Guardian and her prize several meters away. "She's just being protective," Reika said, stopping to check if Ruri was looking. "—and a little bit jealous," she whispered behind her hand. "I heard that!" Ruri's ears flicked in annoyance, one yellow eye glaring, spying on her Miko testing her luck; the kitsune's nap ending before it even started. "Hehe, sorry Ruri‑chan," Reika said with a wink in a hushed voice, so as not to wake the soundly sleeping Enji. "You two must be very close. I'd be jealous too," the mercenary said offhandedly. His observation and sudden admission made Reika blush, catching her unawares. "I've wanted to talk with a Great Spirit like her for a very long time." He mentioned it matter‑of‑factly. "To be friends with one would be something..." He looked back, perplexed at the Chief's reaction; Reika had pushed past him, not allowing the druid to see that she had reddened even further. Ruri was chuckling to herself, reading her Miko like a book. Slightly embarrassed and kicking herself for assuming, she stepped out into the fresh air beneath the Temple‑server’s entrance overhang. A cool breeze greeted her cheeks, pushing those fleeting emotions aside. Refreshed and refocused, Reika thought back to a moment ago, noting the way this mysterious stranger spoke of spirits — a wistful reverence, perhaps. “Hmm… curious.” Chief Miko Reika pressed on, her tone shifting to one of pleasant inquiry, tinged with a subtle air of nostalgia. She spoke to the wind, letting it take her questions to him while pushing a stray lock of hair back in place. The rain died down like a hushed audience. "Mr Glint, do you know how the Temple‑Servers of Neo‑Tokyo came to be?" "Or why every one of them still carries a fox upon its crest?" She waved her gohei serenely, motioning to the many throughout the shrine surrounding them. Watching them. "Most think they're just another branch of the city's infrastructure; another glorified social service placating those too meek or too poor to compete in the modern age..." Reika's voice had taken on a slightly bitter, hardened edge when she mentioned this, but softened again as she felt Ruri reassure her. Glint was leaning on the frame of the threshold, keeping both Guardians in his eyeline, drinking in every word with a quiet intensity and waiting for the Chief to continue. "They're older than the city." Reika turned, glad to see Glint listening carefully. "Much older." Warmly smiling, Reika pointedly glanced over at her loyal Guardian . Her Ruri was ever vigilant; always watching her back. Her one and only true friend. "Come. Sit with me." She gestured to a small table nearby with an open palm, ushering the reserved druid inside and preparing to make tea for them both. He followed. "It's a long story..." TO BE CONTINUED...