Bright lights -

In a world where your personality is your zodiac sign.

5 cities make the United States, Embers Blaze, Juncture land, Segmental City, Homosapians, and Folk Land each connected with a sturdy bedrock bridge incapable of shifting.

There are 'The finest signs' and there are 'The worst signs'

Each sign has a power, each sign has a role, and each sign a function, in this world.

There are Vampiric duelist Time Manipulators and Elemental holders.

And then there were humans.

I walked under the bright neon lights of New York City, a section in Embers Blaze walking in the rain, I forgot my umbrella, although, I doubt, I would have even used it.

I hate holding things in my hands, but I love backpacks, as a woman, I don't carry a purse, you can say I carry my life on my back.

I love walking in Times Square with so many bright lights it keeps me awake, but I don't love it when I'm trying to sleep …. My sleep schedule is terrible, I am a Vampiric duelist, I serve my master in the city.

My hands are freezing and I have to go home, I want a meal. But I loathe the traffic here, you can barely drive a block before being stopped, I'd rather walk in the rain and simmer, and complain.

I popped my fingers as I walked with a crowd of people up a few blocks, the cold rain dripping on my face made me scrunch up my face to see if I can still feel it, my short hair was flattened and stuck to my face, I sniffed as I felt a heavy presence behind me, well I was walking in a crowd but this felt… different.

I stopped at the crosswalk and felt someone… down there…

"Oye, ¿Que diablos ceres que estás Haciendo?" I said as I turned around to face a white man with brown hair, glasses, a beige jacket with blue jeans.

"In America, we speak English," The man said as he put his hands in his pockets around his own… area.

"Not my fault, people like you are just too stupid to learn another language," I said as I turned to walk out into the street with the rest of the New York crowd.

After walking for a bit I saw a train station and decided to catch a train, I wasn't finna walk in the rain knowing' there's a man probably looking for me I sat on the bench in the train station going over my clothes, I wore my uniform, a black vest on top of my white button-down with a black tie, skinny black jeans and my all-black Nike's to complete.

Thank god I wore a jacket over my clothes or the city would have gotten a good show.

I slouched on the bench waiting for the train, a person was sitting across from me on the side of the tracks looking at me… or I think they're looking at me, I wonder do they like trains… Why do they have shades on… at night… oh wait, they're blind…that makes more sense, I wonder where they were born blind or went blind, at that moment I heard the horn of the train and felt the rumble the train makes. I looked at the blind lady who sat perfectly straight up on the bench like it was a throne.

Tall.

Still, like a tree.

I must tell her beauty is immaculate right now.

The rush of the train pushed me out of my daydreaming and also blew cold air, something I don't want.

When the doors opened I walked in, shouldered my bag, and sat down, there was what looked like a homeless man taking 3 seats in the corner and a person with a brown bag moving side to side in front of him, this gave me a nice headache and I just wanna shut my eyes… just for a minute.

I lifted my head from my shoulder… wait this is not my shoulder, I turned up to see the blind lady sitting next to me, I pushed up and looked at her with blazing eyes.

"I don't have to see to know that you're giving me a death glare and don't worry I didn't steal anything," The lady said with my bag in her lap. She had a bit of an English accent like it was fading and spoke in a low voice.

"How long was I out," I said, rubbing my forehead trying to make the headache go away.

"Only a few minutes," a moment passed before she spoke again "Where's your stop?"

"125th, you?" I said as I slowly pulled my bag from her hands and went through it just to be sure.

"As well, I," she said as her fingers interlocked on her lap as her head looked straight ... amazing thighs.

"Are you… blind, by any chance?" I said looking at her shades.

"Yes, is that a problem?" She said as her nose flared a little, and her jawline clasped, and she crossed her legs

"No, I was just wondering, does it get overwhelming to be around so many people and not see?" I said looking in the same direction as her.

"For a person, you just met, you ask such personal questions… I'm not answering that by the way," The lady said as her eyebrows furrowed, and she moved her crossed foot back and forth

"You are…" I took a deep breath "absolutely right," a moment of silence passed "Kuso," I said under my breath looking down the train cart at the two other people on the train.

"You speak Japanese?" She said as she looked slightly to the left, lifted her eyebrows, and stopped her foot mid-air, her toes pointed up.

"Yes," I said while staring at her shoes, she wore flats -black shiny flats, they looked expensive- was she not cold, or did she not know that it was raining… I blink rapidly. She wore a gray long trench coat with a black turtleneck undershirt and black pants. She wore classic New York attire if you had money.

"Mm," She said with her foot beginning its motion again. Another moment of silence passed.

The man sleeping on the seats down the train had slid up in the seat and looked around, the man who I assume was drinking waved.

"Gooood mornin' sir… How was your nappy nap," the drunk said with a bubbly voice.

The man grunted and put both hands on his thighs… then I felt a squeeze at my thigh, I turned my head towards the hand.

The blind lady whispered with her head down "It's not polite to stare" she switched footing positions and took her hand off my thigh. Her voice sounded sexy

A few minutes passed but felt like hours. The announcer mumbled 125th but I knew what it sounded like, I turned to the lady.

"This is our stop," I said

"I heard," She said, still moving her foot in the same motion

"Oh, I just wanted to make sure you got off,"

"I should be asking the same thing to you, you're the one who fell asleep," She said as a smile flashed across her face.

"I- … I had a long day, that's all," I said with a light chuckle

"Well, that happens to the best of us," She said.

The train began to slow and the screeching of the brakes hurt my head, I scrunched up my face and did my best at a soft grunt in pain.

"Are you okay?" she said stopping her foot in motion again, with her head tilted to my side.

"I'm fine," I said with my shoulders relaxing.

The doors opened and I got up fast and was a little dizzy from it and slouched down and waited a few seconds, I got back up and outreached my hand to touch hers.

"Do you mind?" I asked looking at the opened doors.

"Uh… no- no not at all," She said as she got up.

I tugged her hand slightly to guide her, and she followed hastily.

"Where are you taking me," she said, slowing me down.

"Where do you have to go, I will take you there," I said walking up the stairs.

"I can take care of myself just fine," She said as she pulled her hands away. I beat passed, "Does it make you feel good to help a disabled person?" She said, looking at the ground, her fist forming a ball.

"No, I would feel bad knowing you probably stopped me from nearly getting robbed by sitting next to me, so I thought it would be a nice thing to walk you home, or wherever you're headed to," I said looking at her.

"Fine… but I'm hungry now, I'm going to stop and get McDonald's… take me there," She said as she put out her hand for me to take, but she kept facing the ground.

I took her hand and stuffed it in my pocket so it's more comfortable to walk.

"Which McDonald's, the one on 102 or the one on 94th," I said staring at the street, looking at the cars pass in the rain.

"The one near Washington houses," She said looking in my direction.

We walked down the blocks in the cold rain. I was no longer tired, but now just more awake, she wore a very vanilla-y sent mix with what I'd have to think is strawberries. It smelled nice, but the hot gas from a car that passed us covered it.

We kept on walking down the streets each street with a breeze, we were on 102 when I noticed she'd been slowing down, she turned her head and made a full stop, her head turned to a sign that said Washington houses.

"Were near, correct?" She said, looking at the direction of the sign.

"Uhh, yes, how do you know?" I said I am genuinely curious about how she knows we're almost there, I thought

"Smells… Familiar," She said with a disgusted face and scrunched up her nose.

We got to our destination longer than I had anticipated when we ordered, and I looked at my phone to check the time it was well past midnight, almost going on 2, thank god for 24 hours McDonald's.

"Mierda," I said looking at my phone… but while I'm on here let's see what tik tok got.

"What's our number?" The woman said next to me

"Huh, oh" I went through my pockets searching for the receipt, a few seconds passed I found it and read it aloud.

"Uhh, 354," I said looking up at the screen to see the progress of our meal.

"Have forgotten our food just now?" She said looking in the direction of the cash register, her accent came out then a little more.

I leaned on the wall to avoid the people, for it to be nearly 2 in the morning, it sure is full, early morning rush, I guess

"Yes… sadly, but can I ask… where are you from?" I said looking at her to see if I could read her facial expressions.

"I'm from South London… specifically the town Brixton, you probably don't know it," She said looking at the floor now.

London is one of The Embers Blaze's allies but their new leader would like to break their contract with the states even though we offer supplies and military assistance.

"Is it near Nine Elms?" I said looking at the screen to see our meal… still, in progress.

"Somewhat, slightly South East of that… have you ever been to London?" She said turning my direction

"No, I know it from a game that I play. It takes place in London and some of the harder missions are south London�� I don't know how accurate it is besides driving on the left side… which I do not enjoy," I said looking at the monitor again, this time the number was gone, almost done.

"Mm, how is the food coming along?" She said her head facing the bathroom.

"It's almost done… I don't see it on the screen so maybe 5 minutes," a few seconds passed as more people stepped into the McDonald's, "You know, New York, right?" I said looking at her.

"Born an' raised," she said her head tilted now

"Okay, you mind if I step into the bathroom for a minute?"... a beat passed "or do you want me to get the food?" I said wanting to go to the bathroom

"I will go get the food, you relieve yourself," She said, moving her hands in a shooing form.

I walked over to the bathroom and turned to look behind me… Hmm, she stands with intelligence, I can feel it.

I heard the number get called, I held up the paper and followed the voice, I touched the counter and held up the paper, I felt the person set the food down and take the paper, I grabbed the paper and slid to the side and leaned on the wall hoping she didn't leave, that would be a bitch move… she probably left, I'll wait for 5 minutes to see if she decides to come back.

"Hi, did I make you wait long," I said taking the bag from her hands

"Yes, you did, please do take your sweet time next time," a few seconds passed. "Come on," She said, putting her hand out for me to grab.

I said in a sigh, "Hai,"

"Good," She said

We split our food at the counter next to the register and walked out with our food.

A few minutes passed and I liked the silence. She broke the silence first.

"So where do you live?" she said look ahead into the distance

"Um, over at 94th," I said watching a car pass with a trail of water passing behind.

"Wait," She said, stopping abruptly, "You're down there, why are we walking up?" She said looking side to side.

"Cause I said I would walk you home," I am second passed, "And I intend to keep that promise," I said as I slowed my pace down the wet sidewalk.

"Mm, ok… I live next to Jefferson pool on 112th," She said slowing down

"Ok, I shall escort u there, madam," I said in a terrible British accent

"Woah… that was…" she said looking in my direction

Laughing throughout I said, "Bad right, I tried,"

"That was undeniable rubbish," She said jokingly

Minutes passed as we got closer to 112th the rain picked up when we were around 106th, and so we sped up…. I didn't want to, I don't know why but I want to stay here with this woman and finally meet her fully.

When we turned on a corner and could see Jefferson I turned around and started walking the woman to the fast-food place white castle, she looked side to side.

"Where are we going, my house is behind us," She said behind me

"I want to get food," I said, thinking about it now we just got food.

"We just got food, uh like 20 minutes ago, did u eat yours that fast… wow," She said as her eyebrows went all the way up.

"No, I want to do something," I said walking coming to a stop on the corner of the street.

"Uhh… you're not gonna kidnap me right? Cause that would be very rude, especially to a blind lady,"

"Well, I would hardly call yourself a lady"… a moment of silence as I opened my mouth to speak.

"Well… since you think otherwise, what am I," She spoke with a bitterness in her tone

"A woman… an independent woman, and undoubtedly a prepossessing woman, is what I would call you… But a lady, no, you are nothing but," I said, looking at the hot gases from a yellow cab.

The sight around us is hot and steamy with water and heat the bodegas on the street shining their blinding lights like a reflection on my face.

To my right, a building with art the size of the building darkens by the foggy mist that hugs the city, to my left a confused woman, whom I only assume is processing the information given to her.

Her forehead became smooth as the sides of her forehead dipped into her eyebrows, but not making a line above her bridge, or from what I can see. She has a very flattering face shape.

After more than what felt like a ten-minute break, which was probably two.

"Um, I'm flattered but… I don't prefer a woman," She said with a shoulder shrug

"You are straight then?" I said tilting my head

"Oh heavens no, I would not want to be one of those pitiful monkeys who steal everything," She said

"Uhh, Bisexual then?" I said with my left eyebrow-raising as far as possible.

"No, Demisexual," She said the word and left her lips slightly parted.

"Oh, oh, well…. I've never met a Demisexual before, lovely to meet you," I said, putting my hand into hers.

"Pleasure," She said, shaking my hand "And you would be…" She trailed off waiting for an answer

"Yukata, Watashi no namae wa Yukata desu," (Yukata, my name is Yukata) I said still shaking her hand

"Well then, a pleasure to meet you miss Yukata," She said with a smile, I don't know if it reached her eyes. "Also," She added, "We are at a corner, and it's still raining even harder than before, can we go to my place, please," She said as she put her hand out for me to take.

"Um, yes, of course," I said.

The air as we walked was still hot and heavy, but the tone of it now was very different, brighter even, her hand was in my pocket, the back of her hand was resting against my hand and I slowly eased my way to touch her palm and caress her fingers, I felt her rapt her fingers into mine and her thumb move back and forth along my knuckles, and going over the top of the ring I wore on my ring finger.

"Are you married?" She asked

I took a deep breath, "No," I said

"Oh, I feel a ring, so, I… was just curious," She said, her voice conveyed more emotion than her face, cause I couldn't translate any expression from it.

"Curiosity killed the cat," I said, throwing a smile in her direction and quickly snatching it back, cause she obviously can't see it.

The rain made this part of the city feel a little deserted but, as I stopped in front of a building and looked up, I saw a tower of apartments… expensive apartments, I had a master who I lived with, but my quarters were still relatively small. She must be a master of some sorts.

She stood in front of the metal black door and turned to me.

"Thank you for taking me home, would you like to come up and have a cup of coffee or something warm?" I stood stone-faced as she said the next few words "I wouldn't want to let you simmer in the rain,"

"Uh, are you a master… of some kind?" I said hastily

"Yes," She said hesitantly, "Master General of the duelist," She said with a smile a reached for my hand I pull away

"Oh, um," I bowed my head, "I didn't know you were the general, I've never seen you before, I- I apologize for imposing on you, I ask for forgiveness," I said as I shut my eyes tight, my head still bowed, I felt her fingertips travel down my face to stop at my chin to lift my face. I opened my eyes slowly.

"You don't need to bow to me, please don't bow to me," She took in a deep breath and said in a long breath, "Talk to me like you were before like you didn't know who I was, yes?" She looked at me and I saw the tip of her eyebrows point up. "I liked that, a lot," She added as she took in another deep breath.

We stood there for a minute, I'm still trying to figure out how I've never seen her before and how much punishment is speaking out of line to a general.

"Um," I finally get a sound out, "Will I be executed?" I said with fear to hear another answer

"God no, that story where you'll be put to death for speaking out of line is a hoax, made to scare you… looks like its methods aren't failing," She said

"Oh… well if you wish not to be seen as a general… I would love a cup of cocoa," I said, starting a slow smile.

Her face twitched with a flash of enjoyment, I can't imagine her holding that indulgence expression as a general, then again, she is a person, ever so much a Vampiric Duellist Master, but still a person nonetheless.

She opened the doors to open a very spacious area, it looked like the lobby of a 5-star hotel, with a chandelier, bell boy, and two receptionists, and the area was filled with a good handful of people.

The floor was marble - the expensive kind - with a red carpet with…. Was that gold lining?

I looked at the space and saw a big alien I couldn't comprehend.

I slid a space behind Demi… Demi, - I didn't even ask her, her name... ay - a nickname, would it be disrespectful to call her that, or will it be fun… The lobby has an aura, I can't quite place it not too dark and alarming, but had a flush environment, I saw the receptionist hand a card to… Demi… yes, I will call her that, a big smile spread across my face, I could feel it, as we stepped into a sliver glistening elevator, I giggled as I thought about the name.

"What are you giggling about in the corner," She said with a raised eyebrow, a very sexy eyebrow.

I took a deep breath and said quietly, "I simply thought of a name,"