Echoes Beyond the Window

Within a grand hotel known for its modern interiors and lively atmosphere, sitting at a velvet couch, Henna was looking towards the entrance of the floor. The party floor buzzed with soft music, glowing under warm, ambient lighting. A sleek bar stretched along one side, where bartenders prepared vibrant drinks with flair. At the centre, a polished wooden dancing stage stood ready, framed by delicate spotlights. Balloons and birthday decorations adorned the tables, completing the festive scene. The setup promised a perfect evening of music, dance, and celebration.

Henna's face held a small frown, dissatisfied. Twenty minutes had passed since Anna was supposed to arrive, but there was still no sign of her. With a sigh, Henna stood up from the couch and made her way to the bar.

"Henna!" Being called out, Henna turned her head towards the sound and saw a woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a mature build—Lilya—walking toward her.

"Lilya!" Henna called out while moving forward for a hug.

"Why the long face?" Lilya questioned as she hugged Henna.

"Umm.. it's nothing."

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Hearing Lilya, Henna couldn't help but shake her head inwardly, Lilya had invited all of her friends and acquaintances during her engagement party and everyone had attended.. well everyone except Anna, knowing the past between them Henna could only curse her luck.

"Well... I was waiting for Anna." Henna replied with a small pause.

"Hmm? Anna?... Oh you mean Anieal Starborne" Lilya said while nodding "Well, it's not that surprising that she isn't here is it? Haha!"

Henna could only smile wryly on her sharp remark.

"I mean it won't be the first time when she didn't come to an event she had promised- " Lilya abruptly stopped when she saw a small smile crept up on the lips of Henna.

"Anna..!! Here!!" Henna said with an excited look, Lilya followed her eyes and soon her eyes fell on Anna, she wore a red and black checkered long skirt, A red T-shirt which fit her perfectly, black boots with red soles, A black jacket with red and white stripes, her ears were adorned with golden square earrings.

"She came huh" Lilya said with a dejected look on her face.

At one of the corners two friends collapsed on a velvet couch seemingly tired after having danced for the past fifteen minutes.

"Oi, where is neo?" Asked one of them.

"Ugh.. I don't know.. I don't think he came" replied another.

"Nothing new about that.. haha!"

"True.. haha!"

Both of them started chuckling by themselves.

***

Meanwhile, a hooded figure could be seen entering a two storey unextraordinary house, the hooded figure swiftly moved through shadows seemingly looking for something or someone.

Soon, his eyes landed on a sleeping figure, the hooded figure moved forward and checked her breathing, after making sure that the person was truly asleep. He started looking through all of the containers placed around the room after being unable to find anything, the hooded figure started looking throughout the room for any suspicious compartments or secluded spots.

Having found nothing out of the ordinary the hooded figure walked towards the window, the hooded figure placed his hand on the window seemingly getting ready to exit through the window.

Just as he was about to jump through the window his eyes landed on a carving of clawed 5 pointed star at the corner of the window.

'Claw of night?! Interesting..' the hooded figure's eyes gleamed with excitement.

'Young master's guess was correct.' thought the hooded figure as he jumped out of the window.

***

The Starborne Emporium-

"We should stop working with the turners due to the current rumours regarding them."

"What rumours?"

"Apparently there are rumours of them actively using unorthodox means for their pr-"

*beep* *beep*

Soon a beeping sound can be heard within the meeting room.

"It's important, we shall start the meeting from here next time, Good night." Damien said.

"Good night, Emporium head." the other members said as they slowly made their way out of the meeting room.

Soon Damien was alone within the room, he dialled a number on his smartphone which was answered instantly.

"Young master."

"How did it go?"

"You guessed correctly, young master."

"What did you find?"

"I didn't find anything concrete. but I did see a Claw of night near the window of Amaya's room"

"It's a midnighter then… huh.. any clue about who it can be?"

"None."

"Keep an eye on her and try to find clues about that Midnighter."

"As you command."

Damien heaved a sigh after placing his smartphone at the table and started walking towards one of the windows.

"I was right.. huh.. I hoped to be proven wrong" said Damien while looking towards the bustling Necron city through the window.

"As they say, one shall always be more cautious of what's within the dark"