There are places in the Dreamscape that even the Troubadour had trouble with remembering. Before he died, he told Niko that the fewer connections a soul had to others, the likelier it would be to drift away to one of the corners of his realm, hidden away amidst the fog. The domain the Diva has been looking for days belongs to such a soul, a soul that has taken up residence on the very edge of oblivion. They are currently in the possession of something that belongs to her. She thought it was only fair to let them borrow it. But in lieu of a fee, she is expecting something in return.

Niko: (she whistled) You certainly have… unique taste.

It’s pristine white as far as the eye can see — barren except for a single mirror-glass cube in front of her, upon which is perched a young woman, one hand holding up a massive tome, the other one turning the pages as her stark, yellow eyes scan the contents. Her hair is the colour of pale flesh, done up in messy bunches on the back of her scalp, and she is wearing an oversized top with drop arm holes and baggy trousers, both as white as their surroundings. Catching the visitor in the corner of her eye, Liu Fei’s lingering will closes the book, watching the Diva like a hawk.

Niko: Find anything of note yet?

Fei: … No. I am familiar with how the end of everything might one day play out… But I don’t know how my father could know. Or whether what Fu Hua Zhe claims to be doing even matters at all.

Niko: … I’m sorry I can’t give you any more to go on. You’re gonna have to read that door-stopper from start to finish to find anything of use.

Fei: I don’t mind. I have an eternity to find answers. Eventually, I will.

Niko: (she sighs) Not to be rude, but… Why do you suddenly care about why you people did all of that stuff now? You lost.

Fei: … You already know, Diva. You know everything about me. Don’t ask.

Niko: Well, most people don’t exactly like it when people snoop around in their memories, so… thought I’d ask.

Fei: Is that why you’re here?

Niko: I’m here because I forgot to tell you something. I’m also interested in what you’re looking into. The Pale Wardens, entropy, all that stuff. You and your dad’re not the only ones who did some fucked up shit because they thought they’d seen the end. So—

Fei: I will keep you informed as to what I find. Not that I have much choice.

Niko: Yet again, it’s not because I can that I should, y’know?

Fei: … I don’t.

Niko: (she sighs) Forget I asked… (she mutters) Bet you’d get along real well with Shirahara—

Fei: A visitor is here. Leave. (she stands up, dismissing the book in a flash of light as she looms over Niko, standing on top of the cube)

Niko: I’m sure your guest doesn’t mind having me around. She’s a friend… ly acquaintance.

Said visitor steps into the foyer, as if she were expected. As if this wasn’t the first time she had done so. But upon spotting Niko, her eyes widen, her skin going a little pale. But only for a moment. There isn’t even an accompanying storm this time. But even though the Forte is transformed, something in her attire is… off. The once vibrant pink in her Puella outfit is faded, and the black leather looks more cracked and worn than usual.

Yui: …Right. You already knew. You would already know.

Niko: Guess I’d better leave the two of you at it, then… (she smiles wryly, before turning to Yui) Not that I think you’re doing anything unacceptable here. So if you’re embarrassed that I know about your little rendez-vous here, don’t.

Yui: You knowing that I’m here for training doesn’t bother me. But… don’t tell anyone. Not yet. Okay?

Niko: It’s hardly the most humiliating thing I’m keeping a secret. (flicking her wrist, she disappears amidst the fog)

Yui: (She stares for a moment, then turns back towards Fei.) …Probably not important. So, where were we, shīfù?

Fei: (she jumps down from her cube, summoning her weapons as she approaches Yui) You don’t appear to care much for the spiritual side of martial arts training, so we fight.

Yui: After I’m done bein’ a little bitch about everything y’all did to us, I’ll take you up on that. (A golden staff appears in her hand) The spiritual side does intrigue me. Just, y’know… my heart ain’t in it. ‘Sides, you might be able to give me what I need in the moment.

Fei: … Then I will provide. (she spins her blades in her hands as a feint, before striking)

Yui: (Yui swings for the feint, taking the real strike in the side. In her momentum, she spins, swinging her staff in a wide arc)

Fei: (catching the staff in her hooked blades, she manages to parry it) Good. your opponent will be at their weakest right after they have wounded you. In a fight, most will lose their focus after they manage to land a hit.

Yui: (Stepping back, Yui clutches and subsequently heals the cut in her side.) I’m used to gettin’ hit. Doesn’t faze me if it doesn’t hit hard enough. You’re kinda the same, though.

Fei: You get used to it after a while.

The two trade blows, more instructive than actual combative. Yui knows most of the basic combat stuff already, but knows better than to chide Fei for what is otherwise useful information.

Yui: So you were an assassin type, you said? Didn’t know Balancers had classifications.

Fei: No, we’re all killers. There is no need for distinctions. I was merely considered the one who finished the job.

Yui: Y’all had different means, though. From clean, simple assassinations, to full city wipeouts, and a bunch in between. I couldn’t beat you lot, so I’ll learn how y’all work. Just in case the cat tries it again while I’m still alive.

Fei: … (she lowers her weapons) He will have groomed the next Balancers to target your weaknesses specifically. If you want to know what’s coming, know yourself and cover your bases.

Yui: I’m takin’ the lessons you give me here back with me for my current pupils. Difficulties notwithstanding, I’m findin’ success in translating to the next generation. (Yui contemplates taking the opening, but lowers her weapon as well.) …But that’s the other reason I came to train with you. I want to tap into that power again. …Magia.

Fei: If I knew how to use Magia properly, we would not be standing here.

Yui: Was it that strong? ‘Cause I was super green when I unlocked mine, and didn’t have access to it long enough to remember clearly what it felt like, but mine was pretty damn strong…

Fei: No way to compare. But given our baseline power, one can assume. 

Yui: …I could protest that, but you’ve beaten me every time we’ve met down here. Not quite enough for my needs, but it’s pretty clear that there’s still a noticeable gap in our skill.

Fei: Your skill with the staff is admirable. But if your Magia allows you to access different weapons, you will need someone to train you in using them… I can prove useful for that. That is all.

Yui: Muscle memory and practice’ll come in handy. …Got a big-ass scythe? I think I remember using one. Or wanting to. God, I just wish I could remember. Anyway, I wanna start with a big-ass scythe.

Fei: Not the most practical weapon… but suit yourself. (she turns her hook blades into the aforementioned scythe and moves to show off her skills)