With a thunderous sound, a train pierces through the Dreamscape’s fog. Inside, Niko is leaning onto the window, idly gazing at the shadows passing by at high speed. Across from her, a bespectacled girl with bright red hair sits, picking at her nails.

Kotori: …Is there a reason we’re taking a train to the Virtuoso’s domain, Niko?

Niko: This is the Virtuoso’s domain. Dude kicked the bucket fighting Arashi’s dad atop a moving train, apparently. Helluva way to go out!

Kotori: That is… wildly inaccurate. Virtuoso René Colere did not die, nor was he fighting Kaito Arashi atop a train. No, this is—

The door connecting cars opens violently, a young looking woman resembling Yui Arashi entering and staring directly at Niko.

Yuma: —My place. Fuck’re you all doing in my domain?

Niko: We’re not here for you, chill!

Yuma: What, got the wrong house? Or are you here to do something about those fuckers?

She nudges her head towards the window Niko is leaning against, where several fragments of souls are gathered, harmlessly bounding off of it.

Yuma: Can’t hardly go outside with such lovely weather, Diva.

Niko: I’m working on it, okay? Can’t just snap my fingers and keep everyone in here happy and well-fed.

Yuma: Can’t you? Or is that mask just for show?

Kotori: Is this necessary, Amaya-san?

Yuma: You startin’ shit too, firebird?

Kotori: I’ll fight you, if you wish. But neither fighting me, nor giving Niko a hard time will solve your dilemma. And you know this.

Yuma: Tch… since when did you Conductors go soft, anyway? May’ve been some sons of bitches, but they were tough sons of bitches, at least. Now y’all are just bitches. (She nudges her head towards Niko, staring at her now) You wanna wear that mask? Grow a pair an’ do somethin’ about it. 

Niko: T-Tell your daughter to give me that stupid Lantern, then!

Yuma: You’re a big girl. Go kick her ass and take it from her. And before you whine about not havin’ magic powers or whatever, ask your little birdie about the scoreboard every time Yui comes down for a rematch. (With a sigh, she opens the door behind her, walking back into a separate section of the train)

Kotori: (softly) …Eighty-seven to zero.

Niko: She fist-fights her mom?

Kotori: And loses. Spectacularly.

Niko: (she scoffs) Well, then why doesn’t she go and “kick her ass and take it from her”? Why does everything here always have to be kinda some secret test of my worthiness? Haven’t I proven how worthy I am a million times already?

Kotori: For the record, I think you are more than worthy, Niko. No bias as your friend, either. Your actions have shown your worth. Just ask anyone that isn’t miserable in death. …So, you know, Mei. As for your other questions… I think Yuma’s motives down here are still a mystery. But she never really elaborated on her desire to be revived after she regained her mind and memories. She seems… content down here, but she’s a tough woman to read. That, and Yui typically doesn’t bring the Lantern down here, except for that time she tried to revive Mei. Otherwise, it stays in her office in New Eden, I think.

Niko: (she sighs) I really have no choice, do I?

Kotori: …Yuma’s plan isn’t the worst idea I’ve ever heard, exactly…

Niko: W-What? Fight Arashi? I’m not crazy! I-I’ll ask okay? I give in! I’ll ask!