"Well, I'm not sure, really, but something awful must have happened to one of the Otakus."

"But we're all here, well, the ones we care about, anyway."

"Meredith, there's where your understanding fails. You must care about all of the Otakus, whether you must fight them or be allies with them. I suspect that it was Celly's pain we all felt. Susanne is bitter enemies with Celly, but certain emotional pain is felt by us all because we have a larger connection. Whatever it is that Celly was feeling, it goes beyond your missions, to a place where you all are friends, to where you care deeply for each other." Zeke was trying hard to ease Meredith's mind, but being unsure of what was going on himself, he was finding it difficult. Meredith got up and wandered to Susanne's room. She tapped lightly on the door.

"Sus? You there?" There was little response, just a hmmmm from Susanne. "Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, come in."

"You okay?" Susanne was laying on the bed, listening to music. She reached over and turned the volume down, then sat up.

"Yeah, I guess. That was wierd. How are things with you and Zeke?"

"Well, I still don't understand why I have to have a Guardian. I can take care fo myself."

"Dith, you saw what happened to Mercy. We're dealing with forces you've never seen or felt before. Trust me."

"What about Roger? You seemed upset with him."

Susanne thought for a minute and replied, "Well, I know I need him around, but he doesn't need to follow me EVERYWHERE!!! I guess I just want some time alone once in a while. Guys get so tiresome at times."

"No kidding!!!" Both girls giggled, and Meredith was glad to see Susanne's spirits lift a bit. "Sometimes I wish boys were never invented. But then I remember they're so much FUN!!!!" They burst into giggles again, and momentarily forgot the stress of being Otaku.