Chapter Text
The flames of the burning house danced against the last red bit of sun before it ducked behind the horizon completely. Celestia Ludenberg, recently retired high-stakes gambler, sat on the rooftop of a building a little bit away and watched with calm pleasure. Having amassed a large amount of money from her previous gambling (not to mention a large amount of enemies), Celes found that no one worth going up against wished to try their luck against her anymore. Sore losers, really. However, she had such a sum of cash that she decided she could retire comfortably. But of course, without her gambling career, she felt the ennui all retired people feel. She didn't have much to do nowadays. So she found a new hobby. Arson.
It seemed a bit extreme, but it wasn't as big of a deal to her as it would be to the average person. After all, she had been breaking the law for a living for most of her life already. It was exciting, too, seeing a place go up in flames like that by her own doing. And the whole display was really beautiful at sunset. So what if she just left a family somewhat homeless and maybe endangered a few lives? It wasn't her problem.
At the start, she used to be too nervous and paranoid to stay and watch the fires, sticking with just seeing them on the evening news. But as time and fires passed, she became more comfortable and let herself view firsthand the fires she started. Let's be real here. Celestia Ludenberg never lost a game. There was nothing to be worried about.
Ah, and here come the area's courageous firefighters. Like bulky yellow moths to a flame. She watched them dash into the building, while others hooked hoses up and doused the house with water. The flames were eventually quelled. Firefighters stood back, watching for any rekindling. One in particular caught Celes's eye, as she pulled off her helmet and took off a lavender bandana and wiped the sweat from underneath her similarly colored bangs. She rested her arm around her helmet at her side and spoke to another firefighter. She was quite beautiful, even in such unflattering apparel, but - Celes scoffed - becoming infatuated with a firefighter, aside from being incredibly ironic, would be an unwise thing to do. That'll never happen.
Celes liked to keep her fires to a rough schedule, but never too exact, lest she become predictable. She liked to wait at least five days between fires, watching the news, scouting the next building, waiting for the opportune moment to break in and start the fire. Among other leisurely things. Exactly five days after her previous fire, she sat on another building's rooftop and watched her latest creation. Again she noticed the girl with lilac hair. Summer had come about, and the night was warm. She shucked off her yellow coat with a huff. Celes noticed her toned body, then looked away, blushing, and scolded herself. Don't you dare, don't even humor the thought. But even as she told herself that, her mind wandered to the thought of that body pressed against her- THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
Her next fire was earlier. Three days. She couldn't stop thinking about that goddamned firefighter. She was watching again, and finally decided she would get to know this girl, as stupid as the idea was. Perhaps she had a horrible or boring personality. Hopefully. Then this silly infatuation could be over with, thank the heavens. So she waited outside the fire station for when the girl was going to go home, or something. She really didn't know how the shifts worked. Maybe she would make a pizza run. Who the hell knows. Was this creepy? Oh god, this is creepy. How would she react when she saw some gothic lolita girl emerge from the shadows to speak to her? She'd spray me with mace, that's how she'd react. No, no, okay. She'd act like she was taking a nighttime stroll. Okay. Good.
Finally, the girl walked out into the parking lot. Celes made her entrance, leisurely walking past. Oh god, this is a bad idea. She sucked in her breath, and prepared to shout a greeting. But her breath caught in her lungs as a hooded man ran past, snatching her purse. Celes shrieked. "COME BACK HERE WITH MY PURSE, YOU SCUMMY BASTARD!!"
He kept running. She ground her teeth. Chasing him would be futile, given her elaborate clothes and delicate build. Then, a voice came from beside her. "Stay right here." The lilac-haired girl sprinted off after him. Celes was stunned as she watched her running figure slowly gain on him. Jesus Christ, that girl could run. They turned a corner, and Celes was left to sit and wonder what was going on.
Eventually, the girl came back into Celes's sight, carrying the purse. "Here you go," she said, setting it gently into her hands.
"Thank you," Oh god. Celes was blushing. She was definitely blushing. "May I request to know your name?"
"Kyouko Kirigiri." Celes took her hand in a dainty handshake. She was wearing leather gloves. A little odd on a summer night. But this was coming from the girl who dressed like she belonged in another century… So never mind.
"Celestia Ludenberg," she replied. "Excuse me, may I take you to lunch?"
Kirigiri looked a little surprised, but not against it. "I'd be flattered."
"How about tomorrow? At noon? I'll pay for everything. It's the least I can do to thank you for your act of heroism."
Kirigiri laughed. "If you insist. Uh, would you like a ride home? In case that creep is still lurking around. I won't question why you were walking around this late at night."
"Thank you very much. And if you must know, I enjoy late night strolls." They walked to her car.
Kirigiri chuckled. "Until you get your purse swiped," She unlocked the doors. "It's not quite a classy ride. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not." Although she kind of did. She could call her chauffeur any time now, but… She didn't want to pass this up, to be completely honest. She took a seat in the passenger's side and was relieved to find that the car was fairly clean and trash-free.
Celes directed Kirigiri to her mansion, and thanked her. "Pretty far for a late night stroll," Kirigiri smirked.
"I do have a chauffeur, you know. He drives me to my strolling area," Celes was aware of how rich and entitled she sounded as Kirigiri suppressed a laugh. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow," Celes huffed, and went down the front walk.
"I'm sorry for laughing at your chauffeur." Kirigiri called.
Celes turned around. "I am a benevolent being, and thus accept your apology."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Celes smiled and turned. Once she disappeared into the house, Kirigiri got into her car and drove away with a silly grin.