Germany...

[Mana]

It was not the first time he had been here. Those beautifully curved archs of grand cathedrals and the ancient smell of desserted castles. Mana loved them. He felt them to the deepest of his senses. This black long and straight hair flowed behind his slim back. The robes of his garment fluttered in the breeze. The saturated make-up was intact on his pale pace. His face was not inflicted by any kind of emotions....

He stopped in front of the stone steps of a certain souless cathedral. He didn't notice the weird and long gazes of the by-passers. He didn't notice that there were less and less people around. All that catured his attention was this mysterious power radiating from the church. He closed his eyes and stepped into the place.

The hard soles of the plat-formed boots echoed against the wooden floor. Step by step...

[Saga]

Saga was inside, up near the altar and studying the refined craftsmanship on the woodwork when the door of the cathedral opened and careful, purposeful taps of boots entered. He didn’t really much care, either. He wasn’t the only one in here, and he ignored the other patrons, who were quietly inspecting other areas, as well. Saga only dimly registered the presence of the newcomer.

He’d needed a break, so he’d come to Germany. It was a little troublesome, to be truthful, but Saga hadn’t come to party and socialize, so for once, it wasn’t so difficult that no one spoke his language. If he really needed it, he had someone to help him get whatever he wanted. Saga had taken the day to wander around the streets of the city. He ended up in the church, though he didn’t really know why in particular, nor did he care.

Saga began to hum a snippet of melody to himself low under his voice.

[Mana]

He knew his dark image ruined such a beautiful surrounding of the Cathedral, dimly lit by countless candles. He didn't take notice how different his own existence was to everyone in here. But it was not the first time nor the second. He always had been...

The sounds of people whispering and muttering didn't reach his ears. Although the area was scattered with them, it was almost he was alone.

His eyes fixed on the flawless paintings high above the walls. His gaze traced the perfect lines and the creases of the drapery of sacred figures in them. Finally, he stopped on the largest one in the ceiling.... angels with their golden wings, smiles graced their faces...

Was this how Heaven supposed to be...?

[Saga]

Saga had been there for over an hour. The church was indeed lovely, but he was getting a little hungry. There was a nice little cafe he'd seen while coming here, and the smells of cooking and warmth that had leaked out were absolutely enticing. Saga figured he'd stop by there for a bite to eat.

Saga turned away from the wood panel he'd been studying and faced the door, he took a step or two forward, but then he looked up and stopped. There, peering at the paintings on the ceiling was a man that Saga would have been stupid not to recognize. The hair, the serene face, the clothes, posture, everything.

Mana-sama.

Well, maybe Saga was just being dramatic, but somehow, that man seemed to... unordinary for anything less than "-sama."

But what was Mana doing in Germany? And did Saga have the balls to approach someone of such standing as he for what? Lunch? He was a fellow Japanese man, even in the same area of the same work industry, but Saga didn't even know the man.

[Mana]

His eyes were fixed on the smiling and beautiful faces of the angels up there. He had been coming to Germany once in a year for three times in a row now. The main purpose was to hold a few concerts for the European fans. It might seem only for work, but everytime when he had a chance, he would visit cathedrals. He felt something that appealed to him spiritually and it felt stronger everytime he re-visited.

It was as if they were trying to say something to him...

He couldn't yet figure out what though. Those innocent faces and the angels were so carefree and just simply happy... and he admired them. He really did.

His lips parted, but didn't make a sound. His mind was contemplating on that mystery.

Why couldn't he enjoy such happiness like them...?

[Saga]

Saga didn't know how long he stood there, pondering the two choices in front of him. He could either ask this fabulous man, who was also a virtual (yet familiar) stranger, out to lunch with him, just to chit-chat with and have a language commonality with; or Saga could simply slip past him and head out the church doors and forget about the entire ... non encounter.

But really, how much fun would that be?

Throughout this entire thought process, Mana just kept standing there, gazing at the art adorning the chapel walls. How convenient for Saga. How he wished everyone ELSE in the world would stand so still and unaware of scrutiny as he made decisions.

Saga sighed and stepped forward. "Uhh... Mana-san?"

[Mana]

A stranger's voice echoed. It took him a while to register that his name was being called. The thing was, he wasn't surprised. But it was not that he thought he was famous in this foreign country though. It was because he really had given up and avoided interactions with people long long time ago....

His dark eyes slid from the cheerful angels above. He lowered his head, the long straight black hair wavered a bit in the movement. His facial expression remained doll-like. Smile-less. In front of him stood a blonde-haired figure. Tall and slim. By the way the latter had called out his name, he coul guess with no doubt that this stranger was also a Japanese.

He slowly blinked, emotions never leaking out from his eyes. Very politely, he replied in a soft voice, "What can I do for you, sir?"

[Saga]

So polite~ Saga smiled. Now that he'd said something, he really didn't have anything to lose from this, so Saga didn't bother trying to be too awfully proper and polite. If he did, he'd feel awkward and trip over his own feet and make a fool of himself in front of this fabulous man.

So Saga mentally shrugged and took a step forward, offering is hand to the lovely man in front of him. "I'm Saga," he started cheerfully. "Bassist of Alice Nine. And... I was just thinking about how interesting it was to run into a fellow member of Japan's music industry here, of all places. I was wondering if you were... hungry maybe? There's a cafe down the street..." Saga trailed off. Everything was up to Mana now.

((I suck with the lateness, I'm sorry ^^;;;; *getting back on track* ))

[Mana]

((It's OK! I'm falling behind too...))

It ws so rare that he would be confronted with someone this friendly, yet in a foreign place like Germany. He bowed couteously at the other one, his voice still neutral, "It is my pleasure to meet you, Saga-san. Glad to hear that we share a passion in music."

For a split second, it seemed like a tiny smile had flashed across his doll-like face. Saga's offer sounded pleasant. Normally, he would politely refuse such an offer espcially from a stranger. But something about the bassist that sent a slight message to him that he could trust the latter.

Nodding a bit, "I am honoured to accept your kind invitation."