Chapter Text
Working for the council was Celine's life work, and she wouldn't trade it for anything. Even when her group was growing apart, even when Miyeong was caught with a demon, even when Amy raised her weapon and demanded a fair fight. Celine simply phoned their handlers, and split the girls up.
And that was all it was ever meant to be. She, the leader, dealt with the big things. They took in turns having communications with the council, dealing with their idol duties and organising hunts to clear popular demon haunts. But this time, this fight was personal. Celine couldn't help but wonder what power the demon had, being able to sway Miyeong, who may be the only other person to care even more for this cause.
Miyeong, however, clung to her delusional fantasies, and ran after finding out the council was on its way. She left their dorm in a rush, blowing past the door so hard it swung back and almost hit Celine, who was in pursuit. However, one step outside of the back entrance they always used when limping home from a hunt, told her that Miyeong.. disappeared out of thin air.
Amy was a mess. She ranted at Celine, at every handler in sight, at her trainers when they returned to the center. She punched her punching bag a little too hard, she slayed demons with too much ferocity. Poor Amy, thought Celine, as she was dragged into the medical area to "calm down." She never learned that her emotions revealed weak spots to their enemies. Your faults and fears must never be seen, ofcourse. Although the council aren't their enemies. They exist to find these weaknesses and prevent bad things happening to hunters, preemptively.
Celine managed her emotions impeccably. She dealt with Miyeong's disappearance and Amy's breakdown perfectly. The whole country hadn't felt the affects of dysfunctional hunters yet. Her handlers sang their praises of her deftness, although she rarely needed supervision this late into their career. The praise even reached the higher ups, and she was already discussing retirement with them. She tried not to worry when they brought that up. After all, the new hunters weren't to be called for many years to come.
So when one night, eight months, and Celine brought out her expensive alcohol as a present from some coworkers ages ago, (although this wasn't the first time she brought out a present like this, and drank it while eyeing up Miyeong's half open bedroom door) she didn't expect to get a knock this late. She had felt nauseous all day, like something bad was about to happen. And opening the door on a heavily pregnant Miyeong, begging for help, she considered donning her mask again, and calling the council. But she had already made that mistake too long ago, and couldn't risk it again. The one place she allows open emotions were their home. Downtime was important too.
So she dismissed her work for the council that night, and held a sobbing Miyeong, who wasn't making much sense. Something had happened, she kept saying. I know, thought Celine. You left us.
Celine could hold it together, but her sobs cut through Celine's heart. Even the Honmoon was reacting, no doubt alerting the sensors that chaos was unraveling. But they probably had tonight together at least.
So she listened to her story, while in her head kept repeating, you left us, you left us, you left me. It seemed the words weren't truly reaching Celine. But at long last, the situation finally got through to her.
Miyeong had been in love with a demon. A demon, who apparently had gone against the current king Gwi Ma, and was in trouble. He had bought enough time for Miyeong to run (did she spend time in hell? Celine shuddered) and she came to Celine.
"You have to take care of her." Miyeong sobbed.
"Her?" Celine was beyond shock. She was numb.
"My baby." Miyeong had grabbed Celine's arms, boxing her in to a corner on their couch. "You have to. Your her only chance. The council won't take care of her. You have to watch over her."
Miyeong babbled nonsense. and when their door was broken down by council agents, Celine was almost glad she didn't have to see Miyeong tear-striken face as they dragged her off of Celine and injected the standard sedative. But as she was transported out the door and her handler kneeled down to talk to her, she had a sinking feeling that this moment was the last she'll see of Miyeong again.