"How unusual," said the first monk, lifting the sensor from his belt. The small ruby gemstone on a small wooden box glowed slightly as the young woman ran past them toward the card store.

"What is it, Brother Bistort?" said Brother Damiana as he turned to look at the other monk, who was still enjoying his tea. It was still early in the day, and the styrofoam cup didn't protect the liquid from getting cold as quickly as he liked.

"There was a reaction on the detector," Brother Bistort said as the gem faded again to darkness.

"What?" The other monk said, looking around the peaceful square. It was busy for it being so early in the morning, but that only amounted to about two dozen people going about their business. "Where is it then? They aren't exactly subtle."

"Yes, Brother Damiana," Brother Bistort said as he worked to recall what happened as the device went off. He glanced in the direction of the card shop. "I believe it may have been that young lady."

----------------------------------------

James forcefully stilled her shaking hands as she took another deep breath. Her heart was beating out of her chest as she closed her eyes. She had no idea why the encounter with Paul had her so worked up. But things had gotten so close to falling completely apart.

She wasn't sure how she would have explained it if someone had inspected her ears more carefully, worse yet if someone aware of monsters had seen them.

She glanced around the plaza square, but no one seemed to pay her unusual attention. At least, no more than one would pay a weird person who had suddenly started running around like she had.

"Dammit," James cursed to herself as her grip tightened around the straps of her tote bag. "Why is this so hard." She wasn't trying to draw attention to herself, but even doing something as simple as getting off the bus, something she wouldn't have ever paid attention to before, was fraught with issues.

She shook her head before looking at the door to the card shop. A small crowd was already entering and exiting the store, which was just what she needed. Waiting in line.

"I shouldn't have skipped breakfast," James grumbled as she entered the store, her stomach complaining. She wondered if Paul had been coming from here. The store had only been open for half an hour, but he was deep into the competitive scene.

Once more, the statue of the Death Knight greeted her. But this time, instead of an object of interest, it was one of warning. Monsters existed. If one like that appeared, she was utterly screwed.

The sight still left her in a bit of awe. She felt like a nerd, but she took in the ceiling again, and the scene was still impressive despite the reality of monsters. She managed to pick several minor details that had escaped her before.

She shook her head. She needed to make her trip quick so there was less chance of something happening. At least, she hoped that was how it would work.

She approached the counter, which, while busy, was less busy than it had been the previous day when she had visited.

"Hello there, can I help you with anything?" the employee asked. This time, it was a man, but he still wore the same black polos as the woman she had been helped by last time.

"Yeah, I... uhm. I am looking for some specific magic cards," she said.

"We don't sell magic cards here," he said with a grin. "Just Summon Monsters."

"No, magic cards from Summon Monsters," James clarified, but she was sure he knew what she had meant.

"Ah, well, we do have those. What can I do you for?" The man asked, leaning on the counter.

"Pyx's Rewind, Miracle, Mad God's Grace, or any other magic card that could remove an active equip card from play without destroying it," James said, listing off the cards she could remember.

The man whistles, causing James' ears to twitch under her beanie in annoyance. "Quite the selection. Making a counter deck?"

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"Something like that," James says as she watches him type into his computer.

"It looks like we should have Pyx's Rewind. There has not been much demand for the Pixie series set recently," he said as he turned and pulled a binder from the shelves behind the counter.

James nodded. "I'll need some pixies, too, then." Playing a Pyx card required summoning several pixies, which wasn't feasible for competitive play unless your deck was built on them.

"Here are the cards from that set. Probably not many pixies, though." The man said as he placed the binder on the counter before James.

James quickly combed through the binder and pulled out the cards she needed. Pyx's Rewind required at least two pixies to be summoned before it could be used.

"Two of the Wandering Pixies as well," James said as she placed the tier 3 cards on the counter as well.

Overall, the price was better than she had hoped, so she picked up a stack of bulk cards. Of course, all the rare ones would have been removed, but she could use the chaff cards if she actually got into a summoning battle.

"Alright, is that everything?" The man said as he put the cards aside and replaced the binder.

"Yeah," she said, and they moved over to the register. She ended up paying only about sixty for the entire selection.

"Thanks," she said as she took the bag from the man. She pulled out the pack of bulk cards and started to sort through them. They were, well, garbage. She had expected as much, but she separated out the more useful monsters and spells and tossed the rest into the trash can beside the counter. They probably had some value, but she didn't have time to consider all but the most useful. A Sickly Wolf would be more useful than a Fluffy Cloud Bunny, even if they were both tier 2.

"If you're interested, there is a small tournament tonight. You can try out that deck you're building," the man offered.

"No thanks. These are... uhm... more for casual play," James said, quickly coming up with an excuse.

He nodded as she turned away and started heading for the shop door. She slid the shopping bag into her tote bag and couldn't help but smile. She had done it. She had gotten the cards she needed. She nearly pranced as she made for the door.

She resisted the urge to run for the bathroom and try it immediately. She wasn't sure if she would have clothing after changing back or if it would work at all. So, it was better to be somewhere safe when she attempted it.

Exiting the building, she moved to make for the bus stop. But she was intercepted by two men. Their appearance threw her off guard a bit. She wasn't sure, but they almost looked like monks. They were bald and wore simple brown and tan robes. The taller one had a staff with a thick circle head on top of it, made of bronze or brass.

"Please excuse me, miss," the shorter one said. "But if you wouldn't mind, this one would like to ask if you have a moment."

James wasn't sure what to make of this odd duo. "What is it? I'm not looking to join."

"Oh dear, we are not missionaries. No, it is about an entirely different topic," the shorter monk said. He glanced over at the taller monk, examining a small wooden trinket in his hands. The taller monk simply nodded to the shorter one.

"Uhm, what is this about?" James said, starting to feel more nervous about this encounter by the moment. Given the number of people around, she was sure nothing would happen, but they were just so out of place.

"Well, you see, we are aware of your... monstrous issue," the short monk continued, emphasizing the "monstrous" part. "We would ask that you come with us to discuss this in a more private setting."

James slowly backed away from the two, alarm bells ringing in her head. "Uhm, no, I really have to go," she said.

"I am afraid we must insist," the taller monk said. "You appear reasonable, and we wouldn't want to cause a scene."

"Leave me alone, I'll scream," James warned, feeling silly. But that kind of threat sometimes worked in the movies.

"That would be foolish," the short monk said. "Do you think we are the only ones who watch this place? Even now, other groups move, having seen us confront you."

"Just let me go," James pleaded. "Why can't you have just left me alone."

She could still try running, but they were making good points. What if there were others. She glanced around, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention.

"I apologize. But it is too late," the taller monk said. "Even if we did so, your presence is known." He gestured out into the plaza. James followed the gesture, only to see the head of a man sitting on a bench, seeming to casually turn to not look at them and instead at his phone.

"This one presumes that you would rather deal with those who speak peacefully than those who strike from the shadows," the shorter one said.

"Goddammit," James cursed, the joy of minutes ago already being ground into the dirt. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes as she realized the rock to her current hard place. "Fine. Bastards."

The shorter monk smiled apologetically. "Please follow us then," he said, motioning for her to follow him as the taller monk moved behind her. "I do apologize for the late introduction. But my friend is Brother Bistort, and I am Brother Damiana."

"We are known by your kind as the Guardians of the Veil," said the monk behind her as they exited the plaza.