The glittering jewel embedded in the pendant shone a faint light, and Helga's excited voice rang out: "Wait, you can bring me back? Yes, please do so! Restore me back to my cute self!" She paused when she heard Sakura's terms, and then continued. "That's fine; I've decided to turn over a new leaf, and start anew with my new Lady; she maybe a sky pirate, but she has a heart of gold! Aaaahhh~" She sighed like a lovesick maiden, and Amber felt the pendant turn warm against her skin. "So, reunite me with my lover!"

[hr]
Back in Alex' apartment, Lily was sitting on the couch, hugging her knees and rocking back and forth with a sullen look to her. She didn't understand what Sakura tried to say, and left her with only a weak wave of her hand. She mulled over the exchange in the diner, and their words echoed inside her. [color=fff200]"Hey Alex."[/color] She spoke with a quiet voice, very unlike her usually energetic self. She didn't even know if he was there to listen, but she didn't feel like checking.
[color=fff200]"Do you think I'm pushy? I mean, I guess I must be...But back then...those eyes..."[/color] She wiped her nose with her sleeve.
[color=fff200]"Mariette had such sad eyes...I thought she was alone. But I was wrong. I was the outsider there. Well, that's not surprising..."[/color] She fell to her side on the couch, her arm reaching down to the floor. 
[color=fff200]"Still, I feel worried for her. What is she trying to do by kidnapping Amber, or other magical girls?"[/color]