DISCLAIMER: I don't own diddly. Neither does Spiritua Masquerade.


I had already taken off my traveling coat, draping it over my head to protect me from the weight of the sun. Hours ago it had risen into the sky only to stick there, indefinitely, and I for one never wished more for the protection of nightfall. In the night, I wasn't dizzy. I didn't feel as though every breath was a struggle against this harsh environment.

Genis kicks at a dead scorpion husk like most boys kick empty cans across the street, cheerfully running ahead of me in zig-zagging patterns and making me dizzy. As if the heat wasn't enough. "Genis…" I blink at how raspy my voice sounds. Clearing my throat, I yell over to him. "Genis, hand me the water."

I could go on for a few more hours without something to drink, but this is a clever way I've found of keeping him closer to me. I don't like it when he runs ahead, like he always does, and if I warn him to stay near me he'd just ignore the order and run faster. He returns to my side, relieving the panic in my chest, and hands me the water bottle. His dead scorpion is forgotten.

I stumble a few steps but try to hide it. I can't show weakness in front of Genis- he's more than my little brother. It's almost as if I have to be his parent as well, I have to be strong to make him feel secure. If I was a blubbering idiot, that just couldn't have a positive effect on his outlook. Another dizzy spell. I ignore it.

"Here you go, Sis," he says, grinning. "Starting to feel the heat, huh?"

I shrug, scanning the barren surroundings for any threats. Nothing but snakes and bandits in the desert, but it wouldn't be prudent to be caught by surprise. Triet was still far off, and I couldn't afford to waste mana on too many scrapes and bruises in case we came across a sand worm. Dunes rise and fall, a ruddy orange ocean spread out before me. Ocean. Water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink.

I blink a few times, putting a hand to my forehead as another dizzy spell hits me. Why am I on the floor?

"Sis!"

Genis grabs at my shoulders, trying to make me sit upright so he could dribble more water into my mouth. Oh, Goddess, but this is perfect. I'm only lucid enough to realize I'm going to die here from overexertion. Why didn't I teach Genis more healing spells? Why didn't I pack more water, for Martel's sake?

A sudden shade, blocking the oppressive sunlight. Wings outspread, lifting me up, flying away with me, far, far away from the red-hued ocean. Salvation.


The first thing that came to my attention that it was cold. Blessedly, wonderfully, raise-the-hair-on-your-neck cold. Thank the Goddess Martel for that. I sit up, already putting my mask back on- the one everyone sees when they look at me. Cynical, amused, and distant. "How long have I been unconscious?" I ask her, trying not to show the surprise I felt.

"Oh, only for a few hours, Professor!" Colette Brunel says, bright blue eyes and cheerful grin irrepressible, despite my best efforts to mellow her out and teach her to act more like a young woman and less like a ten year old on a sugar high.

"I see." That's all I need to say- although I want to embrace her tightly. Yes, even the cold-hearted Professor has emotions such as 'loneliness' and a need for companions. But even if all nine of my former traveling companions realize this about her, the only one she actually admits it to is herself. I bring the quilt up higher, holding it to my chest with one hand as I look around the room. Definitely not Flanoir architecture. "We're not in Triet, are we?"

"Actually, we are."

In my mind, everything she says ends with an exclamation point- even the questions. Trying to figure out the mystery for myself, I start to notice the tell-tale residues of mana still floating around the room. Not that Colette could see it. She wasn't a half-elf.

"Genis," I say. "A frost spell?"

Colette only grins wider. "I guess no one can get anything by the Professor, huh?"

I snort with laughter, rolling my eyes. Ah, flattery. My one weakness, but I'm pretty sure the only one who knows that pretty tidbit of information about the dreaded Professor is the Professor herself. "You'd be surprised," I tell her, my voice dry as the desert I had so narrowly avoided. "Thank you. You saved me earlier, didn't you?" I ask. Colette blushes.

"Uh, yeah," she said, looking at the floor. Take the compliment like a woman! I want to scream. Have I taught you nothing?

"Hm." I fix her with the Patented, Penetrating, Prying Professor gaze. "And aren't you supposed to be helping with the reconstruction of Iselia…?" I ask, trailing off ominously.

She flushes again. "Uh… yeah."

"Oh come on, Raine!" Genis complains from the doorway, letting in an unpleasant gush of arid Triet air before he kicks the door shut. "She saves you and the first thing you do is nit-pick. Don't listen to her, Colette. OW!"

I'm not so weak I can't reach for my staff for a long-distance thwacking.

"Actually, Genis, my dear brother, the first thing I did was thank her for rescuing me," I say in my normal tone, as if I hadn't just left a lump the size of Meltokio on Genis's head.

"I didn't just leave in the night," Colette says, explaining herself. "I asked if it was all right, if they didn't need my help with anything." She looks down at the floor for a moment, the emotion clear on her face. She isn't a good poker player, not like the Professor. "And… and they didn't."

Ah.

Yes, but that does make sense.

Ever since Lloyd-

"Well," I find my mouth moving on its own, without my express permission. What? What is this, another heat stroke? "Well, we could certainly use your skills, Colette. It's only been a few months since you've seen combat, and I remember how much damage your chakrams dealt."

"And how much better you are at cooking than Raine!" Genis piped in, earning himself another smack.

"Oh! But-" Flush. Again. "Well, I mean… yeah!" she smiled. "Yes, I would love to travel with you two again. It's just what I need."

"Excellent." I smile at her, wondering if the pity shows. Everyone knew Colette was in love with Lloyd.

Nobody knew he would reject her for Presea.

"Now that it's all decided, we should thank Yuan," Colette said, making my train of thought screech to a halt.

"Why would we need to thank Yuan?" I ask Genis. I try not to let the emotion show on my face, but I'm not sure how well it's working. Yuan. Why, of all places, did she drag me back into his scheming claws here in the Triet Base? I thought I had escaped!

Colette answered for him. "Well, this was the closest place I could find…"

"You said we were in Triet." Professor, don't sound accusing! This is Colette, after all! It doesn't get through her mind that not everyone is friends with heartless scholar Raine Sage.

"Triet Desert, yeah!"

Ugh. I sigh as softly as I can, not wanting to make Colette feel guilty or anything. I was going to have to see that obnoxious seraphim again. Obnoxious, demeaning, show-off. So many words to describe him run through my head I can't even begin to say them.

Maybe I should have died.


A/N: Well? Well? How did you like the first chapter? I personally can't wait for Spiritua's chapter! I know from experiance she's a great writer who comes up with some brilliant fic ideas. Chapter one wasn't very long- nothing to write home about. Maybe 1,200 words. Anyway... those who read the RUNAWAY series know there's gonna be something twisted coming, sooner or later. I just have to check with Spiritua to ask her how 'weird' or 'normal' this fic will be. And who knows who will be paired with whom? You might just be surprised...

SPLOOSHIE OUT!