Hey, just wanted to clear up a confusion. I know that some people misunderstood some things, and I just want to clarify some things!

1- In case anyone read a certain review on Mastermind, that was analytical, not angry. I tend to come across as too blunt, however, so I can see why that was misunderstood.

2- I am not ripping off super maria! A lot of people have similar concepts, and I has thought of a plot using mastermind!mistel before I read Mastermind. She just gave the inspiration to write!

3- Our plots are most certainly going to be different, I've made sure of that.

4- super maria also agrees with me about the not-ripping off thing. I asked her myself.

Now that's over, I hope everyone continues to enjoy this story! Especially my inspiration. Thank you so much for helping me get the gears turning and actually write for a change!


Mistel stood there for a moment, gears whirring. He was the reason why this person got yelled at by a friend of theirs. Why is he not angry? It didn't make sense why the other would calmly accept what happened and be concerned for Mistel, instead of himself. It just didn't make sense! If he was in Raeger's situation, he would throw the other under the bus and walk away. What is possibly so different about the two of them? He knew that Raeger was much kinder than he was, but he was also mean. He tried ripping off Raeger's kind mask, but he was still showing it. Why?

This puppet was not acting as expected, and Mistel was internally panicking. Why didn't he see this coming? Is there something he'd missed. There still left the part where Mistel initiated something by messing with Elise. He also encouraged Raeger to vent through mockery. This was his fault. Without even thinking, those rarely-meant words fell from his lips.

"I'm sorry," he blurted, forgetting that Raeger most likely did not blame him for what happened there.

"Don't worry about it!" Raeger said, smiling brightly at the other. However, Mistel knew he'd messed up, as the customer smile he'd tried to remove was back again. Although, it was not back completely. "It's not like you tried to get me yelled at it. It my fault for continuing the mockery, anyway. I'm about to open in a moment, would you like anything to eat since you're here?" He smiled, but Mistel felt that it was faker than it should be, for some reason.

"No, I already ate," he lied, hoping to get out of there.

Wrong answer.

Raeger looked a little guilty at Mistel's response, suspecting a lie. However, he quickly suppressed it with a smile. "Oh, very well! I hope to see you later, then! Good bye, Mistel!" This was not the plan. He was feeling.. off today. He wondered why distantly, but pushed it away.

"Oh.. yes, of course. I'll head back now. I'll be sure to show up for dinner, though." With that, the blond turned numbly to the door and walked away. All he was trying to do was gauge how much like him Raeger was. Then of course to forge a deeper interest through interaction. How could he mess up so badly?

Without paying much attention to what he was doing, the antique shop owner entered his shop, and started up the stairs. He stopped, however, when he saw Iris standing at the top, leaning on the stair rail. "Good morning Iris!" he greeted pleasantly, a smile plastered fakely on his face. He did care for his sister, but she had a habit of interrupting his plans and annoying him at the absolute worst times.

Iris did not return the smile, a scolding frown on her face. "I happened to run into Lillie a few minutes ago," she said disapprovingly.

Mistel's stomach churned in his gut. The last thing he wanted was a lecture from his sister about 'proper behavior' or anything of the sort. He could take care of himself, thank you very much.

"Yes, what about it? We were in a conversation that she had no business listening in on. It was her fault if she disliked it," Mistel said curtly, letting his smile fall. He should have expected a confrontation from Iris about that.

"The issue wasn't that she heard it Mistel, and you know that! Even if you dislike Elise, talking about her is rude and horrible! I thought better of you! I know for a fact that our parents raised you to be better."

No, they raised me to hide who I am.

Internally, Mistel scoffed. She had no idea how he actually was. He had no intention of her doing so, either. Externally, he bowed his head, acting ashamed of himself. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." That you know of, at the very least.

"I trust you, just make sure it doesn't. I'd hate to have to tell off Raeger for making you become so horrible."

"I assure you that he had nothing to do with it," the blond boy said, an edge appearing in his voice as he sidled up the stairs. "I will keep that in mind, however." He walked over to his desk, intent on continuing his work.

Iris was not satisfied with that response, however. She followed him to his desk, and stepped in front of it, blocking his path. Giving him another disapproving look, she crossed her arms. As that so often did, that motion unconsciously drew attention to her breasts. Mistel mentally rolled his eyes. And she wonders why so many men hit on her.

"That isn't enough, Mistel," she stressed. "I've been worried for a while that you don't have any friends here! Then you finally ta-"

"I do have a friend," Mistel cut in, glaring. "There's Agate." He wouldn't personally call Agate a friend, but they both very often fell on that excuse, to keep Iris away from things she need not be aware of.

"Well, Agate hasn't been here for a while, has she? You need some other friends. Proper ones, not people who will encourage you to talk badly about others!" She seemed passionate about this, her voice raising and she took a step forward. Mistel did not step back, however, intent on holding his ground. He knew very well what he was doing, and she needed to stay out of it.

Mistel's hands clenched against his will, showing how angered he truly was. Biting back a growl, he started to pull out his chair, pushing it against his sister's hip. "I said he had nothing to do with it, so you need to stop blaming him," she said firmly. "Now, I have work to do. Shouldn't you be writing some story or something?" The question came out harsher than intended, making her flinch at the force of it.

"I still don't know what work you do at that desk all day," she whispered, eyes downcast. "But I do know where I'm not wanted. I will leave you alone, if whatever you're doing is so important to you. Just remember that we're family, and I'll always care for you. Even if you act like a brat."

Not if you knew the truth, you wouldn't.

A stiff nod was the only answer he gave his sister, sitting down firmly in his chair once she had moved away. Once her footsteps carried her far enough away, he pulled back the blanket that lay over his desk. He had messed up a few things today, unfortunately. However, he had some other cards up his sleeve. He was good, he was okay. All he needed to do was play with a few other pieces, farther away from home. Fix things, without a direct approach.

Purple eyes fell on the pink-clad girl standing next to the old woman at the top of the hill. A sinister smile crept up on his face. A slender hand grabbed one of the pieces on the hill and moved it to the inn in a smooth motion. That piece knocked down another, which was oddly appropriate given which one it was.

Perfect. Now, to move a few less important pieces...

He was okay. He was fine. He was the Puppetmaster of Oak Tree Town. There were some blunders today, but he could make up for it. No, he would make up for them. Mistel Onolee did not have off-days.


:') I have a habit of giving characters last names...

I'm sorry for having it short, I promise to make things longer soon! I have to go watch my sister's talent show now, so hope you liked the chapter. Please let me know if you did!