It was already six in the morning. Clearly he had taken enough of rest!
A servant walked up to him and placed a basin and a range of necessities for him
to clean up and shave.
He was relieved, a good bath is most welcomed now.
When he was done, his new clothes now lay in a neat pile at the end of a cleanly,
made-up bed, with most of the medical assistants and machines out of the way.
The room was just simply furnished with a bed, a desk and a closet.
There was a mirror at a corner and he walked up to it, examining his battered-self and recent bruises,
proof of his close-shave with death.
He had many questions but he dismissed most of his thoughts for the moment
and put on the clothes he was given. He wasn't expected to be late.
Besides, there was nothing more he could do at this moment, especially not when he held no memories
of who were chasing him and whatever the reason was that he was running away.
Above all, he could not remember who he really was.
"Ah, Good Morning" an elderly man greeted. "I hope you rested well."
The 'new resident' did look alot better after a good wash and shave and
was totally renewed.
"Breakfast is served. I will show you the way to the dining hall. This way please."
he gestured. The man nodded politely and followed him.
Together, they went down the hallway, passed by countless rooms and made a few
turns before reaching the dining hall. It was huge.
Walter gestured him towards a seat. "Sir Integra will be with you shortly, sir."
"Please call me Josh."
Walter nodded hesitantly and turned to leave.
"Is that...her title?", Josh asked, bewildered.
Walter paused,"You will get your answers in time when she gets here.
Now, if you'll excuse me." and left.
Josh shifted his attention to the quiet dining area. Everything looked expensive.
The table was long and the seats empty. He was alone again.
He stepped to the left end of the table and sat down.
The silence of the room made him nervous and he shifted his feet slightly as he thought about the meeting.
Small voices and footsteps started to ring the hallway and rose
as the people entered the room.
Josh rose and greeted them.
He cleared his throat as he met her gaze. There was a hint of familiarity now.
Integra paused in her steps and regarded him like it was their first meeting.
The man was a natural dark ash blonde, with sideburns that ran shortly against
the sides of his cheeks and trailed slightly as they met his jaw.
He had slightly tanned smooth skin and handsome sharp features
that hinted at Caucasian with Asian-mixed heritage
and eyes that bore the colour of his hair.
The white cotton shirt framed his shoulders and dropped slightly at his hips.
The first few buttons opened briefly at the top, nested comfortably
at his slightly-bared chest, as the rest of them lined his torso.
The pants fitted him well, accentuating his firm muscles that carried his lower frame.
Integra swallowed as she walked to her seat and sat down, averting his gaze
which seemed to pierce and pleasantly, quivered her.
Something she didnt expect.
"Good Morning," she replied.
Her gaze rose again to meet him to start a conversation.
His gaze was gentle now and his cheeks were slightly flushed.
She sighed and ordered some tea and porridge.
"It would be rude to keep staring, Josh." She notioned almost expressionlessly.
Josh blushed and darted his eyes away as he looked around aimlessly.
There was an awkward silence.
"So tell me." Integra spoke at last when tea was served.
"It maybe inappropriate at this moment but unfortunately, I realized that all I can tell
you now is that I've lost most of my memories at this time and if time would permit,
grant me a chance to recall what I've forgotten."
Josh looked down and brought the cup to his lips.
There was an awkward exchange of glances as they ate.
When they were both done, Josh looked up at Integra seriously and swallowed before continuing,
"If you do not mind and would be so kind to permit, I am willing to work for you to repay the kindness you have showered."
Integra leaned back and considered this for a moment while he waited.
She pushed her meal away and gestured for a maid to clean up.
Did he forget everything?
We still need to know what he was running away from and where he obtained that chip.
We can't let him leave, not now.
Integra thought to herself. She had her own plans.
"Well, tell me only what you know right now or what you can do at least.
I need to know your strength to grant you employment though it is not a promise
that I will."
Josh thought hard for a moment.
Walter, who was observing at her side, seemed to look concern.
"Do you know where you are now?"
Integra narrowed her eyes as she locked her hands in front of her.
"I presume you are military. And you are indeed wearing a uniform.
I remember you carrying a gun when you saved me.
And some people around here are clad in uniforms as well.
Weapon training can also be heard on these grounds.
You won't even have to listen hard enough. But..."
He paused and watched as a maid refilled her cup as he continued.
"I'll need some time." he paused again and sighed.
"To get back on these feet again, to find my roots and cause."
"This is no ordinary military we have here." she warned,
gathering her usual composure as she studied him for awhile.
Her eyes glimmered with interest, as well as concern, or so it seemed.
"Very well, you will need some training here, theory and practical.
You're going to need that so you'd better be ready."
"I won't spoil the fun so you'd have to find out on your own!"
She smirked and rose to leave.
Josh stood up and bowed, "Thank you." And raised only when she left.
His actions puzzled her somehow.
A private conversation took place outside the dining hall.
It only took awhile before Walter returned.
"Shall we?"
