A/N: The next chapter. It took a little longer than I thought to get up. The start of school moved my attention to that. Enjoy.

Chapter 3: Discussions and Few Answers

Larissa stood by the window her forehead lightly pressed against the glass. She was known for never crying, that was done with now. When Tally came in to check on her after she had been banished to her room her face was clear. She shot a cool glare at her cousin not sure if they choose her because she was the bubbliest or because she drew the short straw. For her part, the younger girl managed a smile and offered some food. Larissa accepted it though left it untouched for the rest of the night.

It had been almost a week and she felt completely lost. Usually, her paintings or music could help take her out of her zone or rather take her to the new one. Every time she tried there was a disconnect to the world. It was a safety measure to not let her sadness and hopelessness take over. She spent most of her time in her bathroom trying on different looks and relaxing in the bath. The sound of running water alone managed to calm her nerves. She did not care if it was a waste, letting it run even if she didn't go in it.

Being stuck in her room was not the punishment. Larissa preferred to stay in her room anyway, before and after she managed to get outside. It was annoying not able to go down and grab a small bite to eat when she wanted it. Everyone had good guesses on when she will be hungry and almost as soon as she was thinking of food some got delivered.

What was bothering her was that nobody was telling her why she was held up here. She had the impression they thought of her as a bother and porcelain princess. Everyone else was able to leave and go freely. They stayed in their little bubble but they had the ability to leave when needed, when they wanted. She tried to demand an answer every time someone came up. Larissa was playing the good little girl. Nobody wanted her to leave her room? Fine, she will stay put. She wanted to scream at the cruelty of it all but she stayed quiet. All she was demanding at this point were answers and no one in the damn house complied to answer.

Larissa plan of questioning was aimed for Purity, knowing her aunt kept most of the charge in the house. The older woman never was the one to come up and see her. She was flat out avoiding her. The seventeen year old knew that was what it was. She asked to see her when Tally or one of the others came up. A short promise to tell her and still the woman didn't bother. That meant Purity was avoiding her.

She sighed, the sound out of place on her delicate controlled features. She raised her hands to massage her temples gently. The last few days have been hard. She stayed put but Larissa wasn't going to try and hide her disappointment and bad mood. There was the possibility that when it became obvious someone will tell her why her life was set up like this. That was if they cared.

She turned her head slightly when she heard the door open. Aqua curls moved with her motion, slapping gently against her cheeks. Blue eyes stayed nearly emotionless though her tired demeanor showed.

Troy thought it was one of the saddest expressions he seen. He knew that his niece was upset. He wanted her to be more vocal about it. Maybe they would not be stuck in this situation if she did. He walked into the room placing a plate of salted chips and rolls on the desk. "Let's talk," he offered. His mind drifted to the conversation that led him to this invitation. It was the same time he and his wife discovered the teenager was gone.

XXX

The outing was going well so far. Troy always thought that one day something would catch fire and the house would soon follow it. It was dry enough. It was a beautiful day outside. It was hot and that strengthened his belief on the place burning down.

His gaze travelled to the house. He knew Larissa wanted to come outside. He pursed his lips for a moment before turning to his wife. "I'm going to get some water. I will be right back." They usually brought water outside. With this temperature though, it would have gone warm and stale. One thing that he did not like was warm drinking water. Plus, he wanted to check up on his niece.

After he grabbed a glass of cool water he headed upstairs. It was a nice house but he missed their old one on Neptune. Most of those that had been related to royalty or had some noble status had to move or go into hiding. He guessed they were doing both.

Troy knocked lightly on Larissa's door without an answer. He shrugged before opening the door. The bedroom was empty but that didn't lead to any worry. Walking in, he spotted one of her recent paintings up against the wall. A feeling of hopelessness answered him and he frowned. The soft sound of moving water interrupted his thoughts. He sighed. He should have guessed the young woman would just bathe her worries away.

This time he knocked on the bathroom door. He had wanted to say hi and that the pies would be ready in a couple hours. He knew better then to walk in while she was taking a bath. Something always managed to hit him on the head when he had tried before. The first time it had been a rubber dolphin, most of the time it was a bar of soap. Troy thought everyone got the treatment but when he talked to Purity she only replied that like any other modest woman Larissa wanted privacy away from the male population while bathing.

There was no answer and the frown deepened on his aged face. He rolled his fist over the surface again. Larissa liked her privacy but she answered when someone was getting her attention. He listened carefully finding out that besides the water, there was no sound coming from inside. The seventeen year old denied it but she often giggled or made a variety of relaxed noises while taking her baths.

Troy slowly opened the door, still aware that a projectile could hit his head. He stepped inside when no additional sound came from inside. Unless Larissa had fallen asleep, she was very attentive to her surroundings.

What he found shouldn't have surprised him. It did though and left him gaping. The bathroom was completely empty. A small high powered fan was making the splashing noises. He ran his fingers though dark navy hair. It had looked like she left on her own accord. It was too planned out for it to be anything else.

He was standing there longer than he thought. He heard someone else coming up the stairs looking for him. A second later Purity stepped into the room glancing toward the bathroom. When she came in she looked like she was going to chastise him for walking in on a girl. Her expression changed once she saw that he was standing in there alone.

"Where is she?" Her voice was terrified. Troy wanted to calm her down before it started but figured it would be impossible.

"She clearly left…"

"How do you know?" This was not good. He couldn't finish his sentences.

"She wouldn't have been kidnapped. This is too meticulous and there is no sign that Larissa did not leave against her will."

Clear blue eyes glared at him before she turned and left the room. Troy followed, staring warily as his wife started pacing. "She could be killed! She has no idea how dangerous it is for her to go outside."

Instead of trying to physically stop her pacing he just crossed his arms across his chest. "You knew we had this coming. She has not been able to go outside for almost eight years. It only makes sense that she will try while everyone else was enjoying that." He felt guilty but he had believed their reasoning for it was genuine. It would make anyone explode after being trapped inside. He was going to mention that before Purity cut him off.

"She doesn't know who she is. It was a miracle when I found out she was alive in the first place. I don't want to cheat with that miracle. I would not be doing my sister justice if I let her go outside to get herself killed." She was pacing, casting furtive glances to the window.

"Pure, you are paranoid-" he tried to get a couple words in.

"This isn't the palace it is dry as hell but it is substantial and safe…" The woman almost sounded hysterical. Troy let out a sigh before speaking.

"You know that we have been too strict on all of it. Doing that only gives more reason for people to rebel, the same thing with Larissa. We can't take it too harshly…"

"Too harshly? You need to realize the severity of this!" Without saying another word, Purity walked toward the door. He hoped that it was because she was gathering her thoughts.

"I'm going to wait downstairs until she gets back."

There was no changing her mind once it was made up. He learned that from all the females in this family.

XXX

"You know that she wants to talk to you."

Purity huffed, her back facing toward him. Troy had been trying to bring up the conversation about Larissa for a few days ago. He had just gone up to see his niece in the morning and her sad resigned face remained in his mind all day. The seventeen year old asked for her aunt and he was trying to ask her. It was not going well. The good news was that she was in the avoiding stage now not the yelling one. That meant that he had time to get some words in and maybe would listen.

Silence reigned for a few more seconds before he tried again. "You should talk to her. You are the only one that she wants to talk to." There was more silence. "I would like to say I have more charge here but certainly in this situation I am not comfortable telling anything without you. It should be you to explain it all…" He knew the strength was lacking in his words; he was rambling. The conviction was there though. He had to get it across.

Purity was looking across the room at the old gold clock. She had to be deep in thought. That was the only time that she denied answering him in important conversation. He gave a smile of encouragement even though she could not see it. "At least let Larissa out of her room."

A couple seconds more passed. "She looks so much like her Troy." He stayed quiet having a feeling where she was going with this. "Larissa looks so much like Umi… did." Her eyes strained not on the clock but a small miniature portrait below it. Two women that looked in their early twenties were smiling, arms swung over each other's soldiers. They both had aqua hair, one lighter than her companions. Elegant deep blue and green dresses clothed both of them. They looked well off and happy.

Troy moved forward to give his wife a hug but she stepped away. "It's hard to be around her for that reason. You can go ahead and talk to her. I still think it is a good idea that she stays inside for safety."

XXX

Larissa blinked at her uncle. There were points in her life, especially lately wondering if this family was related to her at all. The warm and knowing look in his eyes brushed those thoughts out of her mind. Her hands tightened for a moment before nodding, "Okay."

He walked over to the bed sitting down on the firm mattress. "Your aunt didn't feel up to making this conversation." A small flinch crossed the teenager's features but it disappeared as soon as it came. Troy sighed, looking across the room. He honestly hoped that he was not the one to have this conversation. He thought that is was out of his place to.

"Well, I know that you have been wondering why we keep you inside for a while now." There was silence. Troy was starting to get tired of the quiet pauses offered by the woman here. Maybe he should go to Tally's room afterward. His daughter always had something to say.

"There is reason for it… The world hasn't been the same lately. The government is not happy with our family. That was why we moved. That's why we prefer if you stay here." There was a small hesitation when he said government as though he was not used to the word.

"But why just me?" Larissa's voice rose. She was a composed young woman but her voice was close to cracking in frustration. She balled her hands into fist taking a minute to calm down before she spoke again. "Everyone else is able to go out. I don't see why I have to be under extra precaution. I'm not the youngest. Nothing serious happened when I went out last week." She bit her lip. Blue eyes stared challengingly at her uncle as she waited for an answer. She felt helpless and there still was hardly anything to soothe her mind in the matter.

"That is something that's hard to explain. We were happy to find you safely… It's nothing that I can tell you right now. It is safer if you stayed aware of right now. The responsibility will be ignored."

Larissa was silently fuming, twirling and tugging at a loose curl to steam off some frustration. "This. Does not help at all." Her feelings were showing on her face from what she will usually allow. She wanted some answers. She had to show her emotions. If she failed to than they will think she did not care or mind on the matter. "Can I least go outside more? I promise I will be careful. There won't be any looking for trouble and no one will recognize me. No one knows what I look like. Nobody has seen me in seven years." She gave a mirthless laugh. The aqua haired woman calmed down. Her eyes shadowed, trying to offer a smile one that didn't reach their depths.

Troy pursed his lips before giving a small nod. "Yeah, I think that will be OK." He opened his mouth to say more but she cut him off.

"Great, I want to go out tomorrow." She left no room for argument in the voice. If she couldn't be told exactly why then the rules for being trapped inside should be torn away. She smiled sheepishly for cutting him off, "I am an adult…" she said to support her words.

"Triton can go with you. I asked him to pick some things up earlier and he hasn't gotten around to it." Larissa narrowed her eyes at being dictated to go with her older cousin. She could make her way around town fine. Plus, there was the helpful blond she ran into last time. There was no point in arguing and she gave a small nod.

"Okay, that sounds good to me." Being able to go outside was accomplishment for her. She could work on going outside solo later.

Troy squeezed her shoulder lightly. He stood up, "Very well, I will go and tell him to except some company tomorrow and Purity that you will be going out sooner than planned."

He left. Larissa stared at the door for a second longer before standing up and grabbing one of the chips that he brought. The talk failed to go as she wanted it to and she thought she will get more from Purity than her uncle. There was nothing more she could do. She was allowed to go outside. She could contemplate the answers for everything later.

Everything that she was told she could have figured out herself. Larissa never got the feeling of being hated by anybody here. The only reason they would want to keep her in would be from her own good. What she wanted to know was why. She was told for safety reasons. Nothing screamed out at her on what was dangerous about the world and specifically why it was worse for her than anybody else.

Larissa picked up her pillow and threw it against the window. She was not some porcelain doll. How can she prove she could handle anything if nobody let her? She pressed her palm against her forehead. Being contained in her room after getting out was getting to her head. She needed to calm down.

She crossed the room to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Her hand grabbed one of the several combs lining the counter before running it through her aqua locks. Larissa closed her eyes, letting herself to get into a soothing rhythm. Her mind wandered to what else Troy said. The government hardly concerned her. Since she was kept into a general area and rules bound by the house any outside force or laws did not affect her current style of life. It intrigued her though on why the government would be concerned with them. 'Maybe they don't like rich families.' Her eyes opened, examined her reflection in the mirror. She was not aware of how the whole planet or solar system was governed. The seventeen year old was detached. If it was the government's fault- the Elite's fault- that she couldn't get outside and experience how the world worked than the blame went to them.

She debated how she should put her hair up or if she should do it at all. There was nothing to do and now she was waiting for tomorrow more than finishing up today. Staring at her reflection where several strands of hair framed her face. Larissa looked beautiful with her hair down but she knew it could be hindering. Aqua locks were pulled back into a simple loose ponytail. That way she could finish eating the food that was brought up and when she went to bed all she had to do was pull the tie out. The last thing she wanted was to have her hair get in her way while eating. It was simple and efficient.

As she ate one of the rolls, her eyes travelled around the room. It would be nice to be able to get outside again. It was pathetic that she will be so enthusiastic for a simple activity. With so many years inside, hopefully soon getting outside will be commonplace, like it should be.

A/N: I hope that this chapter helped give some insight on how Larissa's family views the situation. That was my goal for the chapter. I have the next chapter mapped out so hopefully it will be up in a couple weeks. School cuts my writing time down so I can't promise a specific time.

This is a slightly shorter chapter but the next one will be longer because I have more planned for it. The last few chapters were fillers so I can properly move the plot along when the time comes.