Welcome back! Yeah I know It's been only one day, but hey I have way too much free time so I decided to knock out another chapter of this story. This chapter has a little bit of everything in it. We now change our focus from Phoenix to Kurain village. This chapter will set up the relationship between our agent, Pearls, and Maya. This chapter has scenes change differently to reflect the unrushed feeling of Kurain Village. Don't worry about phoenix, we will come back to him in about 2 chapters after this.

March 27, 9:27 AM

Kurain Village

A 23 year old man stepped off a train at the station. He wore cargo pants and a hooded sweatshirt. He had slung over his back a bag. In the bag was filled with clothing that would sustain him for living in the village for an extended time. This also included the many knifes he had for the sole purpose of the mission.

Mr. Edgeworth sent me here? I'm in the middle of nowhere. There's no phone service and the ride here took 2 hours. Well, it is kind of my job though. First things first, I must establish my alias.

An elder of the village walked up to him and said, "You must be the man who decided to take up the task of maintaining the Zen garden in the Fey manor. Your name is Mial Locke, right?"

I see he already set that up for me, but did he really just rearrange my first name. "Yes that's what I have come for."

"Very good, let me show you your bed." He was led to a room that was of decent size for one man. "The garden you will be working is over there and meals will be served at 8, 11:30, and 6 in the dining hall. Do you have any questions?"

"No I don't." Good thing I know a thing or two about Zen gardens. Now then I have to establish contact with someone named Maya Fey.

Meanwhile, Maya and Pearl were sitting under the training waterfall. Mystic Maya doesn't seem like herself anymore since that day. Pearl thought about this as she remembered the day Maya was released by the assassin.

It was a long ride to Kurain for Maya and Pearl as they thought about what happened. Their trust was just broken by their closest friend. "P-pearly, why did he have to do t-that? That selfish man just freed a guilty man and r-ran off." Tears trickled down her face.

"I don't know, you should ask Mia. She did see the entire thing unfold." Pearl said as she looked away in a saddened manner.

Maya still crying replied, "W-why him of all people? He promised he would never abandon me. He just left me. You of all people should know how much I… liked him." Her clothing started to become wet as he tears hit it. "Let me talk with my sis."

"If you want to talk to Mystic Mia you'll have to wait. I still need to recover my energy. Though, on the other hand I can talk to you about him." Pearl said this to offer comfort.

"I'll wait to talk to sis" The two just sat there silent for the rest of the ride.

When they got to the village Maya ran as fast as possible to her room. She wailed as she buried her head into her pillow. Pearl entered the room to see Maya lying there. She contacted Mia as her body transformed into the deceased sister of Maya.

"Maya, is that you there?" Mia calmly asked.

"Y-yes…" She said into her pillow.

"I know why you're like this. Please face me and talk to me."

Mia then walked over and sat down on the bed next to Maya. Maya faced her, "Sis why does everyone abandon me? First mom, now him."

"You never did anything wrong. It is all the fault of that pitiful excuse of a man."

"Why sis, why?" She said as her face was still red from crying.

"I think it's because he did it for his personal pride, for a perfect win record. It wasn't for you, that I can be certain of. I know this because when the verdict was read he just stood there and did nothing. No objection, no shouting hold it, just nothing. When it was over he was nowhere near the defendants lobby. He knew that he couldn't face me after that. He thought he could just abandon us. Maya forget about him, he means nothing to us anymore."

"You just can't forget about someone though. He was just too close to forget just like that, not to mention the fact I…"

"Liked him? I could see that every time I saw you two together. Don't bother anymore with him. You are surrounded by people who care for you now. Besides, maybe one day you'll find a guy you can trust." The Mia hugged Maya whose eyes were still watering.

Pearl coming back to the present day, looked around for Maya wasn't with her. Where is she? I'm supposed to watch her, especially after that incident.

Pearl started to look around frantically. She ran to the manor to search for her there. She was relieved to find Maya just staring at the undercover agent working.

"Mystic Maya!" She called out.

"Shh, I'm watching this guy. Who is he Pearly? She asked.

"I think I heard the elders say he's a drifter who was looking for someplace to settle down. So they gave him a job working the garden."

"I don't trust him though, especially after that man." She was referring to the defense attorney when she said this.

"Why don't you talk to him Maya, maybe he could be your special someone." She said in the hopes to cheer her up.

"I'll talk to him." She reluctantly replied. She walked up to him and asked, "Who are you?"

"Mial Locke, I just arrived today. You are…"

"Maya Fey, next in line for the position of master." She stated coldly.

So this is Maya Fey. Why would she be the target of de Killer as Mr. Edgeworth said? "Who is that just hiding in the path?" He tried to look around Maya to see Pearl

"Pearl Fey, she's my cousin." She said dryly

"Anything I can help you with?"

"No" Maya just walked away without saying goodbye.

Pearly was angry to see Maya walk away like that. "Mystic Maya, you should have at least said bye."

"Why should I? I don't trust men much anymore."

Pearl thought to herself, Aww, I thought that maybe they could make a fairy tale happen.

About two months went by, it was now May. Liam and Maya would sometimes bump into each other and have a short little conversation, but nothing too deep though. Maya would try to be distant from the man whenever they talked. The agent from the task force started to grow impatient wondering if an attack would be made at all.

Liam was now in Maya's room setting up some security equipment. He spied something. It was a picture frame. The glass was shattered and one of the faces in the photo was colored over with a black marker. Hmm, I wonder what this is about. Maybe, I could ask about this another time. He continued on his mission to secure the area.

A few hours later Maya walked back into her room to change her clothes. As she was putting on her clothing she realized something was off. Seven, eight, wait where is my ninth sash? She called out, "Pearly did you take one of my sashes?"

"No, I would never do something like that."

I better find it.

She searched for about an hour looking for it. She then walked past the garden where "Mial" was gardening. Where is it? Wait a moment. She walked back and saw Liam working with her sash around his head. That pervert stole my sash, how dare he. I knew he couldn't be trusted.

She approached him in a hurry. "You there, what do you think you're doing with my sash?" Maya's face was contorted in a strange way.

"Huh, what do you mean?" The pseudo gardener responded.

"The thing on your head it's my sash." She stated, "Where did you find it?" She clutched the magatama around her neck.

"On the ground, I thought it was a headband." Psyche-Locks appeared around him.

She started to demand the truth, "No you didn't, tell me now sash snatcher."

He reluctantly answered, "In your room." There was no response from the magatama.

"Why were you there?"

Great she's gonna blow my cover. "I umm, err, why is this so important to you?" He said trying to change the subject.

"That's because a man stealing a woman's sash around here is like taking a woman's panties."

WHAT!? I thought this just a headband. He thought this as his eyes widened.

"Are you like some kind of perverted man who likes this kind of stuff?"

"NO! Are you like crazy or something" I should have realized the kleptomaniac inside me would cause trouble.

Maya was still staring at him waiting for some reaction, none however came. That's strange I would have thought there would be at least three locks. What if, nah it can't be, I mean… Then again that would explain why he's been eying me these last two months and tries to talk with me. It's obvious he likes me then. I mean, I am the pearl of Kurain. No wait that's Pearly. Maybe I should ask him out. Don't freak out Maya, don't freak out. This guy has to be the one. "Umm, you know maybe you and me should you know, umm, go to the training waterfall, or maybe I could grill up some burgers for you" She said this and blushed.

Burgers, that doesn't sound bad, I could really use one. I haven't had one in about over 3 months. "Burgers sound nice." The agent replied, completely oblivious to the love stricken spirit medium in front of him.

Yes! Even he wouldn't have said yes to that at first. I would usually have to beg him to take me someplace. This has to be a sign. "Meet me at the dining room at 7, Ok."

"Sure" Well this should be good for me. I can gain her trust and be able to protect her better. Plus, the burgers will be an added bonus. Liam still had no idea of the intentions of Maya.

Liam arrived at the dining hall at the designated time. Maya was waiting for him; she had a plate of burgers just lying on the table. The table itself had a candle on top of it.

"Please um, sit down Mial." Liam complied and sat down. "Here have a burger. They are grilled using my secret recipe with 11 different herbs and spices."

"Sounds delicious, by the way what is that candle doing here."

"Oh this, um, someone must have left it lit." She lied, to him. Maya knew that she lit the candle for what she called a date. "Anyways I think you should let me feed you the burger."

Liam replied, "I think I can feed... Mmmm, this is good" Maya shoved a burger into his still talking mouth. "He devoured his burger in record time. He then started to eat 2 more not caring how he looked, he just wanted to eat the food.

He's so cute when he eats. Maya thought this looking at the man just shoving the food into his mouth. "So after this we should play a game."

"Why not? I've been bored for a while around here." He said this as he was still eating.

"Okay we'll play Trivia Pursuit."

"NO! Not Trivial Pursuit." He suddenly cried out.

"It's only Trivia Pursuit: Kurain Edition"

"Oh, I thought you had a copy of the infamous Trivial Pursuit."

"I think you're just pronouncing it wrong." Maya said confused.

"No, that's the name of it. It has thousands of questions of useless and ridiculous facts such as, "How many times did Vlad the Impaler blink in his life?" They even want the exact amount with no multiple choice at all."

"Why would anyone play such a ridiculous game?" Maya asked.

"My brother does, he knows all the answers to the facts in that game. The scary part is he's only twelve."

Maya asked, "That makes no sense. Does he have superpowers?"

"No, he's just a genius."

Maya finished eating her food and brought out the game. They both finished the game, Maya of course won. The man now called Mial said, "Thanks for making those burgers they were delectable. Not to mention the fact that I learned a lot about Kurain Village."

"I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye." Maya said and hugged him.

Liam who was shocked at this asked, "Umm, what was that for?"

"I don't know it just seemed as if you needed a hug."

"Goodbye, Maya?" He said as he left slightly confused.

On the way back he heard a rustling noise. He reached into his cargo pants pocket and pulled out a knife. Little did he realize that he had it pointed at Pearl standing in the dark.

"What are you doing?" She asked not seeing the knife pointed towards her.

The agent quickly slid the knife back into his pocket. "Nothing, Pearl" he replied, "Just got back from hanging with Maya." That was close. It would have been pretty bad to have her see me with a combat knife in hand.

Pearl asked, "So what do you think of her?"

"She's really nice and fun to hang around with."

Yes, he likes her. Just to make sure though… "So is she a good friend, a special friend in fact."

"Yes, I guess she is…" Liam was not aware of the direction Pearl was taking the conversation.

Pearl giggled as she ran off to relay the news to Maya. That was some strange conversation. He thought this as he went to his room to sleep.

The next morning he was working once again the Zen garden. Maya called out to him playfully, "Hey, sash snatcher."

"I'll be over in one minute I have to put away this ladder." He said.

Yep this is the one, he calls it a ladder not a stepladder. Maya thought dreamily.

Liam walked over, "You wanted to talk."

Maya clasped her hands together, "We should go on another date, maybe one to the cliff where you can see the sunset…"

DATE!? Liam Scăles' mind was shouting out at himself at this word being mentioned.

A/N Yeah, I went there. Don't worry Phoenix will still get together with Maya eventually. So what did you think about the change in mood about half way through. Leave your comments by reviewing.