I lived in Montpellier for two months so, I'm very excited to write about it! I loved the city and the people. It's sort of a mixing pot being that there are 3 different Montpellier Universities! To all of my fellow Frenchmen, I hope I do your city justice!


"You don't have to go along with this Mao." Hei said, looking skyward at the graffiti covered walls of the train station. He scanned them, admiring the work, not that he knew exactly what it said. It was mostly quiet to say it was mid afternoon when they arrived. The cold grey asphalt felt sticky under his feet as he shifted his weight, hands deep into his jacket pocket.

"Actually I have too. I cant exactly take care of myself." Mao responded, lifting a tiny paw, showing Hei the lint that was stuck to him. The human contractor looked down at the small dog then back to the wall.

"I'm sure some little girl would be able to handle that for you."

"Ha ha, very funny. So, what's the plan." Mao nodded in the direction of the female contractor they had been traveling with all of this time. Hei looked in her direction. She was a good distances away from them, standing on the outskirts of the station in the rocks. She'd been the phone since they got off the train, and glanced back at them every so often. Hei assumed she didn't think he noticed, but he'd been watching for the entirety of the ten minutes. A breeze passed by and Hei pulled his coat closer to him. He thought the south of France would be warmer, but even in early summer there was still a chill.

"I'm going along with whatever she's planning." he finally responded. Then train that had been parked when they got there made a grunting noise and started moving along the steel tracks. A new group of people started towards the platform, waiting for the next train.

"To say we've been partners for years now, I don't get why you're going along with this." Hei looked back to La, she had a finger to her ear, probably trying to block the grinding sound of the train. She was speaking in French he assumed, not he could actually here. She was pacing, making small circles in the rocks. She glanced up, and for a second they were eye to eye before she turned away quickly and looked back out towards the street.

"Because she knows where he is, or at least she has a lead. When I find out where he is, I'm going to put an end to whatever the CIA is planning." Hei reached for the collar on his green coat and pulled it closer around his neck.

"But Hei,"

"I let this happen once Mao, I'm not letting it happen again." Hei answered before the dog could finish.

"Mat isn't," Mao paused considering his choices "He isn't Izanami. Amber's prophecy only talked about one evolved doll not all of them."

"We don't know that for sure." Hei said and proceed towards La who was walking to them.

"He's here, let's go." La said and guided them through the gate to a small alley like exit. They turned a slightly and was greeted by a driver, dressed in all black and directly behind him a red car that looked rather expensive.

"Fancy that." Mao whispered as the driver opened the door.

"Mademoiselle La, such a pleasure to have you back with us. Monsieur Hei and un chien, this way, si vous plais." The driver said and gestured with his hand that they enter the car. La got in first and the other two followed suit.

"Mademoiselle La, 'ow was your trip?" the driver said as he started the car. La sighed and looked ahead without answering. The man nodded into the mirror and focused his attention back on the road. Hei watched as they drove down the narrow French streets, lined with close nit buildings. It wasn't like Paris, he noted, but the south of France seemed to have been influenced by some other cultures. He also noted the bustling crowds of young students of all nationalities. They turned another corner and the street opened up into what he assumed was the city center. It was a wonder they were able to drive through the crowded area. The driver honked the horn as the had to pause by a water fountain to a large group of tourist past by. Hei glanced over to La who had her face in her phone, metaphorically speaking. She hadn't torn herself away from the thing since crossing the border to France, what was so important on the thing that she couldn't look up.

"Ah do apologize for de delay, as you can see, we 'ave quite a few vizitors this year." The driver said and smiled into the mirror. La just grunted and closed the phone. She looked out of the window at the familiar restaurants and gelato venues they passed by. A smiled tugged at the corner of my mouth as she reminisced on times she and her father would come down for L'estival. She'd always get the same thing, paella and the ginger mint drink for the African woman and if she had room, two scoops of lavender ice cream. It was a pastime that, back then, she didn't quite understand how to enjoy. But now, thinking back on her, Dominic and their father sitting on the cold cement steps behind the bandstand, as waves of French gypsy music propelled the people's festive spirit, La could at least appreciate those moments.

"Reminiscing?" the deep voice broke her from her thoughts and she turned to face Hei who, despite asking, looked seemingly uninterested in her answer.

"Maybe." she said and turned forward not wanting to engage in any further conversation with him. Hei shrugged and turned back towards the window. They had now made it out of the square and into a more residential area. Wherever they were headed, it didn't seem to him as some sort of research facility. Then again, La had said that NYCO was an underground research center, they wouldn't be in something as obvious as a building.
The car stopped in front of an iron gated home. The driver stepped out and opened the door for La. She nodded and he titled his hat to her. Hei, not wanting to wait let himself out of the car and Mao followed suite.

"Oh Monsieur, ah was coming to open your door." the driver, seeming slightly offended that Hei did it himself. Hei mumbled a quick apology before following behind La. The house was big, but rather old looking. There were several trees in the front yard which hung over the black iron gate, giving the place an ominous feel. Once inside the yard, the first thing that hit him was the overpowering smell of lavender. Mao sneezed and Hei tried intently to hold his back while La seemed unaffected by the scent. On either side of them was a well manicured garden of mainly lavender plants mixed other herbs and greenery. Hei, half expected there to be a vineyard planted, as they had passed so many on the train to Montpellier.
Hei looked up at the house, which looked must nicer up close. The dark old wood only added character to the traditional French doors and shutters. He was admiring the craftsmanship so much, that he hadn't noticed he's stop walking.

"Are you coming?" La said, holding the front door open. Hei looked at her and Mao who almost made it up the steps before proceeding inside.


"Come this way." La said, leading the way through the earthy orange hallway, lined with antique vases. Mao, walked carefully close to Hei, so as not to bump into anything. She lead them towards a pair of large French double doors. She knocked and waited.

"It's open." A voice called from inside, La sighed before turning the knob that lead to the library. The room was average sized but looked much bigger with the tall ceilings and large bay window. The walls were lined with bookshelves, all fully stocked with books. The carpet was a deep forest green and in the middle of the room was a desk which Dominic was casually seated behind. He looked up, pushing up his glasses simultaneously and smiled. The sunlight glossed over his glasses to were you couldn't see his eyes, the notion made Hei feel uneasy.

"La, my dear little sister, so good to have you back home." He called and his voice seemed echo through the room. La walked over to him, and kissed each cheek.

"Likewise brother." La said, but the formality didn't suit her and sounded forced. She stood next to him and from Hei's vantage point, they looked like an old family portrait.

"Ah," Dominic said, finally focusing on Hei and Mao. He titled his head down to where the glare on his glasses was gone and Hei was finally able to see his eyes. "You must be Hei, so good of you to come." he said and smiled again, Hei didn't return the gesture.

"And who are you?' Hei finally said. Both men looked sternly at each other before Dominic spoke.

"I'm Dominic, La's elder brother and CEO, if you will, of NYCO. I'm sure you've heard of it by now, yes?" The pretentious air around the man made Hei mentally gag. If not for their seeming identically eyes, both in oval shape and deep amber color, Hei wouldn't have guessed that they were related. Whatever this guy was up to, Hei would play the game until he founded the doll.

"Yeah, I know it." he said finally and started to walk towards them before Domini stopped him.

"No, I'll come to meet my guest." Hei waited for him to stand but Dominic made no such gesture. Instead he reached down and La stood back as Dominic rolled his wheelchair around the desk towards the two contractors.

"He's a cripple?" Mao whispered as the man approached them. Domini held up his hand and Hei removed his from his pocket to greet him formally.
"And you must be Mao. My, what an unusual form to chose." Dominic said looking at the tiny dog. Mao cringed mentally at the slight insult but remained calmed.

"Yeah, not much choices in a dog loving country." Mao joked and Dominic chuckled slightly.

"Well then, enough formalities for one day. Shall we get to the matter at hand then?" Dominic said more than he asked, and turned towards the bookshelves, fully expecting all to follow.

"As I'm sure La has told you," he spoke whiling pulling a book from the self which relived a keypad. "NYCO was founded by our father, Dr. Francis Beaudroux perhaps you've heard of him?" Dominic punched in the numbers and one of the shelves gave way to ad door.
"Yeah, he was one of Frances top researchers on contractor behavioral studies but fell off the map years ago." Mao commented and Dominic turned his head to him and smiled.

"That's correct, this way gentlemen." Dominic said and walked into the door and the others followed suit. They walked down the narrow hallway which opened up into a much larger room which was filled with computers, and equipment one would find a physical therapist office. Despite having all of these things, there was no one working in there.

"Our father was quiet the researcher. He was amongst the greatest scientific minds to partner with PANDORA to figure out how contractors work. He was the man who figured out that a person, for lack of a better word, represses their memories after becoming a contractor."

"If he was so great, why did he disappear?" Hei asked as Dominic lead them through the maze of desk and computers.

"He didn't," La said and her voice caught Hei by surprise. She had been quiet the entire time her brother spoke, which trigger slight alarm in Hei's opinion. Dominic paused to face them as La walked around to stand next to him.

"Almost a year to date, give or take a few months, after the Gates appeared" Dominic continued, "My dear sister here was born. She is one of the first people to be born as a contractor according to records my father kept. This news of his daughter being a contractor was something my father kept secret. Imagine how many people would have wanted to meet such a person, my father didn't want that sort of attention on him."

"That still doesn't answer why he left the federal organization to form his own." Mao remarked.

"My father believe that, despite what people said, contractors could evolve and develop the things that people believed they lacked. La continued for her brother, " by day he would work in the lab gather as much data from his team as possible and at night he'd use that data and compare it with my own behavior and reaction to certain scenarios he'd create. His hypothesis was that contractors could evolve and acquire emotions that they would then apply to daily decision making."

"So he used his own daughter as a guinea pig for his theory." Hei said flatly and La frowned at the comment.

"I'd like to think of it as being resourceful," Dominic responded with that smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. "Our father has unearthed extraordinary information on evolved contractors, his passion has even stretched to the evolution of dolls," at that both Hei and Mao became fully alert. "Which they, of course go hand in hand."

"Why are you telling us all of this, "Hei asked, "if NYCO is supposed to be hidden, why trust us with the information?"

"Simple," Dominic said "Because my sister trusts you. I have no doubt in her ability to make right choices. Perhaps that is enough serious talk for now, I'm sure you just be tired. La, can you show our guest to their quarters and we can discuss all of these things further over dinner." La nodded and turned towards the door gesturing that Hei and Mao follow. Hei looked from Dominic then back to La before deciding to follow. Not because Dominic insisted, but he found La's current behavior a bit strange.

La walked on, not really focused on if Hei or Mao was behind her. Her mind was on what Dominic said just a few minutes earlier "Simply, because my sister trusts you." It wasn't at all true, that's not why he wanted Hei. In truth, she had no clue what his reasoning was, but even more so she didn't trust Hei as Dominic so eloquently put it. He was one who disapproved of her actions, in so many words.
La rubbed her hands through her hair and sighed. Why wont Dominic tell me what he's planning? She thought grimily and turned the corner, her legs unconsciously moving towards the guest quarters while she mused over the thought. Mao cleared his throat and the sudden sounded made La turn around hastily. She looked slightly puzzled before realizing who it was.

"Oh," she mumbled.

"You seem distracted, which is a first honestly." Hei said, noticing the pained expression on her face.

"Nostalgia I guess. Here, this is you guys room." La opened the white door that lead to a simple lightly decorated bedroom, with plain white walls and off white sheets.

"About your father?" Hei asked and La walked over to dresser, turned to him and pointed.

"This is where you can put your things, the ensuite is right here," she turned slightly and opened the door behind her. "It's fully stocked so you don't have to worry about. Feel free to look around the place. It's not very big but should keep you occupied for about five minutes or so." she said dryly and proceeded towards the door.

"La," Hei said again grabbing her arm. La paused, waiting for him to say his peace but Hei just held her there for a moment before she jerked away.

"Just so you know," La started facing the door, "I loved my father and he loved me. Whatever you think you know you don't." And with that she left out of the door, closing it hard behind her. Hei stood there, watching door and the fading sound of La's footsteps before going towards the window. Mao had made himself comfortable of the bed and watched Hei move about the room. The human contractor searched through everything, the chest of drawers, closet, bathroom, and even under the bed.

"What a family huh?" Mao commented and crossed his arms over each other so as to rest his head on top. Hei came from the bathroom and turned off the light. He removed his jacket and tossed next to the dog, pulling his doubled blade dagger from his side holster and tossed that on the nightstand. As he disarmed, Mao made it a point to slide to the farthest end away from him before continuing.

"Who would have guessed her father was that famous researcher. I always wondered what happened to him though, seemed like he was living the good life."

"So you knew him personally?" Hei asked and pulled his black undershirt over his head.

"I knew of him. Everybody did really, if you were into that sort of thing, keeping up with the scientific world news. He'd made headlines a few times that I can remember."

"And the mother, what about her? Was she a contractor or human?"

"I didn't even know the man was married. Every time he was mentioned, it was always for his work. That's at least one thing I can agree with Dominic, Beaudroux didn't talk about life at home at all." Mao looked up at Hei who was intently staring at the floor, posted up against the wall. His eyes seemed empty yet searching for something. Mao knew that look, when his partner was coming up with a plan of some sort. He sighed and jumped off the bed, walking up to him.

"Well, whatever you're planning, just let us eat dinner first." The comment made Hei's stomach growl and he pushed himself off the wall and into the bathroom. He turned on the shower then fully undressed. He stepped in, allowing the water to pour down his back, as steam seemed to raise up from beneath him, opening his pores and nose. Hei tilted his head back looking up at the ceilings which was decorated with orange and beige flowers, almost resembling a fresco painting. His hair slicked back and drooped down from the water, feeling heavier than it normally would. The events of the morning replayed in his mind like a film. And in every shoot, he noted the one odd thing; La. Her demeanor, was different somehow but he couldn't put his finger on it. He dropped his, looking at the wall eye level to him as he tried to find the word to describe it. She looked so….nonchalant? Complacent? No, submissive. At the thought, he had to question himself.

"Two words that just don't fit, La and submissive." he mumbled and reached for the soap.


Thanks for reading guys. Sorry again for the slow update. So I had a read mention her disappointment about Hei's first shower scene being cut short. Well, I decided to make another one, hope it was to your liking!