"Oh, come on, Kratos!" Martel begged. "We all know you can sing! Just this one song." and she thrust the paper into his hand.

Reluctantly, Kratos looked at the paper. He read the song carefully, listening to it in his mind. It wasn't the worst song he'd ever heard, but it was a love song. And for the newly twenty year old mercenary, love was confusing and not particularly interesting.

"Come on, Kratos," Martel continued. "Their vocalist is sick! Please... you'll have some time to get ready, it's not for a couple of songs now..." Martel put on her best puppy eyes. "Please?"

"Yeah!" Martel's little brother added, unconsciously imitating his sister's expression.

Kratos sighed. He knew Martel, and he knew that if he said no, she would keep begging for the entire party. "Fine."

"Yes!" Martel cheered. "They're in that room over there," she said, pointing.

Kratos headed into the other room. In a moment the director had seen him. No backing out now.

"You actually convinced Kratos to sing?" Yuan asked, shocked.

Martel nodded proudly.

Yuan hugged her. "You're even cleverer than I thought you were. That, or you've got something to blackmail him with."

"No, I didn't blackmail him. I just asked a couple of times and he said yes."

"I'm impressed."

The two lovers danced, while Mithos, Martel's little brother, left to go get something to eat.

A couple of songs passed, and Kratos walked onto the stage with the band. The director signalled the band to begin. Kratos placed his music on a stand and waited. At a certain point in the song, the conductor waved his hand at Kratos, who started to sing.

"Kratos," a woman's voice said, bringing Kratos out of his memories. "What are you humming?"

"It's just a song I sang once," he replied.

"You sing? Can you sing it to me?" she asked.

Kratos looked up. The woman's brown hair hung around her face, and her big brown eyes begged silently.

"Alright," he said. and he started to sing.

I've got you, under my skin. I've got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart, you're really a part of me.

I've got you, under my skin.

The woman laughed with delight. "You're amazing!" she said.

I tried so not to give in. I said to myself this affair never will go so well. But why should I try to resist, when darling I know so well.

I've got you under my skin.

She started to dance to the song, laughing.

I'd sacrifice anything, come what might, for the sake of having you near. In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats and repeats in my ear: "don't you know, little fool, you never can win. Use your mentality, wake up to reality."

But each time I do, just the thought of you makes me stop, before I begin.

'Cause I've got you under my skin.

The woman, Anna, put her arms around his neck. "That's such a pretty song," she said.

I tried so not to give in. I said to myself this affair never will go so well. But why should I try to resist, when darling I know so well. I've got you under my skin.

I'd sacrifice anything, come what might, for the sake of having you near. In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night and repeats and repeats in my ear: "don't you know, little fool, you never can win. Use your mentality, wake up to reality."

But each time I do, just the thought of you makes me stop, before I begin.

'Cause I've got you under my skin.

Kratos looked fondly at Anna. He hugged her back, dancing with her. It was true.

I've got you, under my skin!