Hola amigos! Already 10 chapters into this little story of mine. Once again, I missed the deadline by like, a day. But oh well, I was close. Besides, I'll be having a lot more time to write in the coming week thanks to spring break! Anyone going on vacation? I'm staying home and... writing. Kinda boring, I have to admit, but oh well. Thanks for all the continual support!

Victim of Fate Chapter 10 - Daydreams

"I don't have to act so childish. I don'thaveto fool around and laugh all day. I don't even have to be kind. In a way, I copied Lenalee and the way she did things." I looked away, unable to stand the sight as my vision slowly returned, "I thought 'Hey, if she's what makes Allen happy, then why can't I act like her and make Allen happy myself?' So I changed how I did things. But now I'm doubting that. Was I actually thinking of Allen when I changed, or how much I wanted to be better than Lenalee?"

…

I like her because she smiles at me and means it.

~Anonymous

…

An interesting thought came to mind.

"When was the last time I slept?" I asked suddenly, "I feel awfully tired…"

"Keep trying to remember the last time you slept." Lavi instructed, though sounding a bit worried, "Keep thinking about it." I nodded and thought hard. The first time I'd slept while an exorcist was in the train on the way to the Black Order… and I think the last time was on the train while going to meet General Yeegar. I scowled.

"Apparently trains are a very comfortable bed for me." I growled, thinking of trains, "Because I haven't slept since going on the train to General Yeegar. Damn it, I hate trains!"

"I'll keep that in mind…" Lavi murmured, grinning mischievously. We sat quietly, me stretched out against the tree and trying to relax my tense muscles. Lavi kept glancing over at Lenalee, worried. The concussion was making my thoughts go fuzzy and jump into a jumbled pile, infuriating me. I carefully sifted through the thoughts, sorting them so I could understand.

"Where are Allen-kun and Ary-kun?" I asked Lavi. I had just remembered about them. Where were they anyway?

"I'm not entirely sure," Lavi answered, "But I'm positive their fine." I nodded and relaxed back against the tree. A few moments later, the gr- Lenalee groaned and slowly opened her eyes, making me and Lavi scramble over her.

"…where are Allen-kun and Krory?" she asked after a few moments of confusion. Lavi grinned.

"It must be Lenalee! Only Lenalee would care about Allen and Kuro-chan the moment they woke up!" Lavi exclaimed happily. I twitched.

"Can I sleep now?" I complained tiredly, leaning my head on my shoulder.

"Stefania, at least wait until we get back to the hotel." Lavi said, helping Lenalee stand up, "Once Allen and Kuro-chan are finished, they'll meet us there. Besides, you two are banged up pretty bad!" I groaned loudly, standing up. Lavi apparently knew where to go, because he immediately walked into a seemingly random direction, supporting Lenalee as he walked. I jogged to catch up with them.

"Try not to complain too much, Stefania. You are not in any condition to argue."

"Oh yeah? Neither are you." I challenged the voice, "You're not even real."

"Stefania, I advise you not to speak out loud…"

"Advise me all you damn please, I'm not listening to you." I said stubbornly, crossing my arms.

"Stefania…"

"What?" I snapped, "I'm tired, I'm hungry, it's hot as hell, and I've got the world's worst migraine so if you'd just shut up, I'd appreciate it!" Lenalee glanced up at Lavi worriedly.

"Concussion." He explained simply. Lenalee continued to look at me worriedly though. We continued to walk, the sun growing high in the sky. I felt like I was pulling lead weights on my ankles. After a while, though, I started to notice Lavi showing signs of fatigue. He'd probably stuck by Lenalee's side, worrying his ass off, the entire night. I sighed, knowing I'd regret this later. I quickened my pace so it matched Lavi's and put an arm under Lenalee's arms.

"Let go." I ordered Lavi dully, "I'll take her from here." Both of them looked at me in surprise. Me? Helping Lenalee? For them it was unheard of!

"Tch. Lavi, you're exhausted." I explained before Lavi could protest, "You also happen to be our only protection. You'd only be burdened by Lenalee. Don't think I'm actually doing this for Lenalee though." Lavi grimaced, knowing it was true. He leaned Lenalee against me and I struggled for a moment before feeling a burst of new strength, allowing me to easily support Lenalee.

"Thank you, Stefania." Lenalee said, smiling at me. I scowled and looking away. I blinked for a moment, just beginning to realize something.

"Am I some weird combination of Kanda and Lenalee?" I asked aloud, genuinely confused, "Good god, I might be leaning towards Kanda's end!" I gagged inwardly at the thought. Lavi burst out laughing.

"Maybe I should be calling you Yuu~" he jeered at me. I scowled at him.

"My name is Stefania!" I hissed at him.

"Maybe you're a combination of me, Kanda, Lenalee, and Allen! You've got my good looks, the patience of Kanda, the happiness of Lenalee, and the tendency to get pissed off when you're not called your real name, like Allen!" Lavi laughed again, slapping his thigh as he walked. My felt my face twist from angry to horrified at every name.

"That's not even funny Lavi!" I yelled at him, "That would be awful!" my horror-struck face became a big smile as I realized something.

"That's not true…" I said, laughing, "You don't have any good looks!"

"Don't you mean you don't have any good looks?" he retorted, wiggling his eyebrows at me playfully. I gasped and nearly dropped Lenalee in shock.

"Damn you…" I growled at him softly, keeping my head low, "I've got plenty of good looks…" Lenalee was terribly confused, looking at Lavi and I with a blank face. The remainder of the walk was made in comfortable silence. I could feel Lenalee's fever from several inches away, frightening me. I pursed my lips worriedly.

…

I gently placed Lenalee on the bed and pulled the covers over her while Lavi went to get a bucket of cool water and a small rag. Lenalee had gone unconscious nearly an hour beforehand, her body trying to fight off the fever. I pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down, looking down at her frail figure. It was strange to feel worry for someone other than Ary-kun and Allen-kun, I had to admit. It had surprised me at first that I even cared about the older girl, but I suppose it's out of my control. Lavi walked back into the room, placing the bucket of water on the small bed-side table and placing the damp rag on Lenalee's forehead.

"You're tired." Lavi said after a few minutes of silence, "Go to sleep. I'll watch over her." I shook my head.

"I don't feel tired." I said. It was true. Ever since we'd returned to the hotel, I found myself more alert then I'd been since I had the concussion.

"You were tired earlier." Lavi said, sounding like he was scolding me, "You said it yourself. Now go to sleep." He stared me straight in the eyes, making me a little unnerved. I sighed and plopped down on a couch on the other side of the room. Lavi takes my spot at the chair. I watched as he looked over her worriedly, leaning forward to get a better view of her. I close my eyes and place a hand on my forehead, trying to stop the oncoming migraine. I try to not think, but instead find myself over viewing everything that had happened in the past few days.

General Yeegar's death. Check.

Going on a mission to find Allen-kun's Master, General Cross. Check.

Ary-kun getting lost. Check.

Ary-kun is lured away by a fake Lenalee. Check.

We go to save his sorry ass, only to find we don't know which Lenalee is which. Check.

Fake Lenalee gives me a nice kick to the head, giving me a concussion. Bitch. Check.

Fake Lenalee and real Lenalee are separated and –not knowing which was which- chase after both of them. Check.

I am left behind of the own accord; wander aimlessly until I find Lavi. Check.

Find out Lavi's Lenalee is the real one and a bad illness has overcome her. Check.

Trudge our way back to the hotel where we will now wait until Allen-kun and Ary-kun return. Check.

Are we seriously supposed to just wait here until they come back? I hated the feeling of being useless. I glance drowsily towards Lavi and Lenalee to find Lavi leaning over Lenalee and whispering something. I hear soft sobs from Lenalee, making my stomach twist. My eyelids flutter back down as I'm finally plunged into the black.

…

"Mummy? What are you doing?"

"…"

"Mummy? I thought you wanted to be alone."

"…"

"Mummy? Say something!"

"Mummy? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"…Mummy?"

"Mummy! S-stop right there!"

I glanced warily at Mummy as she slowly walked towards me. She had her kind smile on her face, the one that made me feel safe, but her eyes looked completely different. They looked mean, evil, and cold. They looked hungry. She was a few feet away from the bed when she abruptly cocked her and turned her ear towards my open door, as if she heard something. After a few moments she shuffled away from my room. I stared, wide-eyed at the door. Loud sounds of vases breaking came from the living room. I jumped out of bed, running into my closet, terrified.

I placed my eye against the hole in the closet, allowing me to see into the living room.

Mummy and Daddy… they're fighting someone… and losing!

What's going on?

Why is that man fighting them?

Why are Mummy and Daddy so still?

I uttered a small scream, failing to muffle the sound enough so the man didn't hear it. I scrambled to the back of the closet.

He's coming.

He's getting closer.

He's tall, he's thin, and he's covered in Mummy's and Daddy's blood.

He's reaching straight for me.

"Stefania…" the man mutters in a familiar voice.

"Stefania…"

"Stefania!"

…

I jerked awake, giving a loud startled shriek. I quickly clasp my hands over my mouth, cutting the loud sound off. I glanced over to Lenalee, relieved when saw she hadn't woken up thanks to the screech. I was, however, very pissed off when I saw the chair next to her bed noticeably absent of a certain red head's ass. I sighed heavily and sat down in the seat, looking down at Lenalee in her fever induced sleep. I changed the rag on her forehead every few minutes, never giving it a chance to go warm.

"The audacity of that boy… he broke his promise and left the poor, sick child alone!"

(I know… but Lavi probably left for a good reason.)

"Are you so sure about that? The girl could've died in his absence! That boy is either a fool or cares naught for either of you."

(No… I can't see Lavi doing something like that…)

"All I am saying, my dear Stefania, is that you should be more careful around that boy. I am not going to show you what I've seen of him because I know it will break your heart. That boy has witnessed terrible things and did nothing to stop it…"

(You're telling me not to trust Lavi? Are you insane?) What the hell was wrong with her? Lavi was like an elder brother to me! Besides, I still don't see him doing any of those things. Lavi is kind… not like Lenalee, but in his own way. He can get really annoying, but he's not a bad person. He's trustworthy, I'm sure of it.

"Would you like proof, my dear Stefania, of how cruel your precious Lavi can be?"

I stiffened, eyes widening. What the hell was going on? Why was she acting like this?

"My dear Stefania, the only thing, in my eyes, that even compares with Innocence is the truth. I can feel all those emotions inside of you. The only reason I offered the proof is to show you the truth about that boy, nothing more. As human like to say… the truth will set you free."

"G'morning Sleeping Beauty!" Lavi's voice called from behind me. I nearly fell out of my chair at the sudden voice, being pulled from my disturbing conversation with Lale.

"Someone's a bit jumpy today, ne?" he said teasingly.

"Wasn't a certain somebody supposed to watch over Lenalee?" I glared at him, tapping my foot expectantly. Lavi immediately went serious.

"I had to speak with Panda-jiji. We're to go to his location immediately." Lavi reported.

"We can't do that!" I protested, "Lenalee's too sick! There's no way we can travel while she's like this."

"That's the reason we have to go, Stefania. Lenalee will die if we don't get to Bookman soon." Lavi said gravely. I glanced over at Lenalee's sick form, clenching my fists.

"Fine." I hissed, "Let's go now. The sooner, the better."

We packed up quickly and left. I picked up Lenalee and made her ride piggy-back, which was no easy feat for me. She was an awful lot taller than me, after all, but I had to let Lavi have his hands free in the case that we were attacked. We made our way into a large canyon, not very far from Bookman's location, but Lenalee was getting worse. I could feel her shallow breathing growing worse by the hour. Lavi had just helped me and Lenalee up a large ridge when a girl's scream was heard.

"Stay here." Lavi ordered, running around the corner. I growled and picked up Lenalee, peeking around the corner. Lavi apparently saved an absentminded maid named Mimi.

"Thank you so much for saving me!" she practically shrieked, walking up to Lavi, "I don't know how to thank you. You've saved my life, my nose, and my breasts!" I sighed heavily and walked out from behind the rock.

"That girl is an Akuma. Be very wary."

(Just be quiet. I shouldn't trust you. You are still a Noah, even if you're not part of the family.)

"Hey Mimi. My name's Stefania and the ill girl is Lenalee." I greeted. Mimi turned to me, eyes wide.

"Please forgive me! Your friend saved my life from a terrible monster! Please allow me to travel with you and serve you until we get out of this canyon!" Mimi said, walking up to me. I blinked.

"I don't see anything wrong with this." I said after a few moments, ignoring Lale's hissing protests. I was going to watch her very closely, but she was not threat for the time being, "Just don't get in my way."

Mimi gratefully nodded and began to walk with us down the canyon. She brought out a large fan and began to fan me.

"This is the least I can do!" she continued to pipe.

"Fan Lenalee, I'm fine." I growled to the girl. Mimi gave an apology and immediately began to fan Lenalee. Lenalee, being the nice person she is, smiled and thanked the girl.

"You aren't looking terribly well…" Mimi said, "Don't you think we should take a break?"

"I'll be fine…" Lenalee said weakly, slumping down on my shoulders. I stopped and glanced at her worriedly. She looked like death itself!

"We're taking a break." I said, my tone final. We stopped and I rested Lenalee down against the rock wall while Lavi went to get a fresh wet rag from the lake. I sat down next to Lenalee, closing my eyes enough for me to still be able to see, yet look like I'm asleep. Lavi came and placed the wet rag on Lenalee as I watched Mimi scream and jump into the water. Lavi looked back, Mimi looking sheepish.

"I'm sorry! I slipped!" she whined. Slipped my ass…

"Be careful." Lavi said, helping Mimi out of the river. Mimi pulled Lavi into the water. When they emerged, Mimi was holding a fresh fish and looking triumphant. Lavi whined about being wet before making a fire for Mimi to cook the fish.

"Dinner's ready, Master!" Mimi called out, holding a plate a fish to Lavi as he wrung out his uniform.

"I didn't ask." Lavi said.

"This is my first time cooking for a man…" Mimi said, "After this, we'll fall in love, get married, and have a wonderful family with lots of children! Oh my, wouldn't that be wonderful?" I sweatdropped at the idea.

"No way." Lavi said, brushing it off.

"Please, eat up, for our future's sake!" Mimi said, walking up closer to him. She screamed and tripped right in front of him, the plate and fish flying into the sky. Lavi used his hammer to catch both while Mimi dove towards him. What the hell was this Akuma playing at?

She rock-climbed up the wall to pick a flower for her mistress, yet got stuck up there. Lavi had to get her down and she began to sulk before looking determined again. I sighed, glancing at the dusk sky. I made a bed for Lenalee and tucked her in. She continued to get worse, her fever increasing.

"Do you think Allen-kun's alright?" Lenalee asked a while later into the night, "If you hadn't been lured away by that demon, we wouldn't have gotten separated from Allen-kun and Krory. I've made nothing but trouble for you two. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." Lavi dismissed, "You should worry about yourself for now."

"Please." Lenalee pleaded, placing warm hand over Lavi's, "If I slow you down any further, leave me and go." Lavi placed his hand over Lenalee's.

"I'm taking you to Gramps. I'll get you there, no matter what!"

"Lavi…" Lenalee murmured.

"She's asking you to leave her." Mimi said, "Why don't you do so? She doesn't want you to take her, so why should you? Self-sacrifice will not necessarily help the one you're trying to save." I grabbed Mimi roughly by the front of her dress and lifted her a few inches in the air though she was taller than me.

"What the hell do you think you're pulling, huh?" I asked her angrily, "Just abandon Lenalee? Ha! Is that some kind of joke to you? Well guess what. No one's laughing."

"Oh!" she said, "What am I saying? I'm sorry, it wasn't my place. Perhaps I'm just sleepy. I'll go wash my face!" she scrambled out of my grip and towards the river. We both watched and she scurried out of sight. I growled silently in her direction. We moved on several minutes later, Lenalee retaking her previous place on my back. The sky grew even darker as rainclouds and thunder moved in from the distance.

"I'm sorry…" Lenalee murmured again.

"Don't worry about it." Lavi said.

"Looks like rain." Mimi commented. I gave her an unimpressed look. Stating the obvious much? Rain quickly began to pour down. Rock began to tumble from the wall to our left as the rain battered down. Lavi's eyes widened.

"Mimi, Stefania, run!" he said, pushing us forward. I immediately sprinted forward, Lavi and Mimi right behind me. The wall from behind us broke open, letting water flow freely. Lavi pushed us into a small crevice.

"Let's hurry." He said, picking up Lenalee and placing her on his back. We continued to walk, but the mud was beginning to make the walking tough.

"Lavi…" Lenalee murmured, "Leave me and go."

A large wall of water appeared from around the wall in front of us. Lavi quickly covered Lenalee so the water would hit him instead. I scrambled to get to Lavi but slipped in the mud and was hit by the large wall of water. I accidentally took a breath of water, filling my lungs with the stuff. I scrambled around, trying to get to the surface, but with no luck.

Finally, the water thinned out and I took a great big breath of heavenly oxygen. I coughed harshly. Once I finished, I lifted my head to find no one around me. I grasped my Innocence and activated it, using the wall to help me walk back. I spotted several Akuma overhead and lifted my Innocence to my lips to find my Innocence wouldn't work. I kept trying, but all that came out was water.

"It's no use, my dear Stefania. Your Innocence is water logged."

"Damn it!" I screeched loudly, my throat giving out at the end. Why am I so useless in the time I am needed the most? I couldn't stand it! I made my way back to find… no one. Where the hell were they? They couldn't have possibly have gone on without me.

"My dear Stefania, please hurry on. The Akuma girl is chasing after the boy and ill girl!"

I scrambled, running as fast as I could without slipping in the mud. Once I reached them, both Lavi and Lenalee were lying on the ground, Lavi having a metal rod stuck under his left shoulder blade. He quickly pulled it out.

"Lavi, get out of here while you can." Lenalee said to him, "Please. I don't want you to die for me…"

"Lenalee…" Lavi said, eyes wide.

"It's no use trying to run." Mimi said, holding her metal fans, "I'll just kill you anyway." I lifted my Innocence and tried to strike Mimi from behind. She gripped my wrist a few inches from her head and smiled back at me.

"There's no way you'd get away with that!" she giggled. Lavi looked at me wide-eyed.

"Get to the old geezer!" I yelled to Lavi, "I'll be fine! I'll meet up with you there!" he sat frozen for a moment before grabbing Lenalee into his arms and dashing away.

"They're never going to make it!" Mimi said, smiling. She combined her fans and threw it towards them, hitting the walls of the canyon and blocked their path with falling rocks. Lavi was forced to stop. Mimi threw her fans again, heading straight towards them. When the dust cleared, only rocks remained.

"All finished!" she said, deactivating her fans. I stood there, shocked.

"I'm sorry, Stefania. This is what happens when you don't trust me. This is what happens when you wait for something to turn into a threat."

I didn't respond. I felt… numb.

"My dear Stefania, you can avenge them. They were good people, and you know that better than anyone. They were your friends."

I started to tremble, making Mimi notice me again.

"Aw, are you scared of me? I killed your friends, after all." Mimi said, smiling at me, "Look at you! You're trembling!"

I clenched my fist tightly around my Innocence, drawing blood.

"Mimi…" I muttered quietly, keeping my eyes to the floor.

"Yes?" she asked. I looked straight into her eyes; she gasped and took several steps back.

"No!" she shrieked in terror, "It can't be!"

"I'm going to kill you!" I screeched, lunging towards Mimi. Pure fury fueled my actions, making my vision a hued-red. I let go of the flute in my hands, letting it drop to the ground, and gripped her neck instead. She started to claw at my hand, but failed miserably. I looked her straight in the eyes, making her struggle and attempt to look away. I knew she couldn't die from suffocation, considering the only thing that could kill Akuma was Innocence, but she would still feel the pain of suffocation for a lot longer than a human.

"Stefania!" I heard a familiar voice call out. In my surprise, I let go of Mimi and turned to the voice.

"…Lavi?" I whispered, shocked, "But… you're dead." I looked at Lenalee, who was in his arms, and saw her activated Dark Boots. A huge relief slumped over me. Lavi threw a part of Mimi's fan at Mimi, who was still too weak to dodge.

"How's it feel to be done in by your own weapon?" Lavi said. Mimi screamed in frustration and lunged towards Lavi, knocking both of them back. Mimi gripped the fan in her back and pulled it out.

"That doesn't even make any sense!" she says before narrowing her eyes, "The woman's Innocence… I can't believe she was strong enough to jump." Several Akuma appeared behind Mimi. I got my Innocence back into my hands and ran around to join Lavi and Lenalee.

"This is the end, though." Mimi said, activating her fan, "Good night."

A huge rain of needles flew down onto the Akuma behind Mimi, killing all of them. I looked up and saw Bookman standing on the ridge above us.

"Gramps!" Lavi called out, surprised.

"How dare you interrupt at such an inopportune time?" Mimi demanded. Bookman jumped down.

"You were about to get your asses kicked there!" Bookman scolded, "We've got to get her treated, and quickly! You take care of the rest of them." He handed Lavi's Innocence to him. I quickly took hold of Lenalee.

"Thank goodness I happened upon the Akuma that was holding it." Bookman said.

"I'll thank you later, Gramps!" Lavi said, activating his Innocence. He killed the Akuma, but Mimi got away.

"Not good enough…" Bookman muttered. Lavi fell to the ground, exhausted.

"Lavi!" I cried out. I gently placed Lenalee against the rock wall and ran to his side. He gave me a goofy smile.

"Is the princess going to kiss me awake?"

"Damn it, I'm going to kill both of you idiots once you get better." I said, though my voice contained no malice.

…

"The treatment is complete." Bookman announced after several hours of working on Lenalee in the hotel, "All that's left is to wait for Miss Lena's strength to return."

"Thank you so much." Lenalee said, smiling up at Bookman.

"Take care of her, Gramps." Lavi said, "I'm gonna get some rest." Lavi moved to walk out of the room.

"Lavi, Stefania." Lenalee called, making Lavi stop and make me look up, "Thank you for protecting me to the very end." Lavi left the room without responding. Lavi had suffered a broken arm, which was now in a sling. I, however, only suffered a few minor bruises here and there.

"He thinks he's so cool." Bookman commented.

"It's all right, he's just being shy." Lenalee said with a smile, falling asleep. I sighed heavily and pulled up a chair next to Bookman.

"Those idiots…" I muttered, looking down at Lenalee's sleeping form, "I thought they were dead for a moment."

Why was I speaking with Bookman? He stays silent while he's recording something is why. Not only am I venting feelings, but I'm also giving food for thought to Bookman. Win-win if you ask me. If this continues on like this, then my future therapist would be proud of me.

Bookman stayed silent, intently examining nothing. Not that I had a problem with that.

"As you might've guessed, I don't take to people killing my friends in front of me quite lightly."

"Ah, but you were irrational." Bookman said.

"Irrational? What'dya mean?" I asked, confused.

"Tell me, did you see any blood on the rocks?" Bookman asked.

"No." I blinked.

"How about on the Akuma's fan that killed them? Was there any blood on that?" he asked.

"No…" I mumbled.

"My point exactly." He concluded, "You are pessimistic at the worst times possible."

"It's not my fault… besides, aren't we supposed to expect the worst?" I asked Bookman.

"Expecting the worst and being pessimistic are two different things entirely." Bookman said.

"Whatever…" I huffed. Why exactly didn't I expect Bookman to be the cryptic type?

"You're better at being silent than giving advice." I pouted, "Now I have more questions than answers and I feel monumentally worse."

"I am a Bookman, not a miracle worker." Bookman said blankly.

"Aw, c'mon Gramps!" I giggled, punching his shoulder and effectively pushing him off his stool, "Lighten up! Besides, you're the only adult figure on this trip. Aren't I supposed to believe you're a miracle worker?"

"No, because then I would be lying to you." Bookman huffed, returning to his seat, "You are an Exorcist. Exorcists have no age limit. Age isn't an important factor in your line of work."

I pouted, "Yet all the adults are still high and mighty; reluctant to put us into battle."

"That is merely a protective instinct." Bookman said, "All humans feel the need to protect their young, just like animals."

A sly smile spread across my face, "So, you're admitting that you're human after all?"

…

Omake #2

"Kiss my ass!" I screeched at Lavi.

"Gladly." Lavi smirked. I paled.

"I didn't mean it that way, damn it!" I stammered.

"Then why'd you say it?" he asked, leaning towards me.

"Eh, because some people might get a StefaniaxLavi vibe from this chapter?" I suggested lamely. Lavi's mouth dropped open in mock horror.

"You're cheating on moyashi?" he announced loudly. The cafeteria around us grew quiet and people turned to look at us.

"Shut your fat mouth!" I hissed at Lavi, "Besides, it's not true! I don't like you one bit, you're annoying as hell!"

"Isn't it usually the ones whom you despise that you love the most deep inside?" Lavi asked, blinking innocently.

"Stop getting philosophical on me and shut up." I pleaded weakly, giving up and hitting my forehead against the table.

"Lover boy won't be pleased…"

I growled and smacked my head harder against the table.

Shut up.

Shut up.

Shut up.

Please, whatever higher power is out there, get me away from these idiots I call my friends.

Oh noez! It appears that sensible Lale is beginning to show a more evil side!

Is she going to become a problem in later chapters?

Will she continue to give comments on who she should trust?

Will she eventually show Stefania Lavi's past or the past of the rest of her comrades?