It's been SO long since I've replied, I forget all my devious plans...but I'll try to remember, and hope that I still have my precious fans XD ;-; *offers out cookies* Cookies for hugs, anyone? XD Mmm...we'll see what happens. I now have either a Wed or a Sat off each week, so one day off a week. Yay me. I just get distracted or busy...I can't promise to post nightly again, but I'll try to post...at least once a week? Hopefully more. We'll see. XD By the by. I feel bad for making OCs. Luc and Lota seem popular enough, but I always get mad when people are like "OMG Gil totally loves this chick I modeled after myself and omg-"...I'd like to think that my OCs are more realistic to the storyline and don't make you want to quit the story, cuz' that'd make me sad inside my soul. XD I try not to delve into them too much, but the writer in me...OH CONUNDRUMS! Ah well...now to figure out what the Heck I was planning and try to make this a nice big post...or something. XD

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Blast. Double blast. And damnit all for good measure.

Break's mind was a litany of curses and vows of vengeance as he rode by carriage to the mansion of Duke Rufus Barma. He should have been more careful, should have paid more attention. Sharon hadn't really paid social calls alone in years, since she'd become a young woman trapped in a child's form. But he had been distracted. The Baskervilles attack had thrown them all on edge, and the strange circumstances with Oz and Gilbert hadn't lightened the mood any either...nor that he hadn't received a response from Reim... Something was happening, and he aimed to find out what.

Even if that meant making a deal with a certain red-haired devil.

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"This isn't a good idea." Gilbert, from his seat across from Oz in a carriage, finally muttered after a so-far silent drive.

Oz, who had been lost in thought with his gaze out the window, turned his emerald eyes onto his servant. "Oh? You don't think that Vincent will know anything?"

"It's not...that. I mean...maybe he will, but..." Gilbert trailed off with a barely repressed shudder. Flashes of memories from his time with Vincent while he had been half-mad and ravenesque flickered into his mind, as did trickles of thoughts he'd had when he'd thought the other was dead...hoped that he was, more like. It was a twisted feeling in his gut. The unnerving feeling that he had always gotten from Vincent still made him tense when the other was near. He still wanted to shudder at the other's touch. But Vincent was still his brother, and the guilt for his callousness on the other's part sickened him. The best thing was, as always, to simply avoid the other...he didn't want to face him now, more than ever.

Oz watched the other carefully a moment before he gave a faint, half-smile and spoke in his more serious tone. "It's okay, Gil, right? Because I'll be by your side. As long as I am, then you'll be fine." he said, and his faint smile widened reassuringly.

Gilbert forced a smile onto his own lips as the words, "It's okay then," were pushed past them. He couldn't let Oz see. See that the darkness that had plagued him his whole life had only grown since his recent incident, that he was a disloyal brother, and a murderer, and...more unworthy of his bright young master than ever...

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"How is she progressing?"

"Well...the integration was a success...she still requires medication for the pain, and is still not lucid...but that's no matter. It's best that she lack her personality, she'll be more obedient that way. Truly though, she is one of our greatest successes to date...fascinating."

"I see...and she is completely unlike how she was, then?"

"...Well, not entirely. She...mentions Master Glen often, and holds conversations with...unseen persons. Jack Vessalius among them. But otherwise she's...lost."

"Excellent work...then she'll be ready for her first task?"

"It's being planned as we speak...Lottie will kill Vincent Nightray. And Gilbert Nightray will follow."

"Excellent indeed..."

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(I apologize for the utter shortness. I am somewhat awake enough that I could have written more, but I didn't want to squeeze continuations into this chappie...nevermind the flashbacks...XD SOOOO Next few chaps will be what's happening with each scenario. And hopefully they won't take forever. Annnd I'm writing a bonus chap for Here There Be Monsters because I feel that it should have one...and I want to get to 100K and 100+reviews. XD I'll feel so happy then. Annd as far as earlier cliffhangers (like Reim about to be killed! DUN DUN DUN! XD), we'll see how it develops. XD I HOPE YOU'RE ALL STILL OUT THERE BECAUSE I ADORE YOUUU And would be bummed if you disappeared forever and such. P.S...I'm really bummed about the current storyline for PH in the manga, since there's not much way for me to keep it in sync now, but we'll see what I can do without spoiling it for you lazy peeps who haven't read onward! AND I'M BUMMED THAT THIS MONTH'S CHAP IS LAAAATE! XD Witchy out~)