I can't imagine how many times he's been made into Natalia's test subjects.

Thanks to Asch, no casualties this time. Hopefully. Lol.

Guy was speechless. The sight of his usually bare dining table filled with hearty breakfast shocked him enough that his ability to produce speech was reduced to almost nothing.

He pulled Noelle to the side, and after taking two deep breaths, he finally managed to spit it out.

"Natalia made these?"

"I helped, but yes. She did most of the work. Don't worry, I taste tested. They're all edible."

For some reason that worried him even more.

Luke was staring at the feast too, eyes slightly narrowed and lips pursed as he was obviously trying to connect the dots.

Natalia.

She'd been trying to master the art of cooking since... well, Guy supposed since she found out that Luke could cook better than the rest of them in the group. Luke. The original Luke, Guy tried to ascertain once more. The replica could only make fried chicken (how he could make any kind of meat tasted like chicken though was a mystery).

She'd been working hard, he knew.

But cooking was just not in her.

Although, considering Luke's advice for her was (he knew because she ranted to him once, in her letter) 'the maids lied, love doesn't guarantee the taste', he figured that nowadays her biggest obstacle wasn't lack of experience in the kitchen. It's her tendency to ignore the recipe because she thought it'd please the ones she was cooking for.

Whatever could make her overcome that obstacle? In just a day, no less, Guy wondered...

"Pancakes and waffles! Sweet!"

Anise exclaimed like a kid she wasn't anymore, Florian squealing just as loud at the sight of fruits. Natalia just smiled at them, coaxing the youngest among them to take a seat before they could stuff their mouths.

"Come on, there's plenty for everyone."

"Tell me about it! What's the occasion?"

"I just didn't know when to stop."

Anise froze, her fork just inches away from the waffles.

"... Natalia made these?!"

She asked incredulously to Noelle, who just nodded in affirmation. Florian, perhaps figuring that nothing could go wrong with uncooked fruits, didn't stop and was currently piling up grapes on his plate.

"Anise, I'm offended."

Gingerly, Anise screwed her eyes shut and after giving the stack a nudge with a fork (Guy didn't know what she was expecting, maybe for them to turn black or explode?) she muttered 'screw it, she knows how to revive me', and gobbled one up. Her eyes turned as wide as a saucer as she chewed.

"You shouldn't be! This is good waffle!"

And then she turned thoughtful.

"... Did I just say Natalia's cooking tastes good?"

"Yes, you did, Anise."

Florian answered cheekily as he picked more fruits from the pile. With a grumble, Anise put some more bacon on his plate. "Shut up. Here, have more protein. I'm on diet."

"You ate pizzas in Daath."

"Yeah, thanks to that, I gained weight. Just decided to go on diet yesterday."

Guy thought yesterday was the day she decided that she needed to murder people or else she wouldn't be able to feel satisfied, but said nothing.

"I think you should lay low on the sugar then, Anise."

"I need sugar to stay high. Say that to me again when I'm twenty and allowed to drink."

"Why would you need to stay high?"

"Because I'm too young for these shit."

The last words were said in a whisper, barely audible as the Fon Master to-be chewed on her omelette quite loudly.

And then, for few moments, the only sound in his ears were of utensils being used. Guy looked around. Sure it's missing some people, but he supposed it's close enough. He couldn't help but to smile a bit as he remembered the past. Of a red haired boy (still a boy, both in body and mind, despite the circumstances that forced him to grow up quickly) looking at the ocean with a smile. Or maybe it was one of the girls he was looking at, Guy wasn't so sure.

'Picnic with everyone sounds good, isn't it? Hey, is that cake they're eating?!'

It felt peaceful, until...

"... are you leaving too, Natalia?"

Luke asked suddenly, before he bit an apple. Like it was obvious from just the way her cooking turned up. Even though she hadn't said a thing. And then every eyes landed on her.

Guy noticed that she flinched, although it wasn't that visible. Maybe only he could see it, since he'd been with her the longest.

The princess put away her utensils, eyes darting downwards as if she found the hem of her dress interesting, and nodded. "Yes. Father sent me a letter asking for my immediate return."

Luke just hummed in acknowledgement. "When?"

"I'm thinking on going to the harbor after this and secure the earliest ferry tomorrow."

He gave Natalia a look then, which clearly said 'no, I'm not letting you travel on your own. Not now, not ever'. He then turned to Guy and glared at him, making him choked on his omelette. Noelle, who sat next to him rubbed his back comfortingly, but it only made it worse.

Not that he'd ever tell her that.

"Don't. Guy is going to Sheridan soon too. You should go with him. That's okay with you two, right?"

"Yep, we don't mind. We're going tomorrow too. After I drop Guy off, I can take you to Baticul. No problem."

Noelle said, understanding completely that Guy was currently unable to say a thing, because he was trying his best to get the omelette out of his windpipe. He settled with a thumb up though.

"Hee... What a coincidence. We're returning to Daath tomorrow too."

"Even though I want to stay longer... Tear is such a spoil-sport."

'Thank you, Tear,' Guy thought at heart.

Now that he'd leave, the most gentlemanly option was to offer the oracles to stay at his place, since the rooms would be available then. But, honestly, he didn't think he'd be able to leave them (specially Anise) with Luke alone.

The possibility of either of the oracle women snapping at the red-head was pretty damn high after all. And for some reason that mystified him, Luke seemed to be cautious with Florian since their spar section earlier. He didn't think leaving the oracles with Luke at the same house, any of them, was a good idea.

"Since it's on the way, how about you join us too?"

Guy offered after he could speak, and Florian cheered.

"Can we? Yay! It's been a long time since I ride the Albiore!"

"When did you ever ride it?"

"Three years ago, I think?"

Right, Guy remembered. Not that he'd voice it though. It's all part of the bad but important memories he'd rather cherish but not say out loud.

"... right."

Florian nodded happily before stuffing his mouth with bacons. He hummed in delight after he swallowed them.

"So it's decided?"

"Yep. Let's meet up here tomorrow at dawn then."

For some reason, all eyes then went to Luke. He frowned, realizing that he's currently the focus of their attention. "... what?"

"I'm curious. Whatcha planning, Luke?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know we're returning to our hectic duties to maintain world peace," Anise eyed Guy then and gave him a sly smile. "At least, most of us are."

"And?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just curious how long you're planning to stay in Guy's humble abode."

He scowled at her, and Guy was sure he heard him muttering 'crazy imp' under his breath.

"I'll return to Baticul as soon as I can," he said through gritted teeth before having another bite of his apple. Guy could hear the silent addition to the statement. He was desperate in the matter of his replica, but still he wouldn't leave if he couldn't be sure of Natalia's safety. Surely he could run away because he was sure she'd be protected. Whether it was by Jozette or other people, Guy didn't know though.

"Take your time."

He didn't react, but just bite into his apple. After a while he sighed and stood up. He glanced at Guy with narrowed eyes.

"Where do you keep your panacea?"

Everybody stopped eating. Guy pointed at the counter, and he went to it and grabbed bottles of them. Guy's entire stock, he reckoned. Every eyes were on him as he put the bottles on the table and handed them to everyone, one each.

"I don't know when the symptoms will appear, it's always random. I suggest you hurry though."

He said before downing the content of his bottle in one gulp.
Everyone followed suit immediately.

"Please, do come in."

Tear had no idea, to be honest, why she did what she did. She had planned on going straight to Gardios Manor, to make sure that Anise hadn't killed anyone, but for some reason that thought was replaced with 'I need to talk to Jade' and she ended up following him.

In her blue eyes, for some reason Jade seemed as if he was donning his Doctor Mambo suit. With his creepy smile and suddenly the memory of that day in Belkend came to her.

Not a day she'd like to remember. It's that kind of memory which was scary when it happened, promised to be funny when remembered, but turned out there wasn't good time to mention that without feeling a pang of pain.

"Thank you."

She said as she walked inside. The room was as tidy as she remembered, with a corner (Peony's no doubt) as messy as it could be. She eyed it perhaps a bit too long before she turned to Jade's work desk. There were piles of documents need inspecting on top of it.

"Have a seat."

She nodded and did as she was told.

"So, what can I help you with?"

Her answer was immediate.

"Luke."

"Which one?"

The question made Tear sure that Jade had known about what's going on. Even though maybe not everything, since he wasn't there when Anise suddenly snapped yesterday.

"Both."

Jade chuckled at her answer.

"Ah. As I thought, he's so much like his replica, isn't he? Unable to keep a secret. Must be in his genes. I fear for the continuity of Kimlascan court. Not that it'd be bad for Peony."

"Colonel..."

"Don't worry. I shall refrain from plotting another war. It's not like I'm after another promotion. How did you find out?"

"Anise somehow connected the dots. I found her deduction to be sound for different reasons. No doubt the others did too."

Jade then ran through some of his documents. Even so, Tear knew he would respond if she was to say anything. She leaned back and heaved a sigh.

So he's really here...

Invisible, but here...

"Is it allowed for me to know what they want?"

"Why would you even ask that?"

"Essentially, you're acting as their doctor at the moment, right? Would it break some doctor-patient confidentiality rule or something if you were to tell me?"

He laughed. "I don't think so. I've never made any oath as a doctor, anyway."

"I see."

"Yes. So then, what do you want to hear? Their exact words or the implied meaning behind them according to my perception?"

"Both."

"Ah. Well then..."

Jade took off his glasses and cleaned its crystal lenses.

"Luke said exactly this. 'I want him gone'. His replica said... Hum, what did he say again... He said quite a lot about what he wants."

Of course... of course Jade had talked to him.

"'I want to be fixed', then 'I want to stop being bother to Luke'? Ah, yes, one more. He said, 'Luke wants me gone, so make me go away'."

"It's surprising."

"What is?"

"I'd thought that you'd have perfect memory, Colonel. For you to be unsure like this is unexpected."

"Of course. I'm no way near perfect."

"The world dreads the day you become perfect."

He laughed again. Tear gave him a smile and shifted her position.

"So then, that's exactly what they said?"

"Exactly."

"Hm... Why do I think they just want to be apart?"

"I don't know. But I do perceive it like that too. Well, to be exact, Luke wants to be apart. His replica for some reason just wants to go with what Luke wants. I don't know why, but undoubtedly it's because of something stupid."

"Undoubtedly."

She agreed readily. It'd be very like the replica she came to love if it's like that. She wouldn't expect it any other way.

"To tell the truth though, I wonder what I should do now."

"...why is that?"

"I'd planned on coming clean to Luke. To tell him that I can't make his replica go away, for personal reasons. Well, go away, as in to make him return to fonbelt, I mean."

"Personal reasons?"

He shrugged.

"Mostly because I can't perform complete examination on them. Peony might have agreed to set aside fund for replicas, but he still wouldn't budge on the subject of continuing replica experimentation."

"But the laboratory in Belkend is available, isn't it?"

"Yes, and certainly they'd let me use it for whatever reason. But I would attract attention there and my purpose would be questioned. I gather Luke wouldn't want this matter to be known. Basically, I can only monitor their fonons. And right now, even that is impossible."

Tear eyed him carefully. Jade was still working through his documents, scarlet eyes locked on the white sheets. To her, it seemed as if he was trying to avoid eye contact. Unconsciously, she narrowed her eyes and leaned forward.

"That's the practical reason why you can't make him go away. What's the personal reason?"

He dropped the papers then, and gave her a thin smile.

"I can't possibly kill my incompetent apprentice."

…

..

.

Tear was surprised at his admission, true. But to think he'd laugh at her expression was still unexpected. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her self down.

"Then? You said it's even impossible to monitor their fonons now. Why is that?"

"Don't you know? The replica has been missing since yesterday."

"... what?"

"Yes. Luke thinks if he could figure out what in the world his replica wants, he can grant it and he'd disappear like that. Apparently, he's less than thrilled to tell him."

"Ah."

Jade chuckled too, apparently arriving at the same conclusion she was.

"Either he wants to stay, or he's afraid what he wants would not be favourable for Luke. Either way, I'm convinced he knows what he wants."

Tear nodded in agreement.

"... But then, basically, what Luke wants has been granted, right? He wants his replica to be gone after all. Why did he say his business with you is still unfinished?"

"That, I'm not sure. Nor am I sure what he's planning to do next."

"What do you mean?"

"If he wants to get through with whatever it is he has in mind, he'd have to find his replica first. But even I'm not sure how to find him. You remember Guy once said about his tactic in hide-and-seek. He'd change location before he's found. It's not helping that he could be anywhere by now and only I and Luke can see him."

"You because of your fonic sight, and Luke because..."

"Probably because they are on the same frequency. But it's all theory at the moment. Lack of data and everything. Now."

He dropped his documents to the table, leaned forward and gave Tear the creepiest grin she'd ever seen in his face. Unconsciously, she gulped.

"I'll be frank, Tear. You surprise me."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I've expected many things from you, but this is not one of them."

"... what have I done?"

"Nothing, and that's the oddity."

"..."

"I've answered a lot of things, Tear. Forgive me if I want you to answer one."

"... what is it?"

As if it was possible, his grin widened.

"Whose side are you on?"