to Roksu: Haha, of course not. They weren't given much choice in the game XD

Ah, if you haven't gotten to watch Bunraku yet, you really should. Gackt plays a samurai named Yoshi...ah, he's so good in it. His English has gotten better. An action movie, with giggles, pretty men, sushi, Woody Harrelson, and no one has sex! But mostly...Gackt! It makes me mad I couldn't see it in the theatre...my fiancee said it was because "Americans wouldn't appreciate it because there's too much culture" along those lines...sadly, I'd have to agree. People would probably bitch and moan about the scenery being made of paper...It's called Bunraku...of course everything's made of paper.

Read, enjoy and review.

Gemini

The twins were silent as we led the way down the dirt path through the forest to what was left of Babi's Lighthouse. I glance back at them as we round a bend in the path to see the boy stumble but his sister holds onto his hand tightly, keeping him from falling. I smile faintly, turning away before they can catch me watching, starting a little at the look on Ivan's face. I color, rubbing the back of my neck, "What are you looking so pleased about?"

"You're looking out for them."

I sigh, pausing to adjust my gloves as the twins struggle to keep up, "They're young...and it doesn't seem like Weyard is any safer than when we set out. We have the power to protect people…but we can't always show up when there's trouble, the least we can do is teach those with abilities to protect themselves…and the people around them."

"The least we can do is teach them not to abuse their abilities…" He glances back at the twins, his eyes softening, "They've been mistreated and their hearts are scarred…but they're young, they'll heal with a gentle hand. Mary would be good for them."

"Knowing her, she'll say yes…I don't like the idea of owing that woman. Hopefully this kindness of hers ends with this favor."

The trees fade back as the path widens, the steps to Babi's lighthouse covered in rubble and shrubs as the nature slowly reclaimed the spot. Gerald lifted up the corner of a slab, jumping back as a rodent squeaked and skittered off into the bushes. He cursed, stomping his foot and shaking his fist at the bushes. Milieu gasps, hiding behind me while her brother tries to put on a brave face, squaring his shoulders though his arms shook.

Gerald finally takes notice of us, dusting off his hands and going down the steps two at a time, "What's with the kids?"

"This is Feuille and Milieu…" Ivan says, "From Cirque du Lune. They wanted to meet Mary."

He blinks, folding his arms across his chest and looking the kids over, furrowing his brow. The twins shrink under his gaze but his face breaks out into a wide grin, "You're the kids that did those crazy stunts in the air. That was amazing!"

Feuille colors, smiling softly, "W-we've been practicing since we joined up with the Madame."

"The Madame?"

"Um…the ringer leader, Lady Sacher…everyone in the troupe calls her Madame. She's been like a mother to us…but she said calling her mother would make her feel old." Feuille glances at his sister and she nods slowly, watching Gerald with a wary eye, holding onto the edge of my tunic.

Gerald jabs his thumb over his shoulder, "Mary's poking around inside. I was just about to head in after her…"

"When that mouse startled you?" Ivan teases, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"It wasn't a mouse! It was…a lot bigger than a mouse, whatever it was." He huffs, turning on his heel and stomping up the steps. I start to follow him but a tug on my tunic gives me pause. Milieu keeps her eyes on the ground, clutching at the edge of my tunic tight enough to leave her knuckles white.

Shifting, I touch her hand lightly, coaxing her to release the fabric as I kneel. "You don't have to worry about Gerald, he's not going to hurt you…he just has a loud mouth."

Ivan laughs softly, "You can think of him as a gentle giant…as long as you're not underfoot, he's harmless." Milieu finally smiles, nodding slowly and turning to take her brother's hand. I stand, picking a path through the rubble and catching Ivan's arm when he stumbles on a loose rock.

"Thank you…" He slips past, managing to reach the entrance without any more mishaps. The twins hurry after him and I bring up the rear, glancing over my shoulder before I slip inside.

We catch up with Mary in the shadow of a statue, holding onto a strange plant with a slender knife in her other hand. I blink, walking over and kneeling next to her, "What is it?"

She smiles, "This is an herb that only grows in this part of the continent…if mixed with the right ingredients, making a very potent potion to ward off the effects of seasickness. It's a temperamental plant, it only grows in the most specific conditions. I was hoping to find some here." She used the knife to cut the plant, catching the clippings in her pouch and standing. She tucks the knife away in her belt, blinking when she notices the twins. "You're from the circus…I didn't know it was coming to Lalivero. Were you able to salvage your tent?"

Feuille blushes, opening his mouth to speak but a soft squeak comes out instead and he bows his head. His sister smiles quickly, "Most of it…but we still need to make repairs before we can perform properly again. The Madame promised to come back to Lalivero once we were finish touring the other continents."

I stand, helping Mary to her feet and she smiles gently, brushing back her hair. "I'm glad to hear that. These ruins are still rather dangerous…what are you two doing here?"

"We know you're a Water Energist…and we were hoping you could teach us while we travel together." Mary blinks, tilting her head and glancing between Ivan and me. I shake my head and she smiles again.

"So we'll be traveling companions…well then, while we're together, I'll teach you as much as you can." She ties her pouch to her belt, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt, "My father taught my cousin and me when we were young."

"Who's your cousin?"

Gerald grumbles a little, shifting uncomfortably and glancing away. Mary smiles faintly, glancing away, "Oh…just a drifter…after learning what he could from my father, he decided to leave…he felt he could learn more from the world than he could in Imil. I suppose he was right in the end…he learned Psynergy I still can't use." The twins glance at each other, a look of amazement in their eyes.

"He probably stole it." Gerald finally manages, waving a hand absently.

Mary sighs, "We don't know that for sure, Gerald…" His stomach grumbles suddenly and she laughs softly, shaking her head, "That must mean it's lunch time. Why don't we head back to town and have lunch together?"

The twins smile from ear to ear, nodding quickly.

-TBC-