All right, readers! After this chapter, I plan on only having two or three more after. Except they'll be especially long, maybe ten to fifteen pages long. That is long, right?

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Chapter Six

Brainwashed

Piers' mother stared at her son in shock. How could he not remember who Jenna was? She was such a large factor in his life…

"P-Piers?" she gasped and clutched his shoulders. Piers put on a disgusted face and snapped, "Mom, I'm seventeen. Lemme go."

His mother took a step back. Her son looked fine; but was he really?

She backed up, and Piers merely regarded her with a puzzled look. Then she turned and ran into the house.

Piers shrugged and went into the house behind her. He went up the stairs and into his bedroom.

There was a strange smell. It wasn't his scent, he was sure; it was more feminine. Subtly flowery, with a hint of cleanliness. He began to warm up to it. He loved things when they were clean.

Piers sat on his bed and took another whiff of the strange smell. He let out his breath, and immediately relaxed. Whoever the smell belonged to, it was sure familiar.

He closed his eyes, and started to think. Who was this Jenna his mother mentioned? Was it a relative? A long-lost cousin or sister? What if she was his girlfriend…?

Unconsciously, Piers thought, "In your dreams, Piers." Then he snapped to attention. Where did that come from?

Piers sighed in his solitude. The smell was bugging him. What if it belonged to this Jenna? Why would her perfume be in his room, unless she came in here often?

He shrugged it off, and settled down to a nap.

Jenna paced around her room. It was scarily comfortable, and a little too appealing to her tastes. Perhaps this Alex person had read her thoughts, but he was no Wind Seer. His appearance screamed Mercury Adept.

She sat on the bed, and sank down into its comfortable maroon sheets. She looked out the window to her left. All she saw were snow-covered mountains, yet it was warm in her room. Another mystery.

Jenna got up, and unraveled her scarf and took off her boots. She walked over to the window and craned her neck. She could see Vale surprisingly well.

She gazed at the little village for a long while. It seemed so far away and vague. It was a perfect day down there, sunny and cool, while it was snowy and cold up where she was.

A soft knock came from the door, and Alex stepped in. He walked over and said quietly, "What's it like there?"

Jenna was caught by surprise, even though he knocked. She turned. He was close; they were almost touching noses. She blushed and said quickly, "It's kinda boring," before turning around again.

Alex noted her nervousness and smiled. He came over next to her and leaned on the stone sill. "It's civilized, isn't it?" he asked. Jenna had to think. "Not really. We do everything by Psynergy," she replied.

Alex nodded. "Are you hungry?" Jenna nodded. He took her hand and said, "I've got food downstairs. Follow me." Jenna was surprised by his gesture, but followed him anyways.

Alex led her to a small kitchen. He sat her down at a large wooden table and said, "Twenty minutes." Then he went back into the kitchen and began to cook.

Jenna watched him with intrigue. He was a blue blur, darting from cupboard to oven to icebox to sink. Finally, he took out two plates and glasses and silverware. He set the table and handed Jenna a napkin.

He came over with a pan and emptied eggs into Jenna's plate, the followed by two slices of ham. "I'm sorry, but I haven't got anything that you would be used to," he said and Jenna smiled at him genuinely. Then she said, "And what would I be used to?" she asked.

Alex shrugged. "Perhaps something a little more… sophisticated?" Jenna laughed. "You are looking at the simplest girl in all Angara," she said.

Alex shook his head. "You aren't simple, Jenna. Far from it," he said. He served himself and then sat down across from her.

Jenna took a bite of eggs, and a silence stretched between them. "Jenna, may I ask you something?" Alex suddenly asked, and Jenna looked up.

His gaze was intense, but kind. So she said, "Sure." Alex swallowed, and then asked, "Do you love Piers?"

Jenna was shocked. "Huh?" she grunted, her eyes wide. Alex set his fork down. "Well? Do you?" he asked fiercely.

Jenna set her silverware down as well. She gazed at her empty plate and though. Did she love Piers? He was a great friend, but he didn't give her that kind of vibe…

She looked up and said defiantly, "No, I don't." But she was surprised at how untruthful her words sounded. Alex relaxed and said, more to himself than Jenna, "Thank the heavens."

Jenna narrowed her eyes. "What is that supposed to mean?" she asked suspiciously. Alex looked up, his blue eyes sincere.

"That means that I am happy that you don't love him," he said. Jenna repeated, "What is that supposed to mean?" Alex's gaze bored into hers and he said simply, "Because I am interested in you."

Jenna slumped in her chair. That was two surprises in one day. Anything else and she would slip into a coma.

She got up and said stiffly, "I should go back now." Alex merely said, "Of course. Good luck, Jenna."

Jenna mutely walked out of the room, put on her scarf and boots, came downstairs, pulled on her coat, opened the door, and left. She walked through the blizzard down to Vale.

Alex gathered Jenna's dishes and put it in the sink. He lazily used his Psynergy to wash them, and then went up to the room he lent Jenna. She hadn't stayed after all, but at least his plan was in motion. Now all he had to do was wait for it to unravel itself.

His plan was simple. He had brought them both up to his tower. He distracted Jenna with her room and brainwashed Piers while she was busy. Then he sent Piers back to Vale with no memory of his beloved Jenna. And when Jenna went back down to Vale and found that Piers no longer knew who she was, she would run back up the mountain and into Alex's arms. Simple.

Alex sat on the window sill that he was looking out of not an hour before. He watched at the faint auburn speck went down the mountain, taking its sweet time. Then he smiled after it.

He meant Jenna no harm. All he wanted was her genuine love, but that was impossible now. Brainwashing Piers artificially ruined that chance. But at least he was getting Jenna. All he needed now was a little time.

Seriously now—did that plan make any sense? I thought it did, but, then again, I think that Aang will actually end up with Katara.

Thank you Xanda, for telling me that Vale is in Angara and being a great reviewer! And Natsuhiboshi as well!

REMEMBER—R&R! Feedback is needed!

-MidnightPhoenix320