"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

-Vincent Van Gogh

Once upon a dream, there was a little star who lived all alone in deep cobalt black. All the other stars were bright and vibrant, overlooking what the littlest deemed important. Ignorance was a virtue, for when that littlest star grew bigger and bigger and more vibrant, the majestic life once dreamed was a thorny path of dysfunctional life only redeemed by decadence, never ascension for the highest acme is brief for such a tiny star.

But, what is done in the depths will arise the phoenix or reaper, maybe a nullified existence altogether.

Ib awoke to the sound of whispering from next door. She groaned and pulled her pillow over her head, praying for it to stop before she was awake enough to investigate. It was in vain. The noises only escalated into a din that tormented her ears while she staggered out of bed tiredly and went next door. The noise was so loud that she was physically trying to block it out with her palms, but it was only effective at muffling it to a small extent.

She gritted her teeth and gripped the knob firmly. The door seemed to jump out of her hand and then opened widely. Suddenly a gale whipped around the entrance, drowning out most of the words, but Ib could still hear that one sentence clear as day swirl inside her skull. She braced herself and reached for the knob, trying to close the door.

Find us!

Ib finally found the knob again and swiftly fought to close the door as the command stabbed at her brain like sharpened a fork. Door closed, she heavily leaned against the opposing wall and slid to the floor, questioning herself for even bothering to open it in the first place. She knew it was dangerous, but Ib also knew that these voices sounded desperate for someone to listen to them, and she couldn't ignore them. They were probably the voices of all the forgotten and it pained her that there were so many.

Find us.

Could they be talking about their paintings? Ib sighed inwardly, suddenly tired with the sudden development, but willing to go on. She was far too entrenched to give up nor did she even want to. Ib didn't consider herself a saint or a saviour, but she knew that she had to persevere and finish this. Ms. Creo had mentioned that Ib herself had affected an Exhibit which has, apparently, left lasting impressions on the Gallery. This, a portion of it or so, was partly her fault and it was all too personal. In fact, Ib never entertained the idea of quitting. Breaks were tolerable, but not quitting something that she felt was immensely important.

She stood up from the floor and went back to her room, noting her sketchbook was open. She walked over and stared at the drawing, feeling weary and dread blossom within her chest at the vague familiarity of the drawing. This was not her style, it was not something she would draw, and it certainly could only be something from the Gallery. 'Cycloptic smile...I should ask Ms. Creo about this. The others need to know also, this may be a clue.''

Ib would be seeing the others at dinner and opted to tell them then. She glanced at the clock and noted that she was supposed to meet Lucy and Rose upstairs in fifteen minutes. Ib smiled a bit to herself, realizing that she had had a lot of meetings lately with her friends. Never before had she been so busy with other people. It was a good feeling, though it was also rather exhausting.

Ib cleaned up her room and headed upstairs to Lucy's, knocked politely and waited. From inside she could hear Lucy drop something and it was thirty seconds later before she finally opened the door. "Hey, Ib, I wasn't expecting you so early."

"I'm sorry," Ib replied, noticing the defaced muffins on the counter had probably been the things her blonde companion had dropped in surprise.

"No, no, don't worry about it! They're still edible and I have plenty more. I made a lot in culinary class." Lucy replied, having followed Ib's line of sight, "Besides, I have plenty of other snacks."

Ib gave her a small smile, reminded of Amelia's peculiar ability to pull food out of seemingly nowhere. She followed Lucy inside and helped set out bowls while chatting-mainly Lucy-about a few series while waiting for Rose to show up, which wasn't for another fifteen minutes.

"Sorry, sorry, I was super busy and had to run back to school," Rose apologized haggardly when she did make her appearance. Lucy let her in without question and ushered the two to sit down while she went into the kitchen to grab drinks.

Rose and Ib sat comfortably on Lucy's loveseat, subconsciously making room for their blonde friend to sit in the middle for ultimate snackage reach. Lucy handed them drinks and was just bringing out the real food when Rose waggled her eyebrows at Ib, "So, you and Garry, huh?"

Ib, who had been taking a sip, nearly spit out her drink as Amelia's crash course on boys flooded back into her head. She managed to swallow the offending liquid down, her throat hurting as she did so, "Excuse me?"

Lucy laughed and sat down in-between them, "Come on, Ib. It's really obvious that you like him, and I'm positive he reciprocates the feeling!"

Ib stared at them blankly.

"Well, I'm sure you feel different around him, like happy or self-conscious..." Rose started before Lucy cut her off, "And you gravitate towards each other without meaning to and you stare at him a lot and sometimes you wonder about kissing him!"

Ib was starting to resemble her eye colour as she couldn't school her features with their constant barrage, "You all sound like Amelia..."

Lucy laughed, Rose smirking, "That means it's so obvious that even Amelia has picked up on it."

Ib frowned, unsure of what Rose was trying to imply about Amelia, which she said as much.

Rose looked sheepish, "No, no, it's just Amelia is a little slow when it comes to romance. I don't think she can even tell that a certain someone likes her."

"Hey, no changing topics! We're going to get Ib to admit she likes Garry!" Lucy interjected.

"That is today's ultimate objective," Rose continued, "And rating Jorge's and Lucinda's actors."

"Wonderful goals," Lucy then turned to Ib with an almost gossip look about her. Ib was familiar with the look, though normally it involved someone talking about her. "I just so happen to be in Garry's culinary class, and I've observed that he seems rather popular with quite a few of the ladies. One of which is someone in our painting class."

Ib, for reasons unknown to her, found herself engrossed in what Lucy was saying, even becoming impatient when she paused for dramatic effect.

"You remember Sherry, right? She stepped on your painting and has the pink streaks in her hair?" Ib nodded, prompting Lucy to continue, "Well, she's alright in culinary, but when Garry transferred in she started pretending to have more problems so that she could ask him for help. I heard her invite him to the concert last class, but he declined saying he was already going with someone else."

"She was really mad about it and I really wanted to warn you, but Sherry saw you and Garry last night before I could." Lucy looked troubled and Ib awkwardly reached out to hold her hand. "Thanks, Ib, but I really should warn you. Sherry can get rather nasty."

"Did she do something to you?" Ib asked carefully. Rose frowned sadly as Lucy nodded, "Yeah, last year she had her eyes on my friend, Zephyr, and because I was close to him I was deemed a threat. End of story, we had a fight and are no longer friends."

Ib felt anger bubble up within her at how defeated Lucy appeared. She also felt another emotion overcome her when she thought of the same girl hanging on Garry like an unwanted leech. Ib paused in her thoughts, surprised by her own bitterness in regards to a girl that she was never properly introduced to. She couldn't tell if these sudden emotions were wrong or right, but they felt justified to her in a way that made sense, but also didn't. However, the very thought of Garry going, as Amelia said, 'out' with a girl like that made her want to break something.

Ib paused, "I...think you're right. I'm sorry, Lucy."

The two casted her pensive looks, not sure what the brunette was implying.

"When you were talking all I could think about was this Sherry hanging onto him and what she's done to you...I-I think I'm really angry. I don't want her anywhere near him and it almost hurts to think that she might take him away." Ib admitted, unsure of the words coming out of her mouth. She had only described her feelings to Amelia in terms of Garry, and they confided in each other about most things. To tell these two that she may just actually have feelings towards the lavanderette instead of the ambiguous above-friends feeling was almost like betraying Amelia, but she resolved to tell her later of her recent development.

Now, what to do about this affection?

Lucy squealed, clapping her hands and girling out as she shouted "I knew it!" multiple times. Rose smiled and laughed at Lucy's antics, congratulating Ib on finally realizing it. "God, there's nothing better than love gossip!" Lucy admitted, Rose agreeing with her. "I normally hate any type of gossip, with minor case-by-case exceptions, but I can't stop listening when people talk about love, feelings, and boys!"

"Amen," Rose finalized.

With the mood now cheery, the three girls turned on the television and proceeded to watch seven episodes of a book-turned-series with all the talking, shushing, commenting, and laughter that girls are capable of when it comes to their favourite show. Ib found herself joining the two in their banter and conversations. Some of the references went right over her head, but she was having fun all the same.

It was an hour before dinner that Ib bid them goodbye, promising to see them at the festival and fill them in on Monday during third period. Ib quietly walked to the cafeteria, lost in thought on how she was going to tell Amelia about her predicament and if she should tell Garry. Annoyingly, her face started to get warm at the thought.

"Do you have a fever, Ib? Your face is red," Ib blanched as Amelia suddenly appeared and compared forehead temperatures with her palms pensively.

"I-I have to tell you something," Ib blurted out, piquing Amelia's interest. Ib explained what had happened at the concert and the conversation she had with Rose and Lucy earlier, including her own admission of interest in Garry. Amelia listened thoroughly, nodding in certain places before watching Ib with lit eyes. She, much like Lucy, squealed but also hugged Ib while jumping up and down in excitement.

"I knew it! I knew it! You guys are so adorbs!" Amelia gushed, "When are you going to tell him?"

"I don't know if I should," Amelia's smile died a bloody death upon hearing those words.

"What, why?"

"Well, we are in the middle of trying to save Kate and the other forgotten," Ib trailed off, letting her words hang heavily in the air at the unspoken weight of the whole situation.

"Yea, I see your point." Amelia begrudgingly admitted, "but maybe telling him now will be better than later."

"But if the situation arose where we were in danger, I wouldn't want his judgment clouded with unneeded thoughts."

"Ib, you're way too practical. Live a little, this may be the one chance that you have. You don't want to regret it." Amelia remarked rather sadly, and Ib knew exactly what Amelia was regretting, but chose not to comment on the question of if Garry also held feelings for her; Amelia was at a fragile point as it was.

Ib changed the topic to food and they continued on their way to the cafeteria line and then the table, greeting Luno and Garry whom were already waiting for them. The mood was kept casual until they were finished, the trays thrown away, and then it was all business.

Amelia pulled out a large envelope from her bag, flipping open the top and laid it down on the table for them to see. "I managed to magnify the pictures, but the two aren't identical. The one we saw by the stage is probably this Ida person and the other is just plain weird."

"It gets worse," Ib replied as she took out her sketchbook, flipped to the correct page, and placed it on the table for them to see. "I'm pretty sure this is the name of whatever is stalking...him."

They nodded, recognizing that Soaru's name would remain anonymous just incase anyone was eavesdropping.

"Cycloptic Smile, where have I heard that before?"Garry asked rhetorically, something nagging at him from the back of his mind.

"I feel as if I too should remember this painting, but the feeling is very faint." Ib also voiced, creating a link in Luno's mind.

"Well, Ms. Creo said as much that you both attended the same Exhibit, so maybe you saw this painting there. Anyway, with a name we now have something to go on. I can probably try to see if the library has any records of the painting." Luno suggested, enjoying the thought that they could finally be closer to an answer.

Luno had been friends with Soaru since he entered the academy nearly two years ago. The young Asian man had been nervous, reserved, and seemed to be holding a great weight on his shoulders. He didn't talk about it, but it was obvious to Luno who also felt a great responsibility. He hadn't gone out on a whim to befriend him or anything, but he did present the opportunities for interaction and when they did interact they both were comforted by the others own issues with whatever it was they were holding in.

Luno did care for Soaru, he was his friend, which is why he was so bothered by the way Soaru took to Dmitri's side. In regards to what had happened, he could understand if Soaru was displeased with the sudden change in dynamic and distance, but to go to the extent that he would let Dmitri say what he did about Amelia wasn't like him at all. If what Ms. Creo had told Ib was true, then maybe Dmitri wasn't the only one affected by Ida's manipulation.

Gillian and Dmitri were different matters. Soaru he could forgive in time, but those two had really dug themselves a deep hole. He wasn't inclined to forgive them, though he had been good friends with Dmitri and they often would help each other with projects even though they were taking different classes. Soaru had introduced them and they had much in common, so the relationship had been friendly and equal. Dmitri had also been the one to introduce Gillian to everyone in the very beginning when he had found her walking around the hallway, lost and new. Lumi and her got along well, though rocky at first with Gillian's strange manners and his sister's own short temper that she had been trying to improve. Gillian was good for his sister, often going beyond his sister's small patience and making her endure it, which vastly improved it in a short span of time.

Amelia had arrived months after Soaru, energetic and also very new. She had happened to have a photoshop class with Gillian for half a semester, but it was Liam who had made her known to them when she accidentally walked into the men's room. Lumi took to her enthusiasm and eccentric disposition instantly, often talking about this and that with her because Amelia held some of the same interests. For instance, they both enjoyed dance, action movies, and sucked at cooking. Honestly, he hadn't liked Amelia at first, but his opinion had changed the more she interacted with them. She was genuinely loud, often self-conscious, and always tried to cheer anyone up if she could. Amelia also was very serious about photography, which amazed him as she was always on the put a camera in her hands and she was like a different person.

Perhaps this dual personality was what drew others to her. He could see why Dmitri teased her, why Gillian often spoke freely to her about her strange fixations, why Soaru-though often perplexed-knew she was reliable and someone he could trust, why Lumi gravitated towards her honesty, why Garry trusted her, and why Ib was her best friend. That's why he couldn't forgive Gillian and Dmitri for what they did, even if it was spurned by some crazy child painting. They had betrayed their friendship and pinned everything on Ib and Garry.

It was understandable that Ib and Garry were unknowing catalysts, but something was going to give at some point. Ib and Garry just happened to be convenient. They were new and had a strange air about them that sucked all of them in while also keeping them at a distance. It had been Luno's and Amelia's choice to follow them, thus getting involved and they developed the same air that Garry and Ib possessed. In reality, Luno was rather content with this. Yes, he had been terrified of dying and the whole monster thing, but dying with Amelia and then seeing the bonds he'd developed with Ib and Garry in such a small amount of time had been one of his best memories.

He also knew that it was only natural that they all had grown closer due to the life-or-death situations. It's a well known adage, afterall. Besides, it was finally nice to know that all the strange feelings he'd been having while attending the school weren't just fabrications or stress. Things were happening, serious things that affected him, and he wasn't just going to sit down and let it happen.

"Oh,I almost forgot," Luno suddenly spoke, breaking from his internal monologue. "I looked into Acela and found a pretty good lead. The hospital she's currently at is the only one in the city and I can probably get two of us in to see her with a little bit of lying."

"Ohhh, we got a bad ass over here." Amelia dawled, but was impressed with his quick results all the same.

"That reminds me, I went back to her room this morning," Ib said, describing the horrible din and the new command from the distorted voices she'd heard.

"Find us...do they mean the paintings they were probably turned in to or...their bodies?" Garry nervously asked, a shiver going through him at the prospect of happening upon a decaying body.

"It's most likely the former. They don't have bodies anymore, remember? Acela and Kate are apparently different, but these guys have been gone a long time, right?" Amelia inquired. If those construction workers all those decades ago had also gone missing, then there is no doubt that they had long since been absorbed by the core.

"That's a...valid point," Garry nervously agreed, having forgot that fact.

"We should keep an eye out then, but the problem is that their paintings may be so ancient that we won't be able to discern them from the regular paintings," Amelia pointed out, "If we can find the artist and somehow link 'em to most of the other paintings we saw then maybe we can discern which ones are the missing."

"The artist is a male," Garry stated, "Mary called him her father and used the pronoun 'he' multiple times, so we're looking for a male most likely above twenty and...I think his name begins with a G."

Luno looked at him, surprised, "Did you finally remember something?"

Garry shook his head, "No, but I did happen across some badly burned books when I was on my own. It was like a collection of his paintings and it was written after he died because I'm sure it said that one of his works was found in his home and his name began with a G, but the rest was unreadable. I have a feeling it's right, but I might be wrong..."

"No, it helps. I can narrow it down now instead of having to look at every artist from A-Z. I'll start with G and if you all could make a list of the paintings you remember then I can try to match them up. Anything is fine, the title or a description." Luno took out a piece of paper and handed it to Amelia to pass around after she was done writing.

"Now, the most important thing at the moment is him," Luno continued, talking about Soaru, "He is either in danger or it was just a one time thing, but we need evidence."

They all casted a glance towards the old table, noting that Soaru had yet to arrive. Amelia leaned closer to whisper, "Well, it would be rather obvious 'cause she would be trailing him, right? As vessels, we can see Gallery occupants on this level, or so it goes."

"Yes, but we might be being monitored by Ida to see how we react," Luno hypothesized. Garry sighed, the complexity and uncertainty of the situation starting to stress him out.

Ib looked towards the lavenderette and gave him a reassuring smile, "I wouldn't worry, we can always ask Amelia to take a picture just in case."

"That's right! You can count on me!" Amelia took out a portable camera, but suddenly her cheerful expression was covered by the camera and she was pointing beyond them. They slightly turned to see what was going on, but only felt dread blossom within their chests at the sight of the spectator now fully grasping Soaru's arm. He didn't seem to notice her in the least, but they could make out something twisted in her single eye that chilled them in fear for Soaru's life.

"What should we do?" Amelia frantically whispered, the camera now shaking slightly in her hands when she took it away from her eye. "I don't like this one bit, but I know we just can't jump him and expect him to listen to us."

"We have to try anyway," Garry was the one to say. "I don't want to put any one out, but I don't know him all that well. If you or Amelia were to say something, there's a higher chance of him listening to you."

There was a pregnant pause.

"I'll go," Luno finally decided as he stood up.

The three watched him apprehensively as he approached Soaru, effortlessly ignoring the clinging painting, and deafly tracing their conversation visually. They all felt rather tense as Luno was over there for nearly seven whole minutes, simply talking, and it seemed Soaru was listening as Luno had sat down next to him around the fourth minute. It was ten minutes later that Luno came back over, ignoring the look Dmitri sent him upon his arrival.

"How'd it go?" Garry asked, and Luno sighed.

"I simply explained that he could very well be in trouble and that he should be careful not to be alone for any extended periods of time. He invited me to sit and asked about what was really going on."

"Did ya tell him?" Amelia asked hesitantly.

Luno scoffed, "Of course not."

"What did you tell him then, he looked pretty worried about something." Garry inquired, to which Luno kept his mouth shut.

"He said something hurtful," Ib stated. "I can read lip."

She kept silent as Luno squirmed, but finally gave him a nod, assuring him she had no intention of revealing what he said. In fact, she agreed with what he said to him. Soaru had deserved it and he needed to know he was wrong and that he had hurt all of them. The ball was in his court, but, regardless of teams, they were going to help get rid of Cycloptic Smile before it could harm him.