KS: Hey, when did these to get buddy-buddy with each other?

(Kurt and Gusurg are seen laughing with each other)

Riela: I don't know. They were like that when I got back.

Imca: Your guess is as good as mine.

KS: Lydia?

Lydia: They're drunk.

KS: ...Run that by me again.

Lydia: I said, they're drunk.

KS: Oh, well that's- wait, they're drunk? How'd that happen?

Lydia: Well, I got tired of those two shifting awkwardly and barely speaking so...

Riela: You gave them alcohol?

Lydia: Yes. Since then, they've been more open with each other. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner.

(Kurt and Gusurg hug each other)

Imca: This would be sweet if both of them weren't inebriated.

KS: Oh well. On with the chapter.

Baldren walked down the hallway with a bright expression. He had a good spar with Alexis and the two spent some time with each other afterwords. Alexis firmly believes that Baldren that can amends for his misdeeds and gives him his full support. Baldren appreciates the gesture greatly and they both went their separate ways. Now, he was headed to the cafeteria, having a need for food.

"Alexis seems like a nice person," he said to himself. "But still, I can't help but feel that there is something odd about him."

As he was lost in his thoughts, he turned at a corner in the hall, where someone bumped into him. Looking down, he saw a boy with short brown hair, gray eyes and freckles. When the boy looked up at him, he quickly stood and bowed his head.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to run into you," he stuttered.

"It's alright, no harm was done," Baldren said. "What's your name?"

"M-My name? Oh, it's Nichol Martin. It's nice to meet you." He nervously held out his hand. Baldren shook it while looking at his expression. To him, it looked as if he saw a ghost.

"May I ask you a question?" Nichol nodded. "Why do you look as if somebody is going to take you by surprise?"

Nichol looked away while shifting nervously. "Well… it's my sister."

Baldren raised an eyebrow. "Your sister? What about her?"

"She's really strict, not to mention a total neat freak."

Baldren let out a heavy sigh. "A neat freak, huh? Boy, she sounds like a real piece of work."

"You don't know the half of it. And she's always yelling at me whenever I-"

"NICHOL!" a sharp, femine voice rang out. Baldren winced the tone of the person's voice and noticed that Nichol went pale from hearing it.

"I take it that's your sister?" Baldren asked. Nichol nodded feverishly. A young woman with brown hair that was braided in most parts and gray eyes walk towards Nichol with a scowl on her face.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you, idiot," she growled, glaring down at her brother.

"I'm sorry, Franca," Nichol whimpered.

"Whatever. Now that I found you, I need you clean up the classroom. I'd get other people to do it, but for they seem to be avoiding me for some reason."

"Hmph. I wonder why," Baldren muttered. Franca turned her cold glare towards him.

"Baldren, was it?" she asked.

"Yes."

She moved Nichol to the side and walked up to him until they were inches apart.

"I'm going to be straight here: I don't trust you."

"Big surprise there," Baldren snarked.

"I mean it," Franca growled. "In fact, I'm sure everyone in this academy thinks you and your sister will stab us in the back first chance you get. Also, if I ever see you within 10 feet of my brother, I'll will make your life miserable. Do I make myself clear?"

Baldren sighed. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Let's go, Nichol," she said while walking away. "Pay no mind to the traitor next to you."

"O-Okay, Franca," he stuttered, catching up to her. Without her noticing, he turned around to wave farewell to Baldren. He returned the gesture while smiling. After the siblings left, his smile faded.

"Why does he let his sister of all people push him around like that? Can't she see that he's scared of her?"

As much as she loathes to admit it, Audrey found Lanseal to be quite relaxing. Here, she could breath easily and let her hair down, knowing that she was fighting on the right side again. Still, she couldn't help but feel a little lonely. She wanted to speak to that girl that was in the library, but she wasn't able to find her anywhere.

"I wonder where she got off to," she said silently.

"Hey, you over there," a voice called out. Audrey turned around to see a young woman with red hair with part of it being covered by a green bandana and dark eyes consealed by sunglasses. She gave the former rebel a scrutinizing look.

"Um… yes?" Audrey responded, feeling uncomfortable with the way the woman was looking at her.

"Name's Chloe Blixen. Nice to meet you," the woman said, holding her hand out. At first she was hesitant, but Audrey shook it.

"Nice to meet you too. Could you please explain why you were looking at me like that?"

Chloe shrugged. "No reason in particular. Just wanted to find a muse."

"A muse? For what?"

"Well, I saw your face and figured I could draw it." She leaned in closer and put her hand under Audrey's chin. "See, you look like the type who has lost something or someone dear to you and I want to make that into a sketch."

Audrey looked away. "To be perfectly honest, I did lose someone close to me. I loved with all my heart."

Hearing that, Chloe looked ashamed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories or anything."

Audrey shook her head while smiling. "It's alright. I try not to let it bother me too much. Although, I would be more than happy to be your model."

Chloe's expression lightened up. "Really? You mean it?" Audrey nodded. "Well, what are we waiting for! Let's go!" She grabbed Audrey by her wrist and dragged her off.

"W-Wait a minute…!"

"Um… let me get this straight. You are going to become an idol?"

"That's right! I, Anisette Nelson will be the greatest idol the world has ever known."

Baldren had to use all of his willpower to not burst into laughter. The girl with the brown eyes and gray ponytail has been ranting non-stop about how great an idol she was going to become, and to be perfectly honest, his patience was wearing thin. Then again, Baldren was never a patient sort, but it was close to breaking.

"So… you said your name was Nelson, right? he asked.

Anisette nodded vigorously. "That's right! You are looking at the sister Edy Nelson, the shining star of Squad 7!"

"Shining star…?" Baldren thought desparingly. "That's not what I've heard…"

"Are you alright?" Anisette asked. "You look a little pale. Well, more pale than usual."

"I-It's nothing. I'm fine," Baldren said, scratching the back of his head. "I need to go." With that, he swiftly walked away from the girl, muttering obscenities with every step he took.

"He seems like a nice person," Anisette said thoughtfully. "Kinda edgy, though."

Audrey had a great time posing for Chloe. The artist had her do a variety of poses, ranging from sitting on a chair with a stoic look to leaning near a window with a faraway look. She did some other poses, but that's not really important right now.

"I don't believe it," she said to herself. "This school has a soccer field?"

Yes, it's true. Lanseal had a soccer field near the training grounds, which really surprised her.

"What in the-"

But she was more surprised by a ball that nearly missed her head by a few inches.

"I swear, who ever tried to attack me like that will face my wrath," she growled. She quickly turned to the direction where the ball was launched… and saw a young girl with orange hair and dark eyes rubbing the back of her head while smiling awkwardly.

"Uh… sorry about that," she said.

Audrey sighed as she walked over to the girl. "Please tell me that ball was not directed at me."

"No, I just kicked it a little too hard. By the way, I'm Rene Randall. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Audrey replied, shaking her hand.

"So, you decided to fight for your home rather than against it, huh?"

Audrey nodded. "That is correct."

Rene grinned. "Well, if your so intent on making up for everything, you should get Magari's support as well."

"Magari, you say?" Audrey asked. "She wouldn't happen to be…"

"A Darcsen? Yeah, she is," Rene answered. "Of course, I have to be around to make sure nobody is giving her any trouble because of it."

Audrey smiled. "I understand. She is lucky to have a friend like you."

Rene rubbed the underside of her nose with her finger. "Yeah, I guess she is."

"Well, that aside, do you know where I can find your friend."

"She's probably hanging around in the library, sticking her nose into a good book."

"I see. Until next time we meet," Audrey said, walking away.

"See you later," Rene replied, waving at her.

Riela: Hey, why is this chapter short.

KS: Because I'm lazy and am constantly lacking motivation.

Imca: Well, get some motivation, then.

KS: I'll try, but I'm not making any promises.

Lydia: Hey, since we're here, should we...?

KS: No, forget it. Let's save it for another time.

Lydia: (shrugs) Okay, then.