Tactics

The darkness greeted her awakening with a silent chill. Despite being buried beneath several blankets, she couldn't stop her limbs from trembling, and as she sat upright in the bed she noticed quickly there was another person in her room. The long, white strands of her hair were visible despite the absence of light, and when he noticed she was staring at him he lit a small kerosene lamp near the bed.

"You're awake," he said cheerfully. "I'm glad."

"Luchist," she sighed weakly. His presence wasn't expected, but she relaxed her muscles when identifying him.

"The training was excellent," he continued. "It's a shame you missed it. Hana is very powerful, and I'm looking forward to finding out the full extent."

"Hana?" she asked with a dazed frown and slowly scratched her neck.

"The Asakura boy," he added. "Remember, Jeanne? We talked about him last week."

"I...must have forgotten," she sighed and stared at the blanket in her lap.

"How are you feeling?" he asked with concern. "I want you with us when we continue."

"Tomorrow?"

"Maybe not." Luchist rose from the small chair he was sitting in to rest on the bed. "Hana's resting right now. It depends on how long it takes for him to recover."

"What did you do to him?"

"Oh, nothing," Luchist laughed lightly. "Marco sedated him so he wouldn't kill Nichrom. He doesn't like him very much."

Jeanne didn't respond and clutched the top blanket in her hands.

"Hao's plan is working perfectly so far," he said calmly then paused.

She stared at her hands with a frustrated expression, and he placed his arm around her shoulders.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"I need to know something, Luchist," she started as her eyes filled with tears.

Luchist swallowed hard as she paused and held his breath when she finally met his eyes.

"Do I have a family?"

The question caught him off guard, and he studied her saddened expression for several moments without responding.

"I'm having these dreams," she said bitterly and looked away. "And, they're so real. Sometimes I'm not sure if I'm asleep or awake."

"What kind of dreams?" Luchist asked gravely.

"There was a girl," she sniffed, "a baby. She was crying, and I couldn't reach her."

Luchist decided not to say anything, hoping she would continue.

"But, then there was a man who held her in his arms...and she stopped crying..."

Jeanne paused and held her hand over her face. She began mumbling something under her breath before slapping her hand against the blanket.

"Ren!" she added. "His name is Ren. Do I know him? What does that mean?"

"I don't think it means anything," Luchist replied sadly. "We all have strange dreams, but they don't always have meaning."

"But, he seemed so familiar," she countered. "He knew who I was. He called my name."

"Jeanne, you're thinking about this too much," Luchist said dismissively. "If you had a family, you would remember them, wouldn't you?"

"I can't remember," she squeezed the blanket and clenched her teeth angrily.

"Try not to get too worked up," he said but was ignored.

"I can't remember what I ate for breakfast," she continued angrily. "I don't remember talking to you about this Hana boy. I don't remember what I did yesterday. I can't remember anything!"

"Jeanne, calm down," he pleaded. "You'll make yourself sick."

"Why am I here?" she demanded as her voice elevated. "How did I get here? How long has it been?"

"Just calm down." Luchist tightened his grip around her shoulders, but she pushed him away and scrambled out of the bed.

"You!" she screamed and pointed.

"Jeanne, please." He stood slowly and held out his hands.

"You did this to me!" she continued as her face became stained with tears. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I didn't do anything to you, Jeanne," Luchist said softly. "You're behaving erratically again."

She turned away from him and hit her hand against the hardened stone wall, resting her nose against it and closing her eyes.

"Let me out," she moaned weakly. "You can't keep me here like this."

He approached her slowly and wrapped his arms around her body. She did not resist him and fell limp in his embrace as fatigue overwhelmed her.

"Everything is fine, Jeanne," he said softly and carried her back to the bed. "You're safe here. You have to trust me."

She curled into a fetal ball on the bed, and her hair covered most of her expression. Luchist didn't want to leave her there but felt his presence was stressing her.

"It wasn't you," she mumbled suddenly. "You wouldn't hurt me."

"What are you talking about?" he asked softly and knelt beside the bed in front of her face.

"Please tell me the truth," she whimpered.

"We shouldn't talk about this anymore," he said weakly. "You need to rest."

"It was Hao, wasn't it?" she sniffed. "What did he do to me?"

Luchist didn't respond immediately. He pulled a few strands of her hair away from her face and lay beside her, wrapping his arms securely around her body, and briefly kissed her forehead.

"Hao saved you, Jeanne," he said softly. "You owe him your life."


Mei sat on the floor with her knees bent and her back leaning weakly against the wall. The chair had been taken away several hours before, and there was no where else to sit. She still had no idea how large or small the room was; the darkness made seeing the walls nearly impossible. Hysteria was replaced with fatigue and an overwhelming calmness she decided not to fight. Remaining in a room with no light gave her time to think about many different things and fostered interesting conversation.

"How long have I been here?" she asked aloud. "I can't tell without the sun."

These conversations were unavoidable. She had many thoughts in her mind she wanted to work through, but only saying them aloud gave her comfort. Hearing voices felt more productive, even if they were just her own.

"They will let me die here," she said sadly. "They intend to starve me to death, I suppose."

Silence greeted her statement with great uneasiness, and she slowly stood against the wall.

"What happened to you, Hana?" she asked wearily. "How could you not notice my disappearance?"

When there was no answer, her eyes filled quickly with tears.

"Do you hate me that much? Do you want me to die?" She paused momentarily to bury her face in her hands.

The door swiftly opened, and she gasped lightly, dropping her arms limply to her sides. A tall man entered the room slowly, and his outline was difficult to see. He didn't speak for several seconds, and this increased her fear.

"Have you come to kill me?" she asked defiantly and clutched the fabric of her dress in her hands.

He held out his hand slowly, revealing a small flame from the palm. The fire lit the room with an orange hue, and she was now able to see the soft features of his face.

"Mr. Asakura...I mean...Hao," she blurted. "I-"

"What are you doing in here?" he asked calmly.

"She...didn't tell you?" Mei replied in confusion.

"Who?"

Mei didn't respond and stared at the floor with a bitter expression.

Matilda didn't tell you? I find that very hard to believe.

"Matilda brought you here?" he asked after several seconds of silence.

Mei stared at him with widened eyes but did not respond. Hao was probably listening to her thoughts, and she was now more afraid than ever.

But, she had to test it.

"Yes, Sir, she did," she replied sadly and looked away.

I want to see Hana.

"Hana's been asking about you. I'm sure you'd like to see him," he responded.

She frowned at him and tried to take a step back but realized she was leaning against the wall.

"I don't know why she brought you here," he continued. "This definitely isn't your room."

"No, Sir," she sighed.

"Are you hungry?"

There was something about his kindness that made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Yes, Sir," she replied.

"Come with me," he said warmly. "I'll take care of you."

She followed him slowly into the hallway and tried desperately to control her thoughts. If she was right about his ability she didn't want to be an open book, and she didn't completely trust him. His pace was slow and fluid; the long hair swayed gently against his back, and she resisted the urge to reach for it. Her thoughts could not be contained, however, and she found herself distracted.

You really didn't know about this? I don't believe that. I don't believe you. Are you probing me? Where is Hana? Why does she hate me so much? Why can't I hear your thoughts? Her thoughts bounced around her brain in a nauseating pattern, and she attributed this to hunger. She could always stay calm after a good meal.

"Why don't you just ask me, Mei?" Hao said the words very calmly and completely stopped walking. He did not turn around, and this aggravated her discomfort.

"You are aware of my power." The statement was definitely not a question, and she lowered her head when she said it.

"Yes," he replied.

"I can't hear your thoughts...for the same reason I can't hear Mrs. Asakura's thoughts," she added bitterly.

"Anna and I share that ability," he offered.

"Why can't I block you?" she asked with a slightly offended tone.

"Because you haven't mastered it," was the blank response. "I can help you with that, if you're willing to trust me long enough."

She shivered when he spoke again and stared at his back. "I am not comfortable with such a thing. There is no reason to trust you at this stage."

He giggled lightly and walked away. She quickly followed and held her breath when he spoke again.

"Let's start with a meal. You may change your mind once you've filled your stomach."

"You can't bribe me with food," she said angrily. "I won't be so easily swayed."

"Of course," he replied. "I'll eat with you. And, you can ask me about anything you want to know."

"Anything?" she countered skeptically. "You'll answer me honestly?"

"I have no reason to lie," he said calmly. "I promise."

He continued walking down the hallway, but she didn't follow. Hao noticed this, but waited several seconds before stopping.

"What is it, Mei?" he asked calmly.

"You already know what answers I want from you," Mei replied defiantly. "Must we endure the formality of sharing a meal?"

"You want to know about your mother," Hao said blankly, "right?"

Mei didn't reply and clutched her dress with her hands. He turned around very slowly, and when their eyes met again her body shivered weakly.

"I have the answers to your questions," he continued, "but it is a truth you won't accept."

"What?" she whispered.

"Once you know the truth, there's no turning back," he said as his voice shifted into a slight whisper. He paused for brief seconds and quickly changed his tone. "You should eat first. I insist."

Mei followed him down the hallway and stared at his back with weakened eyes. His words remained in her mind like a haunting echo, and she wanted clarification. But asking him more questions now would increase her fear, and she didn't like the feeling of being intimidated by anyone.

"Is she here?" she blurted suddenly. "My mother?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation.

Her eyes widened at the coolness of his response, and she swallowed hard before speaking again.

"I want to see her," she said as her voice trembled. "Will you take me to her?"

"Absolutely," he said calmly. "After we eat."

The gentleness of his voice increased her discomfort more than his words. She couldn't control her thoughts and couldn't shake the feeling she was being led into some kind of trap.