~ So the crazy, insane dogs next door decided it would be fun to wake me up early this morning, so I felt like writing a little something, somethin... So here you go! ~

Confusion

"What troubles you my lady?" a voice from behind her asked.

She spun, a shocked gasp trapped in her throat. Her eyes widened as they met familiar icy blue eyes. "But… but," Kel stammered in horror, "you're dead!"

A tiny smile touched the man's lips as he sauntered forward, "I can assure you that I am, in fact, alive and kicking."

"But… but…" Kel's mind scrambled to figure out what was going on. Her hands fumbled at her side, frantically realizing that she did not have her sword, since Yuki had convinced her that it did not go with the dress she was wearing.

"I believe you are mistaking me for my loving, late brother," the man said, sarcastically.

"Brother…?" Kel whispered. Calmer now, her eyes assessed the man standing comfortably before her. Though he had the same pale blue eyes and white blonde hair, he was different somehow. His eyes did not hold the same distain and coldness that Joren's always held when he looked at her. This man's eyes held humor mixed with confidence. Instead of Joren's long hair pulled back at the nape of his neck, this man's hair was cropped short, close to his head. The most noticeable difference was in the clothes. Joren's clothes had always been spotless and perfect, they never even looked worn. This man's clothes were worn from hard work and travel.

"Joren never mentioned having a brother," Kel stated, still wary of this man that looked so familiar, but seemed so different.

"He wasn't very proud of me," he said quietly, his face turned towards the stars above. "We took our separate ways when we turned ten. He went to train to become a knight and I took to the sea. He thought that what I decided to do was a commoner's job, even though I ended up going to the naval academy to become an officer. Every letter he sent to me over the years that he was a page became more disdainful. He stopped writing when he became a squire."

Kel looked toward Joren's brother, noticing his tense face, "You were his twin then?"

"Yes," he answered his voice cold. He took one last look at the twinkling stars then pasted a smile on his face. "Here I am twisting your ear and we haven't even exchanged names yet." He bowed low to her, "I'm Lieutenant Jason of Stone Mountain. And you are?"

Kel stood not sure whether to bow or curtsy. She stuck out her hand and declared, "Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan."

She saw shock flicker across his face for a moment before he gripped her hand in a friendly manner. "You're different than I expected you to be." He saw the confusion in her eyes and informed her, "When my brother was still writing me, he wrote some things about you, none of it good."

"Oh." She released his hand and turned her face away. "Your brother didn't care for me much."

"Don't worry," he said, gripping her chin and turning her face back towards him. "I draw my conclusions about people on my own."

Her eyes widened again. "I can normally hide my feelings much better from other people."

He laughed, the warm sound filling the courtyard. "Your mask is very good, but I spent a lot of time with the Yamanis and have become accustomed to their ways."

"Well," Kel paused smiling, "I'm going back to the ball to make my excuses so I can retire for the night. Were you planning on going to the ball?" she asked, eyeing his worn clothes.

"No," he replied. "I just reached the capital and I didn't realize that there was a ball. His majesty requested my presence to have a conference with me, but I suppose it will have to wait until the morning." He grabbed her hand before she could pull away and kissed it. "Good night, my lady."

She slowly me his eyes, as she said, "My friends call me Kel."

He slowly smiled, "Should I consider you a friend then?"

"For now."

"Then meet me for breakfast in the general mess hall? I need to make sure I'm fit before I meet with the king."

"All right." She bowed her head and turned away. She slowly made her way back towards the music, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. For some reason she felt a connection with this man, though she knew she should be very wary of him.

AN: Hope you enjoyed that little tidbit... Its still shorter than what I would have liked but my best work does not happen in the morning. Review... pretty pleeeease? I have a pretty set plan of where this is going but interesting contributions from others could make things... ummm... interesting. I can't think of another word right now...