A/N: Before I continue just want to say thanks to those who are reading, and thanks to IG for the reviews (and the note about how I accidentally replaced chapter 1! Oops!). I'm hoping that I'm not going to OOC with Echo and Oz. Once again, thanks for reading ^_^

Over the next couple of weeks, Echo noticed a lot of changes to her life. Some were significant, such as her being welcome to sit with Oz and his friends Elliot Nightray and Leo Baskerville, music prodigies, whenever they all shared break, or finding herself using the room at the Vessalius mansion almost every day, moving some of her art projects from her home to her new residence. Other were smaller but no less welcoming, although some were slightly confusing to her, including the emotions that swirled inside of her, wanting to break free from their restraints.

Echo liked living in the mansion. There was a sense of liveliness and fun, often stemming from the arguments between Gilbert and Alice, not to mention when Oz managed to find the time to stay around Echo. On numerous occasions he made her laugh, something Echo hadn't done much of in the past years. Echo enjoyed Oz's company, much to her own surprise, even though sometimes he could be such an idiot. But when those times did come a smile would just come over Echo's face as she watched him.

The other members of the family came and went as they pleased, and even though Echo did not interact with the numerous visitors that came around, she liked to watch them from the balcony. She recognized some of the regular visitors: Xerxes Break and Sharon Rainsworth, younger teachers from The Pandora Academy, and Master Reim Lunettes, the acting principal of the Academy. They stayed for hours at times, chatting to the members of the student council and to Oscar. Oz had invited Echo to join them on these occasions but she had refused, not wanting to intrude. She had relented when Oz had requested she eat with his family, although she was still shy and talked in small sentences to others.

She spent most of her time painting and sketching in her room. Painting was calming for her, allowing her to retreat into her mind and focus onto the subject of her art. Although she had caught herself painting Oz several times, and had to on each occasion hurriedly hide it when he came to her room.

Elliot and Leo hadn't commented when she had joined them. Oz had found her the day after she had first stayed the night, back alone at her regular spot on the rooftop. He had grabbed her arm and insisted that she sit with him at lunch, saying that he did not want to see her lonely. Echo didn't know why she had agreed, but she found the Nightray and Baskerville pair to be quite… interesting.

They contrasted. Elliot was tall and athletic, with short, neat blonde hair and fierce eyes. He was often scowling at Oz, and he lost his temper quite a few times, although he never raised his voice at Echo. Leo, on the other hand, was shorter and a bookworm. He wore large, circular glasses that covered his eyes, his dark hair was long and messy and he was the calm voice that countered Elliot's hotheadedness. But they both were kind in their own ways, and both loved to play the piano.

Echo was a little familiar with Leo. He was her cousin, after all, and they had spoken once or twice at family events, but normally Echo would fade into the shadows or watch proceedings while being overlooked, while Leo would retreat into the huge libraries and spend his time reading anything that he found.

The three of them had been friends for years. Echo had listened with interest that, on their first meeting, Leo had to stop Elliot from killing the shorter blonde. It had been a struggle for Oz, but he had finally gained Elliot's trust and friendship after many battles.

Normally the three of them would be in the music room practicing. Gilbert would be in the student council, while Alice and her twin sister Alyss would either be helping Gilbert or heading into town for business. Echo would normally be in the art room, preparing her works for the upcoming art gallery auctions, or following the trio and listening to them rehearse.

Tonight, however, there was a social party at the mansion. Since it was a Friday the school faculties would be shut, and since Echo had not received any invitation from Oz to attend, she intended to stay in her room, with the consequence of wrapping herself up with the memories of her past.

"December 12th," she muttered to herself. She sat against the far side of the bed, facing away from the door, knees to her chest and arms around her legs, head resting on her knees and lost in her thoughts. "Mother… and Father… was it a blessing? Did they truly believe what they were doing? Maybe… maybe it is too late. Maybe there is no reversing the damage."

Images flashed into Echo's mind. A bloodied knife. A harsh face in the shadows, highlighted by the light of the lightning. Echo clutched at her head and let out a small whimper. Her breath quickened, her right hand clutching her throat as her eyes swirled with emotions.

"Noise… Noise.. Did I? It was me right? Everything happened… was all Echo's fault." Her hand, covered in blood. The metallic, coppery taste of it on her lips. Dead eyes staring back at her. "Echo… is afraid," she whispered, her own voice sounding alien to her ears. She did not notice anything, however, as a familiar, burning sensation wracked her body. "Echo… am I... truly broken?"

She looked around, seeing blood everywhere, gathered into pools at her feet, splattering her clothes, dripping from the ceiling. A body lying near her, massive, gaping wounds covering it. She glanced down at her hand, finding a sharp, bloodied sword in if, and she drew breath to scream…

The door slammed open. "Echo-chan!"

Echo's head jerked up, tears run down her cheeks, and the spell was broken. The images vanished, and she was back, back in her room in Oz's mansion. She hurriedly wiped them away, and turned to look as Oz bounded over towards her. In his arms he held a dress and a shirt. "O-Oz-sama? W-w-what are you doing?"

He smiled. "Bringing you something to wear, silly. Hurry up, or you'll miss the party?"

Echo tilted her head. "I thought…"

Oz looked at her, realizing that something was wrong. "Echo-chan," he said seriously. "It is inconceivable if you do not attend today. You practically live here! Come and have some fun!" He leaned forward and gently brushed away the tear tracts with his thumb. "Please. I don't know what you were doing here but… but I'll help you with whatever it was."

Echo gasped as he embraced her, pulling her body into his, one of his hands holding the back of her head. Surprising both of them, she burst into tears, clutching at his front for support. "Please," he repeated, rubbing the top of her head to try and soothe her. "Please don't be sad, Echo-chan."

They stayed like that for several minutes. Echo sniffed as the tears ran out, almost as quick as it had begun. "Echo is sorry."

"Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry about."

"I thought… thought maybe you did not want Echo around tonight. That that was why Echo received no invitation for the event. That maybe… maybe Echo is a hindrance, a project, a-"

She felt the rumble in his chest as Oz gave out a course laugh. "Echo-chan," he murmured, tilting her head up. She saw that there was an odd, twinkling emotion in his eyes as he stared at her. "I thought you knew about it and had already decided you would be joining. If Alice didn't remark to me just before about how she hadn't seen you prepare for anything…"

Echo shook her head bitterly. "Alice told you?"

"No. She remarked upon it, but I had been looking for you ever since we returned. I just assumed you were taking your time. But, Echo, know this." He sounded serious now, and Echo raised her eyes nervously to his. "You are not a project, and will never be a hindrance. You are my good friend, Echo-chan, and don't forget it."

More silence. Then: "Would you come down with me, Echo-chan? I bought this from Ms Sharon just for you… I thought… I mean, I knew it would look great on you and that you wouldn't look strange at all in it and maybe that you would like it?."

Echo nodded her head. "Is-is O-O-Oz-sama going to st-stay and w-w-watch…?" she blushed, burying her face deeper.

"No! I'll look away!" He stood, bringing Echo up to her feet as well. He pushed the dress into her arms and turned to face the wall. "Just tell me when you're done!"

Echo quickly changed into the formal attire. The shirt Oz had picked out for her was white, long and crisp, as if it had been freshly laundered for her. The strapless dress, on the other hand, was smooth, soft silk, a dark blue-violet colour that Echo found quite fascinating. On both of the left and right sides of the dress, just below the waist, were large, black, bow ties, with two ribbons flowing beneath each bow tie, their colour at first being the same as the bow tie but gradually transforming into a light, electric blue. Behind her back, feathers of the same electric blue shade were attached to the dress, right over the small of her back, the tips of these feathers turning darker until they matched the dresses colour. Echo looked at herself in the full mirror standing at the corner, noting that Oz had been right.

As she was turning her body to try and get a better look of the feathers behind her back, she saw Oz walk behind her and tie her hair up, using what looked like the same feathers as a pin. "Now for the final touch, Echo-chan."

He produced a feathered brooch and clipped it above her left ear. He spun her around, his hands resting on her shoulders as he looked her up and down. "You look beautiful, Echo-chan!"

Echo felt herself blush. "Th-thank you, Oz-sama." He handed her a pair of knee-high, black boots, and helped her lace it up as she shook her head from side to side, noting that there were also ribbons attached to the feathers behind her head.

"You're welcome, Echo-chan. Shall we?" He offered his hand to her and, after a moments hesitation, she took it.

"You look beautiful!"

Echo turned, a faint smile on her face, as her home room teacher, Sharon Rainsworth, fawned over her. Standing beside her was her fiancé, Reim, and her foster brother Xerxes Break, both looking resplendent in their fine clothes as they played with a small, light brown haired girl who looked to be 10.

"Thank you, Ms Rainsworth," Echo whispered. She still was not accustomed to socializing, and Echo knew it herself that just one night would not be enough to turn her into someone as easygoing as Oz.

But it was a start, and it helped that Oz was standing by her side and boosting her confidence.

"Call me Sharon, Echo. My, Oz was right when bought this. Oh? You have an ahoge…"

Echo nodded her head, her hand reaching up to try and pat down the stray hair. "Echo keeps wondering how to remove it. But Oz-sama says that it looks good and I should not cut it off."

"You shouldn't! Ah, Oz, come stand beside her!" Sharon positioned him beside Echo and snapped a quick photograph. "You two look so cute together!"

Oz laughed while Echo blushed and looked away. She was about to say something when something caught her attention. "Oz-sama, I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay. Do you want me to go with you?" He sounded worried, but Echo smiled at him.

"No. Echo will be fine."

She strode off, weaving through the crowd, heading towards the place she had spotted her sister and Vincent. Noise wore the distinctive, red cloak that signaled her as a Baskerville, a yellow dress underneath that, while Vincent had donned a black jacket over a suit. "Echo?" Vincent asked when they saw her.

Echo nodded. "Where did you get that dress!" Noise exclaimed, grabbing the hem of it between her fingers. "It looks… perfect."

"Oz-sama gave it to me," she said. "Echo left Oz when she saw Noise and Vincent to say hello. Echo did not know you would be here."

"We didn't think you would show your face," Noise voiced. "Normally you wouldn't be around for parties… and today is…"

Echo nodded. "Echo knows,"she interrupted.

Vincent laughed. "Well, Noise and I had an invitation from Oscar Vessalius, and I received more from Ada and Gilbert. But, like Noise said, I'm also surprised you're out here."

"Vincent!" Someone barreled into the blonde. As he turned to receive the person, Echo felt Noise tug at her arm urgently.

"Is everything alright, Echo?" she asked worriedly. "Did she… it… come back today?"

Echo shook her head. "No. Only Echo is here. "

Noise sighed. "That's a relief. I'm just worried something would happen… which was why I was agitated when you were staying here, since I couldn't help you if anything happened. Although..." she winked at Echo, a wide grin spreading across her face. "I'm slightly envious. It must be nice, with Oz Vessalius as your knight. It's quite rare for him to show attention to this degree to a member of the opposite sex."

Echo blushed, opening her mouth to argue with her twin, when suddenly the noise in the room disappeared as the crowds hushed. Most of the lights dimmed, with the exception of one, which brightened as it focused on three figures by a piano on a raised stage.

Elliot. Leo. Oz.

"So as promised, the three of us are going to perform a song that was composed by Leo's older siblings, that we've arranged for piano and violin." Oz bowed to the guests. "I hope you enjoy our rendition of 'Lacie.'"

They started playing, Leo and Elliot sharing the grand piano, sitting side by side. Echo had watched them as they had rehearsed, and had always wondered how they could play in such a way, where one's crossed over or under the other's. Now was no different, the two in total sync, never fumbling or bumping into each other.

The piano's sound mixed with the violin, and Echo focused her attention on Oz, his eyes closed as he played. He was standing on the opposite side of the piano to his friends, facing the crowd and smiling the same smile he always wore.

The guests muttered appreciatively. "The Baskervilles are geniuses," Echo heard a guest mutter. "Glen Baskerville may have composed it but it's never been played like this before."

"That Nightray heir is also just as brilliant. Haven't you heard his masterpiece, Statice?" Another person spoke from directly behind Echo, so close that she could feel his breath on her beck, and she had to keep from jumping and running off.

"Even so, that violinist is the brother of Jack Vessalius and part of the Vessalius Corporations," a third, and female, voice joined in. "And he is quite as handsome as the other two."

"Jack? The one who worked with Glen and created the musical timepieces?" the first person asked.

"The very same."

The performance ended and an applause rose up to meet the performers. Oz opened his eyes, looking straight at Echo, and grinned at her. She allowed a slightly larger smile to break through her face.

After the three had bowed and the crowd around them had thinned considerably, Echo gravitated towards the trio. "Congratulations, Oz-sama, Elliot, Leo."

"Echo-chan! Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes. It was…" She paused, searching for the word. "Nostalgic."

"Hmm? So even Echo feels those sort of emotions," Elliot stated. "Ow! Leo, what was that for?"

"For being tactless," Leo answered. He had pinched Elliot's arm. "Didn't I tell you before to think before you act?"

"Me think? What about you? You can't go around pinching people!"

There was a laugh that interrupted the argument between the two lifelong friends. Echo glanced about and saw, standing almost next to them, Glen Baskerville, with the same eyes and hair as his younger brother Leo. Beside him was his wife, Charlotte, who was busy holding the hand of the child whom Echo had saw with Reim and Break during the party.

"That was very well done," Glen nodded. "If you keep this up you may even convince your parents that this is the path you have chosen."

Echo wondered what he meant. "If that ever happens," Elliot muttered, his hands clenched.

Leo put a hand over Elliot's fist, trying to calm him down. "Whatever Elliot's choice is he'll have me to back him up."

"Well said!" A figure popped up from behind them. Long blonde hair that was braided into a single tail, and twinkling green eyes. "Old man Nightray sure can be stingy at times. Makes Vincent look friendly and welcoming for once."

Glen sighed. "How long were you going to hide, Jack?"

The elder Vessalius sibling laughed. Beside him was his wife, who engaged a conversation with Charlotte. Echo had only exchanged a few words to her in all, but had observed from the quick encounters that Lacie was just like her younger sisters Alice and Alyss.

"So, Ms Baskerville, how are you enjoying your stay here?"

Echo looked down when Jack addressed her. While Jack was as friendly and kind as Oz, she couldn't help but feel a little… intimidated when he talked to her. "Echo is grateful to Oz-sama for all he is done."

Echo could not help noticing Oz turn about while Leo and Elliot patted his back. "You know, Ms Baskerville," Jack continued talking, a glint of mischief entering his eyes. "You could always repay his kindness."

"Jack…" Glen sighed, placing a hand on his forehead and shaking his head.

"Repay?" Echo had thought about the idea before but she could not think of anything to give to Oz. He was the son of a successful billionaire, after all, while her immediate family were barely making even each month. "How so?"

"Well, Ms Baskerville, if you gave Oz anything he would treasure it." He leaned closer. "Even if it was a kiss."

Echo blushed, and out of the corner of her eyes saw Oz redden. "Jack!" he yelled, standing beside Echo. "W-what are you saying?"

Elliot had burst out laughing, while Leo struggled to keep the smile off his face. Glen, taking pity on the young couple, grabbed Jack by the arm and started pulling him away. "If you cannot play nice," Echo heard him start to lecture before his voice was lost amongst the other guests.

"We need to go now," Leo apologized. "We promised Elliot's mother that we would return after our duties are complete here."

"You know how she is," Elliot added. "Worried about me and all."

"No problem," Oz replied. He shook their hands. "Thanks for coming. Want to come over on Sunday for rehearsal?"

Elliot shrugged. "Sure." The pair headed off. Echo watched them disappear into the crowd. Elliot's mother… Echo had heard of the tragedy that had befallen the Nightray household, when Elliot's four older brothers had been killed overseas in a freak accident.

Echo felt someone loop an arm through hers. Oz. "I'm tired," he muttered. "Can… can we go up to your room, Echo-chan?"

She nodded. "Echo is okay with that." She detached a sleepy Lily from her, who had managed to nod off while leaning against her, and handed her back to Charlotte. "Echo is ready now."

The two of them set off. "Hey, Echo-chan?" Echo glanced at him. "Are you… having fun?"

Echo thought about it. She remembered the overwhelming feeling she experienced when Oz, Elliot and Leo had played. Of the warm laughs of the people around her. And the way that her heart quickened whenever Oz smiled at her in his special way. "Yes," she finally answered. "Yes I am."

Oh. What's this, is Echo having fun?

Echo lurched up, the covers falling around her as she looked about her room. At the moment the grandfather clock struck, signaling that it was the fourth hour. Oz had left after they had talked for a while, noticing that Echo was falling asleep. But what had awoken her.

"Echo is just dreaming," she muttered, the adrenaline vanishing. She lay down once again and began pulling the covers up when she heard the laughing, almost maniacal voice.

Forgotten me already? Is that how it is? Do you even remember what I did for you? What I saved you from?

Echo closed her eyes, wishing that the voice would stop. But it wouldn't. She was in Echo's head, after all, and she could feel everything Echo felt, hear everything, and see everything. There was no hiding anything from her.

Echo had thought that she had fallen asleep, deep in slumber inside of Echo's mind. Echo had wanted for her to never wake up, so that she could never cause pain again.

You locked me up, isn't that right, Echo? But you also locked your emotions with me, and now, now that you're regaining them, why wouldn't I come back? I haven't had fun in a long time. Say, Echo, do you even remember my name?

"Zwei," Echo whispered, trembling as a low chuckle turned into hysterical laughter that filled her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears flowing down her cheeks, and tried to shut the noise out.

Yes. It's time for me to have some fun again. Would you introduce me, Echo? To your dear friend Oz Vessalius?