If you seen one part of Dionysus Park then you've seen it all. Just different version that entranced and enchanted the eyes. Every wall, every structure seemed to be taken out of a fairy tale. And the receded waters left a rustic look that only served to enhance the wondrous city. Eleanor found her eyes wondering everywhere with a hint of nostalgia that kept bothering her. Her memories did not lie and her mind did not deceive. She knew she had been here before.

Mathew immediately took notice of Eleanor's wondering gaze and silently chuckled to himself. "If you would like to see more of the park I could arrange a bit of a tour through the areas that aren't under constant alert of attacks. While you are under my protection I will see to it that you do not have to lift a…" he paused to grasp her arm, "lovely hand against these insufferable Brutes."

Eleanor turned her face away, she was blushing crimson. She had never felt this way; treated this way. She knew deep in her heart she could not stay long but she begged Aphrodite to prolong their departure.

While Mathew was wooing to his heart's content, Fred and Stanley carried their own private conversation in an irritated manner.

Fred felt sick to his stomach having to watch the greasy fellow in front of him verbally and physically put his hooks in Eleanor. If Eleanor was not enjoying herself so much he would step in and say a few choice words but that was not the case. "So how do you know that slime ball Parks anyway?"

Stanley sighed quietly and scratched an itch on his head. "I use to be a bit of a writer."

"Fictional?"

"Naw, mostly tell all biographies."

"You'd rat people out," Fred chuckled with a grin. "I would never have thought that possible for you."

Stanley rolled his eyes and sighed again. He looked at Fred who gave him a slap on the back.

"Aw common I was just teasin," Fred replied continuing to laugh.

A few steps ahead, Eleanor had apparently heard that bit of the conversation. "Mr. Tumble, I have not seen you smile since you hugged your two boys. Too bad it's at Stanley's expense."

Fred bit his tongue and quietly apologized to Stanley who shrugged it off.

"It actually happens all the time with former colleagues. Anyway, half the stuff I wrote was either highly over exaggerated or fictional but each did have certain aspects that even I didn't have to inflate."

Stanley paused as they pasted up a couple splicers loyal to Mathew who momentarily paused to debrief them. Unlike other splicers who were grotesque, disfigured, and demented, these men seemed fine aside from being overly armed. A big broad black man was lugging a minigun meant for a big daddy and a suspicious-looking, lean splicer with red hair was propping a spear gun on his shoulder.

"Hey boss," the red haired splicer chirped. "We held the dumb brutes back. Even pinned a couple who had gotten lost in the basement storage. Well Markus over here pinned them down. I pinned them to the wall." The red haired splicer then pointed his spear gun at Stanley. "Boom, headshot."

"That's good news Anthony. Your work is highly noted. So where does that leave us?"

"Ah yes well the brutes have barricaded themselves in the Triton Theater. They're probably pissing their nasty shorts by no- zzzzzghe."

Anthony jolted from the voltage that coursed through his body. The surge caused his hair to partially light and he frantically patted his head out. "What the hell was that for boss?"

Mathew ignored Anthony while he studied the cuticle of his fingers. "I sorry what did you say? Of wait how rude of me, Eleanor these are my lieutenants Markus and Anthony. And this," he said motioning toward Eleanor, "is Eleanor Lamb: the people's daughter!"

The word spread like wild fire and a few seconds later throngs of people young and old came to see their promoted salvation. The people pushed and shoved until even Fred and Stanley found themselves involuntarily abandoned. Eleanor found woman crying out blessings and young children pulling on her dive suit. She knew her mother was known throughout all of Rapture but this was different. 'The people's daughter', what did this mean? Since when was she this famo-

"Eurgh," Eleanor grimaced as her head pulsed. Mathew quickly withdrew a handkerchief and dabbed her nose before anyone could notice. He then stole it away leaving Eleanor with a quick glance of the blood it contained. His expression remained the same while Eleanor's faltered.

"Don't be like that," he whispered.

Eleanor was about to question his comment when Mathew tilted her chin toward his and kissed her on the mouth. The need to resist melted in a moment as she felt the heat escape his nostrils and his blonde hair tickle her forehead. Without her mind's consent she inhaled through her nose and returned Mathew's passion with her own. The crowd surrounding them looked own in awe and delight of the scene. Mathew broke contact and grinned at her.

"And now," he proclaimed, "in celebration of not only the Brute splicer's retreat but also the arrival of the people's daughter we shall have feast-no a banquet where all are invited. It shall be held park later this evening."

The crowd erupted in a roar cheers and everyone scattered to prepare for the event leaving the few that had already been standing there. Meanwhile Eleanor stood speechless. Her fingers touched the part of her lips where she could still feel the heat of their kiss resonating.

Fred rushed forward with his fist poised to strike. "You bastard!"

The punch fell short a couple inches with Markus, Mathew's second lieutenant, intercepting it. Fred struggled in vain and shortly gave up the task. "Eleanor, are you-"

"Okay?" To Fred's distain, Mathew intercepted his question.

"I- I am fine," replied Eleanor still a little taken aback by the kiss.

"I take complete responsibility for your pains. You see I could not keep this monumentous occasion all to myself. You are the people's daughter after all. But I did not realize the stress would cause you harm. I only meant to help you save-face when you became stressed."

Whatever her thoughts were, Eleanor kept them to herself. "I'm fine. I just need to refresh myself. And I am okay Fred, really…"

Fred wanted shake his head in disgust but he reframed for her sake. He looked at Stanley and found him making the same face. They would have to get out of here soon.

Mathew clapped his hands together to announce his intentions. "Well that settles that. Markus, would you kindly escort the lovely lady to my room and have my things brought to my other room. Oh and find suitable rooms for her friends as well. Meanwhile I shall make arrangements for the banquet."

Markus showed the way leading Eleanor and co to their temporary lodgings. Mathew corrected his hair for the umpteenth time and thought his plan through.

Anthony shifted his spear gun from one shoulder to the other waiting for instructions. In his experience it would not be much longer. His boss normally thought his best plans in mere minutes. A moment later Mathew stopped fidgeting with his hair which meant he was done scheming.

"So boss, why the ruckus? Why the big party. I mean we're going to take the theater right?"

"Yes all in good time. This was just the commotion I needed to finish them off. We shall sacrifice the Brutes to Ms. Lamb."