...

Ayika kicked at the walls of the disused parlor turned storage area again and was again rewarded with bruised toes and little else. The guards had stopped returning to stack piles of singed papers from the professor's office in this room but no one had spoken to her or answered any of her questions. From outside the locked door she could faintly hear the yelps of Xinfei in the hands of the guards. Again she went over to the door and yelled at the obstinate planks while pounding on it with her hand. "Let him go! He has nothing to do with any of this! Just...Raaah!"

"I do not think that is accomplishing anything," Mizumi said from the stool in the corner where she had stayed since they were brought into this makeshift cell. Ayika heard her sniff, but for all she knew that crying was faked entirely, or only regarding her own capture. Almost sobbing herself in frustration and emotional exhaustion Ayika pounded on the door again. Mizumi spoke, "Girl, if they were going to let you out they would do it without your noise. I am sure that your friend is safe. There are clear rules about what city guards can do in an interrogation."

Ayika turned from the door with fire in her eyes and saw the other girl flinch as a loud cry of Xinfei's filtered through the walls. Ayika stalked over and said, "My name is Ayika, not girl. And sure there are rules, if you're rich. But for us normal people, if the guards get you alone then it is a boot to the side you're in for 'til they get bored. Not that I am sure your being rich will help you with being a foreigner." Ayika turned towards the table piled up with slightly singed books and raised her hands to sweep it all onto the floor before resisting and clamping her arms back to her side in impotent rage.

Mizumi had fear on her face. "No, you do not think…? My father must be coming and…"

"Ah, yes, I am sure your father is very rich and important but down here in our world, my friend is getting worked over by the greenbacks out there because I promised him some scraps from the kitchen! He was only at the school at all because I told him to, and now they have grabbed him as part of you people's damn conspiracy!"

Ayika had had enough, she turned away and returned to door to kick it again. Behind her Mizumi rose and paced alongside one of the tables. Ayika angled her head imperceptibly, and out of the corner of her eye she saw the Islander girl looking intently at one of the stacks of paper from Lizhen's office. As Ayika watched, Mizumi shifted her body slightly to hide the action of sliding something out of the stack.

"There! What is that?" Ayika spun and yelled.

Mizumi jumped, startled. Her face was written with horrified guilt and she was holding a crumpled paper in her hand. She fluttered her mouth to say something but now Ayika was in her face.

"You were after something. He said that people were going to try to stop him, and you were just waiting to steal from his office! Did you let the killer in? Answer me!"

Mizumi fended off Ayika, pushing her back with a firm strike of her palm. "It is mine, okey!?"

Ayika grimaced at the pain of the bruise on her sternum being struck that way and snapped back. "What do you mean it is yours? You dare to steal from his stuff you uncaring little..." She stopped as she noticed that Mizumi's eyes were watering.

"It is my essay, all right?! I wrote it in class and you saw me there. See!" She thrust out the crumpled sheet and yanked it smooth. "That stupid girl was saying all those things about the Nation and I was so angry and the professor did not seem to want to stop anything. I was really angry and I wrote a stupid, angry paper insulting the kingdoms that would have lost me all of Professor Lizhen's respect in my first day and I just had to get it back before he read it. I stayed after school but you found me waiting in the classroom so I had to sneak back later and everything has just gone all wrong!"

Ayika was stunned. This could be another ploy but she felt that no one could lie quite this convincingly. She opened her mouth but was interrupted.

Mizumi had now passed from anguish to righteous indignation. "And how can you say I did not care about the professor? The whole stupid reason I am locked in here is that I cared what he thought about me! My father told me that he was on of the few who actually understood about our culture and was not the same blind nationalist stooge as the rest of the people in this stupid city!"

The girl's mask of proud fury was marred by the tears glistening in the corner of her eyes, so Ayika briefly looked away. "Look," she said as she heard tears being hurriedly dabbed, "I…"

At that moment both girls heard footsteps approaching the room's door and stood back as it rattled with the sounds of unlocking. Two guards were talking, their voices muffled but distinct even behind the closed portal.

"...Yeah, the carriage had been waiting in the dark down the street for hours and our boys got them. You, little Miss Miohuito…" The lead guard gestured to Mizumi as he opened the door. "...You're coming with us for a bit." Ayka ducked to the side as Mizumi advanced to face the entrants. She noticed that the essay had disappeared into Mizumi's dress even as the latch was lifting. The foreign girl's composure had returned and now she was using an exaggerated cultured voice, only slightly marred by her buzzing accent.

"I do not believe I shall do any such thing." Mizumi said. "I have requested that word be sent to my father, Tetzamatl Miohuito, and I will be awaiting his arrival right here. If you wish to assist me, you may fetch me a refreshment."

Ayika raised an eyebrow at the sass, but the wicked grin on the guard's face did not look promising. "Of course Miss," he smirked. "I will make sure to take you directly to your father. As a matter of fact, we can go right now. We caught him in the getaway-coach outside and brought him right here to the Inspector. He is in the next room." He leaned in close to Mizumi's now petrified face. "I am sure that Public Safety will treat you both with everything due your status."

The other guard grabbed Mizumi by the arm and said, "Come". Mizumi panicked and blurt out, "Wait! You have to bring her with me too," flinging out a hand to point at Ayika.

"And why should I?" said the guard.

"I…" Mizumi started haltingly, searching for an explanation.

The other interrupted, "We should get that one out of here anyway. Who was the idiot who locked them in the same room we stuffed the evidence from the office in, anyway? Get her out before the Inspector hears about this."

As Ayika was shoved along beside the other girl she leaned in to whisper bitterly "Thanks."

Mizumi whispered back, harsh and quick. "Well, you are the one who said not to be alone with the zamat guards!"

"Shut up, the both of you," the guard said, cuffing Ayika lightly across the head.

They were led down the hallway to a more open parlor that during the day served as a small greeting room for the school. In the corner was the looming bulk of Mrs. Jiangsu looking, for the first time Ayika had ever seen, quiet helpless and lost. Across the room, surrounded by a number of green uniformed guards was a thin man dressed in a ornate but practical black belted robe of foreign cut trimmed with deep rich red. His eyes were dark not hazel, but his hair bound up in a topknot held a hint of the color of rust. Behind him a man in red livery was scowled at by still more men in green uniforms.

"Father!"

At the sound of Mizumi's voice the man in black turned and for an instant relief and confusion spread across his face in equal measure. He started speaking very quickly in his native tongue. "Mizumi? Ni huitzin kieko na…?" He interrupted himself and began to yell at the guards who held her. "What are you doing with your hands on my daughter?"

Ayika heard a reply from behind her. "She is perfectly fine. She appears to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, and surely we can resolve the truth of this matter quickly. " The Inspector's voice was dark and smooth like oiled lead cloth as he stepped into the room. At his entrance, Mizumi's father narrowed his eyes but rose up in firm composure.

"Ah, someone in command here." He began, addressing the new player. "I wish to know many things, starting of course with why I was dragged out of my carriage on a public street to be interrogated within my daughter's school! I would also care to mention that I have taken the liberty of informing Trade Representative Amanatza Tailang of my circumstances. Since the unfortunate death of the Ambassador he as assumed many of his powers and duties." There was no smirk on his lips but one could be heard in his voice. It was clear that he thought these powers outstripped even those of a Public Safety agent.

The silent agent stepped closer, analyzing the man in front of him closely. In the corner, the guard holding Ayika cleared his throat nervously. "Chm. Yeah, a runner boy dashed out as we were moving in on the carriage. He was off into the night 'for a blink."

The Inspector gave no reaction. "It is no matter. Transport on the trams has ceased by this time of night and it will be over two hours before anyone can return from the Exclusion."

Mizumi's father smiled. "It is fortunate then that I happen to know the Representative will be dining tonight at Mr. Gaoli's residence in the Middle Ring. You will be pleased to hear that he is likely already on his way."

Again, no change came over the face of the Public Safety agent but the tension of the room increased. The foreigner had scored a small victory. The air vibrated with such intensity that when the earthbender's hand finally twitched within his voluminous dark robes Ayika had to resist jumping out of pure reflex. This was apparently an order. As his men flowed out the door in response to the indecipherable command, he continued. "While we await the representative's arrival perhaps you could answer a few of our questions unaided, Mr. Miohuito? Your lingering presence on a darkened street wants explanation."

Miohuito returned the blank expression, "I was awaiting the time to meet with an acquaintance, and more than that I do not feel obligated to provide."

"Such a friend indeed, to wait for them in the dark for what local residents have attested to be over an hour. And it seems that your acquaintance has yet to reward your patience."

At that moment the door behind the inspector opened and two guards entered carrying between them a drooping form, one who staggered under the pain of bruises that showed forth through his ragged clothes.

Several heads in the room jerked as Ayika let out a cry, "Xinfei!". She shook free of her captor and darted across, catching hold of her friend as he sagged when the guards released his arms. "You monsters, what did you do to him? You know that he didn't do anything!"

During this display the Inspector carefully regarded the impassive features of Mr. Miohuito and appeared disappointed with what he saw. At a flick of the agent's head a guard shoved Ayika out of the way, grabbing Xinfei's hair to force his face up so it was clearly visible. The Inspector continued to speak, eyes searching Mizumi's father. "As you can see, we are still conducting our analysis of tonight's events, and we would be grateful for any particular insight you might be in the position to provide."

"No!" Mizumi yelled, causing her father to whip a wide eyed glance at her, "Father, they are just trying to pin Professor Lizhen's death on someone from the Nation! That boy is just some innocent guy who was nearby when they arrived!."

For the first time Ayika saw real anger flash into the Inspector's dark eyes as he looked at the Islander girl. By the time he returned to her father, the man's expression was smooth, showing only carefully modulated shock.

Mr. Miohuito spoke, "This is distressing news indeed. It was Mr. Lizhen himself who sent word to me to meet him at his office in this school. If something has indeed happened to him I urgently require you tell me all. He is truly dead? For such an outspoken proponent of trade to die so soon after Ambassador Naruhama, is a blow indeed. And you suspect it was murder?"

The Inspector was not pleased with this answer. There was tension in his voice as he continued. "Yes. While you remained waiting in the dark a block away for over an hour. We would appreciate the opportunity to view the message the deceased sent to you. Any evidence of the man's final hours has the chance of contributing to an explanation."

"It was an oral message, indicating what I have already told you."

The Inspector was stone-faced. "Of course it was. We understand."

From outside the room there was the a commotion of footsteps and gradually approaching commotion.

"Yes, of course I understand but…!"

"..."

"What? I have to get in there and…!"

"..."

"It is my…! I am entering!"

The doors clattered back to reveal the panting frame of the school's headmaster, Tian'er Gang. For a brief moment the skinny worry-faced man was lit up with righteous indignation, all of which melted off him as he saw the multiple powerful occupants of this room. Public Safety, rich foreigners, and enough armed men to shut down a small riot. His mouth worked silently as one of the more alert guards quietly closed the door behind him.

The Inspector did not turn and yet he said with perfect cordiality, "Ah, Mr. Gang. We are led to believe you are the headmaster of this establishment. We would appreciate your cooperation in several matters as soon as this current interaction is complete."

"Er, um, yes. Of course." The headmaster nodded frantically.

"Actually, I believe I have told the good inspector everything that I can at the moment," Mr. Miohuito interjected. "And I also have questions for you, Mr. Gang, like why my daughter has been kept here when she should have been returned to my house hours ago!"

"I...er," Mr. Gang stammered.

The Inspector raised his voice a single degree, "You may leave this room, Mr. Gang. Our conversation with the gentleman is not yet complete."

"Of course, I would be happy to." Mr. Gang said as he started to sweat. "Oh, Mrs. Jiangsu! Oh, yes, there you are. Come we will… Ah, and Mr. Miohuito I would be happy to take your daughter to my office now to convey my personal apologies to you and yours for absolutely everything involved in tonight?" He gently placed a hand on Mizumi's shoulder and directed her to the door, all while bowing constantly towards the two figures in the center of the room.

Ayika had been carefully dabbing away spots of blood from Xinfei's bruised and trembling arm with the edge of her apron when the headmaster's hand snatched her by the shoulder and hauled her up. "And if you have no objection I will also see to the discipline of my workers to ensure that you receive full cooperation in everything you may need?"

The Inspector nodded so despite her protests Ayika was pulled away from Xinfei and out of the room. Mr. Gang was livid and terrified, alternating his questions between Mizumi and Ayika with such a speed of emotional transition that the experience gave both the girls mental whiplash. "Miss Miohuito I am so sorry you have gotten caught up in this. Is there anything that I can do for you or your father? And you, girl, what were you doing welcoming a criminal into my school?! Again Miss Miohuito, I would like to express my profound sympathy for any distress you have experienced on this unfortunate night. Tribal girl! I can't have someone who has been questioned by Public Safety on a murder employed here! Just... just don't come back here for a few weeks and then I will see about what to do with you! And Miss, I would perfectly understand if you need to remain at home for several days to overcome the shock of this experience. In fact I would recommend it! The well-being of all our students is my utmost priority." These platitudes seemed to comfort him.

Ayika was reeling with the shock of effectively losing her job when an unexpected voice spoke up. Mrs. Jiangsu cleared her throat softly and reluctantly interjected. "Headmaster, it is a matter of fact that the officers had no issue with our girl here. And she did help put out the fire that could have sent this whole place to rubble." Ayika could see the strain this unusual level of support left on the woman. She was moved to make thanks but Jiangsu's returned look showed that this concession to the truth did not mean that Ayika was liked any better than before. Ayika stayed silent.

Gang was shaken and confused. "She did? Well…well there is still that villain they caught! She was almost cradling him in that room, surely some nefarious lover!"

Jiangsu interrupted Ayika's denials. "Sir, I saw that boy before the officers got to him and I sincerely doubt him capable of menacing a chicken." Jiangsu said wearily. "He was trying to drag a flaming rug out of the door when we found him, the idiot."

Mizumi spoke up, "That's right! And you can make sure that you have the city guard authorities let that innocent boy go. You did say you wanted to make things up to me. This will be a beginning."

The girl flashed a quick reassuring smile at Ayika but Ayika was not sure how to respond. What was this concern she was showing towards the friend of a servant who was recently screaming in her face? She considered adding her own defense of Xinfei but resisted, seeing the tensions working behind the headmaster's thin face. Anything she said could disrupt what Mizumi had begun.

"Well, hmm, I suppose I could relay your entreaty." He looked around as if there were a great many things he would rather do than assert any rights against those under the command of Public Safety. "The priest I sent for should be here shortly. This whole thing is a ghastly business. I must be able to assure every parent that the school grounds have been thoroughly cleansed of all spiritual contamination as is right and proper." Mr. Gang had a very practical attitude towards religion and tended to focus on the areas in which it intersected with concerns over the school's incomes.

Suddenly Ayika heard the sound of bells. It came from outside the compound. Relief flooded over Headmaster Gang's face. "Ah, that must be him now!"

...