Chapter Ten

I froze, staring at him. This changed everything.

I regained my composure rather quickly. "Are you considering?"

"M.A.S.K. won't.. let me leave. With war coming, I'd rather fight for the side I believe in, not for the side I'd been forced into."

War. It was subconsciously on every agent's minds, like an ever present promise of death. It's coming. The reminder was like a sting to the delicate moment of peace.

"So you're just going to slip over?"

"I really want to escape the M.A.S.K. agent's fate."

Wow. He seems to be pretty into this.

I narrowed my eyes. I still stood on the edge of the brick building. But can I trust him? This could all be an act.

I dropped down to the sidewalk. His eyes followed my movement. He needs a test.

"Why do you want to switch from the white side to the black side?"

He looked down, his expression changing from desperation to relief. Probably because I was giving him a chance. "To be honest, I'm not happy here. No one is. Under supreme dictatorship, there's no room to mess up. The weak die at M.A.S.K. I don't want to be a part of that.

"Also, I've seen your.. color."

I smiled. It was hard not to. Our color.. it's such an enchanting thing about us. I'd be surprised if M.A.S.K. didn't notice it.

"Our color?"

"Yes.. what you do with it. You dye your clothes and make it a permanent part of you." He paused, as if thinking.

"And.. your community. M.A.S.K. members envy what you have."

It's true. We have a certain.. social element. We care for one another, like a massive family, with "Momma Chief" as our agency mother. Alka was cute when she called her that.

"I can see that." I took a cautious step towards him. Recite the questions. See if he's being truthful. "Are you willing to bear the color black?"

"I am."

"Are you still loyal to M.A.S.K. by any means?"

"I am not."

"Are you prepared to take on B.L.A.D.E.'s rules, history, and way of life?" Another step.

"I am."

"Are you ready to fall under Chief's direct command without question?"

"I am." He looked increasingly confident the more he spoke. I began to have a sense of pride in him, that he'd been able to convert to the right side. I just prayed he wasn't playing games.

"And are you absolutely certain in your decision?"

"I am."

"Then, agent." I looked him in the eye. "Your next step would be to meet Chief. She will determine your sincerity." I usually took the agents into her office, where she'd question them and learn of their intent. If she deemed them worthy, the former M.A.S.K. agents got accepted.

To be honest, my heart rate was spiking at the thought of converting a M.A.S.K. agent. This was only my third time. I wasn't exactly sure how to determine intent. It was usually Chief's call. She always made sure I put my trust in the right places.

Now, my job was to get him to Chief.

And to leave my beloved color market behind. I'll visit you soon, Color Central. Just don't fall into the wrong hands. I'd hate to turn the corner of that alleyway and discover that my favorite color market had been obliterated. The thought made me shudder.

I don't want M.A.S.K. to even have a fleeting thought of this so-called "color market." I need them to be blind. I need to protect this place that I love.

And that means not leaving anything to chance.

I turned to him and narrowed my eyes. "We're going back to HQ. And no funny business."

He leaned back against the electric car casually, with his hands in his pockets. His red-tinted dark clothes camouflaged him well among the shadows."Wouldn't dream of it."

"Is your car stolen?" I asked.

He looked sheepish, like he was embarrassed to admit it. "Yes."

I smirked. "You look ashamed."

"Well.. by joining B.L.A.D.E, I hope to be better."

I smiled a genuine smile. "You're alright."

I really hope he's not lying to me. The more I speak with him, the more B.L.A.D.E.-material he seems to be.

Now. This car.

With that final thought, I told him to get in said stolen vehicle and return it. I'd follow him from above. Multiple city blocks later, he parked it exactly where he found it, and looked up at my shadowed figure standing on a nearby roof. His face reminded me of a little boy who just did a good deed and wanted to show his mother.

What is it with everyone acting like a little child around me?

"Good job. And you stayed under the speed limit."

He gave a little laugh. "Impressive, I know."

"For a Kistrian."

Citizens of the City of a Thousand Buildings had a reputation for going well over the speed limit. The roads were often the most dangerous part of Kistra, along with alley illegalities and shoplifting. Jaywalking was one of the leading causes of death. It was common for the massive cities of Riedhak.

I dropped down to the concrete slab below me, then skirted down the side of the building with one hand dragging along its surface. I reached street level and met his impenetrable gaze."Are you ready to go to B.L.A.D.E. HQ?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." He gave me a side grin. He seemed to find delight in how I travelled throughout the city. Sliding down buildings, leaping from edge to edge, grappling to higher places. I'd noticed that he always watched me with child-like wonder.

Do I awe you, agent?

She was just.. amazing. At every turn, she was scaling buildings, grappling higher, jumping lengthy distances no sweat. He guessed the need to be fast as possible makes you efficient.

Agent Feckter. Top agent of B.L.A.D.E, breathtaking, awe-inspiring. The one that made him switch agencies after only a night of watching her.

Spying on her. His thoughts broke through.

You had a mission. One that you abandoned the second you spoke to her. The voice whispered in Agent Uilter's mind like a sharp reminder of failure. You left M.A.S.K. because a pretty girl in teal decided to turn around and talk to you.

Quiet. Uilter told the voice. I've been harboring these feelings against M.A.S.K. for months.

It was true. He had never really loved his agency. Only followed suit with everyone around him, never quite questioning what he was doing. Where his morals lie, who he was becoming.

It never occurred to him in the past. But here he was, switching agencies because he didn't want to be wearing white when he died in a few weeks.

When the war will break out. No one knew when all hell would break loose, but he was guessing.

I don't want to be buried with a mask. That was what was running through Uilter's mind. I don't want to die pretending to be devoted to a lifeless dictatorship.

I need the side of color. The one of soul, the black agency, the good side. The underground haven of the orphaned and forgotten.

In fact, because of M.A.S.K.'s intelligence, he knew exactly where the black agency's headquarters was located. He might share the information with Agent Feckter, but he wasn't sure. Knowing that the other side knew your "secret" location wouldn't exactly be good news.

He had to feign ignorance.

"Where are we going?" Uilter asked the eighteen-year-old beside him.

"Home."

He had to admit, he liked the idea. B.L.A.D.E. headquarters. My home.

Where I belong.

She flicked her head left and right, checking for cars. Then she led him to the other side of the street. "We'll be heading back the way we came. Chief informed me that we have multiple spies. Does M.A.S.K. know of our location?"

Dang, she's good.

"Yes, unfortunately. My ex-agency had this intel, and they distributed it to all M.A.S.K. members."

Agent Feckter mumbled under her breath. "Okay. And I'm assuming there hasn't been an ambush because your– M.A.S.K. hasn't wanted war yet."

Her head shot up. "If you really join our side, you could provide some very important information. Would you be willing to?"

He nodded. "Yes. Of course. Anything to help take down M.A.S.K."

"We'll head to HQ now." She looked uncertain.

Uilter guessed at her thoughts. This is risky. This is my home. If I mess up, I could lose everything. Can I trust him?

Yes. He wanted to reassure her. Yes, you can.

"I'm excited." He tried to add an upbeat tone to his voice. Maybe a bit of optimism wouldn't hurt.

Agent Feckter gave him a hint of a smile. Huh. Maybe she did appreciate it.

She fired her grappler to the roof of the four-story in front of them. Once Agent Feckter was on the edge, she faced him and pointed in the direction of B.L.A.D.E. HQ. "I'm travelling by roof because it's what I prefer. I despise walking on sidewalks. I'll give you directions street by street. I'll wait for you if you walk."

You don't get a grappler 'till you see Chief. That's what all this meant.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll walk and follow your shadow."

Hearing his confirmation, Agent Feckter began running in the direction of home. She was elegant to the fullest extent of the word. Her foot placement was perfected, her movements graceful and precise. Her grappling hook shots were well-thought out, like she'd done this a million times before. He had a feeling that she'd never missed a shot.

She's incredible.

Mid-swing, I got a call. My phone vibrated on silent, stowed in one of my jacket's many pockets. I watched my step as I landed, then pulled out my phone. I turned and made a hand signal for I'm going to be on a call to the agent I was taking home. I got a nod from him, which I could see from a nearby streetlight. I could answer the call and wait for him to catch up.

Perfect.

I pressed the green answer button. "Hello?"

It was Sytra. "Girl, where are you?! It's nearly sunrise! You said you'd be gone, but it's getting really late. Dixter would have called you but his phone died and it's taking forever to–"

"I'm on my way home. Tell Dix I'm coming as fast as I can without carrying him."

"Him? Who–?"

"I'll explain everything when I get home. Just tell him for me, alright?"

"He's not gonna like that you're with another boy."

I exhaled loudly with exasperation. "Tell him that I swear it's not that. I'm coming home ASAP."

Both voices paused, then Sytra's uneasy voice came through. "I don't like this."

"Fine, if I explain quickly: I might have found us a new B.L.A.D.E. member."

Her end went silent for a few seconds. "Okay, well that explains it. And he doesn't have a grappler.. Okay. Can he take a taxi? It'll take forever for you to get home.. Well. Where are you?"

I sighed. "Eastbound. Decently far into Eastbound."

Sytra groaned in frustration. "That's so far! HQ's like, city center."

"I know, I know. Look, I gotta go. What should I do? Quick." He was coming.

"Uhh.. Uh.. Oh! What if you made him run? Tell him it's part of B.L.A.D.E. training?" She gave a little laugh.

It was such an evil but effective idea. "That.. might work." I eyed him as he approached the foot of the building I was on.

"I'm doing it. See you in a bit."

"Aight. Bye!" Sytra chirped, clearly amused.

"Yep." I pressed the red end call button. I hooked up my grappler and jumped off the edge of the eight-story building. I didn't need to press the FREEFALL button because it wasn't high enough. That was usually me telling my grappling hook that I was using it to skydive, and that I would need a pull-up.

Once I landed and retracted my grappler, a knowing smile graced my lips. I get to play track coach.

"Are you in shape, agent?"

He was not in shape.

He learned this after a few blocks. She'd made him run a good six miles. At least, that's what it felt like to Agent Uilter.

"It'll be fun," she said. "It's part of the training," she said. He thought bitterly.

He wasn't out of shape, per se. M.A.S.K. training made sure of that. He was just a little rusty on running for thirty minutes straight.

But, they'd arrived. Agent Feckter had been roofing. While he had to hoof it.

"We're here." Feckter's shadow said from behind. Her dark silhouette dropped down beside him. Her hair whooshed in that certain way. She looked so confident, with the way she moved, with the way she spoke.

So when she moved that close to him, his heart rate increased. And it wasn't because he'd been running.

Oh, no. Uilter thought as he straightened himself out. He stood at his full height, with his shoulders back and his head up. He tried his best to silence his breathing so he didn't sound like a panting dog. I can't fall for her.

"This way." She led him towards a marked iron sheet. The B.L.A.D.E. logo was stamped onto the corner, in a place that you'd only find if you were looking for it.

She pulled back the sheet to reveal a pitch black passageway. The only light was a miniscule red dot at the other end of the tunnel. She went first, crouching low. He tried to forget how little space was between them.

Agent Feckter went ahead and fiddled with the red light, which appeared to be a keypad. It switched to a dot of green, and then the wall became a door. Light flooded through, and suddenly they were standing in a tight room with two guards. Both men wore a guard's standard professional suit. A safe vault as large as a door sat in the wall in between the two B.L.A.D.E. guards.

"You've brought someone back?" The one on the right asked. He gave her a strange look, like This is no time to be accepting agents. You know we aren't supposed to trust anyone outside of B.L.A.D.E.

"Yes, Agent Deityer. I have a good feeling about him." Agent Feckter nodded to the other guard. "Agent Qi-Solut."

They nodded simultaneously. They trusted her judgement. "Agent Feckter." They both clicked an inside button on their suit cuffs.

The vault door's many pistons and parts shifted and steamed, until an elevator was revealed. A delightful note sounded. Two steel doors opened, and both agents stepped inside.

Once the doors closed and the safe door started to slide out of view, Agent Feckter spoke. "I'm taking you to Chief. Be honest. She's really stressed because of the coming war. Give her every reason to trust you."

She took a step towards Agent Uilter, and he began to sweat for multiple reasons. "If you so much as add a sliver of stress to her life, you'll be sorry." She glared at him with her gorgeously faded blue eyes.

He could only nod under her stare. She stepped away from him once more, her arms folded and expression clear. She cared a lot about B.L.A.D.E.'s Chief.

The doors spread open once again, after a pretty chime.

It was time to meet the motherly leader of B.L.A.D.E.

She didn't need any more stress. My Chief, my adopted mother, she was already in over her head. If anything, she needed de-stressants.

I was nervous. Was this really such a good idea? What if I can't trust him after all?

Will this be worth all the risks? For just one agent?

I took him down the hallway of bustling administrators and knocked on Chief's door. I prepared myself for the worse: the hot mess that Chief was.

I was expecting coffee stained stress, a disheveled heap of Latina, and under-eye bags so sunken that she looked skeletal.

I received the opposite.

When I opened the door to the office of my replacement mother, I was greeted kindly by a fresh Brianna, one who had completely transformed.

Her perfect skin looked lively once again, her eyes had regained their spark. Her soft wavy hair was no longer a mess, her smile was bright enough to light the room.

She was back to her old self, the comfort of the black agency, my stand-in mother. She was back to her friendly greetings. "Hello, agents. Please come in."

The agent beside me seemed taken aback. I gave him the side-eye as we were ushered into Chief's office. She gestured at the two dark oak chairs in front of her matching desk, inviting us to make ourselves comfortable.

My thoughts drifted back to the man in an unofficial B.L.A.D.E. uniform next to me. Is kindness that foreign to you?

Or maybe it's just that this is supposed to be an official leader of one of the largest secret agencies in Kistra. And she just gave you a warm smile and invited you into her office.

No wonder he's a little shaken.

"Hello, Chief."

"Dearest Feckter." The fact that she dropped the "agent" when she spoke my name did not escape my notice. "I assume this man has been brought into my office for a valid reason."

"I'm sure he can speak for himself." I replied. I gave him a pointed look, encouraging the former M.A.S.K. agent to declare his intentions.

"I.. Uhm." He coughed. I had a feeling that he couldn't believe that he was doing this. "Excuse me. I'm hoping to join B.L.A.D.E."

"I see." Chief leaned back in her desk chair. "And what is your name, agent?"

"My name is Uilter."

"Agent Uilter, does your past loyalty lie in M.A.S.K.?"

He looked down in heartfelt shame. "Yes, ma'am."

She gave him a playful smile. "Don't look like such a disobedient child. Everyone has a past they can learn from."

Now I knew his name. Uilter looked up at Chief with a newfound hope: That he had a chance at redemption. "You mean that?"

"I've meant every word I've ever spoken."

You're our best. Chief's past words flowed over me like a reassuring wave. I knew what it meant. You're good enough for me, for this agency, for our mission: To defeat evil. You have what it takes, and you have more potential and more experience than any other B.L.A.D.E. agent.

If I lost you, I'd be losing a valuable piece of B.L.A.D.E. Her words from breakfast echoed back to me.

I've meant every word I've ever spoken.

Holy.. She meant it. Everything.

"Agent Feckter, are you well?" Chief's voice cut through my thoughts. Her concerned eyes met mine.

"Yes, yes." I tried my best to reassure her. Honestly, I was a little shaken. I'm B.L.A.D.E.'s best agent. "I'm just fine, thank you."

Despite my efforts, Chief still looked unconvinced. "Feckter. You need Dixter and Sytra. I can see it in your eyes. Please, go. I can handle your little dropoff."

"Oh, thank you." I stood quickly. I didn't realize how lifeless I was without the other two-thirds of our trio. "And, um.. Chief. I believed him when he told me his story. See if my hunch is correct. If he really means to leave M.A.S.K."

I shifted my feet, a little embarrassed. "I'm no good at truth detecting."

"I know this, agent. I know you're just easily trusting. It's part of "always giving second chances."" She made air quotes, referring to what she had said about me this morning.

"Go see them. They need you as much as you need them."

I smiled a real smile. "Thank you, Chief. For everything."

She only shook her head. "Thank you, Feckter. You've done more for me than you'd think."

I've meant every word I've ever spoken.

I relaxed at the thought and left the room, leaving the two to sort things out.

I was done with the babysitting.

Sy. Dix. I'm coming.

I whipped out my phone to make a call to a certain orange-streaked best friend.

He was sweating. A lot.

Agent Uilter was in the same room as the Chief of B.L.A.D.E. There was no reason to not sweat. The Latina woman in front of him had been his prior agency's number one enemy from the very beginning.

Yes, he was being honest when he told Agent Feckter what he wanted. Yes, he was a nervous wreck. But he had the right intention: He was leaving M.A.S.K. He wanted to join B.L.A.D.E.

"So, Uilter." B.L.A.D.E.'s Chief started. "Tell me what your reasons are for leaving M.A.S.K.?" She was infinitely calm, with her perfect posture, gentle smile, and kind eyes.

He was the opposite. He'd made this decision in the span of five seconds, staring into the eyes of his newfound crush. He wasn't even sure what he was doing.

"I.. Uhm." He was tempted to ask for a fan. "I.." Uilter trailed off.

She gave him a reassuring smile. "You can trust me. Whatever you say won't leave this room."

That helped him ease up a little. His shoulders slumped as the truth came tumbling out of him. "I.. I left M.A.S.K. because I was tired of the dullness, the stark white, the lack of emotion.. I've been.. observing B.L.A.D.E. for some time and.." He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "I wanted to switch before the war came."

The Chief nodded. "I respect that. Very noble of you. Was it.. because this war could be your last?"

He only nodded, his eyes lowered to the dark-paneled floor. "I didn't want to die on the white side."

She looked at him with a new understanding. "And why do you want to join B.L.A.D.E.?"

"Your agency seems much more.. alive. I don't know how to describe it. M.A.S.K. was just so bland, so passionless. It was hard to live in. You could die on an operation and no one would care. It was cold."

Uilter visibly shivered. "Especially our dictator."

The Chief seemed to stiffen at his mention. Her expression was a mix of concern and irritation. "Is that what he is to you?"

"That's what he is to all of us."

B.L.A.D.E.'s leader sighed. "I.. knew a different man."

You loved a different man. Agent Uilter thought. Who could he have possibly been before? Who could ever fall in love with someone like the president of M.A.S.K.?

"Were you two.. close?" He awkwardly placed his hands in his lap. He didn't know how to put it.

The Chief shifted in her seat. "I've decided to leave the past where it belongs. Behind me. Looking back is only for time travellers." She smiled in that motherly way of hers, with her eyes giving him a tender look.

He could see himself living under her command. But it didn't seem like it would be like that.

No. If he joined B.L.A.D.E, he'd be accepted.. as part of their family.

The black agency is not a kingdom ruled by an esteemed ruler. No.

This is a home directed by a mother.

She looked at Uilter with sympathy. "You know.. I can understand where you're coming from. You've been raised by M.A.S.K, a hardcore agency of difficult training. I've heard stories of that place.. It seems like a nightmare."

"It is." Agent Uilter sighed, thinking of his former fellow M.A.S.K. members. "I wish I could help them see that there's a better option."

The Chief raised an eyebrow. "That they could join my agency?"

"Yes."

She beamed, a proud look in her eyes. "You've passed."

He was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief. "I.. did?"

"I can tell. You truly mean to join B.L.A.D.E."

Uilter breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you.. Um.."

She only smiled. "You can call me Chief."

"Agent Uilter." She paused. "I'm taking a massive risk trusting you. Please, for the sake of B.L.A.D.E, don't let me down."

He nodded. I know that you need more agents. I'd gladly add myself to that number.

I want to make you proud.

Chief stood and started tapping away on the glass surface of her desk. It was some sort of massive computer. "You're going to need a color. Once I know you well enough, I could assign you one, or you could find it on your own. I'd suggest a trip to Color Central."

She touched a contact list. A slightly tinted hologram of profile list appeared in the air in front of her, and she selected a single name.

Chief picked up a small black device from under her desk, and spoke into it. "Please come to my office ASAP. You're getting a new assignment."

She put the microphone down and gave him a small smile. "I'm assigning you to a special agent. She'll show you around HQ, make you feel comfortable. Then you can choose a dorm." She dismissed the screen. "I think you'll like it here."

He had the same feeling.

Chief smirked. "And you'll like this agent. She's intelligent, resourceful, and your new partner. She's good at confirming my choices of who to trust. Who knows? Maybe you two will get to know each other better."

Who is this "she"? And why is the head of B.L.A.D.E. assigning me to her?

She smiled in a matchmaking kind of way, like she knew she was sending two agents on a date around B.L.A.D.E. headquarters.

A knock sounded at the door behind Uilter. The former M.A.S.K. agent stood and turned around to meet his new partner.

Woah.

She was ruby red, with a shimmering red-and-black jacket, a black undershirt, and black jeans that faded into red. She wore a pair of black buckled boots with half-heels, presumably so she could run should the need arise. She wore violently red lipstick, so that her lips were the eye-catcher of her face. She had perfect skin, perfect eyeliner, perfect eyebrows. She had the bulk of a gun in a jacket inside pocket. She popped her chewing gum.

He could almost see the smoking motorcycle behind her, the rising flames in the background, the metal rock theme song as she walked in.

"Hi," She smirked in a confident way. She was used to the gaping look on his face. "Chief, you called?"

"Dristix, meet Agent Uilter."

"A new member, eh?" She walked over towards the two of them.

His perspiration multiplied the more steps she took. He could've really used a fan right about now.

Dang, she's hot.

"I.. uh," Uilter couldn't even speak. "..I am."

"She'll be your new partner for the time being. Agent Dristix, if you could show him around headquarters."

"Of course. Ready, New Boy?"

He could barely nod as he followed her out the door.

Well. This'll be interesting.

"Sy!" I called into our dorm. "Are you home?"

"Grace Feckterhight." A voice came from the kitchen. It was deep and horrifying, and its tone rumbled through the air. I hadn't heard anything like it before.

I froze. Who..?

"Yes?" I responded quietly, unsure.

"What have you been doing for the past three hours?" I heard faint murmurings and little noises coming from the center of the kitchen, near the sink.

What in the world? "I've been.. out."

"Where?!" The voice barked. I slowly began walking towards it. I didn't know it's height, depth, humanity, nothing. But I needed to see it with my own eyes.

"The streets of Kistra." It wasn't a lie.

"Which precise location?" It growled in a low and menacing tone.

"Eastbound." There's no way I'm telling it exactly where I was.

"And who was that boy?!" At the word "boy," the speaker's voice got so deep and inhumane, I could almost hear its teeth grinding together. It reminded me of a massive black wolf. It was the only image my mind provided.

I took a deep breath to calm my heart rate. My head pounded. Calm. Be calm, cool, collected. It can probably sense fear.

"His name is Agent Uilter. He was a M.A.S.K. agent assigned to spying on me, but then once I learned of his intent, he switched to B.L.A.D.E. I took him to Chief, and that's why it took so long to get home." I knew I should probably be telling lies or at least half-truths to a strange voice in my kitchen. But I couldn't help my natural tendency to be honest.

Before I knew what was happening, Sytra's unmistakable laugh echoed through the space. It was quickly followed by Dixter's deeper voice.

A slow smile spread across my face. I whipped around the kitchen counter to find them laughing up a storm beside a voice changer.

"You.. should have.. heard your voice!" Sytra choked out.

"Feckter!" Dix couldn't breathe. "I can't.. believe.." His laughter consumed his voice.

"Hilarious guys, very funny." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "At least I didn't stand there squeaking."

They kept laughing for years, until Sy was finally able to form words.

"Oh my gosh." Sytra wiped fake (real?) tears from her eyes. Her breathing returned to normal.

Dixter regained himself a little quicker. He'd been taking deep breaths, just trying to steady himself.

But he was eager. It seemed like he had more important things to do than take in oxygen. "Feckter.. is this true? You found this "Uilter" and took him back here?"

I nodded and watched both my boyfriend and my best friend get to their feet. Sytra picked up the voice changer. "Yeah, it's true. In fact, he's being interviewed by Chief as we speak."

"Is that so?" Chief's voice asked from the ceiling.

And.. she's back into our dorm.

"Yes, Chief?" I sighed. I'd seen enough of her.

"I just sent Uilter with Agent Dristix. They're currently touring HQ."

So.. he got accepted after all.

Sytra's mouth dropped. "YOU. Sent. The new guy. To hang out. With the Agent Dristix?"

Chief looked a little matchmaker peppy herself. Every trace of the woman that broke down into tears in front of us was gone. "I know! Won't this be fun?!"

Sytra and Chief shared a fangirl squeal.

I rolled my eyes. They sounded like excited little 6-year-olds that just had their favorite cartoon characters fall in love.

Dixter looked a little shocked. "Dristix?"

I nodded. "Uh huh. I think she's.. ruby red?" I glared at where Chief's voice was coming from. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Her voice tried to reassure me. "Those two were made for one another, I can feel it!"

"Oh, you brought Feckter and Dix together. You're probably right." Sytra agreed, encouraging her.

"Speaking of which." Dixter looked at me. "We should go talk."

I had a feeling this might come up. I nodded. "Sure. Where?"

"Here? Make Sytra go after Colves or something."

At the mention of the boy, Sytra started making erratic arm movements. "Ah, no no no no no!"

"And why not?" I joked, leaning my elbows on the kitchen counter. I closed my hands into relaxed fists and rested my head on them, with somewhat fake interest. "I'm absolutely dying to know."

"At our date.. I kind of.." She trailed off.

"Yeah?" Chief's overexcited voice said from above us. I raised an eyebrow. Even Braz was leaning forward.

Sytra put her head in her hands. "I completely embarrassed myself! He probably hates me and never wants to talk to me again!"

I mentally sighed. So dramatic all the time.

Well. It's a good thing she's into theater.

"He doesn't hate you." I said quietly, rubbing her back. "I promise, anyone would find it hard to hate you."

Dix looked like he wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know how. He stood awkwardly to the side as Sytra was an emotionally unstable female.

Thankfully, I'd done this before.

"Sy, look at me." I said gently. Her brimming eyes met mine, and I knew what to do. "Go talk it out. I bet Colves is itching to talk to you at this very moment."

Somehow, we didn't hear the door. We didn't hear the footsteps down the hall, or the handle turn, or the hinges move.

A new voice spoke from the doorway.

"I am."