(OOG: Sorry for the long gap in story posts, and the drop in writing skill. ^^ I was lacking inspiration for this. ^_^ Oh, err... I'd like to thank Nate for his insight into the *other* side of Mordon's character... And I forgot to tell Hobbes about Shaina, so forgive the inconsistency.)

The summer sunset burned brightly through the windows of Mordon's home, casting the white decor in shades of magenta and saffron. The huge bay windows glittered like crystal, but neither the view, nor the fantastic shades of light held Victoria's attention.

Instead, she was focused on the man sitting across from her, youthful face wreathed in golden candlelight.

**This is more than he's done for me in months. And to think a short trip to the surface was all it took......** She couldn't stop looking at him, although when he raised his own eyes she averted her gaze. It was so hard to stare into those brown depths......

He let some of his defenses drop when they were alone. But everyone else held steadfast to the belief that his soul was harder than diamond and cooler than arctic ice. And if you listen to something about yourself long enough, it tends to become reality.

"Why did you decide to go to the surface?"

Victoria blinked. Mordon had paused in his eating, and he was gazing at her expectantly. **Always the authorative one......** She shrugged. "I thought Xelia could use some support. And Shaina is already headed down...... I'm still worried about her."

Something that might have been a smile crossed his face. "The treatment worked perfectly, Victoria. Her injuries have been permanently healed. You shouldn't worry so much about her."

Worry? She supposed that was the nature of the feeling. She rarely felt such emotions for any one...... "Still......"

"If you're worried for her safety......" Mordon shrugged. "She's been ordered to remain here while you go down to the tournament. She is needed for one of Myaru's little...... projects."

"What?!"

"We have need of a teacher. Shaina is best qualified for the job at this time, so she has been notified of her new orders. She'll be able to join you on the surface in a week or two."

"But Shaina is......" Victoria trailed off, staring at her plate. It was ridiculous to protest - the orders would not be changed. Why worry? She would be safer here than in Bledavik, and probably more comfortable.

But her friend was the only person she really trusted. She certainly didn't trust Myaru. That...... woman...... had never been likable, but now she was absolutely hateful. Worse than the one who had called herself Miang back then......

**She looks too much like her. That has to be it. Same hair, eyes......** Shaina probably wouldn't notice. She hadn't spent any time in the labs as a child, after all. How would she know? Victoria shook her head to clear her thoughts and began picking at her food again. Shaina would be joining her in a few weeks. No bother......

"What's wrong with you, Victoria?" Mordon's quiet voice drew her eyes forward again. "Why does this disturb you?"

She shrugged. "I don't like that woman......"

He barked a laugh. "Well if it's Shaina you're worried about, forget about it. Myaru will be down on the surface with you, remember? All Shaina will be dealing with is an over-zealous child."

Yes, Myaru would be on the ship with her...... What a wonderful prospect. "Forgive me if I seem a little...... unenthusiastic."

"You'll live, I'm sure. I doubt even she can monopolize all of Ariath's time - you won't have to spend the *entire* trip keeping company with the second-class cretins." He deposited his fork on the table and rose, extending his hand. She took it, and he pulled her gently out of her chair. "Hopefully... you consider yourself in better company at the moment."

Victoria's first, true smile of the evening curved her lips. "Never better," she said softly, not quite knowing what to say or do. How did you respond to something like that? Or to anything he was saying? It made her feel......

"Come along......"

She let Mordon draw her along, through the massive halls of his manor and past the large, empty rooms. Empty. In some cases she didn't even see furniature. It was commonplace now, but sometimes she wondered...... how much of one's home reflected the soul of its owner?

"Mordon......?"

He smiled over his shoulder and pulled her along, keeping his slow, easy pace. She shrugged, but curiosity was starting to knaw at her. What was it he wanted her to see?

"You remember the sunset on Verdai Hill, last year?" he asked suddenly.

"Y-yes......" Verdai hill was her annual vacation spot, although she rarely had time to leave her command. Last year, Mordon had journeyed to the surface with her...... That had been the first time she had seen the real person beneath his diamond-hard armor. Such a shame he had never let her inside again...... Solaris was suffering from an appalling lack of interesting people.

Of course, she was starting to wonder just what the purpose of this dinner really was. Mordon just did not strike her as the romantic type, and although she could admit she liked him, everything that had happened that evening made her uncomfortable.

"Are you well, Victoria?" Mordon paused, regarding her with expressionless eyes.

No, not completely expressionless...... "I'm fine."

He nodded, and gave her one of his rare smiles. "I have something to show you......"

Shaina's eyes widened as she watched from her place just outside one of Mordon's windows, amazed at what she was seeing. It hardly fit the man's facade......

**Facades are by very definition fake...** She bit her lip and suppressed a smile, watching Victoria take a nervous step back and lower her eyes. **Victoria, nervous? Ha!** This was something she wasn't going to let go of for a long time - who would be blackmailing who now?

She grinned and backed away from the window, jogging back to her spot just inside the gate to Mordon's property to wait. Time for Vic to pay for her teasing about the party at Jugend years ago.

But...... why was *anything* happening? Why was Mordon showing an interest in her friend? He was notorious for his opinion of Lambs, and Victoria had been born on the surface. **It was hard enough for ME to ignore that. What's with him, I wonder?** It was all so irrational. She didn't want to see Victoria used - her friend was strong, but still different. Different...... instead of folding under Solaris's manipulations, Victoria would break. It was in her nature to be so stubborn.

"Manipulations of what?"

Shaina's head snapped up. Victoria stopped beside her, tugging at her black overcoat. Just ahead, the gate began to glide open.

"Our plans," she replied, giving her older friend a small, crooked smile. "He told you, didn't he? I'm stuck here taking care of the brat Lady Myaru brought up from the surface."

Victoria scowled, pulling her toward the gate. "I heard. Can't you refuse?"

She shrugged. "I got the feeling refusal would get me into boiling water. Literally." The gate began to close as soon as they were through, snapping shut with a muted clang. "Xelia will live without me around to criticize her moves."

Night had fallen quickly, blanketing Solaris in a curtain of stars and fog. They were the only living beings on the streets - martial law prohibited civilians from walking outside at night without a permit. The silence put her at ease, and, sure nobody would be around to report her actions to the Bureau, she turned to Victoria again with a little grin.

"Just a research assistant, right?" Her friend glanced at her out of the corners of her eyes, suddenly seeming more alert. "I've never seen Mordon kiss any of his *other* assistants like that before!"

Victoria stopped dead and grabbed her, clapping a hand over her mouth. Shaina felt a fit of giggles building up beneath her calm facade. **Haven't gotten a reaction this good since our first year......!**

"Shut up! Are you crazy?" Victoria's complexion darkened in embarassment, visible even through the faint light of the stars. "Besides, I didn't......"

Shaina yanked the hand from her mouth. "That doesn't matter. I saw what I saw." She did laugh then, keeping her voice low so as not to attract the attention of a security cube. "I never thought you were the type. He *is* your superior and all!"

Her friend's eyes narrowed and she smacked Shaina -- but it was a good-natured slap, not meant to harm. "Revenge, is it? Just be sure not to mention it within earshot of anyone else. I never gave away the Jugend fiasco now, did I?"

"Not a word....." Shaina breathed, letting another crooked grin spread across her face. "...... In public, that is."

"You're such a child sometimes," Victoria said with a snort, rolling her eyes. "Should we get going? I want time to finish my experiment before meeting that woman at the docking area."

She shrugged and started walking, letting Victoria catch up. "I still wish I could go down with you. I could stand Myaru's company for that."

"Speak for yourself."

"But we can't let too many people know, can we? Solaris Command seems to take pleasure out of that sort of thing."

"It's *her* doing, Shaina. But if it comes to that, the vote certainly wouldn't get past me."

"Glad to hear it." Silence stretched between them, an almost palpable substance. Victoria seemed to be lost in thought, perhaps about her recent jaunt with Mordon, but Shaina was trying to avoid any sort of deep thought. All it did was bring to mind things she did not want to think about.

Logic was growing tiresome. She loved puzzles, both real and not, but of late, her homeland was...... changing. And it was reflected in the recent changes of command, her orders, Mordon's behavior...... Like echoes, or ripples in a pond. One thing effected another, effected another, on and on......

When would it ever stop? When would understanding come?

Why had Myaru changed from a sweet, kind woman to the person she had just seen today?

Questions, questions, and more questions. Xelia was right -- she spent too much time thinking, and not enough relaxing. Then again, she was paid good money to use her mind. The vaunted status of Element was more than worth a little irritation and stress.

Myaru still worried her, though. Even Victoria had never really disliked her until now, and she wasn't known for her warm fuzzy feelings toward people.

"When do you have to be at the dock?" she asked, finally breaking the silence.

"In about two hours."

"All right." Victoria's home was in view. Shaina nudged her and started to walk a little faster. "Let's get on with it then, shall we? I have something to tell you before you leave."

"No problem." Victoria shrugged.

It was too trite. Everything was -- the entire evening seemed too unreal. Maybe it was time to break into Command's files again......

Yes, that brought a smile to her lips. Their security was absolutely pathetic, inexcusable. But it made for great entertainment......

**My mind is overreacting. Nothing to worry about.**

Nothing to worry about......