The first thing that came to his sight is the ceiling. He shook his head, declining the consciousness that intended to drive him back to sleep, then there came showering lights phasing through the window on his left side. His weary eyes finally open, leaning up against his upper body.

He opened the window and was surprised by the time-lapse he had spent sleeping. He gazed up into heaven. It is evening. It was a cloudless night above Kayon City. The darkened sky is dotted with a thousand burning stars that are beyond human’s vision which is also witnessed by his dark eyes.

The blast of cold air met his tired face. The room is dark, upon lighting the lamp, his attention was dragged as he noticed the events at the surface. Shimmering lights and rallying cars and the dragon shape figure dancing at the side, strolling at the street.

The marching band in front produced jazz music that stimulated some of the people’s actions, boogying at the side road. He glanced at them with unfamiliarity and at the same time, he was entertained by it.

Oblivious, Linda already came in. He lately noticed her but then returned his attention focused on the event. Linda was not disturbed by his attitude and just allowed him to continue his charade, but perhaps she is perplexed by Alastor's attitude at the same time she is intrigued. She understands the effort he exerted at the last mission that wore him off and more likely she’s grateful for what he did.

Linda grabbed the chair and drew herself closer, sitting next to him. Alastor focused on the parade and seemingly cannot be disturbed. The music produced by the band had dragged his entire attention. Linda’s just silently observing Alastor, waiting to turn his attention to her.

His eyes are now on the verge of drifting back to sleep, he allows himself to be sleepy, letting the bed cure the tension of his body, falling back into his sleeping position as though Linda didn’t exist in his room.

As of now, Linda doesn’t want to disturb his resting time, but she couldn’t help it and wants to open a conversation with him, “Al, would you mind telling me what’s in your mind?” She asked, her voice unsure if it is the right start to have a conversation, her eyes staring longingly at him. Ever since his position moved up, the grandmaster had permitted him to go outside the world not just as an ordinary citizen but as a pledge member of the Glade, he was sent out here in Kayon City to fulfill a request.

What distressed him is the unfamiliarity of the city’s culture, his curiosity grew wild at the amazing structure of the field and more likely tended to be distracted if ever finding new things.

Once again, the cold wind entered the room and brushed off a strand of Linda’s blonde hair. She grew tired of waiting for his attention as she wanted to open a conversation with him. Of all her accomplices in the past few years, Alastor is the only person she met that is hushed, too silent that it intimidated most of their accomplices, almost everyone.

“It wouldn't hurt if you talk to me, right?” She insistently muttered more words. Finally, Alastor turned his position to Linda. “Tell me, what’s bothering you?” She asked softly.

He sighed and raised his upper body, “I can’t help myself to be intrigued and amazed by all of this. It’s kinda new to me.”

She already gets what was bugging him, “I see. I was like you before. The first time that I got out in the Glade, I was amazed about the outside world, but the mission kills the fun.” Linda shows a wry smile.

“Sucks to be in debt, eh?” Alastor sneered, followed by sighing.

“So, what’s your story?” Linda questioned him.

Alastor was puzzled about what was she’s talking about, “Story about what?” Linda stands up. Alastor didn’t alter his gaze to Linda as she slowly walked towards the window and peaked on the surface.

“Well, about your life.”

He keenly gazed at Linda, she noticed it and she was startled. “Are you angry?” Her heart is throbbing faster than normal and couldn’t look straight at him.

Alastor doesn’t want to talk about anything that related to his past and he couldn’t help but subconsciously gave Linda a cold gaze. Alastor noticed a sudden change in Linda’s facial expression. It’s not like he intends to do it but more like it’s a habit and couldn’t easily get rid of it.

He sighed and began jogging the conversation to the utmost last minutes, “Don’t worry. I’m not angry about it. Just don’t ask that kind of stuff again.”

Even if he reassures her, the tension in her heart still beats and the conscience grows. “Ugh, I apologize. It’s not like I purposely want to volley in your privacy. What I want to say is-is.” She paused and began to think, realizing that the words were lost in thought Alastor provoked.

“What you want is?” He instigates. His eyes narrowed and his mindful gaze startled her even more.

She bit her lips and the awkward atmosphere grew intense. She slowly open her mouth and said, “Maybe, I just want you to—to be more open to us. We barely talk to each other in private manners and more often in missions and as a leader I think the connection is essential to trust.”

Alastor's rested legs had finally moved, though it was stiffened he calmly transferred it to the ground and stood up, facing Linda. She was intimidated for a second because of the height difference, but she managed to maintain her composure despite the difficulty. Alastor is tall and has healthy light skin. “I guess that’s the reason why you guys are so uptight sometimes when we have a meeting.”

Linda flustered, considering the words as offensive, “I am not uptight!” She shouted and was disconcerted for a second then her eyes looked below and said it again in a lower tone, her lips trembling, “I am not uptight.”

Alastor sighs and tiredly says, “Listen to me, it doesn’t mean that I don’t talk too much, it doesn't mean I don’t trust you guys. It’s just that I find it hard to adjust my contemplation since you already know the pace. It’s none of my business to consolidate whatever you think about me. What matters is the mission; personal information would only hinder each of us in fulfilling our mission.”

“You’re so strange.”

Alastor let out a sighed again, a heavy one, expunging the air weighing at his chest as he walked slowly to the door pressing the switch to turn on the lights. He just now realized what she was wearing. A long T-shirt that covers down near to her knees, her slender legs exposed, with the silken blonde hair ponytailed by a ribbon. Linda saw the gaze and shouted, “What’re you looking at?!”

Alastor realized the heavy atmosphere and he altered his gaze and pretended to ignore her words and fell silent for a few moments then said, “Yeah, well, thanks to you the drowsiness is gone.”

He was about to open the wooden door, but someone knocks first, “Al, have you seen Linda? She’s not in her room.”

Her boyish voice rattled Linda. He looked at her and Linda gestures using her index finger placing it vertically on her lips. Alastor already knows what she meant, “No, I haven’t seen her, I just woke up and I’m just watching the parade up here.”

Tin added, “Oh, about that, Cid is here, and he has something to tell us about that. Come to the meeting room, okay?” She finally leaves his room and proceeds.

Linda exhaled to the point it can be considered as loud, “What was that again?” She asked.

“Cid is here. She wants us to come to the meeting room.” He promptly replied. Alastor opened the cabinet and grabbed out the towel, then proceeded to the bathroom. He turned facing Linda and said, “The next time you come here, don’t wear like that. They might think differently about us.” He suggested.

Linda shouted, “I know that!”

When Linda left the room, His attention was caught by a totem, a rather odd one. Its shape resembles a monk. He hid it in his pocket before he went out.