“Mr. Myrr! Come in! Quickly, Michel, get the door!”

“Jasselyria.” I incline my head in greeting. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to destroy Merekeep in a day. Even if I had a spell that could blow every stone in this place to an unholy hell, there are doubtless forces here which would come out and seek bloody retribution. I’ve heard of magics which are difficult to counter even by the strongest in this world. Ancient Magic. However, while I’ve never seen the scrolls myself, the drawbacks of such spells are well known. They aren’t suitable for my mission here. Though I’m curious to get my hands on them, for now, I must seek other methods to exact revenge. Thus...the need to grovel, beg, and seek allies. Well, perhaps not quite groveling. I’m no longer a child, no matter how I may seem to these...people.

“It’s so good to see you! When Michel told me you were coming, I almost didn’t believe it!” The young lady of Merekeep’s Tempera Clan is something of a mystery to me. She’s not as bad as Michel. That is to say, she’s no eyesore. If anything, Jasselryia’s quite attractive, strong, straight blonde hair, blue eyes, twin ponytails, not a scar on her face, and hardly a blemish. Since she parades around in an exceedingly frilly white skirt that has no place outside of a palace, it’s hard to imagine that the girl, who I’m told is nineteen, is actually the head of an assassin group which can stand up to the Daggas Clan. Her attitude towards me is almost obscenely happy. Like a groupie who just saw their favorite idol. She smiles and rises from her chair while holding out her hands beseechingly. “Please, tell me you brought some of your new seasonal collection? You know I’d kill to get my hands on just one piece...?”

From what I know of your clan, I doubt you’re lying. Every coin you use to make purchases is stained with plenty of blood from your clan’s kills. I wonder...you act all friendly, but if I were to go at you with a knife right now, what would happen? There’s a funny game I like to play when I’m bored. It’s called, ‘what if’. Basically, I turn on my Foresight and try to see how people will react if I attack them. Not a very reliable method, but it can give me an idea of how people see me. The thing that makes it tricky though is that in order to simulate it, I need to really build up the intent to kill someone, even if I have no intention of actually letting it happen. It’s harder than it sounds. Against the assassins in this city, even the slightest whiff of killing intent can make you suspect. It’s as if you’re letting out a drop of blood in a sea of hungry sharks. The bastards are always circling, nipping at your heels. One mistake and they’ll go into a feeding frenzy. No...I better not risk it with Jasselyria. Too many bodyguards nearby. Still, it’d be nice to know what Michel would do. Do you really think I’m just a harmless cheese dealer? Would you let my knife go for her heart? Or perhaps...you’re already on to me-

“You know, Jasselyria, Myrr and I are great friends! I was talking to him and it was tough going, he’s such a great businessman, but I think I managed to convince him to give you a discount!” Michel’s voice intrudes on my inner thoughts. His black butler’s outfit is a stark contrast to Jasselryia’s insanely overdone, pure white, dress. Nah...you’ve convinced me, Michel, I’m sure you have no idea. No one’s that good at playing dumb. As for your master though...I’m not so sure. Why are you so interested in me Jasselyria?

“Really? Myrr, you’d be willing to do that for me?” Jasselryia’s smile is radiant. She looks extremely pleased. Actually, more than I expected. Are you guys short on money or something? The young lady of the Tempera Clan praises her dog, “Michel, you’ve outdone yourself!”

“Hehe, I exist to serve.” Her butler replies, flashing a grin my way. “I really appreciate the favor, Myrr.”

“Of course, how could I say no to you.” I reply. It’s really hard to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Examining the room, I see that Jasselryia has prepared a nice little round table with a steaming teapot and several porcelain sets. Everything has a white theme, from the table clothe to the ornate plates and cups. As Jasselryia takes a seat, she pats the seat next to her. I take a seat and lock eyes with Michel on the way down. A little nod passes between us and we act out our little play. “I was wondering though if you could help me with something.”

“Ahh, of course!” A faithful dog to the end, Michel smiles happily. He asks Jasselryia on my behalf just as we planned. “Myrr is very interested in the Upper Clans of the city. He’s a foreigner you know, and just getting on his feet. I told him of your vast experience in such matters. What was it you were looking for, Myrr? A man...someone of status, without children, was it?”

“That’s it exactly, Michel!” Monitoring the future, I make sure that nothing I’m going to say is going to cause problems. As far as I can tell, Jasselryia’s face remains radiant and smiling. “I know there might be a lot, but I’m sure you understand, as a newcomer and a businessman, it’s important to understand these things. Do you think you might be able to help me out, Jasselryia?”

“A man of status without children...yes, there are quite a few of those...” Jasselryia’s perfect smile twitches a bit as she thinks. However, she doesn’t show any hostility. Just an empty thinking face. I can tell that it’s not real though. There are thoughts going in that blonde head of hers. She wants something from me. But I can’t tell what. The young lady reaches over with a slender hand and pours a cup of tea for me. A fragrant smell reaches my nostrils, reminiscent of incense and strong lemon. The upper houses in Merekeep prefer this type, but I find it a bit too cloying and sweet after experiencing Elina’s kind. As Jasselryia pours, she finally answers, “Your question is very specific. Might I ask why you’re looking for someone like that? I can prepare a list, but if you give me more details I can narrow it down for you.”

“Oh, it’s a personal matter, something I’d like to keep private. It involves a competitor of mine you see. Please, don’t tell anyone about this request.” I reach over and pick up the cup of hot tea that Jasselyria has just poured for me. Blowing on the top, I watch the little foam clouds swirling amidst the black surface. “A list would be excellent, whenever you have time. In return, I’d be happy to provide the next seasonal collection to you early. Before anyone else in fact. I assure you, it’s one of the best I’ve ever made.”

“A competitor? I understand, it’ll be our little secret!” Jasselryia happily picks up her tea as well and sips on it. I’m fairly certain it’s scorching hot, but she doesn’t seem to mind. A thought comes to mind. Now that I think about it...how strong is she? Merekeep’s Clans aren’t as obsessed with strength as the Rainstopper Sect, but they’re still assassins. I doubt her warriors would listen to a weakling. Observing her perfectly pink lips, I notice the steam rising off her cup swirling around them. An invisible Qi energy barrier that she thinks nothing of. The level of control to have it active all the time, ready to activate without a second thought is more than you’d expect. I certainly can’t do it that well yet. Abruptly, I’m a bit perturbed, as in the future, Jasselryia leans in. However, by the time it happens in the present, I’m ready.

“W-What?” A perfect little surprised gasp passes from my lips as she plants herself right in front of me, just a hands length away. I hope that was convincing. From here, I can see every blemish in her skin, or rather the complete lack of blemishes in her perfectly done up face. Her blue eyes watch my face with a disturbing intensity as her voice drops and she whispers under her breath,

“Actually, I have a small secret of my own to confess. I’ve been...really hoping you’d visit. Ever since that first time we met in your shop. You have no idea how excited I was when Michel told me you were coming. I’m just fascinated by your business acumen. Perhaps instead of a list, we could meet regularly and talk? A party of just the two of us. I could school you on Merekeep’s clans and you could teach me about your exploits? It could be very enlightening for the both of us.”

Huh…crushing on me?

Trying to use me?

But to what end?

Or am I just a curiosity?

Questions flit through my brain, little birds chasing an invisible answer they can’t find but are compelled to seek anyways. I have time, extra time but even I’m surprised at how intensely Jasselryia is coming on to me. I can feel the heat from her breath on my face at this range. When we first met as she visited my shop, she seemed interested, exclaiming over every cheese and even asking about the wine, but not to this extent. Naturally, my ‘BS’ meter is beeping. Alerts explode in my brain, like Icebombs popping into fragments. I let some of the confusion show on my face. Jasselryia sees it and seems satisfied, backing away to regard me coolly.

“I would love to chat more...when our schedules match.” I reply, trying to keep just the perfect amount of composure and disarray in my voice. It helps that she is legitimately quite stunning. Less work pretending. However, I’m not someone who is going to be fooled that easily. The prettier the face...the less I trust it. I need to find out more about House Tempera. Why is she so interested in me? For now, better to back off. I don’t have the advantage here. “Unfortunately, I need to get back to my shop. My staff are very reliable, but Demi’s need a bit of direction now and then. Let’s talk again soon?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be looking forward to your call. And I’ll think of some men who match the description you’re looking for.” Jasselryia doesn’t pause for even a second. She shakes her head, blonde tresses bouncing around and obscuring her eyes as she snaps her fingers. “Michel, make sure Myrr gets back to his shop safely. This city’s going to the Demi’s. Pardon the pun, but it’s true. All these explosions, it worries me. Myrr, if you ever need extra security for your business, you need only ask. I’d be happy to provide guards for you, the finest warriors in the city.”

“Heh, I may take you up on that if things get worse.” I nod and smile, doing my best not to laugh considering I’m the one responsible for the explosions. Pointing at the counter where Michel left the order I brought, I go back to my businessman voice, “Until next time then. And please...do enjoy the cheese. It really is my finest. I’ll bring more next time.”

“Until next time!”

Taking my leave, I let Michel escort me to the door before ditching him. Despite his protests, I assure him that I can make it back to my shop on my own, not wanting to have to spend more time with him. Blending into the crowd outside the Tempera Manor’s gates, I glance up at the upper layers of the city. High in the sky amidst the twisting rooftop pathways, a dark-haired girl waves back to me. Meera on overwatch, waiting outside in case there was trouble. As I duck into a dark side-alleyway, she jumps down with me. Shading my eyes from the setting sun, I greet my...security.

“Meera.”

“How’d it go, Master?” she chirps, stretching sinuously in a plain, little black dress. It’s less attention-getting than the shop uniform, but still helps maintain the illusion that she’s just another pretty face on the street. Not that anyone is going to underestimate a pretty face in Merekeep. Half the city is trained to kill. “Find out who the Stranger is?”

“Nope. And I told you to stop calling me that. If someone hears, they’ll get the wrong idea.” I give her an annoyed stare while marching down the alleyway. Meera bounces along with me, seemingly without a care in the world...if you ignore her eyes twitching ever so slightly at every suspicious shadow. An assassin’s gaze. “You’re not a Demi.”

“Well, Michel’s not a Demi, but he calls Jasselryia, Master!” She snaps open her ornamental fan and waves it about once before twirling in a circle. Seeing her dress furl out from the corner of my eye, I raise an eyebrow. Honestly, is this really the same girl I met in the Trials? “Whatever, Boss. You’re no fun. But I forgive you.”

“This isn’t about having fun, Meera. It’s about finishing what you started. Or don’t you remember why we’re here?” I sigh, still not sure what’s up with her. Ever since last night, she’s been acting strange, and the more I think about it, I’m starting to wonder if I just missed the signs and this isn’t a new thing. “You know, Jasselryia offered to provide Tempera’s finest as guards for the shop.”

“Yea? You going to replace me? With trash from this city? Ahahaha!” Meera cackles and I startle. She really is in a great mood today. Why does that give me a bad feeling? Dancing about, she winks at me running up the side of a wall as if gravity doesn’t exist and jumping onto the pathway above. Her voice echoes down from above, “Try it. But I bet Jasselryia will be real interested to know what Mr. Myrr, genius cheesemaker extraordinaire gets up to at night...and I’m not talking about his night terrors which by the way were kind of cute at first but are pretty annoying these days...”

“Meera! Shut up!” I yell out, but she’s already gone. Doubtless, when I get back to the shop, she’ll already be back there. Though my security detail has left, I don’t feel worried. Meera may be rebelling lately, but she’s still my closest henchmen, err henchwoman, in this city. If she’s left me alone, it’s because she’s checked and there’s no one following me from the Tempera Manor. “See you back at home...”

[Home...do you miss it?

I miss it.]

My steps freeze on the concrete. As does everything around me. The record player of fate and time screeches to a halt. I’m at the end of the alleyway when it happens. Just at the edge of the crowd before we get to my shop’s street. No one moves, it’s like the voice in my head has absolute command of them all. I feel...dreamy. An iron-vice has grasped my body, every bit of it, and is holding me in place. Normally, the future keeps flowing, I can keep simulating, but right now, even Foresight is on pause-

*Tap*

The city changes.

*Tap*

People are still here, moving in their fine dress clothes about the street.

*Tap*

But they feel translucent. My feet pace on the ground, tied to some cosmic clockwork. Maybe some spark of electricity from a moment before, it was still traveling from my brain down my spine and into my legs. I walk as a dreamer walks. Out of control. Lagging, lost in recollection. When I peek up, it’s not Merekeep I see. The strange multi-tiered city with its oriental inspiration is lost to me. Instead, I see shining sky-scrapers, steel beasts. Those hulking, dark colossuses which exist only in one place. That lost land of my past, gone now in time...or so I thought. New...York?

[Truthseeker, did you know?

One time I saw a black star.]

“W-What?” No one else notices the change. The people...they’re all just slightly faded, like I’m seeing them through a looking glass. Blurred by glass, the light coming through a filter. When I look down at myself, I’m...faded too. Wonder fills my eyes, hard memories of another time, another me. As I reach out, trying to grasp onto something real, the illusion shatters. Suddenly, I’m back on the street of Merekeep. It’s like a rubber band snapping. The crowd gives me strange looks, hopefully none of them recognize who I am.

[It burned so bright.

But then...it ran out of things to burn...]

“Hey, you okay?” A man peers down at me as I stumble. I’m on one knee, my hands on the pavement. Quickly, I rise to my feet. Shaking my head, I run past, glad to be freed from the dream. Instinctively, like a baby reaching for his bottle, I try to grasp at the future, clumsily, an action of memory, not one of conscious thought. A hint of fear shudders through my being, I fear that I may have lost my ability. However, the familiar double-sight of Foresight layers over my vision and I take a deep, discomforted breath. It’s still here. I’m still me.

[I thought my love could save anyone.

I was wrong.]

*C-Crack*

Just as I think I have it, the future tumbles away. I almost lose my footing, clutching my head as my eyes go wide. Looking up, I realize that I’ve somehow made it outside the shop. I open the door in a hasty motion, trying to get to something familiar. Pieces of the future flash across my vision, I see myself opening the door, feel myself taking a breath I’ve already taken...things are repeating. I’m losing my train of thought as the past overwrites my current self. W-What’s happening? Who-Who? Am...Am? I...?

[Remember...it’s not me...don’t be fooled-]

“Who are you!” I scream as I stumble across the step and hear the door close with a quiet tinkle behind me. It’s horrifying, feeling time breaking. Like dying...but worse. Your existence slipping away...glimpses of life, just enough to know you’re losing something you can’t have back. I try to hold onto me, myself, what makes me, “I”. For the first time, I’m scared of the voice. Even though it still sounds friendly...these sensations are anything but that. My body...no my very existence is under attack. Blood rushes through my ears and that sickening white static rolls over my second sight. It takes away the future entirely, shattering what I was using to hold onto the memory of me. Leaving me as merely me...human and normal. The sudden loss is like being dissembled while you’re still breathing. Heart pounding, the dirty bass of my life, I feel every beat coming in triplets, hard pulses, cardiac arrest. My breath catches. I...can’t...breathe! “Why are you doing this to me-!”

“Well...if you can’t answer that on your own, then clearly you don’t deserve to know,” a dry voice replies to my panicked shout. Standing by the counter besides a terrified Kisa, the Stranger chuckles while observing me like a specimen. His smiling mask probably matches his face for once as he watches me fall apart. “Myrr, my boy, are you feeling alright? It’s just little old me. You look like you’ve seen a Bloodfiend.”

Damnit...not him...not now.