Closed The Darkness Within

[Leiyuu]

40th Summer 514 AV The light had abandoned its city. It's quiet. The city had lost its merry rhythm and softly covered itself with a velvet cloak of raging red. The warmth disappeared. The air was numbing. Only the sound of calming water was heard. The lake was breathing, in and out, like a sweet lullaby from fairy tales. Not a single person on the street. No. There is a shadow of a girl. Her name is Leiyuu. Her clothes was soaking wet from the sudden rain earlier. Drops of water fell out and hit the street while the girl was moving with soundless steps. She had been outside for hours, walking through street after street, searching for nothing. Hiding somewhere in dark corners, the sound of a cat could be heard. The little girl hid her sigh. She was not tired. No, she's not in trouble either. But, her body was heavy, her arms and legs protested loudly, telling her to stop and rest somewhere, anywhere is fine. Nothing is fine. Right now. She thought she could hear it, the sound of darkness kept grabbing her from behind, tossing her around like a big rag doll, drowning her in a pool of hopelessness. Wherever she went, that sound followed, as if it was a reminder. It's not nice. It's not good. It's not logical. Because there must be no sound right now in her head. Say, Leiyuu, am I wrong? Maybe I'll go somewhere else, and this feeling would stop. Run. Run Leiyuu. Run fast. Anywhere is fine, as long as it 's not this place. A high mountain maybe, emerald green and candy sweet. She would sang for her own, ignore the world's dots of maddening colors. She would laid on the grass, watching the symphonies of green kissed her hair and holding her in its gentle open arms. A deserted beach maybe. She would greet the wind and listen to its never ending story. The story in which there was no characters, no tears and no ends. The waves would erase the weight on her shoulder, wash everything away until there was nothing left. She wished to have a pair of black wings. She would blend into the darkest night and be able to fly out of the window. Be free. Wings of rusted calculating, of bloody insanity and blind glory. Wings would grow from her back, tearing her sweaty shirt with its bare claws fang. And her sadness would sleep a beautiful sleep of eternity. And everything would end. Unlike now. She was waiting patiently with wishful eyes and empty hands. Waiting for everything to end and waiting for something new. Something exciting and soft like an angel's snow white feathers. Leiyuu stopped in her track. She looked around and noticed heavy blue doors. For some reasons, she wanted to wander around a bit. Not knowing what 's ahead, Leiyuu opened a door and went inside. Something should happen. Soon. Because the night was young.

[Miro]

It was starting to get late, late enough that Syna had parted from the sky to rest. In her place was Leth shining brilliance. The night was a calm time, for the most part. Few would tread the streets of the Plaza of Dark Delights at night, so it was rare that any business came to the Foundation. This made it the ideal time to work on magic. But Arienette was always ready to work, as it was just about all she knew. At some point she would turn in for bed, but it was usually rather late.

Tonight Miro had decided she deserved a break, some time to rest and preserve her beauty. He gave her a simple set of instructions for the night before he would disappear to the storage room. "Arienette, tonight you should take some time for yourself and relax. You need only work for a bell more, since it is dark now. If no one comes in that time, chances are they will not come at all. Should we have any visitors, or if you have any need for me, simply rap against the door until I answer."

And with that the wizard departed from the front of the shop through the small hall in the back. He unlocked the door that led to the storage room and closed it firmly behind him. There was still much work that needed to be done on the shop, but other things pressed the Chained One's mind. He had need for information, access to intelligence that was not so easily gained. There was need for him to have a spy, someone to keep tabs on things and learn of rumors about the city. Such things were hardly found while locked away in a lab.

Arienette however, she was quite bored, though she did not mind it much. She knew well there were much worse things than boredom. She had her chair and her desk and her thoughts to entertain her. The shop was kept clean as always, and the peaceful sounds of the night were her company. There was little chance she would be disturbed, so her work was essentially done for the night. It would not be long before she would enjoy the comforts of her bed. Perhaps as well a small meal, if she felt hungry.

Her existence in the shop, it was a happy one. She once had hated the atmosphere, but quickly learned what true hatred was like. No, this boring, easy work, it was fine by her. Her master fed her, kept her safe, gave her a purpose, and that was enough. There was no pain, no misery, just this eternal boredom. Though admittedly every once in a while her master did something to ensure a bit of happiness. It was enough to be grateful for. She was content, at the very least.

Nearly half a bell passed, slowly, but quietly. Flippant thoughts teased her restless mind, and for once she almost wished something would happen. Somewhere deep down she wished to recover what she had lost, to have a family once again, but knew better than to wish for such things. One could only lose what they had. The only things that can be ripped away are the things you are attached to. So she remained null, unwilling to feel anything. It just hurt too much to even think about trying again.

Then there was somebody at the door, a person who would enter the shop. Without thinking Arienette spoke her rehearsed line, "Welcome to the Foundation of the Elemental Mind. If you have an appointment," she stopped once she saw the guest. A young girl, seemingly only a few years younger than Arienette herself. The visitor must have been lost, she assumed. But to be lost in this part of town at night was not a good thing for a young girl.

"Please come in, take a seat." The shop's manager made a call based on her better judgement. It was too dangerous to just let such a girl wander off alone. There was a familiar forlorn look upon the young girl's face. "You seem to be lost," her vacant voice stated softly. "Or running from something." Arienette stared at the girl before her with concern in her eyes, unsure what to say or do.

Should she go and inform Miro of the visitor, send the girl on her way or maybe just have her wait and escort her home later. One thing was for sure, she needed to know more of this strange visitor. "I am Arienette, and I manage the shop here. We normally do not get guests as young as you here, and never so late. What is your name? Why are you here?" The young slave asked with much more concern in her voice than she was used to expressing.

[Leiyuu]

Leiyuu found herself in a spacious room made of stone. There was a mahogany desk and behind it sat a young woman. Her welcome sounded dull. Leiyuu turned her gaze to a spot near the woman. Out of the corner of her eyes, she started to observe her. This woman was young, around 18 to 22. Her wavy hair compliment its owner 's smooth complexion. High bridged nose went with thin pink lips and a pair of deep vacant eyes. Different thoughts ran freely in her mind. She was considering what to ask first. The little girl stopped in her track and took a look around one more time before taking a seat. The woman's soft voice knocked on her forehead. Running away from something... . That's what it looked like to her. Leiyuu was suddenly aware of her state. She was soaking wet. The trail of water led from the door to her seat clearly showed that. The woman named Arienette looked concern. It was already late and wandering outside was not a good option for a little girl like her. But she just ignored it. "I'm Leiyuu. I was just taking a walk outside as usual. I'm going to look around a bit if you don't mind", said the the little girl. "How long have you been working here, Arienette?" The woman's gaze was strange, it looked like she was admiring some old treasure. "Do you like your job?" Leiyuu continued to ask.

[Miro]

Arienette found a smirk drawn on her face as the younger girl replied. Her name was Leiyuu, a rather pretty name, and she had little caution. However she wished to look around, and such a thing was not allowed. For the time being at least, she was delayed by curiosity. A couple of questions were fired at the unsuspecting slave. She did not even know how to go about answering such questions, despite their simplicity. For a moment she just stared quite perplexed.

Arienette wanted something to happen, and now it had. But she would have never guessed this to happen. She could not be stunned however, for the questions seemed to be the only thing preventing Leiyuu from exploring. "I have only been around since the beginning of the season." However to honestly answer if she liked her job, that was hard for her to say. "I can't say I like my job or much of anything else. I don't dislike it, if that is what you mean."

It was a hard thing for her to even think about. Happiness was a luxury she was never going to ask for again. The only thing she wanted was to not be miserable. Miro provided that, but he might not if this girl was allowed to wander. "Leiyuu, could you stay seated for just a moment. I want you to meet someone." Miro was the only one who could decide what was best. Hopefully he would not scold her for wasting his time.

Arienette promptly rushed down the small hall and knocked frantically against the thick wooden door. "Miro, you have company!" The tone of her voice unusually frantic, it immediately grated the wizard's ears. He had never heard such a response from his slave, it put him on guard. The undead limped hurriedly toward the door as fast as he could manage. He quickly unlocked the door and stumbled down the hall after his slave.

Miro was on edge as he reviewed the room to find the guest that had caused all of this ruckus, but was remiss to identify the young girl as his potential client. He expected an imposing figure, not a mere child. Arienette explained the situation as best as she could manage. "This is Leiyuu, a curious girl that wandered in alone. She say's she wants to look around a bit." The slave's dull tone had returned, and she once again spoke without any vibrancy at all.

But this was a curious occurrence, a rare happening. Few parents would consent to their child to wander about as such, and her garb was simple enough. Though the girl did not seem hapless, there was hope that she could be an opportunity. That he could use her for his own means. There were just a few questions that needed to be answered. This could be the answer he needed, the information gatherer he so desperately sought. The perfect solution to his problem.

Miro knew his appearance was enough to frighten most, but also that the younger minds were often much more innocent. The Hypnotist exuded a powerful hypnotic presence across the room. He channeled his Djed outwards and stared at Leiyuu from behind the horrid mask with kind eyes. His sheer presence would cast an emotional response of trust and comfort. As well it would cast a subliminal message, the suggestion, "Trust Miro." He hoped it would be enough.

The undead carefully walked forward and knelt down to the young girl's level and looked her in the eyes. He smiled kindly behind his mask, but it could not be seen. "Hello Leiyuu, I am Miro. It is a pleasure to meet you." His voice was soft and sweet, but carried more trickery and manipulation. The emotional responses of trust and comfort were amplified. "I would like to show you my favorite room, my office." His voice, a mixture of happiness and excitement, and with it came a rise of those emotions.

Miro walked to his office and opened the door for Leiyuu to peer in before he entered. The office was a small comfortable room with walls of white and thick wooden flooring. A fine and comfortable couch sits across from the door, adjacent to an equally luxurious chair. The Chained One walked over to the chair and sat himself upon it. As his body sank into the soft cushion, he let out a satisfied smile. "Come Leiyuu, try that couch, you will see why I love it here."

Arienette had followed to the door to see Leiyuu in, but did not enter. She just watched the child and her master interact. It was kind of charming to her, but she did not know what he had in mind. Miro's eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze upon Leiyuu. He spoke to her in a soft and calm voice. He had only one question to ask. "Leiyuu, it is dangerous to walk around at night alone. Don't you have anyone to teach you such things, to see that you are taken care of?"

[Leiyuu]

A smirk appeared on the face of the woman. Leiyuu was confused. Was there something wrong with her reply? Leiyuu didn't think that her name was the reason for that smirk. There were two options left. Wandering around this late was no good for child like her, and maybe she was not allowed to take a look. The woman was staring at her with perplexed eyes. She had made sure that the two questions were easy and not too private for a casual conversation. That moment when she decided to ignore the woman's eyes and ask her another question or say something in order to break the silence, the woman named Arienette spoke up. Having memorized her answer, Leiyuu began to ponder. She said she didn't dislike it, nor like it. Tricky game. Before she had the time to ask more questions, the woman asked her to stay seated and rushed down the hall, leaving her with unspoken questions. She went to call someone else, the owner of this place maybe. She came back, brought along a figure in red. The girl tried to adjust her eyes, not wanting to pay attention to the stranger's suspicious mask or his black hand which jutted out of his long sleeve. She started to observe this person quietly. And suddenly, she could feel it, something full of comfort and warmth began to pour into her body, just like the feeling of being wrapped around by a thick fluffy coat beside a fireplace in a chilling winter night. Her muscle relaxed and began to unravel bit by bit. Her feeling started to run wild inside her head. Somewhere inside, she felt that she could trust this person. Leiyuu had been careless, and she still had the change to escape the potential danger. She had read some books about different races and knew that there was hidden events which could occur if she faced particular predators. Tell them you would leave and apologize for intruding. Before she had the change to say so, that person knelt down to her level and introduce himself. His voice was honey sweet and easy on the ear. His invitation was hard to resist. That was right, tell him you would leave. This time, it was her turn to become a statue with a blank face. The door was opened for her and she thought she may want to peer in a little. The man called Miro sat down on the chair and invited her to come in. Come, Leiyuu, he said. Come. Unconciously, she took a step forward and rooted on that spot. What was she doing here again? Ah, to satisfy her curiosity. She moved her feet again, and sat still on the couch. He was right. This couch was nice. His question was to be expected. She didn't want to answer that. Then simply said so. Instead of saying it out loud, she began her staring contest with Miro. After blinking twice, to her surprised, a single word jumped out of her mouth: "I..." Stop. Stop right there. Silence fell between them. Then Leiyuu become extremely interested in the wooden floor and began to count her toes. Hmn, what would be lost anyways? Game starts.

[Miro]

The young girl seemed hesitant to be persuaded by the Hypnotist, but consented nonetheless. She had an impressionable young mind after all. As the guest began to seem troubled by the question, the wizard found himself intrigued. He began to expend his Djed to focus upon her aura and gain an insight into her emotional state. She spoke but a single word, as if to start, but then fell silent. The undead wondered had he upset her.

Leiyuu looked down, away from Miro, but the wizard kept staring. He attuned himself with her aura to gain a clearer image of what it was she felt. It did not seem shame, sadness or anything he would have expected to see. There was a deceptive feeling he felt, as well as some conflict. He could not discern completely what the aura tried to reveal about her emotional state, but the hint was a good one.

No, Miro knew just what he would do, he just needed to prepare things properly. He released his focus on the aura and instead shifted his efforts towards Hypnotism. He concentrated his Djed to his voice and spoke in a charming and playful voice. "Leiyuu, how about I tell you a secret, if you can keep it for me." The words charged with an emotional response of curiosity. He knew just what he would try.

The undead placed his hand behind the chair and shook his wrist out, a sign for Ender to shift to his natural form. So the Irylid shifted from an icy bracelet to an orb of ice hidden behind the chair. The Hypnotist continued with his ploy. "I am a magic man, and I can make wonderful things happen. It is my job here. Sometimes people need wonderful things to happen to them." The saccharine description of his services were far from the truth, but appealing nonetheless.

These claims especially enticing because of the magic being cast. The wizard flared his Djed to impress his powerful hypnotic presence on the girl before him. He made her feel happiness, trust, comfort, made her think of how kind a man Miro was, that she wanted to know more of him, that she wanted to stay with him here. The feelings all subtle and subconscious, but very much present in the mind. It all built up to the finale.

Miro leaned in and grinned and his eyes softened beneath the mask. "I can make a friend appear just by saying a magical word. Here, watch, I'll show you." He sat up straight and placed a hand to his chest as he spoke a quick telepathic command to his partner. "Replicant form, okay?" Ender understood well. The wizard boomed, "Fiise!", and the Familiar shifted form and became visible behind him.

Ender's silver spherical form began to shift and sprout limbs, form detail and eventually assume color. He became a tall handsome man with long black hair, dressed in a long black robe and with silver eyes. He gave a soft smile to the girl on the couch, though he was unsure of his master's intention. Chances were he had something horrible in mind for this child. At least for now things were charming and innocent.

The undead continued on with his show. "Ender is my best friend. He helps me to help people, makes miracles with me." Finally he came to his proposal. He spoke words charged with powerful Hypnotism, a trap well baited. "I could use my magic to do something wonderful for you. I could make you happy, make everything different, better, exciting and fun." His liar's tongue hissed forth the diabolical words in the sweetest of tones.

The Hypnotism woven into the speech was more powerful than the former spells cast. A single emotional response and suggestion pair had their effects heavily empowered. The feeling of desire and the subliminal message, "I want an exciting life." Paired with this was a sudden thought. The thought, "I want to say yes.", would appear naturally in her mind, as if she had thought it herself. Such a gambit held risk, but risk held the potential for gain.

"Would you like that?"

[Leiyuu]

Leiyuu was figuring out how to play this game. She didn't intend to stay. However, it had turned into a troublesome and awkward situation. For now, she didn't know how to end this conversation and go home. And so, she passively waited. The man wanted to show her his office. What could be possibly happen next? The little girl expected a light conversation, then some words of farewell. The man called Miro spoke up, telling her he would show her a secret. A secret could bring two people closer to each other, but that was not the case now. He had heard that she was curious from Arinette, and this time, he used it as a bait. Fullfilling and satisfying one's need was a fair thing to do if you want people to listen to you. He had had his turn, nice and logic. Magic! How could she forget about such an important thing? People had written that certain people could do magical thing, like controlling one's mind or made things appear. She didn't know that well about magic, but the feeling she had had maybe something casted from the the wizard before her. That moment, things changed. She felt safe being near this man. She felt good and comfortable. Beside, he knew magic. How she could describe the need to know more about this man and his magic. The topic had charmed her since she was young. She was born as a human, weak and fragile. She could not be a celestial being as an Athaefal or a sharp one as a Kelvic. Like any other human, she had a thirst of power. She wanted to control her own life, and possibly other creatures too. If she had power, no one could stand in her way anymore. She would become one with majestic power. And something did happen. Right beside Miro appeared a tall figure in a black rope. His eyes were silver. She could not help but staring blankly at the smile the newcomer had just welcomed her with. Wonderful, different, better, exciting and fun...Sounds charming."I want an exciting life." Yes, she does. Beside, any thing good would held risk, right? "Yes." Never had the thought occurred to her that, she had lost the game.

[Miro]

Miro held no hesitance in using powerful magic on a small and innocent child. Leiyuu consented, coaxed or not, and that was all it took to do what he needed. Though she would have to work with him, not resist the Hypnotism. It always worked best when the subject was willing. Though it was always best to keep the truth of the magic obscured. The key to this all would be to make it as if there had never been any Hypnotism done at all. It could change a person's life completely, but the Hypnotist hadn't successfully performed such an extreme change.

Anything was possible though, it all came down to application. The game the girl had started with the eager wizard was not yet over. It was the Hypnotist's turn, and he had a fine idea. He was still convinced that this child could be won over, and that it was the best way to persuade her mind. The discipline was most effective when the victim wanted to believe what the wizard told them was the truth. In the case of this young girl, it was a matter of giving her a wonderful fantasy to live.

First would have to come the trance. Entrancement was the only way to truly have a profound effect on the mind. Everything else a Hypnotist did was fleeting unless performed routinely, but with enough work a single session of Hypnotherapy on an entranced person could have great influence. Though with enough magic anything was possible. Though pushing the boundaries of anything held risk for the caster as much as the casted on.

There was nothing to gain without risk. The Hypnotist would just have to do his best. He was not alone in this, and there was no need to rush. The game was close to over, only two ways to win. Escape the trap or fall victim to it, by will or by force, it would happen without a swift escape. Miro began what he hoped to be his final turn by standing and walking toward Leiyuu, a pleasant smile hidden behind his mask.

The undead spoke in a sweet and joyful voice to the young girl, his eyes soft and inviting. Djed poured from him to increase the strength of his sphere of charisma. He came closer to the girl and knelt at the side of her couch, the room now heavy with his influence. He began to focus the entirety of his magical presence on the girl and fill her with his charm as he spoke. All of it concentrated into an emotional surge of pure love.

"Leiyuu, lay back my dear child, rest your head." He reached out his clawed hand and gently brushed her hair back and reinforced the command to lay with Djed. He spoke a hypnotic command in a calm voice, "I want you to close your eyes and think happy thoughts." The strain of the spell had already taken a fair amount of Djed, and as well had started to tax the caster, but he had to finish this.

Miro focused his will on a different emotion now, of tranquility, a sense of being at perfect peace. He leaned in close and placed his hand over Leiyuu's eyes and shushed her. The rest of his hypnotic influence was channeled into a final suggestion. "Leiyuu, relax, allow your body to become light. Allow your mind to drift, to explore your imagination. You no longer feel your body, the world around you is fading. On the count of three you will fall asleep and dream a most beautiful dream."

The Chained One heaved a couple heavy breaths as he worked to sustain the powerful spell. By now it was wearing on his body. "One," his muscles screamed, "Two," his heart ached, "Three," and finally sweet relief. The emotional surge was released. He focused his will entirely on pushing the child into a deep sleep, and then staggered back. Only the most powerful of wills could resist that amount of magic being cast upon them. It was enough so that even the master Hypnotist would need a break.

However, if the trance was successful, as the wizard could only imagine it to be, Leiyuu would be in a wonderful place. The part of her mind where imagination and reality meet each other. Where she stands as her conscious self among all of the things her subconscious can manifest. However, little will she realize that is her trapped within her own mind. The subconscious world built around her would shift at the will of the Hypnotist, and there would be nothing she could do about it. Though entrancement only worked on those willing to be entranced.

[Leiyuu]

The wizard started to walk to her side and knelt before her. Leiyuu raised an eyebrow, puzzling herself with questions. No matter what she thought, she couldn't tear her eyes from Miro. The room which she was in now seemed to shrink into the side of a long wall mirror. Everything else faded into darkness excepted the man before her eyes. He was like the only source of light in an never ending abyss. And, Leiyuu had fallen, like a lost child in a deserted city. Her body somehow became rigid, she couldn't moved an eyelid. All she did was staring at the stranger as if she wanted to find something out with it. It was useless. Leiyuu roboticallly followed his command. Everything became pitch black. She could feel a hand creeping over and covering her eyes. As his voice flew, her body suddenly lost its weight. Leiyuu inhaled deeply, she was afraid to open her eyes. Something had changed. The ground had become warm and soft beneath her feet. The girl wiggled her toes. The grass was tickle. She gradually opened her eyes. Green. The horizon was a palette of different shades of green. She was standing in the middle of a valley. Where am I? She tilted her head to the side, questioning. "Hey, Leiyuu. What are you waiting for? Come." She turned to the source of the voice. A boy around her age was stretching his legs with his trademark cheeky grin. Next to him was another small girl. That girl softly smiled at her. She was so thin and fragile that Leiyuu thought a soft wind could bruise her lovely skin. "Ah, coming right away."She shouted back at the boy. Leiyuu bent her knees and began to run towards those two. Her chest felt strangely light, so light she may very well sprout wings to left the ground. Resting her hands on her knees, Leiyuu started to pant loudly."Ah, I haven't run that much for a long time."She said between her heavy breathing. "Right?" The boy replied, hitting her back with a strong blow. Her face contorted due to the contact. After gaining her sense, she tried to pay back but failed. The boy quickly dodge her weak attack, leaving her sitting on the ground, admitting defeat. The girl who had been quiet softly stepped over to the place where she sat and reached out her hands to give Leiyuu a close hug. The girl who received that hug did nothing but giggled at the touch. It's strange. It felt like she had forgotten something important. But, it's not that important now, isn't it?

[Miro]

Miro began to shift his Djed expense from hypnotic influence to aura reading. His focused centered entirely on Leiyuu as he watched the girl still and witnessed ease claim her body. The aura that leaked from her body was still and calm. Her chest rose and fell in rhythm, deep, peaceful breaths. A sense of tranquility poured from her, but as well a vague sense of confusion. The use of Auristics came quite easily, the information revealed quickly. Yes, the trance had worked, Leiyuu had submitted.

It was no easy thing, Hypnotism, but with the right technique anything was possible. The wizard removed the silver bracelet from his arm and placed the icy artifact around the girl's wrist. The technique that the Hypnotist had in mind was a tall order. It would best be performed by two masters. They could split the work well like this, and no two casters could work better together. The simpler spells could easily be conveyed by close proximity and touch, so they were best suited for the Familiar.

"Ender, I need you to follow my lead. What I wish to accomplish is simple, yet so very complex at the same time. I want Leiyuu to forget the life she has, to wake believing it was all a lie. She will wake with the memories of a new life instead. One where she is my daughter, my apprentice. One where her true life was all some strange dream, but instead knows she lives a life of wonder and magic. And the only thing she cares about more than magic is her father, Miro."

What the Irylid would be tasked with was not nearly as complex as his master's part. "You must prime her mind, whisper in her ear all of the right suggestions to make my lies seem like reality to her. Feed her the emotions she craves and tell her all that she needs to hear." However the Chained One was going to have to work hard to succeed. It all depended on his ability to make a convincing replacement for her life.

Miro would have to craft memories, implant knowledge, aspirations, worries, craft her into his daughter and apprentice. They would need a history, a life together. It made the undead think to his own life, his childhood. Memories of his mother, of Kinneas, they would serve him well now. They were all he ever had, and he knew just how it felt to share a life of magic with them.

Ender began his Hypnotism, subtly at first. First a set of emotional responses to set the mood. Feelings of calmness and focus, as well as happiness. Almost like a sense of nostalgia one feels thinking of fond memories. To finish the set of emotions the Irylid focused on what he understood to be love and channeled it into the girl. It was somewhat foreign, but he had seen it in others, witnessed it many times before.

Truly there could be no better feelings to inspire than those, especially for what came next. The Familiar began to push suggestions into the subconscious of Leiyuu's entranced mind. It was no easy task, to make a subconscious message stick, so it had to be well directed. The power of suggestion was a powerful one, especially when combined with more influential forms of conditioning.

Ender began to whisper his subliminal message, "Leiyuu, your life is not normal, it is far from it. Though sometimes you think of what it would be like to be normal, it is only a fantasy, a dream. Your life is full of wonder, of excitement, of magic. And though you have dreamed of a normal life, you love your real life. You love magic, and you love Miro."

The Familiar ended his turn and gave a telepathic cue to his master. The Hypnotist then began his round, only with his voice spoken aloud in a firm tone. He knelt in close and began to stroke Leiyuu's hair as he spoke. His every word empowered with suggestion, he began his manipulation. It all started with one simple line. "Leiyuu, I am Miro, your father, your master."

The wizard forced a series of flashes into the young girl's mind, a set of memories. Images of Miro, his face beneath the mask, his smile, his arm before it was blackened, being held by him, being together in various places. As well he began to impress flashes of magic, of the abilities he could perform, and of Ender too. But this was only the beginning.

"You are my daughter, my apprentice, and you aspire to learn magic. But you are not yet ready, you are an apprentice in training. But that is not all you are, for you have a hobby. It is more like a profession, a talent. You love to spy, to gather information. And you love to make your father happy by sharing this information with him."

More flashes of spying on people and sharing it with Miro, as well as powerful feelings of pride and love to go with them. Memories followed; of magic training, meditation, being instructed, her exciting magical life. Feelings of strict discipline, obedience, loyalty, all of these pressed deep into her and these memories. "You know that magic must be taken seriously."