The Trails of a Troubled Mind~ [PRIVATE - Mero and Utena only.]

Blake made whipping sounds as he ran off to her coffee and some bandages to cover the blood that was quite obviously on her hands. She noticed it and did not like much the red color being on her hands, but upon the ground it was a lovely, stupendous shade of crimson. She actually, to some extent, glorified it. This was the mind of a villain.

"Oh yes, I've got you now."

Who it was she was talking to, no one knew but herself.


Meanwhile


"Well alright, they sound pretty fun I guess. And it's very cute that you like that type of guy. I'm not sure about my type of girl though."

I placed a finger to my chin and began to think. I seemed more innocent than ever now. But, really, I had to admit that Mero was not only becoming a great friend of mine, and though we'd just met it felt like we've been lifelong friends; She was also very attractive. What was I to do about this dilemma?

"Haha cute? Maybe. How do you not know what type of girl you like? You're a guy aren't you?" I laughed. He was nice, and for some reason he reminded me of Utena.

About a minute passed before Jace returned with some bandages and a cup of coffee. The butler had helped him prepare because he knew exactly how Blake liked her coffee. "Here you go Blake!" He handed her the cup of coffee and then held out his hand, waiting for her to give him her injured one so he could begin wrapping.

Blake handed him her injured hand and in the other took the coffee, prepared just how she liked it. She smiled at his incredible service and responsibility. She seemed to be acting sweeter to him now, only to fool him further with this act of kindness. What a dummy, she must have thought.

"Thanks Jace. You're a real pal. I appreciate this buddy."

She paused and took a sip of the coffee, waiting for him to finish bandaging the wound. She smiled, success. She knew she had this kid wrapped around her finger, and this was the perfect test to prove his loyalty to her. Perfect. Now all she had to do was be really patient until the two she was looking for arrived. She'd made all the preparations and it seemed her plan was foolproof.

Meanwhile

"Yeah I'm a guy. I just... never really gave it thought as to which girl was specifically more my type. It sounds kinda strange I know. But... hm, I think all girls are beautiful. Or at least deserve to be recognized as such. And, they all should be treated like princesses."

I stated as we continued to walk. Though this was gonna be on my mind, eventually I'd answer what it was type girl I liked.

"Treated like princesses eh? I know a few girls who deserve anything but that" I smirked.

"You're very welcome Blake." He smiled and started wrapping. In seconds he was all done fixing her up. It was a shame that he could not realize that he was only being used to do her bidding. Guess the feelings he was beginning to develop for her blinded him.

Blake giggled and stood up and kissed his cheek.

"Why thank you Raijin. That was very kind of you. Perhaps I can talk to you into a smoke with me this time?"

She smirked and took out one of her cigarettes as he finished rapping her hand up in bandages sweetly. She could tell he was starting to develop feelings for her, which she could use to her advantage. Blake might have been evil but she was anything but dumb. She lit the cigarette with her lighter and began to smoke it in front of him. Again with the waiting...

Meanwhile

"Oh really? Like who?"

I chuckled, trying to forget about all the dangerous things we could have encountered in this long dark tunnel. And it seemed that friendship was lighting our way through it.

I shrugged, "You wouldn't know them. And I tend to distance myself form them, so lets not dwell on ass-hats like that". I smiled in his direction, "So any end to this tunnel?"

Jace's cheeks turned tomato red when she kissed him on his cheek. His feelings for her were strong. How weird, he had met her not too long ago and already he was falling for her. The young man rubbed his cheek and smiled, watching her take out another cigarette and smoke. "No thank you Blake. I was actually going to step out and enjoy some fresh air." He smiled widely and gave her a thumbs up.

"There should be one. I mean I don't think this would have been built and dug through all that time if there was no point to it. It must lead somewhere. And I think it leads us to exactly where we have to go. Not that I'm an expert at this magic stuff, but I sense something up ahead not far from here. It's a power source. You think that could be Utena?"

I questioned curiously as we continued walking in this dark tunnel. I ignored her other comments, knowing that she didn't really like those girls and she'd prefer not to speak about them. It wasn't nice to see such a pretty lady perpetually angry, so I just decided to drop the subject all together. We were so close, just where was this exit?

Meanwhile

Blake smiled and nodded.

"Eh you're such a nice kid. You don't smoke and you help me out. You know, you're alright."

She giggled and lit her cigarette and started to enjoy it. Life seemed peaceful and she could tell he was totally lovestruck on her. Excellent! Could things be any better?

I shrugged, "Who knows, I sure hope it's Utena". I paused and listened to the stillness of the tunnel. All that could be heard was our footsteps. "I also hope we don't run into anything".

Jace chuckled and scratched his head, blushing. "Really? You know I try! Haha. I like to stay healthy." He watched her smoke the cigeratte. For some reason he could not take his eyes off of her. Was Jace really in love?

Blake continued to smoke her cigarette.

"So there is anything else you want to tell me about? About yourself? Your life? Might as well converse while we're here."

Another huff of the cigarette she blew out of her mouth and awaited his answer.

Meanwhile..

"I want it to be Utena too, but something tells me that it isn't... just be prepared alright?"

I told her, squeezing her hand tighter, before letting it go a little looser again. She needed to know that while I was here to protect her, I also wanted her to watch out for herself and whatever could be up ahead. Which, I had a feeling was, one huge adventure.

"I will, I'm not dead yet and I'm not going to start on that now!" I reassured him.

Jace looked down at the floor. Memories of his past life could not return to him. He couldn't remember a single thing, besides appearing before Blake. But for some reason images of a girl with pink hair in royal attire and another girl would flash in his head. There was also a male with red eyes that'd never stop glowing. "I can't remember anything about my life....I don't even know what I do, hah." He looked at her in embarrassment and chuckled.

'Whatever this thing is up ahead, I have to be ready for it. Mero, if she really concentrates can use Utena's magic from her jacket. I have to use my own. I just hope that this thing isn't too troublesome. ... I'm just worried about Mero that she may never see her friend again. I mean, she has this rare type of... aura to her that i can't find anywhere else, I want to protect her and that aura, that essence that's so unique. I'll do anything to...'

As we walked, I glanced at her and smiled. Then I focused my attention back up ahead. I had faith that there was an ending to this tunnel and that we would find it soon. We just had to and then we'd face what was up ahead together. I just have to remember those wise old words... 'Strength of heart, when united, is barred by no door.'

Meanwhile...

"Ah I see. Well gladly, you and I can be together then right? We can be the best of friends and live here and have the good life. You're my assistant right now, but who said we can't be more? After all, you're the best assistant I ever had. Now... why don't you be a good boy and tell me what's on that mind of yours?"

She giggled and puffed out more smoke after another inhale. She'd really need to stop smoking if she wanted to live longer, otherwise she'd find herself dying prematurely. But one thing she was sure of was that with Jace totally brainwashed and her lab all set and ready for the visitors she almost planned they were coming, perfectly and right on cue, she'd have this plan accomplished in no time. She just hoped that Jace wasn't woken up from this little lovesick dream he was having to the actual reality of it. All she needed was the blood of that girl... that's all and her master plan would succeed and the heroes would be helpless otherwise. She smirked. Ready.