Muse.

It wasn't like her to be rude. She always spoke her mind, particularly when justified, but she was also one to show consideration for others. Courteous and kind, she never overstepped her boundaries, and she always respected everyone else's space.

This time, however, was different.

This time, she couldn't put it aside. She had to ask him, whether or not he was willing to give her an answer. It had to do with her failed attack on Muse, something that happened well over a month ago. It had bothered her for that long, nagging at her until she felt she would burst.

He knew who it was the moment she barged through his door. He even didn't turn around when she spoke his name.

"What is it, Apple?"

It was true that he was only responding to being addressed, but sounding so cool and casual while she was inwardly conflicted seemed unfair somehow. Still, she unloaded the question that had been weighing on her mind.

As always, he gave her the answer she didn't want to hear, but it was a simple delivery of truth. She was a failure.

No, that wasn't right. He didn't put it in those words at all. A man who never lost sight of his objectivity, he criticized the action and not the person. She just took it the wrong way, because it was closer to the truth than the possibility that she could be anything other than a failure.

Perhaps he took pity on her. Yes, that had to be why he asked her to pick that card on the table. It was a casual argument against her uselessness, but perhaps he wasn't as impartial as he had made himself out to be. Or perhaps he had grown weary debating with himself and needed someone's quick guess.

But that wasn't like him either.

What could fire mean, anyway? Apple could only wonder as she was dismissed. Beyond the cryptic order, she could sense a set of conflicted feelings. And that was no easy task when dealing with a man who hardly ever showed his emotions. But the little clues she had not considered to pick up along the way were starting to catch up to her. Still fresh in the mind, they would bring her to a halt...not to mention out of her own self-pity.

Twelve days ago.

That was when it began.

From the moment the Orange Army recaptured Rockaxe to the brief meeting the leaders had just after Lord Riou collapsed.

The man she knew was always formal, but during these last twelve days, he had grown less responsive and, on a level, more secretive. He did not share his thoughts with anyone else, and that was to be expected. And normally, any conflict of his would be resolved within a day or two. But whatever this was...it was not normal.

Shu...

Whenever she spoke of him or even thought of him, her heart filled with warmth. At least, that was true in the past. Now, the name itself caused her to quiver inside, but not for joyous reasons. There was certain dread accompanying it, and she was only beginning to understand why.

The final battle loomed ahead. The next day, the soldiers were to depart toward Highland territory. However, the details of the attack had been kept a closely guarded secret by Shu, who always changed the subject whenever it was brought up. In fact, he went great lengths to draw attention elsewhere. There was always another detail to be perfected, another flaw to be fixed. It was clear that the soldiers were more than prepared, but lately he had gotten on them for one reason or another. He wasn't acting like himself.

I'm...worried about you, the woman thought, lowering her gaze to the floor as she exited. You always tell me something...even when you're having difficulty with the subject at hand.

Oh, Shu...please don't shut me out.