Lucie spent most of the time that Adeleia, or Adam, was talking, simply listening and forming her own plans. She was used to working independently and being told what to do like this was not a common occurrence. Then again, at least she was granted the freedom of choosing, her own point of entry, and her own methods.

She glanced up at Adeleia. To a certain extent at least.

That said she had no plans of killing anyone. To do so would attract unwanted attention, and she–perhaps better than even Adeleia–knew the importance of being subtle, and limiting the attention that one attracted. She would, however, make no promises about inflicting pain or taking a small bits of revenge, of the people who treated a little girl, like a mangy beast. If she saw the chance to return what was owed, so to speak, out attracting undue attention, then she would. 

There were many things she wanted to say as Adeleia spoke but she kept her comments to herself for the time being, waiting instead until after all pieces of information have to been given to them. 

But will they had finally finished the briefing and were given the option to come with inputs, Lucie put down her napkin and spoke up. " I have a few points that I would like to make. One might be more of a question, or requests if you will, however." She glanced at Liliana briefly before refocusing on Adeleia. "This girl that we're supposed to save, I take it, you want her to disappear in some way. While I could definitely orchestrates a disappearance, in whatever fashion that you desire it, I would instead like to take guardianship of her." she anticipated interruptions and raised a gloved hand to forestall them. "Hear me out," she said. "Out of everyone in this entire Society, I dare say that I know more about what that girl has gone through than anyone else. With that in mind I also know how to fight through it, should get above the surface and see the proverbial sun once again."

"I may not yet have reached my twentieth year, but I am still old enough to be a mother. And with a gift like hers? What place but here could she grow up, without feeling judged, or hated, or feared. That girl and I the share a kinship, in what we have both gone through. I didn't have anyone to help me. I only had my stubbornness, the man who would be my father playing to my pride, to keep me going." She bit her lip, fingers clenching in her lap as her chin dipped. Quietly, she added, "I don't want someone else to feel abandoned." 

Adeleia flicked her–or his as would definitely be insisted if Lucie's opinion was mentioned out loud–mismatched gaze toward her. "It is not my concern what you do with your free time, Miss Lucie, so if you truly wish to claim guardianship of the girl then I shall not stop you. However, there is still the matter of the girl's disappearance. Even should we assume that her family has already wiped their hands off of her, to take her with you would not work." He tilted his head, the proverbial gears within no doubt turning, analyzing the most probable scenario, its solutions and ways it could go wrong. "Of course you already considered that did you not?"

Lucie allowed herself as smile. "Why of course. You have mentioned that the girl occasionally disappears, only to reappear sometime later. But what if she did not? Suppose that she simply disappeared, and was never seen again? The commoners have not the slightest clue of the nature of our powers and skills. If one of the nurses reported that the girl has disappeared once more, and we then moved her to this place, they would be none the wiser. They would believe that her... Peculiar affliction had caused her to vanish once more, and then never returned. There might be a Manhunt, there might be search parties. But with no evidence to suggest that she had been smuggled out, there would be no other course of action for them, than to simply say that she was... Gone." She shrugged, the crinkling at her eyes belying the smile she was trying to hide. It wasn't really her concern if the institution was humiliated, or if those butchers and torturers were thrown to the street. She supposed that it would make a certain karmic sense, if the people who took away even the identity of innocents, also had everything taken away from them. 

She rose from the table, brushing a few non-existent crumbs from her dress. "But I do not want to keep you. No doubt you have other matters to attend to, Master Ware. Lilian." She curtsied to both and left the room, a small grimace on her face now that she knew she had to undress again. 

Her annoyance was alleviated somewhat when in the hallway she found Anna Havel, her green eyes alight, and red lips curving into a knowing smile. "You called, my lady?" She asked, knowing full well that Lucie had done no such thing – It was her talent, again. She had known to show up here, at this moment. 

Lucie decided to play along. "Indeed I did," she said. "It seems my current attire is a touch ostentatious for my the rest of my plans today. I find myself in need of your aid to get my out of my dress." She sighed. "Much as it pains me. I had been looking forward to a day of being the centre of attention." 

Anna fell in step behind Lucie, following her back to her mistresses' chambers. "Are you not always? Even on your more modest days, you attract glances from most any man you walk past." Lucie shot a look over her shoulder, eyes narrowed. But before she managed even a word, Anna said, "I swear it is not a comment about the size of your posterior, my lady." 

Lucie maintained eye contact for another second, then smile and grabbed her maid's hand. "Come now, we should not waste time," she said and hurried them both along. 

[i]That impudent little–she was making comments![/i]

[hr] 

Lucie shifted her bag from one shoulder to the other, fighting back the boredom by toying mindlessly with the frilly attachment to her handbag. She had been watching the asylum for the better part of, well, the entire day at this point. The sun was nearing the horizon, casting orange and purple rays across the clouds that still lingered. 

She leaned back against the corner, melding with the shadow as best she could as yet another nurse, doctor, or whatever they called themselves walked out of one of the nearby buildings, heading for the one across the courtyard. Lucie followed this one with her eyes, noting the slender build and curled hair, brown hair. 

Hour after hour she had made note of the various people who worked here, taking a [i]Frame[/i] of each and storing it away in whatever places she hid those memories. She hardly even knew herself. Finding someone who looked similar enough to herself was a challenge, as even some men had to look up to her. She had noted one earlier, however, who seemed to be very near Lucie's own height, and had hair of a similar shade, even if it was somewhat shorter. That nurse wasn't here now, but she–Lucie placed a naked hand against the wall of the building supporting her–was still inside this one, gathering the dirty linen from an injured patient. 

Judging by the sun's position at this point, it was only a matter of minutes until she would head home and let the nightshift take over. That would be Lucie's time to strike. 

[hr]

Diana opened the door to her small apartment, breathing out in relief. Today had been a difficult one, with more than the usual amounts of patients soiling or injuring themselves. She was happy to have the work, and to be able to support herself, but even then she did not want to pretend that it was all sunshine and butterflies. It was dirty work often, and she was delegated the grunt work. In a way it made sense, given she was the same height as most men, but it was never fun. 

She sighed and started changing out of her uniform. She would need to have it washed before tomorrow. She instead donned a piece of linen cloth that had once been a pretty enough everyday dress, but had become a victim of time and wear. 

"I should do as mother tells me," she muttered to herself as she straightened the dress in front of her small mirror. "Find a nice husband who can support me, and I then can take care of his house." She smiled to herself in the mirror, imagining the life she could have. "Father always told me he knows plenty of strapping, young men. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to marry?" She chuckled to herself, the idea half ridiculous. She had managed to acquire a job of her own, and now lived in her own small apartment, all because she hadn't wanted to tie herself down to a life of servitude to a single man. For that is what it was, was it not? She lived as a glorified maid in the house of a person that might as well be a stranger to her, cleaning and cooking for him, and what did she get as a reward? She didn't have money aside from what her would-be husband would earn, and even that was not truly her own. Another thing would be children. 

She met her own, brown eyes in the reflection, saw her own uncertain grimace. She did want children. It was every woman's dream, was it not? Small, beautiful versions of her and husband, running around the house, or reaching for her hand from their crib. She lay the mirror on her cupboard face-down with a grunt, resolving to finish that one on one conversation at a later date. Now wasn't the time for self-reflection. 

She went to prepare water to wash her uniform when a knock on her door interrupted her, making her pause mid-step. She glanced briefly towards the singular window, and the crescent moon rising from the horizon. Who would be visiting at this hour? Certainly not her parents. Her father would never be out this late, and no doubt her mother was putting her little brother to bed. 

She grabbed the firepoker and inched towards the door. She reached out for the handle with her left hand, right and poker hidden behind her back. Slowly, she pulled the door open, peeking outside hesitantly only to see... [i]Amber?[/i] No, not amber, but eyes, hidden in shadow under a heavy hood and cloak. She flinched back as the hooded stranger lifted a hand, the poker now in full view and ready to be unleashed with a fury, should the stranger prove hostile. Her worries were somewhat abated when the amber-eyed cloak-wearer pulled back [i]her[/i] hood and offered her a kind smile. 

[i]By God she is beautiful,[/i] she thought, her breath caught in her throat. She might have said something aloud that was more articulate than her thoughts, but the chance slipped from her grasp when the stranger spoke. 

"May I come in?" She shivered. "It is not warm out." 

Diana nodded silently and opened the door fully to let this woman in. The poker remained in her grasp, a reminder that she was armed should things get out of hand. 

The amber-eyed woman stepped in after a short deliberation, crossing the treshold silently, each movement fluid and graceful. In a way, she reminded Diana of a dancer with the way she moved. She looked up from her feet to find those eyes upon her again, and discovered, to her surprise that they were level with her own. Slightly above, in fact. "Who are you?" She, finally, asked. 

A sly smile was the answer to the question, the woman remaining silent while roaming Diana's entire body with her eyes. "You can call me Alena," she replied, curtsying slightly. She unclasped her cloak without breaking eye contact, not even looking at the iron poker that Diana was slowly bringing into view again. 

She would be lying if she claimed to not be unnerved by current circumstances. This was a stranger: A woman she had never seen before inviting herself into Diana's own home, and acting as if she were armed with a feather and not an implement that could bring about unconsciousness. And yet, she didn't feel much fear. She had heard the idea postulated, that one was more likely to trust strangers whom they found attractive, and while this Alena was indeed beautiful beyond anything she had seen before – from her bright eyes and fine features, to the fullness of her lips and shape of her body – there was more to it than that she expected. She knew patients who tried to act normal, to win her trust and her aid with honeyed words and disarming gestures; They could for all the wold appear harmless and kind, but hide monsters within. Those were the most difficult patients, and they – one and all – shared one trait with this Alena: They were dangerous. 

Whoever she was, whether it was her real name or not, Alena was a dangerous woman. No normal person walked with a cat's grace, and possessed beauty such as hers, and still walked around with the sun below the horizon. With this realisation also came the chilling fact, that she was unlikely to win any physical confrontation, and so amiability was likely to be her best tool to dealing with her guest. 

"Very well, Alena, what brings you to my home tonight?" She put the poker back by the fireplace, being sure to keep it in view the entire time until it was where it belonged. She nevertheless remained close by it. Just in case. "I am afraid I do not have much in the way of food or drink to offer. I am not paid much." 

Alena waved it off with a gloved hand, the dark fabric matching that of her shirt and trousers, eliciting a frown from Diana, [i]pants? A woman?[/i] 

"Don't worry about refreshments, Diana–" [i]She knows my name? Who is she?![/i] "–I will only be here a short while. Also," at that point she reached behind her back, making Diana tense suddenly afraid of what she might do, but her fears were unfounded as it was only a small leather pouch. She threw the pouch towards Diana, making her nearly fall over herself trying to catch it. "This is for you. Go on, open it." 

She gave the pouch in her hands a cautious look, shifting he gaze between it and the confident stranger. It didn't feel overly heavy, nor did it feel like anything that would be dangerous. It was oddly light, even, considering how full it felt. Hesitantly, without taking her eye off Alena and her patient smile, she opened the pouch and finally took a look inside.

She did not exactly know what she had expected, but this was about as far from it as possible. "What is this?" She asked shakily, tearing her eyes from the bag. 

Alena shrugged. "Money, I should think." She leaned up against the wall, arms crossed underneath her chest. 

That smile on her lips, that small up-turn of her mouth, made Diana's eyes narrow. She knew exactly what she was doing, this woman. Knew the impact the bag would have. "I barely earn this much in a [i]month,[/i] miss Alena. This is not pocket change, even were you a princess." 

The smile widened, showing teeth. "Isn't it?" One of her eyebrows rose. "And who says I'm not a princess?"  

Bristles rising, Diana continued. "Why are you giving me this?" A thought occured to her, a dark one. "What are you trying to make me do?" 

Another shrug, this one somehow more irritating than the last. "Nothing," she said. "I want you to do nothing." 

"Nothing?" A preposterous idea. No one handed a month's worth of wages to a stranger without wanting them to do something. Did she want to buy her home? Her services? ...[i]Her?[/i] She shuddered at the thought, begging to God above that was not the case. She took a few deep breaths, trying without success to keep her heart from hammering in her chest. She was not afraid, but she was definitely anxious, she supposed to word was. "What does 'nothing' entail then, Miss Alena?" 

Alena clicked her tongue once, and righted herself from where she had been leaning against a wall. "Take the day off tomorrow. Stay at home." It wasn't a question. That, Diana knew, was the tone of someone used to getting their way; who gave orders and then had them followed. Had she been facing a man she might have thought her a soldier, but alas she was not. 

"Why?" She dared. 

Alena sighed. "Because I plan to become you," she said by way of explanation, which only just made Diana even more confused. 

"What?" 

A chuckle. A [i]chuckle[/i] of all things was the reply she received. No doubt her expression was amusing to Alena, but how else was one supposed to react when a stranger with laden pockets, came to one's home and said they wanted to [i]become[/i] her? 

"What do you mean by 'become me'?" She insisted. 

Alena gestured with her hand again, making some attempt at silently asking her to wait while she got over her fit of giggles. "I mean," she said, "that I want you to stay at home tomorrow, doing nothing. Instead, I will go to your work, looking like you. Consider the money payment to ensure your cooperation, and your silence." 

The pouch weighed in her hands, a reminder of the small fortune held within. She didn't truly want to anything, and could support herself well enough, but she would be an idiot if she passed up the opportunity to earn this much this quickly, and all she had to do to get it was stay at home and do nothing? It was almost too good to be true. There had to be a catch. 

"And what do you intend to do at the institution?" She asked. "If you intend to get me fired, this will not be enough to let me survive." 

"Nothing that will harm you or your reputation, I assure you." At Diana's unimpressed stare she continued. "I intend to go about the day doing your work, and complete a job of my own."

"And what is your j–"

"Confidential," Alena interrupted. "I'm not going to tell you what I am there to do, except that you will suffer no consequences from it." She offered her hand, letting it hang in the air between them. "Do we have a deal?" 

A part of her wanted to agree to the offer. As per the theory, she felt a certain amount of trust towards Alena, and that she suspected was not entirely because of the large sum she had been so casually given. On the other hand she knew nothing about Alena, and even doubted that was her real name. Beautiful beyond belief or not, she could not deny the feeling of trepidation she felt at this conversation. She stared at the proffered hand, wondering if perhaps it was more akin to a viper waiting to strike. "Why me?" She met the amber gaze bravely, she thought, but couldn't help but wilt under it a little. 

"Because we are of similar stature, and we have a passing resemblance," came the reply. Simple, blunt, without fanfare. 

They did both stand tall, Diana level with a lot of men, Alena taller than most. But passing resemblance? If only. To have a figure and features like that would be a dream to her. Nevertheless, "and what if you do cause trouble for me?" 

Alena motioned towards the pouch still in Diana's hands "In that case there is a slip of paper in that bag, bearing a sealed message with my signature. Deliver it to the address written on it in person. They could use a maid, I believe, and owe me a favour. But," she added sternly, "do not open the letter. Ever. Even if you choose not to take the option of a more respectable profession, the contents within are for the intended recipient. Not you." She extended her hand again, a knowing look on her face. 

Diana clenched the pouch in her hands, feeling the money within, coin and notes alike. It served as something tangible to hold on to, to remind her that this was real and not some fever dream, or illusion cooked up by being in the vicinity of the mentally ill. She stood to gain a month's wages from just one day of staying home, but on the other hand she didn't know who this person was, or what would happen if she agreed to it. She pursed her lips, looking up from her hands and into the inviting face of Alena, her patient smile making it almost too easy to just give in. She [i]looked[/i] trustworthy. Had they met on the street she would have immediately thought her someone to be trusted, but given the circumstances it was difficult to take her at her word. She needed something. Something other than money. 

"We don't have a deal," she said, seeing Alena's face fell, a frown marring her features. She added, "not unless you tell me what you plan to do. I can't let you waltz around looking like me, if that is even possible. If you want me to keep my silence, I want to know what you intend to do." This was it. This is where it counted. In the face of someone as unquestionably dangerous as Alena, impertinence like this was a risk. If she had a short temper, there was no guarantee she would not just use force to coerce her. But if she were more reasonable, she could maybe gain something. She hoped. 

Alena, thank God, did not resort to violence or threats. She just drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly and let her outstretched hand fall to her side. "Before I say anything, I want you to know that I can find you again. Easily. This is not a threat, but a fact. So if what I am about to tell you escapes this room, I will visit again. Understand?" Diana nodded, frozen. She had no intentions of speaking of whatever it was. It would never end well for her if she did. "Very well. At your institution is a patient who suffers from nothing. I intend to get them out, and ferry them to a better place. I reiterate, that no one will suspect you, so you have nothing to fear," she looked meaningfully at the pouch, "and a lot to gain." For the third time that evening, she offered her hand, head cocked to the side. 

"So you just want to save someone innocent?" Diana shook her head. "I doubt you will find anyone there who does not suffer from one ailment or another, but if you can confirm it, then I suppose we... have a deal," she said finally and took the offered hand, and the strength with which hers was squeezed informed her that the decision had been a right one. 

"I will need to borrow your uniform as well," Alena added, grabbing it from where it had been laid previously. "I will return it to you by tomorrow evening, freshly washed. Until then, have a good evening." She curtsied again, grabbed her cloak, and was gone as quickly as she arrived. 

Diana stared after her, and then at door. She soon found herself at her desk, pen in hand and diary open on her small desk. 

[i]Dear Diary

Today, I was visited by the most beautiful person I have ever seen, and I am still not quite certain what happened while she was here... I am going to try my best to portray my thoughts, feelings, and emotions as I felt them this evening, but do pardon me if I fail to do so accurately, for I have felt both fear, joy, awe, and what feels like everything in-between. 

The day started as normal, I woke up and dressed...[/i]