Variance slows his walking to a halt, still looking north towards his tentative destination. The mana sanctuary... He knew she would be there, but why exactly was he going?

Was it to tell her about Seikou's condition? ...No, that'd only make things worse. A light sigh leaves him as Variance starts walking again. Maybe his purpose for coming here would reveal itself...

[ Truce - Mana Sanctuary ]

Variance stops once again, at the very edge of the area dominated by the Sanctuary. As predicted, there she was, sitting what looked like peacefully. He still has no idea what he's even doing here, especially this late...

Aura is knelt in front of the Goddess' statue at the far end of the Sanctuary, head bowed silently, one hand extended forward as though she were holding something. She seems oddly awake considering the hour, with no obvious signs of fatigue.

Variance begins to say something, mouth forming the beginnings of words that suddenly fleet from his voice before they are said. He takes a receding step back as silently as possible. Whatever he had expected to find out by coming here hadn't shown itself..

A bright green pulse lights up the entryway of the Sanctuary for a moment before it disappears entirely, and Aura simply raises her head, blinking once without turning around. "Company? At this hour? Who.."

Aura tilts her head slightly sideways, catching sight of you without too much effort, and looking honestly surprised. "you.. it's been a few days, hasn't it? Please.." She stands in a seeming hurry, making her way over.

An internal curse flits through the forefront of his mind, wisely kept hidden as Variance winces. Well, they certainly saw everything... With little choice, he nods customarily at Aura's approach.

"Won't you come in for at least a short while? Standing in that doorway can't be very comforting, at least. It wouldn't do me much good to sit here on the floor all night, anyway." Aura smiles peacefully, beckoning you forward.

Aura glances back towards the far statue. "I was just praying, like I do every night.. it's become customary for me, you see."

Variance looks a little surprised at the sudden offer of hospitality, but quickly collects himself and nods again, speaking quietly. "I see, thank you."

Aura clasps her hands together, looking upon you as though she rarely ever received company at all. "Judging by the fact that you're still in one piece, I can only hope that things are going well for both you and.. er.. uhm.. Seikou, too?"

Aura seems to hesitate on mentioning Seikou's name, as though not wanting to sound too eager on possible news.

Variance tenses at the mention of Seikou's name, images of events recently past flashing before him in a blur. And the Dryads... 'Know what heartbreak do when no have anything else in world?'

"We're... fine," Variance finally says, trying to sound as encouraging as possible and forcing a halfhearted smile, "There's no need to worry."

Aura watches you idly for a moment, before turning more or less around and moving further back into the Sanctuary, occasionally glancing back to let you know she's still listening. "I'm glad, truthfully."

"Seikou told me the same thing, a few days ago.. not to worry. But with the jobs you two might come across, I still do, anyway. If not even for both of you, you know? Not just for Seikou's sake.. I mean.."

Aura pauses, tensing a little as a rose hue makes its way involuntarily into the sides of her face. "Well.. I do, just the same."

Variance takes a few steps into the Sanctuary himself, though still on the verge of leaving at any moment. Not as if he felt the need to depart at the moment, though he certainly felt like he should...

You say 'I suppose it's only natural...'

Aura pauses, and turns again, nodding. "I'm glad you understand, at least. I appreciate the visit, too, by the by.. even if you actually feel as uncomfortable as you look. For me, it means a lot more than you think.."

As swift as a gentle breeze, a tiny hand pats at the side of your cheek for just a fraction of a second.

Aura smiles warmly, almost openly, cocking her head slightly. "Evidently, they're quite pleased, too."

Variance's shoulders lower just slightly, relaxing as his nerves did the same. A small, more meaningful grin crosses him as he reaches for his cheek.

You say 'Looks like.'

Aura seems to watch the air more fixatedly in front of her face for a moment, before casting her eyes back towards you. "I don't understand it, myself. You're the -only- other person they're willing to even acknowledge."

Aura pauses, if only for a moment. "I'm quite amazed, I have to say. But, in the same light, happier.. an elemental's acknowledgement is a rare gift, truly. Or... so I've been told." She glances back towards the far statue, absentmindedly.

Variance decides to take his first meaningful look at the statue of the Mana Goddess, taking in the details. Of all the times he'd idly decided to rest in the past, he never truly -looked- at Her...

You say 'From the way they put it, I'm a bit amazed myself. An outsider, with no connection to the flow of Mana at all...'

Aura looks slightly crestfallen at Variance's comment, but tries not to seem to obvious about it, shaking her head slightly in response. "I felt the same way.. in some cases, I still do, Variance."

Aura turns around once again, looking upon the statue, herself. "I didn't know anything then.. and I don't know anything now, either. Some people call it 'living for the moment', from what I can remember."

Aura suddenly sounds quite distant. "... The power of Mana is a strange concept. I feel.. awkward, not knowing as much about it as I should.. but then, you and Seikou came.. and I suddenly had friends. It's..." She trails off..

Variance tilts his head to a side barely, taken aback at the sudden intensity of Aura's words. He honestly didn't know quite what cued such comments, though it must've come from him...

Variance lowers his gaze from the statue, looking a bit put-upon. Nothing comes to add on to the hanging trail of thought, at least not from him.

Aura gazes halfmindedly at the statue for a short moment longer before she finally realizes that she'd spaced out, her then-fading blush almost instantly returning. "Oh! Gosh, that was rather rude.. I'm sorry."

Aura turns again towards you, locking one leg behind the other in an idle stance. "Are you okay here? I hadn't meant to disappear mentally like that.. I tend to daydream a lot. I've been that way since I was found.."

"I don't want to keep you if you have business to attend to.. if even a bed, by all means, to return home to, for the night. I suppose maybe I'm just not used to visitors.. it's been so long, you see.."

Variance nods dismissively, pulling back his pressured look as best he can. "It's alright, I wasn't in the middle of anything. And I'm the one who came in first, right?"

You say 'So it should actually be me apologizing for intruding so suddenly, if you'll accept...'

Aura shakes her head furtively. "No! No, I mean, it's okay.. really. This isn't, uh.. really, my home.. I just sort of adopted the place, seeing as how I have nowhere else to really go.. I just wanted somewhere quiet.."

A tiny little presence, obvious enough but still quite invisible to the naked eye, seems to rest itself on your shoulder, without even making a sound.

"Somewhere peaceful, where I wouldn't have to worry about being caught up in the business of the city itself.. and since no one seems to mind.. this is where I've been for awhile, now."

Aura looks a little hesitant, the look on her face obvious that she's afraid of inadvertently doing something offensive. "Everyone is welcome here, of course.. nothing can change that. I'm just.. always here. That's all."

Variance rouses a somewhat wider, reassuring smile in response to Aura's expression, silently trying to dismiss all fear of offending one of the most socially docile reploids ever made.

You say 'It -is- quiet... no surprise you like staying here, really. Anyone would appreciate the serenity.'

Aura nods quietly, her expression changing from her hesitant seriousness to one of more open surprise, violet eyes falling more towards Variance's shoulder. "It isn't just me.. they like it best, too. Maybe someday, I'll figure it all out."

Aura pulls her momentary gaze away with home effort from the reploid's shoulder region, trying obviously not to seem as though she were staring. "I'd be lying, you know.. if I said I didn't miss him.. but I'm patient enough."

"I can only imagine you two must have your hands a little full."

Variance unwittingly lets a slight scowl pull at his brow, quickly averting his gaze to make sure Aura doesn't see it as directed at her. "Just a little."

Aura shakes her head subtly, subconsciously reaching up to minutely adjust the black rose pulled through her dark hair. "I understand. Just do your best to get through what you have to. I'm on your side, no matter what happens."

Aura lowers her hand to her side, with a small sigh. "I should probably turn in for the night, though, soon.. as long as I seem to be capable of staying awake, it isn't fair to put my friends through the same treatment."

Aura gestures silently, around the room in full. "They won't sleep until after I am, you see."

Variance nods briefly in understanding, retreating a few steps towards the doorway. "Then I'll leave you to it."

Aura nods solemnly, raising her hands a small ways and folding them in front of her. "Please don't hesitate to visit any time you like, Variance.. your presence here is never unwelcome. I'll ask the Goddess to watch over you, in the meantime."

Aura looks wistful momentarily, turning halfway around and peering up at the Goddess's likeness. ".. And Seikou, too.."

The little presence knowingly removes itself from your shoulder as you move backwards, only to wrap its tiny little invisible arms around the side of your face in a comically-futile face-hug, before retreating in full.

Variance finally manages a genuinely warm smile for the first time all night, half-bowing graciously as he retreats further. "Thank you, Aura."

[SOME TIME LATER]

[Cosmo Canyon - A Small Room]

Omega eyes the quiet citizen, who is cowering as far away from Omega as it can get..

Omega glows with a charge!

Omega utters the words, 'Fireball'.
A fireball flies towards a quiet citizen and explodes!!!
A quiet citizen is transformed into ashes!

Variance pauses, blinking in a fair bit of confusion, not even noticing Omega before turning around and starting to leave again, as if he had--...wait a second.

Variance turns back around, almost stumbling at the sight of the still-smoking citizen... and the reploid standing above it. Hm. Let's see. Two plus two.

Omega walks over to the corpse as it starts to go out. she digs around and picks up the money which was laying in the guts and ashes.. "Hmm. Maybe I should have asked how much he had first."

Variance gapes in utter disbelief straight at Omega. "-Excuse me-!"

Omega hmms? She turns slowly, and looks at Variance. "...Hmm. Hello. Yes? Did you want something?" She pockets the small amount of money.

Variance looks right back, still openly offended and disgusted. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest you right now!"

Omega raises an eyebrow. "Arrest me? Whatever for?" She looks over at the pile of ashes, which is blowing away in the winds. "I did nothing wrong.."

Variance stands stock still for exactly three seconds, then gestures his non weapon-wielding hand to the rapidly dissipating mound of ashes. "Then what's that?!"

Omega continues to watch the ashes, as if fascinated, the looks back at Variance, and smiles, very innocently. "Why, It appears to be a pile of ashes. Something caught fire."

Variance again stands dumbfounded, then shakes it off and commandingly levels his spear blade at the offending reploid. "Don't give me that, I saw you set him on fire!"

Omega blinks her big blue eyes.. "Wh..Whatever do you mean? How could you accuse me of such a thing? Id like to see you prove I could even do such a thing.."

Variance keeps his weapon deathly still, his glare taking the same venomous tone. "I know what I saw. I even noticed you pulling a Charge. You -meant- to do it."

Omega blinks.. and then BLINKS! "OH! You mean HIM!" She laughs! "Oh. I just wanted his money. Was getting a little hungry."

Variance considers that explanation for a moment, again looking completely confused. Just as last time, he forces it out of his mind with a stiff headshake, glaring at the little thief again. "You're going to have to come with me!"

Omega considers this. "Hmm." She puts her hands behind her back. "Aaand.." She rocks back and forth on her heels, acting strangely childish. "What if I don't wanna?"

"Then I'll just have to drag you back!" Variance is obviously frustrated now, about one more comment away from actually -venting- said frustration. Just who does this woman think she is?!

Omega aaaahs.. And she pulls.. a curious looking roll of rope from behind her back. "Oh! Then i guess you'll need this to.... Uh.. Oh, wait."

Omega lets the whip uncoil, and seems to get a little more serious, but not much. "Sorry. Left my rope at home."

Variance actually lets a deep, nearly sub-sonic growl rise to audibility. He wasn't so much frustrated as just ticked off now. "The only reason I'm bothering with you is because of this..."

On that note, Variance points at a peculiar, yet recognizable insignia on his left shoulderguard. "See this? This means that I -have- to take you in for interrogation on suspicion of Maverick activity."

You say 'Though you seem more trouble than you're worth...'

Omega blinks, and stands up straight, snapping the whip to her side. "...Maverick?"

"Yes, -Maverick-." Variance practically spits out the last word, obviously a display of distate for the term. He then points to the remains of the citizen. "Sane reploids don't usually go around blowing up innocent humans!"

You say 'Though I figure you're not quite all there anyway.'

Omega listens.. and then blinks.. and then she sniffles. "...Why are you being so mean!?" she snaps her whip at Variance, but she is nowhere near close enough.

Omega says 'And dont you mention that last part ever again! I dont know what it means, but I know that you're making me angry by saying it!'

Variance inches slightly from the crack of the whip, once again going back to at least some level of confusion. Maybe... she -isn't- all there, or at least not experienced enough to be. She acts young enough...

You say 'I'm only being "mean" because you immolated a completely harmless(ha!) human being, and it's my job to make sure that doesn't happen!'

Omega doesnt appear to be willing to settle for a backdown now, for reasons that she doesn't know herself.. She gets a low tone to her voice, and her armor makes clicking noises..

Omega says 'Nobody is innocent.. Daddy said so.. Daddy said he wasn't innocent.. and thats why the mean people took him from me.. If you want to take me somewhere, come and get me!'

Variance takes a defensive step back, spear raised just as defensively. 'Daddy'... What in the world is she on about now?

Omega's blue armor gauntlet and leggings suddenly seem to split into 2 cylinders, an outer and inner ring.. the outer ring raises up and constricts, closing around the upper halves of her legs with clicks and hisses of air..

Omega's head is then covered in a helmet made from some 'extra' rings of black and red armor that move up from around her neck and shoulders.. "..."

Normally, this is where the 'great' "Moonlight Variance" would live up to his name and start slinging around charged Lucent Beams, but the state of bewilderment he's in defies all attempts he tries to make at doing so...

Omega simply kneels down a little.. and takes a step towards Variance. As she does, her free hand moves, sending a mana charged blast of air into the ground.. the counter effect launching her at Variance..

Variance immediately throws himself to a side(right?), reflexively shielding his face as Omega just barely grazes by him. Okay, that's an interesting use for Air Blast...

Omega rolls mid air, and attempts to snap her whip across Variance as she also maneuvers to skid to a landing..

Variance swings his spear to his other side to intercept the incoming strip of leather, allowing it to furl about the shaft of his weapon. He shifts his grip, holding a little higher and viciously pulling back on it, trying to throw Omega off-balance.

Omega blinks! She's thrown off balance, but she then throttles back on her whip as she slides into the ground, trying to twist Variances weapon away.. "Think you're so smart!?"

Variance begins to lunrch forward from the sudden change of momentum, but quickly regains his ground by forcefully slamming his forward foot into it with a grunt of effort. He doesn't seem to be as focused on keeping Omega's weapon restrained, however...

Omega pulls to uncoil her whip, but drops it as she gets up from laying down to her knees, and then to crouching, all without the assistance of her arms...

Omega's mana collection system must be flawed.. or perhaps improved, as the amount of mana gathering into her hands is evident.. but does not betray the kind of energy she is tapping into..

Variance's "mana collection system", on the other hand, works perfectly fine, as is made obvious by the subtle, almost invisible field of energy gathering in a wide cylinder around his target...

A pair of distinct words rip through the air, somewhat echoing with the force of Variance's command. Suddenly, the field around Omega blinks from being, replaced by an invisible shift in gravity, meaning to ground her further...

Omega blinks.. and responds in a most childish way.. the only way any child would respond.. she starts to channel more energy.. much more than she needed for her original spell.. in some sort of attempt to overpower Variances' magic..

Omega says 'Leave me alone! LEAVE me ALONE!'

Variance remains solely focused on maintaining the Tractor Beam, rendering Omega's rather odd attempt to overpower him ineffective. "If you'd just cooperate with me, you wouldn't have to complain about it!"

Omega doesnt respond. She just stands there. Staring at Variance, holding her mana at its current level.. But at the same time, her armor appears to be getting a red tint from overheating..

Variance seems a little concerned upon noticing the red tinge, but keeps his spell up steadfast. "If you're going to hit me, you better do it soon."

Omega narrows her eyes.. and attempts to force her arms up against the spell.. "If only... go away.."

Variance maintains his authoritive gaze, but lets his gravity field fall, hence releasing Omega. "Go. But know this. I -am- watching you. If I find you doing something like this again, you -will- answer to the Hunters."

Omega narrows her eyes even more, and released, she raises her hands all the way up.. and then suddenly runs over and grabs her whip, releasing the energy. "...."

Omegas overheating reaction very quickly discharges in a massive puff of steam, in which she uses the moment to turn invisable.. Her exit leaves a path through the steam, but she's making sure to get gone...

Variance lets loose with a rather colorful curse, haphazardly throwing himself nearly to the ground. That's not before the burst of energy almost melts his left shoulderguard and singes his neck on the same side...

Obviously, having to deal with both a certain nasty bit of virus and now minor burn wounds, Variance isn't exactly too prepared to follow the fleeing girl through the steam...

Omega ...'s... Then her voice drifts from the exit, as there are sounds of her armor clicking and dissapearing...

"Just.. leave me alone.." Omegas voice sounds kinda paniced, and sad.. and cold, but innocent again. "I dont know what maverick is. Im not them.. but if they get in the way of finding daddy, ill hurt them too.." She then leaves.

Variance just stares as the steam cools and returns to the air as invisible as it's intended to be in such a form, still gripping his slightly injured neck. She... doesn't know. Just like he didn't know, so long ago...

You say '...I just hope she finds out differently than I did...'

[ SOME TIME LATER ]

[ Maverick Hunters Headquarters ]

Variance gently props the still-unconscious Seikou against the front of the desk, remaining kneeled at his side afterwards. He probably should have put him in the holding cell, according to protocol, but as strained as it was, there was a slight hope, -very

You say 'Seikou...'

Seikou opens his eyes slowly. "...ngh...?"

Seikou says '...Vari-sama...?'

Variance heaves a sigh of relief, unable to hold back a rising warm smile. "I knew he was wrong..."

Seikou shakes his head. "...He's still there, Vari-sama... and he can take over again..." He whispers now. "I'm sorry... When I left you with Vaisu, I was sure you would be defeated... I thought I had nothing left to live for..."

"Nothing left...?" A sudden, obvious confusion crosses Variance's features, faltering not when he focuses on Seikou again. "Have you already forgotten Aura?"

Seikou laughs dejectedly and slumps even more than he already is. "...The virus was influencing me more than I realized, Vari-sama... I forgot her in that moment... Only after did I find out... And then it was too late... Too late to save myself..."

Variance narrows his gaze determinedly, though concern still reigns in his amethyst gaze. "Seikou," he begins, pausing in a quite feeble attempt to find words...

Seikou shakes his head. "...Don't try, Vari-sama... this is my own fault... I was too weak..."

Variance averts his gaze, allowing the dully finished floor to catch it. Nothing comes to contest the fact...

Seikou slowly climbs to his feet, using the desk to push himself up, still slightly damaged from taking a Lucent Beam to the chest. "...I should go to the holding cell..."

Variance only nods as he pulls himself to stand, quietly stepping over to open the door to the holding cell. "...That's another promise I've broken."

Seikou begins to walk for the door, but turns to face Veri before he steps through it. "...Don't blame yourself, Vari-sama... You did all you could..." He steps through the door...

Variance closes the door as silently as he opened it, leaning on the wall next to the portal and staring towards the ceiling. "Signas... I guess the secret's out now. And I suppose mercy is out of the question."