...We Could...

Fumi Twenty-One!

Another knock came to the door. It had been a day or two since the incident with Junpei, and ever since he had been dropping down with goodies for the family. The boys made it obvious of their distaste, but the girls looked forward to his company.

Junpei had just left, so who could be knocking at the door now?

"It's me," a soothing female voice spoke.

Dastan popped over to the door and unlocked it and opened it. "Hallo."

She smiled briefly. "I'd like to talk to Preuss. Can he step out into the hallway for a bit?"

"Sure," Dastan smiled. Preuss was called over and he stepped out into the hall, following the mystery girl, highly suspicious.

When they were a few doors down the hall the girl stopped and turned to Preuss.

"You musn't trust Junpei."

Preuss looked at her deadpanned. "You think I did before?"

It was so hard to read her expressions when she only showed her nose and mouth. "I wanted to make sure... But you cannot trust him. If you do, you will be sorry."

Preuss was exasperated, now. "Why? What will he do? You're talking in riddles, and always have been! You never come to help us, even though you know exactly what's going on! We don't know your name, or anything else about you. Why are you here? Are you like us? If so, why are you not helping us? Tell us! Answer my questions!"

The only sound after the boy's outburst was his echo going down the hall and his panting.

The girl looked like a statue.

"When you have told someone about you, they are close to you, yes?" she finally spoke, soft.

Preuss nodded. "Yes. Even if you just tell them your name, you're closer than what you were before."

"The name starts the journey together. Then you learn their likes and dislikes, their favorites, and more about their personality."

"You start to become friends," Preuss continued. "Or enemies, depending on your personalities."

The girl gave a light nod. "That is correct. I do not want you to know my name, because I do not want you to grow attached to me. You will leave eventually. Fate has decided that. But I am forever to stay here. I am your guide, and nothing else. I will not be your friend, and I will not be your enemy.

"Names are powerful. If one who is adept at magic knows your name, they can use it for ill intent. They could use it for good, as well, however. You had no worries back home, for the ones who knew magic cared for you.

"But this world is different. Magic is thick in the air. Even if one has a small magical ability, they can manipulate it to work. If someone knows your name and how you pronounce your name, they can curse you.

"There are more people here than you think, Preuss. This world is filled with many many corridors that hold people like you. There are more people here than just you four, Junpei, and myself. Some are good, and some are evil. Do not tell just anyone your name, and when you do, say it unlike how you say it in your mind."

Preuss kept his vivid red gaze on her, soaking in what she just told him.

"...Who are you...? What are you...? I don't understand..."

The girl smiled. "You will, Preuss. Soon, you will."

"But... Why are you telling me all this?"

Her smile faded. "Zelda is blind. She has a good heart, but it runs away from her. Dastan is noble, yes, but he fails to think clearly, as he puts his siblings before all else. This is not a bad trait, but he sees his siblings as right, even when they are wrong.