Darris squinted as he stared at the brooch. If he concentrated, he could tell each individual thread of power within the tightly woven pattern.

His hand moved on its own as it tried its best to capture such intricate layers.

A few threads here…going under there…

He glanced at his work, then back to the brooch. No, something wasn't quite right. He flipped through the sketch pad at his previous mockups of the pen and shoe buckle. Each pattern was similar in construction, but each had a unique component. He was missing something with this latest sketch. But what?

He tapped his charcoal to the corner of the drawing where he had sketched out the pattern of the activated staff. He could see the weave of the dormant within the spread, like an open net versus a tangled pile. But there was not a connection he could see. Perhaps if the girl could activate each piece, he'd better understand how the fragments should connect. No, he'd already decided to space out the girl's progression. So, what could he do?

Before he could wrack his brain for ideas that weren't coming, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," said Darris, laying the sketchbook and brooch on his study table. He already knew who this would be. Only one person had permission to enter his study. Sure enough, the door opened, and Oriander poked his head in.

"Pardon the intrusion, my Hidaar," said Oriander, "But the Equituum's selections have arrived."

"Ah, wonderful!" said Darris. He sprang up and was at his door in half a bound. A little rest from his work would help his eyes make the connection.

The two left his study and walked down the hall together.

"By the way, Hidaar," said Oriander as he pulled something from his back pocket. "I was doing a bit of scouting in Tokyo, as you asked, and I came across this." He held up a small book with a pink and white cover. There was a detailed but stylized drawing of a red-haired girl and what might be a boy—his clothes were a boy's, though his face was quite feminine—catching falling flower petals. He glanced at the title written in Japanese symbols: Fluttering Sakura Kiss.

"And what makes you think I'd want to read that?" said Darris. After being caught red-handed with the trash romance novel by the bird, he had become a little wary of Oriander's book selection.

"It's one of those picture books, see?" Oriander thumbed the book open and showed Darris. "And there's a lot of them."

On the pages were intricately drawn panels with text bubbles filled with more Japanese writing.

"Ah, I see," said Darris as he leaned forward to take a closer look. "It's one of those 'comic' books." He had read a few from the West, but there were not quite to his liking. Most were not comedic in the slightest.

"Do you not want it? I can always put it back where I found it."

Darris considered for a moment. Something about the title sparked his intrigue. Something familiar in the unfamiliar. "Oh, go on then, give it here." He held out his hand, into which Oriander placed the book, "I probably won't like it, but I'll give it a fair shake." And with that, he pocketed the book extra deep so there would be no chance of it slipping out. "Thank you, Oriander."

Oriander nodded as they entered the throne room. They silently moved to their places; Darris on his throne and Oriander by the entrance door.

Darris took a moment to settle, then said, "Let them in."

Oriander obeyed and opened the door to three Ahngreel. As they entered, Darris scrutinized each. Three males, all adolescents, no older than eighteen.

"Why only three?" He had asked the Equituum to each select a young prodigy, those who had the potential to reach the upper Saltabiiq or even become Equituum one day.

"These are chosen by the lower three. One is my candidate, then Warrick and Grimlow's."

"And Viridia's?"

"She said she'll take her time to select the best."

"Did she now?" Darris wondered why that was. There were plenty of young Ahngreel looking for a chance to climb the ranks. There was no need to be so choosy. "Well, whatever. I only need one for now, in any case. If Viridia wants to be picky, then she may. Just make sure it's not another Roamer."

If it were, it would no doubt be part of a tedious assassination scheme. Something he didn't want to deal with right now. Not when he had hit a roadblock with his work.

Darris stood and walked to the candidates, standing shoulder to shoulder, with hands behind their backs.

"Hm, not a bad selection," said Darris. He could sense the Rau stored in their beings. They were indeed full of potential. But which to pick first?

"If I may, my Hidaar." The Ahngreel in the center stepped forward, the boy with floppy brown hair. The large boy on the center's left rolled his eyes.

Darris watched the young Ahngreel. He was tall—though not as tall as the leftmost Ahngreel—with good features enhanced by his confident smirk. "You may speak."

The boy's smile widened. "I just wanted to say it's an honor to meet you in person. I've heard so much about your accomplishments. I was told you managed to climb the ranks in under a day when you first arrived in Sohaud. That's amazing!"

It was true. Darris returned the boy's smile and leaned toward him. "And what is your name?" There was a rather peculiar scent coming from the boy. Darris couldn't quite identify it, but it was pleasant to the senses. He could feel a warmth rising from his core into his chest.

"I'm called Hilqamaar, my Hidaar."

Hilqamaar stepped forward. The other two boys were both staring at him with silly grins plastered on their faces. Darris' eyes narrowed.

"Could I ask you a favor, Hidaar?" Hilqamaar held out a hand and placed the other on Darris's arm as the boy couldn't quite reach his shoulder. "Could you do me the honor of shaking my hand?"

Darris glanced down with a grin and then back up to Hilqamaar's face. "Oh, why not? Here."

He wrapped his left hand around Hilqamaar's proffered right. "And I think I'll take that back, thank you very much."

Hilqamaar did not try to pull his other arm free as Darris's right hand maintained a firm grip on his entire forearm. In Hilqamaar's left hand was the copy of Fluttering Sakura Kiss. The boy was quite quick as he picked Darris's pocket. Or maybe that scent dulled Darris's perception? Not that it mattered, his instincts were too sharp for such a simple trick. 

"You can't fool me, boy. I know a charmer when I see one. It must be nice to have such a suitable Talent to aid you in your wiles."

The boy's grin remained intact as he said, "I'd have been disappointed if you'd fallen for it, my Hidaar. Someone of your caliber would have no problem seeing through my little ruse."

Darris chuckled. The boy had his wits about him. Even without those sneaky pheromones, Hilqamaar had the charisma to get what he wanted. "Oh yes. I think you'll do just fine, Hilqamaar, my boy. You'll do just fine indeed." Darris let go of the Ahngreel and stood straight.

That sounds swell, Hidaar," said Hilqamaar putting his hands in his pockets. "What exactly would I be doing just fine in?"

"I'll keep it a surprise until everything's arranged," said Darris, "until then, the three of you may stay on your respective Equituum's floors until I have need of you. You may go."

The three boys looked pleased with that, especially the largest one to Hilqamaar's left, who looked downright giddy. He was no doubt Orainder's candidate. Only the thought of staying in the most famous Champion's quarters could get an Ahngreel that excited. The three boys turned to go.

"Oh, and Hilqamaar?"

The boy turned back to look at Darris, holding a hand.

"My book, if you please."

Hilqamaar's grin turned sheepish. He pulled the small volume from his pocket and placed it in Darris's hand. "Y'know, Hidaar," said Hilqamaar with a toss of his head that made his hair bounce as it settled back. "You must be really strong. I'm not sure what that book's about. But if someone saw me reading that, I think I'd die of embarrassment." And with that, he turned and walked away with the other two.

Darris was stunned, though he kept his face stony as he watched the doors close behind the boys.

I'll make you die of something else, you little—

Once close, Darris looked at Oriander and cursed him with his eyes. If an Ahngreel could tell a book was an embarrassing read, then there was no hope of denying it. He should probably shred it on the spot.

He looked down at the book–at the smiling couple.

Then again, maybe he'd give it a once over just to prove Hilqamaar wrong. That would show him who's strong. So, he put the book back in his pocket.