"Carlisle Kappor?" I stammer.

His lips curve up into a cat-like smile and his pixie ears stick out even more. His face is so familiar; plastered on every screen, on every poster with the caption ‘Leto Pater’. He is the inventor of the Leto and I hate him for it.

"You must be Lara Hall and Jared Miller" He hobbles towards us, grimacing. I nod slowly as he approaches us. His distant gaze reminds me of the manic Leto from earlier. My body tenses immediately and I glance over my shoulder again. I’m only greeted with the cold marble walls. I rotate my head so I’m facing Carlisle Kappor who has halted a few metres away from Jared and I.

I feel Jared’s hand slip into my own and grip tightly. His hatred for Leto’s is strong enough and now he’s face to face with the man who created the untrustworthy species. He looks straight ahead at Carlisle Kappor, showing no expression of how he’s feeling except for his stressed imprisonment of my hand. Up close I can see the dark purple rings under his eyes and the hollow cheeks.

"Yes, we are" Jared’s strained voice rings through the corridor. The light glints of Kappor’s silver-flecked hair. My eyes are drawn to it like a magpie to a shiny object.

"Is there anywhere we can go and talk privately?" Kappor coughs out.

His thin frame shakes with the exertion. I’m not particularly surprised though; despite his looks of middle aged man, Kappor is 108 years old.

 He was able to afford the anti-aging treatment. Though it had the power to create a youthful looking man of a grandpa, it couldn’t work wonders on the health. It would only increase your life span by a few years. It was one of the most expensive treatments you could get .

"This way Mr Kappor" I instruct stretching an arm in the direction of my room.

He waits for us to lead the way. Jared tugs on my hand pulling me down the corridor, and I fumble before finding my feet. Jared and I stroll down the corridor at a leisurely pace turning white corner after white corner. I of course, have no idea where I am but Jared knows his way. Behind me I can hear the loud wheezing of Carlisle Kappor as he slowly shuffles along.

"Jared, can we go to your room. It’s closer isn’t it?" I whisper.

"Can't wait any longer?" He grins. I tear my hand out of his and give him a hard slap upside the head. He groans and rubs the sore spot.

"You know that's not what I meant" I sigh. 

"Are you sure Princess?" Jared smirks.

Kappor suddenly clears his throat and I blush. I give him an apologetic smile. I glare at Jared as strides on ahead of the exhausted-looking man behind us. I grab onto his arm to put a brake on his determined power walk.

"Jared, he’s old remember. Can we please go to your room? It’s much nearer for him" I try and reason, giving him a hopeful smile. The ball is in his court seeing as I don’t have any idea how to get back to either one of our rooms.

"No, we’ll go to your room. Serves the Leto lover right" He replies taciturnly. I sigh. It’s the same name he used for me when I started hanging out with Ally.

Ally! I wonder if she’s alright, I’ll have to find her once I’m finished with Kappor and Jared. They’re both in desperate need of a rest. Kappor for his obvious age reasons and Jared for his remarkable feat today. I will admit carrying me takes serious effort.

"At least you’re calling them ‘Leto’s’ now. I guess that’s the breakthrough" I sigh exasperatedly.

"I think the breakthrough is that I haven’t killed him yet" He mutters darkly. I stare at him in horror at the cause of his horrific words.

"Jared, though I may be old, I can still hear you" Kappor speaks hoarsely from behind. "But we will discuss this more when we are in private".

Even though I didn’t threaten to kill Kappor, my cheeks still tinge a rose pink. Jared grunts in annoyance, his burning bush of anger is still in full blaze.

‘Jared, I know it will take some serious exertion on your part but could you please try and act civilly? You know, like normal people do?’ I tease. He takes a large breath, puffing his chest out as far as humanely possible.

‘I’m not normal Lara. I haven’t killed him, so don’t push your luck. There won’t be any hope for Humans if you end up dead as well’ He seethes. He turns to look at me immediately and almost looks guilty as I glower at him. My lips set in a firm lock as I begin to back away. His angry eyes soften.

‘Sorry’ He whispers.

I shake my head. He’s not going to like what I do next.

‘Me too’ I say haughtily. I turn on my heel and skip back to Carlisle Kappor who is still a good few metres behind where Jared now stands alone. He appears vaguely hurt as I fall in step or rather limp, with Kappor. I smile smugly as I walk silently alongside the Father of the Leto.

‘Please, are we almost there?’ Kappor wheezes. I immediately feel empathy for him as the youthful elder staggers along. Jared’s fist clench as he slowly turns round. I quickly jump in front of Carlisle Kappor so that Jared doesn’t attempt to come any closer. He’s a jerk but he’s not stupid. If I die, we all die. He stretches out his arm to the right.

‘Mr Kappor, this is my room right here’ He says sweetly. No doubt his teeth are gritted at the labour of the benevolence. My brain suddenly clicks as I realise he’s done what I asked. I smile in surprise and his hard grimace instantly morphs into a satisfied grin. He turns and activates the voice recognition and the door slides open just as we reach it.

Jared’s room is identical to mine however the bed is slightly bigger. It’s probably to accommodate for his bigger physique. Compared to him I’m as small as an elf. I’m still pondering over how he actually fit in my bed.

‘Lara’ Jared’s voice pulls me out of my trance. ‘Are you coming?’

I turn around and see Kappor is no longer by my side but is instead sighing with pleasure as he lowers himself onto the pearly couch. Instead I’ve been standing outside the door daydreaming, presumably for quite a while as well as Kappor has hobbled all the way to the couch.

I stride into the room and sit on the bed. Jared presses a button on the control pad and the door slides closed. He then joins me on the end of the bed. Although he perches right next to me, I scoot to the edge. I don’t want my head to be presented on a platter to the Rex just yet. No doubt they would like that.

‘Mr Kappor, what are you doing here?’ I ask.

‘As the inventor of the Leto, I was removed from the Externium ship yesterday. The Rex, emotionless or not has an obligation towards me’ Kappor points out. I think of Ally and her mother. ‘By the way, please call me Carlisle. I don’t like Mr Kappor, it’s too formal and with the Leto around, you need as much colloquial language as you can get’.

‘Ok…Carlisle’ I nod.

‘I’m also here for the ball’ He continues. ‘I’m the special guest. I’m going to be honest though, I’m mainly here because of you two’ He leans his elbows on his knees switching his gaze between both Jared and I.

‘What have we done’ I stammer.

‘Nothing Lara, you two are playing this out perfectly and that’s what we need you to carry on doing’ Carlisle nods in approval. ‘It’s very realistic as well’.

‘What do you mean?’ Jared finally regains his voice. He doesn’t sound angry anymore, just morbidly curious.

‘You two argue like an old-fashioned married couple. This is the kind of love the Leto need to see’. Carlisle praises us like children, pointing from me to Jared. ‘Lara, have the three stages been completed?’

‘How do you know I’m a Caritas?’

‘Lara, the Leto Rex has told me everything about you two’ Kappor informs me.

‘Has he…?’ Jared gulps. Sweat beads begin to form on his brow as his eyes fill with panic. He grasps my hand in his and squeezes tightly. His skin is only fractionally colder than mine this time; a major difference from his previous icy grip.

‘Yes Jared, he also told me of your negotiations. I will not tell her’ Carlisle promises, his voice deep and soulful.

‘Wait, how come he knows? Is it the same reason why you were sick?’ I whine like a small child. They ignore me and focus on one another as they talk about the ‘real’ Jared.

‘Sick?’ Carlisle asks. Jared doesn’t answer but instead almost looks as if he’s trying to tell Kappor something with his eyes. Kappor suddenly gaps and his eyes widen.

‘Did you…?’ He stammers. Jared nods slowly before breaking the eye contact.

‘Did you what?’ I cry feebly. I sound more like an annoying kid every second.

‘Well blow me down’ Kappor exhales. ‘It’s true then?’

‘What’s true?’ I whinge tugging at Jared’s arm. He doesn’t break eye contact with Kappor. I try the seductive method of running my hands along his chest but he’s not fazed. Instead he just removes my hands and places them back in my lap. I fold my arms across my chest and pout.

‘It’s because…?’ Kappor questions further.

‘Yeah it’s her’ Jared replies. I throw my hand up in the air with exasperation. They still don’t move and I jump off the bed and storm to the door and open it. I hoped they would’ve tried to stop me but it feels instead like they’re waiting for me to leave. With one last huff, I flounce out of the doorway and into the hall.

Almost immediately I recognise the sound of loud cheers and rounds of applause. I begin to run in the direction of the sound. The volume doubles in capacity as I stop outside a set of double doors at the end of a hallway. Unusually it’s the first dead end I’ve come across. I gently open the door and slip inside. An enormous crowd of Leto’s stand clapping at something behind a glass pane. The Rex sits on a high podium, legs crossed, with almost a smug smile on his face. I shut the door which clicks shut painfully loudly.

I come face to face with an army of Leto’s. This time I’m the intruder.

‘Lara Hall, it appears you have interrupted our gathering’ The Rex states.

‘Sorry about that’ I apologise.

‘You will want to see this Lara Hall’ The Rex points to the glass screen. I panic thinking of all the possible scenarios. I push past Leto after Leto until I reach the glass screen. The colour drains from my cheeks as I press my hand up against the transparent glass. It’s the Leto boy from earlier, lying on the floor, his cold body is lifeless. My heartbreaks for the poor Leto and all my judgements from earlier go flying out of my head. His sandy mop of hair hides his already deadened eyes.

‘What happened to him?’ I choke out.

‘Leto 73829221 disobeyed the Leto Rex’s orders  by approaching the female and male character evidences, Lara Hall and Jared Miller. For that it was immobilised’ A Leto to my left states. I remember Ally’s words to the crazed Leto. A tears slips from my eye.

‘What did you do to him?’

‘Leto 73829221 has been immobilised. His battery pack is now septic and cannot be re-used. Leto 73829221’s family will also suffer the consequences of disobeying the Leto Rex’ the Leto Rex articulates clearly and loudly to the entire party.

‘What? You’re going to ‘immobilise’ his family because of what he did?’ I exclaim spinning round to face the Rex.

‘Yes Lara Hall, that is correct’

‘You can’t do that. It’s not fair’ I yell as a young girl Leto is brought into the room. Her eyes are full of fear. The myth that Leto’s can feel terror before their death is true then.

‘Please don’t do this’ I cry hysterically.

‘Remove her’ The Rex orders. His cruel persona is on full display and he’s taking no prisoners. I summon up my energy and begin a Caritas order. The Rex’s arrogant smirk only eggs me on.

‘I Lara Hall-‘ I begin to speak before I’m stung in the neck. My words become slothful and I can’t form a decent sentence. My head starts to spin and the last thing I catch sight of is the Rex’s smug smirk. My eyes close from the exhaustion and I give in to the sedation. It’s not over yet.

‘Thank God’ Ally’s voice registers and I’m suddenly pressed to a warm body. My eyes open and I see I’m in my room. I’m lying on the couch though. I shift my legs and immediately feel a soft fabric on my legs. I’m wearing my ball dress. 

‘You look nice, are you going somewhere?’ I ask, still slightly dazed.

‘Lara, the Ball is due to start in about half an hour’ She replies as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

‘What time is it?’ I reach up to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

‘No no no’ Ally fusses swatting my hand away. ‘You cannot ruin your makeup now. You don’t have any idea how hard it was to get the machine to do your face and hair while you were unconscious’.

‘What are you talking about?’ I ask wearily. Her chirpy voice is too alive for my groggy brain.

She sighs and walks to my dressing table. Picking up the little handheld mirror she passes it to me. I stare at my reflection in the looking glass. My cheekbones are fully accentuated and prominent and my lips look plump and full. Unlike the cracked condition they were in a few weeks ago. The biggest shock is my dark eyes, flawlessly highlighted by different shades of purples. They match my dress perfectly and I gasp at the dazzling perfection and precision of the application. Typically Leto. My hair does not disappoint either as my fringe winds round to the back of my head in a braid that disappears into a perfectly styled bun. It’s slightly messy but it reminds that I’m not a Leto. I’m still Lara.

‘Wow’ I gasp at the surprise of my changed appearance.

I glance at Ally to see how she’s styled. She wears her azure dress as an accessory to her sparkling sapphire eyes. Her blond hair falls in precise ringlets. Her youthful face is enhanced only by natural makeup. Her natural blue eyes account more than anything however.

‘Ally you look incredible’ I smile. ‘Thank you so much for getting me ready’.

‘It’s no problem. You look great too Lara’

‘By the way, why was I unconscious if I was supposed to be getting ready for the ball?’ I ask puzzled.

‘Wait you don’t remember what happened?’ Ally replies, equally confused.

‘Should I?’

‘No. No you shouldn’t. Nothing happened’ She quickly puts a smile back on.

A knocking on the door interrupts our slightly odd conversation. Ally strides over and opens the door. Jared stands in the doorway wearing a black tuxedo. His black hair is styled into spikes. He fiddles uncomfortably with the cuffs of his shirt, looking down at the floor. He looks completely different from the last time I saw him involved in a deep chat with Kappor. Though he looks slightly on edge, he stills looks good; really good. I feel my excitement rise as I ascend from the couch. I wobble around, and lift up the bottom of my dress. 6 inch stilettos lift me of the ground and pinch at my toes. I sigh at the thought of the uncomfortable night pf hobbling ahead. At least Carlisle and I will have that in common.

‘Human’ I hear Ally say emotionlessly.

‘Dimidium 1’ Jared fires back. I roll my eyes. It could have been worse. I tear my attention away from the shiny daggers that Ally calls 'shoes' on the end of my legs. Jared gawks open mouthed, as he absorbs my fashioned attire.

‘Jared? Is anyone in there?’ I ask sweetly, waving my hand directly in his eye line. He slowly raises his eyes to meet mine and I smile gratefully. ‘Thank you’

‘Lara you-you look…’ Jared trails off. I blush slightly, turning away to shield my embarrassment.

'Amazing?' Ally offers. Jared nods, his cheeks tinging pink. I roll my eyes. If this is what it would take for them to agree on something, I would have done it a long time ago.

I switch my focus back to Jared. 'Did you come here for something Jared?'

‘Can’t a guy just swing by to say hi?’ He drawls, his eyes lose their dazed stare. He leans against the door frame. His white dress shirt makes a clear outline of his torso and this time it’s me who has to refrain from drooling. The bond is getting stronger each day.

‘A normal guy yes. You? Not a chance. Why are you really here Jared?’ I raise an eyebrow and he begins to shift uncomfortably. Uncharacteristic behaviour for Jared.

The tense silence is broken as Jared's heavy footsteps click against the white marble. My brow furrows as he halts right in front of me. I raise my chin to stare at his face, confused by his propulsive proximity. My breathing hitches for the second time in a few mere minutes. My feet begin to stumble backwards but Jared's rough hands soon catch both of mine. His thumbs begin to massage the back of my palms as I gaze into his eyes with the deepest perlexity. My hands lie limply in his grip. Why is holding me so close? He pauses and brings his eyes to meet mine. 

‘I came to ask if-if you would be my official date for the ball?’ He asks sheepishly. My fingers curl around his palms. No matter how hard I try, I can’t contain my smile. I look at Ally who gives me an unsubtle thumbs up.

‘I’d love too’.

Jared beams and reaches into the inside pocket of his tuxedo and draws out a small white box. He gestures it towards me and my brow furrows.

'What is it?' I ask as I take the box in my hands.

'Open it' He nods.

I smile and do as he asks. I unfasten the catch and lift the lid. A perfect white rose sits in the middle of the box and a smile tugs at the corner of my lips. Jared reaches forward and gently picks up the rose. He smiles and slips the rose behind my left ear and I feel my cheeks warm.

'I'm sorry it's white, they didn't have any colours' He shrugs. I smile at Jared and gently place a small kiss against his tanned cheek.

'Thank you' I whisper. 'It's perfect'