Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!

She looked out from over her book, which in reality was from under the pages. She looked at the blonde girl. The longer she stared, the more she begun to detest her existence. Why couldn't they just accept the money and be on their way. Instead, they had assimilated into her society, her secret haven away from the world. A place where mindless pawns came in, cooks and did their job. A place were Hain, was her butler, and not posing as her boss, when she would pose as his assistant but be his boss. It was complicated now. And with each day, Kasey's words slipped, while Hain almost danced the truth around them. It was only a matter of time before her own secret wardrobe was uncovered, and with it, the secrets of her life.

Oh wait, that was a few months ago.

"What snacks?" she would ask, again burying her head behind the book. Even id she wanted her to disappear, she didn't mind her company. Truth was, she was one of the sweetest people she had encountered thus far. If she was to disappear, she wasn't sure what she'd feel. But it didn't matter. Even if Kasey hadn't told her a bit of the reality she lived in, she would eventually find out, as did Hain. But truth be told, all of the staff that came in, all knew of Sato's deeds. All of them trusted employees. Most of them thugs, with a single refined skill for pastries or repairs that required them to appear once a week for just a small period of time. The rest of their time spend underground, the deeper dwellings of the estate, and the darker deeds they were paid to do.

"Have you eaten yet, Natalia?" and so, the start of the dance of words would begin. And soon, it would be filled with dips and turns that all watching could appriciate.

That means you, reader.

With everything and everyone around her, Kasey would always be lonely. She craved for love an affection. It was why she had tried so hard to make a family of her own by assimilating into that man's life. By being his daughter's auntie. By gifting an expensive gift of sorts to his newest. But soon, even he would grow tired of her, finding a woman to pair with, and soon a child. She was always a temporary in everyone's lives. She was just a character bound to the stories behind others. Reduced to being nothing more than a foil or a comic relief. She was a joke, and the world would always treat her like such.

It didn't matter how much she hated someone, or how much they disgusted her. She was one that followed orders, and her own sense of code. An old rite by a culture that was long lost for reasons. Even when Sato had chained women within his home, or bought children for other means, she stuck by. She tolerated it for the warped sense of justice, because with him, she had someone, and with him, she had access to be with others. When she was with Yuri she felt seen, but even so, she tolerated the girl. She was in love with the idea of having someone, but she could never love a girl whose father was Thundershock himself. Not when she had done so little to fight back. Not when she had done so little to do anything. No, none of it mattered now. Sato had been striagh, clean, and was not subject to the same imprisonment as his playthings. Thundershock was now an associate by means of the Ketsujo brand. Everything was tolerable. But still, she was alone. The only thing she could remotely call her family had died by a hand she had paid for. An act, she did not endorse. All of it her fault because she wanted company, friends. The cost was not money, but the life of the only person who saw her for what she was. Someone more like her own sister, than her twin, Cherry.

"Gakha.*" she would say, hating the sound of that word. Even if she meant right by it, the sound of that word in her native tongue drove her mad. She had always preferred any other language to her own. It was why Hain was preferable. He, was one that understood. She blinked as the cart neared, sniffing at the light aroma that had dared to wander within striking distance. She looked over what she could see from her low perspective. But for a moment, her gaze drifted from the food as hands would move, placing each one to the small table beside her. She looked at the girl, her skin, her figure, how she simply moved just to fetch a place. She was mesmerized, yet, still she kept composure. It wasn't her home, yet she treated it with the upmost respect. She was truly ideal, yet, as close as she was to Kasey right now, she couldn't be further away. Her body sunk down, sliding slowly until the top of her head had pressed against the ground. Part of her dared to peek under that dress, yet she could not bring herself to do it.

Kasey closed her book, closed her eyes and took a deep inhale. Without pressing off the ground, she lifted herself to her seat, until she sat upright, though reversed as she faced the back of her chair. "Eat with me." she would say. It was not a suggestion, but she had meant it as one. Yet her words were phrased as an order. A bit of rose would find its way to her cheeks as she looked away, clearing her skin before looking down at the food. her body turned, sitting as a normal person would, reading out to grab the cake first.

"I take it then, that the bones are still in the kitchen?" she asked, referring to the chicken, wondering how fresh it was, but also of the other meat she had dealt with not that long ago. He, would be dessert. As all the good things were saved for last.

Just like Natalia.

A familiar sight of vulnerability. Hands she had seen a few times before, and with them, the same offer as always. Though, the more she thought about it, the less her own offer made sense. But when she put it in comparison, did her own prosthetic make sense? She shook the thought, holding onto it for later as she held the cake between her fingers, placing it into her mouth. She closed the book with her left, and placed it at her side, having no need to save her spot. She closed her eyes and savored the taste, and when it had all vanished, she spoke to the girl. "Again, I'm more than certain I could make bones to replace your... arms. It would be much stronger, and less prone to rust." Though, once she spoke, she wondered if there was sentimental value for the reason she had them. Maybe it wasn't for her lack of, but something she chose not to forget. It was her chose to make, and not Kasey's. But to grow plates and other small bones to be fashioned as an accessory, benefited them both in the long run. At least with spares, if she wanted to.

Kasey would take up her own cup, drinking it until it was finished, and then and only then, setting the cup back down onto the little saucer that had been coupled with it. She did appreciate the finer things in life, but when she was home, and wearing her own attire of choice, her own etiquette was not something she cared about anymore. When she spoke, she would reach into her pocket and fetch a strange book. It was cared for, and read many times over. It was a fine book, perhaps one worth restoring to it's prime state. But reading the name on the cover, she smiled. She had read that story a long time ago, it was one of her favorites. She smiled, and reached with her hand to lay a soft finger on the text, feeling the letters.

" ' I offered many of the inmates here freedom to the new world. Yet they all refused.' " She mused the line from the book, repeating it aloud. "Quite the read, worth reading again, each time finding moments you didn't catch before." A wide grin on her face, faded as she recalled the rest. "They had known each other for years, and could only think to put the other first. A game of courtesy between friends. No matter how many years passed, they were always there for each other." She looked over to her maid, and narrowed her brows in thought, before turning around to face the cart, taking another slice of cake in her hands. "Do you think we can be like the Warden and the Overseer? If we lived forever, would you still remember who I am? Even if we spend years away from each other?" She asked a question, one that held a bit of sorrow in her voice. All she could think about were the people she left behind.

"I promise you, Natalia, that even if a millennia passed, I would not forget all you have done for me, thus far."

Sometimes it was the smallest of gestures that left the largest impact on people. A rich man's million did not compare to the poor man's penny. She could remember the saying, thought she could not remember the reason it was first spoken to her. Kasey lived and breathed a lavish life, one that she could never get used to, nor felt deserving of. Often, she had thrown money at others, not out of spite, but that she didn't want it. If she could help someone, then it was all worth it. She was a wealthy woman now, and her millions had lost the value. But she did not often give money, but an experience. All of her employee's boasted a fantastic benefit program, as well as retirement plans. It was almost redundant to ask the same from the government when she had sent so many for life.

Metal arms for a metal quirk meant she had control over what she needed. It was better to be in control of the rocks around you, than to be granted a metal weapon. Often, the chance to use your own skills, rather than the leftovers of someone else were preferred. Her millions in this case, could not compare to the pennies already held.

The book was a strange one. It could have easily been a comedy if not for all of the death and misfortune that fell upon the pair. The book almost tricks you into thinking it's a book about a lovely couple. But it was meant for that. A tale told from whispers in life. A thousand perspectives on the same trio, only to soon become a duo. It did not matter who they had, they were all temporary. From the laughter of a swung open door, to the sorrow of telling someone a final good bye. There was moments to smile, and others to cry. It would be a book written not by the ones that told the story, but another. A final project, that they were too foolish to complete on their own, relying on another's skills to finish their final test.

"For some, time is just a distance. A place you travel to and from." Kasey smiled, looking over all of the books along the walls. Would she file it among the others? No, this book was different, it should be kept at her bedside. She listened, and with it a silent nod. Though it would not be seen when she looked out of the window, drifting into whatever daze she had placed herself in. Kasey's eyes would eventually return to fall onto the girl, wondering what else was to be said. Silent fell, until she looked back, their eyes locked as she continued.

"Of course, Nat." she would say, "I find it in my best interest to pay back what the world has given me kindly. Though, I suppose already my kingdom is already penance for my time in that cage." She chuckled a bit to herself. her mind drifting back to the story. "Well, if I am the Warden, I do hope you don't microwave burritos like the tale. I prefer my meals fresh." She smiled, her right hand reaching up to set upon her cheek, feeling her skin. "I'd ask how anyone could live with a mask on their face all the time, but I suppose I'm not different, playing both hero and villain." She looked at the girl and smiled, "I don't suppose you're also part tree to couple with your metallic nature." A curious question.

After all, history had it's habit of repeating itself from time to time..

It was true. Everyone was hiding something, even heroes. Even if they were open, revealing their true identity to the world, there was parts of their lives not for the public. Someone may know the truth, but unless the world knew, it was all hidden behind some locked door of sorts. Be it their children, or other parts of their private lives. Though, with it, she was able to learn more about Natalia with each moment they spent together. Even if her cooking was subpar, it wouldn't make a difference to Kasey anyways. That was the benefits of having a personal staff to tend to her needs. If it didn't work for her, it would eventually, even if temporary. Though, with a smile, she hoped the girl would not be foolish enough to microwave such a meal with the wrapper on, for far too long.

"Jess Circe." she would answer to a question not really asked. "At the moment, no. Though, once she's settled feel free to do as you need, be it gathering information or simply being friendly with her. I don't really care either way what you do." Her odd mannerisms that were passive, but always seemed to come off aggressively.

"Well," she reached out to the book, holding it close to herself before getting off of her seat to stand. "I'm going to find a safe place for your gift, then I think I will take a bath." She stared out of the window, a view that looked over the garden. In view, though distant, she could see the other white haired man. And a smile would appear, and fade just as soon as it had arrived.

"Then, I suppose we should see if Sato would like anything. Though, I doubt it matters since he can't taste anyways."

Ash. That was all anything became.

She was good at what she did. There was no reason to second guess her. Natalia did overstay her welcome, but it wasn't like Kasey didn't want her around. The entire family would be allowed to remain, as they should be. She pondered the suggestion from the girl. It wasn't like she had anything really planned for the day. And when the night came, she would change into her normal attire anyways. What was the harm in allowing her to make a few choices, even if they lasted only a few moments. "If ya want." she would say, casually, far more so than she had been, almost like it was forced in a way to play it cool in front of her. Her collection of clothing was extensive, but even so, her room was filled with various shards and figures of bone. All of the sculptures, all of the people she had seen or met. All of them just pieces waiting to be played on a game of chess...

"Sato Ketsujo." Kasey would answer. "The previous CEO of the Corporation." She looked out the doorway and down the hall past the few sliding doors in the common areas. "He's stuck in his transformation. Not that he can't get out of it, but that it would be far too detrimental for him to return to his mortal self." She would look back at Natalia. "He is a man who believes people who don't use their quirks, are the strongest. Like people only needing a single fist in a fight. When he lost his daughter..." She looked away, and sighed, "Well, people change." She smiled, reaching out to take another small slice of cake, again in her hands without the need for a fork. She lifted it again to her lips before taking a bite.

She still wasn't sure if she should hate him or thank him. Perhaps both.