After Alice made the decision to go inside for tea, Lydia thought things would be normal. However, even that was evidently asking too much.

As Alice was about to go prepare some tea, Warren suddenly came out of nowhere and told them that they had to go to the parlour for a 'routine inspection.' While Alice seemed to understand- no, she seemed more irritated by this, Lydia was completely lost.

Right now, all the patients were collected in the parlour; Lydia was sitting quietly next to Alice, though tried to distance herself between the girl and the edge of the seat. She saw not only all the patients she’d already met, but the only one that eluded her.

That final patient was simple; a boy, about fifteen years old (or so it seemed) although he had the height of a twelve-year-old. On top of having neat blond hair, tied into a tail that fell to his shoulder-blades, his attire (a red coat) was nicer and more fitting than anyone else’s. Evidently, this last patient was Trancy, and he had a reputation of being kind and social, but also arrogant.

At least he’s quiet, Lydia thought.

Lastly, there were yet another two people, but they weren’t patients. One was Ann, while the other was some young blonde lady that lingered behind her like a shadow.

Eventually, Ann sighed irately. “Excuse me, everyone, but would any of you happen to know where Hinata is?"

"She’s probably on the third floor," said Warren. "We already sent Jonathan to get her, so she should-"

He stopped talking as Hinata suddenly ran into the room, pausing at the entrance to catch her breath. Her emerald-coloured dress was wrinkled after running, and strands of her plaited hair had fallen out of place.

"What did you..." Hinata trailed off and muttered, "Lord have mercy.”

Ann grunted, reflecting obvious disapproval. "Hinata, I see you're as unorganized as always. I expected you to have fixed that by now."

Surprisingly, even Hinata looked more impatient. "I'm sorry, Ann, things are just very unpredictable around here. I expected you to know that by now.”

Ann grunted again. "Well, you know how it is. When there is a new patient, there are more inspections."

Hinata sighed, "How nice. Go on, then, let’s get this over with."

"I will," Ann replied.

Lydia shuddered when Ann started to approach her. While it made sense that she would be the main focus around here for a while, she simply didn't feel comfortable around Ann. Not that the lady had done anything to upset her, it was just the simple fact that she was an unnerving person.

And harpies are scary creatures.

Ann spoke, "Ms Rein, do you mind if I ask a few questions?"

"Am I allowed to mind?" Asked Lydia. With that response came the muffled laughter of some other patients, but Ann only seemed more dissatisfied.

"I must insist,” Ann continued. “They’re just a few very simple, basic questions.” She looked down at some papers. “Tell me, how do you feel about the manor, so far? Tell the truth, as well, don't let anyone here pressure you to do otherwise."

Lydia shrugged her shoulders, feeling awkward. "It's alright. Things aren’t horrible, better than jail or an asylum, but I prefer home. I definitely need to get used to it and the people before making any further judgements, though."

Ann didn't look appeased, just jotted down another note.

What’s the matter with her?

"Next question," Ann continued. "How are you associating with the other patients and the staff?"

"The others are alright," said Lydia. "And so are the staff."

"As for Hinata, or perhaps Lord Victor?"

"What about them?"

"Are they treating you well? Do they see to your needs?"

"Yes...Well, I haven't met Victor, but I really don’t care, and I’ve been just fine until now with Hinata in charge.”

Hinata interfered, "Ann, is this really necessary? You’re making everybody uncomfortable."

Ann’s eyes narrowed. "Then you don't like me exposing you?”

"No,” Hinata retorted, “I just don't like you patronizing my patients. And for the last time, stop trying to 'expose' me. I'm not a mad scientist!"

"I-I think we should listen to her, Ann," the blonde follower remarked. "It's just that you've been trying to do the same thing since Soloman was taken in, and you haven't been able to find anything that could-"

"Lindsey, please," Ann interrupted.

"Sorry," the blonde lady, Lindsey, murmured.

Ann suddenly stopped. “Although, speaking of Soloman…”

She began to approach the dark-haired man (leaned against the opposite wall), who clearly didn’t like this. As he glared at Ann, Lydia detected distant darkness; not toward this woman in particular, but something within him that just didn’t seem right.

Nobody is going to be ‘right,’ here, but something tells me that he’s seen more than many others.

Ann spoke up, "It's almost your second year, you know. December of 1885 was when you arrived, and now it's September of 1887. Still not going well?"

"Is it really any of your business?" Soloman muttered.

"As a matter of fact, it is," said Ann. She turned away. "Hinata, its been two years and you still haven’t fixed anything for him? You haven't fixed anyone here, more like."

"I don't 'fix' things," Hinata retorted. "They aren't broken machines, you know. These are people you're talking about."

"It's not that Hina's doing a bad job," Warren remarked. "I'm a lot better than I was when I came here, and the same goes for Silas."

"Yes," Silas agreed. "My phobia is slowly easing up, the nightmares are gone, I feel normal enough, and the memories I hardly ever think about. They're not entirely gone, perhaps, but now they're far more tolerable."

"Hina does a great job!" Alice chimed. "So don't be so tough on her, Ann!"

Hinata looked flustered. "Thank you, everyone."

Ann scoffed. "Alice, please don't interfere. You've nowhere to talk."

Hinata immediately retorted, "Watch yourself. Don't speak so accusingly."

Ann ignored that. "Elizabeth, Esther, Trancy, how is your progress?"

When Trancy spoke, it was very proper. "Honestly, I am quite well."

"And yet you've failed the final test three times?" Ann inquired.

"Those tests are rigged!” Trancy retorted. "But still, I’m not going to complain about free living quarters."

"So humble, aren't you?" Alice muttered.

"Basically, we’re all fine,” Elizabeth insisted. “I’m alright, Esther’s almost normal, and Trancy…” She cringed. “Well, is Trancy, as you can see.”

Trancy’s eyes narrowed. “And what is that supposed to mean, Ms Brinn?”

Nobody paid him any consent, and Hinata asked, “Are we done, now?”

"Almost," said Ann. "I wish to speak with you privately, first."

"Very well," Hinata responded, leaving the room. Ann and Lindsey tailed her out.

Lydia was suspicious. They were not very happy to see each other. Did something happen?

Alice leaned over. "I know you've already met Ann, but I can tell you might have some questions after that."

I always have questions, Lydia thought. "Yes, I do. Who thinks of who poorly, in that scenario?"

"Oh, they both hate each other," said Alice. “And it’s true that Ann is a strange lady; when you meet her once, she’s very kind and reasonable. The second, she’s more impatient, and from there on out, she’s just like a mean old bat.”

"'Hate' is an understatement, by the by," Warren remarked. "Every time those two are in the same room, the tension gets so thick that you could cut it with scissors!"

"It's impossible for an emotion to be thick," said Elizabeth.

Warren groaned irately. "It's called an expression, you dunce!"

"You're calling the wrong person a dunce," Elizabeth muttered.

Alice giggled, "Speaking of rivalries, jokes and logic don't mix very well."

Still thinking, Lydia’s eyes narrowed. "Ann seemed rather focused on Soloman, for a moment..."

"Oh, that?" Asked Alice. "Well, Ann doesn't entirely approve of Soloman. It's just...As they said, a lot of us have made much progress in our time here. Soloman was the first here, and he's still made minimal progress, even though he says otherwise."

Alice cringed when Soloman interfered with an annoyed tone.

"I'd appreciate it if you’d stop gossiping about me when I’m only ten feet away.”

"Sorry!" Alice quickly replied.

Trancy sighed, though had a devilish smirk. "My friend, if it's gossip you're afraid of, don't listen when you leave the room."

"You, shut up," Soloman snapped. "I don't want to hear it from the homo."

"I am not a homo, you dimwitted oaf!" Trancy snapped.

The argument escalated from there, and Warren decided to add his two-sense. Lydia let out a discreet sigh, then looked toward the entrance. She could tell from the distant, muffled voices that Ann, Lindsey, and Hinata were in the main room.

Lydia glanced back at the others, seeing that they were still arguing among themselves, and that Alice had been dragged into it. As such, Lydia stood up and walked until she was just at the entrance. Naturally, she wanted to collect as much information as she could, confidential or not.

In the main room, the three she was looking for were just within the entryway of the manor. She could just barely make out their conversation.

Ann was jotting down more notes. "What about their living space?"

"Didn't you note that after you made me show you?" Asked Hinata.

"I want your own words," said Ann.

"If that's not the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Hinata muttered.

"Try to be professional," Ann argued. She sneered, “Although, I guess I shouldn't even expect that much."

Lydia watched Hinata's teeth grind, and her fist clench. She was on the verge of snapping. Even so, this only made Ann glare daggers.

"Watch that tongue of yours, Hinata," she warned. "Remember that little stunt you somehow managed to pull back in 1883? If you start looking bad in front of me, I'll just have to send in some rather bad papers- that is, bad for you, good for everyone else. I could probably do it anytime, but you have your own humane rights, unfortunately, so I give you your chance and let it be. Though I have to say, the wrong words would really tempt me. You wouldn't want to ruin what little is left of your family, would you?"

Lydia waited, expecting to hear Hinata finally snap and start yelling. However, to her surprise, Hinata bit her tongue and kept her eyes cast down. She looked not ready to snap, but defeated. Ann seemed to enjoy this reaction.

Lydia thought to herself, What is this about? Some sort of threat?

"No," Hinata finally spoke. "My apologies."

...I never thought I'd find myself sympathetic for Hinata, of all people...Wait, sympathetic? No, no- stop that!

Ann grunted. "Hmph. That's better. Now, where were we...Ah, right. Let's just move onto the next question. What are you offering as basic necessities? Food, water, clothes, etcetera."

"They more than meet your requirements," said Hinata. "All patients get six uniforms, and you can ask the chef if you're not sure about 'quality' of food and water. Patients get breakfast and dinner from us, but anything else I leave to Esther; she much enjoys preparing tea and such."

"Mm-hm." Ann jotted down another note. "Now, I want your input. How are the patients faring?"

Hinata glanced back (failing to see Lydia) with a distant look. “Honestly, I’d say mostly well. First off, I can’t tell much from Soloman. He’s still deeply troubled by his past, but doesn’t give me enough to really evaluate his progress in forgetting and letting go.”

"Well, aren't you a great doctor?" Ann sarcastically remarked, rolling her eyes. "What of the other seven?"

Hinata sighed, "Esther's trauma is receding, but now we're worried about her anxiety, which will probably keep her here for another few months. Alice is showing a lot of progress, but is unable to pass the final tests. Warren and Silas both show much improvement and will only require another two or three months before being set for release. Trancy's ego, something to hide the fact that he’s unstable, is a bothersome obstacle, which makes progress very slow. Elizabeth is constantly contradicting our rules and logic, which makes her rehabilitation hard and slow. Lydia's progress is unknown, as she's only been here one day."

"Things could be better," Ann remarked. "But I suppose it's better than nothing."

Blimey, this woman's a bitch! How has Hinata not snapped, at this point?!

"Is that all, Mrs Voltur?" Asked Hinata.

"Why, aren't you being a good girl?" Ann taunted. "Yes, I suppose that's all.” She turned away. “Lindsey, let us go."

"Alright," Lindsey replied.

However, as Ann left, Lindsey stayed behind until her mentor was out of earshot. She seemed to sigh after noticing Hinata's expression, and tried to sound encouraging.

"Don't let Ann get to you, Hina," she spoke. "For someone in your position, you're doing a lot better than expected. Although, you know how Ann is. The 'stunt of 1883' is what got you on her bad side in the first place. But don't worry, I'll make sure that she behaves herself."

"Thanks, Lindsey," said Hinata. "I still don't understand why she was so mad about it, though…” She crossed her arms, clearly uncomfortable. “I was doing what was clearly right. It's just that what was right disobeyed the opinions of so many others, and it went against what the law would typically do..."

"You did do the right thing," Lindsey insisted. "Ciel and I think so, and I'm sure there were plenty of others who could agree."

Lydia’s eyes narrowed. What are they talking about? Did Hinata break the law, and that's why Ann doesn't like her? But how?

She quickly stopped eavesdropping after Lindsey ran off, and Hinata started to approach the parlour once again.

Lydia took her seat back beside Alice, who didn't question her. The chatter among others grew quieter as Hinata came back. Despite being obviously troubled after the talk with Ann, she looked as calm and enthusiastic as ever as she entered the room.

She hides it well. Though it does make me wonder what else she could hide with that skill.

Hinata laughed, "Well, that was as horrible as always, wasn't it?"

"You can say that again," Alice agreed. "Lindsey's fun, but Ann ruins everything! She talks to us like we're children, behaves like a tyrant, and she's always so mean to you; it’s ridiculous!”

Soloman looked irritated. "And why does she feel the need to make a spectacle of me? I'd rather not have my life story spilt by some vulture."

"Ann Vulture!" Alice chimed.

Then I'm not the only one who calls her that, Lydia thought, instantly amused.

"I'm sorry she does that, Sol," Hinata responded. "I explicitly tell her not to torment anyone, or share any personal information. I'm sure you all know by now, but she's not a fan of listening to me."

Soloman muttered, "That much is understandable, but it's the rest has no excuse.”

Hinata shot him a glare. "Is that so?"

Soloman looked slightly confused. "Do you not hear my sarcasm?"

Then, Hinata smirked. "I should expect that from you, shouldn't I?"

“You can’t let me live down one offence, can you?” Soloman argued.

“No, but that’s enough,” Hinata dismissively replied. “Moving on, all, you can get back to your usual schedule, and remember that dinner will be served at six-o’clock."

"Alright, Hina!" Alice gleefully responded.

After saying this, Hinata left the room, spinning a bit (as usual) before leaving.

Meanwhile, Lydia become more anxious. Her once-obscure curiosity was growing tenfold.

Who are these people? Who are they, really?