The man lived somewhere in Russia, and she lived somewhere in the United Kingdom. There was a lot of distance between them, distance that was connected with a singular chatroom and messages typed out in the dead of the night.

Jacqueline did not see him often, but she knew he was kind. He was genuine, and he always tried for the best solution no matter what.

"Yes," she said quietly to the person seated next to her. "I'm aware. He died one week ago. Sasha and Nicolo are still in the hospital. Dimitri's with Sasha. And you're here."

"I am," her companion said. "And you're here, so far away from home."

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Jacqueline murmured. "Lev is dead. Our Pathos is dead."

"Are you sure about that?"

Jacqueline looked to the side and stared at her companion's blank expression. "I don't want to be Pathos. I can't do it."

"You think leaders pick themselves?" The woman seated next to Jacqueline never once changed her expression. "Lan's made his decision, and everyone else has too.

"Lan is-"

"Dying. Any day now."

"Reido. I...I didn't mean for this to happen. To be in this position"

"Me neither, and I was the one who was actually there. But what's the point of words like that?"

Reido stared at Jacqueline dead-on. "Lev is dead, and Lan is dying. everyone wants a Pathos, and they want you. Everyone needs an Ethos, and Lan picked me. Congratulations, Jacqueline. You've earned me as your work partner."

(11/30/09)