There was a quiet in the room between the two of them, Margarete had never seen Daniel like this, it was like he was a completely different person. "I- I just heard you talking in your sleep." She spoke, frightened.
"What else did you hear?" He asked, eyes cutting through her like a knife.
"N-nothing-" She replied, "You were having trouble sleeping, so I came to help."
He stepped closer, her eyes meeting his chest. "D-Daniel?" she said, looking up at him expecting to be met with a face of anger, but instead met with one of deep sorrow and regret.
"H-he was my brother." Replied Daniel. "He died- a long time ago, in a part of my life I had hoped to forget."
She raised her arm, touching his- "I'm sorry if I brought up any bad memories." She said, an honest smile touching her lips. "If you want to talk about it, I'm always here-"
Late at night Margarete was sweeping the house when she heard a noise. "Hm?" She stepped into the hallway, "Crash!" She immediately ran to Daniel's room. "Daniel what happened!?"
She found him standing in the middle of the room, the dresser thrown to the floor. "Daniel?" She called out, stepping closer. The moment she touched him he turned to her, his eyes were glossed, the light of the moon reflecting off of them. It was like he was in a trance. "Raah!"
He swung his arm, "Ah!" she ducked as he slammed his fist into the bookshelf. The multitude of novels falling to the ground. "C-calm down Daniel!" She yelled, "What's wrong!?"
His voice was quiet, muttering to himself. "They're- they're all dead..." he spoke.
She stepped back, "W-who Daniel, who's dead-" noticing a bottle of sleeping medication on the nightstand.
"Blood in the snow..." he spoke softly, "Blood in the snow..."
She grabbed the pills, "I don't understand Daniel-'' Suddenly, he charged her.
"They're all dead!" He roared, she quickly jumped out of the way. "Hah- Hah-"
He smashed his fist into the wall, making a small hole. She quickly grabbed a chair, slamming it into his head. "Rgh-" he stumbled back, looking around the room.
She jumped on his back, shoving a handful of pills into his mouth. He thrashed and struggled, trying to throw her off. "It's gonna be okay Daniel, it's gonna be okay-"
He grabbed her arm, throwing her against the wall, "Gah!"
Daniel breathed a heavy sigh, his movements becoming sluggish; soon, falling to his knees.
He turned his eyes to her, welling up with tears. "Makari..." he cried softly. "I'm so sorry..."
Margarete held her arm as she made her way to her knees. "Daniel..."
His eyes then rolled back, as he fell over.
She laid down by him, cradling his head; "Oh Daniel, what happened to you..."
Daniel looked away, as he always did- putting on a brave face. "It's fine." He said, turning away. "Nothing to be concerned with."
"Tch-" She quickly reached out, hugging him. "Margarete?" he asked. "What are you-"
"Shut it," she replied, "I may not be a mother, but I can tell when someone needs a hug."
"I don't think..." he paused, touching her hands as they quivered. He sighed, turning around, "Hm?" She looked up at him.
He softly embraced her, holding her in his arms. "Thank you..." He whispered.
The smell of smoke and expensive perfume hung in the air, "Give me the brief." Said a long black-haired woman.
A soldier stood before her, "Ma'am- His name is "Daniel Vilks"; 51, lives on the outskirts of town, Pinewoods St." He spoke, "Wife recently deceased, Irka Vilks; seems he took her name. They had one daughter, Zuzuka Vilks."
She took a puff of her Japanese-style pipe, "I don't need useless information, I need an occupational background check, corporation, military, big-tech; why is he looking into the Sekagi?" She stared at him, glaring daggers- "Don't take after your former, please."
The soldier gulped, "Well, we did find he had a contract with a number of military-based corporations. Including both Militech and Arasaka. Anything else predates before the crash."
"Hm-" She crossed her legs, tapping her pipe on the desk. "Will contact him, lure him with medals of service and financial help." She spoke, "See if he takes the bait."
She stood up, "Once my superiors give the green light, we'll move out."
"What if he rejects our offer Ma'am?"
She turned around, smiling a most twisted grin. "We can only hope." gripping the pipe she snapped it in her hand like a twig.