*Atsuko, sitting on the very ledge of the rooftop with her legs dangling in the air, watches the snow falling.*

What a sham...

*Suddenly, she hears crying somewhere below. Curiously, she floats all the way down and diagonally until she's near the bar. Outside, Ruto is kneeling in the snow, sobbing.*

Ruto: Ian-chan... ;_;

Why if it isn't Ian's little whore.

*Atsuko floats down in front of Ruto. She looks up, tear streaked.*

Ruto: What did you just say?!

Me? Nothing.. I just noticed you out in the middle of this *horrible* weather, bawling your eyes out. What's wrong dear?

Ruto: Ian-chan.. he's gone.. they took him..

Who's 'they'?

Ruto: I don't know but they did! Xelloss was here, impersonating him, so I wouldn't be able to follow!

*Atsuko pauses ponderously*

I see.. Hmm.. did you ever think... maybe Ian-chan didn't want you to follow him?

Ruto: What?! No! Ian-chan would never abandon me!

Even if it meant saving you?

Ruto: Saving me from what?!

*Atsuko doesn't say anything.*

Ruto: *stares* Aren't you cold?

*Atsuko blinks. Then rubs her arms very poorly.*

Brr.. oh yeah.. it's really freezing... brr.

Ruto: I-I don't understand..?

*Atsuko stops rubbing her arms*

You know what really chills me, muse-san? It's not the snow.. but what the snow is really hiding.

*pause*

Ruto: What is the snow hiding?

*smile* I have no idea. And that scares me. *mutters* Dammit, Chatty, where are you wallowing and why aren't you doing something?

*Atsuko checks her watch again and frowns. Then she floats away. Ruto watches her go and then stands motionless, snow falling around her. Then, she wraps her arms around her body trying to keep warm again.*

Ruto: C-cold...