Chapter 12: Beauty and the Beast
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        In Lola's dream, her mother called to her.  "Lola, my love..
forgive me."

        Five-year-old Lola reached for her mother.  "Mommy!  I love you!"

        Hands pulled at Lola.  Voices whispered, "Time to go..."  "Let
your mother rest..."  "Get the child out of here..."

        Lola screamed and tried to break free.  "I want my mommy!"

        Lola's mother sighed and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"I'm so... sorry...."

        "Why can't I go to Mommy?  Lemme go!"  Sobs shook her frail body.

        Voices surrounded Lola in confusing circles.  "Is she...?"  "GET
THE CHILD OUT..."  "Dear, god..."  "Dead?..."

                              *  -  *  -  *

        Lola sat up in bed.  "Nooooooooo!"  She screamed at the top of her
lungs.  She blinked and rubbed her eyes.  "Mother?"  She looked at her
surroundings confusedly.  <Where am I?> she wondered.

        She was in an elegantly furnished bedroom.  She ran her hand over
the large canopy bed she had slept in. <Is this silk?> she thought,
looking at the comforter.

        She held a hand to her head.  <My head hurts.>  Suddenly she
remembered what had taken place the night before.  She gasped and spoke
aloud to herself.  "The chocobos...?  That dark man... and his angel...?"
She slumped down into a padded chair in the corner.  She looked at her
ring sadly.  "I can't sense you, Driel."  She hid her face in her hands.
"Oh, Driel!  Looks like I've made a mess of things..."

        Suddenly, there was a knock on the bedroom door.  A wraith-like
creature floated into the room.  He smiled unpleasantly, and began to
speak.  "My master, Rhiannon, wishes you to join him for a meal."

        Lola backed away from the wraith.  "What do you want of me?"

        The wraith bowed and spoke more softly.  "Do not be afraid... come
this way.  My master awaits."

        Lola slowly edged forward.  The wraith motioned for her to follow
him.  She kept up easily, still aware that this thing was floating rather
than walking.  She shuddered.  <Gives me the creeps,> she thought.

        The wraith stopped at a pair of large, ornately carved, oak
doors.  "Wait here, please."  He motioned for her to sit.  She sat down
nervously as the wraith disappeared behind the doors.

        Lola realized she was still shaking.  <Oooooh! I wish I had my
machete right now,> she thought ruefully.

        The wraith poked his head around the door.  "Please, my master is
ready.  Enter."  The wraith swung the doors wide open for Lola.

        Lola slowly walked through the doors.  The doors closed with a
loud thud behind her.  She jumped, startled.  <I need to calm down!> she
mused.

        She looked around cautiously.  There was a dining table and many
chairs surrounding it.  At the head of the table sat a blond man, dressed
in dark clothing.  He stood when she entered the room.

        He cleared his throat and tried to smile.  "I am Rhiannon Meylith.
I am honored to have you, Lola Amorante, as my guest this evening.
Please, join me in dining."  He gestured to a seat next to his.

        Lola cautiously walked forward.  She sat down next to Rhiannon and
pulled up her chair.  She frowned and lowered her head.  "Why have you
brought me here?"  She looked up at him and gazed into his eyes with a
soulful look.

        Rhiannon found himself entranced with her gaze for a moment.  He
ripped his eyes from hers and regained his composure.  "I... believe you
intrigue me.  What I want, I... take."

        Lola thought of Driel and the other Returners.  <They wouldn't
have just let Rhiannon steal me without a fight>, she thought suddenly.
She sighed.  "What of my friends, then?  Did you harm them?"  <What if
Driel is dead?  I can't sense her through my ring...>  Her thoughts began
to panic her.

        Rhiannon could see the anxiety in her face.  He studied her for a
moment.  <Ah... she reminds me of my ->  His thoughts cut off abruptly, as
the Master's voice entered his mind.  <Emotional detachment is the key to
success, Rhiannon... do not forget this.>  Rhiannon sighed.  <I'm glad I
remembered that.  The Master has taught me well.>

        He looked at Lola again.  "They are alive."  He became stern when
he saw he face light up.  "They cannot find you here.  Don't get your
hopes up, flower-spirit..."

        Lola tried to hide a small grin.  <Driel is alive!>  He grin faded
slightly.  <Why can't I sense her?  Maybe we are too far apart...> she
mused. She looked at Rhiannon, and studied his expression.  <He seems torn
by something...I wonder what?>

        Rhiannon turned away from her, and tried to ignore her curious
looks.  He waved a hand at her.  "Now, we must eat."