"That IS a fair point on her being a friend." Sharp admitted.

"But I need to put my personal feelings aside." he said.

"Also, very well." he then said. "If you need to get further information, then so be it." he told her further, as they continued along their way, stopping at a door to a dorm.

"Here." he said, handing her a key and ID lanyard.

"If you run into any problems with my staff-" he started to say, before pausing.

"...then I'm sure you're more than capable of handling yourself, actually." he finished.

"That is a very good question." Sharp said. "One that I do not have the answers to." he admitted.

"However, if you DO have issues, come to me." he then told her.

"Or my receptionist, she's stronger than people think, or Jake." he continued.

"Any of us will do what we can." he assured her.

"...assuming it gets to that point, that is."

Sharp nodded in response.

"That works." he said.

"..." he was silent for a moment, and then sighed.

"Things have started to fall apart here as of late, admittedly." he told her.

"I may have lost my head medic, AND my head lab tech." he continued.

"Though with Kiah, it may be more emotional recovery..." he then admitted, more talking to himself, than anything else at that point.

"Sorry for my babbling." he apologized with a sheepish laugh.

"...ah, yes, I am." Sharp replied.

He then looked around, and sighed.

"Let us speak in private." he told her as they entered her dorm.

Once the door was shut, they were seated, and he proceeded to tell her a truncated, but complete, explanation as to what had happened recently. Everything he knew, anyway.

"So that's the situation." he said.

"It seems that she's been wracked with guilt, and there's the issue of what happened with her mana." he continued.

"So she's not been having a good time of it." he finished.

"I certainly hope so." Sharp responded.

"Because she's been through a lot." he mumbled. "I also hope she doesn't feel guilty for very long, as it really wasn't her fault." he then said further.

"But from what I know, she's a strong-willed young lady, so she should bounce back from this." he then added.

"Any other questions?" he asked her.

"If not, I should get to the matter at hand." he finished.

Sharp nodded in response.

"Indeed." he said.

"Now, please excuse me." he told her, standing up and giving her a small but polite bow.

"I must get to work." he finished.

With that, he left the dorm, and sighed as he walked down the corridor.

"Just when you think things can't get weirder." he mumbled with a smirk and a chuckle.

"........" Sharp was silent as he heard that.

"...right." he said.

"I'm happy she's alive." he told her. "And the fact that she seems to mostly be all right, I will consider being lucky for her." he went on.

"But... mostly, you said." he then said.

"Tell me... what does 'mostly' exclude?" he asked her.

"And how are her dreams different?"

"......................" Sharp was stunned to hear that, for lack of a better word.

"A... Amnesia?" he asked.

"Oh good lord..." he said quietly.

"That... that is going to wreak havoc on her life." he commented.

"...especially Olivia. She'll have essentially lost her mother."

Sharp just sighed heavily.

"These things happen." he lamented.

"Anything you try to do to help is greatly appreciated." he went on.

"I guess... all there is to do is wait and see what happens." he continued, shaking his head.

"Even MY mana won't be able to fix this... the book and pen are THAT strong." he mumbled.

"Damn it all." he cursed quietly.

"But... I cannot let this distract me. I need to focus on the Order." he then finished.

"Thankfully, I know of a way to reach a sort of deep meditation for short periods." Sharp responded.

"It can replace sleep in dire situations." he told her. "And I dare say things don't get more dire than this." he then added.

"But it's never a long-term solution." he lamented.

"I can get away with it for... 2 weeks at most?" he guessed.

"Beyond that, I WILL start to suffer from lack of sleep."