"Well I've never prayed,
But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah.
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now.
But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now.
No change, I can't change, I can't change, I can't change,
But I'm here in my mold, I am here in my mold.
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next,
I can't change my mold, no."
- Bittersweet Symphony; The Verve
Mirage was a fairly lucky fellow. For starters, it wasn't often that the child of the regressives was allowed to live. But he was seen to have skills that were useful. He was an excellent liar. And quiet as mouse. Remarkably good at getting people to like him.
He was put to work as a spy, doing odd jobs here and there. And his good looks were taken note of by Tsao, who quickly decided to amuse himself with them. Mirage didn't mind, like most Lunaris in having little unwillingness to have sex.
Mirage was given his first big job as soon as he was skilled enough. To infiltrate the house of noble in a neighboring territory, whom Tsao suspected of plotting against him. Aki was his name. Mirage did his job remarkably well. It wasn't long before.. well, Mirage was his mate. Remarkably well. But something happened that wasn't planned. Mirage fell for Aki. And he fell hard.
Still. His loyalty to Tsao overpowered everything, and he continued to feed information to him. Inevitably, Aki became aware of what was going on. And in a fit of rage, he turned on Mirage, taking his eye, and nearly his life along with it.
Mirage became much more careful after that. After a period of rest, he was sent on another mission, this one of more importance. One that only someone as skilled as he could do. Infiltrate the Oina. He went to the mortal world, finding a position in the medic's tent, under Kiyoko's command. Trust didn't come easily to the medic's, apart from the Lunaris woman, but he kept on.
Upon finding out about the crush one of the inpatients, Setsume, had on him, he decided to risk getting together with her, thinking that he would be less-likely to fall for a woman. He was wrong, however. Setsume was weak, innocent, sweet... It was only a matter of time before he grew to care for her. And began plans to take her back to the Lunar Realm.
He was caught, during a second attempt to kill Oki, and imprisoned. Setsume stayed with him, strengthening his love of her, and during the battle a short time later, Hotaru came to free Mirage. Kiyoko was badly wounded, and Mirage, out of gratitude, healed her before leaving with Hotaru, and taking Setsume with him.
Back in the Lunar Realm, Setsume was put in the medical ward, and Mirage took up various jobs around the citadel. Things were good for a while. But then odd things began to happen with Setsume...