Jiang Man (Meng Po)/Side Tale 1

===A Tranquil Heart===
Characters involved: , 
Dialogue
: Huh... This is really dragging on.
: Target retrieved. The next mission is...
 Jiang Man glances at the schedule, looking a little lost. Jacob steps forward and discover that they have nothing to do for the next several hours.
: Time for a break? I can finally get a nap.
: ...
 Jiang Man's feet remain firmly planted on the Sky Bridge as she looks upon the lake in the distance.
: Jiang Man, have you been there before?
: ...
: Jiang Man?
: I... I'm not sure. I can't remember anything from before I was an Esper.
 Jacob is a little startled by this revelation and shakes his head.
: Right then. You may as well get your rest somewhere closer to home.
: ?
: I stumbled on the most marvelous place for a lie-down near here when on a recent mission.
: I'll take you for a look. Maybe it'll inspire you.
 Jacob smiles like an excited young boy as he leads Jiang Man away from the Sky Bridge.
 -Ice Lake-
 The water glitters under the dazzling afternoon sun, almost blending the Ice Lake into the glistening snow topped peaks surrounding them.
: Where are we?
: The Ice Lake is one of the most famous scenic spots near Utgard.
: And yet there's no one here?
: That was before the Miracles came, of course.
: Almost nobody dares to come here nowadays because of the Miramon.
: So this has become my favorite spots when I get missions in Utgard.
 Jiang Man goes quiet as she stares at the gently rippling waters across the lake. She's trying to recall something, and yet isn't quite sure what it is.
: Inspired?
: I... can't say that I am.
: But I can see the appeal.
: Right! Quiet and refreshing. Great place for a nap.
: Ahhh! I'm so tired, I'm gonna hit the hay. Don't wake me up unless it's important.
 Jacob lies down against the great serpent that accompanies him and is soon fast asleep.
: ...
 -Half an hour later-
 Jiang Man is standing quietly by the Ice Lake. Suddenly a Miramon breaks the serenity of the still waters with a roar.
: *ROAR*
: (Just as Jacob said...)
 Jiang Man steals a glance at Jacob, who remains fast asleep.
: (Should I wake him up?)
: *ROAR*
 The rapidly approaching Miramon leaves little time for further rumination. Jiang Man springs into action.
: Away with you!
: Ooo--
 Jiang Man expertly dispatches the Miramon. Strange new thoughts come flooding into her mind.
: What was I doing just then?
: I was trying... to protect him?
 Jiang Man takes another look at Jacob who is still blissfully asleep. The sight conjures up some strange difficult-to-describe emotion within her heart.
: What's going on...
 -Nightfall-
: Ahh! What a good rest.
: Eh? You're still here?
: You're up. Then let's go.
 Jiang Man brushes the snow off her skirt, and turns to leave.
: So what do you think? Perfect spot for a pleasant evening, eh?
 Jiang Man turns around again, eyeing Jacob with a blank expressionless face.
: Not bad.