Who are you?

Xan walked into his office, expecting a load of paperwork and then a nice, long nap while his subordinates do all of his other work for him. But when he actually looked around he saw a strange man sitting in one of his seats. Something about the man seemed familiar, but something also seemed horribly wrong about him as well. Pushing his thoughts aside for the moment, Xan spoke to this strange person who was in his office.

Who are you? And, for that matter, why are you in my office?

Xan shrugged, keeping himself calm with relative ease. He recognized that particular Illuminati Necklace as belonging to the Illuminati Tactician, and that position belonged to Reita. Well, you are not Reita, are you? If not, then I ask again, who are you?

Just then, Xan remembered hearing some rumors about Reita's death. Naturally, he hadn't believed them, but if this man had Reita's necklace....

Xan chuckled at Takegami's request. The man was insane, that part was obvious. But, genius and insanity are always two sides of the same coin, aren't they? At least darkamaru shouldn't have any problems with Takegami.

Well Takegami, you seem like an insane enough individual to take on this task. Sure, you can be the new Tactician. I assume that you already know the responsibilities of the position?

Xan sighed then looked at Takegami with cold, calculating eyes.

When I said that you were insane, I meant it as a complement, for genius and insanity are two sides of the same coin. I never said that I was sane, Tactician.

Xan thought to himself for a moment before continuing.

Tell me, whose side are you on exactly?

Xan smiled, having learned all that he needed to know about Takegami. Well Takegami, I am on my own side if you want my complete honesty. That's why I am building an army. As for my sanity....well, you tell me. Am I insane, or perfectly of sound mind? Oh, and while I'm at it, what do you think that I intend to do with my ever growing army?

Xan wasn't phased by Takegami's mind games, he had played enough mind games of his own to be affected so easily. Giving Takegami a cold, emotionless, calculating look Xan began to think about his next question. Well, he did want to know exactly what Takegami knew about him.

And what 'promises' might one have made that he couldn't keep?

Xan resisted the urge to kill Takegami. It was true that he was not going to outsmart the man anytime soon, but he did not like being looked down upon. Then Xan suddenly relaxed, looking at the situation from a completely different viewpoint. He had at the very least chosen an excellent tactician, for if Takegami was as smart as Xan thought he was, then his upcoming plan might be even closer to fruition than Xan thought.

Xan took the jolly rancher and popped it into his mouth. Grape, that would do. Thanks for the jolly rancher, Takegami, but I don't believe that you answered my question. What promise have I failed to keep? I personally don't recall making such a promise.

Xan sighed, as he had no time at all for Takegami's mind games. He had important business to attend to, and he needed to plan, organize the troops, and arrange an assassination or two. Then a few ideas simultaneously struck Xan. Here was his Tactician right in front of him, why not test his abilities?

Takegami, I would like to put these games on hold for a time. As my tactician, you are expected to advise me, not attempt to drive me insane.

Walking over to his office chair, Xan sat down and looked Takegami in the eyes. Illuminati now has five Lords, one each for Amestris, Creta, the Great Desert, Frostdeath, and Aerugo. I require two more Lords, one each for Xing and Drachma. Do you know of anyone who can speak either language fluently and who could fill these positions?

Xan knew who Takegami was referring to. It payed to be apart of an organization of spies and another that dealt with assassination. Ming-Yue Yao was Yuan's little sister, a Homunculus as well. That made things intriguing, should recruiting her be a success.

Well, she is an interesting candidate for that position, but would she willingly join the Illuminati?

Xan thought to himself for a moment. What he needed most critically right now was an Illuminati Lord of Drachma. But he knew of no one who knew that language, as Drachma was Amestris' main enemy. Meaning that so very few people in Amestris should actually know the language. Then an idea struck Xan, a revelation as some might call it. Every member of Takegami's organization had to speak Drachman! Even Xan knew that language fluently. That meant that Takegami had to know the language!

Takegami, I have a proposition that I would like to make. I seem to be one Lord short, excluding the Xing position. I request that you fill in the position of Lord of Drachma. Will you accept this along with your Tactician duties?