Every so often, the villain would look over to y/n and observe her. At first, he did it out of curiosity. He was interested in watching his little seedling grow. But now it felt involuntary as if he couldn't control himself. Tomura didn't like that, but he found himself staring at y/n quite a bit without realizing it. He was never sure why that was, it was merely a habit he developed months ago, and he wasn't able to shake it off.

While y/n slept was the best time to catch glimpses of her, y/n looked more serene like she wasn't plagued by far and stress. Tomura had fewer chances of getting caught by y/n. She seemed to have a sixth sense about that sort of thing. Kurogiri has warned Tomura several times before to stop staring at her, informing the young villain leader that it was rude. Tomura couldn't help it, or rather, he couldn't control it.

Tomura didn't go into any detail as to what y/n's next assignment was going to be. She was in a terrible mood, and he had just barely managed to calm her down at the factory, he didn't want to ruin her day any more today. However, he knew she wasn't going to like what he had planned for her. Undoubtedly, she will get upset yet again.

Patiently, he waited for the perfect moment to bring up her next task. Tomura noticed y/n was too shaken up. The villain went over scenarios in his head, trying to decide how he was going to ease y/n's anxieties. Against his better judgment, he determined that y/n didn't need to complete the mission he had in mind. It was easier to keep y/n at the base.

Y/n went to bed early that night. Exhausted from her most recent breakdown, she had fallen asleep long before Kurogiri returned. Tomura noticed Kurogiri looking towards y/n and then over to his leader. "I guess she fell asleep," Tomura shrugged.

He heard Kurogiri let out an exasperated sigh. Tomura supposed he would be upset for being dictated around for nothing. The blue-haired villain watched Kurogiri put away the ice cream and other small knick-knacks he had collected while he was out. The shadowy villain turned to his leader. "Tomura Shigaraki, could we take some time to discuss y/n?"

"About what?" Tomura asked. Father covering his face hid a confused expression.

Kurogiri crossed his arms and faced his leader. Tomura was all too familiar with that stance. That typically meant he was going to share an opinion that would end up testing Tomura's temper. "I worry that Miss y/n is becoming too dependant on you. It doesn't help that you're coddling her and have yet to teach her anything of use."

"I'm getting to that," Tomura snapped. He caught himself raising his voice. The villain would love to yell at Kurogiri. If his yelling woke up y/n, Kurogiri would undoubtedly stop the conversation right then and now. Regardless of his feelings on the subject, Tomura took a moment to calm down his nerves. "There hasn't been a good time to teach her anything," he continued in a much quieter tone.

"She's been here for half a year, and we still can't trust her to do simple tasks. It's getting ridiculous," Kurogiri shot back. The shadow-like villain paused for a minute, his yellow eyes flickered in Tomura's direction. "While I commend you for allowing Miss y/n to learn from Twice, she still needs so much more than what you're offering her."

"She can be trusted to do simple jobs," Tomura argued, his eyes narrowed in defiance. Tomura grumbled, he was well aware of what Kurogiri was doing. His comrade often tried to dial back the conversation whenever he felt Tomura's temperament was growing out of control by ending his objections with a compliment. Tomura wasn't going to let that slide this time. Even though Kurogiri was his adviser, Tomura still didn't like his decisions being put into question.

Tomura noticed Kurogiri was standing his ground this time around. The villain gritted his teeth. He hated it when Kurogiri was like this. Tomura knew his comrade will undeniably pester him all day and night until he caves in and does what Kurogiri asks.

"Fine." Tomura relinquished his stance unwillingly.

It took Tomura an hour to ease y/n's last breakdown at the factory. Personally, he thought he was getting much better at dealing with her. Tomura determined he would instead put up with y/n being in a sour mood than have Kurogiri hound him. At least y/n stops being miserable eventually; he doesn't know when to stop once he starts.

"So, you will be sending her with Spinner tomorrow, correct?" Kurogiri confirmed. Tomura could hear a slight cautionary tone in his voice.

"Yes, yes, whatever," Tomura snarled. He was thoroughly finished with this conversation and wanted it to end as soon as possible.

"Good," Kurogiri responded, sounding pleased. The shadow-like villain excused himself before leaving the room. Tomura, who was agitated that Kurogiri ended up getting his way, narrowed his eyes at him.

Y/n woke up the next morning. As per usual, she awkwardly snuck into Kurogiri's room to use the restroom. While y/n filled the sink with warm water, she couldn't help but think of what Tomura said the other day. Would getting some villains off the street to make Nomu really make me a hero?

Y/n has had so many negative opinions about herself lately. Having one nice thing to think about made her feel better. Y/n washed her face with the warm water, trying to wake herself up.

She quietly left Kurogiri's room and sat down at Tomura's desk. Y/n slowly turned the chair side to side with her foot as she recollected Tomura's words. She felt warm and comforted, thinking about how much patience Tomura has shown towards her lately.

Y/n would glance over to Tomura, who was still sleeping on the couch, every time she swiveled the chair in his direction. Whenever she faced the other way, y/n would catch glimpses of IronStrike's skull placed between Tomura's monitor and computer tower.

She despised that Tomura insisted on keeping the skull, even more so, that he kept it as a decoration centerpiece. Y/n stopped moving the chair and stared at the last remaining piece of her dear friend and old life. Suddenly, that good feeling y/n had earlier died. Now she felt undeserving, depraved, and guilty.

"Don't look at me like that," y/n muttered desperately as she gently took the skull in her fingers and spun it around, so it was no longer facing her.

Y/n hugged her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. She let out a sigh as she pondered what she was going to do today. Y/n read all of her books, the hideout didn't have much more to offer her beyond that.

Tomura's hideout lacked a lot of basic necessities an ordinary house would have. The base didn't have a TV or a barely functioning kitchen. Tomura's book collection is what kept y/n sane for the most part. The only other thing y/n could do to kill time was to talk to the two villains she stayed with.

Kurogiri frequently challenged her when they talked, he often discussed moral philosophy and current events with her. Those conversations were fine every once and a while, however, they got mentally draining. It wasn't as if y/n and Tomura didn't have intelligent conversations as well. Y/n could tell Tomura was more educated than he liked to let on. Tomura was less involved in those topics. He'd prefer to talk about his interests instead. Whether it be complaining about a hero, gushing about whatever game he was currently playing, or discussing y/n's books.

Y/n noticed Tomura rolling over, it's about that time. Y/n put on a pleasant smile like she did every day. "Good morning," she greeted.

Tomura sat up and rubbed his eyes before placing father on his face, he grumbled something but y/n couldn't quite catch what he said. Y/n took it as Tomura returning her greeting and dropped it.

Tomura rubbed the back of his neck and looked at y/n. Their eyes met. She wanted to ask him what he was looking at but refused to do so. Y/n thought it was awkward seeing Tomura stare at her so intimately, especially since he knew she was aware of him staring.

Y/n did the only thing she could think of and returned his gaze. Now she was stuck in a staring contest with the villain until one of them broke the awkward silence.

Fortunately, Tomura spoke up first. "I have a job for you tonight."

"For me?" y/n echoed, she recalled Tomura prewarning her that she was going to do something. He didn't explain what it was. The unknowns about the mission made y/n felt uneasy.

"I'm going to have you go on a recruitment run with Spinner. It's his turn to go, and I think it'll be for your own good if you came along." Y/n could feel her heart sink. Spinner was one of the ones that seemed very cross over y/n being brought into The League.

Y/n had no desire to anger Tomura. "I see, okay," y/n said in a quiet tone.

His talk with y/n went a lot smoother than Tomura initially thought it would. She did seem upset, as he thought she would, but she wasn't depressed. Overall, he was pleased with how y/n was taking his orders.

The blue-haired villain specifically picked Spinner for today's mission. Kurogiri talked of y/n being dependant on him like it was a bad thing. Tomura couldn't wrap his mind around that. He wanted y/n's undying loyalty. She would have to be dependant on him if he wished for her dedication.

Twice was too friendly for his liking, and something about Dabi made Tomura hesitate to send y/n on a job with him ever again. Spinner was perfect, though. He was stubborn and set in his ways. Tomura knew Spinner would give y/n a hard time.

If everything went according to his plan, y/n would come back to the base upset, and Tomura will be there to calm her down. The villain knew if he repeated this process enough times, y/n would begin to go seek him out for comfort automatically. Tomura was playing a painfully slow game with y/n, but the reward would undeniably be worth it.

He allowed y/n to do whatever she wanted at the base. Y/n spent a great deal of her time sitting at his computer chair, she wasn't doing anything in particular, just sitting and zoning out. After a bit of time, she spent some time with her Nomu. Tomura caught her feeding the monster again, he decided not to say anything this time; she was going to give the Nomu food regardless.

Finally, it was time for y/n to leave. Tomura was getting himself ready to assist y/n with her mask, much to his surprise y/n managed to put it on all by herself. Tomura sat down on the sofa and watched Kurogiri offer y/n some words of advice before sending her away.

Tomura placed his fingers in his neck. Gently, he lightly ran his nails along his skin. After several minutes, Kurogiri spoke up. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked.

"I'm fine," Tomura replied. Kurogiri informed him that he's been scratching at his neck for quite some time now. Tomura pulled his hand away from his neck. He could see a bit of dead skin and small hints of blood under his nails. Tomura didn't realize he had been clawing at himself as rough as he was.

Kurogiri stepped in front of Tomura. "I think it would be most beneficial if the two of us continued yesterday's discussion."

Y/n found herself in the middle of a dark street. Working streetlights were few and far between. The small handful of lights that did work flickered and struggled to stay on. Y/n squinted her eyes and scanned her surroundings.

From what y/n could see, the street was abandoned. The shops, which seemed closed for the day, were littered with all sorts of graffiti on all sides. As y/n cautiously walked down the road, she had nearly missed spotting a missing manhole cover. Y/n has never felt so thankful for being such an anxious person, if not for that, she wouldn't have noticed the hole in the middle of the street.

"It's about time," a voice called out from the darkness, nearly causing y/n to jump out of her skin. Y/n's soundproof mask suppressed a surprised yelp. Spinner came walking out of a darkened alleyway and crossed his arms across his chest. "Took you long enough."

Y/n desperately wanted to ask why he was standing in the darkness and mock him for taking his ninja aesthetic too seriously. Y/n held her tongue. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her voice box. "Sorry," she said in a flat tone as she held the little speaker close to her head. "It's hard to see here."

"It's not like I can stand about in public in the daylight," Spinner snapped. The lizard-like man began walking without y/n. watched Spinner wander away before hearing him call out to her. "Are you coming or what? It's not gonna be my fault if you get lost." Y/n shoved her hands in the hoodie's front pocket and trailed behind Spinner.

Spinner talked about the villain he and y/n were meeting with first. His name was Taysuke Shinohara; he was wanted for several counts of manslaughter. Spinner explained that many of his victims were found beheaded by the roadside. Shinohara often killed during the day and in reasonably populated areas. Spinner concluded his summary by disclosing that Shinohara's quirk was unknown. Still, it's suspected to be the reason why he can kill so effortlessly in public places.

"It sounds like he'd make a good fit in The League, why is he going to the Nomu Factory?" Y/n asked. Although she didn't want to work with Shinohara, he sounded like someone who was more than qualified to be a member.

Spinner paused. Y/n could see him side-eye her. "So you know about the Nomu, eh?" Y/n nodded. "At least you're not Shigaraki's mindless plaything completely then. We need experienced killers for The Nomu Project. They make for better Nomu. Technically, we aren't supposed to bring anyone into The League. Everyone is supposed to be Nomu. Supposed to be, at least. Apparently, Shigaraki can just go back on our plans and do whatever he wants." Y/n knew Spinner was talking about her.

Y/n stayed silent for the rest of the walk, she didn't know what to say or do. Y/n felt anxious. If Shinohara is so adept at killing during the day, I don't even want to think about how well he does when the sun is down.

Spinner let y/n to a heavily forested area. Up ahead, she could see a tall man standing in the distance. As y/n got closer to the man, she could see more and more details. He had short blonde hair that was nearly white. The man was well built, his muscles were almost as big as his head. Y/n knew that had to be Shinohara.

"Hey, we're from The League of Villains," Spinner greeted as he and y/n approached the other villain.

Shinohara looked both y/n and Spinner up and down. Y/n noticed how cold and dead his blood-red eyes looked. "I thought I told your friend I wasn't interested," he said in a throaty voice. Y/n wasn't completely familiar with the dynamics in The League. Still, she recalled Twice saying that Dabi goes out to recruit every day. She was sure that Shinohara must be talking about Dabi.

Spinner cocked his head to the side. "Yeah, and we're asking again." Y/n took a step back from Spinner. At least Dabi waited for them to be hostile before antagonizing. She was positive that Shinohara will attack Spinner at this rate, y/n wanted to get some distance from the two of them.

Y/n could tell Shinohara was seconds away from losing his temper by the veins bulging on the side of his head. "Well, I'm telling you again, I'm not interested."

Spinner shrugged. "Go on, do your thing." The reptile man looked back at y/n.

Y/n was dumbfounded. Did Spinner rile him up just to make this even more difficult? Y/n frowned. Using her quirk has become much easier since she had stayed with Twice, but she still didn't like to be put on the spot.

Y/n fidgeted with her hands while she took a step forward. The whole time she couldn't help but think about how Tomura would have never done this to her. In fact, she was certain Dabi wouldn't have done it either. "U-uhm," she stammered. "I..." her voice trailed off as it cracked. Y/n's mind went blank and froze in her panic. What am I supposed to say?

Shinohara looked down at y/n. "Oh? And what is she supposed to do?" he asked, before letting out a chuckle. Y/n could feel her face heat up. "Look at her. The little girl is shaking."

Y/n could hear Spinner grumble. In the corner of her eye, she could see him grab onto the hilt of his sword. Y/n guessed that Tomura didn't say Spinner couldn't make things harder on her, but did say he had to protect her.

She wasn't quite sure why, but y/n desperately wanted to prove herself. Y/n wished to show that she was much more than dead weight. Y/n took a deep breath and looked at the towing villain in the eye. "I'm not shaking," she said, mustering all of her courage. Deep down, y/n was terrified, she reminded herself that this wasn't the time nor the place to be scared.

Y/n knew she had to think of something fast. She wasn't sure when Shinohara met Dabi. Y/n decided it was best to assume her thirty-minute time limit was up. She couldn't tell Shinohara that Dabi persuaded him. That won't work.

In the grand scheme of things. Y/n's quirk made her more persuasive, even so, she couldn't create miracles. She still had a set of rules and regulations that she had to work with. Y/n knew her quirk well enough to know that she had to play with her restrictions.

"Is that so?" Shinohara asked as she crossed his arms in defiance.

"It's already been done," y/n mumbled under her breath. She could see Shinohara's dark red eyes narrow at her as he demanded that she explain herself. "You meet with a guy earlier, right? A little older than me, black spikey hair, his face all stapled up?" Shinohara verified that he had indeed talked to Dabi earlier. "Oh, well, you called us about twenty minutes ago because you changed your mind, did you not?"

Shinohara's face went wholly emotionless. When he came to, he mentioned that Dabi had some excellent points. Working in the same group as the legend himself, All for One would get him some fame. "Yeah, sounds like everything checks out," he said thoughtfully. "I think I vaguely remember calling be The League back. If you're all so desperate to have me in your little group, I'll join."

Y/n could see the staggered look on Spinner's face. Under her mask, y/n hid a smile. Shinohara pulled out his hand to shake on it. Y/n took a step back and said she wasn't technically a full member of The League yet. In truth, y/n was a member before she even knew she was; she had no choice in the matter. He didn't need to know that, though. She stepped off to the side and let Spinner finish off this meeting. He was the one with the sword, after all.

Spinner shook Shinohara's hand while he went over the details. Where to meet, when to meet, who he was seeing, and contact information. Everything anyone would need to know about joining The League. Spinner ordered y/n to follow him as the pair parted ways with Shinohara.

Y/n followed Spinner quietly. She was glad to have that meeting over with. as y/n trailed the reptilian man, he went over details about the next villain. This time around, the villain was a woman.

Her name was Megumi Kase, she was wanted for various killing sprees. Many of her victims were rich, older men.  Other than that, there wasn't anything outstanding about her. Her work was basic, to say the least. Spinner guessed that she didn't rely on her quirk to get her job done.

"Dabi met with her too. She also said no." Y/n fumbled around in her hoodie's pocket and held up the speaker, she asked why he was telling her that information. Spinner cleared his throat. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind. If it makes things go smoother, then I should share that type of information."

Y/n noticed a trend. They were now two for two on talking to villains that had previously spoken with Dabi. Y/n didn't appreciate that. It made the situation much harder than it needed to be. Things would be so much easier if they didn't talk to Dabi. Y/n couldn't fault Tomura for that, he couldn't have known. He figured out a lot on his own, but he still didn't know the full limitations of her quirk.

Y/n decided she should return the kindness. "Thank you," she began; "do you know why she said no? It would help a lot if I knew."

Spinner shrugged. "Something stupid. It was definitely something you'd expect Toga to say. I think she recently joined a group because she has the hots for some guy and doesn't want to switch teams."

Y/n gave it some thought. She couldn't override Kase's feelings for the guy. Besides, even if she could, y/n wouldn't want to. Right now, y/n was sorting through some complicated feelings that she'd love to erase out of existence, but she didn't think she could do that to someone else.

Spinner and Y/n finally crossed paths with Kase. She was precisely how y/n thought someone who uses their looks and charisma to rob lonely guys. She was beyond beautiful. Kase had long, curly black hair and dark eyes that gave off an air of mystery and seduction. She was slender, and her golden villain costume complimented her dark skin tone. Y/n didn't think Kase looked threatening at all. Still, she knew that sometimes the most beautiful innocent looking people were also the most dangerous.

Y/n tried her best to mimic Dabi from when she shadowed him. She introduced both her and Spinner while explaining that they were from The League of Villains. Y/n took some advice from Giran. The key to making a successful business deal is to act twice as confident as you feel. Y/n did all the tricks. Establishing and maintaining eye contact. Standing up straight with her shoulders pulled back. Y/n reminded herself to bottle up all her fear and doubt. She told herself to show no weakness.

Y/n  stood in front of Kase. This time, Spinner stayed out of the conversation. Y/n spoke with Kase, like how she would talk to Himiko or even Aya. Y/n's tone was a little different. She didn't treat Kase like she was a sister, like how she would Aya. Y/n was more open to discussing boys than when she's with Himiko.

Y/n learned a little bit about Kase. She was undoubtedly head over heels for the guy. Y/n wasn't positive she could use her quirk on Kase– or rather, y/n didn't want to.

An idea crossed y/n's mind. "Would it be possible that your Okano would be interested in joining The League?" It was a stretch, but if a man was the only thing holding Kase back, then y/n figured she should include her lover.

Kase paused for a moment and then let out a loud laugh, she began struggling to breathe. "No. He wouldn't do that. The boys in our group are l like family to him," Kase said between giggles.

"Well, maybe he'd have a change of heart," y/n suggested. Kase calmed herself down and wiped a tear from her eye. She agreed to introduce Okano, adding that if anything, it'll be a good laugh. Y/n and Spinner watched Kase spin around and disappear into the darkness.

"I thought your quirk doesn't work on two people?" Spinner asked, sounding suspicious.

"It doesn't," y/n confirmed. Y/n began to explain her plan to Spinner. "If Okano is the only thing holding Kase back, then I need to use Liar on Okano. Kase will follow his lead."

"I guess that could work," Spinner said thoughtfully; "assuming she comes back." Y/n wasn't sure about that either. There was no telling if Kase was going to come back in the first place. Y/n wasn't concerned about it, though. Kase not coming back wasn't the worst-case scenario.

Y/n was more anxious that Kase won't come back, and Tomura would get mad at her for only bringing in one. Granted, according to Twice, that isn't so bad. Some come up empty-handed most of the time.

Another grave possibility would be that Kase comes back with her whole group. Y/n didn't know a thing about Spinner, but she hoped he was strong enough to handle an entire group of villains on his own. The thought of it made y/n's stomach turn. She didn't work so hard playing along with Tomura and pretending to be his ally just to die here.

Spinner and y/n waited silently. The air around the two was as quiet as a funeral. The silence made y/n feel stressed out, but y/n didn't want to talk to Spinner.

It was looking like Kase wasn't coming back after all. Y/n could feel the air around Spinner growing thick, heavy with irritation. Y/n's fingers lightly touched the button on her voice box before pressing down and turning off the speaker. She acted as if her inability to respond to him would save her from listening to him berate her with insults.

Fifteen minutes had passed. Off on the horizon, y/n could see figures approaching. Y/n held her breath as she waited to find out if that was two people or twenty. Her heart was pounding in her chest so hard it felt like her chest was going to explode. Anxiously, y/n fumbled with the speaker in her pocket.

Y/n wasn't sure who exactly she was thanking, but she let out a surprised thank you escape her lips before turning her voice box back on. Only two figures were approaching. Y/n felt so relieved she could cry.

Y/n talked two on one with the pair. Their conversation was disheartening at best. As it turned out, Okano was the leader of their group. Had y/n known that she wouldn't have bothered, that was like asking Tomura to step down from leading The League. The only way he'd ever agree to that was if someone killed him first. However, knowing how stubborn Tomura can be, y/n wouldn't be surprised if he came back as a ghost and continued leading as if nothing happened.

Okano was a tall, barrel-chested man with spiked dark red hair. He had a stern look on his face that seemed so permanent, y/n could visibly see the wrinkles from his frown sunk into his face. He introduced himself as Okano, a detail y/n already knew. The villain refused to give his first name.

Y/n decided to start it off simple and all if they'd be interested in joining The League. No, of course not. Why would he be interested in joining and being demoted from villain organization leader to a low-level grunt? Feeling used car salesman, y/n tried pitching as many reasons she could think of for Okano and Kase to join The League. Money, fame, and whatever she could think of that might sweeten the deal. None of it stuck.

Y/n was about ready to give up. She had one last suggestion in mind. Y/n offered a merge, a partnership between Ojano's group and The League.

Okano paused, y/n could tell he was seriously considering the merger. "Anyone who has heard of The League of Villains knows if Tomura Shigaraki. Who are you? What gives you the authority to make decisions like that for The League?"

Y/n anxiously bit her lip and glanced at Spinner. He doesn't look like he was interested in helping her out. "I'm The League's second in command." Y/n could see Spinner giving her a strange look. Okano didn't seem to notice or care, Liar had already taken effect.

Okano paced back and forth, lost in thought. He explained everything that was going on in his head as he walked. Okano considered that y/n offered him and his group a lot. They were currently struggling to get sponsors, so a partnership would be beneficial. Every so often, y/n would see him glance over to her.

"Alright, I'll accept your offer," Okano said as he came to his conclusion. He went over the details of his group. They had twenty and a sister organization. Okano informed y/n that the other organization had a different leader and will stay out of his deal with The League. Y/n agreed to his terms.

Spinner finished up the meeting just like before. He gave Okano and Kase a time and a date to meet with Tomura. This time around, Spinner was the first one to leave. Y/n followed far behind him.

"You know, Shigaraki is going to kill you for promising all that," Spinner said.

"Y-you think so?" y/n stuttered. Y/n didn't think it would matter what she said as long as she gathered people.

"I'm just glad I'm not you right now," he replied as she pulled out a cell. Spinner called up who y/n could only assume was Kurogoiri to pick them up. Before hanging up, Spinner paused. "How'd she do?" y/n heard Spinner ask. There was a bitter reluctance in his voice. "Fine, I guess."

A set of warp gates opened up as Spinner hung up. Y/n walked into the closest one to her.

She was greeted to the sight of both Kurogoiri and Tomura, waiting for her arrival. "How was it?" Kurogiri asked.

"Fine," y/n replied anxiously, she was still on edge about Tomura possibly being mad at her.

"And how many did you recruit?" the shadow-like villain asked.

"Twenty-one," y/n mumbled quietly under her breath. She watched as Tomura and Kurogiri looked at each other before asking her to repeat what she said. "Twenty-one," y/n replied a little bit louder, while still sounding unconfident.

Tomura walked up to y/n and playfully ruffled her hair. Y/n felt that all too familiar heart squeeze that she tried her best to suppress under logic and reason. "Good job," Tomura mumbled before walking away.

That's odd. Y/n figured he'd say more than that. She wondered if he was feeling unwell. Kurogoiri congratulated y/n on having the most successful recruitment run The League has ever had. Y/n smiled half-heartedly at Kurogiri and thanked him. Kurogoiri promised they'd celebrate as soon as they can. In a fake, happy tone, she told the villain that she couldn't wait.

Y/n found her mind elsewhere for the rest of the night. Tomura was uncharacteristically distant. It felt like the same amount of distance he'd give her when he's mad. However, Tomura didn't seem mad at all.

She couldn't wrap her brain around what could have happened to Tomura. Y/n's curiosity plagued her until she eventually fell asleep.