damned_institute | Day 27: Breakfast

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Day 27: Breakfast

Day came too soon.

Sora hadn't been able to find Rena, had instead been forced to crumple onto the grass of the recreational field and bleed all over himself, and hadn't even accomplished what he'd been sent out to do. What he'd been entrusted to do. He didn't know how he was going to be able to face Renji and the others, but he also knew he wasn't going to hide from them, either. That would just be low, after all, and he was ready to face up to the consequences.

He didn't try to make excuses for himself. Even though there had been a Special Counseling patient, they had managed to take her down by sheer numbers. The fact that he hadn't seen any sign of Rena was what had him the most worried. He hoped he could find her today.

The boy laid in his bed for a good while that morning before his nurse finally came in to collect him. She clucked over the bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and leg, and asked him if he was okay to walk.

Once Sora assured her he was fine (he didn't really want to use crutches, as that would just attract attention to himself, and he didn't need others worrying over him), they made their way to the cafeteria. Sora yawned and winced against the bright light of morning - it seemed even earlier than usual, and he realized why when they entered the cafeteria and found it empty.

The boy shuffled over to grab a chocolate chip pancake, a bowl of cereal, and a glass of milk (good for the bones, or so his mom had always told him) before settling at a table. He kept an eye on the door, hoping he would see Rena walking in soon.

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Very little about Xelloss screamed "priest," but the way he added his own title of 'mysterious' in front of it was terribly amusing, which was likely one of the reasons he did it. "S'pose it'd be beside the point t'ask what it is makes you so mysterious," he gave a short laugh, "but I'd wager you earned the title well 'nough."

Arts and Crafts was another story. He'd been close, he was almost certain. But after last night, his chances were all but shot. He'd have to start over. At least that meant the map Homura was going to fetch him was a little more valuable. "Largest ain' always the best," he reasoned, "but y'could do worse. If y'just need a place t'keep safe, s'probably a good bet. Strength in numbers n' all that."

"Why, thank you," Xelloss answered cheerfully, even though Gin's words hadn't precisely been a clear compliment.

He nodded his head at Gin's point about larger not being better, finishing off his pancakes as Gin spoke. After dabbing his mouth clean delicately with a napkin, he said, "I think this can be considered a trial period; if I don't enjoy working with them, I can try to find another group later that suits my own needs better, can't I? Besides, the largest group also will mean the most possible future contacts. You can never underestimate the power of good interpersonal relations, after all!"

He couldn't very well dissuade the priest from joining up with the other group, but at least he was open to other options. Xelloss seemed fairly sharp, at least, which was much more than he could say for many of the other patients. "Sure 'nough," he replied. "You c'n never tell what some people're capable of, ne? M'sure we'll get outta here in no time."

[Storming over from Here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/210032.html?thread=14198128)]

The Mazoku lord was furious. It wasn't the injury itself that bothered him (sure, it stung, but he kind of liked the dull throbbing), but the manner in which it had been inflicted. This humiliation was not one that Phibrizzo was going to stand.

So he would send XELLOSS to deal with the problem. He had noticed him earlier anyhow, though had made no effort to have his eyes linger on his location too long. It wouldn't do to have others know they were connected.

Though none of that mattered now to the enraged Mazoku.

He stomped over to the table (partially directed by a nurse who left him to his own devices half of the way over) where the Mysterious Priest was engaged in conversation and slammed his tray down. His deep glare would be enough to tell his borrowed servant that he meant business. Ignoring Gin's presence all together, Hellmaster hissed, "Xelloss, there's someone you need to deal with."

Xelloss had opened his mouth to answer Gin when Lord Hellmaster had come storming up, looking quite ready to kill someone... or several someones... or the world. As the tray slammed down, Xelloss's eyebrows rose, and he looked back innocently at the glare Hellmaster was giving him. At least the glare seemed to be one of general animosity and not directed towards him personally. And... was that a faint bruise coming up on Lord Hellmaster's cheek? My.

After Hellmaster's imperious command, he puckered his lips slightly as though distressed. "I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

Gin was used to being passed by, so when what looked like a child stormed past him, it didn't really bother him. It did, however, bother him that the child interrupted their conversation. Despite what Xelloss said, it was obvious the boy knew him. There was always that whole... different timelines thing to explain it. But if nothing else, it made for some entertainment during breakfast. He chose to remain silent for now.

Phibrizzo narrowed his eyes. Of course he understood Xelloss's reaction, but deceptions be damned! He was furious and he wasn't about to let the Storm Trooper off the hook.

"Ah, no, my mistake," He growled through clenched teeth, trying only barely to sound cheery. "We've never met. I thought you were someone else, Mister, but I can see I was wrong. I've just been assaulted by Mister TK-622, you see, so forgive me for my error."

"Assaulted?" Xelloss did a good job of appearing surprised. Well, Lord Hellmaster could be forgiven, secrecy wasn't exactly one of his specialties. The body of a human child was meant to compensate for that, but of course there were situations...

"That's terrible. Didn't the nurses sedate the man responsible? Really, if they're letting people attack children in broad daylight now..." He clucked his tongue. "You should tell more people. Warn others about someone like that, just wandering around hitting children. Though I am sorry I'm not the person you were looking for, I'll be sure to remember and look out for this individual."

It was all very entertaining. The acting was decent, but didn't excuse the boy calling Xelloss by name when he'd arrived. Gin wasn't going to be rude enough to bring that up, however. "Ara," he shook his head, "Tha's just too bad. Y'look alright 'enough though, ne? Why don' y'go see one of th' nurses n' let mommy n' daddy talk, mm?"

His words were sweet, if a bit demeaning, should the child in fact be older than he appeared. If not, though, no harm done. And if so, well then, perhaps it was just a little bit of payback for ignoring him earlier. Gin hummed quietly as he cut his pancake into pieces.

Phibrizzo gripped the table and tried his best to force himself back into innocent-happy-go-lucky mode. This...dreg of society Xelloss had chosen to converse was certainly one with words.

"They didn't sedate him, Mister," Phibrizzo said, switching back on the sunshine and only glancing slightly at Xelloss to acknowledge him as the addressee. "Though they did take me away from him! I guess that's better than nothing, though you can BET I'll be warning everyone about how mean he is!"

Turning to Gin and making him the focus of his attention, lest he spend TOO much time on Xelloss, he responded, "'Mommy and Daddy', mister?" He cocked his head, blinking a few times in "confusion". "Oh! You mean you're a WOMAN?" He put a hand to his mouth, as if embarassed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Miss! I thought you were a man, but I can see it now!" He beamed. "You're a very pretty lady!"

Touche, you white haired bastard.

Oh, dear. Well, only thing to do was go along with it.

"Really?" Xelloss looked more closely at Gin... eyes still shut, of course. "Well, you are very pretty." If flat-chested and not at all woman-like. "I didn't expect Gin to be a woman's name, though!"

He glanced back to Lord Hellmaster, who was probably all too pleased with himself for the small joke. Well, Gin didn't seem like the sort of man to be too easily offended. And if he were, then alienating him would be inevitable along the line anyhow. No sense in worrying about it!

If it hadn't been obvious from the name, the way they played off one another when they teased was only further evidence. Gin only gave a short laugh, "Ara, I be'n called plenty a names b'fore, but never be'n a pretty lil' miss."

"What I meant, young'un," he explained, ruffling the boy's hair. "is that it ain't nice t'go interrupting grown ups when they're talkin'. 'Specially t'be throwin' temper tantrums like that. Ne?"

"Never?" Phibrizzo blinked, as if surprised by that. "Do people think you're ugly, Ma'am? Or old?" Technically the man had said "pretty little miss". That left plenty of room to further the "misunderstanding". "I think you're plenty pretty, like a princess!" he nodded firmly, "And not that old looking. You seem like you'd made a lovely bride one day."

"I'm sorry about that, Miss." Hellmaster put his arms behind him and looked to the floor, scuffing it with his foot in a generic act of submission. "But it's not fair that adults can hit little kids 'n get away with it just because they're older. I didn't mean to be rude, honest."

Xelloss kept smiling benevolently at Lord Hellmaster. This whole thing had been blown further than a city hit with Dragon Slave by now, but at least obviously lying could have its purpose too. And Gin didn't seem inclined to wander around screaming 'Those two guys know each other,' particularly considering that there was no reason to. If Hellmaster kept running to Xelloss every time someone made him mad--and Lord Hellmaster did have quite a temper at times--Gin wouldn't need to tell, everyone in the building would catch on.

"It's fine, I'm sure you're just scared!" He assured the poor, innocent child. Then he beamed at Gin. "Though I am honored that you'd consider me for the role of father! Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

It was times like these that reminded him why he'd never wanted to have children. He had a feeling his would have been as obnoxious as he was at that age. "Maa~ so young an' already a lil' flatterer," Gin pinched the boy's cheek, but had the restraint to do it gently, so as not to cause a scene. "Better watch out f'this one, he... or is it she? Either way they'll be a lil' heartbreaker, tha's for sure."

As for the rest of the boy's story... "You weren't doin' anythin' to that TK-662-san that mighta upset him, now were ya?" He knew all too well that there were two sides to every story. And if the child was as obnoxious as he'd proven so far, it was likely the other party had every right to deal out a little punishment. Brat could probably use it.

Then there was the mysterious priest, who kept right on feeding the silly fantasy. Not one to be outplayed, Gin took a bite of his pancakes and kept up the ridiculous facade. "Ara~ how could I say no t'such a sweet gentleman? Don't forget now, the lil' one said I c'n be the bride. I hafta be pure for my wedding day, ne?" It was a good thing he'd mastered the fine art of keeping a straight face. "An' don't you go cheatin' on me, I won' hear of it."

"Even if an adult is upset, he should speak to the child, not hit him. Hitting a poor child while he's still in such a fragile state of development leads to anti-social violent tendencies." Xelloss shook his finger playfully. "Adults must adjust to solving their problems without resorting to violence!"

As Gin made his suggestions concerning their relationship, Xelloss's hand opened generously. "Of course! I wouldn't dream of causing you to wear anything but a pure white dress. Though we may have our work cut out for us in convincing the staff to change the dress code for our happy occasion."

This conversation was more ironically toned than even his talks with Seishirou last night. Were this to keep up, he wondered if they'd tear a hole in this alien dimension through the sheer force of their insincerity.

While Xelloss and Gin continued their conversation, Phibrizzo mulled over Gin's comment.

"Better watch out f'this one, he... or is it she? Either way they'll be a lil' heartbreaker, tha's for sure."

Now what exactly was THAT supposed to mean? Ignoring the gender part of it for the time being, Phibrizzo grinned up at Gin. "It's nice of you to say that I'll grow up to be a heartbreaker, Miss, but it seems I'll never have a chance at being your prince." He nodded to Xelloss. "I'm still too young and it looks like you already found one. It's nice of you to think so highly of me, though."

In response to Xelloss's comment, he again played the submissive one. "'Sok. I know not all adults are nice. I just wish I was bigger 'n stronger and able to stand up for myself sometimes."

It was all well and good to have noble ideas and intentions for how children should be treated, but it was rarely how it actually happened. Gin as well as many of the other shinigami were living proof of that. It was a feat in Rukongai just to live long enough to become an adult. Regardless, Gin gave a wink in Xelloss' direction, "See? Now tha's why you'd make jus' a wonderful father. Knowin' all that fancy talk about how a child oughta be raised."

He took a sip from his water glass before turning back to the child. "Now don't you fret. I'm sure you'll find y'self a nice princess someday. You're still young, you got y'self plenty of time."

"That's very kind of you to say. I'm sure you'll make just as fine a mother," Xelloss practically beamed at Gin. "Comforting this poor child. It's a very image of motherhood."

The idea of Lord Hellmaster finding himself a 'nice princess' was so hilarious that Xelloss's smile was taking on a faintly manic quality from his effort not to laugh audibly. "Yes, I'm sure she'll be beautiful."

"You think so, Miss?" Phibrizzo smiled broadly at Gin. Xelloss made some snide remark about her being beautiful, but he ignored him. "What do you think she'll look like?"

He put a finger to his lips and thought. "I hope she's got a smile like yours, Miss Gin!" He finally said, using the name casually. Xelloss HAD called him Gin earlier, hadn't he? Besides, they were being so sugary fake, it didn't hurt to add a name in every so often.

And as for his true thoughts on the Shinigami's smile, Phibrizzo thought it was quite sleazy looking, but fitting for someone of Gin's...sort.

"Arara~" replied Gin, putting a hand to his cheek as though thoroughly embarrassed by the priest's compliment. "You do say th' sweetest things Xelloss-san."

Xelloss seemed to be struggling to retain his composure, though he'd held on to it admirably. Gin had to admit, it'd been far too long since he'd done something completely foolish and pointless. Usually it was just him and Ran and...

At the moment, she wasn't even turned to look at him. Too busy talking to Abarai to spare him a glance. He'd a feeling he knew exactly what was being discussed, but was relieved that at least he had no part in that conversation. He focused instead on the task at hand. "Maa~ what kinda princess should she be..." At least the boy seemed to be old enough not to be worried about cooties. He turned to Xelloss, "well if it's a smile like mine she needs, n' maybe you'll jus' have t'wait until me n' my darlin' here have us a pretty young daughter."

"A daughter!" Xelloss put a hand to his chest. "I was rather hoping for a son. Someone to take after me. We could call him Junior or Little Mister."

Then he eyed Hellmaster, but was wise enough not to suggest anything. Still, the idea was in the air without Xelloss saying a word. It was always best that way. This conversation might not have been as useful as Xelloss had hoped, but at least it had been entertaining. And thus far, not particularly at his own expense.

Lord Hellmaster and I are going to have a long talk after this, aren't we?

Xelloss needn't worry too much about his superior's warth. True, he would inform him as to the errors in his speech (especially the smug attitude) and of course see to it that the priest slaughtered TK-622, but beyond that, he couldn't complain too much. This was turning out to be quite amusing and his anger had subsided for the present.

Also, it was saving the Mazoku lord from having made a very messy and public display of his true nature. THIS was why Xelloss was so valuable an asset to have on your team, amongst other things.

Also, given the turn in conversation, Hellmaster couldn't help himself as he inquired, sincerely as he could appear, "Eh? Where do babies come from?"

Gin leaned his elbow on the table, covering his mouth with his hand as he let out a quiet laugh, his shoulders shaking slightly. It was strange, not to have laughed, at least, not a real laugh, for quite some time.

"Hoo... I think I'll let you take tha' one Daddy," he snickered, the smile on his face, actually somewhat real this time.

"Very well, this the duty of the father, to give the facts of life to his son." Xelloss nodded sagely, then leaned forward, to be a little closer to Phibrizzo before imparting this vital information.

"You see, when a man and a woman love each other very much, or are drunk... they have sex. After the sex, if the man is virile enough and the female's womb is fertile, then a child will begin to grow inside. At first, it will be a tiny thing, but gradually it will grow the size of a baby. Then the woman's body can't take any more, and she pushes it out through her vagina."

Xelloss leaned back. "And that is where babies come from. Women squeeze them out from between their legs after having sex. I hope that clarified things."

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