Day 27: Lunch

[norainu]

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

Comments

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

Yuber didn’t bother to stop the small chuckle from escaping him as he saw Reno’s interest. Humans always were a rather curious race – a character flaw that was always far too easy to exploit – and it was a trait of theirs the knight wouldn’t wish to change. Where would be the fun if they lost such curiosity?

“Mmmhm Kadaj and one named Cloud Strife.” He confirmed with a silky sound as he lazily regarded the patient before him. “Although I can’t say I was terribly impressed by that young silver haired fool.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

Hard to tell what exactly caused the amusement, but Reno didn't bother digging into it too deep. Besides, Yuber's remark about Kadaj was enough to both draw Reno's attention away from the chuckle and evoke a snort.

"Can't say you're wrong to feel that way." He found it interesting that Yuber made no mention of Cloud, which seemed to suggest Yuber was at the very least impressed enough to not lump Cloud into the same category as Kadaj.

Granted, it wasn't like a hell of a lot of people would ever put those two in the same category.

"What about you?" he asked. "You the only one from your world here?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“If nothing else, I found Kadaj at least holds some worth in the entertainment area.” From Reno’s remark it was obvious that the redhead didn’t think much of Kadaj – he couldn’t blame him – and he was beginning to piece together that Reno could have been in opposition against Kadaj. He wasn’t getting the sense that Reno worked with Cloud though, considering the others complete lack of mention of the blonde haired warrior.

“No, there is one other here from my realm.” It was Yuber’s turn to snort softly as the question was returned at him. Gremio could hardly be considered worthy even if the foolish servant was attempting to gather him useless information. “But their use in the grand schemes of things is rather… limited… at best.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

"He's dangerous in his own right when he's with his brothers, but I doubt he'll even look twice at you. He has...other targets."

Namely Shin-Ra and AVALANCHE, although both Kadaj and Sephiroth did seem to have eased up a bit in their pursual. It wasn't much of a comfort, though, all things considered.

He cocked his head. "Grand scheme of things?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“I don’t know whether to feel honoured or not.” The knight said, but the amused expression highlighting his features gave away his true thoughts. “He does seem rather stuck on – what was it he called Cloud,” Rolling his hand around on his wrist as he searched for the word, Yuber smirked in satisfaction as it came to him, “that traitor brother of his. Something pathetic about world destruction.” Snorting softly at the mere thought of such useless destruction, Yuber was reminded yet again as to why he found Kadaj foolish in the first place.

What was the point in planetary destruction anyway?

Whatever dislike he’d shown moments before disappeared at Reno’s question, as Yuber’s overly pleasant disposition returned. “His life is a mere drop in the ocean that connects it to the select few who are chosen to create and maintain the very world he and the other mortals live within.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, he has a bit of a sibling complex. Not to mention an Oedipus complex." Reno gave the fork in his hands a single twirl between his fingers, contemplative. "Actually, he's just not a real well-adjusted individual overall."

At least Yuber was against destroying the world. That was always a good sign.

"Fascinating," Reno said. "I can't say I have any idea what the hell you're really talking about, though. You implying you're one of the creators of the world or something?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“I see.” Yuber was certain he wouldn’t have been surprised about this ‘Oedipus’ complex if the knight knew what it meant. Either way what complexes Kadaj had or not honestly wasn’t interesting to him. “Those less balanced in life are the ones you need to watch out for the most.” Granted, most of his work was contracted to these particular individuals, but he was hardly at risk of something a mere mortal could do.

“No, the Sword and the Shield created the world. The Twenty Seven who create the natural laws and life in the realm were born from the results of the epic battle that created the planet and the stars.” The knight smoothly murmured. Lifting up his right hand, Yuber revealed the symbol of his Rune etched onto the back of his hand as he added. “This is the symbol that marks me as one of those Twenty Seven.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

"Uh-huh, no shit. Coulda told you that myself."

Most of the terms Yuber was using flew straight over Reno's head - Twenty Seven, what? - but the gist of it was there. It sounded like some kinda religious lore. He blinked when Yuber lifted his hand, though it wasn't the rune that distracted him but -

Oh, so that was what had been so off about the guy: he cast no shadow. What the fuck? That was just creepy. If it hadn't already been clear enough earlier Yuber wasn't human, this definitely sealed the deal.

"And what do you do as one of these Twenty Seven?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

The basic concepts behind the Suikoden realm seemed to be far too much for outsiders to handle Yuber noted. Reno here didn’t seem to be any exception either, but he was hardly going to hold that against the redhead. Some native mortals from the Suikoden realm did not understand the true higher governing above their own rural laws.

Lowering his right hand back down to rest on his thigh, Yuber eyed Reno quietly for a moment as he considered whether or not to answer the question. “I promote evolution of the various species,” He murmured after deciding that such information couldn’t cause any true harm. “A balance needs to be kept between Chaos and Order as Order would bring nothing but stagnation to the planet. To make certain that Order does not out-balance Chaos; I offer my unique services to select humans in exchange for the opportunity to continue on promoting the evolution period.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

"So in other words, your job is to help people fuck things up."

Which...was more of an interesting concept than anything. Theoretically speaking. Reno had always figured people just naturally screwed stuff up on their own, but it wasn't too farfetched of a concept to think there were those built specifically for that purpose.

He leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand, feeling too lazy to sit up properly. "That mean you support a place like this? Or does this not count because you got caught up in it yourself?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“If you wish to put it so simply – then yes.” Yuber didn’t bother stopping the laughter that welled up at Reno’s simple summary of his occupation. He supposed that in some very basic level of understanding, that it was his duty

“I serve whoever regardless of their intentions as long as my terms can be met. Regarding this place though…” His demeanour entirely changed though as his thoughts drifted onto the institution in particular. Finding his amused expression bleeding from his face, there was a certain predatory gleam within his mismatched gaze as he regarded the redhead before him. For the slight against his very being... “I would rather show them what true Chaos really means.”

The mere thought of having his Rune’s abilities restored and running unrestricted throughout the walls of this vile institution made the wait far more bearable. He could already tell just how thrilled the Eightfold Rune would be at being unleashed even despite it being disgustingly dormant at the moment. Soon though… soon he’ll no longer have to wait.

[offduty.livejournal.com]

The shift in demeanor was rapid, but not all that unexpected. Yuber wasn't the only one who had something against this place.

Reno dropped his hand from his chin and let out a short laugh. "Hey, if anyone's gonna stop you, it won't be me. Long as I don't get caught up in the whirlwind, of course."

Getting the hell out and burning the place down at the same time. It would've been more of an attractive notion if he'd had a damn clue as to what any of them would do afterwards. No one had yet to figure out how to go back.

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

Relaxing back into the chair, the predatory gleam only lasted a moment longer until his more pleasant nature returned to the knight. He would continue to wait and bide his time until that moment, until then, there was no point in worrying over such a thing.

“Then you best be far from here before it happens.” He pleasantly stated as if he was simply talking about the weather. His revenge would hardly be put on hold because a few patients were remaining in the area. If they were foolish to be there, then it wasn’t his problem if they were caught up in his vengeance.

“So Reno,” Yuber began as he reached up to brush aside a few golden bangs that partly obscured his vision. Lowering his voice slightly, he made certain to keep his words just between the two as he smoothly murmured, “How do you plan on escaping this delightful establishment?”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

If Yuber was expecting a straight answer, he would be sorely disappointed.

"Mm, that?" Reno tilted his head, as if contemplating. "Well, I do have this grand vision of destroying the place with a few neatly placed explosives. Either that, or I need to find myself a female doc I can use to seduce my way out."

Although he hadn't considered taking it that far, he had found it a pretty damn shame that there was a signficant lack of woman doctors. He could do so much more with them than he could with...whoever-the-hell that jackass was. House.

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

The answer he received only caused Yuber to smile in amusement. Although there was no giveaway in their tone, the knight found that the answer to be more evasive rather than anything else. It didn’t take much to see that despite the question actually being answered, that there truly wasn’t an answer at all.

Which was an interesting concept to say the least, and he’d found (at least in his realm) that those who held such deceptive concepts were either thieves… or those intelligent enough who operated on the side of Chaos.

“I have to say Reno,” Tilting his head forward slightly, the knight regarded Reno with open interest as he continued in a murmur, “you are quite far the most interesting human I’ve met from your realm.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

In truth, Reno hadn't been expecting such a comment from Yuber, figuring instead the man would either play along with the concept or give a snort and change the subject.

The remark seemed to almost flip an unconscious switch in him, as his lips curved into a teasing smirk.

"Am I now. And what makes you say that exactly?"

He wasn't hitting on Yuber per se, but there was really no other suitable response he could give to something like that. Besides, flirting was always his default reaction. He found it tended to work out pretty well in most situations.

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

A charming smile slipped across his lips as he saw the instant change in Reno’s expression. The fact that Reno was flirting with him however, flew instantly over the knight’s head. Such human behaviour always seemed unnecessary and useless to the knight – not to mention those from his realm were far too cautious or goal orientated to consider flirting with the dangers he represented.

“I have my reasons,” Yuber murmured as he leant back into his chair before giving a carefree shrug. “But one could say that I find your deception a rather interesting concept for starters.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

That it flew over Yuber's head kinda flew over Reno's head, considering he wasn't trying to hook up with the guy or anything and so wasn't specifically watching for a response.

Long bored with his food, he his plate aside. "Hell, everybody lies," he said. "Wouldn't consider it something all that interesting, if you ask me."

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“True but there are only a select few who are seemed to be rather natural at it.” Yuber said with a slight nod of his head. Watching as Reno’s meal went ignored; his attention flickered back up to the redhead as he added. “As for interest, if everybody thought the same thing was interesting, that would hardly be exciting now would it?”

Lightly gesturing out to the other patrons in the cafeteria, Yuber seemed to almost gaze at them all lazily as he explained. “Regardless of what realms life forms come from they’re always governed by the same aspects of Chaos and Order. Your own world has experienced such battles if what Kadaj spoke of is true.” He murmured as his gaze returned back to Reno. “Those of Order hold no interest to me; most of Chaos does not either.”

He said nothing else after that considering there simply was no need for it. Yuber sensed that Reno was intelligent enough to connect the dots at what the knight was meaning.

[offduty.livejournal.com]

Okay, now this was kinda creepy. Reno knew damn well what he was capable of, but it was still bizarre to have someone point it out to him in such an object, almost scientifically indifferent manner.

Yeah, he knew what Yuber was getting at. He couldn't say the fact that Yuber had decided to shove him over into the Chaos category all that unsettling nor surprising - he sure as hell wasn't Strife - but he did find it a little interesting that he'd ended up somehow catching Yuber's attention. And that Yuber was actually flat-out admitting it. He couldn't decide if this was a good thing or not.

"No one ever walks the line between the two?" he asked. "Is it all so black and white over there?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“Nothing is ever purely black and white Reno,” Yuber murmured with a soft chuckle highlighting his voice. There definitely was a deep intelligence hidden behind Reno’s façade, but unlike what he sensed hidden within Usopp, it seemed as though the redhead was more than well aware of it, “Especially not when it comes to the human race.”

Dropping his right hand down onto the table, his fingers drummed on the cool surface as he thoughtfully regarded the redhead. “All living creations are born within the realms of either Order or Chaos, and regardless of how noble or not a creature believes themselves to be, there will always be the instance where one born into Order will step over into Chaos in order to best achieve their desires, and vice versa.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

"And no one believes me when I tell them I can be a saint," Reno said dryly.

Frankly, he couldn't see the true purpose behind such a division when everyone ended up batting for the other side at some point, anyway, but whatever worked for the world. People always did like to keep things organized.

"And you?" he asked. "Take it you're the exception, yeah? Or does even someone like you end up with the potential to see the light?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

Yuber blinked once before a smooth laughter escaped the knight at the question. He had been expecting it in some degree, but most certainly not in the context of how Reno had worded it. The redhead truly was interesting to converse with. It only took a moment for his laughter to subside, and with a decidedly pleased smile curving his lips, Yuber answered. “I am the pure embodiment of all Chaotic nature put together, the one who creates and allows the need for Chaos to run its course throughout the realm. While I might ally myself with those mortals of Order on the very rare occasion – it is only done so then I can continue to further my duties if those of Chaos prove to be disappointing.”

Laying his tapping hand flat down onto the table, his mismatched gaze dropped down to view the tattooed symbol on the back of his hand. Voice growing pensive, Yuber seemed to almost drift away from the conversation for a moment as he spoke. “The balance must be kept between the two, and one of the Twenty Six can not delve onto the other side for too long.”

[offduty.livejournal.com]

The laughter might've been surprising, except Reno had been getting the sense from the start that Yuber was, for whatever reason, just overall amused with the entire conversation. For a moment, he briefly contemplated introducing Yuber to Sephiroth. If Yuber wasn't so against destroying the planet, those two might actually get along well.

"Duties," he repeated. "Self-assigned duties or you got a boss somewhere, so to speak?"

He was a little curious as to how many had, in fact, proven so disappointing - and how many of the so-called "Order" had allied themselves with Yuber, but chose not to question it now. Besides, something Yuber said caught his attention: either the guy couldn't count or he was implying something else. Reno was pretty damn sure he'd heard Twenty Seven earlier.

He eyed Yuber, interested. "But you can?"

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

“We are all free to do as we please and see fit.” Yuber murmured in amusement. No other True Rune would dare to prevent him from his duties, nor did he care how they decided to spend their times. So long as they didn’t interfere too much, the knight simply didn’t care less what they did. Well… all apart from that fool Pesmerga, but he was far more enjoyable to taunt more than anything else. The embodiment of Order was always such a stickler. “There is no true one to govern over us, but more the Twenty Seven are there to maintain the balance between powers.”

Pulling his thoughts away from his marked hand, Yuber easily caught the interest in the other’s gaze as that question was asked. “There are a total of thirteen which constitute both sides of Order and Chaos, and twelve others who reside underneath the embodiment of Chaos.” With his lips pulling up into an amused smirk, Yuber noted the redhead’s intelligence was a rather fascinating concept and would have easily made up for any lack of true battle skills. “There is only one who resides entirely neutral to either side, and I quite proudly am not them.”