Day 29: Chapel

[deathbymidget.livejournal.com]

Hiei didn't give a damn about religious services, meditation, or pretending to be social. The always sudden waking after night put him in a bad mood, this one particularly so. Even with Kurikara licking him like some perverted moron, the warmth the dragon provided was welcome in Hiei's bed, and missing when he woke, giving the surrounding air a greater sense of chill.

But the perfect thing to relieve his anger might just be making an appearance that morning, and that at least gave Hiei hope for a decent day.

Hopefully Kurikara and Kurama both would be clever enough to figure it out for themselves. Without hesitation, Hiei demanded to be led to the temple, taking a seat in one of the rear pews. Humans had a way of overdoing things, and this place wasn't really much exception to that. Granted Hiei's limited knowledge prevented him from realizing there were much more outrageous churches, but to the demon, the colored pieces of glass and polished wood seemed to be much.

It didn't matter, however. Either could be turned into weapons, perfect objects to slice into that damned head doctor's throat or bash in his skull. That was a thought worth grinning about.



[Feel free to pester. Just, uh, be aware that he's not exactly nice.]

Comments

[enigmaticmedium.livejournal.com]

If Seishirou had noticed the shudder, Xelloss didn't mind. He was darkness, not emotionlessness; he could experience satisfaction in a job well done, he could feel loyalty to the Greater Beast, and he could feel tremendous irritation at the thought of a certain golden dragon. Fortunately, he was able to distinguish between different worlds' ideas of dragons; many here claimed to be dragons, but none seemed to be followers of the dragon gods from Xelloss's home. Just large lizards, say, or legends of destruction without the 'holy retribution' idea attached. Nothing to be too offended by.

"I thought it wouldn't hurt to wander with one of the groups as an experiment, considering that my other option was to explore blindly. I did at least discover that the Arts and Crafts group's leader is quite self-sacrificial in personality, that his underlings are generally loyal to him, and that he very likely has some sort of supernatural ability that is closer to our own abilities than to... ah... the sort of magic that would suit Saint Francis's club." Xelloss smiled cheerfully. "Yet it does seem that they ultimately are attracting the armies of muscle-bound sorts that wander the halls at night with heavy objects. Considering the forces we face, I agree that we would become buried in corpses before we could overcome our obstacles in that way."

At Seishirou's mention of a puppet, he nodded. "Of course, someone generally attractive and skilled enough to be of use, yet not powerful enough to be extremely dangerous. Someone who could defend himself but who would not attack immediately, even against those of slightly darker alignment. If you believe that the individual you want to nominate holds these traits, I'll trust your judgment for the person to take the place of our gentle leader."

This was going very well. Speaking with Seishirou was easy and frank, even if they had to speak in hushed tones. Xelloss did have to wonder who exactly Seishirou was proposing for this role, but that could wait. True, replacements if the man wasn't suited might be harder to put into place once there had been one failed attempt. But the population of this place changed so often, they could always seek out new individuals among the new arrivals... or claim the 'leader' disappeared one night under mysterious circumstances, if need be. Such a chaotic place offered so many possibilities, it would take deliberate effort to be backed into a wall.

[notahangedman.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Xelloss proved Seishirou's point about tagging along with the groups would have been good ground work. Up until last night Seishirou had not seen any point in making that much effort. Now, this nightly Hell was beginning to irritate him enough that it would be worth the work to try breaking the riddle.

"Club of Saint Francis?" he asked with a soft chuckle. The Orders of Friar's Minor? The thought of pious monks within Landel's amused him more than it should have, and he found himself continuing without waiting for a reply. "It seems magic is rather common among patients. Or rather more common than what I'm used to. There seems to be very loose pattern in the likes of people who end up here."

It had been just an idle thought and he disregarded it easily, moving on with the topic at hand. "I'll talk with him first, and see what he has to say to the suggestion. It's possible he'll outright refuse too. His reaction will determine in great lenght how well he'd do in such a position. If it seems his attitude is lacking in some way, I won't suggest anything further, and we'll find more suitable person in that case."

He could have told the truth about why the refusal could be expected, but chose not to. Revealing too much without knowing whether or not the plan would work was just outright stupid. He wouldn't hand out his one weakness to Xelloss willingly. However, this seemed so easy it felt slightly unreal. Xelloss was perfect partner in crime and Seishirou couldn't have wished for better landing ground for his plans.

Not to mention that Xelloss was delightful companion.

"I'm touched that you trust my judgment, however. Makes me feel special." His smirk grew into a pale grin as he spoke.

[enigmaticmedium.livejournal.com]

"Yes, the magical concentration is remarkable. A very pleasant if ill-directed young lady I met on the buses last night informed me that she estimated somewhere around half of the people within our bus were human. Her own accuracy towards myself says something for her skills, but I would not place faith in her math." Xelloss's usual smile remained in place. "Simply that at a rough estimate there are many, many unusual individuals here. As we cannot possibly attract them all, it's good for us that with such a high percentage surely some will take an interest in our group, ensuring at least a moderate size. We should probably aim... hm, to be recognized within the facility our own ultimate goals aside?" He considered, putting a hand on his chin thoughtfully. "At least larger than Saint Francis's club, possibly the Cooking club's size. The Arts and Crafts club is utter chaos at its size, and the Cooking club is the second largest force. We don't want to be too large, but the larger we are, the more likely people will come to us as a source of protection. Yes?"

Xelloss had considered this aspect of their possible plans, their position within the established groups' circles quite thoroughly. Just as it seemed Seishirou had some thought into their new leader. "It'll be unfortunate if the first person we proposition doesn't accept it. The more natural we can make it seem, the better. Even better if we can lead him into believing it was his own idea." He frowned a little. "But if you drop it quickly, it shouldn't be too awkward." And they didn't want a fool for a leader, merely someone who could be fooled.

As Seishirou's expression changed, Xelloss's did too, the bright fake smile and then frown both fading into a smirk that didn't conceal his own nature very much, particularly viewed close up. "Of course, Seishirou! Aren't you special?"

[notahangedman.livejournal.com]

"If things go as I hope, people will come to us for information. Magic is the kernel of mystery. Where best to discover what is unknown? Naturally no information comes for free." Seishirou regarded Xelloss's smirk with a widening grin, eyes curving into pleased half moons with only thin slits of amused amber and dull gray glimmering between his lashes. "And the ones with real knowledge of arcane skills will know the truth behind the theory. I'm not concerned of the amount of interest, but rather providing the results individuals with intellect will know to expect if the whole concept isn't carefully worded, as well as managed discreetly."

Truthfully, Seishirou had not spend much time thinking about this matter. It had seemed like a good way to entertain himself, but not more. Before last night, however, he had not felt as if he were in a great hurry to get out of here either. Now something was different and he was willing to put his mind to this matter. Group dynamics weren't really his expertize. He'd happily leave that for Xelloss to worry about. "As for the details, I'm so special that I had thought to let him believe he was the one coming up with the whole idea." Leading a conversation where he wanted it wasn't such a hard task after all. "It's easy to discourage him if it seems like the way to go and just drop the matter if he doesn't seem to find reason in it, which is just as good as not qualifying by skills and intellect."

He laughed softly then, tapping his chin with one restless finger. "How about you? Would you have someone in mind you could hold out as the public image of our little prayer circle?"

[enigmaticmedium.livejournal.com]

Xelloss sighed as though wistful and raised one hand helplessly. "I've found no one I'd consider suitable. Many of the individuals I've encountered are either not intelligent enough or too perceptive, and we require quite a balance for a role such as this. Incidentally, I do consider there to be a less than optimal chance that someone may try to call attention on my, ah, shady past if I am too obviously linked to the center of the group. While I look forward to the organization, it may be disruptive if I am too closely associated with its founding."

He considered. "If I had to pick a backup, Artemis Fowl the second has the ego to be drawn to such a role, but seems to have a desire to hide his own magical capabilities. He also may still be too loyal to the Arts and Crafts division to consider changing."