damned_institute | Day 43: Sun Room, Second Shift

He had left the dressings alone, content to wait until he was out of the woman's sight to try again. The nurses, as well, reiterated to leave them alone. Time to heal, and all. But if there needed to be time for healing... Well. Then Albedo was in a whole new ballpark. The slower healing was still more fascinating than most--a tinge of fear, a dip of excitement, but time to heal said nothing about the length of time necessary. He wondered.

This, of course, allowed Albedo to focus on something simple instead of the multitude of other things the sedation was currently making complicated. It was different from before, that was a surety--not only was cognitive thought sliding back in faster, but the nurse escorting him mentioned it herself in passing to another. Wouldn't want him to be too out of it for later. Later, hmm? What fine delights would be waiting then?

This, too, passed too much like water through his mind. His limbs continued to be weighted, and an overbearing feeling of loneliness coalesced through him. Something drummed a refrain into his mind--alone, alone. Too much alone. Despite the nurses saying both brothers were fine, he didn't see them anywhere. He couldn't... call to Rubedo, but he knew he could talk to Nigredo. Not... now, of course. His head still hurt. Maybe... later. Maybe not at all. Should he touch there? Why shouldn't he? His mind shifted back and forth but settled on nothing. Too much thinking. Too sad. Something hurt.

The boy awkwardly made it to a couch and curled up instantly, mimicking the cats found throughout. Albedo's right arm was curled in the middle, hopefully out of sight of nurses, as his finger flicked at a corner. Inch by inch, line by line. Little ducks marching in a row. There was something he was still forgetting but he couldn't care to know.

[for someone else with sibling issues. =P]

Klavier knew he should probably go eat something, but frankly, the last thing he wanted to be around was food. That was made terribly clear by the wave of nausea that washed over him as soon as his escort so much as mentioned brunch. Thinking of the scent of seared meat only brought back memories of rotten flesh and blood-stained mouths... At this rate, he might not be able to stomach a meal all week.

He swallowed down that sensation and was able to, honestly, tell the woman he wasn't feeling well and would prefer to go elsewhere. Which, evidently meant the Sun Room. Apparently, this seemed to be where they dumped people when they weren't sure what else to do with them. He could think of worse alternatives.

After a small smile of feigned gratitude, he headed inside and searched for an available seat. The room was strangely empty compared to how he usually saw it, so it wasn't very difficult to find spots away from everyone else (if he had wanted such a thing). But his eyes were actually drawn to one of the few occupied couches nearby.

Never would he be used to the idea of children being dragged here. And it wasn't only a few, it seemed. This child, however, drew his attention for several reasons, first of which being the shocking color of his hair. Second was of course the fact that he had curled himself into a ball on the couch. Normally, Klavier might assume he planned to nap and would leave it be, but a large section of the boy's forearm had been tightly wrapped and he seemed set in a manner more withdrawn than relaxing.

It didn't take much forethought to come and at least check up on the child. Though it was an upsetting sight, he at least tried to place on a small friendly smile before finally opening his mouth. "'Cuse me," he said carefully so as to not startle him, in the event he had his eyes closed. "Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything?"

Words and voices, this time with no familiar ring. Feigning sleep would be far too easy at this point, but adults never seemed the sort to leave you alone. Alright? Need anything? A good dose of murder, possibly patricide, washed down with love that's returned, but that wasn't anything that could be provided by another. Might as well play the part, fit the role. His mind hadn't come back online past that to consider alternative options.

Albedo uncurled only slightly, shifting shoulders back to peer upwards at a man with hair long enough to be a woman. Hm. A frown dusted his features, and then he tried for 'friendly', softening his expression. With the dredges of sedation remaining, Albedo couldn't pull it off perfectly, and instead left a strange feel of unease--his expression far too unsuited for a child. "Fine," he forced out, hating the cotton feeling in his mouth. He almost preferred the other sedation. "I'm fine."

Right as rain, even. Cheery as a midsummer's night. Dark and drab, and alone as the moon, waxing soliloquies to the stars. Why hadn't he seen either of them yet? Why wouldn't this damn headache go away so he could at least feel them nearby? He started absentmindedly chewing on his lower lip, eyelids drooping downwards.

As soon as the boy lifted his head up to look at him, Klavier's expression shifted entirely to surprise. That face. It was the same as Rubedo and Nigredo. This was... Yes, that's right. Nigredo had mentioned that he had more than one brother here. This must have been one of the others, which meant... he was a member of this 'batch of clones' trained to be 'bioweapons.'

That same uncomfortable knot of anger and sadness twisted in his stomach as he recalled that conversation. Children who were raised like soldiers and told that they shouldn't consider themselves people; they referred to themselves as weapons. He couldn't imagine the degree of psychological damage growing up in an environment like that must have left, though... the brothers seemed okay. Actually, if one kept that in mind, it was very interesting to note the drastic differences between them so far. Though a little snippy with his anger, Rubedo seemed no different from any other child. Nigredo was far too serious for his age and a little withdrawn. If he was to believe Nigredo's claim of his brother hating him alongside what he was witnessing right now, it almost seemed like this brother could be a mix of both.

He shouldn't be making such judgments at the moment. No matter the child's past or manner, one thing was perfectly clear: He was most certainly not fine. He also didn't seem like he wanted to talk about whatever was bothering him. The prepubescent mindset was complicated and foreign to Klavier, admittedly, but he knew better than to try pushing on a subject a child would rather not open up about. If he wanted to talk, he would do so himself eventually.

For now, a pleasant change in subject might work a bit better. Klavier regained an amiable expression in an attempt to keep a light, friendly atmosphere between them. "Ah! You are... Rubedo and Nigredo's brother, ja? I don't think we've met." He brightened his smile as though to show how pleased he was to finally do so. "You can call me Klavier. What's your name?"

His siblings' names caused a strange reaction in the boy. Emotion fell from his face, and he tilted his head to the side, eyes watching the man not unlike the way a predator would. Slowly, unnaturally, Albedo straightened, spine straight and eyes intent. The chemical concoction still clung to the inside edges of his mind, but both siblings' names out of a stranger's mouth was a call for alarm. A defensiveness pushed through him, though it seemed to be confused about the need. Protect? Destroy? Were they family or prey? It was unnecessary right now. Either way, they were his. First things first.

The empty expression hung there for a moment, and then his mouth split, parodying a smile. His eyes didn't change. "Yes," was the quiet answer. "I am." Klavier. He would remember it, write it down and watch him to fully understand how he knew of them. Paranoia skirted easily through his bloodstream, something familiar in the methods. A tongue slipped out to taste his lips, then he replied choppily, without his usual flair. "Albedo. You know them or know of them." A question like a statement. It was fact, but how so he didn't know. Something in him wanted to attack, but nothing in him wanted more needles at the second. Tonight maybe, depending on the man's answer.

There was something unsatisfied within him, thrashing under the pound of loneliness. Something like a hunt would suit it. Even more, if the hunted were blood. He blinked, carefully. He may not be so lucky, but he would take what he could get.

The intent of bringing that up had been to establish a little common ground, so that maybe Klavier could seem like less of a stranger to the boy. Either way, it was just a stepping stone to lead into conversation, not something expected to get a real reaction to. So he had been surprised to see Albedo actually sit up completely in his seat and simply... stare at him for a few very long moments.

It didn't take a child analyst to get the sense that he had somehow said something wrong. Though he couldn't imagine what. The only thing that even slightly made sense was if, perhaps, his brothers were the reason he had been so down in the first place. He knew there was some kind of spat between he and Nigredo, but could it have been possible to fight with both? It wasn't healthy for children this old to be so quick to temper...

He lifted one eyebrow just a little in confusion and curiosity, but otherwise didn't address the strange response. The way Albedo finally answered seemed to verify his thoughts. He didn't seem the least bit happy about this change in subject. It seemed Klavier really wasn't any good at predicting a child's mindset after all.

"Albedo, then. It's a pleasure," he said, maintaining the same pleasant tone as though nothing had happened. He regarded that obstinate expression with the same smile as always. "I met them a few days ago. One in here, actually. It seems this room is always best when it comes to meeting new people."

That was a gentle nudge at changing the subject. Though Klavier felt he generally got along with his own brother, he knew what it was like to be on bad terms with a sibling. And how talking about it could be uncomfortable. He'd rather not do that to Albedo if he could help it.

Albedo continued to stare at the man. Was it possible he had just interacted with them? Both of them? Eyes narrowed perceptibly. Caution would suit him best. Someone that knew now all three URTV Variants could possibly be a threat, someone--

It seems this room is always best when it comes to meeting new people.

There were very few things capable of producing stability in Albedo, or offering any sort of comfort. Rubedo was a given, though it was just as simple for him to do the opposite to his white-haired twin. To a lesser degree was Nigredo, and Albedo's sad-eyed dolls. And here, surprisingly, he had found another route to dredge up some semblance of comfort and strength. Something similar to him, different; something filling in parts of the gaps he had lacked.

Albedo blinked suddenly, expression changing entirely. His head shifted around, eyes tracing the edges of the room. No dark-haired, living dead man. Angel wasn't here. He swallowed something at the fact of both brothers and the only man he called a friend not being within sight. There were others places they could be. Right. That's all. Despondent, Albedo drew his knees up to his chest. He hadn't seen Angel in... A day? Two? It was hard to remember like this. He needed to.... --And Albedo didn't even have his notebooks with him. He repressed a sigh that was threatening to turn into a sob. Why was everything so wrong lately?

That... didn't seem to be working either. Klavier prided himself on his ability to make people smile, to lift spirits, to ~~lower guards~~ get others to open up. This was, of course, most especially true with women, but he liked to believe he could brighten just about anyone's mood. However, Albedo looked somewhat worse now than he did before Klavier had approached.

Frankly, he was at a bit of a loss. He hadn't the slightest clue how to bring this child out of his foul mood. At times like this, all he could think to do was use distraction. That often worked for himself anyhow. Perhaps something to break the ice and get Albedo interested in something other than bottling himself up. But the room itself was barren of entertainment outside its pleasant atmosphere. And Klavier didn't have much on hand aside from his journal.

...He glanced down at the journal in his hands for a second before lifting his smile back up at the boy. "Even so," he said, continuing upon his previous statement, "it can get rather boring when one doesn't have anything to do." He held up his journal so the child could see it a bit more clearly. "Would you like to pass the time with a bit of a game?"

Edited 2009-08-15 03:51 (UTC)

Finger flicked at the edge of his bandage in a rhythm. Flick, fli-flick. Flick, fli-flick. Flick, flick, flick. The corner wasn't sticking at all by now. His knees hid the action from view. He should rip it off, tear it off--ignore the masochist streak telling him to enjoy slowly stripping it off, and just get it over with. A sharp burst and then it's gone. Like Ru-

No.

A shaking hand rose to his mouth, eyes closing in pain. Something dripped down his cheek slowly. His skin quivered. No one was here. None of the three that would offer some kind of comfort. And so, he was alone. Again. Again. And now--

The man was speaking meaningless words. Albedo ignored him. Nothing he could say at this moment meant anything. Nothing he could say could possibly--

Game?

Albedo's eyes opened, head turned slightly to regard the man warily. The boy thrived on games, more often regarding the torment of his siblings, but let's not be specific. His closed gaze followed down the man's arm to the journal, eyes then widening. Journals. This room. It was like a pattern. He was tempted to ask if the man could draw. Mouthing a finger unconsciously, Albedo nodded, the smallest of motions. "Alright." Almost a child voice, that. The fingers on his other hand rustled the fabric of his pants. "What... game?" A pause, something catlike and curious entering Albedo's eyes. "Hangman?"

For a moment, Klavier was worried the child would reject his offer and grow even more desolate. In fact, from where he was standing, Albedo looked like he might start crying. And if that happened, the man wouldn't know what he could possibly do. Aside from internally panic. But thankfully, that seemed to pass in favor of a positive response.

The finger in Albedo's mouth along with his given posture really made him seem very childish. Although, he certainly looked young, he had to be somewhere between ten and thirteen years old, didn't he? That was too old for such habits. Klavier had to wonder if perhaps he was really younger. He regarded them as children, but they were born clones, weren't they? Did that mean they developed faster or... maybe they were born this size? There was no way to know, and it would be a rude question to ask.

His smile turned into something a bit more subtly soft. Maybe relief. Maybe it was a new found sensitivity by considering this theory. Either way, he let out a small chuckle. "Certainly. Hangman, it is."

Klavier gestured briefly to the couch, to indicate that he was going to sit in the empty space remaining in the couch. With the body language he was getting, he'd rather not impose on the child's personal space and possibly agitate him. He sat just far enough away from Albedo so that the book could be fully opened between them with both still comfortable. And indeed, he did just that, flipping through to find a clear spot.

However, he was on-and-off glancing at Albedo's expression as he did so. A game of hangman would be fine, but he felt it might only lead to an awkward silence between them with the exception of letter-calling. And he didn't want that. It would be best to get the child talking a little. Open up a bit. Interact. That was the only way he might relax a little.

"How would you like to add another element to this game?" he said once he'd gotten to a good set of clear pages. "A... penalty system, if you will. Just to make things a bit more fun." He placed his pen in the nook between both pages and turned a goodnatured smile up at Albedo. "Let's say... If the one guessing guesses incorrectly, then the other can ask them a question. Any question at all. And if the person guessing guesses accurately, then then they can ask a question. ...But everyone has to answer truthfully." He lifted a hand to comb through the hair falling alongside his face; habit. "What do you think?"

Heh. Admittedly, he stole this idea from an officer in charge of interrogations. Interrogation... conversation... As long as it got people talking to each other.

Edited 2009-08-15 05:21 (UTC)

Distractions worked too well on the tainted Variant. Everything else settled to the side at this game--and such a seemingly enjoyable one at that. Not only his habitual game, but a penalty as well? Having to do with truth, and touching on it? A serpentine smile spread across his face, looking like he had ate not only the canary but the cat as well. A chuckle, sounding childlike and out of place both. "A penalty game, hmm?" Albedo mused. "That sounds..." His finger slid out of his mouth to trail along his lower lip in thought. "Delicious."

Be it that he had no interest in the man other than his supposed connection to his siblings, but things had the potential to become intriguing. "How will we guarantee truth?" Albedo wouldn't lie, not once he agreed, but most adults had a way of getting out of things like this. A moment, a pause, then an expectant tone, impatient. "Are you going first? How many letters?"

...All of a sudden Klavier was getting a sinking feeling about this. Albedo's behavior had switched almost instantly, like someone had pushed a button of some sort. The shy withdrawn child had evaporated to reveal a face no child this age should possess. It was extremely unsettling, moreso since it had been unexpected. The sudden body language and disturbing word choice didn't much help matters. ...Delicious?

He frowned a little and hesitated before actually responding. Why did he feel like he'd suddenly been caught in something dreadful? Though the fact was this had been his suggestion and his idea. He couldn't very well back out now, no matter what his instincts were telling him. Besides it was just a pen and paper game with harmless questions, right? ...Actually, even he wasn't thoroughly convinced after that look.

"...You can choose a word first," he said finally. "I... can't really think of a way we can guarantee truth. But I don't like to make a habit of lying. Especially since the point is to tell the truth. I promise: I won't lie. And a part of my job involves determining whether people are lying or not. So I'll be able to tell if you lie." Actually, he wasn't all that sure of that. He couldn't say he had much experience reading children. And so far he had seen he wasn't able to accurately predict Albedo's actions.

Klavier's response, or moreso, hesitation, pushed Albedo more into the role provided. The man's claim that he could tell if Albedo lied was interesting--it made him almost want to test it. But a game was a game, after all. Fair was fair in its own way. And he had already thought of a way to guarantee truth on both sides. Albedo's grin cracked wider, head tilting to the side. "A penalty on a penalty, then," the boy supplied. "If our answers are found out to be lies at a later point, there'll be consequences. A penalty game." The last sentence held dark promises in its tone, like no game most would want to play. Albedo could come up with a great many torments to back it up.

His intense expression melted a little, shifting back to the main subject as if everything had been settled. He pointed to the notebook expectantly. Irony for irony's sake. "Three words. Four, five, five, respectively." He would have stuck with only one, but the phrase suited currently, and the words were small. There was a twist, of course, but Klavier had not said that Albedo couldn't choose something in Latin. He hated the words, he loved them, and he wouldn't acknowledge any meaning behind them.

If our answers are found out to be lies at a later point, there'll be consequences. A penalty game. Logically, it made sense. A punishment for breaking the rules by lying. From the sound of it, this penalty could be anything. Spur of the moment. It was fitting for a game like this.

Or that's what he would have thought under normal circumstances. But the undertones behind the suggestion made seem like... Well, he felt like he was somehow being threatened by this child. Which was ridiculous if he really considered it. But there was no way he could ignore his baser instincts. What was he to make of this situation? The idea of regarding a child with wariness and suspicion didn't sit well with him, but...

Regardless, the point was neither of them were to lie and expect nothing to come of it. There were no worries on either end if everyone told the truth. He could think more on this situation later when he wasn't so close to it.

"Alright then," he said levelly, calmly. He marked down the blank spaces - four, five, and five - on the page, then turned it so it was facing Albedo and placed the pen down for the boy to take. A short phrase or saying of some kind, it seemed, which was more interesting than a simple word. It was far too early to be strategic, so all he could do was throw out wild guesses. "Let's see. I will guess... G."

Albedo took the book and pen and sketched a loose base under the letters. Four simple that would create the basis of a child's game derived from murder. It was demented, in its own way. And it had the ability to create something out of nothing, draw forth murder or knowledge at whim. It suited him. With the addition of the truth clause, Albedo couldn't be more pleased.

Klavier finally spoke. An advantage from the start. A promising beginning. A G, crossed out, was added underneath, and the head now sat hanging from the noose. A backwards sort of irony, that. "No G," he said calmly, without gloating or smiling. "How exactly did you run into my siblings?"

Looked like he was already down for one. Though he was somewhat surprised by the choice in question. Klavier had thought he had wanted to avoid the subject of his siblings, and now here he was going out of his way to mention them. Most especially since it was regarding how he had personally met them. It was strange.

"Hmn. I met Rubedo in the courtyard outside. He didn't seem well at the time so I decided to see if there was any way I could possibly cheer him up. A day or two afterward, Nigredo happened to sit by me in here, and I thought to speak to him a little." He pulled his eyes from Albedo and stared down at the empty spaces in consideration of his next guess. Even though it was only a game, going down all at once would have been embarrassing. "...R."

Edited 2009-08-16 00:44 (UTC)

Something like a jolt touched him. His eyes narrowed, emotions giving him away. Saying Rubedo didn't seem well could have meant anything, and something that knew Albedo would never have said something that could have sent the child into a territorial worry like that. He swallowed, finger returning to tug half-heartedly at his bandage.

"No," he said without prelude, voice low and tight; the line of the body a slash downwards. "What was wrong?"

It took a moment to realize exactly what he meant by the question. It didn't help matters that he was getting distracted by the increasingly unpleasant tone. Klavier was starting to think that perhaps this game was only causing more stress rather than alleviating it.

"...You're referring to Rubedo, I assume?" he asked for the sake of clarification. "Actually, I don't know myself. He seemed rather upset. When I spoke to him, he simply indicated that he was having a bad day. That being the case, I thought it best not to press for details."

He regarded Albedo's expression silently, no longer focusing on the paper, but on the host himself. "E."

It was obvious that the more Klavier spoke, the more Albedo grew tense. The tendons in his arms tightened to stand out, the plastic casing of the pen bending the slightest bit. His expression grew more solemn, more defensive. 'Rather upset'? Why? When was this?--Like he even knew what day today was. His head still hurt, throbbing to an unknown beat. Why hadn't--Albedo would have to ask how Rubedo had came off that day. Angry was one thing, sad another. Both had specific sets of circumstances that would provoke them, and if Albedo narrowed that down....

Mouth had framed 'no' before thinking, eyes blinking in surprise. That's right. A game. And now he couldn't ask. It wasn't his turn. Albedo nodded once, changing the paper to suit the new outcome. He then waited, eyes steady on his opponent.

_ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ e _

Edited 2009-08-16 04:08 (UTC)

Okay, he had gotten one finally. But... that was strange, wasn't it? Though he had personal reasons for choosing the letters he was guessing, the 'e' had solely been chosen since it was the most often used letter in the English language. 'R' was also among that list. So the fact that he had only gotten one in an entire phrase was extremely curious.

Klavier might have focused more on that if he wasn't so interested in Albedo's reaction. He was getting increasingly agitated. More and more as they went along. He looked like he might throw a tantrum any moment. It was Klavier's turn to ask now, and at the moment, there were a good number of questions floating around in his mind.

A part of him wanted to ask if they should stop the game... but he would rather not waste a question on a simple yes or no. Asking what was bothering him might also be redundant since Klavier had a bit of an idea, even if Albedo's actions seemed to contradict his thoughts. In the end, it was recalling something Nigredo had said mixed in with Albedo's reactions that settled his choice.

"...Do you... not like your brothers?"

Edited 2009-08-16 04:22 (UTC)

Pen twisted in his grip, fingers rubbing against each other. Albedo seemed to take no notice of his own apparent agitation, just watched in a kind of angered anxiety for the man to speak. And then, he did. And that question. Could the man know how that very own question plagued him? Albedo's head tilted down, something soft and bitter, a short sound of laughter provoked from him. Not like them? (Not like them.) He had no idea. The better question would be the same pointed at them.

His eyes looked upward without moving his head, violet caught in the fringe of white. "I hate them. They're everything. All I have. Want. They could do without me. I'm a burden. They abandoned me. Worse. I'll kill them. Destroy them. I'd never hurt him." I don't want to be alone.

The sedation was wearing thin at this point, perhaps pointed out by the increasingly lack of sense Albedo was making. Backwards, yes, but he was always a contradictory child. Nevertheless, he had spoke true. He had kept his word. "So guess a letter."

Klavier was not a man with a reputation for losing his cool. Quite the opposite, actually. He tended to contain any foul emotions behind a strict lock and key, visible only to those who knew him best. However, there was also a list of things that would easily set him off before he could so much as consider holding his tongue. This would be one of them.

His facial expression dropped to an uninhibited shock, and he almost looked like he'd just been slapped. What was... wrong with this kid?! Was he insane?! Anger toward a sibling was possibly expected, so claiming he 'hated' them might have been expected but, this? That expression and the way he had said it, that he would kill them... It dripped with absolute sincerity. The eyes pinned to Klavier gave a look that truly seemed intent on murder. This child with eyes like that...

And at the same time, Albedo had simply let loose with a series of statements that all seemed to contradict each other. How could something like that be the truth? Unless he was implying that he was conflicted in his standpoint by blurting out everything he thought. He hated them and would kill them. They were everything and he'd never hurt them. They didn't need him and he was abandoned. Those were the three 'truths' running through the boy's mind, or so he claimed.

Maybe if he had kept his emotions bottled up, he'd have been able to make sense of that. But at that moment, there was both outrage and dismay flooding his face and system. When Albedo urged him to simply continue the game, Klavier grit his teeth and truly looked like he wanted to discard the game in favor of speaking his mind.

Not even attempting to mask his disapproval, he answered with a snippy, "N." As in 'No, are you out of your blasted mind?!'

The reaction was altogether far too pleasing. Albedo smiled, then, like a child who had won a game. This man who for some reason now knew all three of them had a distaste--a strong distaste--for something he had voiced. The abandonment? No, there was no righteous anger towards his siblings. This anger was towards him. The violence, then. How precocious. Someone not used to threats of physical harm and mayhem? It must be nice. But even normal siblings used that threat in easy terms.

The easy chuckle that escaped Albedo was arrogant and slightly mocking. The man needed more world experience. He wasn't about to escape the fact that violence coated human nature, soaked it in its sweat, and absorbed any goodness remaining. It created monsters. It had created them. Weapons of war. Another chuckle, and Albedo filled in the letters, two Ns and two words. A smile, an invitation. Albedo waited.

_ _ n _ / n _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ e _

And just what did this kid think was so funny? Sadly, such a smarmy reaction wasn't new to him. It was just that Klavier usually saw it with criminals convinced there wasn't enough evidence to pin them down, not with children. In fact, it might have been the fact that this was a child that held the man's tongue in place.

Was this kid really being serious about this? Normally the words 'I'm going to kill them' in this kind of context wouldn't be taken seriously, but the body language Klavier was reading pointed entirely otherwise. Maybe he really did mean it but... he wasn't resolved? Humans weren't born killers. It took an incredible amount of pushing and a certain mental standpoint to decide to take a life, and a fantastic resolve to actually go through with it. Considering how these children were raised, maybe mental instability was understandable, though still surprising for something of this level. He was thoroughly convinced Albedo was in desperate need of some psychological counseling. Even if he wasn't to that point yet, even if he maybe wasn't being really serious, a kid like this could easily grow up to be a killer.

It didn't take long to decide on a question. Klavier could theorize all he wanted, but he wanted assurance. He really didn't want to think that those two boys might really be in danger due to their own kin. That was too upsetting a situation.

He pursed his lips and tried to regain his previous composure. Though he hardly looked happy. "You said you wouldn't harm them. You're only mad at them. You wouldn't actually kill them, would you?"

Edited 2009-08-16 21:15 (UTC)

Klavier seemed as single-minded as Albedo himself was. No problems there. As long as Klavier didn't delve deeper down this route, Albedo could play the game. As long as it remained a game. The smile remained, and Albedo held up a finger. "Now, now. You've got it wrong. What I said was, I wouldn't harm him. There was no 'them' in that sentence. And it would have already been a lie. I tried to kill Nigredo yesterday. To bash his head in with a rock. Instead he stabbed me through the temple. And then the nurses intervened."

Nothing like a dose of reality to shake one up. The boy's expression was pointedly calm and casual. This was everyday occurrences to him, and he wanted Klavier to understand that. He wanted him to understand. And perhaps to shift or crack from it, something fun just like that. If not, there were other games. Albedo tilted his head at Klavier, almost pleasant. "We're made for it," was the smug last line. "Now. What's your next letter?"

Edited 2009-08-17 04:40 (UTC)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject