damned_institute | Day 43: Sun Room, Second Shift

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)

"What?!" Forget holding back his comments! If Albedo had been hoping to break Klavier's facade again, he did a spectacular job of it. Again, the man looked like he'd been hit, a cold squeezing feeling in his chest accompanying it this time. He'd actually tried to kill Nigredo?! His own brother... And he'd tried to kill him with a rock?!

"You couldn't have really...! Why would you do something like that?!" He was beyond outraged at this point. Of course some part of him realized he was asking a question out of turn, so Albedo would probably refuse to answer. But he didn't much feel like messing around at this point. Especially since he was very sure Albedo had just broken the no lie rule. "...That can't be the truth. If he stabbed you through the temple, you'd be dead. What really happened?"

If Albedo was just going to screw around and say things for the sake of it, Klavier wasn't going to continue this game.

Albedo only smiled, close-lipped, and shook his head. He waved his hand to the side, knowing full-well he could prove his claim. "No. I don't believe you get another turn for free. Ask if you win. And I'll tell you no lies."

Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies. Wasn't that how the saying went? For the man across from him, the phrase should shift--Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you nothing to break your pretty little, glass-bubble world. But since you insist.... A sigh, like an adult dealing with an unruly child, then, "Letter. Or you can go without knowing."

He clicked his tongue in a rather unbecoming sign of annoyance. This was ridiculous. Wasn't this subject a little too serious to be restricted to a game like this? Now the boy was being stubborn and refusing to share details unless through this penalty system. So in essence, he was being forced to play along or else remain in the dark. Just great.

There was a multitude of things Albedo had said that were all nagging at him. But if he sat here and thought about it all, he wouldn't get anywhere. And they only had a limited amount of time in which they could stay in this room before being carted off. He needed answers now. "T!"

The thin smile broke into a grin; the boy was entirely too pleased. He took his time drawing the line of the arm, adding the letter to the crossed off list. "No," he almost purred. "No T."

Now then.... Albedo slid a hand up to his face, tapping a finger against his cheek. "Hmm," he mused, considering the options. The added bonus of stretching the man's patience was beautiful, and this was turning into his most favorite game. He'd have to manipulate Klavier into playing again. But, for now, a question. Going back to his previous queries were rejected. It would shift his mood, and slip him out of the position of power by giving himself away. No, Albedo wasn't willing to do that. And getting information on Rubedo by a stranger. No. That wasn't acceptable. So something else. Preferably something that would push Klavier a little more over the edge.

"You seem to see clearly, in black and white. I'm afraid I've never had the luxury. Tell me, Klavier." This was all said properly, an adult undercurrent beneath the amusement. A wolf in sheep's clothing, indeed. "What's the worst you've ever done?"

It was coming to the point where Klavier didn't know if he should be dreading asking the questions or being asked. As soon as the question was out of Albedo's mouth, several different memories flashed through his mind. Which was... surprising, even to him. Did he really consider those bad deeds? That was ridiculous, wasn't it?

No, everything he had done was right. Or rather, it was the correct standpoint objectively speaking. Regardless of what happened or who was involved, he always did the right thing. Even if it meant a friend or family member... But that didn't mean he felt no guilt for his actions. So how to answer? The 'worst' thing he'd actually done or the thing he was most guilty of, even if it had been correct? If it was the latter...

He turned his eyes down in thought, staring at the half complete figure hanging itself on the page, and tried to compose himself a little before answering. When he did, he turned his gaze back up at the boy. "...I've... I've abandoned my brother. In a way." It was said levelly, calmly, but it was extremely painful to voice out loud. "I'm unable to help him, but even if I could, I probably wouldn't. I'm never there when he needs me to be. And when I am, I'm... useless." That last word seemed especially painful to say. "...O."

Any set-up Albedo had dropped, plans and games falling out of his mind. Eyes widened to spheres, fear lacing his expression momentarily. He had said that he himself had been abandoned by his own siblings minutes ago, and here Klavier was, now saying he had done the same?! How could someone...?

He rubbed at his eyes in disbelief, something like a drug lacing his system. His position was the one Klavier had occupied the prior round--It was now Albedo that needed more answers, Albedo that needed the information. The why's. Anger pushed up in a rush, and the boy moved to stand, to attack, but two thoughts pushed through. The nurse, carefully watching, seen out of the corner of his eye. And the notebook, almost forgotten. If you broke the rules, you couldn't win.

Albedo made the adjustment necessary, then placed the pen on top. Both hands clenched into fists at his sides, nails making tiny incisions in his flesh. Eyes burned and seethed with something close to hatred, something too deep to be pain, as he glared at Klavier. The man had one question. Which would he pick from his multitude?

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

Edited 2009-08-17 09:37 (UTC)

It was ironic. A minute or so ago, he had been desperate to ask a question. But his anger had somewhat been defused by that question and the mixed feelings it brought. Of course, that didn't mean he would so much as hesitate at pursuing the case at hand. His 'sins' or whatever someone might want to call them were nothing compared to what Albedo had tried to do. It only meant his words held a little less force than they had only a short while ago.

He matched Albedo's look with one of his own, though his looked more stern and less hostile. "Why would you possibly try to kill Nigredo?"

This answer was simple and required no further thought on his part. His eyes remained narrowed as he spoke, voice textbook calm. "There were three clear reasons. He was taking something away from me. He already killed me once. And he could kill Rubedo."

The boy said nothing more, just waited. The game wasn't done.

Why was it every time this boy answered a question, Klavier seemed even more confused than before he asked? It seemed like he was complicating the answers for the sake of muddling the situation. He couldn't say he liked that much. He would simply have to see if he could sort through the boy's answers and prevent that from happening.

Taking something away from him? How could something like that possibly count as a motive for murder? He had to be kidding. What thing was possibly worth a human life; his kin, at that? Nigredo... killed him and could possibly kill Rubedo? Aside from the obvious problem with that statement, Nigredo didn't strike Klavier as a killer at all. In fact, hadn't Nigredo been the one concerned about Albedo killing him? He seemed more a victim than an assailant. So what was this? ...As unstable as the boy came off, he didn't seem delusional. Paranoia, perhaps?

He looked down at the words and frowned slightly at the vague clues. "S."

Nothing changed in Albedo's countenance. He stared at Klavier for a moment longer than necessary, abstractly analyzing the man's visual reactions to process for later. An exhale almost like a sigh, and then Albedo adjusted the game again. He resteadied his gaze on the other, then rolled his hand. Your turn. Let's see how clever you can be.

_ o n _ / n o _ _ s / _ _ _ e _

Klavier had almost filled the board halfway, and yet he still couldn't make out exactly what that was supposed to say. Normally by this point, he should have some clue. But his normal guesses were canceled out by the letters he had already tried. If Kristoph were watching this, he probably would have thought it ridiculous he couldn't even wager a guess this late in the game.

He then stared at Albedo, at that expectant expression of his. The obvious question would have been a clarification about this death issue. But... They had gotten pretty far off topic, hadn't they? It suddenly focused on this attack on Nigredo. He was starting to wonder if he was intentionally being led into asking certain questions. Albedo had been answering things in such a manner that you basically had to ask for clarification. And that led to only more questions. Even if he cleared up every detail of that attack, what would he have figured out? Nothing. Nothing but that one moment of rage or retribution or whatever it was Albedo had felt that drove him to attack.

We're made for it. That's what he had said. Nigredo had said something similar. That's what they had been taught while growing up: That they were only weapons. What did that mean exactly? They were tools? Soldiers? Assassins? Were they taught nothing but how to fight and simply knew nothing else? Neither Rubedo or Nigredo seemed that way, so it as impossible to feel that was true. Why was it Albedo thought and acted so much differently? Hadn't they grown up in the same environment?

"This philosophy of being 'made' for fighting is just ridiculous. I know you're all better than that. Can't you think of some other way to solve this problem that doesn't involve any of you hurting each other?"

"It's no philosophy," Albedo said calmly, almost emotionless in this at least. This was something simple. That Klavier had said, you are all better meant one of his siblings had already touched on this subject, and decided to share what wasn't meant to be shared. Probably Nigredo. Albedo didn't care. Those things were not something that touched him any longer. "We were created as such. It's a genetic manipulation, a engineered certainty. War, and the aspects of it, are in our blood, in the chemicals of our mind. They swirl around us, something simple when all else fails to be so. We are weapons. We are not humans." A pause, and fact faded from his voice, and something too much like actual pain slid under his next words. "And I don't know... if it can be solved."

The moment passed, emotions faded. Albedo looked at Klavier again, something in him too much annoyed. "That question was too opinion based, and other than my clearing up your misconceptions beforehand, gave no actual facts. Ask something different."

But that was what Klavier had wanted. He wanted the boy's opinion, his thoughts on the matter. Maybe forcing Albedo to try and think of alternate solutions might drive him to pursue those options instead. If what the boy was saying was true, it was a bit difficult to tell if Albedo was crazy or just following his 'design.' If they were chemically modified to think in such ways... Was such a thing really possible? It was difficult to imagine what kind of sick person would do anything like that.

...No. Klavier wouldn't believe that was the case. He wouldn't accept that. Maybe Albedo himself truly thought that, but that couldn't be the truth. If that were really the case, Rubedo and Nigredo would just be killing machines. He didn't want to think of any of them like that. Even Albedo himself contradicted that reasoning. If they weren't people, then there was no need to feel things like filial loyalty or betrayal or abandonment. He wouldn't be angry to the point of killing.

"...You might believe that, but I don't." It was said bluntly, leaving no room for argument. It was to make clear that nothing he said on that point would shake his belief that it was false. He considered a moment. He needed so much information, but they had bounced from one subject to another so many times, he wasn't sure where he should be focusing most. "...Fine. No opinion questions then. What do you mean by Nigredo killed you once? Clarify that point."

Between the three choices of Nigredo taking something away and the paranoid idea of Nigredo possibly killing Rubedo, this one point seemed to be the most viable motive. It was also the point that made the least sense.

Edited 2009-08-18 04:50 (UTC)

A rolling of eyes. "Alright," the boy said noncommitally, leaning slightly back into the couch. Klavier continued to be cute, with such devoted faith in keeping his naivety. Despite Albedo's contradictions (the contradictions that would always occur), it still remained true. They were weapons. They were the byproducts of war.

Klavier's question was by far the one with the most possibility of fun. Albedo smiled almost gently at him, eyes wide and innocent. "Well, he tried to, hmm?~ I'm still here. Even after being blown up and reduced to mere particles."

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