damned_institute | Day 44: Lunch

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Day 44: Lunch

That had been a very frustrating shower. For many reasons. At least Raine was going to at least look at Forte. Hopefully, she'll actually heal him. The showers had also succeeded in making the ninja feel like a pervert. A mild one, but still... It was as if Yukari had picked that spot in the showers because she knew the ninja could easily see her.

Ugh! Damn youkai.

Squirreling herself away in a corner of the cafeteria, Sheena finger combed her wet hair before pulling it back with the bright red ribbon. She so needed her own hair ribbon back. She was attempting to formulate her plan of acquisition - she was ninja after all - as people started trickling into the room. The plan was put on pause, though, when her stomach rumbled.

Food now - plan later.

[Closed to Haseo and Endrance]

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Now that caught Beatrix's attention. There were many things one could use such a power for. Her thoughts instantly moved to the warlord. Perhaps this boy could coerce the information the Bride desired. On second thought, that was not a good idea as that information was the same kind that the boy sought as well. There was no guarantee that he'd give her the information. Plus, being with him when questioning the warlord would only lead to her suspicions rising.

The other use Beatrix had for that information was in regards to a certain snake-bitch that didn't understand who her life belonged to. The Bride's lips turned up just the slightest.

"That wold be rather useful," she replied. "I would like proof that your ability exists before coming to a formal agreement." Her eyes grew a bit colder. "On someone other than myself, if you please. I am sure you are attached to your life."

Sai wasn't at all impressed with the day's choices for lunch. Though there wasn't much to be seen in his expression, the way he steered clear of any choice of meat made it apparent. His nurse did persuade him to try a few onion rings, and they sat on the side of the salad that now took up most of his plate.

He might have looked rather aimless, wandering through the cafeteria looking for a vacant seat. Those from his village already looked occupied, and there were no other friendly faces with spots immediately available. An empty table would be good as anything else, in the end, and he began walking slowly through the crowd in the direction of one.

He figured as much. Thankfully, Nigredo was shrewd and thus, required a bit more give-or-take as opposed to delving right in.

"That would be counterproductive anyway," he agreed evenly. "Before I demonstrate, though, I need assurance that you are indeed familiar with the area. I don't like to use this power haphazardly." A pause. "Nothing significant. Just a small detail about the basement's entry room is fine. That should cover the proof."

The figure of a man caught Nigredo's peripheral. He might work. Without little warning and in the woman's presence, he turned to regard him. "Excuse me. Might I have a moment of your time?"

A small detail? That was easy.

Without hesitation, Beatrix answered, "While the entire entry room is very opulent with a high, domed ceiling, fountains and ornate, detachable silver candle sconces lighting it, the door to the north, beneath the stairs leading into it, is rough-hewn stonework that does not match the rest of the room."

As the boy turned to talk to a passer-by, the Bride picked up her water and sipped it, her expression schooled. She was curious, but she wasn't about to show it to whoever this other boy was.

"Ah?" The ninja stopped, turning to blink at the boy addressing him with mild surprise that soon fell away into his more usual blank expression. He didn't really know either of the table's occupants, but with nowhere better to sit for the time being, he pulled out a chair next to the boy and sat down. He hadn't been invited to sit, but otherwise he'd just be standing in the middle of the cafeteria with his tray in his hands.

"Was there something you needed?" His eyes strayed to the blond and back.

"Needed" was correct, but detailing the matter would lead to biases. Nigredo could always explain after the fact.

"Yes," he answered quietly. The next words came like a pulse, something delicate and exacting in their execution. "I need you to walk the entire length of the cafeteria while holding your tray high above your head."

Once again, if the power went accordingly, the recipient would hear a familiar voice, understand the context, and follow through without hesitation. It was a cumbersome task, admittedly, but it should suffice as evidence.

The way the newcomer moved spoke of combat experience, but that was hardly a rare thing here. She simply inclined her head toward the first boy when the other asked if they needed anything. Thankfully, that was all she had to do. Sipping on her water, she quietly watched.

Walking the length of the cafeteria with the tray high above the boy's head? She supposed some people might do that to humor the boy, but this one did not seem like the type. She'd wait and see.

Sai blinked at the command, then turned his head slowly back to stare at his plate. Moving mechanically, he removed both plate and glass from his tray before stepping back from the table and lifting it up above his head. He walked away from them, all the way down to the other end of the room.

There, he was stopped by his nurse with a concerned expression. When asked what he'd been doing, he found himself unable to give an answer. What had he been doing? The ninja stared at the tray in his hands blankly before his eyes narrowed and he began walking purposefully back to the table he'd left with a small apology to his nurse.

He slapped the tray down and began placing his food back on it, eyes focused on Nigredo all the while. "What did you just do?"

That worked almost too well.

However, unlike Klavier--who had prior warning and obvious signs--and the twins, this one had figured it out quickly. Nigredo supposed he could find this problematic, except he'd garnered enough excuses in the twelve years of his life to avoid major confrontations. Or so he hoped.

The boy looked back at the elder with an empty expression, no trace of laughter or horror from the previous times. "I hypnotized you," he explained, "as per someone's request. I didn't want to tell you beforehand as it wouldn't be as convincing." A pause. "I'm sorry. I don't have any intentions to do so again." Maybe.

Once the older boy started walking across the cafeteria with his tray held above his head, the Bride raised an eyebrow. So the other boy had told the truth. What interesting things the boy could do with that ability...

Her expression returned to neutral once the test subject was stopped by a nurse. She remained silent, seemingly interested in her meal, when the boy returned. She would see how this played out.

"Genjutsu?" Sai frowned. How did this boy have access to his abilities during the day? He could feel even now that the restraints on his chakra were still in place. There was no way for him to summon any of it.

The ninja picked his tray back up, now standing behind his chair. "You had best not do something like that again, and I'd be wary of who you tested it on in the future." What the boy had made him do had been harmless. It was the fact that it could be done that was troubling. The boy's response reminded him of those in Root, which was familiar enough that he didn't immediately think to take further action against him.

"I will not be used for any more of this."

The term rang unfamiliar in his mind, but it was fairly easy to figure out.

"You won't," he promised, with the same model child voice he would use on his instructors. A part of him was embarrassed to have resorted to this. "I'll keep that in mind."

Beatrix wondered if the boy was telling the truth about whether he'd use this particular test subject in the future or not. He'd already shown a susceptibility to the power, so it earmarked him as being potentially susceptible again.

The assassin said nothing, nor would she, until the test subject wandered off.

The ninja swept a cold gaze over the two of them, not pleased with what had occurred. With no desire to cause a scene over it, however, he simply turned on his heel and walked off, leaving them to their business. He'd given his warning.

The vacant eyes of a child caught and punished immediately slid to assessment, something cold pulsating beneath the emerald orbs. The one who walked away would be watched. The one who asked for proof would get her business. Explanations were done; Nigredo had only one thing left to say.

He approached the blonde woman once again, appearing less a child and more...a complication. "One answer," he offered, "for one statement. As much as I will let you decide the command and the target, you will allow me to choose my question."

Eyes leveled against her. "Is that fair?"

Beatrix watched the child silently for a moment, assessing him. "Yes, though when I use your ability will be at my discretion. I will not accept an expiration date on our agreement."

"I could say the same," Nigredo answered smoothly. "Nor can this hinge on success. If the hypnosis fails, it fails. You won't be the only one at a loss should that occur." As she could probably tell with their test subject. "I will, however, give as much information as I can on its limitations to decrease the chance of a failure."

A slow nod. "Do you believe the chance of success would increase if you had time to observe the subject?"

The question required more deliberation than most. "It might," Nigredo said after a moment. "It would depend on the subject." He would at least be able to discern which nature of command would not work.

"Very well. I believe we've reached an agreement then, if you concur." Beatrix hoped the boy understood that reneging on their deal when it came time for his ability to be used was tantamount to suicide.

There was a curt nod. "I do." A gamble on his part, but in the end, it seemed both would get what they want. Provided nothing occurred, of course. "Should one of us be ready for our share, what is the best method of contact?" Likely the bulletin.

"You can contact me on the board," Beatrix replied.

Taking an unused napkin, the Bride drew

upon it.

Sliding the napkin over to the boy, she said, "Use that symbol when you contact me."

The drawing was taken in--details analyzed--before Nigredo folded its canvas and tucked the napkin into his pocket. He would study it later. "I'll notify you once I have the limitations. It shouldn't take more than two days, less if you have a target already."

The child paused to consider. "Should you require my payment sooner, find me at mealtimes." Pain flickered in his eyes before disappearing altogether. "Sorry. My words are being watched."

Edited 2009-10-01 05:06 (UTC)

"I do have a target, but I'd like to maximize your effectiveness. I will wait until you have learned the limits," the Bride replied.

"I also require something to call you," she added on. "I don't care what it is."

A name, basically. Nigredo supposed selectivity better suited him as a choice, but upon further reflection, it didn't matter. Names were names. Any one he gave her would come back to him somehow.

"Nigredo."

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quickdrawbkiddo.livejournal.com - 2009-10-02 02:39 (UTC) - Expand

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