Serena looked over to Hinata. She was a bit nervous about being near her now that she realized how much of a difference their age were. She slid a tad bit away from Hinata and managed to slip on some of the unkept papers.
(Get Tatsuo out… XD)
The scientist raised their hand to their chin before shaking their head.
”I’m sorry. I only work in the lab and with the other Knights nowadays, I don’t have access to other Souls who reside here. I apologize. If there’s anything I can help with, I could answer a lot of questions regarding the Knights and how they work here. Most of them at least” the scientist answered in an apologetic tone. He seemed polite yet mysterious. His voice was a bit… clearer? In a way it was.
Kye nodded in understanding. "That is okay, actually if you could tell me a little bit about a Knight named Carlsen that would be helpful. I… had a few run ins with him… and would like to understand him a bit better," he decided.
The scientist nodded subtly before he moved to the side.
”In that case, please come inside. We are under ‘passive’ conditions right now so anything ‘informative’ or ‘secretive’ should be kept indoors. I hope you understand. And don’t worry, the only things you might need to be careful while you’re in here are the chemicals, not us… other than myself, there’re really only five other people who work here” the scientist mentioned as he gestured in, inviting Kye in as he was going to be the one to close the door.
Kye stepped inside carefully, and waited for the Knight to take the lead before going any farther. Partly because he didn't know where he was going. And partly because he did not feel comfortable with anyone behind him. At all.
I don't trust this guy.
You do not trust anyone.
…I don't him less.
How is that possible?
It just is.
As Kye stepped inside, the Knight turned to the control panel of the lab door and pressed them in some sort of pattern; swiftly and accurately. The door closed and was locked. He then stepped in front of Kye and started leading him down the hall. He stopped at one point and turned to his left, opening that door and walking inside. He turned on the lights and gestured to the seats that very arranged neatly. The room was cold yet the atmosphere was warm.
”Please, have a seat” he said, gesturing again to the seats across from where he was walking towards.
Kye walked into the room looked around and decided to take a seat.
He locked the door behind us.
I know.
And you aren't worried that he's setting up to kill you?
I am very well aware of what could happen, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt to not attack me.
”So, about Carlsen—“ the scientist started before they took off their crow mask, revealing a gray-haired but young-looking male with soft and tender skin decorated with a pair of glittering silver colored eyes.
”He’s going through an experiment with one of the other scientists right now, being one of the test subjects. He was injected with a magic-infused chemical which changed his behavior making him unconsciously bloodthirsty and uncontrollable in some situations. That’s just an update on what’s happening with him, now your turn. What do you want to know about him?” the scientist asked, putting his hands together on the table. He seemed unnaturally calm at this point, maybe he’s used to people asking him questions or to having to talk to strangers.
Kye gave a slight sigh. "He is… protective, and he cares for his… brothers, as he called them. He willingly helped me on two different occasions, and pointed me in the direction to go. However, he is, as you said, a bit more violent in some ways. And part of that comes with the protectiveness. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, however violence tends to lead to more violence. Which is where he and I came to a disagreement. I feel like he cares, he is just a bit harder than he may think he is," he explained calmly.
You are way nicer than me.
At this very moment that is probably true.
Oh no it is definitely true. I would have called him so many bad things.
Then it is a good thing you are not the one speaking. Because I have a feeling that most of what you would have said is more tacenda.
More than likely.
The scientist nodded lightly, listening to Kye’s words. He pursed his lips.
”I agree with you on many parts of what you just said. But as mentioned, most of his actions are not necessarily his, more or less it comes from the chemicals injected in him. Despite that though—“ the scientist stood up with a small grunt as he picked up and sheet of paper which was on the table next to where they were both seated ”—you might find this helpful” he placed the paper down on the table, and slid it with his index finger to let Kye read.
The paper showed a picture of Carlsen in a portrait-like way. Below that were a bunch of written text:
Name : Carlsen Faltur
Age : 21
Gender : Male
Ability : Aura Keeper — allows the user to turn themselves into aura or use aura to create and / or destroy things. Limits vary from user to user, most commonly countered with elemental attacks which pass through aura clouds.
Personality : Calm, Cold, Over-Protective of his Brothers, Self-Sacrificial
(Kept Information)
Carlsen tends to act in a way that is questionable. Regardless of his protective nature, he is aggressive towards most people outside his family and those within his limited area of trust. He is a fierce fighter who does not simply give up and is willing to risk anything saving someone’s life. Those within his area of trust will benefit from him, but those outside will have to either try to enter that area or stay away from him from time to time.
Scientist in Duty : Serena Syrain
She turned to Matthew. "Reall-" she froze slightly, turning at the sound of voices. She pursed her lips, heart beating fast, but pretended to ignore the two figures. "You mean you're not active right now?" She asked, her voice full of forced calm.
”Yeah, I’m ‘inactive’ right now” he answered with a small chuckle before turning towards the two new figures.
”Oi, Ai, Carl, you good?” Matthew had called out to the figures as they smiled and waved back. One of the figures, though, stopped and looked at Adara.
”Ada…?” he said with a small smile before he limped towards her. The other figure looked at his brother with confusion but shrugged it off and walked towards Matthew.
She had frozen when they noticed her, and when one of them had called her name. She sent a panicked look to Matthew, her blood freezing in her veins. Trying to act casual, she looked at Aisen, hoping she looked confused. "Who?"
Serena looked over to Hinata. She was a bit nervous about being near her now that she realized how much of a difference their age were. She slid a tad bit away from Hinata and managed to slip on some of the unkept papers.
(Get Tatsuo out… XD)
You done complaining yet? Hinata asked Tatsuo.
Mostly, it's just- he was interrupted by Serena falling.
"Oh my, are you okay?"
Help her.
What? Hinata didn't answer; she just forced him out again. Tatsuo shot her a look, then knelt down next to Serena to reach his hand out to her.
"Be more careful, okay?" He said.
(OoOoOo draaaamaaaaaaaaa XD)
The two brothers both looked confused.
”You… you do know her, right?” the one with Matthew asked as the other slowly nodded and went silently closer to Adara. He stood in front of her a bit, seemingly examining her.
”Are you okay?” he reached out his hand and placed it on Adara’s forehead before she could say a word. His irises showed caduceuses on them.
”Hmm, no fever, no abnormalities” he muttered before looking her in the eyes.
When Tatsuo came to help her up, Serena turned as red as a tomato. After she fully stood up, she ran to hide behind Hinata, grabbing onto her leg and peering out just slightly.
”Uh…uhm… t-thank you…” she managed to say without shaking like the little girl she is.
The two foxes in the room whispered something to each other which followed with both of them giggling.
Hinata looked over her shoulder at Serena, raising an eyebrow. Tatsuo tried secretly to get back into Hinata's mind, but Hinata wasn't having it. He shot her a glance again before turning his attention to Serena again.
"You're welcome," he said, oblivious as to how he was affecting her.
She jerked away from his touch. "I-I'm sorry," she stutered, fear racing through her every nerve. "But, um… I don't know who you are." She did, of course. It was why she was nervous. She backed away slowly. "I, uh… I better go."
The scientist nodded lightly, listening to Kye’s words. He pursed his lips.
”I agree with you on many parts of what you just said. But as mentioned, most of his actions are not necessarily his, more or less it comes from the chemicals injected in him. Despite that though—“ the scientist stood up with a small grunt as he picked up and sheet of paper which was on the table next to where they were both seated ”—you might find this helpful” he placed the paper down on the table, and slid it with his index finger to let Kye read.
The paper showed a picture of Carlsen in a portrait-like way. Below that were a bunch of written text:
Name : Carlsen Faltur
Age : 21
Gender : Male
Ability : Aura Keeper — allows the user to turn themselves into aura or use aura to create and / or destroy things. Limits vary from user to user, most commonly countered with elemental attacks which pass through aura clouds.
Personality : Calm, Cold, Over-Protective of his Brothers, Self-Sacrificial
(Kept Information)
Carlsen tends to act in a way that is questionable. Regardless of his protective nature, he is aggressive towards most people outside his family and those within his limited area of trust. He is a fierce fighter who does not simply give up and is willing to risk anything saving someone’s life. Those within his area of trust will benefit from him, but those outside will have to either try to enter that area or stay away from him from time to time.
Scientist in Duty : Serena Syrain
Kye looked at the paper and nodded. A look crossed his face, partly angry and partly unreadable. "How do you justify that? I have seen something like this multiple times now, and I still do not understand how you justify it. It does not make sense and will not benefit anyone. Not even the person on top. I have seen how this story plays out. Usually the person who authorised it ends up getting killed by 'their own creation', or by something else."
Serena wasn’t shaking behind Hinata, she was legitimately trembling. Her face was indeed as red as that of a rose. She soon calmed down though. Sighing, she went back over to her desk.
”Matthew wanted me to give you something, something he wanted to give to you for a long time” Serena said as she looked through the things on her table.
Aisen was taken aback by her response. His eyes were raising with confusion but soon nodded.
”In that case, I apologize, I must’ve confused you with someone I know” He soon walked towards his brother.
(Leave it this way?)
(Tell the truth?)
”I know you’re not completely satisfied with how we say the things we say, but there’s no actual way we can figure out everything and every variable regarding the test subjects. Perhaps it is their behavior and not the chemicals reacting to them but we can’t be sure” the scientist shrugged and shook his head with a sigh. He then took the document back, waiting for Kye’s awaited reply. He was sure the visitor had something to say.
Hinata was surprised by just how much Tatsuo seemed to be having an effect on Serena. Tatsuo continued to watch her, folding his arms a bit and just trying not to be noticeable. This was pretty hard, seeing as he was over six feet tall and broad-shouldered.
"Oh, really?" Hinata asked, making her way over to Serena's desk as well.
"What is it?"
Serena soon got out a small, neatly carved wooden box. She used a small key she had on her to open the box. The item that was inside was a… wooden horse? It was small and did not look like it had any other purpose than to be placed beautifully on the side of a drawer.
”It isn’t much but you know my brother” Serena smiled as she handed the horse sculpture to Hinata, followed by the small box.
(Immediently thinks of ways this might end up important later on)
"Oh wow," Hinata admired, smiling as she took the horse and box from Serena.
"It looks amazing," she commented to herself quietly.
(Good start :P)
Serena smiled when she saw Hinata’s reaction to the item.
She was, though, frowning slightly. She coughed a bit but did not make a note of it. She shook her head just subtly before looking back at Hinata.
”Kasai, Kori—“ the female scientist had called out to the foxes as they turned towards her ”—could you two take Hinata to the Gardens? He should be there, you know who” the sister stated to her brothers’ comrades. They nodded but the icy fox turned to the Balance Keeper before they left.
”Any questions you want to ask Serena before we leave?”
(Leave immediately?)
(What’s with this ‘horse’?)
(Who is ‘he’?)
(Are you alright?)
(What exactly are the Gardens?)
(Where are Hinata’s parents?)
[Special Option]
(Ask the foxes: What’s with your plan?)
”I know you’re not completely satisfied with how we say the things we say, but there’s no actual way we can figure out everything and every variable regarding the test subjects. Perhaps it is their behavior and not the chemicals reacting to them but we can’t be sure” the scientist shrugged and shook his head with a sigh. He then took the document back, waiting for Kye’s awaited reply. He was sure the visitor had something to say.
Kye sighed and shook his head. Not knowing what exactly to say at that moment. His eyes were drifting kind of aimlessly around the room. Then he looked at the person next to him, and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. "A word of advise, for you and the other Knights here. Before you decide that it is worth it, think about if it really is," and with that Kye stood up and walked to the door. Getting ready to leave.
The scientist cleared his throat.
”Before you leave, I need to tell you something…” the scientist seemed a bit hesitant of whether or not they should say what they wanted to. After a moment, they sighed and shook their head just subtly to themselves, looking Kye straight in the eyes.
”Just… be careful out there…”
Gelion appeared next to Kye. "If you knew anything about this kid you would know that he isn't careful if he were walking on a rope over a pit of lava. He'd be like, 'Is that a cool looking rock down there? Oh, let me lean way out over the lava to see.' Or, he'll see that something he said has gotten under someone's skin and is pissin them off, so he keeps going. It's a wonder this kid has gotten as far as he has in life."
Kye rolled his eyes. "I have said it before, I will say it again. If I die, it is not my problem anymore."
The scientist made quite an unreadable expression except for his clear frown. It was a slightly slanted one though.
”I can’t tell if you were being sarcastic, but I don’t like the attitude you’re giving to a stranger. Unlike your friend here, you aren’t so… you know what, sorry, forget it” the scientist massaged his temples before he gestured an opened hand towards the door.
”I wouldn’t want to waste any more of your time. If anything about any of the Knights strikes you as confusing or perhaps interesting, you’re welcome to come talk to me anytime. I’m rarely out of the lab so you’ll most likely find every time you stop by” the scientist stated before putting his hands together in a clap-like way.
”The name’s Chris, by the way” he said before picking up the crow mask and leather hat from the table and putting them on.
"Ah, actually, I was wondering if you knew where my parents are? I figured that I might drop by for a visit since I'm here." She smiled a bit, hiding her apprehension about this situation quite well. She needed to see her parents, more than anything, but she wouldn't show that.
”Hmm? Oh, unfortunately no. None of us know actually. Since the last time Matthew brought you here, we kinda expanded by a lot so it’s hard to even find a Knight outside a Knight-only area” Serena stated before she coughed again, this time it seemed to be a bit more severe than last time.
The foxes noticed this but turned to Hinata and guided her to the door.
”Thank you for having us Serena” Kori said as the female scientist sent the group a small wave as they left.
The fire fox seemed a bit nervous when he saw that his master’s sister had coughed.
"Oh, okay then," Hinata said. She noticed Serena coughing, and was about to say something when the foxes lead her to the door.
"Bye," she said, pondering what was going on. Still, she put her hands in her pockets, finally letting Tatsuo go back to resting,
You used up too much energy.
I have food.
And if we get in a fight?
I've eaten while fighting before.
