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Post by GoldenKitten on Sept 13, 2010 17:14:07 GMT -4
The city of Frankfurt glowed dully in the darkness of night. It was a marvel of modern technology, or so they said. But whatever the case might have been it was not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, an ugly junk heap of metal and people, economically important but morally bankrupt. Filled with some of the highest skyscrapers in the world and never closing down, always working, lighting up the night like a sole star. High above the city a helicopter resembling a Mil Mi-24, but with enough differences for an aficionado to point out, flew over downtown though it continued its travel toward some other destination. It sported a single insignia of the Vulcan Industries company but in this light it could not be seen and the craft was not issuing any radar signature, similarly its rotary blades were practically silent.
Everyone aboard the craft were oblivious to the city below them or at least most were. The pilot sat in a detached cockpit but the transport portion of the aircraft had been renovated to look more like an office than a troop carrier and it was just as busy as one. Half a dozen individuals scurried to-and-fro collecting papers to sign, typing in a rapid pace on a plethora of computers, and speaking back and forth about various business concerns. To the back sat a single man who was not engaged in activity though and he was instead preoccupied with staring out the nearest porthole like window at the city below. A young girl in her late teens with bright green hair laid across the seat with her head on his lap, she was sound asleep and he was stroking her absentmindedly almost like a cat. Despite his earlier claim that this entire visit was purely business there was a vague grimace curling his lip downward as he stared at his hometown that suggested that was not entirely true.
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The Fleischer household was as rambunctious as ever. When you stuck two adults and five children all of various ages into an average sized home you tended to wind up with chaos. Even more so when three of them were getting to be teenagers now and so were of course testing the bounds of their patience. Siegfried had been of particular concern to Mrs. Fleischer as of late and he was driving Papa up the walls. His similarly aged two sisters Adette and Serilda were just being teenagers and finding out who they were much to their parents constant worry. But Siegfried was going beyond that, he was hanging out with bad crowds and while he still interacted with them for now it was becoming more and more infrequent. Mrs. Fleischer was trying to handle the situation with subtlety and tact but Papa seemed intent on beating it out of him, frequent yelling matches had become the norm as of late, particularly when curfew was missed.
Naming the boy Siegfried had been Papa's idea. It was grandiose name and while the idea behind it had been an elegant one the real life application had unfortunately been less enjoyable. In their youth they had gone bankrupt, unable to support their first child Alrick they had given him over to one of the state run orphanages with the stipulation that they had a year to pull their funds together or he would go up for adoption. However when a year passed and they returned from their long hard toil which eventually resulted in moderate financial success Alrick was gone. Nobody knew how it had happened but nobody even remembered such a boy by that name even being there for any amount of time, nor were there records about him.
At the time she had grieved heartily but now her home was once more filled with growing children with whom she busied herself and enjoyed watching them grow. She would never forgive herself for having to give Alrick away and prayed whatever had happened to him it had not been to cruel, but in the day to day schedule that was a mistake from another life that only came to haunt her on rare occasions. As it was though when Siegfried had been born Papa suggested the name in reverence to that incident, Siegfried the Immortal from legend, in other words he would always be here with them. But in practicality it sounded somewhat foolish in day to day conversation and had unfortunately been the root of much peer pressure during his youth. He was not a strong or suave boy either so the effect was only amplified, she would never tell Papa but she had long thought the name was one of many factors that had lead to the boys current state.
Mrs. Fleischer was brought from her reverie as the pot before her began to boil over and she quickly reduced the heat. She was standing in the cluttered kitchen of their modest home preparing dinner, the room had clearly at one time been decorated in the older styling of a cottage kitchen but was now buried under mountains of toys and school papers. The clutter didn't bother her though as she just accepted it as proof of a happy and lively family. Turning back to the stove she looked inside and was pleased with the result as she pulled it out while calling over her shoulder.
“Adette, Serilda, get in here and set the table.”
Two older female voices sung back in unison, “Yes Mama.”, they might have been going through their rebellious phases but they were still pleasant young girls who took part with the family. They typically did whatever was asked and if one of them broke one of the families rules a mild punishment was usually deterrent enough from future infractions.
“Lene, go tell Siegfried dinner is ready.”
An annoyed and gruff male voice called from the living room, “And tell him to turn that damnable racket off!”
“Yes Ma, Papa!” a younger voice responded and then small shuffling footsteps could be heard making their way up the stairs, in an old house like this every noise traveled. And true as Papa had pointed out Siegfrieds rock music was traveling down to them as deep bass. She had tried to ignore it though as she felt calling him out on it would only put a greater rend in the growing space between them and she didn't want that over something so small. Still, she was a soft-spoken woman and rarely found it within herself to argue with Papa, not because he was a cruel man but simply because she lacked the gumption to take the first step and make herself heard. She just hoped since the message was being delivered by Lene the impact would be lessened.
The door to Siegfrieds room was thrown open but he didn't notice being lost in his own little world, wasting his life away on the device known as a computer. His room was cloaked in every possible stereotypical goth-rocker decorative piece that could be found and being in the actual room the death metal playing from his speakers was at near ear bursting level. Then without warning it was turned off and something small and familiar tackled one of his legs from below the chair. After a few moments of wrestling with it the black pig-tails and cute face of Siegfrieds innocent but also incessant six-year old sister Lene appeared from below.
“Papa said to turn it off.” She brought her finger up to her mouth in a devious childlike smile, “But I knew you wouldn't, so I saved you from another yelling. That means later you have to buy me some candy as thanks.” If she were older this would have been considered working someone over, as it was Siegfried couldn't really get angry (unless he was a huge douche) as she was clearly addressing this from a child's viewpoint. The complexities of the tension between him and his Papa were lost on her, she just saw the outermost effects, like Papa having no patience with his music. Though at times she also seemed to be smarter and older than she was.
She wriggled out from underneath and then stood up, she was short even by their families standards (the women tended to be short like Mama) and could hardly see over the chairs armrest. “Ma says its time for dinner so let's go K'?”, she held her hand out as if she were waiting for him to put his out so that she might lead him downstairs. Even if she didn't understand the reasoning it was clear Lene was the only sibling he had who was trying to help him out. Even if her own way was childish and didn't really apply to the grown-up world.
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“Sir, is this really what you want to do?” A young man freshly transferred to this task force by some number cruncher had finally been unable to take it any longer and stood before the blond man. He clearly missed or just ignored the obvious concern in his fellow members eyes and several visible shaking hands as if to tell him to stop while he was ahead.
The man who had been leaning on one arm while still slowly stroking the girls head turned ever so slowly to look at him. He seemed to be coming out of a daze but those that knew him well enough knew instead he simply phased out anyone he considered unimportant, it was likely until being directly addressed he had not even realized the mans presence during the entire helicopter ride. Finally as if the words sunk in he cocked his head to the side with a look of obvious confusion, “Why ask that?”
The young man sporting large glasses and an unattractive black bowl cut of hair was taken aback for a moment by the actions and response but continued, “Well, sir, they are your family.”
By now the rest of the workers were trying their hardest to get very far away, which was difficult in the tight confines of the helicopter, one had settled for ducking under his desk. Meanwhile the blond man scratched his head in clear misunderstanding and said, “Well that's the point of course. All other test subjects Richard Mallory worked on were failures, yet I was a radical success. Likewise Amane here has been our only success out of over a hundred. There might have been a random factor to it but we can't rely on random factors, we have to work with repeatable variables. In this case one line of work we're going with is the possibility that my basic chemical makeup had something to do with it, thus working with my blood relatives is a good place to start. If we see success we can start cloning and DNA manipulation from there and see what else we get. My family is having a get together in two days, this is the perfect chance for us to collect a wide sample.”
He had continued for a time, oblivious to the mans ire. Everyone else had seen from the outset what he was getting at but it seemed the young man finally understood that the Commander didn't think like a normal person. He had known all of what was said already but his intentions had been of the ethical variety and he finally decided he would just have to be blunt. When the explanation was over he stated simply, “Sir, what I was getting at was, are you really comfortable doing this to your family. They are your blood and there is no way to conduct these experiments in an non-intrusive way! Any number of things could happen to them, they could die or worse go completely mad. Would you be ok with that sir? I hope not.”
The man seemed content that he had got the message across and things would be set right now. On the other side the blond commander simply sat back in his chair and his expression which had been growing slightly amused at the thought of the experiments instead transcended back to boredom, with perhaps a tinge of disgust. He spoke and the young man turned to him eager to hear his response though the one he got was not what he expected, “Boy, what's your name?”
“Er...” caught off guard he paused before adding, “Daniel Alper, sir.”
By this time the blond commander was getting up, he cradled the young girls head as gently as anyone had ever seen him perform any act. He pushed her to the side where she curled into a ball in the seat next to the one in which he had sat and he stood to his full height, a head over the young scientist whom he got dangerously close to breaking into his personal space. The boy tried to back up but the Commander quickly moved right back up into his space and in the confines of the helicopter there weren't many places to go. The Commander now spoke in a malicious voice that few ever heard and lived to hear again, his once blue eyes burned an intense red and visibly glowed, “Daniel Alper. As per regulations you're status and existence has been wiped from the records correct?”
The boy nodded several times and spoke, misunderstanding, “Y-yes sir, I understand what you are saying. We're a secretive organization, some of the things we do can be questionable. I...I just wanted to make sure you understood the-” he spoke in increasingly frenzied speech as he was stared down and a surreal energy seemed to grab at him.
The Commander reached past him and put his hand on the helicopter wall as he spoke low to the boy, “No, that wasn't why I asked. I just wanted to make sure they couldn't trace you to us.”
In the next moment the side door of the helicopter was pulled open letting the cold night air in. Papers went flying every which way though the air pressure kept them inside the cabin. A palm was applied to the boys chest and in the blink of an eye he had disappeared into the darkness beyond, likewise his inevitable screams were lost to rushing sound of air, then the door was closed. The surviving scientist all began peeking out from where they had been hiding, meanwhile the young girl slept as soundly as ever on her chair. The Commander reached up to the comm unit around his ear and spoke in an annoyed tone, “Pilot, I tire of this waiting! How long?!”
“Five minute E.T.A sir.” came the snappy reply, seemed even the pilot knew something had just happened.
He turned about and looked at the door for a moment before aiding in a more chipper voice, “Maybe I should install an insta-open button so I can just push people out without having to stand up?”, he mulled this over for a while.
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Dinner was meatloaf and veggies, conversationally it was progressing as per the norm. Papa sat silently eying Siegfried as if her were the plague though he said not a word. Meanwhile Mama went down the line probing each of them about what they did in school that day. Dinner was meatloaf and veggies, Lene sat next to Siegfried and was probing a particularly vicious looking carrot with her fork, she would occasionally cast him pitiful looks as if she hoped he would save her from them. Adette was the talker in the family and so it was not an uncommon event when she got asked about her day that they got to hear ALL about her day, every. single. minute. Naturally for the parents, Mama in particular, this was great as she felt included but for the rest of the siblings it was something equivocal to hell.
Toward the end of her nightly report Papa finally grunted, “Oh enough of this.” and got up disappearing from the room.
Papa was a portly man who may have been attractive at one time but with “one time” being the key phrase. Now he hardly fit in his daily business suit and the stubble growing from his chin was an unsightly patchwork of a sickly copper color, a lighter shade of hair grew from his head though nowadays they were little more that wispy tufts trying desperately to stay attached. His overall appearance wasn't helped much by the fact that he rarely smiled these days, he was finding it far more difficult to cope with his teenage children's tendencies than Mama. She had faired better than Papa on the aging scale but she had still grown significantly more plump and sported a curly old lady doo, still unlike Papa it was still immediately evident in her face that she bore lines of attraction. Of course her kindly personality helped immensely with this and it was little wonder that all the siblings preferred her to him.
The others at the table of course included the previous mentions. The cute little Lene, looking at both the parents one had to question where in the world she had gotten that overbearing adorableness because neither of them possessed it. There was Anette who was what one would have expected Mama to look like in her younger days, thinner, more casually dressed and sporting a long elegant brown ponytail. Then Serilda was already well on her way to mimicking Mama as she was now having stacked on some undeniable weight in the past few years, it was well known she had little self-esteem in the first place and now she took out her frustrations by going to parties weekly making her the second most worried about sibling in the house after Siegfried. Lastly there was eleven-year old Tobias who rarely talked, Siegfried was a “nerd” in the more new-age sense of the word, he played games and lived on the computer. Tobias on the other hand was an oldschool nerd, he was brilliant beyond what any of them could have imagined and as such didn't have much in the way of friends. However Siegfried had been made aware that this was not a tragic case of a good guy not being liked, rather Tobias was egotistic and though his intelligence made him better than everyone else, that included here at home and thus the silence.
Several familiar clunks could be heard from the other side of the wall to which Papa had disappeared. After a minute or two he rounded the corner with their small TV set rolling on the little stand they had procured for it. Mama made an attempt to say she didn't want the TV at the dinner table but Papa beat her to it. “I work all day long, if I want to come home and watch the news that's what I'll do.”, Mama could do little but heave a sigh.
The old set came on with a squeal and the audio could be heard before the old tubes inside compensated and a discolored image appeared on screen. The Fleischer's weren't poor but having so many children what money they did have wound up thinned out over them all, so sometimes they had to pick their battles and a new set just cost to much. Papa was a product analyst at a nearby steel plant and Mama was an on and off nurse, however until Lene could get into gradeschool she was playing the stay-at-home mom.
The TV didn't change channels well so it was typically put on the news channel and left there. Thus there was little that could be done when the first thing that popped up was an overhead view of police erecting a white tarp over a massive area of road. Despite their best efforts there was clearly a little red here or there, glistening in the light of the news choppers headlamp though it might have taken everyone sitting there a moment to understand. The anchorwoman was giving an accompanying story as the scene was shot.
“-are still confused as to how this occurred. Though whether they are aware of the mans identity or not is not being said yet what we have learned is that the individual was found in a state consistent with a high force vertical impact and was witnessed falling out of the air. The issue is that there are no high-rises in the local area capable of delivering such force and though we can't be completely sure at this time we have been told air traffic control has listed no commercial or private traffic in the air overhead in the last thirty minutes. But almost a dozen individuals were witness to the grizzly fall as-”
“PAPA!” Mama finally managed from behind.
Papa who had been absorbed in the tale turned around to see what was the matter. He followed Mama's pointing finger to Lene who was staring at the TV with the same sort of entrapped glaze Papa had only it was tinged with something of fear to. She was just a child after all and while they didn't shelter her from reality she still didn't need to be hearing about all the strange ways one could die. Papa coughed and nodded as if embarrassed he had forgotten about her presence and despite having just brought the TV in to watch settled for turning it off. After a few moments of awkwardness Mama tried to cut in by adding, “So have you all decided what you'll wear when the rest of the family comes down on Sunday? I can help you if you haven't.”, this continued for a bit before conversation dropped off once more.
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The helicopter hovered only a few dozen meters off the ground as the Commander stood on the ramp looking down. Most people would have experienced a serious case of vertigo doing this without having something to grab on to or a parachute in the event of emergency but the thought wasn't even on his mind. They were over a rural townage outside Frankfurt, it wasn't quite the country but the homes had a decent acre lot size between them instead of being a packed suburb. The particular home beneath them was an ancient cottage, it was still in good condition but it had probably been there for over a hundred years which made it kind of interesting unlike the billions of identical prefab homes you would find closer to the city center. The Commander appreciated anything unique, plus he just hadn't been himself since he had set forth on this course of action, perhaps even he was swayed by the idea of seeing a family he could not remember but that did not change his convictions in the least.
Decided on how he would approach the situation he turned back around to the scientist in the vehicle with him. They were all already prepared and knew what they had to do...or rather for their own sakes they better hope they did. Instead he turned his attention to the still sleeping girl on the couch and walked up to her, kneeling down and tapping her softly as he whispered.
“Ammmmaannne~~~. Time to wake up.”
The girl shuffled several times and brought her hands curled up over her eyes like a cat. Eventually after another prodding she rolled over onto her belly and rose up at the waist, balancing on the seat via her knees. She sleepily rubbed her eyes as she looked up at him and with a cute yawn and petite voice asked, “Master?”
He just nodded with a mild smile on his face and continued, “Yes, it's time for me to go. You know what that means right?”
She blinked several times, still clearly lost in the realm between being asleep and awake. However she seemed to process what he had said and nodded, “I'm to work with Murakami-san on getting an extraction unit into the country, then I wait for your word.”
He patted her head and she sort of buffeted under each strike though with a smile on her face. He shot her a thumbs up and added, “Good girl.”. She beamed and one almost felt they were looking at a pet being praised by its owner, given the way she moved and acted submissively this was in fact not an entirely inaccurate comparison. He looked to the others and stated with a more neutral tone and facial expression, “You'll be listening to her for now. Don't think that means you get to slack off, I better see some growth by the time I return.”
Having nothing else to say he turned away from them and walked back toward the ramp. He didn't even give a moments pause as he walked straight off the end and dropped off the edge, landing before his long lost home in a graceful kneel where most humans would have been flattened.
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Things had taken a turn for the worse at the dinner table. Not having his TV to distract him Papa has resorted to his seemingly next favorite task, lambasting Siegfried for his increasingly deviant personality. Of course the reality of it was that it was just a father being concerned for his son but like many parents he didn't know how to handle it correctly, just making it worse in the process. He had picked on his isolating himself from the family as well as his way of dress, this had lead to a mild shouting match between them. Thankfully Mama had been there to talk them both down, Lene had started pouting as well which quickly put a stop to Papa's instigation. One had to wonder if Lene was far more intelligent than everyone gave her credit for and launched into those acts at just the right time on purpose.
Regardless there was no recovering from that particular spat and so total silence prevailed over the dining room table. All the siblings seemed intent on finishing their meals as quickly as possible so that they might get away from the painful situation, it had long been a rule in the home that you couldn't get up until your meal was finished, but there was nobody saying you couldn't shovel it in to be done as quickly as possible. It was during this situation that was quickly turning into a competition amongst several of them as the girls began to snicker when a short three wraps came from the front door. Being so late and not expecting guests this naturally caused everyone to pause as if unsure that they had really heard anything. However after an extended pause in which none of them moved another series of knocks sounded out.
Papa was about to get up but this time Mama beat him to it as she held out her hand, “You just wait here. It's likely Penelope from next door, she had wanted something yesterday but I hadn't the time to listen.”
Satisfied with that explanation Papa sat back down though he didn't keep eating, instead watching as she left the room. Some of the children did the same while Serilda and Tobias had no problems launching back into their food, seemingly uncaring about the strange time for a visit. Lene tried to get up to follow Mama several times but Papa kept eying her down into her chair where she finally just settled for trying to bend as far as she could to see around the corner toward where the entrance was, though it was several turns from there and so impossible to see. Her pig-tails swayed comically in the air and if one had been cruel enough to do so they could easily have knocked the chair out from beneath her given the steep angle she had it pulled back to. Then a resounding thump creaked through the floor like someone dropping to the ground very quickly and with a good deal of weight, certainly not gently.
Several looks were exchanged between them before Papa stood bolt upright and was at the dining room entry far faster than one would have thought possible. He was still carrying the steak knife he had been using in his hand though if he did this purposefully or absentmindedly was anyones guess. He pointed at the children with it and stated simply, “Stay where you are!”
Then he too was gone around the corner and after a moment he let out a clear, “What the hell is going on here!”
Naturally few of the children had actually listened. Lene was after him almost as quickly as he left the room and Anette was quick to follow while Tobias and Serilda remained seated for a time before eventually giving into the same curiosity last. As they peeked around the corner they found Papa standing in the entry-hall, before them at the open door Mama was slumped down on her knees and was hugging the visitor around the waist.
He was slender man of average height, slightly taller than Papa but far younger and more sightly. Decked out in a suit which quality anyone could tell with piercing blue eyes and mid-length blond hair slicked back over his scalp he looked quite at odds with the rest of them, especially in this house. Whoever he was none of them had seem him before and the way he carried himself seemed to suggest he was from an entirely different social caste than them. He had his hand placed gently on Mama's head and carried a mild and bittersweet smile on his face.
Papa once more echoed his prior sentiment before he noted all the children had disobeyed and were watching, however once again he seemed ready to single out Siegfried. He pointed directly at him even if it was meant for them all in general, “I told you all to stay where you-”
But he seemed cut-off apparently remembering the strange sight before him. Mama finally managed to turn to him and state, “Look Edward, it's too good to be true.” Though the mans face didn't change and was still pleasant there was something strangely foreboding in his eyes, as if to say “Probably so” though he remained silent. Papa seemed confused by this but his violent countenance seemed to drop as he moved a bit closer and got a good look at the mans face under the porch light.
He took a gasp of breath before issuing a whimsical, “No...it can't be. That face...” he let a long silence hang between them before he stated with more confidence, “...Alrick, is that you?”
The man gave a smile that was both at once welcoming and slightly conniving depending on the situation, a traders smile.
“Hello Father” said Jager.
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Post by kensei on Sept 13, 2010 21:18:28 GMT -4
BalkenFlacon: Will you be able to go out tonight? TheImmortalone: No.. Parents wouln’t let me out for five minutes these days.. BalkenFalcon: I could come over there ~_^ TheImmortalone: I think that would cause a scene. BlakenFlacon: Whats wrong with that? TheImmortalone: I just don’t want them t-
The screen went black as the ear shattering music stopped. The computer whirred in protest as the last of its power was sucked dry and it stopped. Siegfried was about to lash out in anger at whomever caused this, but that’s when his roller chair was pushed back as he felt a familiar body push against his leg. He was pushed back a bit more as Lene’s head showed up looking at him in a cute little smile. He let out a sigh as she explained her reasoning; Lene was always looking out for him in her on special childish way. She was the one member of the family he hadn’t fully alienated as he desperately rebelled against his father, the tyrannical bastard who shunned every bit of his personality. At least that was the way he saw it.
“Alright.. I’ll take you to the candy story tomorrow. But next time can you give me a little heads up before you just turn off my computer?” She grinned at him as he took her hand and they walked down to the dinner table. “Depends on how much you get me!” Siegfried rolled his eyes at his little sister, he was use to her extortion tactics; after all she did seem to use them quite often. Siegfried didn’t believe she was as innocent as they all claimed her to be. She probably had a master plan to own the world one day.. Probably..
These silly thoughts didn’t linger long as they descended down the stairs. His eyes met his father’s own, and any reference of a smile that was on his face disappeared as he sunk his other hand into his black, cut jeans. He shook his head a bit, causing his long blonde hair to cover his eyes. “Still can’t appear to be a bit normal in your clothes Siegfried.” His father remarked as he eyed the black shirt with a skeleton hand flicking you off and two guitar necks to either side. “It’s always something with you isn’t it?” He continued to prod him as Siegfried sat down, letting go of Lene’s hand and picking up the fork with his right hand. His fingers where colored with black nail polish which caused his father to scoff at him. He stopped as the meal was placed in front of them and dinner began.
Adette started talking about every single second of her day as she was the first to be asked. A groan escaped his lips as she started, which earned him an evil glare from his sister as she stopped for an all to brief second. He rolled his eyes at Lene before taking her carrot. “This is one less candy bar I have to get you tomorrow.” He whispered to her and she giggled and nodded quickly.
“Oh enough of this.” Father said as he got up to go get the TV. “Can’t listen to your children for a few minutes huh?” Siegfried said as he eyed his food. It was less then half eaten, but already he didn’t want anymore. But, they couldn’t really afford to waist food so he was forced to sit there until he could finish it.. He started eating again as the Tv was wheeled into the kitchen, allowing Pap to watch the news. Siegfried grinned slightly as he listened to the story, odd things interested him. Be it how someone was killed, or just strange things that couldn’t be explained except from the help of aliens. He loved to dive into wild fantasies in order to get away from the dreaded reality that was his life. And that proved to be just one more area him and his father fought on. He viewed it as childish, and thought Siegfried should be focusing on reality, and where his life was going. Siegfried only knew where it wasn’t, the direction his father wanted it to.
However the Tv was shut off as Mama yelled for it to be turned off. He looked to his side to see that the events on the tele had affected Lene. Explaing things like that to a six year old girl were hard to do, so instead he tried to take her mind off of it. “If you eat the rest of my meat loaf I’ll get you ten different candies..” He whispered as he poked it. A slight grin hit her face as she thought about the offer. “Trying to bribe your sister Siegfried? That’s just pathetic.” He rolled his eyes before saying. “Better then ending up like you..” An obvious jab at the weight his father had put on in the last 16 or so years. The fuse had been lit, and both Siegfried and his father stood up as they started yelling at each other. Siegfried yelling about his father’s oppression, and his father about how he had secluded himself from his family, and that damn music he listened to, and how he was waiting his life on his computer.
It was stopped before it got around to being a physical confrontation by his mother and Lene who was positively upset by the whole thing. A twinge of guilt hit him as his sister sobbed. The damn girl was too cute; it would make even the devil feel like a royal douche bag for upsetting her. “Good job Siegfried.” His father said as he sat back down. Siegfried just glared at him, and Lene seemed to calm down quickly after the fight had been stopped. –She plans it all..- He thought to himself as he looked at the young girl.
He almost jumped out of his chair as the knock came from the door, and Mama got up to answer it. Siegfried took the job of helping Lene ballance as she was about to fall out of her chair as she wanted to see what was going on. Siegfried jumped to his feet at the same time his father did when the loud thump was heard. His father told them to stay put, but Lene couldn’t handle waiting any longer, and naturally Siegfried followed behind her, trying to get her to be quite and keep a bit of distance.
It didn’t work, as they where both a bit dumbfounded by the way their mother was acting. Siegfried slowly approached the blonde haired man that stood a good head taller then him, and was few years older by the looks of it. He completely ignored his father as he yelled at all of them, well mostly him, though the reason could be how close he was or that it was just habit to point at him.
He gasped as he heard the name “Alrick” and the man said hello father. “So the lucky one comes home..” He said, half absentmindedly. His father looked ready to slug Siegfried for the remark about Alrick being lucky to have gotten away from them. However the tension between the two was broken as Lene walked up and hugged Alrick’s left leg, looking up at him with a bright smile before saying. “I’m Lene.”
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Post by GoldenKitten on Sept 14, 2010 2:55:38 GMT -4
2 Minutes Later
The situation had basically caused chaos all around. Most of the children were all but forgotten by Mama and Papa right now as all focus was on Alrick, though understandably so. Eventually they had pulled together enough to move from the front porch into the living room where Alrick sat adjacent to his parents on a reclining chairs footstool. Mama sat on the couch and could do nothing but stare at him while Papa continued to pace back and forth behind her. He had an old picture in his hands of them when they were younger holding a toddler age Alrick, he would hold it up in front of him with the current Alrick in the background making the comparison over and over, then shaking his head. The children were scattered around the room or looking in from the nearby hall, they all knew that there had been another son before them though none of them really knew the whole story.
Papa managed to pull himself together and threw his hands out, fumbling to catch the picture he almost tossed in the process. “But how? Why? When?...I mean where have you been then, why now? How do we even know you're Alrick and not someone posing as him?”
Alrick leaned back and crossed his arms, “How many people have you told about me? What could I hope to gain by pretending to be myself?”, he didn't say it as that would be uncouth but the obvious implication was that the Fleischer's weren't exactly rich. Thus what could a con-artist hope to get out of them, it was a legitimate point and the way he put it was politically correct enough that Papa didn't get hung up on it.
When a momentary silence had settled over them once more Alrick continued, “But just let me explain. I suppose first would be how I found you, then I can explain what occurred.” Papa who was still pacing nodded at this, Mama was still just staring. Meanwhile Lene who was next to Siegfried was attempting to get closer and closer to the group and might have been listening the most intently of them all.
“I work in leadership for a technological firm” the moment he said this Tobias perked up behind them as of course such a position suggested a high level of intelligence which of course interested the narcissistic side of him. “Vulcan Industries,” he added and this immediately elicited considerable interest all around, it was no small secret that they were the worlds second largest technological provider. Of course Jager was interested in them for weapons based purposes but to the common individual they were more well known for phones, computers, web-facilitation, and of course honorable (to the public eye at least) government contracts.
He didn't dawdle on that though, “Naturally they have an extensive information network. With some time and effort that has allowed me to piece together my path up until now and track down my family. As to why that is now and not before, it took time for one, but second I of course have not been in this position since we parted ways. Once I attained it this became possible but before then I simply didn't have the means.”
Papa was staring him down but not in the same way he did Siegfried. Half of him was amazed and the other half was trying to find a hole in the story, he would find it difficult to locate one. Of course his position was still a sensible one, this was sudden and quite a shock, and intelligence dictated skepticism. Mama on the other hand was all to willing to go along with it, this had long been her greatest regret, if it could be patched so easily she was glad. By now she was crying and issuing apologies over and over, “Alrick, we're so sorry, you have to understand...we were in financial trouble like many at the time. The intent was to use the government funded help and then once we showed we could afford to keep a family we were supposed to get you back but...but....we went back and...” she trailed off.
Alrick held a hand up as if to stop her before she started, “It's quite alright. I mean, I lament that I could not grow up with my family, and I cannot begin to imagine you're concern. But in the end it's likely I would not have wound up where I am today had it not worked out in such a fashion. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise, after all my position will now allow me to help you, as well I like what I have become.”
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3 Months Earlier
“DAMN YOU!” A voice seething with indomitable rage shook through to the very foundations of the Ikimura Island facility. Reverberating down halls and sending scientific aids scattering who had learned the dangers of being around the operation leader when he grew displeased.
The source was Jager standing deep within the highly secretive grounds. He leaned over an examination table with his hand spread out over his face as he visibly shook with anger, his exposed eye was almost completely red instead of just the iris. Laying across the table was a now barely human corpse with countless probes and instruments stuck into its flesh, it's dieing expression was one of incredible pain suggesting the final moments were as unpleasant as they appeared. Things had been going well for a change as the subject was showing incredible strength and reflexes, the control collar was a cinch to make though he was looking for more reliable ways of control. Then without warning the thing had suffered a massive coronary.
It had taken little to set Jager off, his patience had grown increasingly limited with each failure. It was lucky for the staff as a whole that he had been alone in the room at the time. Of course without someone to exert his anger on it was just building on the inside, finally unable to control it any longer he grabbed the corpse by the leg and with a great swing tossed it across the room. It slammed into a bank of consoles with a shower of sparks before splitting in half and splattering the nearest wall in an arc of already coagulated black blood, a byproduct of the experimentation which was the constant cause of the heart failures.
Jager brought his hand up and slammed it into his forehead multiple times with more force than was probably safe, roaring at the top of his lungs in the process. But with his rage finally ousted the energy circulating about him calmed down and the inner luminescence of his eyes died down somewhat as he lowered himself to the ground, leaning against the table for support as he stared at the ceiling.
What to do? What to do? Fake heart? That would reduce their ability to circulate spiritual energy through the body effectively discrediting them as viable soldiers against the stronger powers out there. What to do?
“Well, this certainly appears promising.” a voice called out as they entered through the door.
Jager growled under his breath as he rolled his head like a pivot to stare at the newcomer side-long and muttered, “Tread carefully Murakami Yuusuke.”
The white haired Quincy glared back at him. The man might have been useful and his immediate plans might have aligned with Jager's but in the end he just wanted the same leadership that the current leaders of Vulcan did, he just wanted it for himself. The man had no vision, he wanted leadership but more than that he wanted money, he just wanted to be the richest man in the land. Such shortsighted goals were bane to Jager for whom there were much greater things to achieve, or rather much greater means, he didn't much care about the destination they wound up at. Of course this glaring disagreement was at the heart of what one day would certainly break this tenuous alliance. Neither of them voiced these thoughts or desires, it was simply innate to their nature and they both picked up on it.
“I should be careful Jager?” Yuusuke fired back with venom, “Have you so easily forgotten who allowed you to escape the NWO? Have you forgotten who is funding your little experiments? Don't think anyone else would, the NWO wants you dead, the leadership of Vulcan Industries would never agree or even believe you, nobody else could hope to fund you.”
Yuusuke could only speak to Jager like this because what he said was true. Of course Jager was still far from mentally stable and the Quincy had to realize even he was walking on thin ice. Jager had been angry and now Yuusuke was poking him with a stick, he was coming to a slow boil and red energy was coiling just around the perimeter of his form. He was controlling himself for the sake of his future plans but there was only so far he could be pushed before he broke the mental clarity that stayed his hand. But Yuusuke clearly wasn't used to him yet, or at least didn't know where that limit was...more likely he was the pencil pusher he appeared to be aspiring to greater things and was more used to working his way through devious money-crunchers, not psychopathic geniuses.
He shook his finger toward Jager, “Know your place. I pulled you out of there and funded this operation with my own assets because you promised results, if you can't deliver maybe I shou-”
It happened faster than the human eye could follow, even as a Quincy Yuusuke could do little but flinch. Jager burned with renewed ferocity from a sitting position to having one hand around the mans neck and the other thrust into his chest, they continued until he slammed him into the nearest wall. It wasn't full strength for he would be dead but it was more than enough to knock the air out of him. Jager breathed heavy through gritted teeth and looked the other man dead in the eye, there was a glimmer of fear there but he held a countenance of firmness more than most would have in that situation.
Jager barely managed to form the words he spoke, equal parts growl and speech, “Murakami Yuusuke! You~...are not as insuperable as you believe yourself to be.”
The doors once more slid open and this time a security force of three men ran into the room, armed to the teeth. They were clearly Yuusukes guards so it was evident he had not come as unprepared as it first appeared. The guards surrounded the men and pointed their rifles at the back of Jagers head, ordering him to lower their leader. Jager stared deep into Yuusukes eyes for what seemed an eternity, the smug little man gave a smile as the grip was released, feeling he had won. He was lowered to the ground and Jager backed off a bit, prompting the guards to drop their guns.
Immediately he reached his arm back and grabbed the gun of the man behind him ripping it forward. As it was the gun had actually been strapped to the soldier and while that would have been problematic for a normal person Jager just lifted him with it. He pointed the gun at the man to the left and pulled the trigger while the soldier he lifted flailed and yelled out, trying to get away though no punch he threw could even phase the spirit behemoth. By this point the other man had reacted and was readying his weapon but Jager reached out with his other hand and slammed it into the mans chest, sending blood and gore flying out the backside of his armor. He finally jimmied the gun into the air so the man attached flew upward and he brought the barrel underneath, firing straight through his belly before dropping them both to the floor.
Yuusuke could do little in the tight corners except back away. But with his guard dead Jager had him by the throat once again and moved in close enough that their faces were almost touching. Red energy rolled over him and reached out toward Yuusuke in small tentacle like strands, they seemed to pull the Quincys blue spirit energy right out of him, slowly siphoning his power, with enough time he would die.
He bellowed as he spoke now with a spiritually infused voice that shook the room like an earthquake meanwhile running a shaking barely controlled hand over the mans face, “I could BREAK YOUR NECK LIKE A TWIG! If you don't stand a chance what does the Vulcans leadership have? You think they could deny ME if I wanted them to fund it? You are NOT ineffable, you are NOT irreplaceable. You are a cog, a cog that funds me for now. It is in YOUR best interest to remain useful, not mine!”
The whole time he had been squeezing harder and harder, it was getting difficult for his prey to breathe. With the point made he tossed him to the ground where he slid for a few meters before pouring out over the ground and taking deep gasping breaths of air. Eventually he bent upwards to a sitting position and he and Jager stared at each other for a good long time once more, however the look on Jagers face said the violence was done for now...assuming Yuusuke didn't attempt to retaliate. The Japanese man seemed to take the hint and got to his feet slowly before he brushed himself off and straightened his clothing while making his way to the door.
He looked to Jager and spoke with a little less authority now, “Just get the job done.”
Jager gave him a warning glance but said nothing and made no further movements. The mechanical doors spread before the man and he stepped through, he added over his shoulder, “And do clean up that mess”, clearly referring to his dead guard.
Jager chuckled as he followed through the door and in the next hallway the men walked in opposite directions. Yuusuke gave a look over his shoulder once though Jager did not share it, then he disappeared around the corner. The meaning was clear, the lines had been drawn. Their relationship had been tenuous from the start but it was now clear to the both of them, they needed each other for now, but in the end one of them had to die. Yuusuke was no doubt already making plans for that day, Jager made no such troubles for himself. When it happened he would kill every person between him and that pathetic excuse for existence, then he would rend his very being from the world. And then? Well that was what made the world fun, you just never really knew.
There was a young scientific aid not far down the hall which Jager addressed with his hands in his pockets, “You.”
“Adam, sir.” The man added.
“Yes, yes, whatever. Get a clean-up crew in here, and the planning committee, I have to start over.”
“Uhhhh- well sir, it's currently night hours here. That's why there were so few workers in the first place. I'll get the cleaning crew but the others are slee-”
Jager had been making a good show of civility after that little show but truth be told he was still at the breaking point. He slammed his palm into the nearest wall, which being made of reinforced metals merely dented in instead of caving completely but the resounding metallic bang was enough to make the man cower with his hands over his ears.
“What do I care of those pathetic needs?! I said get them, if that means waking them up then that is what you shall do. Now I suggest you go while I am feeling so gentle and kind.” He glowered at the man named Adam.
Unlike some people the aid took the hint and ran off down the hall in a hurry. Jager remembered something as the boy disappeared around the corner, “Oh, and I'm hungry, bring me apples!” he added. As he made his way back into the experimentation room he hummed jollily to himself. He certainly hoped the boy had heard the last order, he seemed to take hints well and he would hate to have to kill him over something like not bringing his apples...maybe he would just break something instead? Like the boys head. Oh wait...right, that killed people, an arm maybe?
Now...what to do? What to do? A lite-brite inserted into the chest? No that wouldn't work. What to do? What to do?
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Back to the Present
Lene was now sitting on the floor next to Alrick and she looked up at him as he finished. She cocked her head to the side and smiled at him, “So you're a good guy right? Another big brother.”
Alrick chuckled while giving a heart warming smile and tussled her hair with a free hand, “Yes something like that.”
Mama swooned to herself, “Oh we don't need help, I'm just so glad that you're back”, Papa seemed to have something to say about that but perhaps proper etiquette kept him from saying something. There was a high likelihood there'd be more on that subject later though. For the time being he simply added, “But...what happened to you afterward? After you went to the government funded protection? Why did you disappear?”
“I walked out.” Papa stared at him in disbelief as did Mama, it was a simple answer and yet a virtually insensible one. Surely after all they had gone through they were expecting some tale of tragedy. Maybe he had been kidnapped and sold as a child soldier in Africa? Or had been adopted into a street gang? Or abducted by a secret organization and experimented on, being turned into a super powered death machine? But for all it was worth, this was one part in Jagers tale that was true.
“I was young, I didn't know what had happened to my parents. Germany was going through a financial crisis at the time as you are brutally aware. I don't mean for it to excuse their ineptness but many children were being taken in and there were fewer employees to watch them. One night I simply walked out an open door, the lack of proper documentation meant it was easy to miss me and even if I was found I couldn't be traced. Of course I don't know these things for sure but they are easy deductions to make given the circumstances.”
Papa was still playing detective, prodding with questions in disbelief. Mama clearly wished he would just stop but perhaps a part of her was equally as curious. Maybe she too realized something was amiss here no matter how much she wished it to be true and wanted a full explanation. And so nothing was said when Papa asked, “So what happened then?”
“I do not know how long I wandered. It couldn't have been more than a day or two, at that age I would certainly be dead had it been any longer. Still I am uncertain, it was long ago and age plus time dilates the passage in ones mind.” There was the briefest moment in which both parents gave him flabbergasted looks at the practically psychological babble he had just produced, but after a moment they seemed to grasp what had been said and nodded.
“Whatever the case I was picked up by an older couple. Emma and Russelt, they were the ones that raised me.”
And now the lies. In truth Jager had survived the street at that age for many years, he had killed long before he became what he was now, even if at the time it was purely for survival. Then one day he had been “arrested”, in truth a mass collection of drifters and homeless by the NWO for experimentation purposes. Of which he was of course the only living success.
“I can give you details if you want though I suspect they are unimportant here and now. Perhaps at a later date. I grew up like a normal child and eventually got to where I am now. Like I said, after I left much of what happened was not relevant to how I disappeared or why it took so long to find you.”
All Papa could add was “CHILD THIEVES! When they found you they should have reported it so we could be found. Tell me where they are! I have some words for them, to court! I'll take them for everything they have!”
Alrick chuckled which took everyone present aback since it seemed adverse to the current situation. He looked down in a believably saddened way and then looked up, “Well they are dead so that won't do you much good”, Mama gave a soft 'oh', “But even if they were still here how would they have found you? Even with the resources I have now it took almost half a year to track you down, what could they have done? In truth they DID attempt to locate you via the police but with no proper paperwork filed that was a wasted effort and eventually they had to realize that. I think you should instead be glad that they raised me properly, instead of kicking me out to die or wind up something worse.”
There was a massive pause here, one couldn't help but notice Papa shot Siegfried a glance. Then he added softly, “I...suppose you are correct.”
Alrick added, “If you want to blame anyone put it on the government and the individuals in the particular shelter I was given to. Though I doubt there is any compensation to be had since tracking down particular people would be virtually impossible. But really, I've come to terms with that happening, it may be better to just drop it entirely. Why make stress for yourself when all is well?”
Their older brother had a way with words and all his parents could do was nod. It was evident that while they might be blood these were people from entirely different walks of life. They could probably never have anything in common though he was being nice enough. Still, while a certain level of contentment was setting into their parents now one might happen to notice an inconsistency...or rather a lack of inconsistency. His story was almost perfect, he told it almost like an observer instead of somebody who had actually experienced it even if he told it with proper emotional ups and downs. It all came across as premeditated, expertly acted no doubt, but like it had been prepared beforehand to explain any question that came up. Anytime they had asked something, he wasted no time in answering. Yet at the same time there was nothing particularly suspicious about it, other than the expedient rate a which it was taking place.
But with this said Alrick rose to his feet and said happily, “Well now you've been told. I realize it's a lot to take in so I think I should leave now. I'll be taking a cab and be available at the hotel down the road in the little town square” he turned to walk toward the door, “Once you've had time to accept it then we can have more personal talks. I know it was rude to drop it on you like this but I didn't know how else to go about it.”
With his back to them, still intent on walking to the door Mama stood up, “NO YOU WON'T!”
He paused where he was and though his back was to them, was he...smiling? He turned about and for the briefest moment a glimmer of red shone in his eyes, but surely that was the imagination, their parents didn't seem to notice at the very least. Plus when he turned about his face was one of questioning, not happiness. No, that hadn't been a plot or a trap just to get that reaction out of Mama. As he himself had said, what did he stand to gain from it? He continued to look at her with confusion as if he was unsure why she had called out.
“You aren't going anywhere. You've been gone for so long and now you've returned, I'm not letting you leave so soon. You'll stay!”, she seemed adamant. Papa didn't seem so sure about it or so his facial expression said but for once it seemed he was deferring to her.
Alrick rubbed the back of his head with his hand while giving a polite smile, “Oh I couldn't poss-”
Mama ran up to him and grabbed his hand, she was suddenly and inexplicably almost in tears, “You will! I lost you once I don't aim to lose you again! We have plenty of room.”
He stood watching her for a time and then dropped his guard, or at least appeared to. For the first time he seemed to give them a genuine smile, tinged with awkwardness as he continued to rub his head. It was the first time he seemed to really be addressing family and not talking to employees. Maybe that was because it was practiced? No, it was probably because he was some big-shot that was used to giving orders and stuff...that was all.
“Well don't cry...um, mother”, it seemed he felt he had to say that though the word came to him strangely, “I can't very well do that to you. So if you insist.”
Mama grabbed his arm and lead him to the couch to sit next to her, “I understand, you grew up with that other couple. I'm thankful to them, they were like parents to you.” Alrick gave a nod to this, “You can call me Dame for now, your father is Edward. Come on let me introduce you to your siblings! And oh my, the whole family has to know, and their coming too...does that bother you? Oh but they'll all be so happy. What a coincidence!”
Yes, coincidence.
From there things proceeded ever more smoothly though there was certainly some tension in the air, amongst some individuals more than others. Still for one night the usual family troubles seemed forgotten. Meanwhile mother was quick to accept Alrick back into the family, with more conversation plus Alrick clearly being the son he had always wanted and not the failure Siegfried was Papa was growing to accept him more with each passing moment. Many of his initial fears were quickly being alleviated. At this rate they at the very least would be accepting him as family in just a few days.
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~~Perfect~~
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Post by kensei on Sept 14, 2010 15:07:59 GMT -4
Siegfried was probably the only one a tad upset by the events of the day. Alrick was proving to be everything his father had ever wanted in a son, smart, successful, well groomed. And, with in a day or two, of not hours, he knew he would soon be compared to the son who finally came home. Though to be honest, he found it a bit comical the way his father wanted to go after these so called “child thieves”. He had never seen Pap that way, so energetic and willing to kick someone’s ass that wasn’t Siegfried.
But.. There was a feeling he just couldn’t shake. Maybe it was his hint of jealousy or anger at Alrick.. But his story just seemed.. So perfect.. He instantly could recollect everything that happened to him, as if everything in his life happened to him mere hours ago. He suppose it could be some sort of mental ability some people had, or he had rehearsed what to say as he thought about the way this meeting would go. Surly that is what a normal person would do when going to meet the parents who had abandoned them? But Siegfried was a person, who divulged in fiction, and such as it was it did affect his thinking in some ways. It was all to clear, and all to fast for his liking.
Damn it.. He thought as Papa shot him a look as Alrick said “or something worse.” It was already happening, he was already being compared to Alrick and was already found quite lacking. He clinched his fist as he left the room heading upstairs. His father yelled for him to come back, but he had already locked himself up. He plugged in his computer before booting it up and that ear shattering death metal started blaring out of his speakers as he logged into a messenger program.
TheImmortalone: Well my father has his perfect son now. BalkonFalcon: What do you mean? TheImmortalone: My brother.. Alrick. The one who was put into adoption has found us. BalkonFalcon: Holy shit! Congrats. TheImmortalone: Apparently he is some big shot at Vulcan Industries. BalkonFalcon: Wow. That’s amazing.. BalkonFalcon: So do you still want to tell them at the family gathering TheImmortalone: More then ever. BalkonFalcon: What do you mean by that? TheImmortalone: Well, now my dad has his perfect son he can be so happy with. There is no reason for me to even think about hiding it. BalkonFalcon: You know.. IT really sounds like your doing this just to rebel. TheImmortalone: Hey I don’t need that kind of bullshit from you to. I get it enough from my father. BalkonFalcon: Well its just the way your coming across Siegfried. I mean why is it that where even doing this now? We could just keep it in the background and not have to worry about any pressure. TheImmortalone: What do you mean why? We are doing it so we can be open about each other. BalkonFalcon: Why right now? Why can’t we just keep it underwraps? TheImmortalone: Are you scared? Do you not want to be with me? BalkonFalcon: I don’t know Seig.. TheImmortalone: I can’t believe what your saying Alex.. BalkonFalcon: I’m sorry. I’m just don’t want people to know yet. TheImmortalone: So you want me to just be the skeleton in your closet forever? BalkonFalcon: No that’s not it.. TheImmortalone: Then what is it?? BalkonFalcon: I just.. TheImmortalone: You just don’t want to be with me… BalkonFalcon: Seig.. TheImmortalone: No.. This is great. Just FUCKING great.
TheImmortalone has signed out.
Seigfried grabbed his keyboard as he screamed at the top of his lungs before throwing it as hard as he could into the nearest wall. Tears rolled down his eyes as he started screaming the lyrics to the death metal song.
Why? Why now? Why me? Why is it always me? He thought to himself as he tossed a black spiked collar he had on his desk. “DAMN IT!” He yelled as he slammed his back against the door and slowly slid down. Why was it always his world that was shattered?
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Post by GoldenKitten on Sept 15, 2010 3:09:26 GMT -4
Alrick took the whole affair well, perhaps a little to well. If your average person had walked into the families problems, particularly the yelling with Siegfried and the subsequent blaring metal (the old house meant it was clearly audible), they'd have probably walked out. Not that they'd have been rude about it, the awkward atmosphere would simply have been to much. Yet despite his claim Alrick almost seemed determined to remain, not that he was visibly attempting this, he simply seemed to be ignoring all the little niggles that would have sent most for the door. It was always possible that he genuinely wanted to remain and find out more about his family, of course you folks out there in the audience know better.
Papa seemed split on what to do, on the one hand he wanted to stay where he was, on the other hand he was clearly seething and was ready to go beat Siegfried to within an inch of his life. In the end when Alrick said nothing Papa seemed to accept this, but it was doubtful Siegfried had heard the last of it. The conversation continued for well over an hour, most of the other children seemed at a loss for what to do. Their parents were preoccupying Alrick so they couldn't speak with him and the novelty had worn off for them since they had no emotional attachment, thus all but Lene and Tobias eventually disappeared. Lene seemed unsure of how to proceed so she simply sat listening with her head switching back and forth as the speaker would change. Tobias on the other hand was growing increasingly visibly annoyed, his intentions were visible enough, he wanted to ask Alrick questions about his work but knew if he intruded upon the conversation his status as a child would get him a good yelling later from Papa.
At some point it seemed to occur to their parents that they still had other children to handle and it was well past most of their bedtimes. Thus with a degree of regret they told Alrick to make himself at home as they corralled the younger children together. Of course when they did so questions abound from the children about the new arrival and in the end Mama wound up falling asleep next to Tobias, he being endless with his probing and she naturally being emotionally drained. Likewise Papa got into it with Siegfried, the lock was old and with a little jimmying it didn't keep anyone out. He then proceeded to give the boy the quietest threatening of his life, likely so his voice didn't carry down below, though naturally Jager heard every word they spoke, he could do little but smile though it was hardly because of them.
His tone told Siegfried this was one time he shouldn't talk back if he valued his continued existence. He eventually left the room with an abrasive demand that the boy turn his “HELLISH NOISEMAKER” off and go to sleep, there was an unspoken, “Just try and rebel against this, I dare you” in the air as he slammed the boys door.
He had made his way back down to Alrick whereupon they spoke for a bit. However when it became clear Mama was not returning and Papa was running out of things to say the situation became uncomfortable as a heavy silence fell in, not the same as with Siegfried, just the kind that followed when one was put on the spot. He finally found an answer to fill the void by addressing Alricks sleeping conditions, the young man assured him he would be fine on the couch. Papa seemed ready to argue the point but Alrick assured him with genuine heart and Papa responded to the courtesy and respect allowing the matter to rest. It looked like things were going to go quiet again so Papa just excused himself, saying that once he had, had time to rest and process what happened maybe they could have a more through conversation. Alrick readily agreed. They did shake hands once before he left, he seemed to contemplate hugging his sun for a moment and for the first time it looked like he was on the verge of tears, but then he controlled it and simply walked off to the stairs with a wave and “Good Night”.
As Papa headed to bed he once more checked in on Siegfried and was enraged to find his orders hadn't been followed. He stomped across the room and for a moment it looked like he intended to strike the boy, however it turned out he was swiping at the power cord with anger immediately turning it all off at once. He then pointed at Siegfried, “As long as Alrick is here you use your damned headphones boy. And disobey me again and you'll have a grand total of your room walls to keep you company. Now get to bed, I pray you listen because now you don't even have an excuse for your actions. If that man can go through the hell he did and be something special, surpassing even me, then you'd think you could at least be something having a proper upbringing.” Before Siegfried could say anything he got a severe warning via the eyes, “Don't you talk back this time boy. I've had enough of your breaking of the rules and being such a terrible example for your younger siblings, bless Lene she tries so hard to help you and you still manage to do wrong and hang out with those ruffians that'll be the death of you yet. Now get to bed and I don't want to hear a peep out of you, I think we shall be having a talk about your future very soon.”
He turned around and stomped back out, adding the “Go to sleep” sentiment once more before walking down the hall. However he left the door open, Siegfried might not have liked that but unless he was going to run away he would know better than to close it. That was Papa's way of saying, “I'm watching you.”
And time passed. Soon the house was dark. So much had happened but in a scant two hours all seemed to be visibly the same. Though few felt that way in their hearts.
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An Hour Later
The pitter-patter of small sock clothed feet try to make their way down the wooden hallway stealthily. They performed an admirable job but still, anyone awake in the general area would have been clued in. The shuffling came close to Siegfrieds open door and ever so slowly a small head poked around the corner, it watched for several seconds before disappearing. Apparently convinced he was asleep the small form of Lene continued to shuffle past the door, the only thing beyond that was the stairwell to the first floor. She had misjudged however though as Siegfried had been wide awake, contemplating the events that had occurred and his fathers rage-inducing personality. He just happened to be looking in her direction as she passed and now curious as to what she was up to he too pulled out of bed and followed with a far more successful stealth attempt.
Lene looked around the corner into the family room where Alrick would probably be staying. Sure enough he stood illuminated by the moon, staring out the nearest window. She was making her way into the room when seemingly snapped out of whatever he was doing he spun on her and for the briefest moment his face was severe, his eyes tinged red. Naturally Lene jumped back at this though she said nothing, in the meantime his eyes quickly dropped back to their usual blue though they seemed to have an ambient glow to them that was borderline unnatural here in the darkness. His face was recrossed with his previous smile as he took a personal assistant he must have been typing on and put it into his pocket.
Lene finally managed to squeak out, “You have unique eyes.”
Alrick rubbed his shoulder with his other hand and chortled, “So I've been told many times”, he then looked to her with a questioning expression though the friendly type you gave a child, “Now what are you doing up? I thought it was your bedtime.”
Lene giggled but didn't give a direct answer instead saying, “I just wanted to know more about you. How did you become what you are now?”
Without missing a beat he spoke in terms a child could understand, “Through hard work. Do you want to be something special someday?” He knelled down to her level and she shook her head yes several times, “That's good, I like people who want to better themselves. I'll help you.”
She laughed again though she kept it down so nobody would hear, “Papa and Mama seemed happy, a lot happier than I've seen them lately. The others seemed to like you...not Siegfried though, I don't understand why though...he confuses me.” If one looked she was putting her hands on her hips and pouting.
Jager looked past her for a moment at the far wall. Hiding behind it was Siegfried and inwardly he gave a smile at what he was about to do. He couldn't help but also consider how easily he could kill all these people, but that was some other part of him talking. These people were important to Jager though not for the reason they thought they were, he would not harm them, at least not in any manner in which gain was not to be made by doing so.
Alrick turned back to the window and spoke softly, “You shall understand when you are older. Your brother Siegfried just wants to be his own person, meanwhile father wants him to be what he wants him to be. Parents often think the path they took is also the best path for their child, unable to see they are only hurting their relationship by limiting them. Neither is particularly at fault for their beliefs, but father is certainly at fault for instigating a situation that does not need it. There is no issue with being oneself as long as it is handled with wisdom.”
He raised his hand to his chin, “I embody what father wants out of Siegfried so naturally your brother doesn't like me. He sees me as the perfect son that his father now has, making him irrelevant. The lucky one for not living under the same father. But I'll tell you a secret if you can keep it-”
He looked to her with a smile and she nodded emphatically like a child, then he looked back out the window.
“I did not tell them half my story. It would only have worried them had I spoke of the many months I wandered, starving, hiding from dangerous street people, barely surviving. So you see, there's nothing lucky about it, there are just different walks of life. If left alone Siegfried would be his own person but he would also eventually grow-up and would probably take a job that he enjoyed, a different means but the same end father desires. But father can't see that. And so because he will now hold him to my success Siegfried will hate me for it, I can speak with him but I doubt I shall change his mind.”
Alrick then looked back at her, she seemed to understand somewhat but was also sporting a look of thorough confusion. He then put on a big show that seemed genuine enough but was in fact an act he had been preparing for since he had judged each family members character, “Oh, I apologize. I'm not used to speaking with children.” He bent down to her level again and spoke in a happy child tone, “Don't you worry! I'll try my best to make friends with him, k? Pinky-swear.”
He held his hand out and she giggled as they performed the childish equivalent of a handshake, then he added, “In the meantime I'll help you be something special, just like you wanted. But for now shouldn't you be getting back to bed?”
She nodded while asking, “What about you?”
Alrick started, “I don't sl-”, he paused before finishing, “I have never been one to sleep a long time, I shall do so later.”
Understanding she ran over to the hall where she turned around and gave a big wave at him, he waved back. Then she turned to walk up the stairs but fell backward with a light squeal and a jolt. After the roll she looked up at the figure in the dark and while rubbing her head offered a muted surprise, “S-siegfried?”
Alrick came walking over and peered around the corner with one hand on the wall. Their eyes met and he made a show of seeming to be embarrassed that the boy had heard what he had said, though naturally Jager had meant it all for him in the first place, but Alrick certainly knew about no such things. He nodded to him, “Good evening,” then to try and ease the tension he gave a wry smile and added, “Enjoy scaring small children in dark hallways do you?”
Lene had to put her hands over her mouth to hush the laugh bubbling up from within her.
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In Jagers pocket sat his personal assistant. The document he had been preparing to send when Lene had walked in the room and interrupted his concentration was still played across the screen.
Viability Parents – To old to accept the physical modifications without trouble, age would make healing difficult without significant reiatsu awakening they may not be capable of. Overly emotional, could be difficult to mentally wash with current techniques. When I get back I want you to have some new ideas for us to try out in that regard, look into the white noise therapy, it seems to be a high contender. Will be useful variables but useless as possible successes.
Children – The youngest male is physically deficient, shows no signs of spiritual awareness. Both qualities make him useless for our purposes, possible variable. Both elder sisters are the same unfortunately. The more physically fit of the two may possibly survive the procedure though, a possible success but my hopes are not high due to her weak mentality probably breaking during conditioning no matter the physical success.
On the other hand the eldest boy is fit enough to undergo the procedures. He doesn't show excessive mental prowess or latent spiritual potential but that could be changed with proper manipulation. His personality is well suited to mental conditioning, he hates it here and would welcome a better life that the conditioning could convince him he was receiving. A good variable at worst and a possible contender for success at best.
The youngest, a female, shows the most promise. She has a significant amount of latent spiritual power or at least the potential for it, it was easy to sense the moment I walked it. Likewise she is intelligent for her age and physical cues suggest heightened awareness of surroundings. I believe she may be best served by simple mental conditioning and spiritual culturing like yourself. She could be useful to us, I will go with the effective method with her, I do not intend to waste her on a possible failure. At her young age the mental conditioning will be easy, thus the intensive conditioning we have yet to perfect in older individuals will not be necessary, far fewer ingrained aspects to override. With any luck no or minor physical manipulation will be all that's necessary.
Inform the others of this. Overall having two possible successes immediately evident in this short period gives credence to this theory. Once we have collected them we will have to study them all to see if they share a common genetic aspect, if we can find it in others this will allow for greater genetic diversity for possible future interbreeding programs.
Be a good girl for me. - J.A
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Post by kensei on Sept 15, 2010 17:43:32 GMT -4
Siegfried scoffed as Papa slammed his door. He turned his music down to where it wouldn’t be heard throughout the house as he continued browsing the web. He had no desire to even pretend like he cared what his father told him tonight. Not like he ever really did, but tonight was worse. However, it appeared his father was in no mood to deal with his teenage rebellion bullshit tonight. His hand went up as he walked back into the room, making Siegfried jerked back as he prepared for the hand to smack his ass right out the chair, however as his father pulled the plug on his computer he felt a twinge of relief as all that happened was his computer going black, and that his ass was still firmly planted in the chair. He sat there and listened as his father went on a rant about how he was such a pathetic excuse for a son.
It ended as Papa went out of the room, leaving Siegfried’s door open. A sigh escaped Siegfried’s lips as he walked over to his dresser and grabbed his Cd player and earphones. He didn’t care what was in it, just hoped it would take his mind off the night. He only plugged one side in as to make sure he could hear if Papa was coming back. Luckily nothing happened, but the music surly helped him in staying awake as he thought about the events of the day.
As the night kept moving, each thought he had seemed to only make his blood boil even more. He thought about how he use to hide his music in fear of Papa when he was thirteen and just discovering his love of death metal. How hard Papa beat him when he found out about it, and the people he had started hanging around with. How his life had lead up gradually to this point, trying to pin point the point in time where he just stopped giving a shit.
He was hardly even looking as Lene looked into his door. It took him a few moments to even realize she was in his line of sight as his thoughts overshadowed his awareness. However, as she started to leave it registered what was going on. He contemplated just letting her be for a movement before he let out a quite sigh and paused his music. He followed behind her, making sure he didn’t alert her as he walked.
He sat down on the stairs as she went to talk to Alrick, curious how he would handle her questions, and what he might learn about him. However, things took a different turn then he was expecting, Alrick was.. sympathizing with him? Could that be what he was doing? Was he actually understanding where he was coming from? Such thoughts filled his head as he started thinking about his new found brother. He hardly noticed the conversation was over until Lene let out a soft shriek.
Siegfried jumps a bit himself as he looked at Lene, then Alrick as he came by. “Um..” He said, caught off guard by Alricks question. He coughed before shaking his head as he said. “Its my favorite pass time didn’t you know?” He let out a soft chuckle before standing up. His face was filled with confusion as he was unsure of how to address Alrick, or Lene at this point. “Look.” He said before stopping, unsure as to what to say. “We should probably get to bed before Papa wakes up. I don’t think he would be to keen with us being up right now huh Lene?” Sure it wasn’t the best thing to say in this situation, but he had never had any experience with someone saying something like that.. It was simply the best he could come up with in this situation..
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Post by GoldenKitten on Sept 15, 2010 22:44:13 GMT -4
3 Months Ago...and a few days later than last time!
Seven men sat around Jager as they watched the light show before them. A massive tube that rose from the base of the room and entered all the way into ceiling a dozen meters above was host to a gigantic lightning bolt that was constantly switching through a rainbow of colors. Most of the men present were wearing thick sunglasses like you might expect to be handed out during a nuclear arms test. They were some of the facilities top scientist and were as busy trading jokes between each other as they were witnessing the spectacle before them. They were classic narcissistic scientist, they had run the math over and over, they thought this was a sure thing and they would just wait until the experiment was over, congratulate one another, and then go back to their respective labs.
But Jager was hardly so foolish, he knew with the powers they were dealing with there were no guarantees. He did not joke, he sat silently in his chair, his eyes fixated on the explosive energy pouring through the tank before him. In the back of his mind he toyed with the idea that if these scientist had not been so useful to his means he'd have killed them himself, how annoying could a group of people be?
An answer to making effective soldiers was still in the works though he had several new theories. Today however had been devoted to a new possibility for mental conditioning. They had utilized several physical and mental alterations, Jager thought the white noise therapy was showing promise, especially when combined with frenetic visual treatment. Still there was no harm into looking into other possible answers that could wind up being more effective. In this case they were charging an entity with spiritual energy, this wouldn't make them powerful, rather the intent was to make them a spiritual battery, then psychically tether them to a controlling source. They could then be rigged to force their charged mind onto another individual, controlling them via hypnosis, which in turn answered to the tethered controller. Whatever came out of the tank would be completely devoid of any personality what-so-ever, an empty husk utilized for their purposes, or so went the theory.
A countdown came over the speakers to spiritual drive shutoff and this shut the men up as they turned to watch with interest. Jager remained in his chair taking bites out of an apple he would occasionally toss into the air before catching and taking another bite, the expression on his face was far more incredulous than those around him. Possibly due to the recent string of failures or maybe because he simply knew better than to expect success just because some numbers said it would work.
The countdown finished and with a great whine the machine supplying the energy cut-off, slipping into the rods it had been expelled from faster than the eye could see. Small sparks shot from the base of the silo where the test subject had been though it was not immediately evident where they had disappeared to. Then as the dust cleared it came into full view, what had once been human had undergone a drastic change, three feet high, eight feet in diameter, mottled beige skin...it...was a frog. A silence set in amongst them as they were all significantly surprised, each trying to figure out what had gone wrong or how this was possible at all. Meanwhile Jager instead of growing angry could do little but cackle at the top of his lungs at this turn of events, he couldn't even pull up any rage, they had made a giant frog, it was all to hilarious.
And then that was when the toad opened its eyes, vast yellow spirals, spinning and spinning, sucking you in. A wall of sound hit them and most of the men crumpled to the ground instantly with their hands over their head. Jager remained seated but grimaced as he felt the creature trying to probe his mind, unfortunately for it there was no easy access to be had. In turn he began exerting his own mental presence on the creature, from the thrashing it performed it didn't like that at all.
In his mind he could hear repeated clearly over and over, -ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!!!-
“Ya, ya...” Jager said back as he reached into his pocket for a radio. That was when he felt the cold steel of a gun barrel being placed against the back of his head, he turned his eyes to look at the scientist standing behind him. They had gotten up from where they had been writhing on the floor, their eyes now blank and not under their control. The elderly man with the gun (it was only natural to carry a firearm in a facility like this) was the project leader of armored infiltration, putting mechanics into biological bodies, he spoke in a voice that was not his own.
“Kneel before the Hypnotoad. Open yourself to the Hypnotoad. ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!”
“Old man...” Jager said straightly, “If you have any control I suggest you remove the gun.”
The scientist simply repeated the line in unison with the others around him. Jager snatched out like liquid lightning and in the next moment there was a stump where the mans hand had once been. Despite it squirting blood in every direction he did not respond in pain like seemed natural, probably a byproduct of the hypnosis. Now realizing the danger the creature was trying frantically to place itself within Jagers mind but it was already to late. He brought the radio up to his mouth.
“Control. Purge the chamber.”
In an instant the tube was ignited with a massive pylon of fire, the creatures calls became less and less forceful. Then it finally died out completely and Jagers keen eyes could see the ash it had become break apart into the windy cyclone within the controlled atmosphere and once the bio-readings were in the negative the flame shut off. Behind him most of the scientist looked around in confusion and then one of them let out a pained scream, the man whose hand he had removed. Jager knelled down and picked it up where it had fell walking over to the man and holding it out to one of those that had grouped around him, after a long staring match the man finally took it.
“In the future...” Jager spoke viciously, “I recommend you try a little harder if you ever come under somethings control. Your usefulness got you a second chance, there won't be a third.”
With that he turned and walked toward the door calling back over his shoulder, “Back to the drawing board, eh gentlemen?”, with that he made his way into the hall.
Immediately outside a young aid had been waiting for him apparently. It took him a moment to recognize him but then he saw the large cast on the boys right arm and realized who it was, “Ah, Adam.” The boy nodded and moved to walk in tandem with Jager down the hall.
“Sir, ten minutes ago a girl was found infiltrating the facility.”
Jager looked at him with moderate curiosity, “You mean on the beach or actually inside? Well like we said if anybody lands here we capture them and make use of them as test subjects. Tourist or NWO operative we can't risk being found just yet. Why tell me about it?”
“Well sir...she said she was looking for you. She doesn't seem to be NWO and we've already checked, she's weapons free so she can't do any damage. We figured due to the irregularity you might want to have a look at least.”
Jager nodded several times and motioned for Adam to lead the way to wherever she was being kept. As they walked through the massive labyrinth of hallways Jager deposited the eaten apple core in a nearby trash receptacle. With nothing to preoccupy his hands he shuffled them back and forth for a bit before he finally could wait no longer.
“Adam I'm-” He paused as Adam held out an apple with his working hand, Jager gave a childlike clap as he snatched it up, “That's my boy!”, he missed Adam whimpering to himself as he cradled his broken shoulder.
As they made their way into a different part of the base Jager asked curiously, “Wasn't this where we had the reiatsu radiation spill the other day.”
“Yes, but it has been scrubbed down since so it seemed a good place to hold her until we knew what you wanted to do.”
Jager nodded but then pointed across the room, “Then...why is that still there?” Adam followed his finger to a short, two drawer, metal black filing cabinet sitting in the corner of the room, “The reason everything has to be removed and scrubbed down is because we don't know what might happen if an object is exposed to that kind of energy for a long time. Even an inanimate object. Get someone down here to properly dispose of it, it has been radiated to long.”
Adam affirmed this and then they continued on their way through several other rooms. They eventually walked into what was an atmospheric room where temperature, humidity and pressure could be changed rapidly to test out a subjects durability to weather phenomenon. However in this case it was simply being utilized as a holding chamber. Despite the trouble the girl was in when they entered they found her already curled up and asleep on the bench provided in the room. She was a teenager with a long but petite build and startling green hair and yellow eyes. Jager gave her a brief look and then turned around about to walk out.
“I don't know her, just move her to the ho-”
He paused for a moment as if something was coming back to him. He searched through every remembered moment in his life and then there it was clear as day. Whipping around he walked back over to her and knelled down looking her firmly in the face, though she still slept. A smile spread across his face, the kind he was not known for, a genuine one with seemingly no ulterior motive behind it and he turned to Adam.
“Get me a crash cart. Phone surgery, tell them I need them ready in five minutes. Won't need the usual, I just need enhancement probes for subcutaneous insertion.”
Adam nodded and promptly moved off, fumbling for his phone as he called surgery.
Jager looked down at the girl, “Fate huh?”
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The Present – The Next Morning
Mama had the strong belief that schedules were a good thing. Thus since they were children she had been waking them up at 6AM sharp even on the weekends. They might not have liked it but given that it had been this way since birth rare was the chance when any of them argued the point. Though of course unlike Papa she wasn't doing this just to have things her way, she legitimately believed it lead to better health and that made it a bit more bearable. With the whole tribe (minus Papa who typically slept in regardless, again citing himself as the only worker in the house) in tow they made their way downstairs. It was now for the first time that they realized the smells of breakfast that usually started when Mama awoke were instead already wafting up the stairwell.
With her in the lead they entered into the kitchen and she was taken aback at first. She had clearly forgotten about Alricks arrival in her sleepy half-awareness and spotting him, no matter what he was doing was a shock. They had caught him in a pose that surely suggested he had been dancing just before they came in as he stood before the oven with an egg held high where it cracked and fell into the pan. This amusing scene launched them into a staring contest before all three girls eventually broke out into giggles.
Alrick pointed rapidly at the things around him, “Well uh, I get up early so since I was a guest and everything I figured...well...you know and...ummmm...” He settled for brushing the back of his head with his hand again.
Mama gave the first genuine smile and her own little laugh at this and moved into the room. She took a spot up next to him and began preparing breakfast as well while telling the children to sit. She said the same to Alrick but he insisted on helping. It soon became clear that Alrick might in fact have been better than Mama at this, she wasn't a bad cook but she was just your average home fixer. Alrick on the other hand seemed to have near professional deftness of hand while handling the ingredients and where Mama's came off the stovetop with a slightly home cooked kind of burn to them you could have presented Alricks in a high-end restaurant. Most of them were noting this but were nice enough to not say a work to either of them, Tobias however was still looking at him like he was a god. With some thought it was likely Alricks skill came from having to cook for himself and high-profile guests, being a high-ranking individual like he was and seemingly single (bearing no wedding ring or other signs of a relationship).
When they were finished Alrick pulled out Mamas chair and let her sit down, she waved her hand at herself probably feeling something like a princess. He then proceeded to place the food out before them...and this was when Jager made one mistake though if anybody noticed it was hard to say. When scooping the eggs out on to a plate he lifted the pan by the bottom which had just been on the burner and would have instantly given a normal person third degree burns, yet he was none the worse for wear. He caught himself and luckily hadn't been at the table when it happened and most hadn't seemed to have caught it. Regardless if one had been watching at just the right time they might have seen it for a brief moment, including the momentary shift in his eyes of someone fearing they had been found out before he returned to his regular face.
Once he finished he proceeded to stand over them but after a moment Mama told him to sit in Papa's spot, he wouldn't be waking up for a long time. Even with Alrick here the Saturday was proceeding easily like usual. With Papa asleep the weekend mornings almost played out like a normal family, after all Mama tended to take a more soft-handed approach with their teenage antics. So conversation was typically more pleasant, though of course this morning it catered more toward Alrick. Tobias had finally gotten his chance and was bombarding him with questions about work, Alrick answered though he was admittedly being a bit evasive, probably just because he wasn't allowed to talk about his work in-depth. That seemed to be a the norm in this more technology advanced day and age.
After a bit Mama looked up, “Well um, I was thinking with what had happened maybe we could go into town today Alrick. I know being stuck in this house is somewhat awkward for you, maybe that would allow us to speak more on the level. The children can do as they wish, I just know it might be easier for the two of us to speak in a more neutral setting.”
Alrick gave her a long untelling look before nodding with a smile, he finished chewing the eggs he had been eating and added, “That sounds like a fine plan to me.”
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Post by kensei on Sept 16, 2010 1:57:16 GMT -4
Siegfried grunted as he awoken, granted he was quite use to this by now. But last night he hardly slept as he thought about what Alrick had said to him. He was still a bit taken back that he had been able to pin him like that. However such thoughts where only half complete as he lazily followed the group, Lene holding his hand as they made there way to the kitchen. He grinned as he looked at Alrick as cracked the egg. “Wow.” He said with a soft chuckle as the girls giggled. (Because men don’t giggle damn it. It’s a chuckle.) He took a seat next to Lene and waited for his breakfast. He was only half there so he never noticed that Alrick hadn’t been burnt..
“Damn Alrick. This is pretty good.” He said before he looked to his side to see an evil glare coming from his mother. He realized what he had done and looked over at Lene and said. “Lene, what’s our rule for when mom gives me the look after I say something?” Lene smiled before saying all too happily. “Don’t repeat what you said. Because you’re a dummy.” Siegfried smiled and said. “Good girl.” This caused the other two girls to giggle as Mama let out a long sigh. But it seemed that she wasn’t going to push the issue, though Siegfried knew all to well that Papa would have smacked his ass to the ground most likely. Especially with Alrick around.
But he couldn’t help but feel relieved as Papa wasn’t around for breakfast. Weekend breakfast was the only meal he didn’t loathe because it went so easily. Without Papa and his all too common comments about Siegfried and where he was going in life, it made for a nice morning. Everyone else thought so to as it was a meal almost guaranteed to go without their confrontation. That.. And Siegfried loved it when Moma made waffles, he just loved those things..
Lene seemed to perk up at the mention of town. “Moma! Can me and Siegfried come to?” She asked which sent Siegfried into the auto response of, “Why do I have to go?” This of course almost sent Lene into tears as she explained. “Don’t tell me you forgot your promise Siegy! You promised you promised!” She exclaimed as she flailed her arms up and down. “Huh? Oh! No I didn’t forget! I’m just tired is all Lene. I remember I need to get you ten candy bars.” He said with a goofy smile, which made Lene instantly end the water works and smile, and end with a loud. “Good!” Moma seemed a little hesitant at first, but by the end of it all she was practically begging them to go so Lene wouldn’t cry.
More proof...Siefried thought to himself as he shot a skeptical look at Lene.
One Hour Later[/i]
They had left the house after they cleaned the kitchen and Lene decided what she would wear for today. (Something that often took time as the young child was starting to do a few things by herself.) But they had opted for a walk instead of taking the car as to give them more time together.
It took them only a few minutes to get to the near by shopping strip and almost instantly Lene had dragged Siegfried off to go buy her candy bars. Which was actually a bit comical as Lene kept running back and forth threw the candy shop trying to decide what she wanted if she could only have ten.. However, she just couldn’t narrow it down and forced Siegfried into buying her 13 different kinds of candy. Planned.. From the start. He thought to himself as they left the candy store with a good size bag filled with chocolates, gummy bears and worms, as well as other candies that had caught her eye.
They met up with Alrick and Moma at a small park, the two just sitting there talking about something. The conversation stopped as Lene and Siegfried walked up with the large bag of candy. “Siegfried! You sure let her pick out a lot of candy..” He let a quick nod before saying. “Yup. There goes the Children of Bodom concert.” He said with a sigh, he had no allowance to speak of and as such had done several odd jobs during the summer, allowing him to make some money but his funds where growing very thin now.. Damn candy store.. Damn overpriced gummy bears..
Lene grabbed Mama’s hand before pulling her away. “Mama! I saw the cutest dress! Come on, come on.” She said, Mama tried to resist at first but it became evident that Lene was going to win the battle, even if it resorted to her having to guilt her into it.. As the pair walked away she turned back slightly and showed Alrick her pinky finger. She plans it all.. Siegfried thought before he looked at Alrick who he was now all alone with.
He gulped a bit before saying. “Alrick.. About last night.” He paused as he started rubbing the back of his head, still not quite sure what words would serve the purpose he wanted them to. “You weren’t the reason I was so upset. At least not the whole reason. Papa is always like that, and on top of that I lost a friendship that night and on top of all that you show up and I was already being compared to you and found so lacking.. It just didn’t make for a good combination.” He paused for a few moments, though it was evident he wasn’t yet finished by the way he was moving his hands as if trying to grab the words out of the air. “I.. I have never had someone actually see where I was coming from so clearly or easily in all of this.. I guess what I’m trying to say is thanks..” He said, still a bit embarrassed about overhearing his and Lene’s conversation.
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Post by GoldenKitten on Nov 10, 2010 21:38:35 GMT -4
Alrick was out of place in their small town, and not just because he was wearing dress clothes. As he walked with them he had a constant tension about him as if he was keeping his eyes out for something, or like he wasn't used to just wasting time. Which was of course true, Jager was only ever killing people, or planning new ways to kill people and great actor as he might have been doing nothing for such an extended period was starting to get into him. When it was just the family it was ok as he was able to keep his mind focused on the objective and during the silent night had been able to plan as per the norm. But now he was in plain view for all to see and he was having to engage in common everyday behavior, it was very awkward. Similarly he always expected trouble whether it came from the NWO or one of the newer enemies he had made, especially since the NWO no doubt had information on where he had come from. It was doubtful anyone present could guess his reasoning but it was still visibly obvious that he was out of his comfort zone.
When he was left with the old woman she went on and on about him, and seemed to be apologizing every ten seconds. The utter pointlessness of the whole affair was slowly pulling the strands of sanity that were binding him in place, but he remained calm. If nothing else being able to talk to her gave him an out so he wasn't bottled up with his own thoughts, given it wasn't quite as relaxing as tearing a man in two but it would do. It was just for another day, he had to keep reminding himself of that. One more day. A really long day. A never freaking ending day. GAH SOMETHING NEEDS TO DIE! NO! BAD! No, no, calm thoughts. Which muscle group am I going to remove from Dick first once I capture him? Ahhhh yes, that's better....
I want an apple...
Eventually the two more interesting members of his family showed up, the only two he figured had a shot for working into his plans, and released him from the banality of the moment. The young girl eventually worked the mother-unit over and got her to cave in to her will. He couldn't help but grin to himself, though she was using it for petty things right now if he could twist that manipulative nature to his benefit she could provide quite useful. In doing so though she had left him with the boy, the Siegfried, he figured it involved what they had spoken about last night. He had just been saying what needed to be said to get on their good side but he really had no desire for further conversation with the lad. While he might be useful physically if he was a success he would still need to completely rewrite his mentality as he would currently be of no use, as such pandering to him further was an exercise in tedium.
But he didn't show this, in fact he showed quite the opposite, he was Alrick after all. He stood up as the others left and stuck his hands in his pockets, looking out the corner of his eye at Siegfried as he spoke. Internally it was amusing to watch him squirm, humans were so pathetic, if they had something to say they should just say it no matter what the purpose behind it was. Of course withholding information had its own merits but that wasn't the kind of directness he meant, it was obvious Siegfried had no ulterior motive here yet he still stumbled about like a lost child. Embarrassment was the word, it was an emotion Jager lacked, in most things there would never have been a reason for him to be, and had there been he would have lacked the personality to react to it. He likely would have found it as amusing as any of his detractors, shortly before he removed their trachea's and built some art to put on the refrigerator with them.
When Siegfried finished Alrick swerved his head to look at him without moving his body, “It's fine. Being someone you're proud of is more important than being someone others are proud of. True, what I am is more socially acceptable or so it seems, but in the end I don't do it so others look at me with approval, I do it because that's what I want to do. Maybe you already know what you want to be, maybe you don't, either way once you discover it you should live up to your own standards. Living for others is in the temporary, living for yourself is forever.”
It was not what most people would have told the young man. Most would have said he should have done what his father was telling him, or at least that he should respect him. Alrick was quite literally saying the opposite, that what their father thought of him wasn't relevant and would only impact him for a short while longer. This was perhaps the first real look into the mind of his elder brother Siegfried got, Alrick it seemed, did not play by the rules as much as he pretended. Of course he couldn't begin to guess the double concept he spoke of when referencing the “short term”.
Before another word could be traded between them someone slammed into Siegfried from behind almost taking the young man down to the ground in the process. When he recovered a young Asian man, quite out of place out here, with coke-bottle glasses was standing next to him rubbing his head as he quickly apologized claiming he was late to an appointment in extremely poor German before trying to dart off past Alrick. His older brother was like lightning as he reached out and snatched the man by his wrist and with seemingly no effort pulled him before him. He reached into the boys shirt pocket and pulled out a wallet, a wallet Siegfried would no doubt have trouble identifying as his own. The glasses-man was looking at Alrick with sheer terror, but not as a thief that had been caught, Jager was not going by the plan as he was supposed to let him get away so it looked like a pickpocketing...but Jager figured it looked the same either way, and now he might see further into the family unit before moving ahead with the plan. After a long moment of silence the lab tech broke his grasp and disappeared quickly into a nearby ally, Alrick did not attempt to follow him further.
After watching the place where his prey had disappeared for a moment he turned about and handed the wallet to Siegfried with little emotion. He silently reprimanded himself as he had almost lost control and put his follower into the ground, the longer this went on the more difficult it would be to subdue his typical tendencies.
As he handed over the wallet he looked to Siegfrieds arm and after regaining his acts personality added, “You're bleeding. I guess he struck you harshly.”
Siegfried was indeed bleeding from a small puncture on the underside of his arm. Surely it had just been from the impact of the pickpocket running into him, but if you didn't know better you might almost think it looked like a large needle puncture mark, though it had taken till now to start hurting and bleeding. Alrick quickly retrieved a handkerchief from one of his pockets and handed it out to the boy.
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Post by kensei on Nov 11, 2010 2:07:02 GMT -4
Siegfried was once again taken back by his brothers way of thinking.. SOMEONE DIDN’T THINK HE WAS A HORRIBLE PERSON!!! The thought was still mind blowing for Siegfried and he didn’t quiet know how to respond, but luckily for him.. I suppose.. He didn’t have to! Nope, some poor little Asian who was bad a German and appeared to be some form of an egghead, had slammed into him. Siegfried stumbled a bit as he was knocked off balance. Siegfried shook his head as he said he was late and sorry and the typical bullshit and was ready to just let him go; that was until Alrick stopped him with the ferocity of a tiger.
Before Siegfried had time to question Alrick, he had produced a wallet from the Asian.. “Son of a bitch!” He said as he glared at the little pickpocket. Siegfried didn’t quite know how to proceed from there, but the little weasel managed to get out of Alrick’s grip and retreat down some alleyway. He looked at Alrick curiously as he just eyed the perp with no emotion. Siegfried took his wallet back before putting it up and looking at Alrick. “That was amazing. Where did you learn that? Karate or something?”
Alrick was about to sit down as he noticed a sting in his arm. Like Alrick said he was bleeding from his arm. It was an odd looking wound, all things considered, but he had no reason to think he had been poisoned or something! “Looks like your right.” He said as he took the handkerchief and applied it to the wound. “Never been bumped so hard I bled before.. Not without hitting something else that is.”
He shook his head as he looked at Alrick. “Thanks. Almost lost my last dollar right there.. Would have had to get a part time job or something after school. If someone will hire me that is.” A lot of places had grown adverse to hiring teenagers in this day in age, much less pay them anything.. That is why he opted for odd jobs instead of getting a real job. Granted he would have to start doing something at least on the weekends to bring in some money.. Lord knows his parents wouldn’t pay for anything he liked..
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Post by GoldenKitten on Nov 11, 2010 2:54:12 GMT -4
Let's do the time warp again!...To about a month ago...
Jager sat behind a massive mahogany (*whispers* maaaahogany) desk in the large circular room that was his main office. Truth be told he typically spent his time down in the labs and rarely stayed here but occasionally he got wrangled into completing the appropriate paperwork so things stayed neat and orderly, he'd make someone else do it but oftentimes he was the only one who had any idea what was going on. And while work had been his intent at first he now found himself doing something completely different, a battle of patience and wit. He slowly moved the stapler on his desk without taking his eyes off the right side of the room, then he made a show of ordering the papers, then he moved the stapler again, then he shifted in his seat. Where had it come from? What did it plan to do? It didn't matter, he was on to it, and he was going to win this war.
Several floors down the young tech Adam was rifling through some papers Amane had given him. The girl was cute but she was just as neurotic as her creator, though at least not as homicidal. As such her thoughts came and went with the wind but occasionally she had a stroke of genius, again just like Jager and this time it seemed she really was on to something from how she acted. Adam had much to his loathing somehow wound up the second-in-command of this little operation when in all truth he knew he wasn't as able as some of the older scientist. But for some reason Jager didn't get mad at Adam like nearly everyone else and as such was the only person other than Amane capable of remaining around him for an extended period and not ending up either horrendously disfigured and/or dead. It was a stressful situation to say the least but at least it was in fact safer to some degree, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't learning anything from the psychopath when he decided to be sober of mind for ten minutes. Never before had he seen the quote “Genius and insanity are two sides of the same coin” so literally translated into life.
As his eyes crossed the notations in the papers his mind wandered from the everyday, instead he began to try and put together what her point was. He was a scientist after all and it was exciting to make a breakthrough, especially after all the failure they'd been experiencing thus-far. Still as far as he could tell this was just all old data they'd already seen but he waited till she showed up, he'd see what she said before commenting. She was graceful like a fairy, and had a personality to match, the only survivor of the spirit projection they were attempting to master. She came floating down from one of the catwalks above with another set of papers under one arm, landing with her green hair whipping behind her. Then she took a seat next to Adam and set the papers out before him, leaning on his shoulder as she pointed and spoke. However with her so close to him he could hardly do anything but stare at her and nod affirmation when prompted, she was really cute, and he knew he needed to stop thinking that before Jager removed his left nostril and inserted it into his right.
“See here? This is an analysis of a blood sample from Jager-sama! And this here, is mine. Here are a variety of samples from the failed test subjects, in each you can see where the catalyst has adhered to the blood cells. In mine the cells have established a symbiotic relationship of sharing energy, and then here in Jager-sama's his cells have metamorphosed into something else entirely. Meanwhile in all the failed tests the catalyst eats the subjects energy and kills the blood cell in the bloodstream, thus why they have coronary failure, the blood actually coagulates in the stream.” She sounded way to cheerful for the subject matter and a scientist as she spoke.
Adam didn't know how to respond without hurting her feelings so he tried to avert his eyes as he spoke, “Well, yah, that's what we know already.”
He was popped lightly on the back of his head enough to look toward her big smiling face and he blushed deeply, “Baka, baka, be patient~~~! I'm getting to that.”
“Oh...sorry,” he replied with embarrassment but she apparently thought nothing of it, quickly returning to her speech.
“So naturally there had to be something different about them, we've been assuming that it had to do with an individuals natural aptitude for the spiritual since after all most things that use the energy naturally are made completely of spirit particles. But, what if for humans, some of the spirit is in the blood?”
Without a proper answer he could do little more than shrug dumbly. Somewhere in the back of his head he wondered why these people who had been experimented on and turned into various forms of psychotic had also apparently turned into flaming Albert Einsteins times five-hundred in the process. Seriously, he'd spoken with her before the change and they'd eventually gotten her school reports, she was a model student but little more than average. Now she was making academic strides in days that had taken actual scientist months, it was something in the water he swore, fucking crazy water that was. He was taken out of his thoughts as she adorably flicked him on the nose and giggled before pointing to exactly what she was talking about.
“Well that was the thought I had when I requested the physical samples and subjected them to an ionized microscope, looking down on the single cell level. And then! I found this!”
Now he was more confused, there was little reason to have done that, even if it was something in the blood it shouldn't have been on such a small level. But as she finished he looked to the pictures she had taken with the microscope and his mind began to go into an overhaul as what he was looking at dawned on him. They looked like blood cells with sickle cell anemia but were actually inside the blood-cells themselves and carried a blue hue, without such a powerful microscope they could never be seen due to their size.
He looked at her and the nerd in him couldn't help it, “Fucking midichlorians?”
Amane rolled up a piece of paper and smacked him on the top of the head, “Shut up! Those ruined that franchise...but, yes, kind of. Many of our test subjects were spiritually capable and did not have these so obviously they aren't relevant to actually having spiritual energy. However, they could very well be the binding agent that allows an individuals powers to be boosted through scientific means.”
He thought about this for a moment before concluding, “So if we were able to isolate them, grow them, and bind them to blood cells without them we could theoretically begin altering anyone's level of spiritual ability. Ok, fine I'll conjecture, but why do you two have them and not others? Even knowing this both your bloodstreams have been polluted, we could never replicate the natural cell with yours.”
“Indeed,” she spoke whimsically as if that had been her thought exactly, “The only thought that comes to mind is that they are hereditary, or completely random. If it's the latter this could take a while, if it's the former then I have no family and I don't believe Jager-sama does either.”
Adam paused before he spoke slowly, “Accctually, during an earlier phase of planning Jager-sama was considering something similar. Eventually he decided on a different direction but during that time we did track down some of his living relatives. It seems the NWO must have pulled him off the street and weren't concerned with the family...and gotten extremely lucky if you're right...”
Amane's face burst into a smile and she gave him a quick hug in which he almost exploded. Then she grabbed the papers and made for the elevator that went to Jagers quarters with Adam in close tow. If there was an even small chance this was true it was worth looking into, right now they were getting nowhere in other fields. Sure they were making strides in a variety of useful tech in the process but nothing like what they wanted, and this could be the answer to a number of problems. At the very least it was worth a shot. Adam felt his admiration for Amane start to grow, she was calmer than Jager and while the man might have been smarter it seemed her ability to be rational most of the time, instead of on the rare occasion with a sky filled with flying pigs, under a blue moon, on the dark side of mars, like him; was winning out in the end.
As they exited the elevator into the lobby outside his office they were smiling for the first time in a long time, at least true smiles that was. This could make all the trouble he had to deal with worth it, after all Adam like most scientist dreamed of being part of something large that changed the world. He wasn't sure how much he trusted Jager but he knew that if the man could remain focused his research would indeed change the world, and when it was over Adam could say he was a part of it. Young and naïve he still regularly had the exploration dream and could not yet see the terrible age he was going to help usher in at this rate, by the time he did it was to be far to late. So, happy were the thoughts on his mind when the first sounds of yelling reached his ears and he stopped where he was with a sigh, reality had a way of slapping you in the face.
“Goooooooddddd~~~~DAAAMMMNN YOOOOUUU FILING CABINET!!! I'll get you yet! YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN?!!! DO YOU!!! WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?!!! I dddaaarreee youuu....”
Amane and Adam exchanged glances though he got the feeling her thoughts weren't nearly on the same wave-length, she was enamored with Jager for reasons he couldn't understand. He'd say Jager had put something in her head other than spirit boosting probes but then he somehow doubted that was on the mans agenda. She opened the door and stepped through while Adam could do nothing but stand slack-jawed at the sight before them, one entire wall had been blown out, several large pieces of furniture were turned over, somehow random items had been lit on fire, and yet Jager appeared to be alone. Sometimes he questioned the companies own sanity for putting any trust in this man, if he hadn't seen the results himself...
“Jaaaager-sama~~~!!!” Amane called without fear.
Jagers head whipped around to glare at them while he spit a venomous, “WHAT?!!!”, but as soon as he saw her his face went neutral which was another quirk in their relationship Adam couldn't figure out for the life of him since far as he could tell Jager had no interest in anyone like a normal human, “Yes Amane.”
Completely un-phased and almost as if she was fostering this weirdness, “We found something you should have a look at, we'll be waiting outside for you ok?”
Jager shot her a thumbs up and then she turned around and walked out, Adam hurriedly followed. She pulled a chair up in the waiting room and unable to add anything of worth here Adam simply did the same. He could do little but put his head in his hands and shake it in despair as the yelling immediately recommenced.
“WHEN I CATCH YOU – and ooooh I will! I'M GONNA STRIP YOU DOWN TO THE FUCKING BOLTS!!! THEN I'M GONNA MELT YOU! And then you fucker I'm gonna re-purpose you as a toilet seat! I'll have you installed in a damned truckers stop, A TRUCKERS STOP RENOWNED AS A MEETING PLACE FOR GAY MEN! WHERE THE DINER OUTSIDE SERVES NOTHING BUT CHILI!!!! YOU WILL RUE THE DAY FILING CABINET!!!”
...was he done ye-
“RRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEE THHHHAAAAAAHHHHHH' DAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!![/b]”
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Back in the unforgiving world of tomorrow, several hours since the last insipid phase of this study
They had spent an hour or two out, most of which time in complete silence. Despite the fact Mama clearly wanted to spend time with Alrick, Lina had still managed to keep her busy most of the time. As such it had left him and Siegfried more or less by themselves and while they managed some basic dialogue the younger man seemed unable to keep a conversation going. Alrick was readily able to respond whenever spoken too but ever since the failed pickpocket he was a bit thrown off, making no attempt on his own part to keep it moving. Truth be told Jager was fighting off his inner demons, though his psychosis was intrinsically a part of him in a strange way he was intelligently aware of it. He knew he was off and that at times it impeded his productivity, but no amount of recognition could stop him from succumbing to it. He could curb it, keep it in check, but eventually the savage nature would overcome him. It was why he had allowed the secondary mentally handicapped Jager to stay in control for so long, its utter passive nature kept the feral nature in check, but that was no longer possible. Not to say he didn't enjoy crushing a mans throat, just that sometimes the desire overwhelmed his sensibilities and he was aware of it.
He needed to end this soon, he had wanted to study them in their natural habitat but was beginning to regret it. He was gaining nothing that he could not have observed in a lab and was being held back for it. But he would have to wait, if he left now things would be suspicious, they might even call the event off. He had to maintain civility, needed to stay in control, couldn't act on his desires. It was hell itself.
Eventually Mama had returned and talked about going somewhere for lunch, Alrick left it up to Siegfried if he wanted to mention what had happened. Before that could get anywhere though she got a call from Papa more or less ordering them home. He was livid that they had gone somewhere with Alrick and not invited him, Mama wasn't one to embitter a relationship so much to her dismay she agreed, having had no real time to herself with Alrick though Jager was more than pleased with that. She was the anti-thesis to his existence, at least the children showed some liveliness if not exactly promise or intelligence. Likewise the father figure was no more interesting, being king of those with no ambition of their own didn't make you somebody special, only by challenging those of equal capability and bending them to your will could your level of control be considered anything worthy. He was just and old man living his power fantasy through a submissive woman and children who didn't have the gumption to live their lives as they wanted.
With that mindset firmly established it was of no great surprise that the moment they got home he hoarded Alricks time and attention, as if he had been there the whole time. Banishing the rest of them from his presence so they could have some good old fashioned, “Man talk”. Whatever that meant it took about an hour and when Papa came out he seemed rather pleased with whatever had been said between them. It was at that point that Mama reminded him they still needed supplies for tomorrows event. The house was already spic-and-span compared to its normal form and they had more food in the fridge than they typically did in a whole year, but clearly they needed some party supplies, that got father out of their hair for the moment. That was when Mama brought it up to Alrick for the first time since a brief mention when he had first arrived, the family reunion, and if he could please stay so they could meet with him. Alrick didn't give off a particular vibe as to how he felt but didn't immediately respond, instead he noticed something yummy and red in a nearby bowl...aapppppllllllleeeeee. He picked it up and showed it as if to ask if he could have it which Mama was more than happy enough to oblige.
Jager knew the proper answer was to say yes and stay but he had, had enough. Would it really matter if he stayed here and carried it out properly or just pulled back and came in guns blazing later, wouldn't matter if they lost one or two would it? He took a bite of the apple when the PDA in his pocket buzzed and he retrieved the device looking at the report. His face was still untellable but inside he did an about face, yes, yes this could really work, something could come of this, it was just a day more after all. He exited out of the message and stuck it into his pocket before looking up at their mother and smiling.
“Yes, that would be nice. Though I think I should go out to get an outfit, as you know I did not pack with expectations of staying even one night. May I get you anything while I'm out?”
Even so...he had to get out of here if but for a moment.
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Cellular abnormality confirmed. See you soon. ~~~ Wuvvles, A ~~~[/size]
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Post by kensei on Nov 13, 2010 2:04:42 GMT -4
Siegfried had chosen not to bring up the incident with his mom, he knew she would have made a huge deal about it and in the end just opted to hiding the handkerchief when she neared. When the call from Papa came he really couldn’t say he was shocked, the Old Man always seemed to appear when Siegfried went more then a few hours without his shit. He wanted to ask his mom if he could just go to his friends, but he was on a short leash as it was right now and knew with Alrick being around she wouldn’t be happy and Papa would be livid about it.
He decided to simply sigh and follow the group back home. Naturally Papa shoed them off so he could have some “Guy talk” with Alrick, something which Siegfried couldn’t help but think they had never had. Perhaps being the problem child he was made that sort of thing impossible… But he couldn’t help but feel even a bit more misplaced. It wasn’t that he particularly cared for something like that, but still being shunned by an entire city was hard on the young lad..
He shook off the thoughts and opted for the standard, grab a sandwich and lock himself up in his room. To bad he didn’t actually have a lock.. He turned on his computer, but used it as little more then a simple stereo right now. He didn’t have it blaring at max volume as he decided to side step a fight for today. He had no one to talk to right now, him and Alex had broken up, and he didn’t have many other friends.. He ended up just sitting on his bed and eating his sandwich while he thought about everything that happened.. It still seemed a bit strange..
Everything had happened so fast, Alrick made his way into the family unit almost instantly.. His story was so solid, and he recollected it so fast that it made one wonder.. Perhaps he was nervous about the whole ordeal even if he never let on that he was once, like when one was going to perform at a play or ask someone out for the first time. Maybe during the time he spent going over possible scenarios again and again, most people would, wouldn’t they? But one thing he couldn’t quite get of his mind where those shining red eyes.. Had he really just been seeing things? Lene was all over him already, and despite being a small child she seemed to have a good subconscious judge of character. Maybe he was just jealous and was trying to poke holes in his story despite him being the most understanding person he had ever met.. Damn.. It was a lot to process.. But then again… There was that murder that happened last night.. They couldn’t possibly be connected? “Stop being a conspiracy theorist.” He said to himself as he shook off the thought, after all, Seigfried loved the odd and the twisted, that was just a natural thought for him. Putting two coincidences together and making a conspiracy theory out of it.. Surly that’s what it was..
As the evening went on, hours passed quickly and he soon enough he felt a familiar tug on his arm as Lene smiled at him, telling him was time for dinner. The dinner table was a bit crowded, but they had pulled up an extra seat for Alrick, and people just had a bit less elbow room because of it. Siegfried and Papa exchanged a few glances, but to everyone’s surprise neither started anything.. At least not right off the bat.. Dinner was here, time to eat up.
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Post by GoldenKitten on Nov 13, 2010 2:53:04 GMT -4
Paper or plastic? PAPER OR PLASTIC? HOW SHOULD I KNOW?!!! WOVEN SILK FOR ALL I CARE!!! IT'S LIKE A FUCKING RIDDLE!!!! PLASTIC, PAPER, PAPER, PLASTIC!? PLASTIC!!!
Jager shuddered into awareness as the cold air burned into his face like fingers. He was leaning against an interior wall, hyperventilating to the extreme and shaking terribly, his mind searched for what he was supposed to be doing but all he could draw was a giant blank. He brought his hands up before his eyes only to realize it wasn't his body shaking but rather the trembling waves were coming from somewhere else, being amplified by his heightened sense of awareness. He absentmindedly patted himself down until he located his PDA and retrieved it, as he did his hypertension elated and the shaking remained in his hands alone as he keyed the device to show the hourly update. Laying his head back against the wall he exhaled a plume of red energy, it had been a long time since he had lost complete control, but then he had never attempted to keep himself in check for such a long period before. It was problematic given his current situation but it also served as a good study so he couldn't complain to much.
Pushing against the wall which gave out a groan as if he was much heavier than he appeared, he rose to his feet. He surveyed his situation carefully considering everything that needed to be done, if this had been a more populated area he'd be in trouble. But as it was this was a small town and it was already late, beyond that tomorrow was a Sunday so this would be closed and he only had to go till the morning anyhow, it wouldn't be an issue. Still there was no need to tempt fate and so he jumped over the gas stations counter and shifted through the cabinets below looking for anything of importance. He finally found it when one of them was firmly locked but he was easily able to rip the door off, behind it lay the recording device for the cameras set about. After retrieving the tape he made one final check, flipped the board of light switches that lit the entire premise to the off position, and made his way back around the counter.
Retrieving the bag of items he had bought from the ground he made his way for the entrance/exit. Logic dictated that he remove the items from the bag and throw it into the nearest trashcan before he walked to the door. He flipped the old-time sign to the side that said, “SORRY! We're closed!” (in German), and locked the switch lock before stepping outside into the cool night air. Closing the door behind him he walked off down the road as he messaged Amane about how organizing the event was going. Back in the now “Closed” service-station everything was complete silence except for the occasional drip of blood from the ceiling. Three men had been rendered into absolutely nothing and now covered the entirety of the completely destroyed interior, meanwhile the manager swung quietly from the ceiling with a plastic bag wrapped tightly around his head. Plastic please.
It was about that time Jager realized he needed a bath before he headed back. Figuring that checking into a local hotel might be suspicious if things didn't go his way he decided on finding somewhere else. Finding he had almost returned to the home without an answer he began to look around more readily. The houses in this area were rather displaced with a good deal of space between each one, that was good enough for him. He walked up to the next door house which was taller and statelier than the Fleischer homestead before knocking firmly on the door. He heard a young girl yell that she would get it while some adult reprimanded her before the door creaked open to a pair of brunettes, one no older than Lene and the other her older sister or mother, hard to tell.
Looking disheveled as if maybe they had just gotten out of the shower the older one simply inquired, “Yes?”, while trying to hold the young girl behind her somewhat.
This didn't keep the little girl from asking, “Do we know you mister?”
Jager looked to her with a smile, “Unfortunately, no you do not little one.”
Dinner was roasted chicken and vegetables, it was another belief of Mama's that meat was good for you, a vegan would not do well in the Fleischer household. She wanted to wait for Alrick to return but when Papa got back in carnivorous man-mode they all sat down. Without Alrick there Papa resorted to bringing the TV back in to alleviate the tension brought between them and once again immediately regretted it. Naturally such a small town didn't have its own news broadcast but they were close enough that the Frankfurt stations occasionally covered goings on there, like the National Chili Festival that was held there last year.
But this was hardly something so carefree, a half-dozen different station newsvans were surrounding an obvious crime scene, the problem was everyone at the table knew where this crime scene was, all of the older ones regularly visited the station for snacks on the walk home from school as it was only a mile away. Across the bottom of the screen a banner brashly proclaimed “FOUR FOUND BRUTALLY MURDERED IN RURAL TOWN OF-”, nobody had to tell Papa this time as he hit the power switch so hard he almost knocked the TV off the stand in the process. All of them sat in silence once more but not the same kind of silence as before, rather they were all stunned as they traded glances from one to another, the closest they'd ever come to something similar was a neighbor who got locked away over an abuse case years before.
Papa was the first to speak as he chuckled weakly and said, “No need to worry children, it happened nearby but someone who does something like that isn't going to stick around! I'm sure they're long gone by now, don't you worry a-” he grew increasingly emboldened with each word almost to an impressive degree until a knock on the door made him jump out of his chair, which totally took back anything good he had just said.
With another bout of completely unconvincing laughter he walked off to the door, if one looked they'd see he was carefully checking out the window before opening it. The fact that he released a sigh seemed to suggest whatever he saw calmed him, as he let Alrick in it had clearly never occurred to either parent that Alrick...well, might not be Alrick, or who they thought Alrick should be. None of them seemed to notice though maybe Siegfried did, but was that not a shirt their next door neighbors, the Flemings, father often wore? Eh, if he'd bought it locally it was entirely likely the clothing store had hundreds of them...why was his hair wet? Both men barely had time to sit down when a much louder knock came out of the door and Papa once more jumped though Alrick seemed oddly unperturbed by the whole odd situation he had walked into. He offered to answer the door but father clearly thinking there was a murderer just waiting to bust into their home (the irony) bolted to it first, however this time he seemed more concerned than frightened and opened the door.
In walked Sheriff Ruheim and Deputy Ruheim, the brother duo that composed the small towns law enforcement. Despite the seemingly sitcom setup of a brother cop group the two men had in fact proven extremely adept at their duties before so most jokes about it were a thing of the past. The Sheriffs eyes seemed to settle on Alrick and though the elder brother was giving a pleasant smile in return it was hard not to feel the pressure mounting between them already. While Papa and the Sheriff whispered back and forth to each other the Deputy approached the table and waved at the rest of the family before turning to Alrick and motioning to the door, “Brother would like to take a statement from you out by the car for a bit if you don't mind.”
Mama began to stand up but the Deputy raised his hand, “Don't worry Mrs. Fleischer, we didn't even know he was here until just now. It's just protocol we've got to speak with anyone no matter how small the possibility, especially out-of-towner's, we've absolutely no reason to believe he's related in any way,” this made her sit down and after further prompting Alric stood and followed the man out the door.
The Sheriff added over his shoulder that he'd be out after talking with the rest of the family. Jager followed the Deputy out the front door cursing his lack of control along the way, this was easily recoverable but the point was he SHOULDN'T have to have done anything, he should have been able to hold back for such a short period. They made their way down the gravel driveway and passed a few trees behind which the police car was parked on the main road. The Deputy unlocked the vehicle and started reaching inside looking for whatever papers it was he needed, clearly these men had never worked with someone truly dangerous. Jager looked up and down the street to see if anyone was present before nonchalantly speaking over the door to the man.
“So you said Brother, you guys family?”
The man half-laughed, half-strained as he continued to search inside with his body almost upside down at this point, “Yah, and don't go making no jokes, we've heard them all. Used to be us and pop back when our mom was still alive, but after she passed his heart couldn't take it. But we still uphold the law in his honor, y'know?”
“That's a good outlook. So guess that means nobody else is waiting for you at home?”
“Nah, just me an- hey, what business is that of yours?”
Sheriff took a statement from each of them, well, except Lene of course. Naturally given that with the exception of Alrick they could all account for everyone else's location all day this went by rather quickly and without any real difficulties. Even Alrick seemed a longshot since the crime had been exceptionally violent and such crimes were almost exclusively reserved for those crimes committed on close acquaintances, plus he had only been gone for less than an hour. Ruheim finished by assuring Lene that there was nothing to worry about, and that they would catch whoever was responsible, that whoever they were they had no interest in their family. Convinced he said his goodbyes and mentioned they would send Alrick back after a few words, that “You good folks can go back to dinner.”
Papa closed the door behind him as he left though he kept trying to peer out the window. But, there wasn't much to see in the pitch black knight except for the sheriffs flashlight bobbing out into the darkness until it was gone altogether. When Ruheim had left he had looked all over the front porch but couldn't find the two men, figuring his brother had forgotten the statement paperwork again he headed for the car. He was quite convinced there was nothing suspicious going on here, whoever did this had been someone with a personal grudge against the people in that store. Still the smallest little-red light went off in his head when he rounded the trees and the car was completely dark, he aimed his flashlight in that direction.
“Hey, where are you two?” he called out.
“Right here Sheriff,” Jager called out and Ruheim quickly set his flashlight on the eldest brothers face as he was leaning against the hood of his car. That kind of ticked him off but he tried not to say anything, instead going about finding his brother, but that was when he froze as his flashlight passed the left-side door. The door was completely closed shut but two long legs were sticking out of it with gore encrusting the edges as if it had been crushed like a toothpaste tube such was the strength it was closed with. He didn't immediately respond as his eyes traveled up to the window where a large hole had been bored through it, it seemed when the prior didn't instantly kill his brother and he had likely been screaming Jager had reached through the glass and smashed his head against the console. Though naturally he still hadn't even begun to process the scene the mans natural instincts kicked in as he went for his gun and started to yell out to be heard, but he hadn't even flipped the leather clip off before Jager was on him.
He wanted to let out a scream but he already couldn't, Jager had his sleeve rolled up and had inserted his entire arm down the sheriffs throat. Though the act ripped his mouth line open causing it to bleed, along with cutting the esophagus on the way down, these facts went almost unnoticed compared to the immediate gagging it caused having shut off all breathing. Jager pulled in close and with his free arm took the Sheriffs flashlight and shut it off, and in the darkness all that could be seen were his red eyes glowing, penetrating into the mans soul as a deathly chill overtook them.
He spoked in a hushed tone, “Do you hear that Sheriff? That's silence, and silence; silence is good. Now Sheriff, I just want you to know, this is going to hurt...allot.”
The Sheriff began spasming and even with his throat plugged guttural gurgles could be heard from deep within. Jager gave a great tug and then the Sheriffs stomach was pulled up until it was occupying his mouth, and if he hadn't died before the fact that his intestinal track had just been disconnected along with mass internal bleeding meant his time was measured in seconds. Jager removed his hand and grappled the man around the neck before he proceeded to the other side of the car, opened the door, and threw the man in next to his dead brother to bleed out his last.
Jager searched the car door until he found a bottle of hand sanitizer which he whipped his arm down with before using the dying mans outfit as a towel and then closed the door. Moving to the other side of the vehicle he picked the legs up by the shoes and tossed them in with the rest of the body. He looked around and noticed that across the road just behind the tree line was twenty-foot deep gulch, it would be found soon enough but it would keep them hidden long enough. Placing his foot on the cars bumper he turned the vehicle until it was aimed just right and then with a firm shove sent it across the road and through and opening in the trees before it rolled down into the gulch with a somewhat loud bang. It probably didn't make much noise inside the house but he still looked around for a moment before he was satisfied he was alone. He finished by dragging his foot across the gravel a few times as to cover up any blood splatters, then as he ran his hand through his hair, he calmed his aura so that his eyes fell back to their natural blue, then turned back toward the house.
When Alrick walked back in all eyes were on him but the smile he wore seemed to convince most that everything was ok. He held out his arms before anyone could say anything, “They say I need to go in on Monday and give a full statement; but guess I didn't come off crazy enough to be a suspect.”
This elicited a chuckle from everyone except Mama (and maybe Siegfried) who just shook her head, perhaps somewhere inside she had been afraid her eldest was a mass murderer or something, as if right? Jager suspected that this firm loyalty he was getting from the parents came from their long internal shame and regret for what happened to him as a child, if only they knew. Naturally the children followed their parents lead and so this opened up the general ease with which he was accepted, he was thankful for this or he wouldn't even be here, much less continue to be accepted after this. But his keen senses picked out the one who was losing belief, the one who had always been slow to accept him into this, for the briefest moment his eyes traveled to Sieg, and he smiled. But it wasn't the same fake smile he was giving the rest of the family, it was the real smile the rest of the world knew, his enemies knew, the smile he gave when he killed and slaughtered. Then it transformed back into that fake smile and nobody else seemed to notice, in fact Lene came up and sat on his lap. For reasons nobody could explain Lene was forming a bond increasingly quickly with this man, they hadn't even spoken much and it was like she just trusted him through some sense nobody else had.
She pointed to his arm and asked, “Hey, why is your sleeve rolled up?”
Alrick locked up for the slightest second before rolling the long sleeve down, “They needed my fingerprints, didn't want to get ink on my cuff,” this made her laugh as children were prone to do as he patted her on the head with the hand he'd just killed a man with.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch though the TV naturally stayed off. Mama wound up falling asleep with Lene this time though for a completely different reason she had Tobias, despite the brave face Lene put on she was of course still frightened and wouldn't even stay in a room alone, much less go to sleep. In a rare showing of compassion Papa stayed with Tobias who was still young himself though one had to wonder given his previous showing if it wasn't half for him. For the first time since his arrival though both parents seemed more immediately concerned with their other children than Alrick, and eventually the home was asleep, both parents leaving tomorrows plans till tomorrow. In the end they had decided to not call off the family get-together despite the crime since many of the family members were already many hours into their travel here, they would instead try not to dwell on it.
Well. Most of the house was asleep except two people. One of them never slept, and the other wasn't buying the good brother act so much anymore, more than anything Siegfried was convinced he had heard some sort of crash while Alric was outside. As the house settled perhaps the boy thought he could sneak past where Alric was sleeping in the family room and check outside for...well who knew what, but something was off. But Alric wasn't asleep, the only light on in the house was the one in the front entryway under which his older brother was sitting in a chair reading from a PDA in his hands. As if he knew Siegfried was there his eyes looked up from the writing to where he was hiding in the hallway despite it being pitch black and after a long moment of silence he singsonged, “Hello, Siegfried.”
And that was where he stayed for over an hour, and then later that night when Siegfried thought about going out the back door in the kitchen that was usually locked Alric just happened to be getting food. He made himself a damned sandwich and sat at the table in just such a way that he had his eyes on both entryways and though he was being totally calm about it the man was a damned sentinel. He didn't move except to take bites, and read whatever it was he was reading, but he NEVER blinked. Even when he wasn't there was this eerie feeling that he was looking right at Siegfried no matter where the boy tried to be. Was he imagining it? Was he being paranoid? Of course he fucking wasn't but he didn't know that yet. Of course if he was just being silly then what would Alric care if he saw him walk out, but the way he was positioning himself and acting...it was like he knew Siegfried doubted him. It was like he was being threatening without being outwardly so, as if he was saying, let's see you try and go out that door; I wonder what will happen?!
But maybe there was a way to get out without having to go anywhere near him. He had struck out at night through his window plenty of times to get past Papa, surely the man couldn't be everywhere at once! And then as he went to open the window, there he was. Alric, standing out in the middle of the yard during a freezing night just looking out toward the forest across from them. And then his head turned, it turned further than a humans should have, and he looked straight at Siegfrieds window, even with the distance between them it was obvious he was looking right at him, and he smiled at him like a goddamn maniac...and then his eyes flashed red.
The moment Siegfried backed away from the window and lost sight of Alric a light knock on his door came wrapping. And after waiting a moment Alric came walking in, but it wasn't the Alric from outside, it was the same one that had been here for days wearing that good old smile. There was absolutely no way he could have come up here that fast unless he was a freaking teleporter, you know? Like didn't exist! Was Siegfried going insane? He had to be! His mind was running wild after hearing that report and how close it was to him, right?!
At least, that was certainly what Jager was relying on. He took a seat by the entry as he half-shut the door and whispered to Siegfried as not to be heard by anyone else in a quite jovial voice, “I do like the cool weather so I was taking a walk and saw you up here. Is it what happened this afternoon keeping you awake? I admit I can't relate since these aren't people I knew but I know how it can effect you, I also know what can help.”
He set something down on Siegfrieds desk as he reached into his pocket and retrieved two shot-glasses, in that time Siegfried would be able to look at what it was. It was a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey, of course he had no way of knowing this but Jager had a very particular personality profile on everyone in the home, in the community to be honest though he didn't bother to read those. In them he was made aware of the boys appreciation of the particular liquor, moreover in Europe this was a rare brand being primarily North American, it was expensive here and might well be his only chance to ever try it. He was betting on this along with playing tricks with his mind, trying to convince him it was all in his mind. He only needed to take one sip, then he wouldn't have to sit there watching the door all night...though admitted it had been fun for a while.
He chuckled, “Don't just sit there. I could either pretend you're innocent and have never touched alcohol in your life like I'm sure most adults try to convince themselves or you can have a drink with me.”
He poured two-fingers into the glass opposite him meant for Siegfried and then completely filled his own which he knocked back easily. How vile, humans had such weird taste, but he was doing it for the act. He could feel the powerful narcotic he had added to the bottle ripple through him like pin-pricks as his body tried to shut-down but his super-fast metabolism burned through it like fire through kindle and in no time it was gone. Siegfried would not be so stalwart and a few sips in would be down for the count whether he wanted to or not, hopefully the act of taking the first drink would convince Siegfried that he was not there to kill him. Hell, little did Siegfried know that was quite the opposite of his true intention, in just a few days Jager would make that boy a demi-god.
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Post by kensei on Nov 14, 2010 2:24:53 GMT -4
Siegfried couldn’t believe his eyes as he looked at the TV. Four people dead.. He didn’t have any real connections to them, hell most of them treated him like shit for who he was. But to have such a thing happen in Frankfurt was unimaginable; it seemed like something out of a B-rated horror film. The missing son returns as brutal murders start to pop out all around them, and of course the idiotic family never notices a thing.. Was that what was really happening here? Could Alrick really be some sort of clichéd super villain?
KNOCK
Siegfried almost fell to the ground he jumped so hard out of his chair, it seemed Papa wasn’t the only one nervous right now.. As Papa got up to open the door Siegfried eyed him intently as his hand went to his knife. His heart started to race as he saw Alrick, his mind started to race with ideas about what he could have done.. Wait was his hair wet? And that shirt, he had seen it on Mr. Fleming before.. What the hell was going on here? Siegfried just couldn’t take his eyes of Alrick as he walked to the table and sat down.
Knock
Siegfried bolted up again as he eyed Alrick as if he expected him to come across the table and rip him to shreds.. However it appeared the knock came from the door and not from Alrick throwing the table to the side and attacking him.. As Papa opened the door in walked the cop brothers. Siegfried had, had a few run-ins with them in the past. Nothing to major, but it was enough to earn him a pat on the shoulder from the deputy as he asked “You staying out of trouble Siegfried?” Siegfried wanted to smart mouth a bunch of questionably legal things he may or may not have been a part of, but he decided not to.. After all it isn’t fun to be on the wrong end of the law, when the law is around.
Siegfried gave his statement like the rest of the family, which only took a few minutes as he had been with everyone all day, before returning to the dinner table. He only took a few bites, he wasn’t much in the mood for dinner now.. He could have sworn he heard a bang outside a minute before Alrick came back in. Siegfried didn’t laugh as Alrick talked, no he just looked at him.. This was getting way to weird, even for Siegfried.. He desperately hoped he was wrong, after all Lene was all over him.. But he couldn’t shake the warning alarms in his head..
Nothing to abnormal happened the rest of the night, though the parents slept with there children that night. Everyone was upset about what had happened, and they where scared. But what scared Siegfried was Alrick. As everyone went to sleep, Siegfried couldn’t be contained, he had to know what he had heard.. He crept down the stairs as silently as he could, only to find Alrick sitting there, his PDA in his hands as he sang out. “Hello Siegfried!” “Hi..” He said before walking in the kitchen and getting a bottle of water before going back up to his room.. He couldn’t be suspicious about the whole affair.. He would just have to wait till later. But would later ever come!?! He was starting to doubt it when he went back down an hour later right as Alrick was eating right by the back door, blocking him from leaving.. At least that’s what Siegfried was sure he was doing. Perhaps he would let him out without a fuss, but did he really want to risk it on a bad hunch? Nope..
He went back up to his room, he felt completely caged and at this point. He felt like an animal that was about to be euphonized, no matter what he did this was his doom.. He started to shake in fear as he laid on his bed, but then something registered. One last possible option he had, there was no way Alrick could be there.. Yes he would go out of his window.
He walked as quietly as he could towards his window, and right as he put his hands on it he saw him. There he was, once more blocking his way out. He shouldn’t have been able to see his eyes, not from this distance, but the glowed bright red in the dark night, and he had this insane smile plastered across his face; one far to large for a human, at least it seemed that way.. Siegfried took a step back as he knew his fate was sealed, he tripped as he backed away, falling flat on his ass right as he heard a knock at his door. He got up as quickly as he could before backing up as Alrick walked in. He eyed him, trying to keep his cool, yet despite this he was obviously nervous. His mind raced with questions, mainly HOW THE HELL DID HE GET UP THERE SO FAST?! But a wise man wouldn’t question a fucking murder when he had him cornered. OH no no no..
Something also didn’t escape him.. No this time he caught it, “I know how it can affect you.” How would he know what it felt like to have people you knew brutally murdered? He eyed him as he pulled out the shot glasses, as if he expected him to pull out a knife and murder him right then and there. But when he looked at the bottle and gave it the time to read what it said he was a bit taken back. Crown Royal was a very rare brand in Germany, and it would have taken him a long while to make the money to afford such a luxery. Not that any of his friends opted for expensive alcohol, nope it was generally 40s or cheep whisky, the occasional rum. Not that they drank ALL the time, but it wasn’t as uncommon as the law and adults would have hoped..
Wait what if it was drugged? His mind started to wonder as Alrick offered him the drink, but then when Alrick downed his instantly his fears where a bit alleviated, well of the drink at least. He walked over to Alrick and took the glass as he chuckled uncomfortably while looking at Alrick. “You’d think most people would offer to take one out to the movies or something, not alcohol. But thanks. Cheers.” He said as he downed the shot glass. He coughed a bit before nodding Alrick. “That’s… good.. stttu.” His body started to give way as the powerful narcotic ran a number on him. He put his hand, trying to stabilize himself against his desk as he let go of the glass, it rolled off the desk and was destined for the ground, but Alrick instantly grabbed it. Siegfried looked at Alrick with anger and fear as his legs gave way, he could have sworn he was smiling at him.. Was he enjoying watching him become his victim? OF COURSE HE FUCKING WAS!
His eyelids where to heavy to keep open, his body was warm threw and threw.. Sleep.. Sleep. He needed to sleep….
Thud
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Post by GoldenKitten on Nov 14, 2010 2:44:05 GMT -4
Like sands through the hourglass, so too are the days of our lives; One week prior to Extraction
– So you want my help? -
Jager laughed in a voice that wasn't his own, it was sickly sweet, even in his nicest moments this wasn't what he used, “Well yes of course, we're partners aren't we!? And so we should work together to achieve a better tomorrow! You know, strive toward a better tomorrow and all that jazz,” he leaned back in his recliner and smiled at the ceiling.
– Why are you so happy; are you drunk? -
He momentarily scoffed and his eye twitched every so slight but with a quick recovery he picked the pieces back up, “We have the manpower, and materials to achieve it. We just need you to make some calls and pull some strings, get the government to back off so there's no trouble inbound and pulling out.”
– This had better work Jager, it had better be worth it. - , the scorn was palpable and he could almost feel that damnable finger being thrust at him again like a disciplining school teacher.
“I'm...I'm surprised to hear you say that, surely you recognize what this is worth Yuusuke-sama?” one couldn't help but miss his voice cracking now.
– Ok you have never used an honorific with me, who put you up to this? And of course I realize the potential of this project, but Jager, so far THAT'S ALL IT IS! You've produced nothing concrete, you've just spent a lot of money killing a lot of people in extravagant ways for no reason other than to make my life a mess of paperwork and cover-up. Meanwhile Muraku is planning on introducing his bioweapons at the next board meeting, when that happens my funding stops, and that means yours does too. -
Jagers voice rattled in a half-gurgle laugh as he tried to search for the words and began only halfheartedly, “Well, you know, we.......”, he took a deep inhalation of breath before exploding, “As if YOU could understand the significance, your supposed to be a goddamn Quincy but you aren't are you? ANYONE with knowledge of spiritual power would know it is superior to any worldly means of enhancement, and yet you act as if it isn't so! ALL. YOU. CAN. TALK. ABOUT. IS. BULLLSLSSSHHHIIITTT!!! You aren't a Quincy you're a fucking little sissy fucking man with fucking, fucking, FUCK!”
Just as he was about to continue on Adam ran up and pulled the phone from him, putting it up to his ear and laughing nervously to their boss. Meanwhile Jager stood up and began kicking anything he could reach as Adam plugged his ear as to try and hear on the phone, “Er, sorry about that sir, he's having a bad...oh hell, he's just like that. But we do think this will work.”
Moving off toward the door Jager punched a hole in it and screamed at the top of his lungs, “I'LL KILL HIM!!!!”
- ...He knows I can still hear him right? -
Before Adam could answer Jager pulled his arms back and let out a guttural roar at the ceiling, “Um...I, I don't think he cares. But, sir, we've received word that all the samples will be in one place, this will allow a mass extraction without having to make multiple covers, plus the setting is a rural one making it all the better. This could be the key we've needed to forwarding our research!”
- It better SOLVE your research, not just forward it. -
“Yessir.”
- I'll make the call, be in touch. -
“KIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLL HIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMM!!!!”, and then something exploded in the other room.
Adam sighed as he hung the phone up.
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Present, the morning after
Siegfried was awoken when Papa came storming into his room with the fury of a titan. The fact that the sunlight pouring in through the window wasn't that of a morning glow but rather the bleach white of full-on day probably had something to do with it. Regardless the narcotic was still having it's effects and would have made just jumping right up difficult, this however did not stop Papa from ranting at him about many things, not the least of which was him sleeping in during such an important day. Eventually this culminated in Papa grabbing Siegfried by his collar and pulling him off the bed (when did he get in the bed?) so he slammed into the wooden floor, then the man walked off. He stopped once more at the door and turned around shaking his fist at him before walking off, from somewhere beyond he yelled, “Get up, get some fresh clothes on, and get your ass in here! Brother called, he'll be here in FIVE minutes!”
When Siegfried made it down finally he found most of the family rushing about at Mama's bequest, rapidly throwing things together. The living room had already been transformed into a long table with room for well over a dozen people. Apparently Alrick had volunteered to keep Lene busy during the set-up as they were in the corner where the couch had been moved, performing some sort of child's song game. It was sickeningly sweet and yet one couldn't help but feel his eyes were on Siegfried the moment the boy walked into the room, in fact, he waved. It was a friendly wave, like “Good morning”, only with a hint of “I'M GONNA EAT YOUR BRAAAAIIIINNNSSSSS!!!!”, well at least if you were the paranoid sort. Or maybe that was just because Jager had decided since Siegfried was apparently suspicious of him he was going to toy with the boy until it was time.
As the first knock came at the door it was their uncle on Papas side that came first just as promised. They didn't look similar in the least with uncle being in shape, having a full head of hair, and being moderately attractive. He appeared with his equally un-noteworthy wife (to Jager) and perhaps the third most interesting person he'd seen, their daughter Patricia who while on a very low level had a reiatsu similar to Lene's. To Siegfried and everyone else she was known as a brat, she was a year older than the boy and had been born ridiculously attractive, like many girls this had inflated her ego to astronomical proportions. Small though not exactly petite, well proportioned, long blond with natural curls, a heart-shaped face...no amount of good looks could make her a nice person though. In visits passed she spent most of her time alone looking like being there was torture, in the rare occasions she did speak it was almost always in a condescending tone, and so most of the other children avoided her as much as she avoided them.
Well, that was until she spotted Alrick and appeared to be enamored for the remainder of the day. Naturally he wound up being a big event that day as every relative that arrived monopolized his time for one reason or another, and yet in all that time he remained dangerously close to the door, and Siegfried occasionally caught him glancing in his direction even amongst conversation. One by one they poured in and thankfully it seemed none of them had passed the still cordoned off crime-scene, a fact the Fleischers were not quick to mention in the least. All in all twenty-five members of Jagers long lost family arrived and most were just as ready to speak with him as the rest, they didn't seem nearly as trusting as his parents had but the again perfect retelling of his story seemed to endear him to most. Yet, for it all there was not a chance to get out without him seeing, and then it came.
Nearly two hours since the first arrival Lene had approached Mama and requested that her best friend from next door be allowed to come over. Though not immediately enthralled by the idea the fact that having another child here would probably keep her out of the way of the adults her parents agreed. Of course they were to busy being good host to walk her over to go get the girl, that was when Alrick offered to watch over her. Using the excuse in secrecy with Mama that he just felt out of place they reached an agreement and he was soon out the door. Like that he was gone and Siegfried had his chance to get out, he'd have to get by his parents but that seemed infinitely easier than getting away from the elder brother. Of course he had no way of guessing what Alrick had been doing with his PDA just moments prior, calling in an end to this.
The way to the house Jager had entered just last night went through a small patch of trees, it was far from a forest but enough for people to hide in, and hide in it they were. Lene had been speaking all about her best friend as they walked, Jager stuffing his hands in his pockets and tuning her out, not really concerned with reiterating the words back to her at any point in the future. Right as they reached the treeline Lene jumped back as a green-haired girl appeared from behind the nearest oak.
“Ehhh~~~!!! Who are you? Where did you come from?”
Amane smiled at her, “Don't worry dear, I'm a friend.”
Lene thought about that for a moment, “Sorry, I don't know you. Mommy says I shouldn't talk with strangers, Alrick can we please go to Ana's now?”, she was backing away from Amane and clearly suspicious, ready to hide behind Jager when he reached forward and placed a mask from his pocket over her mouth, in an instant she fell unconscious. He caught her before she unconsciously fell to the ground and handed her over to Amane who held her against her chest like a baby with her slung half-way over her right shoulder.
Jager looked at Amane with the look of someone who was relieved to finally drop the act, “Be careful with her, I think she has the most potential to succeed of them. Is everyone ready?”
“Yes Jager-sama, we've cut everything off, we can begin the collection as soon as you give the order, is there anything else we need to do?”
Jager shook his head, “No, let's give the go. There is one thing I need to do though, I believe the boy needs a visit from his big brother. I'll join you when I've collected him,” and then Jager disappeared in a flash, headed straight for the sheriffs vehicles where he could already feel his long-lost little brother was present.
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