(Okay- so I woke up in the middle of the night last night and the very first thought that I had was: if the Knights memories had been replaced, how do they know if someone is actually related to them? yes this is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night)
Hinata listened intently, letting the information sink in.
"And it's hard to pinpoint the causes with the amount of variables in play, right?" She agreed when they had finished. "Still, this is really fascinating." She smiled. Her sister would've gone nuts about this- hell, she might have even asked to help.
(Okay, what Gelion just went on a rant about was perfect for Carlsen’s ability, thank you!! And I mean that seriously)
As Kye headed towards the white building, he would pass by two figures; one was a short male with black hair and green eyes, the other was a tall male with blonde hair and blue eyes. Despite their height difference, they looked identical. They both had fox-like ears and fluffy looking tails and were talking about… chess?
”So the Knight can move in L’s, right? Meaning that during that game if you were to move right three spaces with the Bishop you would’ve checkmated, but you didn’t so—“ the shorter man said with gestures before shrugging as the tall one facepalmed himself with a small laugh.
”Argh, you know I’m not good at the game. Still, didn’t you think that I did a decent job?” the taller one asked.
”Good job for a beginner I guess” the shorter one gave the tall one a thumbs up. This was the time they walked pass Kye.
Kye stepped to the side to allow these people to pass without him getting in their way. At this point all he wanted to do was find his mother and go back to his caves. If these people turned to talk to him he would be polite, but hoped that they would ignore him.
Murder is plausible for that piece of trash.
Will you stop going on about that!
No, I'm going to keep going on about it because of two things. He insulted you and he insulted me.
Just forget about it. There is no point in being angry about something you currently can do nothing about.
”Ah, right. He was a guide when he was an active Knight after all” Atlas mentioned. With that, a loud thud occurred behind them. Who had caused it were two figures.
”You sure you can move?” the cold-looking figure who was carrying the other asked.
”C’mon, I’m fine…” the other figure who would look very familiar to Adara answered with a small laugh.
(faint chuckle)
(Someone’s asking the right questions here— a question that I can answer right now because it isn’t super relevant. Only some parts of the memories of the Knights are altered, meaning things like their names, their family members, and their age would still be the same. One thing to note though is Matthew’s words before to Adara: “With the change of memories, comes the change of personality”)
Serena smiled as she took the papers back politely.
”We’re gonna have to look more into detail about this but all in all, it’s been great—” she stopped when footsteps can be heard coming from in front of the lab. Someone was coming towards it and via the cameras, they did not look so familiar.
Chris sighed and walked down the laboratory halls to answer the door.
Kye would’ve stopped in front of the door of the building. There wasn’t much he can do after all, the door was locked. A bit after that though, the door opened and the person who greeted with was a tall man in a lab coat who’s also wearing a leather hat and a crow mask.
”How may I help you…?” the scientist mumbly asked. His voice was distorted by the mask he was wearing.
(okay, thank you!)
Hinata nodded, looking over when she heard the footsteps. She saw the figure on the cameras, figuring they were a visitor like she was by the way Chris acted to them. She titled her head a bit- she sensed they might be similar to her, with more than one being residing in the body.
"Interesting," she mumbled to herself.
Creepo alert.
Shut up you are judging him by the way he looks. I keep telling you not to do that and you are doing it again.
I'm sorry if he looks like he's trying to cure the black plague.
Kye shook his head to clear it and looked at the figure. "Greetings, I came to find my mother. would you happen to know where I could find a Sandra Gathrodir? Or would you know someone who could help me find her?" Kye nodded politely to the figure.
Serena looked over to Hinata. She was a bit nervous about being near her now that she realized how much of a difference their age were. She slid a tad bit away from Hinata and managed to slip on some of the unkept papers.
(Get Tatsuo out… XD)
The scientist raised their hand to their chin before shaking their head.
”I’m sorry. I only work in the lab and with the other Knights nowadays, I don’t have access to other Souls who reside here. I apologize. If there’s anything I can help with, I could answer a lot of questions regarding the Knights and how they work here. Most of them at least” the scientist answered in an apologetic tone. He seemed polite yet mysterious. His voice was a bit… clearer? In a way it was.
Kye nodded in understanding. "That is okay, actually if you could tell me a little bit about a Knight named Carlsen that would be helpful. I… had a few run ins with him… and would like to understand him a bit better," he decided.
The scientist nodded subtly before he moved to the side.
”In that case, please come inside. We are under ‘passive’ conditions right now so anything ‘informative’ or ‘secretive’ should be kept indoors. I hope you understand. And don’t worry, the only things you might need to be careful while you’re in here are the chemicals, not us… other than myself, there’re really only five other people who work here” the scientist mentioned as he gestured in, inviting Kye in as he was going to be the one to close the door.
Kye stepped inside carefully, and waited for the Knight to take the lead before going any farther. Partly because he didn't know where he was going. And partly because he did not feel comfortable with anyone behind him. At all.
I don't trust this guy.
You do not trust anyone.
…I don't him less.
How is that possible?
It just is.
As Kye stepped inside, the Knight turned to the control panel of the lab door and pressed them in some sort of pattern; swiftly and accurately. The door closed and was locked. He then stepped in front of Kye and started leading him down the hall. He stopped at one point and turned to his left, opening that door and walking inside. He turned on the lights and gestured to the seats that very arranged neatly. The room was cold yet the atmosphere was warm.
”Please, have a seat” he said, gesturing again to the seats across from where he was walking towards.
Kye walked into the room looked around and decided to take a seat.
He locked the door behind us.
I know.
And you aren't worried that he's setting up to kill you?
I am very well aware of what could happen, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt to not attack me.
”So, about Carlsen—“ the scientist started before they took off their crow mask, revealing a gray-haired but young-looking male with soft and tender skin decorated with a pair of glittering silver colored eyes.
”He’s going through an experiment with one of the other scientists right now, being one of the test subjects. He was injected with a magic-infused chemical which changed his behavior making him unconsciously bloodthirsty and uncontrollable in some situations. That’s just an update on what’s happening with him, now your turn. What do you want to know about him?” the scientist asked, putting his hands together on the table. He seemed unnaturally calm at this point, maybe he’s used to people asking him questions or to having to talk to strangers.
Kye gave a slight sigh. "He is… protective, and he cares for his… brothers, as he called them. He willingly helped me on two different occasions, and pointed me in the direction to go. However, he is, as you said, a bit more violent in some ways. And part of that comes with the protectiveness. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, however violence tends to lead to more violence. Which is where he and I came to a disagreement. I feel like he cares, he is just a bit harder than he may think he is," he explained calmly.
You are way nicer than me.
At this very moment that is probably true.
Oh no it is definitely true. I would have called him so many bad things.
Then it is a good thing you are not the one speaking. Because I have a feeling that most of what you would have said is more tacenda.
More than likely.
The scientist nodded lightly, listening to Kye’s words. He pursed his lips.
”I agree with you on many parts of what you just said. But as mentioned, most of his actions are not necessarily his, more or less it comes from the chemicals injected in him. Despite that though—“ the scientist stood up with a small grunt as he picked up and sheet of paper which was on the table next to where they were both seated ”—you might find this helpful” he placed the paper down on the table, and slid it with his index finger to let Kye read.
The paper showed a picture of Carlsen in a portrait-like way. Below that were a bunch of written text:
Name : Carlsen Faltur
Age : 21
Gender : Male
Ability : Aura Keeper — allows the user to turn themselves into aura or use aura to create and / or destroy things. Limits vary from user to user, most commonly countered with elemental attacks which pass through aura clouds.
Personality : Calm, Cold, Over-Protective of his Brothers, Self-Sacrificial
(Kept Information)
Carlsen tends to act in a way that is questionable. Regardless of his protective nature, he is aggressive towards most people outside his family and those within his limited area of trust. He is a fierce fighter who does not simply give up and is willing to risk anything saving someone’s life. Those within his area of trust will benefit from him, but those outside will have to either try to enter that area or stay away from him from time to time.
Scientist in Duty : Serena Syrain
She turned to Matthew. "Reall-" she froze slightly, turning at the sound of voices. She pursed her lips, heart beating fast, but pretended to ignore the two figures. "You mean you're not active right now?" She asked, her voice full of forced calm.
”Yeah, I’m ‘inactive’ right now” he answered with a small chuckle before turning towards the two new figures.
”Oi, Ai, Carl, you good?” Matthew had called out to the figures as they smiled and waved back. One of the figures, though, stopped and looked at Adara.
”Ada…?” he said with a small smile before he limped towards her. The other figure looked at his brother with confusion but shrugged it off and walked towards Matthew.
She had frozen when they noticed her, and when one of them had called her name. She sent a panicked look to Matthew, her blood freezing in her veins. Trying to act casual, she looked at Aisen, hoping she looked confused. "Who?"
Serena looked over to Hinata. She was a bit nervous about being near her now that she realized how much of a difference their age were. She slid a tad bit away from Hinata and managed to slip on some of the unkept papers.
(Get Tatsuo out… XD)
You done complaining yet? Hinata asked Tatsuo.
Mostly, it's just- he was interrupted by Serena falling.
"Oh my, are you okay?"
Help her.
What? Hinata didn't answer; she just forced him out again. Tatsuo shot her a look, then knelt down next to Serena to reach his hand out to her.
"Be more careful, okay?" He said.
(OoOoOo draaaamaaaaaaaaa XD)
The two brothers both looked confused.
”You… you do know her, right?” the one with Matthew asked as the other slowly nodded and went silently closer to Adara. He stood in front of her a bit, seemingly examining her.
”Are you okay?” he reached out his hand and placed it on Adara’s forehead before she could say a word. His irises showed caduceuses on them.
”Hmm, no fever, no abnormalities” he muttered before looking her in the eyes.
When Tatsuo came to help her up, Serena turned as red as a tomato. After she fully stood up, she ran to hide behind Hinata, grabbing onto her leg and peering out just slightly.
”Uh…uhm… t-thank you…” she managed to say without shaking like the little girl she is.
The two foxes in the room whispered something to each other which followed with both of them giggling.
Hinata looked over her shoulder at Serena, raising an eyebrow. Tatsuo tried secretly to get back into Hinata's mind, but Hinata wasn't having it. He shot her a glance again before turning his attention to Serena again.
"You're welcome," he said, oblivious as to how he was affecting her.
She jerked away from his touch. "I-I'm sorry," she stutered, fear racing through her every nerve. "But, um… I don't know who you are." She did, of course. It was why she was nervous. She backed away slowly. "I, uh… I better go."
The scientist nodded lightly, listening to Kye’s words. He pursed his lips.
”I agree with you on many parts of what you just said. But as mentioned, most of his actions are not necessarily his, more or less it comes from the chemicals injected in him. Despite that though—“ the scientist stood up with a small grunt as he picked up and sheet of paper which was on the table next to where they were both seated ”—you might find this helpful” he placed the paper down on the table, and slid it with his index finger to let Kye read.
The paper showed a picture of Carlsen in a portrait-like way. Below that were a bunch of written text:
Name : Carlsen Faltur
Age : 21
Gender : Male
Ability : Aura Keeper — allows the user to turn themselves into aura or use aura to create and / or destroy things. Limits vary from user to user, most commonly countered with elemental attacks which pass through aura clouds.
Personality : Calm, Cold, Over-Protective of his Brothers, Self-Sacrificial
(Kept Information)
Carlsen tends to act in a way that is questionable. Regardless of his protective nature, he is aggressive towards most people outside his family and those within his limited area of trust. He is a fierce fighter who does not simply give up and is willing to risk anything saving someone’s life. Those within his area of trust will benefit from him, but those outside will have to either try to enter that area or stay away from him from time to time.
Scientist in Duty : Serena Syrain
Kye looked at the paper and nodded. A look crossed his face, partly angry and partly unreadable. "How do you justify that? I have seen something like this multiple times now, and I still do not understand how you justify it. It does not make sense and will not benefit anyone. Not even the person on top. I have seen how this story plays out. Usually the person who authorised it ends up getting killed by 'their own creation', or by something else."
Serena wasn’t shaking behind Hinata, she was legitimately trembling. Her face was indeed as red as that of a rose. She soon calmed down though. Sighing, she went back over to her desk.
”Matthew wanted me to give you something, something he wanted to give to you for a long time” Serena said as she looked through the things on her table.
Aisen was taken aback by her response. His eyes were raising with confusion but soon nodded.
”In that case, I apologize, I must’ve confused you with someone I know” He soon walked towards his brother.
(Leave it this way?)
(Tell the truth?)
”I know you’re not completely satisfied with how we say the things we say, but there’s no actual way we can figure out everything and every variable regarding the test subjects. Perhaps it is their behavior and not the chemicals reacting to them but we can’t be sure” the scientist shrugged and shook his head with a sigh. He then took the document back, waiting for Kye’s awaited reply. He was sure the visitor had something to say.
Hinata was surprised by just how much Tatsuo seemed to be having an effect on Serena. Tatsuo continued to watch her, folding his arms a bit and just trying not to be noticeable. This was pretty hard, seeing as he was over six feet tall and broad-shouldered.
"Oh, really?" Hinata asked, making her way over to Serena's desk as well.
"What is it?"
