Medusa Academy

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

“Just barely she said. You two are right above us in score.” Allen pried open a book and looked down on it. “Apparently, combat training is tactics and civilian surveillance training. Because that mean woman told me that it didn’t matter that I didn’t hurt bystanders, and it didn’t matter that I won. All that mattered was I was a…” Allen sighed and shook his head, lowering his voice to a bare whisper “Monster.” He turned the page and read the word “Monster” repeatedly, every page in bold. Every sentence: Monster. He slammed the book shut and took a deep breath. “She doesn’t like me or Robert, and I don’t like her. No offense but we beat you; we should have scored higher.” Allen looked up at Zorlo and then once more at So-Hee, “You two, both of you performed way better than my initial estimates though, you more so than Zorlo; so I’m going to have to take that into consideration for when we have to work together.”

[Zorolo]

"Huh, don't listen to that woman. Noriko's a tool of this place. She doesn't know anything but servitude and wasted effort. All she does is listen to the orders and follow them like a dog given a scent," Zorlo stated disdainfully as he looked away from Allen. "Her and her… that guy around her aren't nearly as threatening as they're made to seem. Give it time and you'll see what I mean," Zorlo stated with annoyance as he glanced at So-Hee.

[Helbaworshipper]

"Did she really use that word?" So-Hee looked a little confused. More so because the woman would never use words like that. All of Noriko's in a sense "speeches" rarely used anything that seemed offensive to the other party. Still, since she didn't know Noriko enough, it was possible that she had used that word. "I'm not sure it was really a competition though. I studied for the test all last week and there were so many things even I couldn't remember them."

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

“He seems off. I don’t like him. He doesn’t scare me, but he makes me feel uneasy.” Allen said thinking of his encounters with the young man. Allen shrugged and turned back to So-Hee, “She said I was out of control and that I could have killed civilians had it not been a training exercise. She didn’t use the word monster, but I knew that’s what she was thinking. That look in her eyes told me.” He looked at a few more books and picked one up, opening it. “So I’ve decided I’m just going to do things the way Robert and I have done them since the beginning. If our fighting style doesn’t suit her than she’s worthless to me as a leader.” “Just like you’re worthless to everyone.” Allen turned around and looked for the origin of the voice. “Keep looking. But you’ll never find it. You’re as blind as a bat.” Allen shook his head and returned to the two, “Robert should be here any minute… he was just helping me out with something.” Allen scratched his head and smiled faintly, a faux smile, one he hoped would comfort the pair before him.

[GamerKale]

"Sorry about that. Allen and I had a disagreement with his closet door. It wanted to be closed and we didnt." Robert said as he returned. "Celebratory cake for passing I take it? We got stuck with madam smiles Noriko Ito and her attache Zach." Robert kissed So-Hee on the head. "So-Hee. You don't want one too do you Z? I don't like kissing lads." Haven't even given Allen energy today. "No idea about the other unfortunate blokes we're being saddled with. Maybe she thinks we'll all just toe the line whenever she finally introduces us. You guys on a team full of birds?" He sat down next to Allen with a knife, some forks and paper plates, and broke into the cake.

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

Did he say that because of me? He hasn’t given me energy. I can understand… it’s weird that Toni wants to do it. Stop thinking! Allen shook his head, and turned to face his room. “A team full of birds wouldn’t be terrible. Birds are nice” Allen smiled genuinely, warmly as he thought of birds. “Free to do what they want and go where they want. Soft to the touch and elegant. Birds are this planet’s natural singers and songstresses.” The door creaked open a tad bit, and Toni reared his head. “Were you thinking of me?” He whispers, and Allen turns back to the group. “I’d rather, wait is that a chocolate cake?” Everything Robert’s given me that’s chocolate was delicious. Is chocolate not poison? Well… if Robert’s eating it, it can’t be poisoned, right? Allen observed as Robert ate it and took his own piece. Hesitant as he stuck the fork in the cake he closed his eyes to take a bite. “…” He blinked and finished the piece. “Wow. This is really good, where did you get this from So-Hee? This tastes leagues better than the venomous food our cafeteria provides.” Allen made sure not to speak while eating. A habit his father had instilled in him in the few years the two spent together before Allen was shipped off to Medusa.

[Zorolo]

"When Robert says birds, he means 'women', and not 'birds'. Its one of his odd verbal ticks that annoy me so," Zorlo stated. Today was already starting off wonderfully awful. Things seemed to be going downhill. "And to make matters… matters, I'm in the same attachment as you two, that snake woman and her pet man. Seriously, she might as well collar him already and-" Zorlo continued on his rant for another few moments, almost foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog ash e vented his emotions. Finally, he felt his body relax as he cooled down. "Anyway, yeah, the four of us and that woman and her pet. SHould be fun…" he said as if all of the life had been drained from his universe.

[Helbaworshipper]

"We were passing by the bakery next to the North Dorm." So-Hee spoke, her hands coming together. She relaxed as she listened to Robert and Allen talk. "Studying this weekend would be good. I'm not sure I can match Miss Ito." She did wonder how much studying they would have to do to match Noriko's standard.

[GamerKale]

"At least I can take comfort in knowing that you're going to be miserable." Robert said to Zorlo happily. "Well So-Hee I'll tell you how much I care about Ito's standards." Robert cut himself another piece of cake. "Seriously though, you guys should study." Better for Allen if any criticism on grades from Noriko is directed at me rather than him.

Robert sat at the table and worked on modifying a vest to contain plates while the others studied. "You know, I'm not sure why I bother to armor these. If we're fighting monsters like Zorlo but with unlimited power it won't help a lot."

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

‘Women are birds? Is So-Hee a bird? Lucie and Robert say she’s pretty, but not like a bird. Birds aren’t pretty like people are, and people aren’t beautiful like birds are. I guess I’m still too young… or something.’ Allen finished his piece of cake and rubbed his mouth clean using his shirtsleeve. Not much chocolate was left on the sleeve; Allen just knew he had not gotten it all. ‘Zorlo doesn’t like her much either. Or that guy she hangs around with. He’s playing a show. Does that boy like Noriko? They’re like Zorlo and So-Hee, but completely different…’ Allen smiled and took another piece. “I’ve never been to the other Dorms…” Allen poked into the cake and took another bite. Inside the cake, he saw something move, but shrugged if off. “Allen, don’t be afraid to-” Allen ignored Toni, who crept back into the room. “Noriko is the top of the class because she plays by a book. These books; all of them are garbage.” Allen’s little body shook as he felt emotions swirl and boil. “The world isn’t black and white like books are.” Allen sat near Robert, overlooking his armor. ‘Did he call Zorlo a monster? Most people think he’s normal. Maybe lazy some people say, but not… not a monster.’ Before Robert can notice, Allen returned to studying a textbook.

[Helbaworshipper]

"You're doing the best you can. Though, living by the book is what they want." So-Hee was still looking at her book. "We'll be alright as long as we work together." She smiled as she started to focus on her studying again.

[GamerKale]

Robert pulled on his stitching testing it. "Books aren't really black and white Allen. Lots of them are black and yellow." He said jokingly. "But I read your meaning. Ito wasn't always like that, somewhere deep down I'm sure there's still a little girl. Beaten down, broken, and rebuilt by rules and regs now maybe, but a frightened little girl just the same as the rest of us." He tried the vest on and knocked on it satisfied. "Ok, between the plates and what I've worked into my jacket I should be able to avoid getting shot again." Well avoid getting killed at least. "And dodge any unfortunate accidents involving grenades." Receiving end anyways. You accidentally blow up one general's car and they never let you live it down.

Robert looked over Allen's page, "You may wish to look up the definition for that one again. I think you might have shifted a line along the way." Robert went to take a drink of his coffee, but lo his mug was empty so he took the vthermos and topped everybody and himself off.

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

‘Does Robert know Noriko? I know he’s one of the oldest students enrolled here, but I think I’ve been here just as long as he has. If not, I might have been here longer… I’ve been in here longer than I’ve been out there.’ Allen sighed and leaned back over his book. “Oh… Sorry, I must have gotten distracted. Sometimes textbooks get unnecessarily wordy. Don’t understand why.” Allen smiled and looked over his book, chewing his thumbnail. ‘Oh dear… where did I leave off?’ Allen sighed and the words in bold just stuck out, “Why don’t you just die?” Allen looked elsewhere on the page, he had blundered over the word “Hegemony.” Such an odd word, there was nothing relating to biology in the statement. How Robert knew he misunderstood with was a miracle. Instead, he found the words, “Loser”, “Pathetic”, “Failure” and “Monster”. That word again, “Monster”. Allen looked at the coffee and poured the hot liquid over his book. Slowly at first, the words melted away. Unfortunately, the words he sought melted into the book as well. The ink was ruined and eventually the coffee reached his leg. Allen jumped and knocked his stack of books off the table. “Oh! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it!” Allen recovered his books and brought them to the table. The book he looked over was stained brown with coffee and practically illegible. “I’ll never know what that word means…” Allen whispered to himself as he closed the book and opened another. ‘I didn’t like that book anyway.’

[Helbaworshipper]

(We'll be skipping a day and beginning team work outs.)

Noriko positioned herself at the head of the area she had reserved for a potential training session. She looked at the watch she wore on her wrist, sitting down against one of the benches. She closed her eyes and focused, she would have to focus on the abilities that they showed to her.

----

So-Hee walked beside Zorlo with her bag swinging. "I hope that we won't be doing too much combat today. I don't know what she'll say if we don't do as well as she hopes." She was nervous, but she didn't want to say it so straight at the moment.

[Zorolo]

Zachary smiled at Noriko and crossed his arms. "You should calm down," he stated with a smile. "If you work too hard, you'll hurt yourself. It will be tough, but you'll whip 'em into shape," the red-head stated as he approached her and rested her hand on her back.

~~~~

"I'm sure she won't. We're probably gonna get the run around by the woman," he stated with an annoyed scowl on his face. "Well, we need to get the hell through this… but let's just get it done," the man stated with a sigh.

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

Allen laid down on his bed, staring at the shadows that danced above his head. “Today. I have to work with that dreadful woman. I should just slack off with Robert, it’s not like Noriko expects us to do much.” “You should rest. You never rest. Aren’t you tired?” Allen shrugged. “I haven’t slept in months.” Allen sat between the sleeping Lucie and the ever-facetious Toni. “You should just stay in bed. I think we’ll be able have more fun, if you want, I could wake Lucie up too.” Allen shook his head, “No, I think I’ll just… um… go now.” Toni gently rested his palm on Allen’s chest. “Kiss?” “No.” Allen jumped out of bed and turned to his closet, grabbing his uniform. Allen stripped down before his observer, who made sure to provide copious amounts of unnecessary commentary. “Have fun today.” Lucie fluttered her eyes open and smiled at Allen. She waved at him as he left, but Allen did not acknowledge it in any form. He went over to the bathroom and readjusted his bandages. “Whatever she says, I’ll just do what I feel is right. Noriko doesn’t know me, and can’t be bothered by her stupid ideology.” In the mirror’s reflection, Allen saw the small, bloodied hand of his victim. Billy was smiling, laughing, and Allen knew it. “GOOD LUCK TODAY!” Allen felt the room shake with Billy’s voice, from all directions. Allen turned around, and then back into the mirror, blood wrote the very words the ephemeral voice cried. Allen ran.

[GamerKale]

Robert wasn't sure if it had been nerves, excitement, or if he just hadn't bled off enough energy into Allen the day before, but he hadn't been able to sleep much the night before and had gone for an early run. He gave Noriko a brief wave as his route brought him past her and continued running. Eventually he wound his way back to her after stopping for breakfast. He padded to a stop a few feet from her and Zach. "Yo Ito, Zach." Robert huffed in greeting and flopped on the grass to catch his breath. He tossed a plum at each of them and bit into one of his own. He shot Allen a text, "Couldn't sleep went for a run, fend for yourself or go track down one of our other teammates. " He needs to get more comfortable with So-Hee and Zorlo. Noriko and Zach too, but let's take this one step at a time.

[Haseo{Terror of Death}]

Allen was out the door, down the hall running for his life. Every time he turned to see behind him, the headless child was walking behind him, calmly, his hands extended as though he were imitating a plane. As he ran, Allen grabbed his phone and checked the message. The walls shook with Billy’s presence. “Teammates? I-I have to find them?” Allen was feeling breathless. He had never truly exercised intensely, and his body was punishing him for his choice. Allen coughed as he breathed; his lungs were full of coarse dry air. He could not hear anything but the world shaking. An intense vibration that Allen could no longer run through. He returned to his phone. “Which one… find one…” Allen searched through his contacts, before he could click a name Billy was before him. Billy crept down to his knees, and Allen looked on in fear. He nearly dropped his phone. Allen closed his eyes and stood up. “Ghosts can’t do anything. Ghosts are just pictures. Walking pictures.” Allen used his hand to find the wall and one he had he walked, walked until he began to feel the beating of his heart deaden.

[Helbaworshipper]

As So-Hee was making a turn, she noticed Allen's presence. "Are you alright, Allen?" She asked, lowering her bag. "We're supposed to be doing training with Miss Ito today."

----

Noriko nodded in greeting to him, remaining in her seat. "We're waiting for the rest of the team. Is there anything you need to ask?" She asked, not seeming to change her demeanor even with Zach beside her.

[Zorolo]

Zorlo looked at Allen and sighed. "His neurosis is getting the better of him, it seems…" Zorlo stated as he started pushing Allen. "Come now, we need to get to training… I don't WANT the training, nor do I believe I NEED the training, but we need to do this because options and choices aren't really ours. Let's get this over with," Zorlo stated with an aggravated sigh.

~~~

Zachary looked at Noriko and smiled at her. She was so calm, so cool. Still, he kept himself just far enough away that no one could assume anything more than the servitude he offered her. She seemed to, at times, think of him as a friend. MOstly, however, he was just her power source. That was enough for him.