"Why do you want to be free?"
The question that came unbidden caused the beaker, containing some odd liquid, to slip from Aihi's hands due to surprise but a tangle of silky strings caught it before it spilled. With an apologetic smile on her face while looking down on the scientist from the rafters Shion carefully maneuvered the tube back into Aihi's hands. Aihi nodded gratefully and returned to work; scribbling on a notepad and occasionally glancing at some samples through a microscope. Shion jumped lightly off the rafters to stand by the scientist's side while she worked; at a respectful distance of course, she was laid backed but not intrusive like Kaguro.
This scientist who shut herself away in the lab all day intrigued her. Aihi was a flower who wasn't nurtured with warm sunlight and rain but barren wind and the light of the silver moon. Plus the blue haired Ayashiki was somewhat more accommodating than the rest of her cohorts.
"Natural instinct I suppose," Aihi answered simply, "I just know that I dislike being held captive. I won't resist it though, after all my survival is more important than my desires." The last part was said for more of the bug implanted inside than Shion. They both knew what was at stake for those like Aihi and Heikan who weren't strong enough to resist Byaku's control. While Shion resented the man at the information department for it she didn't dislike this woman in front of her.
The spider user just hummed and picked up one of the specimen jars and gazed curiously at it; it contained a beautiful blue dandelion. "What will you do when you're a free then?"
Aihi looked at the women in front of her slightly surprised, it wasn't a possible 'would' but a definite 'will'. The frankness shocks and makes her answer a little more truthfully than she would've liked.
"I…don't know. Carry out my research most likely. I still wish to learn about humans."
The executive member smirked, "Then why not just stay here forever? You have all the tools you could ever need right and Byaku is more than happy to let you continue." The spider user started to twist the cap off the specimen jar but a small, cool, hand clamped over hers, Aihi had an odd look her in eyes; it was both pleading and defiant at the same time. That look was the one of someone who conflicted and unused to have their views challenged.
Shion relented and place the jar back in her hands, "I like that plant of yours doctor, maybe one day when it feels like it I can take it with me." Shion started to walk towards the exit, off to find a source of entertainment to bid her over till the next mission.
"Where would you take it?" Aihi asked, slightly shaken but not desperate. She was a composed woman that wouldn't be shaken so slightly.
"I am sure when it finds out, she'll tell me," pausing near the exit Shion turned around and gave a quick wink, "I am pretty excited for that day myself, it sounds interesting."