"Superior! After many days of strenuous effort, I believe that I have caught and created what could be our new member," a tall blonde man with crazed emerald eyes explained, dignity and pride surrounding him like a cloak. "Number XIII, please, reveal yourself," he motioned dramatically. I ignored his 'request' in favor of examining my surroundings. There were only three other men in the room.
Even though the first man was seated behind a dark washed desk, I could feel the power and authority that radiated from him. His hands were folded near his pursed mouth in contemplation. He had a smooth tanned complexion that although it accented his golden eyes, seemed unnatural compared with his silver hair that was parted down the middle. His chilling eyes were set on me as the tall blond continued to speak, "You must have a lot of faith in this one if you're already calling her, 'Number XIII'. Nonetheless, please remove your hood."
I turned my head to the right, the first thing I noticed about the second man was the prominent 'X' that extended from the middle of his forehead and moved downwards to the middle of his cheeks. His hair was a vivid blue that extended to his shoulders and had an odd ruffle on the top. His ears were elfin shaped and his eyes matched the first man, except his were an icy gold.
The blond scientist gestured again awkwardly towards me. "Go on, XIII," he whispered harshly.
I looked at him, taking in his appearance for the first time. He had strong facial features with high cheek bones and a wide forehead, accented by the way he had split his sandy brown hair down the middle. It fell down his shoulders curtain straight to his chest. His long pianist hands were clasped behind his lanky figure. The man on my left laughed sardonically, "Boy, Vexen, you have XIII beat." Vexen's lips curled in 'embarrassment'.
I lifted my black gloved hands to the hood of my cloak and pulled it off my head. The man's laughter cut off when I shook my pale blonde hair free from the constricting article.
His expression was priceless, reminding me of a cat who swallowed its tongue; although, it did nothing to distract from his face. He had long black hair pulled back into a low tied ponytail and a silver streak down the middle. A long, ragged scar extended from the bottom of his left golden eye diagonally to come to a stop at his jawbone. To finish off his rough appearance, his right eye was covered by an eye patch.
"Number IV, are you trying to give the Organization 'sex appeal'?" the man with the eye patch questioned as he placed his hands on his hips in mock accusation.
"Xigbar," the man at the desk warned the man, while shooting him a dark glare that sent chills down my spine. "Vexen, does she have a name?" he asked turning back to us.
He gave a nervous chuckle, "A name? She doesn't have one in the memories she has left." He moved behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders as he crouched to my height. He tapped his index finger lightly against my temporal lobe, "You see, she kind of…. Lost a few of her memories."
"No need to act nervous Number IV," Xigbar laughed as he approached me casually, his hands in his pockets. He leaned over and looked me in my right eye, "Hmmmm, there is something there alright." He placed an index finger to my forehead and pushed lightly.
"Number II, please return to your position," the blue haired man spoke for the first time, and it was with annoyance in his carefully controlled voice. His golden eyes glared at Xigbar, the harsh look speaking volumes.
"Aw, cool your jets Saïx, you aren't in charge," he sneered, glaring over his shoulder for just a few moments before returning his amber gaze to my teal one. It was disconcerting how even though he only had one good eye, he could peer into both of mine. "Is she any good Vexen?" he asked, his gaze never wavering from mine.
Vexen's eyes squinted as he crept out from behind me, straightening as he did; before looking me over casually, "Would I have brought her to you if she wasn't?" he replied coldly.
Xigbar grinned, his eye still attached to mine as if some unknown force kept our gazes locked in a fierce battle of wills. Me denying any attraction I may feel, and him… I couldn't read his expression. "Aren't you full of yourself?" he whispered, smiling softly while one hand snaked around my slim waist and pulled me closer. His index finger rested on my sternum.
He cupped one hand to my ear and leaned close as if telling me a secret message. He chuckled softly in my ear, causing shivers to descend down my spine.
I frowned, "Why are you smothering me?" I pressed my hands to his chest and tried in a futile manner to pull away from his tempting embrace. However, the more I struggled; the more trapped I became. The hand that had once cupped my ear, was gripping my chin, ending all attempts to escape.
"Look here, Doll-Face, just play along, okay?" His devious grin returned as he patted my pale cheek, releasing my chin in the process. "Who knows, you might get a treat from me if you're a good girl," he gave me a rather creepy wink, loosening his grip on my waist.
I rested my hands against his chest once more, "Nothing you could ever give me would be a treat." It hurt a little to say that, but I couldn't fall for his charms right off the bat, that would be stupid. I finally got the nerve to push him away, but that hardly put any distance between me and my temptations.
"You're a feisty one," he whispered into the dead air between us with a smile that only had one description, Lustful. I pursed my lips in dismay as he ruffled my hair before releasing me. He merely chuckled at my expression as he moved behind the seated man and whispered something in his ear. The 'Superior' merely nodded, his eyes closed as he took a moment to contemplate.
He stood slowly then beckoned me closer to him with one hand. He moved out from behind the desk as his eyes trailed over my features, assessing each one expertly. His expression was blank and flawless, the best poker face that I've ever come across. He finished his observation, moving back to his original station. He sat once more, his long hands holding onto the arm rests tightly.
Vexen soon broke the indefinite silence that followed the blank man's observation, "Sir, what do you think?" He quickly made his way back to my side, running his long hands through my hair and to straighten out the mess Xigbar had made. "She's quite the fine specimen, that is, if you allow her to stay," he pulled me closer to him slowly, as if protecting me, but from what?
The tanned man's muscles relaxed as he looked up with such an intense glare, it caused me to clutch onto Vexen's coat from the heat, "IV, I will allow her to stay if she can prove herself worthy in a week's time," the Superior's lips curled into a devilish grin as he glanced over at the two men. He stood for a final time and folded his arms across his chest.
He gave me one good look over before gesturing to the charismatic Xigbar to come closer. He placed a hand on Xigbar's shoulder and glanced towards Vexen and me momentarily before speaking, "II, you'll be in charge of keeping her on the proper course. I would hope you know what that means." He said casually, however the threat in his voice was all too obvious.
Xigbar chuckled softly, "Ooooh, I understand." He flashed that devilish grin that had managed to tempt me already.
I buried my face in Vexen's harsh black leather cloak as his hold on me tightened. He thought it was fear, and I was a little scared, but I hid my face in his cloak to avoid the temptation that wanted to take a hold of me.
Vexen wrapped his arms around me, that feeling of protection forming a veil-like presence over me. "Superior, are you sure that is the 'best' option? She is my creation after all." A nervous shudder caused the blond male to tighten his grip on me.
The blue-haired man, Saïx, snapped, "I would not suggest going against the Superior's orders, IV." He seemed to take on a dog-like appearance when he said it; his lip forming a snarl like a mangy mutt, "Where is your respect?"
The Superior laughed lightly, "Calm down VII. Vexen, I assure you that our friend, Xigbar, won't do any harm to her." He glanced side long at the scarred man with a demonic grin, "Understand, Xigbar?"
He scoffed at the question that sounded like more of a demand. "Of course, sir," sarcasm plagued his words as he spoke, directing his gaze at the blue-haired man who was practically itching to rip his throat out for the tone he was taking on. "No need to be so edgy, Saïx," Xigbar mused, lifting his eyebrows in a taunting manner.
Saïx shifted in an uneasy fashion to the man's words. Irritation was visible on his features, "Sir, shall we call this meeting to a close?" He folded his arms, glaring visibly in Xigbar's general direction.
Superior's gaze turned slowly from Vexen coddling me, to Xigbar, then finally to the ever agitated Saïx. He grinned and laughed slightly at what sounded like a plea, "I have seen all that I require, so without further word, I will be calling this meeting adjourned. Saïx, please refrain from anything involving maiming Xigbar in the time following this 'get together'."
He peered at Vexen carefully then down to me, "You don't need to worry yourself sick XIII, Xigbar is a very trusted and tactful member. You should feel secure with him keeping you in line." He turned his head towards the man in statement, "I recommend toning the 'flirting' down. Don't want to chase her off before we even know her, do we?"
Xigbar laughed casually, "Alright, I'll tone it down, but only for her." He strolled quickly towards me, "Come on, Vex, let her go so I can get on a better page with her."
I felt his grip on me tighten for a moment before he finally let go, the protective field gone. I turned slowly towards my tempter, not daring to look up at his face until he prompted me to which he made short timing of.
Placing his fingers under my chin, he slowly brought my gaze to his. His golden eye was no longer tempting and lustful, but comforting and charming. "Look, my anonymous friend, it's all fun and games until someone's feelings get hurt," he spoke softly as his fingers brushed against my cheek. Softly, they dragged until his fingers locked with each other on the back side of my neck, "I didn't mean to scare you or anything. So, how about we start on a new foot?" he smiled softly, unlacing his fingers and pulling them softly through my hair.
I smiled softly, looking down from his eyes. My eyes slowly wandered back up to him, the silence of the room becoming pressing and awkward, "Anonymous." So that was my name. "Anonymous," I repeated once more, for the feel.
"Xigbar," the silver-haired man finally interrupted, "Why don't you escort her to her room. It'll give the both of you some 'bonding' time." He stepped out from behind his desk, Saïx in tow. "It seems that you have adopted the name 'Anonymous'. Xigbar will be keeping track of you this following week and making certain that you do what you're supposed to," he informed, as if he had done it a millions times before.
"II, I'm certain that you are aware of your obligations. Get to know her a little, make her feel at home," he spoke, looking at the scarred man. He put a hand to my shoulder and tightened his grip, "XIII, don't be afraid of this man. Just don't make him put you in your place." He chuckled lightly then released, "You two are dismissed."
I glanced behind me towards Vexen who gave me a small nod of the head, then towards my tempter. I took a step closer and met his amber gaze with my teal, "Xigbar, shall we?"
His sullen expression was broken as I spoke. "Alright, I'll show you to your room and maybe mine while I'm at it," he chortled lightly, tapping my nose with his index finger. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we headed for the door. He stopped short of the door and peered over his shoulder, "I'll have her where she needs to be in the morning. Don't look so uneasy Vexen." He laughed then opened the door, pushing me out into the hall first, then himself.
He smiled halfway then took my hand in his, "You know, you didn't have to lie in front of everyone, you know with that 'Nothing you could ever give me would be a gift' thing." He started to laugh softly, the long slate-colored hall bouncing the light sound back several times, "Don't worry though, I'm a classy man."
I smiled softly, "I had thought that you hadn't caught it, but I guess it was more than obvious." My grip on his hand tightened slightly, "Xigbar, Vexen told me to avoid anything about you, but I guess that made me want to meet you more."
There was a moment of silence as we came to the door marked 'XIII' at the very end of the hall on the left side. "This is your room," he said while opening the door, "It's pretty much on the empty side as of right now, but as you get more adjusted, you can do some rearranging." He guided me in first and followed suit.
The room was fairly bleak, a bed in the far left corner placed horizontal to the large window. A book shelf was in the left corner, many books were lined up on the shelves but none I'd probably read. There was a desk in the right corner closest to the door, but it had nothing on the surface, just dust.
My gaze turned slowly from desk to Xigbar, who was now sitting on the bed. I assume he had been watching my wandering eyes as I still stood at the entrance. He grinned slightly at me and patted the space beside him on the bed with his hand, "Take a load of XIII, I'm certain you're tired."
I sat slowly on the bed. My eyes soon began to wander some more before being caught off guard by Xigbar's voice, "I know this isn't the best place to be at first, but it becomes home after you've been here a while." He stood then positioned himself in front of me. Taking both of my hands in his he whispered, "Anonymous, get some rest, I'll be here in the morning to take you to where you need to be." He let go of my hands and placed his hands behind my head, pulling me close enough for him to place a kiss lightly on my forehead.
I smiled slightly as he backed away, slowly trailing one of his hands along my jaw line. It felt like he wanted to have more to refresh his needs but he wasn't willing to push for it. He looked back to me one last time before leaving, a devious grin on his face, "Sleep well Doll-face, if you don't, I might have to come and do something about it." He laughed to himself then flipped the light-switch off, closing the door slowly.
I laughed quietly to myself then looked back into my hands. They were pulsing with the want to touch him, but I knew that wasn't what was necessary to survive. Slowly I gaze out the window, bringing my legs up to the bed, resting my elbows on my knees. Maybe this wasn't going to be so bad. I smiled to myself the laid back, eventually succumbing to sleep.