THE MADHOUSE by Kondoru

Standard Disclaimers

Thanks to Ben for Beating.

Part One; Felt Tip Pens

Booriiiing...

Karasu is feeling very uninspired.

Tobi, as usual, has eyes only for his Laptop. Karasu has no idea what his computer fixated comrade is up to. The girly Knights needs are very simple. Give Tobi access to a PC and he's happy forever. Karasu also has no idea why Tobi was using what he called an `Antiquated piece of junk. ` He had been implanted with his own computer, hadn't he? Karasu has a computer, they all do, but his is nothing like Tobis. He is a Warrior, rather than a Scout,

He seems to recall the little guy was constantly whining after upgrades.

Haruka is out playing with her friends. There seems to be no destabilisation today, so Karasu is taking a well earned rest.

Kosagi, the latest addition to the `Free Range Henhouse` as Yu rather cattily put it, is out walking Baron.

Karasus only entertainment at the moment is Atori.

Atori has found a red permanent marker, and is engrossed in drawing counter stripes to his tattoos.

Karasu sighs deeply. Much as this new, kinder, gentler, Atori is convenient, somehow he misses the old bastard.

Karasu wants someone to fight with.

Tobi is too busy with his hacking. Karasu offered him a practice session later in the day.

"We haven't enough Reizu for such things, Karasu" The tiny Dragon Knight tells him.

"But you can get it at the convergence point. We all can, you showed us how."

Tobi shakes his head. "Yes, for now. Reizu convergence points are prone to shifting or disappearing. Don't think we are given a stay of execution...Not yet."

"We need practice."

Tobi frowns at the screen. "Not with the hyperspin, I have a feeling anything like that attracts Shangrila. We can't just teleport to the surface and have a scrap here if we are restless." He tapped a key. "Besides, there will be real fighting any day now."

"With Noein." Karasu said firmly. He had all sorts of scores to settle with Noein.

Tobi grunted in disagreement. "Not if you want to keep your insides inside." He paused. "I think that will be Harukas fight."

Karasu nodded, "Dragon Torcs getting stronger." He said with a note of pride in his voice.

Whereas Karasu used to save Haruka from her enemies, now it was Haruka who saved Karasu from his.

Atori gets up and for a second Karasu thinks it's at the mention of the Dragon Torc, but no. He has finished scribbling.

"Look at this, Tobi." Atori thrusts his newly decorated arms under the hapless Tobis nose.

"Uhh, yes, very nice." Tobi is evidently in the middle of some difficult programming. He turns to Karasu. "Why don't you go show him?"

Atoris calm violet eyes switch to Karasu, who is doing his best to look hostile.

"Karasu. Do you want me to decorate your arms like mine?"

Karasu gives his best `let me humour the maniac` sigh, and gets up to go sit next to his nemesis.

"Have you got a blue marker?" He asks.

Atori fishes around in his toy box and comes out with a blue marker.

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Tobi continues his geeking. Presently Kosagi comes in, preceded by Baron, who goes straight up to Atori and gives him a big facewash. (Probably the first he has had in years.)

"Progress?" She asks Tobi.

"Uhhuh" he grunts.

Kosagi evidently is not going to get a reaction there. She casts her eyes over Karasu and Atori.

"What `have` you done to your arms?"