"Silhouette"
Chapter 1
"The Small Frog"
+Silhouette+
It was obvious to anyone that the two weren't going to get along well. In a way, the new member didn't mind. He could tell off the bat that his new sempai didn't like him. The way he acted like a caged animal... someone had hurt him.
It was Fran's first day and he already knew this. He didn't care. Anything was far better than his training for the day.
-The Small Frog-
The teal haired one looked around the cold cell, shivering. Before him stood a man in a white lab coat and black gloves. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't remember the actual face of the man. It wasn't really important. He could tell this was not his Master. The way he spoke showed his Master was, indeed, controlling this man, but this could not be his true form.
"Alright Fran, just relax," His voice came to him softly.
He almost laughed. Relax? As if. Cuffs kept his wrists against the chairs arms and ankles to the legs. Relax? He was just rigid. However, he couldn't show it. A lot of his training was to show no reaction, hide his thoughts. He could not reveal to the Varia that he was a spy.
Instead, he let his mind go blank; wander. His mothers smiling face, his father's strong arms...
He flinched away from the metal needle heading straight towards his pupil, a small whine managing to escape him.
Wrong move.
A sigh came from the man before him, soon followed by a rough slap across the face that almost tipped him and the chair over.
"Fran!"
"I-I..." He took a deep breath. Calm... relax... no emotion... His eyelids lowered. "I am sorry Master. It won't happen again."
"I know it won't. Not with this." he flicked the needle again, checking it. "Now...hold still."
He let everything go. Thought, feelings, emotion, reminding himself it would not hurt. He slipped into oblivion safely.
Then he felt it. His body instantly relaxed. The pain of the slap disappeared completely. The cold of the cell was no longer biting into his worn clothes.
Numb. Fran's entire nervous system had become numb.
"Try seeing how it's reacting."
He hadn't noticed the cuffs were removed. Hesitantly, he stood. He was much more aware of each muscle movement; they stayed unaffected.
"...Everything's fine, Master."
"Good. It won't stay completely numb permanently. I give it a month before it dies down. Being in the Varia, you'll be able to get your hands on the materials needed easily. Just keep in mind, I pricked your mind; your nerves will always be dulled. Its strength will waver as time goes on, but your reaction and nervous system will always be slower."
"...I'll get you out soon," The smaller promised, looking past the 'doctor' to what he knew was his Master. He knew there was gratitude, to a small degree, just like he knew he was being used; a pawn.
It earned him another quick backhand. This time, he didn't even flinch.
"Excellent. Now... Get out of my sight.
-The Small Frog-
He must have looked like he had been deep in thought; before he realized it, the blond Captain Squalo had pointed out to him was... possibly glaring? ... At him.
"-the hell is wrong with you, are you even listening?"
"...I'm sorry sempai, what were you saying?"
"I have a name!"
"...I don't recall it sempai."
The blond growled in disgust and pushed him against the nearest wall.
That's when the mint haired boy noticed they had been walking... When did they start walking? ... and were alone in a hallway, who knew how far away from the safety of... as close to safety as you could get - Squalo.
A knife was at his neck- okay, where had he gotten a knife? The time to pay attention was far overdue now.
"Listen you little shit, I don't like you. You shouldn't even be here! You don't belong here! You're just a replacement! You'll never be as good as Mammon! As long as you keep that in your head, I'll continue to let you live."
Even though the Officer had a hand on his shoulder and a hand with a knife pressed against his neck, when Fran reached out to touch his arm and ask him to let go, he noticed a flinch. It was small, but enough. He did not like it when others touched him...?
"Prince Belphegor," The taller growled, moving away from the illusionist.
"Fran-"
"I don't give a shit." He smirked widely before turning and disappearing into a room.
Yes... someone had hurt the older one...
The mint haired boy turned to find another door near him and pushed it open.
An empty room. Well, almost. There was a bed, dresser, mirror and closet. But there was no warmth. In fact, it was cold... hollow... His cell had been warmer.
He didn't feel welcomed in the room at all...
"...Who was Mammon...?"