Even awoke the next day with a certain stupor; thoughts of the previous night and what he would do today interlacing in his mind. He struggled out of bed and readied himself for another day at the laboratory, then took a moment to look at his reflection in a large rectangular mirror in his bathroom. There were definite circles beginning to form beneath his eyes, results of his recent bout of late-night work. He caught himself beginning to stare into the depths of his own eyes, then blinked and shook the strange sensation away. Pulling on the white labcoat he wore to work daily, Even made his way out the door into the sunlit streets.
He was lost to his own thoughts quickly and was not even aware of the fact that his own feet carried him to the Radiant Garden, and he was halfway down the cobblestone pathway when he noticed a rather large body obstructing his passage.
"Elaeus." he stated, looking up at the tall man casting him into shadow. "Good morning."
Elaeus turned around, looking slightly surprised to see Even there. He was roughly just about Even's age; perhaps a little younger, but he had the appearance of being slightly older. Short brown hair was pulled back into a neat hairstyle, and Even saw him plaster a quick grin onto his face.
"Morning, Even." he replied, blue eyes shining in the morning light. "Fine day.. isn't it?"
Even raised an eyebrow. It's one of those things - when hear a person start to mention the weather, you know they're definately up to something, or trying to avoid a serious topic of conversation.
"Fine like every other." he replied airily with the wave of a hand. This was certainly neoteric behavior for the man. "Why are you here this early in the morning?"
Elaeus hesitated and glanced quickly around the garden as if looking for intruders.
"I just wanted to get ahead on... certain things."
"Certain things? ... Oh right, by the way, did Xenahort mention if Ansem accepted our research proposal or not?"
"He did. Ansem forbids us to continue with the experimentation."
"What?! But we've got everything worked out - it's going to work, I know it is.."
Elaeus sighed and gave a slight shrug.
"He refuses. We are to discard all results and cease future developments."
"But why?"
"They're too dangerous, apparently.. I don't know.. I didn't hear much.. Xenahort seems very angry, you know how he worked on this.."
Even rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then shrugged. Xenahort had lost his own memories; and thirsted to find them. He volunteered himself a test subject to Ansem's research - it was nearly impossible to believe that he would surrender willingly now.
With a little difficulty, he made his way past Elaeus and back to the underground laboratory. Ienzo was at one of the computers, staring blankly at the screen with his face cradled in a hand. His eyes were slightly out of focus, and he seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. Even walked past, and he made no reaction, so the older scientist surmised he wouldn't say anything as well. It was oddly quiet today...
As he turned the knob to enter into the study, he could hear a quiet murmur of voices; but as he entered the voices ceased to whisper as everyone in the room looked to him. Xenahort, Braig, and Dilan were inside, Xenahort standing at the front of the room and looking exceptionally stern. Braig, being his more casual self, was leaning back in his chair and resting a foot on his desk. He gave a smile and a small wave to Even as he entered, while Dilan just gave the smallest of nods.
"Even. I surmise you have heard Master Ansem's verdict on our situation?" said Xenahort just as Even had started to speak, seeming oddly calm.
"I have. It is preposterous." Even muttered back under his breath.
Xenahort gave a simple nod of agreement.
"Yes, it is... I have decided we shall continue the experiments."
Even could not pretend he was surprised at these words, as if a sliver of him had known this all along. He just nodded dully.
"Without permission?"
"Yes. We will have to keep well hidden so we are not discovered. If Master Ansem finds us, he will use force to stop us. We have done too much to terminate the experiments now."
"Why this change of heart in Master Ansem?"
Xehanort rubbed his forehead, loosening some stress. So much patience was drained with Even's questions.
"That rat... a King. From another world. King Mickey... he convinced Master Ansem that his experiments were unethical.."
Dilan's glower hardened, but Braig just blinked.
"Ethical?" questioned Braig, toying with a strand of long black hair.
Even turned to face him, growling.
"Not the must functional, are you?" he snapped at the middle aged scientist.
Braig made a rather pouty face, swivelling his chair away from Even slightly.
"It was a rhetorical question, dolt. Wondering aloud. 'Ethical' really depends on your point of view."
Even rolled his eyes, turning to leave the study again. "Rhetorical or not, I don't wish to speak about this anymore. And don't let Mister Ethical there think or do too much, he might hurt himself."
Braig had opened his mouth to throw an insult back but Even had already closed the door behind him. His minds were churning... that was the first time they had argued. Over anything. The six scientists had always worked together in such perfect harmony...
Ienzo was asleep over his keyboard.
Something was breaking apart. Their fate was sealed.
