The constant buzzing noises, to the unknown sounds of science were a constant in Khirbet.Irene had been born here in this cold place, she couldn't ever remember being anywhere else and thinking about it, she wasn't sure if she'd see anywhere besides here. They were born here, and they would likely die here.

From the beginning, it had been easy, fun even. They had taught her how to read, write and even some of the basics of human culture. However, once this part of process had been complete she had been thrown into combat along with her kin. Irene disliked fighting, the first few times the young Sif had thought she would die. But each fight it became a bit easier, but as the battles became easier, Irene couldn't help but feel she had lost something.

When they weren't fighting, they were being tested on, seeing how durable their bodies were among other things. Irene for some reason had been lucky, never having to go through the more painful experiments, but in the night she heard screams from other Sif. Irene tried to shut them out but couldn't, and since she lacked the ability to sleep she had to endure it. Her fellow cell mates shared her distress, Karman would pace back and forth, his body tense, Lulu would simply look sad.

Fight.

Rest.

Learn.

Die.

That was the life cycle of the Sif, and that was the life 'weapons' were suppose to lead. It wasn't much of an life, but for the moment it was all Irene and her kind knew.

Today was slightly different. Irene didn't have to fight today, instead the researchers hadtaken her to another room. It was plain; having nothing but a table with a strange device to it. However, there was a window with a clear view of the fight area, the same place they had used many times before.

"Hmm, interesting." One of the researchers said, taking notes. "So you're saying its possible for them to age, was that the theory with the little one, Lulu?"

"So they say.."

Irene lost track of the conversation, but didn't speak up. They ignored her, which was fine. From the past experience, it was best to simply let them talk. Speaking up tended to get you in trouble, and with her restraining devicesthat made her an easy target.

In the room walked another man, black hair and eyes. Irene knew him well unfourtnately. He was Dr. Thomas and he had an interest in Irene and Lulu more so then out of all the other Sif, since he claimed they were the most interesting 'genetically'. So he claimed.

"Dr. Thomas, what brings you here?" One of the researchers said. Though he spoke formally, there was a hint of distaste in his tone. Not to many people liked the doctor. Not even his fellow researchers.

"I wanted to see how the test we're going." He turned towards Irene for a moment, then back the others. "I also wanted to know if anything new has been discovered about the nature of Chiropteran's."

"No sir. You see we think t-" The sentence was cut off as the door was practically busted in, Irene became alert not knowing what was going on. This wasn't the normal part of the test and she hoped it wasn't a new one. Men in body armor came in, along with another high-ranking researcher.

"What is the meaning of this?" Thomas demanded.

"I think you know very well. You've been experimenting on yourself with out permission, that's very naughty of you doctor." Making a tsk sound the researcher continued. "As such, we've been permitted to terminate you. Nothing personal, but that's the way the business works."

Instead of begging for his life, or running like a normal person, Thomas only laughed. He laughed hard, as if he had heard a joke and even the armored escorts were becoming weary.

"You seem to think it will be that easy. Come then, shoot me." He held out his arms, as if taunting them to action.

"Kill him."

Guns unloaded clip after clip into the man into he was a bloody mess, some had hit the window breaking it after the first few burst. Thomas fell backwards onto cold floor below. But even in death, that knowing mocking smile never left his face as he had already won.

"Irene. Are you ok?"

Irene felt a small hand tug at her cloak, and looked down offering a small gentle smile. "I'm all right Javier."

"Oh ok. I can't stay I have to watch my show." With that, the small child left the Sif to her own devices as she sat in the kitchen.

Irene hadn't known what had brung up that memory, but she could recall like it happened only seconds ago. She didn't feel anything for doctor Thomas, so that couldn't be why she had thought of him. It was simply he had disturbed her a great deal and somewhere deep down she knew it wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

"If you keep looking like that, you're face is going to get stuck that way."

Turning her head, she saw Lewis walk in, or more specifically towards the refrigerator.

Lewis had meant a figure of speech, however, Irene not used to normal interaction missed out on these things so she often took seemingly normal things completely different. "..My face will get stuck?" Almost panicked, she reached out to touch her face just to make sure.

The ex member of Red Shield gave a jolly laugh as he popped open an soda and took a seat by the young lady. "Its one of those figure of speeches we were talking about."

"Oh.." Irene said simply, feeling foolish. She had so much to learn. If she got the time that is..

"No worries Irene, you'll get it all down in due time." He said, taking a sip of his soda. "So I take you're still down about Kai eh?"

"He just seems so sad..And David said those things.."

It wasn't noticeable but Lewis almost winced at the comment. He remembered last night well. "I know. That really wasn't what Kai needed last night. David is..going through some rough times to right now. He's not himself."

She didn't respond at first, thinking. "Do you think Kai will be ok? I want to help him, but I don't know what to do or say.."

Adjusting his shades, the man announced suddenly. "You don't have to say anything Irene."

Irene blinked once. Confused. What did he mean?

Catching on quickly to her confusion, Lewis shook his head lightly. "When someone is going through something like this, words don't help. Believe me, I should know."

"..Then, what do I do?"

"Just be yourself." He said, shrugging his broad shoulders once. "If you spend time with him, it will all come when he's ready. It's best not to force him to talk and let him deal with things on his own time."

Just be myself.. Irene reflected on what he said. Part of her understood it, but another part of her didn't, at least not completely.

Lewis ruffled Irene's hair, confusing her a bit. "Don't think to hard about it to hard Irene. Why don't you go see if Gray or Monique needs help? Doing things help take you're mind off what ever is bothering you. Does for me."

The Sif thought about the idea, and decided to give that a try. But she still had to say one thing to Lewis. "I'm not sure if I'll ever completely understand human emotions."

He chuckled lightly. "I'm human and I don't understand humans half the time either. You have no idea how true that is." Lewis took another swallow of his soda, crushing the can and throwing it away.

How she had ended up in this situation, even Irene wasn't completely sure. But she'd remember playing with Javier and then Monique coming along. She had wanted Irene to come along with them for some shopping, and somehow she had been convinced to come. It was partly her fault to, Irene had never got to explore this part of the world and her curious nature got in the way of her better judgement. Even the thought of potentially getting burned hadn't completely discouraged her, she had done it once before after all. Of course it was still dangerous but that just meant she'd have to be careful.

Monique didn't question about Irene's choice of clothing, or her insistence of keeping on her hood on all times knowing it was due to her skin problem. It must have been a truly bad one for her to be completely covered like that. Maybe dragging her along wasn't the best idea but she seemed like she wanted to come as well.

There were many things Irene hadn't seen before. And upon exploring this city she came to realize how much she had to learn even still. Humans dressed in strange clothes with white paint on their faces and red lip-stick.(She found it strange that males wore lip-stick because she had been told only girls wore them) Monique told her later these strangely dressed people were called 'clowns' and they're job was to make people laugh. The humor though, most of it had completely flown over her head besides the slap-stick kind of humor.(On the account of the clowns not actually being funny.)

Much like Paris, there was also people drawing interesting paintings of various people. Irene lost count of all she saw, but each and every new thing delighted the Sif. For her, it really didn't take to much for her to enjoy herself. She was happy about things that most people took for granted, simply being alive was enough for her now.

"..And then we're gonna..Hey Irene you're not listening!"

Irene looked down to Javier who pouted lightly at not being heard and smiled a little. "I'm sorry Javier."

Huffing a little, the small girl continued. "It's ok. I was saying what I wanted for my birthday. When's you're birthday Irene?"

Irene paused. "I don't know." Monique didn't hear their conversation, up a head slightly in front of them.

"You don't remember..?" Javier seemed confused, and she noticed Irene seemed a bit sad about the whole thing. This, gave her an idea. "We'll celebrate you're birthday then!"

She was slightly surprised. "But I don't remember when my birthday is.."

"That's ok. We'll make up a date. How about Fobruary fourth?" Javier had said 'February' wrong, but if Irene noticed she didn't comment.

A slow gentle smile appeared on her face. "I'd like that."

She looked up for Monique to ask her where they were going but didn't see her. The only thing she saw was the large crowds of people that bumped into her occasionally. Where had she gone? Had they gotten separated?

Her scent was impossible to pick up even for her with this many people so close to her and she didn't see her anywhereat all. Irene kept Javier close, knowing already that both of them were very much lost in a city they knew next to nothing about.