6666

Medusa sat on the chair across from the settee where Maka and Crona were perched, "Why didn't you two tell me that you could Manifest?" she'd been prepared to place them in several of the NOT classes. Aside from the mastering internal weapon portions, they were very like any highly renowned, if very exclusive, boarding school.

The two fidgeted, "We didn't think it was important."

"Maka, uncontrolled weapon powers can be extremely dangerous, to oneself and others."

"But they're not uncontrolled!" Medusa cast her a quelling look and Maka shrunk back, "They're not..." she whispered.

"I think it's time we had a long talk. Silence is no longer an option; this was potentially dangerous information you intentionally withheld from me. Now let's start at the beginning: when did you first Manifest?"

"I don't remember." a stern look had her shifting about, "When I was... eight, I think?"

"And you, Crona?"

"About the same time."

"And why is it you think that you have sufficient control of your powers? Most Manifest around puberty and are a great danger to themselves and others until they come here to learn control."

Maka squirmed, "Well... It was just another skill."

"Like running or posing." Crona added.

"We just never thought about it much. Mama and Papa used to rent us out, to clean other people's houses..."

"Or to have pictures taken-"

"-hunt Kishin-"

"-and... other things..."

Medusa looked back and forth between them with dawning horror twisting her stomach at this newly revealed aspect of the children's lives. "Your parents rented you out?"

"Uh-huh. They'd get money for having us do things for people they knew. Sometimes if we got back too late at night, we'd be locked out of the house, and have spend the night with the Little One to stay warm."

"Or look for new clothes, or food!"

Maka nodded and smiled at her brother, "Yeah! Remember that burger place just around the block?"

"Burger Palace."

"Yeah, that one. I liked the little pies we could find. There was even enough food thrown away that we could eat until we were full and bring back some to feed the Little One."

Crona nodded, "I liked the french fries, they were so good... I didn't know how to deal with the patties..."

"I know, you like the veggie stuff without the meat."

Medusa didn't like the sound of where this was going, "Excuse me. Are you saying you... ate out of dumpsters?"

"Uh-huh... Is that bad? Do you think it was stealing? I mean, they threw out so much food, and it wasn't like anyone else wanted it."

The nurse covered her mouth with her hand, controlling her expression at the anxious looks the duo was giving her, "No, I don't think anyone would have minded."

Crona poked his forefingers together, "We used to find toys, too. You aren't going to take them away, are you?"

"Is that what was in those bags you had hidden in the Little One's cave?" The pink haired boy nodded, "Those are yours, and no one's going to take them from you." she forcefully wrenched her mind back on track, "When you were rented out, you battled Kishin Eggs?"

Maka grabbed her brother's hand, "Yes..."

"Have you ever eaten one?"

The siblings glanced at each other before looking back at her and hesitantly nodding, "We have."

Medusa didn't want to ask the next question, she really didn't, for fear of what she would have to do if they said yes, "Have either of you ever devoured a human soul?"

Maka and Crona immediately blanched, their faces scrunching, and shook their heads vehemently, "No!"

"Never!"

"I don't know how to deal with human souls..."

"Mama and Papa made us eat the Kishin Eggs, they said we needed to be stronger so they could get more money for us."

The golden blonde let out a relieved sigh. These children had gone through far too much, they didn't need to be victimized by being forcefully turned into Kishin against their wills. She sat back and crossed her ankles, "Well then, I have only a few final questions. Would you two like to enroll in the Especially Advanced Talent classes here at the academy instead of the personal tutoring you've been getting and train to become Death Weapons for the school? Or you could join the Normally Overcome Target classes, that train to control their powers so they can live normal lives.

"I think joining either of the classes; EAT or NOT, would be good for you. It's a chance to learn more about your powers and your bodies, and to make friends with people of similar ages and backgrounds."

The teens straightened in surprise and looked at each other. "Do we have to?"

"No, you don't have to. You could continue on in the same pattern of the last month, but I think this would be the better choice. You could try, and if it doesn't work for you, I'll pull you out for personal training if that's what you want."

They stared for several minutes, then Maka turned back to her, "I, um, think we can handle it."

Medusa smiled, "I'm glad you're giving this a chance. So, which classes will you be taking?"

Crona and Maka's hands tightened, and with a determined look, they answered together, "The-"

6666