Title: Visio Obscura
Author: KuroiCho
Genre: OC, drama
Rating: PG, will go up in the later parts
A/N: A question for you readers: Do you think the things are advancing too quickly? I've had a slight writer's block, which explains why the text is rather cramped from time to time. And my usual method in writing is that I have a few clear points in the plot, and then I just make up stuff between them. And currently I'm running short from the stuffing stuff. Oh, and another thing. The next chapter will take some time before I can put it up, because I'll be leaving to a week long camp next Sunday. Try to understand. And huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, you keep me going on!
"Mimori-san? Mimori-san!"
The dark-haired woman startled and turned around.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"The commander asked you to meet him in his office, ASAP."
Mimori nodded and turned back to the display of her computer and shut it off. She got up and was just walking out of her office when she felt someone bump on her side. She glanced next to her and found herself looking at a rather embarassed young officer.
"I'm sorry! I should've looked where I was going, I'm afraid I'm a little lost again..", the girl explained hurriedly. Mimori gave a soft smile.
"It's nothing. What's your name?"
"U-um, Shikan. Amae Shikan, miss."
"So, Amae-san, where are you heading to? If it's on my way I can give you a little help."
The girl looked relieved. "Hall C, miss."
"Ah, the third floor. Well, I'm going upwards too. Come along."
They walked to the elevator and stepped in. Mimori turned to Shikan.
"Have you been long in HOLY? I don't remember seeing you here before."
"Oh, no! I joined less than a week ago. That explains why I keep getting lost every now and then."
"So you're that new", Mimori said surprised, "I hope you've gotten along with the others."
"I have! I met this nice guy some days ago.. Cougar-san, If I remember right", Shikan's face wrinkled a bit as she tried to remember the face of the man, "He was nice, although he seemed to have some trouble saying my name right."
"You tell me", Mimori said dryly. Shikan smiled lightly.
There was a quiet 'ding' and the elevator's doors slid open. They stepped out.
"Now, the hall C is on the left. You just keep on walking you'll get to there. I'm going to right so I'll leave you here", Mimori advised Shikan. She nodded and bowed slightly:
"Yes, thank you! I'll get going." With that, she turned around and hurried forwards.
Shikan felt her eyelids starting to droop. Who knew that two hours lasting lectures were part of HOLY's training? All around her were other new officers, eager to receive the new information. It's not that the lecture was useless or boring, but Shikan had missed her breakfast and her sleeping problems at night didn't help the situation. Trying not to lose her face she sat up straight and forced her eyes open. Get a grip on yourself. Just half an hour anymore.
Finally the older HOLY officer in the front of the auditorium turned off the overhead projector and told them to leave. Shikan gladly got up and zoomed out of the room. Food, the first thing she needed now. She turned left, to the cafeteria, when she felt hitting into someone. She staggered a bit and realized the person looked familiar.
"Aaah, I'm sorry! I keep bumping into people all along, I'm sorry, Ryu-", and then she stopped. After the first glance she noticed the person wasn't Ryuhou at all. This person had purple hair and was seemingly shorter. He looked at her surprised and then flashed an unsure smile.
"It's okay, it's kinda hard to see ahead of yourself in this crowd. Hm, I guess I should introduce myself." He extended his hand and Shikan shook it with respect. Finally someone else who greets in this way!
"I'm Asuka Tachibana, from the section A3."
"Shikan Amae, section A2. Nice to meet you, Tachibana-senpai."
"Please, just Asuka is fine. Anyway, you're probably new. Haven't seen you here before", Asuka commented with a raised eyebrow. Shikan nodded, faintly aware of the repeated sentence.
"Yes, I-", she started, but just then her stomach decided it had been too long without nourishment, letting out a huge growl. Shikan felt her cheeks burning. Asuka gave a small laugh.
"It seems you're in the need of some food, eh?"
"Well, I haven't eaten since yesterday evening..", Shikan mumbled, "I was just on my way to the cafeteria." She glanced at Asuka.
"Do you.. want to come with me?"
The man looked back at her, surprised. He considered the offer for a moment. Then he shrugged his shoulders and started walking to the direction of the cafeteria.
"Well, why not. I just came from a mission and a snack wouldn't do any bad."
"Good! I hate eating alone!" Shikan said and started briskly to walk towards the cafeteria.
"So, you've been.. in one mission now?" Tachibana asked while eating his tuna sandwich. Shikan nodded and swallowed her last mouthful of ramen.
"Yeah, it was.. let me see.. six days ago. There were two Natives on the loose and so our section was commanded to capture them." She tapped her mouth with handkerchief and glanced up at her companion who had suddenly gone quiet. She raised an eyebrow.
"Wha? Got something on my nose?"
Tachibana startled and shook his head, smiling lightly.
"No, nothing. I just.. your manner of speaking just reminded me quickly.. By any chance, have you met a man named Ryuhou yet?"
"Oh, have I? Too many times for my liking. I've seen.. no, eaten dead fishes warmer than his attitude." Shikan snorted slightly. Tachibana let out a nervous laugh and took another bite of his sandwich.
"It seems you don't like him."
"Well, it's not my problem if he wants to act like a three-year-old", Shikan snapped. Now it was Tachibana's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I apologized him already! But nooo, that's not good enough for our Mr. I-got-a-spear-stuck-up-my-ass.."
Tachibana stifled his urge to snicker at Shikan's remark, but his curiosity got over.
"Apologized for what?"
"I-", Shikan started, then realized Asuka didn't know what had happened before she had joined HOLY, and tried not to give such a vulgar image of herself, "I.. well, I was captured as a Native myself. I didn't know who you guys were, and what you were doing, so I was.. rather hostile against him."
It took about two seconds for Tachibana to realize her words' meaning:
"You mean he was the one who captured you?"
Shikan nodded.
"And.. you.. attacked him? With your Alter?"
Shikan nodded again. Tachibana leaned back on his chair and let out a little laughter. He stopped when Shikan gave him a murderous glare.
"I'm sorry. I just.. jeez, now I realize why he's acting so cold!"
"So it really took that long, huh?" Shikan voice could have frozen water. Tachibana looked at her, frowning.
"Look, I didn't mean to insult you in any way."
"We are not trying to harm you in any way."
Shikan felt a throb of anger inside her. I mustn't be angry at Asuka-san. He's not the one who said those words.. he's not the one I hate! Still, unable to control herself, Shikan got up a little too harshly and stepped away from the table she and Asuka were sharing.
"I.. need to go to the bathroom", she lied, very poorly, and stormed out of the cafeteria.
"Apologized for what?" "You mean he was the one who captured you?"
Shikan grimaced slightly. I'm not thinking about it, I'm not thinking about it.
"Amae! Concentrate!"
"Gomennasai", she said quietly and focused again on her Alter. Other part of educating the new officers was to teach them how to control their Alters. Shikan managed to keep hers in form, and control it quite well, but sometimes it felt like it was slipping out her grip. That's when she usually dissolved it, trying to avoid attacking others again. The worst part in this, she thought, is that I hear all the voices over and over again. She still hadn't figured out a way to attack with her Alter without getting affected by it herself.
..it's all right, little one.. I won't hurt you.. just be quiet.. I said quiet.. shut up, shut up you little SLUT!
Shikan couldn't keep herself from flinching, her attention faltering. She felt sudden emptiness inside her chest as her Alter dissolved into the air. She heard the older officer, the one responsible of their Alters' educating, sigh deeply.
"All right. I think that's enough for you, Amae-san", he said. Shikan took a deep breath and nodded.
"Hai. Thank you, senpai."
"You're not saying..?" Ryuhou stared at the commander who nodded.
"I understand you might have some bitter feeling towards her, since you consider her still as a Native, but your team-work is primarily important. In the future, when all your loyalty for HOLY will be measured."
Zigmarl gave Ryuhou one of his long looks.
"I didn't put her in your section for no special reason, Ryuhou."
Ryuhou sighed deep and closed his eyes for a moment. He had to open them immediately as the image of that wretched, stupid little girl popped up inside his mind.
"I understand, sir. I'll do my best.. to co-operate with her."
Zigmarl smiled.
"Good. And there's one another thing. Concerning officer Amae. I think a little test wouldn't do bad to her, either."
Ryuhou frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"A little test, concerning her loyalty to HOLY, and her true Alter abilities."
The two men stared at each other for a moment in silence.
"Don't you feel like she's hiding something, too?" Zigmarl asked. Ryuhou didn't answer straight-away.
"Well, not that I've noticed anything alarming."
"Really? Well, have it your own way. I just thought another mission wouldn't do bad for her. A stronger one. That should give you a clear view of her character."
Ryuhou didn't answer. He stared at the officer with a frown on his face. A clear view of her character? What does he mean? He was about to ask about it when a sharp ringing filled the room. Zigmarl raised the receiver of the phone on his desk.
"Yes? Really? Very well, I'll come down in a minute." He hung up and turned back to Ryuhou.
"Well, I think that was all for now."
"Commander? If you don't mind, who was that on the phone?" Ryuhou asked. Zigmarl walked past him to the door and opened it.
"Nothing for you to be worried about. You'll find out sooner or later."