Moko-chan: -man belongs to Hoshino Katsura.
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Let's just be friendly and frivolous as always.
It was day one as an Exorcist for Lavi. Actually it should be day two since he arrived at the Black Order the day before but since yesterday was more of an introductory session of sorts, it shall be day one.
Day 1: Question number 1.
If I 'm a bookman and the spectator of this war, why is it that I can use Innocence?
What I know; Innocence choose their accommodators which is why sometimes Exorcists are called God's chosen apostles.
If I'm a Bookman, technically I cannot be an Exorcist because that would mean that I would have to totally interfere, indulge and be in this war. Bookmen must stand at the sidelines. But if I do not enter this war then I cannot record it because this isn't the kind of war where one can even stand at the side. Thus I must become an Exorcist.
So am I an Exorcist because I am a Bookman? But if I can use Innocence, it means I am one of the chosen apostles and must participate in this war which is completely against Bookmen principles.
…This is confusing. Maybe it's a coincidence that I'm an Exorcist and a Bookman at the same time. (Moko-chan: Hitsuzen, my dear friend)
So if I can't use Innocence, I'll have to become a Finder, which means certain death.
The red-haired youth scratched his head as all these thoughts circled in his mind. After a while, he decided to dismiss these thoughts altogether. His grandfather, Bookman had told him to go around the Black Order to firstly, memorize the layout of this maze-like place and to secondly, see if he can talk to the other Exorcists.
I wonder if that Asian girl I saw yesterday is around. Lavi thought.He had looked through the information of all the Exorcists in the Order and figured that the girl which he saw crying bitterly on Day zero was called Lenalee, currently the youngest member of the Black Order.
How can the Black Order expect to win the war when the number of people capable of combat are so few? Lavi shook his head at that thought. This, a long term mission? I seriously doubt that this bunch of people would last.
Then, his stomach growled. I haven't had breakfast yet…But I don't know the way to the cafeteria. Luckily for him, he spotted a group of Finders soon afterwards.
"Hey!" Lavi called out to the Finders. "May I know the way to the cafeteria?"
The Finders broke off their conversation and looked at him. "Are you a new Exorcist?" One of them asked.
"Yeah. How'd you guess?"
"No white coat, no beige coat or any uniform in particular so you're probably an Exorcist."
"Pretty smart. My name's Lavi. Nice to make your acquaintance." Lavi said cheerfully. The Finders, however, showed no signs of introducing themselves.
"The cafeteria's that way." Another Finder pointed out. "Just go up the staircase there and follow the walkway."
Well, that's friendly of them. "Thanks." Lavi said and he walked in the direction pointed out.
Just as he passed the Finders, he caught them talking about the big loss suffered by the Black Order before he had arrived.
"None of the Exorcists died. Are they really that strong?"
"Nah. Some of them got hurt too. I heard that one Exorcist came back unscathed though."
"Yeah. That Asian boy. His coat was soaked in blood but he had no wounds. Simon told me that when his team found the Exorcist, the coats of the other Finders were around him. I bet he used them as meat shields."
"Must be. There's no way somebody can be unhurt from an attack like that. What do Exorcists treat us as anyway? We put our lives on the line too!"
Lavi didn't listen on to the conversation. It was quite clear to him what little chance the Black Order had in winning when they cannot even settle their own internal conflicts. Right now, his stomach was more important.
*********
"Konichiwa~~! I'm Jeryy, the chef. Are you a new exorcist? What's your name?"
"Yeah. My name's Lavi. Pleased to meet you." Lavi answered, cheerfully as usual. The conversation was beginning to sound all too familiar. It was beginning to sound as if the Order categorises their members by what they wear, if people could tell he was an exorcist with just one glance.
"Pleased to meet you too. What do you want to eat? I can make anything you want, and you look like the type of boy who eats a lot."
"In that case, I want a large plate of seafood pasta, with clams." Lavi said.
"Coming right up!" Jeryy said happily, before disappearing into the kitchens.
As he was waiting for his breakfast to be ready, Lavi took the time to scan the cafeteria. Most of the people in the cafeteria were wearing white coats and beige coats. Among the sea of white and beige, he spotted a lone black uniform. Finally, an exorcist, I was starting to think I was the only one in the room.
"Enjoy your meal!" Lavi collected his tray of food, then starting walking towards the person wearing the black uniform, hoping to start up a conversation. As he moved closer, Lavi realized the person was the Asian girl called Lenalee. She was surrounded by scientists and definitely looked happier compared to the day before.
"Hey, can I sit here?" Lavi asked casually. This is a good chance to talk to other exorcists. Lenalee turned around and spotted him. Then she smiled. "Of course." She replied.
Her smile definitely looks a lot better than her crying face, even with all the bandages she has. Lavi found himself thinking randomly. Pushing that thought away, he sat down beside her, since that was the only space left.
"Are you new? My name's Lenalee. What's yours?" He heard her say.
"Yeah, I just got here yesterday. Name's Lavi." He answered. Introducing himself was essential to fitting in so he could get information, but he found himself slowing getting tired of the routine.
"Oh, so you're one of the new exorcists?"
"Yeah, I'm one of the new exorcists. My grandfather's the other one. How did you know?"
"I heard about you from my older brother. I think you met him yesterday. My older brother is Komui Lee."
"Oh, I see." Lavi answered. So she's the Supervisor's younger sister. That means she should know quite a bit about the Order and the other Exorcists.
Just as Lavi was going to ask her about the other exorcists, he was interrupted by a person wearing big spectacles.
"You're the new exorcist, Lavi? What size do you wear? By the way, I'm Johnny, I make the Exorcists' uniforms."
Shocked by the sudden question and introduction, Lavi paused for a while before answering, "Size? It doesn't really matter as long as it fits okay."
The last thing Lavi expected Johnny to do was to jump and sit on the table, pull out a measuring tape, and lean in too close for comfort. He found himself backing up just a bit.
"You can't say that, the defensive properties of the Exorcist's uniforms increase when they fit well. That's because you'll be able to move around more easily and it'll make your battle with the Akuma easier. Do you want me to make a bandana for you?" Johnny said, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Johnny, just get off the table!" Reever yelled. "It's not hygienic!"
Johnny ignored him and gave his opinion. "Lavi is definitely not suited for a long coat like Kanda's."
"Bookman's not suited as well." Another scientist added.
"Why is he going all *kira kira* ?" Lavi found himself asking amongst the discussion.
"That's because everyone wants to do their part to protect you since you are our comrade now." Lenalee replied, smiling and patting him on the back. "Why don't you listen to Johnny and let him measure you?"
Lavi found himself giving in. Finishing his meal, he stood up and followed the group, who were leaving as well. "Well, you can make me a really cool looking bandana while you're at it." He told Johnny.
"Sure, of course." Johnny replied happily, he was going to have so much fun.
"Johnny's really skilled at these sort of things." Another scientist said.
While Lavi was following them, he realized that this group of people were really sincere in protecting him, simply because he was an exorcist.
Exorcist, huh? He thought. Even if they put their hopes on me, it's not really much of a point. I am after all, a Bookman first. I'm just here to record history, not to fight wholeheartedly in a war. I'm different from the rest of you.
*********
After Johnny took some quick measurements and asked Lavi about half a dozen questions regarding his clothes, (Yes, I don't mind a scarf, no, not wool, a cotton one would do, yeah, I like green… and so on and so forth.) he took off happily.
Ehh… Since I'm going to be explore this place for quite some time, I better go get a snack or something. Thus the Bookman apprentice went back to the cafeteria.
**********
Lavi got his snack and was quite creeped out at how Jeryy was going all *kira kira* as well. Apparently, the chef was delighted that Lavi likes to eat. (and he likes cute boys.)
He observed the people in the cafeteria. Some were in deep discussion, some were chatting happily, and it did not feel like these people were fighting in a war at all. It was not like the other wars which he witnessed, where the soldiers were grim and gloomy. Then again, he was never in the war itself.
Weird… He thought. This war definitely felt very different.
Then, he heard the clanging sound of utensils on the cafeteria table. Heads turned. It was an Exorcist, small-sized, with bandages wrapped around his head and purple streaks painted under his eyes. That Exorcist was now glaring at a group of Finders sitting near him.
"What the hell do you all know? Were you even in that battle at all?" That Exorcist growled angrily at the Finders.
"Daisya… just drop it." The Exorcist sitting next to him warned. This one was of a much larger build and had dark skin.
"Drop it?!" Daisya, yelled, very close to shrieking. "Marie, they're making unwarranted accusations here!"
"Then how can you explain the fact that he was the only one who returned perfectly fine?" One of the Finders retorted.
Daisya glared at the Finder. "Even if I told you the truth, you idiots wouldn't believe me!"
"Daisya…"
The smaller Exorcist grabbed his tray and walked off saying, "If I stay here any longer, I'm gonna get poisoned by their aura of idiocy." The other Exorcist went after him.
Definitely, this place doesn't have any group spirit at all. Lavi sighed at the stupidity of these people and left the cafeteria.
********
Lavi continued his exploration of the Order. To him, the Black Order did not seem like a very interesting place. Maybe it wasn't the place itself but the people.
It's the same everywhere. Comparing this set of humans to all those he met as his previous 48 aliases, they were rather friendly and welcoming in a sense, with an exception of some of the Finders. The people here were just so mundanely human, normal, nothing outstanding. Just like the other blots of ink.
********************
The morning light shone into the dojo, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air as General Tiedoll knocked his youngest student on to the ground with a staff.
"That was the fifth time." Tiedoll said, shaking his head in disapproval.
"You attacked me from the back, you cheat!" Kanda scowled.
"And if I'm not mistaken, most Akuma aren't gentlemanly enough to attack their opponents head on, Yuu-kun."
"Don't call me by that name!"
Tiedoll sighed. Always changing the topic when he can't win the argument.
"Yuu-kun," (Tiedoll receives a glaring) "If you can't learn to watch your own back, then at least learn to work with someone else."
"Che."
"Well, it seems like you have to watch yourself then." Just then Tiedoll's golem started buzzing. It was a message to go to Komui's office.
"We'll end practice here then. Do not forget what I have said."
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After the General left the dojo, Kanda managed to get some peaceful silence. That was until a certain Bookman Junior decided to drop in.
"Yo!"
Kanda looked at the doorway just to see a one-eyed redhead stroll into the practice area.
There was a very very long pregnant pause as neither youth said anything.
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Oh man… This is so awkward. Normal people would at least return a 'hi.' Lavi thought when a greeting was not returned.
"Eh… I'm new here." Lavi tried to restart the conversation. "The name's Lavi."
The other youth stared at him for a while and then (much to Lavi's irritation) returned to swinging practice.
"…Oi~ Yuu-kun~~~~"
***********************
Kanda stopped swinging Mugen abruptly as the annoying redhead suddenly decided to call him by his (hated) first name.
"What did you just say?" Kanda asked menacingly.
"Oh. So you can talk." Lavi said, in a somewhat sarcastic tone. "Isn't Yuu your name? I heard that old man calling you that just now."
"You are not allowed to call me that."
"Then how do other people address you?"
"Kanda."
"I think Yuu sounds a lot better."
"What?!"
"Yuu-kun, Yuu-chan, Yuu-san etcetera, etcetera. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
***************************
Lavi was definitely having fun teasing the Japanese youth who was fuming at the moment. Then he just had to drop the straw which broke the camel's back.
"You know, if you didn't speak just now, I might have just mistaken you for a girl."
I might have even entered the 'Strike!' zone. Lavi thought with a grin. A grin which was wiped in an instant as Kanda activated his Innocence and proceeded to dismember him.
With a quick sidestep, Lavi dodged out of the line of attack and activated his own Innocence to block off the next blow.
"Woah, you don't have to get so mad, it's a joke!" Lavi squeaked as Mugen stopped short of cutting his bandana off.
So maybe I gone a bit too far…
"You are dead!"
Lavi imagined that in the next second, his head would probably be rolling on the ground if not for a brown clipboard which flew towards both him and Kanda. The clipboard found its target.
"Kanda! Why in the world are you picking fights with people?!" Lavi looked at his savior. It was Lenalee. "He could have gotten hurt!"
"Yeah, and it's okay for your clipboard to hit me…" Kanda grumbled angrily rubbing the side of his head where the clipboard came into contact with.
Lenalee walked towards the two boys and picked up her clipboard from the ground.
"Sorry about that, Lavi. Kanda has a bit of a short fuse." Lenalee said apologetically.
"What?!"
"Apologise, Kanda."
"Hmph…"
"Kanda…" Lenalee said in a threatening tone, raising her clipboard.
"Che. Sorry." Kanda apologized in, of course, the most insincere tone he could use.
"Heh… It's not completely his fault either…" Lavi said, a bit amused by the situation. He also made a mental note not to get Lenalee angry. "I did star…"
The next moment, Lavi lost sense of what's up and what's down as he got sent flying to the side of the dojo and landed with a dull 'thud'.
Lenalee and Kanda blinked in surprise. Lavi had suddenly disappeared from where he was standing and a small old man had taken his place.
"Damn Panda jiji…." Lavi got up and brushed the dust off his clothes. "Why the heck didja kick me for?!" He protested.
The so called 'Panda' turned to Lenalee and Kanda and bowed. "I apologize for my stupid apprentice's manners. Please overlook his idiocy."
"And who are you?" Kanda asked.
"That's my jiji. Other people call him Bookman but you all are welcome to call him 'Pan…" Lavi just started talking when Bookman slammed him into the ground face first.
"Only Bookman are allowed to talk about Bookman." Bookman said harshly. He grabbed his grandson's collar and dragged him out of the dojo. "We still have other work to do." (Lavi was in the meantime, checking that his nose wasn't broken.)
"See ya!" Lavi managed to say before he got pulled out of sight.
***********************
Kanda and Lenalee stood in the dojo for a moment in silence after Lavi got dragged off by Bookman. Then Lenalee started her questioning.
"Did you get hurt?"
"When?"
"The mission a few days back."
"No."
"Not at all?"
"Why? You want me to get hurt?" Kanda questioned suspiciously.
"Of course not. I'm glad you didn't get injured!" Lenalee said defensively.
But all those rumors…
"I don't give a damn about what other people say." Kanda said suddenly, guessing that Lenalee was probably worried about stories about him. Especially the ones regarding him standing alive among dead Finders.
"But…"
"And it's none of your business either." And he ended the converstation.
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"This place is pretty nice, isn't it?" Lavi asked Bookman. "Usually, the people don't talk to us at all. And this is the first time we are in a war."
And it's the first time I actually talked to people my age.
Bookman eyed his apprentice who was having a happy smile on his face. Was it a farce?
"Don't get attached. Remember what we're here for."
"You don't have to keep reminding me."
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Moko-Chan: I AM DONE!!!! With my next chapter. Thank you, my fellow patient readers for waiting for the end of my exams. I think my writing standard just fell… As usual please read and review!
Note: Check my profile page. I added a link to my fanarts… Yeah. Shameless advertising.
I'll try to write the next chapter soon… I mean I got it all planned out and all, I just need the motivation… (Kind of person who is unmotivated)