The rest of the day held less excitement. The gang had made their way back to Lance's apartment on Death Avenue where Kid and Lance were playing chess, Mark was watching a cartoon, while Black*Star was busy attaching a newly bought door to the empty door frame. Kid had forced the ninja to fix the mess he had caused despite the ninja's protest that he shouldn't have to since he had won the fight. After much arguing the assassin had finally given up and grudgingly agreed to repair the damage he had done. Tsubaki had accompanied her meister and was with him outside.
Kid had never been able to beat Lance at chess. The sword meister was surprising adept at the strategic board game, quickly plowing through Kid's line of defense in a few short moves.
Kid was hardly surprised when the inevitable "checkmate" was announced by his oldest friend, just as it had always been whenever they played. He didn't mind losing though because it seemed to put Lance in a good which was always a nice thing for him to see.
"It seems you lose again my old friend."Lance smiled, pushing his glasses back up.
"Wow, you're actually good at something." Veronica snickered from her seat next to him.
"It's shocking I know."Lance chuckled, giving her a playful punch on the arm.
And with that Lance proceeded with mercilessly defeating Kid once again, making a show of eliminating every last one of Kid's forces before cornering his king.
"I do believe that's checkmate."Lance said, taking a sip of his apple juice.
"How do you do that? You completely annihilated him."Veronica asked.
"It's elementary my dear Watson."Lance explained."It's all about knowing your opponent."
"What do you mean?"Veronica questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Knowing your opponent, being able to safely predict their next move with little chance of failure, knowing exactly what they'll do even before they do. It's why I always read the kishen dossiers cover to cover."
"Oh that's rubbish."Veronica said."There's no way that works."
"Really? Let me enlighten you my dear rapier."Lance smirked."Take for instance our friend Kid here. I presume his obsession with symmetry is no secret to anyone."
Everyone in the room nodded in confirmation while Kid crossed his arms.
"I don't see anything "obsessive" about licking things to be beautiful."Kid said.
"Not the point."Lance continued."Using this knowledge I noticed that Kid tries to position all of his pieces to be symmetrical, which leaves weak spots that can be easily seen if you know where to look for them which I do. I exploit these weak spots for my advantage you see."
Kid was baffled. Had he really been trying to make his chess pieces symmetrical? If he had it was entirely subconsciously. He didn't love symmetry that much, did he?
Yes, yes he did.
"Okay that's it." Veronica said as she took Kid's seat and reset all the pieces."You and me,"
"I'm surprised you even know how to play chess Ronnie."Lance joked."But there's no way you can take on the master."
"That has yet to be seen."Veronica retorted as she took her first turn.
Kid watched as the partners proceeded to move their pieces in a complex display of strategic placement. Veronica certainly did know how to play chess as she had said and Kid could see Lance's eyes scanning the board after every move she made, glowing in delight at having a proper challenge.
"You never cease to amaze me Ronnie, you know that right?"Lance complimented."You truly are skilled in this game."
"Tell me something I don't know."She said nonchalantly leaning in her chair.
"But you have one fatal flaw."Lance said, moving a piece.
"And what would that be?"Veronica asked, taking a rook.
"You're reckless."Lance said, moving a new piece."You strike at the first open pawn you see without waiting to protect your own forces."
"You're just trying to mess with my head."Veronica said, taking his last bishop."Well I'm not falling for it."
"No I'm being completely sincere."Lance replied, moving his last remaining rook to face the unguarded side of her king who couldn't move without being in range of his queen.
The sword stared blankly at the board.
"I do believe there's a word for this. I just can't seem to remember it what's the word I'm looking for here Mark?"Lance asked mockingly.
"Checkmate."Mark answered.
"And so it is."Lance agreed.
"But-but the rook and the bishop. I was winning."Veronica stammered.
"Those were merely well placed decoys."Lance admitted."I told you that you couldn't take on the master."
"Well I hate to go but father has something important that he needs me to attend to."Kid said as Veronica stuck her tongue at her meister, a gesture which he returned in full.
"Where are you going?"Lance asked once his tongue was back in his mouth."Maybe I can help. Anything's better than sitting here all day."
"The last new students are arriving back at the academy and father wants me to give them a tour."Kid said.
"You mean Josilyn."Lance said, shivering.
"That's what father said her name was."Kid recalled."Her and her weapon will be arriving at the school shortly so I really need to be going."
"Does he mean the same Josilyn you told us about Lance?"Veronica asked."The one that scared you witless?"
"Pssh, I'm never without my wits."Lance responded, convincing no one.
"Well I think I would very much like to meet this lady who frightened my meister so."Veronica chortled."See if I might pick up some tips.""
"Well have fun with that."Lance said distractedly, taking a seat on the couch next to Mark.
"You're coming too."Veronica stated as she grabbed Lance by his hood and started pulling him towards the door.
"But this is a new episode!"Lance whined.
"Oh grow up."Veronica said bluntly."Mark hold down the fort."
"Aye aye."The shield saluted.
Black*Star and Tsubaki gave questioning looks as Veronica dragged Lance out to the staircase, followed by Kid who was just as confused.
"I don't see why I need to come."Lance complained as he yanked his hood out of Veronica's hands.
"Because I need to see exactly how she scares you and how you react to her."Veronica answered."That way I can "know my opponent" better."
"So you want to learn how to scare me?"Lance asked."What purpose would that have?"
"More than you would think."The sword smirked wickedly.
"Now, you see that answer already scares me."Lance quipped.
"Good."Veronica grinned, patting him on the shoulder."I'm already learning."
"Oh god."Lance sighed."Tsubaki, would you mind babysitting Mark for us?"
"Sure."The chain-scythe agreed softly."I was just standing her anyways."
"Thanks a lot."Lance smiled."We really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it."Tsubaki smiled in return.
Black*Star scowled and continued working as the three of them left for the DWMA.
"I don't get it."Veronica said once the apartment was far enough behind them that she would risk talking."Why are you still being all nice and stuff to Tsubaki after Black*Star kicked your arse?"
"Because Ronnie it's the polite thing to do."Lance said."Not that you would know anything about that."
"Do you enjoy making me hurt you?"Veronica asked menacingly."Because you seem to do it a lot."
Lance simply chuckled. Kid still didn't know how these two could ever function as a team. Father had said that together all three of them had collected well over a hundred kishen souls but still their constant horseplay made them seem more like children than a weapon- meister team. Plus from what he had seen so far Veronica seemed to be rather abusive towards her meister but then again Kid had seen Maka hit Soul more than a few times as well so perhaps it wasn't that unusual.
They soon found themselves waiting at the entrance of the academy. Veronica started tapping her foot impatiently while Lance simply looked bored. Kid checked his pocket watch for the eighth time in a row. Father had said that she would be here soon so where was she?
As if to answer his question a powerful screech echoed throughout the courtyard. The roaring of an engine was heard all around them as the sounds originator came rushing towards them before coming to a halt a mere few feet away from them, making Veronica flinch while Lance and Kid retained their composure.
"Are you sure we can park here?"A voice said, coming out of the passenger's seat.
"Yes, I'm sure."A second voice said, opening up the driver's door to exit, spurred boots jingling with each step.
The girl who had said this didn't seem all that threatening Kid noted. She looked perfectly normal. A bit tall with her long brown hair in a neat braid, wearing blue jeans and a blazer in a sort of business casual sort of way, really the only odd thing was her boots that continued to jingle with every movement of her feet.
"Greetings, I am Death the Kid."Kid curtseyed."And please allow me to be the first to welcome you to Death Weapon-Meister Academy."
"The son of Lord Death himself."She mused, scanning him up and down with her big brown eyes."Accompanied by Lance Rodriguez of all people."
Kid noticed Lance immediately stiffen at her recognition of him.
"Allow me to introduce myself."She said."My name is Josilyn Masterson, though some seem to favor calling me Josie. Feel free to use whichever you prefer."
"And you must be Lance's weapon partner."Josilyn said, looking at Veronica, giving her a calculative look.
Lance quickly attempted to whisper something in Veronica's ear.
"Mr. Rodriguez, if you have something you which to share with us go on ahead."Josilyn said sternly, staring at him intently.
"Uh.. Err.. Well…I was just informing my weapon partner that when you stare at people you are more than likely examining their souls."Lance uttered quickly, avoiding eye contact at all cost.
"What I do with my soul perception is my business and I will not have you informing others of its presence without my permission."Josilyn said without even the hint of an expression on her face.
"Yes Ma'am."Lance gulped."It won't happen again."
"Scaring people already Josie?"The other boy who had been in the car said as he approached, carrying two small briefcases."Haven't I taught you better than that?"
"Reginald, if you have taught me anything of any value I would be deeply shocked."Josilyn scolded without taking her eyes off of Lance.
"Oh don't listen to her."He waved dismissively."The names Reiji, Reiji Colt nobody calls me Reginald."
"Well met."Veronica said, shaking his hand.
Reiji was of average height, perhaps a little bit shorter than Kid, dressed in regular jeans and a hoody with his hair set in dreadlocks.
"Well since introductions are all done how about I show you two around?"Kid asked.
"Sounds cool with me bro."Reiji smiled as he walked in to the school.
"To familiarize myself with the building's layout would be for the best."Josilyn agreed.
"I'll come with."Veronica said, following the rest of them.
"The more the merrier."Reiji Laughed.
"Lance, are you coming?"Kid asked.
"Yeah I'll catch up in a moment. Go on ahead."Lance said, gesturing for him to go.
Wonder what that's about. Kid thought.
And with that Kid proceeded in touring them all through the school. This was the third time this week so he figured he did a good job pointing out all the things he thought to be especially symmetrical. Josilyn took in every nook and cranny of the place, occasionally jotting down a note or two in the small notebook she carried in her satchel.
Kid enjoyed having someone who actually seemed to be listening to him as he described and explained the building he would someday have to run, everybody else he had showed around seemed to just nod their heads blankly as he told a few stories he had heard from his father about the DWMA's founding and construction.
He did see how someone like Lance could be uneasy around her. She seemed very strict and punctual, very no nonsense to say the least. Reiji on the other hand was very different. He slouched his ways through the halls joking with Veronica and openly mocking his meister's more stoic attitude.
The sword seemed to make quick friends with him, chuckling as the two shared whispered comments. Kid wondered what they were talking about but didn't dwell on it as he concluded his tour of the school, lastly taking them to the Death Room to sign in with father.
"Wazz up everybody!"His father billowed as they entered the cloudy room where his father dwelled.
"Father, the last of the new students have arrived."Kid announced.
"As I can see," He bounced."How's it hangin?"
"All is well Lord Death."Josilyn stated.
"Yeah it's all good."Reiji said."And may I say what a nice school you have here."
"Aw you're just saying that."His father said, waving his big gloved hand girlishly.
"No seriously of all the schools I've seen this is definitely in my top three."Reiji assured.
"Veronica! Nice to see you, but if you're here then where's Lance and that brother of yours?"His father asked as he noticed the read haired sword was also in the room.
"Lance is around here somewhere."Veronica explained."We left Mark at home with a babysitter."
"Oh I remember when Kid was his age. He was so cute with his little stripes."His father swooned.
"Father please," Kid grimaced, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Oh you're no fun."He laughed.
"Back to the reason we are here Father."Kid sighed. Honestly he loved his father but sometimes his antics annoyed him.
"Okay spoil sport. Here fill these out will you."He said, handing Josilyn and Reiji each a paper to fill out."It's just a formality."
While they were busy filling out their sigh in sheets Kid noticed Lance silently enter the Death Room.
"And where have you been?"Veronica asked with her hands on her hips.
"Oh you know, here and there."Lance said, shrugging.
"Whatever."Veronica said."Let's just go home."
"As you wish my lady."He said, bowing slightly."Come on let's go."
"I don't see what's so scary about her."Kid heard Veronica say as the two left the Death Room."She seems normal to me."
"Shush she might her you."Lance whispered frantically."She has ears like a hawk."
Oh Lance. Kid sighed. He's changed so much yet so little.
Which reminded him, he hadn't seen Lance's parents once since he had got here, which was peculiar seeing as how much they had smothered him as a child.
Perhaps he would ask father when he had some free time. Yes that's what he would do that would certainly bring some clarity.
"Kid."Josilyn said, ambushing him outside the Death Room."You seem to be familiar with Mr. Rodriguez."
"Lance."Kid nodded. What is she getting at?
"So I assume you are aware of the incident with his father."She said, giving nothing away.
"Incident?"Kid repeated."What are you talking about?"
"So you don't know."She frowned."I would've thought the son of the grim reaper would be informed of such a thing."
Now she was starting to irritate him, if she had something to tell him than just spit it out.
"Your friend's father, the last death-scythe, was a kishen."She said bluntly.
"What? That's ridiculous."Kid gasped."I knew Lance's father and there was no way he was a kshen."
"Believe what you want but I know for a fact that Damon Rodriguez was kishen, my mother was one of the meisters that helped take him out."She explained."So If I were you I'd watch who you keep company with."
"Well you're not."Kid snapped."And I fail to see what Lance's father has anything to do with him."
"As the saying goes like father like son."She said, shaking her head."Just watch your back. A kishen who ate a reaper soul doesn't sound like the kind of enemy I would want to fight."She finished before turning around to walk away.
Reiji gave him a sort of apologetic look before following his meister down the hall.
Okay now he was definitely asking father about Lance's parents.