Alice hides behind the wall watching as several people pass by. Citrine is looking for her.
"What are you doing?" she turns around to see a random employee stare at her in disdain.
"I'm playing hide and seek with Citrine" after that the employee left with a shrug muttering "damn kids these days"
"Alice where are you?" She heard Rubedo call from down the hall, he was also searching for me with Citrine while Nigredo and Albedo hide elsewhere.
Their footsteps got closer, she turns on the heels of her feet and ran fast as she can and rushed through a door and under a desk. The room was dark enough she couldn't tell who it belonged to. Quietly as she can she hugs her knees to her chest.
"Alice, where are you at?" she heard again from outside the door this time.
"Did she see you?" she cranes her neck to see another under the desk and it's Nigredo. She shook her head 'no', replying to him at the same time, "No, she didn't. Where is Albedo hiding? Who's...this room belong to?"
Nigredo's eye rose in shock as it registered in his mind, "Albedo is hiding somewhere else, but... I can't make out who's...no...We're not supposed to be here"
Alice sighs quietly, her ears perk up as the door open. They look at each other hoping that it's not the ones that are looking for them. She peeks under the desk with one eye watching as familiar white slacks and shoes head their way.
"It's your...dad...no" She whispers lowly, causing Nigredo to go rigid. He doesn't say one word, he only backs further against the back of the desk hoping that his father won't sit down or find them.
The chair slid out causing the two children to back further from the front of the desk. They held each other lose enough their cheeks touched. He sat in the chair and scooted in a few inches, giving them enough room from his long legs.
The door opens once again, a voice enters the room. "Uhh dad, have you seen Nigredo, Albedo or Alice anywhere?" Citrine asks respectively, hoping that her father will answer and not scold her for acting her age.
"No, I have not"
The two heard the door shut and relief rolled off of them in waves. Dr. Yuriev begins to sort through documents on his desk whilst saying "If I were you, I would elsewhere and not take residence in my office. You children should train and not playing silly games"
Nigredo and Alice gawk with wide eyes, their hearts hammered in their chest wildly. He backs up letting them get out of under the desk, his heavy stare is on both.
"I-I'm sorry D-Dr. Yuriev...I wanted t-to play a game and t-t-they didn't want to at f-frirst but..it's all my fault! Don't punish them, punish me instead!" She yells fearfully cowering with her hands on her head, tears streaming down her red cheeks.
Dr. Dmitri Yuriev tilts his head analyzing her state, it registers in his mind that her mother must have beat her. He narrows his eyes in thought, a broken child that is useless without her powers? Or a child with her powers that he could use one day? "Calm down, child. Leave, the both of you immediately!"
They rush out of the room panting loudly, "I-I thought we were goners" Nigredo whispers through heavy pants. Alice nods her head rapidly, "Found you guys, you lost"
They sigh as they notice Citrine stare down at them cocky. "Hey, it's my birthday!" Alice exclaims happily.