Chapter 6: Interviews
"So you're not from here?"
"No."
"But your partner is?"
"Born and raised."
"Wow… so there's still a lot even you don't know about this school, huh?" Aimee rolled her eyes as she and Liam sat across from Robinson who was scribbling down things in his notepad. He was so intrigued with the smallest things. If he were to ever get wind of the fact that even the occasional witch attended the school he'd probably blow a gasket. Apparently Gabe and Aiden's interviews were cut short when questions of their family dynamics came into play. Leaning back into her seat and crossing her legs, the red haired weapon tried to feign some form of interest. "So what does your family think about all of this?"
"They don't know about this." Aimee answered easily, ignoring the confused look not only from Robinson, but her partner as well. "As far as they know, I'm away at a specialty school, learning a trade I plan to use as an adult in the near future." The older male lowered his notepad, a look that seemed a bit concerned crossing his face.
"Your parents know though, I hope. About your abilities I mean." Aimee faltered for a moment before sighing and shaking her head.
"No, they don't. I don't think they'd understand… so I came here." she answered. "I mean when I first came to this city I figured I'd be easily welcomed and everyone would be like me… and yeah I found people like me, but we're not the norm. We're still freaks."
"Aimee," Liam started but she had now taken to sitting with a bitter air to her, slouched in her seat and arms crossed in a closed off fashion. There was a thick, awkward feel in the room and Robinson had chosen this moment to close his notebook, put down his pen and lean back in his chair.
"So outside these walls, you think people can tell you're different?" he asked.
"We blend in for the most part… at least until they see the shield of Shibusen on our uniform," Liam decided to answer. "Or someone transforms. Lately things are different. We're not looked at as protectors like our parents were. We're dangerous to people and we haven't done anything but fight to keep them safe."
"We're not any different from the people outside these school walls." Aimee added in. "We still live our lives, one day, one step, one breath at a time. We cry when we lose a loved one. We have valued friendships…. We want to live carefree too, but this is the life that was chosen for us." Robinson gave a slow nod.
"But I mean, that's what you people are here for right?" Liam decided to ask, perking up. "You're here to dispel any fear that the people in this city have." Aimee glanced at her partner and then back at the official. She knew that her partner was trying to be optimistic, but based off how the professors were responding to the officials and the interviewing process, this wasn't what the young Shinigami was hoping for. Robinson's long pause wasn't exactly the response either of them were hoping for either. A knock on the door snapped them all out of the silence. Wilson had poked her head into the room.
"We're only allotted fifteen minutes with each pair so I'm bringing in a team." She informed. Aimee wasted no time standing up, dusting off her school shirt as she straightened.
"Well that being said, it's been a pleasure I guess." She hummed, walking briskly from the room. She could distinctly here Liam giving a more tactful farewell before following her out. As she turned the corner, the red head noticed Ayame and Zeke whispering to one another as they waited a few feet away from Wilson to enter the room. Zeke didn't look too excited.
"You're afraid." Snapping from her observation, the young woman looked at her partner in confusion. He was looking at her expectantly from where he stood. "You're afraid of what could come of all this. That you might have to go back to your parents." He really wanted to keep talking about this. Sighing, Aimee turned to fully face the young Shinigami, her annoyance fading only slightly.
"Are you saying I shouldn't be?" she asked, raising a brow.
"Of course not. We're going to all be protected. My father won't let any-"
"Who told you that?" Aimee cut him off briskly. Liam's expression became confused. "What makes you think your dad can protect all of us from what could possibly come? From the experiments that we could end up being." She could feel her emotions start to give in. Liam's eyes narrowed.
"We're not going to become experiments."
"And how would you know? Meisters might be safe, but you don't think people will want to know how people like me or Zeke or Rion can do what we do? How we can transform into a weapon?" she asked, fists clenched at her side. "Let's be real, Liam! This whole thing is out of anyone's control. These officials aren't here to help us, they're here to gather data to take over and I'm not gonna sit around and let them get the best of me when I finally found peace in my life!" she yelled and stormed off.
0
O
0
"We were told we didn't have to speak to you too long if we're uncomfortable with your questions." Wilson quirked a brow at the dark haired girl sitting across from her. The girl had leaned back in her seat, arms crossed an eyebrow raised expectantly. There was a bit of a cocky air to the petite female, but Wilson was certain she'd at least get some information out of the girl's white haired partner, though he didn't seem really open to speaking since he was approached. Clearing her throat, the older woman smile slightly.
"That's perfectly fine. I'm not here for an interrogation or anything. None of you have done anything wrong."
"Then why are you here?" The girl asked swiftly and bluntly. Wilson paused for a moment.
"I'm here to learn about your school." She answered finally, after considering the pair of teens in front of her. "And I suppose the best way to learn about a place is from the people who inhabit, am I right?" The girl was silent but the boy now had a skeptical look on his face.
"Why don't you just talk to the professors then? They've been here the longest. They have whatever answers you're looking for." These kids were far more perceptive than she would have expected.
"Your parents are professors here, aren't they?" Wilson asked, shuffling through the papers on the clipboard in her lap. She came across some of the notes she took since arriving the academy. "Your names are Ezekiel and Ayame, right?" She glanced up only to have the pair staring at her with expressionless faces. Holding back an exasperated sigh, she allowed the papers to fall back into place. It would be her luck to get the stubborn ones at the end of her days rounds. "How about we skip talk about school life then? Tell me a bit about yourselves."
"Like what?" Zeke had finally spoken up. He ignored the look his partner shot him.
"Well I suppose your family lives. You're both born and raised here, am I right? Your parents too I suppose."
"My mom is, but my dad is from New York." Zeke answered easily and jerked his thumb over at his glowering partner. "Aya's parents were both born in Japan but her dad was raised here."
"So you speak fluent Japanese then?" Wilson asked, perking up significantly.
"Yeah… my mom taught me. We don't speak it unless mom is really upset though. Usually with dad." Ayame answered, shrugging her shoulder carelessly and pursing her lips.
"So you and your parents are the only ones in Death City and the rest of your relatives are in Japan?" Wilson asked Ayame. "And yours are in New York?"
"Yeah I guess…" Zeke answered. "And my gramps here."
"The only family I have are my parents… and my grandma and grandpa in Japan." Ayame answered. "Dad's an orphan so Gramps Sid and Granny Nygus are like family too." She explained. The girl must have noticed the curious look on the official's face because she swiftly added, "It's family business that isn't really discussed."
"Right," Wilson shot out quickly, making a mental note to find out more about this family lineage is possible. "So then, how about this bloodline then? Is it common for people with your abilities to come from a family of people with the same ability?" There were blank stares.
"What?" Right, this lifestyle was common to them so they probably weren't aware of what she was asking.
"Your grandparents for example. Are they wielders and weapons?"
"Well my mom's mom is a meister," Zeke started, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "And grandpa is a weapon… Dad said his granny was a weapon as well…"
"And they taught you what you know?"
"No. That's why you come to Shibusen." Ayame answered before her partner could. "But you agreed we didn't have to talk about any of that." Wilson chuckled. She was sharp.
"That's right, I did. So then, what about you two? I heard that students live together with their partners." She said easily. "That must be interesting." She received blank stares once again.
"How so?" Why was it everything she seemed to question them about so confusing?
"Well I mean in society, when a man and a woman live together, in a lot of cases they're dating or something along those lines." Ayame scoffed while Zeke let out an entertained snort.
"Hardly!" Ayame scoffed. "Zeke and I have known each other since we were babies!"
"We were raised together. Weapons and meisters usually always live together." Zeke added.
"To strengthen bonds and stuff." His partner finished.
"Well yes, but I'm certain many meisters and weapons have also married one another, am I right? Your parents were once partners, were they not?" She had done her research. She knew enough based off of discussions she had with some of the staff. This Ayame girl was that loud mouthed guy's daughter and the white haired boy was definitely Death Scythe's son. They both seemed bothered by her observation.
"We aren't our parents." Zeke finally spoke up, face straight. "Not everyone marries their partner. Our friend Ava, her mother and father weren't partners. A lot of people find themselves bonding with others."
"I see, so you have your eyes on someone else then?"
"What?!" Zeke choked out and Ayame turned her head swiftly causing the white haired boy to not only flinch but move back slightly.
"You have a girlfriend?! Who is it?"
"I don't have a girlfriend!" Zeke snapped and glared at Wilson, who couldn't hold back her own entertainment. "I'm just trying to make a point." A knock on the room door interrupted further questioning. Sid had popped his head in and cleared his throat.
"Ayame. Zeke. It's time for classes. Interviews are done for the day." He informed, fully entering the room. He paused for a moment, considering the agitated pair. "Are you alright?"
"Yes." They had both answered briskly before making their way out the room, ignoring the woman's call behind them. Ayame was mumbling under her breath as she adjusted her school bag and Zeke fought back an annoyed sigh.
'Oooo, your girlfriend is upsetttttt.' Zeke grimaced at the voice. Shut the hell up, he thought to himself bitterly.
0
O
0
They had been hired for a simple reason. Find out the secrets of Shibusen, but they were only human. Normal humans. Incapable of what those behind those school walls were capable of. Letting out a slow sigh, she lifted her perfectly manicured finger and traced a strange pattern over the large metal door in front of her, waiting for a response. Her colleagues and stiffened as the doors opened with a loud creak, but followed her in without hesitation. "They're baaaack." Sang a voice. Violet eyes appeared in the middle of the dark hall. "Welcome back Wilson and company." Halting, the woman narrowed her eyes.
"Evan, show yourself." Out of the darkness, a golden haired teen stepped, hands shoved in his pockets and entertained smile on his face. "Madam isn't very happy with you." He hummed.
"And why is that?"
"Because," An always twisted smile crossed the boy's face. "You haven't provided any results." He answered in a simple note and with a snap, vanished.
"That kid really creeps me out." Muttered Robinson.
"Careful how you speak about the mayor's son." Wilson hushed leading the way. They followed their usual route until the came to a large oak door with a salamander engraved on it. Wilson had lifted her hand to knock, but before making contact, the door slowly opened.
"I've been expecting you." An eerily calm woman's voice responded. "Come in, Wilson." She faltered, glancing back at her comrades who started back with pale faces. Of course, she was in charge so she'd have to enter alone. The room was circular and had dark lighting, but the woman at the desk in the center was her main focus. The door had shut on its own as the professional made her way to the desk.
"Good evening, Madam."
"What have you uncovered for me?" A silver gaze was focused on the nervous woman.
"It's hard to really say. They've been very stubborn on revealing information. In fact, I'm starting to believe that these people are in no way a threat at all, ma'am." Wilson explained and swallowed. "They've been welcoming and are very honest about their feelings. They're really just a bunch of children doing what they know."
"Doing what they know?" The woman behind the desk leaned back and folded her hands in her lap. "And since when is harming the innocent ok, Wilson?" she asked in an even tone.
"Excuse me?"
"These children are being bred for war. Some of them are far more dangerous than you'd understand. I've seen first hand the damage that can be done by those… those monsters. A single shot, swing, lunge, of their so called 'partners' at so called 'enemies' and your life instantly ends." The woman said, her tone starting to hit an edge. "I was placed in this position in order to protect the innocents of this city after the sudden deaths and disappearances that have been linked to that school and I want you to go in and pin point who the threats in that school are and bring them to me."
"Y-yes Madam Camille." Without another word, Wilson hustled from the room.
"I don't think they know what they're doing, mother." Glancing over her shoulder, the woman allowed her silver glaze to fall on the smirking teen levitating above her. "They're complete idiots." A slight smile crossed the woman's face.
"They are, but Shibusen is protected by great forces. As a witch, I myself can't just go in and take what I want." She then stood, beckoning to the boy. "And I certainly don't intend on losing you, Evan." The boy hummed in acknowledgement and landed in front of her with ease.
"If you like, I could make a bit of a push." He offered, with a hopeful smile. "A little possession here of there." The woman chuckled and shook her head.
"You're a precious one, but no. We're not ready for that just yet." She informed and snapped her finger. A small orb formed and grew in front of them to the size of a globe. Running her finger over the glowing surface, the city came into view. "I want to instill a bit of fear into the city first. If there's anything that gets a response, its fear."
Author's Note: Um, so I'm really sorry for such a late update. I've been distracted by the struggles and drama that is life. Sorry as well for any errors in this story. Anyway, the woman introduced in the ending of this fic was also introduced in Same Story, New Path, and so was the character Evan. If you need a refresher, its in chapter 18. Um... so I think that's all I have to say, hope to see you SOON in the next chapter.