Chapter 13: Normalcy
Soul stared blankly across the table at his focused best friend. The assassin had been very silent for some time now, staring at a sheet that was only maybe the third page out of a large stack he was supposed to be scanning. It was painful to watch and the death scythe couldn't help but wonder how the cocky assassin's wife ever bothered studying with him when they were younger. They had been going through a few old files they had found in the teacher's lounge, many reporting events from before and even during their time at Shibusen as students. It was interesting reading the reports that had been turned in… especially comparing the ones between when Black Star was 12 to when he was 16.
"This is bull shit." Soul blinked when his friend finally spoke. While his words had been calm, the assassin's moves were violent. He leaned back in his seat and growled in frustration, tugging on his hair. "Why the HELL are we stuck doing this?!" Soul rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat.
"Because we're looking for consistency in the reports and for common case locations." He explained easily. "Though I'm not sure how much of a difference any of this will make if any neighboring town, city, or state sees anyone affiliated with the academy as a threat to their well being." Black Star grunted in response and shoved the papers he had been sorting through back into the box he had been assigned.
"I could care less. All I want it to clear up all this shit so things can be back to normal." He muttered and leaned back in his seat, kicking up his feet. "Kid's going about this the wrong way. He's got his own brat he needs to be worried about protecting on top of all this! He needs to take action. Kick ass and take names!" The assassin all but declared to no one in particular. Soul put away his own pile in a tidier manner.
"I don't think kicking down doors and taking hostages is gonna get the results we need at this point." He informed before leaning forward on his elbows and looking out the lounge window at the setting sun. "Hey… remember how we used to spend this time before we were grown up? After the kishin and all?" Black Star grinned.
"You mean before or after we were of legal drinking age?"
"How about before we were parents?" Soul answered and Black Star let out a hardy laugh.
"We were reckless. I look back and can only thank the stars above that Tsubaki never left me after some of the things I did while we were dating." He informed. Soul shook his head. There were countless occasions where Tsubaki and Maka had bailed him and Black Star out of trouble. There were only a couple where Tsubaki had actually been reduced to tears and stayed with Maka for night because she was so infuriated with her head strong partner. At the end of the day, however, she clearly loved him and always came back to his side. Black Star grew more because of her.
"You aren't a bad guy, you're just an idiot." He offered. "Tsubaki's always seen that in you." The two sat in silence for a while before Black Star let out a thoughtful hum.
"What do you think it would be like if we weren't who we are now? Y'know… if we were like all those people that we have to protect." Soul allowed his eyes to drift back to his thoughtful companion. His gaze then went back towards the window where you could just about see the blacked out moon begin to appear.
"I don't think we'd still be alive if we weren't who we are now." The Death Scythe answered. "Think about it. If we weren't around, things would have played out far differently. Madness could have taken over and who knows what would have happened after that." He then sat up and leaned heavily back in his seat. "There are moments who made us who we are now. Think about it. You were brought to Shibusen by Sid. If he never found you, I don't even know if we could say you'd be alive."
"Hey now…"
"Maka is Death City born and raised. Who knows who her partner could have ended up being and what their success rate would have been. If I followed the path my parents chose for me, I definitely wouldn't be here in Shibusen." Soul continued. "Same for Tsubaki. She wanted to find her brother. After that, she probably would have returned back to her family. After all, there wouldn't have been someone like you keeping her around. I don't know much about Liz and Patty, but I'm sure Kid wouldn't have come across them if they weren't street thugs…"
"It all can't be that simple, Soul." Black Star cut in, now sitting up himself. "I think in some weird twist of fate we'd all meet in some way." He informed confidently. "Y'know, one day I came home and Ayame was visiting and she was talking to her mom about this whole deal and was wondering what it would be like to just be a normal resident of Death City." Soul raised an eyebrow.
"What did Tsubaki say?"
"Well, she told her that we were normal citizens." Black Star answered. "And it was weird because I don't think that's the answer Ayame wanted." Soul knew exactly what the girl meant. Black Star was raised in Death City. It was a life he knew and Tsubaki was raised knowing she was a weapon and well aware of such a life. Soul had come across his abilities and hid them for a while before coming to Death City himself and could easily say it took some adjusting to. Yes, he raised his own child in the eccentric city, but considering how things were, he supposed he could see why their children were curious about what an alternate life would be like.
"I think it would be nice if the kids could go about their days without weird looks being sent their way because of their affiliation to this school." Soul decided only for Black Star to scoff.
"Shibusen is awesome!" he retorted.
"Yeah, but still. It's their lives. They got to live in a good point of peace before all this." Soul countered. "Think about when Ayame was little. Taking her to the park. Knowing she could walk down the street to the shop and be fine. Now we're jumping at any possible strange look."
"They attended the Fall Festival just fine last week!"
"But we're still not safe." Black Star deflated. "I think giving them some normalcy would be nice. Even if for a couple of days. Just like when we were younger, adults tend to forget that these meisters and weapons are nothing but kids."
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Kid was frowning down at the file in front of him before a few stapled sheets were dropped in front of him. He slowly lifted his gaze to meet with the expectant one of his wife. She raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow at him and sighed. "I figured maybe you could take a break from political business and maybe look into something the kids have been discussing this past week." She informed. Sitting up slowly and leaning back in his seat, the Shinigami closed his eyes and let out a slow sigh.
"Liz, we've already told them all that there are certain things that we need to be focused solely on before even bothering with recreational events." He spoke. "We were able to conduct the fall festival just a week ago. Wasn't that fun?" With this, Liz rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Seriously? Kid, these are teenagers! This political business isn't to be handled by them. We should be worried about it, not them! They want to have a little fun and Aimee thought this would be a good release for them." She informed, indicating to the papers she had tossed in front of her husband. Kid looked back at the paper his son's partner had submitted. His eye twitched at the color ink she decided to write her proposal in. Was it so hard to find and black or blue pen?
"I'll take a look at it later."
"They want an answer now."
"Well I'm busy with other things."
"Kid just look at the damn paper."
"Liz…"
"Look at it!" The pair stared at each other, but the latter caved and picked up the offending proposal, allowing his eyes to roam over it. His face fell slightly into a confused expression.
"A prom?" he questioned, flipping to the next page. "That's all they're asking for?"
"Something like that. They'd like to have it on Halloween. More like a semi formal I guess. Death City is always so lively that day and with all the celebrating, Aimee thought it would be fun for the students of Shibusen had a celebration of their own." Liz explained easily.
"We have the Christmas Celebration."
"But this is different… Keep reading." Kid's gave went back to the paper and after a few moments his eye began to twitch again and she let out a calming breath. "She was thinking it would be fun if partners went with other students instead of one another. To bond more with their classmates and fellow students." Liz was explaining in a pleased tone, apparently impressed with the girl's idea. Kid's brow furrowed, however, as he read on.
"The students want to coordinate the event themselves?" he choked out, only for his wife to roll her eyes. "How exactly do they expect to properly-"
"There was a request for some adult assistance." Liz cut in easily, only for her husband to look back at her with wide eyes. "It was pretty well thought out. As of right now, Aimee is asking for help from me, Tsubaki, and Marie. Liam said he'd be taking care ordering decorations and food for the event. They also asked Kilik and Soul about possible music." She explained. Kid noticed the proud smile on her face, but he couldn't help but to feel uneasy. Yes, he knew that Liam was more than capable of producing a more than acceptable function for his fellow students, but the Shinigami still had his OCD ways.
"You're telling me Soul knows about this?" He asked in a stiff voice. Liz shrugged a shoulder in a careless manner, causing Kid to scowl.
"Honestly, the idea was brought up for a while now, but I told Aimee she'd have to propose it to you as well. It is your school after all. But I'm certain you'd like the kids to be able to have some fun despite all this drama." Kid blinked up at her now. Wait what? "These kids have all been having these 'what if we were normal' discussions in the halls. They're worried about their futures. Their own safety. I think it would be nice for them to let loose. I myself never got to go to prom."
"Liz…"
"And to be able to dress up so nice. I mean, Liam is such a handsome young man. I'd love to see him with some beauty on his arm…"
"Liz…"
"And Tsubaki was thinking it would be cute to suggest the kids ask other residents of the city as their dates. How cute would that be?" She was gushing. She always did this when she was trying to make a point about an idea she thought would be great. Just like when Liam was in grade school and she had the "perfect" outfit idea that she would not let up on. That's why she won wo many arguments. Leaning back heavily in his seat, Kid let out a loud, exasperated sigh.
"They can do it." He gave in. "A little normalcy, or whatever it is they're looking for, would be nice." He agreed but a serious look crossed his face. "If outsiders are being invited, considering the state we're in, I want chaperones. All professors on deck, no questions asked." He tried to keep a stern expression, but as his wife beamed at him and hopped unprofessional onto his desk, despite his outraged cry, only to lean forward and give him a far more affectionate kiss than expected, he deflated.
"Whoa-ho! What have we got going on in here!" Kid's face went a deep shade of red as Black Star and Patty walked into his office, as unannounced as usual.
"Should we leave you two be for a bit longer?" Patty asked with a wink.
"Not too much longer I assume. It's ok." Black Star added and ignored the death glare sent his way. Liz, however, rolled her eyes at the pair, not moving from her place on the desktop.
"What do you guys need?" she asked easily as her husband busied himself with shifting his papers and gathering himself.
"Soul and I are bailing for the night." Black Star answered. "That junk you had us looking through is packed away."
"And Ava and Rion won't be here tomorrow. They're coming with me and Kilik on a trip." Patty added brightly. Nothing about her had changed, aside from being a mother and clearly knowing when to turn off the crazy.
"I thought you and Kilik were leaving on an assignment tomorrow?" Kid asked.
"We are. We're taking them with us." She answered and frowned at the stern look that crossed her meister's face. "Got a problem with that?" she growled.
"O-of course not! Just be careful." Kid answered swiftly, only for his bipolar weapon to beam back in response. Ignoring Black Star's snicker, Kid spoke again. "By the way, I assume the two of you will be assisting with this whole prom idea these kids have introduced?"
"Of course." The pair chorused easily.
"We're in charge of putting together a chaperone team." Black Star answered, causing the OCD shinigami to blanched.
"Who authorized this?!"
"I did." Liz answered. "If there's anyone who would be awesome security it would be these two and whatever crack team they come up with." She explained easily. She had clearly gotten over any looks that were sent her way from her meister as she slid from the desk, ready to exit with Patty. "Any further questions, take them up with the coordinator. She should be free when classes end."
"But Liz!" The blonde stopped and looked over her shoulder with an unreadable expression, but the tone in her voice as she spoke said that they were ending any debates here and now.
"A little normalcy will do these kids some good. I'll see you tonight when you get home."
"Y-yeah." When the women left, followed shortly after Black Star, who had made a whipping sound on his way out the door, Kid leaned back in defeat and stared blankly at the proposal in front of him. In theory, it was a great idea, but considering the state they were currently in, he wasn't sure if they had time for the normalcy these kids were wishing for.