Chapter 39:

A Scientist Theorizes.

For a little while Mafia Row is going to be updated on Thursdays and Sundays, since these are my only days off. Since I'm now in University, I have chapters in books to read before lectures and pre-seminar work to do, taking up my evenings. I'll update more if I can, but I thought this would be a suitable compromise.

Note: Please remember that this is fictional science. And whilst I try to be as accurate as possible, I'm going more for what physical reactions occur rather than if the reaction is scientifically correct or not. So no Science Flames please.

Observational Log:

Day 0:

Subject's first observation, amazingly, was making Reborn smile. This is an extremely rare, almost unseen phenomenon in The World's Greatest Hitman (proven through use of statistics, see file: TFBLAR). Subject seems to have an effect on all members of the Arcobaleno house, even the more emotionally detached, or emotionally reclusive ones. Reactions include a sense of motherhood from Viper (never seen before, cuddling money does not count), confidence in Skull away from his place of work and a sense of seriousness in Colonnello away from the battle ground.

Luce has ordered that all of the Arcobaleno look after the Subject. Subject is firmly classified under the DO NOT EXPERIMENT ON category. The most I can do is observe the interactions these different types of people have with the baby, note how parenting affects these different personality types and how parenting as a group of 8 is easier than a group of 1 or 2, or harder if that is the case.

Note to self: research parenting techniques and journals.

Day 1:

Subject decided to sleep with the most dangerous person in the house, Reborn, last night. During the Night of the first day, Subject insisted to sleep with myself. Keiman seems to have an attachment to Subject already. At present an odd attachment had started to form between myself and the Subject. Reasons are unknown, but most likely caused by hormonal imbalances naturally brought around when infants are in the vicinity.

Day 1470-1485:

By this point in time it is confirmed that Subject is Sawada Tsunayoshi, related to Sawada Iemitsu of the CEDEF. Tests were conducted by myself under full lab conditions, results are as accurate as possible. Meeting with the CEDEF Leader resulted in Sawada disowning the child and Arcobaleno taking full custody. When a physical movement was made towards Subject, all Arcobaleno act in a maternal way, immediately defending what we see as ours, even when dealing with the biological father. The idea that Subject is ours is not a new one and is one that had occurred many times during the Observational log- reference to Days 268, 445, 836, 1354 and 1400. I do not even find myself worrying over this feeling anymore.

Arcobaleno have taken Subject out of the house for the first time since he learnt to walk. During this 15 day period Arcobaleno have taken the Subject to see 15 different houses on Mafia Row. Reactions from residents are all favourable, if slightly out of character for dangerous Mafioso. All have acted positively towards the Subject and have seemed affected by the Subject's innocent and entirely positive view of others and the world around him. All residents seemed to have formed a protective nature over the Subject, some more than others. Residents to note include the Assassination Squad Varia taking on a self-claimed brotherly role, Vongola Ninth Generation taking on a Grandparents Role. Primo has taken a role of a mentor for reasons unknown at the moment. This is a relief since results prove that Arcobaleno are not the only people being affected by the Subject.

Continued sightings of (named after a visitation to the Vongola Nono) Subject's Hyper Intuition, although other symptoms have occurred that do not correspond to the Vongola's Hyper Intuition. Examples include Subject showing emotional intelligence far above his age. In addition, Subject changes views and feelings towards strangers very quickly, often after only one specific sentence.

Day 1486:

Subject manages to escape Arcobaleno house. I am called back from a Conference early to help deal with the problem. All other Arcobaleno answer the summons too, in keeping with other signs of attachment towards the Subject. Personal feelings include fear for Subject, worry and panic, all unusual emotions for myself. Subject is found in the company of a Vindice Officer and seems to have close attachment to said Officer. Arcobaleno defend the Subject in a highly territorial way often seen in animals. Subject determined to keep Officer- now identified as Bermuda, Current Leader of the Vindice- and manages to convince all members of the Arcobaleno to accept Bermuda. Again, this shows an emotional maturity far above his age. However, based upon findings presented in Observational logs 1 through 18, Subject is usually correct about what he does, and all decisions terminate with positive conclusions. As such, I am the first to trust in Subject's judgement and re-enter the house. This prompts other Arcobaleno to also accept the Subject's choices in what is best described as a pack member.

Bermuda now lives with the Arcobaleno.

Note to self: Tighten security.

Day 1500:

Visits to rest of Mafia Row resume. Subject has taken well to the new addition of Bermuda in the pack.

Day 1507:

Subject's abnormalities are now explainable through a scientific explanation of Memory Transfer, taken place by a version of the Subject from both a Future Timeline and an Alternate Dimension. Whilst I was sceptical at first, a Mind Delve by Psychic Viper proves that Future Subject believes what he is saying is true. Scientific research and experimentation is not currently advanced enough to confirm the procedure is true especially if the power source Flames are involved. There is currently little to no research on these Flames.

Note to self: Research Flames in more depth, Consult Vongola and Mare.

Revelations of Subject's past has not changed feelings or attachments towards the Subject. I personally, now find him even more interesting. However NO EXPERIMENTS rule still stands.

Day 1508:

Subject's views on Latin and Biology could be considered offensive, however instead it made me laugh. Subject has taken an interest in Marine Biology caused by visit to a coral reef and a Rock Pool. Subjects desire to learn still amazes me even now. This seems to be a factor that many Arcobaleno like and few have taken advantage of, myself included. Other Arcobaleno have less pure, more dishonest and Mafia like intentions for Subject. However Subject still sees no wrong in what people around him do, determined to see the good side of everyone. Possibly due to a rather unfounded like of Knights and what they stand for socially and morally. This is worrying since as such Subject has no self-preservation instinct. All Arcobaleno are worried about this and has induced a far more ferocious and animalistic desire to protect the Subject. Hopes that meeting other Residents of the Mafia to correct this issue were not realised.

…Worries over Subjects persistence to talk to inanimate objects is still worrying. According to journals and research by topic experts this is still a viable trait in one his age, but if it persists, a specialist may need to be consulted. Viper will not like that. Subject's learning is persisting smoothly, and Subject's ability to be self-taught is outstanding. Most current observation includes that Subject found out that mirroring the number 2 in the correct way creates what can only be describes artistically as a 'doodle' of a fish.

In addition, it is observed that Subject is the only one of the Arcobaleno Household that is not scared of the frankly Demonic Ba-

"Verde, I'm bored!"

Ahh yes Boredom. The state of having nothing stimulatingly interesting at hand to keep the brain engaged. Highly common in children due to their fast absorption of information and rate of learning. Also common in intelligent teens and adults for same reasons. The Bane of Existence.

And for Verde, worse than Death itself.

And for Tsunayoshi? Well… just… boring.

So Verde puts down his pen, closes the Observational book, places it back into his pocket and turns to face the boy. Tsunayoshi is sitting on a chair next to him, kicking against a desk to make it spin, whilst he crosses his arms and pouts in a childish manor. Standing up, Verde places a hand on the chair to stop it spinning, making an absent comment about how spinning affects the liquid of the inner ear, sense of balance and ultimately makes one sick, before continuing on his way to the other side of the Lab.

"Well suit up then, we're dealing with chemicals today." Tsunayoshi's face lights up as he leaps off the chair and 'runs' over to where Verde is. Kneeling down Verde helps the boy into the protective clothing he had made especially for Tsunayoshi- thankfully free of Luce's fashion sense. Luce understood the need for a sterile environment inside a lab, and Tsunayoshi dropping synthetic fur and glitter everywhere was not a sterile environment. Despite the size of her hat, Luce was not an air head.

After zipping up the front of the suit and putting his own on and his lab coat over that (Tsunayoshi delighted in the fact they were a matching pair the first time Verde had worn one and now Verde was not allowed in anything else if Tsunayoshi had to wear one. To avoid temper tantrums, tears, or the strange unexplainable power of 'puppy dog eyes', Verde agreed. It never hurt to be extra protected after all.), they walk into the laboratory dedicated to chemical experimentation.

Verde had recently produced a new compound, created by combining two unstable atoms into a stable one through a process only he could explain to you (assuming you had more letters and abbreviations after your name, starting with Bachelor and ending with Doctor, than you had letters in your name). He was currently at the stage of testing it's reactivity towards other compounds and elements.

Tsunayoshi didn't care that he was the witness to the cusp of a new scientific discovery that could possibly change the world as we know it (you never knew with Verde). Nope, he was far more interested in the pretty colours and bubbles that he was about to witness.

Walking as fast as was safe in Verde's lab, since running was a big no-no, Tsunayoshi reaches his seat, climbs the step ladder and jumps up onto the chair. Verde goes and stands around the other side of the table, a piece of super thick, super strong yet super clear glass between them to protect Tsunayoshi from any violent chemical reactions. Verde places on gloves, a paper mask over his mouth and goggles over his eyes just to be safe. With Tsunayoshi copying almost everything he did in his lab, Verde started to be very precautious with his own safety, teaching Tsunayoshi as a result. It was good to have someone who learned through watching, they didn't disrupt his train of thought that way.

The first test Verde set up was to place a small sample in a dish with distilled water to see if any reactions occurred. There were no immediate reactions, for example no fizzing due to the release of a gas, so Verde placed it to the side, under the watchful gaze of a camera. Verde expected this reaction, very few things reacted to water, nor did the original components react either. The next test was to place another sample in a dish filled with a PH1 Hydrochloric Acid. The sample fizzed, before the colour of the acid changed.

"Ohh, look at it bubble!" giggles Tsunayoshi.

"Pass me the litmus paper Tsunayoshi" asks Verde holding a hand out.

Tsunayoshi looks around before opening a drawer by his leg. "Um what colour is that one?" he asks. He only knew the paper by their colours. He had no clue what 'litmus' paper was.

Verde keeps his eye on the sample that was merrily fizzing away. "The blue one the size of a plaster." Tsunayoshi may be the only person in the world that Verde would tolerate simple questions from. After all it was not the boy's fault that he was too young to remember such quantities of scientific knowledge. His brain simply was not capable of understanding that much yet. If anyone other than Tsunayoshi had asked that, he would have thrown the 'incompetent fool' out of the lab.

Tsunayoshi finds the pretty blue piece of paper and has great fun in ripping a few sheets off. He then places them on the table and slides them around to Verde's side; He wasn't allowed to walk over that side. Tsunayoshi watches with wide eyes as the piece of litmus paper changes colour from blue to purple and to a very red pink colour. "It neutralises acids, a useful tool." Verde mumbles to himself, writing some observations down on a notebook.

Verde placed that to the side and readied another sample. For this one he lit the Bunsen Burner- which Tsunayoshi had never touched again after a certain incident as a baby, nor was he allowed anywhere near the blowtorches- and changed the Flame to its highest setting.

Holding the sample in a pair of tongs, Tsunayoshi watches as the flame changes colour.

"Verde, can we have pretty fire around the house too?" Tsunayoshi asks, entranced by the flickering of the green Flame.

"Whilst chemically possible, it is not really safe to have different colour fire around the house. For a start some of the chemicals needed to change the colour of the fire are very dangerous. You wouldn't want Skull to hurt himself on them would you?" Point to Verde. Tsunayoshi took extra care to make sure Skull didn't get harmed or bullied by the other Arcobaleno. Saying something may harm Skull was usually a good deterrent.

"But since Verde's the best, he could make them safe right?" Ahh ego stroking, point to Tsunayoshi.

"Then it would be really expensive, and Viper wouldn't like that." The possibility that he could displease Viper… Point to Verde.

"But… but… but!" use of puppy dog eyes… plus 5 points for Tsunayoshi.

"A cheaper and safer option would be to use LED lighting and to create a program to change the colour of the lights either by remote or on a repeating pattern." Sighs Verde. Towel thrown in… Winner Tsunayoshi!

During the previous discussion, Verde had noticed some smoke coming from the sample. Holding the tongs in one hand, he grabbed a conical flask in the other and upended it over the smoke. The shape of the flask ensured that the smoke stayed in the flask instead of coming straight back out.

"Oooohh~" Sings Tsunayoshi, standing up in his chair to press his hands against the glass and get a better look. It was all grey and swirly and misty! Verde corks the bottle for later examination before checking to see if the bottle was hot or not. Feeling that it was rather cold, Verde walks around and kneels infront of the now sitting Tsunayoshi, so the little boy can get a better look. Smoke in a jar was an interesting phenomenon to watch.

"Ne ne Verde! Make the next one blow up!" the little boy shouts, hands thrown wide to show the blowing up bit. Strange, that was the bit Colonnello and Skull liked too. In addition, Lal and Luce seemed to like watching things explode.

Getting back up, Verde places the conical jar somewhere safe, once more under the watchful eye of a camera to time the rate at which the smoke dissipated and whether any residue or sediment was left behind from an incomplete combustion. He makes sure to write his findings so far down before moving onto the next test. Whether the compound 'blew up' as Tsunayoshi wanted was still an unknown variable. However Verde liked the challenge of using his scientific knowledge to try and fill Tsunayoshi's requests, in a way similar to an intellectual game.

After setting up a stand and a clamp, a large sample was held between rubber jaws and two wires were connected. These wires then led around the table to a console on Tsunayoshi's side of the table. Verde had created this specifically for Tsunayoshi, since the boy had liked the idea of being the one to 'blow stuff up'. With a push of the button the electric current started. With the push of another button, the voltage increased by a predetermined amount. Another button was the off button. So whilst Tsunayoshi felt like he was the one in control, everything was still scientifically measured and controlled to still produce unbiased results. After all, he might as well get accurate and viable results whilst pleasing Tsunayoshi.

With everything connected, Verde gives Permission for Tsunayoshi to start the experiment. At lower voltages there is little reaction. However as more and more volts are pumped through the sample by the current, a clearer, more defined reaction occurs. The sample starts fizzing and making popping noises with small pieces falling off.

"Tsunayoshi stop there." says Verde carefully, still keeping an eye on the volatile compound infront of him. However Tsunayoshi was having a bit too much fun pressing the button and presses it a few times too many.

Verde rushes around the table in time to bring the boy close and fling the lab coat over him before Tsunayoshi gets his wish of seeing the sample explode. Admittedly the reaction was larger than Verde was expecting. He'd have to make a note of that. He keeps the boy covered as small dense shards of the sample fly across the room, some banging into the glass before falling to the table, others careening across the room. Luckily this was currently the only on-going chemical experiment so nothing else was destroyed.

When all is silent, a giggle ghosts through the lab. Verde can feel Tsunayoshi shaking next to him. The little boy throws off the tail of the lab coat and broadly grins at Verde, giggling constantly.

"Do it again Verde!" Tsunayoshi demands. Verde however, decided not to grant that request. Once was more than enough while Tsunayoshi was in the room.

Instead, they get the Bunsen burner back out and roast marshmallows.

Can anyone guess what the abbreviation TFBLAR from the top means? It's contextual I promise.

See you all next time!

Phantom Hitman 1412

First Published 25 September 2012

A scientist learns, a day with Verde in his lab with his experiment and robots