Chapter 6

Things were happening in dizzying speed. After the bizarre incident in the Slate chamber, Mai Ueno woke up in a modest room with no windows and a closed door, only to be swiftly greeted by captain Reisi Munakata, who gave her a crash course on the real meaning and role of the Dresden Slate, which left her head spinning. The only thing she clearly understood was that the captain of the special police force was some sort of super-human and has gifted his power to all the members of Sceptre 4. That, and the fact that apparently she also was a super-human now. And while he left her some notes to study, to understand what was going on, he left her no time to study them, because some other super-human has requested a meeting of super-humans soon afterwards.

In all honesty, for a really long while, Mai was sure it was some sort of a joke. She has just about had the time to read a succinct document about the "Kings", of which she was the seventh and Colourless King, according to Munakata. The police officer was the fourth and Blue King. Or a drug addict having the trip of his life, but then, Mai was fairly sure she has taken no drugs and she still saw the blue, steaming aura around him, when he tried to prove himself truthful. Furthermore, when she focused, she was able to produce a black, translucent aura as well.

It left her skin tingling unpleasantly and gave her no choice but to assume that all she knew about the world was somewhat false.

So, when captain Munakata came to pick her up, just as she was starting to read about the general properties of each King's Aura and Sanctum, she decided to play along and pretend she was buying everything he said. She spent the whole trip, from the Sceptre 4's base to a small dorm room in a prestigious, private educational institute, asking him question after question and doing her best to memorize all the answers and information.

Still, she found herself feeling thoroughly unprepared as a high-schooler welcomed her in his dorm room, smiling a bright, fake smile.

Mai has always been rather good at understanding people. More than reading their expressions and body language faultlessly, she often instinctively understood things that were important to those who surrounded her. Some years earlier she has even wondered whether she should study psychology, but her love for archaeology and understanding the mysteries of the past have won.

Now, after she has been nominated as the Colourless King, it felt like her innate "feeling" for people's moods and mind-sets has sharpened. Almost like explosions of colour, she could see irritation, satisfaction, boredom- Every feeling of every person around her. Always changing. It made her feel vaguely sick. It also felt very useful, when she found herself seated at one end of the rectangular coffee table in the dorm room.

In front of her sat Adolf K Weismann, the first and Silver King known also as Yashiro Isana. He was the soul of the oldest king somehow locked into the body of a high school student who, to make things worse, looked particularly young. He was all emotional frost and determination, the cheerful smile on his face completely and utterly fake. Behind him sat a bizarre girl with long hair and mismatched eyes. She was all nerves and worry, mixing with immense determination to protect her King.

To her left, there was the Red King who Mai was shocked to discover was another kid, this time a real one, not just a spare-body-keeping-old-soul. The white-haired girl couldn't have been older than thirteen. She was dressed in a black and red, gothic Lolita style dress and looked like a doll. According to captain Munakata, she has been appointed the Red King fairly recently, which could explain the uncertainty that swirled around her in shaky loops. Two of her clansmen stood behind, a taller and older blond man and a young man, tips of messy, chestnut coloured hair sticking out from his beanie hat. Determination to protect their child-king dominated their mind-sets, with hints of recklessness from the younger and mindfulness from the older.

Finally, to her right, there was the somewhat familiar Blue King, sitting with his back stiff and straight, radiating doubt and hesitation which he tried to cover with a severe expression on his face. He was willing to listen and open to suggestions, but Mai strongly doubted he would fully agree to whatever was proposed. Behind him his two highest ranking officers were standing. Seri Awashima was focused, her mind set on following her leader when she wasn't glancing towards the tall blonde at the other side of the table, blush that she refused to show on her face clouding her emotions and judgement. Saruhiko Fushimi, for all his bored, emotionless expression, was calculating and considering betrayal.

It took all of Mai's self-control to not betray any surprise at that discovery. For the moment, she didn't want to disclose what her abilities included. It wasn't like her, but captain Munakata's reactions around her and his behaviour made her wonder if she shouldn't change her habits somewhat, now that she supposedly had some power. Besides, she felt she needed some edge against the others, who all had some clansmen to protect and support them. She needed to get those as well and she was already planning to make a certain phone call, or send a message, as soon as she was going to be reasonably sure that she wasn't going to get spied on.

Speaking about clansmen-

'Didn't you have two clansmen, Mr Weismann?' she asked, bold as brass and honestly curious. She was sure that captain Munakata mentioned two clansmen and couldn't help wondering why one of them was excluded when Blue and Red Kings brought two clansmen each. It couldn't have been for the balance of power.

The reaction she got nearly knocked her off her feet, figuratively speaking, but not from the person she has expected it. The Silver King felt miffed and she got a feeling that his plans have been thwarted. The girl behind him, on the other hand exploded with worry and sadness so intense that Mai physically recoiled. Thankfully the girl wailed as well, so she could excuse her reaction as a response to the sudden sound.

'Kuroh Yatogami has been abducted by the enemy, I have told you that,' captain Munakata said sternly and immediately Mai remembered that he has, indeed, told her that. With a small gasp, she put a hand against her big mouth. Seconds later, she also remembered what else he has told her about the "Black Dog": Kuroh Yatogami was also a Colourless clansman.

'Please excuse me,' she said, bowing deeply.

'It's ok, it's ok,' Adolf K Weismann assured her, just the right amount of mixed emotions in his tone that found no reflection in his thoughts. 'I mean, it's not, because Kuroh has been abducted and we can't even begin to guess where he is now. But I understand that you have had to learn so many different things about this world and it's completely understandable that you have forgotten some details about clansmen of other Kings,' he elaborated. As thought being abducted was a "detail", Mai thought, but didn't pursue the topic, too busy memorizing and analysing the emotional reaction that accompanied his words.

As he spoke the last words, there was a strong spike of something that wasn't quite jealousy or distrust, but a peculiar mix of both. Interestingly, that was the only emotional reflection of his words: she couldn't quite sense the desire to actually go and save his clansman, or even remorse for not having been there to prevent the situation. It was as though he had already counted him as lost. Mai noted it for later investigation and carefully kept her face neutral. In contrary, both the young woman behind him and the Red King appeared determined to save the Silver clansman.

'At least, we can be fairly sure he is alive, or else the Green clan would gloat,' captain Munakata noted in a calm tone, none of his worry showing in his voice or expression. 'Can we go directly to the topic of this meeting though? Sceptre 4 is very busy with all the incidents involving supernatural powers that Jungle is provoking.'

'You have us do half of the dirty job,' the shorter Red clansman complained with a grimace, provoking a spike of indignation from all the police officers. The Silver King laughed before anybody could speak.

'Let us put our differences aside,' he said, his words only pretending to be a request. The Silver King expected to be listened to. 'I have asked you to come here, to form an alliance against the Green clan. I fear they might wish to steal or abuse the Dresden Slate and this cannot be allowed. I would have gone against them alone, but with only Neko's help it will be impossible against their sheer numbers and power.'

The Silver King paused and looked at each of his three counterparts. Mai almost looked away when his eyes met hers, surprised by the self-confidence held in the amber gaze. He was calm and composed, both outwardly and internally. She could feel the other two Kings subconsciously respond to this by projecting tentative trust. She knew they were thinking something along the lines of "we know we can trust this man" because she registered the same thought crossing her own mind.

'The Gold King is dead,' the Silver King announced, creating a heavy, stunned silence. Mai only barely understood the importance of this statement. Daikaku Kokujoji was the owner, of sorts, of the Dresden Slate and its keeper. His disappearance has caused quite a stir: now that she understood who that man was, she could link the nervousness of the police officers to his unexplained absence.

'It is now our responsibility to guard the Slate,' the Silver King continued. Mai only half listened how he explained he wanted them to cooperate in order to protect the Slate from being stolen and abused. She acknowledged his point of view and understood that it was the correct one, but she was alone, with no offensive or defensive powers. What did they expect her to do anyway?

That was what she told them, when all eyes turned to her. She could offer her help in trying to study the Slate until the very end, to hopefully understand what it did. But surely they didn't think that somebody who has until a day ago been an archaeology student could physically fight with people who have trained for most of their lives. They agreed with her reasoning, accepting what help she could offer, just like she knew they would. After all, she knew, intrinsically, what her ability was.

Persuasion.

She was sure that if she could find the Green King and talk with him long enough, she could persuade him to let go of whatever plan he has concocted. Of course, the Green King would have to not be aware of her intentions. It was thus absolutely necessary that the others don't find out what her ability was yet. In the worst of cases, she would give it a try.

First, however, she needed to find some people who could help and protect her. She already had some ideas. Ideally, she would have liked to have that Black Dog for herself, since he seemed to be a powerful player on his own right. However, the topic of retrieving him did not come into discussion and something in the Silver King's mind-set stopped her from mentioning it herself. Knowing of the Black Dog's double allegiance, she didn't want to put herself in any sort of situation where a conflict was possible.

'You were very quiet during the meeting,' captain Munakata pointed out as they walked towards the car, to leave the island. Mai glanced at him. Curiosity was spreading from him, like a tentacled creature discovering the world around.

'It's a lot to take in at once,' she admitted, looking back ahead. Half-truths were usually the best lies: isn't that what they said? 'I would lie if I said I wasn't somewhat overwhelmed by the sheer importance of this meeting and I only understand half of what you all said.'

'That is perfectly understandable,' the Blue King agreed kindly. Fushimi and Awashima, who were walking behind them, exchanged a few sentences, but Mai couldn't quite hear what they said. She only felt their confusion and something akin to disappointment. Before she could delve deeper and see how much really she could understand from a human's mind, the captain spoke again: 'Once we return to the home base, you will be able to spend as much time as you need studying the documents and logs,' he assured her.

'Actually, I was hoping to go home,' she replied, casually enough to not let on how much she really wanted to get away from the Blue clan's surveillance. There were things she has clearly understood from the meeting and among them was the healthy dose of mistrust between the clans.

'It is-' the Blue King started, also keeping his tone nonchalant but not fooling her. She could see his sudden worry, like a cloud darkening his thoughts. She didn't let him finish, trying to work a soothing tone into her voice. It was a good practice for her persuasion.

'I want to take a long bath with my favourite scented oil and relax, captain. I want to change clothes. I will be back before you realize, because I do want to solve the mystery of the Dresden Slate and I need to study those documents and logs you have.'

'I suppose you're right,' he allowed with hesitation. 'Would you like us to drop you there? I would be happier if you weren't wandering the city on your own, lest the Green King decides to make a move.'

Mai bit her lip. He did have a point and she could only feel honest concern from him. Besides, she supposed that he knew her address, since it was in her university files. They have come to the school in an unmarked car to not attract any unwanted attention, so even if they did drive her all the way it was somewhat alright: nobody would realize she has been brought home by police. All the same:

'Could you drop me next to the Animate Store in Ikebukuro? A new volume of Black Butler manga has come out yesterday. I have been planning to buy it on my way home, except I never made it there, as you are well aware of.'

She almost laughed out at the stunned silence her statement created.

'See, I told you that even a person like her has more interesting hobbies than you, Fushimi. No offense meant, ma'am,' Awashima spoke up eventually and Mai did laugh this time and promised she took none. The captain agreed to drop her in front of the shop and the four of them got into the car.

As on their way to the island, Fushimi was driving, with Awashima on the passenger seat and the two Kings, gods how weird it was to think like that!, in the back, where the windows were tinted. They left the island in silence and, as each of them mulled over thoughts of their own, Mai watched their emotions change. Calmer than on the way to the meeting, it was a fascinating spectacle.

'What I still don't understand is why the Silver King didn't show up earlier,' Awashima spoke up suddenly. Immediately, Mai asked why and the Sceptre's second-in-command briefly told her about the Silver King's long disappearance and how it lead his two clansmen to believe he has died. She summarized the events that led to his reappearance as well, adding that it wasn't like Yashiro Isana to let his friend get hurt. Disapproval was clear in her emotions, all sharp edges and spiky tips.

'Didn't it feel like he wasn't the same Yashiro Isana anymore though?' Fushimi asked, sounding as bored as ever. 'Didn't he recover all his memories?'

'He must have his reasons,' the Blue King said, but he felt unconvinced. Mai bit her lip, wondering if she should speak up or not. 'We should not judge him too easily. After all, you know of Mr Weismann's history.'

'Still, what kind of "King" doesn't care about his subjects?' she asked, only realizing she has spoken out loud when she felt their surprise. However, before she could even think to voice an apology, the surprise morphed into satisfaction for Munakata and approval for the other two. So maybe it was a good thing that she has spoken, even if they didn't continue the topic.

Only some minutes later, did it occur to Mai that maybe they have deliberately started the conversation to gauge her reaction. Surely they have already discussed the return of the Silver King before, so it seemed like a reasonable assumption. Immediately, she wondered how many of the other conversations she has had with them since she regained consciousness were tests of her personality. And why her exceptional interpersonal skills didn't let her realize earlier.

Perhaps because her brain was too busy processing the fact that she was now some sort of super-human, she thought. She wished she was back to being a student. Or at least that she has already drawn the bath and could soak for an hour, forgetting the world.

First, however, she needed to arrange some things. Noticing that Munakata was looking out through the window, Mai took out her PDA. Quickly, she found one of her contacts and typed a message:

"Please, meet me in Animate in- she hesitated- two hours. I need your help badly."

She didn't even have the time to close the communicator application before a picture of thumb up appeared under her plea. Smiling, Mai deleted the conversation and put away the PDA.