PLURK MEME - Prompts

Jul 14, 2011 13:04

Upgraded from "drabbles" to "mini-fics" because LOL ONE HUNDRED WORDS WHAT IS THAT.

;;

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Prompt 1 - Clockwork Verse - Ash

It's 12:15 A.M. when they bring the new batch in, and they're all DOA.

Hiroshi has learned to stop counting in bodies-when twos became fives, and fives became tens, and tens became depressing. Half of them are dead on arrival, so time is something he can spare, anyway. Tag them, bag them, send them to the incinerator.

Not quite. It's been a while since he's stopped tagging; the incinerator doesn't care either way. Neither does the Master.

It takes twenty minutes to fill out the paperwork, and five to cover the bodies with sheets. Sometimes he cheats and leaves the less-mutilated ones out for show when the rookies come for pick-up. Strangle-lines, a slit throat, bullet wounds are all clean and surgical. Nothing new or scary there. He'll stop lying when the softness drains from their eyes, and start again when the new ones cycle through.

He's had to lie to men about their predecessors more than once.

It's 12:53 A.M. when Kasumi trails in, the long, dark braid flowing behind her. He left some tea for her near the coffee-pot and they lean against the counter together as they drink. “You heard anything about the special new guys?”

“They are turtles.” She isn't quite fluent in English, and doesn't like showing inexperience in anything. It feels like a personal victory every time she responds.

“Yeah, well, besides that. I heard they used to give Master Obi-Wan up there some real trouble.”

Her fingers tighten around her tea mug, and he knows he's lost points for disrespecting Headmaster McDumbledork. He can't understand her loyalty after getting the shaft from the guy.

“They will fight today. Against...” Her eyebrows knit as her mouth works around the name. “Slader.”

Hiroshi almost spills his coffee. “Slader? He's a green-belt. They'll get mauled!”

“No.” Kasumi sets her mug down.

“No? What, you think they actually have a chance?”

“I have watched. There is...difference. Like water. Change in flow, but never form.” Her lips suddenly purse, as if she feels like she's said too much. She bows slightly, braid falling forward over her back. “Thank you for tea.”

“Kasumi, wait.” To Hiroshi's surprise, she listens, pausing mid-turn to look back at him. Hesitating, he reaches out to rest his palm on her shoulder. She's always stiff. “Don't...invest too much, okay? They're just new guys. You know how fast we cycle through them.”

Kasumi is quiet, her eyes narrowing. Then she pulls away and heads for the door, and Hiro isn't quite sure whether or not he imagined the smirk ghosting on her lips. “You, too.”

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[Stay tuned for: Sanji/Chopper cuteness 8Db]
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