Day 57: Cafeteria

[gald_digger]

Edgar's charming company had raised Anise's spirits enough that not even the Head Doctor's voice could bring them back down. Besides, she was feeling pretty sure that Landel wasn't actually around. To begin with, it wouldn't make sense, and secondly, his announcements sounded suspiciously like ones she'd already heard before. While Anise wasn't

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[36_24_35]

The only thing that betrayed her calm demeanor was her crossed legs under the table that just wouldn't stop fidgeting. Her wonderful brunch treat was not getting touched any time soon. In fact, it was two seats away from her as she kept her eyes peeled on the cafeteria doors.

She had no idea what these two men (the institute was practically a sausage fest, so it was a likely assumption make) were going to look like, but she had her theories. Those who bartered in alcohol like her, who understood and appreciated anonymity, obviously this wasn't their first midnight fist fight. They were probably going to be the unsavory type: Grim, aloof, and intimidating.

She threw guys like them out on their asses all night long. She wasn't worried, not for her safety, but she just... She wanted to get this done. The young woman had wasted too much time with misfires and getting the tar knocked out of her. The giant bruise on her forehead was just one more reminder that things were not going her way. Hopefully that would change in just a matter of moments.

[Albedo and Nigredo]

[purpletaint]

Business was something Albedo would do--deal with--if needed, and so, as Nigredo did not know what Albedo had gathered, the elder had saw fit to interrupt his brother's dealings and help. Help that had ended with Nigredo berating him for pretending to be him, and Albedo having to explain. A tiring process becoming more lengthy. But he had held to the scheme, and would continue, backing Nigredo as he liked for now.

Except little brother was being cranky, and even if Albedo couldn't blame him for parts of it, it still remained. Albedo's explanation of going through the person on the board as something positive--an intermediary gave them a constant set rate, as well as a veil of anonymity for the clientele--seemed to fall on deaf ears, the same as had happened for a thrown remark about Nigredo being a mafia don for Albedo to serve. The cleverness of it all was missed.

Some days, Albedo felt truly misunderstood. He could sigh from all the lack.

Still, he played the part with abandon, wheeling Nigredo's wheelchair in with little reserve (ignoring the fact of injuries, of mortality), sharp eyes casting over the crowd. An average description was the only identifier, and yet, in this place, it was enough to stand out. Though if he noticed, the one that fit that description....

He did sigh now, a long-suffering sound. Of course, that person would be female.

His expression stabilized back into solemnity by the time they reached the table, a game set and a game matched, and he would play it for now. "Are you the one who was interested in different beverages?" His tone was near bland, quite different from his usual set of intonations. "I am known as 667, the associate that 669 mentioned on the bulletin."

[falseblack]

In truth, Nigredo preferred no business to any business. Had he known the consequences of his whim, he might have opted out altogether. The child's patience, after all, had dwindled to an all-time low, and the fact of dealing with unfamiliar faces was something he could barely stomach.

Of course, irony would have everything occur during a meal.

Albedo had his logic: manipulation was an apparent art form to the middle variant, and if anything, Nigredo could see where utilizing a distributor for their bottles was infinitely better than a straight sell. Upper hand in negotiations, never allow weaknesses to be shown, etc. They weren't lacking in specific plans due to Albedo; that was an absolute certainty. The unfortunate fact of the matter, however, was that at the end of the day, it was so...

Oh, what was it that he had said? So much work for something he wanted as simple. Work he wanted no part in. Thankfully, Albedo promised to cover the discussions for him, and still, Nigredo had to attend. Furthermore, they had agreed to offer their official names as opposed to what the scientists had christened them with.

...This day was beginning to pan out just wonderfully.

He allowed himself to be wheeled in silence, thoughts and features set in apathy. Their prospective's description was rather general, and Nigredo wondered if they would ever find this person in a crowd. Fortunately, Albedo appeared to have caught them first, and he took the younger toward an adult female, who looked as though she had gone through the most sadistic obstacle course known to man. Bad night for everyone, it seemed.

"I am 669. I hope you don't mind me bringing an associate." He almost rolled his eyes at his own words. "As you can see, I can't exactly move on my own." Which technically wasn't true, but he might as well exaggerate a bit.

[36_24_35]

It never occurred to Tifa, as these two boys came around her table, that they could be anything but poor victims of circumstance. She smiled harmlessly in their direction and leaned forward to let them know she was willing to help them. They didn't look lost--frankly, they looked a bit distant. It was the same expression that stuck to the orphaned children in Edge, having to act so strong and brave on the outside.

But once they started talking, her warm attitude shut down. Tifa was more stunned than angry at this bizarre spectacle. Maybe if it had only been one kid, there would be humor enough left in her to hear them out, but this...

"Is this a joke?" Tifa knew more than most never to judge the wrapping on a package, but she just couldn't imagine two frail boys--one in a wheel chair for god's sake!--could be in possession of liquor when her last booze attempt had dragged her through the bloody ringer.

[purpletaint]

And Nigredo played along so beautifully. Despite the fact that the baby likely hated himself, life, and Albedo at the moment. How charming.~ Albedo's expression did not change as Nigredo spoke, merely waited.

...And yet, her reaction was worth nearly everything, and against any plan that Albedo may have entertained about remaining in the background, the boy's casual expression melted, a sharp, amused grin sliding into place, eyes turning cunning. How often were they both underestimated, he wondered? And how often would they prove in full how utterly competent they were?

Far be it for Albedo to let misconceptions go. Granted, they would be amusing, by far, but that would allow this to drag out, and in all honesty, Albedo would rather Nigredo play along then get crankier fed up and throw away the whole charade. There was possibility, some amusement, and there was far too little of that lately. He moved Nigredo closer to the table, and dropped into the seat beside him, leaning his chin into his palm and smiling at the woman. "I take it that's a yes. Charmed, I'm sure."

He blinked lazily. "Need I list off our credentials? Soldiers, created, born, and bred, and far more than capable of taking down threats that can be faced here. Field experience, manageable, training and knowledge, excellent, and if you take age as a factor, we're really quite impressive, then, hmm?" He smiled brightly at her, condescension behind the expression. "Facts, clear and solid, are that we possess what we said, and moreso, are quite able to get more easily." Easily, because one of them could regenerate and therefore negate any damage gained. "If you're interested, we'll negotiate. If not, we'll keep to ourselves."

His other hand moved lazily in a wave, as if to ask if there was anything else that needed to be said.

[falseblack]

Sadly, they should have expected the question. A weapon dressed as a child would ultimately be regarded as the latter, regardless of how well they performed as the former. Far from the woman's fault, of course. Most worlds apparently did not adhere to such things. Nigredo paused, gathering the necessary words to correct her misconceptions.

...And of course, Albedo had to cut in. And go about it in the worst possible way. Nigredo, too, became practically stunned at the words, logic faltering as his brother listed off items that were utterly unnecessary and in a manner construed as veiled mockery. Why had the younger variant bothered to listen to him again?

The waveform equivalent of a swift kick to the pants came from black to white, hopefully warning the latter in regards to his words. "What he's essentially saying," Nigredo cut in quietly, appearing mildly apologetic for the woman's benefit, "is that no, this isn't a joke. We managed to run across two bottles of alcohol in the last week and have ways of getting more. If you're interested in trading for them, we'd be open to discussing it."

There. The subject was out. Now to see if she would agree to it or dismiss them for how they appeared.

[36_24_35]

The boy in the wheelchair, 669, must have seen the look on her face as she slowly leaned back in her chair listening to the string of insanity that came from 667, because he started translating and Tifa was real thankful for it. It wasn't that she didn't believe (Hell, Sephiroth was a soldier bred for combat from alien genes, so...), but they were so young! What kind of sicko bred children for any kind of military combat?

She would poke that sore later, but for now she had requested their help and her bias would have to be set aside for now.

"If you have 'em, yes, I'd like 'em. I have my own ways of getting them, but as you can see--" Tifa paused to point to her bruised face. "I'm going to lose a tooth or a limb one of these nights hunting for booze and I'd rather like to avoid that. So if you are willing, I'd be happy to offer something up in exchange. I'm... not sure what I can do for you two, but I gotta assume you have a few ideas already." Hopefully that didn't include another trip to Doyleton. She'd had her fill of that place for awhile.

[purpletaint]

Albedo rolled his eyes towards Nigredo as he spoke, blinking at him in exaggerated love, eyelashes fluttering. So curt, his baby brother.~ So stern and proud. The mocking should have been clear in expression, but Nigredo would likely ignore him regardless. How not fun, dear little brother.

Though, in essence, it seemed all of Albedo's brief planning was for naught, as the woman... Was more transparent than he had expected. Perhaps the joke was on him, expecting something a bit more challenging. Most of his interest deflated instantly at the revelation, and he sighed, and leaned back into his chair. How boring.

Let his brother speak, then. The game wasn't as fun now.

[falseblack]

Ignore his brother Nigredo would. Ignore he did. The woman was willing to consider their offer, and it seemed not all was a failure. Better to let things alone than play to Albedo's tune. Nigredo, after all, hated moving under another's command.

He nodded innocently for the first time in this conversation, feigning satisfaction and friendliness like the good little child he was supposed to be. Granted, the boy was glad for her response; he was just doing all the work his brother was supposed to do. Additionally, he hadn't the slightest clue on what they could ask for. If Albedo's word was to be taken, they had plenty of weapons. Possessions in general were far from a requirement in their lives. He should have considered this (among others) before throwing up that note.

Well, at least drinks were one out. Let him start from there. "What can you offer?" questioned Nigredo. "I'd hate to ask for something you can't do."

[36_24_35]

Flicking her brown eyes between each boy, Tifa flattened her lips to consider his question. There were obvious answers, but would those be enticing to children who seemed rather capable of getting supplies on their own while she fumbled through the same marathon of horror.

"I can't give you any information, but I'm trained in hand-to-hand combat. If you need a little extra muscle some night..." The young woman wasn't so sure her offer was worth hard-earned alcohol. If someone asked for hers, it would take more than an extra tag-along on a mission to convince her.

"And with your friend out of commission, I can help. I've got more than a pair of fists at my disposal..." Hopefully, any further questions about her techniques could be answered in vague terms of "Yeah, I can sorta freeze crap".

[falseblack]

[Switching posting order with Albedo just for this round.]

Talk of hand-to-hand combat perked Nigredo's ears, and his mind moved accordingly. One trained in martial arts also knew the art of dodging, a skill a certain brother lacked beyond what was considered normal for a soldier. With that thought and the earlier talk of the night before, a want formed. Green eyes flickered to Albedo, expression pensive, before they returned to rest on the woman.

She might have had other facets to her, but to Nigredo, a pair of fists was more than enough. "Do you think you can teach 667 how to properly dodge?" he asked, almost earnestly.

[purpletaint]

A 'little extra muscle' was faulty--Albedo doubted the woman could back them up further than they already were (granted, Albedo was bias, and furthermore, in a mood, but--), and a part of him was unsurprised that she could offer them no information. Despite a complete lack of interest, Albedo had noted perfectly how information was the currency here, and this woman was painstaking poor. How disappointing.

However, at her words, Albedo's mind moved as quick as his brother's. Hand-to-hand combat, if satisfactory, could be extremely useful, especially for a younger brother who wouldn't--

For the first time, it seemed in Albedo's mind, Nigredo's mouth moved faster than Albedo's. His little brother spoke, and Albedo spent a full moment staring at Nigredo in indignation. Well. Fine. If that wasn't approval for Albedo's own idea, then nothing was. Looking petulant, Albedo turned his head to the woman, speaking after Nigredo. "Would you be able to teach 669 how to defend himself without weapons?"

[36_24_35]

Tifa kept any opinions she had to herself after the look 667 gave the kid in the wheelchair. She took that opportunity to take care of a pesky hang nail on her thumb until he began to speak. She lifted her head tentatively and decided to acknowledge the latter question first.

"Sure, that's what I'm up against most of the time anyhow." There would be a few techniques no longer viable to teach unfortunately, but she could only do her best with these power limitations. The days of dodging bullets were sadly over. It'd be a nice thing to teach a pair of kids now that their faculty and staff all operated one, but....

"Dodging depends a lot on the person's natural reflexes, but I can certainly show you what clues to look for in a person's body language so you can certainly expect attacks better. A lot of it is just repetitive experience, but since you have each other you have a sparring partner already built in!" Tifa finished with a encouraging smile between them, and hoped she wasn't fanning flames better left to smolder.

[purpletaint]

The woman showed tact, and for that Albedo's temper didn't rise. The back muscles of his jaw tightened, then relaxed, before shooting a final look at his brother. The angelic brat. Albedo sighed loudly, leaning back in the chair and frowning from feigned boredom. "I don't know about my associate but if you can do what I requested, I'll gain the materials you require." His mouth set firmly, an unsaid threat to his brother. And Nigredo would put up with it, and learn from it.

The boy rolled his eyes. "It's not as if we have a need for any item--experience would pay well instead."

[falseblack]

It was an admirable attempt, he supposed. Nigredo saw nothing wrong with his request; it at least got a sibling's attention. Anger, too, but the boy was far too used to that emotion. The one thing he hadn't predicted, on the other hand, was the return request, and he found himself quirking an eyebrow in response. Teach me how to--

Right. Albedo was still caught up in that. Fortunately, the woman seemed amicable to both responses, allowing room for negotiation. Nigredo could work with this.

Ignoring his brother's look, he tipped a head to the side in resignation. "That's true," he said, shrugging. "I figured I would ask since I'm stuck like this and can't do it myself. In any case, if my associate wants me to agree to learning weaponless defense, he'll have to acquiesce to my terms." Here, he smiled innocently at Albedo, the gesture's false nature only apparent to family.