Day 48: Sun Room [Second Shift]

[perfectrecord]

Hmph. While this Rude was the proverbial "man of few words," von Karma found more potential use from him than a number of the other patients he had met put together. He would still ask Franziska about the man... as well as the other people he had learned that she had been spending time around. Many of them were utter fools, especially that

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[perfectrecord]

There she was. Finally. The elder prosecutor had already seen Franziska before she approached his table. He noticed her momentarily tracking the little pest as it scampered across the room away from him. His arms were folded in a disdainful, tight cross as he glared at the damned cat. Hmph. Has the Head Lunatic never considered the likelihood that any of his prisoners might be allergic to these useless, parasite-ridden creatures? A health hazard! Yet another infraction to include on the list of charges I will personally serve Landel!

Now he turned to his daughter, nodding at her in return to her formal curtsy. "Yes, Franziska. I have several matters to discuss with you. Please take a seat." He motioned to the empty chair next to him.

Once the young woman had done so, von Karma launched straight into his point. "Over the past several days, I have observed your interactions on the bulletin board. In a place like this, you need to exercise better discretion in what information you share on that public board, Franziska. For instance," his voice became deeper and took on a sharper edge, as he looked straight into her eyes, "anyone who has casually scanned the board yesterday would learn which room you're assigned to. Have you forgotten what I taught you about disclosing such sensitive information? Explain this carelessness, daughter!"

[iwhipthefool]

Ah, there was no question that he was himself again. None of the strange awkwardness or the unfamiliarity hung about him now. He was the same pillar she'd always known, as stern and unforgiving as ever. As he motioned to the chair across from him, Franziska bowed her head and took it, wasting not a single movement as she perched on the edge of the chair, ankles crossed, legs to the side. Even if she wasn't in a formal setting, her father commanded that sort of...atmosphere. Everything he did was done with such grandeur and--

He began reprimanding her and Franziska remembered why she'd always secretly feared being called to see him. It was times like these that she was reminded that she would never be as perfect as he was. She took the first blow with remarkable strength, merely lowering her head slightly as she thought of her reasoning. That was simple. "Seeing that my enemies are not here, and there are few who see to stop me in my investigations, I saw no harm in disclosing my room number to a man who would not understand code if I laid it out for him like the English ABCs. It was either that or spend a considerable amount of time trying to explain something quite simple to him." Because for all of Kibitoshin's usefulness, he was a straightforward and honest man (alien?), so the use of complicated codes or different languages would do little but frustrate them both. Or so she thought. And Gumshoe was Gumshoe. Scruffy would have gotten up in arms if she gave him the wrong room number - or look like a kicked puppy by the time he realized her intentions. "Unless you think there is someone in this Institute who is going to attempt harm upon a von Karma, that is. Our name may not carry the same weight as it used to, but there are still few here who could even dare think of going up against either you or me, Papa."

[perfectrecord]

The elder prosecutor appraised Franziska as she followed his command, right down to the attentive, upright posture and the perfect angle at which her ankles intersected near the leg of the chair. Ladylike and graceful, just as he had taught her. ...And just like her mother. For a fleeting moment, the resemblance between the memory of his late wife and their offspring now sitting before him was uncanny. Hmph, he was quick to turn his thoughts to something far more productive, at least not all of my valuable lessons have been wasted.

As Franziska explained her reasoning for disclosing her room number in a public location, von Karma listened, processing every bit of information she gave. His hawk-like gaze narrowed at the mention of this "man."

"Yes. I have spoken to Mr. Kibitoshin before. I can appreciate how thick his mind is. Why, it would amaze me were he able to see through that ridiculous 'puzzle' that the so-called 'Cake Club' posted just before dinner last night." von Karma scoffed at both the transparent ruse and the organization that published it. Such a ludicrous concept.

"And yes. I know that imbecile would never willingly harm anyone. However... that clumsy oaf does a splendid job of damaging himself. Anyone unfortunate enough to be standing near him while he engages in his foolishness could easily risk injury themselves. Ergo, he still poses a danger, an avoidable one. Why spend time around such a complete, simpering idiot, Franziska?" von Karma wagged his finger at her. "That was one of the other matters I wished to address. You've been spending too much time surrounded by idiots in this hellhole. Though they may not dare to harm a von Karma, why needlessly invite every fool in the Institute to disturb you whenever they please?"

[iwhipthefool]

The way his eyes narrowed, Franziska could easily pick out his next target. Others might not notice the small clues he put forth during questioning, but having grown up studying his every move, learning how to imitate and mimic him, she had learned each and every one. If she hadn't, she would have been labeled a failure and likely tossed aside. Everything in her father's life was about perfection and the pursuit of that same ideal. At times, Franziska was almost jealous of her sister for she never fell under this scrutiny. She had a normal life, far from the law, with a husband and children like any other normal person had. It only took a moment, but Franziska remembered why she was just 'almost' jealous. The banality of normal life would drive her insane.

"It amazed me that the nurses could not see through it," Franziska commented with a flourish of her hand as she brushed her hair over her shoulder. "But that only speaks to the intelligence of the staff. As for Kibitoshin, his usefulness outweighs his dangers. He is a very efficient battering ram, for instance." And a loyal companion. Much like Scruffy, actually, in the way they both managed to annoy Franziska far too much, but she needed their sheer bulk to get around this place and there was something undeniably...something about them. She didn't have the words to explain the strange feeling they evoked in her, but she figured that it must not have been important. They were useful, that was all. And while it was difficult to balance their necessity with their foolishness, but they both held potential for training.

"But as you say, Papa, I am trying to limit my interaction with all of them as much as possible. I call on them when I need them, and when they are with me, I train them. They will learn to curb their foolish behaviors or the fools will end up learning their lessons painfully." If only she had her whip to snap. Her fingers flexed with the lack of it, like feeling a phantom limb and trying to exercise it. Such an odd sensation.

"Is it not our duty to impart perfection upon our underlings? We are without the cooperation of the police here, or the prosecutor's office. To that end," she said, feeling like she was gearing up for her closing argument in court. "The time I spend with these fools is for their own well-being, however limited that time is and will continue to be. I do not intend to socialize any more than is absolutely necessary."

[perfectrecord]

"Hmph. Indeed," von Karma agreed, watching as Franziska performed another gesture reminiscent of his spouse. "The staff have been quite negligent in monitoring the bulletin board. 'Shared dreams?' 'Book clubs?' Bah! Even your niece could see through those foolish ploys." That ridiculous "video game" cover story had also been woefully pathetic, but it was by far one of the more plausible ones he had seen around. How pathetic that few other patients have come up with anything better than that.

As his daughter continued to explain, von Karma said nothing for a while. He merely fixed his cool, discerning gaze upon her, betraying no emotion save for the rhythmic clutching against the fabric of his left sleeve. ...Was that-- was that a hint of a waver in Franziska's voice as she described her relationship to Mr. Kibitoshin? ...A wistful waver? Very few people would have been able to perceive it at all, it was so understated, but the speaker's father had been around her long enough to detect it. Surely, she didn't care for this Kibitoshin oaf... did she?

Which led to yet another issue.

"Quite admirable that you see him for the purpose he serves, daughter. You employ him for the menial tasks to which he is best suited, freeing you to focus on the more important details of your work. Also admirable that you are attempting to show him and that mangy mutt of a detective the righteous path of the von Karma creed of perfection. However..."

The elder prosecutor cocked his left eyebrow at his daughter. "You still have yet to 'train' them to stop hounding you as to your well-being over the public board. For Mr. Kibitoshin to insinuate that any von Karma is anything less than perfect at all times is a disgrace to our name. Why did he say he 'hoped you were doing better?' Franziska..." His eyes penetrated into hers. "Did you give him any reason to even think of asking such a question?!"

[iwhipthefool]

"I have noticed that staff everywhere are the same - fools in need of a firm hand and a good whipping to teach them to do their jobs." Because really? Really? These clubs were obvious covers that anyone, even her niece's dog could see through. And yet they worked. It made Franziska wonder just how far the facade went and how much the nurses were actually noticing.

Speaking of noticing, Franziska couldn't help but watch the way he gripped his sleeve. It was something she'd seen since she was a child and yet, as of a year ago, she'd believed she'd never see it again. There was something comforting and familiar in that somewhat disapproving gesture and while she wouldn't show it, she did feel better for the sight of it.

"Thank you, Papa. As you've taught me, I try to utilize people as they should be used." She made a small bow and then returned to the point at hand. Kibitoshin's insistence that he ask after her personal wellbeing had been annoying her for some time now, but he refused to stop. "I gave him nothing of the sort. The fool just likes to believe whatever he wants, regardless of how many times I hit him to train him otherwise. I believe it might be like a nervous tick. Which I will eventually beat out of him, or he will lose the honor of my acquaintance." Friendship wasn't even part of the equation. She would never call anyone a friend. She didn't have them. Kibitoshin was useful like Scruffy was useful. She had to remember that. People were pawns and she was the Queen of the board.

But her father was still the King.

"For someone with such a thick head, the training will take some time. I apologize, Papa, if his foolishness has caused you any trouble. I will beat that out of him if it has."