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[chidori]

Kaname Chidori, age 16, has been living on her own ever since her father and younger sister moved back to New York sixteen months ago. Part of her figured she'd live alone in her apartment until she got married or something. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine that she'd be forced to live on a military base.

Say goodbye to sleepovers with Kyoko. This whole moving business was something that she didn't even want to begin to explain to her best friend. She didn't bother to even try and explain it to her father. Instead, she just told him that there were problems with packages being stolen at her apartment complex and provided him with a PO Box to send letters to instead.

It was probably better if he and her young sister, Ayame didn't know what was going on, anyway. If they knew she was in sort of danger, they'd only worry. Her dad would probably move back to the US, and moving to this base was bad enough. She was still trying to come to terms with all of this, herself.

Goodbye, perfectly normal high school life.

Kaname shifts the box in her hands. Most of her things she had shipped off; they should already be in her room. But this box is filled with things that are special to her. Old family photographs -- especially ones of her mom. A few photo albums. Her childhood blanket. The Bonta-kun plush toy she's had ever since she was a baby. The box isn't exactly heavy, perse, but it's certainly large and unwieldy. That's part of the reason why she's having such a rough time carrying it.

Still, she's been walking around this base for ten minutes now, and she's still completely lost. And unfortunately for Kaname, her usual shadow, Sousuke Sagara, wasn't around. Thankfully, though, there's a figure up ahead.

"Hey!" Kaname calls out, as she quickens her pace. "Do you know where the dorms are?"

Comments

[chidori]

"Hey, thanks!" Kaname's not about to complain if someone else is going to do the heavy lifting. "Yeah, they said that I should stay here just in case something else happens."

Kaname visibly wilts. "I really hope that nothing weird happens to me." It was weird enough, having to live here for her own safety. And not normal at all. Was she the only civilian living here? Or was that other girl -- the one she sensed before -- living here too?

"I know I didn't really get to thank you properly, so... thanks for rescuing me the other day." Unfortunately, the second Ken's unit was grounded, Kaname was dragged away by no one other than Sousuke Sagara.

"What's your name, anyway?"

[tiger_ken]

[Ken shifts a bit to properly balance the box, but, once he has, its actually rather easy to manage.]

Don't worry about it. Anybody decent would've done the same.

[Turning to start walking to wherever Kaname's dorm is, he continues to listen to her as she speaks.]

Call me Ken. Should be easy to remember, for a Kaname, right? Or would you get it lost in... whatever happened to you back there?

[chidori]

"What are you talking about?" Kaname lets out another one of her trademark awkward laughs. "Look, I have no idea what you're talking about. Whatever happened back there had to be a fluke -- I'm a perfectly normal high school girl."

That lives on a military base.

That had visions of numbers and words that she couldn't even normally begin to understand.

Whose bodyguard was a pilot.

And who was recently just kidnapped by some crazy terrorists.

But still--

"Just your ordinary, everyday, high school girl," she insists.

[tiger_ken]

You may be able to say that to everyone else, but I was there, remember? I was the one who got you out of that... trance, before you told Sousuke to use the Lambda Driver.

[Ken smirks ever so slightly.]

You can be an everyday high school girl, but that doesn't mean there can't be more.

[chidori]

Ken was the one who knocked her out of that daze she was in. And really, she should be more grateful than she is already. But all Kaname wants to do is be a normal high school student -- and having crazy trances in the middle of robot battles during her kidnapping is definitely not normal.

In fact, it's about as abnormal as it can get. But that doesn't mean that Kaname isn't about to ignore the facts so she can continue living a mostly-normal high school life.

"Look, I don't know what happened back there," she says. This much is true. "But if there really was anything special about me, don't you think I would know? Or that someone would tell me?"

Kaname lets out a long-suffering sigh. "My dad is the Environmental High Commissioner of the ESUN. All this kidnapping stuff probably had something to do with that. And all that stuff with the Lambda Driver can just be explained away by all those weird images they were showing me when they had me in that weird tank back at their base. It's possible that I might have absorbed something via osmosis or something. I mean, I was staring at that stuff for hours!"

[tiger_ken]

Interesting...

[Evidently, talking to this girl can get some info out of her, if done the right way]

The lack of demands makes it unlikely it was to do with your father - waste of a kidnapping otherwise. As to these images... was there a screen or something they were showing them to you?

[In spite of handing his hands full with the box he carries, Ken manages to somehow throw up a pack of chocolate balls from his pocket, with one right flick of his hips. He catches it on the box, before gesturing it towards Kaname as an offer.]

Chocolate's good to have if you need a stress relaxant.

[chidori]

"Thanks." Kaname lifts the package from his pocket. Despite initial first impressions, Ken wasn't such a bad guy, now was he?

"I don't really know," she admits. This is her first time explaining it t anyone, and now that she reflects back on it, it's kind of bizarre and difficult to describe. "It was this video with all these numbers and worst floating towards me. None of them really made any sense."

A beat, as Kaname rips through the candy packaging. Her expression is visibly troubled.

"But at the same time, it kinda did." She swallows, then looks down at the package in her hands. She should probably eat one of these, shouldn't she?

"I wonder if they were trying to brainwash me."

[tiger_ken]

Could be. Subliminal messaging and hypnotism are long practiced arts... and actually, could explain the lack of a ransom. Maybe they planned to use you as a sleeper agent to attack your father with his guard down.

[...A beat, as Ken stops himself slightly.]

Kidding.

[chidori]

"H-H-Hey! Don't say things like that!" Kaname snaps. "What if it's actually true?! You'll feel really bad when something like that really happens!"

But just as quickly as Kaname shifted into full Chew Out Mode, her expression just as swiftly became troubled.

Kaname's really worried about this.

[tiger_ken]

[At first, Ken tries to think nothing of it as he gets back to walking, but his expression shifts several times, before ultimately he stops, and turns around.]

Like I said, I was kidding. But... if you're concerned, there are some tests I could do. My... family had history will making sure members of the clan weren't under the influence of others, and whilst they're old techniques, far as I can tell, they work. Would just need to check the right scrolls, and we can get it done.

[He tries to break a small smile, gesturing with his head as he makes the offer.]

[chidori]

"Tests? What kind of tests?" Kaname's expression is wary now. After the last so-called tests she underwent, no one could really blame her for being suspicious.

But still, she definitely trusts Ken more than she does evil-scientist-terrorist-woman. If it hadn't been for him, she would have spent the entire battle stuck on the ground, and who knows what would have happened then?

"Okay," she says. "Let's do it."

[tiger_ken]

Alright, hopefully we can give you the all clear. But first...

[Ken looks around, before shifting down a corridor, coming towards several, numbered doorways.]

One of these should be yours, right?

[chidori]

"Two-Eight, it's right here!" Kaname pronounces, opening the door to her room. There's already a number of boxes there already -- mostly filled with clothes and random knick-knacks. Just because she had to live on a military base didn't mean that her room had to look like it, right?

"Thanks." Kaname lifts the box out of Ken's hands and places it down among the others. She'll worry about unpacking all of this stuff later. "Is this test something you can do now?"

[tiger_ken]

[Ken is... slightly taken aback. As if he's... surprised, to see so many possessions, even like these, in one room.]

Yeah, but I'll just need to grab the relevant scrolls and some materials from my bag. Shouldn't take more than ten minutes, I promise.

[He ducks back to the door, but before he goes...]

Maybe use the time to unpack a little? Home's where the heart is and all.

[And then, he's off.]

[chidori]

Scrolls? Okay, this was getting really weird. But then, after all the stuff that happened to her in the past few days, some strange ritual involving scrolls seemed perfectly normal.

"Okay," she says. "I think I'll just do that."

And when Ken returns, there's already a number of boxes already open. The plain white sheets that covered the bed previously have been replaced with a more effeminate pink comforter. A plush Bonta-kun sits between two large, fluffy white pillows. A large, chicken alarm clock sits on a simple nightstand next to the bed.

In short, it's starting to look like a normal teenage girl's bedroom.

"Hey," Kaname says in greeting. "You, uh, got the stuff?"

[tiger_ken]

[When Ken comes back, he's got a sizable bag slung over his shoulder, the kind you'd see some martial artist keep all his possessions in.]

Of course, along with everything else. Figured it was just easier to take all my stuff than sort through the bag.

[That's because it is.]

Now lets see...

[Welcoming himself in, Ken finds himself a spot on the floor, and plops down. Opening the bag up, he begins to rifle through it, pulling out several bottles, small jars, and then lastly, various scrolls. Some of them look quite old, however well preserved, though the designs differ between some.]

Let's see, let's see...

[He opens up several and then closes them again, allowing brief glimpses at what appear to be... martial arts techniques? How to make poison? Stalking a target?!]

Ah, here we go, dispelling genjutsu.

[He's opened a scroll about midway, and lays it out on the floor. The text is Japanese for sure, but the style of writing older, faded in places, repainted in others. He begins to read, muttering as he goes.]

[chidori]

Okay, so that's kinda weird, but Kaname's not about to make any complaints. Not when this guy is gonna help her and all.

Kaname crouches down on the floor next to him, watching with interest as he pulls out the scrolls. This is really starting to feel a lot like one of those old ninja movies she liked to watch. This was actually going to work, wasn't it?

"D-Do I need to do anything?"

[tiger_ken]

Mainly speaking? Keep yourself from flinching too badly. Traditionally, you'd be restrained in order to make sure you didn't try to limit your exposure, but I'm sure you've had enough of that for a lifetime.

[He explains, picking up one of the small bottles. He shakes it a bit, before opening up the cap, upon which a powerful, odorous stench comes forth. He opens one of the jars with his other hand, and plucks out from it what appears to be a small ball of some kind, like a pellet or pill. Then, he holds the bottle a bit in front of Kaname, the neck angled towards her.]

Take a deep breath.

[And the moment she would respond, Ken would drop in the ball, which would explode in a cloud of foul odors, straight towards Kaname's face.]

Your Father.

[Beat.]

Earth Sphere United Nations.

[Beat.]

Orders.

[Beat. Whilst it might not make sense at first, when Ken spoke, Kaname might find herself involuntarily responding with whatever she knows or feels...]

Sousuke.

[chidori]

"Yeah, that's for sure."

Say what you want about Ken, but he's actually a really nice guy. Considerate, too! Nothing at all like a certain Sousuke Sagara.

Kaname watches intently, brows furrowed as Ken works his potentially-literally magic.

"Take a deep breath? But wh--"

Kaname doesn't manage to get the entire sentence out before Ken drops the ball, sending a cloud of foul odors right towards her. Kaname lets out a series of coughs, but still somehow manages to inhale most of the stuff.

Your father.

What? she wants to say. But somehow, she can't push the words forward. Instead, the following words leave her lips.

"We don't get along. He lives in New York and that's fine by me."

Earth Sphere--

"Wait a second, hold up! I don't want you--"

--United Nations.

"I don't know much about the ESUN or anything, but they seem to have everyone's best interests at heart. Dad works for them, too."

Orders.

"Orders? What orders? The only order I have is to live at this base for the time being."

Sousuke.

Kaname's eyes widen at that, but she can't stop herself from saying exactly what she feels.

"He's a really interesting guy. Even though he's always making trouble for me all the time, I still like him."

Kaname can feel her ears glowing red. It's not until she's spit the words out that she finally finds herself free of Ken's spell.

"H-Hey! Why did you ask me all that stuff?!" she protests. "You didn't need to know about my father, or Sousuke!"

[tiger_ken]

I asked because I knew you had to answer. The gas is basically a forced version of saying the first thing in your head, which, if you were under Orders to attack Your Father, who works for the Earth Sphere United Nations, in any way that would actively override conscious behaviour, you wouldn't be able to keep from admitting it.

[He does, however, lightly scratch at his cheek when there's one thing still oeft unanswered.]

Sousuke was because I was... curious. Still, promise I was won't tell anyone.

[He says, preparing another bottle.]

[chidori]

"You were curious?!" Kaname echoes. It's clear from one look at the bluenette that she's positively fuming. "Don't ask me any more weird questions, okay?! You're completely taking advantage of the situation!"

[tiger_ken]

Oh yeah, that's why I only asked one question unrelated to the matter of whether or not you might be programmed to kill your father, and it was about the mysterious classmate who rescued you from armed terrorists. Do I REALLY need to list all the other, far more embarrassing and personal things I could have inquired into?

[Having fully shaken the second bottle, Ken decides to be a bit more upfront on what this one will actually do.]

Since you don't seem to have any conscious aspects of orders, we can rule that out. However, it may be that its information effectively 'forgotten' by your mind, until triggered by something external. This is a hallucinogen which can be used to evoke strong memories from the last forty eight hours, even those the mind isn't aware it has.

[chidori]

Ken has a point, but it's still not going to stop the teenager from disagreeing anyway. She's got a lot to disagree with, actually.

"A hallucinogen? You mean like... PCP, or something?"

Kaname's reluctance registers on her face.

[tiger_ken]

Please, you wouldn't be able to get this on any market, legally or otherwise. Doubt most people even know it exists...

Does mean I can't actually make any once I run out though.

[Ken notes with a side as he pulls from one of the jars a type of leaf, and places it to the bottle neck like one would a towel or cloth.]

On the up side, you won't need a sudden burst to the face. Just generally hold it close enough to smell, and it should work.

[He says, then extending the leaf to Kaname... though noticeably sniffling a bit himself.]

[chidori]

Kaname looks extremely reluctant, but somehow still manages to take the leaf from him, anyway. This was the only way she was going to get answers, right?

Kaname bites her lower lip, then gives the leaf a sniff.

And then suddenly... it's as if she's back on the airplane again.

"You, over there."

Kaname was trying not to look at him. If she just kept her eyes focused on the seat in front of her, maybe he'd just go away.

"I'm talking to you, miss. Yes, you, the lovely young lady with the long hair."

She looked down, then turned her eyes towards him.

"What is it?" Kaname's voice was lacking its regular vigor.

"I would like to send a video tape off to the mass media. And you're very photogenic."

Then just as quickly, the image vanishes, replaced by another.

There are words and numbers in front of her, flashing quickly before an ever-changing background.

Then suddenly things go out-of-focus. A woman is looking down at her, with an almost haughty expression.

"So, how are you feeling?" she asks.

"Not too good..." Kaname lifts her arm to her head. It's killing her.

The woman in the lab coat doesn't seem all that interested in Kaname's well-being. She steps back towards a panel.

"Really? That's too bad; we have a long way to go."

"Please, let me go back home," Kaname protests from inside the pod. "I don't think I can take any more of this sleep learning."

"Learning? Don't be ridiculous. This is something you've known since before you were born, Miss Chidori."

The image vanishes, and suddenly, there's a more familiar view. The view from inside Ken's cockpit.

Kaname's eyes scan for some sign of an unfamiliar unit. There was so much going on that it took her a minute to locate it. The unit that had to be Sousuke's.

It seemed familiar somehow... though she'd never seen any sort of giant robot like it.

Then suddenly, Kaname is struck with an intense pain, somewhere from within her head. She hunches over, her hands pressed against her head.

"I know it... I know it... that scientist... what she said before."

Suddenly, numbers, letters, all in a strange language she doesn't understand appear before her. She's never seen any of it before -- it's unlike anything she's ever seen. But somehow, it's all so familiar. Like it was something she had known her entire life.

"He doesn't know how to use it... The Lambda Driver..."

Kaname falls into a daze; her eyes appear to glaze over. "Artificial contrast interference... secondary impulse system..." All those words fall from her lips as if they were some sort of mantra.

But then, Ken's shove pulls her out of it.

And as if Ken had actually shoved her right there, in this room, Kaname suddenly snaps out of it. A feeling of unease rolls over her.

If anything, reliving all those moments only served to make her more uncomfortable than before.