Fandom [CLOSED] Tokyo Ghoul: Dead Enmity

[Yoki]

"It's cool, any time." Lea smiled and then looked over at Jason, who was getting no recognition at that moment, she liked to wind him up when things like that happened...but it barely ever work. He simply looked back at her and then shrugged, it wasn't a huge deal to him, he had much more important things to worry about than whether or not he was getting recognition for bringing a rookie where they needed to be.


It seemed everyone had tuned Carol out as she started babbling on, Adrian wasn't really listening, Jason was staring at something else, and Lea was playing with her fingernails, she was the most obvious when it came to showing that she didn't care. However, hearing Carol call Adrian 'Andrew' made her head snap up and a large grin cross her face. It was hard to hold in the laughter, Andrew... Oh she was definitely going to use that one in the future.


Adrian nodded in reply and thought about correcting the woman on his name, but, he decided to just leave it. He could correct her later, right now he was too excited to think about that. So the boy bounded over, taking a glance back at the group that had been with him before carrying on. So...this was it. Show time. He wouldn't be all that long, once he came out again Jackson would have to go in, honestly he just hoped the other was ready for it, he always got a lot more nervous than Adrian over these sorts of things.


"See ya, Andrew!" Lea teased as she waved Adrian off, but quickly her attention turned to something else. Jackson. "So." She swiftly moved to stand in front of the male, looking down at him, "What's your relationship with Adrian? Friend? Brother? Boyfriend? C'mon, tell me."


"It's been less than two seconds and you're already harassing the nearest person," Jason walked over behind the girl, pulling her backwards by the shirt, "Can't you take a break for two seconds?"


"Never. Now. I was asking a question!" She pulled on her shirt, "Let go of me Jason!"

 

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dead


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Jackson nearly choked on his own breath as Lea's attention suddenly turned to him. Boyfriend!? Suddenly he was very grateful for Jason's intervention. As long as Lea was busy, Jackson didn't have to answer. The longer Jackson didn't have to answer, the longer he had to mentally prepare himself to say something that wouldn't end in catastrophe.


"I, uh..." Jackson trailed off as he sensed a change in Lea's balance, and he made a point of backing out of her way. He didn't particularly feel like being fallen on today.


***


Having ushered Adrian into her office, Carol clicked the door closed behind them, silencing the noise of the outdoor world with the simple turn of a handle. The office was small. The ceiling above was tiled white with grey edges, and the light fixture was hanging loosely above the floor, which was plastered over with a thin, sea-blue carpet. Carol danced over to her office chair, which was stationed behind a chunky metallic desk topped with a computer that looked like it was manufactured in 2003. There were three more chairs in the room - two comfortable-looking living chairs that were frayed at the seams and overflowing with stuffing. The third chair was located just in front of the desk. It was a portable fold-up made of blue plastic and cold, grey metal.


"Andrew, my boy!" Carol shouted, leaning back and throwing her arms up in the air. "Take a seat, do sit down, we've got so much to get through today and we're probably going to need all of the time we're allowed before the next patient comes in. Is it right to call you all patients yet? Well, perhaps not, I'm not quite a doctor - even a nurse. Ha! Are you going to sit down yet? Come, come. Good lad. How are you feeling?"

 

[Yoki]

"Wha!?" Lea pulled her shirt away from Jason and almost fell forwards, the only thing that stopped her was the man grabbing her shirt again, suspending her mid fall.


"See, this is why you should calm down." He sighed as she attempted to regain her footing, Lea was a lot to handle most of the time, and Jackson probably didn't appreciate getting overrun with questions. Especially personal questions.


"Shush you." After tapping Jason's nose, much to his dissatisfaction, Lea turned her attention to Jackson one again, and this time she went right up to him. The girl grabbed the wheels of his chair to stop him going anywhere and simple stared at him, grinning. "So? What are you and Adrian?" She was mainly doing it to confuse and surprise the other, as she did with most things, but she couldn't say she wasn't incredibly interested in the answer to the question.


- - -


The office was quiet compared to outside, it felt like any other office...and it had that familiar smell, 'office smell', the smell of new carpet and wood... It was honestly a strange thing, but Adrian liked the smell. He looked around the room in complete silence, all noise from outside had been drowned out, and so he was only left to his own thoughts. Well...until he heard Carol's booming voice again...


Adrian jumped, blinking his eyes and turning his attention back to the woman in front of him, she was still calling him Andrew huh? Well...he guessed he could tell her his actual name, or...just get used to Andrew... Take a seat...okay, well, he guessed he should probably take a seat closest to the desk right? Which was the rather hard looking metal chair. That was one of the things that needed changing in this room...the chairs... Each seemed old and worn out in their own ways...she should probably ask about that at some point.


"Ah, um." The boy walked over to the desk, taking a seat at the chair in front of it and kicking his legs back and forwards like a child. He often did rather childish things when sitting down, Adrian couldn't stay still for even a minute. Then the question came, how was he feeling... Well... "I dunno, I'm not really worried or anything if that's what you're wondering." He shrugged, "Also, uh, my name's Adrian, not Andrew." All of this was said with a smile on his face, he guessed maybe excited would have been a good way to describe how he was feeling at the moment.

 

[yaint]

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i love filling everything with meaningless dialogue lmao it increases the word count without me having to think


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What are they? Talk about a weird question... But I get what she's trying to ask. Whether or not Jackson wanted to answer - or whether or not he knew how - was a different matter. What exactly was Adrian to him? A friend, obviously. His best friend since they were eleven and fourteen years old. But Adrian was Jackson's carer, and Jackson was Adrian's mentor in the big, unforgiving world he'd been thrown in at such a young age. They were each other's lifeline.


But what do I say to her? He couldn't go off on a tangent about their past together, even if he had wanted to; he just didn't know how. The simplest answer he could give Lea was that they were friends. So he did.


"We're, uh, just friends, actually... Close, of course, but no... Friends. Just friends."


***


"Oh! How silly of me, I am sorry, Adrian." Carol didn't look particularly sorry when she said this; in fact, she founded somewhat more elated at the correction, as though it were a compliment. Quickly, Carol completely turned around her posture and leaned over the table, holding her hands together and over Adrian's end.


"As you can tell, I do get quite caught up in my work so it's easy for me to forget little things like names. It's an exciting profession, I must say - certainly beats any average office job! Oh, oh, it's not that I'm a ghoul investigator like you though, Sanister. I'm just the good old bureau senior in this department. I like it, it's safer than being a ghoul investigator and maybe even higher-paid than people with your kind of rank! Ghoul investigators who join as Rank Three are special cases, aren't they? I get so used to hearing that term because that's when us bureaus begin, but I have to remind myself how exceptional men like you are. And women, of course! There are girls in the force. But that's enough about them, they aren't important. At least for now. We're here to talk all about you, m'boy!"


Abruptly, Carol swiped open a drawer in the side of her desk to retrieve something that looked like an exam paper from school. She slapped it on the desk, on top of Adrian's hand. It was an exam paper - or so it looked. It came with the typical boxes to be filled in with surname, forename, signature. Except that the boxes were already filled in and on the front page was a photograph of Adrian's face.


"We've got everything in our files, I swear it, and I'm actually very prepared, you see. Gone off and got all of the photos of everyone I'm seeing today. I'm actually jealous! You've got a lovely photo, such nice complexion. It must be nice to be in the under-twenties club, oh, I remember those days. It would be even better if the photo were in colour, of course, but that doesn't matter now. Open up the paper, would you?"

 

[Yoki]

"Just friends... How boring..." Lea pouted and crossed her arms, looking to the right, she had been expecting a much more interesting answer than 'just friends'. "So, Jackie. You're 'just friends', did you guys join up together? I'm surprised you both got in, rank threes, right?" She grinned, "Mmn...you're still at the bottom. The little fish!" After saying that she took a step back and laughed, "Hey Jason! I'm actually someone's superior! Imagine that."


"You started there too Lea." Jason had gone over to lean against a wall and wait, he wasn't interested in their conversation, or Lea's constant talking.


"Sure, but I made my way up. And still going, I'll get promoted yet, you'll see." She winked at the man before turning her head back to Jackson, "But..I guess everyone's gotta start somewhere, right? Hey, if you and Adrian can get to my rank by my age then..." She thought about her for a second, what would she do... "I'll...hm...I dunno, we'll do something, I'll think of something."


"You're making it out to sound easy, Lea. It's not a simple task."


"Which is exactly why the prize will be big! Whaddaya say Jackie?"


- - -


Adrian couldn't say he wasn't confused by this woman, she apologised to him, yet she didn't seem sorry at all... She was strange...very strange... Not that he could really comment on that himself. He just a little as Carol looked like she was going to launch herself over the desk, but after that he sat still, waiting for her to finish babbling on about investigators. Yes, he was a rank three investigator, he'd never finished the academy, but the CCG picked him up anyway, so...it must mean something, right? He must be doing something right for them to want him. This was probably why things too an hour to complete, she did talk for awhile, but they all had their little quirks that made them who they were...


It was as she went into a drawer and slapped down a paper of some sort in front of him that Adrian's interest was caught once again. A...file? They had everything in their files. What was classed as everything. Did they literally mean everything or...just relevant things to him becoming an investigator. As asked, he grabbed the corner of the piece piece of white paper and pulled open the file. Was he interested about what this was for? Yes. Was he slightly confused about why he needed to open it? Also, yes. This looked like a test, and like he'd said to Jackson earlier, he wasn't very good at tests...


"By...everything, what do you mean?" Adrian asked, his eyes finally landing on the page and starting to scan over it.

 

[yaint]

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in case you were wondering, the first question is 'how would you describe yourself in a single sentence?'


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Jackson felt as though he were sinking further and further into his chair with each word that spilled out from Lea's fast-moving mouth. Boring, little fish, superior. Promotion, prize. 'Jackie'. What? He had to stop and think for a few seconds, sort out all those little pieces of words into the order they had been spewed in - like a jigsaw puzzle - before he could even begin to answer.


What was the first thing Lea had said? Oh yeah, apparently being straight makes me boring. His fingers curled tightly around the arms of his chair, and he squeezed the thin bar of plastic as he shovelled his way through the rest of the monologue. Get to Lea's rank by her age and... Prize? Jackson nearly scoffed where he sat. No way! It was one thing to expect either one of them to make it that far, but the both of them together was a different story entirely. Jackson, a senior investigator in two years' time? He couldn't even sit up on his own, let alone go on ghoul-killing sprees that would get him to Lea's level. But... A big prize?


"L-Lea? Wait... J-just give me a second. I'm not - we're not going to be able to do that. Uh, to get to your rank. Not together, anyway... But just out - just out of curiosity, what are you, uh, talking about? The thing. You called it a 'prize'."


***


"Read the first question out loud, would you?" Carol's voice seemed a little bit muffled - she had filled her mouth with a lolly-pop, the white stick poking out from between her lips and swinging from side to side as the played with the sweet with her tongue. "I'm gonna use your answers to these to assess you later on, but there's no mark scheme or anything, so you don't need to worry about getting anything right or wrong. Just a little answer box for you to pen in your final decisions once we've had a little discussion."

 

[Yoki]

Lea looked a little disappointed when Jackson said that they wouldn't be able to do that, why not? Sure, she was asking a lot, but it was possible...maybe...a little bit harder for someone like Jackson, but still...she wouldn't say it was absolutely impossible...right? Then again, she had been wrong before, but she wasn't going to completely rule him out. Awhile back someone made a similar bet with her, it was a little bit easier than the bet she made, but...that was only because the man who had bet her had been at a lower rank at the time... Not anymore though... Oh no, he was a special class now.


"See, not with that attitude you won't." She shook her head, "If you think you can't, then you won't be able to." Swivelling around on the balls of her feet so that her back was to Jackson, she grinned. "As for the prize... Give me a reason I should tell you? If you're giving me negativity now, then it probably doesn't even matter to you...as you'll never achieve it, will you?" She waved her hand at him as if shrugging him off, but it was just a way to wind him up and try to get some sort of reaction.


- - -


"The first..." Adrian looked down at the paper in front of him, so...there were questions... He didn't know how much he liked that, not that he really had any other choice but to answer the question. If he wanted this...then he needed to answer... "How would you describe yourself...in a single sentence?" The boy looked up at Carol, hoping that that was the question she meant.


How would he describe himself in a sentence.


That question was harder than it seemed, he didn't really have a sentence to describe himself in... He didn't even know how to describe himself... What was there to describe? She said that they were going to have a little discussion, but whether that was going to help him or not Adrian had no idea.

 

[yaint]

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more short posts sorry


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"Jesus Christ," Jackson murmured as quietly as he could manage. What was Lea hoping to achieve through this bombardment of questions and commands? It was exhausting, and he still didn't know what to make of this girl. She sparked his irritance - but then again, many people did. He'd always had issues with controlling his anger, and Lea wasn't doing anything to help. But... Jackson could see the appeal in her, what drew her and Adrian together. Both loud and obnoxious and a little bit crazy, he said to himself, bringing out a small, warm smile. They were a bit similar after all.


"I never said I wouldn't try," Jackson began, his dark expression having vanished and his stutter straightening out a bit. "I... I guess I'm here, after all. But - Lea, what about you? How'd you make it so far so quickly?"


***


"Any time today would be wonderful, sweetie, we've got things to do and the next fella won't be too happy if we run over the allotted time slot, so go ahead and spit it out. It doesn't matter what you say - well, it does, but that's for us to decide at a later date. By 'us' I don't mean you. So, tell me about yourself in one sentence, Andr- I mean, Adrian."

 

[Yoki]

Jackson seemed to peak Lea's interested again when he spoke, her eyes lit up and she spun around again, smiling. He never said he wouldn't try, well, he better get to work. It was going to be hard to get to First Class in two years, but maybe he could do it, and even if he didn't, getting to Rank one would be quite the achievement. She wouldn't overlook that.


"Now that's the spirit!" Lea laughed, pumping her fist into the air and crossing her arms as she brought it back down, "How did...I do it? Well..." There was a very causal look on her face, "Initiative. I had fun. It's not like a resent ghouls or anything, it's just my job. As long as you remember that, and just do your job then you'll be fine. Don't bring emotion into it, okay?" It wasn't an easy thing to explain, but Lea didn't hold resentment towards anything or anyone, she saw it as a waste of energy, plus holding any emotional connection to ghoul, even anger, would hold you down, disrupt your focus on doing your job. As an investigator, you didn't need that.


- - -


"Sorry, ah," Adrian was trying to think of something, but...he honestly didn't know, "I guess... If I had to say something... I'm kinda combat obsessed and...loud...Jackson says I'm loud..." He looked down after speaking, unsure if that answer was going to be anything close to an acceptable answer...

 

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probably my last rp post of the day, i'm super-tired yaaawn


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Lea's words pierced straight through Jackson. No emotion, huh..? Emotion was what made him and Adrian join up in the first place - they were angry and sad and guilty and regretful and those feelings made them want to be a part of the one group which could stand up against the ghouls who killed Leo.


Killing ghouls. It's what he came to do. It's what Adrian wanted to do, too. But Jackson had never even seen a ghoul in real life; only behind screens or in photographs kept in the archives. They didn't seem very intelligent - maybe killing them would be easy. Has Adrian ever killed a ghoul? It suddenly crossed his mind that he didn't know. Adrian... He'd been assigned to investigations before, but how close to the front lines were Rank Three investigators allowed to tread? Had he even seen a ghoul in action?


"Hey... Hey, Lea. What - what does it feel like when you kill a ghoul?" Jackson inquired, regarding the woman from below. He could have gone on. 'What does it look like to see the light leave their eyes?' 'What does it feel like to be grazed by a kagune?' 'Have any of your squad members ever been killed in the field?' But no, he wouldn't ask those things, no matter how much the curiosity bit at his shoulders. They were horrible questions.


***


Carol leaned back in her chair, the aura of rushedness dissipating with the gesture. "Loud's normal, we've got quite a few louder investigators in the senior ranks. You'll probably know that old chestnut Lea's among them, and to be honest I'm not surprised that you get on with her. Combat-obsessed, though? Now that's interesting, little mister. What exactly do you mean by that?"

 

[Yoki]

"What does it feel like..." Lea smiled slightly, she didn't seem to have any problem with the question, "It's different for everyone, since...well...everyone is different, right? But, for me? Well." She went into her pocket, grabbing a small piece of paper and holding it out in front of her. "See this paper?" The girl looked to Jackson, then back at the paper, after a few seconds she simply ripped it in half. The sound was loud in the silence that surrounded them, then she let go of the pieces, watching them slowly drift to the floor in silence. It was a few seconds after they hit the ground that she spoke again.


"Killing a ghoul is as simple as that. That's how it feels. I don't think bad of them, maybe they think ill of me...who knows," She shrugged, "I'm just doing my job." There was a large smile on her face for a few seconds, "Sometimes it's more fun than that, but...it doesn't necessarily feel bad to me, I'm not upset by it. It might be different for you though, it's different for everyone. Isn't that right Jason?" She looked to the man, who nodded in reply.


"The first time is the strangest, I'm not saying it's as easy as that from the beginning, but some people adjust quicker than others." She laughed, "But, you've got to get used to killing ghouls, full stop. Remember that, connection only messes things up."


- - -


They had a few louder investigators? Well, that was fun...and of course there was Lea. Lea was interesting, she was amazing, but definitely more interesting than some of the other investigators he'd seen at work... Not that everyone who could do the things she could was uninteresting, he just liked watching her the most.


"Ah..." Adrian didn't know how to explain himself, he didn't particularly like talking about himself...so...he'd try and be brief. "Fighting is interesting. I like combat, if I didn't...mmn...I guess I wouldn't be here. It's pretty easy for me to get used to weapons, I like watching people who are stronger...because you can improve that way, right? I guess I uh...um...I don't know what else to say..."

 

[yaint]

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WAKE UP NERD IT'S TIME TO GO GO GO


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With a hand on his shoulder, Jackson nodded and glanced up to lock eyes with Jason. Of course. These guys would know. Lea and Jason both must have killed dozens - no, hundreds - of ghouls throughout their career. It was part of the job. But not many people made it as far as those two investigators, and maybe that was because some rookies made connections.


Connections. With ghouls. It was an odd thought. Perhaps making a connection was possible; ghouls carried the same appearance as humans, the same instincts. Maybe the rookies looked into their eyes and felt like they were killing another person. Maybe it felt like murder.


No. Whatever their job was, investigators were never murderers. Just pest control, people employed to clear the world of its most deadly vermin. Ghouls were wild animals that used their appearance to trick the faint-hearted into submission.


"Jason. I mean, Sir," Jackson quickly corrected himself. This is a formal request, idiot. "There - there haven't been any major ghoul happenings in the, uh, the past week or so. Do you think that... There might be any investigations to attend to? You know, like, ones I could maybe lend a hand with."


***


Carol's eyes narrowed as her cheeks rose in a smile. Her teeth were large and a brilliant white; a contrast to her somewhat dark skin. There was suddenly a pen in her hand again, and Carol made a point of clicking it in and out. Click, click, click, click.


"That's interesting, Sanister. But is it true?" She leaned forwards and snapped her gaze to his. They locked eyes for a few seconds before she spoke again. "Selflessness is a virtue, oh yes, don't think I don't know all about that. It's desirable, of course, but you can't make a life out of pretending all the time. You said that you like to 'watch people who are stronger' because it helps you get better. I don't want to question you about getting better, after all, getting better is everything in your line of work. But are you sure you're watching your seniors just because it's going to make you a better investigator? Are you sure you're not, say, envious?"

 

[Yoki]

Killing ghouls was a skill, it was an art form that needed to be perfected. At least, to Lea it was. She knew her job, and so she did it with as much skill and grace as she could...and whilst it was hard to look graceful with blood spattered all over you, she somehow managed it. Ghouls weren't human, whilst they looked like humans, they weren't...so you weren't doing anything illegal, you weren't murdering. Even if some people did see it as that.


"Hm?" Jason raised an eyebrow, "Any investigations?" He seemed to have to think about it for a second, with Jackson being a rank three and disabled...there wasn't much they could put him into straight away...but, there had to be something. "I'm sure I could find out. Minerva might have something you could do."


"I know something!" Lea stuck her hand up in the air, grinning, "You wouldn't be opposed to...maybe...putting him on the Jester investigation, would you?" Her smile seemed to grow as both of her hands were held behind her back whilst she circled the point of her toe.


"Lea, Jester isn't to be taken lightly." Jason shook his head, "Juniors are not ready for such things."


"Come on! I bet I could keep him safe if I need to! It'd be fine!"


"Lea."


"Jason."


There was a silence as the two stared at each other for a moment, before the man sighed and shook his head.


"You're asking Minerva."


"Okay!"


- - -


Adrian was slightly taken a back by Carol potentially calling him a liar, he wasn't lying, he didn't really see the point in lying about most things...he was telling the truth... At least...he thought he was... He was...right? She wasn't going to make him question himself! Of course he was!


"En...vious?" The boy turned his head to the side slightly, looking on at the woman with a rather neutral stare, "I'm not envious." He didn't sound offended by the question, nor did he sound confused, he simply answered and then smiled. "Why would I be envious? There's no point in that." Adrian laughed, "I watch them because I want to fight them...not because I want to be them..." He didn't want to say anymore, but he knew how things like this went...and he knew that people always wanted to know more...so he sat in silence for a second, thinking of something more to say. "If I sat around wanting to be everyone...I'd...um...I'd never get anything else done."

 

[yaint]

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hey yoki, how long do u want to carry on with this questioning phase? because there's another part of the test to get through and lea & co have time to kill with asking minnie some shit


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In a flash, Jackson's face lit up with a warm glow and, having forgotten his irritance with her, he found himself moving towards Lea.


"W-wait, hold on a second! Jason, Lea. There's a 'Jester' case, right? What does that mean? What exactly are we asking Minnie?" The questions came quickly and sharply, and in a tone which was unusually energetic for Jackson. He could feel a buzz in his chest rising up to his throat. There was a case he might be able to work on. My first. Maybe Adrian could even work with me on this one.


***


Carol put the tip of her pen in her mouth to think out loud. "Hmm... You're an interesting man, Mister Sanister, absolutely you are." Those big, bright teeth made an appearance again as her lips stretched in a grin. "Oh, my husband would love to examine you. He's a psychologist, you see, it's a very fascinating job and he gets to meet all kinds of - oh! There I go again. I shouldn't be boring you with nonsense like that, very sorry I am indeed. No, no, anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes, the question - Adrian, I must admit that I did not expect that answer to finish the page. It's peculiar, but I'm clearly not going to squeeze any more information out of you here. Write it down so we can move on, would you?" She waggled the pen in front of Adrian's face, nearly pressing it into his nose.

 

[Yoki]

no slide no slide

READ THIS

Well, it depends on what you think.


If we don't want it to go on too long we could have it so that we do a mini timeskip to the next part of the test. I honestly don't mind.

"Oh! Look how interested he is!" Lea squealed, smiling at Jackson, "Jester is a prominent ghoul that keeps just escaping our grasp, we've narrowed down where he usually eats though, and the area he's usually seen in! He's killed more than one investigator recently...I guess people are worried he's getting very out of hand." She put a finger to her cheek and looked up, "I wonder what he fights like..."


"I'm not saying we're definitely assigning you to it, Jackson." Jason replied, "We'd have to discuss it with Minerva first, see what she thinks... Then we can see about it. Nothing is set in stone."


"Well, why don't we just go and see her now? Minnie always loves seeing me!"


"Sure she does..."


- - -


She thought he was interesting? Honestly, Adrian didn't believe himself to be all that interesting, maybe he was a little more excitable than most, and a little different in some ways...but...he wouldn't say interesting... Not that it mattered at the moment, they weren't dissecting his entire brain right now.


"Yeah, okay!" He looked down at the pen, going cross eyed for a moment, before taking it and quickly scribbling down his answer. Putting his thoughts into words had always been difficult for him, so...he didn't even know if he wrote it right, but...he hoped it was acceptable. "Done." Putting the pen down on the desk, he looked up with a child-like enthusiasm to his gaze. Next question right? They needed to move on quickly...after all...they only had an hour..

 

[yaint]

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yeah, i'll just ~pretend~ they're over with the written questions because it's a little boring to act out. to the gym!!


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"Well, we should, uh, go right away then. If we're quick, I can come back in time for my own appointment." Jackson reached into his pocket for his phone again, then clicked on the screen. Over that same dog-themed background read the numbers: 14:46. "Y-yeah. We've got time. But, I've, err, never been to her office before. Where abouts is it?"


There were so many more questions left to be answered, but Jackson, careful as he was, didn't want to pry into the case too much before he was even allowed to know the ghoul's rating. It's killed several investigators recently, so that must make it at least rate A, or maybe S, the man reasoned as he impatiently bounced his forearm back and forth, waiting for the cue to start moving.


***


As soon as Adrian put his pen down, Carol rose to her feet, shoving back her own chair with a screeching stutter of wheels on carpet.


"Excellent, young man, hand that paper back over, could you, boy?" Without even giving Adrian time to react, she reached over and snatched the paper from his hand, then made a point of reading through his written answer whilst 'hmm'ing and 'ahh'ing.


"Right. Rank Three, up you get, don't be lazy. I've seen what I need to here and there's nothing left to do until we get to the gym. Oh, I bet you'll love it there. I take it your training has made you familiar with a treadmill, correct? Either way, you're going to be showing off what you can do while I watch from afar. I'll make sure to bring a slice of cake for me to eat whilst you're running, aha-ha! You know the way?"

 

[Yoki]

"Not too far." Jason replied, "if you want to go now then I'll take you." He motioned with his head, turning and starting to walk, "but you have an appointment after Adrian's, correct? We should get this over with Minerva quickly then."


"Wait up Jason!" Lea called, looking over to Jackson with a wide, toothy grin, "Come on! You'll get a real taste of what being an investigator is! I'm sure we can persuade Minnie somehow!" Sure, it was dangerous, but Lea didn't really think about consequences, she more thought about the then and there... Having Jackson join in on something like this would be good experience, he'd just have to stay a little further back.


- - -


Writing had not been fun, and Adrian was definitely glad it was over, however the next part of the test seemed a lot more interesting! Well, at least more him.


"Ah, y-.." He was about to hand Carol his paper, but was instead left staring at his empty hand, as she'd already taken removed the paper from it. The boy blinked a couple of times, adjusting to this, then looked up. Yeah, he knew the way to the gym, who didn't? With a large smile, Adrian simply nodded and jumped out of his chair, "Ahuh! I know the way!" Wait...but...did he know the way from...here? Well...oh... "But...um...I don't know if I do from here..."

 

[yaint]

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no notes


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Jackson was quick to follow when they began to move, nearly rolling over Lea's ankles as he tailed the two older investigators. He had no idea where he was going, but for once he wasn't going to stop to take note of his surroundings. Upstairs, downstairs, around the back of the building or halfway across London - he didn't care. There was permission yet to be granted, and that was all that mattered.


"Ah, hey. Jason?" Jackson suddenly chimed after a couple of minutes of silent travel. "Do you... Do you think Adrian could, uh, come on this mission, too? I mean, I don't want to impose or anything, but I - I just thought he might like it." Of course Adrian would like it. Excitement, ghoul-chasing, fast-paced combat and the opportunity to shout obsceneties at the enemy. It was perfect for him, and going together would lessen the load for everyone.


***


"No problem, young man, just follow my lead." Carol flung the door open with all the force of a typhoon and pushed Adrian out of the room with the palm of her hand. Upon hearing the door slam closed again, she clapped her hands together and smiled that brilliant, mad-white smile. A gesture of the arm cued for the rookie to follow as she led him down the corridor, her heeled shoes clicking against the dusty vinyl floor.


After a few seconds of walking, she paused abruptly and whipped around to address Adrian again. "Oh! I hope you're all right with wearing your work clothes when you work out, the last lad I had insisted that he was fine without changing and then left sopping wet. You'd think he'd fallen in the Thames, you should have seen the state of him. If you need to go and change, now's the time to tell me."

 

[Yoki]

Jason hadn't been expecting the request from Jackson to bring along Adrian, at first he didn't say anything and instead just kept walking, did he really want that boy of all people going on this sort of thing? Sure, Adrian was talented, but he was reckless, still, it would probably be easier to have him around...


"Ooh! Ada!" Lea sung, laughing afterwards, "You should let him Jason, it'd be fun! Come, imagine it, Ada and me, we'd be a great team!" She spun, running up to the older man and skipping backwards in front of him.


"You two would be a walking time bomb." He replied, crossing his arms and looking down at the girl as they walked, "But we'll see. You haven't been approved just yet, Jackson. We'll talk about Adrian after that." Jason didn't want to say yes, but he didn't want to say no. He couldn't deny that Adrian and Lea would be quite the combination, but he also didn't want to throw the boy into something he could handle. Jackson would be on the back lines, there was no way Adrian would stay back...and Jester was dangerous.


- - -


"Mhm!" Adrian quietly exited the room and followed along behind Carol, it was probably one of the only times you'd actually catch him being somewhat quiet. He was thinking about the physical part of this aptitude test and how he'd fair. Well, he hadn't failed anything physical as of yet, and he didn't play on starting now, so hopefully it would be okay.


They hadn't been walked for long when Carol stopped, turning around so fast that Adrian nearly walked into the woman. By the sounds of what she was saying this was no walk in the park, but he wasn't worried. "I don't think I need to change." He replied, shaking his head, "I think I'll be alright...and...um...if I'm not I'll manage!" The sound of this being even slightly difficult made a strange excitement build up in Adrian's chest, this was going to be fun.

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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you seem to have something of a plan with this adrian-and-jackson-join-the-jester-mission thing. before we get to min's office, mind telling me what kind of outcome you're hoping for?


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Jackson nearly smacked himself in the face, but resisted the urge when he caught Lea's eye again. Stupid, stupid, you're getting too far ahead of yourself.


"Oh, oh, right. Of course. I'll, err, see what happens when we find Mrs Graham, then. Anyway, we've been walking for about four minutes - uh, three and a half, sorry - so we must be there soon-ish. Is her office anywhere around here?"


***


For once, Carol's words said less than her expression. She used both arms to over-enthusiastically pat the boy's shoulders before hissing a little utterance of "excellent". A few strands of her dark hair came loose from the formerly neat bun stuck to the back of her head as she turned on her heels and guided Adrian down to a pair of double doors. A flick of the elbow sent the doors flying open again, allowing the sights and smells of the gym to flow out to Adrian's eyes and nose.


The gym wasn't quite as exciting as a rookie might expect on their first visit - quite the contrary, in fact. Carol had seen many a first-timer's confused expression when they first gazed upon the rectangular room lined with treadmills, yoga mats and several other forms of machinery. Along one wall was a floor-to-ceiling mirror through which Carol's plump shape and Adrian's slim figure were visible.


"Right. You've been here before, so I shouldn't need to do any explaining. It's free-roam. Do whatever you want for a few minutes and I'll be here eating that lovely cake I was telling you about."

 

[Yoki]

no slide no slide

READ THIS

No plan in particular, Jester is going to be around either way. Whether Minnie says yes or not sorta determines a the outcome. So, either way it'll be fun, you'll like it. Just go with what you'd think she'd say or what you want her to.

Lea grinned at Jackson, she obviously wanted him to come alone, but it ultimately wasn't her decision. She was an investigator, yes, but she wasn't in charge or Jackson or Adrian, and so she didn't have the power to say that they could definitely come... Although it would be fun if they could.


"I can't believe you've never been to Minnie's office!" She turned herself around, heading down the hallway, "I wonder what she's say..." The last bit was more to herself than anyone else, but as she said that she made stopped, looking at a door. Lea knew her way around the building, she'd been here many times before, and so she knew that this was the correct place. Looking back to the two men with her, she smiled and raised a hand, knocking on the door three times.


- - -


Adrian's expression was blank as he followed along towards the gym, he didn't really know what to say or think... What was he meant to do when he got there? Surely she'd tell him, right? Hopefully... The woman was definitely eccentric, but in a much different way to how Lea was... He was surprised the two knew each other, but Lea knew a lot of people, more than she let on. That's all he was thinking about as he walked casually down the quiet hallway, once this was over, how long was he going to wait to know? That should be a question to ask Carol...


"Huh?" Raising his head, the boy realised that they had in fact come out into a room that he was slightly familiar with. Oh, the gym...they were here, obviously he hadn't been paying attention. He was told he could do what he wanted, that it was free roam, which was something that confused him further...why would she give him free roam? What did she expect that he did with this time? Because...it was very likely he'd do things other than training.


"What do you mean by free roam?" He asked, spinning around to look at the woman, "Is there nothing you want me to do?"

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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wrote this on mobile so sorry if it's extra shit


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I wonder what she'll say, too, Jackson silently agreed as the group slowed to a halt outside a door labeled 'First Class Graham' in faded, barely-visible lettering. The silence that followed their freeze in movement seemed to tell of the passing time itself a tick, tick, tick of emptiness waking in Jackson's mind.


It suddenly dawned on the man how odd his request would sound. Minnie was a kind and gentle woman, but even she could think strangely of her apprentice after showing up asking to take part in a mission. There wasn't any going back now, though; Jackson could already feel the buzz of adrenaline flowing through his veins.. Any second now, one of the investigators in front of him would knock on the door and that white face would come into view. All Jackson could do was wait.


... Knock, knock, knock. His shoulders tensed as the sound rang out and echoed down the corridor, chasing the silence back into the corners from which it had crept. A pale shape appeared at the door's frosted glass window. The handle turned and, quiet as the footsteps of a cat, Minerva Graham's face emerged from the opening.


"Lea," she said in her calm, frosty voice. "And Jason. What is it, what can I do for you?"


***


A shallow laugh escaped Carol's lips. She hadn't even said her joke yet, but already found it funny.


"Well, it means what it means. Do whatever you want. Although..." She stared at Adrian and performed a melodramatic wink, "I recommend doing some exercise, it might give you a chance of getting the surgery done."

 

[Yoki]

Lea waited for the door to open, swaying back and forwards as she did so, she liked Minnie, and so seeing her was always fun. However it was difficult to keep Lea's attention for too long, and so she just wanted the woman to open up the door quickly.


"Minnie!" The girl exclaimed at seeing the woman, Jason had already walked up beside her, sighing.


"Minerva." He looked down to Lea, and then across to Jackson, before back at the lady in front of them, "We have something we'd like to discuss with you. Lea said she'd tell you all about it." They'd agreed that Lea was going to be the one to discuss it, and of course Jackson would have to get involved as well. This was about him after all. Jason just wanted to know whether Minerva thought that it was a bad idea, she was Jason's mentor and obviously had more experience with him that the man did. It would be much safer to come to a conclusion with her.


- - -


"Okay." Adrian looked around, there was a lot of equipment, he could made use of it, but he wasn't done speaking to Carol just then, "But it's weird, isn't it? You're watching me." His eyes locked onto the woman and he stared with a strangely neutral expression, "People don't just usually watch you."

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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i'm doing that weird thing where the first half is ok writing and the second half is literally just dialogue because i'm lazy, sorry.


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@Yoki

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Minerva Graham's hands clasped together as her wiry frame fully emerged from behind the office door. She was wearing an ankle-length floral dress and had her silvery white hair brushed to the side in a swirling plait. Her forehead puckered as she glanced first at Lea, then at Jackson and Jason. Jackson averted his eyes from her rich blue stare and began to wring his hands together as he waited for a response.


"Something to discuss?" echoed Minnie as her long fingers released each other so that her arms hung by her sides. "I'm a bit busy, Jason, but - oh, nevermind. Come in, we'll just make it quick. And have a biscuit while you're here."


Jackson waited for the others to follow Minnie into the office before making his own way in, but when he did enter, he felt somewhat taken aback by the room's atmosphere. Like any other, it was an office with a grey desk (upon which sat a Christmas-themed tin full of Digestives) and computer, and there were two chairs lined up along the back wall. But Minnie had clearly made an effort to make her workspace welcoming; a royal purple, silken veil was draped over the inner doorway and the walls were lined with fairy lights ranging from leafy green to violet. Even the light fixture had been decorated with a silver windchime-lampshade whose chimes dangled and sparkled, sending little pinpricks of light dancing across the floor with every movement of the air.


This is incredible, Jackson thought as he twisted his neck around to marvel at the décor, She's basically a pixie.


***


"Well, I'm not people, I'm your supervisor. But it's fine, dearie, just pretend I'm not here, or that maybe I'm your trainer - except that I won't actually be instructing you, oh no, I'm not trained for that. I could teach you how to perhaps hold your rifle, though, and - oh! Nevermind, there I go again. Just do something quickly, or else we'll run out of time."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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"Look at all the colours..." Lea's eyes darted around the room as they walked in, it was definitely homey, she could sit in here for hours and just watch the lights, "Did you add more since I was here last?" She smiled, running over to one of the chairs and swiping the tin of biscuits off of the table as she did so, then spinning and landing in one of the two seats. After that she immediately opened the tin, taking out a biscuit and placing it in her mouth. "Want one?" The tin was being held out towards Jason as he walked into the room, his expression as serious as ever.


"We'll get straight to the point." He ignored Lea, looking over to Minerva instead as he sat down, "Lea." This caused the girl to close the biscuit tin and let out a huff, before crossing her legs, turning her attention to Minerva.


"Yeah. I guess we will." She placed the biscuit tin on her lap, hands on top of it, "We'd like to ask you about to Jester investigation. Or...rather if Jackson can help us out..." Minerva might agree...you really didn't know, but it wasn't exactly the easiest or safest mission to take a rookie on. It would be understandable, even to Lea, if Minerva would rather Jackson didn't get involved. "The more the merrier after all!" She added at the end, grinning over at the woman.


- - -


Adrian shrugged in reply, making no effort to actually verbally answer Carol. He then looked around the room again, moving over to a corner. Here...


He guessed he could get one of the punching bags out right? It was more interesting than running or anything like that.


Now, whilst Adrian did like strength, he made up for it in speed and stamina, he was a fast individual, which was what gave him the edge in combat, and most of his attacks were focused on hitting where it hurt rather than trying to overpower your enemy with strength.


He took a minute to set up of the sand filled punched bags, before pushing it backwards and forwards for a moment. Honestly, he still thought it strange that she didn't want him to do anything in particular...but...he could work with this... It'd be fine.


Backing up a few step, Adrian turned his head to the side. There was complete silence for who knows how long, before suddenly there was a thwack sound and the punching back was swinging side to side. The hit had been rather quick, and Adrian hadn't lowered his leg much slower than he'd kicked it out. Yeah, he'd do this, he could keep this up for awhile.