You could hear a pin drop inside the helicopter's cabin. The squad was following Siana's instructions thoroughly, with all of them hesitating to breathe too loudly. Seigan was passing the time playing mental chess with Sonia.
Seigan: [Uhmm, Rook to D8.]
Sonia: [Bishop to H3. That's checkmate. Weird, you used to be better when you were younger.]
Seigan: [Yeah, yeah. I used to play with my older sister, but once she left for school, I got rusty. But you've got to cut me some slack, I can't even see the board!]
Sonia: [Then shut those peepers and get in here, I'm willing to give you a rematch.]
Seigan: [Nice try. Siana might shoot a hole through me if I close my eyes too long, we can play again later.]
Sonia: [Laaaame, I'm going to sleep, wake me up when Siana changes her tune.]
Warm sunlight was rising over the horizon when the helicopter landed in the hangar atop Xodur's Citadel. Multiple attendants arrived from the elevator to help the rescued civilians. The last one out of the elevator clearly wasn't an attendant.
His bare foot stopped the elevator door from closing as he slid out–shirtless, his damp tri-colored hair spilled over his headband in red, orange, and grey waves. He lifted his silver sunglasses, scanning the hangar area before his eyes stopped on Siana.
??: Rad! I knew this was the right floor. Siana! How's it hanging, Big Shot?
The shirtless man dropped a pair of slides, and casually put his feet into them. As he walked, his swim trunks reflected the light from the early morning sun. He stretched his arms in front of him as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Siana: Maxy, I'm good, thanks, glad to see you more or less on time for something.
Maxy: Ouch, that's harsh, like SUPER harsh. What's got your ammo clip all emptied?
Maxy looked around Siana at the squad, pushing his sunglasses up once more to get a good look at them.
Maxy: Wicked! I heard you'd been seen with some new trainees but this ain't what I was expecting. Look at these lil dudes and dudettes! I've heard some stuff around the Citadel about how you six have some rad Blessings, you think I could get a demo real quick?
The six of them looked at each other, then behind Maxy at Siana, her expression was unreadable but the anger from earlier was obviously still present. Maxy was oblivious to the silent fury behind him, he looked back at Siana's expression before dropping his voice to a whisper.
Maxy: I think I've caught the wave, don't stress, Siana doesn't ever seriously get mad. If she does then it's one hundred percent out of concern.
Siana: Maxy! What're you doing up here? And why are you so wet?
Maxy: Ohhhhh right, my bad! I was at the beach watching the sunrise when I got a comm from Boss Man Rajin, he said a prisoner was en route to the hangar and I had to retrieve 'em.
Sakiko: [It seems like he's kinda…]
Takuro: [He might be…]
Seigan: [Is this guy…]
Inezo: [He's definitely…]
Tamiko: [I can already tell he's…]
Akida: [I already know this guy's…]
Siana: The prisoner is still unconscious in the rescue helicopter, you can grab him and be on your way, don't try to cheer up my kids.
Maxy's jaw dropped.
Maxy: Your kids?! How's that even work, these little grommets* gotta be like fifteen!
Siana: Ughh…
Sakiko: […An idiot.]
Takuro: […An idiot.]
Seigan: […An idiot?]
Inezo: […An idiot…]
Tamiko: […An idiot.]
Akida: […An idiot!]
Maxy: Ohhh, duh! It's like an adoption thing, yeah?
Siana: Yes. Now please take White Veil where he needs to go.
Maxy: Youuu got it!
Maxy hopped into the rescue helicopter only to emerge seconds later with White Veil slung over his shoulder, he waved over his other shoulder as the elevator doors slid open for him.
Maxy: Later Big Shot! Later little shots!
Siana pinched the bridge of her nose as she turned to face the squad.
Siana: C'mon we're going home.
Even the bustling streets of Xodur's Hold couldn't power through the silence surrounding the group. Only communicating using quick looks and body movement, until Siana came to a stop.
Siana: Listen kiddos…I know what you're all thinking, and I'm not angry with you.
A wave of relief washed over the squad, a heavy weight being lifted off their backs.
Siana: Well, not completely. I'm proud you succeeded with your mission, after all, this was a test; and technically…Squad Zero passed; you captured White Veil and saved all the hostages but fundamentally…you failed.
Seigan, Akida, and Sakiko all opened their mouths to fire off an argument but were cut short by Siana holding up her hand.
Siana: I just wanted to clear the air, we'll continue this at the house. Save what you have to say.
Siana allowed the squad to wash up and change clothes before reassembling in the living room, they sat in their usual spots; the same ones they had chosen the first day they arrived.
Siana: I'm going to start by telling you how debriefs work here. First, we'll go back over the mission objectives and squad accomplishments. Then, if needed, we'll address individual accomplishments or mistakes. Don't interrupt me or one of your squad mates, unless the information simply can't wait. For this particular debrief I'll grade you guys on a one-hundred-point scale.
Siana pulled over a chair of her own as she sat down and picked up a file folder off a nearby table, laying it next to her signature notepad.
Siana: "Objectives: Locate and detain White Veil, the human trafficker and rescue any captives that may be in his mansion." I'm also counting my requirement of you six not being seen by anyone
She wrote as she spoke, lowering her notepad to look at the six in front of her.
Siana: I'll give you fifty points for saving all the captives, and another thirty since White Veil is currently captured, that's almost a perfect score.
Akida: Hell yeah!
Seigan: Music to my ears.
Sakiko: Yay!
Siana flipped to another page and looked at the group once more, her expression wasn't as happy as theirs.
Siana: Now, mistakes.
Sonia: [Uh oh, record scratch.]
Siana: I'm docking points for setting off the alarm, which caused you to be seen. White Veil almost got away and the mansion exploded. Let's see…hmm, that drops you by thirty points.
Sakiko: Hey! That's not too bad.
Inezo: That's a death flag.
Siana: And sixty more points for splitting up
Inezo: There it is.
Sakiko: Sorry!
Siana: Your splitting up jeopardized the entire operation, I'm disappointed in you.
The tone in Siana's voice wasn't aggressive nor did it house any hostility whatsoever, but that only made her words hurt more.
Takuro: How do you know that wasn't part of our plan?
A rubber pellet smacked against Takuro's forehead.
Siana: That'd be slightly believable…if your X.H.U.C's were turned on during the mission.
Seigan: [Man she's good.]
Inezo: [Maybe we aren't cut out for this.]
Akida: [We're so easy to read.]
Tamiko: [This is beginning to become embarrassing.]
Siana set down the file and her notepad, resting her gaze on the six in front of her.
Siana: So tell me, what's the real reason you split up?
The living room was silent, glances were exchanged with the occasional look in Siana's direction.
Siana: Silence huh? Can't say I don't respect the camaraderie…Inezo, tell me right now and I'll have Elijah make you an ultra-soft mattress topper!
Inezo: Seigan and Akida couldn't decide on an entry point, so we split into two groups.
Akida: Are you serious?!
Seigan: At least hesitate!
Inezo: It had to be done.
Akida: No it didn't prick!
Siana: Are you two kidding me? One of you couldn't just swallow your pride and agree?
Akida: For a Mizuza to throw away their pride is—
Seigan: "Is the same as death" Haha, I can't believe you still say that stupid family motto bullshit.
Akida jumped from her seat, grabbing Seigan by the collar with her other fist raised.
Akida: You wanna try sayin that one more time for me, Atasa?
Siana: Hey!
Sakiko: Akida!
A smirk crept across Seigan's face.
Seigan: There's that accent of yours again, you might want to calm down some.
Akida: That stupid smirk, let's see how much it does for ya when you're missin' a few teeth!
Almost instantly and without warning Siana had both of them pinned to the ground, each with a single hand.
Siana: You two need to cool it!
Siana: [Their files mentioned they may have a bit of disdain towards each other because of their pasts but they've been fine so far...Let's test the waters]
Siana: Does this have something to do with your middle school days and Seigan's p—
The air in the room began to vibrate intensely.
Sakiko: What's going on?!
Takuro: Seigan!
Seigan: That's not their business.
Siana: [Bingo.]
Siana: You're right. That one's on me.
Siana let the two back to their feet, the vibrations were slowly subsiding as Segian dusted himself off.
Siana: The five of us will finish the debrief, you two go sit in your rooms until you think you can handle not fighting for two seconds.
Akida: This is stupid anyway.
Akida stormed out of the living room and stomped up the stairs, Seigan fixed his headphones and silently followed suit, the air finally settling as he left.
Siana turned her attention back to her other four kids who were all awkwardly looking around the room.
Siana: Sit back down, I'll make this quick.
Picking up her notepad off the table, she flipped through the pages before turning her attention back to the four.
Siana: These are the major issues I noticed when observing each of you. Sakiko, the management of your kinetic energy supply isn't bad, but you need to work on finding a way to make the most out of a single "charge" so you don't run into the same problem you did earlier–needing to use extra energy to change directions. Whenever he cools down I suggest you work with Seigan since you're the two fastest. Sound good?
Sakiko: ...
Siana: Sakiko?
Sakiko: Huh?! Oh! Umm, brainstorm with Seigan…got it.
Siana: Alright…Tamiko, your combat skills are excellent and you excel in solo combat situations but there were a few times you almost hit a friendly while fighting, I need you to be more aware of your squad mates' locations and also their strengths, it may help you.
Tamiko: Understood.
Siana: Great. Takuro, I've told you this before and I'll say it again. You've got to work on your versatility with your weapons. I understand you feel most comfortable with a katana. I know that's your best asset but honestly, a lack of options in a dangerous scenario doesn't ever end well.
Takuro: I know. I've been working with my other weapons, but I just don't think they're mission-ready yet.
Siana: For you to try is all I ask. Speaking of…
Her eyes landed on the final member needing a review.
Inezo: Yeah, yeah I'll "apply" myself or whatever.
Siana: Actually I'm quite happy with your work during the mission, of course there's always room for improvement, but I was shocked you actually fought. You need to master a combat style that works with your duplication blessing.
Inezo: We tried that during the weeks preparing for the mission, what good will trying more do?
Siana: Watching how you move and react in an actual life or death scenario gave me a few ideas, I'll be stopping by your room later with more ideas.
She ripped the pages out of her notepad and handed each of them the notes she had just spoken aloud.
Siana: Other than that, congratulations on completing your first mission as a squad!
Inezo: If only we could celebrate as a squad too.
Siana: Yeah well, the issues those two have aren't exactly something that can all go away just like that. Oh, that reminds me.
Siana ripped two more pages out of her notepad and placed them on the table.
Siana: I've got to go finish writing this mission report file. Can one of you deliver these to Seigan and Akida for me?
Takuro: Not a problem.
Siana: You're the bestest kids ever!
Siana strolled out of the living room and up the stairs, the faint sound of her door closing could still be heard.
Takuro reached for the two notes.
Inezo: Actually Takuro, could we go to the basement for a while? I'd like to figure out this fighting style thing now rather than later.
Takuro: Sure…
Inezo tilted his head when he saw his friend's confused expression.
Inezo: I got something on my face?
Takuro: I'm just shocked you actually want to train.
Inezo: Well if I wait till later it might cut into my afternoon nap schedule.
Takuro: See now that makes more sense.
The two boys continued chatting as they descended the basement stairs, the door sliding closed behind them.
Sakiko: Welp, guess it's up to you and me to deliver these Miko.
Tamiko: Yes, and since you're the more social one between us I'll take—
Sakiko: I call Akida!
The younger twin grabbed the small paper and dashed out of the room, leaving her sister with both a shocked and disappointed expression.
A minute earlier Seigan closed his bedroom door behind him and jumped into his bed.
Sonia: [Seigan. Get in here.]
Seigan: Not right now Sonia.
Sonia: [Yeah right now, get in here.]
Seigan: This better be important.
Calm music breezed through the air of Sonia's music studio, Seigan stood face to face with his deity, her expression serious.
Sonia: Sit.
He dropped to the floor.
Sonia: Since you got kicked out of your meeting I'll instruct you. You need to work on your hearing.
Seigan: I can hear fine, did you seriously call me up here just for that?
Sonia: Your hearing sucks, you're deaf compared to me.
Seigan: Obviously, I'm seventeen and you're, what? As old as the universe—
Seigan's words were interrupted by the bottom of Sonia's boot colliding with his face.
Seigan: …I'm going to assume you had a justifiable reason for that.
Sonia: Not like you and your weak ass ears could do anything if I didn't.
Seigan: The hell does that even mean…?
Sonia: Forget it.
She dropped to the floor, sitting across from her blessed.
Sonia: I'm going to teach you how to expand and shrink your range of hearing.
Seigan: Alright…I'll admit it does sound useful but why would I want to shrink my hearing range? Isn't my enhanced hearing my greatest tool?
Sonia: You're correct. But it has its uses, shrinking your range doesn't make your ears any less powerful, it focuses that power. Currently, your range ends right outside at the gate of Siana's yard, it's essentially normal hearing just with more distance. If you were to shrink your range then you'd be able to hear more distinct sounds throughout the house, like water flowing through the pipes.
Seigan: I see…Well, let's get started.
Sonia: I like the sound of that. Admittedly, it's not very hard. You just need to focus your mind and let Serava flow through you. Imagine yourself in a bubble that you can change the size of at will.
Seigan closed his eyes. He slowly breathed in, then back out. His hands wouldn't sit still. His mind jumped. His parents. Akida. His sister. The meeting.
Seigan: [Damnit!]
The boy's racing mind didn't go unnoticed.
Sonia: Focus Seigan!
Seigan: I am!
Sonia: Yeah, nice lie, we're in your head. Listen to the speakers.
Seigan had been blocking out the noise, when it finally hit his ears again the speakers weren't playing the calm music from when he first arrived. They were playing fragmented conversations from his childhood.
Sonia: Listen kid, I'm not one to pour my heart out to someone so I normally wouldn't recommend someone else do it. But, this stuff is obviously bothering you, a lot more than you think.
Seigan: I'm perfectly fine! My family isn't some…sore spot.
Sonia: I–This can wait, you have a guest.
Seigan: Um, what?
Sonia: Go back to your body and listen. If I can hear it then you can too.
The music studio faded as Seigan opened his eyes, he swung his legs and sat on the edge of his bed, there was a foot tapping outside his door.
Seigan: Open the door, don't just stand out there.
The knob turned and there stood Tamiko, she was carrying art supplies; an easel*, a palette*, and a canvas.
Sonia: [It's the scary one…]
Seigan: [Relax, she's not that bad.]
Sonia: [You saw what she did to that dog, right?]
Tamiko: Good afternoon, Seigan Atasa.
Seigan: Umm, hi?
Tamiko: Siana asked me to deliver this note to you. It has instructions about what she believes you can improve on.
She walked over to Seigan's bed and set the note down next to him.
Seigan: Oh, thanks. But what's the art stuff for?
Tamiko began setting up her supplies, taking the chair from Seigan's desk to sit on.
Tamiko: Your chair is very uncomfortable.
Seigan: Don't we all have the same chair…? Hey wait, answer my question!
Tamiko: My deity requires me to make paintings for my contract. He tells me what to paint and where to paint it; the location changes every three paintings. Unfortunately, he's chosen your room for my next three. I'm sorry for any future inconvenience.
Seigan: Well, if it's for your contract, I guess it can't be helped. But I'm going to play some music.
Tamiko: Of course. Please act as if I'm not even here.
Seigan: [Kinda hard when your stuff takes up that much space…]
Sonia: [Stop before that demon hears you.]
Seigan: [You can't be serious…]
The needle dropped onto the record, and jazz music filled the air. Seigan flopped back onto his bed, eyes closed, hands behind his head. Tamiko sat quietly in front of her canvas, each stroke of her brush slow, but deliberate.
Tamiko: Your room has very nice lighting, I like it.
Seigan responded without opening his eyes.
Seigan: Maybe you'll luck out and your deity will choose it again some other time.
Tamiko nodded, turning her focus back to her canvas. Seigan opened one eye, turning to look towards Tamiko just as she removed the ink from her brush.
Seigan: What's y—
Tamiko: A—
They both fell silent to let the other speak. Seigan motioned for her to go first.
Tamiko: Akida told me about your childhood.
Seigan stiffened.
Tamiko: I doubt your side of the story will add much important detail. But I must admit…it bothered me not to ask.
Seigan: Sounds about right, my side isn't that interesting.
The girl's brush touched the canvas once more.
Tamiko: Is that so? Alright then.
The silence returned.
It stretched longer than before…It bothered Seigan more than he liked to admit.
Seigan swung his feet, positioning himself on the edge of his bed once more.
Seigan: …What did she say?