"Hey Big, I have a job for you." I look around hoping to see Merian somewhere. I just haven't seen her today and i need to talk to her. Oh well I guess I can look later.
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"Hey Big, I have a job for you." I look around hoping to see Merian somewhere. I just haven't seen her today and i need to talk to her. Oh well I guess I can look later.
"Oi! What do you need me for?" a voice from the technical room shouted. Len was leaning back in a cushiony seat with one hand on his keyboard and one hanging off the side of the chair. He was rather tired of being called in the middle of meetings, but it was the captain's summoning.
"Hold on guys, Captain's calling me." he said to the video camera that he rigged to be a webcam. He stood and walked into the main room where Liz was calling him from.
"Yes ma'am, how can I help you?"
" I need you to help me round up everyone for a meeting. Oh and ask around and see if anyone has seen Merian. Please."I couldnt hide the worry constricting in my chest. In the short time I've known her she has never dissapeared like this.
I woke in my room, knowing I slept in later then I should have. I quickly got dressed and rushed out of my room. As I was walking I worried if Liz had been looking for me. I turned a corner and saw Liz standing looking worried. I thought it was most likely cause I hadn't shown my face today. Hey Liz. Sorry I was asleep for longer then expected. I said looking at the ground ashamed of myself.
Len glanced back at Merian as the girl walked in with an ashamed look upon his face. A sigh escaped his lips as he patted her head. "Did you try using that alarm clock I got for your sleeping quarters?" he asked, not expecting an answer. He turned and started to head for a station- Talon's special room. He rapped on the door loudly before forcing it open.
"Oi, Blade! The head girl needs us for a meeting!" he glanced at the man- or probably what once was a man on the operating table that was now used for... well, what Talon did. He crinkled his nose at the terrible stench before covering his nose with his turtle neck shirt collar, feeling a bit like a ninja.
He glanced back at the room where he met Liz. "Captain, may I skip on this meeting and have someone scribe for me? I'm in the middle of a meeting with the other rebels."
Talon was sitting at the rack. The ropes and levers looked inviting, but he had no one to entertain tonight. Pity, torture over pleasure sounds great today... Perhaps he could torture himself instead. He couldn't use the rack of course, but his blades would work fine. Perhaps a convex, or an assymetrical, or chisel or hollow ground...
Talon stirred from his harmonious thoughts about different blade, and looked up to listen to Len's calls. Meeting... But I'm busy deciding on which knives to use!
Blade pulled himself up from his precious rack, and trotted to the door, opening it swiftly and coolly, "I'm on my way."
"Good, good." Len said nonchalantly before turning and moving away from the torture room. He walked back down the hallway and passed by the girls and into his office like a gust of wind. His blonde ponytail flew some behind him as he dashed to and from. He stopped just in his doorway as a rouge voice called out to him from the computer.
"Liz! They're asking for your monthly report." he said.
"Sure thing Big. I'll fill you in after the meeting." I look around letting out the biggest sigh I could muster. Then my eyes settle on Merian. "Oh it's fine Merian I was just worried, thats all. Oh kay lets get this meeting started." I was so releived to see her. I almost forgot that everyone was waiting for me to start the meeting.
Len sat down in his chair and started the conversation up again. Reports from the Captains of the other rebellion groups and a few questions as well. Most of the children still didn't trust him and every time he said something, they always seemed to have a suspicion about him.
He listened and nodded, occasionally responding to questions about the technology involved in whatever their next raid was, or about supplies or anything else that he could answer. The meeting went on for another 15 minutes before everyone but one other person logged off.
"Excuse me, Big Kid."
"Yes?" Len replied, stopping himself from logging off. He was shuffling through some papers and didn't look up at the screen.
"I don't trust you."
"I am aware of that, and unfortunately, you don't seem to realize that I am on your side."
The kid logged off and a sigh left Len's lips. "Some kids just don't get it." he mumbled.
I went to the meeting and heard the relief but once worry in Liz's voice. Sorry Liz, I forgot about my new alarm clock. I said looking around the room I could tell the meeting needed to be started.
Talon looked about the room in which the meeting was to be held and sighed. There was no inspiration for knives here. Except perhaps that girl Merian's hair... so long and thin... perfect knife blade, needle-like and painless like a bee sting...
Blade shook his head violently. "Head out of the clouds, boy..."
He looked to Liz for direction. "Is the meeting going to start soon?" He whispered under his breath, talking to himself.
"Okay guys, there have been some rumors going around that the patrols around the area of base have had a terrifying amount of guards. Plus these rumors have said that there are at least ten patrols around this area a day. I'm here to put these rumors to rest. Yes the rumors are true, but please don't panic.I have the idea of a patrol team to go into the forest to watch for guards. If a few get too close,Talon, that's when we put your... "skills", if you will, to work. Now volunteer sheets will be in the Break room. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. Everyone you are dismissed. Except you Talon, you and I need to have a conversation." Ugh! I really hope I can get through his thick skull. He is so hard headed i feel utterly scared to give him this chance, but my decision has been made.....
Talon listened intently, keeping his mind off of blades as much as was possible for him. He studied how Liz kept brushing her bangs out of her face while she was talking, and the way her nose twitched a little bit when she was talking about something disagreeable... "Talon, that's when we put your... "skills", if you will, to work. Now volunteer sheets will be in the Break room. If you have anymore questions please feel free to ask. Everyone you are dismissed. Except you Talon, you and I need to have a conversation." 'Oh snip... I wasn't paying attention until I heard my name... Oh snip!'
He stood and nodded his head at Liz, pretending that he was paying attention to her words and not her hair and nose.
" Okay now i know your going to want to take guards prisoner, but my answer to that is that you can only have 2 to three a week. Disobey orders and ill make it two to three a month. You have to be careful this means keeping your head out of the clouds and here on earth. I'm counting on you and , believe or not, I am putting more trust in you than I have in the forever that we've known each other... No offense. So please try to not day dream about knives. by the way I want you to remember you are leading a group of kids out there.I stared him straight in the eyes making sure he understood. I was hoping i got through to him somehow...
Talon listened, but barely, too distracted by the swish of her hair and the movement of her lips. He bit his lower lip and tried to pay attention, he really did. But he would follow orders better if she wrote it down on a sheet of paper, laid it in his room somewhere, and left without a trace of her familiar scent.
"No more than two or three per week. Be responsible. I'm leading kids out there. Got it. Now where am I leading the kids and what am I doing? I zoned out during your speech, I was thinking about-" He abruptly cut off and flushed red to his ears, "Knives. I was thinking about blades,"
"No more than two or three per week. Be responsible. I'm leading kids out there. Got it. Now where am I leading the kids and what am I doing? I zoned out during your speech, I was thinking about-" He abruptly cut off and flushed red to his ears, "Knives. I was thinking about blades," "Talon, is there something your not telling me? If there is I just want you to know that you can tell me anything, even if it is something terrible." I saw him flush ,but wasn't sure why. Sometimes I really wonder whats going through his mind." Ok well your dismissed, unless you want to talk about whatever your not telling me." I him gave him a sly smirk. I always knew when he was keeping secrets.
Blade's flush extended down his throat two more inches. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, looked at the imaginary watch on his hand, then stared at Liz. "I have to go. The time, you know, I have im-imaginary business to att-ttend to according to my imag-ginary watch."
Talon swiftly exited the room to go on his imaginary business errand. On the way to his torture room, he finally came up with a good excuse; to sharpen his blades. He has guards to torture, right? Why couldn't his brain spit that out earlier when it mattered?
Accidental post.
A few hours have passed sense i last saw Talon so I figured he would be in the most obvious of places... His torture room. I have no idea why i let him have it ,but he was just so depressed. It seemed like the only thing that brought him joy. I stopped letting my mind wander long enough to talk to him. " Hey Talon? Um... Sorry to bother you ,but I thought i'd let you know that it's time for the first patrol. Sense you decided to zone out during my speech i'll explain again. Your leading these children into the forest. If a guard or two wanders a little to close to base they are all yours. So stop sharpening your blades and get ready. And please put a shirt on its going to be freezing out there
Talon was busy sharpening one of his major axes, but the blade was too thick and needed to be thinned, so he was working the forge with it and had removed his shirt. The hammer struck the blade with a clear ring and it glowed red hot, hot enough to slice several people clean in half. After a half hour, he moved the blade to a warm surface to cool, and moved on to sharpen smaller blades, sweat still running down his bare muscular chest and sticking his shorts to his legs tightly.
Liz walked in the room with no warning, giving him no time to don a shirt or wipe off any sweat. "Hey Talon? Um... Sorry to bother you ,but I thought i'd let you know that it's time for the first patrol. Sense you decided to zone out during my speech i'll explain again. Your leading these children into the forest. If a guard or two wanders a little to close to base they are all yours. So stop sharpening your blades and get ready. And please put a shirt on its going to be freezing out there."
Blade looked up, used to the fact that his shirtlessness usually had no outward effect on Liz. "I'll get on it. A few minutes and I'll have weapons for us. But I need to change, so get out Ms Boss Lady." He shooed Liz out the door so he could change.
I left and started down the hallway. 'Why i asked myself Why did he have to be shirtless... Gah i have to focus but gah.... I feel so conflicted about everything.'
Talon wiped his slick body down with a dry cloth and looked for clothing that matched the green and brown of the woods. He carried several blades with him to mix and match with his crew of children. Thin, wide, short, long, heavy, light, curved, straight, ornate, and simple. He exited his torture room with a spring in his step, looking forward to stripping guards of their pride and dignity, leaving them writhing in agony.
((OOC- I'm pretty sure I can't actually do that yet because of the age restriction, but I'll time-skip it, so you can assume and imagine what happens behind the iron door of The Torture Room))
"Liz!" It had been a hour and he needed the report now. he sighed and raked a hand over his scalp, pulling his long hair out of it's holder. He stood up and peeked his head out of the door. The meeting had already ended and it had seemed as if everyone had already left. he could hear some noises from the torture room though- cries of pain, screams of agony and the such. Most of the time, it seemed as if those noises were the everyday soundtrack to the headquarters.
"Liz! I need those monthly reports now! The northern HQ has been asking about it!"
I listened to everything in the meeting and wanted to sign up to go kill some hopeless guards. But I had other things to worry about. I stood up when she dismissed us and ran out. I disliked the idea of waking up late like that and needed to fix the situation. I walked quickly to my room and shut the door behind me. I turned the lights on a t a normal pace unlike the pace in the hall. The alarm clock sat ticking on the bedside table and I walked over to edge of the bed. I sat and laid back on the hard blanket beneath me. I sat back up slowly with a groan and reached for the alarm clock. I picked it up lightly and held it in my hands. It turned to it'c backside and I realized the battery was not pushed in all the way. I pushed it in slightly with my finger and it began to tick louder. I set it back down in it's correct place and laid back on the bed.
"Hey Big so sorry! Um... Let them know that they need to be on the look out around their bases. Did anyone fill you in about what was disscused at the meeting?My head was high in the sky and i really hoped Big didn't notice at all as I walked away mummbling under my breath.
I knocked on his door timidly. "Hey Talon ready to take the team out ? Um.. if you need more time i can give you 5 minutes ,at the most, to be at the exit ready to leave." I said a little shyly, the image of his shirtless body still burnt into my brain. I heard no answer.
"Damn teenage girls..." he muttered very very quietly under his breath. Liz still hadn't given him the monthly report and that only left him with the choice to create one himself.
He logged back onto the computer and started gathering information off of the network. Liz had a computer that was attached to this network that she was supposed to type her reports on, but Len didn't have any access to it in person. He had to remote it.
Remoting in took a bit of time, but it was accomplished. He searched some files and found what he was looking for, logging out of Liz's laptop without doing anything else. He knew better then to peek at any of the files; who knew what that girl could be typing away at during her small bits of real freetime.
He then proceeded on to check the report and then added in information about the supplies.Once finished, he attached it to an email and sent it.
"Finally." Len muttered under his breath as he stood up. He reached for the ceiling and stood on the tips of his toes, a slight groan leaving his throat before he came back down to earth. He was allowed to do whatever he wanted now- unless Liz decides otherwise.
"I'll go paint." he told himself. The walls in the "living room" are getting a bit boring... I'll just go paint some flowers or something. he stuffed his hands into his pockets and started off to go get his paint.
Kiran woke up by the noise on the other side“I wonder if there was a meeting today…” as she muttered to herself while rubbing her right eye. She falls asleep folding all the blankets but she then realized that all the blankets were scattered around by her two pets, Kororo and Roro. “Whaaa, I just fold that…that” as she facepalm seeing how dirty it is “and now I’m going to wash it again…” She then picks the entire blanket up while she nags her dogs as both of the dogs whimpers.
After hours of cleaning she fed her two dogs as she heard about the meeting from the other kids. “So there was a meeting…” as she muttered to herself again feeling a little bit sad that she missed it due to falling asleep. Kiran then sits on the chair and lazily put her head on the table “I wonder what the meetings all about…new missions?” she then sighed thinking about missions while blowing her bangs up and waiting for the blankets to dry.
Len passed by the table, stopping some to see Kiran with her head on the table. He put down the paints and then knelt down, putting his own head on the table.
"I need an assistant to help me paint." he said, without beating around the bush. "Would you be kind enough to fill the position?" the little girl had seemed down, and he figured he might as well try to cheer her up. And it wasn't like he was lying anyway; he really did need someone to help him.
The girl then mumbled something about missions, and he then knew about what the girl was upset about: she had missed the meeting, just as he did.
"We can probably pass by Capt. Liz and you can ask her to fill you in on what happened in the meeting. Or if need be, you can go talk to Merian."
Kiran was thinking about the mission until a long blonde hair sways infront of her prompted to turn her attention. “Oh Big Kid!” as she called the blonde boy named but lacking some energy due to her gloomy mood.
“Of course but…” as she sits up “so Mr. Leanne doesn’t know about the meeting…” she thought while looking at him “if he knew about the meeting, he should have already told me” she thought again but this time nodding to herself.
“Of course but Big Kid should be the one to ask about the meeting” as she finished her sentence. Kiran doesn’t want to ask the higher ups knowing that if they knew she was sleeping during the meeting, they would feel insulted and may think she isn’t focusing. She then sighed just thinking about it.
Kiran looked at the blonde boy again but with the pleading eyes “pretty please...with a cherry on top” she added and then saw the paints underneath “I’ll help you with the paint” as she picked up one canned paint and hug it.
Talon was testing his knives on his outer forearm when a small knock came from the door. He listened to Liz's call, feeling a bit sour and a bit sweet. She's lucky I wasn't sharpening knives or I wouldn't have heard that knock.
He grabbed a old, pale, rag and wiped at the slices vigorously. They still bled. Nothing to do about it then. "On my way, Liz." He opened the thick iron door slowly and grinned at Liz evilly. "I'm ready capture and torture some adult--" He mouthed a word rhyming with pushy.
"With a cherry on top?" Len crinkled his nose on mock thought, as if debating weather or not to ask around. After a moment of thought, he nodded and stood up.
"Come on. I have an idea where Liz is, but I don't think you like that part of HQ." He was pretty sure that she knew what he was talking about. Liz loved to hang around Talon and his knives in the Torture room. (And honestly, he didn't like the fact that there was a torture room- it was too morbid for his likings.) Most of the children thought it was a scary place, and he too didn't like it much, but the room was an essential place to their missions.
"After I ask her, I'll be setting up in the living room." he shrugged lightly before turning around, the whip of hair hitting him on the other shoulder. He then started to walk down the dark and dreary hallway, finding Liz and Talon talking.
"Adult, what now?" Len mumbled. He hated how the kids would just say stuff like that. Not all adults- especially if they lived outside of the country- were brainwashed.
"Nevermind. I need a log of what happened in the meeting. A few of the other members missed the meeting." He crossed his arms and leaned his back against the wall.
I jumped off my bed and ran out of the room. My stomach was killing me. I hadn't really eaten at all the whole morning so when I get to hungry it makes me sick. Whenever the other people here see me running through the halls they know that I am either running for my life or running to the kitchen. I ran down the hall and slightly to the left. The break room door was open meaning there was not a meeting going on. I slipped in and ran to the counters and fridge. I slowed my pace when opening the door the food int the door would not fall out into a saucy avalanche. I scanned the contents of the fridge until I found a pumpkin spice muffin wrapped up in plastic wrap on a paper plate. I pulled it out and set it on the counter next to the fridge. Next I pulled out the container of orange juice and set it next to the muffin. I closed the door and reached up for the cabinet and got a cup. Next thing I knew I was sitting at the conference table with muffin crumbs everywhere and a drop of orange juice left in the cup. Clearly I was very hungry. I sat there for a few seconds and finished the drop of orange juice. Then I stood up with the plate and cup in my hands and walked to the sink. The dishes were cleaned and the table was crumb free. I could walk around now and not be blamed for any mess whatsoever. I walked out of the room and headed back for my room. Once through the door I kept the lights off and stumbled to the bed.
I snuck into Merian's room. She was the only one I really had to confide in. I was, not for the first time, hopelessly lost."Hey Merian? Are you up? I really need to talk to you."I tried to be as quiet as possible just in case she was asleep. I could tell that she was having a restless sleep from the blankets being.. everywhere and her pillow on the the ground. I had to admit i was kind of concerned. This was very out of character for our sweet , hyper active, Merian.
" Hey Kiran! Sorry! I've been running around like a crazy person. We had to start a new patrol around the edge of the forest. We found out guards are getting a little to close for comfort. Talon is leading the group. You're welcome to join them if you please. I'd perfer there be another of us to go with those kids just in case Talon gets a little out of hand. I have limited his prisnor amount to two a week, but who knows what goes through his hard head."
Before exiting the HQ, Talon called out to Liz. She had sharper eyes than he, and could spot a guard faster. The 'LIZ' echoed through the halls undeniably loud. She might be angry now...
Talon's sullen red eyes scanned the horizon in the dying sunset. While waiting for any other children to arrive, he decided to scope out the perimeter. Familiar deep brown woods and textures invaded his eyes, along with deep greens and tints of yellow here and there. He couldn't see anyone, but he could quite clearly smell the stench of a cancer stick somewhere up wind of him, west. Burning cigarette smell made his eyes water. Talon wiped his eyes grouchily.
"Okay, so, why did you drag me out here? I want a straight answer not some stupid riddle or one liner." I was freezing and honestly didn't care if I was being rude. He could deal with it.
Talon took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, resisting the urges to hug her or to punch her in the side of the face. Anyone else. Anyone else would have their throat slit. You're a very lucky girl, Liz Baker, for your life has been spared this freezing evening.
"I simply wanted you to join the team. You can't deny that you have excellent eyesight, and could spot a guard faster than I could smell or hear him. Eyes watering over a forge tend to lose their sharpness. " He stopped to consider his statement. No stupid line in there at all. "And because you'll warm the air up out here." T wondered if she'd understand what he meant.
Abruptly, he got up and walked to the HQ entrance again. "Children! I require your assistance!"
"And because you'll warm the air up out here.", Talon said before abrubtly walking off. Was he saying what i think he was saying?... No no no it couldn't be. I... I have to ask. " Talon,My cheeks heated, but I couldn't back out now " Did you just try to hit on me?I.. I ... never mind forget i said anything. My cheeks flamed so much I practically felt the pink on my face.
Talon bit his lip again. It's going to bleed if you don't stop! A voice in the back of his mind whispered. He bit down harder, tasting blood behind his teeth.
Stop, now. This isn't worth it. Shrug it off. No, you weren't hitting on Liz. No, you are not mesmerized by her--- everything. Yes, you will avoid thinking about Liz in the future. Yes, this is your conscious speaking. Talon quickly tried to make up a response that would fit the criteria of a good lie. "No, I was remarking--" He paused, unable to come up with a lie. Think! "On the way the sky seemed to clear when you walked out. Sun makes it warm, ya know?" He hesitated again. Staring at the leaves beneath his feet intensely, like he was going to set them on fire with his gaze, he continued. "Employees aren't allowed to hit on their boss. You're out of my range, remember?"
Talon- Code Name Blade- walked a few more paces away, pulling out a small dagger to slice at a nearby convenient tree. It's a wood, there were quite a few convenient trees.