Perfect School

Jonah:

I was less concerned about Zero's well being, and more interested in in finding out more about the girl. I was sure she would have safety measures in place. But whatever made my team happy, and if I was being honest, I needed something more stimulating than every day training.

I kept the hood up against the wind, hands in my pockets as I waited on top of a rock for the others to catch up. Paublo was struggling with the climb, the cold digging in deep though he was wearing the most amount of layers of us all. Plus where I could walk across half frozen ground, he had to drag each foot through the snow to make a path for the others who were faring in varying ways. As they got closer I gestured up the mountain and called over the wind, "We are nearly there. Around the bend and across the ridge."

Even as I spoke a flare lit up the sky and a clanging bell was sounded much like an alarm. I frowned and turned towards the sound, and slowly pulled both hands from my pockets as I considered the sound.

Andrew:

Ordinarily I would have been but off by the cold and snow, but I was driven to make it up to where Zero was in trouble. The bells sounding only made me more worried. I hadn't thought that we could be the ones causing the alarm.

I was impatient with Paublo and Kyra, noticing this, made an effort to hurry him along kindly. When we got to the temple we cautiously entered, but there was no one inside. We began removing our jackets for better mobility and because the air inside the monastery was quite warm.

Kira:

I kept my jacket on my arm for a moment and glanced around at the empty waiting chamber.  The hairs on the back of my neck prickled.  Slowly I raised my hands, lacing my fingers behind my head.  "Slowly get on your knees, hands behind your head."  I called softly.  Jonah turned to face me one eyebrow raised but a soft sound from behind him made him whirl around.  A lithe figure covered in head to toe except for shining green eyes was crouched behind him.  Reflex made him lash out.

What happened next I observed from the door almost in slow motion.  The figure grabbed his arm, an elbow was driven into his chest followed quickly by rapid hits across his limbs and body.  He collapsed like a puppet having the strings cut from his body.  This of course brought everyone elses attention to the figure.  Andrew was the next to fall, being closest to Jonah, with Paublo soon after.  This only sent Kyra to be the next target and while she managed to exchange a blow, she much like the others, wore surprise as her body stopped responding to her call with every hit she took.  

In the end I stood alone, hands behind my head, back pressed to the wall.  The figure advanced towards me but paused as she stopped right before me.  "You are getting old.  When I first came here you would have known the best order to take them out in."  The remark was dropped with a ghost of a smile.

"Ah, you wound me Kira."  Slowly the figure unwrapped their head revealing black hair and a surprisingly youthful face though I knew she was in her thirties.  "You've grown up some.  Gotten as cold as the mountain too I see."

"And you've barely aged a day."

"You flatter me Nachtigall.  I'm sorry about..."  A hand gestured to the others, "They are friends right?"

"Of a sort.  Still.  We should move them."

~~~

Ten minutes later I stood against a wall, gazing at the two jail cells, waiting for my team to start to stir.  The walls and doors were made of iron, and though the doors were shut they weren't locked.  I'd tried to check on Zero but all of the girls defenses were in place and her room sealed tightly.  So all I could do was wait...wait for the one person who could help though we would have to seek out Allie first.

Jonah:

I woke with aching muscles in the cold cell. In a second I did calculations of my surroundings without moving or opening my eyes, them I looked around quickly and my gaze met Kira's. Then we weren't in danger, I thought.

"What happened?" I asked her, standing up from the cot and crossing the few feet to the cell door, I tested it and found that it slid away easily, unlocked. I could hear the other three stirring.

"You were neutralized as a possible threat. Likely you will have sore muscles, but that will work itself out given time." I stated, looking him over slowly. "Welcome to the temple, Zero's home."

Jonah:

I glanced around but ultimately my eyes sought out my team as one by one they came to. For a split second Kyra had a look of doubt on her face when she saw me on the other side of the bars from her, but I opened the cell door for her and it was replaced by one of confusion. She and Andrew joined Kira and I as Paublo gripped his head groggily.

I repeated the same words to the rest of them before pushing off the wall. "Come on. We have a meeting to get too." I ushered them along, out the doorway and into a room a few doors down. A conference table was set up and a woman lounged in an arm chair at the head of the table.

"Welcome to my home. I do apologize for the rough treatment. Wasn't sure who you all were at first and better to act than to ask questions when you could be dangerous." The woman smiled and gestured to the chairs around the table. "Sit, please."

Jonah:

I surveyed the room then then took a seat as she directed watching her closely.

"Where is Zero?" Andrew asked, first looking to Kira, then to the woman with a crease between his brows.

"Well that's the real question.  I am protective.  If I find you acceptable, Kira fan take you to her.  If not then i will kindly ask you to get out of my monastery.  Should you insist on staying...i and my students will declare you an enemy.". She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.  "Now let us see if I have this right.  I know Kira, you are Kyra, so you must be Kaiser.  You two look just like your parents."

Settling her gaze on Jonah and Paoblo she smiled, "You both i don't know.  So what shall I call you Jonah and Paublo?  Actually for all of you what would you like me to call you hm?  Names are important.  My real name is a secret few remember, but I am known as AlleyCat.  Or Allie for short."

Jonah:

I saw Andrew twitch in annoyance at hearing his first name, and Kyra shift with narrowed eyes at the woman. So, the self proclaimed Allie, knew the family. That wasn't too surprising considering they came from Assassin blood already, and that they were now connected to Kira, who she also knew. Did she know less of Paublo and myself because we came from ordinary families straight to the school? I watched her, trying to read every line on her face. She looked young, but I suspected she was several years older than she appeared.

"Our names are fine, except for Andrew, he prefers his middle name," I spoke for the group. I was sitting in the chair directly in front of the woman, Kira was behind me leaning against the wall, Kyra stood next to her brother who was seated in the corner, and Paublo was sitting next to me.

"What would you like to know about us?" I asked, leaning forward in an open manner to show a willingness to comply. I made an effort to seem flawlessly relaxed, but in actuality I was ready for any twist she might throw at me. She had downed me once, and that would be the last.

"Oh this and that. Kira, would you be a dear and get out the test for me?" Allie gestured to a cabinet on the wall behind her. I complied without a seconds thought, moving over to grab the items from within the cabinet.

Allie smiled at everyone in turn. "My, my. Quite the group you have. All I ask is that you perform a simple test for me. After that, perhaps I can answer a question or two of yours." While she continued speaking I placed a plastic button in the center of the table. "The test is simple. As an Assassin you are ordered to kill your targets. The button before you will kill your targets. All you have to do is press it."

She paused, gazing at everyone in turn before gesturing to me again. I placed paper and pencils before everyone before resuming my place against the wall. "As I said before the test is simple. Will you push the button? You are welcome to use the paper and pencil if you so choose."

Jonah:

My initial thought was that it was not a very telling test, but then I could think of a few things things it might show. How far did she want us to take the test? Kyra leaned over and pressed it. Andrew and Paublo both wrote their answers. Did it matter what I did? If my team had all failed then I wasn't going to have them leave without me. I could tell in Allie's eyes that she thought I would press it, there was something knowing in her expression. A second after Kyra had pressed it I tapped it then looked back to Kira expectantly. She was moving. "You've taken this, then?"

"Kira took it a long time ago." Allie piped up to which I nodded.

Settling my gaze on the button I shrugged, "I didn't wait for her to give me paper. My test went the same pace as yours. My orders were given. Kill the targets. The button kills them."

"All of you gave the answers I expected, and so the test was passed." Allie grinned and stretched out further in her seat. "I have what I need."

Jonah:

My eyes lingered on Kira's face a moment longer then I turned my attention back to Allie.

"So where is Zero? Has she been hurt? Do we get to see her?" Andrew asked impatiently.

"Zero is here, as far as I know she hasn't been hurt, you can see her if she wants someone to see her. Zero sealed herself away in her room, including sealing it with a steel door." Allie sighed and gracefully slipped free of the seat. "As you are in my home however, I would ask that you all be on your best behavior. I would hate to have to remove Zero's friends." The last comments were made while she looked right at Jonah. "Kira can show you all to your quarters, or a tour if you'd prefer. In either case I have my students to train or else I would be a better host."

Jonah:

I nodded to her then stood up to follow Kira. Once we were out of the room I asked her quietly, "Why is she so suspicious of me?" just as Andrew asked, "can I see Zero now then? Isn't that the point of being here?"

Kira:

I held up both my hands to make them all stop asking questions for a moment. "First, Zero is fine. Allie has been taking care of her for years. If she believes things are safe then they are." I turned my gaze to Jonah. "She is an Oracle. It's her job, and you were the one who answered for the team instead of letting everyone answer individually. So yes, she is suspicious." I looked then to Andrew, "I can take you to her in a moment, but the last time I was here Zero's defenses were formidable even then, and she likely hasn't grown less paranoid now."

Andrew:

"Can't we just ask her to come out nicely? I'm sure she wouldn't hid away if she knew we were here," I said. I wasn't going to force my way to the girl if she didn't want to be seen, as long as I knew she was safe.

"Of course. Anyone who wants to come is welcome too.". I shrugged and started down the hallway. "Stopping by our rooms first. Then to Zero."

Jonah:

I could feel Andrews eyes on me even though he was behind me. "You two can go alone, I'm sure the rest of us will have a chance to meet with Zero after she feels at ease," I said, mostly for the benefit of Andrew.

Kira:

"So be it. Rooms first, Zero second." I motioned with my fingers for them to follow along. The monestary was big, bigger than it seemed on the outside with many hidden rooms and things burried into the mountain itself. But the room I led everyone too was one with a view. "This is the guest room. Sleeping mats and blankets are in that closet there, and the screen against the wall will be moved to divide the room for genders." A finger pointed to each individual thing as I pointed it out. "Baths will be provided later, as will a meal. I'll make sure to round everyone up for such events." I turned to face everyone, "You are welcome to explore, but if a door is closed you should leave it as such. Some students speak english, some don't. In general because you aren't garbed like the students they will treat you like a guest. Be nice, stick to your own business, and remember we are guests here. This is Allie, Zero, and the student's home." I slowly looked from each person in turn. "Allie is creative with punishments, and the students will give you up in a heartbeat for stepping out of line."

It was a long winded speech, more so that it was made with an emotionless voice and an impassive face, but after giving them all a nod I motioned with my head towards the door while looking at Andrew. I didn't bother to wait for him, assuming he would catch up on his own. But as I led the way I glanced at him for a moment, "She is likely to be different than you expect. Zero has moments where she can be the most brilliant person in the room. And moments where she is the one who needs the most help. But she has a way with people that could rival even Jonah in getting people to do what they want." Stopping outside a branch in the hallway I gave him one last look before shaking my head. "She spooks easily when people come into her room. But I think you'll be fine." Taking us down one of the halls things became less like a temple and more modern. After a small flight of stairs and several doors I stopped outside a steel door that went from floor to ceiling. A couple cameras mounted to the walls were pointed out front and settling a hand on my hip I gazed up at one.

"Zero. Come on. Open up. Brought someone to come play with you." I called the words while the camera's shifted to train on me, then roam down the hallway. They seemed to ignore Andrew, but if I was any judge of her character the hidden ones would be focused on him. Slowly then with the sound of gears turning the door slid back into the wall until a simple wooden door remained. Nodding my head in thanks towards the camera I moved to the door and pushed it open. The room beyond was a mess. Pillows, stuffed animals, computer parts, tools, clothes, boxes, containers, and more littered the floor. A small bed was shoved into the corner beside an open archway through which a bathroom could be seen. Shelves lined most of the walls, though they held more of the random assortment of items that her floor did. But as my eyes swept over the room it was drawn towards the far wall. Screens covered the entire wall, and some screens were even hung on the ceiling or from mounts that set it diagonal to a large swiveling chair and the desk before it. The desk too held numerous keyboards, mice, and other computer gadgets.

Their wasn't any light in the room save that which came from the many screens, each one showing something different. News stations, stock reports, messenger programs, cameras, life readings beside pictures of numerous different people. I didn't need to search through the screens to know that our own vitals and information was held somewhere within the chaos. And so instead I focused on the chair, dark blue hair poked out from over the chair, and as I watched pale hands and arms moved over the various keyboards, hitting buttons and adding to the chaos that simply was Zero and everything she owned.

Clearing my throat over the sounds from the screens a squeak was herd and quickly the sounds were turned down. Instead of turning the chair around the figure turned around in the seat and Zero stared with wide eyes over the back of the chair. "Kira? When did y-" Her voice cut off, a soft sound, that was almost tomboyish sounding as those grey eyes settled on Andrew. She jerked back, but with really nowhere to go all she managed to do was make her chair fall, depositing her onto the ground. Sitting on her knees now she blinked up at the both of us. Dark blue hair framed a pale face dotted with numerous freckles. Grey eyes that held dark bags underneath watched us while chapped lips were worried at by her teeth. She was skinny, and the tanktop she was wearing had slid off one shoulder. Jean shorts covered her lower half, while a mismatched pair of socks covered her legs. One sock went to mid calf, made of solid black while the other went over her knee and was rainbow striped. She had the subtle curves of a girl, but was small in all the areas that Kyra wasn't.

"It's nice to see you too Zero." I remarked with a faint smile. "Andrew, meet our Oracle Zero." I gestured between them both. Zero didn't speak again, but she did give a shy little wave from her place on the floor.

Andrew:

"Hi," I said with a wave of my own. The low chaotic hum of various video feeds, and beeps, and sheer static noise permeated the room for the longest moment. My eyes stayed on Zero for the first five seconds, then they began to wander over the mess on the floor. "Mr. Tiger," I said, spotting the stuffed animal that I had seen in pictures.

Kira:

I glanced between the pair, both quiet, both just kind of looking at each other. Eventually though Andrew spoke, pointing out the large stuffed tiger. Zero's gaze snapped to it and she crawled over to pick it up. Settling it on her lap she let her fingers run over the worn fur before getting up slowly. She picked her way through the mess on the ground, sometimes hopping over piles, other times plowing right threw objects until she stood before us both.

"Mr. Tiger says hello too." She mumbled into its head while hugging it. Zero's gaze fixated on Andrew's chest and slowly she reached out to poke at the breast pocket. "Hi." She repeated to him, as a crooked smile won out on her face for a moment. A slight disturbance within the quieter cacophony of sound from her screens had her frowning and turning around. Pushing the stuffed tiger against Andrew, it didn't matter if he took Mr. Tiger or not, she moved back toward the desk and once there moved onto her tippie toes as she searched the screens.

From the doorway I shook my head slowly, "She does this. Work never really ends for an Oracle. I doubt she would mind if you joined her at the computer. Just watch where you step."

Andrew:

I inched through the clutter until I could kneel beside her, looking at her multiple screens. "That is an awful lot of cameras," I said, recognizing the rooms of our house on a few of the screens, most of which were minimized to tiny boxes. My eyes started to hurt just in the few moments I had been looking at the screens. I turned my gaze, instead, upon her. She wasn't what I had expected. I had seen bury pictures of her face, but everything else was different. She seemed more confident through text, more focused. Maybe it was because I was a screen to her.