Kazuko Kouta's Story

WildOak Asylum; named for the thick woods surrounding it, a private nature reserve; ancient trees shelter the old building from view, a winding road miles long leading to its entrance that is rarely driven on except by employees. There are many of them; nurses who fill medications for the patients, wardens who keep them in line, psychologists who try to make the abnormality in these people go away so that they can fit in with society's standards, and a few janitors and maids to clean up after them. The ones who know of this place's existence are many. Those who know the truth of it are few. They can sense it though, those workers; there is something wrong with this place. People quit their jobs here far more often than should happen, crazies or no. None of them speak of it; simply say they work at a hospital or with those that have special needs. Being associated with this place, with its fame and reputation, one would think the people who worked here would be proud they got in - and they are... up until they actually begin working here, suspicious from the very first moment they enter when they have to drop off any personal belongings at the door, and read the dress code that does not allow belts, any form of cutlery for their lunches, writing utensils, or even CDs.

It's a nice place; large windows, wide halls that have plenty of light, intricate victorian style designs; what you don't see until your inside is the metal bird netting inside the plastic windows, the security pads on all doors and windows; this place is just a fancy cage. If you were to shine a UV light on the floor and walls, they would glow brilliantly as the light revealed the horrors that have happened here over the many years. The only ones who know of that however are the family that run the place and a few trusted employees, other than the patients themselves of course.

Some days are calm. The patients allowed to wander the halls do so, the first through third ward patients allowed select games and the right to associate with other patients, perhaps allowed to go outside into the yard and play some kind of ballgame, all of that with extreme supervision of course. Other days, the yelling of the fourth ward patients echoes down the halls, occupying the nurses and wardens, leaving the other patients with more freedom as they are left with less attention. The food is good, through the rooms are small. Good behavior gets you movement to a more relaxed ward, though they are never truly free. The money that funds this place mostly comes from the government, the result of discoveries made over a hundred years credited to them. The public often wonders how much hard work it must have taken, how much study and observation. Donations are aplenty; government stipends for each discovery and medication still used are sent to them.

But all that's just the surface - the reality of those discoveries are far darker. Testing taken through force, ones that wouldn't be considered humane, give them over half of their material. Responses to different conditions such as pain and pleasure, illegal drug testing, training them to behave like dogs - that is the way here, when others aren't looking. The only ones who can truly understand what it's like to experience those things are the ones who have experienced it; understanding can only be gained though pain and hardship. Such is the way humans evolve. So one can only think, does that mean the patients are the ones who see the true reality? They certainly think so, and life is all about perspective. Why should they have to put up with that? The answer; they shouldn't, and they know it. So they take every chance they get to show others just what they think of it.

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Tsukiko never did care about other people; they were different than him, after all. Society expected him to fit in, to be 'one of the crowd'. He said to hell with that, and so they'd chosen him as the outcast, just like the group of bullies at the playground. They said the things he had done weren't his fault, that he could get 'better'; but if getting better meant becoming as blind and ignorant as the majority, they could take their acceptance and shove it. That was just a power play anyway, so that they could feel good about themselves, raise their self esteem - so that they could say they were different, better, normal. You saw it on the child playgrounds all the time - the one kid picked on because he or she was 'different'. Destroying that person brought the others satisfaction, brought them together. They didn't understand him; and he too couldn't understand them.

Did they really think he would care if they chose him as the one to be outcasted? He had no bonds with any of the people out there, judging him, putting him in this place. To be close to someone, you have to be able to understand them, just as they understand you. Those people can't understand him, thus any bond of so-called 'friendship' is shallow, fake, with no real attachment; do they think he cares about losing bonds such as those? Do they think it torments him, that his trust had been broken, that they had hurt him, that he wanted to know why and earn back their acceptance?

How ridiculous. Well, if it made them feel better about themselves, then they could just go ahead and do so. It wasn't like they mattered. And apparently, that was very very wrong, because it was what had landed him in this place; well, that and the fact that he had killed a couple cops, but they were shooting at him and his pack; was he supposed to stand there and die? As if. He refused to give ignorant idiots the title of his killer.

And so here he was. WildOak Asylum. A fester pool of darkness and pain, at odds with the appearances given by the bright open hallways. And they were getting transfers today; more people who would wither die or learn that they were not the ones in the wrong. Newbies were always fun.

A gasp and clatter tipped him off that he'd been found, and Tsukiko looked up to see a young female nurse staring at him in absolute shock. The expression on her face alone was almost enough to make one laugh, regardless of the fact that she had dropped her clipboard and papers all over the place. Tsukiko allowed himself a tiny smile of amusement; really, really tiny but still an accomplishment on the nurse's part.

"Wh- what are you doing?! Get down from there, you'll hurt yourself! ... How did you even get up there anyway!" She called up to him, voice squeaking twice.

Tsukiko, with one last glance at the main gate, with its high metal bars and voltage signs everywhere, decided to do as she asked. He was bored by now anyway - obviously the new people weren't going to be here any time soon, so it was a waste of time. He leaned forward slightly, changing so he was sitting on one heel with one foot out in front to control direction as he slid down the downward descent of the roof, leaning back slightly to slow down as he reached the edge, and pushed off so he was facing away form the drop rather than towards it so that he could catch the third-story windowsill instead of falling three stories down, using the momentum to direct himself through the opening. He heard a faint shriek from the nurse as he did so.

The windows, as with most of the doors, had a keypad that would unlock it so it could be opened; after living here three years, Tsukiko already knew the pass codes to most of them.

The third ward, on the top left of the building when facing the entrance, were the only windows with easy access to the roof, the place with the best view of the surroundings and gate. Tsukiko liked being up high, where there was else of a chance that they would be able to find him; thus he had learned the pass codes for the rooms and windows there a long time ago, as well as the schedule for changing them.

"Ki, stop using my window. I'll stab you." A voice ordered bluntly, with no joke in it, when he landed inside the room.

"Not a chance." Tsukiko answered just as bluntly, closed the window, and walked out. The kid, Kazue, had been tossed in WildOak several months ago, and didn't seem to give a damn what they wanted him to do, though for very different reasons than Tsukiko - kid wasn't nearly as lucid as he seemed. Kazue looked up from his book long enough to glare at him as he left the room.

The hall was empty, as usual here; third ward was where the patients with just enough self-control to not kill somebody were kept. Thus, all the doors were password-protected, instead of simply locked like the doors in second and first ward. During the mid-day, the first ward patients were allowed to roam free, while the second wards needed to have an escort. He'd ditched his earlier - normal, and by now they were so tired of trying to keep up with him that they didn't even punish him anymore, so long as no one got hurt.

Tsukiko easily made his way down to the first floor, avoiding the commons rooms and halls where staff regularly passed through, so that he could go to the first waiting room and see out the front window, waiting for the cars that would bring his next source of entertainment. After they got past all the security checks, that was.

Speaking of which, the door suddenly opened to reveal the same nurse he had just seen outside, who got that same look on her face as he had seen outside, obviously wondering how a patient could get down from the third wharf where he had entered the place from the roof to the first waiting room so quickly. You needed authorization for every area you went to, and accompaniment by staff as well, required at all times. This one probably worked with the newbies - that would be why she hadn't seen him around before or known his reputation.

Purely to freak her out more, Tsukiko gave her a charming smile and wave - it wasn't like he was always unfriendly, sociopaths like him were famed for being able to imitate normal behaviors. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the gate move, light flashing at an odd angle into the room as it reflected off a car. The woman blinked a couple times, then spun on her heel and walked away quite quickly, muttering about old asylums and ghost shows she had seen on TV.

The new patients had arrived. Finally, someone new to mess with - the ones they had here were pretty much too used to him by now, it wasn't any fun.

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David had about had it. He could feel his tempter rising at every slight bump in the road as the cuffs on his wrists jingled and tugged at the sore flesh that had been rubbed raw from weeks and weeks of being transferred from cell to car to bus to cell to car to truck and back again. He snarled, annoyed and yanked at them again the veins in his neck popping out as his next tantrum threatened to breach.

"This shit again...how many times is he going to try that shit, do we even have anymore of that sedative they gave us?" The cop in the driver's seat asked, glancing at his partner then at the bulletproof division between them and the known psychopathic killer in the back seat.

"Nah, used the last one outta Georgia, man." His partner murmured. "They really should have given us a truck for this guy, he doesn't seem to do well with confined spaces like this. I mean...six hours is a bit much even for a fucker like him."

"Get these fuckin' things off." David demanded, the two jumped as he sent his head crashing into the divider and pressed his face against the bullet proof glass. "GET THEM OFF!" He bellowed this time, his hot breath fogging the glass only making his creepy yellow eyes blur and look even more animalistic. They had his handcuffs hooked to the floor of the vehicle to keep him from trying to break the glass, despite knowing full well it was impossible. The driver, a fat cop from Georgia spoke up to try and keep him calm, however David could see the beads of sweat around his furrowed eyebrows as he looked back at him through the rear view mirror.

"Listen, we're almost there, see? You can see the front gates. You have to keep calm back there."

The cop at the passenger's side made the mistake of looking back to see if he'd calmed a little with the news. David still had his face pressed against the division and he locked onto the cop's eyes with a blood curdling glare. The cop was starkly reminded of the photos he'd been presented when they'd approached him about the transfer. The man had been found covered in blood and viscera calmly...doing his business with the remains of a fully grown man right there next to him on the floor. He'd never dealt with a criminal like that. He could handle gangsters, drunks, even murderers. This guy was sick. The cop turned to face front his face ashen pale. They where sharing a car with the devil without doubt and he'd taken the job like it was some kind of call to duty.

David cried out again, this time bringing his head back and whipping it forward to collide with the bulletproof division. CRACK! The police car skidded to a stop feet from the gate kicking up gravel as the cops both went for their guns. David was still, leaned against the window his eyes glazed over as blood smeared the division where his head had hit it.

"DAVID! I NEED YOU TO SIT UP! SIT UP!.........GET UP"

"DAVID GET UP!" David was back at his home. His mother was shouting at him. He stared at her, the way her golden hair swayed when she leaned angrily and shook her head. "Your father's going to be here any minute and look at the mess the house is in! Do something about it, don't just sit here starin' at the damn TV! You're USELESS!"

David jolted to consciousness and sat up, forehead smeared with blood. The cops jumped back guns aimed at him, expecting him to leap at their throats or something. The sun beamed in at him through the open car doors. They where still feet from the open gate. David glanced up at the Asylum then down at the cuffs on his wrists. He felt a lot calmer now that a fresh breeze was flowing across his face. He could smell the oak trees and the forest. It smelt like home to him. He smiled friendly-like and raised his wrists. "You gon' escort me in 'r what?"

They eventually got the car the rest of the way to the front doors and escorted David out and into the building. A lot of checks were made but so many had been done along the way it was practically a give in that he carried absolutely nothing on him, not even his own pair of clothes. David was in prison orange, his personal clothing was tucked into a bag originally meant for evidence but fashioned into a storage space for everything he owned. A pair of jeans, a shirt, a pair of boxers, and a strange hat fashioned out of a wolf pelt and scull.

"Make damn sure you take good fuckn' care of that wolf mask, y'hear? I'll pull your tongue out of yer pie hole n'd stick it up yer ass. Fuckn' thing took me years to make. I'll make one out of each a' yall if I find out it was one a' yall who'd ruined it." David growled as they passed the bag from hand to hand and had each item checked and promptly locked away for good. It wasn't likely he'd ever see it again since he was to be admitted for life. Everyone avoided his gaze. David loved it, there was nothing he liked more than intimidating the people around him simply by staring at them. It was thanks to his eyes and the lovely reputation he'd cultivated simply by committing a single crime. It was the only crime he'd ever committed. Well, the only one what was worth noting. David let his yellowed gaze wander as the police checked the paperwork. The building itself held little interest for him. He knew a prison when he saw one and this was little more than a prison with slightly nicer architecture. If he was lucky he'd figure out a way to get outdoor privilages, that would be enough for him, for the time anyways. He intended to run this place like he had his cell block in prison. That had been fun. No one wanted to fuck with a psychopath there. Though, admittedly things would likely be different here due to the fact that most everyone was a psychopath.

"Ain't got one like me though." He muttered under his breath. He finally noticed the splotch of blood on his forehead and gingerly inspected the wound with his fingertips. "When in sam hell did I get this?

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"What are you doing? Let me go. Let me go! Stop it! No! Please, stop. What - I can. Let. Me. Go!"

The slight girl's screaming could be heard echoing through the warmly lit corridors, echoing in a medical symphony of the typically 'reassuring' doctor's murmur and the sound of metal on metal as Lillian struck the doctor's trolley away and it collided with the metal at her windows. Her screams were rent with the occasional shuddering sob, or inarticulate frustration-fuelled screech. She hated doctors. Lil hated the people that said that she was ill, that there was something wrong with her. She was fine. Hell, she was normal. And she just wanted to go and see the new residents. She had arrived with the last batch, and she was eager to not be the 'New Girl' anymore. But she'd be damned if she took her medicine this morning. It made her feel sick and shivery and numb. Why couldn't they let her continue with her art therapy? She enjoyed that.

"Miss Brennan! I'm going to have to ask you to - ah - calm down. I don't want to have to -"

"Don't touch me! I don't want it!"

That sassy back chatting nurse had been the one to bring her her medicine this morning. And he'd goaded and teased her. He was a pervert and Lil was so done with perverts. When his hand had brushed hers while passing over the rattling cup of multicoloured tablets, she'd struck out. He'd hit her, evidenced by the new purple bruise to her face, and the situation had escalated. Lillian didn't like hurting people, but he'd touched her first and they knew that she didn't like it. A small team of nurses had, of course, come to his rescue. The metallic crash had been the heralding sound as they lifted her by her arms to hold her against the wall and her flailing legs had collided with their stupid trolley. Her cacophonous screaming faded slowly as they waited for her fit to pass.

She looked a mess. Lillian's dirty blond hair fell in front of her eyes in uncoordinated strands and her eyes were too white and too bloodshot. The bruise that coloured her pale cheek was made to seem worse by her too pale skin. Lips parted, she eventually stopped struggling, her relentless angry cries giving way to bitter panting as she started to pull oxygen back into her burning lungs.

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Twenty minutes later, she'd taken her medicine and, in her passive stupor following her tantrum, had been redressed. Her hair now neatly coiled up on her head, the nurse had released her on a caution, knowing the temperament of his particular patient and acknowledging his accident. Lil stumbled out of her room, arms wrapped around her body as though by doing so she could hold her body together as the inevitable shudders took over. She hated feeling cold. Lillian had wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and the hem dragged behind her on the ground like some heavy cape as she descended the stairs.

A doctor followed her, letting her pass through the doors, but allowing her the illusion that she chose where she went when in reality there was only one place she could go. The rec room was on the ground floor. Trudging miserably down long halls, ignoring the echoing cries that never seemed to end at WildOak, Lil led her doctor to the dingy, dusty room where she was permitted to enjoy herself. When she entered, it was empty, which wasn't a surprise as it was still early. She looked around, taking in the dirty tomes and comics that lined the ancient bookcases, the patched furniture, and the heavy curtains. Making accidental eye contact with the doctor made her cringe, but she sighed softly, looking up at him through her lashes and offering a sheepish smile. Seemingly satisfied, he nodded, then turned and left her in the room.

The door had a soft close hinge, which she knew well. One hand reached into her pocket where she'd already folded a piece of paper a couple of times, and she slid it between the wall and the door before it could close and lock her in. The door shut, holding the paper in place well enough that it was easy to turn the handle and exit. Wrapping her arms around herself again, she skittered quickly down the hall, casting furtive glances in every direction, desperate not to get caught. Finding herself at the entryway, she moved into the corridor that ran against the front of the large building.

Her usual spot was vacant as usual. The window seat was set against an impressive bay window which enjoyed the heat of the sun no matter what time of day it was, and it was there she'd often curl in a catlike, content way until people could be heard looking for her. She lifted the cushions of the seat to retrieve the notepad and pencil that she stashed there, before tugging her blanket with her and getting comfortable. This spot was perfect, because if she drew the curtains, which she did, she was invisible to anyone that walked past in the corridor, and she was quiet enough not to be heard too. She could see the newcomers arriving from her new vantage point, and decided to use it to sketch the face of each one that entered.

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”Meow, meow! New peeps,” Puss hummed excitedly, the bridge of her nose pressed up in full force against the glass window; eyes gleaming with wonder and curiosity down at the scene below. The arrival of new patients of course was what captured the girls gaze when peering down, the lingering possibility of fun and amusement, and much more, spinning round inside her head. ”Wander what they’re in for, hnnngh ~ ”

Turning round on the balls of her feet, Puss hopped down from the window-ledge and landed on the floor, before beginning to make ways for the end of the hallway. ”Excuse me,” she sighed while tiptoeing round a member of staff who stood by the door, ”Coming through,” Puss added with particular emphasis towards the latter, and sulked with, ”Thank-you.” Hurrying on down the hallway with a nod of approval, she rushed down and practically bounced from the floor as the girl made a quick turn at the corner. With a light jingle from the bell that hung from her left ear, the staff knew where the girl was near enough all the time; a makeshift tracker in the vaguest of sense, you could say, as it almost always gave away her position. Ignoring it for now though, Puss bobbed along until reaching the bottom floor, and then once there, immediately scanned over the area with her mismatched eyes.

However, her perceptive gaze was sharply broken by a sudden, ”Oi!” A female warden had called when darting a glare to the girl, and promptly tugged the cat by the collar of her clothing, ”Were you not suppose to be in a time-out upstairs?”

”N-yah, it wasn’t me!” Puss hissed while pulling away, ”Meow! You got the wrong cat, lady! N-yarrr!” Both sets of weighty fingers pressing down on the one hand that had captured her, the feline embedded her nails into the woman’s cold hand and dug deep; hoping the warden would release and let her be on her merry way once more.

”And where are your socks?” The warden quizzed, to which a ‘humph’ was the response. ”You should really cover up more.”

With a flick of the wrist the woman let go; dropping the cat to the floor with a thud as Puss then scrambled onto her feet, and shot a dirty look to the staff-member. Naturally the woman wasn’t impressed, however over the few years that the girl had spent within the Asylum, much of the current staff knew to expect as much; as if dealing with a child, a whiny one occasionally, Puss wasn’t the worst patient they had and with simple methods she was, per say, manageable. ”It makes my skin itchy! N-yah!” The girl huffed, quickly turning on her heel before scurrying off in the opposite direction, away from the woman. Then after though, and quietly, she muttered back under her breath, ”Na-la-la, you are dumb.”

Her freedom was short lived however as once arriving upon another door, yet another member of staff was quick to block the girls way. Seemingly pleased in doing so they merely questioned, ”Do you have permission to be down here?” The man asked, likely another warden from what Puss could deduce, before the girl gave a lazy tilt of her head. ”If not, you’ll have to return to your room. You kn--”

”N-yar! I wanna see the new peeps,” She interrupted and stomped her bare foot, ”Move out the way! Meow!”

”Only if you say please.” He bargained, smugly.

”Meow-owe--” she whined, feeling a forceful smack to the back of the head. A whack for not using her words, usually, as Puss had come to figure out; though that didn’t mean she was any more willing to use them, and mostly didn’t, when irked. ”N-yah, hmph.”

”Oh well… guess you won’t be wanting a little treat then, either.”

Instantly the girl pounced on the man and grabbed at his sleeves, ”I want treat, give it to me! Meow!”

Offering a mere nod in response the man lead the way, unlocking a few doors along the way as he easily guided the girl through the connecting rooms; a task managed only through the promise of a treat, as some knew, and the pair continued to move along. Although when reaching a particular area some minutes after, Puss was handed a small lollipop that she promptly inserted between her lips, and contently sucked on.

Treats were rare, and staff willing to give them out was considered even rarer; Puss knew to keep it secret while she could, enjoying the sweet for that moment, before crushing the juicy orb between her teeth and gulping it down in one. ”Meow! The hunt for new peeps continues!”

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Emmett was used to the usual routine of WildOak Asylum; he knew more than he should and could get away with things he shouldn't. It was only natural he was able to move more freely than other third ward patients; he had been at the Asylum for five years now and knew all the tricks and all the right words to get the wardens to let him move freely. Em knew which wardens were goody goody, and which were open to a bribe or favour in return for him to do as he pleased. Known for harming quite a lot of patients and enjoying the punishment that came afterwards, Em used this to his advantage. If some patients were on a warden or nurse's bad side, he'd offer to deal with them or put them in their place, in return Em was allowed to leave his room whenever he pleased. Some called him a traitor for doing favours for the one's many patients feared the visit of, whereas Emmett saw it as being strategical. You had to make a few friends to get what you wanted and just as many enemies in return. There wasn't much that could be used against Em. He wasn't emotionally attached to anyone and being beaten up was a plus, which really annoyed and disgusted others.

Emmett let out an annoyed, drawn out groan as he sat impatiently on his bed. "Arrrgghhh come on come on!" He yelled out, knowing very well the staff were late to give him the medication he craved. Em was becoming fidgety and more irritated by the minute. "Damn sheep wasting my time.." He mumbled crossly to himself. "For fucks sa-" Before he could finish his sentence a nurse opened the door, accompanied by a familiar warden. "About time!" He exclaimed with a grin. The staff were quite relieved that he was so eager to take his medication compared to most uncooperative patients, Em sculled them down like candy. It was when he started using bribes to get more than he should was when it became a problem. Although he was easy to deal with, his reputation made staff still cautious of him with his violent history. As he was handed the medication, he swallowed it all at once then gave the warden suggestive look. The warden frowned before turning to the nurse.

"I'll take it from here. You can go." No questions asked the nurse was more than happy to leave the warden with Em alone in the room. It was silent for a moment as Em raised a brow at the warden for being so quiet. This guy seemed new to the whole breaking the rules shit which only made things more exciting. "...Did you do it?"

"What? You telling me you haven't heard yet? Of course I bloody did it. I must thank you for such a feisty target. They certainly put up a fight." Em rolled up the long white sleeve of his left arm to reveal a series of scratches, bite marks and bruises followed by a devious, proud smile. The warden didn't know how to react but it was certain he felt awkward at this point. "Now hurry up and escort me out already, new toys are arriving today and I don't want to miss it." His playful tone turned serious now as he stood up off his bed and the warden simply gave him a nod.

The main reason why Em was in the third ward was because of all these favours he gave the staff. So that they wouldn't get in trouble, Em would instead. As he was lead through the floors he passed a few familiar faces but was far too interested on the new people arriving. Finally reaching the first floor, he shooed the warden away as he approached the waiting room only to notice Ki had gotten there before him. "Keen on the newbies too huh?" Emmett said as he casually walked up beside him, also peering out the front window as cars pulled up with various patients exiting them. "Ooo he looks like he could really harm somebody." Emmett's eyes locked onto a rather tough looking male, although he couldn't exactly see him very well from this distance; he watched as they searched him and removed some belongings. Em was already growing excited with anticipation, disturbing thoughts running through his mind of harming the man and being equally harmed. Em was pretty sick in that sense.

This was it... this was to be his new home. He could see the building rising above the oak trees and the surreal forest. It seemed so quaint and beautiful as if he wasn't going to an asylum but a famed school or some holiday special hotel. It was almost like he had finally received a letter to Hogwarts and life would get a million times better, albeit late. WildOak was famous enough to pretend but this was not a ticket to Hogwarts. His life was changing, but there would be no magic and love and happiness. He didn't want to go here. It felt so themed and fake but no. There was no holiday. There was no room service and relaxation and spas waiting for Adair. He wouldn't see his family here or interact with any friends that he still may have harbored back home. He wasn't even in the same state anymore, his father had made sure of that. This was to be his cage until he learned to behave and think 'properly'.

What did that even mean? What was proper? He had been behaving and acting just fine before all of this happened. Sure, he was part of a mirror and he could admit that he was starting to live his life in front of it but the tragedy that led him here wasn't his fault. He shouldn't be sent away like this, alone and scared and half of himself. The night his father had shattered his mirror he had admittedly gone berserk. He could hardly remember what happened even though the event had occurred about a month ago. All he remembered was that his father had picked up a chair and smashed the anchor of his soul. The psychiatrist back home told him he had screamed and scrambled through the shards of glass in a frenzy and he had attacked his father before clawing at himself. The hospital had come to pick him up and he'd been in a straight jacket for a while until he calmed down. Now, a month after his first admittance, he was being transferred to WildOak Asylum. Everyone thought it would be better for him to be in a completely new environment and force him to engage patients he wasn't familiar with. Yay.

Since he had been on good behavior lately, he was given the benefit of the doubt and was permitted to just sit in the back of the car with a simple seat-belt and no restraints. He hadn't tried to hurt anyone outside of that one episode after all. And, they had quickly realized that once he was given that one little mirror shard back, he had immediately relaxed.Tthey decided to let him keep it which was a good thing. The only sad part was that the actual glass was encased in a sealed box which he couldn't open. This was to ensure that he didn't use the sharp edges to cut anyone or himself. No matter how he tried, he could not open the blasted thing. So, there he was, sitting in the back seat, fiddling with the case at the end of a silver chain around his neck. He usually kept it hidden beneath his shirt but he needed to hold it for some reassurance right now.

It wasn't much longer before the car stopped in front of the large gates. Adair swallowed hard in his trepidation. He quickly hid his necklace beneath his shirt as his escorts stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for him. Adair slowly stepped out and squinted his deep blue eyes as the sun beat down on him and he raised a hand to shield them from the glare. "Come on, kid," one of the escorts called and grabbed his upper arm. He immediately tensed, but he followed the man as he was led through the series of gates and check points. The young teenager trembled a little more after each pat down; it meant he was that much farther away from freedom.

At the last checkpoint, the guard pulled the necklace out of his shirt and raised an eyebrow. "You aren't allowed any personal belonging. I will be taking this," the man stated.

Adair's eyes widened and he pulled away from the man and clutched the chain desperately. "No! Please! Don't take it! This is all I have left of me!" he begged. His escorts immediately grabbed his arms to keep him still.

The escort that had grabbed him earlier piped up then, "Let 'em keep it. He'll become violent otherwise."

"That is just enabling his behavior, showing him he can get his wants with a tantrum. None of the other patients have the privilege," the gatekeeper answered.

"Just take it after his first session. He hasn't put up a fuss or anything with it on."

"I don't care. The psychiatrist will say when he is allowed to have it back. For now, I must confiscate it." The man then pulled the necklace off and Adair's eyes widened. That little piece of glass was all he had left of his soul! He needed it! Why would they take something that important away? His heart started hammering in his chest and his eyes were glued to the little case that protected his soul. He started to struggle then. "No! No! I need it! I need it!" His pleas fell on deaf ears as he began to be pushed through the gate. He tried to fight his way back but he wasn't strong enough. Tears filled his eyes and he started to hyperventilate. This couldn't be happening again. He didn't want to loose himself! His sheer panic made him snap.

Almost instantly, his eyes narrowed and his tears stopped coming. His feature seemed to harden from their boyish touch and his trembling ceased. Adair was gone. "Get the fuck off me!" he snarled then. Roland would have none of this. Unfortunately there was only so much he could do considering he was a rather scrawny 17 year old. The escorts hustled him through into the asylum and it wasn't until the other escort hugged him tightly from behind to immobilize him that he began to calm himself down. Though he seemed calm, they hadn't put Roland back into his place. Considering he didn't have his shard, Roland would be out to play for a while until he got Adair back from these assholes. He just needed to play the part until he was given back what was his. That meant he had to be nice though all he wanted to do was fight those that would put him in danger.

"Are you calm, Adair?" the escort asked tentatively.

"Yeah." Roland answered in Adair's stead.

The escort let Roland go then to go on his way before they left the same way they came leaving Roland to his own devices. Roland dusted himself off and glanced around then trying to get his barrings. He wasn't the only newbie but he saw other patients watching. They were probably veterans of this place, come to see the squalling fresh meat.

---

---

---

Yuuji was very annoyed. He didn't find out they were getting new ones until that very morning. His usual escort, a woman named Robin whom he was proud to say he groomed personally for months told him at 7am, only two hours before the lineup would arrive. He was very disappointed in her and portrayed as such by acting the betrayed child. He hadn't spoken to her for the past half hour and intended to keep it that way for the next day and a half. Currently he led her through the halls, ignoring her despite the sweets she promised. He didn't truly care about the sugared carbs. At least not the ones she offered. She always came to him with candies. Sweets you could get easily at a dollar store by the fistfull. It was pastries and cakes he liked. She should have known that by now.

Yuuji walked the halls lightly his hands entwined behind his back as he pretended his nursemaid didn't exist. ”Meow! You got the wrong cat, lady! N-yarrr!


Yuu blinked and stepped back as Yukiko scurried past him, the wind from her spirited escape blew his near translucent white hair about him. There were a lot of strange people in that place but Yukiko was the strangest in his opinion. He followed in her path towards the commons room, making no attempt to rush through the hallways. He stopped before getting through the last doorway and peered through the window scanning the room for intrigues. Inside the main office some hulking ruffian was giving the wards and nurses a hard time. He spoke with a voice that managed to carry through both sets of walls without him truly raising his voice. The southern accent he had was very strong. Yuu would have to investigate that one further. Ki was in there perched by the window, his deep interest betrayed ever so slightly in his posture. Yuu smiled at his ability to spot that, it took him quite a while to acquire such a skill. At that moment another new patient was being wrestled into the building. He looked around his height, perhaps an inch or two taller but his hair was a pleasant red-brown. Yuu watched closely as the wards wrestled him to calmness, with deep interest in his gaze. Without a doubt he would make for an interesting plaything.

And then there was Emmet. A giddy childish excitement rose in him, drowning out the calculative curiosity that cultivated at the arrival of the new ones. It was as if he’d suddenly been presented with an extra present for his birthday. His magenta eyes widened and all at once he shoved the doors wide opened. “EMMY!”

He practically dove across the room to hang around his neck like a brightly colored necklace. One of his bright red slippers even slipped off and lay abandoned in the middle of the room. The wards in the commons practically bristled unanimously and one of them shouted authoritatively towards him. “Yuuji! Hands to yourself!”

Yuu continued to cling to Emmet with one arm as he made a face at the ward, bulling his eyelid down and sticking his tongue out grotesquely. “Don’t be so stingy, I’m not hurting him, right Emmy? Am I hurting you?” He absently smoothed Emmet’s shirt out, smiling playfully. “He won’t let me anyways.”

The tone in his last sentence was annoyed and by contrast to his light friendly tone seemed aggressive, almost pissed off. “There’s something entirely wrong with the lot of you.”

He left Emmet’s side and walked up to Adair sticking his hand out for a shake. “Hello, welcome to the madhouse I’m Yuuji.”

Yuuji’s hand up to the very tip of his middle finger had been stitched. Not because of any sort of wound mind. There was no split in the skin, there were a few small scars, old scars that were difficult to see with his pale skin but the red threading that trailed in spirals up his arm didn’t look to be anything but some form of decoration, some kind of extreme body modification. It looked painful up close, all one could imagine was the way it must tighten whenever he moved to flex his arm or bend it, the way it tugged at the sensitive skin on the hand. The same stitches were on his face as well. They lined the edge of his eyelid and the corner of his lip. You could almost imagine him tugging the string through as the skin resisted. Yet, Yuuji grinned, oozing with friendliness that may have had the tint of falsehood hidden somewhere like a fraction of unease had been snapped off and dissolved inside. It was not unlike a drug being presented by an oh-so-trusted stranger. This man wanted to harm him.

And yet there was still something genuine in that smile in the similar way that there was something genuine about the way a stranger says he’ll pray for you. You know he will probably forget in the next hour, and the gesture itself may be pointless but the sentiment had some fraction of sympathy hidden in it. Yuuji’s smile had the same tint of sympathy a hint of genuine concern mixed with the intoxicating need to harm.

◥◤◢◣

---

Today had to be the most annoying day of his life, Kazuko had decided. All the patients were in a tizzy; something about new patients. And while he did have a vague interest in that, it was mostly due to boredom. He had only been at this place a couple months, mostly only haunting the halls at night when his insomniac tendencies played up. Already this place was grating at his nerves; no wonder the other patients were so unstable. No doubt he would be as bad off as they were soon enough - it wasn't like he was asinine, as many here were, no doubt partly in thanks to the empty white walls. That wasn't even to mention the effects those... special attentions must cause. The arrival of new people only meant there would be some slightly calmer people around again, hopefully; for a while anyway. But he could really care less, since he didn't associate with other people anyway. He knew the other patients were looking forward to it though; so he had decided to go see what all the fuss was about.

The halls were nearly deserted except the wardens and nurses; the doors were all tight shut as usual. Kazuo walked with his natural light step over to the metal door that protected the nurses from the patients; he hadn't been here long enough to be allowed to slip out unaccompanied, which was ridiculous; he was far more lucid than many of those they let out alone, like that one girl he's seen who thought she was a cat, and the idiot who looked like a girl that was always using his window to escape the building for some reason. It had been happening since the very first time here; apparently he had been using that same window for several years, so who was he to stop the idiot? He never went to the level of forcing him to store for that very reason.

Reaching up to the slim plane of glass in the heavy door, he gave a sharp rap, then took a step back. Not five seconds passed and the door was flung open, revealing his nurse, who stared at him blankly. "...How did you get out of your room?" She asked cautiously.

"I opened the door." Kazuo answered bluntly, giving her an unimpressed look.

The nurse merely sighed. The first few times she had been quite flustered, though Kazuo didn't really know why, figuring she must be one of those control freak OCD people; after all, he was a teenager. It was only natural that he would figure out a way to sneak out; all he'd done was get out of his room, not the entire house. Honestly. She ought to appreciate the fact that he was a goody goody compared to a lot of other teenagers. Really, these people…

The nurse carefully slipped past the door, after giving him a once-over to assure herself that he wasn’t going to be violent or anything. Never could be too careful with those third-ward crazies.

”What is it you want?”

”Just to go to the first rec rom.”

She smiled widely for some reason. ”So you want to see the new patients! Ah, I’m so glad to see you being social!” She chirped. Kazue didn’t correct her mistake - after all, it meant he would get out of that damnable white room.

The nurse went over to the main door, typing in the code and leading the way out, glancing back at him occasionally as they walked the quiet halls.

The rec room was far fuller than usual; a lot of people must have been bored today. A girl whom he had seen around a few times was sitting in the windowsill, peeking past the curtains with interest; the girl that thought she was a cat was bouncing joyfully at the window where the couch ended, bouncing up and down and babbling nonstop, meanwhile Ki was glaring at her from across the room looking like he was gonna snap any second now, a boy he didn’t know leaning against the wall nearest him with a cocky smirk in place, another boy hanging of his neck like some kind of lover, a couple of nurses hovering nearby.

Ki leaned forward slightly as screaming suddenly filtered through the windows - apparently the first of the new patients were being brought in. After going through the security checks, they would have to pass through the main lobby before reaching the point where halls began to lead off in other directions. This spot was a guaranteed sighting, and usually they wouldn’t be allowed to get so close until which ward they would be in could be determined, but with so many who wanted to be there they couldn’t exactly do anything. Only three of the nurses had managed to keep up with their patients - and he could see them giving Ki and the two he’d allowed somewhat near him some extremely worried looks, and him as well.

Outside, the screaming suddenly cut off, the banging of car doors - not a few moments later a boy was led through into the lobby, glancing around curiously - he had blood on him, slowly dripping down his temple.

A faint whispering started up in his ears, which actually surprised him a little, though not all that much. The voices usually stayed fairly quiet when he wasn’t taking an active role in things, but now they were giving him a steady stream of information, as if it was important. Perhaps this was why all these people gathered here - he’d come simply because it was something to do, but perhaps it was more important than he realized.Blood, someone has taught him a lesson.Humans learn fastest when they’re in pain. Someone is teaching him, but that’s Kazue’s job! Yes, you are the teacher. If he needs help only you can help him, yes, you must show him! But he does not seem as if he needs help? Look, there’s another one!

The voices fell quiet as the boy entered the room, a dark look in his eyes as if he was about to snap. His eyes were fixed on one of the guards, a nasty snarl on his face filled with pure rage. The guards stopped up short when they saw the other new patient in front of them - apparently they’d been trying to space out the arrival times so they wouldn’t be in the same room, as it wasn’t allowed until they’d been placed in a ward. The doors suddenly opened to permit a few nurses, one of whom headed for the first new one and the other for the second. The guards instantly released them, and then made their way quickly back towards the check in to leave.

The one that had been hanging off the boy near Ki suddenly detached himself, trotting over to the second one to strike up a conversation. That one needs you Kazue, yes only you can make others stronger, and his eyes are darkened. He needs help, he is dependent…but he may not want it…You must teach him well, Kazue…

Kazue tipped his head a bit, studying the second boy with narrowed eyes. Light reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, rather slight frame - the way his eyes never wavered from that guard is what tipped Kazue off that he’d taken something important. Just like when he’d first come here, and they took his own things, but worse. He could tell whatever the guard took was incredibly important. Yes - this one needed to become stronger, and only Kazue could show him how to be. The teachers, the adults, they never understood. Their way never worked, but his did. The more a person endured, the stronger they became, able to endure more and more. The adults only took away strength, never gave it. Kazue decided to help him… he was the only one that could make others stronger after all.

With that in mind, he approached. You must begin his training as soon as possible, before the doctors take him. He is yours Kazue, your responsibility now, only yours, pretty too, you mustn’t be too harsh, but you must teach him quickly, yes, or the doctors will break him. He seems so close to broken already! If the others get close he may not seek us out, do not let them near him until he is ready or he will break when they come to take him to the underground. Silence rang in his head as the voices fell silent, shocked that one would come right out and say it. Well, that one always was blunt…

Kazue met the eyes of the boy, coming closer, an unusual thing to do. ”Do you want some help getting it back? He offered.

---

David entered the rec room after finally being able to change into something other than a prison jumpsuit. For the moment he wore an extra warden's uniform, plain white scrubs and a pair of bland slip on shoes. The pants were a bit too short, showing his ankles as he stood, arms crossed in front of him, as if daring one of the other patients to make a move on him. A nurse had plastered a bandaid onto his forehead to keep the unseemly sight of blood from putting any of the other patients into a fury.

"You're to be assigned to ward 3 for now." The nurse said staring cooly at him. She'd spent far to long in that place to be intimidated by his prison stare. "You were convicted of a murder, if you misbehave even slightly you'll be moved to Ward 4 and have all wandering privileges removed. Rules are, you must be escorted at all times. DO NOT provoke the other inmates. This isn't max prison anymore."

David merely gave her a toothy grin, baring his sharpened canines. 'Filthy whore.' He thought as he openly stared at her as she walked away. Today was opening day, it was time to establish who the boss was. His gaze fell to Kazue who seemed to be staring at Adair with suspicious intent. David grinned, immediately misunderstanding the situation completely. He whistled loudly. "Lookee there Snow got on 'is matin' stare don't he?" He strode over and ruffled his white hair roughly. "Y'aint doin that fag stuff are ya? All four o' yall look like you dinin' on that rare sausage, am I right?"

He gestured to Emmet, Adair, Yuuji, and Kazue. "Listen, I ain't about that lifestyle, alright? I didn't ask to be put in no ass factory. Any a'yall try that shit with me you'll be eatin' yer slop out a sippy straw, guarantee it."

He winked at them and sauntered his way to the window. "Whatchya got there?" He asked the girl sitting there, a predator's grin still plastered on his face. "Doubt you'll find anythin' better to draw than this beautiful face right here."[/color]

My, oh my, he was popular already wasn't he? Roland hadn't even talked to anyone yet and he had two older patients come to greet him and even the other newbie stopped by before going off to talk to a female patient sitting by the window. Though the other new patient didn't say anything too important for Roland to really consider. He didn't really understand what he said anyway. Rare sausage? What did that have to do with his mirror? Roland saw a couple of other individuals standing back but also watching and waiting and he wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to all of these people. It wasn't usually part of his prerogative to be this sociable but he could flow with this. Or at least try to. Right now, the most important thing was to survive long enough to get Adair back from those sons of bitches who took his last soul fragment. He wouldn't let that stand. He was the protector after all. He needed to keep Adair safe no matter what happened. He didn't know this place well enough yet to event try and take it all on himself. It looked like these two white haired patients were going to have to do.

He was quiet for much longer than he probably should have, his mind distracted by his need to regain his mirror. His eyes kept straying back towards the gates where the nurse was sorting through all of the things that were looted from incoming patients. Thief. That is all that person was. Then there was a sentence that caught his attention. "Do you want some help getting it back?" Roland's eyes quickly found the white haired patient that had come up to him last and he seemed to forget that there was someone else who had spoken to him first with welcome and greeting to this hell hole. He reached out and grabbed the second patient by the arms in eagerness as a smile spread over his lips. This one was going to help him achieve his goal. He even bounced a little and chuckled in his sudden glee.

"Yes! Yes I need some help getting it back. I want it back, he needs it and I am his keeper. Roland is my name. You are Yuuji? No, no, the other one is Yuuji," he corrected himself and shook his head, finally glancing back to the other person beside him. "He is Yuuji. Who are you?" he asked then. He even hugged the stranger. "You will help me get it back! Did they take it from you as well? We'll be best friends if we succeed our task. Adair and I help you with yours." He kept jumping back and forth through his conversations but it made logical sense to him. At least his internal voices were quiet for now so he didn't have to deal with them on top of everything else. "How do we start?"

---

---

---

---

Detective March wasn’t sure why he had been selected as an escort, because he sure as hell wasn’t enjoying it right now.

Perhaps it was because he was relatively new to the position, having only received the promotion a few months ago in a blare of lights and trumpets. Perhaps it was his reputation of being stone cold, unmovable; a reputation completely undeserved, in his opinion. After all, as far as March was concerned, he was simply a bleeding heart blessed with the gift of stoicness.

Whatever the reason was, he truly wished that someone else had been selected. The entire ride had left him...well, uneasy, to say the least. The children in the back were about the age of his oldest, and yet both had been accused with murder and the abduction of a poor couple. A glance at the mirror flared those feelings even stronger within him. The boy, Gale, was staring placidly out of the window, wrists looking far too bony and small in their iron cuffs. Olivia, the girl, was fiddling with the yo-yo she had managed to get on the trip, attempting to do a few tricks in spite of her limited movement.

It was...haunting. Disturbing, really. It was just like his chief had told him, way back in training; it was always the innocent-looking ones who were the worse. Tightening his hands around the wheel, March brought his attention back to the road. Focus, Jasper. Nothing wrong with feeling a little off here and now.

Driving into the driveway of the asylum, March pressed gingerly onto the breaks, and, turning off the ignition for the time being, stepped out of the car and went to open the door on Gale’s end. Swallowing in an effort to moisten his suddenly-dried tongue, he took a few steps back, gesturing for the blond to follow. “We’re here,” he said gruffly, watching as the boy blinked up at him before nodding and slipping from the seat. Without any word from March, Olive soon followed, scooting over in pursuit of her brother and dropping to her feet.

The journey wasn’t over yet, however. Fingers brushing absentmindedly over his holster, Jasper moved behind the twins, trailing behind them as they took the steps into the building. Far too old-fashioned for his tastes, he noted as they entered. Looked as if some Dracula-type fellow would just come strolling past the corner, cheerfully informing them that “I vant to suck your blood” with a flick of his cape.

This whole situation was just surreal, really. Gave him the creeps.

After bringing the twins into one of the checkpoints, a few of the guards began to remove all of the belongings they had managed to bring with them. For the most part, the children were just as obedient as they had been on the trip there, and just as silent; at least, until one of the guard’s hands wrapped around Olive’s little yo-yo. Eyes widening almost comedically, the youth took a few steps forward, raising a hand as if to stop the man. “My yo-yo,” she murmured, staring up at the guard with an almost wounded expression.

Upon catching sight of what was occurring, Gale suddenly snapped to attention, and began to speak rapidly towards his sibling- something that March was unable to catch properly. However, it stopped Olive in her tracks, and the detective was able to get at least some understanding of what was happening as the vowels continued to roll off the boy's tongue. German. He was speaking German. Although part of March wanted to ask the guards if they should really be communicating in anything other than English, it managed to make Olive step back beside her sibling, and that seemed to be enough for the workers.

“You can leave now,” one said mercifully, and March nodded eagerly and rocked back on his heels. Thank god. With only a short glance back behind his shoulder, he began to make his way out of the building.

They better be paying him extra for doing this little favor, or god help him…

Back in the asylum, the twins continued their path deeper and deeper, eventually losing the handcuffs- revealing reddish, purple welts on their skin. It seemed as if they had been digging their wrists in somehow- and exchanging their prisoners’ clothing for a set of lost-and-founds’. The outfits made the small teenagers seem even smaller, and both fidgeted with the too-long cuffs, but they did not protest. Gale even chose to thank the guards, voice soft and eyes averted to the floor.

After checking them one last time, a nurse was called in to lead both down the halls, to the rec room. As she explained the basic rules, their privileges, and so on, Olive slipped her hand into Gale’s, giving the slightest of smiles when she felt his fingers curl around hers and squeeze.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?” The voice was quiet, hardly audible so as to avoid the prying ears of the nurse, and with a bit of a stronger squeeze to ascertain that he had caught his sister’s attention. Without hesitation, Olive nodded, bringing her eyes back onto the end of the hall.

“No. I remember everything.”

“Good.”

And with that brief exchange, they were finally led into the room, the nurse that had escorted them padding away with her duty having been done. The twins stood almost awkwardly at first at the doorway of the room, still hand-in-hand, glancing about and assessing their company. Upon catching sight of an odd, stitched-up creature, Olive gave a light tug, turning away her eyes to allow Gale a glance without bringing suspicion. It was an odd form of mutilation, really; either the medical procedures here were sub-par, or the boy had managed to get away with doing it to himself.

Once their little rounds were over and done with- for the most part, it seemed like many of the surrounding patients were about their age- the pair made their way to a loveseat and sat themselves into it, watching the activity bustling around them curiously.

Gale looked as if he was attempting to appear as inconspicuous as possible, dropping his hands back into his lap and tapping a rhythm onto the bone.

Olive seemed as if she wanted to join one of the conversations about her, but simply did not know where to start; kicking her feet and scuffing her borrowed shoes against the wooden flooring.

Both managed an air of slight nervousness and fascination.

◥◤◢◣

---

Kazue met the eyes of the boy, coming closer, an unusual thing to do. "Do you want some help getting it back? He offered.

The boy's reaction was far more intense then he thought it would be; he seized Kazuo's arms, eyes flaring with hope.

"Yes! Yes I need some help getting it back. I want it back, he needs it and I am his keeper. Roland is my name. You are Yuuji? No, no, the other one is Yuuji. He is Yuuji. Who are you?" He asked excitedly, head whipping back and forth, then pounced and hugged him. "You will help me get it back! Did they take it from you as well? We'll be best friends if we succeed our task. Adair and I help you with yours. How do we start?"

He's so happy, so trusting, the first thing he must learn is not to trust so easily, for humans are terrible creatures.So young, so cute, so innocent. So ignorant. So evil. Yes, Kazuko agreed. He truly is quite the vile creature. Do not worry. We will make him beautiful. He assured.

Kazuko gave the boy an indulgent smile, then attempted to answer him in the correct order, his voice dropping to a whisper after the initial introduction so they nurses wouldn't over hear. "I'm Kazuko. Of course I'll help you - I really hate those guards. I thank you for the offer of help, but I don't need it right now - they tried to take away my council with those drugs, but I wouldn't let them. Of course i'll be your friend - but I'm always really quiet, but when I do talk, it's usually something important so make sure to listen okay? First we have to make them think you're harmless so that you'll be placed with more freedom, so you can sneak away to go get him. Alright?"

Kazuko gave the boy a kind smile, then shot an annoyed look over his shoulder, where one of the other patients was hovering far to close for comfort. "Hm? What's this? Planning on breaking some rules already newbie?" He said cheerily.

Kazuko glared, and then using slammed his elbow behind him into the man's gut. Hard. "Don't get so close to me without permission." He reprimanded, monotone. The startled nurses started rushing forward, but Kazuko waved them off. "We wont fight," he assured, "It was just to make sure he knew I meant it."

He looked up again in curiosity as another person entered through the checkpoint, strange only because she was completely alone, looking around uncertainly, no guard beside her. Quite strange indeed. Bright red hair with blue eyes; unusual, but not nearly as unusual as his own snow white and unnatural mutation of teal eyes. No guard; she was newer, a first ward. The others would harm her. He would help her as well - she needed to learn, to become dark just as they were so that she wouldn't be so alone. So that she could understand them, and they her. Trial was life's best teacher. They who are outcasted, they must stick together, and keep each other strong by making sure the other never forgot, never accepted the blindness of normality. If they did it would be betray for normal people could not understand them; and being a turncoat was the worst offense you could commit, ripping away the warmth of acceptance and trust. She must learn that she would be heavily punished for that; yes, she must learn... perhaps Yuuji would like to help. Kazuko gave the girl a small smile and nod, holding out a hand to her with a palm up, gesturing her over.

He ignored the two who came in after her; he knew with but a glance that they did not need his help, the look in their eyes as they scanned the room fully showing they knew of the darkness and how to protect themselves; independent. Kazuko internally gave a nod of approval and dismissed them from mind. Their actions were their responsibility.

Kazuko glanced at Yuuji to see his reaction to the other three newcomers, only to see he was staring intently at the very first of all the new arrivals, shaking; Kazuko carefully and briefly placed a hand on his shoulder, drawing the boy's attention, and shook his head slightly. It was still day; nurses were here. It was the time to be observing and planning, not teaching. Yuuiji gave the slightest of huffs, then focused once again on the boy, Roland, turning completive as he calmed, then suddenly reaching forward and snatching his arm, tugging up the sleeve; an obvious gesture to anyone familiar with the insane or mentally broken. Checking for scars. Personally Kazuko had never understood cutting; yes, he understood why it would help on a scientific level; the brain would sent out natural pain relieving chemicals, which would numb the emotions as well as the physical pain. But it had never appealed to him.

“What do you need it so bad for?" Yuuiji demanded, referring to whatever the nurses had taken. "You’re too old to carry a blanket around- Oh! Perhaps it’s your needle and thread… It could be one of those mental things. Some people do their cuts inside their head. I haven’t figured out how that works though apparently it’s like finding the right pair of shoes, only certain blades work in that area." Yuuiji thought out loud, then paused before suddenly diverted paths back to his original thought. “What is it exactly?”

Kazuko decided to allow his own curiosity to show as well, tipping his head to the side and widening his eyes slightly in the accepted gesture of innocent inquiry, urging the new one to speak.

---

---

"And the psychos keep pourin' in." David stated grinning widely as he glimpsed at the twins' arrival. He'd taken a seat next to Lilian, completely invading her personal space and resting an arm around her up against the window seated like a king with his concubine. He touched her hair inappropriately letting the silky strands run through his fingers and let his gaze go back to Emmet, dark and threatning like a wolf sizing up to a stranger. 'Fucker thinks he can make a fool of me.' He thought, disregarding lilian's discomfort and anxious eyes looking everywhere but at him as if not seeing him would make him go away. "I'll break his pretty little fag face if he so much as looks at me like that again." He muttered.

An orderly than approached him, glowering and bristling like a fussed up porcupine. His voice was halting and sharp, a real rule wizard practically bursting at the seams from all the violations. The inappropriate conduct with all the hugging and touching, letting the patients gather like some prison gang in the middle of the room. Wolf peered up at him, both amused and bored. "I'm going to have to ask you to find someplace else to sit, newbie. Can't you see you're causing her stress?"

David chuckled, harmlessly and clasped Lilian's shoulder. "What d'you mean? We're getting along just goddamn fine. She got her doodle pad I ain't hurtin' her, and I'm just takin' on the sights. I might learn a thing or two. I'll take good care of the lil' miss don't you fuss. It's those assholes you oughta be concerned 'bout. I think they're planin' some kinda orgy." David nodded towards the small group. "Pasty face is obviously leadin' um. Look at 'im standing there all authorative and shit." He gestured to Emmet stringing his lie flawlessly mispronouncing the larger words like some kind of dull wit." "Looks like they all need time to themselves, know what I mean?"

He orderly huffed and observed the group from afar. They had been in that little cluster for some time, though he doubted they were planning an orgy something was obviously up. He glanced back at David. "You find a seat at one of the tables before I lock you up in your room and leave that girl alone."

With that the orderly approached the group to warn them to loosen up the group and find things to entertain themselves like the few boardgames that had actual pieces in them. David obeyed so as not to get himself in trouble so awfully early in the game and he found a seat on a couch not far away chasing away the other two who'd already been sitting there and taking up most the space on his own by laying on it.

So many questions! So many people! He didn't know who to give his attention to. He mostly wanted to talk to Kazuko considering he was the one that said he'd help him get the mirror shard back. But then... Yuuji sounded like he may help in this endeavor as well. And then there was Emmett. He was really tall. The stranger towered over him and he found he didn't quite like that. Roland hated to admit it, but he did feel threatened by his size and height. If shit hit the fan he would have a hard time fighting against the big guy. Why was he so curious about what they were discussing? He made no indication if he was going to help them or hinder them either so he wasn’t sure the man was someone he could count on or not.

Before he could sort through anything else, Yuuji had grabbed his arm. Alarmed, he immediately tensed and his eyes narrowed on the white haired male. His hand tightened into a fist as his sleeve was rolled up to reveal the healing scars he obtained from fighting with his father and then scrambling over the mirror shards. It was obvious they were not self inflected or methodological. Yuuji didn’t have his permission to see those old injuries so he quickly pulled his arm out of the man’s grip. And what was he going on about? His needle and thread? He didn’t use a needle and thread though it was obvious to him that this Yuuji person used such things to mark himself up. What was the purpose of the threads? Without thinking, he did extend his own hand to touch a particularly interesting bit of threading on the man’s arm and tilted his head to the side curiously. "What do these threads mean?" he asked then. "They have a purpose that is not obvious and the pattern is very interesting," he mused.

When he had satisfied his own curiosity, he registered the fact that both Kazoku and Yuuji wanted to know what it was exactly he was trying to get back from the nurses. He offered a mischievous little smile and winked. “It is everything, it is simple. It is Adair, it is me. Just a fraction of what it used to be. It is light and glossy, its meaning only conveyed by heart,” he answered. “You will see when we get it back. It hangs on a chain.” He wasn’t going to reveal all of his secrets after all and it was no ones’ business to know exactly what was held within that little piece of glass.


Then the orderly hurried over to them and told them to disperse their activity. He had a mind to go against the man, but if he insisted and they continued this chat, the nurses would get suspicious. He didn’t want to rouse them and put them on high alert. That would only make his mirror harder to obtain. He offered a smile to the nurse instead and gave a nod. He shoved his hands in his pockets then looking for a small sheet of paper that had been given to him earlier. This was a good time to bring it up after all and may offer him a chance to speak with Kazoku more without the nurses getting suspicious. When he finally found it, he cried out ‘aha!’ and unfolded the paper. “Kazoku! Could you show me to my room? I used to be ward 3 back at the place but they dropped me down for good behavior,” he explained and gave Kazoku the paper that stated what his room number was. "I don't know where the rooms are or what ward they put me in."

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---

.

Yuuji beamed; pleased that he was curious about the red threading that lined his body. It was impossible to tell just how much of his body was decorated with the scarlet thread. “Why it’s…my discipline of course. Everyone needs something to keep them human, you know? I was born empty you see, this keeps me good.” He smiled pleasantly and observed the threading along the back of his hand.

Yuuji understood very little of Adair’s explanation as most of it sounded like some sort of descriptive narrative to describe a simple mirror. The idea that Adair thought it was a piece of him flew past him without difficulty. After all he didn’t at all seem empty like he was. It may have been too early to tell but and empty vessel was pretty easy for him to spot. Ki was empty, Emmet wasn’t empty but he seemed to like pretending he was. Kazu it was harder to tell but he was sure something was there lost behind his madness He opened his mouth to speak before they were interrupted by the orderly telling them to find something to do that didn’t involve suspicious pow-wows. Yuuji sighed, annoyed and disappointed before he wandered over where Ki sat and pulled a chair up in front of him, straddling it like a rocking horse and resting on the back so he could glare into Ki’s eyes, imitating his persistently serious expression. “Look at Ki all lonely and alone. Kiiiiiiiiiiii Kiiiiiiii why won’t you play with meee”

He pouted and turned in his seat sprawling over the back until he was looking at him upside down, his back bending in a way that seemed almost….wrong. His white hair reached towards the ground. His slim neck completely bare and visible, seeming far longer and more delicate with his milk pale skin stretched tight over his trachea and collarbones. A small Adam’s apple bobbed daintily, red threads running down its center and disappearing beneath his shirt collar. “You should wear my threads, you’re empty too. It would do you good….plus….it feels…”

He closed his eyes and smiled before chuckling and sounding as if he’d been intoxicated. He stood and strode over to him then rest an arm on his shoulder casually. “I’ll even let you put a few in me. I need it with all these sweet little temptations strutting their way in.” He sighed and leaned against the wall next to the window and gazed at the twins. “I wonder if the boy would like some threads. The girl I’d like to tear her eyes out…I wonder what he’d do if I tore out her eyes.”

“Hey!” He hissed from across the room, speaking towards Gale. “You there! Cutie! Come here!”

He gestured with a hand; magenta eyes wide as he glanced at the orderly that had split up the last group. “Psst!”

He got impatient and slipped quietly across the room. His eyes glimmered in awe. “So cute! Are you two real twins?”

He’d never, in hind-sight actually spoken to a proper pair of twins. He patted them both on the heads and compared their heights then stared between them. “Have they ever done tests on you? When one twin hurts does the other one feel it?”

He randomly pinched Gale’s forearm to see if Olivia would squeal in pain. “So cool! I’d love to play with you two. You would look absolutely glorious with some solemn black thread.”

“Oh! Let me introduce you to my dearest companion.” He tugged Gale by the arm towards Ki, for the most part assuming his sister would follow. He didn’t really like her nearly as much as cute little Gale.

“Ki! Ki! They’re real twins! This is ….um…”He glanced at Gale. “What was your name again?”

This was already turning out to be quite the interesting gathering.

Within a span of a few moments, one of the patients had jabbed his elbow into the gut of the other, only to get off without a warning. Of course, the fascination of the twins towards the event did not show; instead, both recoiled as if they had been the ones struck, slinking into the cushioning of the sofa and huddling close.

It was easy to tell that there was at least some measure of camaraderie between the gathered patients, if not an alliance of some sort. It only made sense, really; after all, they had been there for who-knew-how-long. It was a necessity to have a truce between killer and killer.

Unfortunately, Olive thought, it would mean that their tricks would be more easily picked up on, if they weren’t careful. Especially if the the orderlies were less lenient when it came to punishment; although it would allow for some freedom, it would undoubtedly cause trouble from the other patients if they were not careful.

Ironically enough, Gale’s mindset had gone a more opportunistic route than his sister’s. Depending on how large the group was, it would definitely be a challenge if they decided to gang up on them, or prefered to stay together in favor of wandering off. If they needed to make someone vanish, then there was a larger risk of getting caught…

Still, though, it was a challenge. A puzzle with vague rules that needed to be defined, and soon. It was with the uncanny ability twins seemed to be gifted with that their minds reached the same conclusion, and that they continued to people-watch.

Their newfound hobby was cut short, however, by the patchworked boy calling out to Gale. As if on cue, the blond immediately started, meeting Yuuji’s eyes with his own. As the other attempted to gesture him over, he put on a nervous look, glancing up at a nearby orderly- as if for permission- before lowering his head, peering at Yuuji through his lashes.

He was focusing on him, and him alone, by the looks of it.

Interesting.

The possibilities as to what the boy could want were endless, really. Everyone had reasons for being in a asylum, and he was no different. The boy could have thought Gale to be the weaker of the two, choosing him as a target.

Perhaps Olive had been picked, instead. After all, there appeared to be a group, and if she was being excluded, it could mean that he had been selected to join. If that was the case, it was difficult to tell what he had in store for the younger of the twins.

There was always the chance he was hoping to separate them, however. Divide and conquer was a fairly common strategy.

Whatever the case was, the best thing they could do was go along with it. Continue acting the part as the nervous children.

Wait until they had a proper grasp on who the stitched boy was, what he wanted.

As Yuuji skipped up to them, words hanging off his tongue, both watched with no small amount of curiosity. At his comment, and subsequent question, Gale once again dipped his head shyly. Olive only blinked up at the man first, before giving a slight smile towards her brother and nudging him to speak. Encouraging him to be social, just like any good sister would for her timid sibling.

“Um, well,” Gale began, seemingly distracted by a particularly interesting piece of lint on his pants. “th...thank you, sir. We’re twins, yes, sir.”

Patting her brother’s arm for the “effort”, Olive nodded slightly, content to let the answer serve as her own for the moment. At the sudden mention of “tests”, and the question of the extent of their bond, both prepared to answer, although they didn’t get a chance to speak before Yuuji had reached out and pinched Gale’s forearm.

Gale gave a wince at the action, attempting to pull away, although it did not seem to give much of an effect on Olive physically. Instead, the girl’s eyes darkened for a moment before switching to a look of concern as she looked over the patch of skin. She seemed to be satisfied by her examination, however, and the pair once again turned their attention to the puppet-like boy.

“Asides from what you did now, sir?” A note of dry amusement had slipped into his tone, momentarily disturbing the innocence Gale had been portraying.

It was at this time that Olive decided to chime into the conversation. “We’ve tried, sir,” she began, “but we can’t.”

At the mention of “looking glorious” with “solemn black thread”, the pair exchanged a brief look, eyes flicking back to Yuujji with an obvious quizzicalness.

“...Thread?”

“Pardon us, sir, but do you mean like yours?” Olive gave a quick sweep towards the bright red stitching on the other’s arm; a stark contrast against pale skin. If that was the case, then that gave an even stronger pointer to self-mutilation. Considering how obvious they were, as well, it didn’t take much to wonder why they hadn’t been removed. And if they had, that meant he had somehow managed to sew them back in again…

Before they could pry further, Gale had been jerked to his feet, Yuuji attempting to drag him off to meet a “dear companion”. An almost feline coyness suddenly flashed in the boy’s eyes at the fact that he was continuing to disregard his sister, and, making an effort to look alarmed, jerked back and wrapped his fingers around Olive’s wrist- effectively taking her along for the ride.

If he was actively trying to split them somehow, his reaction should give some sort of indicator.

As they stopped before yet another older man, the twins took a moment to look over their new company before releasing their grip on each other.

“This is my dear brother, Gale.”

“This is my dear sister, Olivia.”

Both then extended a hand for a shake, although, as expected, Gale was more hesitant about it; shifting from one foot to the next, while Olive held no such shakiness.

◥◤◢◣

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Kazoku narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at Adair's description of what the attendants had taken from him; a necklace, something that he believed was necessary for his survival. Internally a smirk adorned his face; this kind was easy to control. His eyes betrayed nothing as Adair shoved a piece of paper into his hand, only glancing after Yuuiji as he skipped away when a nurse cautiously approached and sent them on their separate ways.

“Kazoku! Could you show me to my room? I used to be ward 3 back at the place but they dropped me down for good behavior. I don't know where the rooms are or what ward they put me in." Adair babbled. Kazoku merely nodded, glancing at the paper. Second ward; one floor down and one room to the left from his own. Fairly easy to access.

"Yes, I know where this is." Kazoku assured, already going over his options in his head.

The first step is getting back that necklace, after all we want him to trust us.

Which means we have to track which nurse has it and where they put it. Is that one assigned today? If they're assigned we must find out who, if not we must find the one with the most freedom to shadow them. And then we will simply get the door code from Ki and go in to get it.

Or we could just kill the nurse and take it. Kinda, ya know... easier, the moment they're alone and all.

There was a moment of silence inside his head.

... Good point, there's that as well.

Kazoku felt the barest of amused smiles turn up the corner of his mouth. Well then, we have a plan, He summed up as his eyes locked on the nurse Adair had indicated earlier. His eyes followed the man's gaze to the cat girl, Yukiko, just as she was leaving the room in her usual manner. He reached forward and tugged on the hem of Adair's sleeve, indicating for him to follow, and then locked eyes with Yuuji and then Ki where they were in the shadows by the far wall. Aloud he instructed Adair, "This way."

They walked quickly towards the door, two of the nurses following about four yards behind them after a few shared whispers, by the fact they didn't say anything most likely deciding to allow them all to stay together, most likely assuming they were just taking the new ones on a tour. They'd have to ditch them at some point.

For Yuuiji, the moment the boy came close he murmured the plan under his breath; for Ki, who resolutely refused to come within touching distance of any of the other humans, he merely locked eyes and then looked at the nurse, then back to him. It was the entirety of what their fragile treaty was based on; causing trouble.

The door to the entrance lounge swung shut behind them.

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As stated once before, Ki was never a people person; he'd come here to watch the goings-on, but now, now he severely regretted allowing his boredom to do something so foolish as to be in the same room as a bunch of other people.

It had been okay for a while; no one had seemed to notice him in the shadows thrown by the windows, observing and identifying where each would be in the hierarchy; which ones would fold and die under the experimentation, which ones minds would break completely under the pressure, which ones would endure, and which ones would actually survive. The last category had the least ones in it this time around.

And then that screwed up fashion designer had tried to glomp him again and totally ruined his thought process. He'd dodged purely by reflex, glaring at the boy, who returned it with a deadpan pokerface as he dragged over one of the chairs by the nearby window and tipped it back once he was sitting down. “Look at Ki all lonely and alone. Kiiiiiiiiiiii Kiiiiiiii why won’t you play with meee. You should wear my threads, you’re empty too. It would do you good… plus… it feels…”

The boy trailed off, and Ki gave him a creeped out look hoping to God should he exist and be listening that the other human was not getting aroused at the thoughts inside his head and wishing he would go away regardless of wether he was. "... No thanks." He managed at last, subtly leaning away.

Yuuji stood and walked aver to him, reaching out to touch him. Ki wished he'd had to foresight to bring something sharp to stab him with. But then again, Yuuji would probably enjoy that, which defeated the purpose. This, this right here, was why he tried to avoid the guy. Half the time he didn't actually mind the boy because he wouldn't do something so stupid as to try and touch him or try to involve Ki in his twisted fantasies, but the other half... Ki sidestepped the hand with a glance at the nurses, wondering how much trouble he would get in if he took the plastic vase on the windowsill and broke it, then used the pieces to give Yuuiji a mortal injury that he might not survive so that he'd a least be stuck in bed for a month.

“I’ll even let you put a few in me. I need it with all these sweet little temptations strutting their way in.” He wheedled.

Ki glanced at the small crowd of new arrivals; a large-framed male that was harassing that little shy one from First Ward, the one Kazuko had chosen as one of his possessions, the bright-haired girl hesitating in the doorway, and two that he would take to be twins staring around the room unblinkingly. And this was the reason that the other half of the time he allowed the boy near them... their similar nature as predators. Temptations, indeed; he truly couldn't wait to see if they would break or not. He hoped they did; it would actually be a mercy.

For the first week after a new transfer came, they would hold off on the extra experimentation; so that the patient could settle in. Patients had told people outside, of course, about what happened inside those walls; they left a margin of time to allow themselves to claim that the patient had just heard the rumors among the other patients and was saying those things to try and get out to some lesser facility where they would be able to manipulate the staff. Then after the week was up, they would take the new ones, one by one, and make them a part of the truth behind this asylum. Different minds reacted to different things different ways; they wanted as many experiments in their hands as possible.

That week was the reason he withstood the presences of both Yuuji and Emmett every now and then; it was their time to hunt, before the new ones had been broken or killed off by the staff. Once that week was up, one of three things would happen; the newby's already fragile minds would completely break under the pressure, they would die from drug OD, or they would become stronger. As such, this first week was the only time the hunts would be fun; when they were new, not expecting it. They would break as many as possible so the staff couldn't get to them first. And here they all were, right in front of them, gather like sheep to their slaughter; tempting indeed. But no, they must wait. Just for a bit, until the watchful eyes of the staff were focused somewhere else...

Yuuji finally gave up on physical contact and took the step to lean against the wall a few feet away, observing with him, tipping his head as he eyed the twins. “I wonder if the boy would like some threads. The girl I’d like to tear her eyes out…I wonder what he’d do if I tore out her eyes.”

"Those ones will probably break." Ki stated. "Look how they cling to each other; take one away and the other will loose their grip on reality."

“Hey!” Yuuji called cheerfully. “You there! Cutie! Come here!”

Ki was well aware that he himself had broken; though that fact alone suggested he was still in touch with reality, which was counter by the fact that he was a murderous sociopath, which of course started an eternal paradox. Ki had decided to stop trying to decide on that a long time ago; it was enough to make anyone's head hurt. It could very well be that the one left behind would turn into what he and the other two had; broken but not broken. If that were the case, it could be risky, as it would earn him an enemy, and the broken but not broken could be a very, very dangerous lot. But that was a rare case; in his whole life he had only met seven others like that, in the higher security asylums like this one. And that included Yuuji and Emmett. So it was doubtful that the twins would make the cut, far more likely they would entirely break.

And he couldn't wait to see it. A tiny smirk that he managed to pass off as a welcoming smile invited the two new patients closer. Yuuji couldn't take the distance anymore and raced forward the last few steps, leaving Ki to watch the interaction and plan their course.

“Have they ever done tests on you? When one twin hurts does the other one feel it? So cool! I’d love to play with you two. You would look absolutely glorious with some solemn black thread. Oh! Let me introduce you to my dearest companion.” Yuuji started babbling again, testing the pain theory with a pinch to the arm that made the twin flinch. Ki noted the other twin's glare - so that was the dominant one. Yuuji then seized the boy by the arm and dragged him the few steps close to Ki, the boy twisting to grab his sister's wrist in a slight panic, both calming as they realized he meant no harm... well, yet. “Ki! Ki! They’re real twins! This is… um… What was your name again?” He questioned the boy cluelessly. Ki let out a faint scoff.

“This is my dear brother, Gale.”

“This is my dear sister, Olivia.”

They were speaking for each other?

... Creepy. And cliche. This would be fun.

Bright teal caught his eye, and he looked over at Kazuko, who glanced at the nurse following Yukiko out of the room, then back to him in a look. Ki nodded, and then reached forward to give Yuuji the slightest of shoves to get his attention, motioning towards Kazuko, knowing the other would understand; the hunt was already on.

"Well, it seemed one of the others is taking a newby on a... tour. You can tag along if you like." He invited the twins, attempting to sound friendly and light, then turned and walked after Kazuko and the boy following behind him. After all; though they themselves were good at causing trouble with their rather sadistic tendencies, the prize had to go to Kazuko for creativity in causing trouble. It was always fun when he was on a mission.

He spared a glance at the two nurses who exited after him, one that he recognized as Kazoku's normal assigned nurse. He'd of course ditched his own; being a long-time patient had the advantage that they didn't even bother really trying to make sure they knew where he was anymore, since it made no difference wether they did anyway - and they knew it.

He kept a careful distance from the two others as they left the room and entered the halls; not wanting the new one to get the wrong idea should he be one of those people that hug people in greeting. Those kind freaked him out.

A bit behind him, he could hear the nurses whispering rapidly among themselves, planning what they would do - as if he couldn't hear them or something. Briefly he wondered if this was one of those 'normal person' things, because they seemed to do that a lot. Was he supposed to like... cover his ears so he didn't overhear them? Pretend he didn't even if it meant doing something with whatever he overheard? Ridiculous.

Let the game begin, he thought.

Roland was no more the wiser as he followed his new friend down the hall. He knew there were two nurses following them but he didn't much care about them. So long as they didn't try to do anything to him, they could do whatever they wanted. He didn't even realize that Yuuji, Ki, and the twins were following close behind. How could he know what the three experienced patients were planning to do to him or the twins? He was new around the block after all. At the other asylum, he hadn't interacted with the other patients much since he hadn't had time. When he was brought in, he had been condemned to solitary confinement and strapped down with a straight jacket so he wouldn't hurt himself or others in his psychotic break. When he had finally calmed down, his only social interaction had been the nurses and psychiatrist that had cared for him. This was totally new. And if it was Adair beside Kazuko, he would have sequestered himself away to shyly endure his self imposed solitude. He wouldn't have trusted these people so easily. Roland however, had no such qualms.

Roland eagerly followed after Kazuko. He even hummed as they walk, his deep blue eyes scanning the halls and trying to commit everything he saw to memory. Unfortunately that wouldn't help him much considering settings often got jumbled in his head and it disoriented him. And once Adair came out again, he wouldn't much remember this anyway. Just the same, he hoped that this would help serve him some way eventually. He did notice there were a lot of windows and doors though. Each door was guarded by another orderly that watched them cautiously as they walked.

"Hey, Kazuko, is my room near yours?" he asked then. He figured it would be good to room next to someone he was at least familiar with. If something were to happen, he did hope that he could count on someone at least. Being alone somewhere strange was never a good thing. He glanced back then and noticed the patients following behind the nurses and tilted his head to the side. Were they just walking down the hall or were they being followed? The nurses hadn't raised a fuss. His eyes narrowed as he took in their features. He remembered Yuuji. He assumed Yuuji was there to aid him and Kazuko but he was less familiar with the other taller male. The twins were new patients, he knew that. Were they guiding the twins? Yuuji did seem to cling to the male twin. Huh. How interesting. Ah well. It didn't concern him. He picked up his pace again to catch up with Kazuko.