Dr. Kurozane nodded with a thoughtful frown as though truly considering his words.

“Well,” he started slowly, “I’m not entirely sure what you want to know about him?”

Before Kyrian could speak, he cut him off with a smile, “there’s not really a method to reign him in outside of heavy sedation, and I’m sure you’ve most likely inferred the rest of the obvious.”

Kyrian looked away, feeling strangely agitated by the out of place smile in this cursed building. He took a quick drink from his water, buying himself time until he could speak.

“Doctor–”

“Please, call me Shion, don’t be so formal. I’m still young, and I don’t enjoy being referred to as if I’m some old scientist.”

Huh.

Kyrian blinked, at a loss, and continued speaking, “Doc– Er, Mr. Kurozane? How exactly does… does Eiden go to rifts and function if he’s never lucid?”

“Esper S-1? Hmm…” Dr. Kurozane, unfazed that Kyrian was still polite in his addressing of his name, stroked his chin in thought. “He’s actually quite docile usually.”

Afraid he’d misheard, Kyrian leaned forward in shock.

Docile? Is this man a scammer, what about him is docile??

“I can tell you don’t believe me,” the younger man said ruefully, “but it’s true. Esper S-1 doesn’t cause problems on the field, it’s only when he’s home or near rampage status… Something about Coppice makes him act uncontrollable.”

Kyrian rapped his fingers on the canteen table, staring down at his tray, lost in thought.

He acts fine on the field? I don’t believe it… 

He gritted his teeth, and nodded. “Right. Then would it be possible for me to try Guiding him on the field? Since he’s so docile on missions.” His tone was more sarcastic than he would have preferred, but his suggestion was a genuine one. If it was true.

Surprised as if the thought had never occurred to any of them, Dr. Kurozane rested his chin in his hand and gave Kyrian a dazzling look of admiration.

“I suppose I could ask about that.”

Sensing something else was coming, Kyrian straightened his posture and raised an eyebrow. “What’s the condition?”

The young man, with his soft round cheeks and gentle gaze, burst out into loud laughter that once again drew the attention of those lingering in the canteen.

“I wasn’t planning on asking for a condition, but if you would prefer I did… That can be arranged,” he wiped the corner of his eye and continued to chuckle to himself. He looked delighted by the flow of conversation, though Kyrian didn’t find it to be quite so amusing. 

Perhaps he’s unable to find someone peaceable enough to socialize with here…

Kyrian watched him warily, lips pursed into a thin line.

Getting no reaction, Dr. Kurozane drew circles on the tabletop with an exaggerated air of disappointment. “You’re really such a strict character aren’t you…”

“I like to think that I’m just practical,” Kyrian responded in a low tone. He glanced away, deciding that there was nothing left to glean from this conversation.

“Are you going to leave me?” Dr. Kurozane asked disappointedly, watching Kyrian gather his things and stand.

Pausing, Kyrian looked back over his shoulder at him. “Do you have anything else to tell me?” He asked.

A wry smile twisted the young man’s lips up at the corners, and he shook his head. “No. I’ll let you know if there’s a possibility of Guiding on-field though, no conditions.”

Kyrian held his gaze for a moment, before nodding in quiet thanks, and taking his tray to the collection area.

He left the canteen with dozens of scrutinizing eyes on him, and an unsettled feeling in the pit of his stomach. 

The young doctor was far more cheerful than he had even first realized, and it was an uncanny contrast to the belligerent staff that seemed to be the staple at the facility.

He had found a possible opening to get closer to Eiden to Guide him though, so it hadn’t been a total loss. Out of instinct, he glanced back while turning the corner and saw the doctor watching him with a pleased expression.

… Right… he’s such an agreeable person, I wonder how he found himself here?

Rolling his shoulders, Kyrian kept walking away without another backwards glance. He had a meeting with Dr. Kroft and the Director, called last minute early this morning, and wondered how much of the things discussed would revolve around the unfortunate event with the nurse yesterday.

Briefly wondering if he should mention Guiding on-field, he almost missed the guards begrudgingly offering him a salute as he passed by them in the hall.

The looks of disapproval they shot his way was scathing, but he had too many thoughts on his mind to give them much attention.

“Could they fire me, I wonder?” He suddenly asked out loud. What did it even mean to be fired from a place like this where the staff was replaced daily and carried out in body bags…

***

Blinding pain. Shards of glass shredding through soft tissue. That was how Esper’s commonly described the pain of their unstable wavelengths, though they were rarely listened to.

Using their powers put a strain on their vessels, or bodies, and the energy coiled and tangled painfully like a writhing serpent trapped within. It bit their flesh, bruised their bones, and made every little movement excruciating.

Beep…

Beep…

A voice crackled from a speaker in the corner, sending waves of pain through his head.

“Esper Unit S-1, you are being commissioned for a Grade A rift that opened near the coast. Please prepare, personnel will be in to pick you up at plus six.”

Green eyes blinked open, and he tried to swallow. His neck was sore, and horribly bruised from being physically subdued with a chokehold.

It had been almost a week since the last pitiful attempt at Guiding, and though he had been sedated since, he knew he was in no condition to go onto the field.

Have they finally decided to let me go? He wondered to himself, trying to drag his pain ridden body out of bed. It was too good to be true, there had to be something else going on.

His bare feet touched the floor, and he doubled over dry-heaving from the rush of vertigo that assaulted him.

Shit.