"Hello, you two! I see you've already figured out the ins and outs of the device I handed to you already. That's splendid! So far, everybody has had no trouble adapting. It's quite fascinating, really, and I'm eager to learn more," she said, nodding to herself, her claw on her chin. She drew up her own projection and words began to appear on its screen – recorded from Charybdis' mind. Silas tried his best to read them backwards – "Adapt easily to new technology, can read and understand time/Legian"
That's right! Silas and Saya had no trouble understanding the characters that appeared on the projection. They could also speak the same language as monsters easily. What did that mean, if they were different species? Silas wasn't sure how to feel about this new development.
"If you would be so kind to come to the Human Experimentation Labs, I have a few personal tests I'd like to have you take," Charybdis said, clapping her claws together. "Oh, this is going to be so fun!"
"Yona and Jayken will be outside promptly to escort you to make sure you don't get lost," Charybdis smiled, cocking her head to the side, her eyelashes fluttering. Her pupils darted left and right, taking in every aspect of their faces through the close-up view of their faces offered by the projector. "Don't be nervous. All of these tests are completely harmless and… dare I even say… enjoyable. See you soon!"
The screen that held Charybdis' face abruptly minimized, leaving the call interface panel behind it visible. Saya looked at Silas with an excited expression on her face.
"Enjoyable? Awesome," she laughed, like a giddy toddler waiting to play with their friends.
"I don't know about that. The phrase 'human experimentation' doesn't sound fun at all to me. It make me think of removing body parts and stitching them back together and stuff."
"What?" Saya said incredulously. "What made you think of that? Man, you must have a very messed up head if 'experimentation' makes you think of stuff like that. I mean, look all around you. Does this seem like a place where people are cut up? The technology here is amazing. Look at how fancy and sleek the room is, and how cool this weird device thingy is! I bet they just want to find out more about humans as a species. Like, do interviews and stuff."
"Go ahead and believe that," Silas said, his voice darkening, "but don't forget that we're in an organization that is literally dedicated to the extermination of humans. The only reason we're alive is because we're their last chance to explore the human physique. Once they're finished finding out all there is to know about our species, they'll throw us away 'cause we're not needed anymore."
"I don't know about that," Saya reasoned. "I've been using my magic ever since we got here. I haven't gotten any malicious vibes from Charybdis, or Yona, or the fox dude... Jayken, right? Anyway, if they wanted to hurt us, I would've known."
"Do you really trust your magic that much?" Silas snapped, fear driving his anger. "Be reasonable. We just came into this world with zero memories, and all of a sudden we're in an unfamiliar environment with barely any context, surrounded by monsters who we have no idea what they are capable of. Do you really think that this sudden magical power you have can tell you everything and anything you want to know? What if they're so powerful they can hide their intentions from your magic? What if your magic isn't as strong as you think? What if it isn't even magic in the first place? How do we even know you have powers?"
Saya looked away, biting her lip.
"I know it sounds stupid… but I just know."
"But how?" Silas pressed, exasperated.
"I don't know!" Saya blurted, balling her hands into fist and thrusting them down by her sides.
"…Okay," Silas said, looking awkwardly to the side. "I should just drop it. Sorry. I'm just…"
"Really stressed right now?" Saya finished.
"…yeah," Silas said. "I mean, nobody but me and Rekka seem to be taking this thing seriously. You act like we're safe… but we're not. We can't let our guard down. I…"
Silas gulped, the words catching in his throat. He didn't want to say it, he didn't want to say it… but he needed to.
"I'm scared. Sort of. No wait. I'm really scared. Like, I feel powerless and out of control. I have no idea what's happening and… I don't want to die," Silas stammered, his words halting.
"A-and. I want. A friend, like. Really bad, but I don't want to be weak, because it's embarrassing and I'm really bad at making friends, I think. So," Silas laughed nervously. How could people do is so easily? Talking about his feelings was extremely hard for him – just another thing he was terrible at. It wasn't that hard to be aware of them. He could compartmentalize his thoughts and emotions and explain them logically inside his mind. But when it came time to tell them to someone else, they got jumbled and scrambled until they became incoherent.
This time, Saya's face grew serious. Instead of treating it lightheartedly, Silas could feel her gaze travelling up, down, and inside his body – it was almost like a third eye that could see his emotions. It freaked him out – he hated being read. It felt invasive. But at the same time, he relished it. Why, he couldn't make sense of it. It was just so… illogical. But it felt good… a chance at being understood.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Saya said. "I guess we all have different ways of coping. I try and make things lighthearted so I don't wear myself out by thinking pessimistically. But I can see where you're coming from, I guess."
"Listen, if you ever feel stressed or scared, you can always come talk to me," Saya said.
"But can't you already tell when I'm feeling that way? What good would it do to tell you? It'd just be a waste of time," Silas said, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his voice. Like Saya could truly understand what he was feeling with her magic alone, he thought to himself.
"I thought so too," Saya explained. "But you made a good point. How do I really know that my magic is 100% accurate? My gut tells me that I'm right, but I shouldn't put all of my faith into it. You're right. I need to consider other options. I could be wrong. So maybe it'd be good to double-check, you know?" she said, giving Silas a little wink that made him feel good. He was about to tell Saya about it but decided not to.
"W-we should be heading out now. I bet Yona and Jayken are waiting for us, as well as Charybdis. We don't want to make her angry by keeping her," Silas said, changing the subject away from this embarrassing touchy-feely stuff that made him feel uncomfortably vulnerable.
"Of course," Saya smiled, respecting his decision to end the conversation. Silas extended some silent gratitude for that. Perhaps she wasn't that annoying after all. But there was still one thing that Silas wanted.
"B-but first," Silas said, clearing his throat. "I was wondering if we could…"
"Yes?" Saya said expectantly, her face immediately brightening.
"Can you hug me?" he finished.
Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, Saya had already wrapped her arms around him, pressing deep into his chest. The speed at which Saya jumped into him sent him stumbling back a few feet before he steadied himself, shocked.
"All you had to do was ask, man," Saya mumbled, her lips buried in the folds of his shirt.
Gently, Silas took his hands, which he held out in surprise, down to Saya's shoulder blades. He felt the grooves and creases in the back of her vest, and the strands of fabric of her sweater, running his fingers down the curves of her muscles and bones. He felt her heat and her breath permeate through his clothes as her murmured words vibrated through his body.
Sure, he was being watched, and Charybdis was likely eyeing their interaction at this very moment. But at that time Silas forgot to care. He closed his eyes, letting his shoulders droop and his back slump. He gave himself in to the embrace of his friend as he melted into her, trusting her to keep him upright.
"We're going to be rooming together for the next month, so you better get used to this," Saya said happily. Her mouth spoke directly to his heart as the heat from her breath merged with his bloodstream and warmed his very being. Silas smiled, resting his chin on the shorter girl. Her hair was silky and smooth, impeccably clean after her shower earlier. She smelled like dirt before, but now smelled like roses.
Finally breaking away after what seemed like an eternity, Silas felt Saya's heat leave his body, but even then, he still felt warm, especially in his cheeks.
Saya put a hand on her hip and struck a cheeky pose, extending her other hand downwards, palm open. She snickered, drinking in the sight of a blushing Silas.
"Friends?" Silas said, his own smile brightening. He took Saya's hand in his, its warmth and security like a fresh breath of air after so much stress and panic, fear and chaos.
"Sure, sure. Friends," Saya agreed, guiding him out the door and into the hallway.