"Well don't you look fancy." said Rem looking at both the new recruits, who just came in their living room, all geared up.
After their intense training session in the morning, Sig and Rem felt a lot better about their new recruits' skills. In fact, they've never been amazed by their capacity to adapt quickly in such a short amount of time. Vin was really promising with his intact resolve. His results exceeded Rem's expectations. However, when there's one succeeding, there will always be that other one who's lagging down. Sig didn't exactly mark Prim as a failure, rather he chose not to grade her with that performance. He had mixed feelings of what he just experienced with her. Indeed she had accomplished controlling her power earlier, but it most definitely looked like a balloon containing water that's about to burst. If Sig was to describe Prim, she's mysteriously dangerous. With no data to compare to, she might just be far more dangerous than the strongest whisperer-exorcist pair of the Messiahs.
The whole afternoon was utilized for meditation. Sig didn't want to agitate Prim's condition further. The girl looked fine when they were having lunch, but her aura didn't look too well. Vin and Prim's wavelengths were stable all throughout meditation. There weren't any abnormalities when they tried to resonate as well. However, Sig is bothered by how quiet and obedient Prim is.
Right now all four of them are in Prim and Vin's cabin, helping the two prepare for their upcoming mission. The mission gear arrived at dusk, perfect timing for the pair to suit up.
Time Check: ２１:４５
"That Mandarin collar becomes you." Rem compliments Vin who just sat in front of him.
"Now, don't start a racist joke on me Rem." said Vin suggestively, raising a brow.
"I wasn't going there Chang." Rem chuckles raising both hands. "But really, that's an odd head piece you got there." he said pointing at the metal ring around Vin's head.
Vin touches the item of concern, "Oh this? It's a special head band. It's a communication device linked to her headphones. It also serves as my monitor to her vitals and electrical activity in the brain."
Rem blinks, "Don't you have ESP?"
"I have but..." Vin pauses, "It's not that strong."
"Then how do you resonate?"
"It's fine if we're really close to each other. But with missions, there are chances wherein we'll have to be separated and it'll also be harder to communicate even with a radio."
"Aah, no wonder you had a hard time on your first resonance." Rem slams his palm over his head, "You had no clear image of how her whole system was." Rem snaps his fingers.
Vin stares at him blankly trying to comprehend what he just meant.
"What's with that response?"
"It's just...coming from you, it sounds perverted."
Rem frowns, "Hey kid, don't make it sound like I'm a dirty man. I'll haunt you."
"I'm not exactly sure how you're going to do that too." Vin awkwardly laughs.
Rem then glances at the girl who just stepped out of the bedroom, who is now in front of the mirror putting on her upgraded headphones that had printed primroses on both sides. Rem whistles playfully, "Look at you looking so cool."
Prim turned to him, surprised by his remark. When she realizes his stare, Prim pouts and shies away, storming back to the bedroom.
"Hey, Chang." he whispers to Vin who was checking his phone.
"What?" he responds passively.
"So what exactly happened to the both of you in the bedroom?"
Vin dropped his phone. "Urhh, why did you have to say it like that?"
"No really," Rem leans in, "I heard from Sig that Gen caught the both of you arguing about you gawking at her sleep."
"I wasn't gawking at her!" he exclaimed.
Rem leans back unimpressed, "Then how do you explain her not talking to us all afternoon? I bet she's still mad about that."
Vin felt somewhat relieved, "You noticed it to?"
"What do you mean I noticed it too? She's awfully silent and not jumpy at all. Did you even see how she responded to me just now? If she was normal, she'd be fawning over my praises."
Vin wanted to punch him, but he knew Rem was making sense. She was quiet all lunch and was very...polite during meditation.
"I know." he said, joining his hands, "But I'm positive that it wasn't because of the incident this early morning."
"And how sure are you?"
Vin grins, "You have no idea how many years I've studied that girl."
******
"Can I come in?" Sig knocks on the open door of the bedroom.
Prim turns to her mentor and nods hesitantly offering him a seat at the vacant stool. She was staring at the desk mirror when Sig came up.
"You look nice," Sig smiled, "Never knew the color of blood would make your eyes pop." he said referring to her clothes.
Awkward silence.
Sig clears his throat, "Erhmm...Those boots―These shoes have an awful amount of pockets." he points at the buckled ones on her legs.
A small smile peeks out from Prim. "Thanks." she said, "It's actually filled with a few additional devices that can help me on any mission. Olivia said they made sure to customize it depending on my needs."
"The research team outdid themselves this time." Sig chuckles.
She scoffs lightly, "I think they just made sure I won't cause a major dent to explode."
Sig's cheerful face turned serious, eyes saddened by her remark.
"You don't have to feel sympathetic towards me professor," she said all flustered, "I'm used to being a test subject and I'm used to people being extra careful about me. Besides," she smiles weakly at him, "We both know how dangerous I am."
"Don't say that, Prim.
She shakes her head, "That serpent," her voice quivered. She looked straight into Sig's eyes wanting to confirm her personal assumption of what had happened earlier this day.
Sig sighed, "Let's not talk about this right now." he said standing up heading towards the doo. He turned to her, smiling sheepishly saying, "Come out, I'll start the briefing."
Prim watched him disappear and immediately followed.
When the two arrived at the living room, the boys were noisy with Rem messing with Vin's clothes. They look really close now, but the atmosphere suddenly got heavy. Rem and Vin stared at Prim who looked sullen immediately taking the seat beside Vin.
"You okay?" whispered Vin.
She nodded avoiding his eyes, "The professor said he'll start briefing now." ahe whispered back.
Vin wanted to ask her about what happened during her training as he suspects it was after that time her mood shifted to what it is now. But he decided to put it for later.
"Okay, listen up." said Sig holding a black file folder with DoReMi's logo engraved in gold at the cover, "Tonight will be Vincent's and Primrose' first mission." he said loudly. He looked at the two and said, "This will be your first as a Messiah and as a newly recognized pair. Be sure to do good."
"Yes, sir." they simultaneously replied.
Sig opens the folder, "Tonight's mission will be called: Midnight Sale."
Vin's eyes narrowed, "Midnight Sale? Are we going to a department store or something?"
Sig grinned, "Your mission is located at the oldest mall of the city―POLINIA. The mall has been standing at city center for almost sixty-five years now. It has been reported that there had been a rise to suicidal activity in Polinia and most of the victims are in the ages 18-25 years old. They police suspected the victims having clinical depression, but oddly none of them were diagnosed as such. What's more troubling is how these victims do not jump from the building's exterior."
"So they jump inside?" Rem speculated.
Sig nods, "Polinia is famous for their activity center called The Atrium which is located in the middle of the building surrounded by the view of the floors. Each floor has railings so the customers from each level can see what's happening at the activity center. Polinia has seven floors with one underground level. All the victims were recorded to have jumped from the fourth floor and landed in the Atrium."
Vin hummed to himself, "And this is suspected as a paranormal activity because...?" eyebrows furrowed at Sig.
But instead of Sig answering it, Prim spoke up saying, "The victims were possessed into jumping." she looked Sig straight in the eye, "Am I right, professor?"
"Hm, you are correct." he nodded.
"Were there any surviving victims of the proxy-suicidal activity?" she added.
"There was." Sig laid the folder on the table in front of them. Prim quickly skimmed the case reading the victim's testimony.
"Her name's Annie. She's the victim of the suicidal activity last month." Sig explained.
"I see she broke a few ribs.." Vin mumbles as he reads through.
As Prim was quietly reading, the victim's narration struck her, "I don't remember exactly what happened. All I could recall was how devastated I was on my exam and I went to the fourth floor restroom located behind the food court. I heard a girl crying in one of the stalls and I tried to check on it. The next thing I knew, I was facing this wide mirror facing the mirror on the other side. It felt very eerie and someone was talking to me. By the time I woke up, I was already at the Atrium with my back lying on the matresses that were displayed there. My body was in pain and there were bruised all over my abdomen. The security guard that rescued me told me that people saw me come out from the restroom and climbed to the railing jumping straight to the Atrium without hesitations. However, I do not recall doing such. All I remember was a voice telling me saying: Leave my house. ❴End of testimony❵." read Prim.
"THAT sent chills to my spine. Brrr." Rem itched his back.
"It told her to leave his house." Vin mumbled.
"It's a land spirit, no doubt." Prim said surely.
"Oh, so it's one of those old spirits who once lived in an area but then civilization happened so their homes were destroyed." Rem explained.
"But don't land spirits usually live in areas with good flora and fauna? Polinia is literally in the middle of the city." Vin said crossing his arms, "And land spirits aren't violent to begin with."
"Unless, there's a dent." Prim turned to Vin, with a serious expression.
Vin fell silent realizing how quick Prim responded.
Sig then claps to grab their attention, "Now that we've discussed the case at hand, Prim and Vin you will now proceed to the area of concern."
The two stood up, sharp, and simultaneously said, "Yes, sir."
"A chopper will pick you up by the entrance, and you're expected to arrive at Polinia thirty minutes before midnight."
The two nodded firmly.
"Rem will go with you as your escort, but he will be remaining outside to keep watch of any human activity. He's in charge of look out and your outside communication."
Vin nodded in affirmation.
"Excited to work with ya kids!" Rem greeted playfully. Sig chuckled on Rem's goofy remark.
Sig then noticed the two were looking nervous. So he touched Prim and Vin's shoulders that were looking pretty stiff, "Are you kids ready for your first S-rank mission?" he said in a calm tone.
"Yes, sir!" they both exclaimed, with eyes of determination.
Sig grinned proudly at his two precious disciples, "Then let's be on our way." he cheered.