An "Innocent" Talk (Kyukaku)

[Pain Killer]

He's late.

The frustrated thoughts seemed to fill the room, making time pass much slower than it had a right to do so. Classes had ended a half hour ago, more than enough time for Kyukaku to hike the short distance over to the dorms that he shared with one Adam Rydell. That very roommate was in the process of pacing inside his room, becoming more and more agitated by the second.

If Kyukaku didn't show up soon, he'd forget what he was supposed to say.

Pain Killer's meeting with Stern had been the day before, and by the time he'd gotten back after running a few more errands, it had been pretty late. Being a school night, Kyukaku had gone to bed at a reasonable hour. Adam hadn't had that problem, as he hadn't bothered showing up, leaving him plenty of time to pick up his own groceries and such.

Stupid kid, doesn't even have the decency to get back on time. I'm not going out there looking for him.

If it came down to it, he'd wait until Kyu finally came home to sleep, then wake him up. It may not sit well with the younger student, but once Adam set his mind on something, he wasn't easily swayed. Scowling, Pain Killer stepped out of his room, hesitating for a moment before walking into his roommate's dwelling. The kid didn't have much that Adam liked, but his taste in music was alright, which meant that often the older boy would use Kyukaku's CD player. Within a few moments, Anarchy Club was filling the air, releasing some of the tension that had been building up. Moments later, the door handle began to turn, and Adam swiftly escaped Kyu's room, not wanting to give some sort of wrong impression. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he waited until the door was completely open before speaking.

"What took you so long? Off pretending to be a hero again?"

[Kyukaku]

With a smile on his face and a song in his heart, Kyukaku reached for the doorknob. He turned it slowly, not rushing by any means, and slowly stepped through. As he opened it completely Kyu was met with a scowling Adam Rydell. The look on the larger student made Kyukaku smirk, reminding him of a nagging housewife. However, Kyu kept that remark to himself, as Adam was touchy about basically anything.

"Uh, I went out with Audrey for a few hours. I didn't know I had to be here for anything. Do you usually wait by the door for me arrive if I'm not home yet?" Kyukaku chuckled as he closed the door, continuing to step in towards their living area.

Kyu slung his backpack off his shoulder and towards the wall, heading straight towards the fridge to grab a soda before turning back towards Adam.

"So, is there actually something on your mind, or are you just being quirky?" Kyukaku asked raising his brow, as his fingers quickly popped the tab upon his drink.

[Pain Killer]

"Don't be stupid, kid. I was just wondering if you'd gotten in over your head again, sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. I know how well that worked out last time."

Adam was referring, of course, to the time he and Aryck had proceeded to beat Kyukaku down in a two-on-one fight in the woods back in Varron. At the time, Pain Killer didn't care much about outnumbering his foe, but as time had went on, he'd started to look back on the memory with less and less satisfaction, and a growing uncomfortable feeling that he couldn't quite place. Not that he'd ever admit such a thing. Instead, his eyes followed Kyukaku as he walked by, though Adam didn't move from where he was standing. The dorm wasn't exactly huge, and he could easily continue the conversation from where he was.

"I actually did want to talk to you though. And it has to do with the school. We both know something needs to be done. Not just Darren and his hounds, but about the system itself. My question is, what're you going to do about it?"

Despite the fact he'd been ordered to do so, the question coming from Adam was genuine. He'd thought about this very situation a few times before, but never put his thoughts into words. Now, however, he had an excuse to do so. With a few small steps, Pain Killer turned to face Kyukaku completely, his face oddly serious, rather than mocking or angry as per usual.

"Leon's good for speeches, but I've yet to see him take any action. I've already made my choice as to who to follow, I just want to know if you intend to stand around behind Leon, nodding your head as he speaks of his grand action, yet continues to do nothing. Or are you actually going to do something about it?"

[Kyukaku]

"Wasn't it you, who asked me when I'd let that go last time I brought it up?" Kyukaku shook his head with a small sigh, rolling his eyes slightly before looking back to Adam. "But while you're talking about it, you know that doesn't count."

It was true Kyukaku was sore about the event in his first week at Varron, where he was attacked by both Aryck Venn and his partner Pain Killer. The two of them had acted under Stern's authority, Aryck breaking Kyu's arm before Adam choked him til he blacked out. Such things seemed trivial to him now, especially since Adam's brother had done much, much worse to him on more than one occasion. Kyu even began to think of Adam as a friend, in their own strange way.

"Leon talks alot, I know that too. However, what you're suggesting needs to be done takes a little more finesse than charging in blindly. To take on the whole system means you need to watch your steps, and thats why you haven't seen immediate action. " Kyukaku explained, taking a gulp of his soda before setting atop the TV as he took a seat on the arm of the couch.

"However, I'm not standing behind anyone. I'm at his side, just as I am with Kazuki. I'm not one to follow, I'm one to assist in a cause I believe in. But Adam, you can't just march up to the system in challenge and expect something to get done. Even if you take it down it will just be anarchy, and we both know that's..." Kyukaku trailed off, narrowing his eyes now that he began to fully focus on what Adam had told him. It was a subtle message, but it was there.

"...You've made you choice of who you're going to follow..." Kyukaku repeated, slowly rising up from the couch and pacing towards Adam in an outwards arc.

"You're kidding. Even after our treaty with Shuya, you still bark when Stern gives the go ahead?" Kyukaku snickered, beginning to rise his voice with a slight shake of his head. "You know he isn't the good guy!"

[Pain Killer]

"Good and evil are just a matter of opinion, kid. But what do you think would've happened if I stayed with Shuya, you, and loudmouth Leon, hm? We would've taken a crack at the Pillars, I'd have to pick up the slack from those of you few who can't get the job done, and in the end, it accomplishes nothing. Do you really think every Pillar and the Captain will just agree to put their position on the line at the same time? Come on..."

It was a flawed plan to begin with, and Adam didn't want to get into the reasons that made him join up in the first place. Stern had filled that need once again, leaving very little for Pain Killer to gain from staying with the coalition. However, that didn't mean he'd simply leave Kyukaku high and dry; the kid had, in his own way, helped Adam out a few times. This way, Pain Killer wouldn't have any regrets should they come into conflict, as Kyu would have made his own choice.

"Tell me something. How often has Leon asked you to speak at one of his little group speeches? I've seen Taiku speak, I've seen others. But as far as I can recall, you've been off to the side. Doesn't sound like much of a partnership there. But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night, right?"

His hands withdrew from his pockets, arms folding in front of himself as he considered how best to make his point. He could tell Kyukaku was steadfast in his alliance with Leon and the rest, and truth be told, he could understand it. Adam didn't much mind Leon, Taiku, or a few others who were part of that group, but the fact was, they were too much flash and not enough substance. The best he could hope for was either to make some of the members leave, or for that group to smarten up and start taking some action.

"Look, all I'm saying is, you guys are getting nowhere fast. Talk and action aren't very useful on their own, but together, they accomplish things. Leon's all talk, the least you can do is take some action for him, or at least talk him into doing something. Stern, at least, has a plan and action. See, I'm not asking you to ditch Leon, I just don't want to hear you whine when it doesn't work out."

[Kyukaku]

"Yeah, I really think they would. After all, they'll think those same ones you do won't be able to get the job finished."

It had actually occured to Kyu that the pillars wouldn't be so quick to put their title on the line, but he hadn't seen them turn down a challenge yet. Also, to his knowledge, the pillars had never conferred with one another when challenged. Therefore, if all were challenged simultaneously it would be unknown to the hiearchy.

Kyu narrowed his eyes at Adam's words, seeming to belittle his importance in the matters of the school. However, instead of getting angry, Kyu thought about what he said, letting Adam finish what he had to say before looking up to him with a response.

"You're right Adam, I'm not the one who's asked to speak. Why? Because I'm the one who does things, not talks, just like you suggested. I'll admit that I haven't been as involved as I should be, not 'sticking my nose into situations' like back at Varron. Truthfully, I was happy to have some sort of a normal life up til now. " Kyu sighed, taking a few stutter steps as he rubbed his hair.

"I'll be blunt with you Adam. Now that Stern's here, I'm not going to have that luxury of sitting back anymore. I get what you see in him, I really do. He's the anti-Leon, and that works for you...but it doesnt for me. Stern's outlook can't be good for everyone, and you should know that. Just because he has a plan and a means, doesn't mean its the right one, does it?"

[Pain Killer]

"Just for those reasons wouldn't make it right, no. But tell me, when have you ever seen Stern lose? And for that matter, have you seen him do anything that suggests he has anything but the best interests at heart?"

Part of Pain Killer's unshakable faith in Stern lay in the fact that the younger student was never shaken, never beaten, in the entire time Adam had known him. Regardless of how events turned out at the school, Stern always seemed to expect it, or at least, know how to spin it in order to use it for his own plans. So long as Adam performed his tasks as well as he could, then there would be no reason to expect that it wouldn't happen again.

"I don't have your luxury, kid. I'm not off playing "Who Loves Who More?" with Audrey. I'm not gonna just close my eyes and cover my ears, letting Leon and them make their speeches and do nothing. How many kids are being denied a normal life, by having to deal with this stupid system? Hm? You gonna put it off some more, or actually do something about it?"

Slowly, ever so slowly, Pain Killer's frustration was beginning to show. He hadn't expected Kyu to listen to him completely, but he'd thought there would be a little bit of leeway given. Instead, it seemed Kyukaku would be giving him trouble.

Come on, kid. Quit being stubborn and give it a shot. Stern needs this.

[Kyukaku]

"Whether he's the best at what he does is irrelevant. And yes, I've seen alot that shows exactly that. In fact, the first impressions of him. You just mentioned it too, the welcoming you and Aryck gave me for asking one question. Tell me, why would anyone who has good intentions try to silence a voice that merely asks why?"

Kyu took another step forward, raising his brow. He was pushing Pain Killer to think for himself, just as Adam had been pushing him to act for himself. It was true Kyukaku had never really seen Stern fail, but that wasn't enough for Kyu to follow, or even allow Stern to go unopposed.

"And you think Stern will honestly help that? Whether you believe Leon is a means or not is besides the point, Stern obviously isn't either. I don't have to wait for Leon to give word, and I've actually taken your words to heart and will get my own ass in gear. But Adam, I don't want you to do this."

Kyukaku paused, letting all frustration drain from his face as he looked to Adam with a true look of concern for the first time towards the larger student.

"You're better than this. The ends does not justify the means. We can find a different way, please. I don't want things to be like they were back in Varron between us. We don't need to be on different sides."

[Pain Killer]

Kyu's first statement went unanswered, Pain Killer huffing and looking away. He realized it had been necessary to beat Kyukaku down, in order to keep him from getting too deep and possibly causing problems. Still, the way things were going, he wasn't so sure he wanted to fight with those he'd started to... tolerate. But what about Mya? Stern was willing to deal with that. And his methods work... unlike mine. As Kyu was wrapping up his last few words, Adam shook his head, expressing his displeasure.

"Stop. I don't want to hear it. Stern's a good guy, despite how he sees himself. Who else but a good guy would work the way he does? He doesn't have any personal gain from what he does, there's no money, glory, or power. He's as selfless as someone can get in this world, and you actually dare to label him as the bad guy? I've heard enough outta you, I'm gone."

Growling to himself, Pain Killer stomped over to the couch, grabbing his trenchcoat that lay along the back of it. All the while, he continued talking, quite visibly pissed at Kyukaku's apparent beliefs.

"I thought you of all people wouldn't be the type to jump to conclusions. Stupid goddamn kid..."

Throwing the jacket on, Adam walked back to the dorm's door, pulling it open and taking a step out before stopping. If he didn't address Kyu's last comment now, he'd never hear the end of it. Kyukaku would probably get the wrong idea, and continue pushing his assumptions on him until Pain Killer snapped, and that was a situation he didn't want to deal with. He glanced over his left shoulder, looking back at Kyu.

"I'm not 'better than this'. Just because you've seen glimpses of my problems doesn't mean you're suddenly an expert on me, got it? This school system is a monster, and what better way to deal with a monster than another monster? I'll become whatever I have to in order to finish this. If you don't want to go up against me, then stay out of my way."

And with those parting words, Adam shut the door behind him, effectively ending the conversation. Heading off to his car, he had no intentions of coming back to his dorm until it was good and late, when Kyu would likely be asleep, as he had no desire to talk to the younger student anymore.