[center][h2][color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi Hasegawa[/color][/h2]
Esaka, The Tiered City
Lvl 9 [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi[/color] (64/90) -> Lvl 9 (66/90) 
Word count: 846 words[/center]





Sadly, Roland made a good point, which Zenkichi conceded with a few resigned nods. Pit’s own addition to the thought was a bit more strange, but he supposed it was also possible that they would simply need to go through the Kings to find the information they needed. [color=BFBFBF]”Eh, yeah, it probably wouldn’t go too smoothly, huh? Well, this way we get to do some mostly-friendly sparring, I guess.”[/color] His minor disappointment abated, Zenkichi got back to the conversation as a strange individual arrived in the black cloak that marked them as an Organization 13 member. 

He listened intently as the mysterious figure revealed that the Guardian was actually the…idea of the Four Kings? [color=BFBFBF]”Huh, that’s…kind of dumb?”[/color] Zenkichi muttered. Just how abstract could it get? Could the concept of fish be a Guardian? Band seemed to be just as incredulous, prompting a scornful retort from the shadowy figure. He’d never met any of this Organization himself, but if they were all this unpleasant, that might have been a blessing in disguise. 

As the conversation continued, Zenkichi found himself getting frustrated with this person, especially once they started cutting up and eating their pizza with a fork and knife? Who does that?! Roland’s attempts at getting more out of them were like talking to a brick wall, and Zenkichi wasn’t keen to do the same. 

Roland’s story tangent where he rambled on about a strange food giving people religious experiences, he grimaced at the point that angel wings was a serious suggestion as to what had caused that. While Sandalphon didn’t have wings like typical depictions of angels, he still didn’t like the mental image. [color=BFBFBF]”Jeeze, dude, your world was [i]super[/i] screwed-up, huh? Every time you bring it up it makes me realize Earth was pretty great, all things considered…”[/color]

After Pit’s own questions about the kings, Zenkichi was starting to really get bothered by Xilgrev’s attitude. The shadowy figure just stood there, monotonously mocking them (even if his reply to Pit’s question had been the most genuinely helpful he’d been since arriving). 

[color=BFBFBF]”So, I assume you’re just going to be evasive and aloof because oooh, spooky shadow organization that makes the CIA look benevolent, but what is your actual deal as a group? We’re kind of just a band of people with a vague desire to overthrow the status quo, so maybe I’m not one to talk, but it feels like there’s no…consistency to what you guys do. One of you tried to kill a bunch of Seekers the first time they met, some of you are genuinely helpful, and you’re kind of…just an aloof jerk. Forgive the insult.”[/color] Zenkichi added that last line almost mockingly, with his best recreation of Xilgrev’s own attitude. 

The Organization member seemed to brush off his derision. "Your incivility is unwarranted, and futile." By now, only a few strips of his pizza were left, and after eating one he continued with an air of nonchalance. "The 'deal' is that certain sacrifices must be made to join Organization XIII. For some, the losses are severe, and the dissonance tends to drive them to...pretensions." He shook his head. "Why that buffoon Gneidxick was chosen I cannot imagine, but rest assured, he has been dealt with. The goals of the Organization and the Seekers of Light are now aligned."

Thoroughly deflated by the response, Zenkichi almost started to feel bad for Xilgrev, and the other members of the organization. Taking that as the closest thing to an apology the Seekers as a whole would get, Zenkichi decided to eat the crow on this one. [color=BFBFBF]”Ah. That, uh…makes sense.”[/color] Mentally categorizing joining Organization 13 as a Big No for Sandalphon, he continued, offering a seated bow of the head. [color=BFBFBF]”I apologize for that. We have a member with…we’ll say a bone to pick with your Organization, and it colored my perspective. Your more aloof demeanor gave me the wrong impression. You’re just a straight to the point kind of guy, then. I can respect that. Let me ask you one more question: Do you know a way to get around the ten-year limit? I don’t want my daughter to have to die over and over and over again anymore. If…we fail. I want her to have a real life.”[/color] Left unspoken was the [i]other[/i] reason he needed to know.

Xilgrev slowly set down his utensils, then pushed his empty plate back. "That was a quick change of tone," he remarked offhandedly. "The number-one way is to be born naturally, but if she's already been made by the system, your best bet..." He reached for his glass of water. "Is to destroy Galeem, of course."

If Zenkichi was deflated before, he was utterly [i]dismayed[/i] now. Swallowing dryly, he nodded. [color=BFBFBF]”I…I see. Thank you…”[/color] He muttered, picking at his meal half-heartedly now. Another dead end. Maybe the Four Kings would know. If he, Sandalphon, and others could somehow split the Guardian Spirit like them…would that work? It wouldn’t matter much if they were killed fighting Galeem, but…he supposed any idea could at least be explored.