[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Df1jDS9G/Eleven.png[/img]

[color=white]Miya[/color]

[sup][color=Silver]Morning - The Rookery, New York City - [Everyone][/color][/sup]
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Considering how harshly most of the numbers were treated and how tight the leash was around their necks, it was quite a miracle that the Catholic Church hadn't done something about Eleven and her relationship with her handler, Dmitri. Being quite familiar with the active efforts to keep the Numbers feel as they were nothing more than tools to be used, Miya knew well how precious her bond with her handler was. Dimitri was one of the few who treated her as more than just a sentient weapon. Due to that, she had quickly come to see him almost as a father or a grandfather... Something which Miya was very careful to keep a secret, afraid of what Dimitri might think... or what the church would do if they found out. 

These were only a few of the many reasons why Miya hated meeting anyone important from the church on any 'official' business. To make things even worse, the news they had received made it clear this was no ordinary meeting. Unlike the regular ones, this would be hosted in New York, with [i]all[/i] the Numbers and their respective handlers present. Whatever it was, it was big... The entire situation made Miya extremely nervous, despite Dimitri's gentle reassurances. Other than a brief greeting to Thirteen and his handler, most of the trip to New York passed in silence. She needed to mentally prepare herself for whatever was important enough to drag all the Numbers and their handlers to New York. Besides, her silence was also out of caution... Any affection between her and her handler could be met with harsh backlash or even punishment.

When they finally arrived at the Rookery, Miya couldn't help holding her breath for a moment, nervous. It was [i]much[/i] worse than what she was anticipating. As the vehicles stopped right outside the building, she could hear the hysterical mob awaiting their arrival. Cameras, signs being waved and every possible reaction, from a few scattered cheers to curses and shouts of hatred and fear. For a moment, Miya simply stood still, breathing deeply as she calmed herself. It would be so easy to silence them... One word to stop the screams, another to blind them. Amidst the nervousness and the hunger she was beginning to feel due to the trip, Miya did consider the thought for a moment... Until Dmitri gently patted her head, looking at her with a discreet smile....

[color=a2d39c]"It'll be fine, Miya. Just ignore them."[/color] Dmitri said, his tone steady and reassuring.

[color=white]"It's just... hard not to be nervous. All the Numbers and their handlers together, for the first time in so long..."[/color] Miya sighed.

Dimitri smiled again, gently patting her head in silent encouragement.

[color=white]"Thank you."[/color] she murmured, returning his smile before finally stepping out toward the Rookery.

When both Miya and Dimitri exited the unmanned vehicle, other Numbers had already started making their way inside the building. Paying no attention to the mob, Miya simply followed her handler. Aside from Thirteen, Miya only had very vague memories of her other siblings. To say she wasn't curious about them would be a lie, but she remained cautious. The fact that they thought of themselves as a family didn't mean all the other numbers would be friendly towards her. Besides that, she was still entering a place where she would meet a lot of 'important' people who, in the end, saw her and the rest of the Numbers as nothing more than sentient weapons to be controlled. As such, Miya's expression was one of deep distrust as she walked into the lobby.

While the lack of religious imagery was a bit unusual for a Church meeting, but its presence was still felt. Especially in the well-armed, elite guards bearing the Catholic cross. In front of them, walking at a brisk pace, Miya watched as an armed man wearing a trench coat entered the lobby without any ceremony. Whether he was a handler or a Number, Miya didn't know, but the fact that he was walking by himself was strange either way.

The low hum of the scanners announced both Miya and Dimitri's entrance into the Rookery. In silence, Miya's eyes swept the lobby as they approached the administration desk. From the elite armed guards to the normal agents and staff working there, he reactions varied. From simply ignoring her to outright displaying disgust and hatred. Among the others present, a few immediately caught Miya's attention. The older, armed man from earlier was also there, his eyes sweeping the room in a methodical, cold and calculating way. The moment their eyes met, Miya couldn't help but immediately avoid his gaze. He seemed the least friendly of all. Interestingly enough, there seemed to be quite a few people of similar age to Miya. Among those, the ones that immediately drew Miya's attention were a strange, clown-like girl carrying a jar with a still-beating heart inside, undoubtedly another Number.

As the rest of the Numbers and their handlers arrived, Miya kept silent, waiting nearby Dimitri. Despite her care to not show any obvious acts of affection towards her handler, the fact that she stood nearer to him than other Numbers did from their handlers was still noticeable to those who paid enough attention, even if it was something Miya herself did unconsciously.

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