“Not at all,” said Ranma. “We just prefer not to go too far, at the moment.”
“Other commitments and all,” added Nabiki.
Integra nodded, not that the two saw her do so. “We will see what we can negotiate with the local government about us maintaining a presence there, but I cannot guarantee that all of your assignments will be in Japan.”
Ranma nodded, looking towards Nabiki.
She took the hint. After all, she was the better negotiator of the two, and this was something he didn’t want to screw up. “We are slightly concerned about these tests. Neither of us wishes to end up on a dissection table.”
“Understood,” said Integra. “I can assure you that none of the tests will endanger your ... lives,” she said. “Nor will it alter you in any way. We simply wish to know what you are. You must understand that we have never run across vampires like yourselves in the long history that our organization has had.”
Ranma nodded. Hell, he knew a little bit about how they came to be what they were. But beyond the basics, he was as in the dark as they were. He didn’t know how or why the chi warped as it had, or why their chi sight was overwhelming their normal sight.
Hell, he was just beginning to tap into what they could be capable of. The sleep thing was a nice touch.
But he did know one thing: eventually, they were going to need a source of food. And unless Kasumi could get blood and make it both healthy for them and palatable—she probably would be the only person who could, and he didn’t want to even think about what the tomboy would try and cook to ‘impress him with her skills’—they were going to need someone who could provide that source, unless he wanted to risk feeding on people with the hope that it didn’t do to them what it did to Nabiki. “Can we talk to her about her experiences?” asked Ranma, pointing to Seras.
“Why?”
“She’s a newbie, isn’t she?” stated Ranma. “She’d be a great source of info about how trustworthy you guys are, as well as working conditions, training, and such.”
Nabiki nodded, smiling a bit. I always hoped Master would show some grey matter. “A simple sit-down,” continued Nabiki. “We don’t want to take too much of her time, but we also don’t want to commit ourselves yet.”
Integra nodded again. It appeared that the two new vampires were both cautious and a little paranoid. It wasn’t that she could fault them for acting as such, given the other organizations that she knew were out there, many of which were not a pleasant bunch to deal with. “How long would you need to consider our offer?”
“Assuming she can give other details such as starting salary, workplace treatment, and possible benefits,” said Nabiki, “a few days, week at most. We will still be around to assist you in the meantime, but this is a pretty big leap for us.”
“Very well,” said Integra, not showing her disappointment that they hadn’t immediately signed on. She had no doubt that if the APD learned that they had very capable supernatural creatures at their own disposal, they would try and grab them up. Of course, it didn’t mean that they couldn’t run interference to keep them available. “Seras, give them a way to contact us with their decision.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said the blond, as she saluted.
She was about to sign off, when she noticed that the Phantom’s eyes shot wide open, as he slowly turned around.
“Oh shit,” he muttered.
She was about to inquire what was going on, or what he felt, when she saw it.
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(Posted Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:03)
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