Timothy
Despite the appreciative looks thrown her way, Yuki would treat Saiko to a cold and apathetic stare. Murano had come to realize that once he designated someone as their enemy, even if he told her they were fine, she still maintained a wariness around them. It could be a matter of personality or genetics, he wasn't absolutely sure. 

Watching him leave, Murano looked around for a brief moment at their surroundings, especially interested in that coccoon. Was it housing a growwing Horror, perhaps? Nasaki had told them about the process in which one was created and he vaguely recalled a mention of such cocooning. To think they just had it out in the open with no precautions... Sloppy work. He turned his attention back to the door as the shout echoed through the hall and towards their position. He could instantly recognize it as belonging to the person he'd come here for, but he couldn't very well run off towards her now. He had to approach this rationally.

Duplicate was a stark contrast to her excitable pupil and quite honestly, more acceptable to Murano. In some strange way, it almost felt like how his relationship had been with Chiho during their time at the previous laboratory. Perhaps this field just attracted certain types of people...

Murano gave a small and polite bow of his head as she introduced herself. "*Tekio*, a pleasure." A moniker he'd taken from his old laboratory, meaning 'Adapt' or 'Change'. It seemed like a suitable codename for someone in his line of work. 

"I'll be forthcoming with you, Duplicate-san. My associate and I came here looking for a child bearing an particular Curse Mark, one I promised to aid after my affairs had been sorted. The very same one that just shouted a few moments ago, even. However, after speaking with your cordial assistant, I believe we had been in the wrong for barging in on work so suddenly. It is very clear to me now that you both are Seekers of **Truth**, much as I and my organization are." He said, Yuki silently sliding to his side as he spoke. She still gazed at them warily, but seemed content to listen to their conversation for the moment. 

"I would like to offer you both, and anyone else working under you, an *Exceptional* Deal."
Chris
Duplicate listened with an unmoved face while Murano spoke. She lifted a brow at his introduction, and lifted her other brow at his statement. *Seekers of Truth*. Then, as the man made his offer known, her face went neutral once again.

Then, it cracked into a smirk. A smirk which grew into a chortle, and chortles into what might be described as *Giggles*. Almost cartoonishly, Saiko began nervously laughing along with her, and somewhat belatedly stopped when Duplicate's laughs came to an abrupt close, and her face dimmed once again.

"I apologise," She said with utmost sobriety, as if she hadn't just done an impression of a hyena on the hunt. "It's just not every day that I get to speak with someone who *Gets* It, and saunters in here all confident-like. Much less to offer *Me* A *Deal*." She snorted softly, then placed her hands on her labcoat-covered hips.

"The truth is, Tekio-san, I have already accepted a phenomenal deal. What do you think you could possibly offer me that *He* Couldn't?"

In the corner of the room, where the main lab split into that hallway, Murano and Yasu could see something move: a young boy of about thirteen, peeking his head out to watch with curious eyes. Murano could sense that this boy had a highly developed chakra system, comparable to that of a high-level chunin's.
Timothy
If Murano was thrown off by her series of giggles, he certainly didn't show it on his face. He'd worked with all sorts of types since fleeing the village, it hardly surprised him to find out that a gene-splicer of all people had a few screws loose. "No offense taken, I assure you." 

*He?* 

There was any number of people that she could be referring to, the first coming to mind being Asurama. He'd heard from both Chiho and Nasaki all sorts of things, although he'd yet to verify any of it himself besides some aged ruins of a laboratory at the bottom of a crater. She could also be speaking about Saga or any other number of Noragakure's enemies, for all he knew. His confidence didn't waver as he quickly replied,

"It'd be difficult to compare benefits, considering I don't know this other party, but I *Can* Tell you what we're capable of providing. Our own laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and other amenities. I don't wish to disparage your currently living quarters, Duplicate-san, but I don't believe your work can truly flourish in such a place. There's also our own research to consider, all of which you'll be granted access to in accordance with our deal. My 'Merging Life' technique, as you can see, has perfected the process of combining human and animal genomes. This could help considerably in saving the life of your dear Kika." He said, gesturing towards the tank of water behind her. Now, it was time for the finishing blow in their discussions. 

"Finally, we have knowledge concerning Horrors that you would find **Most** Interesting. *How* They are created, *Who* Created them, and more. In return for these gifts, we would ask two things of you and your people. Join our organization and grant me custody of the children in your care. I will be frank, I find the idea of granting Curse Marks and genetic modifications to children a fruitless endeavor. If they wish to continue following you, they are free to, but if any wish for their modifications to be reverted I aim to heed their wishes." This was going to be the most difficult part of their negotiations, for sure. She seemed the type to coddle and bond with her research subjects, going so far as making them believe *They* Needed *Her.* Still, this was something he could not budge on.