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<br/>​</div><br/>Shiro blinked, his incredibly quick reflexes the only reason he caught the scroll at all. It seemed he had forgotten it! He frowned slightly at that. Obviously his mind was on other things at the time. He glanced back to Nekro, pocketing the scroll and giving a nod, "Appreciated. Though at some point you really ought to learn how to use one of these." It wasn't phrased in any condescending way. Just a matter of fact statement. Of all the group, Shiro found he related to Nekro the most so far. The wolf faunus seemed to have his own set of goals that only barely had anything to do with becoming a hunter. Didn't seem like much on the intellect side of things, but Shiro knew there were different kinds of intellect, and it was possible -probable even- that Shiro would depend on Nekro for his wit and cunning at some point. Shiro walked back over to his bed and sat back down amongst his books.<br/><br/>His studies continued. Notes were taken, extrapolations made. At one point, one might catch Shiro looking off into the empty space directly in front of him, his eyes darting slightly as if watching diagrams unfold and expand. Those very few who knew him had learned to overlook this peculiar trait. Atlas scientists seldom added it in their report, but some guessed that the behavior was just part of his process. In his mind's eye, the symbols spun and whipped around so that every angle and combination could be explored. It was a puzzle... maybe<i>the </i>puzzle. This was potentially another piece, or it could be another dead end. He didn't dwell on potential failure at the moment. Every failed lead narrowed the search by just a little bit. He just hoped it would be enough.<br/><br/>So focused on his work was he that he only tangentially noticed K and Robin get in. He pulled his pocket watch and glanced at the time. It was getting late and Karma wasn't back yet, even as the rest were filing into their beds. Shiro wasn't<i>worried </i>per se. He knew Karma could take care of herself, but the notion of her staying out all night didn't seem very... well...<i>Karmyne</i>. He set aside his books as the others seem to signal to one another that it was time for lights out. His bed cleared of all his research, he sat on the bed with his back against the wall and waited silently in the dark. Finally, he detected out of the corner of his eye Karma sneaking in. He paused a moment, about to speak up, albeit quietly so as to not wake the others, and apologize to her for todays events, just as he had promised K, but thought better of it. The last thing Karma needed now was Shiro attempting to make amends at this late hour. They were all tired and beat and tomorrow would be potentially be crazier. The apology could wait.<br/><br/>Besides, K had stipulated that the next time he<i>sees </i>Karmyne, he was to apologize. Clearly the room was too dark for a 100% confirmation. The corner of Shiro's mouth twitched into a subtle smirk.<br/><br/>Satisfied that Ms. Indigo was back, safe and sound, he shifted to lay down in his bed and drift off to sleep.<br/><br/>Shiro's dreams were as typical and standard as any other healthy student at beacon. The trouble was, he had very few of them. His<i>nightmares </i>however, were as unsettlingly prolific as they were consistent.<br/><br/>He was seven again. His childhood home in flames. A break in the ice. The howl of Grimm. The first, second, and third deaths. These were the preamble.<br/><br/>Shiro would jolt awake, gasping for breath and with his heart racing. He'd look around the room, remember his surroundings, then frown bitterly to himself.<br/><br/>Tomorrow, he'd redouble his studies.