Ren leaned against the wall, his spiky blond hair disheveled from sleep. He'd woken up suddenly to the sounds of someone entering the apartment. He knew his other two room mates were asleep, so that only left the boy, Toshi. Sure enough, Ren wandered into the kitchen to be greeted by the boy's back and the scent of coffee... Again.<br/><br/>"Toshi. You do realize you've been gone for two days, right? Also, how many cups of coffee have you had? Did you sleep on the bus again? When was the last time you ate? Like,<span style="font-style: italic">ate</span>ate, not coffee?" He fired off the questions in rapid succession, not really expecting the boy to answer any of them. Toshi wasn't one for idle conversation. Still, Ren liked to make an attempt, it made the kid seem a little less... creepy. He watched with a raised brow as the boy drank a few more gulps of the still piping hot coffee, and grimaced vicariously.<br/><br/>"You oughtta slow down with the coffee, man. I don't even want to know what all that caffeine is doing to your heart." It didn't seem like the boy was listening. Surprise, surprise...<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">_______________</div><br/><br/>"As I have told you several times already, Commander Roath, it is tactically unwise to move forward with your current plan. I understand your frustration, but in situations like this, it is best to not let your emotions sway your judgment," A girl of roughly twenty-three spoke sternly across a long conference table to a much older man in uniform. Her long mane of snowy blond hair was tied back into a pony tail, save for her fringe and face frame, and her favorite blue butterfly clip was perched just so, to cover the hair band. She was dressed in a crisp white button-down blouse beneath a an equally crisp black blazer. Her black slacks were professional, yet flexible, and her boots had only enough heel to look classy, and not restrict her ability to run. A thin black tie was tucked neatly beneath the collar of her shirt. She turned her stern, oceanic gaze back to the commander.<br/><br/>"I want to see him squirm though! To humiliate him as he did to me."<br/>Kyris sighed, crossing her arms, "He has slipped your chains before. Would it not be more prudent to merely eliminate him now you have the chance? Consider, which is worse? Losing out on your petty revenge, or suffering still more humiliation when he escapes your grasp again?"<br/><br/>"He will not escape!"<br/>"You don't know that. Statistically, given his history and training, paired with the fact that he's eluded you from this position twice already, his chances are quite high. It is my professional opinion as your strategist to eliminate him now, before more damage to your reputation is done."<br/>A slight chiming sound issued from her blazer pocket, "I crave your pardon, Commander, please excuse me." The blond exited the room and into the hall before flipping the phone open.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Kyris."</span><br/>"M'lady?" There was, of course, no mistaking it. A voice as smooth as silk that could easily turn cold and sharp, accentuated by the still sharper crack of a whip.<br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I request you return as soon as possible due to an emergency task. Transport has been secured for you. Do not waste any time. Everything will be explained to you back inside the facility."</span><br/>"Yes, M'lady. I'll head out now, and should arrive within the hour."<br/>Kyris flipped the phone shut and tucked it back into her pocket, then turned back into the conference room, "Commander Roath, my apologies," She bowed slightly, placing her right hand over her heart as she did so, "But M'lady has ordered my return to deal with a most urgent matter," Straightening, she crossed her arms over her chest, "Please recall that my expertise lies with strategy and assassination, not torture. You may contact the facility again, when you have need of our highly specialized angle. Good day." With another bow, she turned on her heel and headed to the VIP parking area, where she knew her vehicle would be waiting. It was a forty-five minute ride back to the facility, and as usual, Kyris spent it staring absently out the window.<br/><br/>"M'lady?" Kyris inquired, knocking gently on the large, highly polished oak door, "I have returned, as you requested."