Persona - Mask of Origins

"Why were you chosen for the experiments?"

 

A start of a smirk appeared on Callen's lips, "Rare blood type. Your father said the rarity of the blood will make the shadow infection spread quicker with different results baised on psycological status. Though....he took my family too. Though why he did that I don't know. Next question."

Daieko looked up at him with his ice blue eyes, "You're eyes...Zain, you're...." He reached out to Zain and he slapped his hand away from him, "I'm human. My cure works, yours is a failure."

 

"Were you the first experiment?"

 

Callen's smile died, "No. Though there weren't many before me. Your father is a ruthless scientist. Was he ever a good father?"

Zain sat beside Daieko for a while as he questioned him. "How long does the change last?" "A while. You'll get over it." "I'm not so sure. What could possibly change about me?" Glancing over at him, he could see a few things left to change, "Your eyes, teeth, body, basically everything Daieko. First your teeth."

 

"No, he was always wrapped up in his work to even care about his family."

 

"Hmph, I thought so. He was always there, lurking at his computer or over a notebook. Are all your questions about the experiments? Is there anything else to ask?" Ari poked her head into the kitchen, "Sensei...Zero is awake."

Zain waited through Daieko's change until he stopped complaining and lay still, "Still hurt?" "A little, but I think it's over. What...does it look like?" He opened his mouth, his fangs were oddly jagged, "They're fine. Now, tell me everything you know."

 

"The questions can wait till later. You better go tend to your son."

 

Callen left him and noticed Zero was not only awake, but sitting upright. "Ah, Zero." His gray eyes focused on Callen and smiled, "Father...I hope you didn't do anything drastic to get me out of that place. Ari says this is some human's house. Father, where are we?" "Yes a human's house. It's not important right now Zero."

 

Yuki walked downstairs, not noticing Callen or anyone else.

 

Zero's eyes followed Yuki, "Who's she?" Ari looked to Callen as if to ask the same. "Her name is Yuki. She's been staying here since Zain needed to use Toji's lab. Nothing to fear." "She smells like shadow blood. It lingers on her skin. She's killed many of our lesser kind. Sensei, what were you talking about with that human?" Callen wagged his finger at her, "His name is Toji, Ari. And that was about the experiments. I'm sure he'd question you if you could remember." Ari gave him a blank stare, "Ok, Sensei..."

 

Yuki didn't respond to them. She was too lost in thought.

 

Ari gave a frustrated little growl and popped up in front of Yuki, "Hey...Sensei smells like you a little. Sensei drank your blood, didn't he? Hey!" Callen redirected his attention to Zero, probing him for signs of illness and the boy let him. Overall Zero was a pretty handsome boy. His looks only improved with time and being a shadow.

Zain's head hurt, learing all that Daieko knew was exhasuting. He stopped in front of Toji's house. They'd been staying there for quite a while. He was sure Toji liked having Yuki around.

 

"He did bite me once, against my will of course."

 

Ari looked startled Yuki spoke. "Ah...Sensei..." Callen stood, with Zero following him, "Yuki...I'd like you to meet my son. Zero Mizuhashi." Zero smiled, "Hello."

Zain was half asleep as he opened the door and took a few steps in the house before sagging against the wall.

 

"Hello." Yuki said before helping Zain up.

 

Zain's eyes briefly opened before they shut again, "Who are all these pe-Shadows? Their stench is giving me a headache." Zero's gray eyes burst with color, turning a bright yellow, "What did you say?!" Callen chuckled, holding Zero back, "Easy my boy. Zain means nothing by it." "Filthy human!" Sighing, Zain opened his eyes and let his blue eyes settle on Zero, "I could say the same about you...shadow. In case your nose is broken, I'll tell you I recently changed myself back into a human so if I'm filthy, it's only because I haven't washed off the stink of a shadow."

 

"Take it easy. We don't need any violence here." Yuki said.

 

Zain shrugged and closed his eyes again, yawning. "Hey, I'm just trying to keep the peace. It's this creature that wants to start something." he moved away from Yuki and ducked just as Zero aimed a punch at his face. "AH! Wh-what?! How can a human move so fast?" "I may have overexaggerated the circumstances of how human I may be. I'm human, thats for sure, but my reflexes aren't." Callen sighed, "Ari." Ari caught Zero's next punch as directed by Callen. "Enough." "Hmph, control that thing Callen, or get it out of this house. Humans live here, not shadows." Callen smiled and pushed Zero out the door, "As you wish. Ari, stay here. Watch over our dear friend Zain will you?" Ari nodded her red head.

 

"You go get some rest, Zain. Toji and I are going out for a while."

 

Nodding, Zain headed upstairs. He fell asleep on the guest bed and Ari followed him. Sitting beside him as he slept. She felt lost now that Callen had left. Curling up beside Zain, she closed her eyes, though pretending to sleep.