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One day my names gonna be something cool, 13 said with a sigh as he kicked his feet idly on the carpet of the rainbow room. A dreamy look came over his face as he imagined all the possibilities.
Like what cow it fits, 12 responded with a snicker as she looked over the room making sure no guards where listening.
"Shut up twelve, no one was talking to you," 13 bites back in response, shooting an annoyed look at Twelve
"Twelve, let thirteen talk - you're being a cow," says Seven turning his head to the side as he stared at Twelve with a bit of curiosity in his eyes. He had stopped picking at the loose threads on his shirt and was now fully focused on 12. "And what's a cow?" He added, unfamiliar with what Twelve had said.
"It means you're being rude or unlikable - it's also where we get milk," Twelve replied to Seven with a proud grin, puffing her chest out slightly as she looked up at her brother. She seemed pleased to have the answer and an opportunity to show off what she knew about the outside that seven doesn't. Thirteen just rolled his eyes dismissively not really paying attention.
"Either way, Seven's on my side," Thirteen says, matching Twelve's former proud look with one of his own. He lifts his chin slightly and shoots a smug smile in Twelve's direction. Seven glances between the two others and smile slightly it's rear when they get to be happy and it was all over a name which confused seven given that they had names from papa seven liked his name
"Seven's always on your side," Twelve mumbles to herself, the last bits of proud look melting away as her eyes drop downcast toward the carpets between her feet. Seven notices Twelve's change in demeanor.
Seven rolls his eyes and looks over at Twelve, saying in an exasperated tone, "I'm not. I made Thirteen give you back what he took of your food and made him apologize yesterday, remember?" He shoots Twelve an encouraging smile, hoping to cheer her up. Twelve peeks up, a small spark of hope reigniting in her eyes as Seven's words remind her of the other day. Seven was always looking out for the higher numbers, even when they bickered or fought seven always tried to have them get along not that it always worked and he knows they hated it when he controllers them that it makes them terrified
"Oh, I take it back - you're my lord and savior, Seven," Twelve declares with a smile Thirteen stifles a laugh at Twelve's actions
Seven just smiles, "Papa made it my job to look after everyone," he reminds them softly as he looks out over the rainbow room
Twelve and Thirteen share a look, both knowing Seven takes his responsibilities seriously how sometimes two and the lower numbers make fun of him for it.
Twelve rolls her eyes and makes sure the is no one else by them then speaks back to them in whispers "Papa's not a good papa. And he isn't my papa," she adds defiantly.
Twelve hugs her knees to her chest, casting her gaze away as if ashamed. But defiance still simmers beneath the surface, years of hurt and uncertainty bubbling near. As she keeps looking around at the guards in badly hidden fear
Seven's brow furrows further at Twelve's statement, concern filling his eyes. Gently but firmly, he says, "You can't say such things about Papa. He is good to us - he keeps us fed and safe and we need to know how to control our self are abilitys we are safer here then we would be in the out side"
Twelve fumes but dares not counter, incase she raised her voices or gets mad and seven decades he needs to control her before papa or the guards hear, Seven takes Twelve's hand "We struggle at times. But where family and papa just wants us safe" seven holds Twelve's gazes willing her to understand it how he understands it
Twelve's anger mellows in his touch Then she says "Do you remember what it was like outside?" she asks him quietly. "Before Papa brought you here?"
Seven looks momentarily confused by the question. As Twelve knows he has been at the lap since birth she knows he's never left she knows he never wants to leave
Gently, Seven replies. "I know only what Papa has said. That out there is danger that we are special that what we can do is special and that people who aren't papa dont understand".
Twelve is silent for a long moment, mulling Seven's words. Finally, softly, she says: "I remember, from when I was younger..."
Seven holds up a gentle hand to stop her. "don't speak of when you weren't whatever life you had before doesn't not matter now you have a new family we are your family all the numbers papas your family".
The defiance returns to her eyes as she gets up from there corner of the rainbow room and walks of in anger while wiping her tears
Seven and Thirteen exchange a worried look and rise to follow. But before they can catch up, Twelve hurries around a corner and disappears down a corridor to her room they know ther not allowed in other numbers rooms so onces twelve is out of site seven turns to Thirteen and asks if he's also mad at him
Thirteen is quite for a moment before putting his hand on sevens shoulder and saying that there are more numbers to worry about then just twelve let her have her tantrum
Why was she so upset I didn't think I said anything bad
A voices calls out from behind them it was papa seven your training and testing starts know come along my boy
Seven smiles at Thirteen then runs to papa ignoring the fear of what he's about to do focusing on the fact that his control of people of there minds and body's makes papa proud
Seven enters Papa's training room, steeling himself. Papa greets him with a smile that fails to reach his eyes.
"Good, you're here. It's time to expand your abilities." Papa gestures to the usual target dummies. "Let's see your telekinesis first. Lift all six dummies at once."
Seven concentrates, and with growing strain, the dummies rise smoothly into the air. Papa nods appraisingly. "Well done. Now let's try something more...interactive."
He calls in one of the assistants. Before Seven can object, Papa orders: "Control their mind. Make them do a handstand."
Dread fills Seven but he obeys, entering the assistant's mind unbidden as he speaks his order to them telling them to do a hand stand. Their body contorts unwillingly into the handstand position. Seven gasps, breaking the control after 10 minutes. The assistant collapses in a heap, trembling."good" Papa's smile grows coldly pleased.
Seven turns away to wipe the blood from his nose, gathering his resolve he takes a deep breath. He knows his powers come with a terrible cost for the people he controls. But he won't disobey Papa.
Seven bites back protests as Papa summons five more assistants into the chamber. Fear fills their eyes as Papa addresses Seven with a smile
"Make these five follow your every command, as if in a game of Follow the Leader make them obey you without question, and see how far your control has progressed."
Dread solidifies in Seven's stomach. But he knows arguing is futile plus papa just wants what's best for him so Steeling his resolve, Seven enters the minds of the five whimpering assistants.
"March in a line," Seven commands hollowly. Against their will, the assistants form up, terror in their blank gazes. Papa watches with some type of weird pride as seven keeps speaking his orders "Now spin, clap, hop on one foot..."
Seven avoideds looking them in they eyes as he orders them
As the final "command" is carried out and the assistants stand subdued but trembling, Seven draws a shaky breath and meets Papa's eyes. A sliver of hope lingers that Papa might show pride in his progress, like a father to a son.
But Papa's returning gaze reflects no warmth or affection. His eyes glitter with possessive pride, as an owner regards he's prized hunting dog well-trained to perform new tricks on command.
"Well done, Number Seven," Papa says, his voice slick with satisfaction. "Your control continues to evolve far beyond expectations. Soon no mind will be beyond your reach."
Seven's heart flutters at his papas words and gives a smile and says. "Th-thank you, Papa.
Papa smirks, running an clinical eye over Seven's frame. Some emotion flickers there, but it is not compassion. He leaves seven so he can have a brief rest. Then Papa returns with ten armed guards in tow. Seven looks at them and wonders why there here seven isn't allowed to control the guards normally
"An impressive feat to end our session, Number Seven," Papa says with a gleam in his eye. "Have these men shoot themselves. It is a simple command within your range."
Seven takes a deep breath this is what papa wanted of him he can do this he can make papa proud again he can show him he's powerful. He reaches for the guards' minds, feeling resentment mingle with his unusual lack of remorse. With a order they obey, raising guns in jerky unison to press against temple after temple.Ten cracks ring out as one, and ten bodies fall limp to the floor. The smell of gunpowder and blood swiftly permeates the cold room. Seven knows that the guards don't like him that there mean to them Thirteen can see how they feel with the strings of emotions he controls he tells seven that the guard sometimes like when they get hurt seven thinks that's why for once, no guilt grips Seven's heart at the lifeless forms before him. These guards brought their fate upon themselves, Seven decides papa did make it his job to protect them after all