The Black Cross

Nagi mumbled something and tried to turn over, something that was hampered by the fact that Farf was holding his shoulder. He whined in the back of his throat than, refusing to open his eyes and give up sleep.

From:

Farfarello shook his head in amusement, part of him rather touched that Nagi remained asleep even though he was right there and touching him, knowing that he was one of three people that could do that without risking...bodily harm.

"Nagi, get yer ass out of bed, or I'll get a pitching of ice water and douse ye in it." His voice was a little louder now, to try and wake the youth, amusement clear in it.

From:

Nagi threw an arm over his eyes and snuggled deeper into the covers, apparently trying to hide. "Just try it, I'll throw it right back at you," came a groggy voice from deep inside the bedding.

From:

Farfarello lifted an eyebrow, then grinned and tossed the blankets back and picked Nagi up, throwing him over his shoulder in a fireman's carry and starting to walk into the kitchen like that.

"Shame, then I just have to force ye out of bed." He was shaking just slightly with the effort of holding back his laughter as he waited for Nagi to retaliate.

From:

"Faaaarf!" The teen shrieked, hard-pressed to keep in his own laughter as well, "Put me down! Put me down!" he wiggled around some, and than went still for a moment. It was all the warning Farfarello got before he was suddenly heading for the ground at top speed. That only lasted a second as well though, because before he could actually hit the ground, Nagi dislodged himself and it was like Farfarello bounced off on an invisible trampoline and shot right at the ceiling.

That was where he stayed, staring down at a grumpy teenager, arms crossed over his chest while he glared up at him.

From:

Farf had held onto Nagi until he was forced to let go and laughed as he stayed up at the ceiling, grinning at the teen.

"Oh, c'mon Nags, I was only playin' around. Breakfast is in the kitchen, but if ye don't let me down, I won't make breakfast again any time soon." He likely wouldn't follow through with the threat, but really, Nagi knew he was just playing around. And he doubted Nagi was really that angry.

From:

Nagi huffed, expression indignant before he smirked in a way that could almost, almost match Schuldig. "I'm not eating breakfast in my underwear. You can stay up there until I put something on!

With that, Nagi turned around and walked back into his room, leaving Farf dangling off the ceiling.

From:

The bath had leached some of the stiffness out of Crawford's limbs but the soreness was going to linger. He slipped his glasses on, ran his hand through his hair twice, righting it with a small shake of his head. With a grunt he was up and a bit steadier on his feet but he still took the assistance of the doorframe as he passed. He guided himself along the back of the couch as his knees quivered in complaint. The sight of Farfarello's feet dangling in his field of view did little to distract him.

With a deep breath, Crawford forced his back straight, squared his shoulders and headed into the kitchen glancing up, over his shoulder as he passed under the Irishman.

"You know better than to tease him before he's had coffee." Crawford smirked even though the effort to maintain this act was quickly sapping what little strength he had.

From:

Farfarello chuckled and grinned, "Figured he should get up to have coffee. Apparently he disagreed with my methods of wakin' him up." He didn't seem to mind all that much, since he was still grinning rather happily.

He stretched a little, not minding floading in the slightest, even going so far as to try and move around as he floated, trying to spin so he was upside down. Hey, if he was going to be floating around there, he could have fun with it.

"The food's on the table, help yerselves!"

From:

Schuldig grinned up at Farfarello. "Serves you right for scaring the shit out of me." Nevermind that it had been Nagi screaming; it had been Farfarello who made the teen scream in the first place.

He jumped up, swiping at Farfarello to see if he would pull the man down, or simply hang there, but his growling stomach demanded attention now. Experiments with Farfarello and telekinesis could be done later. Food was needed now.

With a sigh and a chuckle, Schuldig continued on toward the dinning room. First one to the food meant the biggest serving after all. That was something you learned quickly in Rosenkreuz, and it was something that followed Schuldig even now. A starving dog will always eat, even if it hurts.

Thankfully, Rosenkreuz was the furthest thing from Schuldig's mind. He was too focused on the bacon and sausage that he was piling onto his plate to worry about why he continued to eat like a horse so many years later. He just had a fast metabolism... that's all.

From:

Crawford made his way to the counter first, pulling out his largest mug filling it to the brim. He sipped at it as he made his way to his usual seat. He passed a knowing look in Schuldig's direction. Old habits died hard but especially for telepaths. Despite the volume of food Farafello prepared, it would be gone much too soon if the other two didn't make their way to the table.

Crawford took his seat with a soft sound of discomfort and started filling his plate.

"The least you could do is leave some for the man who cooked it." Crawford jabbed at Schuldig as he smothered his own pile of pancakes with butter and syrup. Real Vermont maple syrup. He detested the flavored corn syrup they tried to pass off as the real thing in Japan. One of the small conveniences of the internet Crawford had come to silently appreciate.

From:

Nagi pulled on his clothes, not in any particular hurry. He knew Farfello didn't mind hanging from the sealing half as much as he passed off to do. It was more of a running joke between the two of them than anything.

Way back when Farfello had just joined Schwarz, the man had told Nagi to 'throw him across the room or somethin'' if he did anything Nagi didn't like. Throwing across the room had, at some point, become 'hanging off the ceiling', and really? It was more of a testament to their mutual friendship and trust than anything else.
Before Farfello came around, Nagi didn't think he'd ever used his powers just for fun and fancies, rather than to achieve some goal.

Done, Nagi walked out into the hallway, gently floating a spinning and laughing Farfello down to the ground.

"You did make coffee, right?" was all he said before heading into the kitchen as well.

He stopped minutely at the sight of both Schuldig and Crawford sitting at the table before joining them. He was willing to wait before he asked for any explanations.

As the kitten slithered up to him, he quickly picked it up and put it in his lap.

From:

Farfarello grinned and wrapped an arm around Nagi's shoulders, snorting at the question. "'Course I did,m what d'ye take me for? An idiot? Wakin' up ye three an' not havin' coffee is damn near suicidal."

When Nagi paused at the sight of the other two, he gently nudged the teen toward the table and settled in his own chair, starting to get his plate filled with food.

He glanced at the kitten in Nagi's lap, "He shouldn't have anythin' we're eatin', least not till we get him checked out, so if he starts beggin' ye'd best put 'im down."

From:

Nagi nodded and grabbed some toast and bacon. He prefered to have rice, but right now he was hungry and really didn't mind. Than, he snatched the coffeepot off the other end of the table and filled his cup.

"I will," he said, before diving in.

(OOC: Ooooh toast and bacon... That sounds so very good right about now! ;))

From:

Farfarello nodded and started eating his breakfast, though he narrowed his eyes at Nagi's plate. "Eat more than that, Nags. I made plenty, and can always make more."

If Nagi didn't put more food on his plate, he'd do it for the teen. Something that was clearly reflected in the look he gave him.

His attention turned to his other two team mates, looking at their plates and making sure they were eating enough too. Using their talents as extensively as they had meant they probably had a rather hardy appetite.

From:

Nagi's pause in the doorway was telling. Crawford gave the boy a glance as he sipped his coffee but quickly turned his attention back to his breakfast.

Along with the cooking skills, Crawford would also never have guessed that Farfarello would have been the one to glue this team together. Nagi had a look of passing concern on his face although no one outside this room would have been able to read an expression from his usual stoicism. Farfarello must have made sure to put him somewhat at ease.

Crawford glanced at the kitten in Nagi's lap. A voice echoed in his head, nagging about animals at the table. He silenced it and, in defiance (though not disagreement) of it chose to say nothing.

"Have you named it yet?" His voice was still gravel though it had finally taken on more volume than the whisper he managed earlier.

From:

Schuldig ignored Brad's comment on his eating habits, opting instead to smother everything on the plate, except for the pancakes, in ketchup. Everyone gave him shit for it, but they just didn't have any taste.

Once his food was secure on his plate, he grabbed for the coffee and poured his mug full to the brim then sipping it down enough that it wouldn't spill if accidentally bumped.

"You should give him a good German name." Schuldig chimed in with a grin. "What about Miles?"

His eyes flicked over to Brad, just for an instant, but it was enough of a warning. As far as he knew, neither Nagi nor Farfarello knew his name, and he wanted to keep it that way.

It was a good name. That's why he didn't want it. He really didn't deserve it. But if they named the cat that, it would still kind of be a part of him. Keeping it in the family and all that.

From:

Nagi thought that over a moment, head kept a little askew while the little cat batted at the hand holding some bacon as Nagi thought it over. "Miles... Soldier..." Nagi thought out loud as he reached down with the hand not ho.lding the bacon to stroke the kitten's brightly coloured fur. "Or pelgrim... You really are a bit of a soldier, aren't you? I think Miles is good..."
He smiled a little as he stroked the little ball of fur some more. "Though it's hard to imagine you being one. I'll bet you'll become a great one though, later on!" he stared at the kitten for a while longer and than gave a firm nod. "Miles it is!"
And, most definitely to the kittens sadness, ate the last bit of his bacon.

It was nice, really. He liked the idea of Schuldig naming his kitten. Crawford had given permission, Farfarfello had brought it to him and Schuldig had names it. That way it held a bit of all the members of his team.

From:

Farfarello smiled a little as he watched Nagi as he officially named the kitten. Very cute, really.. He glanced at Schuldig and lifted an eyebrow slightly, as if asking if there was a reason for the name, although he didn`t actually care if he got an answer. He was just curious.

He didn`t take long to eat his breakfast, even getting a second helping of some of it. He was actually really..enjoying the breakfast with his team mates. It wasn`t something they really did too often, so it was certainly a nice change for them.

From:

Crawford caught Schuldig's look and only offered an amused smirk in return. He was welcomed to his secrets... well, at least, to everyone else. It was interesting that he would want to keep his name that close. It was something to think about... later.

As quiet and pleasant as this meal was there was still a 900k. gorilla in the room. Crawford sipped long at his coffee and staring into the cup began.

"This has happened before." His eyes flicked to Farfarello. "It was just a vision... just a long range one." He reached for more bacon and some toast and returned his attention to his breakfast. "It's nothing to be concerned about."

From:

Schuldig managed to keep his expression neutral. Nothing to be concerned about? He knew they would both be concerned if they caught a glimpse of Crawford's bruised torso. It was really a good thing Farfarello hadn't seen Brad seize. The Irishman could be quite the mother hen sometimes, and Brad would barely tolerate a helping hand in and out of the bath.

Instead, Schuldig reached for more eggs and refilled his coffee. Unfortunately, his silence was an obvious clue that something was going on.

It was the downside to letting people get to know him. Rosenkreuz tried hard, but they would never fully beat the idiosyncrasies out of their weapons.

From:

"Just a vision?" Nagi couldn't quite keep in his response, "That didn't look like just a vision... I deducted that it had to do something with your precognition but..."

He sighed and stroked Miles' for, food forgotten in the face of a puzzle more interesting. "Did Schuldig report my findings on Johnson?" from his voice it was quite obvious he'd just slipped in mission-mode.

From:

Farfarello gave Crawford a look that said he didn't entirely believe it, but wasn't going to press for answers just then. He also shot a look at Schuldig; the telepath's silence was just another indication that something was wrong.

His attention turned to Nagi after a moment, lifting an eyebrow and finding he was rather curious about what he did find on Johnson.

From:

Nagi's disbelief was overridden by an abrupt change of subject. It was a warning sign. He would bury his fear, his worry, his concern - and admittedly the boy could bottle up inhuman levels of emotional turmoil - until it would erupt in all its devastating glory. But that was not Crawford's intent. Nagi would retreat to the safety of 'the mission' and from there Crawford could ease him down from the tension.

Crawford pokes at a few more bites of breakfast before looking in Nagi's direction. "He did give me the basics... I know you must have..." His voice lost volumne to the point where he had to clear his throat with a weak cough. "... must have found much more. How is the seek and destroy progressing?"

From:

(OOC: You guys can feel honored... This is the only LJ-thing I've found time to do inbetween loads and loads of stress over an assignment ;) )

"Johnson is a Kritiker agent, but it seems he might have gone rogue. His real name is quite probably Wenger Jensen and, cantrairy to Sato who did not seem to have one, he has code name; Ombra. He was the project manager of a project named Soundwaver, goal: to create a biotechnological instrument that can manipulate sounds ,specifically a human voice, in a manner that will cause tangible, physical damage. He has been removed from the project after disobaying direct orders. It might seem that he did not stop his involvement however, as indicated by the fact that we were hired by him. The data I found was under order of destruction to begin with, as the security code has been breached.
Weiss was send on a mission to destroy a factory and retrieve a disc from said factory. We were than hired by Johnson to retrieve said disc. In the light of recent events it seems probable that this sequence of event is no coincidence. Herefrom in could be deducted that, while the disc could contain anything, the chance that it contains data or even sample material of project soundwaver is significant.
I am confident that I have destroyed most of the information available on project soundwaver in the database, though I do not think the information I have found is all the information there is. This means that either Kritiker keeps this information away from the main data-base, something that would seem quite suspicious for a third priority project, or Kritiker has already destroyed most of the information existing in the main database theirselves. Both would seem probable and one does not exclude the other."

Nagi finally fell silent, seemingly unmoved as he gave up the full extend of his information and speculation in a flat voice. He was actually keeping a close eye on the reaction of his teammates though, Crawford in particular. He still wasn't quite sure what to make of his 'vision' and that made him insecure. The detachment of what the others had taken to calling his 'mission mode' was comforting though. Before he joined Schwarz, this was how he had viewed all of the world. Logical, cold, detatched. Any problem he encountered was treated as a puzzle to be solved or, if deemed insignificant, ignored.

This was neither the time nor was it his place to doubt Crawford, and he had information that could prove valuble to his team. He was no use to them if he panicked.

Now silent, he waited for his teammates to process all he had said.

From:

None of this was new information to Schuldig, but he knew Crawford would appreciate it more than he did. Oh sure, Schuldig could plot and plan with the best of them, but he preferred to leave it to the man that knew the future. Sometimes he was surprised Crawford had let him get away with the Great Ouka Scandal, but then, he'd probably seen the driver Schuldig would receive in his skull later.

He still didn't regret it, and there was only the occasional ringing in his ears from it. Still didn't drown out the voices, but it was a good excuse for times he spaced when Crawford was talking.

With a sigh he pushed a bite of bacon around on his syrup and ketchup covered plate. He was itching to get this Johnson guy. The man had tried to play Schwarz, and that didn't sit well with the telepath.

"I need a smoke." Schuldig finally grunted, setting his fork down and standing up. He went to his room long enough to grab his cigarettes, then stepped out on the fire escape to satisfy his nicotine habit.

From:

Farfarello's eye turned to Nagi when the teen spoke, and he lifted an eyebrow slightly at the sight of him going into 'mission mode' at the breakfast table. Damnit, couldn't they discuss mission shit later? Oh well, Nagi needed a distraction, so he'd let it go for now - and pin the boy later to make sure he was alright.

Listening to what Nagi was saying now, his reaction was similar to Schuldig's; the man had tried to mess with his team, and he wanted to make him regret it. Was looking forward to it, in fact...

He turned his attention back to Crawford then, eyebrow lifting once again, and the smallest bit of familiar madness creeping into his gaze; it was clear he wanted to go after 'Johnson', and was hoping that Crawford would give them the 'okay'. He knew it wouldn't be immediate, but as long as they got to kill the fucker in the end, he'd be happy..

From:

The reaction slithering around the table was as Crawford had suspected. no one at this table enjoyed being played. Even without a vision, his intuition was correct. If Johnson was off the reservation, he was a walking corpse anyway. Kritiker had just as little tolerance for rogue agents as Esset. But this project was much too familiar to be a simple passing coincidence.

Crawford was hesitant to call a vision forward on the subject. Or any subject for that matter.

"Let's see what we have first. The disk is in the briefcase just inside my door. Nagi, go get that and meet me in my office." Crawford topped off his coffee mug and slowly pushed up from the table, stifling the soft grunt of pain. with a slight pause, he straightened his stance and headed for his office.

From: