appointment's post

[yourhatred]

For closed scenes that don't need their own post.

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[yourhatred]

...You are exhausted.

[Stating the obvious, perhaps, but he felt it should be pointed out nonetheless. The ninja lifts a hand to lay it over Law's.]

What became of you during the latest experiment?

[deathsdoctor]

... mm...

[Exhausted? He's not denying that. Now he only seems more so.]

I was affected. It wasn't... a usual experiment for Them. They were trying to change which worlds people were anchored to. They anchored me to yours. Sent me to your world with Sakura-sa [He suddenly doesn't sound quite like himself, currents of some other running through his voice, but he quickly snaps back to some normality.] Miss Sakura. But they screwed up badly. ... so when I came back, I was altered to be a shinobi from Kiri. A... hunter-nin to be exact.

[Heavy.]

When they tried to reverse it, they weren't able to fix everyone the first time around. There were 'errors'. I was one of them. I was only put back to normal late last night.

I don't feel very... fixed.

[yourhatred]

I am aware of what the experiment entailed. I was not aware of how much you were involved, and for that I'm sorry.

[A look of concern crosses his face, and he reaches a hand up to knead fingers gently into Law's shoulders.]

Are there still... memories? Feelings?

[deathsdoctor]

Yes. [an uncomfortable pause. sudden tension, then it's gone.] ... many... a lifetime's worth.

He and I aren't very separate right now.

[yourhatred]

Because he and you are the same. I'm assuming he is what you would have been had you been raised under those circumstances.

[His fingers press harder, searching for knots.]

[deathsdoctor]

[You won't search long. There are plenty.]

I guess so. [People had remarked that they were similar and he supposed it was true. Toshio was gone, himself, but the memories of how he felt and what he thought were achingly fresh.] ... we were... not so different. Personality-wise. Even though our upbringings were very different.

...

... he graduated the Academy there at seven. They needed more soldiers, so... well. [Shrug] Got put in a cell with Momochi Zabuza.

... I can't remember what I was doing at seven. Just... can't...

[yourhatred]

I understand how... confusing this must be for you.

I feel as though it was purposefully set up so you would be connected to those we were already familiar with. But then, Zabuza was not a leaf nin, and I imagine you would be particularly talented no matter what world you grew up in.

[deathsdoctor]

... mm...

[Curling slightly up. He's not going to reply to particularly talented because while he knows he's good, he is by no means a genius in his opinion.] I'm trying to figure out what benefit that would have. Me simply being in possession of a little more knowledge doesn't seem quite worth it in my books.

[Drifting back in thought. Itachi probably knows this, but] ... Zabuza had a connection to Team Seven, you know. He was their first opponent, along with his protege.

[yourhatred]

Yes.

That team has a connection to many, but I doubt in this case that the choice was merely coincidental.

One would think that the Malnosso either choose to play favorites, or have more limited a reach that everyone assumes.

[deathsdoctor]

It's probably both.

[Dead weary, he reaches into a pocket and withdraws a small orb. Clear, with obvious advanced computer hardware inside, it shimmers in the light.]

... I took this off the former Malnosso president. [Offering it.]

[yourhatred]

...Oh?

[Itachi holds out his hand to gently take the object. Red flickers into his eyes, but the Sharingan doesn't make it any more familiar looking.]

I can't say I've seen anything like it.

[deathsdoctor]

Neither have I before. I can guess at what it is. It seems to be some sort of data depository device and computer programming key. I know at least it triggers the appearance of an A.I. in one of the Battle Dome simulation chambers.

... but the rest of it's just guesswork.

[yourhatred]

Curious.

[He turns it over slowly in his fingers.]

I hope possession of this won't prove to be detrimental. [You never knew with the Malnosso.]

[deathsdoctor]

They'll want it back eventually. That and Mister Catherine.

[So yeah... there might be trouble. That there hasn't been any yet, just means it isn't a top priority.]

... I only hope we'll be able to use it as a bargaining chip.

[yourhatred]

That would be the best case scenario.

[He hands the object carefully back to Law.]

I'm guessing it wasn't parted with easily.

[deathsdoctor]

[Law shakes his head slightly.]

No. He was unconscious from smoke inhalation and his other injuries when I got to him, so he couldn't protest. [He carefully takes it and pockets it.] Still comatose. It's going to take a while for him to come out of it... if he ever does.

[yourhatred]

That's something, at least.

I would hate to think it was intentionally lost to us. That wouldn't bode well for its purpose.

[deathsdoctor]

No it wouldn't.

...

... everything else of value was stripped from his lab. [Hmmm... and now here's a thought.] Lucky the Rogue faction's droids, if it was the Rogues, missed this.

[yourhatred]

I would limit who comes in contact with it all the same. One can never be too careful.

[deathsdoctor]

No, they can't. It'll be put where it can't be easily accessed. Unless one can teleport objects like me.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi nods. This is good.]

Who else has handled it aside from you?

[deathsdoctor]

Miss Nami's seen it. Otherwise the only other person who's touched it is you.

[yourhatred]

Good.

[That would mean that if it was a danger to touch it, he'd put himself at risk too.

But at least Law wouldn't be alone in that.]

I'm afraid paranoia is a common trait among ninja.

[deathsdoctor]

... not such a common trait among pirates, I'm afraid. I'm a bit of an oddity that way.

[Sigh. He nearly pulls his hair out every time a person from his world talks about Devil Fruits and their weaknesses. Must they be so casual about it? It was just inviting someone to pull a Yuber.]

[yourhatred]

Lucky for me we have that in common, then.

[He smiles faintly.]