“How can I trust you?”
Nier sighed as he sat back in a chair, setting one foot on top of his other leg. He scanned the light blue room, taking note of the bookshelves on either side to kill time. The Hunters, more specifically William, forced him to meet with the head of the Scholars. Apparently, this was to be his psych evaluation since they had some doubts about his stability. The Kadembre scoffed at the notion that he was insane but went along with it anyway. It kept them off his back or rather kept them from killing him on the spot so whatever.
However, this wait was something he wished he didn’t have to deal with. With his back to the door, he’d have to turn around to see who was there. It made it too easy to sneak on him if anyone tried. Though all these Hunters were about as stealthy as a pack of chimera so what did he have to fear exactly?
The door creaked open and Nier stopped himself from turning around. He simply held up his hand and waved.
“Punctual. We’re off to a good start then,” the woman who entered said.
She walked past Kadembre and sat in the chair across from him, allowing him to get a good look at her. Well, not that good anyway since she was a Kentori apparently. The mask more Kentori wore She wore the mage robes from the magic college in Abavale, blue with a red outline. However, there were gold markings patterned across them.
“What’s a mage high up in college rank doing with the Hunters? I would think people like you would prefer to be buried in a book somewhere then getting their hands dirty,” Nier remarked, watching for her reaction.
Her tone didn’t show any hint to how he affected her, though. “Well, as a show of the alliance between the Mages and the Hunters, I volunteered to help lead the Scholar branch of the Hunters. However, thanks to my skill, I also oversee you Warriors as well in some aspects.” She was calm and collected as she shifted in her seat, gazing at Nier.
“But enough about me. Why don’t we talk about you, Nier? Since that is the reason you and I are here.”
Nier put his foot back down and sat up straight.
“Well, that just makes it sound like you don’t want to be here,” he pouted. When she gave no reaction, he snickered. “Huh, still no reaction. Though, it is cause of that mask of yours.” He motioned to her face. “Well, if you want to know about me, why don’t you tell me your name first?”
“Ciel.” She stated. “Now, who are you, Nier?”
Nier was unamused at the blunt statement but shrugged.
“You already heard of my name so I guess you’ve heard some things about me. Probably heard about how insane I am.” He cocked his head to the side and grinned maniacally. Still no reaction. Going back to normal, he continued, “I’m the… what’s that fluffy animal called again?”
“Sheep?” Ciel suggested.
“Sheep!” Nier snapped his fingers. “That’s right. I’m the black sheep of the Hunters. The Butcherer of Abavale. The monster who’s left countless bodies in his wake in such a short time.” He gave a menacing grin. Still no response. That got a reaction of Nier though as his neutral smirk fell to a deadpan look.
“It seems I was able to get a reaction out of you,” Ciel said, having a hint of a smile in her voice.
Nier blinked and laughed.
“Well then, you’re the first person who’s gotten a rise out of me. Nice.” He applauded her. “You are by far the most fun person in the Hunters so far. Well, besides the two Hunters I dealt with before.”
“Ah yes, your capture by Lali and Ventus. I read about that. In fact…” She stood and walked to the bookcase to her right. She pulled out a rather large file. “I’ve read about all your contracts.” She sat back in her chair and thumbed through the file. “Only 11 years in Oterra yet you left so many bodies…”
Nier froze. “11 years? And you know that how?”
Ciel looked up at him, “You have a tell. I assume it was taught to you back in Kadem. At least, that’s where I believe you’re from. The precision of the kills, no casualties except for your target usually, and the magical signs all hint to that. It’s almost as obvious as the facade you’re trying to put on.”
The Kadembre scoffed and gave a smile that didn’t reach his burning violet eyes. “You think you know me then? Only a few minutes of conversation and you’re able to see through me?”
Ciel closed the file rather hard and sat up. “Oh no, I don’t know anything about you. And that’s the problem. None of us do. The moment you joined the Hunters, you constructed a mask for yourself to get under everyone’s skin.” Nier opened his mouth to speak but Ciel cut him off. “You make yourself seem like a psychopath for no reason whatsoever except for that the fact that’s its fun. The only reason you came to this meaning is that your life is on the line but you were ready to refuse the offer William gave you when you were going to be executed.”
Nier folded his arms. “So what in the name of the Degame are you trying to say then, Ciel?”
Ciel took a deep breath and fixed her mask. “What I’m trying to say is: How can I trust you? How can the Hunters trust you when you’re like this?”
Silence dominated the room as violet and gold eyes looked at each other, searching the other for any sense of weakness. Nier refused to answer but his patience was much less than Ciel’s.
He took a deep breath. “You’re not supposed to.”
