Uncle Durandez: “Brat. I'm gonna ask you a few questions so answer honestly. H.O.N.E.S.T.L.Y! If you lie, you die. It's very simple, since I'm making your hand-tailored, customized-to-perfection combat suit and weapons to match your specifications.”

Aeron: “I'd PREFER Heinel making it, since his modern touch is so much better-looking than yours but-”

Uncle Durandez: “BOY YOU'RE STARTING TO REMIND ME OF YOUR FATHER! I told you once before...I'M LEARNING HOW TO DO MODERN CLOTHING FROM HIM AND DURANDEZ II EVEN GAVE ME A PASSING GRADE! I AM MAKING THIS SUIT!! Now shut up or get the fuck out.”

Aeron: “Just call him Heinel. He obviously doesn't like that Durandez 2 thing you forced on him. Oh and I take being compared to father as a compliment. So thank you very much for that.”

Uncle Durandez: “Good for you, now shut up. Tyler? You heard what I said before. Where's your answer?!”

Tyler: “O-Okay, sir.”

Uncle Durandez: “A little shaky, but great job nonetheless. First: Do you prefer Ascot or Bolo? I've already eliminated the classic necktie and Bow-tie – as per your brother's instructions.”

{From the right doorway, I can see my very creepy brother peering at me with a smug smile adorned across his annoying mug. I was just wondering from where his voice was coming from. Well, I'm not really picky with ties, but if I had to choose...}

Tyler: “Bolo, please.”

Uncle Durandez: “Good...very good. Once again, a clear and concise response without making me wait. It makes you slightly less irritating to be with.”

Tyler: “....”

Uncle Durandez: “Next question, and this one is important. Critical even. What is your absolute favorite weapon of choice during close combat?”

Tyler: “I...I don't know, unc—sir...”

{Honestly, I immediately regretted it when those uncertain words escaped my mouth. Mother Nirael always tells me to be mindful about angering this man, although father just mocks him.

But, I'm not father. I can't get away with that sort of thing.

I'm obviously nervous, now. He's definitely gonna blow a fuse, I just know it!

Or, I mean, I thought I knew…

Surprisingly, he's just....thinking? How strange. I can't get a grasp on his personality. It's almost like..he's both grumpy and calm at the same time...}

Uncle Durandez: “You too, eh? *sigh* That's fine then. Some of your siblings and cousins were the same. Let's begin with more questions about your personal tastes then.

Question #1) A powerful enemy threatens you or your loved ones. Do you prefer to directly kill your foe, or prioritize protecting yourself while defending 'The Family'? Pretty straightforward, this one.”

{Hard question. If I say I'm unsure about killing, then I'll end up in some dungeon like sister with a paper stuck to my face that reads: 'You gullible fool! If you hate killing then why are you asking me FOR A WEAPON!!' The choice I have to make is basically attack vs defend. I could say I'd rather prioritize the Family and choose defense but....according to...b-brother Aeron's glare from the doorway...I better play it safe and not mention anything related to the 3 words: 'I dislike killing'. Hmm. Maybe I'll...}

Tyler: “....Well I don't really mind it too much. Daddy raised me to kill, so if I have to choose, then maybe I'd kill if it was Father's order? Um, to stop somebody from harming 'The Family' or to save my friends...I'd probably kill. I guess...something like that?”

Uncle Durandez: “Killing in order to protect, huh? Hm....not a common response, but not exactly rare either. Your preference is probably a defensive type that can be used to attack, or a balanced type...Next question. Our family members each have a long-ranged and close-quarters specialization. A few even went the extra mile, mastering a mid-ranged weapon on top of this mandatory order.

When attacking close quarters, do you prefer blunt strikes where the aim is to crush bones and inflict internal bleeding, or cutting attacks which ensure a fatal blow with every slice: whether it be through severing limbs or slashing at arteries and tendons? For long range...well, do you prefer accuracy or firepower?”

{Another hard set of choices...for close quarters I'm basically being asked which I prefer, the bo staff or...sword?...club vs Knife maybe? I honestly don't prefer one over the other....it sounds wishy-washy but Father trained me in all kinds of weapons and I liked all of them.

Since I have to choose though, then I'd probably go for the staff!

Bladed weapons are good for assassinations, but from..eheh...personal experience, they get quite...messy. When I was little and going on easy missions, one of my roles would be to calmly approach our target and stab 'em with a hidden knife, before disappearing unnoticed among crowds or shadows. When I was successful, blood usually got everywhere. They didn't die though....I think. Those missions were usually just to send a ‘warning’ to someone, or help the others with a set up, so that they may proceed with a follow-up.

Finishing them off after an interrogation was my siblings' job. They'd sometimes dress up as a medical specialist or use telepathy from afar to talk.

If I was in the assassination business then yeah I'd go with something similar to my sister Gaira's three special blades that are incorporated into her “Law of Three” fighting style. Using it, she maintained her position among the top 5 in the Siblings Elite rankings. Sounds difficult, if I'm being honest. Still, after today....or yesterday? I can't recall how much time's passed since then...

but still, I'm a little off-put by killing now. I...I can't stop seeing the little girl's tears every-time I remember my mission or entertain thoughts about future orders where I need to kill. Hahah, maybe I'm broken. If Father knew, he'd throw me away....I wonder if any of my mothers would protect me?

...I’m SURE they would!

...I’m….sure they would!

I’m...I’m sure...

.

.

...Pffft, yeah right. Stop entertaining fantasies, Tyler.

I'm always wrong when it comes to Father. We all are, big sister Alianne says. Everybody is always warning me not to oppose him. That I'll end up beaten if I do. Lisa Rowe said my family sucks compared to other kids my age...haha. I guess so, but jeez, it's not like we get to choose our family before we’re born.}

Uncle Durandez: “BAH!! You're taking FAR longer on these decisions than my patience can handle. I'll make one of each, by your brother's specifications. Your answers basically match what I've already been told so there's no need for further questioning. I'll be sure to finish in about-”

Tyler: “Wait! Uncle Durandez sir, I would also like a hidden weapon...please.”

Uncle Durandez: “Oh? That's something I wasn't told. Looks like your brother doesn't know everything about you, as he so claims! HAHAHA, foolish little braggart.”

{I can see brother's shocked expression contort into rage thanks to uncle's comment. Was my answer that surprising? Mother Naosuke taught me throwing type skills before and I liked it. I might not use 'em but it won't hurt to have any, right? I mean, it beats picking up spoons and forks for use when I'm in a public area that makes it hard to immediately conceal weapons.}

Tyler: “I want throwing needles if that's possible. I had fun with them when Mother Naosuke taught me.”

Aeron: “You actually enjoyed that class of hers? It's so outdated though...Also totally unnecessary with the advancement of projectile weaponry.”

Tyler: “Yeah, I did...”

Aeron: “Guns are better.”

Kifah: “Shhh, brother Aeron that's rude. I'm telling mother about this conversation when I see her next time.”

Uncle Durandez: “Harrumph! Fine then. You're only the fourth one to ask for those 'hidden weapon' types, y'know? That'll make that stuck-up banshee extremely pleased.

Oh, by the by: Aeron spilled about your results in that birthday mission. HA-HA! You've got some mighty precision there. It makes sense to ask for throwing needles! I reckon you'd do well to hold onto it, lest you find yourself inside an early grave. Now, come back in 3...eh....3.5 hours.”

Tyler: "..Point five? Why not just say three and a half...Ah, I-I didn’t mean to criticize--”

Uncle Durandez: “DON'T MAKE ME REPEAT MYSELF, KID! I ALREADY SAID 3.5 HOURS, THAT MEANS COME BACK HALF AN HOUR AFTER 3 HAVE ALREADY PASSED! Sheesh, no wonder your brother is putting you up for the new chip's trial run....I did the same for my dumb ones.”

Tyler: “The what? Wait-Wait I thought I was finished after they removed my first chip...Please don't tell me I have to undergo another implant! Why?! Big bro-”

Aeron: “Hahaha, don't worry! You'll just be visiting the labs for a day or two...maybe four or so, while they finalize the test results from Molly.”

Tyler: “…!! Molly the- You mean MOLLY THE MONKEY? Does that mean...I'm the first human test subject?!”

Aeron: “Hmmm. Of course you are...BUT you won't be lonely for long because your cousins are meeting up with you on the second or third day of testing. Besides, Molly's really smart. You know how intelligent she is. Probably smarter than ordinary people. Maybe smarter than you.”

Tyler: “Still...is it safe? I'm just worried that I'm gonna be unable to think if things go wrong...”

Kifah: “Are you suggesting...that our mothers have failed in their attempt to create a better chip for us? I plan on telling her, if that's the case.”

Tyler: “It's not that, Big sister Kifah, I promise! I...I just feel restless thinking about it for some reason… ”

Aeron: “Hey, the other chip was the same you know. We had to test it before it was adjusted, so you young ones were the perfect guinea pigs~ hehe.

Don't worry so much! It’ll be fine. Mother Narcisa wouldn't give us this task if she wasn't confident the risks had been minimized.

My goodness though, 10 year olds can be such a pain. Father would be displeased if he saw you whining over every little thing. Did the dead criminal bother you that much? Heehee, then you're going to suffer a whole lot worse in the future...”

Tyler: “…! Not – Not par-particularly, but… but still...”

Uncle Durandez: “Hmmm, to make their base I should use....meaning...Let's see, I'll be needing some Tungsten, Chromium, Tantalum..Black Zirconium should also do nicely, and...”

Aeron: “...Let's go, before uncle gets mad for more disturbances. Are you two coming along to the weapons lab? After dropping little Ty off, I plan on checking out the publicly made ones that’re ready for testing.”

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