DECORUM

[main character: Lilly]

SHION: Never mind... see you later.

He ran towards the door again once he heard me sobbing.

But I need some mind space right now. I've giving it all my thoughts into this. I can't picture myself taking lives away.

I just can't. Even if the ones that set my life on fire were in front on me... I don't think that I could.

During all this months I completely forgot all the hatred towards them. Was I able to forgive them?

I need to get some air. Being in my room all frustrated won't solve anything.

As I went towards the bathroom. I wanted to clear my thoughts with cold water. I couldn't convince myself of what Kay told me.

What was I thinking? That I would learn how to use a weapon just to swing it around in the middle of the air? I was too naïve about all of this.

I splashed water all over my head on an attempt of convincing myself instantly. But, at the end, all I did was stare at the mirror with a more indecisive expression on my face.

- How pathetic I am...

???: I don't think you are pathetic.

- Eck!

???: Sorry! I didn't wanted to scare you.

- Hello. My name is Lilly...

Wait is this...

- Riven, are you Riven?

RIVEN: Oh! Yes, you recognized me!

Technically I've never seen you before, but Shion described you very well. Thanks Shion for telling me about... 'him'?

RIVEN: Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, I was just cleaning and then you said that, and I can't resist correct someone when they are wrong.

- Well, I might not be wrong at this point.

RIVEN: Don't say such things to yourself. Can't you see that THIS is what will let you nowhere?

He is really kind. Wait.

- Sorry to say this, but... isn't this the "Ladies Bathroom"?

RIVEN: Oh. I know. If you are aware of my true form then you should already know about my power. Well, I get a pass from both bathrooms by using my power but don't worry, I am not interested in any lewd stuff. Rather than, I would say that I'm not interested in people at all, that's why I work alone (smiles).

- Do you know what happened?

RIVEN: Of course I do. Even Lance's class that is training abroad knows.

Oh, okay.

- And what do you think?

RIVEN: I don't like giving my opinion. Later I just told you the truth.

- Is everyone here able to... you know; 'Pull the trigger'?

RIVEN: Uhm... Well (continues cleaning). Think that we all come from places where people wanted us dead, or confined forever. So yeah. Including myself.

- I see. Well thanks for the answer. Bye!

RIVEN: Bye, bye (smiles)!

That didn't helped me at all! But now I see how they think.

And I can still see that this is completely wrong! Shit!

As I walked towards the exit of the garden my frustration just kept on rising. I couldn't convince myself of that revengeful mindset anymore.

I was very angry towards the people that did this to me in the first place. But with time, I am more calmed about it.

How do everyone in here desire revenge so much to the point that murder becomes a natural reaction for what they've suffered?

Ugh! I don't think I'm ready for this mission... or any mission at all.

???: Hey kiddo, have you seen that arrogant of a pupil I have?

- And you are?

Oh no! That was rude! And she looks very menacing.

???: You are Lilly aren't you?

- Yes... I am.

???: Oh! Nice to meet you kid! I'm always busy with my shit. My name is Siena. I am Angelo's close combat teacher.

- Oh! I've heard about you!

She is as intimidating as they told me.

SIENA: Well that's good! Now, Angelo?

- I don't know, he might be in his room.

SIENA: I don't care where he is! He told me to train him extra today, so that's what I'm going to do.

Uhm... but you just asked me if I've seen him.

SIENA: Is something wrong?

Ugh! She is almost as tall as Lance, but way more menacing!

- No, no, no!

SIENA: Is there anything that's bothering you kid? You seem nervous.

Did she noticed? Should I use this opportunity for asking again?

- Actually, I've been assigned to my first mission recently, and I don't know if I'm mentally qualified for this.

SIENA: For what? Killing people?

She's so direct that it even hurts.

- Well, something like that...

SIENA: Don't worry kid! We used to kill way more people in the past. Now missions go very smoothly, a few blood here and there, but that's all.

That does NOT help at all!

SIENA: With new quirks in the organization, many more ways to approach missions appeared. Killings really were reduced when Angelo and that creepy kid called Noah joined. If you meet them you'll know why.

Wait, so is this mission really, the least 'brutal' it can possibly be? That's why Kay chose these two?

Angelo can make people obey without extortion and Noah can scare the truth out of them. It is a great duo.

I see. Kay was trying to evade lethal conflict from the start. Was she doing that to protect me? Or perhaps was for Coyote and Carbon?

- But I still think that killing is bad! People shouldn't do that!

Oh no! I said that out loud.

SIENA: Well kid, since when are we considered "people"?

- We aren't... people?

SIENA: Since the very moment you accepted your powers and decided living your life using them, you stopped being "normal people". There are no morals for you anymore. You have stopped being a human being.

- But...

SIENA: Now you are something else. Forget what you've learn of being a "good person" because now the world is against you. The world is ruled by people, and you are not one of them anymore.

I can't say anything.

I lowered my head to the ground in a sense of sadness, yet I also felt relieved.

SIENA: Jeez kid. You remember me so much of Angelo when he was a kid. The only difference is that he already killed a dozen men when I had to tell him this.

- ...

SIENA: Anyways. I hope this helped you see things the way you should. Later kid!

As she continued her search for Angelo, I stood there completely speechless. I did not only realized my mistake, but also how meaningless I was. My stupid morals weren't going to change anything.

Even if you took some else's life for your own sake, that does not make you a more or less meaningful being. I've had my doubts but now I was clear. I was sad that for a moment I thought everything and everyone in this palace was rotted with revenge, blood and hatred.

Now I see it. Not anyone in this place thinks that killing your foes is in any means "unmoral". Morals is something humans made to keep themselves in check.

And as Siena said: I am not a human anymore.

Humans can't survive two car accidents, or cuts bullets in half with only their reflexes. Their weaknesses is what made them create "moral codes". Everyone I've met in here does not move by human morals anymore. Now I SEE it.

I'm starting to think of people as 'them' now. Huh, I've surely changed.

So, that's what Kay was trying to tell me!

I want to ask the same question to Shion. He was trained by her sister so I guess her answer will be the same, but I just want him to say it directly. Shion looks like a really pure hearted boy, but does he come unafflicted by this?

I started running towards the main hall. I guessed Shion went there, since I've heard him walking in that direction in my room.

I can't wait!

As I reached my destination I saw, in fact, Shion and Kay discussing something very vividly.

- Shion!

SHION: LILLY!

He jumped in front of me and grabbed both of my hands.

SHION: Are you alright? I'veheardyoucryandIdidn'tknow-.

- Yeah of course! Relax now. I was just very frustrated with everything, but now I understand.

SHION: Understand what?

KAY: You finally got it?

- Yes Master! It took me a bit longer than I expected, but thanks to Siena, I managed to come clear with my believes.

KAY: I am glad to hear that honey.

SHION: So you changed your mind about what you two were discussing earlier?

- Yes! And what about you? Do you think the same way?

SHION: Well I do think of some people as invasive beings that their only solution put to them is their annihilation.

Amazing.

SHION: Yeah I know. It sounds a little rough, but seriously, during my training I saw and heard of people beyond redeem. It was horrendous Lilly, you can't even imagine what they did to people like us.

- I know, now I know. But first Shion if you allow me.

KAY: Hey sweetie you don't need to...

- I APOLOGISE!

SHION: Ugh?

- For I moment I thought you all were a bunch of senseless killers that would slice your way through every mission in order to save just one person. But I've realized that's is not the case. Is it true that you've chosen Angelo and Noah for this mission to minimize casualties in both sides?

KAY: You got me there Lilly (smiles). But listen. We always try to do that, the less blood we spit, the less cleaning we need to do at the end of the day. But not from the scene. From our consciousness.

- I knew it. Thanks Kay, I am so proud of being part of this.

KAY: You're always welcome sweetie. Also for you to know, there's many people in here that, even with having deadliest abilities to their disposal, they choose not to take away anyone's life. At the end of the day this is just a choice you can take, nobody will force you.

- Understood Master. I'll be looking for our mission with excitement. Shion, come with me, we will train with Siena, Angelo's teacher.

SHION: Oh, Siena, alright.

- Bye, see you later!

KAY: Bye, bye you two.

I grabbed Shion's hand and I rushed towards the training field. There, Angelo was already training with Siena. They were sparing without any sort of weapon, just pure hand to hand combat.

SHION: Aren't you a bit tired? We've done so many today, don't you want to practice later at night?

- Well, it's true that I feel exhausted, but aren't these the best moments to try something new?

SHION: No they're not. Where did you heard-?

- Siena! Angelo! We've came to practice!

As they were battling each other, I realized that Angelo's hand wasn't able to reach Siena's body at all. Every attack got repelled at the same time that she counterattacked.

SIENA: Oh, Hey kiddo! Wait a sec-.

(WOOSH)

(POW)

Angelo flew through the air as he tried to touch Siena while she was looking towards us. It was a simple movement, but strong enough to lift a 19 year old Italian male to the ground.

ANGELO: (Cough!) (Cough!)

SIENA: You want to join in?

SHION: Ehm...

- Of course!

SHION: Sure...

And so we spent the next couple hours. Siena taught us some moves, similar from the ones that Kay showed us, but they were changed in order to fit every bit of our needs.

In a few minutes of trying to reach her, she already knew how we were, even emotionally. Her way of analyzing opponents was something I've never seen.

The time passed fast. I ended up in a state of complete exhaustion, but I was happy. "I want to become stronger" is what I thought every time I fell into the ground.

My motivation had been greatly increased, and all thanks to her.

(two hours later)

SIENA: Well everybody. Let's call it a day.

SHION: I'm so done... Now I'll have to shower again.

- (heavy breathing) That was... very intense...

ANGELO: You all did great. I was surprised that she asked for training you two, she's usually a douche with other-.

(POW!)

SIENA: Watch your mouth! Well, I had lot's of fun fighting with you Lilly. I've went a little harder on you because of healing powers, don't take it too personally.

- No, no. Don't worry. I am glad you knew. By the way, what's your quirk Siena? I know you are not one of the Twelve, so if it's not rude to ask...

SHION: Didn't I tell you?

- No, you didn't.

SIENA: Ha, ha, ha! My powers are my Martial Arts Skills!

Wait.

- Ugh?

SIENA: That's right kid! Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Kung Fu and many, many more! My power is knowing all these. Ha, ha, ha!

Wait! She doesn't have a power at all!?

- So that's why you weren't using your power against her!

SHION: I don't know if that would've made the difference, I just didn't wanted to humiliate myself much further for today.

SIENA: And for that reason I went hard on you as well! Ha, ha, ha.

- Pff! Hahahaha!

I couldn't keep myself from laughing about the situation. I had lots of fun with Siena, I hoped to train with her again. Shion and I went to shower for the second time today, we had dinner earlier so that we could all have a proper rest.

During our dinner, Kay, Shion and I were the only ones there, where Kay explained us the final details of what we had to do. She gave me a small envelope which contained a small map of the area, a little representation of the insides of the building, and also, a schedule for tomorrow's operation. It was in the morning, very early.

- Five in the morning?!

KAY: Yes. It's better for us to attack while the enemy is asleep (jiggles).

SHION: Won't WE be the ones asleep?

KAY: Well, maybe, that's why you need to go to bed soon today. I know you want to talk to your sister, but I'll do it for you today. Is that alright?

SHION: Yes, no problem...

KAY: Well! So that's everything! Don't worry too much, you two will see how smoothly this mission will end up being.

She is so confident about it.

- One more question.

KAY: Yes honey?

- Do I have to share this paper with Shion? You didn't gave him one.

KAY: Oh no, no. He already got his.

Oh Okay.

KAY: Well everyone, you may now go to your rooms, I'll be waiting for Noah and Angelo to come and have something to eat. Tomorrow we'll meet in the room of operations, Shion knows where it is if you don't remember it from the tour we had.

I'm not completely sure of where it is. I'll ask Shion later.

SHION: Let's go have some rest, today's been a long day. Don't you think?

- Yeah, you're right.

Now that I think about it. Today has truly been a really long lasting day. We got to meet Kay's class, we encountered Coyote and now we are preparing ourselves for fighting her again.

The day's weight was put on my shoulders and all the adrenaline and the exhaustion covered my body. Now I knew I was truly tired.

We walked towards our rooms until we had to take different paths. I knew something was wrong with Shion since I saw him talking with Kay. So I decided to ask.

This mission thing is changing our moods back to back.

- Shion, I've seen you very thoughtful since I reached to you when you were talking with Kay. I've got the impression that we could be more relaxed again after my little confusion, but I guess I was wrong. Can I help you in any way?

SHION: Well, I did not only talked with Kay about you...

- So what was then? Is that what is bothering you?

SHION: Well, I...

- What is it? Or you can't tell me?

SHION: No, no. It's not that. I can tell you.

- So?

SHION: Lilly look, I thought a lot about what you told me before. And after discussing it with Kay I've reached to a conclusion.

I've told you so many things today, what do you mean?!

- What conclusion!? Spit it out already, you're making me anxious!

SHION: I think I...

ARGH! Just say it already!

...

SHION: I think I love you, Lilly.

...

Oh.