Abatina

Jophiel knocked on the containment room's door. It was opened in response.

"Good morning Abel, how're you feeling?"

He pressed his tender hands, "Pretty good."

"Alright, today we'll be doing your first trials for your ability." Jophiel began leading the way down the hall.

"Understood," Abel said, heading his direction.

The two navigated the halls, making their way back to Jophiel's chamber.

"So, you remember your past huh," Jophiel asked. Tension suddenly rose.

"Yes," Abel simply replied.

"So you remember everything leading up to your current situation? The retrieval, the induction, everything?"

"Yes."

The two said nothing for a moment.

"Do you understand why you were retrieved?"

Abel paused. "Is it because I committed an irregularity?"

Jophiel nodded his head.

"Because I murdered my master?"

Jopiel nodded again.

"You know, I thought I was being arrested by authorities when I was captured. But I had never imagined the authorities to wear full-bodied white suits."

Jophiel then sighed. "Our association cannot bear to have potential subordinates be taken away by the mere authorities. The Cardinal Nexus would simply condemn you all to death, and with that is the disposal of promising capabilities."

"I don't understand though. What's so special about someone who's committed an irregularity like me?"

Jophiel turned to Abel. "It's the fact alone that you've committed an irregularity," he paused. "In such an imposing society as ours, it's rare to come across self-driven individuals. People as such, who do not confine to the Cardinal Nexus law, are labelled an irregularity. And these people are easily casted out of what is deemed 'normal'. But here in A.X.A., it's normal to be different. You, and every other experimentee here, are young prospects meant to help bring about A.X.A.'s endgame."

"And what is that?" Abel asked.

"You'll see eventually."

Turning a corner, the two ran into another group of people. It was Overseer Ariel, Vidia, and Veronica.

"Hey Jophiel," Ariel said. "Is that the new experimentee?"

"Yep, this is Abel Vaso."

"Nice to meet you," Abel stuck out his hand. But before Ariel could reach out to shake it, Veronica budged through. "I haven't seen you around here," she said with excitement. Her eyes glimmered with a curiosity for Abel. She grabbed his hand, noticing its cold weight, and shook it gently. She then moved forwards and stared through Abel's gaze, drowning in the deep sea of blue his eyes exhibited.

Veronica closed her eyes, and smiled as she did so. She inhaled the unfamiliar scent.

"An Abatina."

"Abatina?" Abel repeated.

"You smell like an Abatina," Veronica smirked. "How interesting."

"Okay Veronica, we gotta get started on our trials now," Ariel led her along.

The three females then continued down the hall.

"Hm," Abel observed the hand she touched.

"What is it?" Jophiel asked.

"Her touch is gentle. I can tell she's handled flowers before, just like me."

"You've handled flowers?"

"Yes, I had to plant a lot in my master's garden. But an Abatina was not one of them. I wonder why she would mention such an oddly specific flower," he began walking forwards.

Jophiel walked along. "What was the last thing you did for your master before killing him?"

"I served him coffee."

"I hope that last cup was good," Jophiel laughed. "And how soon after the murder were you retrieved?"

"The next day. A neighbor had reported his dead body."

"A neighbor? Did you not hide it properly?"

"No. It was out in the garden, staining blood onto a bed of white roses. I didn't necessarily care about keeping it hidden, there'd be no point. I'd be caught in the end anyways."

"And so before the proper authorities came, Angels came to retrieve you, right?"

"Yes."

Jophiel raised his eyebrow. "And who led the retrieval?"

"Overseer Raphael."