Inspection (Elizaveta + Invite only)

[Ren Kondou]

"I'm a hungry spider and you're a beautiful butterfly" ☒ Elizaveta Héderváry ✐ 871 ✉ Let's get this party started~ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

The task was rather simple if put into a single word called 'inspection'. With clipboard in hand and glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, Ren Kondou looked through the checked boxes on the first few pages of his work. So far, so good. It was announced recently that every few months, the government expected an officer from the Mutant Control branch to walk through the halls of the Underground cells, examining every single mutant and the cell itself. Mutants, though they were treated very much like Slaves more than anything, still had to have a basic upkeep in the Underground. They had to be clean of illnesses, an acceptable weight, and their behavior had to be kept in check. There was also the need to check that there was nothing broken in the cells such as the sink and toilet, as those were essentials for the mutants to keep clean of themselves and their cages at the very least. It was also required that the officer were to check for any damages on the walls and bars, to make sure the mutant had no way to escape their prison. Meals too were checked in the kitchen to ensure that the mutants at least were all getting substantial food to keep them alive. With a small sigh, Ren scribbled his signature on the first five papers on his thick booklet that was restrained to the clipboard. He made sure to not leave the governor's daughter's side, not wanting to get lost in the maze of a building. Only those who worked in the Underground seemed to would know where everything was at. The woman he walked with wasn't too bad in terms of first impression. She seemed polite, reasonable, and elegant in her own ways. She knew what she was talking about and what needed to be done. Ren also noticed she didn't seem at all hesitant about showing what the Underground really was about. When Ren asked for the Arena, she showed it with several guards cleaning its area. He took a few notes regarding the almost lack of wall between the mutant and humans, as well as the cracks on the arena walls, and had already mentioned it to her as well as a suggestion on what she could improve. Same went with the kitchen, when Ren was able to jolt down notes on the mutants' feeding schedule. It was only at then did he find out there were ranks even among the mutants themselves. There were a few that were allowed full meals, and several that only got a loaf of bread and soup once a day or so. The difference concerned Ren at first, but after he saw that the soup was indeed full of vegetable and beans (though in tiny pieces that the mutants would probably never notice them), he deemed it acceptable. They seemed to get the nutrients needed at least. With the first three papers being about the woman (Elizaveta, did she say her name was?), the Arena and the kitchen, Ren was now in the cell halls. He was glad he wore layers of clothing, seeing the temperature suddenly dropped compared to what was available in the main office and kitchen. He took out his miniature thermometer and sighed at the low number, putting it back into his pocket and watching white clouds form at his mouth every time he breathed out. He also noted the smell of rotten flesh, food, and sweat all mixed together, and couldn't imagine how mutants lived in the Underground without having some sort of brain damage from it. The fourth paper he finished was about the first mutant he was able to meet and his cell. He noted that the cell itself was in good condition, and the young male inside too was in acceptable condition, despite how the rib bones were bulging out of his chest, showing clear signs of starvation. He was able to walk, and if so, it was fine. It was when that couldn't happen that it became a problem. Ren tossed a quarter of a small sandwich into the cell once he finished and the man cooperated well. By the time he moved to the second mutant, he was already getting a hang of talking and writing notes at the same time. The second mutant was a cat-- or what Ren thought it was. The cell, again, good condition. He saw that the blanket was full with holes so just told the woman to replace it soon, and tested the chained linked fence along the bottom half of the barred wall. To prevent escape? Most likely. If so, they were doing a marvelous job. The mutant inside, too, seemed to refuse to obey at first, but when offered food it was like it was a completely different mutant. Obedient as a starved dog, the cat did everything Ren asked for, and when he tossed the sandwich inside again, Ren watched as the cat gobbled it up in a split second. With two mutants and cells done and several more to go, Ren turned to the brunette and gave her a genuine smile. "Things are looking good so far... Next one, please."

[Elizaveta Héderváry]

INFINITY (n.) the state of being limitless Inspection. Elizaveta had not been pleased when she'd been informed three days ago that the government had decided on bringing in the police to inspect the Underground. Her immediate reaction had been that it was some devious plot by her mother to rub Elizaveta the wrong way. Of course, there was no evidence to support that, but Elizaveta did not need another reason to hate the Governor. Inspections were already done routinely by the guards. Elizaveta recalled the number in her head as she walked down the hall with the man the police had sent beside her. Shifts were sorted into morning, afternoon, and night shifts. Rounds were done every half hour for morning and afternoon shifts, as well as every hour for night shifts. Sick mutants were sent to the infirmary if they were sick enough, any messes were dealt with during rounds. Cells were inspected after mutants were moved out and before new mutants were moved in. The arena and auction center were both cleaned and inspected prior to the next time they were needed. What the hell was there more to ask for? Elizaveta fumed silently, though externally, you would never be able to tell. For this visit, the guards had had to work overtime and she'd had to run off so much more paperwork. At least it'd be over soon and she'd be able to forget about it for the next few months. Elizaveta did not have much to worry about. She knew the Underground well and everything was dealt with accordingly. Every night, she met with the senior guards who informed her of troublesome mutants, odd problems, difficult guards, and other mishaps of the day. Elizaveta chose carefully which to deal with personally and which to send her senior guards to finish off. Still, Elizaveta was a little nervous. Elizaveta didn't like failure. And failure in this case might cost her more than she was willing to pay. It had gone well so far. Elizaveta had met the inspector at her office before they'd headed off towards the auction center and the fighting arena. There were guards cleaning after the morning's fight, but Elizaveta wasn't there to hide the Underground from scrutiny. Plenty of people could walk in and examine it for themselves. The guards, luckily, weren't swearing. Just doing their job for once. As for the inspector...Elizaveta allowed her gaze to fall on the Japanese man. His name...Ren Kondou. She stored the name away into her memory for now. Likely she would forget it within a few days, but for the next few hours, it was important for her to know who she was addressing. Elizaveta hadn't quite decided how she felt about Ren. He had been alright so far. Polite, efficient, he seemed to be a good worker. Nothing in particular stood out to Elizaveta about him yet. Ren made suggestions as to how the place could be improved. A thicker barrier between the humans and mutants, reinforcing of the arena walls...made sense. Elizaveta simply nodded, not saying too much. There was little to say, little to comment on. Just notes she'd tuck away, maybe sign some paperwork for and have it all billed to the government. They were the ones who insisted on the inspection, they were the ones who would be paying for the results. They headed towards the holding cells now, walking along the first five cages. The mutants here were mostly compliant individuals, the first two certainly so after Ren offered them food in exchange for obedience. Since Elizaveta was leading this man around, she had to memorize all of their names. Tiresome, but not entirely unnecessary. Elizaveta rarely bothered with names for those that didn't make an impression on her (or had little to no influence on her actions). Knowing their powers and skill level was plenty enough for her. But it was necessary to fill out forms, so Elizaveta had provided the man with information. She'd also given him detailed maps of the Underground (though even with those, you could still get lost if you didn't know your way around), the mutant feeding schedule, and the current cell arrangements for convenience. The man took notes. On what, Elizaveta couldn't be certain, though it seemed to be based off of the mutant's general health and state of their cell. She observed as the man watched his breath, taking out a small thermometer (who carried a small thermometer with them? Well, it was an inspection she supposed) and sighing a little. Didn't look like he was a fan of the cold. One got used to it after a while and the government didn't exactly invest in the comfort and safety of mutants. It often meant the guards suffered alongside them, though admittedly, the guards did have a great deal more clothing about them. When Elizaveta had first started out, she had felt sorry for the mutants. She didn't really bother with that anymore. Ren finished up his notes before turning to Elizaveta with a smile on his face. "Things are looking good so far...next one, please." The polite attitude that Ren had was a bit surprising. Perhaps Elizaveta was simply too used to people coming in and thinking they were God's gift to humanity. She'd certainly met one too many guards who'd acted that way and she'd certainly put them in their place. If anything, Ren's politeness improved Elizaveta's impression of him. "Ah, yes." Elizaveta nodded, recalling the next mutant in line. "Our next mutant is...Berwald Oxenstierna. Enhanced strength and endurance. Decently cooperative." Elizaveta had never spent much time talking to Berwald. He was one of the quieter mutants. A fact Elizaveta appreciated, but not one that drew her attention. She stepped up to the cell, unlocking it and sliding the door open for Ren to enter.

words 973 tags #Ren Kondou, #Berwald Oxenstierna notes Hope this is alright... ;n;

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[Berwald Oxenstierna]

Two sides of the same coin

The silence that followed after a fight was quite delightful, he had to admit. Not really the most talkative person, and quite enjoying his deal of silence together with a dose of solitude was never wrong. Having gotten his wounds patched up, for being here it was being patched up at least. The fight had not been fair, and he couldn't even celebrate his victory at all, it had been like tossing a wounded lamb into the lion's cage, unfair and just so wrong. He also knew that the lies about something being given to the winner was not true; as it had gone a few days yet nothing had been announced, or happened. He wasn't even surprised, hence why he didn't took it hard at all.

Laying on his bed, eyes closed as he heard the faint sounds of footsteps. A few of the mutants talked to each other now and then, a loud yell from a certain Dane was heard once, then it all went silent again. Berwald did not feel like engaging in a conversation now; not even if most of the mutants where a bit worried. Was Berwald worried? No, most of the guards and the people high up never really bothered Berwald, since he was quite obedient and never did anything to displease or caused chaos. But he had heard the whispers and the rumors that had been going around, why most of the mutants where either worried or on their guards; prepared for whatever what was thrown on them. Berwald? Well, he was taking things quite relaxed. It was just an inspection, nothing to get riled up over, even if he knew a lot of the mutants here held a deep despise, even hate, for the humans, and wanted nothing more than to hurt them. Berwald had thought he had been a human as well, until he was thrown into Weeds all those years back, and he quite liked humans, they interested him. Quite pitiful, not necessarily weak, he had got to know a few of them, and despite just being 'humans', they held quite the strength, more stable minds than a mutants he guessed.

He looked up as his name was being said, his full name, together with his powers. Sharp eyes open as he studied the two people outside his cell. He had never seen the two of them before, but a quick look over the female and he knew he had heard of her before, he knew whom she was at least. Looking over the dark-haired male, trying to place whom he was, but failed. That made him a bit curious, even if his cold face didn't give it away, rather looking like he was glaring at them from under his glasses. A low sigh as he watched the dark-haired man step inside the cell with what looked like a clipboard in his hand, and it appeared that the rumors where true, a damn inspection was taking place.

Slowly making his way to stand up, towering over the both of them with his height, and his muscle mass also helped him to look more frightening than he was. If he was a dog, he would be a puppy, no matter breed. Even if he was big, he was innocent and most of the time harmful, and obedient, hence his little display in the arena.

Standing in the middle of the cell, hands displayed in the front to show that he was behaving and wouldn't put up a fight. "Good morning Elizaveta, Sir." He knew her name, and could address her correctly, while he had after all no clue whom the other was and decided to stick with something more polite. Berwald had never been in an inspection and had no clue how it would be, even if he had shown that he was harmless and let them do as they pleased, he still had his guard up, in case they would do something he disliked. It was a long line until that, yet one could never be too cautious, not after what one had been going through in this underground. A bit surprised it was just the two of them, what about the mutants that had a desire to kill every human, or guard? Where they that confident in themselves, or did they have an ace up in their sleeve?

[Ren Kondou]

"I'm a hungry spider and you're a beautiful butterfly" ☒ Elizaveta Héderváry, Berwald Oxenstierna ✐ 620 ✉ Sorry this took forever. Ren muse is BACK /o/ MADE BY ★MEULK OF GS

Walking through the underground was like walking in an ice tunnel at first, with each step it seemed, Ren could feel the temperature getting to him. He kept his mouth shut, figuring it was just himself that didn't fair well with the cold, but couldn't help but to keep finding his focus being on the snow-colored breaths that passed his lips. He only hoped the temperature rose a bit for the Summer, or else he would be sending someone else for the next inspection. He didn't spent much time in any of the cells, with so many to do, there was barely enough time for him to even remember their name before he had to move on to the next. Every time the female introduced the mutant to him along with their powers and cooperation level, Ren took most of the mental note about it in terms of only the last fact. Depending on how that could be rated, he could find himself having to use his weapon that he kept under his jacket and several needles in a thick bag in his pocket. An anesthesia gun, one mainly used for deer or other wild animals in other parts of the world with a careful dose, was something he made sure he stocked up on. The government was careful in the weirdest of ways in the man's opinion. If they wanted to make sure the mutant was in a good condition, he would've found it easier if they were all weighted on schedule and tested regularly, not have someone get tossed in as such manner to give them a quick physical check-up and leave determining that they were healthy. Some things the government did to save time and money made no sense to him at all. Blinking hearing about the next mutant, Ren pushed his glasses up against the bridge of his nose, pinching the nose rests slightly in hopes to keep it from slipping back down. He nodded slightly when a proper introduction was given to him about the information he needed, and he quickly jolted down the name and quick summary of the man's power on a blank form, having to have to fill it out for every single mutant and their cell. Hearing that he was decently cooperative, Ren found himself smiling in relief. Good, no tough mutants yet. He figured she would try to keep them til last seeing they were much harder to work with, and honestly was glad she did so. Might as well take care of the easy ones while they stayed easy instead of trying to deal with them when Ren himself was exhausted. "Thank you." He said quickly, glancing at the tall mutant that towered over them. It was good that this mutant was known to be cooperative; a gentle giant as some would describe. The submission shown by the hands being put forward was enough for Ren to feel at ease as he walked inside the cell, already writing that the mutant inside could stand and walk from what he had seen. It was difficult to see that he was particularly starving like some of the other mutants; he must be one that was getting somewhat better meals than the weaker ones. "Good morning to yourself, too. I sure hope you don't mind me taking a quick look around." Ren commented, keeping an careful eye out for any sudden movements from the mutant as he took notes on the cell. Beds, toilet, sink, walls... All looked to be in a decent condition. "Anything you noticed in this cell that you would like fixed or provided?" Might as well ask the ones that live in the cell for the problems, right?

[Elizaveta Héderváry]

INFINITY (n.) the state of being limitless As the two stepped in, Berwald stood to greet them. Each mutant had been placed in a singular cell for this inspection. Most of them were placed in doubles (and occasionally, for the more compliant, triples). But there were many mutants out on contract at the moment and singles made security easier for an inspection. Berwald was very tall, towering over them, and if Elizaveta hadn't known of Berwald's good-natured temperament, she would've made additional security measures. As it was though, Berwald was a cooperative individual and rarely ever warranted outside intervention. "Good morning Elizaveta, Sir." Elizaveta cast a brief smile at Berwald. "Good morning, Berwald." As far as mutants went, Elizaveta actually rather liked Berwald. He was polite and knew where he stood. Upon first entering the Underground, Elizaveta had admired mutants who were willing to stand up. She'd been more naïve then, putting more faith in mutants and wondering why things were the way they were. Even now, Elizaveta found there was a certain degree of beauty and bravery in rebellion. However, that didn't run well with the system and the system worked. Bravery, after all, was by far the kindest word for stupidity. Berwald was cooperative, but he knew how to stand his ground. A little quieter than other mutants and respectful. She was surprised that he was still around...though Elizaveta did suppose that the soft spoken mutant looked rather intimidating. The thought brought her to glance curiously at Ren. He didn't seem too startled by Berwald's size, perhaps satisfied by Berwald's act of compliance. The inspector walked around the cell, carefully examining it as he'd done with the other ones. Elizaveta chose to stay near the door as she had done with the previous cells. Perhaps she should have walked with the man, but he was the inspector, not her. Undoubtedly he had brought some form of protection (or at least Elizaveta hoped. They were looking at the more agreeable mutants right now...the tough ones would come later) for himself. If the man was injured, Elizaveta would be held personally responsible, yet her priorities in this case would remain on securing the mutant. From here, she was in a better position to prevent a breakout and to call backup. Not that that was a particular worry of hers with Berwald, but erring on the side of caution never hurt anyone. A few of her senior guards were on alert and were aware of the path. They would be walking down fairly frequently to ensure that things were going steadily. And when they headed down into the more troublesome mutants, Elizaveta would ask Aleksander to inspect with them to ensure that things went as smoothly as they could in the Underground. The politeness of Ren Kondou was astonishing in a way. The Underground was very rarely inspected, perhaps less than it should be. Elizaveta had been in charge for only a brief period of time after all, and this inspection was only her second. The first...the inspector had been loud and coarse, belittling her for her gender. She had dealt with that appropriately (possibly underhandedly), and the man had been fired from his position a week later. Other inspectors she had met were rude or lazy and often laughed when they had seen Elizaveta working there as an ordinary guard. Perhaps what surprised Elizaveta most though was the fact that Ren asked Berwald himself for improvements. It was a degree of respect not often rewarded to mutants, one that Elizaveta debated the wisdom of. Certainly, on a fundamental level, it made sense. It was a thought that had crossed Elizaveta's mind before—treating mutants better and seeing if they would cooperate more. However, in implementation, it was much trickier. If you gave an inch, it was undebatable that they would want more. This remained true of both humans and mutants. All inherently greedy; for wealth, for love...and for freedom. The current system was not perfect...but then again, Elizaveta knew very well no system would ever be.

words 674 tags #Ren Kondou, #Berwald Oxenstierna notes Finally got around to it.

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