Who Are You?
by Aimless
Michel looked dispiritedly down at the sheet of paper in front of him. It was his first day at the new school. Hillingdon International School to be precise. A day prep school that KR insisted he attend. Just what the diminutive blond needed…to be a new student halfway through the fall term. It totally sucked being the smallest guy in his class. Sixteen years old and he still looked like he was twelve. Large china blue eyes and a curly mop of bright gold hair did nothing to enhance any kind of masculine image.
Michel had the humiliation earlier of standing in front of the class and introducing himself. Wearing his brand new and slightly itchy uniform. Consisting of tailored navy blue slacks. A fitted navy blazer with the school crest emblazoned on the pocket, white button up shirt and finally a dark blue tie.
Then he was asked to take a seat at the front of the class. Naturally…he was so short. How else was he to see the teacher and the assignments posted on the board? Michel rolled his eyes…he could have seen just fine from the back of the room. Already some of the guys were sizing him up. Who ever said that upper class prep schools were free of thugs? Michel knew better. Well if any of them tried anything they were going to get a nasty surprise. He didn’t spar with Free and Chloe for nothing. While not able to even get close to winning a bout with his two fellow assassins they did teach him to be nimble on his feet and use his size to his advantage. Plus, Michel smirked, Ken had taught him a few underhanded little tricks.
But now during this supposed study period Michel was expected to fill out this ‘getting to know you’ questionnaire. Fabulous! Just what he needed. To pour out his soul to a bunch of his peers. The teacher stated he could share it or not with the class but it would give her insight to her new student. So at least she would be reading it. It was due by the end of class to Michel figured he’d better get busy.
What do you look like? Michel rolled his eyes and tried to describe himself.
Ok first of all I’m short. Look like a girl and am the poster child for bullies everywhere. (There take that teach! Michel thought with a frown.)
How do you like to dress?
I like bright colors and interesting textures. Neither of which I can show off in this snooty prep school. But then if I did wear my favorite neon blue jeans and acid green pullover I’d be pegged for a fag right away. DO I care? Well yeah a little but I like what I like.
What are your mannerisms?
I’ve been told I fidget constantly. Rarely sit still and have a bouncy kind of energetic walk. I also talk with my hands…they are never still. I think I’ve accidentally hit everyone I know at least a dozen times when they’ve wandered within reach.
How would you describe your voice?
A light tenor…gee I’m still waiting for my voice to change. I don’t think it ever will.
What is your personality like?
Am annoyingly cheerful. Also hyper 90% of the time and rarely ever stop talking. Oh and did I mention the sarcasm?
What kind of day-to-day problems do you face?
Man you really are stuck on the short thing…I also act before I think and also blurt out what ever comes to mind. Which can lead to many awkward situations.
Oh and yeah…I kill for a living. Did I mention that? Do you know how hard it is to get blood out of clothing?
There’s the whole moral imperative of right and wrong. Good versus evil. Us or them. Real quandaries.
How do these problems affect you?
Gee…the height thing. Yeah I need a freaking step ladder most of the time. I also end up with my foot in my mouth at least a dozen times a day.
Oh and the killing thing? That’s one that’ll give you nightmares.
When and where were you born?
Dublin Ireland. But I don’t remember too much about it. I was always moving around with my mum and dad.
What problems did you face growing up?
Let’s see…up until I was 8 years old I lived with my parents. The reason I was moved around a lot was that they were IRA terrorists. Fun huh? Yeah I thought so. Although I didn’t know it then. I really don’t remember them all that well. There were always too many people in and out of the houses we rented. I was shuffled off to one ‘aunt’ or another. I don’t even think I was related to any of them. That all changed the night of a big fire in the house we were currently living in. All I remember were screams, a lot of smoke and I hid behind my bed clutching my teddy. Then a large young man burst into my room and scooped me up as I passed out from inhaling too much smoke…I thought he was my guardian angel. Turns out he was one of the assassins that was hired to take out the nest of terrorists that had bombed a school bus loaded with the children of some high ranking Irish nationals. Fucked up huh? I thought so.
I was taken by this man who I later learned was named Free to the home of Richard Krypton. Yeah I live in a genuine fucking castle. Or at least I used to. Now I live above a flower shop. You see KR was head of the assassin organization that put the hit on my parents. Why did I stay with these people you ask? I had no idea that they were involved in the death of my biological family. That’s why. I was told a few years later. Right before I was indoctrinated into their little club. When I found out the atrocities my parents committed in the name of patriotism I was sickened.
I even forgave Free for being involved in the death of my parents. I looked up to him and became his friend. Yes it is screwed up…but hey it’s my life. I never claimed to be sane.
What are your interests? What are you good at? What are your personal strengths and weaknesses?
I love computer games. I’m much better at playing them than Yuki…don’t tell him I said that. Ken is an ok opponent. But good grief he’s ruthless. Chloe could care less and Free just watches amused as Ken and I yell at the TV. Aya though…he surprised me. He’s quite good and loves the strategy games. Who are all these people you ask? See below answer…
I’m a fair computer hacker too. Yuki is better at it…well he’s more patient any way. I’m addicted to British comedies. I’m a whiz at math and sciences.
I also really good with a whip…yeah you heard me…a whip. Chloe is teaching me how to throw knives and don’t tell anyone but Ken is teaching me to shoot. I asked Aya to teach me sword fighting. But he gave me the are-you-completely-crazy stare and walked away shaking his head muttering about increased insurance premiums.
Weaknesses? Well I have a temper. But I get over things pretty quickly. I hate that I’m small and not as strong as everyone else. I have to be protected all the time. Like I’m the baby of the group. I want to show them all I can be as strong. That I’m dependable.
What are your favorites (food, color, season, place, type of music, etc.)? List any you can think of.
Foods? Wow anything sweet or salty. I love combining tastes and textures. Like peanut butter, dill pickle and jelly bean sandwiches. It’s really good…honest. It’s not fair that the others won’t let me cook anymore.
Colors? I like so many of them it’s hard to choose. I try to wear em all…sometimes at the same time.
Season? Summer! I hate being cold all the time.
Favorite Place? I love spending time in Free’s room. He’s a calm center in a chaotic world. He has this otherworldly vibe about him.
Type of music? Techno, Trance and alternative. I love to dance and lose myself in the throbbing beat on the dance floor. All those bodies twisting and gyrating to the music…it’s euphoric. A natural high.
Who is your family?
My family! Well Free…he’s my best friend and protector. I feel so safe when he’s near. Ken is like a big brother. He’s fun to hang around with. Fiercely loyal and even though sometimes he scares me I know he’d never hurt me. Aya, well he used to intimidate me. Until I learned he’s like this big fluffy marshmallow on the inside. He tries to protect us all and makes sure we’re all right.
Chloe? Oh man…he’s beautiful and knows it. He was my first crush. He’s been my defender, my brother and fuel for my fantasies. He’s the one that told me about sex…and let me tell you my face was bright red the whole time. Then he handed me a box of condoms and some lube and told me to go have fun. Experiment but above all else stay safe. He warned me about how some guys can be and about the hazards I could find and how to deal with them. Yeah guys…see a pattern here?
Yuki is a close friend, a brother and someone I can argue with and play games with. We look out for each other and get into our share of trouble. When we first met it was instant dislike. I never thought we’d be so close. It took a while but now he’s family too.
KR is like my father figure…my aloof, distant, makes sure I do what’s asked of me parental unit. I really would not change my life at all now. But I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive him for making me the way I am.
Mihirogi….she’s like this sexy Bond girl who is also like a spinster Aunt. She has had the hots for KR for years but I doubt they’ll ever get together. Plus I’m kind of scared to death of her. She quirks one finely shaped eye brow over the rim of her pince Nez glasses and I want to drop and give her 20.
Who are your friends?
My Friends are my family. I’ve had a few outside of my job and my life. But they never last. It gets tiresome to keep lying about my absences and where I spend my time.
Do you have any pets or animals you are close to or care for (like a
favorite horse)?
Does Free count? He’s a little wild…snort…seriously though. I don’t really have time to look after any pets. I’ve found the odd stray cat or dog but I usually find them a good home. I would not mind a cat of my own though. I had to laugh though when I found out that Aya and Ken used to have cat code names. Ken was Siberian and Aya was Abyssinian. Can I pet them? How about a warm bowl of milk? When Chloe found out he kept trying to get them to wear these collars he bought. They even had name tags. Aya chased him around the house with his Katana for that one. Ken actually wore his…he thought it was cool.
What do you do for fun?
I play video games. Watch movies. I jog with Ken a lot early in the morning. I like working in the green house. First of all it’s warm in there. Plus I like planting things and watching them grow. I love to go out clubbing and to concerts. I also just like spending time with my family.
Why do people like you?
Hey I’m a fun guy! Just because I’m a poof and kill people for a living is no reason to avoid me. Really though I like to laugh and make those around me happy. Even if I’m feeling down I try not to show it too much. It would just depress everyone else.
Why do people dislike you?
Well I’m short and look like a girl…two reasons right there to make my male peers dislike me on site. They think I’m a threat to their teenage masculinity or something. Like gay cooties will rub off on them. My temper is instant and consuming. Tantrums Chloe calls em…heh. I can be too hyper and I like to argue sometimes. I don’t like to admit I’m wrong.
What is your dream or ambition?
Uh…to live to see tomorrow? To not lose any more of my family? To make it through secondary school with all my limbs intact? To get through this stupid questionnaire with my sanity?
Are romantically involved with anyone? Who? How long? Why? What is this person like?
Hey I’m a sixteen year old male…my right hand is my best friend! Actually I’ve kissed a little and had a handjob from a classmate at my last school. He was sweet…a jock if you can believe it. There is one person I adore more than life itself. But it’s just a silly dream. He’d never give me a second look.
What is a secret about you that no one knows?
Deep down I really hate KR for showing me what kind of twisted monsters my parents were. He took my innocence and saw to it I was trained to be a killer. I didn’t have a choice…not really. I knew too much about the organization. I was too curious for my own good. Not that I would have been killed…but I doubt if I would have been allowed to leave. Besides where else did I have to go? I have no clue if I’ve got any relatives anywhere. I don’t want to leave my new family any way.
I am terrified of being alone.
What else is important to you?
My family. Free, Aya, Ken, Chloe and Yuki. I don’t know what I’d do without them.
I also have a burning desire to see justice done to those that think they are above the law. I’ve seen the atrocities they commit…they deserve to be put down. Didn’t think I could be so vicious did you? Sure it haunts my dreams but what they do haunts me far worse than the sentence we mete out. I want to be a normal teen with a normal job and friends.
But I’m just not wired that way. I am what circumstance has made me.
Oh God I think I’ve been hanging around Aya too much…I’m sounding just like him.
Despite all I’ve just said I am happy most of the time. It’s like I can tap into an ‘other me’ to do what has to be done. Then I stuff him back into the little box in my mind and go on my merry way.
~+~+~+~
Michel sat back and read what he’d just written. He had to laugh at himself. He imagined the coronary the teacher would have if he turned this in. Either that or it would be a quick trip to the school counselor and a frantic call to KR. Michel would love to see the look on KR’s face when he was told why he was called.
With a sigh Michel tore the sheet of paper into little tiny pieces. The sum truth of his life to date. Then hastily scrawled a suitable set of vanilla bland answers to the questionnaire. Just as the bell rang he got up and handed the sheet to the teacher with an overly bright smile. Then grabbed his satchel and walked out of the room.
As first days he supposed it had not gone too badly. Who knew what tomorrow would bring.