Lights shine across the open stage, a single table with 5 chairs sits vacant. Rows of different press and media workers stand beyond the stage.
"Why did we even agree to this," huffs Cerbi, looking through the curtain at the large crowd.
"Well, it's this or let the people who barely understand us do the talking," Anbu signs before adjusting their mask.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Harmoninea articulates, pushing a few loose strands of hair out of her eyes, "Besides, some people still dont think we're legit. I have no idea how with all the obvious video and photo evidence."
"We won't convince them all but," Piper snickers,"I think if we can give them a live show we can win most of em over"
"Piper for the love of the gods, we aren't beheading you on live TV." Harmoninea denounces, elbowing her girlfriend. Piper keeps a smirk as she recovers, "Not that, definitely not that."
Lele rocks on her heels, watching the various security personnel running around backstage.
The lights glow a little bit brighter as a man in a long black trench coat stands centerstage,
"Welcome to the Numbered Press Conference of 2020. We are honored to have all of you here this fine February morning. Please remember to respect our Numbered speakers. This means to not ask them the following: Last names, original names, family history, and anything that could be used against them. Thank You and enjoy the session."
He walks off the stage and past the group, giving Anbu a particularly odd glance. Piper walks out first, waves of camera flashes and clicking follow her to the far seat. Harmoninea follows close behind, then Anbu, then Lele, and finally Cerbi. They stand at their seats for a moment before sitting down, individually flipping the small nametags up as they sit, adjusting the mics to fit their height as well. Anbu looks around a little bit, white dots flickering around inside the hollow mask. The camera flashing dies down for a few seconds allowing the many hands to be seen. Piper scans the area, picking one out from the sea.
"Alright let's start with you, dark blue long sleeves," Piper announces into the mic,
"Do you know what causes the Numbered phenomena?" The reporter shouts as the camera flashing increases.
Harmoninea adjusts herself a bit before answering, "Well, from what all 5 of us have in common we've all come into contact with a strange crystal or in one of our cases a strange woman with crystals that grow from her body."
The cameras' clicking increases yet again, reporters keep raising their hands among the light polluted room. Anbu shifts their position forwards, messing with the bell strung from their mask.
"How about you in the back? Red shirt cuffed sleeves." Harmoninea calls,
"I have one for the one in the middle. With the mask." The voice echoes,
"Me?" Anbu jumps up, "Go ahead I guess,"
"If it's okay with you, can the media know what's with the mask?" The voice responds,
"I'm sorry I can't answer that at the moment," Anbu deflects, gripping their hands under the table, "Next question. You in the middle, beige cardigan."
"Are the rumors about the recently escaped Redeye Killer related to the Numbered phenomena?" The man shouts. Anbu's grip only grows tighter as that memory resurfaces, Lele puts her hand on their shoulder in an attempt to calm them down. Anbu looks over at the woman, eyes visibly shaking. "It's ok, even though he is being mentioned he aint anywhere around here." Lele smiles, looking back towards the crowd. She presses lightly on the microphone button,
"Unfortunately yes," Lele pauses, still keeping her hand on Anbu, "We have a bit of a personal connection with him. We are actively trying to hunt him down ourselves."
"There's multiple pieces of evidence that put him in connection with the previously mentioned crystal woman." Harmoninea talks over Lele, "We actually managed to pin a name for the Redeye Killer, he goes by Kiyume."
"From now on we won't be answering anything else on this man for personal issues." Piper stresses.
"Next topic. You in the front, black coat" Lele points at the reporter,
"Can we know what each of your abilities are? The woman calls,
"Sure," Piper looks down the table, the others nod. Although Cerbi hesitates.
"I can regenerate any injury and come back from the dead, basically a phoenix," Piper claims,
"I have the physical and magical traits of a winged unicorn if it isn't obvious," Harmoninea states,
"3 tailed fox traits, and sticking to walls" Anbu signs,
"Fox ears, and something I refuse to disclose," Lele stammers,
"Hellhound shifter," Cerbi asserts,"It's hard to explain."
YOU ARE READING
Numbered and Factions
FantasyNumbered are a newer phenomena in the world, they're people with abilities ranging from Resurrection to having a set of animal ears. They're kept separate from the public via a large wall. The Numbered inside the wall have created factions to stay a...
