Can The Broken Be Repaired?

Chapter Six

The anger Diane felt was immediately palpable from the force in which it emanated from her very pores. Waves upon waves of unbridled fury poured out of the girl as obscenities Elizabeth couldn't even name flooded the air. Which of course, only created tension among the others as well. Harlequin hadn't seemed to mind what he landed on until Diane's reaction. He had appeared too tired and dazed to mind the task ahead, but that changed rather quickly once he saw that the girl he liked, was angry about it. And viola, two voices were now yelling at her and shaming her over how horrible this contraption seemed to be. All while poor Elizabeth was too shocked by the onslaught and stunned by the sudden- but drastic- change to do anything about it. Any thoughts of deescalating the situation flittered out of her head as the screaming and outrage took precedence in her brain space. It wasn't until five minutes later, when Ban intervened, that the noise finally stopped. 

"It's not fair! This thing has to be rigged! I played along and did the stupid session, and now I have to do ANOTHER stupid chore! You promised I would get a reward if I played along Ban! So, either you lied to me, or she's been tricking us!"

Her voice was such a high, screeching, shrill, pitch, that even the one lecture alone seemed to be headache inducing for all involved. And it was likely for that reason alone that the man stepped in with a sigh, and not that Elizabeth was having to hold back tears as she watched all of the progress she made, go down the drain, which made her sleepless night full of research absolutely pointless.

"Hey, I totally get that you're upset, and why as well. However, I can assure you that it isn't rigged, I checked it myself, remember? And do you really think I'd lie to you about this? I love that you and the Cap'n are together! Why would I take away from your relationship by not getting you that date I promised, huh?"

He spoke calmly, but with careful tact interlaced in every syllable that left his mouth. It was clear to Elizabeth one thing if nothing else from this whole incident; Ban knew how to get people to listen to him, and the girl was unsure if that would be a danger to her and her work, or a great asset like how the manipulation manifested in this moment. 

Diane's anger slowly evaporated like the steam off of a piping hot kettle. Her shoulders sagged away from their rigid tensity, her posture slumped in contrast to her chest puffed out in defensive nature, and her voice when from a constant screech to a soft sigh as the last of her fury seemed to slip away with it. Now, she was calm; irritated, but composed. 

"Yeah, well check it again! I want to ensure she didn't mess with it after you tested it the first time..."

Elizabeth wanted to speak then, against the absurd nature of the claim, and against the suspicion she was worried would take hold in the others at the idea. She had done nothing of the sort, she had been nothing but honest and generous in her intentions, but what if this seed of doubt spread to the others just as Diane's anxiousness had?

She feared her own fears were confirmed when Ban responded, sounding as if that was a marvelous idea.

"That's a great suggestion Diane! I'll do that right now, kay?"

Yet, as he walked up to do just that, the counselor saw just how fake his compliance was. She had always been very good at reading people; it was one of the biggest reasons she was top in her class- aside from her willingness to learn and her passion for the job. And even if this group- Ban specifically- seemed to be outside her skillset when they wanted to be, Ban wasn't trying as hard as he normally did to keep the emotion from his face. His eyes held... nothing. None of the sympathy he showed Diane, none of the concern for her wishes that dripped from his voice as he spoke to the brunette. No, because that one glance revealed something to Elizabeth that she hadn't expected considering his time spent amidst the others, and the fake compassion he seemed to have for them. He truly didn't care about Diane. He didn't care about her worries or fears or causes of frustration. He merely used tools he knew to calm her. But the question was playing in the girl's mind was a simple one, yet it held a wait not even she was privy to yet... Why and how did he know these tools?