CLOUD TO GROUND ☂︎ FIVE HARGREEVES

<03>

EUDAEMONIA
cyber security

☂︎ ☂︎ ☂︎

The adoptive daughter story was quickly shot down, replaced by a somewhat more believable tale of a close family friend. Klaus (as she learned the man's name to be) chattered the whole time they walked, his mostly one-sided conversation a thinly veiled stream of consciousness.

Hypatia enjoyed the flamboyancy of Klaus. He bubbled with color, although now subdued by the pinstripe suit he was forced to change into. She wondered if he talked over his own thoughts, which on one hand could be considered sad, but on another simply eccentric. Either way she smiled and nodded along to his words.

The building Five led them too was extremely industrial in style, not terribly dissimilar to the office Hypatia first woke up in. The walls were blindingly white, almost medical in intensity, and the employees teetered between baggy under eyes and smiles far too wide.

The three of them had been given incredibly uncomfortable chairs at the desk of a doctor who looked at them with annoyance hidden by a customer service smile. Hypatia and Klaus sat, legs crossed as they watched the argument between the man and Five unfold.

"Like I said to your son earlier, any information about the prosthetics we build is strictly confidential. Without the clients consent, I simply can't help you."

Leaning forward on the man's desk Five stood, speaking through his teeth in anger. "We'll we can't get consent if you don't give us a name."

"We'll that's not my problem." He relaxed, leaning back in his chair, neatly folding his hands. "Sorry. Now, there's really nothing more I can do, so-"

"And what about my consent?" Klaus suddenly interjected.

"Excuse me?"

Hypatia sighed, placing her head in hands, knowing something idiotic was about to happen, something she'd most likely easily be roped into.

"Who gave you permission..." Klaus spoke dramatically, voice wobbling and clearly winding up to something. "to lay your hands...on my son."

"What?" Three confused faces turned towards the proud looking man.

"You heard me."

"I didn't touch your son." The doctor defended himself.

"Oh, really? Well then, how did he get that swollen lip, then?"

"He doesn't have a swollen-"

The man didn't get to finish, as Klaus stood from his seat, and punched his brother in the jaw, leaving Five stumbling backwards, bringing a hand up to his now bleeding lip.

Eyes wide in shock, Hypatia scooted her chair away from the man, on the off-chance he'd be attempting to punch her next.

Leaning menacingly over the desk there was still an air to comedy in him, although this was the most serious Hypatia had seen from Klaus in the half hour she'd known him. "I want it. Name please. Now."

The doctor stumbled over his words, pointing an accusing finger. "You're crazy."

"You got no idea." Slowly picking up a snow globe ornament from off the man's desk, he turned it around in his hands, inspecting it. "'Peace on Earth.' That's so sweet." He said before smashing the ornament over his head, shards of glass showering the floor.