Day 58: Cafeteria

[gald_digger]

Anise woke up feeling lucky to be alive. She still felt a bit waterlogged, even though her skin, hair, and clothes were completely dry. During last night's adventures, she'd swallowed a lot of water, and it still felt heavy and disgusting in her stomach. Her arms and legs were tired from treading water. Lying still in her bed, she still kind of

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[spandexorgtfo]

Another day, come and gone. Kratos sat up almost mechanically as soon as he opened his eyes, first taking notice of the return of the military uniform (--which he admittedly vastly preferred) and then of the mention of the possibility of "rewards" later in the day. That was...pathetically transparent, but was about what he expected from the military management. They didn't need to bother with pretenses at all- except when visitors came to call, apparently.

He spent a few minutes recalling their brief exploration of the medical wing and the parts of it that he had managed to map out in his head so he wouldn't forget it for later, and ended up opening his journal for the first time in weeks so he could copy down what he remembered. Sora seemed to be intent on exploring the new section more for Kairi's sake, so he would work on the map on the side for them while keeping an eye on the two.

At that moment, one of the staff appeared to remind him that he needed to be at breakfast promptly, so Kratos set his journal aside and eased out of bed, smoothing his hair down with a hand so he could tug the beret on. Some of the parts in the back still stuck out at odd angles, but there was nothing he could do about that other than put it out of his mind and continue on to breakfast.

The old menu was still available to him, so Kratos casually filled his plate with sausage, some sort of eggy toast, and just a dab of syrup before finding a spot at an empty table. It wasn't a difficult task - the cafeteria itself was mostly empty - so it wasn't long before he was seated and cutting his first piece of toast into his customary bite-sized squares.

[for America]

apologies for lateness, but i'm always fashionably late

[brb_burgers]

Waking up had been jarring, to say the least. It hadn't been the same dramatic Hollywood mumbo jumbo with him sitting up and patting himself down, but instead a sudden snap from asleep to awake. His room, he was in it and his roommate still wasn't there-- where the hell did this invisible man go? The act of even turning his head was painful but in a dull throbbing sort of way.

So what had happened the night before wasn't a hideous nightmare. Well, that didn't bode well for him. Sitting up gingerly (since when was he so damn weak?) he rubbed at his neck and frowned as he looked around the room. Time to get up, fall into step and get back into the swing of things. Only this time he was less dismissive of it. In no time he'd dressed up proper, knowing how to make himself look sharp in a uniform, even if it wasn't his own uniform. He'd even caught the attending military goon by surprise when he'd opened the door as they stood there to retrieve him. Okay, that had felt good, even if it was a small victory and maybe he imagined the soldier looking surprised.

The smell of food always brought him out of a foul mood, last night not completely forgotten but overshadowed by the very essential need to refuel. Getting as hearty a portion as they'd let him he finally sauntered off and given a look around. Making friends had never been hard but right now he didn't know anyone around-- and the only way to fix that was to just make some friends. He could befriend whales and aliens, humans wouldn't be so hard. So he picked the fellow sitting alone at a table and looking particularly isolated.

"Mind if I join you?" his smile held more to one side of his face, hopefully inviting but he reckoned he must look tired. Maybe his glasses would conceal the dark circles beginning to form under his eyes.

That and this guy had some really cool hair.

o mai :3

[spandexorgtfo]

Kratos looked up in the midst of chewing one of his aforementioned squares of toast with a look of mild consternation on his face. Of course someone would ask to sit here; it was his unfortunate luck that he could rarely enjoy a meal in peace. (This was in fact false, but he was surely welcome to exaggerate the issue in his head.) A quick, discrete glance around him revealed that there were no other places to possibly direct the other man; breakfast was well under way, meaning that most of the seats had been filled. So he had no choice.

He swallowed and deadpanned, "Go ahead."

Approval given, Kratos turned his attention back to his breakfast. The logic was simple: even though someone was sitting across from him, that didn't necessarily mean that they were required to talk to each other. There was some saving grace at the very least.

[brb_burgers]

No one could resist his charm no matter how hard they tried, he was smug in this respect, grinning to himself as he sat down and took to his eating utensils like cowboys twirled pistols. "So," unfortunately for this guy, if he was hoping for a quiet morning, Alfred had just had one of the worst nights of his life (which was fairly long) and he wanted to put it far, far behind him. "My name's Alfred, what's yours?" he took a bite, not really waiting for a response. "Breakfast here isn't so bad. I've had worse. Not that I've been institutionalized before but they have the same sort of cook system set up as the military."

They had military stiffs here, too. Though he hadn't known anything else, his arrival coinciding with their own, allegedly. "This must be something classified, I work for my government, see. Even I don't know about this place. I suspect it's part of my government operation but I can't really tell." he only paused between bites, giving his companion a sort of expression that many would consider brightly optimistic. Inwardly he was hoping that by mentioning something of this nature someone might take an interest, bite and talk back.

That's why he'd picked the interesting looking guy to talk to. Saying went that you couldn't judge a book by its cover but sometimes there were exceptions to those cases. So having thrown that out there it was now this fella's turn to respond and hopefully he would. But if not, Alfred was used to awkward silences. He liked to plow through them and see what he could get at.

[spandexorgtfo]

After eons of taking reports from his subordinates during the war first and then from the monotonous angels of Cruxis, Kratos was well-versed in the art of listening and yet not listening until the person in question got to details that concerned him. No thanks to the lifeless nature of most angels, he had also developed the tendency to forget to feign interest at all times.

So he continued plodding through breakfast and allowed the other man to ramble on, noting only the man's name, until something finally caught his attention for good. "Your government's operation?" He paused to drink some water, gaze still firmly fixed on his plate, and then added, "My condolences."

A government that institutionalized its own workers: it sounded rather suspect if the assumption that all the patients here were sane held true. Sane, innocent people (if they were truly both) were only locked away if they had something that needed to be hidden...or something that needed to be taken. That was true of all of them, though, wasn't it? Every "patient" here had that desirable, undefined something that had attracted the Institute's gaze.

[brb_burgers]

"Hah, I know, right? Thought if it were my government I think you'd know it..." there'd be an American flag plastered somewhere, though it seemed to him that the intercoms and the military orderlies seemed to come from all over... so did his own. Slightly frustrating, to be honest, usually he was really on top of these sort of things. Another few seconds followed and he realized his table-mate was lost in thought. "Actually I dunno if they're mine..." he stabbed some breakfast with a little more force than was necessary, growling internally when it didn't do as much damage as it would have normally.

Here he was so frustratingly normal. Like they had some sort of control over him and he couldn't figure out how they were doing it. Actually it was just like that.

"So... you still haven't told me your name, yet." Everyone was entitled to their desire for privacy and all that but sometimes it was just a common courtesy to exchange names. Might come in handy in the future, especially if they were all of the mind to be getting out of here. Not to mention, if they weren't united then they'd all be just wasting their time. More 'n likely. "And I don't mean the one they slapped on the chart for you..."

[spandexorgtfo]

No, he wouldn't, because Kratos had no idea of other governments outside of his world's, and this man certainly did not hail from either Tethe'alla or Sylvarant--neither did this institute, for that matter.

"Kratos," he said curtly, eyes flicking up briefly. And then, because he might as well steer the conversation in a direction that was at least useful: "Why would you think this place has anything to do with your government? --I assume you're from this world in the first place."

He had always been curious about what sort of world "Earth" was and the forces that lurked behind Landel and now behind Aguilar. One of the most important rules for survival was to understand one's surroundings, and unfortunately, Kratos was still very much in the dark about those, even after lasting here for a month.

[brb_burgers]

"I dunno, they have a feeling about them. Kind of familiar. But I think they might be private contract." He paused for a second, thinking as he aimed another piece of breakfast at his mouth. "...At least, I think it's my world." Truth be told he hadn't even considered that he was taken away from his world but it might... be an alternative version of his. He'd been kidding earlier with England but now the likelihood seemed much more... realistic. After what that doc had showed him the other night he wasn't eager to take anything for granted.

"Also, it's nice to meet you, Kratos," one thing at a time, here. Breakfast, mingling, then sorting out this Landels institute. Priorities were sorted, now all he needed to do was implement. "So since you're talking about me being from here, where are you from?" Looking him over he could be an alien. A really exotic and cool looking alien at that. Humanoid, carbon-based from the look of it.

If he were a bonafide alien he might just have to introduce this guy to Tony. Being interstellar travelers was rare enough-- maybe the universe wasn't so big after all. That is, when they got out of here, of course.

[spandexorgtfo]

...that was a most reassuring answer. For one fleeting moment, Kratos had believed that he might actually be learning something useful about this place or this world - he had no preference given his lack of information about both - but no, all he had gotten from Alfred were feelings and assumptions, neither of which were concrete or definite. Of course, it had to just so happen that concrete, definite things were the only things he was interested in.

"Not here, as you might have already surmised." Vague statements that just barely (but somehow fully) answered questions were Kratos' specialty, particularly when he didn't feel like being helpful or open.

[brb_burgers]

"Yeah, that's a little more than obvious," he kicked his legs under the table but was careful not to connect with Kratos. "One of the docs told me I was here before," but he hadn't said it in so many words. He'd said other and other implied another person but that wasn't possible. There were no other hims unless they were mistaking him for his brother. Now that was more likely but this place... he didn't trust anything right now.

"Have no memory of it. Trying to check around and see if anyone else might be able to fill in the blanks." but he was getting the distinct impression this guy had no need or reason to speak with him. And unfortunately he had nothing to earn that kind of a bond, either. Not until nightfall, perhaps. But even then he couldn't be guaranteed to be free for the evening. "So you always eat alone in the morning?"

Best to move onto other subject and just blabber on. Better than thinking or remembering what had happened before and maybe even if the odds were stacked against him, he'd make a new friend or at least an acquaintance.

[spandexorgtfo]

"I see." Kratos' head tilted to the side. "Those are unfortunate circumstances." Returning and yet not remembering: he had never met anyone who claimed to have done that before, but given the way this place operated (which was unpredictable), he supposed he couldn't be too surprised. Even so, it was surely disconcerting to wake up in an unknown environment and suddenly be surrounded by people demanding where you had gone despite your knowledge to the contrary.

He shook his head. "Unfortunately, I've never heard of another 'Alfred' around here, and I've been in this place for far longer than most. It may just be my own ignorance speaking, though." After all, he had never gone out of his way to get to know people around the institute.

As for their new subject...Kratos' initial response was a pointed, flat stare that maintained itself admirably. "Mostly, I endeavor to, but find myself largely thwarted. Do you always ask random strangers that you approach these sorts of questions?"

[brb_burgers]

"Is there a handbook somewhere says that it's weird to ask these sort of questions of random acquaintances? I know your name, you ain't a stranger," he smiled a little as he stuck his fork into his food and looked at Kratos-- okay, smiled a lot, because asking those kind of questions always got the most interesting answers and he wasn't of the sort to let the discomfort of not knowing someone get in the way of his doing precisely that. Even if it might be a code name or something (Kratos sounded Greek) he still had a label to put on him.

The lack of knowledge about another Alfred didn't daunt him, now he knew an Alfred and that was a change for the better in his estimation. "I suppose there's something to be said for trying to eat alone but I figure you'd want people to look out for you. Just in case the docs decide they want to drag you off for nefarious things... not that we can really stop 'em even if we wanted to..." that seemed to dampen his spirits for a second but he shrugged it off, giving Kratos a rueful smile. "So I take it since you've survived this place a while you've been playing into their game? Either that or you're real good at surviving-- or both, come to think of it."

[spandexorgtfo]

"Merely exchanging names and speaking for a while does not make one familiar with the other." The flat stare continued. Kratos was thankfully a patient man, or else he might have left the table by now, given his intense dislike for random, meaningless questions that only served to help people "get to know each other". That was fine, so long as there was an end to such purposes. If not, what was the point?

"And such things typically do not occur during breakfast," Kratos said slowly, and now there was a questioning note in his voice. The experiments that went on in the night were usually rarely spoken of during the day unless someone felt like venting or were dumping information upon an unsuspecting newcomer. "Come nightfall, having others to 'look out for you' would be appropriate, but as for now, one might call that overkill."

He bristled slightly at the suggestion that he could simply be playing along with the Institute; while that was true in some respects, Kratos would not count himself as one who had merely given up on any thought of escape or resistance. "The latter would be more appropriate," he replied coldly.

[brb_burgers]

"Ah-huh," Was this guy for real? Part of him, a cynical bit, wanted to ask if he preferred to bond over showers or arts and crafts because breakfast at least was time to sit down and talk instead of be preoccupied with some other activity. But to each their own, no point in making enemies or pushing people away with a flippant answer. Though it was becoming fairly obvious that even his attempts to make himself at least pleasant was doing that very thing.

Not that it was going to stop him from doing it, but it was an observation. Some folks were loners, nothing he could do to change that.

"Can't blame me for trying to make friends at least," glancing down into his cup he rolled it between his palms. "So what do you think's the proper way for getting to know someone since I'm probably already at three strikes." it was unspoken but Alfred was going to try to at least to keep Kratos from getting killed or mauled, mangled, tortured, spliced, lasered, what have you. Being a hero was a thankless job because even loners needed them sometimes.

[spandexorgtfo]

"Mm." If Kratos had even the slightest intent of Alfred's intent for him, he might have actually laughed. Killed, mauled, mangled, tortured...all of those had happened, some with an almost certain degree of regularity. It was impossible to protect everyone; better to direct your energies toward those who had no hope of defending themselves, those that were not him. After all, he himself was a knight, and what good was a knight if he had to be protected? It defied his very existence; he would have none of it.

"I wouldn't know." Kratos stared off at some spot over Alfred's shoulder as he laced his fingers together in front of him. "I don't think about that sort of thing often." He looked back at the blond, frowning lightly. "What do you mean by 'three strikes'?"

Somewhere, someone had to be laughing at this cosmic irony, that he be so entirely ignorant of the sport that his "real self" followed so vigilantly.

[brb_burgers]

There was merit in being heroic, but there was also practicality in protecting people who would also benefit you should the need arise. He might have been more inclined to save any and all people before but now things were a bit more dire. And he had to think about his own more than about... "You know, three strikes..." being met with that same deadpan look as before (did this guy's expressions change?) prompted him to elaborate, one brow lowered and grinning a little ruefully, "...home runs, fouls, bases... and I'm not talking about any euphemisms-- baseball."

If he'd hoped to get anywhere it seemed he'd really picked the wrong guy. Normally the quiet folks had a lot more to say once someone showed some interest in them but it looked like he hadn't made the right decision or he'd misread him completely. Even he was at a loss-- couldn't chit-chat, guy didn't know sports... "It's a sport where you've got a batter, a pitcher and an umpire and the pitcher throws the ball and you gotta hit it and run like hell to the bases in an order to gain a point. Good for team work..."