Nightshift 31: M71-80 Hallway

[visualize]

The Colonel had always been infamous for his crude sense of humor. Even now, as he hurriedly prepared for the night, Jade found himself chuckling light-heartedly at the events he recently witnessed

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[fyeonly]

Naomi straightened up and wiped at her eyes, feeling drained. But in a good way. In a way she hadn't in so long. She leaned back against the door for just a moment.

"You're something else, Ryuga." She tucked her hair back behind her ears and glanced over at him, still smiling but subdued. She was tempted to say 'thank you', but it sounded so...out of place. Better get back to their conversation.

"Oh, and since you should know what I told Arlene about us: you're a regular, you pay very well, and you're very good. I didn't give her too many details because I'm not good at making things like that up on the spot. But she seemed suspicious - I did my best to convince her otherwise." She sighed. "We're committed to this now, so we should get our stories straight in case she pries deeper. I don't know if she will or not, but... I don't think she's the kind to completely let something go." Which wasn't a problem. Despite the fact Arlene had broken Ryuga's confidence, she hadn't broken Naomi's. And she had claimed to do so only for Naomi's benefit. But if Arlene was going to believe that 'Maki' was a street walker and 'Ryuga' was her regular client...

At least now she was comfortable talking about it.

[fyeonly]

"I can't think of anything," Naomi said, shaking her head. "She seemed to have trouble accepting that I'd take you as a client." She shrugged. She could understand where Arlene was coming from. "But I just told her that looks weren't everything, and you took good care of me and what you lack in conventional attractiveness you make up in talent. I don't know if she really believed me, but... she didn't really question it any more. Except to ask questions. And suggest I keep up my work here."

[fyeonly]

"I'll try." Naomi shrugged. "I didn't exactly have any training in this. You know, if we're ever in this situation again - slim as that chance is - say I'm an exotic dancer, not a hooker." Then she shook her head and laughed.

"I'm sure there's girls that think you're sexy. Arlene and I aren't included in that, sorry. Gothy, heroin addict look doesn't do it for us. That and you look like you're just barely legal."

[fyeonly]

Naomi laughed a little. "I don't think it really matters here," she said, sitting on the other bed and drawing her legs up under her. "But who knows. I look around and people are making friends, falling in love, just living out their normal lives. I guess the human mind really can adapt to anything."

And it was a frightening thought. Because it meant that people had given up, in a sense, and accepted that they were stuck here.

[fyeonly]

"I guess you're right." Naomi nodded and hugged her legs, setting her chin on her knees. She watched L as he went to check the hallway, letting herself get lost in her thoughts. Wasn't that basically just what she'd told Arlene? That as long as they were here, it was only normal for life to go on?

She nodded when L told her to remain there. "I'll be here," she told him. Where else would she go?

[fyeonly]

Naomi was on the floor, stretching, waiting for L's return. She was alert, one ear out for intruders. As unlikely as it was, she had no idea how long L was going to be and it wasn't out of the question to assume that someone might have it in for the normal occupant of the room.

It was because of this mindset that when she heard someone slip into the room, silently, and apparently sneak around without a light, she assumed the worst.

Moving quickly and silently, she rose to her feet, striking out one leg to hook around the intruder's neck and drop them to the ground, pinning them by the throat.

[fyeonly]

Naomi realized, the moment that she hit the floor, that while L was a genius, he was also an idiot.

She immediately went lax, her body dropping its immediate resistance to the counter-attack.

"Ryuga..." she muttered, through clenched teeth. "Don't sneak up on a nervous FBI agent."

[fyeonly]

Naomi pushed herself up off the floor and tucked her hair back behind her ears.

"Sorry about...that." But honestly, it had been mistake. Really. He'd been the one who hadn't made any noise, and he had to know she was on edge... Despite the fact he was coming into his own room, and she knew he was coming back. But she'd acted on instinct.

"Are we ready?"