Nightshift 33: Main Hallway, 1-West

[contentincloset]

[from here]He knew he was out early now; the main hallways like this one usually had at least one or two other people scurrying about even when he was rushing through. Not yet though, but that was just as well. He took the usual right and kept along the wall just in case his senses just weren't picking up on some kind of threat. Being quick did not

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[vessavana]

[From here.]

The crowd thinned as some individuals departed through other doors. A few lingered in the main hallway; one extinguished his lantern, but Kunzite chose to keep his on to better be on the alert for the arrival of his fellow club members. "By the stairwell near the patient rooms," Kunzite muttered, swinging the light from right to left and noticing two sets of stairs. He shrugged is shoulders and moved to the flight closest to the western-most set of rooms, leaning against the south wall with arms crossed in steady patience.

[youlackmascara]

[from here]

Itachi came out into the main hallway, and glanced ahead at the stairs. No one, but further down there was also a flight of stairs, and there he recognized Kunzite from their first meeting with Homura. Itachi made his way over, nodding in greeting.

"Kunzite, yes? I am Itachi, if you remember. Shito is not here yet?"

[vessavana]

Kunzite's mouth crooked in a smirk as he touched his right hand to his left breast and bowed shallowly.

"Itachi, yes, I do recall meeting you ever so briefly. An honor." He stood up again, then swept his light into the hallway, expecting to see the third member of their company. "No, I have seen no one else approach either of the stairwells yet. Hopefully we should not have to wait much longer; I found last night to last far too short for our designated mission."

[youlackmascara]

Itachi blinked, not knowing what to make of Kunzite's gesture. Such formalities only masked meanings.

He looked around for Shito as well. Yes, it would be better if they could progress as soon as possible; if he did not keep himself occupied, Itachi would have difficulty not dwelling on uncomfortable thoughts. "Time seems to pass strangely here," he answered neutrally. "And the nights end far too abruptly." Outside of their own control, like everything else.

[vessavana]

Kunzite observed his companion's somewhat confused reaction to his bow, but chose for now to put it aside. Normally he'd take a bit of amusement to any consternation he instilled in others, but for the first time since he arrived here he felt that his given mission was top priority. If there was to be a power play, it was not to occur this night.

"Indeed it does," the warrior replied, making another sweep of the area with his lantern. "And, unfortunately, often in ways I would wish otherwise." Kunzite bounced his aluminum bat gently on his shoulder; hopefully he'd be able to replace it with a more elegant weapon after tonight's activities.

[youlackmascara]

"It is best, though, to put the difference to our own use however we may. Complaining is useless." Indeed it was, as there was no purpose that could be served. Itachi also found the abrupt ends irritating, though. Just one more insulting thing this Institution did to them.

Itachi watched Kunzite fidgeting with the long metal object he was carrying. "You intend to use that as a weapon?" It looked a bit unwieldy. Itachi believed he had no particular need of a weapon himself -- it would be good to have one, but not necessary. And yet, events in the Institution were so unpredictable, perhaps it would be better to invest in one.

[vessavana]

Kunzite looked first to Itachi, then at the bat, and sighed depressingly. He slid the object from his shoulder, pocketed his flashlight and bounced the bat on his now-free hand. "Unfortunately, it is the closest I've come here to obtaining a sword. I've seen others with more elegant weapons, and Homura has also made mention of individuals who can somehow make swords, but I did not have the opportunity to learn more before nightfall." And although Kunzite could function weaponless if need be, he felt far more comfortable with a sword with which to channel his energies...though a bat sufficed, it certainly was not up to the warrior's standards.

[youlackmascara]

Itachi nodded. He had seen others with weapons, most notably Sasuke (who had still not made an appearance), but he had not had enough interest to find out how to acquire them. That was valuable information, even if he did not feel he needed one.

"I may look into that myself. Though I can fight perfectly well without a sword, some sort of blade may be useful. Are you an experienced fighter?" Itachi switched subjects without any apparent understanding of how strange it would sound.

[vessavana]

Kunzite did not mind the change in subject, to be quite honest. Under normal circumstances, he would be quite manipulative and patronizing toward others - especially if he sensed he was more powerful than they - but now, with his primary objectives now removed in this alien world, being particularly sinister held little practicality. Indeed, now that the subject turned to a topic to which he was quite familiar, perhaps he could find a true purpose

[youlackmascara]

"An impressive resume." Itachi's tone was completely expressionless, neither impressed nor condescending. It was indeed impressive, and he was glad he was not going on a mission with someone inexperienced. The pompous overtones didn't bother him, he was used to the company of such people, but the bit about multiple lives caught his attention. Not like he hadn't heard of such things, but. . . this sounded different from Orochimaru. Perhaps he would inquire further later on, once he knew more about this man.

"I am also a fighter, yes. I am a ninja by trade -- my specialty is anything that can be used to kill." He paused, then decided to elaborate, given his companion's willful giving up of information. "I am well-versed in hand-to-hand combat, with or without weapons, but I favor a different level of techniques. One I cannot access here."

[vessavana]

"Ninja, you say," Kunzite nodded, showing some genuine interest toward his new companion. Under normal circumstances the patronizing would now begin; nothing overt, to be sure, but just enough to be able to bring out more secrets and eventually sway them to his side. Not tonight, however. Clearly, Kunzite mused wordlessly, this man has enough mental fortitude that, on my best of days, I'd barely be able to convince him of his errors, let alone to completely join me. No matter, for here an ally may serve even better than a slave.

"Higher-level techniques...I assume you mean something more super-natural?" Kunzite sighed, commiserating far too well with the ninja. "I, too, have access to techniques that, at the least, are quite stunted here. Though my swordsmanship is nothing to scoff, I will not lie and say I cannot fight to the best of my potential without access to my magics."

[youlackmascara]

Itachi hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I suppose those from other worlds could consider it. . . supernatural." The concept was new to him, but if other worlds really were possible, there was no reason why powers and abilities would not be different in each world. Therefore, some worlds might consider the powers available in another to be "super-natural," beyond their own understanding of nature.

"I believe all of us are suffering from stunted abilities. The best thing to do is. . . " To recover them, to thwart these humiliating conditions, to show these people he could no longer be controlled. "To adapt as best we can. A warrior must be able to adapt, as well."

[vessavana]

[Sincerest apologies for the slow posting ; ;]

"Indeed he must," Kunzite sighed. "Luckily, I am all too familiar with having to adapt to changes in my life. Losing access to my magic has been detrimental, true, but nothing I cannot overcome."

The impatient warrior tapped his foot angrily as the night continued to drag forward. "This Shito is growing increasingly tardy," he grumbled. Already he had spoiled one night's work in retrieving materials; he certainly did not want to dally further tonight. "Perhaps we should go on without him? Homura does not seem to mind that the assigned individuals achieve the goal together, so long as the goal is accomplished. What say you?"

[youlackmascara]

[It's alright, I've got sporadic Internet access anyway.]

"That is good," Itachi said expressionlessly, "because I would be reluctant to work with someone who could not."

He agreed about Shito. This was irritating, and he still felt that if he was not accomplishing something, the inconvenient thoughts would find the time to seep their way back into his mind. The thought that it was only fair, as he had made Shito wait the night before and without another companion at that, did not even occur to him. "I think we should wait a little longer, and then set out if he does not appear. Time passes strangely here, but the night has still just begun."

[vessavana]

Kunzite merely smirked at Itachi's comment. What good a warrior that cannot adapt to his surroundings or circumstances? True, Beryl certainly tried her damnedest to do something similar to us, but there were at least two who could... His mind trailed for a moment, and he chose to dispel this line if thinking.

"Very well," Kunzite growled in displeasure; now was not the time to make enemies, especially when this mission could benefit him so well. "Fifteen minutes. If he does not appear by then, we should go, for though we may well be efficient in our task, who knows what else lurks in these halls to thwart our progress." He clicked his tongue, looking at his bat mournfully. The sooner I am properly armed, he though, the better, for then...

[youlackmascara]

[Sorry, I have Internet access as of now, so.]

"I agree. It is starting to grow late, and I wish to accomplish something tonight." Wish to demonstrate that he could fight back. . . It was a petty notion, he should concentrate only on completing the mission. Which could only be completed if they left soon.

"Though with two of us, three if Shito comes, it might be easier to dispose of any obstacles we come across."