Nightshift 33 - Main Hallway 1-Center
[[from here]]
The hall was empty when he arrived, which was something of a relief. Last night the hall had gotten fairly crowded with people coming and going and even people trying to keep others out of the Sun Room. He knew there'd been some kind of fight going on in there, so maybe it'd been for the best to involve as few as possible. For now, ( Read more... )
The hall was empty when he arrived, which was something of a relief. Last night the hall had gotten fairly crowded with people coming and going and even people trying to keep others out of the Sun Room. He knew there'd been some kind of fight going on in there, so maybe it'd been for the best to involve as few as possible. For now, ( Read more... )
Aidou chose to take Wolfram's cooperative demeanor as a 'thank you', and not comment on the fact that Wolfram looked he was back to getting comfortable, as though readying himself for a nap. Worse than Akatsuki, really. He had to wonder (deep down, never admitting to such a nebulous thought) if it was just some by-product of being tied to the element of fire.
"You follow me," he said in response to Wolfram's question. Until they got to a point where they could relax a little, the vampire was not terribly inclined to wasting time or energy. Keeping focused on the goal was what was important here. "We're going to the basement, and to get there, we have to go through the Sun Room," he gestured to the doors with his elbow, "the cafeteria, the kitchen, and find the trap door in the refrigerator beyond that. The chances of getting attacked by some kind of creature is high--in case you haven't already noticed, a lot of them are set to guard areas just to prevent people from getting past. So, above all..." He gave Wolfram a pointed look. "Don't pause when getting around them. Just run. Getting around obstacles as fast as possible is what others fail to remember, and instead get into pointless fights."
Probably like the people already sneaking ahead of them.
Reply
Jack nearly ran into Aidou as he stalked through the night. It had been awhile seen he'd seen the vampire and it took him a moment to recognize him via pointing his flashlight right in his face. "Oh, it's you."
It wasn't a pleasant a surprise as Lust would have been, but he could spare a few moments of chit-chat. He glanced over and noted that Aidou seemed to have an equally blonde companion and debated making a wisecrack about this, but would let Aidou speak first.
Reply
There was a trap door to get to the basement? Wolfram had been wondering about that... When he and John had gone upstairs, it hadn't looked like there was any alternative to going down instead that he'd came across. But the kitchen should have a really good supply of metal, right? Silverware could be quickly stuffed in his pillowcase, and it would be a great start for his sword if Aidou would let him stop for a few seconds.
But before he could ask, they were interrupted by someone that he hadn't came across before. Apparently he recognized Aidou, though, and with a raised eyebrow at the stranger and his hand tightening his grip on the bat, he waited on saying anything else for now.
Reply
He recognized that voice. The opportunistic human he'd once talked with and helped out. Now, however, wasn't the time to catch up.
In the interest of moving on, getting away from Allen and his personal problems in the process, Aidou regarded Jack and said, "... John." He could've pointed out how he already knew Jack's real name, but figured it was a pointed sign of goodwill. Or something. "We've got business in the basement, so unless you're headed our way, we're going to get going."
The dropped hint was on purpose. Jack was pretty stupid; if he showed signs he knew what Aidou was talking about, there was always the chance of getting him to spill. Either way, they were going to get moving.
Reply
Not that cared, and getting back to his interests, the Fable added, "Have either of you seen Lust this evening? I think we have a date..." Maybe not completely true, but still...
Reply
"What's so great about anywhere in this building?" he muttered, although it was mostly to himself rather than the other two.
He had no idea who would have such a name like Lust though, and simply shook his head. Females were obviously kept in a different part of the building he had yet to see, and with the exception of Shana he had yet to come in contact with any of them.
Reply
"There are trials and rewards in the basement, that's all I know." Taking Wolfram's arm, Aidou pulled him towards the Sun Room doors. "That's why we're going," came the very obvious reminder.
Reply
More keys would have been a frustrating answer, though Jack knew as well as anyone that keys unlocked things that tended to have even better things behind them. While he would have preferred an instant payoff, a couple more keys to the collection could be tolerated...
Then again, this could be a trick. What exactly did Aidou consider to be a reward? He pointed his flashlight at Wolfram, trying to judge the other boy's reaction to Aidou's claim to see if it was worth anything.
Reply
He frowned at the sudden light, squinting and shutting off his own flashlight in response. He didn't try and pull away from the grip Aidou had on his arm, walking automatically, but despite the stars in his vision turned around to look at the newcomer.
"I guess we'd have to go to find out," he finally decided on saying.
Reply
Aidou squinted through the light, doing his best not to completely flip out like he wanted. This coming from the human who'd once announced that he'd found one... days ago. The keys to the locked doors, that was also something to look into, like the basement. Jack was stupid and selfish, which meant Aidou couldn't write him off. 'Stupid' alone could just mean stupid, but combined with greed, those kinds of humans were the easiest to coerce, weren't they? Later, perhaps, when he had time to properly ask how that'd worked out.
He put his hand on the door. "Weapons, I've heard. Other, less plentiful things that nobody wants to talk about because they're no doubt afraid they'll get stolen. Prizes for things like answering riddles. I don't really know, and we're leaving now. It's a competition."
Maybe Jack could take that information and run around, being a distraction somewhere else. It wasn't like Aidou was headed for the basement just for hint of weaponry or some other useless trinket.
Reply
Besides, they clearly weren't intending to share with Jack if he decided to tag along. Aidou had given his his maps, so he owed it to the kid not to back stab him and steal his "prize". That was, unless the prize was something worth backstabbing over, in which case the kid could thank him later for taking the itemthe responsibility of caring for such important objects off his hands.
"Guess you will," Jack responded to Wolfram, clicking his tongue. "Hope it's not too much effort to get a nightstick or spear."
Reply
"And if it's really a competition, perhaps there's something other than weapons down there. Hmph... Maybe you're just jealous that we'll get to it first."
He'd already taken one more step in the direction of the sun room, but seeing as he'd already silently agreed to let Aidou be in charge for now, he waited.
Reply
"You should read the bulletin board more. The weapons seem to appear based on personal preference--it's magic, not logic. Guns are just as likely as anything else." What had Jack taken him for? Like Aidou would be interested in anything less than what had been said so far. Talking sphinxes, "prizes" that might only be limited to a few... There were answers down there. Or at least, he wanted to believe so.
Reply
The Fable threw an arm around Aidou's shoulder. "Aw, I'm only ribbin' on you. Do you boys want any help on this little endeavor? I'm not to bad at riddles, you know..."
Reply
In the end, it wasn't up to him, but he was starting to feel anxious. "Well, more brains could be useful," he supposed, "as long as you wouldn't slow us down... We don't want to be fighting if not necessary."
He flexed the fingers under his bandaged wrist as though to make a point for himself.
Reply
"Anything, so long as you stop that."
Not, exactly, what Aidou would have said, but he blurted it out without thinking. There was a good chance he would've told Jack to join them only in so far as the basement threshold, and only after he'd acted as a meat shield for any enemies.
Reply
Leave a comment