Day 36: Library

[jurisfictional]

Thursday had thought - almost hoped, really - that Landen would have paid her another visit today, but when she asked her nurse about it, she was only answered with a sympathetic smile and a "Maybe next week, Mrs. Bellman

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[thecamellia]

[♥]

There was that mention of visitation again--family and friends didn’t really visit, did they? Tsubaki’s nurse was quick to say she was sure ‘Miyu’ would get to see her loved ones next week, to which Tsubaki could only nod.

Watanabe Miyu was supposed to be her, and Watanabe Miyu had family and friends.

Tsubaki buried the thought, along with the lingering awkwardness of the last few minutes of lunch, and asked if she could be shown to be library. She was supposed to meet someone from the bulletin board, and that deserved her attention.

Although the Sun Room was filling up, the library was very quiet when she poked her head inside. 5’8”, brown hair tied back… ‘Thursday Next’ could be a boy’s name or a girl’s name, couldn’t it? But aside from a few watchful nurses, there was only one other person wearing the same uniform as her.

“Um,” Tsubaki ventured, approaching the woman. The description fit. “Are you Next-san, by any chance?”

[jurisfictional]

The girl fit the description provided on the bulletin board quite nicely, and Thursday nodded and smiled as she closed her book and set it aside.

"That's me. You're Miss Tsubaki, then? It's nice to meet you, though I do wish it could've been under pleasanter circumstances."

[thecamellia]

“Yes,” Tsubaki confirmed with a smile of her own. She bowed politely, hands folded in front of her. The bandage on her arm was starting to get itchy, but she’d ignore it. She didn’t know if they’d given her any drugs or anything, since the pain had been minimal all day. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Straightening, she glanced behind her briefly at all the new people filing in, inwardly agreeing.

“There are a lot of nice people here, though. Everyone I’ve met so far has been very kind.”

[jurisfictional]

"I suppose a situation like this tends to bring out the best in people. And occasionally the worst, but that's neither here nor there."

Thursday noticed the bandage but chose not to comment on it - though it was depressing just how many injuries she could see on the patients these days. Brushing that thought away, she gestured to the chair next to her. "Do sit down. How long have you been here?"

[intoindra]

Visitation... Roland honestly hoped that he didn't have to go through that again. Being reminded of Greg was enough to twist his stomach, even though he was glad to see the man alive again. If it wasn't for his comrades, Roland had to wonder if he'd be able to resist the alluring offer; a normal life with Greg and his family would be wonderful, especially in a world where God hadn't gone mad.

But no, he couldn't take that easy way out. Not yet, anyway. To distract himself, Roland headed into the library and started picking books at random, deciding on poetry instead of prose. It was easier to get lost in meter than in long meandering paragraphs... at least, if he could find something good.

And what was he to find at the start than an old favorite? One that he hadn't read in years, that he was afraid he'd lost forever. With a smile, he sat down at a table, wondering if other lost treasures were still alive within the pages.

[human_sponge]

Getting to catch up at least somewhat with Eddie had helped Peter's mood. He was determined to make connections here, even if there was that threat of the people he cared about disappearing. It had already happened once, and maybe he should have learned from that, but trying to deal with this place on his own just wasn't an option. Because of that, he was going to make the effort to always check up on the people he met.

The sense of dread when the shift changed and visitors were mentioned had been almost overwhelming, but Peter had been able to let out a sigh of relief when the nurse had simply asked him where he wanted to go. He should have asked her if he should be expecting a visitor in the following shift, but he hadn't been able to work up the nerve.

Out of his choices, the library and the arts and crafts room were the only two places he hadn't been. The library seemed like it would have more interesting things to see, and Peter was pretty fond of reading when he had the time, so it wasn't long before he was wandering among

[intoindra]

"Much better than it was a few minutes ago." Roland chuckled as he closed the book, showing the title to Peter as a courtesy. "I haven't read anything like this for years, so at least there's some positive here."

It was a small thing, but Roland had learned that in adversity, even the tiniest things could keep someone from cracking. For now, finding an old favorite and making some progress with his comrades was enough to buoy him up a great deal.

Still, it'd be rude to read on when someone was trying to speak to him, so he put the volume away and glanced at the other man. "...how about you? You look like you're holding up well."

[human_sponge]

So, Roland was a fan of books? Peter glanced over the title for a moment before nodding to the older man, though he had to wonder why Roland hadn't done any pleasure reading in years if he was so fond of it. He realized he knew very little about the man, but he could make a guess that other obligations got in the way of doing things simply because you enjoyed them. Wasn't that how it always went? You got tied up in life and doing what was expected of you until you realized that you weren't really happy with it, or that it wasn't right for you. That was what had happened to him, anyway

[lost_metal]

Ed was still a little bit grumpy after talking about Hohenheim with Adel, even more so when he saw the note that the bastard had left on the bulletin. It was not good, not after realising that Mustang was gone now. Huh, and Ed had thought that he'd stick around forever, even just to piss him off.

Of course, he chose to spend his free time in the most comforting place that he could find. There was something reassuring about books, no matter where they were. Books were something solid and constant and didn't leave people behind. Which admittedly was because they were inanimate objects but Ed wasn't in much of a mood to debate the logic of being left behind by a book with anyone.

He sat on the floor next to an interesting looking shelf, and started on the first book. It wasn't like him to be so morose, but things just felt like they'd been getting worse for the last few days and he couldn't do anything to stop it.

[For Hughes]

[felled_hero]

Brunch...hadn't gone very well. He'd been in a bad enough mood as it was, and the talk with Hohenheim - not that it had been much of a talk - hadn't improved things any. He'd wanted to be left alone.

He figured if he was sitting down with a book, maybe then people wouldn't be so quick to approach him. He needed some time, that was all. Before he had to deal with the Club, and take up the responsibilities that had been left to him.

But once he got to the library, he noticed Ed. And remembered he needed that favor. Running a hand over the back of his head, Hughes headed over.

"Uh, Ed...? Hope I'm not bugging you, but...I need that favor."

[lost_metal]

What he wouldn't give for a nice engrossing alchemy text about now. The novel was all very well, but he wanted something that would make him think, take his attention away from what was happening and novels just didn't tend to do that for him. He sighed, slipping that book back onto the shelf and then reaching for another one. Maybe this one would do better.

He looked up when he heard footsteps and smiled when he saw who it was, although the expression was frayed around the edges, hurt and uncertain. "What's the favour?" Ed asked, although he thought that he might have an idea.

[felled_hero]

Hughes adjusted his glasses, offering Ed a tired smile.

"I don't even know if you can do this, but...figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. I need something to drink. Alcohol. Not...much or anything, just a little bit." Just enough for a toast. He just needed that, and he felt he'd be okay.

There were just little things he needed to do.

[whiteychan]

After dealing with Homura, Hitsugaya's mood was still nowhere near where it normally was. Granted he was as grouchy and cranky as ever, but under that layer was a new sensation, screaming to reach the surface and distracting him from his normal inner monologue. He had to talk to Momo, he knew.

The problem was, he didn't want to. And while duty took priority over his wants any day of the week, this wasn't duty. It was something else...obligation? Maybe.

Until he knew what he wanted to say, he thought to avoid her for the time being. So he went to the library and sat down at one of the tables, relishing the peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

[nakanai_toboe]

If the nighttime was so dangerous, Toboe would just have to do his exploring during the day! When the nurse said he could go anywhere and started suggesting a few places, Toboe asked to be taken to the library--he hadn't seen that room yet. Maybe he'd run into Renamon again! But as he walked into the room, he didn't see the other patient--he didn't see very many of them at all, actually.

The room smelled like paper and was warm and comfortable. Toboe decided that he rather liked it, even if he wouldn't be able to read any of the books on the shelves.

Most people in the library were already speaking with each other, but there was one boy just sitting at one of the tables, and it was him that Toboe approached, smiling broadly, and seemingly completely unaware of any bad mood Hitsugaya was in. "Hi!"

[whiteychan]

The scowl Hitsugaya offered Toboe as he approached was obvious, and did not fade when he greeted the captain warmly. He didn't recognize the boy, but he suspected he wasn't coming up to talk to the captain about Arts and Crafts. As far as he could tell, it was just some overeager boy wandering up to him like an excited puppy.

"What?" he demanded.

[nakanai_toboe]

Hitsugaya's scowl didn't faze Toboe in the least. After Tsume, it didn't seem so intimidating at all.

"I just thought you looked like you could use someone to talk to." Without waiting for a response, Toboe fell into the other chair at the table. "I'm Toboe."

[dasgift]

[For Adelheid]Messy incident, that was. Kristoph never even finished his meal, thanks to a certain prosecutor's take on how not to attract the attention of a nurse. What a waste of perfectly good eggs. It was almost tragic

[grosse_sklaven]

Adelheid had to say, perhaps a bit of peace and quiet would do him some good. He'd done a lot today, and so long as he didn't have another visitor, he'd do well to get some kind of rest before the night began. It seemed like another busy shift, with three different objectives to be met. He was sure he could manage them, but that was dependent on his condition remaining stable.

In any case, he found himself heading into the library, and instead of reading, quickly found a seat where the only person in sight was a blond with glasses- someone Adel didn't remember, probably a fairly recent arrival. Well, no matter; the boy eased himself down with his right eye closed, and found himself rubbing at it. The prosthetic eye was feeling sore in his socket, probably because of that curse he'd been hit with... just what he needed, another bit of aggravation to sap at his energy.

[dasgift]

Kristoph had finally settled on his choice when he caught someone making their way toward his vicinity, before settling in a chair he'd hoped for himself. Not that he minded; there were plenty of open spots left for a quiet read. A few more steps than he'd originally planned, but what could one do except compromise?

But as the former attorney passed the newcomer, he paused abruptly in his steps, noting the individual was paying undue attention to his right eye. Anyone else would have stopped out of concern-- Instead, Kristoph found the act a bit irritating. Like the kind that often flared whenever a little brother snapped his fingers in a beat.

This was no Klavier, however, so the man forced a concerned voice. "Is something the matter?"

[grosse_sklaven]

"Mm?" Adelheid glanced up at the other man, offering a slight smile as he did so. It was an aggravating thing that someone had seen his weakness, but by that point, Adelheid knew there wasn't much for it. So long as he was in this state, some things would just have to be endured.

His hand remained over his eye for the moment, lightly massaging in a vain attempt to stop some of the soreness. "Ah, no, not really. Last night was just a bit rougher than normal. Thank you for asking."