Nightshift 38: Stairwell by Lobby 1

[beloved_less]

[From here.]Soubi trained his lights along the stairs and began to climb them. His nerves were settling a little now, though that wasn't saying a whole lot. He was still worried about seeing Ritsuka and still unsure about the MU Hall. He barely wanted to face it at all, let alone in the company of the one person he had to prove himself to

Comments

[rectifies]

"Just a few miscellaneous items. I'm getting them for someone." Hopefully, that could be the end of that discussion.

The lawyers seemed to have a couple of plans in motion, ones that included their newest addition. "If everyone's okay with it, I wouldn't mind that," Ken piped in, albeit awkwardly. He had never traveled with so many adults before. Combined with his natural aversion to those over 18 and his tendency to work alone, the prospect was a bit nerve-racking. What if they told him to back down when a fight came along? Or worse, tried to protect him?

But it appeared one of them was quite willing to accommodate. The unfamiliar gentleman stopped Ken as he walked through the door and, to the child's surprise, stooped down to his level. Even more surprising were the mention of coffee and the offer to hold his flashlight. It was obvious this man was making an attempt to befriend without being patronizing, a fact he could appreciate.

"My name is Ken Amada," he answered clearly, for both Godot and Edgeworth's sakes. "And I would like that, Godot-san. It's admittedly difficult to carry both a flashlight and a spear." A sheepish smile touched the child's lips as he handed over the device.

The expression failed to hold, however, as a realization came to mind. "Um, sorry to hear about your coffee, though," Ken continued. "I could really use a cup myself." His nurse, on the other hand, deemed him far too young for the drink, something about stunting his growth.

[high_prosecutor]

Edgeworth nodded. That answer seemed a little too pat, a little too easy - he had to remind himself that this wasn't a courtroom. There was no need to question this further; surely if it was that important, someone who knew him better would handle the questioning.

"It appears we're ready. Ken-san, how familiar with the second floor are you? I hate to admit it, but I've only been up here a few times myself, and one of those times was under less than optimal circumstances. If you're more familiar with the area, and more familiar with the use of that weapon of yours, it may be better for you to lead?" His stomach turned at the thought of sending a child into a fight first, but the boy seemed mature and level-headed. What's more, he had seen for himself that the younger patients weren't to be underestimated when it came to fights.

He didn't wait for an answer before continuing to plan things out. Battle strategy was something he'd had to learn piecemeal in his time in the institute, but this was simple enough. "Godot, if you could follow with the light; Wright, you'll be directly in front of me. That way we're covered from both sides."

Miles looked at each of them in turn. "Does that sound fair?"

[pleading_ngri]

"Sounds fair to me- woah! Watch it!" Phoenix pulled back as a man barreled past them, barely avoiding getting body-checked.

What's his prob- CHRIST.

He flattened himself harder against the door as a second figure rushed by, something that gave the impression of glowing yellow eyes and claws before it was scrambling up the stairs after the first man. It whipped around the first corner and out of sight, but not before Phoenix trained his flashlight to follow and saw that it was wriggling, back a nest of shining pseudopods like the feelers of some deep-sea creature. Then they were gone, the clatter of feet on concrete rebounding from the close high walls, and Phoenix released a slow, shuddering breath. He took up his position in front of Edgeworth, and after a few more seconds realized that there were wide-spaced drips of blood running in dark beads up the stairs.

". . . yeah." He swallowed, taking the stairs a steady, careful step at a time. "Let's go."

[hotbitterproof]

Godot had already been to his feet, rising after taking the flashlight and smiling to Ken. That was fortunate, since it let him step to the side quickly to avoid the things rushing past them. But it was only on a physical level, and even the normally collected prosecutor stared in fascinated horror at the second thing that moved by them. He'd called the description a cheap sci-fi movie, but this prison obviously paid for their special effects. What had moved past him seemed so real, that for a moment Godot caught himself almost wishing he was still blind.

No more than a few seconds passed before the creature was out of sight, but certainly its description had taken root in Godot's memory. His jaw was clenched tight, though he didn't realize it until Trite spoke up; his voice was nearly as good at coffee for waking him from a dream, though hardly as pleasant. Yet even the defense attorney's presence was more comforting than the idea of following that creature, if only for the normality of it.

But lawyers couldn't cry until it was over, and they certainly couldn't stop in fear at the beginning. The encounter was over, and despite the cautionary for now that tacked itself on to the thought, Godot quickly rewove the mask of confidence on his face.

"One of your monsters, I take it?" What kind of man would he be to get shaken at every bit of new evidence presented, after all. They would proceed, keep watch, and be ready. He motioned Ken forward, no sign of hesitation in his hands, and no tremor in his gait as he followed. Fear, like so many other things, was only good in moderation.

[ To here]]