Nightshift 40: F-A Block Hallway

[jokers_wildcard]

[from here]

Harley clicked on her flashlight and checked back and forth as she usually did. All clear. Alright-e-o! She moved as quickly as she could down the hallway. No monsters and no other people yet. She knew that changed pretty quickly around here so best to get a move on.

[to here]

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[thecamellia]

That had been fast! And they’d managed to find each other without trouble.

“It’s all right to call me Tsubaki,” she said, a hesitant smile on her lips, before bowing with hands clasped in front of her. “It’s nice to meet you.” It could be a little bumpy, all these sudden meetings between people with unknown skills and temperaments, but that was unfortunately just part of the challenge. It was nicer to be on friendly terms with allies… That wasn’t always possible, though. Still, the use of her family name was so formal in close quarters.

Despite having met and seen a lot of people native to Japan--which had encouraged her to automatically start using honorifics again and cover her bases--there was always the distinct possibility that Ophelia wasn’t from a place that put less emphasis on name order, and was only following the bulletin board.

“I’m sorry, the suddenness might partly be my fault. I was planning to search for a specific tree, and Hinamori-san thought to pair us together,” Tsubaki continued. The explanation was only fair, considering Tsubaki’s personal needs seemed to be affecting other people more than they should. At least in her mind. As for that night’s mission… the Head Doctor hadn’t said anything about the experimentation, only the Special Counselling, seemingly confirming people’s general opinion that the two switched depending on the night. Guilt still lingered over (what felt like) turning her back on the victims. But now that it was nightfall, and she was standing there facing Ophelia, she knew more than ever not to let her priorities confuse themselves. Her own tone was resolute when she said, “Have you explored any of the eastern grounds, Ophelia-san? There’s a forest that way. Since the outside isn’t well known yet, we can head in that direction and scope out what we can to get a better idea of what‘s out there. Is that okay with you?”

[shallweplay]

"Ah, so you do have a simpler name, then," Ophelia remarked. That would at least make one thing easier during the night, at least. "'Ophelia' is the only name I have, so you can stick with that. Pleasure." It was clear that the warrior wasn't entirely keen on getting too friendly with new people right away, but that she was at least willing to be polite for the sake of working together.

She listened to Tsubaki describe their objective. Though she wasn't entirely sure what finding the tree in question would achieve, it would at least serve her purposes. Chances were, the team of assassins would not be heading outdoors, and the change of scenery would likely help to clear her mind somewhat. Besides, she had to admit, she had been missing the wilderness quite a bit since being dragged away from her home world.

She nodded when the girl was finished. "That is acceptable," she responded, moving away from the wall. "Though I must ask: what exactly is the significance of this tree you wanted to search for?"

[thecamellia]

"All right, I will." Tsubaki gave a smile. "It's my first name, while 'Nakatsukasa' is my family name," she clarified further. "And I'm trying to collect all the materials I'd need for an alchemist to create a weapon. I can't think of any sources of good wood inside."

Maybe things would work out well that night? If she managed to find alder or something similar, she could try to take extra to share, and perhaps Ophelia could use some herself. It was practical to go for an all-metal weapon, but Tsubaki's best choices involved more materials, if she was trying to copy one of her own forms.

Then there was the forest, itself. At this point, almost anything could be out there.

"Since we'll be working together, do you have any preferences when working with a partner?" she asked, just in case there was something that needed to be brought up before they got on their way. "I'm trained in ninja arts, so I can move rather quickly in the dark and provide what support I can."

[shallweplay]

Ophelia raised an eyebrow at that. "Oh, and what might you be trying to create that requires such quality wood?" she asked. She wasn't entirely fond of wood in weapons, but then, she specialized in heavy blades. Perhaps this girl used a bow or something similar that required flexibility?

The warrior shook her head and shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I'll admit, I'm not used to being the follower when working with others. I come from a military-esque organization, where I was highly ranked and usually in charge of group missions," she explained. Though she didn't feel entirely like her old self, she still couldn't help but let some of her former pride seep into her tone when she spoke of her rank in the Organization. She had worked hard and killed many, many things in order to achieve that rank. If only those two damnable women . . . Ophelia clenched her hand around the broken recorder that she had brought along with her.

She continued grudgingly. "But I take it that you know more about where we're headed than I do, and you have also been part of the club for longer, I presume. I'm willing to accept, if not a follower status, then at least being equals with you. As for my skills, I specialize in rapid, heavy offence. I prefer the use of a claymore sword in battle, but seeing as I am without one-" For now, she thought as she held up the broken and sharpened recorder end "-I will have to rely mainly on quick, stealthy movements and smaller implements as well for the time being. I am also slightly faster and stronger than the average human being, though here not nearly to the degree I was in my home world." She admitted the last part even more grudgingly, memories of the rush from the previous night's Special Counselling surfacing in her mind again.

[thecamellia]

Yes, she could see why so many organizations had appeared rather than one combined effort, even if she didn't understand it personally. The problems of different personalities and different ideas in leadership were amplified when everyone was under such stress--taking orders from strangers took a lot of cooperation. That didn't always come naturally at the best of times.

Tsubaki had no desire to draw a line between leader and follower, and Ophelia gave off the impression of being both independent and competent. She didn't doubt the woman's words. The frustration that came with having to accept what the Institute had done to them was also readily apparent, but... the place couldn't take away everything. Ophelia was probably as prepared as most could be for any trouble they'd run into. A claymore wasn't exactly an easy weapon to wield, at that.

"Just a small ninja blade for close combat. The handle is usually wood," she answered. Traditional, man-made Japanese weapons, anyway. Although arguably of less use than demon weapons, she had her fair share of experience with them. And in paired work. Before she continued, Tsubaki moved into a respectful bow. "I don't expect to be taken as a leader, only that our battle experience will hopefully complement each other's." It was true that in human form, any superiority in experience she had might just apply to what she'd seen of the thick forest. She straightened and added, "This will be my second time heading that way, and my second official club assignment, so I can't say I know a lot about the Arts and Crafts group." Whether or not Ophelia was going to be a regular member like Sora wasn't for her to guess. It sounded like she'd be an asset to any team, though... "Which way do you think we should leave? Last time we climbed the wall by the greenhouse, but it's hard to say where any traps might be."

She only hesitated on the word 'traps' a little. Tsubaki hadn't had any run-ins with the people involved in Special Counselling, but they were going to be turned against the other prisoners, weren't they...?

[shallweplay]

The Claymore was surprised and slightly annoyed to hear that the girl was not much more experienced in the club than she was, nor was she really leader material. Though working with Tsubaki as a normal partner was at least preferable to working as her subordinate, Ophelia still would have much preferred to be the leader as usual. The more considerate, less decisive people were typically the filler warriors on expeditions that she had lead in the past, and she was already tempted to start treating Tsubaki as such. It took a combination of conscious effort and humble pie from the previous night to hold her feelings back on that matter.

"I'm sure we'll complement each other well enough," said Ophelia, keeping her tone as level as she could (though a slight frustrated waver could still be heard faintly). "And I haven't been out that way before, so we might as well go for the established route first. If that proves impassable or dangerous, then we'll worry about an alternate exit point." She paused, then remembered to add, "Sound all right?" to keep her statement from sounding too much like an order.

Needless to say, Ophelia didn't feel the need to elaborate much on her opinion of certain types of traps and guards.

[thecamellia]

She could only give a smile that was born from the gravity of professionalism, not from the ease of a friendly conversation with no expectations. This had become a mission beyond wood-gathering, after all, and no matter what deficits Tsubaki had, she’d do everything she could to see it through and have both of them come out safely by the morning.

Rather than lingering on what went unsaid, Tsubaki nodded. “I agree.”

Entering into any kind of combat in her human form was far less reliable than if she’d been able to partner with someone like Ophelia as a demon weapon, but avoiding what threats they could was key, and taking a route inside the building at least meant some familiarity with their surroundings. ‘Patients’ walked the same halls day after day.

When, with a silent shift in tone, the introductions seemed to be at their end, she made a different, more pointed nod to Ophelia and began moving towards the exit with the other woman.

[shallweplay]

Satisfied with the plan as it stood (as much as she could be, at least), Ophelia nodded in return and made for the door as well.

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