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]

Comments

[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.

[To here]