Day 22: Shift 3, Library

[rage8]

Saïx had been known to keep to himself, limiting his interaction with even his own peers in the Organization to the Superior as much as possible. Of course, he gladly took up the task of chasing a few, random traitors here and there, but solitude and the company of those whom could be considered competent was something Number VII almost took

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[to_blood_bound]

The very first thing that ran through Alphonse’s mind after brunch -- indeed, the only thing that had been running through his mind all the while -- was that he had to find Edward. He had to find Brother because it already felt like he’d been away from him for months on end even if it had only really been a few hours... A few hours and he had his body back.

A few hours and he’d just had a gigantic meal. It had been amazing, and he was currently dealing with the consequences: a stomach-ache about as gigantic as the meal itself. Too much, too fast -- what he usually warned Brother about. Though, as he moved towards the library (if he had to pick a spot the both of them were always drawn to, it would be a library), he found himself giving some credit to Brother. When you were that hungry, and the food looked that good... and you hadn’t eaten in forever and now you had an enormous stomach ache and

[somekinda_lady]

This was Tifa's first day at Landel's, so she really didn't know where she should go. Her nurse beamed and escorted her to the library.

Great.

The last thing Tifa needed was to be alone with her thoughts - her gut was already twisting at the thought of Cloud disappearing in a place like this. But she still had so many questions. What kinds of creatures hurt her friends? How had they even ended up here?

Her brain was going to explode. Tifa decided to distract herself with some idle conversation. Her eyes roamed the library and fell on a young boy, and suddenly her heart twisted. He looked so innocent, and the thought that he might end up in bandages like her friends...

She immediately decided to go over to him, a pleasant, friendly smile on her face. "Hi. I hope you don't mind me coming over to talk to you - my name's Tifa."

[to_blood_bound]

When Tifa reached Alphonse, he had been glancing over a particularly colorful-looking section. One spine bore the letters Tales of Mother Goose, another the name "Hans Christian Andersen." When he read the next spine, Alphonse suddenly stopped, his eyes taking in the letters more slowly. They seemed familiar and yet strangely out of place, like he should not be encountering them out here-- Out here, whatever that meant. The Brothers Gr--

Alphonse's heart leapt as the sound of a voice behind him broke into his thoughts. All at once he remembered his stomach ache, though he was quick to turn around. Recovering from his momentary shock, he returned her friendly smile with one of his own. "Nice to meet you! I'm Alphonse." And, well, maybe it was good to mention, "I just woke up here," though he didn't sound as worried and confused as he had earlier.

[somekinda_lady]

Tifa certainly didn't mean to shock the boy in any way, so she gave a warm, reassuring smile. He seemed to get over the shock quickly enough, which was a good sign, and introduced himself.

"I just woke up here, too," Tifa said. While she still wasn't entirely sure how things worked around here, she'd heard and seen enough to put her on guard. It would probably be best to warn the boy so he would be prepared. "I did manage to get some information, though."

She decided to wait to see how much he knew, if he knew anything, before providing her own information. Besides, she didn't want to startle or frighten him. Best to take it one step at a time.

[to_blood_bound]

"Oh, you too." A soft, momentary frown accompanied his words.

"I've heard some things too." Suffice to say, "It doesn't sound very safe...especially at night."

The rapid progression of how he felt about it all had been a strange one. He'd gone from hopeless resignation, to acute confusion, to sudden hopefulness-- to, well, unease. And all in the space of no more than an hour or two. Where was Brother? He was here!, and that was more than Al could've ever hoped for, more than he could've even fathomed this morning, but hadn't Lust said something about people coming and going unexpectedly. People being here and well one moment and then-- Gone? What if that was Ed? What if Alphonse had come too late

[somekinda_lady]

Tifa nodded. "I saw a few of my friends - they looked pretty beat up, and they're the toughest people I know."

She was about to ask if he'd seen any familiar faces, or if he's seen a certain Chocobo-haired man, but was distracted when Al suddenly looked ill. Concerned, Tifa laid a hand on his shoulder. She wasn't fooled, and the concern was very evident in her eyes.

Her nurse had told her that she was free to wander certain areas in the Institute - one being a courtyard. This suddenly sounded like a good idea, and also a good way to gain an understanding of the layout.

She gave a small smile to Al. He really was kind of adorable. "I have a better idea. Why don't we get some fresh air? It'll probably do us both good." If he was feeling a little sick, it would help him feel better.

[to_blood_bound]

Al frowned, looking quite openly worried. About her friends, and about... his. Or anyway the friends he was going to make here, and about the people he cared about that already were here (he had to find them!). And about, of course, Brother.

Her voice was soon calling his thoughts back, though. "We can go outside?" Al offered a warm smile. That would give him an idea of their surroundings too, maybe, plus... he suspected the trees, the grass, the sky, a breeze-- they'd all feel just a little bit different now. So he pushed himself to a stand, having rested just long enough to manage. His eyes, momentarily, glanced back at the book he'd earlier glimpsed. The Brothers Grimm. Unfamiliar, and yet-- Some tendrdil of some thought picked up in the back of his mind, then lay still again. "Okay!" and he was brightly smiling again. "That would be really nice."

[somekinda_lady]

[heading on outside now!]