Day 43: Sun Room, Second Shift

[arc_wrench]

When the shift changed, HK stayed put. Even after a long night of zombie killing, he had no interest in meatbag fuel, especially after all the discussion of chocolate with that rather strange meatbag. It was just making him crave the stuff even more than he had previously, if that was possible

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[thecamellia]

She’d hoped having someone to talk to had helped Endrance in the end, if only to keep him from shedding tears without anyone around, but by the time they separated for a shift change and she got her chance to peruse the bulletin board, Tsubaki felt like she was the one who needed someone to keep her from weeping.

But there was no one to talk to, no one who could change the way of it and bring the two other shinigami who’d vanished back from wherever they’d gone. No one could do anything.

The nurse seemed not to notice a difference in Tsubaki’s demeanor if she happened to be quieter than usual, as she tried not to let the loss of Matsumoto show through. The woman was more concerned in getting Tsubaki something for brunch, though in truth, Tsubaki’s appetite was still mostly absent, like it‘d been for a few days already. That’s not good, a part of her said, the pragmatic tone of the ninja that stood apart from the grief and the wariness generated by the new intercom theme. You have to keep yourself healthy. You need all your strength. But Tsubaki just didn’t have the heart to sit in the cafeteria and eat, so with a promise to snack later and eat all her dinner, she walked away with a pear.

With no destination in mind, she wandered out the cafeteria doors, turning the pear over in her hands. How could basic things like fruit be the same when everything else was so different in this world? She’d seen nothing but terrible things here. Only fellow prisoners, trapped just like she was, provided any kind of relief.

Tsubaki missed Black☆Star with a sudden vengeance, a deep, painful longing that cut to the core of her.

He might not have been able to change the fate of all the people she’d met and witnessed disappear, or the crises that had happened, but just his presence… She knew, she knew, not a thing about Landel’s Institute would break him. And she knew she had to be as strong, in her own way. She wouldn’t lose sight.

Her own tears were there, though, aching in her chest.

Without really meaning to, Tsubaki found herself lingering in the Sun Room again, noting the people present. Ah, there was that young boy she’d met, Albedo. And over there--Honey! Logically, if she’d woken up okay there should’ve no reason why Honey or Takashi wouldn‘t experience the same, but there was no reason why they would, either. Last night seemed proof of that. Even if she’d seen their bulletin board notes, relief was still visible in her expression when she’d approached. Keeping those around her safe was the least she should be able to do…

“Honey-san!” she called out behind him, honorific back in place. “Thank goodness.”

[host_club_honey]

Honey turned when his name was called, but didn't budge too far with the kitten in his lap. He gave Tsubaki a big smile though; in spite of last night, the people he cared about seemed to be alright and that was all that mattered.

"Tsubaki-chan!" he chirped up at her. The kitten gave an irritated shake of its head before jumping from his lap and running back to play with the others. It left his hands free though, and he stood up to hug Tsubaki around the waist. "I'm glad to see you too!"

[thecamellia]

Such a different sight between then and the serene atmosphere now; a smile broke over Tsubaki’s face, and she happily returned the hug, bending enough so that she could put her arms around his shoulders, one hand still holding onto the pear.

“I was worried,” said the girl. “Blacking out like that doesn’t get any easier.”

At least he’s still here this morning…

[host_club_honey]

Honey let go and picked up Usa-chan, though he still stood nearby, smiling up at Tsubaki. He climbed up onto the nearest couch and waited for her to sit too.

"Me too, but I saw almost everyone upstairs this morning. Me and Usa-chan and Takashi were so happy everyone was okay. Last night was really scary! Thanks for coming with us Tsubaki-chan." He held tightly to the stuffed toy, trying to push away the memories of last night. He didn't want to remember, even as little as he'd seen.

[thecamellia]

“Oh, really? That’s great to hear. I stayed here, so I didn’t see.” She settled into a seat beside Honey when he didn’t immediately return to the kittens. It was great to hear. It took some of the weight from her shoulders just to know that the people she’d been with were okay, and that a lot of Honey’s friends were accounted for, too.

She offered a smaller smile. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Honey wasn’t as young as he looked or acted.

“I couldn’t have left you and Takashi-san behind; it was just good luck we were all together when it happened. Is his arm okay?” Tsubaki replied. They might not have needed her to get to the roof safely in the end, but there was no use in overlooking the possibility that things could have been far worse if the three of them hadn’t been able to protect each other as they had, too. Takashi had some skill of his own, and nighttime had allowed Tsubaki the chance to access her chain scythe mode…

Usually demon weapons revealing themselves created a bit of a shock, but considering their enemies, and the variety of powers around, Tsubaki was just glad she'd been able to do a partial transformation at all.

[host_club_honey]

When Tsubaki asked about Takashi's injury, it was enough to give Honey pause. He knew his friend was pushing himself and he'd been close to looking into seeing a healer if they could find one. Takashi wouldn't come out and say anything, but even Tsubaki could tell it was bothering him.

"I hope so," he said finally. "Takashi doesn't like to tell me about things like that." It bothered him, from time to time, but ultimately, he knew Takashi wasn't going to make foolish decisions. Well, most of the time.

"I think the bulletin said there were people good at healing. I wonder if they'd help Takashi?" he pondered aloud, "Mm- but you did really well too Tsubaki-chan. I didn't know you were so brave! And your weapon, that's not something I've seen before. It's really neat!"

[thecamellia]

Ah, so it was like that. But even if it were pride or mere stubbornness they were talking about (and she knew her fair share of both), anyone with fighting experience would know the dangers of stressing injuries, so she expected now would be the time for him to get them looked at.

Especially now, with the uncertainty of the coming night.

“Mm, I know they would!” was Tsubaki’s answer, coupled with a nod. After all, why would anyone with that power be squandering it at this time, when there were wounded prisoners like Endrance’s friend needing help? “There are healers working at Tamaki-san’s clinic, isn’t there?” A tilt of her head and a dimpled half-smile, then: “You can tell Takashi-san we’d both be relieved if he got himself looked at.”

But her expression wasn’t just a response to that. She felt a little undeserving of Honey’s praise, not to mention the fact that she’d rarely met someone outside of her way of life who’d speak in the same way Honey did.

“Heh, I should be saying that to you. I’m used to being in the middle of things, being part of Shibusen. Um… it’s a special kusarigama of mine, actually. But I got the impression you’re familiar with weapons by that broom you had, too.” A champion of Judo, wasn’t he?

[host_club_honey]

"I'm not really sure," Honey answered honestly. "I haven't been able to talk with Tama-chan very much. But I think that's right." It would've been his first place to look, at the very least. He didn't know how long it might take, but he wouldn't overlook such a valuable resource. There was the chance he could bring it up at lunch, if Tamaki didn't mention it himself, but he didn't want to embarrass Takashi either.

"Hnnnn," he said thoughtfully, in response to her description of the weapon. Kusarigama weren't anything new to him, but special was putting it lightly. Honey had plenty of experience with concealing weapons, but when it seemed like the weapon was an extension of Tsubaki's own body, that was something else entirely. "My family studies lots of different styles. We have a dojo too where we teach so... so I guess I know a lot of them."

[thecamellia]

“I think a lot of people will want to check in with their friends now, so I bet you’ll see him soon,” Tsubaki suggested. It was unfortunate, but true enough: it wasn’t always easy making use of the day and getting in contact with everyone one needed to. The bulletin board wasn’t always reassuring--writing could conceal injuries and feelings. Not a great mode for friends. “My roommate seems to have connections to the clinic, too. I could ask if you like?”

Otherwise, Tsubaki had to admit she was coming up short on other ideas to help Takashi. Maybe in some ways it was presumptuous of her, but she was healthy (if not happy), whereas most people around her were suffering. She saw more sense in focussing on them than on herself. Tonight was a “sleep study” night, she hadn’t forgotten… and personally, it felt as though the disappearances were happening more and more frequently, despite any other disasters like last night’s ambush. Things were looking bad in every way.

Folding her fingers around the peach in her lap, the girl could only tilt her head inquiringly. She didn’t think Honey and the others had experience with demon weapons, so any discussion on them was bound to raise questions, but he didn’t ask anything further… Maybe he wasn’t sure what he’d seen, if he’d seen something at all. Pulling a chain and blade out of thin air wasn’t exactly a common skill, though. Was it worth bringing up herself?

Letting the matter of her nature go, Honey’s confession earned a wide-eyed blink. A dojo, huh? That was admirable. “Your family must be fairly traditional, then? Having your own dojo is impressive!” Then again, Honey had said his family was of a kind of nobility, as hers was, as well.

[host_club_honey]

"That would be really great Tsubaki-chan!" Honey nodded, bouncing slightly in his seat. If they didn't manage to bring it up at the meeting, if Tsubaki didn't mind looking into it, that would be a big help.

"I'm sure Takashi would appreciate it too. I told them I'd meet with everyone from Host Club at lunch and I don't wanna embarrass Takashi. If you don't mind asking, that would help so much!" He knew how much Takashi hated to make people worry, especially Honey, but Honey was allowed to worry about his friend once in a while!

Tsubaki didn't seem to want to say more about weapons she'd used and Honey didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he didn't press her. They'd had a rough enough night already, and he knew Tsubaki was trustworthy. If she wanted to tell him, she would. And if it wasn't something she wanted to talk about, well, that was okay too.

"Mm, the Haninozuka clan has been around for a long time. I help out there sometimes, but Chika-chan does most of it now. I'm usually busy at the Host Club. Did you learn how to use kusarigama at home too? Or at your school?" he asked, hoping that wouldn't be too much.

[thecamellia]

“It’s no problem!” And she meant it, too. Anything she could do, really. Seeing Honey brighten up like that, with that sweet smile of his and little stuffed animal was like the embodiment of what Tsubaki wanted to protect. He really had fortitude, to be looking ahead, and not dwelling on recent horrors. “If you see Takashi-san, then send him my best. Oh, and Hikaru-san and Kaoru-san, too, and that I’d like to talk to them again soon! It’s been hard to keep in touch.”

It was hard to do a lot of the things she wanted to do with the time restraints, but talking to Honey wasn’t a waste of that time at all.

Their respective families undoubtedly had their differences, but she wondered what it was like for them, Honey‘s family. She wondered about her friends and comrades at Shibusen, too, but there had always been a tangible lack of pressure when it came to divulging personal information. The things they talked about while they hung out, or talked in class, or went on extracurricular assignments were more often than not about everything but family life or past circumstances. Of course the teachers did their background checks, but otherwise… there was no need to know. What mattered came from actions, from the present. Being at Landel‘s was… different. A loss of freedom seemed to bring personal details into conversations, not that Tsubaki felt she needed to outright dodge or lie in what she said, even if others did.

Still, Tsubaki wasn’t sure if she should ask if that meant Chika was set to eventually become the heir to the family, and not Honey. Part of her uncertainty came from her own past, she knew that.

When it came to Honey’s questions, however, she had no qualms about answering. After all, he seemed more open-minded than most, considering everything she’d already mentioned. Their individual interests in Japanese fighting techniques gave them some common ground on top of that. “Sort of,” Tsubaki began to answer, deciding to leave her own questions alone. “Do you know about demon weapons?”

[host_club_honey]

"I will," Honey promised. As far as he could tell, the twins really liked Tsubaki too, so they should be happy to hear from her. If they didn't manage to pester her before lunch anyway.

Honey was glad to see that she didn't mind answering some questions about herself, but demon weapons? Honey's face scrunched in thought as he tried to recall anything of the sort. "Umm, I know about some of the famous Japanese weapons, like Okazaki Masamune's... they're supposed to be really good. But I don't think I've ever heard of any called demon weapons. What are they like?"

[thecamellia]

Okazaki… Masamune? A part of her clung to the forename for a moment, a little caught off guard by the similarity to her brother’s name, while the rest of her recognized that Honey was talking about someone completely different, a Japanese weapon smith. Little in common with demon weapons…

Once she’d realized she’d paused for a second too long, Tsubaki shook herself with a small sound of sheepishness. This might be confusing enough for Honey without her getting sidetracked. “Well, demon weapons are different from regular weapons. You see… they’re human,” Tsubaki explained. “Not everybody knows about their existence, but there are some people who’re born a bit special… they can transform themselves into different shapes, usually a type of weapon. Some can transform into guns, and others into knives… it’s an ability they grow into. Otherwise, they look just like regular people. That’s what you saw, if you thought my having a chain scythe all of a sudden last night was strange--it’s my other form. I can only transform part of my body while I’m here, but I’ve never really had to study kusarigama because the one I used is a part of me, like another limb, if that makes sense.”

It was probably a bit much to take in if a person hadn’t considered the possibility before.

[host_club_honey]

Tsubaki hesitated for a second or two; was it because the name was familiar? Or was she just lost in thought? Whatever it was, it passed quickly and then explained.

While there were a lot of people who claimed to have powers or other super natural abilities, he hadn't met very many who actually did. It sounded like something right out of anime or manga. But Tsubaki was totally serious! How did one react to news like that?

"That's really amazing!" Honey replied, almost on the edge of his seat. He meant every word. If anyone in his clan had that sort of ability, well, he could only imagine how things might change.

"I bet that makes you really important to a lot of people! Protecting people is a great thing to be able to do, but being a real weapon yourself, that's just even more incredible! I think I would get dizzy though..." Honey trailed off, wondering just what it might be light to be swung around like a sword or a shuriken.

[thecamellia]

Giving a sweet, unassuming smile, Tsubaki responded to his pep with a laugh.

She didn’t see why an unsuspecting someone would react poorly to news of a demon weapon’s true nature, but everyone was different and had their own reasons. Honey’s positive reaction made her glad, though.

But important? In all likelihood, Honey had no idea that the Nakatsukasas were held in higher esteem more than any other clan, that technically she was supposed to be a standout weapon for her unique possession of multi-modes. That little detail… she could keep that to herself with no harm or foul. Tsubaki didn’t think it would make a difference, either way. What did it matter?

“Mm, demon weapons tend to surpass normal kinds, so I think they have more responsibility on their shoulders when choosing what to do with themselves. A lot of good can come out of a demon weapon used for the right reasons,“ Tsubaki agreed whole-heartedly. That wasn’t to say those who could fight should, that path wasn’t always right for everyone. Then there were the weapons who fought, but for the wrong reasons… Looking down at Honey, Tsubaki let her smile grow. “You’re amazing, too! You don’t have to be a demon weapon to be able to protect people. In fact, I know humans who are so powerful, they don’t need to use a weapon.”

[host_club_honey]

It was good to hear Tsubaki laugh. Thinking on it, that was probably the first time he'd actually heard it. He had plenty of experience with catering to girls' wants and needs, but when one of them gave him a genuine smile, well, it was always well worth it.

"Mm, so then, someone else uses the demon weapons? What are the right reasons? Are there bad guys that um that Tsubaki-chan has to fight that can only be hurt by demon weapons?" he asked with a curious tilt of his head. At her praise though, he smiled too, giggling and blushing with pride.

"I try really hard! Well, not all the time, but I used to train a lot. I didn't always think it was useful, but I'm glad I can try to protect people here."