Night 52: M-A Block Hallway

[boketa]

[From here]"Hmmm..." Goku walked down the hallway with short steps, stubby arms crossed over his chest, as he wandered down the dismally dark corridor that seemed to just continue on forever. This was where he had met Spock last night, but he couldn't really sense anyone else in the hall with him. He took another sniff, but decided to just keep

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[neuepolitik]

Yes, the intercom announcement had put Ludwig on edge, and the shadows had done even more in that regard. He didn't like things he couldn't understand, and the fact that they were maddeningly elusive only made things worse for him. And there were so many other nations here, potentially facing dangers of their own... it was frustrating. But he had a task to complete, and he'd do it. Whether Austria liked it or not.

The young nation- almost impossibly- straightened up further than he had. Perhaps Austria didn't respect him. Perhaps he didn't trust him. Perhaps, even, he didn't want Ludwig around. But Ludwig wasn't going to play this game any longer. Austria was too important to him, and he was going to make sure that Roderich stayed safe. At least for tonight, at least until he had a better grasp of the situation and could protect himself.

Which meant that he firmly announced, "Yes, always! I am the Federal Republic of Germany, and I always protect my allies! Perhaps you don't remember making it, perhaps you haven't made them yet, but that doesn't mean they are any less binding for me. I will protect you from the monsters here, even if you would prefer not to have my company!"

[composers]

For a moment Austria was distracted by something he'd caught from the corner of his eye, but when he turned to confirm its existence he quickly discovered there was nothing. The lights must have been playing tricks, flickering and giving off the illusion that shadows were being cast. If the doctor's intent had been to raise everyone's anxiety then it may have been effective for at least a few of the weaker-minded patients. Yet he wasn't given a chance to wonder, as his attention was immediately directed back to the other man the moment he answered.

Having expected another pitiful attempt to coerce him, the aristocrat was caught off guard when the blond suddenly announced his intent. If anything, the man could certainly make for a good authoritative figure if he wanted. But stubbornness couldn't be respected when half the man's words were lies, unless 'Ludwig' truly believed he was who he claimed to be. Maybe he was 'brainwashed' or whatever the term was, but that led to other worries.

Zack had been adamant to convince him that the institute wasn't what it initially seemed to be. If there was any truth to the patient's words, and if they were all in some kind of danger regardless if they were in sound of mind, it may have been detrimental to remain in someone's company. For whatever reason, the man before him was determined to protect him, offering him this even after he refused to believe a word he said. Austria couldn't bring himself to trust him, but until the latter proved to be more dangerous in his presence he simply couldn't turn down a chance for safety.

In the end, he gave 'Ludwig' a stern look, before glancing over to the nearby door.

"In that is the case then I'd rather not waste any more time. Let us be on our way."

[neuepolitik]

That was... rather easier than Ludwig had anticipated. He'd expected a flat denial and some highbrow berating in the bargain, as Austria was quite adept at giving it out. But instead, after that stern expression, he just... agreed with him. It left the younger nation speechless- he'd been keyed up for a long argument and perhaps dogged perseverance, and so the sudden agreement knocked the wind out of his sails.

But perhaps that was for the best. This way they could both move more quickly. "Yes... very well. I'll lead the way." And with that, he took the lead, going out from the hallway and into the proper channel. He knew where Prussia was going to wait, and that... that was another argument he feared wouldn't end so amicably.

((To here.))