Day 17: Music Room

[last_roivas]

Sighing to herself as the nurse herded her into the music room, Alex resisted the urge to rub her temples. Eventually she knew she was going to have to check Skadi's memories to see just what she had been up to, but she had a feeling doing that right now would just make her headache worse. That would teach her not to be specific when she told

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[syringes]

Hojo couldn't say he was particularly comfortable with being shuttled around, but he was a bit too unnerved to put up much resistance at the moment. When he was deposited in the music room he quickly and quietly found an out of the way corner, sitting and rubbing his neck absently. His throat was slightly red still, though he was somewhat grateful no one had noticed(or if they had, no one had commented). The fewer people he had to make excuses to, the better.

[thermal_shift]

He'd tucked a few pieces of fruit away into his sweater pockets before he was shuffled off to the music room. He frowned slightly as he pause just inside the door. Something about the music was different, he couldn't put his finger on it. Feeling unsettled by the not quite comfortable noise he looked around. He spotted the dark haired woman from the other day and Hojo first off, then Alex. Alex appeared to be busy talking to someone so he retreated to an out of the way chair near the scientist and sat down, rubbing lightly at one temple.

[syringes]

Mrr? Hojo glanced up, frowning a little when he saw that Ashi had decided to settle near him. Perhaps he'd keep to himself... the scientist was feeling far less sociable than usual, not that that was at all surprising given the circumstances. He turned his head, facing the room again, his expression blank.

[thermal_shift]

He glanced over when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and saw Hojo looking away. "Are you doing alright, Aleksandr?" He didn't think Skadi had been annoyed enough to damage more then the man's pride, but it couldn't hurt to show a bit of concern.

[syringes]

"I've been better," he said, voice sort of flat and, if not emotionless, then a bit resigned. He wasn't ready to give up, not just yet, but dealing with Skadi made him tired. He leaned on the wall a bit more, eyes half-lidding. Maybe he could go back to sleep.

[last_roivas]

I wouldn't recommend it pet. Not until there are more then just a few people in here. If you sleep now you'll likely draw the attention of the staff, and I don't think you want that. Now play nice, Ashi is only looking out for your health. Stirring slowly from the place she had hidden herself, Skadi uncoiled back to what was becoming her familiar place in Hojo's mind, making herself comfortable and staking her claim just that bit more firmly.

[thermal_shift]

He sighed a little, leaning over in his chair to get a closer look at the man. "It wouldn't bee so bad if you didn't push at her temper you know. She's really not that hard to get along with."

[syringes]

A slight scowl tugged at Hojo's face, though he let his eyes finish closing all the way. Even if he didn't sleep, he didn't want to deal with the rest of the room. It's true, he said flatly. I have been better.

He didn't look at Ashi even as he spoke to him. "I might make an effort to get along with her if she didn't seem so determined to be unbearable."

[last_roivas]

You have been worse as well. Stop pitying yourself, you're stronger then that. Honestly pet, I wouldn't have wasted my time on you if didn't know you were better then you've been acting. Finding and digging that potential out was becoming a pain though. As contrary as he was behaving, if she didn't know what she did from picking though his mind while he slept, she would run quickly out of patience.

Sending out a small tendril to Ashi to let him know she was again here, she sent along a faint sense of amusement as well. Stubborn snarly little thing isn't he.

[thermal_shift]

"Define unbearable? I can't exactly listen in on the conversations you two have, you know." After a careful glance around the room he rose and nudged his chair over closer to Hojo's. It was generally better if one could keep their voice low in public areas.

He stifled a slight smile, sending warmth back along with his words. Quite, but one gets the impression he could be quite engaging if he put any effort into it.

[syringes]

"I don't feel inclined to discuss it," he said, opening one eye a bit and peering at Ashi as he moved closer. Have I been worse? I can't recall any situations that were less desirable than being stuck in some bizarre mental hospital with a voice in my head that seems hell-bent on driving me insane. His tone was quite sarcastic, so it was fairly obvious that he was just sulking. He figured he was justified, though.

[last_roivas]

You wouldn't recall them, though Vincent would. For you they haven't happened yet, but better here with a chance to escape and start fresh, then progressing in your world only to end up mad, inhuman, and dead. She deliberately let slip a few images of what the future held in store for him in a kaleidoscope of fragments as though they had slipped past her shields. Honestly, the future for him really wasn't pretty at all, she didn't even have to go hunting for the worst images, just pick the ones closest to the end when things got the most out of control.

Skadi gave the equivalent of a mental snort of amusement as she replied to Ashi. More like if he felt it was worth his time and effort. He is much like me in that way. He isn't fond of people, let alone either of us, which hardly makes him want to be pleasant company. Eventually, I'll work on that.

[thermal_shift]

"I'm hardly asking for details, but a general idea of what's going on might not be bad. I might be able to suggest alternative on some things. If you're fine with them as they stand though…." He rolled one shoulder in a shrug.

Hmm. I'm sure that once he's had a bit more time here he'll start thinking of allies as being a bit more worth his time and effort, but there's little enough help for it now I suppose. Ashi couldn't help the urge to do a bit of teasing though, sending a further brush of warmth with the words to show they weren't serious. Not fond of people and like you. Does this mean you don't like me any more? The mock pout behind the words was almost audible.

[syringes]

"She seems convinced I'm some sort of cat," he said, shutting his eye again. "She seems to like you; see if you can't talk some sense into her."

He had to admit, the few images she'd dropped into his mind were a bit... disturbing. It was worse with no context for them, though the fact that they were supposedly from his future made him more than a bit dubious. He'd never been one to believe in destiny, after all, and even if he did how in the world should she know how it was supposedly going to play out?

It seemed that the notion of different timelines either hadn't occurred to him or had been dismissed.

[last_roivas]

After a brief moment of what would have been confused sputtering if Skadi was anyone else, she simply answered back, Your different. Which was really true. Ashi was unique as far as she was concerned, since she remembered what she used to feel about him, and she tried to treat him the same was she would have once, even though he knew she wasn't the same person anymore. She guessed it just seemed right somehow, and didn't question it any further.

Moments later, she snickered. I think he has that backwards. Technically the body I was using was the cat, or half-cat, but I don't think of him as one. He's a pet, not a cat. Though cats can be pets, the reverse doesn't follow. Foolish human. There was a hint of a strange fondness to her voice, though so hidden that you could believe you were just imagining things.

Even that hint though, was carefully erased before she spoke to Hojo again. It isn't destiny when it has already happened. Someone simply reached into the time stream and plucked you out before you had lived up to the point of

[thermal_shift]

He smiled, already hearing her reply. "I'll see what I can do, thought it will likely go better if you're willing to compromise with her at least a little. "

I'm flattered you think so. A new wash of warmth was sent toward her. Your good regard means a great deal to me.

Well, you did say he was like you and he does have the cool haughtiness for it. And just as likely to spit and bite and lay down and refuse to move when you put him on a leash. He nearly chuckled at the mental image of a tailed and furry scientist hissing and swatting at a leash clipped to his collar.