Day 29: Courtyard

[traitors_smile]

Though he hadn't been able to stomach much of the cafeteria food, as the day went on, he did feel marginally better.  The fever seemed to have broken and he'd held down what little he'd eaten.  It made him a little anxious, to sit around so much, and even if it was difficult, a walk outside sounded like a nice break from the usual.  He had no

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[screwthegods]

Visitors. The thought was rather frightening, especially to a man who knew firsthand that this place could bring back the dead. But Homura wasn't one of the ones called, so for the moment at least, he had escaped the torture. It left him in a strange position, however. It was rare that the demi-god had no plans during the day, and for now he decided to take advantage of it. Homura was certainly no stranger to keeping his own company, after all

[whiteychan]

The idea of visitors hadn't pleased the small captain. He knew exactly who Martin Landel would have brought to toy with his mind, and he didn't want to have to deal with that. Thankfully his name hadn't been called during this shift.

He walked out into the courtyard and skimmed those who had already gathered here. He would have liked to have just taken a nap during this free shift, but there was still too much work to be done. It had been a while since he had gotten the opportunity to just rest under a tree for a while...instead there was always work to be done.

Like right now.

He spotted Homura and approached him in the typical quiet manner that all the shinigami captains seemed to use. "Homura," he said as he approached. "We need to talk." Need was definitely the right word for this case. If he had any other choice, he would have left the god alone, but what Kenshin had told him needed to be addressed. If other groups were forming with the same goals, they should be united.

[screwthegods]

Ah, so much for free time. Still, Hitsugaya certainly would make a pleasant diversion. Homura was well aware that the little shinigami lost no love for him, and those were often the best types to toy with. The boy's seriousness was met with a grin, smugness meant to cover the thoughts that the demi-god quickly pushed to the back of his mind.

Homura had made no connection with Hitsugaya, and felt no need to share certain things with him. It was as simple as that.

"It must be something rather pressing, if you're seeking me out." Homura moved a hand to his hip, looking down at the Captain. "Yes?"

[whiteychan]

So much like Ichimaru. So smug and self-important. He hated that, but there was no reason to let that show. He was, as often as one person could be, a rational man, and this was a rational discussion. Still, he'd be straight and to the point.

"I understand you've formed a group, a 'history club,' from what Himura-san informed me. I'd like to know what you're planning with this club? Are you intending to keep it just your small team, or were you thinking of expanding?"

[tsunagari]

[I had a sudden need for an overabundance of fake smiling. I hope you don't mind.]

The courtyard was still fairly empty when Sai was led out to it. He didn't know why his nurse continually insisted that it didn't look like he received enough fresh air and sunshine. He'd had plenty of that back in Konoha. He supposed it had something to do with the pale complexion, he supposed. He had done a fair amount of work at night. At least she hadn't rubbed him down with suntan lotion this time around. The oil had kept rubbing off on everything before

[traitors_smile]

[[not at all ^^]]

Gin's smile widened slightly as the boy approached. It was friendly, or ought to seem as such. He recalled their meeting a few days back easily, his memory sharp. It had to be. "Sai-kun," he returned, nodding as the youth approached.

"You seem t'be doin' alright for y'self," he commented. The last time they'd met, Sai had been new; hadn't believed much of what he'd said. Perhaps now his opinion had changed a bit.

[tsunagari]

"For the most part," Sai answered, returning the nod. He stepped up beside the other man, falling into the same pace. It wasn't a very brisk pace, he noticed. "What injuries I've received since arriving have healed by now." And he hadn't even gotten any the previous night, thanks to the temporary return of his abilities. The difference in level of power hadn't even felt as great until he'd woken again the next morning. He didn't need to become so comfortable.

"I haven't spoken to you in some time," he went on, getting right to the point. "Are you and Sasuke-kun still allies?"

[traitors_smile]

"Best t'keep it that way," he advised. Not that either of them had a lot of control over it. But if he'd done well enough to stay as healthy as he was, then he was probably on the right track. A little like Cloud in that regard at least.

"Can't say I really heard much from him since last we talked," Gin admitted. He remembered the conversation he'd had with the two boys easily. Not much had changed for him since, unfortunately. At least, not much that would change any sort of unspoken alliance they might have. "So unless somethin's changed on his end, I'd figure we're still doin' alright, ne?"

[notmyfather]

The Courtyard was the closest thing to anywhere familiar that Valyn had found in this place. It reminded him of the gardens back home, if less elegant and expansive. It was still a relaxing, pretty place.

And ancestors knew he needed to relax. His nerves were up again, as they tended to be when he was faced once more with how completely hopeless their situation was.

And he couldn't make Shadow understand. It frustrated him that his cousin couldn't seem to grasp that it was impossible to compare this place and these adversaries to anything they knew. Oh, Valyn knew he'd done the same in the beginning, and that Shadow would realize, but...

He shouldn't have to learn the way I did.

At least it took his mind off of Shana. That was something he had no desire to deal with any time soon. Sighing, the young elven lord stretched out on a bench and folded his hands behind his head.

At least he could rest some.

[black_ageha]

[ ooc: let me know if I'm bothering and I can go away ^__^ ]

The nurses arrived after the intercom announcement to escort some of the patients away for their visitors. It didn't surprise Kikyo that none came for him. Everyone he ever loved was dead - or wished him so. Though with a cold smile he realized that he too, should be counted amongst the dead. Aimless were his days since arriving here, haunted eyes seeking out that which he could not have, and never will.

He lingered still, and for no other reason than to be at the mercy of an unseen voice. Prisoners, all of them, sport for the idle minds that kept them here.

But even then, they had brief moments of 'freedom,' if it could be called such. Like taunting bits of false hope, dealt sparingly from their keeper's wicked hands.

Kikyo's feet took him to the courtyard, and he walked among the golden red trees that smelled like autumn. He paused at the base of a maple to gaze at the foliage, fingering the back of a bench beside it without realizing that it was occupied.

[notmyfather]

Valyn watched the patient who stood over him, deciding they - he was slightly unsure whether it be man or woman - very much lost in their own thoughts. He realized he was taking up all of the bench, however, and sat up. The bandages were gone from his throat, leaving an angry red gash that was newly healed.

The elven lord felt as though perhaps he should say something. Lacking the particular social grace of striking up a conversation, he simple cleared his throat - in case his sudden movement hadn't been enough to announce his presence.

[black_ageha]

The fingers on the bench were withdrawn instinctively as Kikyo saw someone stir from the corner of his eye. He turned his gaze, arching a curious eyebrow at the stranger.

It was rather uncharacteristic of Kikyo to be so unaware of his surroundings that another's presence should surprise him. Perhaps he was getting careless in his afterlife.

Had he known that he was being confused for a female for the third time since his arrival here, he may have found it mildly amusing. But as it was, he could only observe the outer impressions of the bench's occupant. He was a pale and handsome thing, despite an injury that marred his skin.

Kikyo spoke, his voice decidedly male, low and melodic.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to intrude upon your privacy."

[meironohosoku]

At the word 'snacks', Hanyuu had almost been certain that she would opt to stay in the cafeteria following the brunch. Unfortunately, she quickly discovered that her idea of snacks differed from the hospital staff. She had immediately thought of sweets: cookies, muffins, or, she could hope, cream puffs. But, no such luck. Thus, after a little more thinking, she found herself in the Courtyard.

It seemed to be a little chilly, but now that she knew Rika was alive and well (or at least as well as one could be while confined here), she wasn't as unsettled with the cooler weather.

Taking a deep breath, the former spirit took a seat on a bench near the pond. It was difficult to believe that something so serene could be part of the hospital, but Hanyuu couldn't deny being somewhat grateful. For the moment, perhaps she could try to forget about the terrors this place had to offer.

[full_score]

Well, bunch had been kind of...strange, to say the least. Claude still felt stunned from everything. He wasn't sure how to really feel about what Ashton had told him. Granted, it was all stuff he'd at least kind of suspected, but the thought of Dias and Ashton together was a little tough to take

[meironohosoku]

It would seem that Hanyuu hadn't been the only one to think of spending her time in the cafeteria. But, unlike her, it didn't seem Rika minded the offered foods-- if the sudden taste she got was any indication, at least. Even though she would have much preferred something sweeter, Hanyuu couldn't help but think that the food was pretty good... At least it wasn't spicy.

The familiarity of that connection coupled with the mildly relaxing atmosphere of the Courtyard, helped her momentarily forget about her physical form. So, when a man she didn't recognize approached and spoke, it took her a few seconds to realize he must've been speaking to her. Once that realization hit, however, Hanyuu started slightly and cast a quick look around just to make sure.

"Ah, y-yes, it is!" the former spirit said, quickly turning back to the blond. "I was, um... I-I was a little surprised that they would let us come outside at all."

[full_score]

Claude hadn't meant to startle the poor girl, and he looked a little sheepish as he scratched the back of his head. But she didn't seem to be telling him to go away, so he figured he'd stick around a little bit. There was nothing like friendly chatter to make for a nice distraction, right?

"Yeah, it is kind of weird, isn't it?" Claude said with a thoughtful frown. "I mean, there was the field trip yesterday, but that was almost like a trap, with the way they had us get here after dark." Everyone had been clawing to get back inside the institute. He still couldn't get over the cruel irony behind that.

"I guess it's best to enjoy the fresh air when we can," he added, smiling a little now. "Though I'm certain there will come a time when we can escape and go outside whenever we'd like."

[0bnoxious]

The choice of rooms to waste the rest of his day in didn't really make much of a difference to Albel. They were all equally boring, were filled with scum and all he would do was sitting around and wait for the stupid shift to end. He had eventually picked the courtyard, though he didn't really know why.

He finally plopped down on some bench and proceeded to look bored. At least he hadn't been dragged to this visitor shift, and it would hopefully stay that way. The Elicoorian had no desire to see that old coot again, especially not here. Thinking about the hassle last week was enough to aggravate him.

[vessavana]

It was as if he had been asleep for months. As Kunzite walked, almost aimlessly, out into the courtyard, the sleep that still clung to him peeled away, and all to miserably he realized that, no, his being brought to this...building was no dream. He saw Mercury, fought briefly alongside a blond female, and found his powers diminished, his weaponry gone, perhaps taken. The usual rage that tended to fill his being was replaced with concern; he needed answers, yet knew not where to find them.

As his mind pondered the next step he needed to take, his feet, clod in worn and no doubt used slippers, dragged him toward one of a number of benches in the courtyard. He took a seat, stretching his arms along the back as he stared up into the sky in deep contemplation, quietly taking notice of the somber youth seated behind him.

[0bnoxious]

It was only a matter of time before some maggot decided to join him. Why anyone would decide that it was a good idea to sit next to Albel Nox was beyond him, since he wasn't known to be approachable. But then again, if this dump existed mainly out of ignorant scum...it wasn't that much of a surprise.

The captain barely spared the fool a glance, as he resumed his staring at a random tree. At least he was staring at something else than a wall for the time being.

[vessavana]

Ignorant, perhaps, but to be called scum...it was lucky that Kunzite was not privy to the young man's thoughts, lest he be subject to the full extent of his wrath...as weak as his wrath was in this strange place. The general did notice the youth's disenchanted and scornful attitude, however, and foolishly believed him to be a proper target of his manipulation. Continuing to look forward, he spoke quietly and authoritatively, intending for his unwitting companion to hear: "I need information. What can you tell me about this place?"