Day 37: Sun Room (4th Shift)

[secret_orchard]

There were still too many things on Armand's mind for him to truly relax. The morning with Alec had been a help. And seeing that TK was going to be well helped him know that it was time to work out something else, but what? He'd already, without success again, tried to reach one of the club leaders about his sole idea of something new and different

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[mitase]

[running back from the showers]Hanatarou returned to the Sun Room with a feeling of distinct (if damp) relief - he'd managed to get in and out without anyone really noticing him, much less deciding he was a good target of torment. He paused a moment to give a wary look around, making certain the one-eyed man he'd met that morning wasn't around, then scurried over to an empty couch

[showtime_matsu]

[Have the other boys been picking on you, Touta Jr.?]

Well, that had sure been...weird, thanks to the sudden stroke of heartburn. Weird and an encounter that had left Matsuda wondering just whether or not he would have to fear for his life. He really hoped Mikami was just a Kira supporter, and not one of the super-crazy ones that like...stabbed people with pens or something.

Reading the bulletin board had made things even more awkward, even. Not only did it look like Ryuk, of all beings was here, but his roommate had passed away the night before. He really should go to that funeral, but he'd already made plans

[mitase]

Were it not for the cat sitting on his lap, Hanatarou probably would have repeated his performance from earlier that morning, when the last person decided to sneak up on him from behind. As it was, he still jumped a little, ducking his head and hunching his shoulders before he realized that this person was interested in the kitten and not tormenting him.

"S-scary...?" he echoed, cautiously straightening again and glancing up at the newcomer. "It's, um. A k-kitten..." They usually weren't terrifying or anything. Except this one was nudging at his hand and demanding that he go back to petting it right away please and thank you, so he obediently obliged.

[showtime_matsu]

Wow, the guy really did seem like a nervous wreck. He sure hadn't meant to scare him, but at least he didn't scare the cat away. That probably wouldn't have.

Cats were good conversation starters, right? If the guy wasn't so nervous, maybe he'd even be good for the band. Demyx had already found one guy, so Matsuda needed to do his part and keep an eye out for another. Except for the part where Demyx was more qualified to look, since he actually knew how to play an instrument, but that didn't really matter right now.

"Oh, hey, sorry to scare you there." Matsuda rubbed at the back of his head before coming around to the other side of the couch, so that the kid didn't have to strain his neck. He didn't sit yet, but he gave the guy a smile anyway. "I just meant that he sure doesn't look like one of those monsters at night. He seems too nice for that."

Because he could totally speak cat.

"Anyway, sorry again for scaring you. I haven't really seen any cats around here before, but they might have just been hiding. I'm Matsuda."

[blurred_divide]

It probably wasn't a good idea to dwell or anything, but Angel found himself in a quiet corner regardless, sketching Buffy's face with an absent focus that suggested either he was just that good or he'd done this way too many times than was healthy. (It was the latter.)

Still, it took his mind off things for a bit. There was little to think about until they dug up more information tonight and even then, he had a strong suspicion it would only raise more questions or cause more confusion. Possibly both and then some.

The best he was hoping for, really, was that no one would get clawed up tonight. Again. If he didn't know better, he'd say the cats were exacting revenge for all the times they were used in kitten poker.

[for Tempy and Willow. Confusion galore is a go~]

[centermusthold]

Upon entering the Sun Room, Brennan perused the bulletin board carefully for any new useful information, but unfortunately none was forthcoming. She was still inexplicably trapped in a strange place.

Perhaps there would be something worthwhile in the library. It wasn't likely, considering the level of coordination evidenced by her captors thus far, but she might as well try.

As she walked toward the library door, a man sitting in the corner caught her eye.

... No. That was highly improbable.

"Booth?" she called, walking quickly towards him. "They got you too? How?" She paused, observing him. He looked different, on an almost imperceptible level. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. "I have a number of questions for you, but first tell me you're alright and you know where Hodgins is."

[blurred_divide]

Angel was already looking up as a woman fast approached him, but he wasn't sure what to expect until she actually spoke up. At which point, he was too surprised to do much other than blink.

"I'm sorry, I don't -- " He sat up a little and closed his journal. "I think you have the wrong person."

But she sounded so sure of herself. And given what he already knew of the whole fictional and parallel universes, it was slowly occurring to him that this case of mistaken identity might actually be...

Oh God, no.

He wasn't going to think about it just yet. Just the notion was giving him a headache already.

[centermusthold]

"No..." Brennan began slowly. He didn't remember her? Or his own name, apparently.

He couldn't have been here more than a day, two at the very outside. It was impossible... well, very very unlikely, that anyone could have brainwashed him in that short a span of time. It took months at the least, usually years to fully recondition someone's cognitive processes.

"Your name is Seeley Booth," she said loudly.

That wouldn't help.

"Try to think about things you know. Me? Your partner? You know, Bones." She didn't like that nickname, but maybe it would help him remember. "What about your son? Parker. He's blond, and about... this tall." She held her hand out at about the height Parker had been the last time she'd seen him, though considering that boys Parker's age grew an average of five centimeters a year, he might be a bit taller by now.

[paper_murdock]

The more this situation was explained, the more angry Matt got. Did they really expect him to believe this crap? He didn't let this show on his face though, careful to nod at appropriate times and make considering sounds. He'd have to get more information before he acted, or maybe even try to contact some of his friends or allies.

The hospital wasn't one he was familiar with, and he hand't heard any voices he knew. Trying to listen for a heartbeat, to determine if the 'nurse' was lying didn't accomplish anything. The faint sound he could hear was steady, but it was too faint to be certain, her voice drowning most of it out

[wing_head]

Today had certainly been eventful, Steve was actually curious to see the arts and crafts room. Perhaps he'd draw something, though he really wasn't in the artistic mood.

On his way through the sun room, though, he spotted a familiar face. Steve paused, and decided this was worth investigating. It might not be Matt, but it might be, and Steve couldn't take the chance that it wasn't.

"Hello," Steve said, hoping for recognition.

[paper_murdock]

Matt was debating on going over to bother one of the other people when a familiar voice broke through his thoughts. Taking a moment to listen for a heartbeat, he sat up a bit straighter and offered a slight smile. Roger and he might not always agree on everything, but at least it was something familiar and as such, welcome.

"Hi. You're here too huh?"

[wing_head]

Steve couldn't help but be relieved at the fact that Matt recognized him. He took a seat and looked over at the Daredevil.

He couldn't exactly say he was happy to see Matt, because the more people that got brought here the fewer there were out there to come get them out of this or find out what happened.

"Unfortunately, yes..." Steve said, "Did you just arrive here?"

[reanalyze]

While lunch had hardly been productive, it had given Citan a few new things to think about. The boy at lunch, whatever his name had been, was decidedly the youngest prisoner he had as yet come across. Which made him wonder. Did the powers that be have some moral quandry over subjecting young children to this place? Or was there another facility, specifically for those who had not reached the age of puberty...

He supposed it didn't really matter, it was simply another curiosity about this place. Much as it reminded him of Solaris' camps and facilities, it lacked a certain sense of organization. And rationale.

But what was there to be done? Deciding against arts and crafts - he'd already been through the supplies and found little of use - he instead made his way to the Sun Room - which really didn't deserve the name.

But luck, it seemed, was on his side. Smiling affably, Citan crossed the room to take a seat by Armand.

"Good afternoon, Armand."

[secret_orchard]

"I suppose it is afternoon by now," Armand said, not willing to agree that it was good but still not liking to sound childish or grumpy at Citan. He feared his smile was a bit wan, but honestly he didn't feel there was much of anything to smile about today. He wanted to please his friend, so he tried. And he tried not to think about Alec. Alec was a subject he simply didn't want to bring up with Citan.

"Did you sleep well after... lights out?" he asked. TK said he hadn't, and Armand wondered if it was universal. "I think me and Morrison are both feeling pretty upset by how things have been going. We're letting you down." He lost hold of his smile, and his guilt shone through. "That's a lie. I've let you down, both of you, and I'm sorry. It's my fault Morrison got hurt, and I feel like we're getting nowhere, even when you have plans."

[reanalyze]

Citan was quiet for some time, leaning back and watching nothing in particular. Armand's lack of self confidence was both a blessing and a hindrance. A blessing because it made the younger man more easily malleable, but a hindrance because the boy did have potential. A delicate balance needed to be struck.

"Armand," Citan finally began, calmly, "I wouldn't expect a cat to grow wings and sprout a beak and take to the skies as a bird. And I wouldn't expect a young man such as yourself, with no background in these sorts of affairs and no experience with this manner of place, to be anything more than what he is. There is no disappointment in being yourself. We'll work everything out, you'll see."

It was a dangerous game. Less so since Morrison was not in attendance, but dangerous all the same. Citan had no wish to be discovered for what he truly was, not at this point.

[secret_orchard]

Armand listened to Citan's encouraging words, and tried to apply them to himself. He could almost hear Percy's words instead. Most of the time, the man had been encouring, meeting Armand's fragile eagerness with honesty. But every time a man spoke to Armand in those patient tones, he heard something of the rebuke that he'd so richly deserved that January when he'd first met Jeanne

[zeus_incarnate]

[ Unknowingly waiting for Kimberly]

While it was nice to be allowed to eat his lunch in peace, Marcus was somewhat disappointed no one had come to speak to him. The blue stars were quite visible, though they were looking a little faded. He'd have to go over them again with the blue marker he had his room.

He could have just gone to the arts and crafts room to do so, but he didn't feel like doing anything else in the art room, and he was more likely to be seen in the sun room.

Marcus took a seat on one of the couches and settled down to wait for dinner.

[morphenominal]

Today was not turning out to be a very good day. Kimberly couldn't imagine any day in this place being good, but that was beside the point. She wasn't any closer to figuring things out than she had been when she woke up this morning. And that was... well, concerning, actually.

With a sigh, the Ranger ran her fingers through her hair and looked around the room. She wasn't sure what she was looking for (although she was definitely keeping an eye out for Nurse Creepy) but she stopped when she saw someone with blue stars on his shirt. That was what the guy on the message board had said to look for, right?

"Uh, hey," Kimberly greeted as she approached him. "You're not waiting for anyone, are you? Cause if this is a bad time or something I can always, y'know, come back later."

[zeus_incarnate]

There was still no sign of Logan which was troubling, but Marcus gave up looking around for him and looked up as he was approached by a young woman. He'd have to check Wolverine's room before he went out to meet people tonight.

"No, this isn't a bad time. Have a seat," Marcus said, gesturing to the rest of the couch.

He suspected from the greeting that she was looking for him from the message board.

[morphenominal]

"Thanks." Kimberly took a seat and offered him a quick smile. What was she supposed to say now? She supposed an introduction was in order, but who did she introduce herself as? Zordon had said they weren't supposed to reveal their identities to anyone, and she assumed that meant other heroes as well, so... civilian identity would have to do.

"My name's Kimberly. We, ah... We spoke a bit over the message board earlier." She didn't think letting him know that much would be a problem. As long as she didn't mention being a Power Ranger, she wouldn't be betraying Zordon, right? "I was hoping to hear more about this group of heroes thing. What do they do? How do they operate? Things like that."