Dayshift 22: Chapel

[claire_ity]

Claire woke up in her room just like before, with little idea of how she actually got there. This time, though, she noticed something different about the room. There was another young woman, a blond, sleeping in a bed across from her. Before questioning that, though, she made sure to hide the items she'd gotten that night in her closet, shutting

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[never_learns]

Yohji was startled when he woke, taking a few moments to orientate himself and figure out that he was somehow back in his room instead of outside near the pond as he had been a few moments ago. He pushed himselfout of bed when the nurse came and glanced down at his leg, eyes widening when he saw the clean dressing around the cut on his leg.

He was less happy about the new bed and it's sleeping occupant. The one he knew hadn't been there the day before.

He wasn't a religious man, but he let himself be taken to the chapel. He felt like he needed some peace and quiet. Time to reflect and decide if this actually was a dream or not. He settled down in one of the pew near the back corner, leaning back and closing his eyes.

[never_learns]

A kid huh? Well, that didn't mean anything. Omi had been a kid and he'd been the most experienced one out of all of them. Not to mention that Schwartz kid and the kids at Koua Academy and... well, they seemed to have a problem with kids in general.

His concern grew when he saw the shiver shaking Aya. This wasn't right. Aya was the one who was always determined, always there. Was he ill or something? Or was this place really affecting him so badly? He forced his mind back to the topic. "Ummm, 'bout the size of a medium-size dog, I guess." Okay, it didn't sound that big now, but the other night it had been a very big deal. And scorpions did not grow to the size of dogs!

[seiran314]

"Right..." It didn't sound too terrifying. Aya hated asking help but was not quite sure if he'd deal with anything too 'giant' on his own with an injury. Well, the night seemed far away still, there were still other things to worry over before the day would break.

Catching Yohji's worried look, Aya straightened up, steeling himself for whatever was needed this time. Weakness didn't become him after all. "What do they call you? The nurse addressed me as Seto Kiyoshi."

[never_learns]

"You'll need a weapon," Yohji said quietly, leaning in so he could drop his voice to a near whisper. "I got some knives last night. We went to the kitchens which seems like a good bet." The knives were currently stuffed under his mattress, wrapped in the remains of his shirt from last night and underneath the journal he'd found here. It might draw attention away from the knives if anyone looked.

"Itou Ryou," he replied flatly to Aya's question. Sucky name. Sounded like a salaryman or something. Something Yohji would never have been. "I can't tell if it's trying to brainwash us, or something, or if they really believe it."

[seiran314]

A pale, unamused smile rising to his lips, Aya nodded a little. "It's a game." It sounded like one, cruel and deathly game which would only get worse and worse any given day. Survival of the fittest or some other lame excuse of an entertainment.

He bit his teeth together for a moment, wishing he could have trusted Yohji. "They gave me a pen. If I can kill a person with it, I can improvise with other... things," he murmured with low voice, just audible enough for Yohji to hear him.

[never_learns]

A game? The thought made him feel sick, bile rising in the back of his throat. Like Koua again, people pretending to be god and playing with lives. And this time... this time he swore he'd play better instead of getting played like the fool he was.

Somehow, the idea of Aya using a pen as a lethal weapon wasn't that surprising. "I have three knives. Find me at the start of Nightshift. They're a little small, but better than nothing." Damn, now he really wished he'd grabbed a couple more knives. Hindishgt and all that. But giving one up was better than letting Aya run around with only a pen for defence, even if he would probably be no less deadly.

[seiran314]

"Yohji," Aya started, turning slowly to look at him. Surprise enough as it was to have Yohji suggest co-operation, it wasn't unappreciated. Aya nodded, red bangs fanning over his eyes to hide the fact that he felt a little embarrassed for no apparent reason. "So where do I find you?"

As much of a mystery the layout of the hospital still was to him, he was slowly coming out from the haze of whatever drugs had been shot to him. The throbbing pain against his side didn't much bother him, at least it reminded him of the reality and kept him checked. And he should get used to it, he needed his wits about him so no more blissful numbness if it was possible to avoid.

Before Yohji could answer he added another question. "And is there anything else I should know?" Which probably would be plenty but some things always were vital and some luxury.

[never_learns]

Yohji caught the flicker of surprise on Aya's face and sighed. He supposed it wasn't unjustified after what he'd done. Just proved that he couldn't be trusted again. "M49," he said. "It's in the second men's block, furthest corridor from the door." He paused for a moment before adding, "I know oyu won't want me with you tonight." Might as well get that clear straight away before he started thinking and hoping.

He chewed his lip for a second, wondering what else he could tell Aya. He needed to help him as much as he could. It was only fair. And then he remembered something Aya would definitely want to know. "Schuldig is here."

[seiran314]

Arching elegant brows, Aya let Yohji finish, not uttering a word before Yohji mentioned the telepath, which made him glance around frantically, like trying to locate the mindreading bastard. "Schuldig?" Frowning, he shook his head, irritated, and leveled a heavy glare at Yohji. "Don't be stupid, Kudoh. Why wouldn't I want you with me? I rather keep you at arms length than somewhere around." He snapped his mouth close before he'd spew out more unnecessary words. Knowing it sounded quite much harsher than he had meant it, he continued on. "I said we're getting out of here. That means you too." Yohji would have to die painfully before his eyes before he was ready to leave him behind again.

"As for the Schwarz... I'm not too surprised," he continued without waiting for Yohji's reaction to his words. Maybe not wanting to know it either. He glanced around again, eyes narrowing as his gaze found the rather familiar wild, orange locks of a certain telepath, spilling down to the man's back over the same gray uniform all of them were wearing.

[never_learns]

No matter that he deserved it, that stung. Yohji gritted his teeth, fingers clenching as he swallowed a sharp retort. Keeping away from Aya entirely would hurt less than being with him but distanced. A convenient but untrusted ally instead of a friend, a teammate. And it was all his fault. "Don't bother," he said, slightly more bitterly than he'd intended. "I'm a dead man. I leave and Kritiker will probably have me dead before I exit the grounds."

He followed Aya's gaze towards Schuldig and sighed softly. "It's... odd. Like he doesn't remember anything beyond when we defeated the Esset elders." An odd smile crossed his lips as he reached up to touch his hair. "Asked if I'd got into a fight with a lawnmower 'cause of my hair being short now."

[seiran314]

"Hn." Kritiker would not touch Yohji, not as far as Aya could affect to the matter, and if he couldn't, he'd fight them for it. The same applied to all his teammates, only more so with Yohji. Why? Because Aya could understand, all what Yohji had done and why. "Yohji... Don't make me look for you, okay?" His question was tired, tone silent but not pleading. "I will." So very characteristic, not asking if Yohji wanted to be helped or not.

Violet eyes followed the telepath across the room as Aya considered what Yohji had said, silent for a moment before glancing Yohji from the corner of his eye, brows arching at the unusual curve over the playboy's lips. "Amnesia?" he asked quietly.

[never_learns]

Yohji chanced a glance at Aya then stared back down at his hands. "Sure. I'll wait for you." Might as well not make things worse for himself. He wasn't about to go against Aya again. If that's what Aya wanted... Besides, wasn't like he'd made plans or anything, although he'd need to find Cliff and thank him.

He shook his head at the question about Schuldig. "I don't think so. It's..." he frowned, working out how to phrase it best. "I've heard things about this place. They're a little... odd, but everyone's said the same. Stuff about people being from other worlds and... and different times. So Schuldig doesn't remember anything past that because he hasn't lived it yet."

[seiran314]

Aya studied Schuldig from the distance, odd thoughts mulling within his mind. Other worlds? Different times? He could stomach monsters, but this was a bit too much here... Maybe this was hell after all and there was no going out. But no, he'd have to get to Mamoru to report...

"That's... hn." In truth, Aya had no idea what to say, or to think. Suddenly he realized that getting out of here might mean death for both himself and Yohji, in theory at least. Mind a whirlwind of confusion and puzzlement, he gave the telepath's back a furious glare, heavy enough to turn his own stomach upside down. "I guess you've worked some kind of... deal with the Schwarz?"

[never_learns]

[To here]

[seiran314]

[from here]