Day 48: Courtyard

[thatdamnedninja]

"I could tell you some stories," Yuffie suggested brightly, "of unquestionable legality." Illegality, that was. Petty little things like the law didn't usually mean very much to her, except for the times when she had to uphold it. Always fun for the breaking, though, the law, and messy for the clean-up. Just the way she liked it

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[windstwilight]

[from here]

It wasn't as if there was sun.

It was chilly, even, and she had to have a coat draped over her, one arm hanging down and her right still tightly held in a sling. Despite the care the nurses had taken with her bandages, there was little care with her damp hair. It hung down in clumps, the ribbon usually used to hold it clasped in her hand.

There was no sun today. The day Senna could have used it. Of course, right? She still stepped forward, watching the clouds. Outside was good enough for now, she guessed. Closer to the air and sky. If only she could get higher. She remembered this being the first place she came when she showed up here. And here she was now.

Despite injuries, the girl strolled to a bench and, without prelude, jumped up on it. She stood there, thoughts muddled. If you look from a high place, things become clear. Well. Today, she'd need to be a lot higher.

[for Faith.]

[vbyv]

Blacking out once was one thing, but again? In less than twenty-four hours? Damn, that just wasn't cool. She remembered pretty clearly she'd just been strolling along with that kid (or yeah, fine, strolling wasn't the right word, but walking while hoping no ugly scaly thing would jump out at them was kinda on the lengthy side) and then she was in her bed. Just like that.

Should've come with a snapping finger sound effect, really.

And then there'd been a nurse, and if Faith hadn't been told what she had last night, she might've thought a lot harder about clocking that woman with her bouncy curls. But she was a little better about hasty decisions these days.

Faith walked slowly across the courtyard. Hell of an upgrade from a prison yard, that was for sure. She wasn't gonna complain about getting some shiny park to hang around in. Not that she was much of a park person, but whatever. Wherever she'd gotten dumped, she was just glad that at least it wasn't some fiery demon pit 'cause God knew those were floating around out there

[windstwilight]

The knock against her leg had her glancing down, smiling on reflex at the apology. Senna shrugged with her good shoulder, something probably that would be funny if she was aware of it. "Hey, no biggie. Not like I can get more hurt, right?" It was said with a grin, a half-teasing tone. The girl was too used to being cheerful around others to simply stop. The truth was shown in the distance in her eyes.

Without getting down, she tilted her head at the other girl. She had not seen her before, and with hair like that, Senna would have remembered. "I like your hair," she noted, sliding past it. "Can't do anything with mine." Except tie it up usually. Or just let it hang. Ah.

[vbyv]

The girl looked on the young side, though she seemed pretty comfortable just hanging out here, all things considered. Actually, most people seemed pretty comfortable shuffling along with the routine, which implied a lot of things about the situation Faith didn't like at all.

Didn't expect nothing about her hair, though. Surprised, she looked up, and eventually shrugged a shoulder.

"Thanks. I guess. I don't really, y'know. Do anything with it."

Compliments were awkward. She preferred getting hit on, that was easier to deal with. But the girl seemed a little funny, too, not ha-ha, but like--different, because people didn't just randomly stand on a bench for no reason when there were a bunch of other people around, and Faith wasn't sure why, but that made her like her a little.

After a moment, Faith hopped up next to her on the bench in one fluid jump. "So what happened to you, anyway? Looks like you got pounced."

[yin_yang_fox]

After breakfast, Renamon was in an odd place. Normally, the Digimon would retire to the sun room, check the bulletin board and go over what was known and what had to be done. Her nurse today, was having none of it.

"These activities are set up so you are able to enjoy a balanced schedule," the woman had said. "So you can't choose to not participate in every shift."

Renamon had quietly disagreed to herself. And outside of all places, especially during the day, had nothing held for her. She shifted her notebook under her arm, annoyed. Despite her extreme lack of amusement, she still found herself pushed into the courtyard. How... "fun." Against the building, she crossed her arms, pushing the notebook against her chest, staring neutrally out at the scenery. At the least, she could consider new ways to approach things.

[Venom.]

[poolcuemurder]

If his hair hadn't already went white, Venom would have been concerned for its color after that conversation. Alkaid had drive, yes. She was determined and single-minded, which had its merits. There was no doubt of her strength and what she could do if she put her mind to it, but the problem was getting her there. Whatever logical argument he would give, she would immediately assume he was talking about fantasies and derive false impressions from it, which was not only naive but also dangerous. He had to spell things out for her and even then she would miss the mark. Even in the middle of battle, she could (at least from the little he saw) lose focus and become a liability if left on her own

[yin_yang_fox]

The Digimon was not so preoccupied as to not take notice of the man approaching, led by a nurse. His appearance was far more strange than the majority of those she had met, yet she, of all beings, wasn't one to judge on that alone. Once the man took note of her, he bowed. Hm. She had met nearly none that retained that habit. Renamon bowed her head in return.

His question amused her more than she'd admit. As well as a similar habit, it seemed he, too, had an inclination to pass social niceties and get straight to the point. After last shift, there was nothing in her that wasn't pleased by this. "Over two weeks," she answered blandly. "And you?"

[poolcuemurder]

"Six days." While his voice did nothing to hide his irritation at that fact, it was surprisingly pleasant to have someone immediately answer him without having to be stubborn about it beforehand. After having to deal with nothing but cold indifference or far too much excitability (or Bridget. A part of him worried for the boy - the rest hoped he would learn to answer a question without it being a vague and unhelpful response), those simple three words were a Godsend.

If it were not for the aggravation of being away from the Guild or his plain inability to process good cheer, Venom would be smiling right now.

Being able to discuss something like this so easily was reminding him of business as usual. His fingers were itching to hold onto his missing briefcase and they curled themselves tighter around his journal in said briefcase's absence. "And I don't suppose you've made any sort of progress in regard to this situation, have you?"

[hajike_tobiume]

Once again with access to her drawing pad, Momo bundled up and headed out to the courtyard. She was very quiet, having had to think too much on Hitsugaya - her Hitsugaya - than she had in a while. It left her a bit sullen, so she did not seek out company. Instead, she choose a spot near the pond and stared out across it, a blank page at the ready across her lap.

For the moment, nothing came to mind, so the page stayed blank.

[free]

[laguz_decoy]

Breakfast had been interesting, to say the least. Ranulf found that he enjoyed "sausages" (though they weren't as good as fish) and meeting Ritsu had been an interesting experience in itself. Before he'd gotten too in depth with him, however, a strange voice came from everywhere at once. The voice belonged to a man who seemed to be directing the days activities and if Ranulf hadn't known better he'd have thought it was the work of the goddess Ashera.

Before he could think much on this though, the same nurse as before had walked briskly over to him with what looked like more clothing. He supposed this meant he was going outside, which he had no objections over. He preferred the outdoors anyway.

Now he found himself in a courtyard, head tilted upward and eyes closed, tiny droplets of moisture cooling his skin. He'd taken the shoes, but had refused the sweatshirt and coat, wanting to surround himself by means of the cool air. He couldn't quite explain the feeling, it just felt... realAfter doing this for a moment, he gazed around the

[hajike_tobiume]

Pulled from her thoughts, Momo looked over, turning a bit more toward him than most people usually do to make sure she saw him, and gave the one that spoke to her a smile.

"You are welcome to it," she said. The man seemed a bit shy, but that was alright. "Though I confess I may not be the best conversationalist at the moment." She tilted her head a little. "But a distraction may do me good. I am Hinamori Momo."

[laguz_decoy]

Happy to see a pleasant reaction, he returned a smile of his own and slid onto the bench.

Ranulf laughed a bit at her statement, his expression taking on a quirky smile.

"Considering our current location, I'd say a distraction would do you more than good, yeah?"

Remembering the beorc tradition for introduction, he extended his hand for a "handshake" and replied with his own name.

"They call me "Alex" here, but you may call me Ranulf."

[mizuhomaiden]

[from here]

Sheena did not let go of Neku's hand until they got outside and she realized she was, in fact, still holding it. And dragging him. The ninja cast a nervous look around the courtyard, but it was thankfully youkai-free. She was pretty sure Yukari would stay inside, especially with as chilly as it was, but she couldn't be too careful.

Turning to Neku, she stared at him a moment. "Um... yeah... so... I verified it. Third floor is pretty much magically off-limits," she said, having fished for a topic that was not youkai related.

[composers_proxy]

Sheena was the last thing he'd expected, and while he tugged and pulled against her grip, she was pretty damn strong for a girl. Must be some crossbreed of gorilla. He jerked it angrily free once they were outside and he was well and fully freezing his ass off.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked, hardly hearing a word she'd said. It didn't help that his headphones were so loud, one could almost make out Brahms' rhapsody in E flat just standing near him. Without another word he started storming off further into the courtyard, arms crossed.

[mizuhomaiden]

"Both of us should not be in that room, Neku," Sheena replied, following along. "I don't know what happened to you, but I know what the 'I'm going to go get myself sedated' stalk looks like."

"You'll thank me later." A pause. "Okay, you won't, I'll still be right. You need to learn to pick and choose your fights here and leave them until night."

[composers_proxy]

Both of us? What did she know? Her words barely made it through the headphones. What exactly was she saying? That he should just wait until night started and then go after the guy?

"He killed one of my friends last night," Neku growled, finally slowing, but still hardly approachable. He'd been bragging about it. Posting those stupid bulletin messages. Neku wanted to cram them down the bastard's throat.

[not_rly_fai]

He'd managed to endure the interrogation at breakfast and come out unscathed. Kurogane probably just wanted to avoid spending half the day sedated, but it'd been to Yuuhi's benefit. Breakfast had been a test of endurance to say the least. While he felt guilty about the things he'd said, pushing the other man away and running seemed to be what he did best. Luckily the nurses showed up before the conversation got too far or too heated. He didn't plan on getting upset with Kurogane, he didn't plan to feel anything. At least he'd managed to pretend for long enough to get by.

Next shift was outside and while he didn't mind the chill, the nurses insisted on bundling him up in a sweatshirt and jacket. He felt a little stronger though, especially after eating, and he didn't wobble quite as much. Still, he was relieve to see an empty bench and took up residence on it, wondering if he could manage a nap or if it would be too cold.

[Yue/Yuki]

[winged_moon]

By the time they reached the courtyard Yue was still mildly irritable, though to the outward appearance there probably wasn't all that much difference. He'd shrugged off the nurse's offer of a coat with impatience; he had no need of such a thing, not unless it was far colder than it currently was outside. To get her to leave him alone he'd finally just carried it slung over one arm as he stalked outside. He'd missed the chance to go outside the day before and didn't want to miss this one

[not_rly_fai]

Straight from Kurogane to Yue it seemed, with no break in-between. Yuuhi carefully put his smile back in place as he turned to the other man. Even without looking, the tone told him it was Yue, not Yuki, but the man's stance and posture gave it away once Yuuhi glanced in his direction.

"Hnnn?" he appeared puzzled by the question. "Oh- no, I'm fine," he replied automatically. This time he managed to look at least a little more like it wasn't a bold-faced lie. He tilted his head slightly, feigning curiosity, though after yesterday's meeting with Yuki and Touya, he was kind of surprised that Yue wanted to see him.

"How are you?"

[winged_moon]

"You always say that," Yue replied, though his tone was almost as though talking to himself. He fell silent again after that, his gaze (and frown) unwavering as he stared at the man. If Fai was seriously injured he'd probably smile and claim that he was just fine, judging from past experience, so the only way that he could really be certain was to watch for clues.

There didn't seem to be anything seriously wrong with him, other than what Yue was already aware of, so he finally relented and offered a slight shrug in response to the question. "Perfectly fine," he said, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. He still resented the changes that had been made, in part because he was glad of it.

Another pause, then he added, "You lied to Sakura."