Day 52: Lunch

[purpletaint]

[from here]It was a race. A fight against patience and a Song's call. Still, the sedation's dredges churned through him. Two close at hand had a potent effect--much like the night that they were left in that town, and the morning after. Rubedo had came then. Came for them like something out of place, and wasn't that so ironic afterwards--when

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[avengingfists]

The conversation she had shared with Guy and Claude in the library had really given Ilia some food for thought, but now was the time for actual food and she welcomed it readily. She found herself wishing for a beer again this lunch period, something bitter that would help wash down the tangy spice of the tacos. But she knew it would be futile to ask. This was an institute, not a restaurant.

Filling up her plate with tacos and grabbing some tea--Decaffeinated? Why?--she found herself a seat and dug into her food. If Anise or Leela had been there, she may have moved to sit with them. As it was, she was content just to be alone for now and eat. Maybe now she could think back on the conversation from the library and sort things out.

Strangely enough, the thoughts that came to her head revolved less about the conversation as a whole and more on Claude. There was just something about him that struck her as familiar. And the way he had been speaking was rather odd. Hmm...

[Mason! Matt! Come make awkward conversation with your

[heroesdontshave]

Apparently, Snow had made a huge mistake. See, he and Zevran had agreed the thing they'd been served for breakfast wasn't anything close to edible, so they would just hold off on eating for a bit. But that just meant that, come lunch time, Snow was pretty much starving. He was almost to the point where he didn't care what it was they were serving so long as he got to eat something. And whatever it was had to be better than the soggy meat in bread thing from this morning

[thestormishere]

[ YES, S-S-S-SPOILAHS START HERE. Also, TL;DR apparently. ]

Fortunately, by the time those in charge had decided her time in the window-lit room was over, the drugs running through Lightning's system had finally diminished in their effects' overall strength. Not so fortunately, the more their hold over her weakened, the more furious she became about it. Needless to say, the 'calm' that had taken her over since being overpowered and sedated in the hallway had come to a rather non-ceremonious end while she sat brooding and by herself.

Lightning now knew that even before she'd been forcefully subdued, here there was something else that had been very wrong with her. Many people-- most people, actually, may not have noticed when their physical abilities had taken a sudden, inexplicable blow. But unlike the majority of Cocoon's citizens, Lightning was trained to fight... and she soon realized that she had been far too slow in her attempt in getting away from those men in the hall. It wasn't even a matter of being defeated- that was

[heroesdontshave]

The mess on Snow's tray suddenly became much less interesting. He'd been too distracted to notice her approach, but now that she'd caught his attention, he blinked at her in obvious surprise.

"Sis! You're..." alright, he almost blurted. But of course she was. Was there ever really any doubt when it came to Lightning's well being? Of everyone, she was the one he could trust to handle herself better than anyone else. But it was that same fact that made her presence here all that much more surprising

[thestormishere]

Lightning blinked as well, her eyes quickly narrowing in agitation. At least it seemed she didn't have to concern herself about him that much. He was as... himself as ever, apparently. She slid into the seat next to him after a moment, looking up at his face, down at the bizarre food laid out in front of him, and back. The sight of the stuff and the strong smell of it put her off just like the previous 'meal' had, even as she was busy instead trying to decipher Snow's response. It appeared one of the lingering symptoms of being drugged was a lagged train of thought. Terrific.

"Been better," she decided on, clipping the statement short, so that it lead into a heavy pause while she pressed her lips together and lowered her chin. What sort of question was she supposed to start with in a situation like this? She had absolutely no idea about the discrepancy between what they both remembered as being most recent, naturally- the last she knew, they and the four other Pulse l'Cie had just landed on the surface of the huge, utterly untamed

[rocksthecourt]

Today was proving to be a definite improvement, even through the grogginess of the pain medications. As much as he hated wasting time, maybe that was all he had needed. Time. Time to think, time to rest. It was astonishing how something so simple could be so beneficial.

As she seemed to like doing lately, his nurse followed alongside him, carrying his lunch tray for him and attempting small talk as she gathered food for him. He even managed to smile when they started arguing over whether a salad was a suitable substitute for her initial suggestion of tacos. Eventually, she got tired he won and took his tray from her, ignoring her protests in favor of searching for a seat

[falseblack]

He knew pending disaster like he knew the palm of his hand, and this begged for a confrontation ending in blood. Blood of the literal sort, which honestly frightened Nigredo more than allegories could say. Unfortunately, the actions he could take were dwindling to nothing; the daytime restricted enough factors to render the youngest useless. He was, once again, a bystander to his brothers' warring

[rocksthecourt]

Distracted as he was looking around the room, Klavier hadn't noticed the approach immediately. It was a tug at the man's shirt that finally drew his attention down to his side. He blinked at the familiar face, surprised. "Nigredo

[falseblack]

It was good that Klavier took charge of the matter. Without guidance, the child would have stood stock-still, his feet rooted to the floor beneath him while the entire populace of Landel's bumped into his sides. Instead, Nigredo moved as instructed, practically slumping into the indicated chair. Heightened emotions had him staring at Klavier more than usual; the child noted without humor that the man's injuries seemed more pronounced in the daylight. Moreover, was he sporting something new?

Look how well Nigredo could pay attention.

His own uninjured hand reached up to wipe at nonexistent tears, and he could feel the lingering stoicism evaporate to oblivion. Today was not a good day for acting the adult; he would be as twelve as he could help it. "I don't know," he muttered. Green eyes shifted to the empty space on the table. "Rubedo came back, and he doesn't remember being here."

If only that explained everything. If only.

[itneverwas]

The conversation with Erika had been an interesting one. In her eagerness to share what she had managed to unravel, the girl was a useful tool. Useful enough that Xemnas had no qualms about keeping the young detective around for the time being, to fuel her ambition of unraveling the institute's secrets while she was led on by her heart. With so many things still shrouded in darkness, without the familiar power so readily available at his command, it was only natural to require the assistance of those defined by an existence. But it did not matter; all what mattered were the results, to eventually take hold of the goal, to acquire completion. The prospect of having to do so in a rather indirect way was only the smallest hindrance in a way forward

[scintillatingly]

Speaking with Riku always managed to put Sora in a better mood. Considering his mood hadn't been that bad to begin with, that meant that Sora was particularly sunny as he stepped into the cafeteria. They had worked out a game plan, at least for the time being, and Sora had finally put up his big announcement about taking over the club, along with an explanation for any interested parties and a call for all those who were still sticking with him. He hoped the results were good.

He also had to leave a note about Hanatarou's disappearance (which was definitely something that took a chunk out of that good mood), and finally one about the radio clue the night before. He had never been quite this active on the bulletin before, but it felt good -- to be so involved, to feel like he was really doing something. Not that he hadn't been trying hard before, but he was really taking charge now. It was kind of nerve wracking, but it was nice

[itneverwas]

[Sorry for the delay! ;A;]

It was only a matter of time before someone would take the initiative once Xemnas had chosen his seat, be it willingly or by choice of the staff members part of this fragile facade. It was not long after he had began on his lunch, and with the majority of the patients still lingering elsewhere it wasn't difficult to notice the one that eventually sought to approach him. Orange eyes lingered upon the boy, watching, indicating that their owner had noticed his arrival.

Sora.

The Superior had known of the boy's presence within this world, had seen the exchanged notices upon the bulletin board. It also told of the presence of certain others that were of nearly equal significance, but as he had no immediate use for them he chose to leave them be. One devoid of an existence, a heart, did not linger upon petty feelings of hatred and revenge, have the drive to pursue vengeance. He could not feel, could no longer be consumed by the darkness that had rejected him. Perhaps, in that sense, the Keyblade Master was

[scintillatingly]

The problem with talking to a Nobody was that it was impossible to know how they felt, because most of them didn't feel. Still, most of them also faked it, or at least behaved as if they knew what the appropriate emotional response would have been. Xemnas did none of that. He just watched him with those yellow eyes, hardly even blinking, quiet and calm. It was enough to make Sora uneasy, and he paused right before the empty chair across from the Organization's Superior.

He was called by his title, the one that he hadn't given to Buzz earlier in the day. That was all he was to this man; a tool, someone who could use the Keyblade and release those hearts he'd been so desperate for. That thought was enough to make Sora angry all on its own, and he felt his hands tighten around his tray of food.

"You know that the others are here, right?" he asked, not entirely sure why he was asking, except that this man was supposed to be in charge of Xigbar and Luxord and all the others. Demyx. Axel, but Axel had run away, just like Roxas. And Sora

[longlivetehking]

At least the conversation with the thus far nameless male had been a civil one. But the library shift came to its end, allowing Scar the pleasure of trying to eat human meals again. Though today's had been familiar from previous lunch times, the former lion couldn't quite say he knew what to make of it; random supposedly edible ingredients thrown together into some sort of supposedly edible container...what sort of mind thought of such things?

A few bites into his lunch after acquiring a seat were enough for Scar to decide that he wasn't hungry enough for this pathetic excuse for food, instead idly taking sips of what was the only good thing on the menu of these humans; milk.

With little to distract him, it was perhaps to be expected that he would begin thinking of things he'd rather forget. His thoughts led him to the question plaguing him all day, one that he was attempting to avoid but failing horribly at it.

Would it happen again? What if it would happen again?

He frowned at the barely touched food in front of him.

[The

[scarefaux]

[Sorry this is late!]After a shift spent attempting to confer with one of the cats usually roaming about the Sun Room (and still being surprised that none of them seemed to be able to talk- he was going to have to get used to that), the Scarecrow couldn't get to the Cafeteria fast enough- he'd spotted Scar heading from the Library toward the end of the shift, and was bound and determined to make sure he was all right. With one more brief look at the bulletin board and a farewell nod to the cat, he followed his nurse to lunch

[longlivetehking]

Scar's eyes widened in surprise when something suddenly tumbled into his field of vision. After blinking, he noticed it had been none other than the Scarecrow who had nearly tripped into the seat across him, sending his food flying from the plate ont he tray. Had the former lion been in a better mood, he may have thanked his luck for avoiding any possible incoming food.

Immediately, the other man uttered an exclamation followed by a question. As touching as the obvious concern was, the former lion didn't wish to be reminded of last night. The blatant 'investigation' of his eyes earned the Scarecrow a glare in response. Realizing that he was required to answer, however, he said:

"...it would seem it was temporary," He attempted to keep his voice neutral, but he couldn't keep the bitterness seeping through his voice. Temporary or not, it was obvious that Scar wasn't pleased.

[scarefaux]

"Boy, is that a relief to hear," the Scarecrow said with a growing smile. "For a while, I was worried it might not come back at all." Or worse, that something would have found them while they waited for it to do so- worse than trying to get a frightened lion to face his fears was having one who couldn't even see said fears if they were only an inch from him. The Scarecrow supposed he could have taken Scar's arm and tried to pull him in one direction, assuming he'd budge. Who knew fetching a diploma could be so-

The diploma! In the mess of the night before, the Scarecrow had completely forgotten about it. He seemed to be thinking okay for now, but who knew how long that would last? He'd have to try again another night. For now, there was a conversation at hand