Night 64: F01-10 Hallway

[ninelivesonce]

There were words for mercenaries who had a gun under not only their pillow, but a knife between every sock in their drawer. Taura's arsenal hadn't hit that stage, but it was getting a little embarrassing. Especially without anything more than a belt and a fraying, delicate purse. Well, not delicate by normal standards, but it was intended for shopping, not carrying what amounted to a bundle of blades. She put the stunner in it alongside the materia, and tucked the strap-on claws back in her box. The throwing star she could just carry -- it wasn't like she had far to go, and two weapons would be plenty while she was just waiting for Rita to get out of bed and stumble down to the hall.

Really, the only reason she even needed the throwing star was to have something to fidget with without looking like she was just waiting for an ambush. The radio could come along as well.

[to here]

Comments

[she_is_ruin]

While Landel and I.R.I.S. fought for domination of the intercom, Yomi stretched her neck, feeling muscles sliding warm and strong under her skin. Almost strange, how wide-awake she felt. It felt like this was one of the first nights in a while where she was actually thinking about the future and not… wallowing in half-formed regrets and other hysterics. Like something had finally clicked into place, a bone being reset, and had eased the pain that had been distracting her.

Not all pain was gone, as her body was happy to remind her when she stood up to complete her preparations for the night. Physical limitations were still a problem. Asking after healers had been smart if it meant she could be rid of them all in one go.

Assuming this works.

Carefully, she eased her grey sweater over the Landel’s uniform, hiding the garish logo from view. There, all dressed and ready for action. Just like old times. Reaching down and picking up her katana was the very last thing left to do, and with the Shishiou replica in her grasp she exited the cell.

[she_is_ruin]

_{[to here]}

[a_sin_for_him]

Perhaps it was foolish and dangerous to venture out with no plans, no partner and no destination. But Lust saw little other choice, and once darkness came she changed into her proper clothing and took up the flashlight and her map. She debated the radio that was supposedly helpful, but it had offered her no clues.

The intercom seemed to have the only advice, and the homunculus decided she'd take it. Her disgust and curiosity had been piqued the night before, when understanding of what they truly did her dawned. Well, she had experience in these sorts of things. Perhaps she could gain a greater understanding of this place.

And she knew where the Medical Wing was....

[to here]

[madeinthehrl]

Soma had been planning to stay in tonight.

She really had. It wasn't like her, but then falling ill like this wasn't like her either. And the sight of the colonel here this afternoon had, if nothing, bolstered her resolve. He'd taught her not to go rushing off into the unknown. She knew wandering off and getting herself killed wouldn't solve anything in the slightest.

And then the intercom had to go and get itself hacked.

Harrington. The name was unmistakable, even if her first thought was how it had to be a trap. But if there was even a chance that there was a cure...

Her eyes flickered down to the rash spread across her arm. She'd take it.

She pushed herself to her feet, trying to ignore how they wobbled unsteadily underneath her as she slid off the bed. Slowly, she made her way to the closet. Katana, handgun, flashlight, radio. If she was going, she wasn't going unprepared. Once she'd tied the lot and secured it around her waist, she took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway beyond.

[madeinthehrl]

[to here]

[mirrorimage]

Nina had taken a short nap after dinner, and when she awoke, Taura was gone.

Did that mean it was nighttime again? It was hard to be sure when there were no windows or any other external signs of the time of day, and it was possible Taura had been taken somewhere by the nurses for some reason. But Nina dared hope that wasn't the case and she got up, going to the closet and putting on her tennis shoes. They would be far more effective than slippers if she needed to run tonight.

She remembered speaking to Ryuuzaki and Edgar earlier in the day, and the promises she'd made to them. She didn't know how long she'd been sleeping. It didn't feel like it had been a long time, though she couldn't be sure. Nina only hoped she had not kept either of her would-be companions waiting long.

What else should she bring with her? Hoping that one of the others would have their radio, she made a split-second decision to take only her flashlight. There was no time to waste or to spend dallying over it.

She pushed the door open and it obeyed, confirming that night had indeed fallen, if Nina had needed the confirmation.

[To here.]