damned_institute | NIGHT 65: MAIN HALLWAY, 1-CENTER

[From here.]

This hallway was definitely wider than the last one, and he'd passed a set of stairs. He was pretty sure he didn't want to go up, though, but he noted their presence anyway. If all else failed, he could try to get to the roof and jump down from there. Up ahead... Those were the doors to the Sun Room, right? That had seemed like a fairly important room, so the doors directly opposite might be important, too.

Flashlight held steady to light his path, he started making his way toward his goal.

[For Lee and Flora.]

[from here]

Lee was heading straight for the entrance way, his mind full of purpose. Which was why he barreled straight into Lloyd before he fully realized someone had even been aiming for the same destination until it was too late to fully stop.

Yes, Lee was definitely a ninja. His chakra networking was a little off, he decided, trying to shake off the pain from the sudden collision. He had managed to dig his heels in and slow down before the direct hit, but it didn't mean it hadn't hurt a little.

"I-I am so sorry!" Lee reached for the other young man, trying to gauge any possible injuries he might have inflicted with just a quick glance with the flashlight beam.

Lee's approach had been silent enough that Lloyd never noticed until the other slammed into his side. With a cry that's as much from surprise as from pain, Lloyd stumbled, caught off guard, and he only barely kept from falling down. His flashlight hit the ground and skittered a few feet.

"Ow!" His hand went to his ribs with a wince. He wasn't sure exactly what part of the other boy had hit him, and it probably wouldn't give him more than a bruise, but it still hurt. He squinted as light flashed into his face. "Who're you?" he demanded, partially irritated, but really just startled and in pain.

Yeah, okay, under better circumstances, he didn't usually demand someone's name without giving his own first, but the guy had just run into him. Literally! Lloyd felt he was justified.

Lloyd and Lee seemed to have the same ideology when it came to giving names; usually Lee would insist that one gave one's name before asking another theirs. But this instance was totally the case where Lee didn't mind the breach in etiquette.

"I am Rock Lee! Shinobi of Konoha!" He proclaimed his openly (and rather loudly) but his brows were drawn inwardly in worry. "I do hope you will be all right! I did not mean to hit you! Under normal circumstances, this would not have happened!"

Lee kind of wanted to sit there and flail a little. This was a serious error and that would never have happened back home. So absurd! But... Lee held up his hands hopelessly. "I do not have the words to express how sorry I am."

Lee's apology sounded sincere, and the initial shock of pain was starting to fade. Not that it didn't still hurt, but enough that Lloyd could stand to gingerly probe his ribs. Nothing felt broken, at least. Satisfied that it wasn't anything serious, he straightened up and tried to get a good look at the person who'd run into him.

It wasn't easy to see in the dark, especially when the flashlight was shining away from Lee, but Lloyd got an impression of dark hair and dark eyes and an open face that was filled with concern. Mollified, he let some of his defensiveness drop. "It's okay," he said, shaking his head. "It's pretty hard to see in this place, even with these things." Speaking of which... He stooped to pick his up. "I'm Lloyd Irving." Then as an afterthought, he added, "From Iselia." It was only fair to volunteer that since Lee had volunteered where he'd come from first.

Konoha, though... The name was unfamiliar, but that was only marginally surprising, since he was pretty sure he was still in Tethe'alla somewhere. He didn't know Tethe'alla very well, since he was from the world of Sylvarant. The other word, now... "What's a shinobi?"

It seemed he had been forgiven, so Lee could relax. A little at least.

"It is good to meet you, Lloyd-san!" Or as good as slamming into someone could be. Lee was fairly sincere, however. He had nothing against a boy he had just met, and Lloyd was at least nice enough to forgive him without holding a grudge. He also had not heard of Iselia, but he also hadn't heard of New Orleans or New Jersey either. At least Iselia did not have a 'new' before it. Calling a place 'new' just seemed silly when it was going to eventually become old.

It seemed most people were unfamiliar with the word. But Lee didn't mind explaining one bit! "A shinobi is a ninja! We are warriors who are trained in the arts of combat and stealth!"

Lloyd might not have been familiar with the word shinobi, but that description was definitely familiar. "Oh!" His face lit up with recognition. "So Konoha's like Mizuho? My friend Sheena's a ninja, too, and that's where she comes from."

So maybe it wasn't the exact same place, and Rock Lee probably didn't even know who Sheena was, but this whole place was strange and unfamiliar and this was the first thing Lloyd had heard that reminded him of home. Well, not home exactly, but close enough. Lloyd could feel himself warming up to him,if for no other reason than that connection. It didn't hurt that the guy seemed fairly friendly, too.

"Where are you headed, Rock? I wouldn't mind having a ninja along, even if it's just for a little bit." Just because he hadn't run into anything yet didn't mean he wouldn't, and if Lee was anything like Sheena, Lloyd was pretty sure he'd be worth having at his side.

Lee had never heard of Mizuho, but it sounded a lot more normal than any other place he had heard of. Perhaps it was somewhere in the Rain country? Either way, it gave Lee some comfort to know he had finally found someone who spoke his language, or at least knew of a person who did.

Lee lifted a thumb in his trademark Nice Guy pose, giving Lloyd a huge smile. "You may call me Lee, if you wish! Hardly anyone calls me by my family name!" It wasn't a name worth remembering. Yet!

And as for his plans... "I was planning on busting out of this place, gathering my barrings, and setting off to gain directions back home! You may definitely accompany me, if you wish!"

It would probably be a good idea having another person around to watch his back. Ninja traveled in groups and worked in teams rather than doing things solo, unless they happened to be ANBU elite. Lee wasn't quite to that level, and Lloyd didn't seem like the stay at home type either, so certainly no harm could come of their working together.

_{[From here]}

There were others over here, not as many as before, but this seemed like a good opportunity to get more information. One of them had mentioned breaking out and going home, it left her wondering if he knew where this was, maybe.

Flora stepped forward, looking between the two of them, concern evident on her face. If they were trying to get out, it made her prison theory a lot more credible, unfortunately. "Um, pardon the interruption, I couldn't help but overhear a little, but are you two alright? And do either of you know what's going on, here?" She had many questions, but that seemed like a good place to start.

"Oh. I thought Lee was your family name." Lloyd had grown up in a place where given names came first, so it hadn't even occurred to him that it might be different for Lee. Still, he accepted the correction easily enough. If Lee wanted to be called Lee, that was fine with him. "Lee it is, then."

His spirits lifted at hearing Lee's plan, and he flashed a determined grin back at him. "I was planning on breaking out of here, too. If you want to work together with me, I bet we could-"

He broke off and looked up when a girl's voice interrupted him. Turning his flashlight in the direction it had come from, he spotted a girl with long hair that he was pretty sure was brown, dressed in the same gray clothes that seemed pretty standard at Landel's. He blinked at the questions, then frowned, casting a glance at Lee before answering.

"We're fine," he said. "Well, mostly. I don't know if I'm the best person to explain what's going on here, but this place is called Landel's Institute. It's... sort of a hospital, only it's not." He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand, not sure how to explain something he wasn't clear on the details himself. "The doctors aren't helping people at all. They're hurting them and making them sick. We're trying to break out so we can get help." At least, that's what he was going to do.

He paused, then added, "I... take it you just got here, too?"

Edited 2012-08-14 23:59 (UTC)

It was a common mistake. Who had ever even heard of the Rock family in Konoha? But Lee only smiled and nodded, happy to know Lloyd did not mind being a little informal. And Lloyd seemed to be on-board with the whole escape the institute plan! Lee had definitely found a reliable companion for a break out.

However, before they could solidify their plans a young woman broke into their conversation. Not in the least put off by a new face, especially one that seemed so lost, Lee gave the woman a friendly smile.

"Indeed!" Lee agreed wholeheartedly with Lloyd. His face became serious and he added his own input. "The place is supposedly full of monsters at night, but I have not seen any yet. I have a war to attend to back home, but as soon as we are free I will make sure that we have rescue crews sent here to help other patients escape when they are able."

Lee motioned the doors opposite the entrance to the Sun Room. "I believe the most direct exit is out this way. Would you care to join us in leaving?"

Edited 2012-08-16 01:49 (UTC)

Flora was shocked before her face set into a hard from. A hospital that was hurting people? "How awful! Why would anyone do such a thing?" How could such a place exist? It turned her stomach to think about.

She was curious about this war. He looked young to be fighting in one, but then, hadn't she been the same in her first? Flora knew that humans had been in many of them and wanted to know more about this one, but now was not the time to ask. She bit her lip. Would leaving really be alright, though?

Flora blinked, a little surprised--didn't everyone just arrive here?--but then nodded. She hadn't considered the possiblity of people being here for any length of time before now. It made her wonder. "Yes, that's right! I just got here a few minutes ago. My name is Flora. It's nice meeting you both, even if I wish the circumstances were a lot better than this." She smiled at them both nonetheless, giving a weak half-shrug. She tipped her head at the black-haired boy, something he said gave her pause."You believe that about the monsters? Do you believe in them?" There was nothing but surprise and curiosity in her tone. Honestly, she woudn't be all too surprised to find them in this place--it was really creepy and felt off--but humans didn't believe in them. Though she guessed that they might have after the things that have been happening recently.

"I'll come with you, though..." she cast a concerned glance over her shoulder, "...I am worried about the other people here, too, even if we are leaving to help." It didn't sit well with her, but sometimes necessary things just wouldn't. Even if it wasn't best information by the first boy's admition, it was still more than she knew. She'd trust them. Besides, now that she'd spoken with and found people, she couldn't leave them, either. Who knew what was out there? If this was all supposed to be a twisted experiment, leaving couldn't have been an easy thing to do. She wanted to find her friends if they were here, but they could also take care of themselves.

The worry never left, but she nodded, as much for herself as for her new companions. "I'll come along."

"I haven't seen any monsters yet, either," Lloyd confirmed. "But two other people have told me about them, too, so they're probably real." Without any trace of skepticism in his face or his voice, it was clear he took the rumor very seriously. "I've fought monsters before, but I'd be glad for any help. The more of us there are, the better chance we'll have. You're welcome to come with us, if you want." Not waiting for a response, he held his hand out to Flora. "I'm Lloyd."

What she said had touched a nerve with him, though, and he looked off in the dark back the way he'd come from. There were other people here, and he was leaving them. Maybe he hadn't met most of them, but that didn't change the fact that they needed help, too. No one should be left in a place like this, where doctors made people sick and brainwashed them and kept you prisoner. But on the other hand, could he really take this whole place on by himself, without any weapons except for a knife? He'd seen nurses following other patients, and there had to be more people who worked here who he hadn't seen. The doctors, too, and the Head Doctor himself. Lloyd was pretty good, but was he that good?

Overconfidence breeds carelessness. As much as he didn't like the memory of that reprimand from Kratos, or even thinking about Kratos at all, that didn't make it any less true. He shook his head. "I don't like the thought of leaving anyone here, either, but I'm not sure there's anything we can do by ourselves. I don't think this is something where we can afford to make a mistake. I'm leaving, but it's only because I know that when I come back with my friends, I know this place won't stand a chance."

"And I am Rock Lee," the ninja said again, not sure if Flora heard his previous introduction. He believed in the monsters because so far things seemed to be going as others said, and Sasuke hadn't denied their presence. Sasuke had no reason to lie to him, even if they weren't anything more than tentative comrades at best here. Lloyd at least seemed familiar with the concept, so Lee would leave it at that.

"Well said, Lloyd-san!" Lee offered a smile to Flora, then raised her a thumbs up as he gave his trademark Nice Guy pose. "We will indeed come back, and with force! You have my word as a man, Flora-san!"

When the war was over (and it would indeed be over shortly) Lee planned on leading all able-bodied shinobi to this place. If Lloyd's friends were not enough to topple it, then surely a whole troop of militant ninja could.

Turning back to the door he had indicated before, Lee reached out and pulled on the handle. Surprisingly, it opened without a hitch. Unlocked. What shabby security. Perhaps this place underestimated them; so much the easier for them to escape.

[to here]

NIGHT 65: MAIN HALLWAY, 1-CENTER

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