damned_institute | Day 24: Recreational Field

Entry tags:

Day 24: Recreational Field

The second thing Riku noticed was that this Landels had the smell of a room that'd been drenched in bleach. Possibly one that had marinated in it for a longer period than it should have. Still, what it smelled like (aside from darkness) wasn't important in this instance, it was the facade the building had taken. A fairly solid one, in the way of Mental Institutions. .. Not that Riku visited them often, but if he had, he imagined this to be the approximate appearance they'd hold.

Along these lines, at least. Perhaps more elaborate, add more ~~curtains~~ variation so as to not drive patients insane.

.. Because that's what really mattered when you were being called 'Billy Zane' and being told your life was a lie. Interior design. No; sometimes Riku had to wonder if living with Maleficent had done irreversible damage to his brain. His hair might be part of that, that he could cut though.

When he came out to the field and realized that he ~~couldn't stand around and look pretty~~ was expected to do more than stand still, he just stared at his nurse. She, being the strange woman that she was, stared back. This caused a staring contest that lasted for two minutes before she tossed a ball at his head.

He caught it, but it forced him to blink. Thankfully this wasn't a real contest, otherwise Riku's manly pride would be at stake. Only not, seeing how she cheated with that cheap shot.

Not that it mattered, he had a feeling that once the other patients started arriving, he'd obtain his few answers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What the hell?

"...'Baticul?' Just what kind of back-water place do you come from?" Masaru had definitely never heard that name before. Maybe this guy came from one of those tiny countries nobody'd ever heard of with some horrible school system. "And if you're so damn smart, do you even know where this is?"

...Never heard of the Eastern Hemisphere. Was this actually guy serious?

"Bastard, stop screwing around!" Masaru snapped. Even he knew the names of things were different depending on where you you went. "Just because things are like that were you come from doesn't mean it's the same everywhere! If you're a man, you can't go around having such a narrow view of the world!"

"Backwater?! It's only the capital city of one of the two strongest countries in the world!" Luke shot back. What the hell was this guy's problem? How could he have never heard of Baticul? Was Japan some isolated country that was in some obscure corner of the world that never even set foot in other civilizations? If it was filled with idiots like Masaru, maybe that was a good thing.

Never heard of Baticul. What kind of idiot was he?

"Don't call me a bastard! It is the same worldwide! I don't have a narrow worldview, I've only been around the world maybe like a million times already! Hell, I was saving it, so I'm telling the truth when I say it's the same everywhere! Don't you remember the miasma and stuff? Who do you think got rid of it, moron?!"

The nerve of some people! He nearly kills himself to save the world twice and this kid calls him a bastard?

"What the hell are you talking about?! I don't know what kind of propaganda your place feeds you, but the two strongest countries are America and Britain, and that's not the capital of either one!" What kind of complete moron was this guy?!

"Don't feed me that bullshit! If you've been around as much as you say, you'd at least know that much! And don't you try to lecture me on saving the world!"

The bit about the miasma went completely over Masaru's head, as he was too busy grabbing Luke by the collar of his shirt to pay any attention to it. "My dad gave everything he had so that two worlds could live in harmony! Do you know what's it like thinking you lost your own father forever? Do you?!"

Masaru himself was actually completely startled he'd said that. Even though he'd really, really wanted hit this guy before, he found himself abruptly letting go and turning away with scowl.

"...Whatever. There's more important things than stubbornness. Think what you want."

Luke was just about ready to turn this relatively minor disagreement into an outright fight when Masaru said something strange. Two... worlds? Luke ignored everything else the other redhead had said, instead thinking about what Masaru had said. There was more than one world?

Then again, hadn't the nurse denied that he was on Auldrant? And what this guy was saying, about Japan and the Eastern Hemisphere and there being twelve months in a year... maybe he was really telling the truth. And Luke as well. Maybe there were really more than one world.

Realizing he may have hit a sore spot, and not feeling like comparing tragedies, Luke cleared his throat and muttered apologetically.

"... I'm sorry, Masaru. I didn't know that about your dad," Luke did actually know how that felt, somewhat. He wasn't going to get into it, as he was sure Masaru didn't care to hear excuses, but he didn't mean to make the other kid upset.

"You know what, I think you were right. I don't come from the same world as you, do I?"

"Forget about it," Masaru responded dismissively. "Everything worked out, so I don't know what I was thinking, saying things like that." And he really didn't. Just where the hell had that come from, anyway?

"Guess not," he agreed. That was about the only thing that made sense. He felt really stupid now, considering that he had regularly passed between two worlds and had never stopped to think that maybe there were more. "Sorry. I probably should have thought of that before."

"But hey... what are we getting down for?" Once again, Masaru was grinning. "As a man, it's only natural to argue with someone you disagree with. And we settled it, so everything's fine, right?"

He extended a hand. "Friends?"

Masaru's grin was infectious, and Luke was willing to let the subject drop if the other guy was. At least it sounded like wherever he came from, it was safe, because Luke was worried for his own. If this wasn't Auldrant... what happened? Did he succeed in destroying the miasma or did he simply blow himself to another world? What would happen to everyone?!

At first, Luke didn't even look up when Masaru extended his hand, seemingly caught up in his own ~~EMO OH NOEZ MASARU GET AWAY!~~ thoughts when he finally brought his attention back to the real world.

"Oh, uh, sorry. Yeah, friends!" Luke grinned, taking Masaru's hand and shaking it. Well, he was glad that awkward moment was over, because now that Luke thought about it, it looked like those nurses gathered together were staring at them.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about my own world. Hey, do you know anything about this place? I just woke up, so... I'm don't know what the hell is going on here."

That guy didn't seem to be in the best mood still, but so long as he was tying, Masaru wasn't going to bother him about it. Everyone had their moments, even him, and the pair wasn't really close enough that the auburn-haired boy could call it any of his business. Of course, since they were going to friends, maybe that would change and he could ask about it sometime. Who knew?

His features quickly sobered when Luke asked about where they were, though. "Well, that's... It's my first time here too, but it's not really a place anybody wants to be. People said... something like nobody here is really crazy, and at night there's monsters all over the place. I haven't really been around long enough to know, but the guy who made me understand is pretty decent. I don't think he'd lie about something like that."

Of course, Masaru being Masaru, he couldn't keep such a troubled expression for very long, and was once again looking bright as ever. "I was going to stick around a little longer so another friend and I can meet up. We're going to go find the head guy of this place and kick his ass. Wanna come along?"

Masaru didn't sound like he really understood the place himself, which was fine for Luke since apparently the other redhead also just got here, and nodded at the parts he did understand. Monsters at nighttime? They actually let monsters in the building? What, did all the guards go home at night or something? That seemed terrible and somewhat illegal to Luke, but then again, he wasn't on Auldrant anymore...

Then again, the idea of finding the head guy and kicking his ass sounded great too, so Luke nodded. Once they did that, he could probably find a way back home.

"Sounds like a plan to me! Count me in!"

(From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/113886.html?thread=7353822#t7383774))

It didn't take long for Larsa to lead Miku towards the two redheads, and situated himself a few feet away just in case his presence was unwelcome in any way. He was relieved to find them both in seemingly good spirits, so maybe his efforts would not be in vain.

"Good afternoon Masaru, as well as with you good sir." Larsa started with a small bow out of respect. "Do you mind if we accompany you for the remainder of this shift? Or at least, a meager portion of it?"

Miku stood behind Larsa, and smiled at them. "Would you mind playing a game of Demon Tag with us? Larsa-kun had thought you might..." she gave them her best ~~moe beam~~ smile and hoped.

Despite how frightening the game was back then, it would be nice to have something to take their minds off their troubles, wouldn't it?

"Now you're talking!" This was would be just like old times - him and a group of friends fighting for what they believed in. He wasn't really sure if they would make as much of an unstoppable team, but that didn't really matter much. They'd get to that Head Doctor, and Masaru could probably be back to Agumon by breakfast!

But hey... Was this guy even taking him seriously? "Wait a minute, what are you looking that for? There's-"

It was just Masaru's luck that he was interrupted, though he was really too distracted by it to be annoyed. "Oh, Larsa! This is Luke." And to Luke, he said, "He's the guy I mentioned."

"Who's your friend? And what exactly is 'Demon Tag'?"

"Huh?" Masaru's complaint went right over Luke's head, thanks to the two strangers that arrived.

He at first thought Masaru was speaking to the girl, but Luke literally did a double-take. This kid was his friend?! Then again, Anise was a kid and nobody doubted her skill in battle, but... The kid seemed more like Ion than Anise.

"Hey," Luke grinned, deciding to just wait until the night to see what was going on. "Yeah, what's Demon Tag?" Whatever it was, he was going to win it. Luke was the self-declared champion at any kind of tag, having chased Guy around the manor so many times when he was a kid (and actually catching him!). This was going to be a piece of cake!

"'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Luke-kun." Larsa responded as he straightened himself. Miku's talk of honorifics was intriguing to say the least, and the child desired to polish his knowledge of it just in case someone expected no less out of him.

"As Hinasaki-san informed me, 'Demon Tag' is much like what you may be familiar, though the tagger must be blindfolded for the duration of his or her turn." Larsa explained, looking around for a moment before realizing something.

"However, since a search for a proper blindfold may prove inconvenient we might just have the tagger close his eyes. Of course, they must be entrusted by the others not to peek."

Though Larsa would never show it, he was as excited about this as Luke was. Not for the same reasons, of course, but he hadn't the chance to properly stretch his legs ever since he arrived here.

"You have it right, Larsa-kun," Miku said brightly, though, now with more people she seemed to have gotten shyer and kept her eyes to the ground. She looked around the field, it didn't look like anyone had a bandanna she could ~~steal~~ borrow for the time being.

Well, that was sad. "So, who is 'it' first?" Miku pondered and looked around. "Volunteer?"

It was a little weird to hear Larsa start using honorifics, as in their previous conversation, the boy hadn't bothered with them. Masaru had sort of assumed that they just didn't use them where Larsa came from, but maybe he was wrong? It wouldn't be the first time.

"Luke's a little old for you to be calling 'kun,' isn't he?" he laughed. He almost didn't bother correcting it, because really? It was kind of funny, especially since from what he'd seen, Larsa did act older than Luke.

When... (Was it Hinasaki that Larsa had called her?) spoke up though, he grew a little less light-hearted.

"That sounds fun and all... but is it really the time to be playing games? We're going to have to get out of here soon! That's what we should be thinking about!

Luke really wasn't sure what that little "-kun" was supposed to mean, and was even more confused when Masaru said Luke was too old to be referred to by such a ... title? Would he call it that? Luke suddenly had the feeling that he was being made fun of and crossed his arms, giving Larsa and Masaru a sour look.

"Mind telling me what the 'kun' at the end of my name is supposed to mean?" Luke asked, a little deadpan. Granted, he also just wanted to know for the sake of knowing. The lack of knowledge on seemingly useless things always screwed him over in the past.

Masaru did have a point though. Was this really the time to be playing games? Luke just got here and he had no idea where he was or what was going on, but the way he saw it, it was pretty much impossible to leave during the day or else... they would have done so already. What else could they do?

"Uh, I guess Masaru has a point though," He admitted. The gravity of their situation hadn't really dawned on him yet. "Is it really that hard to get out, though? What's stopping us at night other than some monsters?"

"...Did I get it wrong again?" Well so much for doing a good job at it. Larsa sighed a little, rubbing the back of his head while he tried to find a proper explanation for Luke.

"'Kun' is part of an honorific that I've heard some people use when referring to others. If my knowledge proves faithful, 'kun' is one referred to for boys. I've only learnt of it recently, however, so I've yet to get a full grasp at it." The child answered, more than happy to prove himself useful. However, both men did have a point, and frowned when they pointed out how serious their situation really was.

"There must be several other factors that prevent us from escaping. I am not sure if Masaru had informed you, but everyone is greatly weakened here. I've also heard of times where some of the patients are brainwashed in some form and attack their own allies."

Miku winced at Masaru's words. "There isn't anything we can do until night falls anyway. Besides, not being active will alert the nurses to come over and eavesdrop on us." Miku's hand stayed over her heart, in her usual nervous habit.

"So, for now, a little mindless activity will keep them from being suspicious. If you'd like... I'll give you both maps in return," Miku hated feeling that she had to barter for a little bit of fun - was being social like Rei and Yuu had urged her to be really so difficult.

The photographer's assistant was beginning to wonder. "I should've been clearer in my explanation, Larsa-kun. '-kun' is used for younger boys, or friends you are especially close to. '-san' would be proper for Luke-san, as he's older than you, or myself." She murmured to him and paused. "But I should probably tell you about that later."

"....Wait a minute, attacking their own friends? You never told me anything about that!" Masaru snapped at Larsa's additional explanation.

"But you know, I agree with Luke. Even now, if we combine our power, at least one of us should be able to get through. How many of them are there, anyway? Probably pretty good odds compared to some of the stuff I've seen." That arrogant street-fighter's pride of his dripped from every word.

But he couldn't stay that confident very long, it seemed. "Well, I guess," he sighed when the girl spoke up. "If that's how everyone's going to feel about it, there's no choice. If you can't put your heart into the fight, you've already lost."

That was what he had learned. Who knew? Maybe a game or two would pick their spirits back up, although Masaru still kind of wondered just what they were doing.

Luke was starting to feel lost again. Damn, this reminded him too much of when he first started his adventures through Auldrant. As much as he tried to pay attention this time, it was sort of going over his head. Oh well, he would find out eventually, right? It seemed like all the action was going to happen at night, so Luke figured it was best to wait until then.

"Uh, let's just go with...", Luke paused, realizing he didn't catch the girl's name, if Larsa even said it, "Her idea. I don't want those nurses to come back either, they were staring at us earlier and it wasn't a friendly stare either," Luke suggested, also eager to just dissolve the tension in the air. Last thing he wanted to do was get in the middle of a fight or something.

"Then, when night comes, we'll all meet up and get outta here!"

Which made him realize something else.

"... Uh, how are we meeting up anyway?"

"T'was because I hadn't the time to thoroughly explain it. Also, I was planning on mentioning it when we met again this evening." Larsa responded as he was snapped at, trying his best not to look saddened. But since everyone seemed to move on he didn't feel the need to dwell on the past any longer either.

He quickly nodded at Miku's explanation, making sure not to mess up again the next chance he was given to try. Though for now it looked as if they were going to play after all. This brought a smile to Larsa's face, but it was short-lived when he glanced curiously in Luke's direction.

"Oh! Masaru and I were planning on crossing our paths in the Sun Room. What is your room number? I can stop by so it would be easier to group up." Though already he was pulling his journal out of his pocket.

"However, if you cannot remember I would be more than happy to draw a map for you." It would only take him a minute anyway, and they could soon start their game afterwards.

Miku listened to them talk, but didn't offer another word until they had finished. She had plans to get to Alfons this evening, and those plans would supersede any plans that someone else offered.

"If I see you this evening, I'll be sure to give you maps," she murmured and lifted her eyes to gauge them. She glanced surreptitiously at Luke, then Masaru -- pretty red hair, a little exotic, good if she used a filter to make his hair look more red. Masaru had an angry look to him, it would be hard to take pictures of him, she decided.

"Night it is, then," Masaru sighed after everything. He still wanted to leave right then, but since he'd said he'd meet up with Larsa and Luke, he couldn't. A man always kept his word.

"So, are we going to play or what?" he asked with a grin, pulling himself to his feet. Now that everything had been settled, who was he to resist a little competition?

The way that Hinasaki was looking at him was just a little distracting, though. "Um... is there something on my face?"

Luke, being ever so oblivious, didn't notice the girl staring at him. In fact, he was too preoccupied with planning his battle strategy for this little game of tag they were going to play. Blindfolded? No problem! Luke could handle this!

And he needed something a little normal. If he thought too much about Auldrant... well, Luke was getting a little sick just thinking about it and he didn't want to freak out in the middle of a crowd of strangers.

"Uh, I'm not sure. I didn't get a good look at my room," Luke answered, looking a little embarassed. Hey, in his defense, some crazy nurse was calling him Ashley and dragging him out through the halls! "And I'm not sure where this... Sun Room is."

Even Luke was seeing that this... might not work out for him. Damnit all, a chance to get some allies and he blew it by not paying attention to something like room numbers! (or the general environment).

Having expected that kind of answer (with no fault towards Luke of course), Larsa began to quickly sketch a partial map similar to the one he gave Masaru. Once more the detail was somewhat lacking, but it was enough to provide a general layout of the destination at hand.

"'Tis not the best, but I think it is enough to give you some sense of direction. There are 10 rooms in each row, and 4 rows in each block. Once you find your number then it is a simple matter of exiting your block and moving on from there." Larsa quickly explained as he ripped out another page of his journal and handed the map (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/brendab432/Landels/MapUnfinished1.jpg) to Luke.

"Now with that said," He started after regaining his composure. "Who volunteers to be 'it'?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Day 24: Recreational Field

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject