Day 58: Cafeteria

[gald_digger]

Anise woke up feeling lucky to be alive. She still felt a bit waterlogged, even though her skin, hair, and clothes were completely dry. During last night's adventures, she'd swallowed a lot of water, and it still felt heavy and disgusting in her stomach. Her arms and legs were tired from treading water. Lying still in her bed, she still kind of felt like she was floating and bobbing in the water.

But she was alive.

Knowing how close she came to death last night, and remembering the lengths her friends had gone to in order to save her, there was no way Anise could let a little discomfort get her down. She had to be at her best today so she wouldn't seem ungrateful to Guy and Claude. On that note, she had to remember to thank them properly, now that she was better able to express herself.

While getting ready, Anise was surprised to actually run into Claude that morning. He came to her room asking for the notebook he stored there (or maybe it was an excuse to see her cute face again), so Anise happily located it and handed it over. She was pretty tired, but the big smile she gave him was genuine. Who wouldn't be happy to see her savior so soon after a dramatic rescue?

After he left, Anise finished re-tying her pigtails into a low position so the military beret would fit on her head, and then she was ready! Even though her stomach wasn't feeling that great, she figured sitting down to a decent meal would help normalize it. And luckily for her, she was among the few who had the privilege of eating such a meal. Anise filled a plate with french toast topped with syrup and fruit, accompanied by small portions of each of the available side dishes.

It looked like she was early, which meant there weren't a lot of people around. That was okay, though. Anise could get a good head start on her meal before any company came around. She sat down at a table by herself and started on her sausage first.

[for Tolten!]

Comments

[diamondstorm]

If Renamon was thinking more at the moment, she would have possibly considered the implications of what she said. Canceling out a hope of escape was close to cruel, though justifiably true in the current standings. It existed as a double-edged sword--it was also possible to provoke action and resolution with the words as well. But the Digimon did not catch her misuse of words, and only continued on.

The girl was sharp, at any rate. Renamon's lips curved in a thin smile of approval. "They're hard to come by." If Leanne would jump straight to the important points, Renamon would speak bluntly. "Most use what they can find. Metal pipes from janitor closet or restroom, wooden poles from the closets in your room, baseball bats from the sheds outside. Upstairs you can find small knives and scalpels in a laboratory--or chemicals to make weapons of your own that way, if it suits.

"Actual weapons...." The Digimon paused. "Aren't likely to be found. There's only a few ways. There's a radio in your room. Some nights, not near to all, there are clues given--and sometimes the clues lead to an actual weapon. Other times it leads to a trap. There's also a town nearby, which may have some there, but it hasn't been validated." She considered asking the girl to accompany them for a moment, then passed on the idea. Doyleton was too dangerous for one newly here. "I'm traveling there later. I'll let you know tomorrow if I find anything of use. There's a bulletin board in the main room that you can check for notes."

[survives]

She was silent for several moments, considering. So no guns for now, but weapons, even if makeshift weapons, were available. The knowledge brought a sense of relief with it, knowing that she wouldn't be left entirely helpless against whatever roamed the halls. She could probably manage with whatever she found for a while,too. A gun would have been best, but a weapon was a weapon, no matter what specific type it was. And this was no time to be picky.

Leanne nodded, flashing a smile at Renamon, and leaned forward slightly on her arms. "Thanks. I really appreciate it!" A pause, her smile slipping some as she glanced briefly at the other occupants of the room. "I really do. I don't know what..."

This was really happening. She wasn't going back to Ebel City, not just yet (though, if she had her way, she'd be going back as soon as she possibly could). For now, there were other things she needed to do.

With renewed determination, she nodded once again. "I'll check out the bulletin board."

[diamondstorm]

For the determination in Leanne's eyes, she was rewarded with a small smile from Renamon. If nothing else, this girl was used to hardships. That provoked something in the Digimon, gave softness instead of severity. Renamon nodded again, then continued. "Do that. There's much to be learned in this place. It's not as straightforward as it seems."

Nothing was bound to the lines of reality or possibility. This place was shaped by wills, and the one who affected it most still existed out there. As Renamon suspected. "What weapons are you familiar with? If I see any tonight, I'll take it for you."

[survives]

Leanne couldn't quite help the grin at that, at the other girl's smile, only growing wider when she heard her offer. She'd definitely chosen a good person to sit with that morning, someone who, in such a short time, managed to help her feel better about the whole situation. Already, the anxiety from just a few minutes ago was disappearing, leaving only determination behind-- determination to get back home, to find her friends, to survive again.

"I can use guns. I'm a lot better with handguns, but I can use bigger ones too." Still beaming, she nodded. "Thank you. Even if you don't find anything!"

Yes. She could do this.

[diamondstorm]

The Digimon nodded, more warmed than she would have thought by Leanne's attitude. "Guns aren't easily found, but some do have them here. I'll keep a look out, and let you know if I find any." One might question her priorities of giving a newcomer a weapon that was nearly impossible to find, but Renamon kept to those who needed. It was why she held nothing back if possible from those who just showed. Information was a weapon in itself, knowledge a blade to fortify a soul, and she would not allow one to go empty handed by way of misplaced pride.

Or be without a physical defense when those new were the ones who needed it most. "It's nothing," she replied, shaking her head slightly. "Was there anything you had questions on? I can try to answer to the best of my abilities." Or the girl could slip away and find out for herself. Experience was a teacher as well as any. As long as Leanne was warned, and wary, Renamon was content.

[survives]

Grin softening into a smile, she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Probably only things none of us know the answers to. Like..." She breathed out another laugh, focusing on the wall behind Renamon. The sound was surprisingly bitter to her ears, much more than she would have expected. She didn't allow herself to dwell on it, however, not at that very moment. What was the point? She already knew what brought on that kind of thing. "Like 'Why me?' I don't know why they keep picking me..."

She closed her eyes briefly, willing herself to remain smiling (she had to stay strong, had to stay strong, she had to), before looking back at the other girl. "Maybe I'll have more questions you can answer tomorrow!"