Nightshift 24: Stairway near Patients' Blocks

[tartaros-avatar.livejournal.com]

[[From here]]

Recluse peered into the darkness above before starting up the stairs. The fight with that prisoner had relieved a lot of tension. He'd won, and quite decisively. But now wasn't the time to let that blind him.

After all, he had told a pawn of his years ago- "Don't gloat about your victories until you've won the war." Maybe he should heed his own advice.

Comments

(for Recluse)

[damned-monsters.livejournal.com]

Something was bored and wanted to play.

A soft stirring of air around its new playmate, but nothing visible, not yet.

It giggled in Recluse's ear, childish and gleeful.



[Katsu]

Re: (for Recluse)

[tartaros-avatar.livejournal.com]

Recluse tensed at the new sound, dropping his makeshift bag and retrieving the flashlight from it, for the weight as a bludgeon if nothing else. He scanned the area, finding nothing. How could something sneak up on him like this? His night vision was near perfect!

[burningdigisoul.livejournal.com]

"Oh well," Masaru sighed. It was true not having the slightest clue where anything was located was a real pain, but it wasn't like there was anything they could do now. "We just have to stay confident that we'll get there. That's what a man does!" He said triumphantly. He sort of wondered what position he was in to be saying those sorts of things after that monster incident, though. Stupid bastard.

After a short walk down the hallway, he managed to catch sight of a door. Where was the Sun Room on that map again? Hell, he couldn't remember.

"Maybe this is it?" he shrugged, opening the door. "Stairs, huh?"

Had there been anything like that back on that map? Who knew. Larsa could have afforded to draw it more clearly anyway. But it wasn't that it really mattered since he'd lost it.

[radiant-howl.livejournal.com]

Confidence? Luke was sure they'd run into Larsa sooner or later, and he wasn't going to give up trying, but the Kimlascan was wondering if it was going to be because of stupid luck or they would find some sign to point them in the right direction.

Well, that sign didn't come.

"Augh, I didn't know there were stairs!" Luke complained. Which floor was the Sun Room even on? How many floors did Landels even have? This was stupid!

"Let's just go up them. The Head Doctor is probably on the top floor anyway," Luke suggested. That always seemed to be the case in Auldrant anyway. "We might have to fight him without Larsa's help, but I doubt he's anything like that monster."

Besides... Luke wasn't sure if it was safe to involve a kid like Larsa. Larsa reminded Luke of Ion, and if he was anything like Ion, it meant the kid was frail and shouldn't be exposed to too much danger anyway.

[killing-suzie.livejournal.com]

(from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html?thread=7983245#t7994509))

Jack took the lead to the staircase they had used the previous night. He heard voices, ahead, which wasn't a big deal, but then his eyes began to water, and his nose burn. He immediately backed up before he could catch more than just a burning whiff. "Pepper spray," he hissed.

And then there was that giggle, echoing down the hall. He really didn't want to go near that.

[traitors-smile.livejournal.com]

Gin caught the stinging scent quickly enough and retreated a few steps. Pepper spray? It was named accurately enough. The laughter was a little unnerving, and he couldn't argue with Jack deduction. "There's a second set of stairs," he said quietly. "By th' doctors office. We c'n give that a try 'less you're feelin' daring."

[0bnoxious.livejournal.com]

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html?view=8051341#t8051341)]

No stupid distractions so far, which was a definite plus.

His eyes peered up the dark stairwell. He heard voices, sounds of battle...but Albel wasn't about to meddle in someone else's affairs. If they were weak enough to be killed by some worthless maggot, then they weren't worth to be saved anyway.

He carefully ascended the stairs.

[0bnoxious.livejournal.com]

to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/127751.html)

[empty-death.livejournal.com]

((From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html?thread=7981197#t7981197)))

Faust could hear signs of a fight and could smell something in the air. Careful to avoid the skirmish, he headed upstairs. If he was correct in his assumptions, he was close. He scribbled something in his notes as he walked.

[empty-death.livejournal.com]

((To here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/127751.html?view=8058887#t8058887)))

[blazing-general.livejournal.com]

Signum paused as she approached the intersection, swagger lost with her literal and mental momentum. She knew continuing on straight would bring her to the cafeteria, but beyond that the facility's layout was a mystery to her. She'd planned on joining others before directions became an issue.

Of course, an intersection was a good place to wait for other patients, but anything planning on ambushing them might think the same way, and standing alone and in the open would be playing right into her hypothetical predator's claws. She sank back towards the wall opposite the stairwell and waited.

It was enough for her. Be it enemy or ally, whatever appeared next would suit her needs.

[thehellismycar.livejournal.com]

Either Kasady was in the shittiest mood conceivable or he was comfortable showing his true colours. Whatever the case, Dean was more than happy to leave his peeved roommate to his devices.

Assembling a cautious stance, he allowed himself to revel in musings. He had yet to locate a woman with dark hair answering to 'Tifa', though to dish up a diversion from qualms concerning the safety of his allies, the huntsman dwelled on, by some miracle, running into her tonight. After all, it'd been a fair time since he'd –

A silhouette, unmistakably a woman's, approached the immediate area. He ducked to one side of the hall, pressed his back against it and folded his arms. The young woman halted nearby, and he abruptly switched on the flashlight.

"You wouldn't happen to be 'Teef-' oh." He frowned as he noticed the girl's bright pink bangs. This couldn't be her. He lowered the torch to the ground, no longer shining it in her face like a brusque interrogator. "My mistake..." He gazed at her figure for a moment before almost flinching as he returned sights to her lovely face. "Kinda risky for a lady to be wandering this place by herself, don't y'think?" He managed to smile rather than smirk.

[burningdigisoul.livejournal.com]

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/125635.html?thread=8258755#t8258755)]

What was with these stairs? Running around like this was a real pain in the ass. Wasn't there an elevator somewhere or something?

That thing they'd tried fighting earlier was still there too, but it looked like there were a couple of people around to deal with it. They'd probably be fine - the worst it had done to him and Luke was get them with that damn spray - so Masaru kept running.

"Almost there!"

[radiant-howl.livejournal.com]

"That wasn't what I - ah, nevermind, you're right, I'm coming!"

Luke had the feeling that while he and Masaru communicated well, they weren't really understanding each other. But they actually worked well as a team despite this difficulty, so Luke wasn't going to complain. Especially when they had a job to do.

"I think we should take a right, just like we did when we got to the top of the stairs," Luke suggested as far as directions went. It made sense to him, anyway.

He ran ahead of Masaru, hoping to guide the other redhead in what he thought was the right direction anyway.

[rubbermancan.livejournal.com]

((From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html?thread=8265101#t8265101) ))

Luffy was more than pleased when they made it to the stairs. "Well, that was easy--" But he stopped short when he heard something weird up ahead. It sounded like a...little kid giggling? Strange! He certainly didn't remember ever seeing any little kids around this place, but apparently he'd been wrong. Maybe they'd been so small that he'd missed them? It would have been an easy mistake.

They sounded awfully happy, though, whoever it was. Maybe they'd found something interesting! Given the circumstances, some people might have been unnerved by hearing such a sound in a place like Landel's, but Luffy was quite intrigued. The pirate's eyes brightened a little bit, and he grinned.

"Sounds like there're people up there," Luffy remarked, and he moved as if he was about to just march up the stairs regardless.

[felled-hero.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, it does."

Hughes' words were careful, slow and deliberate. His stance changed from one of calm to one of precise determination. A knife appeared in his hand, called forth from inside the confines of his clothing. He was showing his soldier side for the time being.

"Hold up a minute," he went on, holding out his other hand to emphasize his words. "It doesn't hurt to be careful, especially around here." After so many encounters with things that looked human, Hughes had learned that lesson the hard way.

"You got a weapon on you?"

[madvampireking.livejournal.com]

((Coming from: here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/120405.html)))

The smell of blood was quite thick in the air, but his Master's stern words were more than a deterrent, he knew better than to run off to go feed. Still smouldering quitely, Alucard left the female hall behind them, giving the main hall a rather disinsterested glance.

He had already been around the first floor...and there were no file cabinets. Or anything remotely related to files in the first place.

Alucard picked the nearby staircase, heading towards the second floor.

[hajike-tobiume.livejournal.com]

Momo swept her gaze about as she picked up the various movements in the stairwell Alucard lead them too.

Being unfamiliar with any of the institutes grounds outside her room, Momo decided she'd rely on her companions' knowledge of the area. If Alucard seemed uninterested in the hall to the left, which she supposed lead to the rest of the first floor, the odds were nothing either he nor Integra had encountered would be there. Besides, Integra spoke of wanting to see paperwork and if the patients were kept on the first floor, what they were looking for was probably not on the same floor. or at least not on this side of the institute.

The shinigami stopped and turned to check their rear as she felt something. She wasn't sure what it was she was feeling, but she got the sense it was something she should identify. Looking around, Momo didn't see anyone or anything she recognized in the stairwell. She rejoined Integra and Alucard, pushing the sensation to the back of her mind. That creepiness she felt was probably just a product of the atmosphere.

[untime.livejournal.com]

[bara-no-shinrou.livejournal.com]

[ From Here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/120020.html?thread=8400084#t8400084) ]

"Suzumiya-san? Oi, Suzumiya-san, could you wait up?" Utena had been running after Haruhi for a few minutes, and was sure she had disappeared behind this door. But... there was no way to be certain. It was dark, and she had, until just after she opened the door, forgotten she had the flashlight. Once that knowledge returned, she clicked the device on, flashing it up the stairs.

[notearthlogic.livejournal.com]

[ From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/120020.html?thread=8391636#t8391636) ]

Haruhi was already starting up the stairs by the time she realized Utena had followed her. She shielded her eyes from the glare of the flashlight as she looked down. "Oh, did you want to look for monsters too?"

She was going to wait up a bit (a rarity for her), but noises from above had caught her interest. "Hey, I think something is happening!" She shouted down to Utena, "Let's go take a look!" With that she began bolting up the stairs.

[whiteychan.livejournal.com]

(from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html?thread=8414861#t8414861)

Leading his team further, they reached the stairs indicated on the map. Here, he could here the sounds of a scuffle, and was it...giggling? At the base of the stairs, he motioned for his team to stop.

"Something's in the stairwell," he said to the others. "But it looks to be dealing with other patients. Be absolutely quiet, this is not our fight." As much as he would have liked to stop and fight, duty came first. They had a mission, and if anyone was crazy enough to roam these hallways, they were likely more than capable...and smart enough to know when to run away.

[blazingsword.livejournal.com]

Hearing Hitsugaya-taicho's order, Jean nodded in acknowledgement. Scouting missions were for scouting only; it would be unwise to enter a fight that they weren't involved in in the first place.

Still, she hoped whoever was being attacked would be all right, and waited for the young boy to give out more commands.

[hangenki.livejournal.com]

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/118925.html)]

Kaoru had to find Hikaru.
It didn't feel safe to be so far away from the dorms, and Hikaru wasn't likely to be here. He ignored the strange pull of curiosity, telling him to go deeper into the hospital. To explore upstairs.

It wasn't impossible to ignore, due to the other pull. The twin pull of twinliness that was saying something was up. If only it came with a navigating system or radar or something. Where the HELL was Hikaru?!

[damned-monsters.livejournal.com]

Something giggled, high-pitched and childish, in Kaoru's ear, happy to have a new friend.

[screwthegods]

(OOC: From here.)

Now there were people, but nothing distracting. Homura recognized the lone twin as one of Kyouya's friends, but moved past him. There was simply no way the boy was stupid enough to be alone, especially after what had happened the night before last.

The stairs were dark, but quiet, as much of a promising sign as it was a foreboding one. Homura's pace slowed, both for the dark, and to make things easier on his injured side. Still, he continued upwards, the promise of new spaces alluring.

[screwthegods]

(OOC: To here.)

[fuyunohanabi.livejournal.com]

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/121699.html?view=8561507#t8561507)]

Rangiku paused inside the stairwell for the two girls to catch up and then quickly went up the stairs, checking that they were clear before she gestured for the two of them to follow her. No sense in taking too many risks. Neither of them looked like fighters and she'd hate to see them hurt.

She paused at the top of the stairs and glanced at Namine. She'd seen the map, but if the girl was going to be the one drawing it she might have a better idea of what she was looking for. "Namine-chan. Was there anywhere particularly you wanted to map while we're up here?"

[angels-inflight.livejournal.com]

Raven remained silent, as she usually was, and Naminé was constantly checking behind herself to see is the girl was still following them. She knew it might have been a bit annoying to the other girl, but she didn't want to risk losing someone. It was like the halls could swallow people whole without a sound. (which they did before the sun rose. Always.)

Naminé paused when she heard her name (and a 'chan' after it. What did it mean? She'd have to find out later) and paused. Where did she want to go...?

"Nowhere in particular. I am trying to find out where the infirmary is, but I haven't any idea where to look for it. So wherever we go is good enough for me," She explained to Rangiku. She was mostly hoping that she could run into it somehow while exploring the second floor, if it was indeed on the second floor.

[is-god.livejournal.com]

Susan paused at the bottom of the stairs, listening to the sound of other people talking. There seemed to be quite a few other prisoners around, which surprised her a bit. And giggling; unearthly, creepy giggling. She definitely didn't want to stay here long. She headed up the stairs.

[transgenix.livejournal.com]

Max fell into step beside her, moving cautiously and alertly. Her eyes scanned the stairwell constantly, watching for anything dangerous to drop in on them, but relieved they were able to pass unnoticed.

Hearing the giggling sent a shudder down her spine. She didn't think she wanted to meet whatever was making that sound. At least not in such close quarters as a stairwell. Definitely not the best location for a fight, especially when she wasn't sure yet how capable Susan was at defending herself. If something got the drop of them in here...

Max sped up her pace, wanting to get out in the open once more.

(going here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/127751.html?thread=8594183#t8594183))

[141point12.livejournal.com]

[From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/117515.html?thread=8488459#t8488459)]

Otacon slowed as they exited the patient block. Normally, he'd find crowded places a comfort during the night, but there was something behind the hushed voices... Something unsettling.

He looked at Snake.

[damn-legends.livejournal.com]

"We have to get a move on," Snake explained, harshly. "I need to get to the Sun Room, soon."

He shook his head. "It's taking longer than I expected."

[tte-bayo.livejournal.com]

Naruto stuck close to the walls and stopped at the staircase. He glanced up curiously, but checked to make sure Lee was still with him before heading up. "Did you run into anything while you were upstairs?"

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

"There was a small girl...who I believe is able to alter space. One second, we were in one area, and the next, we were transported. It was amazing, but very disconcerting."

[youthfulrocklee.livejournal.com]

From Here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/125635.html?thread=8733635#t8733635)

To say the least, Lee was not happy at all at how things had turned out. The mission had been a complete failure.

But Lee was not deterred. In fact, now he felt even more the urge to fight the evils here to protect his friends.

"Where shall we go?" he asked Naruto.

[tte-bayo.livejournal.com]

"My legs aren't hurt," Naruto used as a counter to Lee when the other ninja insisted he would manage, and had stuck stubbornly at his side to be there to lean on. What a night. Almost exactly like his first with Gaara.

As they exited the stairs and wobbled out into the first floor hallway together, a bloody pair of sorry looking Leaf ninja, he lifted his chin and attempted to gather his bearings.

"My room," pant, "number's M5. What's yours?" Whose was closer? "Or we could use one of the, the bathrooms. I think that's our closest option."