Nightshift 62: Main Hallway, 1-West

[ninelivesonce]

[from here]

Taura took up station midway between the two halls leading back into the dormitories. Alone with her thoughts; the hall was quiet. Too quiet. Dead quiet, a little voice hissed in the back of her mind.

This was no time to be getting superstitious. It was unavoidable, really, in a profession with so much risk involved in daily operations, that those who survived found things to credit. Beyond their own skill, because they'd all seen better men/women/herms when their luck ran out, and skill only improved your odds.

Her luck was holding, tonight. Was Rita and Goku's?

[Rita and Goku]

Comments

[a_sin_for_him]

Suddenly, perhaps due to the conversation earlier, Lust fancied herself between two wild beasts. Neither one of them had bothered introducing themselves, and Scar at least was already brimming with hostility. She was going to have to be very, very careful.

She took a diplomatic step away from Lingormr and did her best to stay between the two men. Just in case. Scar knew the man's name, and the moment it was uttered all hell was likely to break loose. And for what? She certainly couldn't say, other than Scar's...infuriating and hollow possessiveness. But she knew men, and she knew both of these men were of the alpha variety.

"It isn't safe to venture out alone," she pointed out, mildly. "And this is Scar. We're looking for medical supplies. My map says there are doctor's rooms on the other side of the building."

Maybe if she just didn't say anything....

[envy_the_sinners]

And for the second time in a row, Scar was completely ignored. It was already decided that he did not like this man, but now he was started to greatly dislike him.

"I can answer who I am for myself," he half-snapped at both of them. His anger was not directed at Lust, but one of Scar's many weaknesses was his inability to hide emotion. And this man's continued ignoring him was only making him angrier. His headache and queasiness were not helping his growing bad mood, which was still touchy after what had happened this morning.

Just thinking about it made the anger flare up more.

[complicatedliar]

"So I've been told often," Loki said. "Unfortunately, events today conspired to prevent me from signing up for that club I've been attempting to help.

Though he was beginning to question the worth of that anyway. Of the two nights he'd gone, he'd gotten the distinct impression that he was being treated with a good deal of suspicion. That made the entire endeavor potentially much less useful. It was time to consider the other possibilities.

His eyebrows went up. "I'm going that way myself, actually. There are some matters I wish to investigate in the medical wing. I was there last night as well."

He finally turned his attention on to Scar, expression deceptively mild but eyes sharp. "I suppose you can. But you didn't introduce yourself before demanding my name so rudely, so I'd assumed you'd forgotten."

[a_sin_for_him]

And things were simply getting better and better. Lust kept a mild smile on her face and glanced from one man to the other, keeping herself calm. She wished she knew both of them better, it would be so much easier to diffuse any tempers that flared.

"Let's save our aggression for the monsters?" she offered, not directing her quip at either of them. "And I've no experience with the clubs, personally. I doubt you're missing out on much. We went upstairs last night, but didn't end the night with any supplies." She glanced at Scar now, lifting her eyebrows and shrugging in question. The obvious action would be to invite Lingormr along with them, but she wasn't about to do so without at least making an effort to consult with Scar.

"If we're all going the same way..."

[envy_the_sinners]

"I'm sorry, I was slightly frustrated by being so blatantly ignored," Scar shot back, sarcasm obvious in his tone.

The fowl-tempered Ishbalan gave Lust a disbelieving look. Was she honestly alluding to inviting this infuriating man along with them?

"Do whatever," he growled. This man would probably follow even if he wasn't invited, anyway, much to Scar's further frustration.

[complicatedliar]

Loki gave Scar a look that said he was plainly wondering if the man had really intended to sound like a pissy teenaged girl, then turned his attention back to Lust.

"Yes, the experience of the past two nights certainly hasn't left me all that confident about the... clubs. There's doesn't seem to be an overarching purpose to them."

He shrugged gracefully. "I shall accompany if you so desire, my lady. I've an idea where certain supplies are, at least."

[a_sin_for_him]

"There's safety in numbers." Lust spoke directly to Scar for the moment, her voice quiet and almost pressing. "You still aren't armed. And after last night..." She glanced down at her hand and gave another small shrug. Her claws could only do so much here. Besides, Lingormr knew where supplies were and that was what they needed.

"Neither one of us can do as we're used to, simply relying on ourselves. I can't ignore or dismiss help when it's dropped in my lap." She sighed and frowned, but went on anyway, half-lying to try and smooth Scar's ruffled feathers. "And if we're going to work together here, you're going to have to get used to men slighting you in favor of me. It's nothing personal, that's just how it is. I'm meant to draw attention, I was raised and trained to do so."

Now she turned to Lingormr, smoothing her dress over her hips as she collected herself.

"And we would appreciate that. We'll all benefit. At least one of us is armed, and you know where to go. It would be rather silly not to combine our efforts. Just as it would be rather silly to waste time and energy squabbling amongst ourselves."

[envy_the_sinners]

"I said do whatever," Scar said in response to Lust's justification of her inviting this man along. As long as he could be civil and stop making snide subtle jobs at Scar, he could put up with him enough to travel together. Maybe. He did his best to ignore the newcomer for now.

But she was right. After last night, they needed a better plan, and they needed to properly equip themselves.

He rolled his eyes at her 'explanation' for what was obviously just this man being very rude. Though there probably was some truth behind it. 'Raised and trained'? What was that supposed to mean? A thoughtful frown crossed Scar's face for a moment when he realized that he honestly had no idea what it was Lust did while they were still in Amestris.

[complicatedliar]

Loki felt rather insulted by what Lust said, all in all. He gave her a sharp look, then realized that it was more a matter of manipulating the cranky idiot than anything else.

Or at least it had better be, or he and the lady were going to have some private words at some point.

Really, he was more curious why Lust was taking such pains to sooth this person. There was obviously a lot he didn't know, and that made him curious. It might be useful, eventually. He listened carefully to everything she said, filing it away for later consideration.

All he ultimately did was give a look that involved a raised eyebrow, and said nothing. "My preference is to not waste time when there are more useful pursuits. So please, let us continue on."

[a_sin_for_him]

"Scar, please."

It was all Lust said, but it was said softly and as plaintively as she was willing. His passionate anger was stimulating but it grew grating as a constant. And she didn't want to fight with him every moment they were together. Especially not in front of Lingormr, who was bound to draw all manner of interesting conclusions over this. She'd need to speak to him, and try and explain some of what was between her and the Ishbalan. If for no reason other than to explain why she dismissed him in the manner she did.

Why was she even bothering to try and keep the waters calm she didn't know. What did it even matter?

"And you're right," she said to Lingormr. And began walking, her map still out. "You mentioned the medical wing...is that near the doctor offices?"

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar glared at the homunculus for a moment, contemplating whether or not to say something. But he found that he did not have anything close to a valid response, so he kept his mouth shut. He waited in the background for the two to come to some sort of decision. He didn't feel like making a contribution, because at this point he did not care wherever it was they were going.

[complicatedliar]

"It's a bit past the doctors' offices, actually. I haven't been in to the offices, but if it's actual supplies you seek, the medical wing will probably yield more useful results."

He was surprised the large, angry chew-toy of a man didn't say anything, and contemplated poking him again, just for the sheer pleasure of it. He thought better of it for the moment. There was always plenty of time for fun later. He did have things he wanted to accomplish.

"Come along, if you like." With that, he turned and headed down the hallway.

[To here]