NIGHT 64: MEDICAL WING HALL

[envy_the_sinners]

_{[From here]}

Looking around, Scar wasn't quite sure what to expect upon this returning visit to the medical wing. It was silent, for now. Scar shined his light around each corner as he moved silently through the room, ready for something to jump out at him at any moment. He wasn't sure of what to expect, but he held his scalpel at the ready with his free hand. It was feeble protection at best, but Scar was a sitting duck without his alchemic arm.

He still wasn't sure if he would actually want it back, though.

Comments

[complicatedliar]

It started with a low, amused chuckle, a shadow moving just out of reach of the light. "Could it be? Is Mr. Snarly Bear wandering about all on his own, and in such a foolish place?"

Loki hadn't ever really liked Scar, and given the chance he would have much prefered to just insert a knife into his spine and be done with it. But orders were orders, and he had a job to do. Which didn't mean he couldn't have a bit of fun while doing it.

He stepped deliberately into the beam of the flashlight, gauntlets and helmet dully reflecting the light. "Despite my own best instincts, I find myself compelled to warn you that you ought to go back to your room like a good little boy. I know you're not as attached to your blood as most, but surely even you realize you require a certain amount to keep that sad little hamster on a wheel you have in lieu of a brain limping along."

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar knew he wasn't alone from the moment the hairs stood on the back of his neck. Then came the laugh. And the words. His stomach felt as if it had jumped into his throat. His grip on the knife and flashlight tightened so much it was painful. Every muscle in Scar's body was suddenly tense as the man from the other night stepped into full view.

Scar was not as stupid as he sometimes made himself out to be. The Ishbalan was well aware that this was the man in front of whom he had made an utter fool of himself on the bulletin board. And he was wearing some sort of ridiculous getup... Heavily decorated and foolish looking armor that hardly seemed to serve a purpose.

The building rage flared as the other man (whose real name Scar had yet to learn) continued to taunt him.

"As if I'm going to listen to a word you say." The disgust in his voice was plainly obvious as Scar advanced toward the X-Ray room, all thoughts of hesitation gone now that he was being told to do otherwise by this man. Scar was sure to attempt to shove Loki out of his way as he walked by.

[complicatedliar]

"I'll try to use smaller words, if that will help," Loki said.

At the attempted shove, Scar simply passed through Loki, the illusion falling to pieces in a scattering of light.

While Scar was off balance, Loki slipped around behind him in the darkness, far faster than he should have been able to, dagger out to give him a little light correction. Simultaneously, Loki appeared on Scar's other side. "You. Go back to your kennel."

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar stumbled, nearly falling over in his weakened state. What the hell...? This man was abnormally fast. And Scar had definitely not thrown himself at air. His head snapped back in the direction of Loki's voice, the embarrassment of being tricked by this man only fueling his foul temper.

The fact that Loki had a knife hardly registered. The heat of the moment was Scar's weakness. His common sense was tossed to the wayside and basic, raw instinct took hold, and Scar's instincts were often never logical. It had gotten him killed once, and it could damn well happen again. But none of that mattered right now to Scar. All he was aware of was of how much he just wanted to get back at Loki for... for what? Scar wasn't even sure how to place his hatred. He wasn't even thinking about why he wanted to lash out at this man. He just knew that he needed to.

Upon regaining his balance, Scar lunged at Loki with a growl, fists tight around his knife and flashlight.

[lighthearted]

[From here.]

While it seemed almost completely silent in the medical wing, Sora knew that couldn't last for long. There was even more blood in here, which made it clear that this was where those wounds had been inflicted.

Sora paused for a moment, searching around with his flashlight for any sign of what had done this. He thought back to Renji and Daemon and wondered if it was the same thing that had done that to them. He felt a tightness in his throat as he realized that if the two of them hadn't been able to survive, then he probably wouldn't stand a chance either.

When nothing showed up immediately, Sora started to creep forward, taking care to make sure that Link was following close behind him.

[his_legacy]

An ominous silence hung over the room as Link followed Sora inside. He was glad that the boy at least had some kind of weapon. The Hylian felt completely helpless as he entered the medical wing, flashlight checking every nook and cranny of the room as he hesitantly made his way deeper into the room. Link was careful not to step in the blood that pooled on the floor. He kept glancing back, half-expecting the door to shut behind them.

His heart was pounding, adrenaline keeping his body tense and ready for something to jump out at them.

[complicatedliar]

Nothing jumped out at them; rather first, the young men heard Loki's amused chuckle, the soft sound of his footsteps.

"More so soon?" he asked, stepping into the beam of one of the flashlights. His daggers were hidden away again, his armor once more impeccable. "Oh, and there is dear Sora. Come to bring me a message of hope and friendship perhaps?"

Loki smiled at the two youngsters. "It's far past your bedtime, boys. This place isn't for you."

[madeinthehrl]

[from here]

The trail of blood seemed to end here. Soma wasn't sure if that was supposed to be reassuring or ominous, and settled on the latter. Gesturing for the Once-ler to stay put for the moment, she halted just inside the door and scanned the immediate area with her flashlight.

Not for the first time that night, she was acutely aware of just how much the sickness was slowing her down. Even Marie felt sluggish in the back of her mind, as if she were somehow ill as well. It didn't help her scan for threats in the slightest, but she tried anyway.

[fallenbeanpole]

The Once-ler held the katana loosely at his side. To be perfectly honest, he had no idea how to use the blade. It certainly wasn't an axe. For one thing, it was longer, yet lighter. Well, if worst came to worst he could always try swinging it with the same motions as an axe.

He waited behind Soma as she swept the area. It seemed like there was something sinister in the air, but that sensation could have been triggered by the nerves that activated when he had been handed live steel.

Nonetheless, he gripped the hilt tighter and stood still.

[complicatedliar]

The sight of Soma did make Loki feel a stab of regret, but he had little choice in the matter. There was a task to be completed, and he wasn't one to let sentiment stand in his way.

He was rather relieved to see she had a companion, and one that didn't seem to have any idea how to hold a sword properly. If Loki wounded the young man, Soma would likely take care of him and thus be stopped as well.

An excellent initial solution, though it would have to be tested.

From further in the darkened hallway, an illusion of Loki said, "Is that you, Soma? Dearest, you look a bit pique-y. You really oughtn't be out."

[gald_digger]

[from here]

With how much blood was scattered around, part of Anise was hoping the cause would be a monster that had already had its fill and wouldn’t need to attack anyone anymore. But not only was that way too optimistic, but upon entering, she saw no sign of any non-human creatures at all. Just people.

Lots of people, even. She’d expected people to flock to the cure, but something was really off about this crowd.

… Like how almost all of them looked completely identical, right down to the clothes.

“What’s going on!?” she blurted out. They couldn’t all be replicas, right? Someone had to be pulling some kind of weird trick.

[earthling]

Claude had been bracing himself for a potential ambush or trap, especially after catching sight of that blood outside, but he didn't expect to find so many patients -- a crowd of them, actually. Not that it was so shocking that others were headed this way, but he didn't remember the hallways being quite so full, not to mention--

Wait a second. Did they all have the same face?

"Huh?!" he blurted before his mind could catch up with what he was seeing.

[nobleman]

At this point, Guy had done his best to accustom himself to strange obstacles here, but sometimes that just wasn't possible. He was left just as baffled as his two friends as he entered the medical wing hall and found that it was crowded with a bunch of the same person.

In fact, that was so distracting that he was barely able to pay attention to the hall around him, even though it was his first time here. Guy knew that whatever was going on here, though, it couldn't be good, and he tightened his grip on his sword as he stared down one of the many figures.

"So much for strength in numbers, huh," he muttered to Claude and Anise. He didn't know if all of these copies were going to try to attack them or what, but he was prepared for that outcome at least.

[freewill]

[From here.]

This part of the medical wing Castiel had seen before, and he could easily have led them to the infirmary, but that wasn't where they were supposed to go. From the looks of things, all the doors here were labeled, so in theory this X-Ray room would be easy to find.

Not wanting to take off into the darkness when there was something dangerous lurking around, Castiel decided to check in with the others first. There was no sense in plowing forward when they didn't necessarily have the firepower to back it up. He could be strategic when needed.

"Kratos," he said, rotating his body back toward the man. Just that small movement pulled at the wound in his shoulder and a hiss came out of his mouth without permission, but he moved past it. "Do you have some idea of where we should search first?"

[forsworn]

On numerous occasions, Kratos had sorely wished for the impeccable night vision and hearing that his angelic status had conferred upon him. Now was one of those times. Even though the medical wing seemed silent and empty, he knew better; the mess outside had been proof enough.

He warily entered the medical wing, stopping only when he had passed Castiel with sufficient distance to allow the rest of the group to remain behind him. "Farther down--" Kratos tucked his flashlight under his arm so he could draw his sword. "Last time I was here, we explored the right hand side, and I didn't come across any 'X-Ray rooms'. So, by process of elimination, the left side would be best to start."

He let his flashlight drop back into his free hand and shone it around, carefully checking for any sudden movements or lurking threats. "Everyone, stay close."

Really, really sorry for the wait. T_T

[hairraising]

Rapunzel hadn't felt more thankful to be wearing shoes since the night after going out in the snow barefoot. She managed to avoid stepping in any blood either way, but in the event she had accidentally stepped in some, doing it barefoot would have made things even worse. It made her skin crawl just to think about.

Creepy messages on the way in didn't help her feelings of dread much. She followed Kratos's advice as they passed by the white board, sticking very close to the others, and to Eugene in particular. If she hadn't been holding so many things, she would have taken hold of his sleeve.

"I don't think I want to know what they mean by 'good patient'," she whispered to Eugene as they followed Kratos further down the hall.

[baniichan]

((From here.))

Unfortunately, this was about as far as Anise's notes led them. Suppressing a sigh, Barnaby took a moment to tuck his maps into his leather jacket. He could only hope the halls and rooms would be properly labeled. Since this was far from an ordinary facility, though, there was no telling what they would find.

His flashlight fell upon the front desk, and a nearby whiteboard with a message scrawled across it: Are you a good patient? Barnaby resisted the urge to roll his eyes. What a joke.

There was a door to their immediate right, but Barnaby doubted they would put the X-Ray room so close to the medical wing entrance. For now, there was no other way to go except forward. Silently nodding toward Kotetsu, he continued to walk past the desk.

[oyaji]

Huh. With the door broken, Wild Tiger kind of expected to bump into someone right off the bat. It looked like saving people was going to be a little more complicated this time. Slipping inside the reception area behind his partner, the older man took in the dark creepiness that was a general trademark of practically every room in this institution.

But this one, Tiger found when he turned his head to the receptionist's desk, had candy and he just couldn't help himself. Quietly he shuffled closer for inspection before taking one. Good patient or not, he was taking one!

[complicatedliar]

A young, dark-haired woman in the hospital uniform stumbled out of the darkness, bare feet slapping on the floor. She stopped, catching sight of the two men, hands held out in front of her. There was blood dripping from her fingers. Her eyes were terrified, wild.

"No, not more!" she whispered, slowly taking a step back.

[kings_thief]

[From Here]

...or not. It was just another hallway. Of course, it was a hallway with a lot of doors, but just a hallway all the same. He sighed. When did he get so paranoid? Maybe it was this stupid illness...or maybe just this place.

"Well...only hundreds of doors, where should we look?"

[age_of_kings]

"Oh blind copulating gods!"

Tolten couldn't keep his curse of angry frustration from escaping his lips. He'd been so certain! All of their determination and drive and what did they have? A myriad of doors and little else! And all the while the young king felt as though a timer were ticking down, and he'd no idea what would happen when it did....

"I suppose we start with whatever's closest...."

Since there was no way of knowing what doors would even open, let alone lead to their destination!

[complicatedliar]

More idiots to help him wile away the hours, it seemed. Unfortunately, Loki was still very busy elsewhere, and couldn't immediately show himself to slice holes through the newcomers.

Instead, he built a quick illusion, the same thing that had worked so well on Kitten and Bun-Bun - a young, dark-haired woman stumbled from the hall, smeared with blood, her hospital uniform still recognizable. She held up her hands to ward off the light from the flashlights, squinting. "No," she whispered, voice hoarse. "Go back."

[a_sin_for_him]

[from here]

Boots clicking on the tiled floor, Lust moved into the next corridor without leave from Gumshoe, the patches and smears of blood nothing more than scenery. She'd been the cause of worse. The sweet man was simply trying to look out for her, and while it was a nice thought...

Tonight wasn't a night she wanted looking after.

The homunculus held her hand in front of her as she paused, ready to extend her claws should the need arise. What on earth was guarding the medical rooms?

[complicatedliar]

Oh, but here was a visitor he hadn't expected at all, and a welcome distraction. Loki left a legion of illusions behind to continue distracting Kratos and Flynn and let himself be drawn to Lust. This would be far more interesting, he thought.

And surely, someone as intelligent as she wouldn't insist on trying to batter through to a place where she didn't belong.

Still, he was cautious. He sent an illusion to greet her, creeping around to the side, invisible. He didn't care for hurting women to begin with, and he really would prefer to not mar someone he found that lovely. But business was, unfortunately, business.

The illusion of Loki stepped into the beam of Lust's flashlight, lips curling in a smile. "Ah, my lady Lust," he said. "Good of you to visit. Unfortunately, this isn't really a suitable place for you, and I'm afraid I'm not in a position where I can attend you properly. Please turn back."

[ham_fisted]

Gumshoe's hand moved up to the back of his neck. "Eh... I'm sorry." He then remembered he hadn't even told her his name, or what he did for a living. Hopefully that would be enough to clear up the misunderstanding. "My name's Dick Gumshoe. I'm a detective, so it's kind of my job to-- H-Hey, what are you doing!? Come back...!"

He followed after the woman, just like he'd done for most of the night so far, and sighed again. He had to keep his wits about him, for both their sakes.

He gulped and tensed when he entered the Med Wing and saw the blood that was smeared on the floor. As he walked around the mess, he warily glanced around, on the lookout for whatever (or whoever) might have caused it. If it seemed like something was about to pounce out of the darkness at them, he'd give the lady a shout.

...She was being pretty reckless. Did she have to walk ahead like that? How did she think all this blood got here!? Something could be getting ready to attack her at any moment!

Just then, something did appear next to her, causing Gumshoe to yelp in surprise. Still too shocked to be relieved that it wasn't a monster, he hurried forward to the woman's side and listened to what the guy was saying, thinking the safest way to go about this was to be suspicious of him from the get-go. So, these two knew each other? Why was he asking her to--

Now he was glaring. "She can go wherever she wants, pal!"